U.S. patent application number 12/996570 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-09 for package with enclosure for dispensing doses of a medicament.
Invention is credited to Kenneth D. Silverman.
Application Number | 20110132795 12/996570 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41010214 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110132795 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Silverman; Kenneth D. |
June 9, 2011 |
PACKAGE WITH ENCLOSURE FOR DISPENSING DOSES OF A MEDICAMENT
Abstract
Various embodiments of the present invention provide for a
package for dispensing a single medicinal unit dose. The package
may include an enclosure, an access opening in the enclosure for
retrieving a unit dose from the enclosure, and at least one
medicament holder for holding the unit dose, such that the unit
dose removed from the medicament holder falls into and is captured
by the enclosure, for later retrieval through the access
opening.
Inventors: |
Silverman; Kenneth D.;
(Bridgewater, NJ) |
Family ID: |
41010214 |
Appl. No.: |
12/996570 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
June 4, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US09/46274 |
371 Date: |
February 24, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61059338 |
Jun 6, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/531 ;
206/539 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/0463
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/531 ;
206/539 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/04 20060101
B65D083/04 |
Claims
1. A package for dispensing a single medicinal unit dose, the
package comprising: a wall structure defining an enclosure; an
access opening in the enclosure for retrieving a unit dose from the
enclosure; and at least one medicament holder for holding the unit
dose, the at least one medicament holder being mounted to the wall
structure such that the unit dose removed from the medicament
holder falls into and is captured by the enclosure, for later
retrieval through the access opening.
2. A package according to claim 1, wherein each the medicament
holder comprises a blister for holding the unit dose.
3. A package according to claim 2, further comprising a rupturable
backing provided on an inner surface of the blister for retaining
the unit dose in each the blister.
4. A package according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of
blisters mounted to the wall structure.
5. A package according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
medicament holder is integrally formed with the wall structure.
6. A package according to claim 5, wherein each the medicament
holder includes a blister for holding the unit dose, the blister
being formed by a deformable portion of the wall structure, and
further comprising a rupturable backing provided on an inner
surface of the wall structure in association with each the blister
for retaining the unit dose in the blister.
7. (canceled)
8. A package according to claim 1, wherein the wall structure
includes at least one entry opening, and the at least one
medicament holder is permanently secured to the wall structure in
association with the at least one entry opening.
9. A package according to claim 8, wherein the at least one
medicament holder includes a blister for holding the unit dose and
a rupturable backing provided on an inner surface of the blister
for retaining the unit dose in the blister, the blister and
rupturable backing being permanently secured to the wall structure
for passing the unit dose from the blister through one the entry
opening into the enclosure.
10. A package according to claim 9, further comprising an insert
comprising a plurality of the blisters therein, with the rupturable
backing provided on an inner surface of the insert, the insert
being permanently secured to the wall structure for passing the
unit dose from the blister through one the entry opening into the
enclosure.
11. (canceled)
12. A package according to claim 1, wherein the wall structure
includes at least one entry opening, and the at least one
medicament holder is removably secured to the wall structure.
13. A package according to claim 12, wherein the wall structure
further includes at least one guide for guiding and mounting the at
least one medicament holder such that each medicament holder is
positioned in covering relation to one the entry opening.
14. A package according to claim 13, wherein the at least one
medicament holder includes an insert comprising a plurality of the
blisters therein, with the rupturable backing provided on an inner
surface of the insert, the insert being removably mounted to the
wall structure by the at least one guide for passing the unit dose
from each the blister through one the entry opening into the
enclosure.
15. A package according to claim 14, wherein the insert includes a
card insert, and the at least one guide includes parallel, spaced
apart, L-shaped walls on an outer surface of the wall structure for
slidably receiving the card insert to mount the card insert to the
wall enclosure.
16-17. (canceled)
18. A package according to claim 1, wherein the wall structure
includes: a clam shell package comprising a center section and
first and second hinged side sections hingedly secured to opposite
sides of the center section, the first side section comprising at
least one medicament holder therein, and a container comprising
entry openings and mounted in the second side section, such that
when the clam shell package is closed, each the medicament holder
is positioned in covering relation to one the entry opening, the
container comprising the access opening.
19. (canceled)
20. A package according to claim 1, wherein at least one the
medicament holder includes a deformable front wall which can be
depressed by a person's finger and a deformable rear wall for
retaining the unit dose in the medicament holder, the deformable
rear wall comprising an inwardly turned section which locks the
unit dose in the medicament holder and which is turned outwardly
upon deformation of the deformable front wall in order to release
the unit dose through the deformable rear wall.
21. (canceled)
22. A pharmaceutical product comprising at least one medicament
holder and a package for dispensing a single medicinal unit dose,
the package comprising: a wall structure defining an enclosure; an
access opening in the enclosure for retrieving a unit dose from the
enclosure; and at least one medicament holder for holding the unit
dose, the at least one medicament holder being mounted to the wall
structure such that the unit dose removed from the medicament
holder falls into and is captured by the enclosure, for later
retrieval through the access opening.
23. A pharmaceutical product according to claim 22, wherein the at
least one medicament holder comprising at least one pharmaceutical
dosage form.
24-25. (canceled)
26. A pharmaceutical kit, comprising the package of claim 1 and a
plurality of medicament holders which comprises a plurality of
pharmaceutical dosage forms.
27. A blank for forming a package for dispensing a single medicinal
unit dose, the blank comprising: a plurality of wall panels
connected together for forming an enclosure with at least a closed
bottom, and at least one blister for holding a unit dose
incorporated into at least one of the wall panels of the enclosure,
such that when the wall panels are connected together to form the
enclosure, a unit dose removed from one the blister falls into and
is captured by the enclosure, for later retrieval.
28. A blank according to claim 27, further comprising a rupturable
backing provided on an inner surface of the wall panel to each the
blister for retaining a unit dose in each the blister.
29-39. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to packages for
holding and dispensing medicinal unit doses, and more particularly,
is directed to a package for dispensing a single medicinal unit
dose.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generally, medicinal units, such as tablets, capsules,
caplets, films, gels or the like, are housed in a package, such as
a plastic bottle that has an opening which is sufficiently large to
accommodate and allow the flow of multiple medicinal units through
the opening at one time in order to facilitate filling these
containers during packaging line operations. Plastic bottles are
inherently cheap and simple to process on packaging lines, making
them a commonly used package for oral drug products.
[0003] Such packages, however, may render it difficult for
consumers to limit dispensing the desired number of medicinal
units, particularly when the consumer has limited fine motor
abilities. Consumers with limited fine motor abilities include
patients, such as the elderly or those with neurological disorders
(e.g., Parkinson's disease). Consequently, such patients may
undesirably dispense too many medicinal units from a package such
as a bottle. Also of concern is spillage from the undesirable
dispensing of too many medicinal units which may result whereby one
or more medicinal units drops to the floor and becomes lost,
irretrievable, or contaminated. This may result in the loss of
possibly very expensive medicinal units.
[0004] Although there are single unit dose dispensing packages
available, for example, blister packs, these packs still present
problems. Blister packs or cards containing pharmaceutical unit
doses are sold with the blister pack as the primary package which
holds the unit doses. During dispensing by patients with
neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, there is still
the problem that a unit dose will drop to the floor or otherwise
become lost, irretrievable or contaminated.
[0005] Thus, it would therefore be desirable to provide a package
containing unit doses, which limits dispensing of medicinal unit
doses one at a time while minimizing the risk of spillage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Various embodiments of the present invention provide a
package for dispensing a single medicinal unit dose. The package
may have a wall structure defining an enclosure; an access opening
in the enclosure for retrieving a unit dose from the enclosure; and
at least one medicament holder for holding the unit dose, the at
least one medicament holder being mounted to the wall structure
such that the unit dose removed from the medicament holder falls
into and is captured by the enclosure, for later retrieval through
the access opening.
[0007] Each medicament holder may include a blister for holding the
unit dose. A rupturable backing may be provided on an inner surface
of the blister for retaining the unit dose in each the blister and
there may be a plurality of blisters mounted to the wall structure.
The medicament holder may be integrally formed with the wall
structure or removable and replaced with a replacement medicament
holder that has new set up doses of medicament. The medicament
holder may include a blister for holding the unit dose, the blister
being formed by a deformable portion of the wall structure, and
further comprising a rupturable backing provided on an inner
surface of the wall structure in association with each the blister
for retaining the unit dose in the blister. The wall structure may
include a removable closure cap or a cap that is attached to the
package. The cap may be a senior friendly or child resistant cap.
The wall structure may include at least one entry opening, and the
at least one medicament holder is permanently secured to the wall
structure in association with the at least one entry opening. The
at least one medicament holder may include a blister for holding
the unit dose and a rupturable backing provided on an inner surface
of the blister for retaining the unit dose in the blister, the
blister and rupturable backing being permanently secured to the
wall structure for passing the unit dose from the blister through
one the entry opening into the enclosure. An insert can have a
plurality of the blisters therein, with the rupturable backing
provided on an inner surface of the insert, the insert being
permanently secured to the wall structure for passing the unit dose
from the blister through one the entry opening into the enclosure.
The blister may extend through one the entry opening.
[0008] The wall structure may include at least one entry opening,
and the at least one medicament holder is removably secured to the
wall structure. The wall structure may further include at least one
guide for guiding and mounting the at least one medicament holder
such that each medicament holder is positioned in covering relation
to one the entry opening. The medicament holder may include an
insert having a plurality of the blisters therein, with the
rupturable backing provided on an inner surface of the insert, the
insert being removably mounted to the wall structure by the at
least one guide for passing the unit dose from each the blister
through one the entry opening into the enclosure. The insert may
include a card insert, and the at least one guide includes
parallel, spaced apart, L-shaped walls on an outer surface of the
wall structure for slidably receiving the card insert to mount the
card insert to the wall enclosure. A label and/or instructions on
the use or dosing information may be included loosely within the
package or contained on a wall structure.
[0009] Another embodiment provides for a package with a wall
structure has a clam shell package having a center section and
first and second hinged side sections hingedly secured to opposite
sides of the center section, the first side section including at
least one medicament holder therein, and a container having entry
openings and mounted in the second side section, such that when the
clam shell package is closed, each the medicament holder is
positioned in covering relation to one the entry opening, the
container including the access opening. The wall structure can be
formed by a blank.
[0010] The medicament holder can have a deformable front wall which
can be depressed by a person's finger and a deformable rear wall
for retaining the unit dose in the medicament holder, the
deformable rear wall including an inwardly turned section which
locks the unit dose in the medicament holder and which is turned
outwardly upon deformation of the deformable front wall in order to
release the unit dose through the deformable rear wall.
[0011] Additional embodiments of the present invention provide
methods of reducing the risk of a neurological patient dropping a
single medicinal unit dose by providing the various packages of the
present invention to a patient with a neurological disease.
[0012] Various embodiments provide a pharmaceutical product having
at least one medicament holder and a package for dispensing a
single medicinal unit dose. The package may have a wall structure
defining an enclosure; an access opening in the enclosure for
retrieving a unit dose from the enclosure; and at least one
medicament holder for holding the unit dose, the at least one
medicament holder being mounted to the wall structure such that the
unit dose removed from the medicament holder falls into and is
captured by the enclosure, for later retrieval through the access
opening.
[0013] A single medicinal unit dose may be one medicament or
multiple medicaments and may be in any suitable pharmaceutical
dosage form, such as but not limited to, a tablet, capsule, caplet
and/or gelcaps. The single medicinal unit dose can have one or more
medicaments such as one, two, three medicaments. For example, a
single medicinal unit dose may be 1 tablet or 2 tablets or 3
tablets, etc. The single medicinal unit dose may have at least one
tablet, capsule, caplet or gelcap or combinations thereof. The
medicament can be the same or different dosage forms.
[0014] The medicament desirably contains an active pharmaceutical
agent such as those useful in treating people with diseases that
may make the patient's hand shake or otherwise impeded the
performance of one's hands, such as but not limited to a those
actives useful in treating a neurological disease, such as
Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, arthritis, turret's disease and the
like.
[0015] Other embodiments provide for a pharmaceutical kit that
includes a package for dispensing a single medicinal unit dose and
a plurality of medicament holders which house a plurality of
pharmaceutical dosage forms. The kit may be sold together so that
the medicament holders may be swapped in and out of the package as
the dosage forms in the medicaments are finished.
[0016] Additional embodiments provide a blank for forming a package
for dispensing a single medicinal unit dose where the blank has a
plurality of wall panels connected together for forming an
enclosure with at least a closed bottom, and at least one blister
for holding a unit dose incorporated into at least one of the wall
panels of the enclosure, such that when the wall panels are
connected together to form the enclosure, a unit dose removed from
one the blister falls into and is captured by the enclosure, for
later retrieval.
[0017] The blank may further have a rupturable backing provided on
an inner surface of the wall panel to each the blister for
retaining a unit dose in each the blister. There may be a plurality
of the blisters incorporated into at least one of the wall panels.
The wall panels and the at least one blister may be made from the
same material, such as a plastic material. The plurality of wall
panels may include a front wall panel, a rear wall panel and two
side wall panels connected together in series along score lines.
The plurality of wall panels may include a bottom flap connected to
a lower end of one the wall panel along a score line, and a top
flap connected to an upper end of one the wall panel. The plurality
of wall panels may include at least one bottom side flap connected
to a lower end of at least one the wall panel and at least one top
side flap connected to an upper end of at least one the wall
panel.
[0018] Various embodiments of the present invention provide for a
package for dispensing a single medicinal unit dose. The package
may include an enclosure, an access opening in the enclosure for
retrieving a unit dose from the enclosure, and at least one
medicament holder for holding the unit dose, such that the unit
dose removed from the medicament holder falls into and is captured
by the enclosure, for later retrieval through the access
opening.
[0019] The medicament holder can be a blister that is integrally
formed with the package. Alternatively, the medicament holder can
be a removable insert.
[0020] Multiple embodiments of the present invention provide a
package in which an insert such as a blister pack is integrated
into the walls of the package. Alternatively, the insert may be
removably insertable into the package. A unit dose of a medicament
is capable of falling into the interior or enclosure of the
package, thereby preventing loss thereof. Various embodiments
provide for safe, accurate, and/or low cost delivery of the single
unit dose. Suitable delivery mechanisms include threaded closures
on a neck finish, child resistant or senior friendly closures on a
neck finish, a dispensing spout, a gable top, a sliding door, a
tear strip, a locking flap, etc.
[0021] The package and the inserts or blisters may be made from the
same material, thereby assuring compliance with compatibility
regulations. Desirably, a package is relatively inexpensive to
manufacture and easy to use.
[0022] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
package for dispensing a single medicinal unit dose; includes a
plurality of wall panels forming an enclosure, an access opening in
the enclosure for retrieving a unit dose from the enclosure, and at
least one insert or blister for holding a unit dose incorporated
into at least one of the wall panels of the package enclosure, such
that a unit dose removed from one blister falls into and is
captured by the enclosure thereby rendering the unit dose ready for
retrieval through the access opening.
[0023] There may also be a rupturable backing provided on an inner
surface of the wall panel to each blister for retaining a unit dose
in each blister. There may be a plurality of the blisters
incorporated into at least one of the wall panels of the enclosure,
and the package may be a rectangular parallelepiped configuration.
In addition, the wall panels and the at least one insert or blister
may be made from the same material.
[0024] In various embodiments, the plurality of wall panels include
a front wail panel, a rear wall panel and two side wall panels
connected together in a rectangular parallelepiped configuration
which defines a lower opening thereof and an upper end thereof
forming the access opening, a bottom flap for closing the lower
opening and a top flap removably closing the access opening.
[0025] The above and other features of the invention will become
readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof
which is to be read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package for dispensing
unit doses with dosage and spillage control according to the
present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a blank for forming the package
of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the blank of FIG. 2,
taken along line 3-3 thereof;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the package of FIG.
2;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the package of FIG. 1,
taken along line 5-5 thereof;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a card insert containing
blisters;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, showing
a package according to another embodiment, for use with the card
insert of FIG. 6;
[0033] FIG. 8 is perspective view of a package according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 9 is perspective view of a package according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 10 is perspective view of a bottle according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 11 is perspective view of a bottle according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 12 is front elevational view of a bottle according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 13 is top plan view of the bottle of FIG. 12;
[0039] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the assembled clam shell
package according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the clam shell package
of FIG. 14 in an opened configuration;
[0041] FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the clam shell package
of FIG. 14 in an assembled condition;
[0042] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a modified blister
arrangement in the non-activated condition; and
[0043] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the modified blister
arrangement in the activated condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGS.
1-3 thereof, a receptacle 10 for dispensing unit doses with dosage
and spillage control is formed from a blank 11 which includes, in
order, a first side wall panel 12, a front wail panel 14, a second
side wall panel 16, a rear wall panel 18, and a securing tab panel
20, connected together respectively at longer sides thereof.
[0045] The receptacle can be any suitable shape such as a boxed
shape, cylindrical shape, triangular shape, rounded shape, etc. The
outlet may be conical to facilitate removal of the medicament. The
front wall panel can be any suitable shape, including rectangular,
square, triangular, trapezoidal, etc. The wall panels can also have
rounded edges.
[0046] Score lines 22, 24, 26 and 28 or the like are provided
between adjacent connected panels, namely, between first side wall
panel 12 and front wall panel 14, between front wall panel 14 and
second side wall panel 16, between second side wall panel 16 and
rear wall panel 18 and between rear wall panel 18 and securing tab
panel 20, to enable blank 11 to be folded along score lines 22, 24,
26 and 28 such that each panel is bent perpendicular to its
adjacent panel.
[0047] The receptacle can made out of any suitable material,
including paperboard, cardboard, plastic, metal and the like. The
receptacle may be reusable. In such cases, the medicament
containing insert may be removed and replaced with another insert.
One of the walls of the receptacle may be movable to allow for
removal and insertion of the insert. The bottom wall, side wail or
opening top may be removably connected with an appropriate latch or
hinge mechanism.
[0048] Alternatively, rather than score lines, thinner diameter
lines or V-shaped cut-outs can be provided in place thereof, and
reference to score lines in the claims is intended to encompass all
such variations. In this manner, securing tab panel 20 is secured
to first side wall panel 12 by an adhesive, as best shown in FIG.
5, to form an enclosure.
[0049] A bottom flap 30 is connected to one shorter side of rear
wall panel 18 along a score line 32, and includes a tab 34
connected at the opposite end thereof along a score line 36. In
addition, bottom side flaps 38 and 40 are connected to one shorter
side of first and second side wall panels 12 and 16 along score
lines 42 and 44, respectively, on the same side of blank 11 as
bottom flap 30.
[0050] When blank 11 has been folded along score tines 22, 24, 26
and 28 such that each panel is bent perpendicular to its adjacent
panel, and securing tab panel 20 is secured to first side wall
panel 12 by an adhesive to form an enclosure, bottom side flaps 38
and 40 are bent inwardly along score lines 42 and 44, and bottom
flap 30 is folded along score line 32 to a position overlapping
bottom side flaps 38 and 40, and which closes the lower opening of
the enclosure. Tab 34 is folded along score line 36 to be
perpendicular to bottom flap 30 and thereby lie against the inner
surface of front wall panel 14, thereby retaining bottom flap 30 in
this position.
[0051] A top flap 46 is connected to one shorter side of front wall
panel 14 along a score line 48, on the opposite side of blank 11
from bottom flap 30, and includes a tab 50 connected at the
opposite end thereof along a score line 52. In addition, top side
flaps 54 and 56 are connected to the opposite shorter side of first
and second side wall panels 12 and 16 along score lines 58 and 60,
respectively, on the same side of blank 11 as top flap 46.
[0052] When blank 11 has been folded along score lines 22, 24, 26
and 28 such that each panel is bent perpendicular to its adjacent
panel, and securing tab 20 is secured to first side wall panel 12
by an adhesive to form an enclosure, top side flaps 54 and 56 are
bent inwardly along score lines 58 and 60, and top flap 46 is
folded along score line 48 to a position overlapping top side flaps
54 and 56, and which closes the upper opening of the enclosure. Tab
50 is folded along score line 52 to be perpendicular to top flap 46
and thereby lie against the inner surface of rear wall panel 18,
thereby retaining top flap 46 in this position. With this
arrangement, package 10 forms a rectangular parallelepiped
configuration. Alternatively, the package may be any suitable
shape, including triangular, circular, rectangular, conical and the
like.
[0053] In accordance with other aspects of the present invention,
blank 11 is formed with a plurality of inserts, blisters or
compartments 62 in front wall panel 14 and each extending forwardly
thereof, each for holding a single unit dose such as a tablet,
capsule, caplet or the like, and each in alignment with an opening
64 (FIGS. 3 and 5) in front wall panel 14. Blisters 62 extend
forwardly out of the plane of front wall panel 14. A backing 66 can
be made of foil, plastic, soft polymeric material or the like,
which can be punctured, and is secured in covering relation to the
rear or inner surface of front wall panel 14 to hold the unit doses
in the individual blisters 62. It will be appreciated that the
formation of blisters 62 is not limited to front wall panel 14, but
may be provided in other wall panels, or in a plurality of the wall
panels of package 10.
[0054] Blank 11, including blister inserts 62, may be made from one
sheet of material, which may be a clear, fully colored or partially
colored thermoformed plastic material.
[0055] In use, a person merely presses on one of the blisters 62 to
push the unit dose through backing 66, whereby the unit dose falls
into the enclosure of package 10. The unit dose can then be removed
from package 10 by merely opening top flap 46 and top side flaps 54
and 56. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, after a unit dose
has been removed from its respective blister 62, dispensing of the
unit dose from package 10 can be accomplished by means of a
child-resistant closure, flap, funnel or spout connected with one
or more wall panels or flaps, so that the patient receives the
single dose with lowered chance of spillage.
[0056] It will be appreciated that a single unit dose can be
dispensed into box shaped package 10. This means that the risk that
the unit dose will drop, become lost and contaminated will be
minimized. Advantageously, this bottle will help a person with a
neurological disorder who attempts to remove a single unit dose
from a bottle or from a conventional blister pack.
[0057] Additionally, an outer package or box for holding the
blister pack may not be needed, since blisters 62 are built
directly into package 10, thereby reducing the costs and time of
manufacture. This means of manufacture provides the advantages of
fewer process steps, fewer errors and improved quality control.
Because blisters 62 and package 10 are made from the same material,
manufacture thereof is less costly and easier, and a further
benefit is derived because this assures compliance with
compatibility regulations. It will be appreciated that lower cost
can be achieved because package 10 including blisters 62 can be
manufactured from one continuous roll of plastic. In addition, the
material can be made transparent so that the patient is able to
observe the dose they are about to dispense.
[0058] It will also be appreciated that once the single dose is
dispensed into the chamber, access to or further dispensation of
the dose into the patient's hand or mouth can be further
controlled.
[0059] Thus, the present invention replaces the current blister
pack to hand to mouth dispensing method with a blister pack to
receptacle to hand to mouth (or directly from receptacle to mouth),
without adding any packaging compatibility issue.
[0060] It will be appreciated that reference to unit doses in the
claims is intended to encompass all types of unit doses including
but not limited to capsules, tablets, colloids, caplets, powders,
liquids, etc.
[0061] Other embodiments of the present invention provide for a
labeling either on the package or the blisters or the wails. Such
labeling could identify the type of drug contained therein.
Suitable labels include weeks, days of the week or indications
within a day such as nighttime/PM or morning/AM that would be in
accordance with the desirable dosing regimens of the particular
medicament(s) contained therein. Other embodiments include packages
that include at least two active pharmaceutical agents either in
separate dosage forms or in a combined dosage form. The package can
contain labeling of the separate dosage forms with instructions of
the appropriate use and dosing of such active pharmaceutical
agents.
[0062] It will be appreciated that various modifications can be
made to the present invention.
[0063] For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, rather than blisters
62 being formed as part of the package, they can be formed as an
insert that is assembled with the package. Specifically, referring
first to FIG. 7, there is a shown a box shaped package 10a in which
elements corresponding to box shaped package 10 are identified by
the same numerals but with the letter "a" appended thereto, and a
detailed description of the common elements is not provided.
Basically, box shaped package 10a is identical to box shaped
package 10, except that blisters 62 are not formed thereon.
Instead, openings 68a are provided at positions of blisters 62 of
box shaped package 10. An insert card 70a is provided, having
blisters or compartments 62a formed thereon, each extending
forwardly thereof, each for holding a single unit dose such as a
tablet, capsule, caplet or the like, and each in alignment with an
opening 64a in insert card 70a for removal of the unit dose.
Blisters 62a extend forwardly out of the plane of insert card 70a.
A backing 66a can be made of foil, plastic, soft polymeric material
or the like, which can be punctured, and is secured in covering
relation to the rear surface of insert card 70a to hold the unit
doses in the individual blisters 62a. insert card 70a, including
blisters 62a, may be made from one sheet of material, which may be
a clear, fully colored or partially colored thermoformed plastic
material.
[0064] With this arrangement, insert card 70a can be secured to the
rear surface of front wall panel 14a such that blisters 62a extend
out through openings 68a in front wail panel 14. Securement can be
made by any suitable means, including adhesive, ultrasonic welding,
etc. Insert card 70a can be assembled with front wall panel 14a of
the flattened blank 11, when the package 10 is fully assembled, or
during any step therebetween. It will also be appreciated that
insert card 70a is not limited to assembly with front wall panel
14, but may be provided in other wall panels, or in a plurality of
the wall panels of package 10a.
[0065] Although the present invention has been discussed with a
package 10 of a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the present
invention is not limited thereby. For example, as shown in FIG. 8,
a package 10b can have a cylindrical main body section 72b on which
blisters 62b are formed, and a conical spout section 74b secured to
the upper end of main body section 72b. A lid flap 76b is secured
at the upper open end 78b of conical spout section 74b by any
suitable means, such as a living hinge 80b. Lid flap 76b can be
secured to close open end 78b, for example, by a clasp (not shown),
a friction fit, etc. To this end, the upper surface of lid flap 76b
can have a gripping handle (not shown). Further, blisters 62b can
be formed in the cylindrical wall of main body section 72b in a
similar manner to blisters 62 of FIGS. 1-5 or can be formed on an
insert card in a similar manner to blisters 62a of FIGS. 6 and
7.
[0066] Another example of a different shape is shown in FIG. 9 in
which a package 10c is formed in a conical shape by a conical wall
82c having an open lower end which can be closed by a bottom
closure flap 84c and an open upper end 86c which can be closed by a
lid flap 88c. Bottom closure flap 84c and lid flap 88c can be
secured to conical wall 82c by any suitable means, such as a living
hinge. Lid flap 88c and bottom closure flap 84c can be secured to
close the upper and lower open ends, for example, by a clasp (not
shown), a friction fit, etc. To this end, the upper surface of lid
flap 88c and the lower surface of bottom closure flap 84c can each
have a gripping handle (not shown).
[0067] Conical wall 82c has a plurality of openings 68c therein,
similar to the arrangement of FIG. 7, and a card insert 70c similar
to card insert 70a of FIG. 6 and having a plurality of blisters 62c
thereon with a backing sheet (not shown) can be assembled with
conical wall 82c such that blisters 62c extend out through openings
68c. Securement can be made by any suitable means, including
adhesive, ultrasonic welding, etc. Insert card 70c can be assembled
with conical wall 82c of a flattened blank thereof, when the
package 10c is fully assembled, or during any step
therebetween.
[0068] It will be appreciated that the above embodiments have
discussed the package formed from a blank. However, package 10 can
be a conventional plastic bottle on which the blisters are formed
in the same manner as discussed in FIGS. 1-5, or as an insert
through openings in the bottle in the same manner as discussed in
FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0069] Referring now to FIG. 10, a bottle 10d as the package
according to another modification of the present invention includes
a cylindrical main body 90d having a reduced diameter neck 92d at
the upper end thereof, with a closure cap 94d threadedly received
on neck 92d in a conventional manner. A plurality of openings 68d
are formed in main body 90d. Individual blisters 62d, each having a
unit dose thereon and closed by a backing (not shown), are
permanently secured to the outer surface of main body 90d in
alignment with and in covering relation to openings 68d. When a
person pushes on a blister 62d, the unit dose breaks through the
backing and enters bottle 10d through the respective opening
68d.
[0070] Although the embodiment of FIG. 10 has been discussed with
respect to unit doses, such as capsules or tablets, this
embodiment, as well as other embodiments can be used such that each
blister 62d can hold a secondary ingredient, such as a colorant,
sugar, etc., which when the blister 62d is burst, enters main body
90d which is already filled with a primary product or which is
filled by the consumer just prior to or after bursting the blister
62d. Bottle 10d can then be shaken or stirred to mix the
components. In this manner, a consumer can change the contents of
bottle 10d to the consumer's preference. For example, one blister
can include a red colorant, a second blister a blue colorant, a
third blister sugar, etc. In this manner, the contents of the
primary product in bottle 10d can be adjusted in strength, color,
sweetness, etc.
[0071] It will be appreciated that the openings need not be formed
in the main body of the bottle. For example, as shown in bottle 10e
of FIG. 11, having a main body 90e, a reduced diameter neck (not
shown) and a closure cap 94e, blisters 62e can be formed on the
upper surface of closure cap 94e in alignment with openings (not
shown) in closure cap 94e.
[0072] Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a bottle 10f has
a main body 90f, a reduced diameter neck 92f and a closure cap 94f
threaded on neck 92f. A plurality of openings 68f are provided in
main body 90f. In addition, L-shaped guides 96f extend down in
parallel, spaced apart facing relation to each other on opposite
sides of openings 68f. A bottom ledge 98f secured to the outer
surface of main body 90f connects the lower ends of L-shaped guides
96f and has two upstanding tabs 100f thereon. A card insert 70f
which is substantially identical to card insert 70a has a plurality
of blisters 62f thereon, as well as two recesses 102f at the lower
edge thereof. With this embodiment, it is only necessary to slide
card insert 70f into L-shaped guides 96f until recesses 102f
receive tabs 100f The reason for tabs 100f and recesses 102f is to
ensure accurate alignment of blisters 62f with openings 68f.
However, it will be appreciated that tabs 100f and recesses 102f
can be eliminated if the tolerances of card insert 70f in guides
96f are small. The advantage of this embodiment is that a single
bottle can be used for a plurality of different medicines since it
is only necessary to slip in a different card insert 70f containing
a different medicine.
[0073] Referring now to FIGS. 14-16, there is shown a package 10g
according to another embodiment of the present invention. Package
10g is formed in a molded clam shell type configuration with three
sections, namely, a center triangular section 104g and two side
sections 106g and 108g secured to opposite sides of triangular
section 104g by living hinges 80g or the like.
[0074] One side section 106g is formed from two side wall panels
110g and 112g connected in a V-shaped formation, with side edges
thereof closed by triangular shaped end panels 114g. Side wall
panel 110g includes a plurality of openings 68g therein, and a
plurality of blisters 62g are formed on one side of side wall panel
110g in alignment with openings 68g. Alternatively, as in the first
embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, blisters 62g can be integrally formed with
side wall panel 110g. A backing 66g of foil, plastic, soft
polymeric material or the like, which can be punctured, is secured
in covering relation to the opposite surface of side wall panel
110g to hold the unit doses in the individual blisters 62. Backing
66g can be supplied from a roil 67g during manufacture and then be
cut.
[0075] The other side section 108g is formed from two side wall
panels 116g and 118g connected in a V-shaped formation, with side
edges thereof closed by triangular shaped end panels 120g. Side
wall panel 116g includes a curved wall section 122g for receiving a
bottle 124g having a main body 90g, a reduced diameter neck 92g
with threads 93g thereon and a closure cap 94g threadedly received
on neck 92g. Curved wall section 122g can have marketing
information or different graphics thereon. Although not shown, the
upper end of curved wall section 122g has an opening (not shown)
for receiving neck 92g such that neck 92g and closure cap 94g
extend out of curved wall section 122g. In this embodiment, it is
preferred that one side 126g of main body 90g of bottle 124g is
flat so that openings 68g formed therein can properly align with
blisters 62g in the assembled condition of package 10g. It will be
appreciated that bottle 124g will be rotated 90 degrees from the
position shown in FIG. 15 to be in facing relation to blisters 62g
in the assembled condition, and that bottle 124g is only shown in
this rotated position to show openings 68g.
[0076] Thus, in this embodiment, after blisters 62g and backing 66g
have been formed on side wall panel 110g, bottle 124g is inserted
into curved wall section 122g. Side sections 106g and 108g are then
pivoted about living hinges 80g until side wall panels 110g and
116g are in abutting relation where they are secured together,
either releasably, for example, in snap fitting manner, or
permanently, for example, by adhesive, ultrasonic welding, etc.
[0077] In use, a person presses against a blister 62g, whereupon
the unit dose therein breaks through backing 66g and falls through
the respective opening 68g into bottle 124g. Cap 94g is then
removed and the unit dose can be easily retrieved.
[0078] It will further be appreciated that, while blisters 62-62g
have been shown as being closed by a backing 66-66g, each blister
can be formed in any other suitable manner. For example, as shown
in FIGS. 17 and 18, a blister 62h is shown to be backed by a
deformable non-foil, deformable backing 66h which extends away from
blister 62h so as to increase the size of the cavity 63h between
blister 62h and backing 66h. However, backing 66h has an inwardly
turned section 128h which extends into the cavity 63h and serves as
a lock which holds the unit dose 130h in cavity 63h, preferably
with pressure. The inwardmost wall 132h of inwardly turned section
128h has an opening 134h therein.
[0079] Initially, inwardly turned section 128h holds unit dose 130h
in cavity 63h with pressure. However, when a person's finger 136h
presses against blister 62h, unit dose 130h forces inwardly turned
section 128 to turn outwardly, along with the remainder of backing
66h, and continued pressure forces unit dose 130h out through
opening 134h.
[0080] Having described various embodiments of the invention with
reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that
the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments
and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein
by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the
scope or spirit of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *