Improvements in Capsuling Food Extracts, Medicines and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 15th July., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 21st Mar., 1898-Accepted, 28th May, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Capsuling Food Extracts, Medicines and the like.
I, CHARLES RICHARD VALENTINE, of Whitcliffe, Chinbrook Road, Grove Park,
Lee, in the County of Kent, Colonial Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates chiefly to the capsuling of food extracts such as extracts
of meat, cream and vegetable substances, but is also applicable to the capsuling of
medicines and other substances.
It is well known that up till now no successful means have been found for
capsuling food extracts such as those as above named, in consequence of the moisture
in the extract or the humidity of the atmosphere injuriously affecting the gelatine
from which the shell or capsule is made. Attempts have been made to overcome
this defect but without success.
Now according to my invention I am enabled to capsule such extracts without
the danger of the shells being affected by moisture as above named.
For this purpose I take an ordinary gelatine capsule and place it, either before
or after it is filled with extract, in a solution which will render it insoluble or
partially so. In practice I have found that a solution of alum gives good results
and that capsules so treated become unaffected by moisture.
It will be obvious that the great advantages derived from the use of capsuled
food extracts, are that the extracts can be put up in a portable form and in measured
quantities so as to be adapted for swallowing, or for household use in making beef
tea, soups, gravy-stock and the like.
1007
Improvements in Capsuling Food Extracts, Medicines, and the like.
I, CHARLES RICHARD VALENTINE, of Whitcliffe, Chinbrook Road, Grove Park,
Lee, in the County of Kent, Colonial Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
This invention relates chiefly to the capsuling of food extracts such as extracts of
meat, cream and vegetable substances, but is also applicable to the capsuling of
medicines and other substances.
It is well known that up till now no successful means have been found for
capsuling food extracts such as those above named, in consequence of the moisture

page_text: in the extract or the humidity of the atmosphere injuriously affecting the gelatine
from which the shell or capsule is made. Attempts have been made to overcome
this defect but without success.
Now according to my invention I am enabled to capsule such extracts without
the danger of the shells being affected by moisture as above named and to effect an
economy in the manufacture of the capsules.
For this purpose I take an ordinary gelatine capsule or shell and place it, either
before or after it is filled with extract, in a solution which will render it insoluble
under ordinary conditions, but readily soluble when placed in hot water or after
being swallowed. I have found that a solution of alum gives good results and that
capsules so treated become unaffected by moisture. In practice I find that a
solution containing from 2% to 5% of alum is best for treating empty capsules
or shells and from 5 % to 10% for treating filled capsules or shells.
It will be obvious that the great advantages derived from the use of capsuled
food extracts, are that the extracts can be put up in a portable form and in measured
quantities so as to be adapted for swallowing, or for household use in making beef
tea, soups, gravy-stock and the like.
Another advantage derived from my invention is that for a given quantity of
extract or the like to be capsuled, I can employ a capsule normally of smaller size
than hitherto, as the effect of treating the capsule by the alam solution is to cause
it to become enlarged, the said capsule retaining its shape and enlarged size, or
nearly so, on drying.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A gelatine capsule for food extracts, medicines and other substances, treated
with a solution of alum as, and for the purposes, herein before described.
2. An improved article of manufacture, consisting of food extract, medicine or
other substances, capsuled in a shell treated either before or after filling with a
solution of alum as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Dated this 21st day of March 1808