Abstract: There is disclosed a process for recovering sucralose-6-ester from a feed mixture of 6-O-acyl-4,1',6'-trichloro-4,1',6'-trideoxygalactosucrose in a reaction medium comprising a tertiary amide (such as N,N-dimethylformamide), wherein said process comprises removing a major proportion of said tertiary amide by steam distillation. In preferred aspects of the invention, the steam distillation is followed by extraction and then purification by crystallization or crystal aging to recover sucralose-6-ester in good yield.

Abstract: Chewable tablets comprising individual taste-masked coated granules comprising an analgesic and at least one water soluble medicament and methods of producing the same are described.

Abstract: There is provided by this invention a least three integrated regions, each region having wherein the density and fluid affinity of the composite continuously increases from top to bottom thereby facilitating effective fluid transport and efficient utilization of storage capacity. An additional layer of SA and tissue may be provided to the absorbent product to provide an absorbent structure with dry feel and low stain. Methods of forming integrated, multi-layered absorbent composites and structures comprising at least three regions wherein each region has distinct density and fluid affinity gradients and wherein the density and fluid affinity of the composite continuously increases from top to bottom, are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides improvements in absorbent products, but is particularly useful with urinary incontinence pads. An embossed pattern on the bottom layer of the double layer absorbent core construction improves the removal of urine or other fluids from the discharge zone to be ready for next void. One or more V-shaped notches cut at both ends of the pad provides the ergonomic fit of the pad to reduce the inevitable stiffness. The sides are designed as a flap which curves during the sealing process and provide natural curved flaps which form a soft gasket cushion and yields extra leak protection in the crotch area.

Abstract: Improved pads for application to the body to absorb body fluids are disclosed. Menstrual pads having a plurality of projections which are most preferably filled with a superabsorbent material are disclosed, as well as methods for making same. The present invention discloses the use of novel melt-blown technology to form a surface having hollow projections which are then filled with superabsorbent. The present invention is directed to menstrual pads, as well as other pads which may be placed against the body, such as bandages. In the latter, medicinal compounds replace superabsorbents as the preferred material within the projections. In certain embodiments, a wicking layer, preferably comprised of peat moss based absorbent product is disposed between a cover layer and the projections containing superabsorbent.

Abstract: A multilayered absorbent structure is disclosed. The absorbent structure has a plurality of absorbent planar regions defined by decreasing pore size with increasing depth into the region. Generally, each planar region has an absorbent layer having relatively large average pore sizes at the top, body facing surface, and relatively small average pore sizes at the bottom, garment facing surface. A subsequent absorbent region has a top body facing surface with an average pore size which is larger than the bottom, garment facing surface of the previous absorbent region. The top surface of each subsequent planar region is in fluid communication with the lower surface of the planar region above.

Abstract: An apparatus for dipping tablets into gelatin coating material and for spreading and setting the coating immediately after dipping is provided. Carrier plates having a plurality of tablet holders are transported from a tablet loading station to a dipping station along a transport guide. At the dipping station, a carrier plate is mounted to a vacuum chamber. A set of vacuum tubes in the vacuum chamber are extended through the tablet holders to contact and lift the tablets off of the holders and secure the tablets to the tubes. In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum chamber is rotated 180.degree. and a second carrier plate is mounted onto the housing and a second set of tubes secure the tablets to the plate. The carrier plates are alternately dipped and returned to the transport guide where new plates with uncoated tablets replace the plates with coated tablets. Immediately after dipping the carrier plates enter a rotating station where the plate is rotated 360.degree.

Abstract: A device for display of a container which comprises a display frame attached to the grocery store shelf. This frame extends from the edge of the shelf to which it is attached. This frame is generally rectangular in configuration. Attached to the frame are container holding means, which container holding means are capable of fixedly holding an attached container thereon. These container holding means are fixedly held against the frame. Similarly, there is a container fixedly held against the frame, generally by such means as rivets, adhesive or screws. Attached to the container is a cap, also fixedly attached, either to the frame or to the container itself. Therefore, the user is able to attempt to operate the analgesic container cap, and the display device is able to attract customers, and yet neither container or the cap is taken by a potential customer, therefore depriving other customers of use of this sample.

Abstract: Applicant has invented a container for the tablets which contains a plurality of slots arranged in a radial fashion around the center of the container. Each of the slots are configured to accept at least one such frangible tablet. Each tablet is held within the slot and the tablet is constrained within the slot to move solely within the slot. The container contains a bottom and a lid. The bottom and the lid form constraining ends of the slots. The lid contains an opening which may be aligned with any one of the plurality of slots to provide an opening to the container and the ability to remove the tablet from the slot.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing sucralose from sucralose-6-ester whereby the sucralose-6-ester is deacylated directly either prior to or after removal of the tertiary amide reaction vehicle from the neutralized chlorination reaction mixture, to produce an aqueous solution of sucralose plus salts and impurities, from which sucralose is recovered by extraction and is then preferably purified by crystallization.

Abstract: Chewable tablets are made from a coated medicament wherein the coating comprises a mixture of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and neutral methacrylic acid ester and a cellulose ester, e.g. cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose triacetate or a combination thereof and optionally polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and a process for making such tablets and a method of providing taste masking and sustained releasing of medicaments utilizing such coatings.

Abstract: An improved system for applying labels to pharmaceutical vials or the like includes a heating tunnel assembly having an insulated heating chamber defined by a first stationary portion and a second removable portion, with a heater positioned within the insulated heating chamber. The assembly includes movable mounting structure for mounting the second removable portion of the insulated heating chamber for movement between a first position engaged with the first stationary portion, and a second retracted position remote from said first portion. An actuator is provided for moving the second portion of the insulated heating chamber into its engaged position, while a biasing spring resiliently biases the second removable portion of the chamber toward the retracted position. As a result, the heating tunnel assembly will automatically be opened to prevent products from overheating or burning in the event of an emergency that disables the actuator.

Abstract: Novel facing materials and methods for their manufacture are provided by this invention. The facing material includes at least a fibrous top layer for engaging body fluid and a generally opaque middle layer. A portion of the facing material is disposed, preferably by piercing, through the generally opaque middle layer to establish a fluid path through the generally opaque middle layer. In the preferred embodiment, the facing material includes a bottom layer having a capillary structure for drawing the body fluid from the fibrous top layer. In this preferred embodiment, the fibrous top layer extends through the generally opaque middle layer to provide fluid communication between the fibrous top layer and the bottom layer. These composite structures provide a clean/dry facing material that has a comfort of a textile facing and the high opacity of apertured thermoplastic films.

Abstract: Sucrose is mono-acylated in the 6-position by reacting sucrose with a carboxylic acid anhydride such as acetic or benzoic anhydride in a reaction mixture containing a polar aprotic solvent and a catalytic quantity of a 1,3-diacyloxy-1,1,3,3-tetra(hydrocarbyl)distannoxane, for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient to produce a sucrose-6-ester.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for coating a product such as a medicament in the shape of a tablet. The apparatus includes a plurality of plates for receiving and retaining the products and means for advancing the plates on a conveyor to various processing stations. At a dipping station, a dipping means lowers and raises at least one plate into a first coating tank for coating at least a portion of the product. At a rotating station, a rotation means rotates one of the plates containing the product for spreading the coating on the product. After rotation, a first elevator transfers the plates from the conveyor to a dryer disposed above the conveyor. A second elevator transfers the plates from the dryer back to the conveyor for further processing. The dryer includes complementary acting pusher bars for transporting a plurality of plates horizontally along a plurality of vertically spaced guides.

Abstract: Absorbent products and components for use in absorbent products are disclosed. These absorbent products comprise pressure-sensitive adhesive microfibers and thermoplastic polymer microfibers, that when incorporated into absorbent products provide good liquid transport properties, resiliency, and attachment systems; and further mask odors associated with bodily fluids.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical sustained release homogeneous tablet or homogeneous tablet layer is formed by making a wet granulation using povidone (PVP) in alcohol as the granulating fluid which is mixed with a pharmaceutical active, ethylcellulose, a wicking agent, e.g. microcrystalline cellulose, an erosion promoter, e.g. pregelatinized starch, then drying and milling the granulation and blending with a dry powdered erosion promotor, wicking agent, lubricant, e.g. magnesium stearate and glidant, e.g. silicon dioxide, and compressing the resultant granulation, which upon administration results in a long-lasting slow and relatively regular incremental release of the pharmaceutical active, and multi-layered pharmaceutical active tablets comprising immediate release and/or sustained release layers.

Abstract: Chewable medicament tablets are made from coated rotogranules of a medicament wherein the rotogranules are formed from a granulation mixture of: medicament, e.g. famotidine; binder, e.g. HPMC; and carrier, e.g. lactose; and the rotogranules are coated with cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate or a combination thereof and hydroxypropyl cellulose. A process for making such tablets and a method of providing taste masking of medicaments utilizing such coated rotogranules.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and process for monitoring the moisture content of particulate material within a fluid bed apparatus such as a fluid bed granulator or fluid bed dryer. The apparatus comprising a probe with a conduit means for near infrared light wherein the end of the probe is positioned in the bowl of a fluid bed apparatus in a region of constant bulk density wherein said probe may be operably linked to a near infrared analyzer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous pharmaceutical suspension for oral use, and a method of preparation, having antacid and antiulcer properties which contains a therapeutically effective amount of calcium carbonate in combination with magnesium carbonate and/or magnesium trisilicate and a carboxylic acid pH adjusting agent.