Unit Dose Tablet Coated Effervescent Agent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unit dose cleaning tablet compositions face a dichotomy where increasing compression for strength results in slower dissolution, and reducing compression for faster dissolution compromises tablet strength, while also having poor long-term storage stability.

Innovation Solution

A unit-dose tablet composition comprising a surfactant, builder, and effervescent agent where at least 90% of the effervescent agent is coated with triglyceride oil, along with a swellable disintegrant and water-soluble salt, optimized to balance strength and dissolution, with reduced filler content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If compression force is increased to provide breakage resistance, then tablet strength is improved, but dissolution rate becomes slower

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetablet strengthVSAvoiddissolution rate
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The effervescent agent is segmented into particles of specific size ranges (at least 90% by weight with particle size below 0.3mm and at least 30% by weight below 0.2mm), allowing rapid dissolution even in highly compressed tablets. This particle size segmentation enables the tablet to maintain structural integrity under compression while ensuring quick disintegration and dissolution when wetted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the particle size parameter of the effervescent agent and disintegrant to resolve the contradiction. By using fine particles (below 0.3mm, with 30% below 0.2mm), the tablet achieves both high compression strength and rapid dissolution, as the fine particles create more surface area for water penetration and effervescent reaction while still allowing the tablet to withstand transport forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If compression force is reduced to improve dissolution rate, then dissolution speed is improved, but tablet strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissolution rateVSAvoidtablet strength
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The disintegrant is segmented into fine particles (at least 90% by weight below 0.3mm, at least 30% below 0.2mm) to enable rapid tablet breakdown upon contact with water. This segmentation allows the tablet to dissolve quickly even when compressed to high forces, as the fine disintegrant particles facilitate rapid water penetration and structural breakdown.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite approach combining effervescent agent particles, disintegrant particles, and binder in specific ratios and size distributions. This composite structure allows the tablet to achieve both mechanical strength for handling and rapid dissolution characteristics, as the different components work synergistically to provide both structural integrity and quick disintegration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If compression specification is increased to compensate for poor storage stability, then long-term storage stability is improved, but dissolution rate becomes slower

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoiddissolution rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The effervescent agent is segmented into fine particles (at least 90% by weight below 0.3mm, at least 30% below 0.2mm) that maintain storage stability while enabling rapid dissolution. The fine particle size ensures that even when compressed to high specifications for storage stability, the tablet will dissolve quickly because the small particles create extensive surface area for water penetration and effervescent reaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the particle size parameter of the effervescent agent and disintegrant to resolve the contradiction between storage stability and dissolution rate. By using fine particles with specific size distributions, the tablet can be compressed to high specifications for storage stability while the fine particles ensure rapid dissolution occurs when the tablet is wetted, as water can quickly penetrate and activate the effervescent reaction throughout the tablet structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition achieves improved dissolution characteristics and excellent storage stability, ensuring the tablets remain strong and dissolve quickly, meeting consumer expectations for cleaning surfaces and laundry.

Implementation Method 1

an effervescent agent selected from organic acids wherein at least 90% wt. of the effervescent agent is coated with triglyceride oil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEffervescent reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

disintegration-promoting particles comprising water-insoluble disintegrant which can swell to at least twice its volume on contact with water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a water-soluble polymeric binder solid at 25 degrees centigrade

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolubility: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP4355849B1A unit dose tablet composition
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 UNILEVER IP HLDG BV

AI summary

A unit-dose tablet composition comprising a surfactant, a builder, a filler and an effervescent agent selected from organic acids wherein at least 90% wt. of the effervescent agent is coated with triglyceride oil.