DESC:DESICCATED INDUCTION SEALABLE WAD IN CAP
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to induction wad for container caps, and more particularly to container caps incorporating desiccant materials, particularly to container caps for moisture sensitive materials, particularly pharmaceutical substances. The desiccated induction sealing wad of the present invention is suitable to absorb any free moisture in the bottle so as to prevent the drugs from being damaged thereby.
BACKGROUND
It is frequently necessary to store moisture sensitive materials for relatively long periods in containers. In a particular example, certain pharmaceutical substances are supplied and/or stored in small containers containing one or more unit doses of the dry substance.
During storage the presence of atmospheric moisture within the container, or the ingress of atmospheric moisture, can cause decomposition of materials. Often moisture sensitive pharmaceutical substances are provided in containers together with an internal desiccant in the container, for example a small sachet of molecular sieve or silica gel.
Damage is incurred with many expensive pharmaceuticals when exposed to a humid atmosphere for a relatively short period of time. Closures for containers often are provided as a cap having a container opening sealing member, such as a ring- or disc-shaped sealing wad. The sealing wad is manufactured separately from the cap and is inserted into the cap against its end panel wall for sealing off the open end of a container to which it is fitted, such as a bottle.
Many drugs are typically bottled in an atmosphere of very low humidity to avoid absorption of moisture within the container. However, each time the bottle is opened by the consumer for removal of a portion of the contents, atmospheric air is admitted to the container. This results in an increase in humidity within the bottle and eventual degradation of the contents. In order to maintain a moisture-free atmosphere within the bottle after it has been opened, packagers generally place therein a pill of desiccant material or a moisture-permeable capsule containing a desiccant. However, the danger always exists that the consumer may inadvertently remove or even take the desiccant pill or capsule. Intake of such materials can result in discomfort or serious illness. Consequently, there have been attempts for providing desiccant material in the container such that it does not come in contact with the products contained in the container.
A bottle cap having a desiccant material attached thereto in a manner, which prevents its becoming readily detached, is known in prior art. US Patent US2317882, discloses closure caps for receptacles containing dry medicinal materials. The cap includes a separate housing made of plastic or metal for receiving an absorbent or dehydrating means to protect the medicinal materials from moisture.
US Patent US4545492 discloses a device for maintaining dry conditions in vessels. The device is a cap or stopper having a hollow section to contain a drying agent, a nonporous top member having at least one pinhole therein and a porous bottom member.
US Patent US6986807 discloses desiccant bottle cap having a desiccant material or a desiccant containing packet adhered thereto. US Patent US6986807 also discloses loose desiccant material or a disk of desiccant material is sandwiched between a bottle cap liner and a porous material to create a bottle cap insert for removable insertion into a bottle cap.
One of the disadvantages of the prior arts as described above are that once the lid/closure is opened the desiccants can be tampered and removed which will make the container unable to maintain the dry conditions on further use. Further the containers as described in US2317882, US4545492 and US6986807 patents have no induction sealing and therefore no improved protection is found till the container is opened. It was also found that the container lids with inbuilt desiccants need to be stored in original packing needing humidity control as done for desiccants which would need extra handling measures.
Many of the known combinations of caps and sealing members suffer from various disadvantages. For instance, the wad at times loosens itself from the cap and falls out. Also the production cost of manufacturing the two parts separately and of inserting the wad into the cap are relatively high.
The need for a reliable, long lasting cap can be exemplified by the effect of moisture on pharmaceutical substances. It is an object of the invention to provide a desiccated induction sealing wad suitable to absorb any free moisture for a container, which will assist in overcoming the above mentioned disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a container cap comprising a desiccated induction sealing wad, and more particularly to desiccated induction sealing wad incorporating desiccant materials, particularly to containers for moisture sensitive materials, particularly pharmaceutical substances. The desiccated induction sealing wad of the present invention suitable for both closed and in-use stability conditions and suitable to absorb any free moisture in the bottle so as to prevent the material from being damaged thereby. The present invention also relates to a container where the desiccant materials(s) is a part of the cap and does not come out while dispensing the product. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates the cross sectional (top and bottom) view of wad with different layers of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates the front and isometric view of wad of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates isometric view of cap assembly of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates section view of cap assembly (Front) of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates section view of cap assembly (Isometric) of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a desiccated induction sealing wad suitable for a container for storing any moisture sensitive materials, including pharmaceuticals such as tablets or capsules.
In one embodiment of the present invention provides a desiccated induction sealing wad suitable for both closed and in-use stability conditions
In another embodiment of the present invention provides induction sealing desiccant wad containing desiccant materials which would take care of moisture entering into the container while opening of the container.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention provides sealable wad comprising two or more layers of polyethylene (PE) having desiccant material.

In another embodiment of the present invention provides sealable wad comprising two or more layers of polyethylene (PE) having desiccant material, one or more layers of pulp board or expanded polyethylene (EPE) and a layer of aluminium foil.

In another embodiment of the present invention provides sealable wad wherein layers are arranged in a manner such that after induction sealing one polyethylene layer remains along with the layer of aluminum foil on the mouth of container which faces towards container; and other polyethylene layer or layers remain in the cap of the container along with the one or more layers of pulp board or expanded polyethylene.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention provides induction sealable wad for a container, wherein the desiccant material is embedded in the polyethylene layer.
In another embodiment of the present invention provides induction sealable wad, which further comprises one or more layers of wax between layer of aluminium foil and layer of pulp board or expanded polyethylene.
In the description below different components of the container has been described. It is to be understood that the components/parts used in the present invention can be replaced by their technical equivalence and still the invention can be performed and therefore none of the components/parts of the container should be considered as a restriction.
Desiccant embedded with inner foil of induction sealing wad structure details:
Layer 1 - Pulp board/ Expanded Poyethylene (EPE)
Layer 2 - Desiccant embedded in Polyethylene (PE)
Layer 3 - Pulp board/ Expanded Poyethylene (EPE)
Layer 4 - Wax
Layer 5 - Aluminium foil
Layer 6 - Desiccant embedded in PE (suitable for Heat Sealing)

ADVANTAGES
• The desiccant container of the present invention has the advantage for providing induction seal to the mouth of the container removing of silica gel canister insertion, thereby providing easy operation with superior protection from moisture
• Another advantage of the present invention relates safety, where product has lower chances of contact with the silica gel, hence lower chances of contamination thus reducing the risk of intake of desiccant pills, sachets or canisters by consumers
• The desiccant container of the present invention negates the use of additional means for tamper evidence by providing an induction heat seal on the mouth of the container which provides tamper evidence
• Another advantage of the present invention relates cost saving because of optimized head space and hence logistic cost savings
• The desiccant container of the present invention suitable for both closed and in-use condition
• Further the containers of the present invention have the advantage of being used on existing packing line with very little adjustments, similar to desiccated forming blister foil

Examples

Comparative study on stability

Sample 1: HDPE bottle + Innovation Wad

Sr. No. Tests Specification Analysis result
Initial 1 Month 2 Months
1 Assay Not less than 90.0% and not more than 110.0% of label claim 100.7 99.7 99.9
2 Water content (%) (by KF) Not more than 8.0 % 1.15 1.67 1.83
3 Total degradation product Not more than 2.0 % 0.12 0.21 0.25

Sample2: HDPE bottle + 1g Canister

Sr. No. Tests Specification Analysis result
Initial 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months
1 Assay Not less than 90.0% and not more than 110.0% of label claim 100.7 101.4 99.7 100.0
2 Water content (%) (by KF) Not more than 8.0 % 1.15 1.45 1.60 1.59
3 Total degradation product Not more than 2.0 % 0.12 0.22 0.35 0.29
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A sealable desiccant wad for a container comprising:
a. two or more layers of polyethylene having desiccant material,
b. one or more layers of pulp board or expanded polyethylene and
c. a layer of aluminium foil;
wherein layers are arranged in a manner such that after induction sealing
one polyethylene layer remains along with the layer of aluminium foil on the mouth of container, wherein polyethylene layer faces towards container; and
other polyethylene layer or layers remain in the cap of the container along with the one or more layers of pulp board or expanded polyethylene.

2. The sealable desiccant wad for a container according to claim 1, wherein the desiccant material is embedded in the polyethylene layer.

3. The sealable desiccant wad for a container according to claim 1, wherein wad further comprises one or more layers of wax between layer of aluminium foil and layer of pulp board or expanded polyethylene.

4. The sealable desiccant wad for a container according to claim 1, wherein wad comprises two layers of pulp board or expanded polyethylene.

5. The sealable desiccant wad for a container according to claim 1, wherein said container comprises a moisture sensitive product.