Loading patent…
AssigneeR. P. Scherer Corporation
InventorsWilliam R. Ebert, Foo S. Hom, Warren W. Kindt
Estimating the term…
A chewable, filled, one-piece soft elastic gelatin (SEG) capsule. The capsule includes a shell which is formed from a formulation of gelatin, water, a plasticizer, and a masticatory substance. The masticatory substance is present in the shell in an amount of about 1-75 percent by weight and the gelatin is present in the shell in an amount of about 10-90 percent by weight. A fill material is contained within the shell. The fill may be selected from a variety of materials, including candy, various confectionaries, antacids, cough and cold preparations, sore throat remedies, antiseptics, dental preparations, such as fluorides, breath fresheners, and the like. In manufacturing the SEG capsules, a molten gel mass is prepared with a dispersion of a molten masticatory substance therein. A suitable fill material is also prepared. The gelatin formulation containing the masticatory substance dispersed therein is formed as a shell around the fill material. The capsules are dried until the desired chewing characteristics are attained.
A method for preparing a chewable, non-toxic, filled, soft elastic gelatin capsule having selected chewable texture following chewing thereof, said method comprising the steps of preparing a soluble molten component of gelatin, water and a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of glycerin and sorbitol, preparing an insoluble molten masticatory substance, dispersing said insoluble substance in said soluble molten component for forming a gelatin shell formulation for said gelatin capsule, preparing a fill material, forming a shell from said gelatin shell formulation around said fill material to form said capsule, drying said shell, said selected chewable texture being attained when an insoluble chewable residue is formed from said insoluble substance upon chewing of said capsule, said residue substantially retaining its size and chewing consistency during chewing, the relative proportions of said soluble compoent and said insoluble masticatory substance being such that the size and chewing characteristics of said chewable residue are attained.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.