French term (edited): "systeme de lestage" (here)

"BALLASTS" are understood to be substances which are preferably soluble and crystallizable and, if necessary, pharmaceutically acceptable and which improve the physical properties of the new single dosage form. These substances may in particular be chosen from lactose, glycocoll, sorbitol, mannitol, glucose or maltodextrins or, if appropriate, from oxides (magnesium oxide), carbonates (calcium carbonate), phosphates (tricalcium phosphate) or microcrystalline cellulose, or mixtures of these substances.
www.freepatentsonline.com/5417985.html

The physical properties of capsules predispose them to floating in the mouth when taken with water. As a result, the swallowing of capsules can be problematic. In patients who experience such difficulty, it is suggested that they try leaning forward when swallowing, as this has been found to assist. It may be necessary to reassure patients about this technique as they may initially find it unnatural to execute.
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/PUarticles/swallow.htm


The present invention is directed to improved oral dosage forms that are significantly easier to swallow. In accordance with the present invention, the oral dosage forms are configured to have relatively greater weight and/or density to effect partial or total submergence in the liquid with which the oral dosage form is taken.

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an oral dosage form for ingestion with liquid, comprising, an active ingredient with or without excipient ingredients, and a substance having a predetermined weight that effects at least partial sinking of the oral dosage form in the liquid.

In one embodiment, the substance is a FILLER that is added to the active ingredient and, if used, the excipient, of the oral dosage form [ ... ]
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a capsule configured in accordance with the present invention wherein a FILLER is added to the capsule.
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6656501-description.html

often hear from people who are concerned about the FILLERS I use in our LDN capsules. Before describing our FILLER let's examine WHY we need fillers at all. It's a matter of physics. Fillers are also sometimes referred to as EXCIPIENTS.

An empty capsule (#3 size) can hold approximately 225mg of powder. The exact amount depends on the density of the material. Small amounts of some ingredients are heavier than the same volume of another. Consider 4.5mg of naltrexone. It is a very small amount that fills about 2% of the empty capsule. Something has to fill in that remaining space - the other 98%. That "something" is the FILLER.

The FILLER should be inert* and it should not interfere in any way with the activity of the active ingredient - naltrexone in this case. It should also flow well, not be so fluffy that it floats into the air, and pack well. One traditional filler is lactose (milk sugar). It is so common hat you will even find in in many commercial products. It has good physical characteristics and it is MOSTLY inert.
http://www.thecompounder.com/msldnfillers.php


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 38 mins (2008-03-25 03:05:24 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The microspheres obtained can then be dried under vacuum, divided up into bottles and lyophilized with EXCIPIENTS (for example BALLAST or a surfactant) to ...
www.patentstorm.us/patents/6217893-description.html

Le but de cette étude a été d'évaluer le comportement à froid, dans des conditions de lyophilisation simulée, des acides aminés, ainsi que leurs mélanges avec des EXCIPIENTS normalement utilisés comme lyoprotecteurs ou BALLASTS dans le processus de lyophilisation. On a utilisé l'analyse calorimétrique différentielle comme système d'analyse qualitative
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=2064849