Hard capsule formed of cellulose ether film with a specific content of methoxyl and hydroxypropoxyl groups

• US 6,649,180 B1
• Filed: 04/13/2000
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualicaps Co., Ltd. (Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Shionogi Qualicaps Company Limited
• Inventors: Matsuura, Seinosuke, Tanjoh, Masaru
• Primary Examiner(s): Thibodeau, Paul
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bernatz, Kevin M.
• Application Number:
  US09/549,205
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 424/435, 424/436, 424/451, 424/452, 424/455, 424/456, 424/463, 424/DIG.15, 424/402, 424/403, 428/34.3, 428/532
• US Class Current: 424/402
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/4816 Wall or shell material
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 2301/28 Alkyl ethers
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 5/18 Manufacture of films or sheets
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 1/28 Alkyl ethers
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/02 Organic macromolecular compounds, natural resins, waxes or and bituminous materials
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1307 Bag or tubular film [e.g., pouch, flexible food casing, envelope, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31971 Of carbohydrate

Abstract

A cellulose ether film is formed of a composition comprising a cellulose ether as a base in which some of the hydrogen atoms of cellulosic hydroxyl groups are replaced by alkyl groups and/or hydroxyalkyl groups, a gelling agent, and a gelling aid. The total content of alkoxyl and hydroxyalkoxyl groups in the cellulose ether is limited to 23-37.6% by weight, which is effective for preventing the gelling aid from precipitating out and maintaining a favorable outer appearance during long-term storage.

Claims

1. A hard capsule formed of a film composition comprising a hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose as a base, a gelling agent, and a gelling aid, wherein said hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose has a content of hydroxypropoxyl groups of at least 4% by weight of the hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and a content of methoxyl groups and hydroxypropoxyl groups combined of 23 to 37.6% by weight of the hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose.

2. The hard capsule formed of a film of claim 1, wherein said composition contains 100 parts by weight of the hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, 0.05 to 25 parts by weight of the gelling agent, and 0.05 to 25 parts by weight of the gelling aid.

3. The hard capsule formed of a film of claim 1, wherein the gelling agent is selected from the group consisting of carrageenan, tamarind seed polysaccharide, pectin, curdlan, furcellaran, gellan gum, and mixtures thereof.

4. The hard capsule formed of a film of claim 1, wherein the content of methoxyl and hydroxypropoxyl groups combined is 29 to 37% by weight of the hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose.

5. The hard capsule formed of a film of claim 1 or 4, wherein the gelling aid is selected from the group consisting of a potassium ion, calcium ion, ammonium ion, and mixtures thereof.