GB2386069A

GB2386069A - Consumable container

Info

Publication number: GB2386069A
Application number: GB0303685A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leonard Louis Brown
Original assignee: Etablissement de Machines Industrielles
Current assignee: Etablissement de Machines Industrielles
Priority date: 2002-02-20
Filing date: 2003-02-18
Publication date: 2003-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-18
Also published as: TW200303175A; GB0203984D0; GB2386069B; GB0303685D0

Abstract

A container 100 for consumption by a human or animal subject. The container comprises a shell 110 of sufficient strength to withstand storage/handling, which defines a closed cavity and which contains contents to be absorbed into the bloodstream of the subject and a substance that effervesces on contact with water. The nature of the shell is such that upon placing the container in the subject's mouth the shell ruptures in saliva to release the contents to be absorbed and the effervescent substance. A mixture is formed in the subject's mouth comprising the contents to be absorbed, the effervescent substance and saliva, which mixture is liable to effervesce.

Description

TITLE: CONSUMABLE CONTAINER DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a container for consumption by a human or animal subject.

BACKGROUND ART Absorption into the bloodstream through the capillaries of the mouth confers certain advantages over absorption through the lining of the gut. For example, absorption through the capillaries of the mouth can be more rapid and more efficient. Furthermore, absorption in the mouth can enable safe transmission to the bloodstream

of medicaments that are liable to be damaged, or perhaps even destroyed by gastric juices.

Absorption through the gut involves an absorbed substance passing through the various organs of the digestive system before the substance reaches the bloodstream. Much of the potency of an active ingredient in the substance can be lost during this process.

Absorption through the mouth, on the other hand, provides a more direct route to the bloodstream and this can help preserve the potency of an active ingredient.

The absorption of a medicament or the like through the gut often necessitates the conversion of the medicament during manufacture into the form of a salt.

The salt may be compressed into a pill or may be left in its powdered form and encapsulated either by itself or mixed with one or more vectors, which provide for stability, to create a pill or a capsule that performs in a least harmful manner whilst providing for delivery of the medicament to the bloodstream and to the desired parts of the body. The pill or capsule is swallowed by the consumer and the medicament converted back to its original form by the digestive system. A significant disadvantage of this approach is the reduction in the potency of the medicament that normally arises from the process of converting the medicament to a salt and converting the salt back to the medicament. A consequence of the reduction in potency can be an increase in the strength or quantity of the medicament. The increase in strength or

quantity can cause damage, or perhaps even increase the damage caused to the digestive system and other body systems of the consumer.

Absorption of medicaments through the capillaries of the mouth has long been used as a means of treating ailments that require rapid relief. For example, angina has been treated for more than a century by the placing under the tongue of a capsule containing nitro-glycerine.

The nitro-glycerine containing capsule is cracked open with the teeth to release its contents. A single component gelatine capsule has often been used.

More complex capsule structures have been proposed.

Often, such capsule structures are designed to be swallowed by the consumer. One such gelatine capsule is described in GB 2283899. The capsule of GB 2283899 has a coating that is used to control and delay the release of an unpalatable medicament, preferably in the gut.

The above described single component nitro-glycerine containing capsule and more complex capsules-exemplified by that of GB 2283899-require time and effort on the part of the consumer to release their contents in the mouth. Clearly, a consumer may be loath to expend time and effort on sucking or chewing such a capsule, and may prefer to swallow it before its contents are released.

The inventors have realised that there is a need for a consumable container that is more inclined to release its contents in the mouth of a consumer.

The inventors have further determined that it would

be advantageous to provide a mechanism such that absorption of the contents by the consumer's mouth lining is facilitated.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a container for consumption by a human or animal subject comprising a shell of sufficient strength to withstand storage/handling and defining a closed cavity, which contains contents to be absorbed into the bloodstream of the subject and a substance that effervesces on contact with water, wherein the nature of the shell is such that upon placing the container in the subject's mouth the shell ruptures in saliva to release the contents to be absorbed and the effervescent substance, thereby forming in the subject's mouth a mixture comprising the contents to be absorbed, the effervescent substance and saliva, which mixture is liable to effervesce.

The effervescence can facilitate absorption of the contents through the mouth lining by, for example, increasing the surface area of the contents brought into contact with the capillaries in the mouth.

More specifically, the shell may be an outer shell and the container may further comprise a closed substantially liquid impermeable inner container inside the closed cavity, which inner container is mechanically

weak and protected by the outer shell and contains contents to be absorbed into the bloodstream, said contents being of a liquid nature.

During storage/handling the substantially liquid impermeable inner container may protect the outer shell from the liquid contents. The outer shell may protect the mechanically weak inner container during storage/handing.

The substance that effervesces on contact with water may be contained outside the closed inner container, e. g. between the inner container and the outer shell or perhaps even as part of the outer shell. This form of the invention may be useful where the effervescent substance is liable to effervesce in the presence of contents of a liquid nature.

Under certain circumstances, there may be insufficient water in the saliva of the subject's mouth to provide an effervescent mixture. Thus, water may be introduced into the subject's mouth to provide for effervescence.

The substance that effervesces on contact with water may comprise an alkali and an acid.

More specifically, the substance may comprise an alkaline bicarbonate and an organic acid, for example sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid.

The shell may comprise a paper made from a cereal, such as rice or maize paper. Alternatively or in addition, the shell may comprise a mixture of gum arabica and wood fibres. In other words, the shell may comprise a tight

fibrous substance.

The tight fibrous substance may consist of tightly packed fibres that lie for the most part in line with the surface of the outer shell. When constituted in this way, the shell can, when in contact with saliva, be more liable to be ruptured by a force applied in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the surface of the shell.

Thus, the shell can have sufficient rigidity and strength for storage and handling purposes, but can be less capable of withstanding a force that may be applied to the container when it is bought into contact with saliva upon being placed in the mouth. Such a force can include that exerted by the weight of the tongue or the pressure exerted by tissues in the mouth, e. g. the cheek, and can aid the break up caused by saliva.

Many substances degrade on exposure to air. Thus, according to certain embodiments the container may provide a substantially airtight seal for its contents. More specifically, the container may be substantially impermeable to an oxidising gas. The airtight seal or impermeable barrier might be provided by the inner container.

The container may be substantially opaque. Thus, the contents of the container can be shielded from the harmful effects of sunlight.

The inner container may comprise an ester of monohydric alcohols of the higher homologues, such as beeswax. A container according to such embodiments can

have the desirable properties discussed above of providing a substantially airtight seal and/or of preventing liquid or moisture-containing contents from affecting the integrity of the outer shell. In addition, esters of monohydric alcohols of the higher homologues, such as beeswax, tend to undergo plastic deformation upon being placed in the mouth, thereby providing for the release of the contents to be absorbed. Plastic deformation can be caused by a rise in temperature (e. g. to body temperature), salivation, movement of the tongue and like masticatory actions. According to certain embodiments plastic deformation might, for example, be brought about within 0.5 to 60 seconds after the container is placed in the subject's mouth.

The container may further comprise a substantially indigestible component. The presence of the indigestible component in the consumable container can discourage a subject from swallowing the container and its contents.

More specifically, the inner container may comprise one or more of a plastics material, paraffin wax and bakelite.

In embodiments according to the last-preceding paragraph, the inner container may be provided with a coating of a wax, such as beeswax. Such a coating of wax can provide an airtight and moisture proof seal around the inner container.

Alternatively or in addition, the substantially indigestible component may be of a fibrous material

contained, such as a ball of cotton wool. The fibrous material might, for example, be used to absorb the contents to be absorbed.

The inner container may have one of several forms.

According to one such form, the outer surface area of the inner container may be coextensive with the inner surface area of the outer shell, whereby the inner container lines the outer shell. More specifically, the inner container may be a membrane formed on the inside of the outer shell.

According to another form of the inner container, the outer surface area of the inner container may be substantially less than the inner surface area of the outer shell. Alternatively or in addition, the inner container may be a pouch provided loosely inside the outer shell.

The inner container may comprise a plurality of chambers. Alternatively or in addition, a plurality of inner containers may be contained within the outer shell and each inner container may have a chamber. A different substance may be contained within each of the plurality of chambers. More specifically, upon consumption of a container constituted according to such embodiments, the disposition of the chambers within the outer shell may be such that the contents of at least two chambers are released substantially simultaneously. Alternatively or in addition, the disposition of the chambers within the outer shell may be such that the contents of the plurality of chambers are released in a predetermined sequence. The

period of time for release of contents from a chamber after being placed in the mouth may be controlled by providing an inner container with a predetermined solubility.

The contents to be absorbed may be in the form of one or more of a liquid, paste and a solid, such as a pill or powder. Such contents may be one or more of a medicament, a food supplement, a cosmetic, and a confectionery product. The contents might be mixed with a vector to ensure its stability.

According to a most favoured embodiment, the contents to be absorbed may comprise royal jelly. Alternatively or in addition, the contents to be absorbed may comprise honey.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a container being an embodiment of the present invention ; and Figure 2 is a flow chart representation of a method of manufacture of the container of Figure 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As shown in Figure 1, a container 100 according to the invention comprises an outer shell 110, which defines a closed cavity, and a closed inner container 120, which is

provided as a membrane on the inner surface of the outer shell. The inner container has three chambers, which are formed by providing two separators 130 inside the inner container. A substance (constituting contents to be absorbed into the bloodstream), e. g. honey containing royal jelly, is provided in one of the chambers and a different substance (constituting contents to be absorbed into the bloodstream), such as Ginseng, Pollen or Ginko Biloba, is provided in each of the other two chambers. A mixture of sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid (constituting a substance that effervesces in contact with water) is included with the substances contained in each chamber. A loose fibre ball 140 (constituting an indigestible component) is provided in the central chamber. Of course, a fibre ball can be provided in any one or more of the chambers.

The outer shell 110 is made of a tight fibrous substance such as rice or maize paper which ruptures and breaks up on being placed in the mouth of a consumer.

Pressure applied by the mouth of the consumer, e. g. by the tongue or cheek, can cause the outer shell to rupture. Saliva contributes to the break up of the container by causing the outer shell to disintegrate.

The inner container 120 is made of beeswax and provides an airtight seal for the contents of the container and prevents liquid or moisture containing contents from affecting the integrity of the outer shell. On being placed in the mouth, the temperature of the

consumable container is raised to body temperature, which causes the inner container to soften and break up, thereby releasing the contents to be absorbed.

The loose fibre ball 140 is made of an indigestible material such as cotton wool. After the outer shell and inner container have broken up in the mouth of a consumer, the loose fibre ball 140 discourages the consumer from swallowing the residue. The loose fibre ball might, for example, be positioned under the tongue to bring the contents close to the large blood vessels located there.

Upon the breaking up of the outer shell and inner container, saliva comes into contact with the substances contained in the capsule chambers. The mixture of sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid provided along with the substances in each chamber reacts with the water present in the saliva, thereby causing effervescence, i. e. the release of gas bubbles from the mixture. Water can be taken by the consumer along with the container to promote effervescence.

The consumable container 100 is saucer shaped, being circular when viewed from above and elongate when viewed from the side. The diameter of the consumable container is typically in the range of 10mm to 100mm and the height typically in the range of 3mm to 20mm.

A method of manufacture 200 of the consumable container 100 of Figure 1 will now be described with reference to Figure 2.

A fibrous substance, made from the like of rice or maize, is formed into a paste and passed through rollers to form a thin sheet about 0.5mm to 1mm thick. The sheet is cut to provide two sheets of the same size.

One of the sheets is laid on an open mould, which has a given number of cavities, with each cavity being used to form an individual consumable container. The mould cavities are shaped to provide the separators 130 shown in Figure 1. A vacuum is applied to the underside of the sheet to cause the sheet to line the cavities. The mould is heated to dry the sheet and then allowed to cool rapidly 210.

The second un-moulded sheet is heated and allowed to cool rapidly to form the upper sheet 220.

One or more layers of a liquid impermeable substance, such as beeswax, a micro-thin plastics material, gelatine or a gelatine like substance are sprayed onto the upper surface of the moulded sheet and onto one of the surfaces of the upper sheet until the required thickness of impermeable substance has been deposited. The liquid impermeable substance is then allowed to dry 230.

Where the mould cavities are not shaped to form separators, separators 130 can be formed separately and positioned on the upper surface of the moulded sheet. The separators can be formed of the same fibrous substance as the moulded sheet.

The cavities in the moulded sheet are filled with the desired substance, e. g. honey containing royal jelly along

with a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid, and a loose fibre ball placed in the central cavity 240.

The effervescent substance can be provided as a granular powder by the following method. The sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid are pulverised separately, mixed, passed through sieves and moistened with a little alcohol to cause the pulverised particles to adhere to each other to form granules. The granules are then passed through a sieve having suitably sized meshes. After drying, the granules are graded by passing them through sieves of different sizes.

The upper sheet is placed over the moulded sheet, with the liquid impermeable substance towards the cavities, to enclose the contents of the cavities between upper and moulded sheets. The upper and moulded sheets are pressed together and a seal formed around each cavity with an appropriate tool, such as an ultrasonic welder or heat gun 250.

The sealed upper and moulded sheets are cut around each cavity to form individual consumable containers 260.

It is to be appreciated that the container and other features described with reference to the embodiment discussed above can be combined in other embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A container for consumption by a human or animal subject comprising: a shell of sufficient strength to withstand storage/handling and defining a closed cavity, which contains contents to be absorbed into the bloodstream of the subject and a substance that effervesces on contact with water, wherein the nature of the shell is such that upon placing the container in the subject's mouth the shell ruptures in saliva to release the contents to be absorbed and the effervescent substance, thereby forming in the subject's mouth a mixture comprising the contents to be absorbed, the effervescent substance and saliva, which mixture is liable to effervesce.
2. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the shell is an outer shell and the container further comprises a closed substantially liquid impermeable inner container inside the closed cavity, which inner container is mechanically weak and protected by the outer shell and contains contents to be absorbed into the bloodstream, said contents being of a liquid nature.
3. A container as claimed in claim 2, in which the substance that effervesces on contact with water is contained outside the closed inner container, e. g. between

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the inner container and the outer shell.
4. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the substance that effervesces on contact with water comprises an alkali and an acid.
5. A container as claimed in claim 4, in which the substance comprises an alkaline bicarbonate and an organic acid.
6. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the shell comprises a paper made from a cereal such as rice or maize.
7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the container provides a substantially airtight seal for its contents.
8. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the container is substantially opaque.
9. A container as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, in which the inner container comprises an ester of monohydric alcohols of the higher homologues, such as beeswax.
10. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the container further comprises a substantially

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indigestible component.
11. A container as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10, in which the inner container comprises one or more of a plastics material, paraffin wax and bakelite.
12. A container as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, in which the substantially indigestible component is a fibrous material, such as a ball of cotton wool.
13. A container as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 12, in which the outer surface area of the inner container is coextensive with the inner surface area of the outer shell, whereby the inner container lines the outer shell.
14. A container as claimed in claim 13, in which the inner container is a membrane formed on the inside of the outer shell.
15. A container as claimed in any of claims 2 to 14, in which the inner container comprises a plurality of chambers.
16. A container as claimed in claim 15, in which upon consumption of the container, the disposition of the chambers within the outer shell is such that the contents of at least two chambers are released substantially simultaneously.

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17. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the contents to be absorbed are in the form of one or more of a liquid, paste and solid, such as a pill or powder.
18. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the contents to be absorbed are one or more of a medicament, a food supplement, a cosmetic and a confectionery product.
19. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the contents to be absorbed comprises royal jelly.
20. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the contents to be absorbed comprises honey.
21. A container substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
22. A drug or food supplement comprising a container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
23. A confection comprising a container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.