Sleeve-Coated Caplet for Swallowability and Tamper Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pharmaceutical coatings, such as gelatin coatings, face challenges in improving swallowability and dissolution rates, and lack tamper-resistance and aesthetic appeal, while also being costly and complex to produce.

Innovation Solution

A sleeve-coated pharmaceutical composition is developed, where a caplet is coated with a novel sleeve coating that is easy to swallow, tamper-resistant, and visually appealing, using a method that modifies existing equipment to apply a smooth, multicolored coating, facilitating easier production and improved consumer perception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If gelatin coatings are applied to tablets using traditional methods (empty capsule shells, enrobing, compression coating, or dipping), then the tablets gain a coating layer, but the process requires two-step procedures involving placing coating portions on both ends separately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating process simplicityVSAvoidcoating process steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coating is divided into two separate portions (first coating portion and second coating portion) that are applied to opposite ends of the tablet core independently, then joined together to form a complete coating layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An adhesive is used as an intermediary substance to bond the first coating portion and second coating portion together at their overlapping edges, enabling the two-step process to create a unified coating structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional coating methods are used to coat tablets, then coating coverage is achieved, but swallowability and dissolution rates are not sufficiently improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswallowability and dissolution performanceVSAvoidcoating effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the coating (first coating portion and second coating portion) can have different properties or compositions, allowing optimization of local areas for specific functions such as swallowability and dissolution rate enhancement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The coating system uses composite structure combining coating portions with adhesive material, creating a multi-layered system that provides both protective coverage and functional improvements for swallowability and dissolution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If traditional gelatin coatings are applied to tablets, then coating coverage is provided, but tamper-resistance and aesthetic appeal are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper-resistance and appearanceVSAvoidcoating structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coating portions can be formulated with different colors or visual characteristics, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and providing visual indicators of the coating's integrity and tamper-resistance features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional coating methods are used, then coating application is achieved, but production costs and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction cost and complexityVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second coating portions are prepared and applied to opposite ends of the tablet core in advance, allowing parallel processing and reducing overall production time and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2605760B1Tablet sleeve for improved performance

Publication Date: 2017.01.11 JOHNSON & JOHNSON CONSUMER INC

AI summary

A capsule-like dosage form, method for producing such dosage form and apparatus are disclosed. Such dosage form is achieved by applying a sleeve over the caplet to provide a coating which is smoother and easier to swallow than an uncoated caplet. The production of the capsule-like dosage form is readily facilitated by simple and inexpensive modifications to existing empty gelatin capsule making equipment.