Claims for Patent: 4,258,027

Summary for Patent: 4,258,027

Title:	Multi-fractionable tablet structure
Abstract:	The invention disclosed provides a multi-fractionable tablet structure initially configurated in a unitary dosage while having readily severable sub-dosage units as components thereof. Score markings are positioned variously about the tablet such as along the top and bottom surfaces thereof. Additionally, score markings may appear along opposite vertical side surfaces of the tablet. Special placement of the score markings readily permits alternatively an accurate equal bisectional or trisectional fracture of the tablet as may be desired for patient consumption.
Inventor(s):	Ullman; Michael K. (Evansville, IN), David; Stephen T. (Evansville, IN), Gallian; Claude E. (Evansville, IN)
Assignee:	Mead Johnson & Company (Evansville, IN)
Application Number:	06/121,615
Patent Claims:	1. A tablet structure which comprises a unitary body having oppositely disposed first and second substantially horizontal surfaces being joined respectively by substantially vertical walls; any one of said first horizontal surface, or said second horizontal surface, or said substantially vertical walls containing at least two transverse score markings and at least one other of said surfaces or walls containing a single transverse score marking whereby the unitary body may be fractured into at least equal bisectional or equal trisectional units for consumption. 2. The tablet structure of claim 1 wherein first and second surfaces include bevel edges, and wherein the score markings have an indentation depth to a line defining the bevel edge. 3. The tablet structure of claim 2 wherein the bevel edges range from about 25 degrees to about 50 degrees from the horizontal plane. 4. The tablet structure of claim 3 wherein the bevel edge angle is about 30 degrees to about 45 degrees. 5. The tablet structure of claim 1 wherein the score markings have a V-groove angle of about 40 degrees to about 50 degrees, with a V-groove depth being about 1/8 to about 1/3 the width of the tablet. 6. The tablet structure of claim 1 wherein the first and second surfaces define the top and bottom surfaces respectively. 7. The tablet structure of claim 1 wherein the substantially vertical walls define a pentagonal unitary body. 8. The tablet structure of claim 7 wherein said first substantially horizontal surface has two score lines disposed transversely from one apex defining joining vertical wall sections to opposite apexes defined by a common base vertical wall section to effect a trisectional fracture of the unitary body, and said second substantially horizontal surface has a single score to effect a transverse bisectional fracture of the unitary body. 9. The tablet structure of claim 1 wherein the substantially vertical walls define a hexagonal configuration. 10. The tablet structure of claim 9 wherein said first substantially horizontal surface has two parallel score lines disposed therein transversely from oppositely disposed apexes defined by common vertical wall structures, and a single score line disposed on said second substantially horizontal surface perpendicularly to said two parallel score lines. 11. The tablet structure of claim 1 wherein the substantially vertical walls define an elliptical configuration. 12. The tablet structure of claim 11 wherein said first substantially horizontal surface has one score line disposed thereon, and said vertical walls have two sets of oppositely positioned vertical score lines externally of said horizontal surface score line. 13. The tablet structure of claim 11 wherein said first substantially horizontal surface has two parallel score lines disposed thereon, and said second substantially horizontal surface has one score line intermediate said two parallel score lines. 14. The tablet structure of claim 1 wherein the substantially vertical walls define a circular configuration. 15. The tablet structure of claim 14 wherein said first substantially horizontal surface has two parallel score lines disposed thereon, and said vertical walls having two oppositely positioned vertical score lines disposed to effect a perpendicular fracture to said two parallel score lines. 16. The tablet structure of claim 14 wherein said first substantially horizontal surface has two parallel score lines disposed thereon, and said vertical walls have two oppositely positioned vertical score lines intermediate said two parallel score lines. 17. The tablet structure of claim 14 wherein said first substantially horizontal surface has one score line disposed thereon, and said second substantially horizontal surface has two parallel score lines disposed peripendicular to the score line on said first horizontal surface.