PET Container Prevents Sodium Benzoate Adsorption in Meloxicam Formulations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plastic containers for storing and preserving pharmaceutical compositions containing meloxicam and sodium benzoate experience significant loss of sodium benzoate due to adsorption onto the container walls, leading to potential degradation of the composition and reduced shelf-life.

Innovation Solution

A plastic container made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with a closure device and optional non-polymeric components, designed to store and preserve a pharmaceutical composition comprising sodium benzoate and meloxicam, preventing significant loss of sodium benzoate during storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional plastic containers (HDPE, polypropylene) are used for storing meloxicam and sodium benzoate composition, then the container provides basic storage functionality, but significant loss of sodium benzoate occurs due to adsorption onto container walls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of sodium benzoateVSAvoidloss of sodium benzoate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the container material from conventional plastics (HDPE, polypropylene) to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which has different surface properties that prevent adsorption of sodium benzoate, thereby resolving the contradiction between basic storage functionality and prevention of substance loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses PET as a composite polymer material that combines the necessary mechanical properties for container storage with chemical inertness toward sodium benzoate, eliminating the adsorption issue while maintaining storage functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the concentration of sodium benzoate is increased to compensate for adsorption loss, then preservative efficacy is maintained, but unnecessary amounts of preservative are administered to animals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreservative efficacyVSAvoidamount of preservative

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the source of the problem by removing the adsorptive container walls and replacing them with PET material that does not adsorb sodium benzoate, thereby eliminating the need to compensate for losses through increased preservative dosing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The PET container acts as an intermediary material that mediates between the pharmaceutical composition and the external environment, preventing unwanted interactions (adsorption) while allowing the preservative to function at optimal concentrations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the shelf-life of the formulation is extended by increasing preservative concentration, then potential stability is improved, but the risk of irritation or allergic reactions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf-lifeVSAvoidirritation or allergic reactions

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the container material parameter to PET, which eliminates sodium benzoate adsorption and thereby allows the preservative to remain at optimal concentrations throughout the shelf-life, extending stability without increasing harmful effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent takes preliminary action by selecting PET as the container material before storage begins, preventing adsorption losses that would otherwise necessitate higher preservative doses and their associated risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The PET container maintains the stability of the meloxicam and sodium benzoate composition for at least 18 months, significantly reducing the loss of sodium benzoate and ensuring the formulation remains effective throughout its shelf-life.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP4378443B1Containers for compositions comprising meloxicam

Publication Date: 2025.05.14 BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM VETMEDICA GMBH

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AI summary

A plastic container containing a pharmaceutical composition comprising benzoic acid or a derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a COX-inhibitor of the oxi-cam-type or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof, wherein the container material selected from one or more members of the group consisting of a homopolymer of polypropylene (PP), a copolymer of polypropylene (PP), a homopolymer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and a copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and optionally one or more non-polymeric components.