Abstract: A tablet shearing apparatus includes a support frame comprising a top frame member having an opening, a stationary plate secured to the top frame member. The stationary plate includes apertures extending about substantially the entirety of the opening of the top frame member. A movable plate including apertures is disposed above the stationary plate. A drive cylinder is connected through a linkage arm and an actuator arm to the movable plate. A tablet tray having apertures for receiving tablets can be positioned above the movable plate to transfer tablets to the apertures of the movable plate and the stationary plate so that, when individual tablets are supported in the apertures of both the stationary plate and the movable plate, the drive cylinder moves the movable plate relative to the stationary plate and shears the tablets. The tablet shearing apparatus also includes a tablet release gate having keyhole shaped apertures.

Abstract: A tri-scored drug tablet having an elongated tablet body with a length greater than its width. The body has a bottom facing surface with a pair of concavities therein. Each concavity is equal in size and has parallel major and minor axes, each concavity further having a smooth and uninterrupted arcuate surface extending between the opposite longitudinal ends of said body and a longitudinally central part of said tablet. The opposite longitudinal ends of the body and the longitudinally central part are of a thicker dimension than the thickness of the body measured at an apex of each of the concavities. Aligned breaking grooves are formed in the top and bottom surfaces at both of the concavities and between the concavities at said longitudinally central part, each of breaking groove extending laterally across the width of said tablet at said apex of each of said concavities and at said longitudinally central part to divide the tablet into four quarter sections of equal size.

Abstract: A bisectable drug tablet having an elongated tablet body with a length greater than its width. The tablet body also has top and bottom surfaces with a concavity being provided in each thereof. A breaking groove is formed in at least one of the concavities and extends laterally across the width of the tablet at an apex of the one cavity. Thus, upon application of a downward pressure to either the top or bottom surfaces of the tablet, when the other of the top and bottom surfaces faces downwardly and the opposite longitudinal ends of the tablet rest on a support surface, the tablet will fracture along the groove, the fracture occurring irrespective of whether the breaking groove faces toward or away from the support surface.