U.S. patent application number 12/096400 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for blister pack with fold lines.
Invention is credited to Anouk Maria Louisa Meeren, Patrick Antonius Hendrikus Meeren.
Application Number | 20080302695 12/096400 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37757090 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080302695 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meeren; Patrick Antonius Hendrikus
; et al. |
December 11, 2008 |
Blister Pack with Fold Lines
Abstract
A blister pack for objects, such as tablets, pills or capsules,
comprises a plurality of accommodation units (1) which are
interconnected along lines of weakness (2). Each accommodation unit
(1) is provided with a piercable base sheet (5) and a cap part (4)
which is fixed to the base sheet (5). An accommodation space (7)
for accommodating an object (6) is formed between the base sheet
and the cap part for each accommodation unit. The blister pack
comprises a plurality of connecting parts (3), each of which is
connected by way of two respective lines of weakness (2) to a least
one accommodation unit in each case.
Inventors: |
Meeren; Patrick Antonius
Hendrikus; (Breda, NL) ; Meeren; Anouk Maria
Louisa; (Ulvenhout, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
209 Madison Street, Suite 500
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
37757090 |
Appl. No.: |
12/096400 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
December 6, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NL2006/050306 |
371 Date: |
August 12, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/531 ;
53/396 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/527 20130101;
B65D 83/0472 20130101; B65D 75/327 20130101; B65D 2585/56
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/531 ;
53/396 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/04 20060101
B65D083/04; B65B 63/00 20060101 B65B063/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 6, 2005 |
NL |
1030608 |
Claims
1-22. (canceled)
23. Blister pack for dosage forms of a pharmaceutical formulation
which is suitable for enteral administration, such as tablets,
pills or capsules, comprising a plurality of accommodation units
which are interconnected along lines of weakness, each
accommodation unit being provided with a piercable base sheet and a
cap part which is fixed to the base sheet, an accommodation space
for accommodating a dosage form being formed between the base sheet
and the cap part of each accommodation unit, each accommodation
space containing a dosage form, characterized in that the blister
pack comprises a plurality of connecting parts, each of which is
connected by way of two respective lines of weakness to at least
one accommodation unit in each case.
24. Blister pack according to claim 23, in which the lines of
weakness of the connecting part are situated on either side of said
connecting part.
25. Blister pack according to claim 23, in which each connecting
part is connected by way of each line of weakness thereof to a pair
of accommodation units which are directly connected to each other
by way of a line of weakness.
26. Blister pack according to claim 23, in which each accommodation
unit is of a height which is determined by the distance running
substantially perpendicularly relative to the base sheet from the
base sheet to the cap part, and the connecting part is of a length
which is determined by the distance between its lines of weakness,
and in which the length of the connecting part is substantially
greater than or equal to the height of an accommodation unit.
27. Blister pack according to claim 23, in which the length of a
connecting part is at least equal to substantially twice the height
of an accommodation unit.
28. Blister pack according to claim 23, in which each accommodation
unit is of a length which is determined by the distance between the
lines of weakness by means of which said accommodation unit is
connected to a connecting part and/or further accommodation unit,
and in which the length of the connecting part is substantially
less than the length of the accommodation unit.
29. Blister pack according to claim 23, in which the blister pack
is folded up along more than two of the lines of weakness.
30. Blister pack according to claim 29, in which the base sheets of
at least two accommodation units directly connected to each other
along a line of weakness face each other.
31. Blister pack according to claim 29, in which the cap part and
the base part respectively of two accommodation units connected to
each other by means of a connecting part face each other.
32. Blister pack according to claim 23, in which each accommodation
unit and each connecting part is of a respective width, which in
each case is determined by its maximum distance in the direction
running substantially parallel to the lines of weakness, and in
which the width of the connecting part is less than the width of an
accommodation unit.
33. Blister pack according to claim 23, in which the accommodation
units are detachable from each other along the lines of
weakness.
34. Blister pack according to claim 23, in which the circumference
of each accommodation unit corresponds to the circumference of the
object accommodated in it.
35. Blister pack according to claim 23, in which the circumference
of each accommodation unit is substantially rounded.
36. Blister pack according to claim 23, in which a core body is
provided, and in which the accommodation units with the connecting
part between them are rolled onto the core body.
37. Blister pack according to claim 23, in which the base sheet of
the accommodation units is made of aluminium, and in which the cap
part of the accommodation units is made of plastic, such as
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
38. Assembly of a blister pack according to claim 23, and a
container in which said blister pack is accommodated.
39. Assembly according to claim 38, in which the blister pack is
folded up along more than two of the lines of weakness, and in
which the dimensions of the container substantially correspond to
the dimensions of the folded blister pack.
40. Method for packaging objects such as tablets, pills or
capsules, comprising the provision of a blister pack according to
claim 23; folding up the blister pack, preferably in zigzag
fashion, along the lines of weakness.
41. Method according to claim 40, in which the base sheets of at
least two accommodation units directly connected to each other
along a line of weakness are folded towards each other.
42. Method according to claim 40, in which the cap parts of at
least two accommodation units connected to each other by means of a
connecting part are folded towards each other.
43. Method according to claim 40, in which the cap part and the
base part respectively of two accommodation units connected to each
other by means of a connecting part are folded towards each
other.
44. Method according to claim 40, in which a container for
accommodating the blister pack is provided, and in which the folded
blister pack is placed in the container.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a blister pack for dosage forms of
a pharmaceutical formulation which is suitable for enteral
administration, such as tablets, pills or capsules, comprising a
plurality of accommodation units which are interconnected along
lines of weakness, each accommodation unit being provided with a
piercable base sheet and a cap part which is fixed to the base
sheet, an accommodation space for accommodating an object being
formed between the base sheet and the cap part of each
accommodation unit.
[0002] Such a blister pack is known. The blister pack forms a
primary pack. The packed dosage forms, such as tablets, pills,
capsules and the like, are also indicated below by the term
objects. These objects are situated between the cap part and the
base sheet. The cap part can be deformed by heat, so that
individual accommodation units are produced. Each accommodation
unit is sufficiently large to contain the form of the individual
object. The cap part is closed off by the base sheet, which is
fixed to the cap part. This type of blister pack is sold in a
container, such as a cardboard box, which surrounds the blister
pack. The container forms a secondary pack.
[0003] A disadvantage of this pack is, however, that because of the
design of the blister pack described above, optimum use cannot be
made of the available volume of the container, i.e. the secondary
pack. The latter contains a considerable empty space. Furthermore,
the base sheet does not provide sufficient security, with the
result that the contents can come out of it prematurely. This means
that it is possible for the objects to come out of the pack
accidentally. When the individual accommodation units are torn off
the standard blister pack, sharp edges occur on the pack, so that
the user can injure himself and/or can damage the environment, and
in particular the base sheet of the pack. In addition, the small
mutual distance between the individual accommodation units makes
them difficult to tear off. The result is that a number of adjacent
base sheets of the individual accommodation units can be opened
accidentally. Furthermore, the individual redistribution of the
individual accommodation units, such as commonly occurs in
institutions, is time-consuming and inefficient.
[0004] An object of the invention it to provide a blister pack
which at least partially overcomes one or more of the
abovementioned drawbacks.
[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention in that
the blister pack comprises a plurality of connecting parts, each of
which is connected by way of two respective lines of weakness to at
least one accommodation unit in each case. The blister pack
according to the invention can be folded up along its lines of
weakness. By folding up the blister pack with the connecting parts,
which are provided between the accommodation units in such a way
that they can be folded along the lines of weakness, the
accommodation units can be placed, for example, alternately back to
back against each other. This means that the space between the
individual accommodation units is reduced, in other words the
accommodation units of the folded blister pack according to the
invention are packed more closely against each other. Since the
volume taken up in the blister pack is then reduced, this produces
a saving of space.
[0006] As a result of this, the empty space in the secondary pack
which surrounds the blister pack according to the invention can be
reduced. The secondary pack can consequently contain a blister pack
with more objects, or the secondary pack can be made smaller while
accommodating a blister pack with the same number of objects.
[0007] The blister pack can, for example, contain ten pills or
more. In this case the connecting parts and the accommodation units
connected to them can be aligned with each other in order to form
an elongated, possibly folded strip. Said strip therefore comprises
a series of accommodation units and connecting parts, which are
connected to each other by way of the lines of weakness. Of course,
it is also possible for the blister pack according to the invention
to comprise a plurality of such series or strips which are
interconnected parallel to and adjacent to each other along lines
of weakness.
[0008] A further advantage of the blister pack according to the
invention is that it means that less secondary packaging material
is needed. The primary packaging material is also reduced by
reducing the contact surface between the individual accommodation
units by using connecting parts, with the result that it is
possible to provide the individual accommodation units with a
maximum material-saving method, which is possibly based on the
contents of the individual accommodation units.
[0009] Yet a further advantage is that in the case of the blister
pack according to the invention the risk of accidental opening of
the individual accommodation units is reduced because of the fact
that the connecting parts between the individual accommodation
units make it possible to design the pack in such a way that the
base sheets of the individual accommodation units ultimately lie
back to back against each other, with the result that they keep
each other secure. The contents of the individual accommodation
units are consequently better protected.
[0010] Another advantage is that the blister pack according to the
invention prevents damage to the pack itself, injury to the user
and damage to the environment of the pack, owing to the fact that
the accommodation unit does not have any sharp corners.
[0011] Another advantage is that user convenience is increased by
the fact of simply tearing along the lines of weakness of the
individual accommodation units, since the mutual distance between
the individual accommodation units is increased in pairs by the
mutual connecting parts. This gives users more space to press the
individual contents per accommodation unit out of the primary pack
through base sheet, which reduces the risk of accidentally pressing
out several accommodation units.
[0012] Another advantage is more efficient redistribution of the
individual accommodation units by the fact that the connecting
parts make it possible to wind the primary packaging material onto
a core body, so that large quantities of individual accommodation
units can be supplied on a roll. This means that the individual
primary packs do not have to be taken out of the secondary pack
and, partly because of the abovementioned advantage, namely the
improvement of tearing along the lines of weakness of the
individual accommodation units, a more efficient redistribution in
terms of time can be achieved, so that financial advantage can be
obtained and ease of use of individual accommodation units can be
achieved.
[0013] It is noted that a pharmaceutical pack is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,659,706. This pack has a pair of blister sheets which
are interconnected by a hinge part. The blister sheets can be
folded along the hinge part, so that the blister sheets lie above
one another. The cap parts of the blister sheets are accommodated
inside each other after folding. This pack is not, however,
provided with a plurality of connecting parts, so that the
accommodation units of the blister sheets cannot be individually
folded. Besides, the base sheet of this blister pack faces
outwards, which increases the risk of damage.
[0014] It is noted that a pack is disclosed in GB 2096574. This
pack comprises a transparent cover which is fixed to a cardboard
base sheet. A bottle is accommodated between the two. A plurality
of these packs can be connected to each other by way of perforation
lines. A spacer is provided between two pairs of interconnected
packs. This makes it possible to fold up the packs. However, this
pack does not relate to dosage forms of a pharmaceutical
formulation which is suitable for enteral administration.
[0015] It is possible according to the invention for the lines of
weakness of the connecting part to be situated on either side of
said connecting part. In this case the lines of weakness are
provided on opposite edges of the connecting part. The lines of
weakness extend substantially parallel to each other.
[0016] It is preferable according to the invention for the
connecting part or each connecting part to be connected by way of
each line of weakness thereof to a pair of accommodation units
which are directly connected to each other by way of a line of
weakness. In this case two accommodation units in each case are
directly connected to each other along a line of weakness, which
two accommodation units form a pair. A connecting part is provided
in each case between said pairs of accommodation units, which
connecting part is connected by way of lines of weakness to each
pair.
[0017] It is possible according to the invention for each
accommodation unit to be of a height which is determined by the
distance running substantially perpendicularly relative to the base
sheet from the base sheet to the top of the cap part, and for the
connecting part to be of a length which is determined by the
distance between its lines of weakness, and for the length of the
connecting part to be substantially greater than or equal to the
height of an accommodation unit. The lines of weakness of a
connecting part are the lines of weakness by means of which said
connecting part is connected to one or two accommodation units in
each case.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the length of the
connecting part is at least equal to substantially twice the height
of an accommodation unit. If the ratio of said length and said
height is substantially equal to two, the blister pack can be
folded up in zigzag fashion to a particularly compact size. The
length of the connecting parts can, however, also be greater than
twice the height of the accommodation units.
[0019] It is possible according to the invention for each
accommodation unit to be of a length which is determined by the
distance between the lines of weakness by means of which said
accommodation unit is connected to a connecting part and/or further
accommodation unit, and for the length of the connecting part to be
substantially less than the length of the accommodation unit. The
lines of weakness of an accommodation unit are the lines of
weakness by means of which said accommodation unit is connected to
a connecting part or a further accommodation unit in each case.
[0020] In an embodiment according to the invention each
accommodation unit and each connecting part is of a respective
width which in each case is determined by its maximum distance in
the direction running substantially parallel to the lines of
weakness, and the width of the connecting part is less than the
width of an accommodation unit. The connecting parts are then
narrower than the accommodation units.
[0021] In an embodiment of the invention the circumference of each
accommodation unit substantially corresponds to the circumference
of the object accommodated in it. If the blister pack according to
the invention is filled with, for example, disc-shaped pills, which
are substantially round, it is preferable for each accommodation
unit also to be of a round shape.
[0022] According to the invention, the blister pack can comprise
various materials. For example, the base sheet of the accommodation
units is made of aluminium, while the cap part of the accommodation
units is made of plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or
polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The base sheet and/or the cap
part can, however, also comprise other materials. Other materials
suitable for the base sheet and/or the cap part are, for example,
amorphous polyamide (PA), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN),
polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polypropylene (PP), cyclo-olefin
copolymer (COC), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), ethylene vinyl
alcohol (EVOH), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyacrylonitrile (PAN),
polystyrene (PS), biaxially oriented polyamide (OPA),
chlorotrifluoroethyelene (CTFE), high-density polyethylene (RDPE),
low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or paper. The base sheet and/or the
cap part can also be made of, for example, any combination of the
abovementioned materials.
[0023] The invention also relates to an assembly of a blister pack
of the type described above and a container in which said blister
pack is accommodated. It is possible here for the blister pack to
be folded up in zigzag fashion and for the dimensions of the
container to correspond substantially to the dimensions of the
folded blister pack. The blister pack folded up in zigzag fashion
is then accommodated in a close fit in the container, for example a
box. The pack formed by the assembly is compact.
[0024] The invention furthermore relates to a method for packaging
objects such as tablets, pills or capsules, comprising the
provision of a blister pack of the type described above and folding
up the blister pack, preferably in zigzag fashion, along the lines
of weakness.
[0025] The invention will now be explained in greater detail with
reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, in
which:
[0026] FIGS. 1A-D show four side views of a blister pack according
to a first embodiment, folded up substantially in zigzag fashion,
the opening out of two accommodation units being shown in four
steps;
[0027] FIGS. 2A-D show four top views of the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1A-D;
[0028] FIGS. 3A-D show four top views of a blister pack according
to a second embodiment, folded up substantially in zigzag fashion,
the opening out of two pairs of accommodation units being shown in
four steps;
[0029] FIG. 4A shows an elevational view in cross section of an
accommodation unit of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0030] FIGS. 4B-C show a top view and side view of the
accommodation unit shown in FIG. 4A;
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a blister pack in a folded
state;
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the blister pack shown in FIG. 5
in a semi-folded state;
[0033] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the blister pack shown in FIG. 5
in a substantially fully opened-out state;
[0034] FIGS. 8A-D show four top views of four different embodiments
of connecting parts of a blister pack respectively;
[0035] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged top view of an accommodation unit
and a connecting part;
[0036] FIG. 10 shows two side views of a blister pack, in which the
length of the connecting part is twice the height of the
accommodation unit;
[0037] FIGS. 11A, B are views of a blister pack which can be rolled
up around a core body;
[0038] FIG. 12 shows a side view of a further embodiment of a
blister pack in a folded state;
[0039] FIG. 13 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
12, in an opened-out state.
[0040] The embodiment of the blister pack shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
comprises a strip of ten accommodation units 1. The number of
accommodation units can, of course, be different. The accommodation
units 1 form a single row. The blister pack has several pairs of
accommodation units directly connected to each other. A line of
weakness 2 is situated between each pair of accommodation units
1.
[0041] The blister pack comprises a number of connecting parts
3--in this exemplary embodiment four connecting parts 3. The
connecting parts 3 are provided between two pairs of accommodation
units 1 in each case. The connecting parts 3 are connected by means
of lines of weakness 2 to the adjacent accommodation units 1.
[0042] The blister pack can be folded up in zigzag fashion along
the lines of weakness to the state shown in FIG. 1A. From the
folded state the accommodation units can be opened out or deployed,
as shown in FIGS. 1B-D.
[0043] FIGS. 1A and 1B furthermore show diagrammatically by dashed
and dotted lines a container in which the blister pack can be
accommodated. In this exemplary embodiment the blister pack forms a
primary pack, and the container forms a secondary pack. The
dimensions of the container are adapted to the dimensions of the
blister pack in the folded state. Between the inside of the
container and the folded blister pack there is only a relatively
small amount of play. The container can be in different forms. For
example, the container is in the form of a cardboard box with a lip
on one end face or on both end faces. The lip can be opened out to
reach the blister pack.
[0044] Since this exemplary embodiment has only a single row of
accommodation units 1, there can be an odd number of accommodation
units 1. If a doctor prescribes a treatment of an odd number of
pills, for example 5 or 7, the blister pack according to the
invention can be adapted to this. This means that no accommodation
units remain unused, as regularly occurs in the case of known
pharmaceutical blister packs.
[0045] The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 comprises two parallel strips
of accommodation units 1. The strips form two adjacent rows of
accommodation units 1. The accommodation units 1 of each strip are
connected to each other in pairs by one connecting part 3 in each
case. Each connecting part 3 is connected by way of two opposite
lines of weakness 2 to two accommodation units 1 in each case,
which accommodation units are directly connected to each other by
way of a line of weakness 2. The parallel strips of accommodation
units 1 are fixed to each other at laterally adjacent accommodation
units 1 thereof in each case. Although this exemplary embodiment
comprises two strips of ten accommodation units 1, i.e. a total of
twenty accommodation units 1, said double blister pack can, of
course, comprise more or fewer accommodation units 1.
[0046] The accommodation units 1 of the embodiments shown in FIGS.
1 and 2 each comprise a piercable base sheet or bottom sheet 5 and
a cap part 4, which is fixed to the base sheet 5 (see FIG. 4A). The
cap part 4 of each accommodation unit 1 has a circumferential edge
which is aligned relative to the piercable base sheet 5 (see also
FIGS. 4B and 4C). The cap part 4 and the base sheet 5 bound an
interior accommodation space 7. The accommodation space 7 contains
a dosage form 6 of a pharmaceutical formulation which is suitable
for enteral or oral administration, such as tablets, pills or
capsules. The dosage forms 6 form objects packed in the blister
pack.
[0047] FIG. 4A shows furthermore that the connecting part 3 can
have a further line of weakness 2'. The line of weakness 2' is, for
example, provided centrally between the lines of weakness 2 by
means of which the connecting part 3 is connected to the adjacent
accommodation units 1. The further line of weakness 2' reduces the
risk of the base sheet 5 tearing when an accommodation unit 1 is
removed from the blister pack.
[0048] The way in which an embodiment of a blister pack according
to the invention is opened out is shown further in FIGS. 5-7. Said
blister pack can comprise one strip or two or more laterally
connected strips of accommodation units 1. Although the strip or
strips in FIGS. 5-7 comprise six accommodation units, the number of
accommodation units 1 can differ from this number. The
accommodation units 1 are connected to each other in pairs in each
case by a connecting part 3, which is provided with lines of
weakness 2. Each accommodation unit 1 is connected on either side
of said unit by way of a line of weakness 2 in each case to a
connecting part 3 and a further accommodation unit 1
respectively.
[0049] The connecting part 3 can be designed in various ways
according to the invention. For example, the connecting part is
formed as shown in FIGS. 8A-D. The connecting parts 3, 103, 203,
303 are provided between two pairs of accommodation units 1. The
connecting parts 3, 103, 203, 303 are connected by way of lines of
weakness 2 to said pairs of accommodation units 1.
[0050] The accommodation units 1 according to the invention can be
of a round shape. The line of weakness between the accommodation
unit 1 and the connecting part 3 is preferably straight, but it can
also correspond to the round shape of the accommodation unit (see
FIG. 9). The cap part 4 is connected to the piercable base sheet 5
for the purpose of protecting the enclosed object 6. There may be
play between the object 6 and the cap part 4 and/or base sheet
5.
[0051] In the embodiment according to FIG. 10 the length L of the
connecting part 3 is twice the height H of the accommodation units
1. The accommodation units 1 are connected to each other in pairs
by way of the lines of weakness 2, with the interposition of a
connecting element 3 in each case. The accommodation units 1 of
each pair are likewise connected to each other by way of a line of
weakness 2. Adapting the length L of the connecting parts 3 and the
height H of the accommodation units 1 of the blister pack to each
other makes the blister pack particularly compact in the folded
state.
[0052] In an alternative embodiment (see FIG. 11) the strip of
accommodation units 1 and connecting parts 3 which are connected by
lines of weakness 2 is rolled up in a direction 9 around a core
body 8. According to the invention, one strip or a plurality of
strips of accommodation units 1 laterally connected to each other
can be rolled up on the core body 8. In addition, it is possible
for said rolled-up strip or strips of accommodation units not to
have any connecting parts 3, i.e. the accommodation units in this
case are connected to each other only by way of lines of
weakness.
[0053] A further embodiment of the blister pack according to the
invention is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Said blister pack can be
folded up in zigzag fashion along the lines of weakness 2, the base
sheets 5 resting against the cap parts 4. The blister pack is shown
opened out in FIG. 13. A connecting part 3 is situated between each
pair of adjacent accommodation units 1, which connecting part is
connected by way of lines of weakness 2 to said accommodation units
1. The cap parts 4 of adjacent accommodation units 1 lie on either
side of the base sheet 5. The length of the connecting parts 3 in
this exemplary embodiment is substantially equal to the height of
the accommodation units 1.
[0054] Of course, the invention is not limited by the exemplary
embodiments shown in the figures, which the person skilled in the
art can adapt in various ways. For example, the number of
accommodation units 1 of the blister pack according to the
invention can be extended by adding further strips of accommodation
units 1 and connecting parts 3 and/or extending one or more strips
by adding further accommodation units 1 and connecting parts 3. It
is also possible according to the invention for more than one or
two accommodation units 1 to be provided between two connecting
parts 3 of a strip. It is even possible for the number of
accommodation units 1 between two connecting parts 3 in a strip of
accommodation units 1 and connecting parts 1 to vary.
* * * * *