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EP2055292A1 - Mehrfach unterteilter Behälter - Google Patents

Mehrfach unterteilter Behälter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2055292A1
EP2055292A1 EP07119669A EP07119669A EP2055292A1 EP 2055292 A1 EP2055292 A1 EP 2055292A1 EP 07119669 A EP07119669 A EP 07119669A EP 07119669 A EP07119669 A EP 07119669A EP 2055292 A1 EP2055292 A1 EP 2055292A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cap
open end
container
top cap
capping member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07119669A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Clinton Mcinnes
Anna-Marie Underwood
Phillip Vickery
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pfizer Products Inc
Original Assignee
Pfizer Products Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pfizer Products Inc filed Critical Pfizer Products Inc
Priority to EP07119669A priority Critical patent/EP2055292A1/de
Publication of EP2055292A1 publication Critical patent/EP2055292A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J3/00—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms
    • A61J3/07—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of capsules or similar small containers for oral use
    • A61J3/071—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of capsules or similar small containers for oral use into the form of telescopically engaged two-piece capsules
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J3/00—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms
    • A61J3/07—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of capsules or similar small containers for oral use
    • A61J3/071—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of capsules or similar small containers for oral use into the form of telescopically engaged two-piece capsules
    • A61J3/072—Sealing capsules, e.g. rendering them tamper-proof

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to containers, and more particularly, to multi-compartmented containers, such as capsules for the delivery of pharmaceuticals, medicines, vitamins, and the like.
  • capsule technology continues to be subject to development and improvements.
  • standard containers for pharmaceuticals or other powdered, granular, or liquid substances so-called telescope-type capsules, include a tubular-shaped or cylindrically-shaped first part, namely the cap part, which is closed on one end and open on the other end.
  • a tightly fitting second part of similar shape, but of smaller diameter, can be telescopically inserted into the cap part, the second part being referred to as the main part or body part.
  • the containers are supplied to a filling apparatus in a "prelock" (or pre-closed) condition in which the body part is telescoped only partially into the cap. The two parts are separated in the filling machine and then fully closed after the filling operation.
  • the parts may alternatively or additionally be sealed by various methods.
  • such sealing includes the spraying with a liquid or dipping of the capsule parts in a liquid.
  • Such liquid may itself provide adhesive and/or sealing properties.
  • such liquid may result in the partial dissolution or disintegration of portions of the capsule parts, whereby the capsule parts are fused or sealed upon evaporation of the liquid.
  • Illustrative liquid sealing methods and solutions are disclosed in US Patent No. 4,893,721 to Bodenmann et al ., which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • US Patent Application Serial No. 11/485,686 US 2007-0036830A1 to Vanquick-enborne et al ., which is also incorporated by reference, describes a capsule having a pre-lock position and a lock position, and a fluid gap between the cap and body that aids in restricting a sealing fluid between the cap and body, thereby improving the seal between the cap and body.
  • the particular sealing fluid chosen will depend, in part, upon the composition of the capsule parts, but may include, for example, water or an alcohol.
  • Capsules may be constructed from a variety of film-forming agents such as gelatin, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), pullulan, etc.
  • containers such as those described above comprise a single interior volume within which their contents are enclosed and from which their contents are ultimately delivered.
  • many pharmaceuticals, vitamins, and the like are more effective when delivered in more than one dose or when delivered in combination with another compound.
  • the compounds themselves are typically modified to provide sustained, pulsatile, or delayed release. This can be an expensive process and requires specialized equipment.
  • a container which had separate compartments and which provided the ability to deliver multiple ingredients wherein the ingredients were kept separate until dosing. It is a further benefit of the invention to provide such a container with separate compartments so that ingredients that were incompatible (especially during storage and before dosing) or which reacted in contact with each other could be in the form of a single container. It is yet another goal of the present invention to provide a container with the ability to create a unique and attractive appearance for marketing, to obtain improved compliance in dosing (for example, in pediatric use).
  • containers such as pharmaceutical capsules, that permit multiple or combination doses to be administered to an individual that, for example, do not require the delivered compound(s) to be modified (such as the formation of salts or derivatives of the compound) to provide such multiple or combination doses which otherwise would normally require separate delivery vehicles.
  • the invention provides a multi-compartmented hard shelled container suitable for the delivery of pharmaceuticals, medicines, vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, homoeopathic ingredients, and combinations of the foregoing, and the like.
  • a first aspect of the invention provides a container including
  • a second aspect of the invention provides a container comprising: a top cap having an open end, a closed end, and at least one inwardly-projecting annular ridge; a bottom cap having an open end, a closed end, and at least one inwardly-projecting annular ridge; and a body having an open end, a closed end, and an outer surface having at least three annular grooves, wherein the open end of the body is adapted to slide inside the open end of the top cap such that the at least one inwardly-projecting annular ridge of the top cap is alternately engagable with at least two of the at least three annular grooves, and wherein the closed end of the body is adapted to slide inside the open end of the bottom cap such that the at least one inwardly-projecting annular ridge of the bottom cap is engagable with at least one of the at least three annular grooves.
  • a third aspect of the invention provides a pharmaceutical dosage form comprising: a cap having an open end, a closed end, and an inwardly-projecting annular ridge; and a body having an open end, a closed end, and an outer surface having an annular groove, wherein the closed end of the body is adapted to slide inside the open end of the cap such that the inwardly-projecting annular ridge of the cap is engagable with the annular groove of the body.
  • the invention provides a multi-compartmented container and a dosage form suitable for the delivery of multiple doses of a compound and/or the delivery of more than one compound.
  • multi-compartmented means having more than one compartment, each compartment being distinct and separate from each other compartment.
  • hard shelled means having a shell that is deformable, but which returns to its undeformed shape upon the removal of a deforming force.
  • shells comprise less than about 25% water by weight, more preferably less than about 20% water by weight, and even more preferably about 14% water by weight.
  • Suitable compounds for delivery according to the invention include, but are not limited to, powder, liquid, and/or pellet forms of the following:
  • mixtures of compatible ingredients can be included in one compartment and other ingredients which are not compatible with the contents of the first compartment or other ingredients which are desirably placed in a second compartment can also be used as part of the present invention.
  • a first compound may be included in one compartment in a powdered dosage form while a second compound may be included in a second compartment in a liquid dosage form.
  • the ability to administer different dosage forms in a single dosage unit avoids not only any incompatibilities between the compounds and/or their dosage forms, but also the expense often incurred in reformulating one or the other compound into a compatible dosage form.
  • FIG. 1 shows an illustrative multi-compartmented container 1000 according to one embodiment of the invention, the container comprising a body 100, a cap 200 (also called “top cap”), and a capping member 300 (also called “bottom cap”).
  • a body 100 a cap 200
  • a capping member 300 also called “bottom cap”
  • Each of the components constituted by the body 100, the cap 200 and the capping member 300 is formed by a hard-shell component preferably obtained by moulding.
  • the body 100 and the cap 200 when assembled constitute a hard capsule.
  • Each component is elongated along a longitudinal axis and has a substantially cylindrical shape over a section of its length. With respect to its longitudinal axis, each component includes an open end 112, 212, 312 and a closed end 114, 214, 314, respectively.
  • the components 100, 200, 300 are designed such that each of the cap 200 and the capping member 300 can be telescopically fitted onto the body 100 i.e can be coaxially and slideably mounted on the outer surface of the body.
  • the body 100 includes a pair of annular grooves 120, 122 near its open end 112 which a corresponding inwardly-projecting annular ridge 220 of top cap 200 may alternately engage.
  • annular ridge 220 engages first annular groove 120, forming a pre-lock position.
  • the annular ridge 220 and the annular groove 120 constitute first complementary snap-fit members.
  • top cap 200 may be removed from body 100 relatively easily (i.e. with a relatively low disengagement axial force) for filling on a filling machine.
  • top cap 200 and body 100 are placed in a second position, wherein annular ridge 220 engages second annular groove 122.
  • the annular ridge 220 and the annular groove 122 constitute second complementary snap-fit members.
  • Said second snap-fit members are adapted to provide a retention force against axial disengagement of the cap from the body which is higher than the retention force provided by the first snap-fit members.
  • top cap 200 and body 100 may be sealed with a sealing fluid, heat, or some other mechanism.
  • container 1000 further includes a capping member 300, the open end 312 of which is adapted to coaxially slide over the closed end 114 of body 100, thereby forming a second volume or compartment between capping member 300 and body 100.
  • This second volume may be filled with an additional dose of the compound contained between body 100 and top cap 200 (the first volume) or a dose of a different compound.
  • body 100 Similar to the engagement of body 100 and top cap 200, body 100 includes a third annular groove 140 near its closed end 114 that may be engaged by an inwardly-projecting annular ridge 340 of capping member 300.
  • annular ridge 340 and the third annular groove 140 constitute complementary snap-fit means, whereby the capping member 300 is secured in a certain axial position on the capsule constituted by the body 100 and the cap 200, more precisely secured on the body 100.
  • body 100 may optionally include an additional annular groove near its closed end, whereby body 100 and capping member 300 may alternately assume a pre-lock and locked position similar to that described above with respect to body 100 and top cap 200.
  • annular ridges and annular grooves in FIG. 1 are shown as continuous (i.e., unbroken in their path around a circumference of body 100, top cap 200, and capping member 300), annular ridges and grooves according to the invention may also be discontinuous.
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B show the container 1000 of FIG. 1 in various positions and embodiments.
  • container 1000 is in its pre-lock position, wherein annular ridge 220 of top cap 200 is engaged with first annular groove 120 of body 100.
  • Capping member 300 is fully inserted over the closed end 114 of body 100, such that annular ridge 340 of capping member 300 is engaged with third annular groove 140 of body 100.
  • a gap 160 exists between the open ends 212, 312 of top cap 200 and capping member 300.
  • FIG. 2B body 100 has been inserted further into top cap 200 such that annular ridge 220 has disengaged first annular groove 120 and engaged second annular groove 122 to assume a locked position. Gap 160 shown in FIG. 2A has been eliminated and the open ends 212, 312 of top cap 200 and capping member 300 have met to form a joint 162.
  • FIG. 2C shows an alternative embodiment, wherein a gap 170 remains between the open ends 212, 312 of top cap 200 and capping member 300 even after annular ridge 220 has been engaged with second annular groove 122.
  • Such an embodiment may be useful, for example, where more rapid dissolution of container 1000, and particularly body 100, is desirable.
  • body 100, top cap 200, and capping member 300 may be composed of different materials, combinations, or proportions of materials.
  • body 100 and top cap 200 may be composed of the same material having a first dissolution or disintegration rate and capping member 300 composed of a different material having a second dissolution or disintegration rate that is faster than the first dissolution or disintegration rate.
  • the compound(s) contained between capping member 300 and body 100 will be released before the compound(s) contained between top cap 200 and body 100.
  • This may be desirable where, for example, the efficacy of the compound(s) between top cap 200 and body 100 is enhanced by the presence of the compound(s) between capping member 300 and body 100.
  • Such an embodiment may also be desirable where, for example, it is beneficial to deliver the same compound in multiple doses.
  • gelatin type A (derived from acid-treated raw materials) or type B (derived from alkali-treated raw materials)
  • HPMC hydroxypropylmethylcellulose
  • pullulan Other materials may also be used, as will be recognized by one skilled in the art, including cellulose ethers, such as starches (e.g., waxy maize starch, tapioca dextrin, and derivatives thereof), carrageenan, and polymers or copolymers of (meth)acrylic acids and derivatives thereof.
  • FIGS. 3A-C show more detailed views of the engagement of annular ridges 220, 340 and annular grooves 120, 122, 140.
  • FIG. 3A it can be seen that annular ridge 340 of capping member 300 engages with third annular groove 140 of body 100 while annular ridge 220 of top cap 200 may be alternately engaged with first annular groove 120 and second annular groove 122 of body 100.
  • FIG. 3B shows a more detailed view of the "pre-lock" engagement of annular ridge 220 and first annular groove 120 according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • first annular groove 120 has a first width W1 and first depth D1 such that annular ridge 220 does not extend to the full depth of first annular groove 120.
  • FIG. 3C shows the "lock" position following filling of container 1000.
  • annular ridge 220 has moved from first annular groove 120 to second annular groove 122, which has a second width W2 and second depth D2, each being less than first width W1 and first depth D1 of first annular groove 120.
  • annular ridge 220 extends the full depth of second annular groove 122, providing an interference between body 100 and top cap 200 and a more secure engagement than when annular ridge 220 is engaged with first annular groove 120
  • the differences in depth and width of first annular groove 120 and second annular groove 122 make it possible to disengage top cap 200 from body 100 using different amounts of force. From the "prelock" position of FIG.
  • top cap 200 and body 100 may be disengaged using less force than needed to disengage top cap 200 and body 100 from the "lock” position of FIG. 3C .
  • This is advantageous when, as explained above, empty capsules are supplied to a filling machine in a "pre-lock” position of FIG. 3B , opened, filled, and closed to the "lock” position of FIG. 3C .
  • FIG. 3D shows a more detailed view of the engagement of annular ridge 340 of capping member 300 with third annular groove 140 having a depth D3 of body 100.
  • body 100 includes only one annular groove near its closed end.
  • capping member 300 and body 100 engage only in a "lock” position, such as that shown in FIG. 3D .
  • body 100 may include an additional annular groove near its closed end, such that capping member 300 and body 100 may engage in both "pre-lock” and “lock” positions, as with top cap 200 and body 100 described above.
  • FIGS. 3E-F show more detailed views of the relative proportions of the annular ridges 220, 340 of top cap 200 and capping member 300.
  • the depth D4 of annular ridge 220 is less than the depth D5 of annular ridge 340.
  • the lesser depth of annular ridge 220 aids in disengaging top cap 220 and body 100 for the "prelock" position shown in FIG. 3B .
  • an additional annular groove is provided near the closed end of body 100 in order to permit engagement of capping member 300 in a "pre-lock” position, the depth D5 of annular ridge 340 may be similarly lessened.
  • FIGS. 4A-B show side and cross-sectional views, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of top cap 400, wherein a plurality of inwardly-projecting columns 402A-F are provided.
  • Top cap 400 is an alternative for top cap 200 in previous figures.
  • Columns 402A-F increase friction between top cap 400 and body 100 ( FIG. 1 ) as top cap 400 slides over body 100. Increased friction between top cap 400 and body 100 helps prevent accidental disengagement of top cap 400 and body 100.
  • FIG. 5 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of capping member 500 having two diameters, ⁇ 1 and ⁇ 2, ⁇ 1 being smaller than ⁇ 2.
  • Capping member 500 is an alternative for capping member 300 in previous figures.
  • the smaller diameter of ⁇ 1 near the closed end 514 of capping member 500 provides additional friction between capping member 500 and body 100 ( FIG. 1 ), particularly in the area of capping member 500 between its closed end 514 and annular ridge 540.
  • Table 1 shows dimensions of an illustrative container according to the invention. It should be noted that a wide range of dimensions are possible and within the scope of the invention, those shown in Table 1 being for purposes of illustration only. Larger, smaller, or other containers may have different absolute and/or relative dimensions.
  • a container having the dimensions shown in Table 1 results in a container having a maximum interference between the body 100 and top cap 200 of approximately 0.098 mm and a maximum interference between the body 100 and capping member 300 of approximately 0.077 mm.
  • top cap 200 and capping member 300 have interferences with body 100 of approximately 0.075 mm and approximately 0.034 mm, respectively.
  • Containers according to the invention may be manufactured, for example, using known dip coating methods and techniques. Such methods include dipping a pin, the outer surface of which is shaped as a container component (e.g., body, top cap, capping member) and includes the annular ridges and/or grooves described above, into a liquid composition, such as liquid HPMC, removing the pin from the liquid composition, and allowing the liquid composition to dry and/or cool, forming a hard shelled container component. Such components may then be removed from the pins and trimmed to a desired length according to known methods and techniques.
  • a container component e.g., body, top cap, capping member
  • a liquid composition such as liquid HPMC
  • one or more of the body (100, FIG.1 ), top cap (200, FIG. 1 ), and capping member (300, FIG. 1 ) are tapered from their open ends (112, 212, 312, respectively, FIG. 1 ) to their closed ends (114, 214, 314, respectively, FIG. 1 ), such that a diameter at the open end is greater than a diameter at the closed end, with intermediate diameters gradually decreasing between the open end and the closed end.
  • a taper has a range of between about 10 and about 15 microns per millimeter of component length, more preferably between about 11 and about 14 microns per millimeter, and even more preferably about 12 microns per millimeter.
  • the container may include additional capping members telescopically and coaxially fitted one on the other or on the capsule, so as to define additional compartments between two successive capping members or between an additional capping member and the capsule. It will be appreciated that, in such embodiments, the container has more than two compartments.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
EP07119669A 2007-10-30 2007-10-30 Mehrfach unterteilter Behälter Withdrawn EP2055292A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07119669A EP2055292A1 (de) 2007-10-30 2007-10-30 Mehrfach unterteilter Behälter

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07119669A EP2055292A1 (de) 2007-10-30 2007-10-30 Mehrfach unterteilter Behälter

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2055292A1 true EP2055292A1 (de) 2009-05-06

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EP07119669A Withdrawn EP2055292A1 (de) 2007-10-30 2007-10-30 Mehrfach unterteilter Behälter

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108348400A (zh) * 2015-11-16 2018-07-31 比利时胶囊公司 防篡改剂型

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1281633B (de) * 1964-03-17 1968-10-31 Jacob A Glassmann Verfahren zur Herstellung von gefuellten, plastischen Kapseln
US4487327A (en) * 1982-12-21 1984-12-11 Grayson Robert E Locking capsule
WO1992013521A1 (en) * 1991-01-30 1992-08-20 Alza Corporation Osmotic device for delayed delivery of agent
WO2005039474A1 (en) * 2003-10-21 2005-05-06 Ambo Innovation Llc Digestible and volume adjustable multi medication delivery device
WO2007047371A2 (en) * 2005-10-14 2007-04-26 Microdose Technologies, Inc. Pharmaceutical packaging of an oral dosage combination

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1281633B (de) * 1964-03-17 1968-10-31 Jacob A Glassmann Verfahren zur Herstellung von gefuellten, plastischen Kapseln
US4487327A (en) * 1982-12-21 1984-12-11 Grayson Robert E Locking capsule
WO1992013521A1 (en) * 1991-01-30 1992-08-20 Alza Corporation Osmotic device for delayed delivery of agent
WO2005039474A1 (en) * 2003-10-21 2005-05-06 Ambo Innovation Llc Digestible and volume adjustable multi medication delivery device
WO2007047371A2 (en) * 2005-10-14 2007-04-26 Microdose Technologies, Inc. Pharmaceutical packaging of an oral dosage combination

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108348400A (zh) * 2015-11-16 2018-07-31 比利时胶囊公司 防篡改剂型

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