Abstract: The present technology generally relates to an encapsulation system for delivery of an active agent, the encapsulation system comprising a matrix of microcapsules, wherein a first portion of microcapsules in the matrix of microcapsules has an average diameter of from about 0.1 microns to about 10 microns; a second portion of the microcapsules has an average diameter of from about 10 microns to about 100 microns; and a third portion of the microcapsules has an average diameter of from about 100 microns to about 500 microns; and wherein the active agent is encapsulated in the microcapsules.

Abstract: Each capsule comprises a liquid core (14) and a gelled shell (16) comprising a gelled polyelectrolyte completely encapsulating the liquid core (14) at the periphery thereof. The gelled shell (16) is suitable for retaining the liquid core (14) when the capsule (12) is immersed in a gas. The liquid core (14) comprises an intermediate drop (18) of an intermediate phase, the intermediate phase being placed in contact with the gelled shell (16), and at least one internal drop (20) of an internal phase placed in the intermediate drop (18). The ratio of the volume of the core (14) to the volume of the gelled shell (16) is greater than 2, advantageously is greater than 50.

Abstract: This method comprises the following steps: flowing drops of a first phase, through a circulation duct, into a second phase that is substantially immiscible with the first phase, each drop comprising a core formed from the first phase and a shell formed from a layer of coacervate inserted between the first phase and the second phase; recovering a dispersion containing drops and the second phase in a container; injecting a solution for increasing the viscosity of the second phase in the circulation duct or at the outlet of the circulation duct, upstream from the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a confectionery product comprising a plurality of beads, each bead comprising an aqueous core, a hydrophobic first coating layer surrounding the aqueous core, and a hydrophilic second coating layer surrounding the first coating layer; to a confectionery product comprising these beads. The invention also relates to a method of production thereof.

Abstract: The invention teaches a method of efficiently dewatering a microcapsule slurry to form a water re-suspendable filter cake of microcapsules. The process comprises providing an aqueous slurry of microcapsules dispersed in an aqueous solution; adding an agglomeration agent and dispersing the agglomeration agent into the aqueous slurry; adjusting the pH to a pH level sufficient to agglomerate the dispersed microcapsules; and filtering the aqueous slurry of microcapsules by gravity, vacuum or pressure filtration to thereby form a filter cake of dewatered microcapsules. The agglomeration agent is sodium polyphosphate, sodium tetrapolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, and/or sodium tripolyphosphate; or with anionic microcapsules or coatings even alkaline earth metal salts such as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride or barium chloride, or even aluminum salt such as aluminum chloride.

Abstract: A method of producing polycarbonate-based polymer microparticles including forming an emulsion in a system in which a polycarbonate-based polymer (A), a polymer (B) different from the polycarbonate-based polymer (A) and an organic solvent (C) are dissolved and mixed together and which causes phase separation into two phases of a solution phase having the polycarbonate-based polymer (A) as its main component and a solution phase having the polymer (B) different from the polycarbonate-based polymer (a) as its main component, and contacting a poor solvent for the polycarbonate-based polymer (A) with the emulsion at a temperature of 80° C. or higher to thereby precipitate microparticles of the polycarbonate-based polymer (A).

Abstract: An extrusion process comprises extruding a material that is flowable when heated and passing the extrudate thus formed through a nozzle 10 to shape the extrudate into a plurality of substantially uniformly shaped elements such as minispheres or minicapsules.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing composite particles of at least one of a curing agent and a curing accelerator which have excellent release properties for at least one of the curing agent and curing accelerator, exhibit excellent rapid curability when contained in a curable resin composition, and have excellent storage stability; and the composite particles of at least one of the curing agent and the curing accelerator. Another object of the present invention is to provide to a thermosetting resin composition that contains the composite particles of at least one of the curing agent and the curing accelerator. The method of the present invention includes the steps of: preparing an emulsion in which droplets containing a compound for forming shells are dispersed in an aqueous medium; impregnating the droplets with at least one of a curing agent and a curing accelerator; and forming shells each enclosing the at least one of the curing agent and the curing accelerator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing microparticles or nanoparticles of water-soluble and water-insoluble substances by controlled precipitation, co-precipitation and self-organization processes in microjet reactors, a solvent, which contains at least one target molecule, and a nonsolvent being mixed as jets that collide with each other in a microjet reactor at defined pressures and flow rates and thereby effect very rapid precipitation, co-precipitation or a chemical reaction, during the course of which microparticles or nanoparticles are formed.

Abstract: In a fragrance and/or aroma composition for the targeted release of fragrances and/or aromas in the form of a solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) dispersion, in which lipid-based nanoparticles are present which are stabilized by an emulsifier monolayer, one or more membrane layers or other auxiliaries, the fragrances and/or aromas are included in the nanoparticles and/or in the emulsifier monolayer or the membrane layers.

Abstract: The present invention is to obtain capsules which do not disintegrate in stomach and intestine after orally administrating them and which disintegrate specifically in large intestine. The present invention thus provides a capsule which disintegrates specifically in large intestine, comprising a content comprising a main agent, and a shell, covering the content, comprising a natural water-soluble polymer as a shell base material and chitosan powder dispersing in the natural water-soluble polymer.

Abstract: Microencapsulated particles having improved resistance to moisture and extended release capabilities are produced by microencapsulating the particles in a film-forming, cross-linked, hydrolyzed polymer.

Abstract: A skin cosmetic composition comprising: a hydrogel particle comprising a non-crosslinked hydrogel containing an oil component therein dispersed in an aqueous medium; a hydrogel particle comprising a non-crosslinked hydrogel containing an oil component therein; and a process for preparing a hydrogel particle comprising the steps of discharging an oil component-emulsified or dispersed solution prepared by dissolving a non-crosslinked hydrogel in an aqueous solution, with vibration from an orifice to form droplets; and cooling the droplets to solidify.

Abstract: Microencapsulated particles having improved resistance to moisture and extended release capabilities are produced by microencapsulating the particles in a film-forming, cross-linked, hydrolyzed polymer.

Abstract: A system for producing a hot-filled softgel capsule utilizes a chilled liquid. The chilled liquid is routed through a chilled liquid conveyor tray into a chilled liquid bath. The chilled liquid conveyor tray directs the flowing chilled liquid into a flowing chilled liquid layer. Softgel capsules having a heated fill material are deposited in the flowing chilled liquid layer. The chilled liquid layer cools the capsule by transferring heat from the capsule to the chilled liquid. The flowing chilled liquid layer transports the capsule out of the chilled liquid conveyor tray into a chilled liquid bath. A capsule transfer conveyor transports the capsule out of the chilled liquid bath to a chilled liquid removal device. The chilled liquid removal device removes the chilled liquid from the capsule.

Abstract: Microcapsules comprising an agglomeration of primary microcapsules, each individual primary microcapsule having a primary shell and the agglomeration being encapsulated by an outer shell, may be prepared by providing an aqueous mixture of a loading substance and a shell material, adjusting pH, temperature, concentration and/or mixing speed to form primary shells of shell material around the loading substance and cooling the aqueous mixture until the primary shells agglomerate and an outer shell of shell material forms around the agglomeration. Such microcapsules are useful for storing a substance and for delivering the substance to a desired environment.

Abstract: An oral care composition comprising from 0.01 to 50% by weight of the composition of a capsule, the capsule comprising a core and a coating for the core, the coating comprising a wax having a melting point of at least 70 degrees C., an oil and an opacifier and the core comprising an oil, a pigment and a shear-thinning structurant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a complex coacervation process based on the use of type B gelatin as polycationic colloid, for the preparation of “Halal” certified flavor-containing microcapsules.

Abstract: Microencapsulated particles having improved resistance to moisture and extended release capabilities are produced by microencapsulating the particles in a film-forming, cross-linked, hydrolyzed polymer.

Abstract: A microcapsule composition comprising a core material in a matrix of polymorphic shell material, releases said core material in an aqueous environment in accordance with zero order linear release profile. A preferred composition comprises a core material having a degree of water solubility entrapped in a beta crystalline matrix of water insoluble shell material which matrix may, optionally, be surrounded by a contiguous core material-free layer of water insoluble shell material. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of microcapsules comprising subjecting a flowable mixture of core material and a first amount of water insoluble shell material to a pressure force to form a pressure-treated mixture, and passing said pressure-treated mixture through a spray nozzle into a chilling zone to form a solidified composition.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a display that includes a first substrate having a pixel electrode, a second substrate having a common electrode, and a microcapsule interposed between the first and second substrates, a display material being encapsulated in the microcapsule, an optical characteristic of the display material changing in response to an electrical stimulus. The method includes: selectively disposing a microcapsule material that includes the microcapsule on a display area formed of the pixel electrode of the first substrate or an area, of the second substrate, corresponding to the display area; drying the microcapsule material; and joining the first substrate to the second substrate after the drying.

Abstract: A series of paraffin compounds, the phase change materials (PCMs), were microencapsulated in an interfacial polymerization process to form the double-shell microcapsules with relatively low shell permeability. The inner shell is formed through the reaction between polypropylene glycols and bifunctional polyisocyanates and the outer through the reaction between bifunctional polyisocyanates and polyamines added in the continuous aqueous phase. The so prepared microencapsulated paraffin compounds emulsion can be used as the medium for temperature management in many fields.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for oral quick-dissolving capsules, includes the steps of: preparing a core liquid that contains a filler material; preparing a shell liquid by having dissolved therein a shell material that includes one or more plasticizer and a shell forming agent; supplying to a multiple nozzle having an inner nozzle and an outer nozzle, and forming multilayer liquid drops by extruding the multilayer liquid drops from the multiple nozzle; hardening the shell liquid by bringing the multilayer liquid drops into contact with a hardening liquid; separating the seamless capsules from the hardening liquid; and drying their surface to form seamless capsules. The seamless capsules have a particle diameter of 1 to 10 mm, a mass ratio of shell material to filler material of 5:95 to 70:30, and the amount of added plasticizer is 20 to 70% by mass with respect to the total amount of the shell material, excluding water.

Abstract: Microcapsules comprising an agglomeration of primary microcapsules, each individual primary microcapsule having a primary shell and the agglomeration being encapsulated by an outer shell, may be prepared by providing an aqueous mixture of a loading substance and a shell material, adjusting pH, temperature, concentration and/or mixing speed to form primary shells of shell material around the loading substance and cooling the aqueous mixture until the primary shells agglomerate and an outer shell of shell material forms around the agglomeration. Such microcapsules are useful for storing a substance and for delivering the substance to a desired environment.

Abstract: Described herein are microcapsules and emulsions prepared from low Bloom gelatin and methods of making and using thereof.

Abstract: A dye, such as a fluorescent dye, is incorporated into polymer microparticles using a solvent system composed of a first solvent in which the dye and the microparticle polymer are soluble, a second solvent in which the dye and the microparticle polymer are not or only weakly soluble, and a third solvent in which the dye and the microparticle polymer are not or only weakly soluble. The first and second solvents are immiscible with each other, or at most partially miscible. The third solvent is miscible with the first and second solvents. The formulation provides substantially complete partitioning of the dye to the microparticles. The method may be used to obtain dyed polymer microparticle formed of cross-linked or non-cross-linked polymers. Libraries are provided comprising two or more sets of microparticles of different dye loadings.

Abstract: A process for making microcapsules of an oil which are in dispersion in water comprises the steps of; (i) forming an initial dispersion of the oil in water in the presence of a surfactant, (ii) heating the initial dispersion above its phase inversion temperature, to form a bicontinuous phase composition, (iii) allowing or causing the composition to cool to below the phase inversion temperature so as to form an emulsion of oil droplets in the water, and (iv) encapsulating the oil droplets. The oil preferably has dissolved in it an oil-soluble or oil-dispersible active ingredient selected from agrochemicals, cosmetics, fragrances, sun-screens, ink-jet dyes, pigments, toners, biocides and pharmaceutical and veterinary products including drug delivery systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous method to prepare encapsulated cyclopropenes, a method to purify cyclopropene gas, and a method to prepare an ?-cyclodextrin/cyclopropene complex.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel encapsulation compositions and methods. In particular, the invention relates to fluorescent capsule compositions, which consists of a layer of a polymer shell enclosing one or more fluorescent materials such as fluorescent microspheres and which are capable of emitting at least two distinct fluorescent signals. Also provided are methods for their preparation. The compositions and methods of this invention are useful in a variety of applications, including preparation of multiplexed arrays for industrial, chemical, immunological, and genetic manipulation and analysis especially as related but not limited to flow cytometry.

Abstract: Methods of making microcapsules and microcapsules comprising a core material and a shell material with substantially different dielectric constants and dissipation factors. Exposure to appropriate electromagnetic energy selectively (a) heats the core material with the higher dielectric constant and dissipation factor, directly or indirectly fusing the shell material and forming microcapsules, or (b) hardens polymerized shell material, which has a high dielectric constant and dissipation factor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing silica microcapsules and more particularly, to a process for preparing silica microcapsules comprising the steps of dissolving tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) into an aqueous solution containing a hydrolysis catalyst to control a degree of hydrolysis and contribute hydrophilicity or lipophilicity, adding a core material and an appropriate amount of aminopropyltrialkoxysilane(APS) as a gelling agent into the solution, and emulsifying and dispersing the resulting solution to a solution having a polarity opposite to that of the core material to microcapsulate by coating the core material with silica shell via a sol-gel reaction. The process for preparing microcapsules of the present invention reduces environmental pollution compared to conventional processes using an alkali gelling agent such as an ammonia solution, and are suitable for both organic or inorganic core materials having hydrophilic or lipophilic property.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microspheres, processes for the manufacture of said microspheres, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said microspheres, and sustained release methods of administering an effective pharmaceutical amount of a bioactive compound to a subject. The microspheres of the present invention comprise a water insoluble organic matrix comprising an interior region, throughout which are homogeneously dispersed a plurality of microcapsules consisting essentially of a core of bioactive compound coated with material containing charged organic groups and a surface region substantially free of said bioactive compound.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing macrocapsules containing therein a plurality of microcapsules. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the microcapsules contain a phase change material.

Abstract: Microencapslated particles having improved resistance to moisture and extended release capabilities are produced by microencapsulating the particles in a film-forming, cross-linked, hydrolyzed polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions in form of solid lipidic nanospheres able to rapidly penetrate into the cells, comprising as an active substance a lipidic substance consisting of an ester of &agr;-tocopherol or &dgr;-tocopherol or of cholesterol or of glycerol with a carboxylic acid selected from acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and succinic acid, useful in the treatment of tumoral pathologies and of Mediterranean anaemia.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-stage method for producing gas-filled microcapsules. In one stage of the method, the substance that forms the coat is polymerized. The microcapsules are formed in a physically and/or temporally separate stage, by means of a structuring process. The polymerization is carried out with moderate stirring, while the microcapsules are structured in dispersing conditions.

Abstract: Compositions for sustained delivery of a biomolecule including an anionic polymer and a cationic polymer which ironically interact with each other and, optionally, with the biomolecule. Methods for making the compositions, including the step of combining the negatively charged polymer with the positively charged polymer to form an ionic complex are also provided. The biomolecule may be complexed with one of the polymers before it is complexed with the oppositely charged polymer. The complex is exposed to conditions that cause the formation of precipitated microcarriers, such as a change in pH or the addition of a complexing molecule. The compositions are preferably formulated into microcarriers.

Abstract: Microencapsulated particles having improved resistance to moisture and extended release capabilities are produced by microencapsulating the particles in a film-forming, cross-linked, hydrolyzed polymer.

Abstract: A microcapsule composition comprising a core material in a matrix of polymorphic shell material, releases said core material in an aqueous environment in accordance with zero order linear release profile. A preferred composition comprises a core material having a degree of water solubility entrapped in a beta crystalline matrix of water insoluble shell material which matrix may, optionally, be surrounded by a contiguous core material-free layer of water insoluble shell material. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of microcapsules comprising subjecting a flowable mixture of core material and a first amount of water insoluble shell material to a pressure force to form a pressure-treated mixture, and passing said pressure-treated mixture through a spray nozzle into a chilling zone to form a solidified composition.

Abstract: Dual shell microcapsule aggregate particles and copy materials coated therewith, such aggregate particles having inner shells surrounding chromogenic nucleus material, and outer shells encompassing multiple such inner shells to form aggregate particles thereof. The inner shells are derived from polar pre-polymer compositions. The outer shells are derived from complex colloids such as gelatin and gelatin derivatives. The outer shell material causes agglomeration of the inner shells into aggregate particles, thus increasing the sizes of the particles without increasing the sizes of the respective inner-shell microcapsules which contain the chromogenic material.

Abstract: A process for the manufacturing of microcapsules for sustained release of water soluble peptides, with adjustable release periods of between 1 to 18 weeks. The microcapsule wall are made of a biodegradable polymer. The process is based on the formation of an intermediate complex water/oil/water emulsion. By evaporating the solvent in the emulsion by pressure reduction the microcapsules consolidate, retaining the active peptides in the polymeric matrix. The process produces the complex emulsion in a two mixer, continuous operation. In the first mixer a water/oil emulsion is formed and it is used to form the complex emulsion in the second mixer. By operating in a continuous manner, the process overcome the problems found in existing processes regarding particle size distribution, material losses and process control, among others.

Abstract: A microcapsule having a mean diameter of from about 0.1 to about 5 mm, a membrane and a matrix containing at least one active principle wherein the microcapsule is the product of the process comprising the steps of (a) forming an aqueous matrix by heating an aqueous solution comprised of a gel former, a chitosan and active principle; (b) adding the aqueous matrix to an aqueous solution of an anionic polymer selected from the group consisting of a salt of alginic acid and an anionic chitosan derivative.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel encapsulation compositions and methods. In particular, the invention relates to fluorescent capsule compositions, which consists of a layer of a polymer shell enclosing one or more fluorescent materials such as fluorescent microspheres and which are capable of emitting at least two distinct fluorescent signals. Also provided are methods for their preparation. The compositions and methods of this invention are useful in a variety of applications, including preparation of multiplexed arrays for industrial, chemical, immunological, and genetic manipulation and analysis especially as related but not limited to flow cytometry.

Abstract: A method for making microencapsulated gyricon beads comprising the steps of converging a first, second, third and fourth materials in a liquid state; forming a bead from the first and second materials, the bead having two hemispheric surfaces with one surface differing from the other in optical and electrical characteristics; surrounding the bead with the third material; encapsulating the third material with the fourth material; and solidifying the fourth material.

Abstract: Microcapsules of a microcapsule formed of a polyurea shell wall and an encapsulated ingredient or ingredients enclosed within the wall, the wall comprising at least one oligomeric acetal having the moiety in which R is (a) a moiety containing a chain of from 5 to about 40 optionally substituted carbon atoms, (b) a moiety containing a chain of from 4 to about 40 carbon atoms and one or more internally linked oxygen or sulfur atoms or —NH-groups, or (c) an optionally substituted ethylene or propylene moiety Z is (a) an optionally substituted phenyl group, (b) an optionally substituted C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl or C5-C8 cycloalkenyl group, or (c) benzoyl, and n is 1 if R is (a) or (b), or is 2-20 if R is (c).

Abstract: A particle resistant to storage of at least one first and at least one second component, wherein

Abstract: A method to efficiently and continuously produce microspheres of natural oils and fats having a high melting point, the average particle diameter of which is in dozens of &mgr;m and is uniform, comprising the steps of heating oils and fats having a high melting point to a temperature greater than the melting point thereof to liquify same holding the oils and fats in a liquid state, forming a dispersed phase of the liquid oils and fats, pressurizing the dispersed phase and forming emulsions by dispersing the dispersed phase into a continuous phase via a plurality of microchannels, and isolating microspheres of the oils and fats having a high melting point by removing the continuous phase from the emulsions.

Abstract: The invention is an encapsulated active agent comprising an active agent encapsulated in a crystallizable or thermoplastic polymer wherein the particle size of the encapsulated active agent is 3,000 microns or less wherein the active agent is not significantly extractable from the particles under ambient conditions. In another embodiment the invention is a process for preparing an encapsulated agent which comprises a) contacting an active agent with a crystallizable or thermoplastic polymer wherein the polymer is molten and the active agent in not volatile under the contacting conditions; b) forming particles of about 3000 microns or less; and c) exposing the particles to conditions such that the portion of the particle at and near the surface undergoes rapid solidification. The encapsulated active agents of the invention do not require washing in order for them to be stable in curable compositions. These encapsulated active agents can be designed to release the active agent at a desired temperature.

Abstract: A method for producing a gas microbubble comprises subjecting the gas microbubble to isothermal conditions or cooling conditions such that the lipid-containing shell cools at a rate ranging from about 100° C./min. to about 103° C./min., and wherein said subjecting step transforms the lipid-containing shell from a liquid state to a solid state.

Abstract: The present invention is in the area of administration forms and delivery systems for drugs, vaccines and other biologically active agents. More specifically the invention is related to the preparation of suspensions of colloidal solid lipid particles (SLPs) of predominantly anisometrical shape with the lipid matrix being in a stable polymorphic modification and of suspensions of micron and submicron particles of bioactive agents (PBAs); as well as to the use of such suspensions or the lyophilizates thereof as delivery systems primarily for the parenteral administration of preferably poorly water-soluble bioactive substances, particularly drugs, and to their use in cosmetic, food and agricultural products. SLPs and PBAs are prepared by the following emulsification process: (1) A solid lipid or bioactive agent or a mixture of solid lipids or bioactive agents is melted.