Method and apparatus for making miniature tablets

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system for forming a miniature tablet using a predetermined compression force in a rotary tablet press. The predetermined compression force can be in the range of about 50 to about 2,000 Newtons, preferably less than about 500 Newtons. In one embodiment, the predetermined compression force is applied using an adjustable ramp for moving a lower punch upwardly towards a downwardly moving upper punch wherein the miniature tablet is formed in a die receiving the lower punch and the upper punch. The height of the adjustable ramp is accurately controlled to precisely provide the predetermined compression force for forming the miniature tablet. It has also been found that breakage of punch stems formed on the lower punch can be reduced by providing a reinforced portion of the punch stem below the slender portion of the punch stem which enters a bore of the die wherein the miniature tablet is formed. The reinforced portion of the punch stem is received in a counterbore portion of the die. A fill cam is adjusted to raise the position of the lower punch in order to maintain the punch stem in the bore of the die and prevent any material used for forming the miniature tablets from entering the counterbore of the die during filling of the die. A pull down cam is similarly adjusted to maintain the punch stem of the lower punch within the bore of the die. The miniature tablet can be used in place of extruded beads or coated non-pareils to provide drug delivery from a capsule.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.