Title:  Multiple layer softgel

United States Patent:  6,183,845

Assignee:  Banner Pharmacaps, Inc. (High Point, NC)

Filed:  May 26, 1999

A device, and a method for forming a softgel having multiple gelatin layers and softgels having multiple gelatin layers are disclosed. In particular there is provided a device for forming a gelatin sheet having at least two gelatin layers. Each gelatin layer has a thickness. The device comprises a gelatin spreader box which includes at least one opening for extruding a gelatin sheet. The device also includes a first and a second height adjustable gate disposed at least partially across the opening; and a first and a second height adjustment control. Adjustment of the first height adjustment control varies the height of the first gate and adjustment of the second height adjustment control varies the height of the second gate, thereby controlling the thickness of the at least two gelatin layers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for forming a gelatin sheet having at least two gelatin layers. Each gelatin layer has a thickness. The device comprises a gelatin spreader box having at least one opening for extruding a gelatin sheet. The device includes first and second height adjustable gates disposed at least partially across the opening; and first and second height adjustment controls. Adjustment of the first height adjustment control varies the height of the first gate and adjustment of the second height adjustment control varies the height of the second gate, thereby controlling the thickness of the at least two gelatin layers.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a softgel capsule which includes a first gelatin layer having a thickness and a second gelatin layer having a thickness. The second gelatin layer at least partially surrounds the first gelatin layer.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for forming softgel capsules comprising two of the devices as described above and two rotary dies adapted to receive two gelatin sheets.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for making a softgel comprising a first gelatin sheet and a second gelatin sheet. The method includes the steps of: extruding first and second gelatin layers from a first device as described above to form a first gelatin sheet; Extruding third and fourth gelatin layers from a second device of claim 1 to form a second gelatin sheet; injecting a fill between the first and second gelatin sheets; and sealing the first and second gelatin sheets together to form the softgel.

Claim 1 of 25 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A softgel capsule with content, having opposing ends comprising a first sheet that covers a first end, the first sheet comprising at least a first gelatin layer and a second gelatin layer, each layer having a uniform thickness, and a second sheet that covers a second end, the second sheet comprising at least a third gelatin layer, the third layer having a uniform thickness wherein the first and second sheets meet at a seam.

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