Abstract: A tablet comprising a core which is at least partially coated with an outer layer obtained by electrostatic deposition of a powder and subsequent fusing of the deposited powder to form a film characterised in that a surface of the tablet coated with said outer layer is contoured to provide higher regions and lower regions, the outer layer having a different colour in said lower regions to the outer layer in said higher regions.

Abstract: In a method of electrostatically applying a powder material to a solid dosage form, charged powder material is applied to a photoconductive drum (3), is transferred to an intermediate belt (4) and then to a solid dosage form (5). The belt (4) makes contact with the solid dosage form (5).

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for electrostatically coating a pharmaceutical tablet core with powdered coating material. The apparatus comprises a first rotary drum (12) on which a core is held in electrical isolation from its surroundings but at a potential difference to earth by an electrode which contacts the core. The core is carried past a coating station B at which particles of powder having an opposite potential difference to earth are held in a tray (18). The surface of the drum is held at the same potential difference to earth as the powder particles. The powder is attracted to the core, and not to the drum, coating the exposed surface of the core. The drum carries the coated core past a fusing station C at which a heater fuses the powder to form a continuous film coating. The core is then turned and transferred onto a second drum (12′) where the other surface is coated in the same way.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for locking a gun. The apparatus includes a dummy round configured for insertion into a firing chamber of a gun, a locking component configured for coupling with the dummy round, and an elongated sleeve rotatably coupled with the locking component. The locking component includes a keyed head positioned within a longitudinal channel of the elongated sleeve. The locking component and elongated sleeve are insertable through the discharge end of a gun's barrel. An actuating mechanism, such as a key is insertable through the channel of the elongated sleeve to engage with the keyed head and rotate the locking mechanism relative to the elongated sleeve. Rotation of the locking mechanism effects a friction lock between the locking mechanism and the dummy round.

Abstract: A method of coating a pharmaceutical substrate includes the steps of applying an active coating material to a surface of the substrate to form an active coating layer and applying a cover coating material onto the active coating layer to form a cover coating layer. The active coating layer is substantially completely covered by the cover coating layer.

Abstract: A method of coating a substrate which is a core for a pharmaceutical dosage form, which comprises electrostatically applying to a surface of the core a powder material comprising active material, the coating material applied constituting a dosage of active material, wherein the powder material includes composite particles, each composite particle comprising two or more components having different physical and/or chemical properties.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for electrostatically coating a pharmaceutical tablet core with powdered coating material. The apparatus comprises a first rotary drum (12) on which a core is held in electrical isolation from its surroundings but at a potential difference to earth by an electrode which contacts the core. The core is carried past a coating station B at which particles of powder having an opposite potential difference to earth are held in a tray (18). The surface of the drum is held at the same potential difference to earth as the powder particles. The powder is attracted to the core, and not to the drum, coating the exposed surface of the core. The drum carries the coated core past a fusing station C at which a heater fuses the powder to form a continuous film coating. The core is then turned and transferred onto a second drum (12′) where the other surface is coated in the same way.

Abstract: Method of electrostatically coating a substrate wherein the substrate is brought to a coating station at which it is held substantially electrically isolated from its surroundings adjacent a source of particulate coating material. The substrate and the coating material are held at a potential difference to each other sufficient to coat the exposed surface of the substrate with particles of coating material.