ABSTRACT
Technological improvements in the manufacturing process could have been achieved only from a long-term research programme, and an immediate practical solution was required. One necessary characteristic of the finished product is its response pattern to a given environmental situation over a period of time. This environment is simulated during product test, and percentage response is measured at different times. The filler contains none of the active agents required in the finished product. Its use is as a ‘make-weight’ to preserve uniformity in product appearance. The initial product has the characteristic of responding immediately to the environment. Modifications are required to ensure that the response is more gradual over the required time period. The aim in appraising the existing blending procedures was to determine whether theoretical improvements were significant and achievable in practice. Given these, the next problem was how best to implement the necessary control procedures.
