U.S. patent application number 10/176507 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-25 for blister package.
Invention is credited to Barger, Steve, Urban, Joseph J..
Application Number | 20030234203 10/176507 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29734161 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030234203 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Urban, Joseph J. ; et
al. |
December 25, 2003 |
Blister package
Abstract
A child-resistant package for a product is provided. The package
comprises a double cover comprised of separate outer and inner
layers, wherein the outer layer is disposed adjacent the inner
layer, and a barrier disposed adjacent the inner layer of the
double cover, wherein the inner layer and the barrier together
define at least one compartment into which a product can be
positioned. Also included are embodiments where the cover is a
single layer and the bottom barrier is a double layer, and where
both the cover and barrier are multiple layers. Included in the
invention is a method of making a child-resistant package
consistent with the package of the invention.
Inventors: |
Urban, Joseph J.; (Richboro,
PA) ; Barger, Steve; (Pottstown, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RATNERPRESTIA
P O BOX 980
VALLEY FORGE
PA
19482-0980
US
|
Family ID: |
29734161 |
Appl. No.: |
10/176507 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/530 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/327
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/530 |
International
Class: |
B65D 083/04; B65D
085/42 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A child-resistant package for a product comprising: a double
cover comprised of separate outer and inner layers, wherein the
outer layer is disposed adjacent the inner layer; and a barrier
disposed adjacent the inner layer of the double cover; wherein the
inner layer and the barrier together define at least one
compartment into which a product can be positioned.
2. The package of claim 1 wherein at least one of the inner and
outer layers of the double cover defines at least one blister
cavity.
3. The package of claim 1 wherein at least one of the inner and
outer layers of the double cover is formed from a film.
4. The package of claim 3 wherein the film is translucent.
5. The package of claim 1 wherein at least one of the inner and
outer layers of the double cover is formed from a foil.
6. The package of claim 1 wherein the outer layer of the double
cover is formed from a film and the inner layer of the double cover
is formed from a foil.
7. The package of claim 1 wherein each of the outer and inner
layers defines at least one blister cavity integrally formed
therein and projecting from one side thereof, together forming a
double blister cover.
8. The package of claim 7 wherein each of the outer and inner
layers of the double cover is formed from a film.
9. The package of claim 1 wherein the barrier is comprised of at
least two separate layers.
10. The package of claim 9 wherein the barrier is formed from any
one or more of foil, film, plastic, or paper.
11. The package of claim 10 wherein the barrier has a frangible
section overlying each compartment, the frangible section being
defined by a perforated or scored line in the barrier.
12. A method for forming a child-resistant package for a product,
said method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a double cover by
disposing an outer layer adjacent an inner layer, the double cover
defining at least one cavity; (b) placing a product in the cavity
of the double cover; and (c) disposing a barrier adjacent the inner
layer of the double cover, thereby defining at least one
compartment between the inner layer of the double cover and the
barrier in which the product is contained.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the forming step comprises
forming at least one blister cavity in at least one of the inner
and outer layers of the double cover.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the forming step comprises
disposing a film adjacent a foil.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein the forming step comprises
disposing a film adjacent a film.
16. The method of claim 12 wherein the disposing step comprises
laminating a foil to the side of the inner layer opposite the outer
layer.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the disposing step further
comprises disposing a backing adjacent the foil opposite the inner
layer of the double cover.
18. The method of claim 7 wherein the backing is formed from any
one or more of film, plastic, paper, or foil.
19. The method of claim 17 further comprising defining a frangible
section in the backing overlying each cavity.
20. A child-resistant package for a product comprising: a cover;
and a double barrier disposed adjacent the cover, said double
barrier comprising separate outer and inner layers, wherein the
outer layer is disposed adjacent the inner layer; wherein the inner
layer of the double barrier and the cover together define at least
one compartment into which a product can be positioned.
21. The package of claim 20 wherein the inner layer of the double
barrier is formed from any one or more of foil, film, plastic or
paper.
22. The package of claim 20 wherein the outer layer of the double
barrier is formed from any one or more of foil, film, plastic or
paper, or combinations thereof.
23. The package of claim 20 wherein the inner layer of the double
barrier is formed from any one or more of foil, film, plastic, or
paper, or combinations thereof.
24. The package of claim 20 wherein the inner layer of the double
barrier is a foil and paper laminate.
25. The package of claim 20 wherein the inner layer of the double
barrier is accessible only after at least partial removal of the
outer layer of the double barrier.
26. The package of claim 20 wherein the cover is a double cover
comprised of separate outer and inner layers, wherein the outer
layer is disposed adjacent the inner layer.
27. A method for forming a child-resistant package for a product,
said method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a double barrier
by disposing an outer layer adjacent an inner layer; (b) placing a
product in a cavity of a cover; and (c) disposing the cover
adjacent the inner layer of the double barrier, thereby defining at
least one compartment between the inner layer of the double barrier
and the cover in which the product is contained.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to packaging, and more
specifically to child-resistant packaging for dosed products.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known to use blister packages to contain small
articles such as pharmaceutical or dose form products. These
packages allow the user to access the product by applying pressure
to the blister to force the product from an individual blister or
capsule through a rupturable layer.
[0003] Known blister packages comprise a first sheet of transparent
or translucent thermoformable material such as polyvinyl chloride
or polystyrene having a plurality of flexible bubbles or blisters
preformed therein and projecting outwardly from one surface to
define separate compartments for individual doses of a
product,typically a single pill or capsule, and a second sheet to
cover the product. The second layer is often made from a rupturable
foil so that the user can push the product from the bubble side out
through the foil. This construction did not offer much in the way
of child resistance, and presented a potential hazard to
children.
[0004] In order to render blister packages resistant to access by
children, improved child-resistant blister packages have been
developed. Exemplary structures of such child-resistant blister
packages, as well as exemplary methods of forming such packages,
are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,699 to Gartland, which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein.
[0005] Despite the fact that such child-resistant packages have
improved safety characteristics, there is room for further
improvements. Many of the known package-forming methods and package
constructions, although offering varying degrees of child
resistance, sometimes compromised accessibility. Specifically, in
some cases, known methods and constructions made the product so
inaccessible that even adults had trouble accessing the product.
This later case is especially problematic where older adults or
others who have lost some degree of manual dexterity are the users
of the products.
[0006] Thus, there remains a need for an improved packaging method
and construction that provide the desired level of resistance to a
child while maintaining acceptable levels of accessibility for
adults.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention includes a child-resistant package for
a dose form product and a method of forming a child-resistant
package for such a dose form product. According to one exemplary
embodiment, the invention provides a child-resistant package for a
product comprising a double cover comprised of separate outer and
inner layers, wherein the outer layer is disposed adjacent the
inner layer, and a barrier is disposed adjacent the inner layer of
the double cover. The inner layer and the barrier together define
at least one compartment into which a product can be
positioned.
[0008] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a
child-resistant package for a product is provided which comprises a
cover and a double barrier disposed adjacent the cover, where the
double barrier comprises separate outer and inner layers. In this
embodiment, the outer layer is disposed adjacent the inner layer
and the inner layer of the double barrier and the cover together
define at least one compartment into which a product can be
positioned.
[0009] The invention also provides a method of forming a
child-resistant package for a product. According to one exemplary
embodiment, the method includes the steps of forming a double cover
by disposing an outer layer adjacent an inner layer, the double
cover defining at least one cavity. The method also includes the
steps of placing a product in the cavity of the double cover and
disposing a barrier adjacent the inner layer of the double cover,
thereby defining at least one compartment between the inner layer
of the double cover and the barrier in which the product is
contained.
[0010] Yet another embodiment of the method according to the
present invention includes a method of forming a child-resistant
package for a product including the steps of forming a double
barrier by disposing an outer layer adjacent an inner layer,
placing a product in a cavity of a cover, and disposing the cover
adjacent the inner layer of the double barrier. In this way, at
least one compartment is formed between the inner layer of the
double barrier and the cover in which the product is contained.
[0011] The present invention also includes embodiments where both
the cover and barrier are multi-layered. In such embodiments, the
cover is multi-layered and the product is disposed between the
multi-layered cover and a multi-layered barrier.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0012] The features of the invention believed to be novel and the
elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with
particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for
illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The
invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of
operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed
description that follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of one
embodiment of the present invention in which a double cover is
disposed atop a barrier;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 but
with an exaggerated view of bonding adhesives for illustration
purposes;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of
another embodiment of the present invention in which a cover is
disposed atop a double barrier;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of yet
another exemplary embodiment in which both the cover is double
layered and the barrier is double layered;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of yet another
embodiment in which each of the layers of a double barrier is
multi-layered;
[0018] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a ten-product
package consistent with aspects of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of FIG. 5 but with a card
disposed atop the cover of the package; and
[0020] FIG. 8 shows the compilation of each layer in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] This invention will now be described with reference to
specific embodiments selected for illustration in the figures. It
will be appreciated that the spirit and scope of this invention is
not limited to the embodiments selected for illustration. Instead,
the scope of this invention is defined separately in the appended
claims. Also, it will be appreciated that the drawings are not
rendered to any particular proportion or scale.
[0022] The present invention includes child-resistant packages and
methods for packaging dose form products. Generally, the packages
according to the present invention are optionally formed with three
or more layers, with the packaged product disposed within a bubble
or other compartment formed between an inner layer and an outer
layer. The products which can be packaged in accordance with the
present invention include many varieties, most notably dose form
products such as pharmaceuticals in pill or capsule form. Other
products to which the present invention can be applied include,
without limitation, medicaments (in pill, tablet, capsule, or
lozenge form), drugs, vitamins, cosmetics, foods, pharmaceutical
products; pharmaceutical products, devices, and any other product
for which dose-form consumption, or use, is desired.
[0023] One embodiment of the present invention includes a
child-resistant package for a dose form product comprising a double
cover and a single barrier. This embodiment is comprised of
separate outer and inner layers, wherein the outer layer is
disposed adjacent the inner layer, and a barrier is disposed
adjacent the inner layer of the double cover. The inner layer and
the barrier together define at least one compartment into which a
product can be positioned.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows such a package embodiment of the present
invention, generally designated by the numeral "10," where the
cover is formed from two layers and the barrier layer is formed
from one layer. The package 10 has a cover including an outer cover
layer 100 and an inner cover layer 110. More specifically, outer
cover layer 100 of package 10 is disposed atop, but adjacent to,
inner cover layer 110. Together outer cover layer 100 and inner
cover layer 110 therefore form a double-layered cover that, in the
illustrated embodiment, includes a bubble 120. Disposed below the
two layered-cover is a barrier such as a backing layer 130. Barrier
130 is disposed adjacent inner cover layer 110 of the double cover
to enclose a product 140 within the compartment formed by the
bubble 120 and barrier 130.
[0025] Generally, each layer can be comprised of either foil, film,
plastic or paper, or combinations thereof. Each respective layer is
optionally bonded, using an appropriate adhesive or other
attachment material or method, to its adjacent layers, where
contact is made between them. In other words, with the exception of
the bubble area, inner cover layer 110 can be bonded to barrier
130, and with the exception of the air space 150 defined between
the inner cover layer 110 and the outer cover layer 100 (discussed
below), outer cover layer 100 can be bonded to inner cover layer
110.
[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, outer cover layer 100 is
comprised of a transparent film, such as a polyethylene or
polyvinyl chloride or other polymeric film, and inner cover layer
110 is comprised of either a similar transparent polymeric film,
plastic, paper, or opaque foil material. In the former embodiment,
the user is allowed to see product 140, but where light could be
damaging to the product, such as reducing its shelf life, opaque
foil or some other light-blocking or light-reducing material would
be preferred. In this embodiment, the outer cover layer can be
comprised if a tough, penetration resistant polymeric film such
that access to the product can only be made through the
barrier.
[0027] It is also optional that a space, either air, vacuum or
inert gas, is provided between inner cover layer 110 and outer
cover layer 100. This, interstitial space 150 allows penetration
through outer cover layer 100 (when penetration occurs, although
outer cover layer 110 is designed, as noted above, to be
penetration-resistant) without penetration of inner cover layer
110.
[0028] Barrier 130 is optionally comprised of paper, plastic, film,
or foil, or other suitable materially, and is optionally bonded to,
in the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, inner cover
layer 110 over at least a portion of inner cover layer 110 that is
not raised to form a compartment such as bubble 120 for product
140.
[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, generally designated by the
numeral "20" in FIG. 2, there is a region of contact between inner
cover layer 110 and barrier 130 immediately adjacent bubble 120
where no bonding exists. No-bond region 200 is shown in FIG. 2 and
allows for the peeling away of barrier 130 in that no-bond region
so that product 140 can be accessed. FIG. 2 shows such an
embodiment in detail, with features deliberately exaggerated and
shown out of scale for the purpose of illustration. FIG. 2 shows
adhesive 230 in exemplary locations as well as no-bond region 200
set apart from bonded region 210 by a perforation 220. The user can
thus peel barrier 130 away from inner cover layer 110 beginning at
perforation 220, thereby providing access to the product 140.
[0030] In another embodiment of the invention, a child-resistant
package for a product is provided which comprises a cover and a
double barrier disposed adjacent the cover, where the double
barrier comprises separate outer and inner layers. In this
embodiment, the outer layer is disposed adjacent the inner layer
and the inner layer of the double barrier and the cover together
define at least one compartment into which a product can be
positioned. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment
described above but the bubble is comprised of only one layer and
the barrier is comprised of multiple layers.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment, generally designated by the
numeral "30," with cover layer 300 disposed around product 140.
Inner barrier, layer 310 and cover layer 300 together define a
compartment optionally configured in the form of a bubble 320.
Outer barrier layer 330 is disposed adjacent inner barrier layer
310. Materials and adhesives or other bonding methods are the same
as those described above in regard to FIG. 1. In this embodiment,
the main difference is that the user must first peel away outer
barrier layer 330 before being able to penetrate or otherwise
remove inner barrier 310.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, generally designated by the numeral "40," which is
essentially a combination of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and
3. Specifically, FIG. 4 shows an embodiment that can be considered
a double-double containment embodiment. Product 140 is disposed
within a compartment such as a bubble 400, which is formed by inner
cover layer 410 and outer cover layer 420. An optional air space
430 is disposed between layers 410 and 420. A double barrier layer
is disposed below product 140 and is comprised of inner barrier
layer 440 and outer barrier layer 450.
[0033] In order to access product 140 from the blister package 40
shown in FIG. 4, the user can peel away outer barrier layer 450 and
then remove inner barrier layer 440. Removal of inner barrier layer
440 is typically accomplished by the user pulling on a tap or
perforated portion of inner barrier layer 440, and peeling or
tearing it away.
[0034] Alternatively, the user can peel away outer barrier layer
450 and then remove a product-containing blister (formed from a
portion of the inner cover layer 410 and the inner barrier layer
440) from the space between the outer barrier layer 450 and the
outer cover layer 420. The removal of the blister can be
facilitated by the absence of adhesion between (1) the inner cover
layer 410 of the product-containing blister and the outer cover
layer 420 and (2) the inner barrier layer 440 of the,
product-containing blister and the outer barrier layer 450. Once
removed from the outer barrier layer 450 and the outer cover layer
420, the product-containing blister can be opened by the user
either by removing the inner barrier layer 440 to access the
product 140 or by pushing the product 140 through the inner barrier
layer 440 by pressing the inner cover layer 410 against the product
140.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows yet a more specific embodiment, generally
designated by the numeral "50," wherein each of inner barrier layer
440 and outer barrier layer 450 are comprised of two or more
layers. In this embodiment, inner barrier layer 440 is a laminate
of outer paper layer 510 and inner foil layer 520. Outer barrier
layer 450 is comprised of perforated paper layer 530 and peel-away
polymeric layer 540.
[0036] In order to access product 140 for the exemplary embodiment
of package 50, peel-away polymeric layer 540 is peeled-away,
perforated paper layer 530 is torn away, and inner barrier 440
(comprised of a combination or lamination of the paper layer 510
and foil layer 520) is peeled away or otherwise removed or pierced
to access product 140.
[0037] FIG. 6 shows another version of the embodiment shown in FIG.
5, which is generally designated by the numeral "60." Package 60 is
a double-double containment blistercard package for ten (10)
dose-form products. FIG. 6 shows the outer cover layer 420 having
recesses 611 disposed therein to assist in a user's grabbing and
peeling away of portions of the inner barrier layer 440. In FIG. 6,
inner cover layer 410 is shown together with inner barrier layer
440, and the inner barrier layer 440 is provided with lines of
perforations so that distinct portions of the inner barrier layer
440 can be separated from the inner cover layer 410. The inner
cover layer 410 and the inner barrier layer 440 together define the
bubbles or compartments in which the product is placed.
[0038] Outer barrier layer 450 is comprised of perforated paper
layer 530 and a pair of peel-away polymeric layers 540. This outer
barrier layer 450 is disposed on or adjacent inner barrier layer
440, which in turn is placed adjacent inner cover layer 410, which
is in turn placed adjacent or into outer cover layer 420 as shown
by the arrows in FIG. 6. In order to access product 140 in this
embodiment 60, peel-away polymeric layer 540 is peeled-away, along
with perforated paper layer 530, and inner barrier layer 440
(comprised of the paper layer 510/foil layer 520 laminate) is
peeled away or otherwise removed to access product 140 disposed
within inner cover layer 410.
[0039] FIG. 7 shows an additional embodiment, generally designated
by the numeral "70," where outer card 700 is disposed on top of the
blistercard packages described above. Typically, outer card 700 is
disposed atop the package for labeling or other packaging purposes.
Outer card 700 simply has holes disposed therein to allow for the
presence of each blister or bubble 120.
[0040] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment, generally designated by the
numeral "80," similar to that shown in FIG. 6 but with the addition
of outer card 700 shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, and
consistent with the method described below, the product is put into
inner cover layer 410, before inner barrier layer 440 is placed
thereon. At this point, a product is disposed within and between
inner cover layer 410 and inner barrier layer 440. This combination
is then inserted into outer cover layer 420, which together are put
into outer card 700 so that individual blisters extend through
openings in the outer card 700. Outer card 700 is attached to outer
barrier 450, which is then folded along line 800 to enclose the
product, inner barrier layer 440, inner cover layer 410, and outer
cover layer 420. Bonding, using adhesives or other methods, is
contemplated between layers as appropriate and consistent with the
above description.
[0041] The invention also includes a method of forming a
child-resistant package for a product. The method comprises the
steps of forming a double cover by disposing an outer layer
adjacent an inner layer, the double cover defining at least one
cavity. The double cover is as defined above. The method also
includes the steps of placing a product in the cavity of the double
cover and disposing a barrier adjacent the inner layer of the
double cover, thereby defining at least one compartment between the
inner layer of the double cover and the barrier in which the
product is contained. The barrier is as defined above. In this
embodiment, the cover or bubble formed is comprised of two
layers.
[0042] Yet another embodiment of the method according to the
present invention includes a method of forming a child-resistant
package for a product comprising the steps of forming a double
barrier by disposing an outer layer adjacent an inner layer,
placing a product in a cavity of a cover, and disposing the cover
adjacent the inner layer of the double barrier. The cover and
barrier are as defined above. In this way, at least one compartment
is formed between the inner layer of the double barrier and the
cover in which the product is contained. This embodiment of the
method is similar to the one described just above but the cover or
bubble formed is comprised of only one layer.
[0043] Accordingly, while illustrated and described herein with
reference to certain specific embodiments, the present invention is
not intended to be limited to the embodiments and details shown.
Rather, the appended claims are intended to include all embodiments
and modifications that may be made to these embodiments and
details, which are nevertheless within the true spirit and scope of
the present invention.
* * * * *