Abstract: The invention provides a die suitable for producing a multi-chamber softgel capsule. The die comprises a die pocket defined by a die pocket wall and a bottom surface. The die comprises one or more partitioning walls dividing the die pocket into two or more chambers The top of the land of the partitioning walls have a lowest point that is lower than the plane formed by the top of the land along the perimeter of the die pocket wall by a gap. A die roll comprising a plurality of the dies is also provided, as well as rotary-die encapsulation machine comprising the die roll.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a rotary die encapsulation system and process for manufacturing capsules and uses thereof. The rotary die encapsulation system and process may be used for improving content uniformity of a multi-phase fill composition in a capsule. The rotary die encapsulation system and process may also be used for tuning dose strength of a fill composition in a capsule.

Abstract: A system for recovering gel-mass from a gel-mass-containing waste material. The system includes mangle rolls, a heated accumulator for receiving and melting the gel-mass-containing waste material to provide an oil phase and a non-oil phase; a pumping system; an optional mixer; and a control system.

Abstract: A method of drying soft capsules including steps of: a) supplying a flow of air to said soft capsules at a velocity of the air across the soft capsules of from about 0.15 m/s to about 13 m/s; b) increasing, over time, a drying temperature to which said soft capsules are exposed while ensuring that the drying temperature remains below a melting temperature of a capsule shell of the soft capsules; c) exposing said soft capsules to an initial relative humidity of from about 49% RH to about 79% RH; d) decreasing the relative humidity to which the soft capsules are exposed as the capsules dry until an equilibrium relative humidity of the soft capsules reaches a desired relative humidity; and e) exposing the soft capsules from step d) to a temperature of from 20-25° C. Also disclosed is a drying system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method of drying soft capsules including steps of: a) supplying a flow of air to said soft capsules at a velocity of the air across the soft capsules of from about 0.15 m/s to about 13 m/s; b) increasing, over time, a drying temperature to which said soft capsules are exposed while ensuring that the drying temperature remains below a melting temperature of a capsule shell of the soft capsules; c) exposing said soft capsules to an initial relative humidity of from about 49% RH to about 79% RH; d) decreasing the relative humidity to which the soft capsules are exposed as the capsules dry until an equilibrium relative humidity of the soft capsules reaches a desired relative humidity; and e) exposing the soft capsules from step d) to a temperature of from 20-25° C. Also disclosed is a drying system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method of treating a soft or hard capsule shell to reduce or alleviate stress in the capsule shell. The method includes a step of heating at least a portion of the soft or hard shell capsule capsule shell to a temperature above a glass transition temperature of the capsule shell but below a melt temperature of the capsule shell for a time sufficient to reduce internal stress in the capsule shell. The method can be used to reduce cracking of hard or soft capsule shells by application of the heat treatment to the filled capsule shells after fabrication and filling.

Abstract: A system for recovering gel-mass from a gel-mass-containing waste material. The system includes mangle rolls, a heated accumulator for receiving and melting the gel-mass-containing waste material to provide an oil phase and a non-oil phase; a pumping system; an optional mixer; and a control system.

Abstract: A process and system for recovering gel-mass from a gel-mass-containing waste material. The process comprises retrieving the gel-mass-containing waste material from an encapsulation process; melting the retrieved waste material to provide an oil phase and a non-oil phase; retrieving the non-oil phase to produce a recovered gel-mass; and recycling the recovered gel-mass for combination with fresh encapsulating material to provide a combined encapsulating material for use in encapsulating a same lot of the same product which was being encapsulated in the step that produced the gel-mass-containing waste material from which the gel-mass was obtained. The system comprises a heated accumulator for receiving and melting the gel-mass-containing waste material to provide an oil phase and a non-oil phase; a pumping system; an optional mixer; and a control system.

Abstract: A process and system for recovering gel-mass from a gel-mass-containing waste material. The process comprises retrieving the gel-mass-containing waste material from an encapsulation process; melting the retrieved waste material to provide an oil phase and a non-oil phase; retrieving the non-oil phase to produce a recovered gel-mass; and recycling the recovered gel-mass for combination with fresh encapsulating material to provide a combined encapsulating material for use in encapsulating a same lot of the same product which was being encapsulated in the step that produced the gel-mass-containing waste material from which the gel-mass was obtained. The system comprises a heated accumulator for receiving and melting the gel-mass-containing waste material to provide an oil phase and a non-oil phase; a pumping system; an optional mixer; and a control system.

Abstract: An system and method for coupling a capsule body and cap is provided. The system and method provide a first conduit configured to align a capsule body and a second conduit configured to align a capsule cap. The system and method provide for a pressure-relief cavity in at least one of the first conduit and the second conduit.

Abstract: A gelatin capsule is disclosed that is designed to impart less tensile stress on the component parts when it is in the closed position and experiences less spontaneous breakage particularly when fill with hygroscopic liquids. The gelatin capsule comprises a cap portion and a body portion. The cap portion includes an annular ring and the body portion includes an annular groove. Together, the annular ring and the annular groove comprise a locking ring, which are designed to reduce the capsule cap and body contact force and stress raisers. The invention includes a cap locking ring inner diameter that is same as body locking ring outer diameter or slightly smaller to make the contacting force at the locking ring lower than current capsule designs. The body portion also includes a tapered ring configured such that, in the closed position the rim of the body portion does not contact the cap portion.

Abstract: An system and method for coupling a capsule body and cap is provided. The system and method provide a first conduit configured to align a capsule body and a second conduit configured to align a capsule cap. The system and method provide for a pressure-relief cavity in at least one of the first conduit and the second conduit.

Abstract: An system and method for coupling a capsule body and cap is provided. The system and method provide a first conduit configured to align a capsule body and a second conduit configured to align a capsule cap. The system and method provide for a pressure-relief cavity in at least one of the first conduit and the second conduit.

Abstract: A gelatin capsule is disclosed that is designed to impart less tensile stress on the component parts when it is in the closed position and experiences less spontaneous breakage particularly when fill with hygroscopic liquids. The gelatin capsule comprises a cap portion and a body portion. The cap portion includes an annular ring and the body portion includes an annular groove. Together, the annular ring and the annular groove comprise a locking ring, which are designed to reduce the capsule cap and body contact force and stress raisers. The invention includes a cap locking ring inner diameter that is same as body locking ring outer diameter or slightly smaller to make the contacting force at the locking ring lower than current capsule designs. The body portion also includes a tapered ring configured such that, in the closed position the rim of the body portion does not contact the cap portion.

Abstract: An system and method for coupling a capsule body and cap is provided. The system and method provide a first conduit configured to align a capsule body and a second conduit configured to align a capsule cap. The system and method provide for a pressure-relief cavity in at least one of the first conduit and the second conduit.