Apparatus and methods for forming patterned soft gelatin capsules

Abstract

An apparatus and a process useful for producing patterned gelatin ribbons for forming patterned soft gelatin capsules are disclosed. The apparatus and process use multiple spreader boxes to form a wide variety of possible patterns.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for producing a patterned gelatin ribbon useful forming patterned soft gelatin capsules comprising, a first spreader box adapted to hold a first flowable gelatin mass and a second spreader box adapted to a second flowable gelatin mass, the second gelatin mass being of a type that is visually distinct from the first gelatin mass, 
 the second spreader box being positioned within the first spreader box such that an outer surface of the second spreader box and an inner surface of the first spreader box define a gap through which the first flowable gelatin mass may flow to form a base gelatin ribbon,    the second spreader box having at least one opening through which the second flowable gelatin mass may flow onto a portion of the base gelatin ribbon to form the patterned gelatin ribbon.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second spreader box is a hollow tube.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second spreader box is movable with respect to the first spreader box.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  additionally comprising a mover capable of moving the second spreader box relative to the first spreader box.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the mover is an oscillator.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the rate at which the second flowable gelatin mass flows through the at least one opening in the second spreader box is controllable.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  additionally comprising a pressurizer adapted to increase the flow rate of the second flowable gelatin mass through the at least one opening in the second spreader box by applying pressure to the second flowable gelatin mass.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the second spreader box has a plurality of openings.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  additionally comprising a third spreader box adapted to hold a third flowable gelatin mass, said third gelatin mass being of a type that is visually distinct from the first gelatin mass and the second gelatin mass, the third spreader box being positioned within the first spreader box and having at least one opening through which the third flowable gelatin mass may flow onto a portion of the base gelatin ribbon to form the patterned gelatin ribbon.  
     
     
         10 . A process for producing a patterned gelatin ribbon useful for forming patterned soft gelatin capsules comprising the following steps: 
 flowing a first gelatin mass contained in a first spreader box through a gap formed by an inner surface of the first spreader box and an outer surface of a second spreader box, the second spreader box being positioned within the first spreader box, thereby forming a base gelatin ribbon; and    flowing a second gelatin mass contained in the second spreader box through at least one opening in the second spreader box onto a portion of the base gelatin ribbon, the second gelatin mass being visually distinct from the first gelatin mass thereby forming the patterned gelatin ribbon.    
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 10  wherein the patterned gelatin ribbon is used to form a patterned soft gelatin capsule by the rotary die method.  
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 10  wherein the second gelatin mass is a different color from the first gelatin mass.  
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 10  wherein the second spreader box has a plurality of spaced openings such that stripes are formed on the patterned gelatin ribbon.  
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13  wherein the second spreader box is oscillated relative to the first spreader box to form wavy stripes.  
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 10  wherein the flow rate of the second gelatin mass onto the base gelatin ribbon is varied.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the flow rate is varied by pressure applied to the second gelatin mass.  
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 10  additionally comprising the following step: 
 flowing a third gelatin mass contained in a third spreader box through at least one opening in the third spreader box onto a portion of the base gelatin ribbon, the third gelatin mass being visually distinct from the first gelatin mass and the second gelatin mass thereby forming the patterned gelatin ribbon.  
 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17  wherein the third gelatin mass is a different color from the first gelatin mass and the second gelatin mass.