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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymer film or foam coatings for the covers of absorbent articles. More particularly, this invention relates to absorbent products and processes for making in situ foamed polymer coatings which give an opaque, soft, dry and clean-appearing water-permeable cover to absorbent products such as sanitary napkins, diapers and the like.

Abstract: A method of making an absorbent product in which pressure sensitive adhesive is used to attach the product to a user's undergarment. The product does not require release paper to protect the adhesive from unintended contact prior to use. The product is made by forming depressions in a fluid impervious barrier so as to create raised areas in the barrier that protect the adhesive. The depressions may be formed in the garment facing surface of the barrier and the adhesive applied within the depressions so that the raised areas adjacent the depressions protect the adhesive. Alternatively, the depressions may be formed in the surface of the barrier opposite the garment facing surface so as to create raised areas in the garment facing surface and the adhesive applied adjacent the raised areas.

Abstract: A method for making an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, having tabs. A first series of patches of a hot melt type pressure sensitive adhesive are applied to one side of a double-sided release strip. The release strip is then placed against the central portion of the absorbent article so that the first adhesive patches bond to the central portion. A second series of patches of the adhesive are applied to the other side of the double-sided release strip and tabs are folded over the central portion so that the second adhesive patches bond to the tabs. Since the release strip has been coated with a release agent, such as silicone, on both of its sides, the first and second patches of adhesive bond to the central portion and the tabs, respectively, with greater tenacity than they did to the release strip. When the user removes the release strip prior to use, the first and second adhesive patches remain on the central portion and the tabs.

Abstract: The invention is related to a tampon applicator (10) made of plastic, especially for feminine hygiene, consisting of an approximately cylindrical outer sleeve (12) which is intended for receiving a tampon (14) and in the rear end of which there is inserted in an axially non-displaceable manner hollow grip piece (16), in which a slide (18) is arranged so as to be axially movable. The outer face of the slide (18) is connected in the vicinity of its fromt end, to the inner wall of the grip piece (16) by means of at least one predetermined breaking point (24). Thus, the tampon applicator can be produced from just two injection-molded parts allowing reduced expenditure on machinery and assembly. The slide is held captively in the grip piece until the tampon applicator is put to use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making absorbent products in which a first material, such as absorbent fluff formed from wood pulp, is introduced into a vacuum forming chamber. A portion of the fluff is deposited into the cavity of a mold transported through the forming chamber by a forming wheel so as to form a layer of pure fluff within the bottom of the mold cavity. A second material, such as superabsorbent particles or heat stabilized fibers, is introduced into the forming chamber so that streams of the first and second materials collide within a mixing zone. As the mold continues it travel through the forming chamber, a mixture of first and second materials from the mixing zone is deposited within the mold cavity, thereby filling it. The portion of the mixture that extends above the surface of the mold is scraped off by a scarfing brush that directs the mixture back into the mixing zone, thereby creating turbulence that ensures thorough mixing of the two materials.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of partially acylated derivatives of sucrose by the enzyme catalyzed deacylation of sucrose esters, wherein said process comprises treating a sucrose ester selected from the group consisting of sucrose octaacylate, sucrose heptaacylate, and sucrose hexaacylate in an anhydrous organic medium, with an enzyme or combination of enzymes capable of catalyzing the deacylation of said sucrose ester to produce a partially deacylated sucrose derivative having free hydroxyl group(s) in pre-selected position(s), and recovering the resulting partially deacylated sucrose derivative.

Abstract: An improved spray arm assembly for coating ingestible pharmaceutical products includes at least one spray nozzle of the type which is constructed and arranged to produce an aerosol mist from a liquid solution and pressurized gas, and an elongated support arm on which the spray nozzle is mounted. The support arm has a first bore defined therein for carrying liquid solution to the spray nozzle, and a second bore defined therein for carrying pressurized gas to the spray nozzle, so that liquid solution and compressed gas may be supplied to the spray nozzle with reduced head loss, better distribution and with less possibility of catastrophic leakage than was possible with tube-based equipment. A method for providing a gastroenteric coating onto an ingestible pharmaceutical product is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for coating products with two colors including a first coating section, a second coating section and a side to side transfer device for transferring products from the first to the second sections. The transfer device includes a pair of plate grippers each having a movable upper jaw and a movable lower jaw. The upper and lower jaws are each adapted to receive and retain a product carrier plate. The transfer device includes a cam follower that precisely closes the upper and lower jaws so that carrier plates located in the jaws are positioned in registration with each other in order to clamp product between the plates and to maintain the product clamped in the plates while the grippers are transferred between the first and second conveyor guides. An unloading station includes breaker pins for breaking a seal that may be formed between the coating material applied in the first coating section and the carrier plates.

Abstract: A process for producing granules by rotomelt granulation comprising mixing at least one powdered pharmaceutically active material and a powdered excipient material within a zone wherein both powdered materials are maintained in a fluidized state by a rising stream of gas in an apparatus having a rapidly rotating horizontal-disk located within a vertical vessel wherein said gas is at a temperature sufficient to cause at least one powdered material to at least partially melt thereby causing said powdered materials to aggregate and form granules.

Abstract: Form retentive absorbent pads are disclosed which comprise fluid absorbent material and at least one bendable element which can be deformed by the user and which will retain its shape during use. The preferred embodiments, the bendable element provides at least a degree of conformation in the critical central area of the pad, most preferably at least in the longitudinal (y axis) direction. Conformability created in this area allows the user of the pad to mold the pad to the body to maximize comfort and fluid absorption. Preferred embodiments include bendable elements which form winglets which are bent around the edges of the undergarment to hold the pad in place during use.

Abstract: An absorbent core for use in an absorbent product suitable for placement in a wearer's garment, and absorbent products utilizing the core, are disclosed. The core comprises an absorbent batt folded upon itself along a pair of generally parallel longitudinal fold lines to form a middle, body-facing panel and two side panels, which three panels are substantially equivalent in width at the central transverse axis of the batt. In various preferred embodiments, one or more of the panels are embossed with patterns that serve to direct fluid transport in the product.