Softgel Capsule and Method of Marking a Softgel Capsule
A softgel capsule is provided including a fill material and a shell composition The shell composition includes a marking formulation including a marking component. The marking component includes a metal oxide. Laser irradiation may be applied to the softgel capsule at a wavelength of about 200 nm to about 400 nm, causing the marking component to change color. A method of marking and marking formulation is also provided.
1 . A softgel capsule comprising:
a fill material; and
a shell composition, wherein the shell composition comprises a marking formulation including a marking component comprising iron oxide,
wherein laser irradiation is applied to the softgel capsule at a wavelength of about 100 nm to about 400 nm, causing the marking component to change color.
2 . The softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the marking component further comprises an additional metal oxide.
3 . The softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the marking formulation further comprises a plasticizer and gelatin.
4 . The softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the iron oxide is iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, iron oxide brown, iron oxide black, or combination thereof.
5 . The softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the marking formulation is substantially free of titanium dioxide.
6 . The softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the marking formulation does not include titanium dioxide.
7 . (canceled)
8 . The softgel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the laser irradiation is achieved using a UV laser.
9 . A method for marking a softgel capsule comprising:
irradiating a softgel capsule with a laser, wherein the softgel capsule includes a shell composition and a fill material, and wherein the shell composition includes a marking formulation having a marking component comprising iron oxide.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the irradiating is performed using a wavelength below about 400 nm.
11 . (canceled)
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the irradiating is performed using a UV laser.
13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein after the irradiating of the softgel capsule, the marking component undergoes a color change.
14 . (canceled)
15 . (canceled)
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the marking formulation is substantially free of titanium dioxide.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the marking formulation does not contain titanium dioxide.
18 . A marking formulation comprising:
a marking component comprising iron oxide;
a plasticizer; and
gelatin,
wherein laser irradiation is applied to the marking formulation at a wavelength of about 200 nm to about 400 nm, causing the marking component to change color.
19 . (canceled)
20 . (canceled)
21 . The marking formulation of claim 18 , wherein the marking component is included in an amount of about 0.001 wt % to about 10 wt % based on a total weight of the marking formulation.
22 . The marking formulation of claim 18 , wherein the iron oxide is included in an amount of about 1 gram to about 5 grams based on 100 grams of total weight of the marking formulation.
23 .- 28 . (canceled)
29 . The marking formulation of claim 18 , wherein the marking formulation is substantially free of titanium dioxide.
30 . The marking formulation of claim 18 , wherein the marking formulation does not comprise titanium dioxide.
31 . The marking formulation of claim 18 , further comprising water.
32 . The marking formulation of claim 18 , wherein the laser irradiation is applied using a UV laser.