Liquid-filled gelatin capsule is now an item not unfamiliar to both drug producers and customers. Different from traditional gelatin capsules which is filled with powder or pellets, the liquid-filled gelatin capsules are containers for liquid or semi-solids. And these capsules have their own characteristics and properties.
The advantage of liquid capsule.
First of all, the capsules are designed to have the maximized seal integrity to avoid liquid leakage. They are not simply integrated from capsule caps and bodies but will be banded after closing for the optimal sealing effect. Secondly, the capsules are compatible with a wide range of excipients which can improve the bioavailability of the insoluble drugs without causing adverse reactions between APIs or between API and gelatin. Thirdly, some special capsules can be filled with hotmelts (even up to 70°). It means that the material of high temperature (having been heated for good fluidity or solubility) can be directly filled without cooling down.
( capsule to be filled with oil, small capsule and pellet)
The related band sealing machine after capsule is filled with liquid.
Another difference is the machine by which the capsules are produced. Conventional powder capsule filling can be finished on a capsule filling machine, while liquid-filled capsule production needs another auxiliary machine, namely, capsule banding machine. Without a band on the capsule, the capsule content can outflow through the interspace between the capsule cap and capsule body. After closing, the capsules are not discharged but directly conveyed to the banding machine, on which the capsules are sealed by gel bands.
All in all, liquid-filled capsules are produced in the flow of capsule feeding, separating, liquid filling, closing, banding and discharging. The liquid-filled capsule filling machines work in similar flows and principles but can be customized on some parts depending on the material’s properties. Pharmaceutical producers can outsource a suitable machine according to their own requirements. For example, the pump for material dosing and filling can be changed for material with different fluidity. Or when they have no requirements on high production speed, the producers can buy a NJP-260 liquid-filled capsule filling machine. One of our Thai customer once bought the machine of this model. Besides, for lab-scale development, some semi-automatic capsule filling machines are also recommended. They can save both space and cost for the R&D apartment of pharmaceutical enterprises.
