U.S. patent application number 11/592987 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-14 for receptacle packaging with inhaler-accommodating geometry.
This patent application is currently assigned to Advanced Inhalation Research, Inc.. Invention is credited to Peter Ehling, William M. II Hundley, Ethan Jacoby, Rodney Hal Monson.
Application Number | 20070131576 11/592987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38067712 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070131576 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ehling; Peter ; et
al. |
June 14, 2007 |
Receptacle packaging with inhaler-accommodating geometry
Abstract
A packaging for a receptacle loadable into an inhaler for
pulmonary delivery of the contents of the receptacle. The packaging
includes a base and a cover, which base has a surface defining a
well that accommodates the receptacle. The well-defining surface
includes a first region and a differently shaped second region,
which first surface region is shaped to support the receptacle in
alignment within the well, and which second surface region
accommodates a first end of the receptacle aligned in the well and
has a mouth geometry enlarged from the first surface region to
allow a portion of an inhaler to be inserted therein to receive the
first end of the receptacle for scooping the receptacle into the
inhaler from the well.
Inventors: |
Ehling; Peter; (Chicago,
IL) ; Hundley; William M. II; (Indianapolis, IN)
; Jacoby; Ethan; (Medfield, MA) ; Monson; Rodney
Hal; (Winthrop Harbor, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COVINGTON & BURLING, LLP;ATTN: PATENT DOCKETING
1201 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20004-2401
US
|
Assignee: |
Advanced Inhalation Research,
Inc.
Cambridge
MA
Eli Lilly and Company
Indianapolis
IN
|
Family ID: |
38067712 |
Appl. No.: |
11/592987 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60733764 |
Nov 7, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/528 ;
206/534 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/527 20130101;
A61M 2209/06 20130101; A61J 1/035 20130101; B65D 83/04 20130101;
A61M 2202/064 20130101; A61M 15/0028 20130101; B65D 85/42 20130101;
A61J 2205/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/528 ;
206/534 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/42 20060101
B65D085/42; B65D 83/04 20060101 B65D083/04 |
Claims
1. A packaging for a unit dosage form, said packaging comprising: a
base having a well-defining surface that defines a well that
accommodates the unit dosage form; a cover for said well, said
cover being at least partially removable to allow access to the
unit dosage form; wherein said well-defining surface includes a
first surface region and a differently shaped second surface
region, said first surface region shaped to support the unit dosage
form in alignment within the well, said second surface region
accommodating a first end of the receptacle aligned in the well and
having a mouth geometry enlarged from said first surface region to
allow a portion of a delivery device to be inserted therein to
receive the first end of the unit dosage form for scooping into the
delivery device from said well.
2. A packaging for an inhaler receptacle, the receptacle having a
shell body enclosing an interior hollow filled with a powdered
pharmaceutical that may pass from the hollow when the body is
pierced or otherwise opened by operation of an inhaler loaded with
the receptacle for pharmaceutical administration, said packaging
comprising: a base having a well-defining surface that defines a
well that accommodates the receptacle; a cover for said well to
maintain sterility of the receptacle within said well, said cover
being at least partially removable to allow access to the
receptacle; p1 wherein said well-defining surface includes a first
region and a differently shaped second region, said first region
shaped to support the receptacle in alignment within the well, said
second region accommodating a first end of the receptacle aligned
in the well and having a mouth portion enlarged from said first
region to allow a portion of an inhaler to be inserted therein to
receive the first end of the receptacle for scooping the receptacle
into the inhaler from said well.
3. The packaging of claim 2 wherein said second region includes a
concave surface characterized by a radius of curvature that is
greater than a radius of curvature of a proximal end of the
receptacle.
4. The packaging of claim 3 wherein said second region includes a
concave surface characterized by a radius of curvature that is
twice the radius of curvature of a proximal end of the
receptacle.
5. The packaging of claim 3 wherein said first region includes a
concave surface characterized by a radius of curvature that is less
than the radius of curvature of said second region.
6. The packaging of claim 2 wherein said mouth portion includes a
sloping surface facing the first end of the receptacle, said
sloping surface including a concave portion wherein said sloping
surface has an angle of between 30.degree. and 60.degree. from
vertical.
7. The packaging of claim 2 wherein said mouth portion includes a
sloping surface facing the first end of the receptacle, said
sloping surface including a concave portion and a convex portion,
said concave portion being deeper within said well than said convex
portion.
8. The packaging of claim 7 wherein, along a longitudinal
cross-section of said well through a central length of the
receptacle aligned within said well, an inflexion point between
said concave portion and said convex portion is disposed within a
middle portion of the depth of the well.
9. The packaging of claim 2 wherein said mouth portion includes a
concave surface facing the first end of the receptacle and
extending below the central height of the receptacle, said concave
surface having a curvature with a larger radius than a radius of
curvature of the first end of the receptacle, whereby the
receptacle can ramp up said concave surface when being scooped from
the well.
10. The packaging of claim 2 wherein said well-defining surface
includes a third region that forms a receptacle stop surface for
abutment by a second end of the receptacle aligned within said well
during scooping of the receptacle from said well.
11. The packaging of claim 10 wherein a bottom end of said third
region transitions to a bottom of the well along a surface having a
radius of curvature, wherein the ratio of the radius of curvature
of said transition surface to the radius of curvature of a second
end of the receptacle is less than 1.3.
12. The packaging of claim 9 wherein a bottom end of said third
region transitions to a bottom of the well along a surface having a
radius of curvature, wherein the radius of curvature of said
transition surface is smaller than a radius of curvature of a
second end of the receptacle.
13. The package of claim 12 wherein the slope of said third region
is 5.degree. from vertical.
14. The packaging of claim 2 wherein said well-defining surface
comprises an inhaler stop surface.
15. The packaging of claim 1 wherein said well-defining surface
comprises a thermoplastic blister.
16. The packaging of claim 1 wherein said cover comprises a layer
that is connected to said base to be peelable from over the entire
well to fully expose the receptacle within said well.
17. A kit comprising a packaging of any one of claims 2-16 having
disposed therein a receptacle comprising an inhalable powdered
pharmaceutical and an inhaler.
18. A method of loading an inhalation chamber of an inhaler with a
receptacle filled with a powdered pharmaceutical without manually
touching the receptacle, said method comprising: providing a
receptacle packaged within a blister pack, the blister pack
including an asymmetrical well defined by a base of the blister
pack, the lower section of the well having a first end and a second
end, the portion of the well proximate the first end having a first
width and serving as a mouth portion, the portion of the well
adjacent the second end portion having a width lesser than the
first width for aligning the receptacle, wherein the mouth portion
is sized and shaped to accommodate a tip of the inhaler; opening a
cover of the blister pack to expose at least the mouth region of
the well and at least an end of the receptacle; inserting into the
mouth region of the well the tip of the inhaler having an opening
leading to the inhalation chamber; and moving the inhaler and
blister pack relative to each other such that the inhaler scoops
the receptacle out of the well and through the inhaler opening so
as to enter the inhalation chamber.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains to pharmaceutical packaging,
and, in particular, to a packaging for a receptacle loadable into
an inhaler and containing a pharmaceutical powder for
inhalation.
[0002] One manner of introducing a pharmaceutical into a patient is
by a pulmonary administration, during which the pharmaceutical is
inhaled by the patient through use of an inhaler. For example, the
pharmaceutical may be provided in the form of an inhalable powder
filled within an interior volume of a receptacle, such as a thin
walled, semi-rigid capsule. After dropping the capsule into an
inhalation chamber of an inhaler, and then operating the inhaler to
open the capsule, such as by piercing, to allow the powder to
escape from the capsule interior volume into the inhalation
chamber, the user can inhale the pharmaceutical from that chamber,
typically through a chamber-capping mouthpiece or nosepiece of the
inhaler. After use, the spent or substantially powder-free capsule
then can be removed from the inhaler and discarded.
[0003] One well known method of packaging capsules is the use of
thermoformed blister packs. To place one of such pack's capsules
into an inhaler, a user may peel back a cover of a blister and
remove the capsule from that blister. On occasion, a patient may
need to repeat this process with capsules in additional blisters
for a proper dose. To remove a capsule from the blister, some
patients may try to pick the capsule out using a finger and thumb.
This technique may be difficult to accomplish as there may be
little space between the capsule and the walls of the blister.
Alternatively, a patient may improvise with an instrument, such as
a nail file or a spoon, to try and remove the capsule from the
blister, or the patient might simply dump the capsule out of the
blister into her hand. However, these methods also have
shortcomings, as the capsule may be lightweight and easily
mishandled, and further some patients may be reluctant to touch the
capsule with bare hands for fear of, for example, dirtying the
capsule.
[0004] Thus, it would be desirable to provide a receptacle
packaging that can overcome one or more of these and other
shortcomings of the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one form thereof, the present invention provides for a
packaging for a unit dosage form or pharmaceutical preparation,
wherein the packaging possesses a well characterized shape that
permits the preparation to be easily and completely removed from
the well by scooping with a delivery device, such as a device
having a mouth that is essentially cylindrical.
[0006] In one form thereof, the present invention provides a
packaging for an inhaler receptacle, the receptacle having a shell
body enclosing an interior hollow filled with a powdered
pharmaceutical that may pass from the hollow when the body is
pierced or otherwise opened by operation of an inhaler loaded with
the receptacle for pharmaceutical administration, the packaging
including a base having a surface defining a well that accommodates
the receptacle, and a cover for the well to maintain sterility of
the receptacle within the well, which cover is at least partially
removable from over the well to allow access to the receptacle. The
well-defining surface includes a first region and a differently
shaped second region, which first region is shaped to support the
receptacle in alignment within the well, which second region
accommodates a first end of the receptacle aligned in the well and
has a mouth geometry or portion enlarged from the first region to
allow a portion of an inhaler to be inserted therein to receive the
first end of the receptacle for scooping the receptacle into the
inhaler from the well.
[0007] One advantage of the present invention is that a packaging
may be provided which allows a user to load an inhaler (or other
delivery device) with a pharmaceutical powder-filled receptacle (or
other unit dosage form) without manually touching that
receptacle.
[0008] Another advantage of the present invention is that a
packaging may be provided that has blisters from which receptacles
can be easily removed without making the overall packaging
undesirably larger, which larger size might thereby waste valuable
space in the overall packaging.
[0009] Another advantage of the present invention is that a
packaging may be provided a blister shaped to permit an inhaler end
to be inserted therein, whereby a receptacle he blister may be
scooped directly into an inhalation chamber of the inhaler.
[0010] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that a
packaging may be provided that receptacle within a blister of that
packaging to be dragged or scooped out therefrom.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above-mentioned and other advantages and objects of this
invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent, and the invention itself will be better understood, by
reference to the following description of embodiments of the
invention taken in conjucntion with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a
receptacle packaging of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the receptacle
packaging of FIG. 1, wherein receptacles within the packaging wells
are not shown to facilitate illustration;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a section of the
receptacle packaging of FIG. 1 shown separate from the remainder of
that packaging, which packaging section is shown with its
sterility-maintaining cover partially peeled away to expose a
portion of a single receptacle housed therein, the outline of which
receptacle being shown in dashed lines;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top view of the base of the receptacle packaging
of FIG. 3, wherein the sterility-maintaining cover that has been
peeled off completely from the base is not shown, and wherein the
housed receptacle is also shown;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the base of FIG. 4,
wherein the receptacle is not shown;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the base
and receptacle, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view, taken along
line 7-7 of FIG. 4;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view, taken along
line 8-8 of FIG. 4;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 6, wherein an
end of an abstractly shown inhaler is shown inserted into the base
well at an initial stage of scooping the receptacle therefrom;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a side view similar to the view of FIG. 9 at an
intermediate stage of the inhaler scooping the receptacle from the
packaging;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 9 after the
receptacle has been scooped from the packaging into the
inhaler;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the base
and receptacle, taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a section of the
receptacle packaging of FIG. 12 shown separate from the remainder
of that packaging; and
[0026] FIG. 15 is a latitudinal cross-sectional view of the base
and receptacle, taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 12.
[0027] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent
an embodiment of the present invention, the drawings are not
necessarily to scale, and certain features may be exaggerated or
omitted in some of the drawings in order to better illustrate and
explain the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a first embodiment
of an inhaler receptacle packaging of the present invention. Any
directional references in this detailed description with respect to
FIG. 1 or any of the other Figures, such as up or down, or top or
bottom, are intended for convenience of description, and by itself
does not limit the present invention or any of its components to
any particular positional or spatial orientation.
[0029] The receptacle packaging, generally designated 20, holds a
plurality of distinct receptacles, each maintained in sterility
separate from the others. Each receptacle may be separately loaded
into an inhaler to allow pulmonary delivery of the contents
thereof. Packaging 20 may be scored, as shown at 22, to allow, for
example, a user or manufacturer to divide packaging 20 into two or
more, up to the plurality, such as eight, ten or more, of smaller
receptacle packagings. As will be described in more detail below
with respect to FIG. 12, scoring 22 is done in a manner so that
when one of the smaller receptacle packagings is opened, an
adjacent receptacle packaging is not inadvertently opened as well.
An informational panel 21, identifying the contents of the
receptacles and allowing for a user to note the date opened, is
provided, but does not itself house an additional receptacle(s).
FIG. 1 also shows an indicator 101 that may be used by a patient to
associate a particular dose with a point of time for consumption of
that dose. Indicator 101 is suitable for use by a patient as a
tracking or recording tool to keep track of taking a dose at the
right time. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, indicator 101
comprises three circles that enable a patient to track taking the
dose by meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) or by time of day
(morning/noon/night). As an example, a patient can fill in one
circle at each meal to track taking the dose. As another example, a
patient can punch out one circle at each meal to track taking the
dose. Indicator 101 is also suitable for use by a patient as a
planning tool, to enable a patient to "kit up" the dosages needed
for a particular time period, such as a work day. As an example, a
patient could fill in or mark a circle on one of the smaller
receptacle packagings as noon or lunch, and separate that packaging
from packaging 20, and take that single packaging along with them
for the work day, rather than having to take along the entire
packaging 20. As would be apparent to one skilled in the art,
indicator 101 could take other forms, such as in the form of
squares, in the form of letters "B," "L," and "D" to indicate
breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or any other marking that would
assist a patient in associating a particular dose with a point in
time for consumption of that dose.
[0030] With additional reference now to FIGS. 3-8, one such smaller
receptacle packaging 20' that holds a single receptacle is shown.
Packaging 20' is representative of all such packagings formed
together to provide the receptacle holding capacity of packaging 20
of FIG. 1. Packaging 20' includes a base 24 with a
receptacle-containing well 26, and a cover 28 connected to the
upper surface 29 of base 24, such as with an adhesive, continuously
around well 26. Cover 28 completely covers well 26 to maintain the
sterility of a receptacle, generally designated 60, within the
well.
[0031] Receptacle 60 is shown as a capsule having a thin-walled
shell formed by body member 63 and cap member 67. Body member 63
has generally cylindrical side walls 64 that terminate in a
rounded, closed end 65. Cap member 67 has generally cylindrical
side walls 69 and a rounded, closed end 71, which cap member during
manufacture fits over an open end of body member 63 and is
maintained thereat in a suitable fashion known in the art, such as
via an annular snap fit. The otherwise hollow, interior volume 73
formed by cap member 67 and body member 63 being together is filled
during receptacle manufacture with a powder, generally indicated at
75, suitable for inhalation by a user. Powder 75 includes the
pharmaceutical material desired to be delivered pulmonarily,
including the active ingredient and typically one or more
excipients. The shown orientation of the receptacle within the
Figures is merely illustrative and not intended to imply a
necessary orientation.
[0032] Cap member 67 and body member 63 are made of any suitable
material that allows for an opening of one or both such members,
such as via a piercing element forming one, two or more holes
therein, or such as the two members being pulled apart, or such as
one or both of the members being sliced apart, within the inhaler
during inhaler use. Such opening allows powder 75 to pass from
interior volume 73 as appropriate. For example, the capsule shell
may be made of a gelatin, hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC),
cellulose, water soluble polysaccharides (e.g., pullulan) or
gelatin/PEG, as is known in the art. One suitable fillable capsule
is available from Qualicaps of Whitsett, N.C., and is known as
Posilok.RTM. capsule.
[0033] Other forms of receptacles may be used with the packaging of
the present invention. For example, instead of the capsule-shape
receptacle shown, the receptacles may be differently shaped, such
as less elongated or rounded, or differently formed, such as being
a film-covered containment well.
[0034] Base 24 is shown in FIGS. 3-8 separate from cover 28. Base
24 is manufactured with a one-piece construction from a plastic,
such as a thermoformed plastic, with the well 26 being provided,
generally speaking, as a blister. Plastic blister pack designs are
well known and allow for the provision of, in a relatively
inexpensive fashion, a lightweight, flexible and possibly
transparent base having enough rigidity to provide a desired level
of protection for the receptacle. In alternate embodiments within
the scope of the invention, one or more other materials may be used
to provide the base, including a more substantial or thicker base
having recesses molded or formed therein to provide the receptacle
well. For example, one may use cold form aluminum technology to
produce a suitable base.
[0035] Upper surface 29 of base 24 is generally planar and includes
a protruding peel tab 30 to facilitate the gripping and subsequent
removal of cover 28. Well 26 is formed of a contoured surface
particularly adapted for the periphery of the receptacle to be
housed therein as well as the intended scoop or drag removal of the
receptacle. Well 26 is shown as having a depth sufficient to fit
the entire height of receptacle 60, as well as to provide a slight
headroom above the receptacle to account for variations in
manufacture, thereby allowing cover 28 to lie flat over the well.
Other well depths, including lesser depths provided the cover
account for the protrusion of the receptacle above the upper
surface, may be employed within the scope of the invention.
[0036] The contoured surface forming well 26 slopes downward at a
distal end to provide an end face or receptacle stop surface 31
that is generally upright. This surface can vary from exactly
vertical while providing its stopping function, such as possibly
including an undercut, or such as including a draft angle of about
5.degree. to about 1.degree. (e.g., about 4.degree., 3.degree., or
2.degree.) from vertical to facilitate manufacture. As used herein,
distal and proximal refer to locations relative to the positioning
of an inhaler when inserted into the inhaler-accommodating geometry
of the well described more fully below for scoop removal of the
receptacle, wherein, for example, proximal end of the well refers
to the location at which the inhaler is to be inserted, and distal
end of the well refers to the end of the well farthest away from
such proximal end. Receptacle stop surface 31 is for abutting
contact with receptacle 60 when the receptacle may be pushed
distally by the inhaler during removal of the receptacle from well
26.
[0037] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, immediately adjacent the
distal end, the contoured well surface includes an optional surface
33 that slopes slightly downward from the upper surface 29, which
surface 33 transitions to a surface 34 that juts inward
sufficiently to provide ribs that maintain the alignment of the
receptacle within well 26. The angling of surface 29 facilitates
automatic receptacle loading during manufacture. In one embodiment,
an angle about 30.degree. and 60.degree. or more from horizontal
can be adopted. Surface 34 can be characterized by ribs which
extend about a third of the longitudinal length of well 26, and are
shown as being continuous in form. In alternate embodiments,
different aligning members may be provided, such as longitudinally
discontinuous members that may comprise a plurality of ribs or tabs
on either side, or on one of the sides of the well or can be
omitted entirely.
[0038] Also shown in FIG. 5 is an inhaler stop surface 51. Inhaler
stop surface 51 is a multi-planed surface beyond which the inhaler
cannot be pushed further distally into well 26. Inhaler stop
surface 51 is sloped, thereby facilitating the movement or scooping
of receptacle 60 from well 26 into the inhaler. Inhaler stop
surface 51 is formed in the region where well 26 transitions from
wider to narrower, at approximately two-thirds of the longitudinal
length measured from the proximal end to the distal end of well
26.
[0039] In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 12-15, the surface 33
has been omitted, as well as ribs on surface 34.
[0040] Surface 34 defines a distal cavity region 36 in which
receptacle 60 is designed to closely fit, although usually not in a
friction or press fit manner. However, such a press fit is within
the scope of the invention. Receptacle 60 rests on a bottom well
surface 37 below cavity region 36 and extends proximally therefrom.
If the radius of curvature of the transition from receptacle stop
surface 31 to bottom surface 37 is substantially greater than that
of the receptacle end, it faces, the receptacle 60 may be pushed
out of the packaging 20 when the inhaler 90 attempts to scoop the
receptacle. Preferably, the ratio of the radius of curvature of the
transition to the radius of curvature of the receptacle is less
than 1.3, preferably less than or equal to 1. The embodiments
depicted in FIG. 6, for example, illustrate a packaging 20 wherein
the transition from receptacle stop surface 31 to bottom surface 37
has a radius of curvature that is less than a curvature of the
receptacle end it faces. The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 12-15,
for example, illustrate a packaging 20 wherein the transition from
receptacle stop surface 31 to bottom surface 37 has a radius of
curvature that is greater than a curvature of the receptacle end it
faces. In the latter embodiment, the radius of curvature of the
transition is 4.23 mm for a receptacle having an end radius of
curvature of 3.5 mm.
[0041] The proximal end of well 26 includes a mouth portion or
scoop geometry, generally designated 40. Mouth portion 40 is
enlarged in width from that of cavity region 36 and is sized and
shaped in conjunction with the inhaler or device intended to be
utilized with the receptacle housed within packaging 20'. For an
inhaler having a substantially cylindrical exterior periphery
around its inhalation chamber as shown in FIGS. 9-11, the end of
which periphery may be inserted into well 26 to scoop the
receptacle 60 from that well, mouth portion 40 of the well-defining
surface may be smoothly rounded with a curved leading edge 41 at
upper surface 29. The enlarged width of mouth portion 40 provides a
lateral spacing from the sides of aligned receptacle 60 which
allows the inhaler to readily insert around the receptacle during
scooping, and thus a proximal section of the receptacle that is not
disposed between surfaces 34 is in greater lateral spaced
relationship with the contoured surface of the well 26 than the
lateral spaced relationship of the receptacle distal section with
surfaces 34. Thus, the width of the mouth portion 40 will exceed
the diameter or width of the inhaler, which in turn exceeds the
diameter or width of the receptacle 60. Further, the width of the
mouth portion 40 will exceed the diameter or width of the well 26
between surfaces 34. In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 12-15,
the width of the mouth portion 40 at the upper surface 29 is shown
to be between 10 and 20 mm or more, e.g., 13.00 mm, while the width
of the well 26 between surfaces 34 can be between 8 and 12 mm, such
as 9.03 mm. In adapting the exemplified embodiment to larger
packagings, the ratio of the mouth portion 40 to surface 29 can be
between 1 and 1.5; and the ratio of the width well 26 to receptacle
34 can be between 1 and 1.5. Other scoop geometries than that shown
herein may be substituted within the scope of the invention,
especially if different inhaler configurations are to be
utilized.
[0042] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5-11, the mouth portion
40 slopes downward from leading edge 41 as a convex upper region 43
that transitions at a point of inflection 45 into a concave lower
region 47. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 12-15, the concave
lower region 47 extends to the leading edge 41 at the surface 29.
The slope should be sufficient to permit the easy introduction of
the inhaler into the mouth portion 40. In the embodiment depicted
in these figures, the slope can be between 30.degree. and
60.degree. from vertical.
[0043] The bottom of concave portion 47 blends into the bottom
surface 49 of the proximal portion of well 26. At least one of
bottom surface 49 and/or 37 supports receptacle 60. In one
embodiment, the bottom surface 49 is at the same depth from upper
surface 29 as is well bottom surface 37. In another embodiment, the
bottom surface 49 is at a depth from the upper surface 29 slightly
below the depth of well bottom surface 37.
[0044] The radius of curvature of concave portion 47 at the
proximal end of the well is larger than that of the capsule
proximal end. For example, the radius of curvature of the lower
region 47 depicted in FIGS. 12-15 can be about twice the radius of
curvature of the receptacle (between 6 and 9 mm (e.g., 6.36 mm) and
between about 3 and 4 mm (e.g., 3.5 mm) respectively). This
curvature allows a user to drag a receptacle 60 from well 26 in the
proximal direction if inhaler scooping is not desired, as during
such dragging the receptacle ramps up concave portion 47 and then
convex portion 43 when moved in that direction. This ramping
feature that allows capsule dragging may be provided with other
ramp geometries, such as a planar, inclined end face, or may be
omitted altogether, within the scope of the invention.
[0045] In the shown embodiment, because the mouth portion 40
continues distally until the point at which surfaces 34 are
provided, well 26 has somewhat of a mushroom shape at a depth or
height at which the tops of ribs 34 are disposed. The mouth portion
40 and well 36 preferably meet and transition in at least one
transitional surface, e.g. surface 39 (e.g. a plane or concave,
relative to the mouth portion), shown in FIG. 13. The transition
surface 39 (from well bottom surface 37 to upper surface 29) is
preferably sloped away from the mouth portion 40. In FIG. 13, the
slope shown is between about 30 to 60.degree. from vertical. And,
as the inwardly jutting ribs on surface 34 may not extend upward to
top of well 26, and more particularly to the upper surface 29 of
the base, well 26 can present a bullet shaped design at upper
surface 29, in which the proximal end forms a more rounded profile
of the bullet.
[0046] Cover 28 may be formed and attached to the base in a variety
of manners known in the art. For example, cover 28 may be made of
any known material, or combination of materials, and designed to
provide for a suitable ease of removal while thwarting unintended
access. Suitable materials known in the art include paper, foil, or
a plastic sheet, and including combinations thereof. While the
embodiment of FIG. 3 illustrates cover 28 as being of a lift and
peel type material, wherein such peelable cover can be entirely
removed to expose the complete longitudinal length and width of
well 26, in alternate embodiments, as long as receptacle 60 is
sufficiently exposable within well 26 to allow access by the
inhaler through mouth portion 40, other cover techniques may be
provided. For example, even a cover having a first peelable portion
made of a backing paper, and a second portion of frangible foil
that can be separately broken and peeled back from over the well
after the first peelable portion has been removed, may be employed
within the scope of the invention.
[0047] An alternate embodiment of the packaging of the present
invention is illustrated in FIG. 12. Packaging 120 shown in FIG. 12
includes scoring 122 that allows packaging 120 to be separated into
a plurality of smaller receptacle packagings, such as the
receptacle packaging shown in FIG. 14. In the embodiment of FIG.
12, cover 28 includes a fused or sealed region that forms a halo
around well 26. The sealed region is illustrated in FIG. 12 by the
knurled, diamond-shaped pattern, which is referred to herein as
seal or sealed region 128. Seal 128 is formed, for example, by heat
sealing or fusing that region of cover 28 to upper surface 29 of
base 24. Seal 128 assists in keeping cover 28 in place, and keeping
receptacle 60 within packaging 120. As can be seen in FIG. 12,
cover 28 includes an unsealed border 129 that surrounds seal 128
between seal 128 and scoring 122. Unsealed border 129 provides a
breakaway region that allows cover 28 to be peeled back or
otherwise separated from upper surface 29 of base 24 in the manner
illustrated, for example, in FIG. 3. There is more resistance to
separating cover 28 from upper surface 29 of base 24 in sealed
region 128 than in unsealed border 129, but sealed region 128 is
preferably designed to be peeled back or otherwise separated from
upper surface 29 by a user. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12,
there is more resistance in sealed region 128 toward the distal end
given the increasing sealed surface area as cover 28 is peeled back
or otherwise separated beginning at the proximal end toward the
distal end of well 26. Unsealed border 129 provides a region
adjacent scoring 122 that is easily removable to prevent peeling
off or separating the cover of an adjacent packaging. As cover 28
is peeled back or otherwise separated from one of the smaller
receptacle packagings of packaging 120, cover 28 will readily
separate in unsealed border 129, and, with scoring 122, only cover
28 for the one receptacle packaging will be peeled back.
Alternatively, if sealed region 128 extends all the way to scoring
122, removing cover 28 from one of the smaller receptacle
packagings of packaging 120 could well result in peeling back or
separating cover 28 from an adjacent receptacle packaging, exposing
a receptacle to unsterile conditions before it is ready for use.
Unsealed border 129 helps ensure that opening one receptacle
packaging will not inadvertently open an adjacent receptacle
packaging.
[0048] Receptacle packaging 20' is shown in FIGS. 9-11 in use with
an inhaler abstractly shown in pertinent part at 90. Various
inhaler designs are known in the art, including that disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,732, which is incorporated herein by reference
and which may be used as inhaler 90. However, the overall
construction of the inhaler is not material to understanding the
present invention. The pertinent aspect of the inhaler is that it
has a part that can be inserted into mouth portion 40 to scoop out
receptacle 60. This inhaler part, as is the case with inhaler 90
abstractly shown herein, will preferably include the loading
opening of the inhalation chamber, but need not be so
configured.
[0049] With packaging 20' oriented such that cover 28 does not face
downward, and preferably such that base 24 is horizontally
disposed, a user may first peel back or otherwise remove cover 28
to expose at least a portion of receptacle 60. It will be
appreciated that cover 28 may be fully removed before receptacle
scooping, as receptacle stop surface 31 at the distal end of well
26 will serve as a backstop for receptacle 60 during inhaler
insertion, which backstop could otherwise be furnished by the cover
being only partially removed.
[0050] Inhaler 90 can then be manipulated to move in a downward and
distal direction such that that inhaler tip 96 will first enter and
typically slide along mouth portion 40. Tip 96 includes a central
hole that opens directly to the inhalation chamber 94 of inhaler
90, which chamber is formed by an interior wall 95 of inhaler body
92. As inhaler 90 continues to be so moved, tip 96 slides under the
rounded end of receptacle 60 as such end inserts into the central
hole of the tip, and then the receptacle is cammed upward by
engagement with interior wall 95 so as to continue to enter chamber
94. As inhaler 90 is continued to be manipulated by the user to
move generally distally, and as shown in FIG. 10, receptacle 60
inserts farther into the inhalation chamber, and may tip upward
slightly relative to well 26. During this inhaler movement,
receptacle stop surface 31 provides a stop against which the
receptacle can abut to prevent the receptacle from slipping out of
well 26. It will be appreciated that this relative motion of the
inhaler 92 and the base 24 represented in FIG. 9-11 may be achieved
either by moving inhaler 90 relative to a stationary packaging, or
by holding the inhaler stationary while moving the packaging
relative thereto, or by a combination of both. Although FIG. 11
depicts the packaging being inclined, it should be appreciated that
inclining the packaging is helpful, but not necessary, for
successfully removing the capsule from the packaging with the
inhaler.
[0051] After inhaler 90 and/or base 24 has been moved sufficiently
to cause receptacle 60 to move into inhaler chamber 94, for example
as shown in FIG. 11, such that the receptacle will not fall out if
the inhaler is longitudinally horizontal or at a more upright
angle, the inhaler can then be distanced from the packaging 20',
assembled to cap the inhalation chamber, and utilized in a normal
course. The spent capsule, after removal from the inhaler, can be
discarded, as opposed to placed back into the blister for
subsequent disposal. Subsequent use of the inhaler with other
capsule packaging 20' may be performed until the capsule receptacle
packaging 20 is fully exhausted.
[0052] While this invention has been shown and described as having
preferred designs, the present invention may be modified within the
spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore
intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the
invention using its general principles. Further, this application
is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as
come within known or customary practice in the art to which this
invention pertains.
* * * * *