U.S. patent application number 11/807835 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-30 for clamshell blister packaging.
Invention is credited to John A. Blackman.
Application Number | 20090188831 11/807835 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40898125 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090188831 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blackman; John A. |
July 30, 2009 |
Clamshell blister packaging
Abstract
A packaging apparatus for packaging OTC drugs, prescription
medications (e.g., "starter packs" given to patients by their
physicians), or any other suitable object or substance (e.g.,
tablets, button cell batteries or other small parts or components)
is provided. The packaging apparatus combines two thermoforming
packaging techniques: clam shell packaging and blister packaging
into a single package.
Inventors: |
Blackman; John A.; (Boca
Raton, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Baker & Hostetler LLP;Attn: Jim Coffman
45 Rockefeller Plaza
New York
NY
10111
US
|
Family ID: |
40898125 |
Appl. No.: |
11/807835 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60809090 |
May 26, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/531 ;
53/452 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/22 20130101;
B65D 75/24 20130101; B65D 83/0445 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/531 ;
53/452 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/04 20060101
B65D083/04; B65B 5/02 20060101 B65B005/02 |
Claims
1. A packaging apparatus comprising: a first element fixed to a
second element by a hinge, wherein said second element has at least
one cavity configured to receive an object; said first element is
configured to be selectively matable with said second element; said
hinge configured to enable movement of said first element relative
to said second element such that said packaging apparatus includes
an open position and a closed position; and a membrane fixed to
said second element of said packaging apparatus for sealing said at
least one cavity, wherein said membrane is capable of being
ruptured and permitting passage of an object through said
membrane.
2. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first
element, said second element, and said hinge are formed from a
single continuous piece of material.
3. The packaging apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said
material is a thermoplastic material.
4. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:
another membrane fixed to the second element to form a second
barrier sealing the at least one cavity within the second
element.
5. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said
membrane and said another membrane are paper.
6. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said
membrane is foil and said another membrane is paper.
7. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said
membrane and said another membrane are foil.
8. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said
membrane is paper and said another membrane is foil.
9. The packaging apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said at
least one cavity is formed in said second element in a manner which
places said at least one cavity within an interior of said first
element when said packaging apparatus is in said closed
position.
10. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at
least one cavity is a plurality of cavities.
11. The packaging apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said
membrane covers at least one cavity of said plurality of
cavities.
12. The packaging apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said
membrane covers all of said plurality of cavities.
13. A method of manufacturing a package comprising: forming a
housing that comprises an element fixed to another element by a
hinge, wherein said another element has at least one cavity
configured to receive an object; placing an object in said cavity;
fixing a membrane to said another element of said housing proximal
said object for maintaining said object in said cavity, wherein
said membrane is capable of being ruptured and permitting passage
of said object through said membrane upon an application of force
against said membrane by said object; and fixing another membrane
to said another element distal from said object relative to said
membrane.
14. The method according to claim 13 further comprising: forming
the element, the another element and the hinge from a single
continuous piece of material.
15. A packaging apparatus comprising: a single piece of material
formed into a lid fixed to a body by a hinge, wherein said body has
at least one cavity configured to receive an object; said hinge is
configured to enable movement of said first element relative to
said second element such that said packaging apparatus includes an
open position and a closed position; a membrane fixed to said body
proximal said cavity for closing said cavity; and another membrane
fixed to the second element distal from said cavity relative to
said membrane.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 60/809,090, filed May 26, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to packaging and,
more specifically, to clamshell packaging with an integrated
blister pack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A typical apparatus for packaging over-the-counter ("OTC")
drugs (e.g., flu or allergy tablets) includes a conventional
blister pack for enclosing the drugs and a paper carton for housing
the blister pack: This configuration has several drawbacks. For
example, often times the blister pack and the paper carton become
separated and one or the other lost since the items are entirely
separate pieces. Thus, the important drug labeling and warnings
that are often printed on the paper carton may not be seen by a
person who takes the OTC drugs. Also, the party who has the paper
carton may find that the blister pack is missing when that party
needs the medication. Further, many times a retailer must return
the product to the supplier because the paper carton has worn over
time. Paper cartons are also typically bulky and therefore require
significant real estate in retail establishments.
[0004] In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide
an improved apparatus and method for packaging OTC drugs,
medications or any other suitable object or substance to overcome
the above stated drawbacks. The present invention minimizes, and in
some aspects eliminates, the above-mentioned failures, and other
problems, by utilizing the methods and structural features
described herein.
[0005] Features and advantages of the invention will be set forth
in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from
the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention
without undue experimentation. Features and advantages of the
invention may be realized and obtained via the instruments and
combinations particularly pointed out in the drawings, subsequent
detailed description and appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The above and other objects and advantages of the present
invention are provided in accordance with the principles of the
present invention described herein. Embodiments of the present
invention relate to a packaging apparatus for packaging OTC drugs,
prescription medications (e.g., "starter packs" given to patients
by their physicians), or any other suitable object or substance
(e.g., tablets, button cell batteries or other small parts or
components).
[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, a packaging
apparatus is provided. The packaging apparatus includes a first
element hingedly connected to a second element. The second element
has at least one cavity for an object and the first element is
selectively matable with the second element. The hinge may enable
movement of the first element relative to the second element such
that the packaging apparatus may be positioned in an open position
or a closed position. The packaging apparatus also includes a
membrane fixed to the second element for sealing the cavity. The
membrane is capable of being ruptured which permits passage of an
object through the membrane when force is applied against the
membrane by the object.
[0008] In an embodiment, the packaging apparatus also includes an
additional membrane fixed to the second element to form a second
barrier sealing the cavity within the second element.
[0009] Other objectives and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent to the reader and it is intended that these
objectives and advantages are within the scope of the present
invention.
[0010] To accomplish the above and related objectives, this
invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however,
that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be
made in the specific construction illustrated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an above perspective of a packaging apparatus in
accordance with the present invention in a closed position.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an above perspective of the packaging apparatus of
FIG. 1 in an open position.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an angled-side perspective of the packaging
apparatus of FIG. 1 in an open position.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an angled-above perspective of a packaging
apparatus in accordance with the present invention in an open
position.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side-peripheral view of a packaging apparatus in
accordance with the present invention in an open position.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a side-peripheral view of a packaging apparatus in
accordance with the present invention in a closed position.
[0018] FIG. 7 is an above perspective of a packaging apparatus in
accordance with the present invention in an open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The foregoing and other features, aspects, and advantages of
the present invention will be more apparent from the following
detailed description, which illustrates exemplary embodiments of
the present invention.
[0020] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and to the
arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways where particular configurations, process steps, and
materials disclosed herein as such configurations, process steps,
and materials may vary somewhat. In addition, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as
limiting. Furthermore, as will be apparent to those skilled in the
art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the essential characteristics thereof.
[0021] For purposes of the description of the drawings and the
embodiments of the present invention, as mentioned for each
drawing, each figure may not be drawn to scale. Some areas may be
drawn bigger and/or simpler in order to clearly portray the
improvement to what has already been established. It will
nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the
invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further
modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any
additional applications of the principles of the invention as
illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in
the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to
be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. It is also
to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for
the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not
intended to be limiting since the scope of the present invention
will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents
thereof.
[0022] In an embodiment, the package combines two thermoforming
packaging techniques: clam shell packaging and blister packaging to
make possible the "Clamshell-Blister Pack" shown in FIGS. 1-7.
Generally, a clamshell package includes a rigid thermoformed
plastic container that features a hinged lid with, for example, a
positive snap closure so the package can be opened and resealed.
The lid may be printed with, for example, the product name and/or
instructions for use. Alternatively or additionally, an insert card
may be included within the clamshell package to explain the uses
and features of the product. A blister package includes one or more
cavities preformed in a material (typically plastic), where the
material is backed by another material (e.g., paper or metal foil)
to keep the product within the cavity.
[0023] FIG. 1 is an above perspective of a packaging apparatus 100
in a closed position displaying the hinged lid 102, also referred
to as the top or first element, of the packaging apparatus 100. The
packaging apparatus 100, also referred to as a clamshell package,
includes a rigid thermoformed plastic container featuring the
hinged lid 102. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the
packaging apparatus 100 could be formed of a semi-rigid material,
or possibly a flexible material, and still fit within the scope of
the present invention. The hinged lid 102 may entail a positive
snap closure so the clamshell package 100 can be opened and
resealed. The lid 102 which has an interior may be printed with,
for example, the product name and/or instructions for use, as
described below. The printed material may be on the inside, outside
or both of the lid 102. Alternatively or additionally, an insert
card, sticker or other appended label (not shown) may be included
within the clamshell package 100 to explain the uses and features
of the product.
[0024] FIG. 2 is an above perspective of the packaging apparatus
100 in an open position. The hinged lid 102 of FIG. 1 is fixed upon
a base 106 by a hinge 104. The base 106, also referred to as the
second element, includes at least one cavity 114(n) for receiving
an object (e.g., flu or allergy tablets or gelcaps). Those skilled
in the art will recognize that the cavity 114(n) may be configured
to accommodate multiple objects and typically it will include
multiple cavities 114(1-n). The packaging apparatus 100 also
includes a membrane 108 fixed to the base 106 for maintaining the
object in the at least one cavity 114(n). The membrane 108 may seal
all of the cavities 114(1-n), only some of the cavities 114(1-n) or
only one of the cavities 114(1-n). The membrane 108 is capable of
being ruptured and thus permitting passage of an object through the
membrane 108 upon an application of force against the membrane 108.
It may also be possible to rupture the membrane 108 via force
applied to the base 106, which applies force to the object within
the cavity, which in turn applies force to the membrane 108, thus
rupturing the membrane 108 and permitting passage of the object
through the membrane 108. The lid 102 and base 106 may be formed in
a single and continuous form, fill, and seal process from two or
more flexible films. Alternatively, other methods for forming the
packaging apparatus 100 may be employed. Those skilled in the art
will recognize that any combination of the lid 102 and base 106
affixed to one-another via a hinge 104 may be utilized (e.g., the
lid 102, base 106 and hinge 104 as separate parts; the hinge 104
formed integral with only the lid 102 or only the base 106).
Further, while the hinge has been illustrated as a single hinge
running along the full length of the clamshell package 100, those
skilled in the art will recognize that one or more smaller hinges
could be employed without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0025] The Clamshell-Blister Pack 100 may be formed in a single and
continuous form, fill, and seal process. A clear thermoplastic film
such as polyvinyl chloride or a polyolefin may be printed with
trademarks, labeling requirements and graphic design and then
thermoformed to provide in a single piece:
[0026] 1. a lid (cover) 102;
[0027] 2. a base 106 containing at least one cavity 114(n) and
having shoulders 110 to receive the lid 102; and
[0028] 3. a living hinge 104 connecting the base 106 to the lid
102.
A second film or membrane 108 such as paper, metal foil, a laminate
of paper and/or metal foil having a surface coated with a film of a
thermoplastic material such as polyethylene, polystyrene, or the
like, is sealed to the base 106 to seal the blister cavities
114(1-n). This process may be achieved through the conventional
application of heat and pressure or in any other suitable fashion.
The blister package portion 114 may contain products 115(1-n)
within the blister cavities 114(1-n). These products 115(1-n) may
be identical, different, grouped etc.
[0029] The base 106 may be covered by a third film 116 which also
may be a rupturable membrane made of paper, foil, or a laminate of
paper and foil. The third film 116 may be sealed to the bottom of
the base 106 to act as a second barrier between the real world and
the product 115(1-n). The third film 116 may also extend beyond the
perimeter of the packaging apparatus and be used as a hang tag so
the packaging apparatus 100 may be hung in a hanging display rather
than stored on a shelf.
[0030] FIG. 3 is an angled-side perspective of a packaging
apparatus 100 as described above in relation to FIG. 2.
[0031] FIG. 4 is an angled-above perspective of a packaging
apparatus 100 as described above in relation to FIG. 2.
[0032] FIGS. 5-7 are perspective views of a packaging apparatus in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a
side-peripheral view of the packaging apparatus 100 in an open
position as described above in relation to FIG. 2. FIG. 5 shows the
location of the third film 116. FIG. 6 is a side-peripheral view of
the packaging apparatus 100 in a closed position as described in
relation to FIG. 1, in which the lid 102 and base 106 are
illustrated. FIG. 7 is an above perspective of the packaging
apparatus 100 in an open position, as described in FIG. 2.
INDUSTRIAL EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Illustrative advantages of the Clamshell Blister Pack will
now be described. Economical: The Clamshell Blister Pack eliminates
the need for, and the expense of the printed paper carton required
for a conventional blister pack. It also eliminates the complex and
highly regulated inventory requirements for the printed paper
carton. With a conventional blister package, the blister is one
component of the package and the printed paper carton is the second
component. In contrast, the Clamshell Blister Pack forms the
blister pack within its own integral "carton", as stated above in
reference to FIG. 2. The blister package 114 is formed within the
cavity 114(n) of the base 106 of the clamshell apparatus 100. An
assortment of configurations may occur between the cavity 114(n)
and the blister package 114, which could include, among others,
that the cavity 114(n) may be separated into multiple blister
packages 114 for different products 115(1-n).
[0034] Safe: The Clamshell Blister Pack provides a tamper evident
package that may permanently maintain the integrity of important
drug labeling and warnings (as compared with typical paper cartons
that are discarded or deteriorate).
[0035] Efficient: The Clamshell Blister Pack can be manufactured by
a fully automated form, fill, and seal operation that produces a
completed FDA-compliant package ready for use.
[0036] Convenient: The Clamshell Blister Pack has an extremely thin
profile (up to 80% thinner than conventional packages) that allows
patients to easily slip the package into a pocket to carry with
them.
[0037] Patient Compliance: Each blister cavity of the Clamshell
Blister Pack may be labeled or numbered to enable the patient to
know if they have taken, or need to take their medication.
[0038] Maintains Quality Appearance: The Clamshell Blister Pack
will not easily scuff, smear, crush, rip, or stain. It preserves a
clean quality product appearance at retail and significantly
reduces returns for shopworn merchandise.
[0039] Better Merchandising: The Clamshell Blister Pack is up to
80% thinner than conventional packages permitting many more
packages per facing at retail and more efficient use of space for
retail displays.
[0040] Space Saving and Elegant Package for Physicians' Samples:
The Clamshell Blister Pack provides the perfect format for
physicians' samples or "patient starter packs".
[0041] Other features and advantages of embodiments of the present
invention will be apparent from the drawings and claims.
[0042] Thus it is seen that a clamshell package with integrated
blister pack and method of its manufacture are provided. Although
particular embodiments have been disclosed herein in detail, this
has been done by way of example for purposes of illustration only,
and is not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the
appended claims, which follow. It is contemplated by the inventor
that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the claims. Other aspects, advantages, and
modifications are considered to be within the scope of the
following claims. The claims presented are representative of the
inventions disclosed herein. Other, unclaimed inventions are also
contemplated. The inventor reserves the right to pursue such
inventions in later claims.
* * * * *