FORM - 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
“An Alternative Additive for the Preparation of Hard Capsules to
Impart Glidability”.
Scitech Centre
7, Prabhat Nagar
Jogeshwari (West)
MUMBAI- 400 102
The following specification describes the nature of the invention,

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
An alternative additive for the preparation of hard capsules to impart glidability. More particularly present invention relates to an alternative additive such as pharma grade sugar (Sucrose) esters alone or combination thereof for the preparation of hard capsules to impart glidability.
PRIOR ART
In prior art hard capsules are prepared by dipping process. The capsules prepared are normally by using different types of gelatines such as bone gelatine or pig skin gelatine, hide gelatine and combination thereof. Also capsules are prepared using polysaccharides, hydroxy! propyl methyl cellulose (H.P.M.C), starches and their derivatives, and by natural edible polymers. The inherent glidability of the hard capsule is suitable for the low speed capsule making machine in the moderately dry climate. But when the hard capsules are filled in the dry climate even on the low speed capsule filling machine, additional glidability to the hard capsule is required, which is being imparted to the capsules by making use of the components, such as Silicon di-oxide (Sio2) or sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) or any other ionic or non-ionic surfactants.
The SLS is mixed in the capsule preparing solution to give the improved results in the formation of the hard capsules on the lubricated capsule dipping modes and it also helps to get the dried capsules properly processed in the stripping, cutting and particularly joining in the auto head of the automatic capsule making machines.
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To impart the glidability to the produced hard capsules for better performance on the capsule making machine, SLS powder in very small quantity is uniformly sprinkled on the capsules. Thus sprinkled SLS powder on the capsule surface is uniformly spread by suitable mechanical means. Similar results are also achieved by treating these capsules with very small quantities of edible triglycerides, mineral oils, and combination thereof.
Use of pharma grade silicon di-oxide (Sio2) as a additive in very small quantity in the capsule preparation also imparts the same degree of glidability which otherwise be achieved by sprinkling SLS or edible tri-glycerides, mineral oils, and combination thereof on the empty capsules.
But some capsule users wanted to make the use of capsules which does not contain either SLS or Sio2 in the combination. If SLS or Sio2 is not used it becomes extremely difficult to manufacture capsules and also make the produced capsules work properly on the high speed capsule filling machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Object of the present invention aims at developing an alternative additive for the preparation of hard capsules to impart glidability.
It is also object of the present invention to make use of alternative additive to substitute the additives of the prior art, such as silicon di-oxide (Sio2) or sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)
An alternative additive for the preparation of hard capsules to impart glidability according to the present invention makes use of pharma grade sugar esters and combinations thereof in the process of making hard capsules, in the process of making
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capsules. Sugar esters are compounds of sucrose and fatty acids derived from edible fats and oils.
It is observed that use of the sugar (sucrose) esters and combinations thereof and/or mono and di-glycerides of fatty acids imparts the required glidability of the capsules and thereby solves the problems of making of the capsules on the capsule making machine and also helps in better performance of the capsule filling machine.
Use of pharma grade sugar esters and combination thereof mono and/or di-glycerides of fatty acids as a additive for imparting suitable glidability according to the present invention substitute SLS and silicon di-oxide of the prior art.
According to this present invention pharma grade sugar (sucrose) esters and combination thereof and/or mono and di-glycerides of fatty acids may contain a fatty acid group like stearate, palmitate, myristate, laurate, oelate and mixed fatty acids having different Hydrophilic and lipophilic balance values (HLB values) achieving the desired glidability. Fatty acid groups mentioned above may change to achieve the desired range of HLB values.
Dated this 2nd Day of April X007.
M.S.KHADILKAR (Agent for the Applicant)
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