Alcan provides the structure, which includes a clear 3.1-mil “front” film web of polyester/polyvinylidene chloride/ink/
adhesive/linear low-density polyethylene. Typically reverse printed, this high-barrier adhesive-lamination allows a patient to see the soluble film strip that can contain a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical product. The structure can vary to accommodate different barrier requirements.
The 2.5-mil backing web is a tandem adhesive-lamination that incorporates polyester/ink/adhesive/foil/adhesive/peelable coextrusion. When the material is opened, a white peel area remains to provide tamper-evidence. Peelable film eliminates the need for tear notches, or the use of scissors to open the pouch. The backing web is said to permit essentially zero transmission of gas and moisture, and it can be surface- or reverse-printed.
Once Alcan heat-seals the materials into a pouch, Tapemark die-cuts a soluble film strip that carries within it the pharmaceutical or nutraceutical product and packages it in the pouch. According to Alcan, the pouch is for the “fast-emerging nutraceutical and pharmaceutical application of soluble films used for breath strips and soon to be introduced caffeine, aspirin, and cough remedies.” The company says the number of drug doses and strips per pouch may vary, as can pouch size. —JB
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