U.S. patent application number 11/693527 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for child resistant device for housing blister packs.
This patent application is currently assigned to R. P. SCHERER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to David Barndt, Thomas John Fillis, Victor Gherdan.
Application Number | 20080237082 11/693527 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39792389 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080237082 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gherdan; Victor ; et
al. |
October 2, 2008 |
CHILD RESISTANT DEVICE FOR HOUSING BLISTER PACKS
Abstract
A container for housing blister packs. The container includes
first and second portions attached to one another in a manner
whereby said first and second portions are movable from an open
condition in which products may be dispensed from the container to
a closed condition in which products cannot be dispensed from the
container. At least the first portion of the container defines an
internal space in said container of sufficient size to receive
product in said internal space. The container also includes
structure for supporting the blister pack in a position whereby
product dispensed from said blister pack is dispensed into the
internal space in said container and a closure which retains said
first and second portions in the closed position. An opening is
provided in the first portion in communication with the internal
space to permit passage of product through said opening to be
dispensed to outside the container at a location which is blocked
when the closure is positioned to retain the first and second
portions in the closed position. The container provides a secure
way to limit access to product in a blister pack while at the same
time facilitating dispensing of product from the blister pack and
container.
Inventors: |
Gherdan; Victor; (Cherry
Hill, NJ) ; Fillis; Thomas John; (Williamstown,
NJ) ; Barndt; David; (Richlandtown, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Fitzpatrick Cella (Catalent)
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York
NY
10112
US
|
Assignee: |
R. P. SCHERER TECHNOLOGIES,
INC.
LAS VEGAS
NV
|
Family ID: |
39792389 |
Appl. No.: |
11/693527 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/531 ;
220/289 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 11/04 20130101;
B65D 83/0454 20130101; B65D 83/0463 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/531 ;
220/289 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/04 20060101
B65D083/04; B65D 41/04 20060101 B65D041/04 |
Claims
1. A container for a blister pack, the blister pack having a base
and deformable blisters projecting from the base for containing a
product, said container comprising: first and second portions
attached to one another in a manner whereby said first and second
portions are movable from an open condition in which products may
be dispensed from the container to a closed condition in which
products cannot be dispensed from the container, the first portion
of the container defining an internal space in said container of
sufficient size to receive product in said internal space, a
structure for supporting the blister pack in a position whereby
product dispensed from said blister pack is dispensed into said
internal space in said container, a closure which retains said
first and second portions in the closed position, and an opening in
said first portion in communication with said internal space, said
opening being of sufficient size to permit passage of product
through said opening to be dispensed to outside said container at a
location which is blocked when said closure is positioned to retain
said first and second portions in the closed position.
2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said closure is child
resistant.
3. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said opening extends
through a peripheral sidewall of said first portion to outside said
first portion.
4. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said opening is also
in communication with a passage in said closure such that product
is dispensed to outside said container through said passage in said
closure.
5. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said structure for
supporting the blister pack comprises a shoulder proximate to said
internal space.
6. A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein said structure for
supporting the blister pack further comprises at least one ridge
which divides said internal space into a plurality of internal
spaces, and each said internal space is in communication with an
opening of sufficient size to permit passage of said product
through said each said opening to be dispensed to outside said
container.
7. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said structure for
supporting the blister pack comprises a plate provided with a
plurality of openings therein, said plate being positioned such
that dispensing of said product from a blister pack supported on
said plate dispenses said product through an opening in said plate
into said internal space.
8. A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein said plate is
supported by a shoulder proximate to said internal space.
9. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said closure
comprises a screw cap, and a threaded protruding member that is
attached to said first portion of said container.
10. A container as claimed in claim 9, wherein said opening in said
first portion communicates with a passage through said threaded
protruding member for dispensing of product to outside said
container.
11. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and
second portions of said container are attached to one another by a
hinge.
12. A container as claimed in claim 11, wherein said hinge is
located on a side of said first and second portions of said
container and mating parts of said closure are formed in each of
said first and second portions of said container such that when
said container is in the closed position, an additional part of
said closure may be attached to said mating parts of said closure
to retain said container in a closed position.
13. A container as claimed in claim 11, wherein said hinge is
located at an edge of said first and second portions and said
closure is located opposite the location of said hinge.
14. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second portion
comprises a flange positioned to abut with a part of said closure
when said container is in the closed position to retain said
container in said closed position.
15. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said internal space
is shaped to facilitate direction of product to said opening in
communication with said internal space.
16. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second portion
of said container defines a second internal space in said container
of sufficient size to receive product in said second internal
space, said container further comprising: a second structure for
supporting the blister pack in a position whereby product dispensed
from said blister pack is dispensed into said second internal space
in said container, and an opening in said second portion in
communication with said second internal space, said opening in said
second portion being of sufficient size to permit passage of said
product through said opening in said second portion to be dispensed
to outside said container at a location which is blocked when said
closure is positioned to retain said first and second portions in
the closed position.
17. A container as claimed in claim 16, wherein said opening in
said second portion extends through a peripheral sidewall of said
second portion to outside said second portion.
18. A container as claimed in claim 16, wherein said opening in
said second portion is also in communication with a passage in said
closure such that product is dispensed to outside said container
from said opening in said second portion through said passage in
said closure.
19. A container as claimed in claim 16, wherein said second
structure for supporting the blister pack comprises a shoulder
proximate to said second internal space.
20. A container as claimed in claim 19, wherein said second
structure for supporting the blister pack further comprises at
least one ridge which divides said second internal space into a
plurality of internal spaces in said second portion, and each said
internal space in said second portion is in communication with an
opening of sufficient size to permit passage of said product
through each said opening to be dispensed to outside said
container.
21. A container as claimed in claim 16, wherein said second
structure for supporting the blister pack comprises a second plate
provided with a plurality of openings therein, said second plate
being positioned such that dispensing of said product from a
blister pack supported on said second plate dispenses said product
through an opening in said second plate into said second internal
space.
22. A method for dispensing product from a container containing a
blister pack having a base and deformable blisters projecting from
the base for containing a product, said method comprising the steps
of: locating the blister pack in a container at a location whereby
dispensing of said product from said blister pack causes said
product to enter an internal space in said container, dispensing
product from said blister pack into said internal space,
positioning said container to cause said product to move in said
internal space to an opening in communication with said internal
space, and dispensing said product from said container through said
opening in communication with said internal space.
23. A method as claimed in claim 22, further comprising the step of
opening said container to obtain access to said blister pack prior
to said step of dispensing product from said blister pack.
24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said container
comprises a closure and said step of opening said container
comprises opening said child resistant closure.
25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said step of opening
said closure also unblocks an opening in said container through
which product is dispensed to outside said container in said step
of dispensing product from said container.
26. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein said container
contains at least two blister packs, said method further comprising
the step of selecting a blister pack from which product is to be
dispensed.
27. A method as claimed in claim 26, wherein each blister pack is
associated with a separate internal space in said container and
each said internal space is provided with an opening in
communication therewith, and wherein said step of opening said
closure unblocks at least one opening in said container in
communication with each said internal space to permit dispensing of
product from said container from each said internal space.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a child resistant device
for holding blister packs, and for facilitating dispensing of the
contents of the blister packs.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Blister packs have become a popular form of packaging,
particularly for medicines. Blister packs typically include a thin
resilient sheet, normally of plastic material, in which recesses or
"blisters" are formed. All of the blisters face the same side of
the sheet. The blisters hold individual products, such as
medicines, usually in the form of tablets, capsules or lozenges. A
thin layer of foil is typically attached to the thin resilient
sheet to cover the open portion of the recesses or blisters to
thereby retain the products in the blisters and provide a seal
between the resilient sheet and the foil layer which seals the
products within the blisters. To dispense product from the blister
pack, sufficient force is exerted on the closed side of the blister
toward the resilient sheet and foil to cause the product to tear
the foil at which point the product can be dispensed out of the
blister pack.
[0005] It is desirable to store blister packs in some type of outer
container, particularly if the blister packs contain products which
are dangerous for children. Such outer containers are preferably
child resistant to reduce the possibility that a child may obtain
access to the contents of the blister pack. Accordingly, a number
of devices have been developed for housing blister packs to prevent
easy access to the products.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,907 (Kalvelage) describes a device in
which the blister packs are housed in a frame formed with openings
through which the products may be dispensed from the blisters. The
openings in the frame are shaped to partially obstruct the passage
of the products through the frame. As a result, the frame of this
device must be customized to the size of the particular contents of
the blister pack.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,838 (Brozell) describes a
child-resistant medication compact. The compact is designed to
securely engage one edge of a blister pack in a hinged portion of
the compact. The blister pack may be locked into place in the
compact. The compact has a clam shell design so that it may be
closed to prevent access to the blister pack in the closed
position. The compact includes a child resistant closure to make it
difficult for a child to open the compact and obtain access to the
blister pack. Dispensing of product from a blister pack locked into
this compact would appear to be awkward since the blister pack
would have to be held up away from the surface of the compact to
allow the medication to be dispensed.
[0008] U.S. Patent application publication number US 2004/0099561
A1 (Christiansen et al.) also discloses apparatus and methods for
dispensing of tablets from a blister pack. Again, this device
employs a clam shell design for an outer container to house a
blister pack. The outer container may be locked to make the
container child resistant. However, this device requires a
customized blister pack designed to fit into the device in a
specific manner since the device indexes the round blister pack to
position the tablet to be dispensed at a particular dispensing
location.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,408 and U.S. Design Pat. No. 411,445
(Anderson) disclose a device for holding blister packs. The device
includes first and second members which are movable from an open
position to a closed position. In the open position, products can
be dispensed from the blister packs. In the closed position,
product cannot be dispensed from the blister packs. The blister
packs are not removable from the device since they are retained by
panels in the device. The members can be retained in their closed
position by a child resistant closure. Again, this device relies on
the use of a frame having openings therein which must be aligned
with the blisters of the blister pack. This requires a special
design of the blister pack and the device so that the blister pack
is compatible with the device.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,540,081 (Balz et al.) discloses a unit dose
blister pack product dispenser. The dispenser includes a housing
provided with a plurality of openings therein, a back plate
provided with openings therein through which the products are
dispensed, and a tray into which the product may be dispensed. The
tray includes a conduit at one end through which the product may be
dispensed to facilitate product handling. However, this device also
relies on a housing with openings therein which must be aligned
with the blisters of the blister pack which requires a special
design of the blister pack and the housing to ensure that they are
compatible.
[0011] Accordingly, there is a need for child resistant containers
for blister packs which overcome some of the disadvantages of prior
art containers. For example, there is a need for child resistant
containers for blister packs which can be easily customized to
accommodate a variety of different blister packs and/or different
sizes of medications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a
container for a blister pack. The container includes first and
second portions attached to one another in a manner whereby said
first and second portions are movable from an open condition in
which products may be dispensed from the container to a closed
condition in which products cannot be dispensed from the container.
The first portion of the container defines an internal space in the
container of sufficient size to receive product. The container also
includes a structure for supporting the blister pack in a position
whereby product dispensed from the blister pack is dispensed into
the internal space in the container and a closure which retains the
first and second portions in the closed position. An opening is
provided in the first portion in communication with the internal
space to permit passage of product through the opening to be
dispensed to outside the container at a location which is blocked
when the closure is positioned to retain the first and second
portions in the closed position.
[0013] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a
method for dispensing product from a container containing a blister
pack. In the method, the blister pack is located in a container at
a location whereby dispensing of product from said blister pack
causes the product to enter an internal space in the container.
Product is then dispensed from the blister pack into the internal
space and the container is positioned to cause the product to move
in the internal space to an opening in communication with the
internal space. Product is then dispensed from the container
through the opening in communication with the internal space.
[0014] These and other aspects of the invention are described in
greater detail with reference to specific embodiments of the
invention in the detailed description of the invention which
follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1(a) depicts a first embodiment of a blister pack
container in accordance with the present invention in the fully
open position.
[0016] FIG. 1(b) depicts the blister pack container of FIG. 1(a) in
a partially closed position.
[0017] FIG. 1(c) depicts the blister pack container of FIGS.
1(a)-1(b) in the closed position.
[0018] FIG. 1(d) is a perspective view of a portion of the blister
pack container of FIGS. 1(a)-1(b) in partial cross-section.
[0019] FIG. 2(a) depicts a second embodiment of a blister pack
container in accordance with the present invention in the open
position with the blister pack removed.
[0020] FIG. 2(b) depicts the embodiment of the blister pack
container of FIG. 2(a) in the closed position.
[0021] FIG. 2(c) is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of
the container of FIGS. 2(a)-2(b).
[0022] FIG. 2(d) is a perspective view of a variation of the
container of FIGS. 2(a)-2(c) in a partially open position.
[0023] FIG. 3(a) depicts a third embodiment of a blister pack
container in accordance with the present invention in the open
position with the blister pack removed.
[0024] FIG. 3(b) depicts the embodiment of the blister pack
container of FIG. 3(a) in the closed position.
[0025] FIG. 4(a) depicts a fourth embodiment of a blister pack
container in accordance with the present invention in the open
position with the blister pack removed.
[0026] FIG. 4(b) depicts the embodiment of the blister pack
container of FIG. 4(a) in the closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described
by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings
wherein like reference numerals represent like elements in the
several views.
[0028] A first embodiment of a blister pack container 10 is
depicted in FIGS. 1(a)-1(c). Blister pack container 10 is in the
shape of a bottle formed by first and second portions 12, 14 which
are attached together via a hinge 16 or other suitable attachment
mechanism located along one side thereof. First portion 12 is
provided with a protruding member 18 which mates with a protruding
member 20 of second portion 14 when container 10 is in the closed
position to form a generally circular protruding member. Protruding
members 18, 20 are provided with threads 24 on an outer surface
thereof onto which a screw cap 22 may be threaded to close
container 10. Screw cap 22 may preferably be a conventional child
resistant cap which, for example, requires the user to push down on
cap 22 while turning cap 22 in order to remove cap 22 from
container 10. Threads 24 may be designed to provide this type of
child resistant engagement between container 10 and cap 22. Other
types of closures may also be employed to accomplish the same
functions as the combination of protruding members 18, 20 and cap
22. For example, align and turn caps, squeeze and turn caps and
squeeze and lift caps may be employed. Other types of attachment
mechanisms which can be employed, include, but are not limited to,
living hinges, pin hinges, spinal hinges and ball and socket
hinges.
[0029] As shown, second portion 14 includes one or more recesses 26
in an interior portion thereof for the purpose of providing space
for the blisters of a blister pack 1 when container 10 is in a
closed position. Recesses 26 may be provided with a transparent
portion 28 so that a user of container 10 may see the contents of
blister pack 1 when container 10 is in the closed position in order
to allow the user to monitor the contents of blister pack 1 without
having to open container 10. In the embodiment shown, second
portion 14 also includes a peripheral shoulder 29 which is used to
support blister pack 1 above recesses 26. In this embodiment,
second portion 14 also includes a central ridge 30 located between
recesses 26 for the purpose of providing additional strength to
container 10 and to support blister pack 1 between rows of blisters
when container 10 is in the closed position. One or both of
peripheral shoulder 29 and central ridge 30 may be used to prevent
or limit movement of blister pack 1 in a closed container 10 in
embodiments of container 10 wherein blister pack 1 is not secured
to first portion 12.
[0030] One of first and second portions 12, 14 of container 10 may
include recesses 26 to provide space for housing a second blister
pack in container 10. In one embodiment, container 10 may simply
house a second blister pack until it is ready for use at which time
the user may transfer it to first portion 12, and container 10 may
be used as described below. In this embodiment, it is preferable
that transparent portion 28 be located on the portion of container
10 that will be used for dispensing since then the user will be
able to see the contents of the blister pack 1 from which product
is being dispensed even if a second blister pack is housed in the
other portion of container 10.
[0031] More preferably, first and second portions 12, 14 may be
formed in a similar manner such that container 10 may be used to
dispense from two different blister packs 1, one of which is
located in first portion 12 and a second of which is located in
second portion 14. In this embodiment, container 10 can be provided
with two blister packs 1 and there would be no need to move the
blister pack from one portion of container 10 to another for
dispensing. With careful placement of label 3, it may still be
possible to include a transparent portion 28 on both sides of
container 10 to allow the user to see at least a portion of the
contents of the blister packs 1 when container 10 is in the closed
position.
[0032] Second portion 14 may also be provided with another recess
32 which can be used to house a folded insert 2 such as a brochure
containing information about the product contained in container 10.
First portion 12 may include a corresponding recess 34 to provide
additional space for folded insert 2 in container 10. One or both
of first and second portions 12, 14 of container 10 may be provided
with a label 3 on an outer surface thereof, as shown in FIG. 1(c).
First or second portion 12, 14 may include a suitable flat surface
portion 36 on the outer surface thereof for receiving label 3.
[0033] First portion 12 of container 10 may be provided with a
similar structure as described above for second portion 14. More
particularly, first portion 12 may include a pair of recesses 38,
provided with a peripheral shoulder 39 and separated by a central
ridge 40, as shown in FIG. 1(d).
[0034] As shown in FIG. 1(d), recesses 38 each include a sidewall
42 at a top portion thereof in which openings 44 are provided.
Openings 44 are of sufficient size to permit passage of product
dispensed from blister pack 1. Openings 44 are operatively
connected to passages 46 which merge to form a central passage 48
in protruding member 18, as shown in cross-section at the top of
FIG. 1(d). Second portion 14, if designed for dispensing product
from blister pack 1, will include this same structure.
[0035] In operation, blister pack 1 is placed on first portion 12,
as shown in FIG. 1(a) with the blisters facing upwardly. When it is
desired to dispense product from blister pack 1, the user exerts a
force on a blister to dispense product from the opposite side of
blister pack 1 into one of recesses 38 in first portion 12. Central
ridge 40 provides support to blister pack 1 to facilitate
dispensing by providing resistance against the exerted force. Once
product is dispensed into one of recesses 38, container 10 can be
tipped to cause product to feed towards openings 44 in sidewall 42.
Product will pass through one of openings 44 into one of passages
46 and be directed to passage 48 in protruding member 18. Product
can then be dispensed from container 10 via passage 48 into the
hand of a user, in a manner similar to dispensing of product from a
conventional bottle, except that only product which has been forced
from blister pack 1 is dispensed. If product is dispensed using
second portion 14, a similar series of events occurs, except that
product is directed to passage 49 in protruding member 20 for
dispensing to outside container 10.
[0036] The embodiment of FIGS. 1(a)-1(d) offers the advantage that
product is initially dispensed from blister pack 1 into recesses
26, 38 within container 10 such that the user maintains control of
the product as it is dispensed from blister pack 1. Numerous other
designs for blister pack containers suffer from the disadvantage
that product is dispensed from the blister pack directly to a
location outside the container whereby the user must take
additional measures to maintain control over the dispensed product,
such as locating a hand, a cup or a flat surface where the product
will be dispensed. This adds additional complexity to the
dispensing process and increases the risk that product will drop on
the floor or ground or be lost or damaged. This advantage applies
to other embodiments of the present invention as well.
[0037] Another advantage of this and other embodiments of the
present invention is that since there are no exposed openings in
the outside of the container when the container is in the closed
position, the container is more secure than some prior art
containers. For example, a child cannot insert a narrow or sharp
object into the container through an exposed opening to try to
obtain access to product housed in the container, as is possible in
some prior art containers. This advantage also applies to other
embodiments of the present invention as well.
[0038] Yet another advantage of the embodiment of FIGS. 1(a)-1(d)
is that since there are no customized openings in the outside of
the container or in a plate or surface located inside the
container, this embodiment can accommodate various different
designs of blister packs, as well as different sizes of product
since there are fewer constraints placed on the size and placement
of product by the container. In some prior art containers, the use
of different types of blister packs or different size medications
is limited due to the placement and/or size of openings in the
container, plate or surface which place constraints on the type of
blister pack and size of product that can be accommodated.
[0039] Another advantage of the various containers of the present
invention is that since there are no permanent openings in the
outer walls of the containers, these containers provide more
flexibility for adaptation to different blister packs and products
than some prior art containers. For example, as discussed above, in
the embodiment of FIGS. 1(a)-1(c), the only constraint on use of
different blister packs is that the blister pack must fit within
the container and the only constraint on the size of the product is
that it must fit into recesses 38 and through openings 44, 48, 49
for dispensing. This facilitates reuse of the outer container 10
with different blister packs and different products, if desired. In
other embodiments of the invention, flexibility to accommodate
different types of blister packs or different sized products can be
provided by replacing only the plate used in the container allowing
reuse of the remainder of the container.
[0040] Another problem of various prior art containers is that
certain containers do not include structure for resisting the force
required to dispense produce from the blister pack. As a result,
dispensing of product from such containers may be more difficult
since the user must provide some external means to resist the
dispensing force to facilitate breaking open of the blister. The
various embodiments of the present invention are all designed to
provide structure as part of the container that resists the
dispensing force to thereby facilitate dispensing of product from
the blister pack.
[0041] Various other designs for first portion 12 are also
possible. For example, more than two recesses 38 can be provided
with openings 44 communicating with passages 46 and central opening
48, if it is desired to provide additional support to blister pack
1. Another option is to provide a single recess 38 and a single
opening 44 in communication with a single passage 46. In this
embodiment, a suitable plate, similar to those described in
reference to FIGS. 2-4, may be employed to support blister pack 1
in first portion 12.
[0042] The plates employed in the various embodiments of the
invention typically include openings to allow passage of product
from the blister pack through the plate into an internal space in
the container, at which point dispensing proceeds as described
above. In these embodiments, the blister pack rests on the plate
such that there is insufficient space for product to come between
blister pack and the plate. The plate may have any suitable design
and can be customized for the blister pack, if desired, in order to
facilitate dispensing. The plate also typically functions to
provide resistance to the dispensing force required to dispense
product from the blister pack. The plate may be removable from the
container in which case it can be releasably retained in the
container by any suitable means such as a snap fit, a friction fit
or a releasable adhesive, for example. Alternatively, the plate may
be integrally formed as part of a portion of the container in which
case the plate will form a permanent part of the container.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 2(a)-2(b), there is shown a second
embodiment of a blister pack container 100 in accordance with the
present invention. Container 100 includes a lower portion 102 and a
cover 105 preferably attached to lower portion 102 by a hinge 106.
A base 104 and a peripheral wall 101 form lower portion 102. In
this embodiment, lower portion 102 is fitted with a plate 108
provided with a plurality of openings 110 that align with blisters
on blister pack 4. Plate 108 is suspended a sufficient distance
above an inner surface 103 of lower portion 102 to allow product
dispensed from blister pack 4 to be dispensed into a space 112
between plate 108 and the inner surface 103 of lower portion 102,
as shown in FIG. 2(c). Space 112 is sufficiently large to permit
free movement of product once it is dispensed into space 112.
[0044] A protruding member 120, that may optionally be formed
integrally with plate 108, protrudes upwardly from plate 108.
Protruding member 120 includes an opening 126 that extends the
height of protruding member 120 to communicate with space 112 at
one end and to communicate with a location outside container 100 at
the other end when container 100 is in the open position.
Protruding member 120 may be provided with threads 124 on an outer
surface thereof for engagement with a screw cap 122. Screw cap 122
may preferably be a conventional child resistant cap which, for
example, requires the user to exert a degree of downward pressure
on cap 122 while turning cap 122 in order to remove cap 122 from
container 100. Threads 124 may be designed to provide this type of
child resistant engagement between container 100 and cap 122 in any
suitable, conventional manner. The cap outer diameter is larger
than opening 115. Cap 122 may have an extended flange at the base
to achieve a larger outer diameter than the opening 115.
[0045] Plate 108 may be supported above inner bottom surface 103 of
lower portion 102 in any suitable manner, such as by a peripheral
flange 114 that forms part of plate 108 and rests on inner bottom
surface 103 as shown in FIG. 2(c). Instead of a peripheral flange
114, plate 108 may be provided with any arrangement of downwardly
projecting members designed to raise plate 108 above inner bottom
surface 103 of lower portion 102, as long as such downwardly
projecting members permit dispensed product to move freely in space
112. Alternatively, as shown in, for example, FIG. 1(a), lower
portion 102 may be provided with a peripheral shoulder and/or one
or more ridges upon which plate 108 may rest. In another
embodiment, plate 108 may be formed integrally with bottom portion
102.
[0046] Preferably, plate 108 is located slightly below the
uppermost part of peripheral wall 101 as shown in FIG. 2(c) to
provide a peripheral lip 117 formed by the uppermost part of
peripheral wall 101 around plate 108. Peripheral lip 117 is
employed to position and maintain blister pack 4 in lower portion
102 on plate 108 with the blisters in alignment with openings 110.
In this embodiment, a specially designed blister pack 4 may be
employed which has the blisters positioned at predetermined
locations, as shown. In addition, specially designed blister pack 4
may be sized to fit snugly within peripheral lip 117 on plate 108
and may include a cutout 5, as shown in FIG. 2(a) to fit around
protruding member 120. Blister pack 4 may be removable from
container 100 when container 100 is in the open position, or,
alternatively, blister pack 4 can be affixed to plate 108 or held
in lower portion 102 of container 100 in any suitable manner such
as by a snap fit, a friction fit, gluing or other suitable means.
For example, peripheral lip 117 can provide a snap or friction fit
between the periphery of blister pack 4 and peripheral lip 117 to
releasably retain blister pack 4 on plate 108. Any other suitable
means may be employed to retain blister pack in lower portion 102
of container 100, if desired.
[0047] Once product is dispensed into space 112, container 100 can
be tilted to cause the product to move to opening 126 at which
point product can be dispensed from container 100 via opening
126.
[0048] Although container 100 of FIGS. 2(a)-2(c) places some
constraints on the blister pack 4 not present in the previous
embodiment, there is still a great deal of flexibility inherent in
this design. For example, in one embodiment, plate 108 may be
releasably retained in lower portion 102 by a snap fit, friction
fit or other suitable releasable engagement mechanism. In this
embodiment, it is possible to replace plate 108 with a new plate
customized to a new blister pack in order to accommodate, for
example, a different blister pack or a different sized product.
This allows reuse of lower portion 102 and cover 104 and also cap
122.
[0049] Container 100 is provided with a cover 105 that may be
opened when screw cap 122 is removed from protruding member 120 as
shown in FIG. 2(a). At least a portion of cover 105 is preferably
transparent, as shown, to allow viewing of product in blister pack
4 when container 100 is in the closed position depicted in FIG.
2(b). Cover 105 includes a peripheral wall 107 and a top portion
109. Peripheral wall 107 rests on peripheral lip 117 of lower
portion 102 to support top portion 109 a sufficient height above
plate 108 to provide sufficient space to at least accommodate the
blisters of blister pack 4 when container 100 is in the closed
position. Peripheral wall 107 includes an indentation 113 that fits
around protruding member 120. To facilitate access to screw cap
122, it is preferable that, in this embodiment, the combination of
screw cap 122 and protruding member 120 be of sufficient height
that portion of screw cap 122 extends above top portion 109 of
cover 105, when container 100 is in the closed position shown in
FIG. 2(b). This provides an accessible portion of cap 122 which can
be grasped to facilitate screwing and unscrewing of screw cap
122.
[0050] Cover 105 also includes a flange 111 that at least partially
surrounds protruding member 120. Flange 111 extends from a lower
portion of the part of peripheral wall 117 that forms indentation
113. Flange 111 fits sufficiently closely around at least a portion
of protruding member 120 such that screw cap 122 will abut with the
upper surface of flange 111 when screw cap 122 is screwed onto
threads 124 of protruding member 120 so that cover 105 cannot be
opened. In a preferred embodiment, flange 111 includes an opening
115 therein such that flange 111 may completely surround protruding
member 120 as shown in FIG. 2(a) to provide additional mechanical
strength to flange 111 and thereby provide additional security
against unauthorized opening of container 100.
[0051] The container 150 of FIG. 2(d) is a variation on the
container of FIGS. 2(a)-2(b). As a result, other than those
features that would be inconsistent with the features described
below, the various features and modifications discussed relative to
FIGS. 2(a)-2(c), may also be applied to the embodiment of FIG.
2(d).
[0052] In this embodiment the shape of lower portion 152 is
elliptical, substantially elliptical or oval rather than
substantially circular or circular as in the embodiment of FIGS.
2(a)-2(b). As a result, cover 155 is also elliptical, substantially
elliptical or oval. Cover 155 is preferably attached to lower
portion 152 at one of the narrow ends via a hinge 156 as shown.
[0053] The design of FIG. 2(d) offers two advantages relative to
the design of FIGS. 2(a)-2(b). First, the shape of the container
150 may be used to facilitate movement of product in the internal
space of container 150 to opening 176 in protruding member 170
since the shape of peripheral wall 151 can be used to define the
internal space of container 150 to thereby provide a shape that
will direct product to the narrow end at which opening 176 is
located, when container 150 is tipped to position that narrow end
below the remainder of container 150.
[0054] A second advantage of the design of FIG. 2(d) is that there
is no indentation in cover 105 surrounding protruding member 170 as
in the embodiment of FIGS. 2(a)-2(b). As a result, cap 172 need not
extend above top portion 159 of cover 155 when container 150 is in
the closed position because the design of container 150 provides
sufficient access for the user to grasp cap 172 without requiring
cap 172 to extend above top portion 159.
[0055] Cover 155 is provided with a flange 161 that extends from a
lower portion of peripheral wall 157 of cover 155 at the same
narrow end at which protruding member 170 is located. A surface of
flange 161 is abutted by cap 172 when cap 172 is screwed onto
protruding member 170 to hold cover 155 in the closed position.
Preferably, flange 161 includes an opening 165 therein such that
flange 161 extends completely around protruding member 170, as
shown in FIG. 2(d) to enhance the mechanical integrity of flange
161 and provide a more secure closure of container 150, as
discussed above in relation to the embodiment of FIGS.
2(a)-2(b).
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 3(a)-3(b), there is shown another
embodiment of a blister pack container 200 in accordance with the
present invention. This embodiment is also a variation on the
container of FIGS. 2(a)-2(c). As a result, other than those
features that would be inconsistent with the features described
below, the various features and modifications discussed relative to
FIGS. 2(a)-2(c), may also be applied to the embodiment of FIG.
2(d).
[0057] More specifically, container 200 includes a substantially
circular lower portion 202 having a base and a peripheral sidewall
201. Lower portion 202 houses a plate 208 provided with a plurality
of openings 210 that align with blisters on blister pack 6. Plate
208 is positioned a sufficient height above an inner surface of the
base of lower portion 202 to provide enough space for product to be
dispensed through plate 208 and to be able to move to central
opening 226 in protruding member 220. Plate 208 may be associated
with lower portion 202 in any suitable manner, such as those
described above. For example, plate 208 may be formed integrally
with lower portion 202, or plate 208 may be separate from lower
portion 202 and may be associated with lower portion 202 by, for
example, a snap fit, a friction fit, glue or other suitable means.
Plate 208 may be supported by a peripheral flange provided on plate
208, or by a peripheral shoulder that is part of lower portion 202
as described above with reference to FIGS. 2(c) and 1(a).
[0058] Container 200 also includes a substantially circular cover
205 formed from a top portion 209, which is preferably partially or
wholly transparent, and a peripheral sidewall 207 that is attached
to lower portion 202 by a hinge 206. This embodiment locates
protruding member 220 substantially in the center of container 200,
as shown. Thus, cover 205 includes a central opening 215 that fits
closely around protruding member 220. A circular flange 211 extends
from a lower portion of an inner circular lip 221 that surrounds
opening 215. A screw cap 222 is provided that can be screwed onto
threads 224 of protruding member 220, and screw cap 222 abuts with
circular flange 211 to hold cover 205 onto lower portion 202 when
container 200 is in the closed position. In all embodiments of the
invention, screw cap 222 may be provided with roughened or textured
surface 223 to facilitate gripping of screw cap 222.
[0059] One advantage of this embodiment of the present invention is
that it may provide a mechanically stronger flange 211 for securing
cover 205 onto lower portion 202 than other embodiments since
flange 211 is supported on all sides by the remainder of cover 205
due to its central placement. Another advantage is that it is
easier to make support walls that form triangular wedges in lower
portion 202 to guide product to the opening. Blisters formatted in
a circular pattern would be better suited to utilize this
layout.
[0060] Referring to FIGS. 4(a)-4(b), there is shown yet another
embodiment of the present invention which is a variation on the
embodiment of FIG. 2(d). In this embodiment, two blister packs 7, 8
may be dispensed using a single container 300. Container 300
includes a lower portion 302 formed by a base and a peripheral
sidewall 301 that includes a peripheral lip 317. Lower portion 302
of container 300 is substantially similar to lower portion 152 of
container 150 described above with reference to FIG. 2(d). Thus,
lower portion 302 includes a protruding member 320 provided with
threads 324 on an outer surface thereof, and protruding member 320
includes a central opening 326 therein that communicates with a
space 312 located below a plate 308 that supports blister pack 7.
In this embodiment, lower portion 302 is preferably at least
partially or wholly transparent to allow the user to view the
condition of blister pack 7 when container 300 is in the closed
position. In this manner, the user can see how much product remains
in blister pack 7. Dispensing from blister pack 7 in lower portion
302 is also substantially the same as dispensing from the
containers of FIGS. 2(a)-2(b) and 2(d).
[0061] Upper portion 305 of container 300 is adapted for dispensing
product from blister pack 8. Upper portion 305 is formed from a
transparent top portion 309 and a peripheral wall 307 that provides
a peripheral lip 331 which extends slightly above an upper surface
of plate 308. Upper portion 305 is attached to lower portion 302 by
a hinge 306. In this embodiment, peripheral wall 307 of upper
portion 305 has an increased height relative to the peripheral
walls of the covers of the previously described embodiments of
FIGS. 2-3 to allow space for a second blister pack 8 and for a
second internal space 332 formed by a second plate 330 located in
upper portion 305. Plates 308 and 330 are each provided with a
plurality of openings that align with blisters of blister packs 7,
8, respectively, as in previously described embodiments. Peripheral
lips 317 and 331 extend above plates 308, 330 to help position and
retain blister packs 7, 8 on plates 308, 330.
[0062] For dispensing product from upper portion 305, upper portion
305 is provided with an opening 333 located in sidewall 307 at a
location which is positioned closely adjacent to screw cap 322 when
container 300 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 4(b). As
a result of this, screw cap 322 blocks opening 333 when container
300 is in the closed position to prevent dispensing of product from
second internal space 332. When container 300 is in the open
position of FIG. 4(a), opening 333, which communicates with
internal space 332, is no longer blocked and thus product can be
dispensed from upper portion 305 via opening 333.
[0063] Upper portion 305 also includes a flange 311 that extends
from a lower portion of peripheral wall 307 of upper portion 305 at
the same narrow end at which protruding member 320 is located. A
surface of flange 311 is abutted by cap 322 when cap 322 is screwed
onto protruding member 320 to hold upper portion 305 in the closed
position. Preferably, flange 311 includes an opening 315 therein
such that flange 311 extends completely around protruding member
320, in a similar manner as was shown in FIG. 2(d), to thereby
enhance the mechanical integrity of flange 311 and provide a more
secure closure of container 300.
[0064] The embodiment of the container 300 of FIGS. 4(a)-4(b)
combines the advantages of the embodiment of the container 150 of
FIG. 2(d) discussed above, with the possibility of including two
blister packs 7, 8 in container 300 at the same time and the
ability to dispense from both of blister packs 7, 8. Container 300
also potentially allows the user to see, via transparent portions
of container 300, how much product remains in blister packs 7, 8
without having to open container 300.
[0065] The various embodiments of the container of the present
invention make possible containers including a second level of
child resistance. Since product is dispensed from the blister pack
into an internal space within each container in each embodiment of
the present invention, it is possible to provide an additional
level of child resistance by, for example, including a second child
resistant mechanism which must be actuated to dispense product from
the internal space within the container through the opening in the
protruding member. Thus, for example, the opening in the protruding
member could be provided with a secondary closure mechanism that
must be separately actuated to allow dispensing of product from the
internal space in the container through the opening in the
protruding member. Any suitable secondary closure mechanism may be
employed for this purpose including mechanical means which block
the opening until actuated, or a secondary cap that may be provided
with threads on the outer surface thereof onto which the primary
cap may be screwed and which secondary cap may be provided with a
different type of child resistant mechanism than the primary
cap.
[0066] It is to be understood that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been
set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of
the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in
matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the
principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the
broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are
expressed.
* * * * *