Very good! Thanks.
Something like this perhaps:
United States Patent Application 20060147493 Kind Code A1 Yang; Robert K. ; et al. July 6, 2006
Packaging and dispensing of rapid dissolve dosage form
Abstract An oral dosage delivery vehicle comprising an edible film including a uniformly distributed active ingredient, wherein said film comprises dosage units releasably joined by one or more weakened sections, which permit said dosage units to be detached from said film.
Inventors: Yang; Robert K.; (Flushing, NY) ; Fuisz; RichardC; (McLean, VA) ; Myers; GarryL; (Kingsport, TN) ; Fuisz; JosephM; (Washington, DC) Correspondence Name and Address: Daniel A Scola;Hoffmann & Baron 6900 Jericho Turnpike Syosset NY 11791 US
Serial No.: 521823 Series Code: 10 Filed: July 22, 2003 PCT Filed: July 22, 2003 PCT NO: PCT/US03/22882 371 Date: November 7, 2005
appft1.uspto.gov
[Snips] [0003] Water-soluble thin films have recently become very popular as a form of breath freshener. These films generally include a breath freshening agent in a polymer film. These films have a convenient small size which contributes to their popularity.
[0004] However, such films and their current packaging have several disadvantages. The films themselves are typically too thin to support other active ingredients, such as a pharmaceutical active. In addition, the packaging does not provide an effective air/moisture barrier. The result is a film that frequently dries out, becoming too brittle for use. Furthermore, when the films are placed in the packaging, they are usually stacked, and frequently adhere to an adjacent film. Therefore, a person attempting to remove a single film from the packaging may inadvertently remove two or more.
[0005] It is desirable to provide a film and packaging that includes a barrier to moisture, air, and light, which can interfere with the quality of the film product and the active ingredients contained within the film. Ideally, this film will be capable of supporting not only a breath freshener as the active, but also pharmaceutical products. It is further desirable to provide a method of dispensing the films, wherein only the desired number of films may be removed at a time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides an oral dosage delivery vehicle including an edible film having a sheet-like construction, wherein the film comprises dosage units releasably joined by one or more weakened sections, which permit said dosage units to be detached from the film. Desirably the weakened sections include a perforated or scored configuration that may be cut into the film. More desirably, the individual dosage units are uniform in their composition and include a uniformly distributed active ingredient, such as a drug, cosmetic, or bioactive agent and the like.
[0007] The present invention also provides a package for the storage and dispensing of an edible sheet-like rapid dissolve dosage form, such as a thin film. The invention includes a pouch into which a sheet-like dosage form has been placed. The pouch includes top and bottom layers that are sealed at the edges leaving a space between them for storing the sheet-like dosage form. The pouch may also include a means for resealing to prevent additional introduction of light, moisture and/or air. Such resealing means may include adhesive coatings, mechanical closures, such as those found on resealable plastic bags and other similar resealing means.
............... [0031] The edible sheet-like dosage forms of the present invention include a water-soluble polymer. Useful water-soluble polymers for the present invention include cellulosic materials, gums, proteins, starches, and combinations thereof.
[0032] One advantage of the present invention is that dosage units or a portion thereof may easily be dispensed. For example, a 10 mg dosage unit may itself contain a break-point section, i.e., a perforated section, to allow the patient to divide the taking of the required 10 mg dose over two different time intervals, or to simply make it easier to ingest at one time.
[0033] Examples of cellulosic materials include, without limitation, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, and combinations thereof.
[0034] Examples of water-soluble gums include gum arabic, xanthan gum, tragacanth, acacia, carageenan, guar gum, locust bean gum, pectin, alginates and combinations thereof.
[0035] Examples of other polymeric materials include polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, poly(meth)acrylate, poly(meth)copolymers and combinations thereof.
[0036] Useful starches include gelatinized, modified or unmodified starches. The source of the starches may vary and include tapioca, rice, corn, potato, wheat and combinations thereof.
[0037] Useful water-soluble protein polymers gelatin, zein, gluten, soy protein, soy protein isolate, whey protein, whey protein isolate, casein, levin, collagen and combinations thereof.
[0038] Additional water-soluble polymers include dextrin, dextran and combinations thereof, as well as chitin, chitosin or combinations thereof, and polydextrose.
[0039] The sheet-like dosage forms of the present invention further include an active component selected from cosmetic agents, pharmaceutical agents, bioactive agents, including antigens, such as ragweed pollen, and combinations thereof. The active component may be present in any amount effective for the intended treatment. It is particularly desirable and an advantage of the present invention that the active component can be included in high loads. For example, the active component may be present in amounts up to about 60% by weight of the total composition and desirably in amounts of 0.01% to about 50% by weight of total composition.
[0040] The active components that may be incorporated into the films of the present invention include, without limitation, medicaments, flavors, fragrances, enzymes, preservatives, sweetening agents, colorants, spices, vitamins and combinations thereof.
[0041] A wide variety of medicaments and pharmaceutical compositions may be included in the dosage forms of the present invention. Examples of useful drugs include ace-inhibitors, antianginal drugs, anti-arrhythmias, anti-asthmatics, anti-cholesterolemics, analgesics, anesthetics, anti-convulsants, anti-depressants, anti-diabetic agents, anti-diarrhea preparations, antidotes, anti-histamines, anti-hypertensive drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-lipid agents, anti-manics, anti-nauseants, anti-stroke agents, anti-thyroid preparations, anti-tumor drugs, anti-viral agents, acne drugs, alkaloids, aaino acid preparations, anti-tussives, anti-uricemic drugs, anti-viral drugs, anabolic preparations, systemic and non-systemic anti-infective agents, anti-neoplastics, anti-parkinsonian agents, anti-rheumatic agents, appetite stimulants, biological response modifiers, blood modifiers, bone metabolism regulators, cardiovascular agents, central nervous system stimulates, cholinesterase inhibitors, contraceptives, decongestants, dietary supplements, dopamine receptor agonists, endometriosis management agents, enzymes, erectile dysfunction therapies, fertility agents, gastrointestinal agents, homeopathic remedies, hormones, hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia management agents, immunomodulators, immunosuppressives, migraine preparations, motion sickness treatments, muscle relaxants, obesity management agents, osteoporosis preparations, oxytocics, parasympatholytics, parasympathomimetics, prostaglandins, psychotherapeutic agents, respiratory agents, sedatives, smoking cessation aids, sympatholytics, tremor preparations, urinary tract agents, vasodilators, laxatives, antacids, ion exchange resins, anti-pyretics, appetite suppressants, expectorants, anti-anxiety agents, anti-ulcer agents, anti-inflammatory substances, coronary dilators, cerebral dilators, peripheral vasodilators, psycho-tropics, stimulants, anti-hypertensive drugs, vasoconstrictors, migraine treatments, antibiotics, tranquilizers, anti-psychotics, anti-tumor drugs, anti-coagulants, anti-thrombotic drugs, hypnotics, anti-emetics, anti-nauseants, anti-convulsants, neuromuscular drugs, hyper- and hypo-glycemic agents, thyroid and anti-thyroid preparations, diuretics, anti-spasmodics, terine relaxants, anti-obesity drugs, erythropoietic drugs, anti-asthmatics, cough suppressants, mucolytics, DNA and genetic modifying drugs, and combinations thereof.
Is his how Wrigley got started??!! ;-) |