Coating for small bodies

Abstract

Coated bodies and a process, apparatus and article of manufacture for coating bodies in a non-fluidized state, including tablets, by producing an upward spray of coating fluid by means of a two-fluid nozzle as defined herein and contacting said bodies with said spray of coating fluid in a non-fludized state; wherein, before contacting the bodies with said spray, providing the bodies with a spinning movement by acentral impact of gas jets directed upward to intersect the centerline of said spray; guiding the spinning bodies by said gas jets towards a central position over the two-fluid nozzle, thereby increasing the number of suspended bodies contacting the spray; providing atomization gas to the two-fluid nozzle in an amount less than the one which after moderation by means of muffling gas would scatter the bodies in the spray zone; and pneumatically muffling the atomization gas just above the nozzle to reduce the spray body scattering effect thereof.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . A plurality of bodies having been subjected to a non-fluidized bed coating process whereby each of said bodies is coated with at least one coating containing a low dose of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) wherein the relative standard deviation (RSD) between the said at least one coating on said bodies is equal to or less than about 5%. 
   
   
       20 . The plurality of bodies of  claim 19  wherein said dose of API is equal to or less than about 400 micrograms. 
   
   
       21 . The plurality of bodies of  claim 19  wherein said dose of API is equal to or less than about 200 micrograms. 
   
   
       22 . The plurality of bodies of  claim 19  wherein said RSD is less equal to or less than about 3%. 
   
   
       23 . The plurality of bodies of  claim 19  wherein said RSD is less equal to or less than about 2%. 
   
   
       24 . The plurality of bodies of  claim 19  wherein the dose of API is equal to or less than 400 micrograms and wherein the RSD is equal to or less than about 3% and the at least one coating is evenly distributed over the bodies. 
   
   
       25 - 33 . (canceled) 
   
   
       34 . The plurality of bodies of  claim 19  wherein the bodies have mean sizes in the range of from approximately 2 mm to approximately 50 mm. 
   
   
       35 . The plurality of bodies of  claim 34  wherein a perforated base plate having an inclined upper surface;
 the bodies have mean sizes between approximately 3 mm and 30 mm.   
   
   
       36 . The plurality of bodies of  claim 34  wherein the at least one coating is evenly distributed over each of the bodies. 
   
   
       37 . A coating applied to articles in a non-fluidized bed coating process whereby each of said articles is coated with at least one coating wherein the relative standard deviation (RSD) between the said at least one coatings on said articles is equal to or less than about 5%. 
   
   
       38 . The coating of  claim 37  wherein said RSD is less equal to or less than about 3%. 
   
   
       39 . The coating of  claim 37  wherein said RSD is less equal to or less than about 2%. 
   
   
       40 . The coating of  claim 37  wherein the articles have mean sizes in the range of from approximately 2 mm to approximately 50 mm. 
   
   
       41 . The coating of  claim 37  wherein the bodies have mean sizes between approximately 3 mm and 30 mm. 
   
   
       42 . The coating of  claim 34  wherein the at least one coating is evenly distributed over each of the articles. 
   
   
       43 . The plurality of bodies of  claim 42  wherein the bodies have mean sizes between approximately 3 mm and 30 mm. 
   
   
       44 . A coating applied to articles in a non-fluidized bed coating process whereby each of said articles is coated with at least one coating evenly distributed over the surface of the articles and wherein the relative standard deviation (RSD) between the said at least one coatings on said articles is equal to or less than about 5% and articles have means sizes in the range of from approximately 2 mm to approximately 50 mm. 
   
   
       45 . The coating of  claim 44  wherein said RSD is less equal to or less than about 3%. 
   
   
       46 . The coating of  claim 44  wherein said RSD is less equal to or less than about 2%. 
   
   
       47 . The coating of  claim 44  wherein the articles have mean sizes between approximately 3 mm and 30 mm. 
   
   
       48 . The coating of  claim 44  wherein the bodies have mean sizes in the range of from approximately 2 mm to approximately 50 mm.