Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to capsules, for example, softgel capsules for oral administration that have on their surface laser etching that penetrates at least partially into the surface of the capsule, reduces the structural integrity of the capsule while preventing exposure of the interior contents to the outside environment, and increases the rate of release of active ingredients contained within.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method of making a male, screw-forming member, i.e., a member which forms a screw thread in a plain hole without cutting. The shank of the member is threaded and has three portions, a first portion of constant, circular cross section, a generally conical second portion of lobular cross section at the free end of the shank and a third portion of lobular cross section interposed between the first and second portions. The arrangement of the portions is such that the third portion forms a thread, in a plain hole of appropriate diameter, of greater effective diameter than the effective diameter of the thread on said first portion. The member is made by first threading the shank and then deforming the second and third portions to lobular cross-section.