Systems, methods and apparatuses for manufacturing dosage forms

• US 6,767,200 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Issued: 07/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OMJ Ireland Limited
• Original Assignee: McNeil-PPC Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Sowden, Harry S., Luber, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Robert B.
• Application Number:
  US09/966,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20030072799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 425/344, 425/345
• US Class Current: 425/345
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 3/04 Sugar-cookers
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 3/368 containing vitamins, antibiotics
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 3/10 into the form of compressed tablets tablet presses B30B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/2095 Tabletting processes; Dosage units made by direct compression of powders or specially processed granules, by eliminating solvents, by melt-extrusion, by injection molding, by 3D printing mechanical aspects A61J3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/2853 obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, poloxamers, poly(lactide-co-glycolide)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/2873 Proteins, e.g. gelatin
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/2893 Tablet coating processes mechanical aspects A61J3/06
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 11/08 co-operating with moulds carried by a turntable
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 11/34 for coating articles, e.g. tablets
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 15/0082 Dust eliminating means; Mould or press ram cleaning means
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 15/044 Means preventing deflection of the frame, especially for C-frames
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 15/047 C-shaped frames with means for preventing deflection B30B15/044
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 15/302 Feeding material in particulate or plastic state to moulding presses
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 15/32 Discharging presses

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatuses for manufacturing dosage forms, and to dosage forms made using such systems, methods and apparatuses are provided. Novel compression, thermal cycle molding, and thermal setting molding modules are disclosed. One or more of such modules may be linked, preferably via novel transfer device, into an overall system for making dosage forms.

Claims

1. An apparatus for forming compressed dosage forms from a powder, comprising

a) a die table having a plurality of die cavities therein, said die cavities being arranged in multiple, concentric rows around the perimeter of said die table;

b) punches aligned with and insertable into said die cavities for compressing said powder into compressed dosage forms in each of said die cavities; and

c) rollers aligned with each of said concentric rows of die cavities for pressing said punches into said die cavities, each roller being sized such that the dwell time under compression of all of said punches is equal.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rollers are mounted on at least one compression frame capable of deflecting under the force of compression, such that upon deflection of said compression frame, said rollers are radially displaced in a direction parallel to their original position.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said frame has a C-shape.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said compression frame comprises a throat and two arms, wherein said arms form an oblique angle with respect to the axial axis of said rollers.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said compression frame is capable of pivoting about an axis to move away from the compression module.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the compression frame is capable of withstanding a force of up to about 200 kN.