TABLET

The present invention relates to a tablet, in particular a soluble tablet. It is known to provide products in the form of tablets. Such tablets typically may be manufactured by compacting a powder in a die.

In order to provide a reliable, good quality consumer product, it is desirable for the tablets to be robust. The tablets should be robust to improve shelf-life and/or to withstand storage and transportation without breaking. Ideally, the tablet should stay intact until it is used by a consumer, since then the amount of the product contained within the tablet will be known. Accordingly, the manufacturer's intended amount of product per tablet may be delivered reliably and repeatably to the consumer. It may also be desirable for tablets to be soluble, typically in water, e.g. to produce a beverage or food product, when laundering clothes or to produce a medicinal product. In some applications, it may be desirable to reduce or minimise tablet dissolution time.

One example of a tableted beverage composition is disclosed in US 4,031,238, which describes water-soluble instant lemon flavoured tea cubes.

Other known food compositions in the form of tablets used in preparing carbonated drinks have typically been slow to dissolve, have had a tendency, even after being stirred, to form a deposit in the bottom of the drink - and usually the tablets collapse and break rapidly before they are fully dissolved.

There is therefore a need for improved tablets that address some or all of these problems . For example, it would be desirable to have a tablet that is robust and/or that dissolves relatively quickly in water, typically without breaking up/collapsing before it has dissolved.

A first aspect of the invention provides a tablet comprising a soluble body, wherein the soluble body has a surface area to volume ratio of at least 0.4 mm ^"1 .

In an embodiment, the surface area to volume ratio may be up to or at least 0.6 mm ^"1 , up to or at least 0.7 mm ^"1 , up to or at least 0.9 mm ^"1 , up to or at least 1.0 mm ^"1 , up to or at least 1.2 mm ^"1 , up to or at least 1.4 mm ^"1 , up to or at least 1.6 mm ^"1 , up to or at least 1.8 mm ^"1 , up to or at least 2.0 mm ^"1 , up to or at least 2.2 mm ^"1 , up to or at least 2.4 mm ^"1 or up to or at least 2.6 mm ^"1 .

In an embodiment, the tablet may be from 0.2 g to 30 g in weight. The tablet may be up to or at 0.3 g in weight, up to or at least 0.45 g in weight, up to or at least 0.6 g in weight, up to or at least 1.2 g in weight, up to or at least 1.5 g in weight, up to or at least 1.8 g in weight, up to or at least 3 g in weight, up to or at least 5 g in weight, up to or at least 10 g in weight or up to or at least 20 g in weight. The tablet can have any shape. For example, tablets may be cylindrical (elongate cylinders or coin-, disc- or puck-shaped cylinders), spherical, in the form of a part sphere (e.g. hemispherical, a spherical cap, or a spherical segment), ovoidal, polyhedral or part polyhedral, pyramidal, cube shaped, in the shape of a prism (e.g. a square or rectangular or triangular or rhombus based prism), tubular, capsule shaped, ring shaped, doughnut shaped or the like. Modified versions of such shapes may also be used, e.g. they may be modified to include an additional shaped portion, such as one or more protrusions or spikes extending from the outer surface, and/or one or more band or ring extending around some or all of an outer circumference. It may be that the band or ring is located at or near a midpoint of the shaped tablet. For example, a sphere may be modified to include a band or ring, that extends around all of its outer circumference. This may be a "lollipop" type shape.

In one embodiment, the tablet may have a spherical shape, a capsule shape, a modified sphere shape, such as the shape of a sphere with a surrounding band or ring around its outer surface (e.g. a lollipop shape), or a ring or doughnut shape.

Typically, the tablet may have one or more rounded edges and/or corners. Rounded edges and/or corners may be useful in limiting damage of the tablets during storage and/or transportation and/or use, e.g. as a result of collisions with other tablets within a container. In an embodiment, the soluble body may have at least one face comprising one or more dimples, depressions or holes. The or each face comprising the one or more dimples, depressions or holes may be curved at least in part.

The provision of dimples, depressions or holes helps to increase the surface area to volume ratio of the soluble body, thereby increasing the rate at which the tablet dissolves. The soluble body may comprise one or more blind holes and/or one or more through holes.

In an embodiment, the soluble body may comprise one or more internal voids. In use, the voids may be revealed as the soluble body dissolves.

The tablet may be soluble in water. For instance, the tablet may be added to a liquid such as water in the preparation of a beverage. The relatively rapid dissolution of the tablet in the liquid may provide some entertainment and/or may speed up preparation of the beverage. In an embodiment, the tablet may comprise an effervescent composition. Accordingly, the tablet may effervesce when it is dissolved in a liquid, e.g. water. Effervescence may provide additional entertainment, e.g. in the preparation of a beverage. The appeal of the beverage to children may consequently be enhanced. In an embodiment, the tablet may be a beverage tablet that can be dissolved in water (or, optionally, another drinkable aqueous liquid) to form a beverage.

In an embodiment, a tablet for use in preparing a beverage may comprise an effervescent agent and/or a flavouring agent. The effervescent agent may comprise sodium bicarbonate. In an embodiment, a tablet for use in preparing a beverage may comprise sodium bicarbonate and citric acid. The provision of an effervescent agent may provide additional entertainment during the preparation of a beverage. The combination of an increased surface area and an effervescent agent may make for a relatively rapid and dramatic dissolution of the tablet and consequently a higher level of entertainment.

The tablet may further comprise one or more dis integrants, one or more binders and/or one or more lubricants.

In an embodiment, the tablet may comprise an effervescent composition comprising: a) effervescent agent comprising a combination of an acid and a base, this effervescent agent being present in an amount of 40% or more by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, b) disintegrant, this disintegrant being present in an amount of up to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, c) binder, this binder being present in an amount of up to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, d) lubricant, this lubricant being present in an amount up to 8% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, and e) flavouring agent, this flavouring agent being present in an amount up to 8% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

When a tablet comprising an effervescent composition is dropped into water, the acid (or acids) present react with the base (or bases) to release carbon dioxide, which produces the desired effervescence. When a tablet comprising an effervescent composition has the shape of a sphere or modified sphere, e.g. with a surrounding band or ring around its outer surface, the tablet can show a rocking movement as the carbon dioxide is released and as the tablet dissolves. This may be beneficial in terms of enhancing its appeal to children.

The use of a combination of effervescent agent, disintegrant, binder, lubricant and flavouring agent may be beneficial in that it enables a tablet, to be produced that has good hardness, that dissolves quickly in water to provide a flavoured beverage, and where the tablet shows a rocking movement as the tablet dissolves, giving rise to "theatre" and a visual appeal to children.

Tablets comprising the effervescent composition may have one or more of the following characteristics and advantages: (a) the ability to form a high quality beverage having an excellent taste and aroma; (b) the ability to quickly dissolve in water with no stirring; (c) no tendency to form unsightly insoluble deposits on the bottom of the vessel containing the beverage; (d) the ability to be rapidly soluble but structurally strong; e) the ability to be formulated as voluminous or shaped tablets; and (f) the ability to be non-friable, so the tablets do not quickly collapse or break when added to water, before being fully dissolved, and therefore they do not leave undissolved particles.

Typically, the tablet may be denser than water. The tablet may have a density of at least 1.1 g/cm ³ . The tablet may have a density of up to or at least 1.25 g/cm ³ , up to or at least 1.5 g/cm ³ or up to or at least 2 g/cm ³ . The tablet may have a density of up to 3 g/cm ³ . In an embodiment, the tablet may have a density of around 1.35 g/cm ³ .

Optionally, tablets according to the invention may be coated with various coatings known in the art to modify the flavours, tastes, colours, and shapes of the tablets.

The invention may provide tablets which are stable, robust and exhibit excellent, predictable dissolution properties when dissolved in a solvent, typically water. The tablet may have utility in a wide range of commercial and industrial fields, not limited to beverages. For instance, the tablet may have utility in the delivery of soluble consumer or industrial products. In an embodiment, the tablet may comprise a food or drink product. For instance, the tablet may be soluble, e.g. in a quantity of water or milk, to provide a food product such as a cooking product, a sauce or a stock. Alternatively, the tablet may be soluble, e.g. in a quantity of water or milk, to provide a hot or cold, still or carbonated beverage. In an embodiment, the tablet may comprise a household or home care product, e.g. a cleaning agent. The tablet could have utility in cleaning toilets, sinks, showers and baths and/or in unblocking plugholes, toilets, drains or pipes. The tablet could have utility in cleaning clothes, e.g. the tablet could comprise a laundry detergent or fabric softener or conditioner. In an embodiment, the tablet may comprise a personal care product such as toiletries or cosmetics.

In an embodiment, the tablet may comprise a medicament or a supplement. The tablet comprising the medicament or supplement may be dissolved in water before being taken, typically orally, by a patient. Alternatively, a patient could take the medicament by allowing the tablet comprising the medicament to dissolve in his mouth. Alternatively, the tablet comprising the medicament could be swallowed whole and allowed to dissolve within the body. By varying and/or controlling the composition and/or geometry (size and shape) of the tablet, the dissolution behaviour of the tablet within the body may be relatively predictable. Accordingly, the tablet may provide a degree of control over the release of a medicament or supplement within the body.

The tablet could comprise a product for consumption by a human or an animal. The tablet could comprise a garden product such as a plant food, a weedkiller or in cleaning outdoor furniture and/or surfaces such as patios, driveways or decking.

The tablet could comprise a colour-imparting product such as a pigment, a dye or a paint. The tablet could comprise a motoring product. The tablet could comprise an additive for a fuel.

The tablet could comprise a lubricant, a detergent or an anti-freezing agent. The tablet may be manufactured by a method comprising pressing a powder.

Conveniently, tablets according to the invention may be prepared by any conventional techniques. Tablets are usually formed by compression methods. The application of pressure to a composition, e.g. a powder, to form a tablet, is known in the art. The composition may for example, be placed in a shaped die and pressure applied to form a correspondingly shaped tablet.

In one embodiment, the tablet compression force used for compressing the composition to form a tablet may be between 3 kN and 50 kN, e.g. between 4 kN and 45 kN, or between 5 kN and 40 kN, such as between 6 kN and 35 kN.

A second aspect of the invention provides a tablet comprising a soluble body, the soluble body having at least one face comprising one or more dimples, depressions or holes. A third aspect of the invention provides a container containing one or more, e.g. a plurality, of tablets according to the first aspect of the invention or the second aspect of the invention.

The container may comprise an outlet through which, in use, tablets can be dispensed. The container may be provided with a dispensing means operable to dispense a predetermined number of tablets from the container. Typically, the predetermined number of tablets may be one, two, three, four or five. In an embodiment, the dispensing means may be adjustable in order to vary the predetermined number of tablets. In an embodiment, the dispensing means may be operable repeatably to dispense the predetermined number of tablets from the container on more than one occasion.

Tablets having an at least partially rounded shape may flow past one another relatively well within the or a container and may be relatively resistant to being damaged within the container. Accordingly, tablets having an at least partially rounded shape may be particularly amenable to being dispensed using the dispensing means. A fourth aspect of the invention comprises a method of manufacturing a tablet according to the first aspect of the invention or a tablet according to the second aspect of the invention comprising compressing a solid composition, the solid composition typically having been provided in the form of a powder.

In a fifth aspect, the invention provides the use of a tablet according to the first aspect of the invention or a tablet according to the second aspect of the invention for the preparation of a product, e.g. a consumer product or an industrial product. For example, a beverage may be prepared by adding, e.g. by dispensing from a container according to the third aspect of the invention, one or more tablets to water (or, optionally, another drinkable aqueous liquid) and allowing the tablet(s) to dissolve in the water to form a beverage. The amount of water/aqueous liquid may be, e.g., from 100 ml to 1 1, such as 200 ml or 250 ml or 330 ml or 500 ml or 750 ml or 1 L

Tablets according to the invention may be intended to be used singly, e.g. to form a product, or the tablets may be intended to be used in groups, e.g. it may be intended that two or more tablets may be used to form a product. Therefore, for example, one or more tablets may be used for the preparation of a beverage; for example one, two or three tablets may be added to a suitable volume of water or other drinkable aqueous liquid (e.g. from 100 to 1 I, such as 200rnl or 250ml or 330ml or 500ml or 750 ml or 1

In one embodiment, one tablet of from 1 to 3 grams in weight (e.g. from 1 to 2 g or from 1.5 to 2.5g) may be used; in another embodiment, two or three tablets, each of from 0.5 to 1 .5 grams (e.g. from 0.5 to 1 g or from 0.8 to 1 .2g), may be used.

The invention also provides, in a sixth aspect, a product comprising a tablet of the first aspect of the invention or a tablet of the second aspect of the invention dissolved in a solvent, e.g. water

(or, optionally, another drinkable aqueous liquid)

In order that the invention may be well understood, it will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: δ

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show 13 example embodiments of tablets according to the invention; Figures 4, 5 and 6 show five further example embodiments of tablets according to the invention; Figures 7, 8 and 9 show five further example embodiments of tablets according to the invention; Figures 10, 11 and 12 show further views of one of the example embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9; and

Figure 13 is a graph showing the variation of relative dissolution time with surface area to volume ratio for example embodiments of tablets according to the invention.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show 13 example embodiments of tablets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the tablets, Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the tablets and Figure 3 shows a plan view of the tablets.

The first tablet 1 shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 3 has the form of a puck or dis c . The tablet 1 has a weight of 1.8 g, a height of 6.6 mm and a diameter of 16.1 mm. The density of the tablet 1 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The tablet 1 has a volume of 1343 mm ³ , a surface area of 741 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 0.55 mm ^"1 .

The second tablet 2 shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 3 has the form of a puck or disc . The tablet 2 has a weight of 0.9 g, a height of 5.3 mm and a diameter of 12.9 mm. The density of the tablet 2 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The tablet 2 has a volume of 688 mm ³ , a surface area of 472 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 0.69 mm ^"1 .

The third tablet 3 shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 3 has the form of a puck or disc . The tablet 3 has a weight of 0.6 g, a height of 4.6 mm and a diameter of 11.3 mm. The density of the tablet 3 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The tablet 3 has a volume of 461 mm ³ , a surface area of 363 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 0.79 mm ^"1 .

The fourth tablet 4, fifth tablet 5, sixth tablet 6 and seventh tablet 7 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 each have a form, which may be termed a lollipop shape. The lollipop shape comprises a pair of domed portions, separated by a disc. The disc has a slightly larger diameter than the domed portions.

The fourth tablet 4 has a weight of 1.8 g, a height of 10.8 mm and a diameter of 15 mm. The density of the tablet 4 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The tablet 4 has a volume of 1317 mm ³ , a surface area of 623 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 0.47 mm ^"1 . The fifth tablet 5 has a weight of 0.9 g, a height of 8.6 mm and a diameter of 12 mm. The density of the tablet 5 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The tablet 5 has a volume of 675 mm ³ , a surface area of 399 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 0.59 mm ^"1 . The sixth tablet 6 has a weight of 0.6 g, a height of 6.5 mm and a diameter of 10.5 mm. The density of the tablet 6 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The tablet 6 has a volume of 452 mm ³ , a surface area of 305 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 0.68 mm ^"1 .

The seventh tablet 7 has a weight of 0.3 g, a height of 5.1 mm and a diameter of 8.3 mm. The density of the tablet 7 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The tablet 7 has a volume of 223 mm ³ , a surface area of 196 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 0.88 mm ^"1 .

The eighth tablet 8, the ninth tablet 9, the tenth tablet 10 and the eleventh tablet 11 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 have the form of a ring. The ring has an upper surface and a lower surface, separated by a disc. The upper surface and the lower surface are each curved in the radial direction such that the surface rises from a first level to a summit and then falls back to the first level.

The eighth tablet 8 has a weight of 1.3 g, a height of 4.6 mm and an outer diameter of 19 mm. The density of the tablet 8 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The tablet 8 has a volume of 961 mm ³ , a surface area of 759 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 0.79 mm ^"1 .

The ninth tablet 9 has a weight of 1.8 g, a height of 5.2 mm and an outer diameter of 21.3 mm. The density of the tablet 9 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The tablet 9 has a volume of 1350 mm ³ , a surface area of 952 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 0.71 mm ^"1 .

The tenth tablet 10 has a weight of 0.9 g, a height of 4.1 mm and an outer diameter of 17.1 mm. The density of the tablet 10 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The tablet 10 has a volume of 701 mm ³ , a surface area of 615 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 0.88 mm ^"1 .

The eleventh tablet 11 has a weight of 0.6 g, a height of 3.6 mm and an outer diameter of 14.8 mm. The density of the tablet 11 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The tablet 11 has a volume of 456 mm ³ , a surface area of 462 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 1.01 mm ^"1 . The twelfth tablet 12 and the thirteenth tablet 13 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 have the form of a puck or disc.

The twelfth tablet 12 has a weight of 4.9 g, a height of 7.2 mm and a diameter of 25.5 mm. The density of the twelfth tablet 12 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The twelfth tablet 12 has a volume of 3652 mm ³ , a surface area of 1594 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 0.44 mm ^"1 .

The thirteenth tablet 13 has a weight of 1.8 g, a height of 5.1 mm and a diameter of 18.4 mm. The density of the thirteenth tablet 13 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The thirteenth tablet 13 has a volume of 1363 mm ³ , a surface area of 826 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 0.61 mm ^"1 .

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show five further example embodiments of tablets 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 according to the invention. Figure 4 shows a side elevation of the tablets, Figure 5 shows a plan view of the tablets and Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the tablets.

A fourteenth example embodiment of a tablet 14 according to the invention has a lollipop shape. The tablet 14 comprises a first domed portion 141 and a second domed portion 142. The first domed portion 141 and the second domed portion 142 have the same size and dimensions as each other. Between the first domed portion 141 and the second domed portion 142 there is a disc 143. The disc 143 has a slightly larger diameter than the first domed portion 141 and the second domed portion 142. The fourteenth example tablet 14 has a weight of 0.45 g, a height of 6.3 mm and a diameter of 10.2 mm. The density of the fourteenth example tablet 14 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The fourteenth tablet 14 has a volume of 333 mm ³ , a surface area of 256 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 0.77 mm ^"1 . A fifteenth example embodiment of a tablet 15 according to the invention has the form of a wheel, based upon a lollipop shape. The tablet 15 comprises a first portion with a dome 151 protruding therefrom and a second portion with a dome 152 protruding therefrom. The first portion and the second portion have the same size and dimensions as each other. Between the first portion and the second portion there is a disc 153. The disc 153 has a slightly larger diameter than the first portion 151 and the second portion 152. A plurality of holes extend vertically through the tablet 15. A round central hole 154 is surrounded by four regularly spaced four-sided holes 155a, 155b, 155c, 155d. The through holes give the tablet 15 the appearance of a wheel. The fifteenth example tablet 15 has a weight of 0.45 g, a height of 8.1 mm and a diameter of

13.5 mm. The density of the fifteenth example tablet 15 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The fifteenth tablet 15 has a volume of 333 mm ³ , a surface area of 710 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 2.13 mm ^"1 . A sixteenth example embodiment of a tablet 16 according to the invention has a lollipop shape with a plurality of holes extending vertically therethrough. The tablet 16 comprises a first domed portion 161 and a second domed portion 162. The first domed portion 161 and the second domed portion 162 have the same size and dimensions as each other. Between the first domed portion 161 and the second domed portion 162 there is a disc 163. The disc 163 has a slightly larger diameter than the first domed portion 161 and the second domed portion 162. The plurality of holes extending vertically through the tablet 16 comprise a round central hole 164 surrounded by six regularly spaced, slightly smaller-diameter round holes 165a, 165b, 165c, 165d, 165e, 165f. The sixteenth example tablet 16 has a weight of 0.45 g, a height of 6.9 mm and a diameter of

11.6 mm. The density of the sixteenth example tablet 16 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The sixteenth tablet 16 has a volume of 334 mm ³ , a surface area of 532 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 1.59 mm ^"1 . A seventeenth example embodiment of a tablet 17 according to the invention has a lollipop shape with a hole 174 extending vertically therethrough. The tablet 17 comprises a first domed portion 171 and a second domed portion 172. The first domed portion 171 and the second domed portion 172 have the same size and dimensions as each other. Between the first domed portion 171 and the second domed portion 172 there is a disc 173. The disc 173 has a slightly larger diameter than the first domed portion 171 and the second domed portion 172. There is a chamfer 175 at each end of the hole 174 extending vertically through the tablet 17. The hole 174 has a diameter of 4 mm.

The seventeenth example tablet 17 has a weight of 0.45 g, a height of 5.8 mm and a diameter of 11.1 mm. The density of the seventeenth example tablet 17 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The seventeenth tablet 17 has a volume of 336 mm ³ , a surface area of 340 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 1.01 mm ^"1 .

An eighteenth example embodiment of a tablet 18 according to the invention has a lollipop shape with a hole 184 extending vertically therethrough. The hole 184 has a diameter of 6 mm. The tablet 18 comprises a first domed portion 181 and a second domed portion 182. The first domed portion 181 and the second domed portion 182 have the same size and dimensions as each other. Between the first domed portion 181 and the second domed portion 182 there is a disc 183. The disc 183 has a slightly larger diameter than the first domed portion 181 and the second domed portion 182. There is a chamfer 185 at each end of the hole 184 extending vertically through the tablet 18.

The eighteenth example tablet 18 has a weight of 0.45 g, a height of 5.6 mm and a diameter of 12 mm. The density of the eighteenth example tablet 18 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The eighteenth tablet 18 has a volume of 335 mm ³ , a surface area of 384 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 1.15 mm ^"1 .

Figures 7, 8 and 9 show five further example embodiments of tablets 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 according to the invention. Figure 7 shows a plan view of the tablets, Figure 8 shows a side elevation of the tablets and Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the tablets.

A nineteenth example embodiment of a tablet 19 according to the invention has a lollipop shape with a hole 194 extending vertically therethrough. The hole 194 has a diameter of 3 mm. The tablet 19 comprises a first domed portion 191 and a second domed portion 192. The first domed portion 191 and the second domed portion 192 have the same size and dimensions as each other. Between the first domed portion 191 and the second domed portion 192 there is a disc 193. The disc 193 has a slightly larger diameter than the first domed portion 191 and the second domed portion 192. There is a chamfer 195 at each end of the hole 194 extending vertically through the tablet 19.

The nineteenth example tablet 19 has a weight of 0.45 g, a height of 6.1 mm and a diameter of 10.7 mm. The density of the nineteenth example tablet 19 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The nineteenth tablet 19 has a volume of 333 mm ³ , a surface area of 321 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 0.96 mm ^"1 . A twentieth example embodiment of a tablet 20 according to the invention has a lollipop shape with a hole 204 extending vertically therethrough. The hole 204 has a diameter of 4 mm. The tablet 20 comprises a first domed portion 201 and a second domed portion 202. The first domed portion 201 and the second domed portion 202 have the same size and dimensions as each other. Between the first domed portion 201 and the second domed portion 202 there is a disc 203. The disc 203 has a slightly larger diameter than the first domed portion 201 and the second domed portion 202. There is a chamfer 205 at each end of the hole 204 extending vertically through the tablet 20. The twentieth example tablet 20 has a weight of 0.45 g, a height of 6.0 mm and a diameter of 11 mm. The density of the twentieth example tablet 20 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The twentieth tablet 20 has a volume of 334 mm ³ , a surface area of 345 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 1.03 mm ^" ' . A twenty-first example embodiment of a tablet 21 according to the invention has a relatively tall lollipop shape with a hole 214 extending vertically therethrough. The hole 214 has a diameter of 3 mm. The tablet 21 comprises a first domed portion 211 and a second domed portion 212. The first domed portion 211 and the second domed portion 212 have the same size and dimensions as each other. Between the first domed portion 211 and the second domed portion 212 there is a disc 213. The disc 213 has a slightly larger diameter than the first domed portion 21 1 and the second domed portion 212. There is a chamfer 215 at each end of the hole 214 extending vertically through the tablet 21.

The twenty-first example tablet 21 has a weight of 0.45 g, a height of 6.9 mm and a diameter of 10.2 mm. The density of the twenty-first example tablet 21 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The twenty-first tablet 21 has a volume of 334 mm ³ , a surface area of 323 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 0.97 mm ^"1 .

A twenty- second example embodiment of a tablet 22 according to the invention has a relatively tall lollipop shape with a hole 224 extending vertically therethrough. The hole 224 has a diameter of 4 mm. The tablet 22 comprises a first domed portion 221 and a second domed portion 222. The first domed portion 221 and the second domed portion 222 have the same size and dimensions as each other. Between the first domed portion 221 and the second domed portion 222 there is a disc 223. The disc 223 has a slightly larger diameter than the first domed portion 221 and the second domed portion 222. There is a chamfer 225 at each end of the hole 224 extending vertically through the tablet 22.

The twenty-second example tablet 22 has a weight of 0.45 g, a height of 7.5 mm and a diameter of 10.2 mm. The density of the twenty-second example tablet 22 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The twenty- second tablet 22 has a volume of 333 mm ³ , a surface area of 358 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 1.08 mm ^"1 .

Referring to Figures 10, 11 and 12 as well as Figures 7, 8 and 9, a twenty-third example embodiment of a tablet 23 according to the invention has a relatively tall lollipop shape. The tablet 23 comprises a first domed portion 231 and a second domed portion 232. The first domed portion 231 and the second domed portion 231 have the same size and dimensions as each other. Between the first domed portion 231 and the second domed portion 232 there is a disc 233. The disc 233 has a slightly larger diameter than the first domed portion 231 and the second domed portion 232. A blind hole 234a, 234b in each of the first domed portion 231 and the second domed portion 232 extends vertically into the tablet 23. The portion 236 of the disc between the blind holes provides a base for the blind holes and strengthens the tablet 23. There is a chamfer 235a, 235b at the open end of each blind hole 234a, 234b. The blind holes 234a, 234b have a diameter of 4 mm. The portion 236 of the disc between the blind holes has a thickness of 1 mm. Alternatively, the portion 236 of the disc between the blind holes could have a different thickness, e.g. 2 mm.

The twenty-third example tablet 23 has a weight of 0.45 g, a height of 6.9 mm and a diameter of 10.2 mm. The density of the twenty-third example tablet 23 is 1.35 gem ^"3 . The twenty-third tablet 23 has a volume of 334 mm ³ , a surface area of 335 mm ² and a surface area per unit volume (surface area to volume ratio) of 1.00 mm ^"1 .

Table 1 shows the results of a dissolution experiment and some theoretical calculations based on the dissolution experiment. The results illustrate the effect of changing the geometry of the tablet on the dissolution rate.

In table 1 , data are shown in respect of tablets A-W.

Tablet A has the form described in respect of the first example embodiment 1 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Tablet B has the same form as tablet A, except that it had a 6 mm-diameter hole extending vertically through it.

Tablet C has the form described in respect of the third example embodiment 3 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Tablet D has the form described in respect of the fourth example embodiment 4 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Tablet E has the form described in respect of the fifth example embodiment 5 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Tablet F has the form described in respect of the sixth example embodiment 6 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Tablet G has the form described in respect of the fourteenth example embodiment 14 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

Tablet H has the form described in respect of the fifteenth example embodiment 15 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

Tablet I has the form described in respect of the sixteenth example embodiment 16 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. Tablet J has the form described in respect of the seventeenth example embodiment 17 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

Tablet K has the form described in respect of the eighteenth example embodiment 18 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

Tablet L has the form described in respect of the nineteenth example embodiment 1 shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9.

Tablet M has the form described in respect of the twentieth example embodiment 20 shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. Tablet N has the form described in respect of the twenty-first example embodiment 21 shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. Tablet O has the form described in respect of the twenty-second example embodiment 22 shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9.

Tablet P has the form described in respect of the twenty-third example embodiment 23 shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9 and Figures 10, 11 and 12.

Tablet Q has the form described in respect of the seventh example embodiment 7 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Tablet R has the form described in respect of the eighth example embodiment 8 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Tablet S has the form described in respect of the ninth example embodiment 9 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Tablet T has the form described in respect of the tenth example embodiment 10 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Tablet U has the form described in respect of the eleventh example embodiment 11 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Tablet V has the form described in respect of the twelfth example embodiment 12 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Tablet W has the form described in respect of the thirteenth example embodiment 13 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Tablet A was dissolved in water and the time taken for the tablet to fully dissolve was recorded. This experiment was repeated a number of times, in order to obtain an accurate average dissolution time for tablet A. In one experiment, tablet A took around 3 minutes and 20 seconds to dissolve fully. In another experiment, tablet A took around 3 minutes and 5 seconds to dissolve fully.

The same dissolution experiments were carried out in respect of tablet B. In one experiment, tablet B took around 1 minute 40 seconds to dissolve fully. Tablet B took less time to dissolve fully than tablet A partly due to its having a higher surface area per unit volume and partly due to its having a lower mass.

In order to be able to compare the dissolution performance of the different embodiments of the tablets, for each of tablets B-W the dissolution time based on relative surface area per unit volume ratio relative to tablet A was calculated. Tablet A was assigned a relative dissolution time of 200 s. The relative dissolution times for each of tablets B-W shown in table 1 were calculated theoretically based on the shape and dimensions of each tablet. In the theoretical calculations, it was assumed that the volume of water was large enough to dissolve the tablet fully. It was also assumed that the tablet did not break into more than one piece while it was dissolving.

If, in reality, a given tablet were to break up during dissolution, then the tablet would dissolve more quickly than the calculations suggest, since the surface area to volume ratio of the fractured parts of the tablet would be higher than for the unbroken tablet.

As can be seen from the data presented in table 1 and the graph of Figure 13, altering the shape and dimensions of the tablet has a significant effect on the surface area to volume ratio and consequently the relative dissolution time.

The variation of relative dissolution time with surface area to volume ratio for tablets A-W is shown in the graph in Figure 13. Relative dissolution time, measured in seconds is plotted on the y-axis. Surface area per unit volume, measured in mm ^"1 , is plotted on the x-axis. Tablet V had the lowest surface area to volume ratio (0.44 mm ^"1 ) and the highest relative dissolution time (253 s). Tablet Hhad the highest surface area to volume ratio (2.13 mm ^"1 ) and the fastest relative dissolution time (52 s). Tablet P dissolved acceptably quickly with a relative dissolution time of 110 s, whilst also being a relatively robust tablet. Tablet Weight/g Height/mm Diameter/mm Volume/mm Surface Surface area Relative area/mm ² per unit dissolution volume/mm ^" time/s

1

A 1.8 6.6 16.1 1343 741 0.55 200

B 1.55 6.6 16.1 1157 828 0.72 154

C 0.6 4.6 11.3 461 363 0.79 140

D 1.8 10.8 15 1317 623 0.47 233

E 0.9 8.6 12 675 399 0.59 187

F 0.6 6.5 10.5 452 305 0.68 163

G 0.45 6.3 10.2 333 256 0.77 143

H 0.45 8.1 13.5 333 710 2.13 52

I 0.45 6.9 11.6 334 532 1.59 69

J 0.45 5.8 11.1 336 340 1.01 109

K 0.45 5.6 12 335 384 1.15 96

L 0.45 6.1 10.7 333 321 0.96 114

M 0.45 6.0 11 334 345 1.03 107

N 0.45 6.9 10.2 334 323 0.97 114

0 0.45 7.5 10.2 333 358 1.08 103

P 0.45 6.9 10.2 334 335 1.00 110

Q 0.3 5.1 8.3 223 196 0.88 125

R 1.3 4.6 19 961 759 0.79 140

S 1.8 5.2 21.3 1350 952 0.71 156

T 0.9 4.1 17.1 701 615 0.88 126 u 0.6 3.6 14.8 456 462 1.01 109

V 4.9 7.2 25.5 3652 1594 0.44 253 w 1.8 5.1 18.4 1363 826 0.61 182

Table 1

When providing a consumer product in the form of a soluble tablet, certain other considerations may also come into play, as well as the rate of dissolution.

As discussed above, it is desirable that the tablet should be robust, such that it reaches the consumer intact. Consequently, the predictability of the dissolution behaviour of the tablet may be improved, since the tablet may have the manufacturer's intended geometry (size and shape) when the tablet reaches the consumer.

Consumer safety is also an important consideration. Accordingly, for example, the tablet should not be too small, in order to avoid the possibility of a consumer inadvertently aspirating the tablet into his or her lungs. The tablet also should not provide a significant choke or asphyxiation risk.

A further consideration when providing a tablet that may be used by and may appeal to children is the appearance of the tablet. The tablets should be designed such that they do not look very similar to common non-consumable items, e.g. buttons. This is to prevent children from mistakenly trying to consume such non-consumable items in the belief that they will be consumable based on their experience with the tablets. The example embodiments described above have been designed with these considerations in mind, while also trying to achieve faster dissolution.

Typically, the tablets of the present invention are robust as well as soluble. Hence, the dissolution behaviour of the tablets may be relatively predictable, since the tablets may have the manufacturer's intended geometry (size and dimensions) when the tablets are placed into a solvent.

A further consideration is the ease of manufacture. Conveniently, a tablet according to the invention may be manufactured by pressing a powder within a die. Such manufacturing methods are well established and capable of quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively producing high volumes of tablets. Alternatively, tablets according to the invention could be made according to other methods of manufacture.

Various modifications can be made to the example embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the invention.

For instance, the tablets could have any shape. The lollipop-shaped tablets need not comprise a disc between the two domed portions. The tablets could have a height of at least 2 mm and/or up to 20 mm and/or up to 100 mm. The tablets could have measure at least 4 mm across and/or up to 50 mm across and/or up tolOO mm across, e.g. in diameter.

The tablets need not be round in cross-section. The tablets could have any cross -sectional shape, e.g. a polygonal cross-sectional shape, a curvilinear cross-sectional shape, an elliptical cross-sectional shape or a circular cross-sectional shape.

For instance, the tablets could comprise any arrangement or combination of holes, e.g. through holes and/or blind holes, and/or depressions and/or dimples. The holes, e.g. through holes and/or blind holes, and/or depressions and/or dimples may or may not be arranged symmetrically around a vertical axis of the tablet.

The holes, e.g. through holes and/or blind holes, and/or depressions and/or dimples may have any cross-sectional shape.

The holes, e.g. through holes and/or blind holes, and/or dimples and/or depressions may be of any size. The longest dimension, e.g. a diameter, across a hole and/or dimple may be up to or at least 1 mm, up to or at least 2 mm, up to or at least 4 mm, up to or at least 6 mm, up to or at least 8 mm, up to or at least 10 mm or up to or at least 15 mm.

The holes, e.g. through holes and/or blind holes, and/or depressions and/or dimples may have any orientation. The holes, e.g. through holes and/or blind holes, and/or depressions and/or dimples need not be parallel with one another. Conveniently, the holes, e.g. through holes and/or blind holes, and/or depressions and/or dimples may extend through or into the tablet in a direction substantially parallel to an axis of compression applied during formation of the tablet in a die. A tablet having such an arrangement of holes, e.g. through holes and/or blind holes, and/or depressions and/or dimples may be relatively simple to manufacture in a die by using one or more appropriately shaped and dimensioned punches to form the holes, blind holes and/or dimples.