Patents by Inventor Christopher E. Szymczak

Christopher E. Szymczak has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10493026
    Abstract: In one aspect the present invention features a process for making a tablet comprising the step of applying radiofrequency energy to a powder blend comprising lossy coated particles and at least one pharmaceutically active agent to sinter said powder blend into a tablet, said lossy coated particles comprising a substrate having a Q value of greater than 100 that is at least partially coated with a lossy coating comprising Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Koll, Gerard McNally, Christopher E. Szymczak
  • Publication number: 20180263902
    Abstract: In one aspect the present invention features a process for making a tablet comprising the step of applying radiofrequency energy to a powder blend comprising lossy coated particles and at least one pharmaceutically active agent to sinter said powder blend into a tablet, said lossy coated particles comprising a substrate having a Q value of greater than 100 that is at least partially coated with a lossy coating comprising Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Gregory Koll, Gerard McNally, Christopher E. Szymczak
  • Publication number: 20170354606
    Abstract: In one aspect the present invention features process for making a tablet comprising at least one pharmaceutically active agent, said method comprising the step of applying radiofrequency energy to a powder blend to sinter said powder blend into said tablet, wherein said powder blend comprises lossy coated particles and said at least one pharmaceutically active agent, wherein said lossy coated particles comprises a substrate that is at least partially coated with a lossy coating comprising at least one activator, wherein said substrate has a Q value of greater than 100 and said activator has a Q value of less than 75.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher E. Szymczak, Vipul Dave, Gerard P. McNally, David B. Cochran, Gregory Koll, Stephen Ulrich
  • Patent number: 9789066
    Abstract: In one aspect the present invention features process for making a tablet comprising at least one pharmaceutically active agent, said method comprising the step of applying radiofrequency energy to a powder blend to sinter said powder blend into said tablet, wherein said powder blend comprises lossy coated particles and said at least one pharmaceutically active agent, wherein said lossy coated particles comprises a substrate that is at least partially coated with a lossy coating comprising at least one activator, wherein said substrate has a Q value of greater than 100 and said activator has a Q value of less than 75.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Szymczak, Vipul Dave, Gerard P. McNally, David B. Cochran, Gregory Koll, Stephen Ulrich
  • Patent number: 9610224
    Abstract: The present invention features the present invention features a process for making a tablet by compacting a powder blend in a die platen to form a tablet shape, wherein the powder blend includes a pharmaceutically active agent and a water-containing material, and applying energy to the tablet shape for a sufficient period of time to heat the water-containing material within the tablet shape above its dehydration temperature to form the tablet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Bunick, Harry S. Sowden, Joseph R. Luber, Leo B. Kriksunov, Christopher E. Szymczak
  • Publication number: 20170035656
    Abstract: The present invention features a tablet containing a first layer and a second layer, wherein: (i) the first layer includes a pharmaceutically active agent and the composition of the first layer is different from the composition of the second layer; (ii) the tablet has a density less than about 0.8 g/cc; and (iii) the tablet disintegrates in the mouth when placed on the tongue in less than about 30 seconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph R. Luber, Frank J. Bunick, Harry S. Sowden, Leo B. Kriksunov, Christopher E. Szymczak
  • Patent number: 9511028
    Abstract: The present invention features a tablet containing at least one first material, at least one second material, and at least one pharmaceutically active agent, wherein: (a) the first material is a dielectric water-containing material (i) containing from about 1 to about 5 percent, by weight, of bound water and (ii) having a dielectric loss, when measured at a density of between 0.15 and 0.5 g/cc, of from about 0.05 to about 0.7; and (b) the second material (i) having a water solubility from about 20 to about 400 g per 100 g of water at 25° C., (ii) having a dielectric loss, when measured at a density between 0.5 and 1 g/cc, of less than about 0.05.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.
    Inventors: Jen-Chi Chen, Kenneth Day, Christopher E. Szymczak
  • Patent number: 9107807
    Abstract: The present invention features the present invention features a machine for the production of a solid dosage form including: (a) a die platen having one or more forming cavities each having an inner wall, a first opening at the surface of one side of the die platen, and a second opening at the surface on the opposite side of the die platen; (b) one or more first forming tools each adapted to move into one of the forming cavities through the first opening of the forming cavity; (c) one or more second forming tools each adapted to move adjacent to one of the second openings or into one of the forming cavities through the second opening of the forming cavity; (d) at least one first RF electrode operably associated with the one or more first forming tools, the one or more second forming tools, or the inner wall of the one or more forming cavities; and (e) at least one second RF electrode operably associated with the one or more first forming tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry S. Sowden, Frank J. Bunick, Joseph R. Luber, Leo B. Kriksunov, Christopher E. Szymczak
  • Publication number: 20150224057
    Abstract: The present invention features a tablet including one or more pharmaceutically active agent(s), one or more thickeners, and one or more binder(s), wherein the tablet includes at least 200 mg of the pharmaceutically active agent(s) and the tablet has been fused with the binder(s) such that the tablet (i) has a water permeation time of less than 60 seconds and (ii) has an in vitro disintegration time of greater than 60 seconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: MCNEIL-PPC, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Luber, Harry S. Sowden, Frank J. Bunick, Leo B. Kriksunov, David W. Wynn, Christopher E. Szymczak
  • Publication number: 20150196493
    Abstract: In one aspect the present invention features process for making a tablet comprising at least one pharmaceutically active agent, said method comprising the step of applying radiofrequency energy to a powder blend to sinter said powder blend into said tablet, wherein said powder blend comprises lossy coated particles and said at least one pharmaceutically active agent, wherein said lossy coated particles comprises a substrate that is at least partially coated with a lossy coating comprising at least one activator, wherein said substrate has a Q value of greater than 100 and said activator has a Q value of less than 75.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher E. Szymczak, Vipul Dave, Gerard P. McNally, David B. Cochran, Gregory Koll, Stephen Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20150001767
    Abstract: The present invention features the present invention features a machine for the production of a solid dosage form including: (a) a die platen having one or more forming cavities each having an inner wall, a first opening at the surface of one side of the die platen, and a second opening at the surface on the opposite side of the die platen; (b) one or more first forming tools each adapted to move into one of the forming cavities through the first opening of the forming cavity; (c) one or more second forming tools each adapted to move adjacent to one of the second openings or into one of the forming cavities through the second opening of the forming cavity; (d) at least one first RF electrode operably associated with the one or more first forming tools, the one or more second forming tools, or the inner wall of the one or more forming cavities; and (e) at least one second RF electrode operably associated with the one or more first forming tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: McNeil-PPC, INC.
    Inventors: Harry S. Sowden, Frank J. Bunick, Joseph R. Luber, Leo B. Kriksunov, Christopher E. Szymczak
  • Patent number: 8871263
    Abstract: The present invention features a process for making a tablet by (i) compacting a powder blend in a die to form a tablet shape, wherein the powder blend contains a pharmaceutically active agent and a meltable binder and (ii) applying radiofrequency energy to the tablet shape for a sufficient period of time to soften or melt the binder within said tablet shape to form the tablet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Bunick, Harry S. Sowden, Joseph R. Luber, Leo B. Kriksunov, Christopher E. Szymczak
  • Patent number: 8865204
    Abstract: The present invention features a process for making a lozenge product including the steps of forming a powder blend containing an amorphous carbohydrate polymer into the desired shape of the lozenge product and applying radiofrequency energy to the shape for a sufficient period of time to soften or melt said amorphous carbohydrate polymer to fuse the shape into said lozenge product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Jen-Chi Chen, Harry S. Sowden, Joseph R. Luber, Leo B. Kriksunov, Frank J. Bunick, Christopher E. Szymczak, Gregory E. Koll
  • Patent number: 8858210
    Abstract: The present invention features the present invention features a tablet including at least one pharmaceutically active ingredient, wherein the shape of said tablet includes at least one major face wherein: (i) the peak penetration resistance at the perimeter of said major face of the tablet is at least about 10% greater than the peak penetration resistance at the center of said major face; and (ii) the tablet disintegrates in the mouth when placed on the tongue in less than about 30 seconds, and a machine and method for manufacture of such tablet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Szymczak, Frank J. Bunick, Harry S. Sowden, Joseph R. Luber, Leo B. Kriksunov
  • Patent number: 8807979
    Abstract: The present invention features the present invention features a machine for the production of a solid dosage form including: (a) a die platen having one or more forming cavities each having an inner wall, a first opening at the surface of one side of the die platen, and a second opening at the surface on the opposite side of the die platen; (b) one or more first forming tools each adapted to move into one of the forming cavities through the first opening of the forming cavity; (c) one or more second forming tools each adapted to move adjacent to one of the second openings or into one of the forming cavities through the second opening of the forming cavity; (d) at least one first RF electrode operably associated with the one or more first forming tools, the one or more second forming tools, or the inner wall of the one or more forming cavities; and (e) at least one second RF electrode operably associated with the one or more first forming tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry S. Sowden, Frank J. Bunick, Joseph R. Luber, Leo B. Kriksunov, Christopher E. Szymczak
  • Patent number: 8784781
    Abstract: The present invention features a process for making a chewing gum product including the steps of forming a powder blend containing a gum base into the desired shape of the chewing gum product and applying radiofrequency energy to the shape for a sufficient period of time to soften the gum base to fuse the shape into the chewing gum product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Koll, Harry S. Sowden, Joseph R. Luber, Leo B. Kriksunov, Frank J. Bunick, Jen-Chi Chen, Roland Olsson, Christopher E. Szymczak
  • Publication number: 20130295175
    Abstract: The present invention features a tablet containing at least one first material, at least one second material, and at least one pharmaceutically active agent, wherein: (a) the first material is a dielectric water-containing material (i) containing from about 1 to about 5 percent, by weight, of bound water and (ii) having a dielectric loss, when measured at a density of between 0.15 and 0.5 g/cc, of from about 0.05 to about 0.7; and (b) the second material (i) having a water solubility from about 20 to about 400 g per 100 g of water at 25° C., (ii) having a dielectric loss, when measured at a density between 0.5 and 1 g/cc, of less than about 0.05.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Jen-Chi Chen, Kenneth Day, Christopher E. Szymczak
  • Publication number: 20130295174
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention features a tablet including a first region and a second region, wherein: (i) the first region and the second region each include at least 10%, by volume, of the tablet; (ii) the first region includes a pharmaceutically active agent and the composition of the first region is different from the composition of the second region; (iii) the first region has a density less than about 0.8 g/cc; and (iv) the first region disintegrates in the mouth when placed on the tongue in less than about 30 seconds; wherein the shape of the tablet includes two opposing major faces separated by a side wall, and the interface between the first region and the second region is along at least one major face of the tablet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry S. Sowden, Gerard P. McNally, Oliver Anderson, William J. Stuhl, Jen-Chi Chen, Kenneth Day, Christopher E. Szymczak
  • Patent number: 8343533
    Abstract: The present invention features a process for making a lozenge product including the steps of forming a powder blend containing an amorphous carbohydrate polymer into the desired shape of the lozenge product and applying radiofrequency energy to the shape for a sufficient period of time to soften or melt said amorphous carbohydrate polymer to fuse the shape into said lozenge product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Jen-Chi Chen, Harry S. Sowden, Joseph R. Luber, Leo B. Kriksunov, Frank J. Bunick, Christopher E. Szymczak, Gregory E. Koll
  • Patent number: 8309118
    Abstract: Water soluble, gelatin-free dip coatings for substrates comprising a hydrocolloid, such as carrageenan, and sucralose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher E. Szymczak