CA2238414A1 - Reinforced blister pack - Google Patents
Reinforced blister pack Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2238414A1 CA2238414A1 CA002238414A CA2238414A CA2238414A1 CA 2238414 A1 CA2238414 A1 CA 2238414A1 CA 002238414 A CA002238414 A CA 002238414A CA 2238414 A CA2238414 A CA 2238414A CA 2238414 A1 CA2238414 A1 CA 2238414A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- blister
- blister pack
- slab
- blisters
- support
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
- B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
- B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
- B65D75/325—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil
- B65D75/327—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil and forming several compartments
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2575/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D2575/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by association or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
- B65D2575/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
- B65D2575/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
- B65D2575/3209—Details
- B65D2575/3218—Details with special means for gaining access to the contents
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2585/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D2585/56—Containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or materials for medicinal tablets or pills
Abstract
A blister pack wherein the material between the blisters (2) is reinforced (8, 12B) to confer rigidity relative to flexing deformation of the blister pack.
The reinforcement (8, 12B) may take the form of a reinforcing slab or sheet (8), or ribs (12B) in the blister pack material. The invention facilitates handling by users with weak or deformed hands.
The reinforcement (8, 12B) may take the form of a reinforcing slab or sheet (8), or ribs (12B) in the blister pack material. The invention facilitates handling by users with weak or deformed hands.
Description
CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
W 097/20754 PCT~EP96/05536 R~ ro. .~d Blister Pack.
This invention relates to a pac~ging system, particularly for solid unit dosage forms such as ph~ relltir~l tablets, capsules, pills etc. (herein individually and collectively termed "tablets").
Blister packs are commonly used for cont~ining tablets. Blister packs generally comprise a pattern of blisters formed in a sheet of subst~nti~lly imperrneable dcfo,,,leable plastics material, each blister defining a cavity for the contz~inm~nt of a tablet, the open face of the blister being closed with a film cover, usually a thin, tearable metal foil or a peel-off film. The film cover can either be 10 easily ruptured, or the film can be easily peeled away from the blister. In use either the blister is compressibly deformed so as to force the tablet therein out though a rupturable film, or else the film is peeled off and the tablet is removed from the cavity. ~enerally the deformeable material is a stiff but relatively flexible material such as a pastics material or a plastics material l~ lr or plastics material metal 15 foil l~min~t~
Known blister packs have the disadvantage that they are diffir--lt for users with weak or deformed hands, e.g. arthritic patients to use, because the plasticmaterial is relatively flexible and therefore ~liffirlllt to exert a co~ cssive force against and tends to deform by flexing if pressure is applied to a blister to force a 20 tablet out through a rupturable film. Also they easily crumple, curl or fold during use and thus become of untidy appearance. It is an object of the present invention to at least partly provide a solution to these problems.
According to the invention a blister pack is provided wherein the material between the blisters is reinforced to confer rigidity relative to flexing deformation 25 of the blister pack.
The .ehlr~Lcelllent according to the invention is such that the application of c~,lll~les~ e force to a blister sufficient to force a tablet contained therein out through a rupturable film cover over the open face of the blister is insufficient to cause the material between the blisters to ~ignifir~ntly deform.
SUBSTITUTE SltEET (RULE 26) CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
By "signifif~ntly deforrn" it is u ~ders~oe~ trlat the p~_k .~ 1l1 me~ita~ly to some extent deform, but that the extent of deformation will be such that a user forcing a tablet out will e~eliellce sufficient rigidity of the pack to be able to force the tablet out against this rigidity, without the pack crumpling or bending by a5 flexing of the material between the blisters to an extent such that the blister pack crumples or bends rather than the contents of the blister being forced out. The terrn "flexing" herein denotes inter alia bending and folding of the pack out of the plane of the blister pack. The degree of lGilll'Ul~;illg nf cec~ry to achieve this is "li"rd in each case by practical considerations. Also by ".signifir~ntly deform"10 is understood that the material between the blisters may temporarily deform el~ti- ~lly under the pressure applied to force the tablet out, but that the material will return substantially to its undeformed shape on release of the pl~,S:~UlC, such that the l~hlLul~:ed pack does not become curled up through use. The terrn "rigid"
herein includes more rigid against out of the plane of the slab folding and bending 15 d~follllaLion under the application of folding or bending forces, relative to the relative flexibility of the thin sheet materials generally used for blister packs.
By means of the invention the blister pack is provided with sufficient rigidity that a user with weak or deformed hands can easily apply a colllp,es~ e force to the blister against the rigidity, which is considerably easier than applying a col~lpl~ ive 20 force to a blister pack made of flexible plastics material of known type, and also there will be less likelihood of the user dlo~ g the pack during use.
In the invention the material is preferably lc~hlful~;ed by the combination of the blister pack, which may be a conventional known blister pack as presently widely used co"l-"e.cially, with a rigid support, ~It~rn~tively or additionally by the 25 introduction of structural elemt~nt~ such as ribs into the material between the blisters in the pack, alternatively the material between the blisters may be reinforced by a general thickening of the material to impart rigidity.
A first embodiment of the invention provides a combination of a blister pack and a subst~nti~lly rigid rci~fo.c}"g support for the blister pack, the support 30 comprising a ~ub~LanLially planar slab of sllbst~nti~lly rigid material having a pattern of holes passing completely through the thickn~ss of the slab, the said holes being in SUBSTITUTE SHErT (RULE 2~
CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
a pattern corresponding to the blisters of th. bljc~e~ pack, ti~e bl s~er p~c!~ being in contact with the support such that each blister fits into a hole, each blister being ~ccçscihle to a user via the hole.
In this embodiment the user can apply co~ essive pressure to the blister via 5 the hole and thereby force a tablet out through a rupturable film cover over the open face of the blister. This first embodiment may also be used with blister packs having a peel off film over the open face of the blister.
In this first embodiment the support is preferably stuck to the deformeable material be~Lweell the blisters, so as to prevent separation of the blister pack from 10 the support during the application of con~ ,;,si~e p ~~s~ule to the blister. This first embodirnent may also be used with blister packs having a peel off film over the open face of the blister, and by sticking of the material to the support, separation of the blister pack from the support during peeling off can be avoided. The rear face opening of the holes, i.e. on that face of the slab facing away from the film cover of 15 the blisters, may be closed with a flexible film, e.g. to impart a neat appcalallce or to protect the blisters, which may be forced out by ~I~,S~Ul~ on the flexible film.
A second embodiment of this invention provides a combination of a blister pack and a substantially rigid support for the blister pack, the support collllllishlg a ~ b~ lly planar slab of subst~nti~lly rigid material having a pattern of holes in 20 its surface, which pass only partly through the thi~knf ss of the slab, the said holes being in a pattern corresponding to the blisters on the blister pack, the blister pack being in contact with the holder such that each blister fits into a hole, the blister pack having a peel-off film cover over the open face of the blister.
~n this second embodiment the support is prer~,~dbly stuck to the dt:rullllcable25 material between the blisters, for the same reasons as for the first embodiment.
Again, if the holes pass all the way through the slab, the rear face opening of the holes, i.e. on that face of the slab facing away from the film cover of the blisters, may be closed with a flexible film.
A third embodiment of this invention provides a combination of a blister 30 pack and a subst~nti~lly rigid but support for the blister pack, the support C~ illg a substantially planar slab of ~l~h~ lly rigid material having a pattern SlJt~ JTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
W O 97/20754 PCT~EP96/05536 of holes in its surface, which pass on~y ~ar ly t~o~1g n Ihe ~I-ickn_ss of ~.e slab, the said holes being in a pattern corresponding to the blisters on the blister pack, the blister pack being in contact with the holder such that each blister fits into a hole, the blister pack having a lup~uldble film cover over the open face of the blister, the S material of the slab being co~ cssil)ly d~rulllleable at least in the region of the holes, such that ples~u-~ can be applied to the slab on the reverse face to that on which the holes open, so as to thereby deform the said material and apply pressure to the blister, and so to force the tablet out through the rupturable film cover.
In this third embodiment the support is preferably stuck to the deformeable material between the blisters, for the same reasons as for the first embodiment.
The said holes may be ~ub~ lly the same size and shape as the external perimeter of the blisters.
A fourth embodiment of the invention provides a combination of a blister pacl~ and a subst~nti~lly rigid lcillru~ g support for the blister pack, the support col~ isillg a ubst~nti~lly planar slab of s~lbst~nti~lly rigid material having a pattem of holes passing completely through the thi~-knPss of the slab, the said holes being in a pattern corresponding to the blisters of the blister pack, the blister pack being in contact with the support such that each blister fits over a hole, each blister having a rupturable film cover over its open face, the film cover facing the upper surface of the slab, the slab having a thi~ l~nf !~s such that the blister may be cu~ essibly deformed when the pack is laid upon a surface so as to force the tablet out through the film and through the hole.
By means of this embodiment the blisters may be pressed against the rigidity of the support, and the tablets forced out. The rigidity f~f~ilit~tes use by those with weak or deformed hands. If the slab is made thick enough the combination may be laid on a surface such as a table with the blisters uppermost, and the tablets may be forced out through the holes. The co,~bi~.ation may then be lifted up such that the tablets are left on the surface, further facilitating access to the tablets. This may be particularly advantageous for small tablets, particularly those having a thirl~n~c~ less L
30 than the thi~ n~ss of the slab, which are otherwise easy to drop.
Sl,, ~11 I UTE SHEET (RULE 2~i) _ CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
W O 97/20754 PCT~EP96/05536 There may be a further suppo-t s ~ab hav r~, suitably pos;..on~;d noles therein,to allow access to the blisters, mounted against the material of the blister pack, on the opposite surface to that on which the rupturable film is.
In this fourth embodiment the support is preferably stuck to the deformeable 5 material between the blisters, for the same reasons as for the first embodiment.
When access to the blisters is via holes in supports as described above, the holes may be suitably shaped and/or profiled to guide the thumb or fingers of the user toward the blister. In this way use of the p~k~ging system by those who arevisually impaired may be facilitated.
The support in the f~rst, second, third and fourth embo~lim~ont~ may suitably co~ lise a thick slab in the form of a sheet of rigid plastics material, or a rigid cellular plastics material structure, a foamed or expantl.-~l plastics material, thick or corrugated cardboard, l~min~t~s e.g of plastics sheet materials and card, or plastics sheet materials and foamed plastics etc. Other ways of making a rigid support will ~5 be ~dlGllL to those skilled in the art. The support in these embo~1im~ont~ of the invention may comprise a part of a package for the blister pack, e.g a box or carton in which one or more blister packs are cont~in.--l The invention also provides a support when provided for a combination as disclosed above, and a method of construction of such a combination which 20 comprises combining a blister pack as described with a support as described.
In a fifth embodiment of this invention the dGf~,llncable material between blisters may be rendered rigid by the formation therein of structural :jL~ mng ribs.
Such ~Llell~,Lllening ribs may for example be in the form of thickened areas 25 of the said material, or corrugations therein. The ribs may be of any convenient shape, for example linear, in a grid pattern, or surrounding the blister, e.g. in the form of a ring around each blister. The ribs may project from the same face of the material as does the blister. Alternately, particularly in the case where the open face of the blister is closed by a rupturable film, the ribs may project from the face of 30 the material which is covered with the film. In this way if the blister pack is laid flat SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
W O 97/2~754 PCTAEP96/05536 on a surface such as a table the ribs creare ~ sp~ )eneath ~e ~l;ster pacl~, which enable the user to compressibly deform the blister against its rigidity and force a tablet through the film and out of the blister. If the said space is wide enough the tablet can thereby be pressed out onto the surface, so as to be left there when the 5 deformed pack is lifted away.
In this way use of the pack by those with weak or deformed hands is facilitated. Also the ribs in the material may be so shaped or aligned etc. to guide the thumb or ffngers of the user toward the blister, and may be combined with for example Braille symbols embossed on the material. In this way use of the blister10 pack by the visually impaired is facilitated.
When in this invention the material between the blisters is It;inrul~;ed by a general thickening of the material to impart rigidity, the material between the blisters may be the same material as is normally used for making blister packs, e.g.
a flexible plastics material, but made thicker, e.g. 50% thicker or twice as thick as 15 is conventionally used. This method is not pl~:r~ d however as it can result in blisters which are difficult to deform by pl~S:~Ule, or alternatively require areas of thinner material to be used at places where there are blisters. Also the materials from which blister packs are made can be quite eA~nsiY~, e.g. n-oe-ling to provide protection against moisture and air etc. over a long storage period, whereas the20 materials used for the above described supports can be very cheap.
The blister pack incorporated in the combination park~gin~ system of this invention may be of generally conventional construction. The blisters may be anyconvenient shape and size to suit the tablets for which they are to be used, as conventional. The p~k~in~ system of the hlvelllioll is suitable for use with all25 kinds of tablets, and may for example be used with the tablets disclosed in EP
0055009A which are ~ecirlcally intenrlPd for use by patients with weak or deformed hands, because such tablets tend to come to rest in a tilted position, relatively easy to grasp.
The support and blister pack rii~cllcsed above may be of any convenient 30 shape, but a ~ Ç~lled shape is rectangular, so as to enable the combination of Sl.~ JTE SHEET (RULE Z6) CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
W O 97/20754 PCTfEP96/05536 support and blister pack to be conve:niel ~ly cort?i:led irl a ~x. Alternd.ively for example the support and blister pack may be circular, or of other shapes.
The blister pack of the invention, and the leillro,cillg slab may be made out of entirely conventional materials and by entirely conventional processes.
The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to t'ne acco~ allyillg drawings.
Fig. 1 shows the construction of a conventional blister pack, in cross section Fig. 2 shows the construction of another type of conventional blister pack, in section Fig. 3 shows part of a p~cl-~ging system of the first embodiment of this invention in a perspective sectional view Fig. 4 shows a p~ck~ging system of the second embodiment of this invention, in section Fig. S shows a p~ci~ging system of the third embodiment of this invention, in section Fig. 7 shows two types of p~ck~ging systems of the fifth embodiment of this invention in part-sectioned perspective view.
Referring to Fig. 1, a conventional blister pack comprises a sheet of 20 sul,s~ lly hll~el.lleable plastics material 1 in which are formed blisters 2, each blister 2 defining a cavity 3 for the cont~.inm~nt of a tablet 4 therein. The open face of the cavity 3 is closed by a rupturable metal foil cover S, thin enough that when the blister 2 is deformed by colll~,es. i~e ~ '.Ule as at blister 2A the tablet 4 can be forced out for use through the foil cover S as this tears.
Referring to Fig. 2, another type of conventional blister pack is shown, in which parts corresponding to Fig. 1 are numbered correspondingly. In the blisterpack of Fig. 2 the film S is a film which can be easily peeled away from the sheet 1 as shown at 5A, to allow the tablet 4 to be removed for use. The film S is divided by cuts at points 6 to allow a small patch of the film S to be peeled off as shown at SA to open a single cavity, to enable the tablet 4 to be removed.
SU~ 111 UTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
wo 97nO754 PCT/EP96/05S36 Referring to Fig. 3 a combina~iGn c.f ~ ~;is~el ~ack 7 ane' a sul)~ ta~ltially rigid support 8 is shown. The blister pack 7 may be either of the type shown in Fig. l or Fig. 2. The support 8 co~ es a substantially planar slab made for example of corrugated cardboard, exr~n~led polystyrene or a plastic material cellular structure S etc. Passing completely through the thi- ~nPss of the slab 8 is a pattern of holes 9, the pattern of the holes 9 corresponding to the pattern of the blisters 2 in the blister pack 7, such that when the plastic material 1 of the blister pack 7 is in contact with the slab 8, each blister 2 fits into a hole 9. The material 1 is stuck to the surface of the slab 8 by means of a suitable adhesive (not shown). As the holes 9 pass lO completely through the slab 8, the blisters 2 are ~cces~ihle via the hole 9 in which they fit.
The combination can be used in two ways dcpc.ldillg upon whether the blister pack is of the type shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2. If as shown in Fig. l, which is illustrated in Fig. 3, conl~lc..sive ~1~5.7UlC can be applied to the blister as shown lS by the arrow in Fig. 3 to deforrn the blister 2A as shown and force the tablet 4 out through the foil 5. The subsLalllially rigid slab 8 ~lc~elll~ the blister pack 7 from crumpling during use and adopting an untidy appearance.
If the blister pack is as shown in Fig. 2, then film may be simply peeled back as shown in Fig. 2 with the blister pack 7 in-situ in the slab 8. The slab 8 20 again eases this operation for users with weak or deformed hands, and prevents the blister pack 6 from crumpling during use.
Referring to Fig. 4 a combination of a blister pack 7 and a s1lbst~nti:~11y rigid slab 8 is shown, generally similar in construction to tnat of Fig. 3, except that holes 9 do not pass completely through the slab 8, but omy part way through, so as to 25 form cavities in which the blisters 2 fit. In this combination the blister pack 7 is of the type shown in Fig. 2. The plastics material l between the blisters 2 is again stuck to the slab 8, and the film 5 can be peeled off as shown to allow removal of the tablet 4.
The slab 8 again eases the use of the blister pack by those with weak or 30 deformed hands.
Referring to Fig. 5 a combination of a blister pack 7 and a ~ub~ 11y rigid slab 8 is shown, generally similar in construction to that of Fig. 4, such that holes 9 S~ LJTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
do not pass completely through the slab 8, bu~ orly ~art way thI ou~h, ';G as to form cavities in which the blisters 2 fit. In this combin~ion ~he blis.er pack 7 is of the type shown in Fig. 1. The plastics material 1 between the blisters 2 is again stuck to the slab 8. The material of the slab 8 is compressibly d~ eable at least in the 5 region of the holes 9, i.e. at points 8A such that ~l~s~.uie can be applied to the slab 9 in this region on the reverse face to that on which the holes 9 open, i.e. at the point shown by the arrow in Fig 5, so as to thereby deform the said material andforce the tablet 4 out through the rupturable film cover 5.
The slab 8 again eases the use of the blister pack by those with weak or 10 deformed hands.
Referring to Fig. 6 a combination of a blister pack 7 and a substantially rigid lei,lrol~;hlg support for the blister pack is shown. The support collll,lises a ..ubs~ 11y planar slab 8 of sllbst~nti~lly rigid material having a pattern of holes 9 passing completely through the thickness of the slab 8. The holes 9 are in a pattern 15 corresponding to the blisters 2 of the blister pack 7, the blister pack 7 being in contact with the support 8 such that each blister 2 fits over a hole 9. Each blister 2 has a rupturable film cover 5 over its open face, the film 5 cover facing the upper surface of the slab 8. The slab 8 has a thir'~n.o$s such that the blister 2 may be c~)lllpl~s~.ibly deformed, as shown at 2A, so as to force the tablet 4 out through the 20 film 5 and through the hole 9.
By means of this embodiment the blisters 2 may be pressed against the rigidity of the support 8, and the tablets 4 forced out. The slab is made thick enough as shown in Fig. 6 the combination may be laid on a surface 10 such as a table with the blisters 2 U~CIIIIOSt, and the tablets may be forced out through the holes 9 to 25 fall onto the surface 10. The combination may then be lifted up such that the tablets 4 are left on the surface 10, further facilitating access to the tablets.
A further support slab 8A having suitably positioned holes 9A therein, to allow access to the blisters 2, may be mounted against the material of the blister pack 1, on the opposite surface to that on which the rupturable film 5 is.
Referring to Fig. 7A, 7B and 7C, three blister packs 11 (generally) are shown, in which the plastics material 1 between blisters 2 is rendered rigid by the SlJ~;~ 111 UTE SHEET (P~ULE 26) CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
WO 97/20754 PCTrEP96/05536 formation therein of reinforcing ribs ~2~., 12~ C butgir!g ou: of L~ plastics material 1. In Figs 7A and 7B the ribs 12~, 2B bulge out in the same dir.,ction as the blisters 2, and in Fig. 7C they bulge out in the opposite direction. In Fig. 6A
the blisters 2 are generally lozenge shaped, in Fig 6 B the blister 2 is circular. In S Fig 6A ribs 12A are linear structures, disposed b~ en the blisters 2 in a gridfashion. In Fig. 6B the rib 12B is formed as a ring around the blisters 2.
In each case the ribs 12A, 12B, 12C render the blister pack 11 sufficiently rigid that when the blister pack is of the type shown in Fig. 1, compressive plCS~7UlC~
is applied to a blister 2 so as to force a tablet 4 (not shown in Fig. 6) out through 10 the film cover 5 the blister pack 10 does not si~nifir~ntiy deform. The blister pack 11 could alternatively have a film cover 5 which can be peeled off in the general manner shown in Fig 2. This reinforcement eases the use of the blister pack 11 by those with weak or deformed hands.
In Fig. 7C the ribs 12C enable the blister pack 11 to be placed upon a surface 13, with a space 14 thereby formed beneath the pack 11. The blister 2 can be collllJlcssibly deformed as shown at 2A so as to force the tablet 4 out through the foil cover S onto the surface 13. The blister pack 11 may then be lifted from the surface 13 to leave the tablet 4 thereon.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 263
W 097/20754 PCT~EP96/05536 R~ ro. .~d Blister Pack.
This invention relates to a pac~ging system, particularly for solid unit dosage forms such as ph~ relltir~l tablets, capsules, pills etc. (herein individually and collectively termed "tablets").
Blister packs are commonly used for cont~ining tablets. Blister packs generally comprise a pattern of blisters formed in a sheet of subst~nti~lly imperrneable dcfo,,,leable plastics material, each blister defining a cavity for the contz~inm~nt of a tablet, the open face of the blister being closed with a film cover, usually a thin, tearable metal foil or a peel-off film. The film cover can either be 10 easily ruptured, or the film can be easily peeled away from the blister. In use either the blister is compressibly deformed so as to force the tablet therein out though a rupturable film, or else the film is peeled off and the tablet is removed from the cavity. ~enerally the deformeable material is a stiff but relatively flexible material such as a pastics material or a plastics material l~ lr or plastics material metal 15 foil l~min~t~
Known blister packs have the disadvantage that they are diffir--lt for users with weak or deformed hands, e.g. arthritic patients to use, because the plasticmaterial is relatively flexible and therefore ~liffirlllt to exert a co~ cssive force against and tends to deform by flexing if pressure is applied to a blister to force a 20 tablet out through a rupturable film. Also they easily crumple, curl or fold during use and thus become of untidy appearance. It is an object of the present invention to at least partly provide a solution to these problems.
According to the invention a blister pack is provided wherein the material between the blisters is reinforced to confer rigidity relative to flexing deformation 25 of the blister pack.
The .ehlr~Lcelllent according to the invention is such that the application of c~,lll~les~ e force to a blister sufficient to force a tablet contained therein out through a rupturable film cover over the open face of the blister is insufficient to cause the material between the blisters to ~ignifir~ntly deform.
SUBSTITUTE SltEET (RULE 26) CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
By "signifif~ntly deforrn" it is u ~ders~oe~ trlat the p~_k .~ 1l1 me~ita~ly to some extent deform, but that the extent of deformation will be such that a user forcing a tablet out will e~eliellce sufficient rigidity of the pack to be able to force the tablet out against this rigidity, without the pack crumpling or bending by a5 flexing of the material between the blisters to an extent such that the blister pack crumples or bends rather than the contents of the blister being forced out. The terrn "flexing" herein denotes inter alia bending and folding of the pack out of the plane of the blister pack. The degree of lGilll'Ul~;illg nf cec~ry to achieve this is "li"rd in each case by practical considerations. Also by ".signifir~ntly deform"10 is understood that the material between the blisters may temporarily deform el~ti- ~lly under the pressure applied to force the tablet out, but that the material will return substantially to its undeformed shape on release of the pl~,S:~UlC, such that the l~hlLul~:ed pack does not become curled up through use. The terrn "rigid"
herein includes more rigid against out of the plane of the slab folding and bending 15 d~follllaLion under the application of folding or bending forces, relative to the relative flexibility of the thin sheet materials generally used for blister packs.
By means of the invention the blister pack is provided with sufficient rigidity that a user with weak or deformed hands can easily apply a colllp,es~ e force to the blister against the rigidity, which is considerably easier than applying a col~lpl~ ive 20 force to a blister pack made of flexible plastics material of known type, and also there will be less likelihood of the user dlo~ g the pack during use.
In the invention the material is preferably lc~hlful~;ed by the combination of the blister pack, which may be a conventional known blister pack as presently widely used co"l-"e.cially, with a rigid support, ~It~rn~tively or additionally by the 25 introduction of structural elemt~nt~ such as ribs into the material between the blisters in the pack, alternatively the material between the blisters may be reinforced by a general thickening of the material to impart rigidity.
A first embodiment of the invention provides a combination of a blister pack and a subst~nti~lly rigid rci~fo.c}"g support for the blister pack, the support 30 comprising a ~ub~LanLially planar slab of sllbst~nti~lly rigid material having a pattern of holes passing completely through the thickn~ss of the slab, the said holes being in SUBSTITUTE SHErT (RULE 2~
CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
a pattern corresponding to the blisters of th. bljc~e~ pack, ti~e bl s~er p~c!~ being in contact with the support such that each blister fits into a hole, each blister being ~ccçscihle to a user via the hole.
In this embodiment the user can apply co~ essive pressure to the blister via 5 the hole and thereby force a tablet out through a rupturable film cover over the open face of the blister. This first embodiment may also be used with blister packs having a peel off film over the open face of the blister.
In this first embodiment the support is preferably stuck to the deformeable material be~Lweell the blisters, so as to prevent separation of the blister pack from 10 the support during the application of con~ ,;,si~e p ~~s~ule to the blister. This first embodirnent may also be used with blister packs having a peel off film over the open face of the blister, and by sticking of the material to the support, separation of the blister pack from the support during peeling off can be avoided. The rear face opening of the holes, i.e. on that face of the slab facing away from the film cover of 15 the blisters, may be closed with a flexible film, e.g. to impart a neat appcalallce or to protect the blisters, which may be forced out by ~I~,S~Ul~ on the flexible film.
A second embodiment of this invention provides a combination of a blister pack and a substantially rigid support for the blister pack, the support collllllishlg a ~ b~ lly planar slab of subst~nti~lly rigid material having a pattern of holes in 20 its surface, which pass only partly through the thi~knf ss of the slab, the said holes being in a pattern corresponding to the blisters on the blister pack, the blister pack being in contact with the holder such that each blister fits into a hole, the blister pack having a peel-off film cover over the open face of the blister.
~n this second embodiment the support is prer~,~dbly stuck to the dt:rullllcable25 material between the blisters, for the same reasons as for the first embodiment.
Again, if the holes pass all the way through the slab, the rear face opening of the holes, i.e. on that face of the slab facing away from the film cover of the blisters, may be closed with a flexible film.
A third embodiment of this invention provides a combination of a blister 30 pack and a subst~nti~lly rigid but support for the blister pack, the support C~ illg a substantially planar slab of ~l~h~ lly rigid material having a pattern SlJt~ JTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
W O 97/20754 PCT~EP96/05536 of holes in its surface, which pass on~y ~ar ly t~o~1g n Ihe ~I-ickn_ss of ~.e slab, the said holes being in a pattern corresponding to the blisters on the blister pack, the blister pack being in contact with the holder such that each blister fits into a hole, the blister pack having a lup~uldble film cover over the open face of the blister, the S material of the slab being co~ cssil)ly d~rulllleable at least in the region of the holes, such that ples~u-~ can be applied to the slab on the reverse face to that on which the holes open, so as to thereby deform the said material and apply pressure to the blister, and so to force the tablet out through the rupturable film cover.
In this third embodiment the support is preferably stuck to the deformeable material between the blisters, for the same reasons as for the first embodiment.
The said holes may be ~ub~ lly the same size and shape as the external perimeter of the blisters.
A fourth embodiment of the invention provides a combination of a blister pacl~ and a subst~nti~lly rigid lcillru~ g support for the blister pack, the support col~ isillg a ubst~nti~lly planar slab of s~lbst~nti~lly rigid material having a pattem of holes passing completely through the thi~-knPss of the slab, the said holes being in a pattern corresponding to the blisters of the blister pack, the blister pack being in contact with the support such that each blister fits over a hole, each blister having a rupturable film cover over its open face, the film cover facing the upper surface of the slab, the slab having a thi~ l~nf !~s such that the blister may be cu~ essibly deformed when the pack is laid upon a surface so as to force the tablet out through the film and through the hole.
By means of this embodiment the blisters may be pressed against the rigidity of the support, and the tablets forced out. The rigidity f~f~ilit~tes use by those with weak or deformed hands. If the slab is made thick enough the combination may be laid on a surface such as a table with the blisters uppermost, and the tablets may be forced out through the holes. The co,~bi~.ation may then be lifted up such that the tablets are left on the surface, further facilitating access to the tablets. This may be particularly advantageous for small tablets, particularly those having a thirl~n~c~ less L
30 than the thi~ n~ss of the slab, which are otherwise easy to drop.
Sl,, ~11 I UTE SHEET (RULE 2~i) _ CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
W O 97/20754 PCT~EP96/05536 There may be a further suppo-t s ~ab hav r~, suitably pos;..on~;d noles therein,to allow access to the blisters, mounted against the material of the blister pack, on the opposite surface to that on which the rupturable film is.
In this fourth embodiment the support is preferably stuck to the deformeable 5 material between the blisters, for the same reasons as for the first embodiment.
When access to the blisters is via holes in supports as described above, the holes may be suitably shaped and/or profiled to guide the thumb or fingers of the user toward the blister. In this way use of the p~k~ging system by those who arevisually impaired may be facilitated.
The support in the f~rst, second, third and fourth embo~lim~ont~ may suitably co~ lise a thick slab in the form of a sheet of rigid plastics material, or a rigid cellular plastics material structure, a foamed or expantl.-~l plastics material, thick or corrugated cardboard, l~min~t~s e.g of plastics sheet materials and card, or plastics sheet materials and foamed plastics etc. Other ways of making a rigid support will ~5 be ~dlGllL to those skilled in the art. The support in these embo~1im~ont~ of the invention may comprise a part of a package for the blister pack, e.g a box or carton in which one or more blister packs are cont~in.--l The invention also provides a support when provided for a combination as disclosed above, and a method of construction of such a combination which 20 comprises combining a blister pack as described with a support as described.
In a fifth embodiment of this invention the dGf~,llncable material between blisters may be rendered rigid by the formation therein of structural :jL~ mng ribs.
Such ~Llell~,Lllening ribs may for example be in the form of thickened areas 25 of the said material, or corrugations therein. The ribs may be of any convenient shape, for example linear, in a grid pattern, or surrounding the blister, e.g. in the form of a ring around each blister. The ribs may project from the same face of the material as does the blister. Alternately, particularly in the case where the open face of the blister is closed by a rupturable film, the ribs may project from the face of 30 the material which is covered with the film. In this way if the blister pack is laid flat SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
W O 97/2~754 PCTAEP96/05536 on a surface such as a table the ribs creare ~ sp~ )eneath ~e ~l;ster pacl~, which enable the user to compressibly deform the blister against its rigidity and force a tablet through the film and out of the blister. If the said space is wide enough the tablet can thereby be pressed out onto the surface, so as to be left there when the 5 deformed pack is lifted away.
In this way use of the pack by those with weak or deformed hands is facilitated. Also the ribs in the material may be so shaped or aligned etc. to guide the thumb or ffngers of the user toward the blister, and may be combined with for example Braille symbols embossed on the material. In this way use of the blister10 pack by the visually impaired is facilitated.
When in this invention the material between the blisters is It;inrul~;ed by a general thickening of the material to impart rigidity, the material between the blisters may be the same material as is normally used for making blister packs, e.g.
a flexible plastics material, but made thicker, e.g. 50% thicker or twice as thick as 15 is conventionally used. This method is not pl~:r~ d however as it can result in blisters which are difficult to deform by pl~S:~Ule, or alternatively require areas of thinner material to be used at places where there are blisters. Also the materials from which blister packs are made can be quite eA~nsiY~, e.g. n-oe-ling to provide protection against moisture and air etc. over a long storage period, whereas the20 materials used for the above described supports can be very cheap.
The blister pack incorporated in the combination park~gin~ system of this invention may be of generally conventional construction. The blisters may be anyconvenient shape and size to suit the tablets for which they are to be used, as conventional. The p~k~in~ system of the hlvelllioll is suitable for use with all25 kinds of tablets, and may for example be used with the tablets disclosed in EP
0055009A which are ~ecirlcally intenrlPd for use by patients with weak or deformed hands, because such tablets tend to come to rest in a tilted position, relatively easy to grasp.
The support and blister pack rii~cllcsed above may be of any convenient 30 shape, but a ~ Ç~lled shape is rectangular, so as to enable the combination of Sl.~ JTE SHEET (RULE Z6) CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
W O 97/20754 PCTfEP96/05536 support and blister pack to be conve:niel ~ly cort?i:led irl a ~x. Alternd.ively for example the support and blister pack may be circular, or of other shapes.
The blister pack of the invention, and the leillro,cillg slab may be made out of entirely conventional materials and by entirely conventional processes.
The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to t'ne acco~ allyillg drawings.
Fig. 1 shows the construction of a conventional blister pack, in cross section Fig. 2 shows the construction of another type of conventional blister pack, in section Fig. 3 shows part of a p~cl-~ging system of the first embodiment of this invention in a perspective sectional view Fig. 4 shows a p~ck~ging system of the second embodiment of this invention, in section Fig. S shows a p~ci~ging system of the third embodiment of this invention, in section Fig. 7 shows two types of p~ck~ging systems of the fifth embodiment of this invention in part-sectioned perspective view.
Referring to Fig. 1, a conventional blister pack comprises a sheet of 20 sul,s~ lly hll~el.lleable plastics material 1 in which are formed blisters 2, each blister 2 defining a cavity 3 for the cont~.inm~nt of a tablet 4 therein. The open face of the cavity 3 is closed by a rupturable metal foil cover S, thin enough that when the blister 2 is deformed by colll~,es. i~e ~ '.Ule as at blister 2A the tablet 4 can be forced out for use through the foil cover S as this tears.
Referring to Fig. 2, another type of conventional blister pack is shown, in which parts corresponding to Fig. 1 are numbered correspondingly. In the blisterpack of Fig. 2 the film S is a film which can be easily peeled away from the sheet 1 as shown at 5A, to allow the tablet 4 to be removed for use. The film S is divided by cuts at points 6 to allow a small patch of the film S to be peeled off as shown at SA to open a single cavity, to enable the tablet 4 to be removed.
SU~ 111 UTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
wo 97nO754 PCT/EP96/05S36 Referring to Fig. 3 a combina~iGn c.f ~ ~;is~el ~ack 7 ane' a sul)~ ta~ltially rigid support 8 is shown. The blister pack 7 may be either of the type shown in Fig. l or Fig. 2. The support 8 co~ es a substantially planar slab made for example of corrugated cardboard, exr~n~led polystyrene or a plastic material cellular structure S etc. Passing completely through the thi- ~nPss of the slab 8 is a pattern of holes 9, the pattern of the holes 9 corresponding to the pattern of the blisters 2 in the blister pack 7, such that when the plastic material 1 of the blister pack 7 is in contact with the slab 8, each blister 2 fits into a hole 9. The material 1 is stuck to the surface of the slab 8 by means of a suitable adhesive (not shown). As the holes 9 pass lO completely through the slab 8, the blisters 2 are ~cces~ihle via the hole 9 in which they fit.
The combination can be used in two ways dcpc.ldillg upon whether the blister pack is of the type shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2. If as shown in Fig. l, which is illustrated in Fig. 3, conl~lc..sive ~1~5.7UlC can be applied to the blister as shown lS by the arrow in Fig. 3 to deforrn the blister 2A as shown and force the tablet 4 out through the foil 5. The subsLalllially rigid slab 8 ~lc~elll~ the blister pack 7 from crumpling during use and adopting an untidy appearance.
If the blister pack is as shown in Fig. 2, then film may be simply peeled back as shown in Fig. 2 with the blister pack 7 in-situ in the slab 8. The slab 8 20 again eases this operation for users with weak or deformed hands, and prevents the blister pack 6 from crumpling during use.
Referring to Fig. 4 a combination of a blister pack 7 and a s1lbst~nti:~11y rigid slab 8 is shown, generally similar in construction to tnat of Fig. 3, except that holes 9 do not pass completely through the slab 8, but omy part way through, so as to 25 form cavities in which the blisters 2 fit. In this combination the blister pack 7 is of the type shown in Fig. 2. The plastics material l between the blisters 2 is again stuck to the slab 8, and the film 5 can be peeled off as shown to allow removal of the tablet 4.
The slab 8 again eases the use of the blister pack by those with weak or 30 deformed hands.
Referring to Fig. 5 a combination of a blister pack 7 and a ~ub~ 11y rigid slab 8 is shown, generally similar in construction to that of Fig. 4, such that holes 9 S~ LJTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
do not pass completely through the slab 8, bu~ orly ~art way thI ou~h, ';G as to form cavities in which the blisters 2 fit. In this combin~ion ~he blis.er pack 7 is of the type shown in Fig. 1. The plastics material 1 between the blisters 2 is again stuck to the slab 8. The material of the slab 8 is compressibly d~ eable at least in the 5 region of the holes 9, i.e. at points 8A such that ~l~s~.uie can be applied to the slab 9 in this region on the reverse face to that on which the holes 9 open, i.e. at the point shown by the arrow in Fig 5, so as to thereby deform the said material andforce the tablet 4 out through the rupturable film cover 5.
The slab 8 again eases the use of the blister pack by those with weak or 10 deformed hands.
Referring to Fig. 6 a combination of a blister pack 7 and a substantially rigid lei,lrol~;hlg support for the blister pack is shown. The support collll,lises a ..ubs~ 11y planar slab 8 of sllbst~nti~lly rigid material having a pattern of holes 9 passing completely through the thickness of the slab 8. The holes 9 are in a pattern 15 corresponding to the blisters 2 of the blister pack 7, the blister pack 7 being in contact with the support 8 such that each blister 2 fits over a hole 9. Each blister 2 has a rupturable film cover 5 over its open face, the film 5 cover facing the upper surface of the slab 8. The slab 8 has a thir'~n.o$s such that the blister 2 may be c~)lllpl~s~.ibly deformed, as shown at 2A, so as to force the tablet 4 out through the 20 film 5 and through the hole 9.
By means of this embodiment the blisters 2 may be pressed against the rigidity of the support 8, and the tablets 4 forced out. The slab is made thick enough as shown in Fig. 6 the combination may be laid on a surface 10 such as a table with the blisters 2 U~CIIIIOSt, and the tablets may be forced out through the holes 9 to 25 fall onto the surface 10. The combination may then be lifted up such that the tablets 4 are left on the surface 10, further facilitating access to the tablets.
A further support slab 8A having suitably positioned holes 9A therein, to allow access to the blisters 2, may be mounted against the material of the blister pack 1, on the opposite surface to that on which the rupturable film 5 is.
Referring to Fig. 7A, 7B and 7C, three blister packs 11 (generally) are shown, in which the plastics material 1 between blisters 2 is rendered rigid by the SlJ~;~ 111 UTE SHEET (P~ULE 26) CA 02238414 1998-06-0~
WO 97/20754 PCTrEP96/05536 formation therein of reinforcing ribs ~2~., 12~ C butgir!g ou: of L~ plastics material 1. In Figs 7A and 7B the ribs 12~, 2B bulge out in the same dir.,ction as the blisters 2, and in Fig. 7C they bulge out in the opposite direction. In Fig. 6A
the blisters 2 are generally lozenge shaped, in Fig 6 B the blister 2 is circular. In S Fig 6A ribs 12A are linear structures, disposed b~ en the blisters 2 in a gridfashion. In Fig. 6B the rib 12B is formed as a ring around the blisters 2.
In each case the ribs 12A, 12B, 12C render the blister pack 11 sufficiently rigid that when the blister pack is of the type shown in Fig. 1, compressive plCS~7UlC~
is applied to a blister 2 so as to force a tablet 4 (not shown in Fig. 6) out through 10 the film cover 5 the blister pack 10 does not si~nifir~ntiy deform. The blister pack 11 could alternatively have a film cover 5 which can be peeled off in the general manner shown in Fig 2. This reinforcement eases the use of the blister pack 11 by those with weak or deformed hands.
In Fig. 7C the ribs 12C enable the blister pack 11 to be placed upon a surface 13, with a space 14 thereby formed beneath the pack 11. The blister 2 can be collllJlcssibly deformed as shown at 2A so as to force the tablet 4 out through the foil cover S onto the surface 13. The blister pack 11 may then be lifted from the surface 13 to leave the tablet 4 thereon.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 263
Claims (9)
1. A blister pack wherein the material between the blisters is reinforced to confer rigidity relative to flexing deformation of the blister pack.
2. A blister pack according to claim 1 wherein the reinforcement is such that the application of compressive force to a blister sufficient to force a tablet contained therein out through a rupturable film cover over the open face of the blister isinsufficient to cause the material between the blisters to significantly deform.
3. A blister pack according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the material is reinforced by the combination of the blister pack with a rigid support.
4. A blister pack according to claim 3 comprising a combination of a blister pack and a substantially rigid reinforcing support for the blister pack, the support comprising a substantially planar slab of substantially rigid material having a pattern of holes passing completely through the thickness of the slab, the said holes being in a pattern corresponding to the blisters of the blister pack, the blister pack being in contact with the support such that each blister fits into a hole, each blister being accessible to a user via the hole.
5. A blister pack according to claim 3 comprising a combination of a blister pack and a substantially rigid support for the blister pack, the support comprising a substantially planar slab of substantially rigid material having a pattern of holes in its surface, which pass only partly through the thickness of the slab, the said holes being in a pattern corresponding to the blisters on the blister pack, the blister pack being in contact with the holder such that each blister fits into a hole. the blister pack having a peel-off film cover over the open face of the blister.
6. A blister pack according to claim 3 comprising a combination of a blister pack and a substantially rigid but support for the blister pack, the support comprising a substantially planar slab of substantially rigid material having a pattern of holes in its surface, which pass only partly through the thickness of the slab, the said holes being in a pattern corresponding to the blisters on the blister pack, the blister pack being in contact with the holder such that each blister fits into a hole, the blister pack having a rupturable film cover over the open face of the blister, the material of the slab being compressibly deformeable at least in the region of the holes, such that pressure can be applied to the slab on the reverse face to that on which the holes open, so as to thereby deform the said material and apply pressure to the blister, and so to force the tablet out through the rupturable film cover.
7. A blister pack according to claim 3 comprising a combination of a blister pack and a substantially rigid reinforcing support for the blister pack, the support comprising a substantially planar slab of substantially rigid material having a pattern of holes passing completely through the thickness of the slab, the said holes being in a pattern corresponding to the blisters of the blister pack, the blister pack being in contact with the support such that each blister fits over a hole, each blister having a rupturable film cover over its open face, the film cover facing the upper surface of the slab, the slab having a thickness such that the blister may be compressibly deformed when the pack is laid upon a surface so as to force the tablet out through the film and through the hole.
8. A blister pack according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the deformeable material between blisters is rendered rigid by the formation therein of structural strengthening ribs.
9. A blister pack according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the material between the blisters is reinforced by a general thickening of the material to impart rigidity.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9525065.0A GB9525065D0 (en) | 1995-12-07 | 1995-12-07 | Packaging system |
| GB9525065.0 | 1995-12-07 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2238414A1 true CA2238414A1 (en) | 1997-06-12 |
Family
ID=10785078
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002238414A Abandoned CA2238414A1 (en) | 1995-12-07 | 1996-12-06 | Reinforced blister pack |
Country Status (14)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6345717B1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0868366B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP3630690B2 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE215494T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU1370197A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2238414A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69620447T2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK0868366T3 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2175170T3 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB9525065D0 (en) |
| HK (1) | HK1016140A1 (en) |
| PT (1) | PT868366E (en) |
| SI (1) | SI0868366T1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997020754A1 (en) |
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| US10737863B2 (en) | 2015-10-19 | 2020-08-11 | Abbvie Inc. | Medication packaging and dispensing system |
| KR102622461B1 (en) * | 2021-12-08 | 2024-01-09 | 주식회사 한국인삼공사 | Blister package |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3054503A (en) * | 1961-04-06 | 1962-09-18 | Sparks Corp | Push-out-blister package |
| US3454158A (en) * | 1967-05-17 | 1969-07-08 | Dow Chemical Co | Vacuum package and container therefor |
| US3689458A (en) * | 1970-03-23 | 1972-09-05 | Hellstrom Harold R | Quick-opening fulcrum package |
| US3856144A (en) | 1973-01-15 | 1974-12-24 | F Kelly | Blister packaging assembly |
| US3948394A (en) * | 1973-09-28 | 1976-04-06 | Hellstrom H Richard | Child-proofed quick-opening package |
| US3921804A (en) | 1974-05-09 | 1975-11-25 | William W Tester | Medication dispensing package |
| US4125190A (en) * | 1977-08-03 | 1978-11-14 | Sharp Corporation | Child-resistant blister package |
| US4444310A (en) * | 1982-07-26 | 1984-04-24 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Segmented multi-product package assembly |
| DE3344393A1 (en) * | 1983-12-08 | 1985-06-20 | Hoechst Ag, 6230 Frankfurt | BLISTER PACKS FOR DIVISIBLE TABLETS |
| US4574954A (en) | 1984-12-07 | 1986-03-11 | Medication Services Inc. | Pill dispenser |
| US4664262A (en) | 1985-11-26 | 1987-05-12 | White Pamela J | Pill dispensing system |
| US4958736A (en) * | 1986-03-18 | 1990-09-25 | Gynex, Inc. | Package for oral contraceptive tablet |
| US4889236A (en) | 1988-02-26 | 1989-12-26 | Warner-Lambert Company | Credit card-style medication package |
| US5014851A (en) | 1989-06-16 | 1991-05-14 | Multi-Comp, Inc. | Package assembly for dispensing pharmaceutical medications and method of manufacturing the same |
| BE1003274A6 (en) * | 1990-01-04 | 1992-02-11 | Elst Jean | Medication holder |
| FI88015C (en) | 1990-12-17 | 1993-03-25 | Kone Oy | Procedure for generating speed setpoint for a lifting motor |
| DE69320761T2 (en) * | 1992-06-16 | 1999-05-06 | Sankyo Co | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PACKAGING |
| US5310060A (en) * | 1992-10-13 | 1994-05-10 | G. D. Searle & Co. | Tamper-evident, child-resistant blister packages for medicaments and non-medicaments |
| US5954204A (en) * | 1995-10-20 | 1999-09-21 | Phatmacia & Upjohn Company | Blister package |
-
1995
- 1995-12-07 GB GBGB9525065.0A patent/GB9525065D0/en active Pending
-
1996
- 1996-12-06 ES ES96943919T patent/ES2175170T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-12-06 WO PCT/EP1996/005536 patent/WO1997020754A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1996-12-06 EP EP96943919A patent/EP0868366B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-12-06 DE DE69620447T patent/DE69620447T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-12-06 DK DK96943919T patent/DK0868366T3/en active
- 1996-12-06 PT PT96943919T patent/PT868366E/en unknown
- 1996-12-06 AU AU13701/97A patent/AU1370197A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-12-06 JP JP52100097A patent/JP3630690B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-12-06 AT AT96943919T patent/ATE215494T1/en active
- 1996-12-06 SI SI9630481T patent/SI0868366T1/en unknown
- 1996-12-06 CA CA002238414A patent/CA2238414A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1999
- 1999-03-23 HK HK99101202A patent/HK1016140A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2000
- 2000-02-18 US US09/506,896 patent/US6345717B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE69620447D1 (en) | 2002-05-08 |
| SI0868366T1 (en) | 2002-12-31 |
| EP0868366B1 (en) | 2002-04-03 |
| HK1016140A1 (en) | 1999-10-29 |
| AU1370197A (en) | 1997-06-27 |
| DK0868366T3 (en) | 2002-07-22 |
| EP0868366A1 (en) | 1998-10-07 |
| PT868366E (en) | 2002-09-30 |
| JP2002514991A (en) | 2002-05-21 |
| JP3630690B2 (en) | 2005-03-16 |
| DE69620447T2 (en) | 2002-11-28 |
| US6345717B1 (en) | 2002-02-12 |
| WO1997020754A1 (en) | 1997-06-12 |
| GB9525065D0 (en) | 1996-02-07 |
| ES2175170T3 (en) | 2002-11-16 |
| ATE215494T1 (en) | 2002-04-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |