U.S. patent application number 11/122829 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-09 for child-resistant blister package with tear tab.
Invention is credited to Ronald R. JR. Bates.
Application Number | 20060249422 11/122829 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37000115 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060249422 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bates; Ronald R. JR. |
November 9, 2006 |
Child-resistant blister package with tear tab
Abstract
A blister package for housing a medicament having a base layer
and a blister layer, joined together in-part. Each layer has a tab
creation separation line allowing a user to initiate a
predetermined sequence of steps required to access the medicament.
The tab creation separation lines are located interior to the
perimeter of each associated layer. The tab creation separation
lines selectively reduce the strength of the associated layer
thereby allowing a user to "punch out," or create, a tab for use in
accessing the medicament. A number of predetermined manipulations
must be completed to access the medicament. These manipulations
include applying a force to create a tab, removing the tab thereby
creating a sinistral wing and a dextral wing, and rotating the
sinistral wing and the dextral wing in opposite directions to cause
a tear that exposes the medicament.
Inventors: |
Bates; Ronald R. JR.;
(Norristown, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARDINAL HEALTH
7000 CARDINAL PLACE
LEGAL DEPARTMENT - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
DUBLIN
OH
43017
US
|
Family ID: |
37000115 |
Appl. No.: |
11/122829 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/532 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2575/362 20130101;
B65D 2215/04 20130101; B65D 75/367 20130101; B65D 75/5833
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/532 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/04 20060101
B65D083/04; B65D 85/42 20060101 B65D085/42 |
Claims
1. A blister package (10) for housing a medicament (M), comprising:
a base layer (100) having a base layer perimeter (110) with one or
more exterior edges (112), a base layer exterior surface (120), a
base layer interior surface (130), and a base layer tab creation
separation line (140) located interior to the base layer perimeter
(110) thereby selectively reducing the strength of the base layer
(100) at the base layer tab creation separation line (140) and
generally defining a base layer tab creation area (150); a blister
layer (200) having a blister layer perimeter (210) with one or more
exterior edges (212), a blister layer exterior surface (220), a
blister layer interior surface (230), and including an article
receiving blister (260) formed therein, wherein the article
receiving blister (260) is formed with a sidewall (262) and an
endwall (264) and is designed for holding the medicament (M), the
blister layer (200) having a blister layer tab creation separation
line (240) located interior to the blister layer perimeter (210)
thereby selectively reducing the strength of the blister layer
(200) at the blister layer tab creation separation line (240) and
generally defining a blister layer tab creation area (250); wherein
at least twenty percent of the surface area of the base layer
interior surface (130) is joined to the blister layer interior
surface (230) such that the base layer tab creation separation line
(240) and the blister layer tab creation separation line (240)
substantially overlay one another and the base layer tab creation
area (150) and the blister layer tab creation area (250)
substantially overlay one another, and such that opening the
blister package (10) requires (i) application of a force to the
base layer tab creation area (150) and the blister layer tab
creation area (250) thereby causing separation of the base layer
(100) at the base layer tab creation separation line (140) and the
blister layer (200) at the blister layer tab creation separation
line (240) such that a tab (300), having a base layer component
(310) and a blister layer component (320), is created, (ii) removal
of the tab (300) from the blister package (10) by pulling the tab
(300) away from the article receiving blister (260) thereby tearing
the base layer (100) and the blister layer (200) to the base layer
perimeter (110) and the blister layer perimeter (210) thereby
creating a sinistral wing (400), having a base layer component
(410) and a blister layer component (420), and a dextral wing
(500), having a base layer component (510) and a blister layer
component (520), and (iii) rotating the sinistral wing (400) and
the dextral wing (500) in opposite directions causing a tear to
propagate across a portion of the article receiving blister (260)
thereby allowing access to the medicament (M).
2. The blister package (10) of claim 1, wherein the base layer tab
creation separation line (140) is a slit extending through the base
layer (100) from the base layer exterior surface (120) to the base
layer interior surface (130).
3. The blister package (10) of claim 1, wherein the blister layer
tab creation separation line (240) is a slit extending through the
blister layer (200) from the blister layer exterior surface (220)
to the blister layer interior surface (230).
4. The blister package (10) of claim 1, wherein the base layer tab
creation separation line (140) includes a first base layer
separation line section (142) and a second base layer separation
line section (144).
5. The blister package (10) of claim 1, wherein the blister layer
tab creation separation line (240) includes a first blister layer
separation line section (242) and a second blister layer separation
line section (244).
6. The blister package (10) of claim 1, wherein the base layer tab
creation separation line (140) includes a first base layer
separation line section (142) and a second base layer separation
line section (144), and the blister layer tab creation separation
line (240) includes a first blister layer separation line section
(242) and a second blister layer separation line section (244),
such that the first base layer separation line section (142) and
the second base layer separation line section (144) cooperate to
form a substantially concave shape that opens away from the article
receiving blister (260) and the first blister layer separation line
section (242) and the second blister layer separation line section
(244) cooperate to form a substantially concave shape that opens
away from the article receiving blister (260).
7. The blister package (10) of claim 1, wherein the base layer tab
creation separation line (140) is a slit extending through the base
layer (100) from the base layer exterior surface (120) to the base
layer interior surface (130), the blister layer tab creation
separation line (240) is a slit extending through the blister layer
(200) from the blister layer exterior surface (220) to the blister
layer interior surface (230), and further including a tab retention
projection (330) connecting the base layer tab creation area (150)
and the blister layer tab creation area (250) preventing the tab
(300) from unintentionally leaving the plane of the base layer
(100).
8. The blister package (10) of claim 1, wherein the base layer tab
creation separation line (140) is substantially concave in shape
and opens away from the article receiving blister (260) and the
blister layer tab creation separation line (240) is substantially
concave in shape and opens away from the article receiving blister
(260).
9. The blister package (10) of claim 1, wherein the base layer
(100) is comprised of a material and thickness that cannot be
readily ruptured by a human finger pushing on the medicament in the
article receiving blister (260).
10. The blister package (10) of claim 1, wherein the blister layer
(200) within the blister layer tab creation area (250) projects
away from the plane of the base layer (100) thereby providing a
user an indication of the location upon which to exert the force
necessary to create the tab (300).
11. The blister package (10) of claim 1, wherein the blister layer
(200) is formed of a thermoplastic or cold-form material.
12. The blister package (10) of claim 1, wherein the article
receiving blister (260) are thermoformed or cold-formed in the
blister layer (200).
13. The blister package (10) of claim 1, wherein the portions of
the base layer (100) and the blister layer (200) that are joined
together cannot be readily torn from the base layer perimeter (110)
or the blister layer perimeter (210).
14. The blister package (10) of claim 1, wherein the base layer tab
creation separation line (140) and the blister layer tab creation
separation line (240) comprise one or more of the group consisting
of die cuts, perforations, indentations, score lines, and weakened
fracture lines.
15. A medication package (600) having an array of separable blister
packages (10) for housing a medicament (M), each of the separable
blister packages comprising: a base layer (100) having a base layer
perimeter (110) with one or more exterior edges (112), a base layer
exterior surface (120), a base layer interior surface (130), and a
base layer tab creation separation line (140) located interior to
the base layer perimeter (110) thereby selectively reducing the
strength of the base layer (100) at the base layer tab creation
separation line (140) and generally defining a base layer tab
creation area (150); a blister layer (200) having a blister layer
perimeter (210) with one or more exterior edges (212), and
including an article receiving blister (260) formed therein,
wherein the article receiving blister (260) is formed with a
sidewall (262) and an endwall (264) and is designed for holding the
medicament (M), the blister layer (200) having a blister layer tab
creation separation line (240) located interior to the blister
layer perimeter (210) thereby selectively reducing the strength of
the blister layer (200) at the blister layer tab creation
separation line (240) and generally defining a blister layer tab
creation area (250); wherein at least a portion of the surface area
of the base layer interior surface (130) is joined to the blister
layer interior surface (230) such that the base layer tab creation
separation line (240) and the blister layer tab creation separation
line (240) substantially overlay one another and the base layer tab
creation area (150) and the blister layer tab creation area (250)
substantially overlay one another, and such that opening the
blister package (10) requires (i) application of a force to the
base layer tab creation area (150) and the blister layer tab
creation area (250) thereby causing separation of the base layer
(100) at the base layer tab creation separation line (140) and the
blister layer (200) at the blister layer tab creation separation
line (240) such that a tab (300), having a base layer component
(310) and a blister layer component (320), is created, (ii) removal
of the tab (300) from the blister package (10) by pulling the tab
(300) away from the article receiving blister (260) thereby tearing
the base layer (100) and the blister layer (200) to the base layer
perimeter (110) and the blister layer perimeter (210) thereby
creating a sinistral wing (400), having a base layer component
(410) and a blister layer component (420), and a dextral wing
(500), having a base layer component (510) and a blister layer
component (520), and (iii) rotating the sinistral wing (400) and
the dextral wing (500) in opposite directions causing a tear to
propagate across a portion of the article receiving blister (260)
thereby allowing access to the medicament (M).
16. The medication package (600) of claim 15, wherein the array of
separable blister packages (10) with the base layer (100) and the
blister layer (200) are formed from one integral base layer and one
integral blister layer with tear lines (610) in the base layer
(100) and the blister layer (200), wherein the tear lines (610)
enable the separation of the individual blister packages (10) from
each other.
17. The medication package (600) of claim 16, wherein the tear
lines (610) comprise one or more of the group consisting of die
cuts, perforations, indentations, score lines, and weakened
fracture lines.
18. A child-resistant blister package (10) for housing a medicament
(M), comprising: a base layer (100) having a base layer perimeter
(110) with one or more exterior edges (112), a base layer exterior
surface (120), a base layer interior surface (130), and a base
layer tab creation separation line (140) comprising a slit
extending through the base layer (100) from the base layer exterior
surface (120) to the base layer interior surface (130) and being
located interior to the base layer perimeter (110) thereby
selectively reducing the strength of the base layer (100) at the
base layer tab creation separation line (140) and generally
defining a base layer tab creation area (150), wherein the base
layer (100) is comprised of a material and thickness that cannot be
readily ruptured by a human finger pushing on the medicament (M); a
blister layer (200) having a blister layer perimeter (210) with one
or more exterior edges (212), a blister layer exterior surface
(220), a blister layer interior surface (230), and including an
article receiving blister (260) formed therein, wherein the article
receiving blister (260) is formed with a sidewall (262) and an
endwall (264) and is designed for holding the medicament (M), the
blister layer (200) having a blister layer tab creation separation
line (240) comprising is a slit extending through the blister layer
(200) from the blister layer exterior surface (220) to the blister
layer interior surface (230) and being located interior to the
blister layer perimeter (210) thereby selectively reducing the
strength of the blister layer (200) at the blister layer tab
creation separation line (240) and generally defining a blister
layer tab creation area (250); wherein at least twenty percent of
the surface area of the base layer interior surface (130) is joined
to the blister layer interior surface (230) such the portions of
the base layer (100) and the blister layer (200) that are joined
together cannot be readily torn from the base layer perimeter (110)
or the blister layer perimeter (210), and the base layer tab
creation separation line (240) and the blister layer tab creation
separation line (240) substantially overlay one another and the
base layer tab creation area (150) and the blister layer tab
creation area (250) substantially overlay one another, and such
that opening the blister package (10) requires (i) application of a
force to the base layer tab creation area (150) and the blister
layer tab creation area (250) thereby causing separation of the
base layer (100) at the base layer tab creation separation line
(140) and the blister layer (200) at the blister layer tab creation
separation line (240) such that a tab (300), having a base layer
component (310) and a blister layer component (320), is created,
(ii) removal of the tab (300) from the blister package (10) by
pulling the tab (300) away from the article receiving blister (260)
thereby tearing the base layer (100) and the blister layer (200) to
the base layer perimeter (110) and the blister layer perimeter
(210) thereby creating a sinistral wing (400), having a base layer
component (410) and a blister layer component (420), and a dextral
wing (500), having a base layer component (510) and a blister layer
component (520), and (iii) rotating the sinistral wing (400) and
the dextral wing (500) in opposite directions causing a tear to
propagate across a portion of the article receiving blister (260)
thereby allowing access to the medicament (M).
19. The child-resistant blister package (10) of claim 18, wherein
the base layer tab creation separation line (140) includes a first
base layer separation line section (142) and a second base layer
separation line section (144).
20. The child-resistant blister package (10) of claim 18, wherein
the blister layer tab creation separation line (240) includes a
first blister layer separation line section (242) and a second
blister layer separation line section (244).
21. The child-resistant blister package (10) of claim 18, wherein
the base layer tab creation separation line (140) includes a first
base layer separation line section (142) and a second base layer
separation line section (144), and the blister layer tab creation
separation line (240) includes a first blister layer separation
line section (242) and a second blister layer separation line
section (244), such that the first base layer separation line
section (142) and the second base layer separation line section
(144) cooperate to form a substantially concave shape that opens
away from the article receiving blister (260) and the first blister
layer separation line section (242) and the second blister layer
separation line section (244) cooperate to form a substantially
concave shape that opens away from the article receiving blister
(260).
22. The child-resistant blister package (10) of claim 18, wherein
the base layer tab creation separation line (140) is a slit
extending through the base layer (100) from the base layer exterior
surface (120) to the base layer interior surface (130), the blister
layer tab creation separation line (240) is a slit extending
through the blister layer (200) from the blister layer exterior
surface (220) to the blister layer interior surface (230), and
further including a tab retention projection (330) connecting the
base layer tab creation area (150) and the blister layer tab
creation area (250) preventing the tab (300) from unintentionally
leaving the plane of the base layer (100).
23. The child-resistant blister package (10) of claim 18, wherein
the base layer tab creation separation line (140) is substantially
concave in shape and opens away from the article receiving blister
(260) and the blister layer tab creation separation line (240) is
substantially concave in shape and opens away from the article
receiving blister (260).
24. The child-resistant blister package (10) of claim 18, wherein
the blister layer (200) within the blister layer tab creation area
(250) projects away from the plane of the base layer (100) thereby
providing a user an indication of the location upon which to exert
the force necessary to create the tab (300).
25. The child-resistant blister package (10) of claim 18, wherein
the blister layer (200) is formed of a thermoplastic or cold-form
material.
26. The child-resistant blister package (10) of claim 18, wherein
the article receiving blister (260) are thermoformed or cold-formed
in the blister layer (200).
27. The child-resistant blister package (10) of claim 18, wherein
the base layer tab creation separation line (140) and the blister
layer tab creation separation line (240) comprise one or more of
the group consisting of die cuts, perforations, indentations, score
lines, and weakened fracture lines.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to medication
packages and, more particularly, relates to child resistant blister
packages.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There is a continued need for medication packages that are
child resistant and tamper evident, yet allow the average adult to
open the medication packages to get access to the medication
therein, as well as the adult who, due to either age or medical
infirmity, may have reduced motor skills. There is also a need to
make this type of package economical to manufacture.
[0003] Over the years, a wide variety of disposable plastic
packages have been suggested which are accessible through a variety
of folding, stripping, rupturing, peeling and/or tearing
procedures. These packages have typically been formed of
transparent top layers which are sealed or otherwise bonded to
backing layers in a manner which provides a cavity, pouch or
"blister" in which the medicament is disposed. The top and backing
layers may be formed of flexible packaging materials, rigid
thermoformable plastic materials, foil, paper, laminates, or
combinations thereof. Medicament cavities formed between such
layers have been accessed by tearing into them from an edge of the
package, which tearing may or may not be facilitated through the
provision of a starting notch or slit. Alternatively, these
cavities may be accessed by stripping a backing layer from the
package to expose the cavity, or to expose a push-through
underlayer. In other instances, the backing layer is made of foil
that can be ruptured when the medication in the blister is pushed
against the backing layer. Generally, these packages are tamper
evident, but typically not child resistant. Other medication
packages require some form of peeling of the bottom surface from
the top surface to get access to the medication. Some examples of
these types of medication packages that use peeling include U.S.
Pat. No. Re 29,705 (Compere), U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,248 (Moser), U.S.
Pat. No. 4,243,144 (Margulies), U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,004 (Intini),
U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,618 (Wood), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,118
(Thompson).
[0004] Child resistant medication packages that use peeling have
been in use for some time, however, many people who do not have
sufficient motor skills or whose hands shake are not able to easily
gain access to the medicament is such packages. This can be a
problem especially when the medicament and the medication packages
are small. Additionally, there have been a number of medication
packages that are designed to be torn open to access the
medication. Many medication packages that are designed to be torn
suffer from the same problems as those designed for peeling, namely
they are difficult to open for those with reduced motor skills or
do not exhibit a high degree of child-resistance.
[0005] There is a need for a medication package that can be
relatively easy to tear for an adult, but still be child resistant.
The present invention has accomplished this by creating a blister
package that is relatively easy to open when a user follows a
sequence of steps to open the package, yet is extremely difficult
to open in any other fashion, thereby avoiding some of the inherent
problems of prior medication packages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In its most general configuration, the present invention
advances the state of the art with a variety of new capabilities
and overcomes many of the shortcomings of prior art devices in new
and novel ways. In its most general sense, the present invention
overcomes the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art in any
of a number of generally effective configurations. The instant
invention includes a child-resistant blister package for housing a
medicament having a base layer and a blister layer, in-part joined
together. The base layer has a base layer tab creation separation
line and the blister layer has a blister layer tab creation
separation line. These separation lines allow a user to initiate a
predetermined sequence of steps required to access the medicament.
The blister layer is formed to include an article receiving blister
having a sidewall and an endwall, wherein the article receiving
blister is designed for holding the medicament, regardless of form,
including, but not limited to, round pills, oval pills, oblong
capsules, caplets, and the like.
[0007] Both of the tab creation separation lines are located
interior to the perimeter of each associated layer. In other words,
the separation lines do not extend to the perimeter of the
associated layer, as is common in prior art blister packages. The
tab creation separation lines selectively reduce the strength of
the associated layer thereby allowing a user to "punch out," or
create a tab that is used in the steps of accessing the medicament.
The tab creation separation lines may selectively reduce the
strength of the associated layer in any number of ways, including,
but not limited to, being formed as slits, die cuts, perforations,
indentations, score lines, or weakened fracture lines.
[0008] In order to open the child-resistant blister package of the
present invention, a user must complete a number of predetermined
manipulations upon the package. These manipulations include (i)
applying a force to a tab creation area to cause separation of the
layers at the tab creation separation lines such that a tab is
created, (ii) removing the tab from the blister package by pulling
the tab away from the article receiving blister thereby tearing the
layers to their perimeters, and creating a sinistral wing and a
dextral wing, and (iii) rotating the sinistral wing and the dextral
wing in opposite directions to cause a tear to propagate across a
portion of the article receiving blister thereby allowing access to
the medicament.
[0009] The shape and make-up of the separation lines need only
facilitate the creation of the tab from application of a reasonable
amount of force; however, the shape and make-up of the separation
lines may be selected to create a tab of a predetermined shape
and/or having a predetermined tendency to tear.
[0010] Various objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth
certain embodiments of the invention.
[0011] Thus, there is disclosed a blister package for housing a
medicament, comprising:
[0012] a base layer having a base layer perimeter with one or more
exterior edges, a base layer exterior surface, a base layer
interior surface, and a base layer tab creation separation line
located interior to the base layer perimeter thereby selectively
reducing the strength of the base layer at the base layer tab
creation separation line and generally defining a base layer tab
creation area;
[0013] a blister layer having a blister layer perimeter with one or
more exterior edges, a blister layer exterior surface, a blister
layer interior surface, and including an article receiving blister
formed therein, wherein the article receiving blister is formed
with a sidewall and an endwall and is designed for holding the
medicament, the blister layer having a blister layer tab creation
separation line located interior to the blister layer perimeter
thereby selectively reducing the strength of the blister layer at
the blister layer tab creation separation line and generally
defining a blister layer tab creation area; wherein
[0014] at least twenty percent of the surface area of the base
layer interior surface is joined to the blister layer interior
surface such that the base layer tab creation separation line and
the blister layer tab creation separation line substantially
overlay one another and the base layer tab creation area and the
blister layer tab creation area substantially overlay one another,
and such that opening the blister package requires (i) application
of a force to the base layer tab creation area and the blister
layer tab creation area thereby causing separation of the base
layer at the base layer tab creation separation line and the
blister layer at the blister layer tab creation separation line
such that a tab, having a base layer component and a blister layer
component, is created, (ii) removal of the tab from the blister
package by pulling the tab away from the article receiving blister
thereby tearing the base layer and the blister layer to the base
layer perimeter and the blister layer perimeter thereby creating a
sinistral wing, having a base layer component and a blister layer
component, and a dextral wing, having a base layer component and a
blister layer component, and (iii) rotating the sinistral wing and
the dextral wing in opposite directions causing a tear to propagate
across a portion of the article receiving blister thereby allowing
access to the medicament.
[0015] There is further disclosed a medication package having an
array of separable blister packages for housing a medicament, each
of the separable child-resistant blister packages comprising:
[0016] a base layer having a base layer perimeter with one or more
exterior edges, a base layer exterior surface, a base layer
interior surface, and a base layer tab creation separation line
located interior to the base layer perimeter thereby selectively
reducing the strength of the base layer at the base layer tab
creation separation line and generally defining a base layer tab
creation area;
[0017] a blister layer having a blister layer perimeter with one or
more exterior edges, and including an article receiving blister
formed therein, wherein the article receiving blister is formed
with a sidewall and an endwall and is designed for holding the
medicament, the blister layer having a blister layer tab creation
separation line located interior to the blister layer perimeter
thereby selectively reducing the strength of the blister layer at
the blister layer tab creation separation line and generally
defining a blister layer tab creation area; wherein
[0018] at least twenty percent of the surface area of the base
layer interior surface is joined to the blister layer interior
surface such that the base layer tab creation separation line and
the blister layer tab creation separation line substantially
overlay one another and the base layer tab creation area and the
blister layer tab creation area substantially overlay one another,
and such that opening the blister package requires (i) application
of a force to the base layer tab creation area and the blister
layer tab creation area thereby causing separation of the base
layer at the base layer tab creation separation line and the
blister layer at the blister layer tab creation separation line
such that a tab, having a base layer component and a blister layer
component, is created, (ii) removal of the tab from the blister
package by pulling the tab away from the article receiving blister
thereby tearing the base layer and the blister layer to the base
layer perimeter and the blister layer perimeter thereby creating a
sinistral wing, having a base layer component and a blister layer
component, and a dextral wing, having a base layer component and a
blister layer component, and (iii) rotating the sinistral wing and
the dextral wing in opposite directions causing a tear to propagate
across a portion of the article receiving blister thereby allowing
access to the medicament.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Without limiting the scope of the present invention as
claimed below and referring now to the drawings and figures:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package in accordance with the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package in accordance with the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package in accordance with the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line
4-4 in FIG. 2, of an embodiment of the child-resistant blister
package in accordance with the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an unassembled embodiment of
the child-resistant blister package in accordance with the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a right side elevation view of an embodiment of
the child-resistant blister package in accordance with the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 7 is an end elevation view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package in accordance with the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a right side elevation view of an embodiment of
the child-resistant blister package as a user may grip it in
accordance with the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a right side elevation view of an embodiment of
the child-resistant blister package as a user may grip and
manipulate it to expose the tab, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package having the tab bent in a plane
orthogonal to the base layer, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a right side elevation view of an embodiment of
the child-resistant blister package as a user may grip and
manipulate it to remove the tab, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package having the tab removed thereby
exposing the sinistral wing and the dextral wing, in accordance
with the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package with the tab removed thereby
exposing the sinistral wing and the dextral wing and an indication
of one means of manipulating the wings, in accordance with the
present invention;
[0033] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package illustrating one method of
manipulation of the sinistral wing and the dextral wing, in
accordance with the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package illustrating one method of
manipulation of the sinistral wing and the dextral wing along with
the initiation of a tear, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package illustrating one method of
manipulation of the sinistral wing and the dextral wing along with
the propagation of a tear, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package illustrating one method of
manipulation of the sinistral wing and the dextral wing along with
the propagation and separation of a tear thereby exposing the
medicament, in accordance with the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an unassembled embodiment
of the child-resistant blister package in accordance with the
present invention;
[0038] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an unassembled embodiment
of the child-resistant blister package in accordance with the
present invention;
[0039] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
medication package in accordance with the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package in accordance with the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 22 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package in accordance with the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 23 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package in accordance with the present
invention;
[0043] FIG. 24 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package in accordance with the present
invention; and
[0044] FIG. 25 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the
child-resistant blister package in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] The child-resistant blister package and associated
medication package of the instant invention enables a significant
advance in the state of the art. The preferred embodiments of the
apparatus accomplish this by new and novel arrangements of elements
that are configured in unique and novel ways and which demonstrate
previously unavailable but preferred and desirable capabilities.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the
drawings is intended merely as a description of the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to
represent the only form in which the present invention may be
constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs,
functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in
connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be
understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and
features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also
intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
[0046] Referring generally to FIGS. 1 through 25, the instant
invention includes a child-resistant blister package (10) for
housing a medicament (M). The blister package (10) includes a base
layer (100) and a blister layer (200), in-part joined together.
[0047] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the base layer (100) has a base
layer perimeter (110) with one or more exterior edges (112), a base
layer exterior surface (120), a base layer interior surface (130),
and a base layer tab creation separation line (140). Similarly, the
blister layer (200) has a blister layer perimeter (210) with one or
more exterior edges (212), a blister layer exterior surface (220),
a blister layer interior surface (230), and a blister layer tab
creation separation line (240). Additionally, the blister layer
(200) is formed to include an article receiving blister (260)
having a sidewall (262) and an endwall (264), wherein the article
receiving blister (260) is designed for holding the medicament (M),
regardless of form, including, but not limited to, round pills,
oval pills, oblong capsules, caplets, and the like.
[0048] The base layer tab creation separation line (140) is located
interior to the base layer perimeter (110). Similarly, the blister
layer tab creation separation line (240) is located interior to the
blister layer perimeter (210). In other words, the base layer
separation line (140) does not extend to the base layer perimeter
(110), and likewise the blister layer separation line (240) does
not extend to the blister layer perimeter (210). The tab creation
separation lines (140, 240) thereby selectively reduce the strength
of the associated base layer (100) or blister layer (200). The base
layer tab creation separation line (140) generally defines a base
layer tab creation area (150) and the blister layer tab creation
separation line (240) generally defines a blister layer tab
creation area (250), illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0049] The base layer tab creation separation line (140) and the
blister layer tab creation separation line (240) may selectively
reduce the strength of their associated layers (100, 200) in any
number of ways. For example, the separation lines (140, 240) may be
formed as die cuts, perforations, indentations, score lines, or
weakened fracture lines. In one particular embodiment, the base
layer tab creation separation line (140) is a slit extending
through the base layer (100) from the base layer exterior surface
(120) to the base layer interior surface (130), and the blister
layer tab creation separation line (240) is a slit extending
through the blister layer (200) from the blister layer exterior
surface (220) to the blister layer interior surface (230). Such an
embodiment reduces the effort required to open the blister package
(10), as is described in detail below.
[0050] Further, the shape and make-up of the separation lines (140,
240) is variable. The general method of opening the child-resistant
blister package (10) must first be disclosed in order to explain
the various embodiments of the separation lines (140, 240).
[0051] Generally, at least twenty percent of the surface area of
the base layer interior surface (130) is joined to the blister
layer interior surface (230). The blister layer (200) may be joined
to the base layer (100) by heat sealing, adhesive such as
heat-activated adhesive that has been pre-applied to the base layer
(100) or solvent adhesive, radio frequency or sonic seal, or by
other suitable means. The area of the blister layer (200) that is
formed into the article receiving blister (260) is obviously not
joined to the base layer (100). The layers (100, 200) are joined
such that the base layer tab creation separation line (140) and the
blister layer tab creation separation line (240) substantially
overlay one another and the base layer tab creation area (150) and
the blister layer tab creation area (250) substantially overlay one
another. Therefore, to open the child-resistant blister package
(10) a user must: [0052] (i) apply a force to the base layer tab
creation area (150) and the blister layer tab creation area (250)
to cause separation of the base layer (100) at the base layer tab
creation separation line (140) and the blister layer (200) at the
blister layer tab creation separation line (240) such that a tab
(300), having a base layer component (310) and a blister layer
component (320), is created, as seen in FIGS. 9 and 11, [0053] (ii)
remove the tab (300) from the blister package (10) by pulling the
tab (300) away from the article receiving blister (260), as seen in
FIG. 11, thereby tearing the base layer (100) and the blister layer
(200) to the base layer perimeter (110) and the blister layer
perimeter (210) and thereby creating a sinistral wing (400), having
a base layer component (410) and a blister layer component (420),
and a dextral wing (500), having a base layer component (510) and a
blister layer component (520), as seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, and,
[0054] (iii) rotate the sinistral wing (400) and the dextral wing
(500) in opposite directions, as seen in FIG. 14, to cause a tear
to propagate (T) across a portion of the article receiving blister
(260) thereby allowing access to the medicament (M), as seen in
FIGS. 15, 16, and 17.
[0055] The tear (T) typically propagates from the tab retention
projection (330). The tab retention projection (330) is shown in
the Figures as semi-circular, however, any shape such as square,
rectangular, oval and the like will work just as well. The tab
retention projection (320) always points away from the blister
(260) and is preferably square in shape with a ragged top.
[0056] One skilled in the art will also appreciate that the
sinistral wing (400) and the dextral wing (500) can be pulled apart
in place of rotating in opposite directions to create the tear
propagation (T). In fact, almost any type of manipulation of the
wings (400, 500) will create the tear (T) across the blister (260)
to expose the medication (M).
[0057] The shape and make-up of the separation lines (140, 240)
need only facilitate the creation of the tab (300) from application
of a reasonable amount of force. The shape and make-up of the
separation lines (140, 240) may be selected to create a tab (300)
of a predetermined shape and/or having a predetermined tendency to
tear. In the present invention, the child-resistant nature of the
blister package (10) has to do with the fact that multiple steps
must be performed to access the medicament (M). As such, the
separation lines (140, 240) are configured to create the sinistral
wing (400) and the dextral wing (500). Accordingly, in one
embodiment the separation lines (140, 240) are a substantially
concave shape that opens away from the article receiving blister
(260), as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Such a configuration cooperates
with the natural tendency of a user to grip the blister package
(10) between the thumb and forefinger from the end opposite the
location of the medicament, or article receiving blister (260), as
seen in FIG. 8. Gripping the blister package (10) in this fashion
permits the user to simply roll the thumb, or forefinger, into
either tab creation area (150, 250), while exerting a force on the
area (150, 250), such that the separation lines (140, 240) allow
the release of the tab (300) for subsequent manipulation. While the
figures illustrate the tab (300) being created such that it bends
downward, or away from the blister layer (200), the invention works
equally as well if the tab (300) is created from the bottom and
bends away from the base layer (100), or in a direction opposite
that shown in FIG. 9. Further, one with skill in the art will
appreciate the numerous other configurations of separation lines
(140, 240) that may be incorporated into the present invention to
create the sinistral wing (400) and the dextral wing (500), some of
which are illustrated in FIGS. 21-25.
[0058] Each of the separation lines (140, 240) may be composed of
multiple sections. For example, the base layer tab creation
separation line (140) may include a first base layer separation
line section (142) and a second base layer separation line section
(144), as seen in FIG. 19. Similarly, the blister layer tab
creation separation line (240) may include a first blister layer
separation line section (242) and a second blister layer separation
line section (244), as seen in FIG. 18. Further, as seen in FIGS.
18 and 19, simply because one of the separation lines (140, 240) is
composed of multiple sections does not mean that the other
separation line (140, 240) must be composed of multiple
sections.
[0059] In fact, it is often preferred to have at least one of the
separation lines (140, 240) composed of multiple sections (142 and
144, 242 and 244) such that the multiple sections (142 and 144, 242
and 244) are separated by a separation line separation distance
(146, 246). This is particularly true in embodiments wherein the
separation lines (140, 240) are slits that cut all the way through
the associated layer (100, 200) because the use of multiple
sections (142 and 144, 242 and 244) creates a tab retention
projection (330), illustrated in FIGS. 10, 18, and 19, that
prevents the unintentional creation of a tab (300). The tab
retention projection (330) acts to connect the tab creation area
(150, 250) with the remaining body of the layer (100, 200). As one
can imagine, if both the base layer tab creation separation line
(140) and the blister layer tab creation separation line (240) were
continuous slits all the way through the associated layer (100,
200) then the tab (300) could be created by the application of a
minimal amount of force to either tab creation area (150, 250), and
potentially by accident. The tab retention projection (330)
prevents such tab (300) formation and permits the blister package
(10) manufacturer to determine the amount of force necessary to
allow for the creation of the tab (300). One such way of setting
the amount of force necessary to create the tab (300) is by
altering the magnitude of the separation line separation distance
(146, 246). The greater the magnitude of the separation line
separation distance (146, 246), the greater the S amount of force
that must be applied to the tab creation area (150, 250) by the
finger, as seen in FIG. 9, to break the tab retention projection
(330) and thus permit the tab (300) to rotate out of the plane of
the base layer (100). The magnitude of the separation line
separation distance (146, 246) is generally between 1/128 of an
inch (0.198 mm) and 1/8 of an inch (3.175 mm), depending on the
desired level of child-resistance. Additionally, the
child-resistant blister package (10) may incorporate multiple tab
retention projections (330), as seen in FIG. 23. Additionally, FIG.
23 illustrates that the separation lines (140, 240) may be composed
of even more than two individual sections.
[0060] In one particular embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, the
base layer tab creation separation line (140) includes a first base
layer separation line section (142) and a second base layer
separation line section (144), and the blister layer tab creation
separation line (240) includes a first blister layer separation
line section (242) and a second blister layer separation line
section (244). In this embodiment the first base layer separation
line section (142) and the second base layer separation line
section (144) cooperate to form a substantially concave shape that
opens away from the article receiving blister (260) and the first
blister layer separation line section (242) and the second blister
layer separation line section (244) cooperate to form a
substantially concave shape that opens away from the article
receiving blister (260). A further variation of this embodiment is
one in which the base layer tab creation separation line (140) is a
slit extending through the base layer (100) from the base layer
exterior surface (120) to the base layer interior surface (130),
the blister layer tab creation separation line (240) is a slit
extending through the blister layer (200) from the blister layer
exterior surface (220) to the blister layer interior surface (230),
and further including a tab retention projection (330) connecting
the base layer tab creation area (150) and the blister layer tab
creation area (250) to the main body of the blister package (10)
thereby preventing the tab (300) from unintentionally leaving the
plane of the base layer (100).
[0061] In yet another embodiment, the blister layer (200), and more
particularly the blister layer exterior surface (220), within the
blister layer tab creation area (250), projects away from the plane
of the base layer (100) thereby providing a user an indication of
the location upon which to exert the force necessary to create the
tab (300), as illustrated best in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7. Such a
projection allows a user to quickly identify, both visually and
tactilely, the area upon which to apply a force to reveal the tab
(300). The projection of the blister layer exterior surface (220)
also provides additional rigidity to the blister layer tab creation
area (250) and provides an improved gripping surface for the tab
(300).
[0062] The blister layer (200) is preferably made of pharmaceutical
grade PVC or other thermoplastic material, such as plastic,
polypropylene, polyethylene, styrene, cold-formed foil, or other
suitable materials for packaging. The article receiving blister
(260) may be formed by a thermoforming process in which the blister
layer material is stretched into a cavity with a vacuum technique
to form the blister portion. In a preferred embodiment, a sheet of
suitable material for the blister layer (200) is exposed to heating
elements for a pre-determined time. This sheet is then trapped in a
forming station where it is subjected to both vacuum and pressure.
During this process, the material may also be mechanically assisted
into the blister cavity via a matched metal plug to form the
article receiving blister (260). In another embodiment, the article
receiving blister (260) may be formed by using cold-formed foil and
cold-form packaging processes. As used herein, "blister package"
includes medication packages made with cold-formed foil and using
cold-form packaging processes.
[0063] To increase the child-resistance of the blister package (10,
the base layer (100) is comprised of a material and thickness that
cannot be ruptured by a person pushing on the medicament (M) in the
article receiving blister (260). The base layer (100) may be
comprised of one or more separate layers of material, such as foil
and polyester or other suitable child-resistant foils. The base
layer (100) is typically comprised of multiple layers, but it could
be made of any material deemed child-resistant. Additionally, the
child-resistance is further increased by the fact that the
previously disclosed method of joining the base layer (100) to the
blister layer (200) ensures that peeling, or separation, of the
layers (100, 200) from one another by human fingers is extremely
difficult, if not impossible.
[0064] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a
medication package (600), illustrated in FIG. 20, comprising a
plurality of separable blister packages (10) like those described
above. These separable blister packages (10) have their base layer
(100) and/or blister layer (200) formed from one integral base
layer (100) and one integral blister layer (200) with tear lines
(610) on the base layer (100) and the blister layer (200) to enable
the separation of the individual blister packages (10) from each
other. These tear lines (610) may be perforations, score lines,
slits, indentations, and/or weakened fracture lines.
[0065] Numerous alterations, modifications, and variations of the
preferred embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those
skilled in the art and they are all anticipated and contemplated to
be within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. For
example, although specific embodiments have been described in
detail, those with skill in the art will understand that the
preceding embodiments and variations can be modified to incorporate
various types of substitute and or additional or alternative
materials, relative arrangement of elements, and dimensional
configurations. Accordingly, even though only few variations of the
present invention are described herein, it is to be understood that
the practice of such additional modifications and variations and
the equivalents thereof, are within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined in the following claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0066] The child-resistant blister package of the present invention
answers a number of long felt needs in the medical community. The
present invention discloses the opening of a blister package that
requires the performance of multiple steps before it can be torn
open. The present invention also avoids some of the inherent
problems of medication packages that use peeling to be opened. The
blister package of the present invention can be relatively easy to
open for an adult, but not easy for a child.
* * * * *