U.S. patent application number 14/485151 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-01 for press-through package and method of removing medication from same.
This patent application is currently assigned to TITAN CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Kenji Hamada, Yuko Hanazono, Goro Kuratani, Yoshihiko Matsuoka, Masakazu Sugino, Kenji Yamashita, Tetsuya Yamashita, Akiyoshi Yasusato. Invention is credited to Kenji Hamada, Yuko Hanazono, Goro Kuratani, Yoshihiko Matsuoka, Masakazu Sugino, Kenji Yamashita, Tetsuya Yamashita, Akiyoshi Yasusato.
Application Number | 20150001124 14/485151 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43499067 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150001124 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yamashita; Kenji ; et
al. |
January 1, 2015 |
Press-Through Package And Method Of Removing Medication From
Same
Abstract
A press-through package for articles such as medicines which can
reliably prevent a recipient from accidentally swallowing the whole
package without opening it, including solid medicines M stored in a
plurality of pockets of a base sheet one by one and the pockets
sealed by a cover film having attached to the rear surface of the
base sheet, wherein the entire package of the press-through package
is made in a cylindrical form which cannot allow a recipient from
accidentally swallowing and from which the medicines can be taken
out easily.
Inventors: |
Yamashita; Kenji; (Hyogo,
JP) ; Yasusato; Akiyoshi; (Hyogo, JP) ;
Yamashita; Tetsuya; (Hyogo, JP) ; Hamada; Kenji;
(Hyogo, JP) ; Kuratani; Goro; (Hyogo, JP) ;
Sugino; Masakazu; (Hyogo, JP) ; Hanazono; Yuko;
(Hyogo, JP) ; Matsuoka; Yoshihiko; (Hyogo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yamashita; Kenji
Yasusato; Akiyoshi
Yamashita; Tetsuya
Hamada; Kenji
Kuratani; Goro
Sugino; Masakazu
Hanazono; Yuko
Matsuoka; Yoshihiko |
Hyogo
Hyogo
Hyogo
Hyogo
Hyogo
Hyogo
Hyogo
Hyogo |
|
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
TITAN CO., LTD.
Hyogo
JP
YAMASHITA WORKS CO., LTD.
Hyogo
JP
|
Family ID: |
43499067 |
Appl. No.: |
14/485151 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13108685 |
May 16, 2011 |
8875891 |
|
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14485151 |
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PCT/JP2010/061961 |
Jul 15, 2010 |
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13108685 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/531 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/327 20130101;
A61J 1/035 20130101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115; B65D 83/0445
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/531 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/32 20060101
B65D075/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 21, 2009 |
JP |
2009-170428 |
Oct 14, 2009 |
JP |
2009-237231 |
Claims
1. A medicine press-through package comprising: a base sheet having
two opposed side edges; a plurality of finger-pressable pockets
swelling on a front surface of the base sheet and storing solid
medicines one by one; a breakable cover film attached to a rear
surface of the base sheet and sealing the pockets; the pockets
being inseparably joined in the package; the base sheet having a
plurality of tear resistant fold lines parallel with the side
edges; the base sheet and cover film being folded on the fold lines
to form a hollow, internally unsupported, tubular package of
triangular cylindrical form with the finger-pressable pockets
swelling outside; means to fasten the side edges of the base sheet
together; the side edges of the base sheet being fastened together
by the fastening means; and each pocket, when pressed from the
outside, being operable to discharge a solid medicine through the
cover film and into the inside of the triangular cylindrical form
and out of an opening at one end of the triangular cylindrical
form.
2. The medicine press-through package of claim 1, wherein the
fastening means comprises a heat seal.
3. A press-through package comprising: a base sheet having two
opposed side edges; a plurality of inseparably joined,
finger-pressable pockets swelling on a front surface of the base
sheet and storing articles one by one; a breakable cover film
attached to a rear surface of the base sheet and sealing the
pockets; a press-through package sheet being constituted by the
base sheet, the plurality of pockets, and the breakable cover film;
a plurality of tear-resistant fold lines formed in the base sheet
parallel to the side edges, the base sheet and cover film having
been formed into a triangular, hollow cylindrical body with the
pockets swelling on an outer periphery thereof by bending of the
press-through package sheet on the tear-resistant fold lines and
both side edges being fastened together by a fastening means; and
each pocket in the triangular cylindrical body, when pressed from
the outside, being operable to discharge an article through the
cover film and into the inside the triangular cylindrical body and
out of an opening at one end of the angular cylindrical body.
4. The press-through package of claim 3 wherein the fastening means
comprises a heat seal.
5. The press-through package according to claim 3, wherein the
pockets are arranged in a plurality of columns along a longitudinal
direction of the triangular cylindrical body or in a plurality of
rows along a circumferential direction of the triangular
cylindrical body, and different kinds of articles according to the
columns or the rows are stored in the pockets.
6. The press-through package according to claim 3, wherein the
articles are solid medicines or solid food.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a press-through package for
articles such as medicines wherein a variety of articles such as
solid medicines are stored in pockets of a sheet one by one and a
method for removing the medicines from the package.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generally, the press-through package (hereinafter,
abbreviated as a PTP) for articles such as medicines stores a
variety of articles including solid medicines such as pills,
tablets, and capsules and solid confectioneries one by one in a
plurality of pockets provided on a base sheet made of thermoplastic
resin such as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, and polyethylene
terephthalate. The PTP is then sealed by attaching a cover film of
aluminum foil, etc., to the rear surface of the base sheet. The
pocket swelling on the front surface is pressed by a fingertip,
whereby the article such as solid medicine within the pocket breaks
through the cover film and is discharged.
[0003] This kind of medicine PTP is used to allow separation into
one pocket units (one dosage unit of medicine) by being broken off
by hand at vertical and horizontal parting lines provided on the
base sheet. However, such accidents that the separated PTP is taken
whole without being opened and then the digestive tract such as the
esophagus is damaged by an edge of the base sheet and bleeding or
serious complications are caused by scratching often occur.
Consequently, recent medicine PTP is in a form which can be
separated into two or three pocket units only at horizontal parting
lines so as not to be easily swallowed accidentally in terms of
dimensions. However, even when the unit of separation of the
medicine PTP becomes as large as above, particularly the elderly
sometimes take the whole PTP. Further, there are quite a number of
cases where the PTP having been separated in order to dispense the
medicines into a single dose is cut off into a one pocket unit by
scissors, etc., and inadvertently swallowed.
[0004] On the other hand, this kind of PTP for articles such as
medicines has an advantage that small articles can be stored in
pockets and completely sealed from the outside as well as being
easily opened and taken out. The conventional general-purpose PTP
has a sheet configuration as a whole, and thus, when opened, both
ends of the sheet are picked up and held by both hands, in which
state the pocket is pressed with a thumb or thumbs. Therefore, the
article having broken through the cover film and popped out often
scatters, falls on the floor or the ground, gets dirty and is no
longer good or gets lost and requires time and effort to find.
Further, a tear or peeling of the cover film is easily caused while
the PTP is carried about in a clothes pocket or a bag, etc. The
article often changes in quality due to the seal breaking or comes
out of the sheet pocket and is crushed.
[0005] On the other hand, a general medicine PTP is inconvenient in
terms of handleability because, when the pocket is pressed with a
fingertip to take out a medicine, the medicine having broken
through the cover film and popped out often scatters, falls on the
floor, etc., gets dirty and is no longer good or gets lost and
requires time and effort to find.
[0006] Accordingly, a variety of means to prevent accidental
swallowing and improve handleability in the PTP for articles such
as medicines have been proposed up to this point. For example,
Patent Document 1 proposes a PTP configuration such that a tear
string or strip body which passes portions opposed to the pockets
is provided on a cover film every several pocket units divided by
cut-off lines of the PTP and that the string or strip body is
pulled to break the cover film and open the pockets. Patent
Documents 2 and 3 propose a PTP without cut-off lines which is kept
in a case composed of a blank board, wherein a pocket of the PTP is
pressed with a finger while a top or bottom cover of the case is
opened, whereby a medicine is taken out of an ejection portion or
hole provided on the case side.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Published Unexamined Patent
Application No. 2000-25855 [0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese
Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2003-237836 [0009]
Patent Document 3: Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application
No. 2003-321075
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0010] However, the afore-proposed PTPs for articles obtain an
improvement in the prevention against accidental swallowing but are
not effective in preventing the scattering of articles (medicines)
due to popping out at the time of opening. Further, the PTPs have
drawbacks resulting from respective structures. In the
afore-described medicine PTP provided with the tear string or strip
body, for example, recipients (patients) need to be more aware of
the method of opening of pulling the string or strip body. However,
it is difficult to make the method of opening known to such
recipients that have a risk of swallowing the whole PTP even when
separated into two or three pocket units. Additionally, there is a
problem that a reliable prevention against accidental swallowing
cannot be achieved since the PTP itself can be divided into two
pocket units or more by the cut-off lines. Further, in the
configuration of housing the PTP in the holder like a case composed
of the blank board, the prevention against accidental swallowing
can be reliably realized, but material costs as PTP products
significantly increase with attachment of the holder. Additionally,
it disadvantageously takes a lot of time and effort to assemble the
holder having housed the PTP. Furthermore, to make the recipients
more aware of the opening procedure is not easy, and the
configuration is not effective in preventing the scattering of
medicine at the time of opening.
[0011] The present invention was made in view of the
afore-described circumstances, and accordingly, an object thereof
is to provide a means in a medicine PTP that can reliably prevent a
recipient from accidentally swallowing the whole PTP, enables the
PTP to be opened without difficulty, does not easily scatter a
medicine, requires no additional accessories such as a holder which
houses the PTP, and can reduce manufacturing costs.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a PTP
for articles wherein an opening operation can be conducted simply
by one hand, an article is not easily scattered at the time of
opening the PTP, the cover film is not torn or peeled off even when
the PTP is carried about in a clothes pocket or a bag, etc., for a
long time and a completely sealed state can be maintained,
accidentally swallowing the whole PTP can be reliably prevented,
and the manufacturing is easy.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0013] Means for achieving the above objects are described with
reference symbols of the accompanying drawings. A medicine PTP
according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a
base sheet 1, a plurality of pockets 2 swelling on a front surface
of the base sheet 1 and storing solid medicines M one by one, and a
cover film 3 attached to a rear surface of the base sheet 1 and
sealing the pockets 2, wherewith the medicine PTP in a flat form F
is formed, and the medicine PTP further includes a means (an
engaging protrusion 51, a slit hole 52, fold back portions 53a and
53b, an adhesive layer 6, a staple 7, and extending ends 8a and 8b
of a twist tie 8) to fasten both side edges 1a and 1b of the base
sheet 1, wherein the entire medicine PTP in the flat form F is bent
and both side edges 1a and 1b of the base sheet 1 are fastened by
the fastening means, whereby the medicine PTP can be maintained in
a cylindrical form with the pockets 2 swelling outside.
[0014] The second aspect of the present invention is configured in
the medicine PTP as set forth in the first aspect such that the
base sheet 1 is formed with a plurality of parallel fold lines 4,
the medicine PTP in the flat form F is folded at the fold lines 4,
and both side edges 1a and 1b of the base sheet 1 are fastened by
the fastening means, whereby the medicine PTP can be maintained in
an angular cylindrical form having three to six angles.
[0015] The third aspect of the present invention is configured in
the medicine PTP as set forth in the first aspect such that the
entire medicine PTP in the flat form F is curved and both side
edges 1a and 1b of the base sheet 1 are fastened by the fastening
means, whereby the medicine PTP can be maintained in a circular
cylindrical form.
[0016] A medicine PTP according to the fourth aspect of the present
invention includes a base sheet 1, a plurality of pockets 2
swelling on a front surface of the base sheet 1 and storing solid
medicines M one by one, and a cover film 3 attached to a rear
surface of the base sheet 1 and sealing the pockets 2, wherein both
side edges 1a and 1b of the base sheet 1 are fastened and thus the
entire medicine PTP is formed into a cylindrical form with the
pockets 2 swelling outside.
[0017] The fifth aspect of the present invention is configured in
the medicine PTP as set forth in the fourth aspect such that both
side edges 1a and 1b of the base sheet 1 are fastened by a heat
seal 9.
[0018] A method for removing a medicine from a medicine PTP
according to the sixth aspect of the present invention comprises
the steps of bending the medicine PTP P1 to P7 in the flat form F
as set forth in the first aspect into a cylindrical form T0, T3, or
T4 with the pockets 2 swelling outside, joining both side edges 1a
and 1b of the base sheet 1 in the cylindrical form, fastening both
side edges 1a and 1b by the fastening means, and pressing a
necessary pocket 2 from the outside to break through the cover film
3 and discharge a solid medicine M within the pocket 2 inside the
PTP in the cylindrical form T0, T3, or T4.
[0019] A method for removing a medicine from a medicine PTP
according to the seventh aspect of the present invention comprises
the steps of using the medicine PTP P8 or P9 in the cylindrical
form T0 or T4 as set forth in the fourth aspect, and pressing a
necessary pocket 2 in the medicine PTP P8 or P9 from the outside to
break through the cover film 3 and discharge a solid medicine M
within the pocket 2 inside the PTP in the cylindrical form T0 or
T4.
[0020] A PTP according to the eighth aspect of the present
invention includes a base sheet 1, a plurality of pockets 2
swelling on a front surface of the base sheet 1 and storing
articles (solid medicines or solid health food M1 to M5, candies
M6, chocolate chips M7, frosted sugar M8, small screws M9, nuts
M10, and washers M11) respectively, a cover film 3 attached to a
rear surface of the base sheet 1 and sealing the pockets 2, a PTP
sheet 10 constituted by the base sheet 1, the plurality of pockets
2, and the cover film 3, and a cylindrical body (a triangular
cylindrical body T3, a square cylindrical body T4, a pentagonal
cylindrical body T5, a hexagonal cylindrical body T6, and a
circular cylindrical body T0) with the pockets 2 swelling on an
outer periphery thereof, the cylindrical body formed by bending the
PTP sheet 10, wherein a necessary pocket 2 in the cylindrical body
is pressed from the outside, and an article having broken through
the cover film 3 and discharged inside the cylindrical body is
taken out of an opening (a cylinder opening 11) at one end of the
cylindrical body.
[0021] The ninth aspect of the present invention is configured in
the PTP as set forth in the eighth aspect such that the PTP sheet
10 is formed into the cylindrical body by fastening both side edges
10a and 10b thereof.
[0022] The tenth aspect of the present invention is configured in
the PTP as set forth in the eighth aspect such that the PTP sheet
10 having been bent into a cylindrical shape has a cylinder opening
11 to which an annular opening frame member 4 is fitted and
fixed.
[0023] The eleventh aspect of the present invention is configured
in the PTP as set forth in the eighth aspect by further including a
strip edge frame 5 with a pair of grooves 5a along both side edges
thereof, wherein the cylindrical body is formed by inserting and
fixing both side edges 10a of the PTP sheet 10 to the grooves 5a of
the strip edge frame 5 respectively.
[0024] The twelfth aspect of the present invention is configured in
the PTP as set forth in the eighth aspect such that the cylindrical
body is formed into a polygonal cylinder having four or more angles
and has an interior provided with a reinforcing plate 6 arranged
along a diagonal direction and having both lateral portions 6a
fastened to an inner surface of the cylindrical body.
[0025] The thirteenth aspect of the present invention is configured
in the PTP as set forth in the eighth aspect such that the
cylindrical body is formed into a triangular to hexagonal cylinder
having at least one side surface formed into a flat surface 12
without the pockets 2, and a plurality of the angular cylinders are
integrated by joining the flat surfaces 12 to each other.
[0026] The fourteenth aspect of the present invention is configured
in the PTP as set forth in the thirteenth aspect such that the flat
surface 12 is formed by another plate body 7 aside from the PTP
sheet 10, and the plate body 7 has both lateral portions to which
both side edges 10b of the PTP sheet 10 are fastened.
[0027] The fifteenth aspect of the present invention is configured
in the PTP as set forth in the eighth aspect such that the pockets
2 are arranged in a plurality of columns along a longitudinal
direction of the cylindrical body or in a plurality of rows along a
circumferential direction of the cylindrical body, and different
kinds of articles according to the columns or the rows are stored
in the pockets.
[0028] The sixteenth aspect of the present invention is configured
in the PTP as set forth in the eighth aspect such that the articles
are solid medicines M1 to M6 or solid food (solid confectioneries
M7 to M8).
Effects of the Invention
[0029] Subsequently, effects of the present invention will be
described with the reference symbols of the accompanying drawings.
First, the medicine PTP P1 to P7 according to the first aspect of
the present invention cannot be separated into one pocket unit or
two or three pocket units. Additionally, the medicine PTP P1 to P7
assumes the cylindrical form T0, T3, or T4 as a whole at the time
of taking a medicine. Therefore, there is no other choice but to
press each pocket 2 with a finger and break the seal in order to
take out medicines M. There is no possibility that the recipient
swallows the whole PTP without opening it. When the recipient
presses each pocket 2 with a finger and breaks the seal, the
medicine M having broken through the cover film 3 is discharged
inside the PTP in the angular cylindrical form T0, T3, or T4 and
cannot pop out improperly or be scattered around. Thus, the
medicine M is received by a wide-mouthed shallow container R, etc.,
for example, thereby being able to be prevented from falling on the
floor, etc., and getting dirty or lost. Further, the medicine PTP
P1 to P7 can be bent into the cylindrical form T0, T3, or T4 by
itself and requires no additional accessories such as a holder for
housing the medicine PTP. Thus, an increase in cost due to the
accessories can be avoided.
[0030] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the
medicine PTP in the flat form F is folded at the fold lines 4 of
the base sheet 1 and both side edges 1a and 1b of the base sheet 1
are fastened to each other, thereby being able to be assembled into
the angular cylindrical form T3 or T4 having three to six angles
easily.
[0031] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the
entire medicine PTP in the flat form F is curved and both side
edges 1a and 1b of the base sheet 1 are fastened, thereby being
able to be assembled into the circular cylindrical form T0
easily.
[0032] In the medicine PTP according to the fourth aspect of the
present invention, both side edges 1a and 1b of the base sheet 1
are fastened and the medicine PTP is made into the cylindrical form
T0 or T4 in advance. Thus, a necessary pocket 2 in the medicine PTP
in the cylindrical form T0 or T4 has only to be opened at the time
of taking the medicine M, and effort to assemble the medicine PTP
into the angular cylindrical form T0 or T4 at the pharmacy is
eliminated.
[0033] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, both
side edges 1a and 1b of the base sheet 1 configured to be made into
the cylindrical form T0 or T4 in advance are fastened by a heat
seal 9. Thus, the assembling into the cylindrical form T0 or T4 can
be done very efficiently and easily in a short time.
[0034] In the method for removing a medicine from a medicine PTP
according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the
medicine PTP P1 to P7 is bent from the flat form F to the
cylindrical form T0, T3, or T4 and then joined both side edges 1a
and 1b of the base sheet 1 are fastened at the pharmacy, whereafter
the medicine PTP may be handed to the recipient (patient). By this,
the recipient can simply take out the solid medicine M from the
received medicine PTP P1 to P7 in the cylindrical form T0, T3, or
T4 only by pressing a necessary pocket 2 with a finger from the
outside. The operation is significantly simplified and there is no
concern for swallowing the medicine PTP without opening it.
Further, there is no need to acquire individual opening
methods.
[0035] In the method for removing a medicine from a medicine PTP
according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the
medicine PTP P8 or P9 is made into the cylindrical form T0 or T4 in
advance. Thus, the recipient (patient) can simply take out a solid
medicine M only by pressing a necessary pocket 2 with a finger from
the outside. The operation is significantly simplified and there is
no concern for swallowing the medicine PTP without opening it.
Further, there is no need to acquire individual opening
methods.
[0036] In the PTP according to the eighth aspect of the present
invention, the PTP sheet 10 forms a cylindrical body (a triangular
cylindrical body T3, a square cylindrical body T4, a pentagonal
cylindrical body T5, a hexagonal cylindrical body T6, and a
circular cylindrical body T0) with the pockets 2 swelling on the
outer periphery thereof. The cylindrical body is grasped by one
hand H and a necessary pocket 2 is pressed with a thumb F1 of the
hand H from the outside, whereby an article (a solid medicine or
solid health food M1 to M5, a candy M6, a chocolate chip M7,
frosted sugar M8, a small screw M9, a nut M10, or a washer M11)
having been stored in the pocket 2 breaks through the cover film 3
and is discharged inside the cylindrical body. Therefore, there is
no concern that the article having popped out from the pocket is
scattered around as in the conventional PTP. Additionally, the
opening operation can be conducted by one hand H, so that the
article to be dropped and discharged from the downward opening
(cylinder opening 11) of the cylindrical body can be reliably
received by the palm of a disengaged hand. Such conventional
problems that the medicine falls on the floor or the ground, gets
dirty and is no longer good or gets lost and requires effort to
find do not arise. Further, the entire cover film 3 of the PTP
sheet 10 is located at the inner periphery of the cylindrical body.
Thus, the cover film 3 does not come into contact with fabric or
another article even when the PTP is carried about in a clothes
pocket or a bag, etc., for a long time. A tear or peel of the cover
film 3 due to contact is not caused and a completely sealed state
can be maintained.
[0037] Furthermore, the entire PTP sheet 10 constitutes the
cylindrical body in this PTP, which cannot be separated into one
pocket unit or two or three pocket units. Additionally, there is no
other choice but to press each pocket 2 with a finger and break the
seal in order to take out the articles. Accordingly, there is no
possibility particularly in the instance of the PTP P10 to P23 for
medicines or food that the user swallows the whole PTP without
opening it.
[0038] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the
cylindrical body T3 to T6, or T0 can be formed by fastening both
side edges 10a and 10b of the PTP sheet 10. Therefore, no
additional accessories such as a holder for housing the PTP sheet
10 are required, whereupon an increase in cost due to the
accessories can be avoided.
[0039] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the
annular opening frame member 4 is fitted and fixed to the cylinder
opening 11 of the PTP sheet 10 having been bent into the
cylindrical shape. Thus, shape retaining strength as the
cylindrical body is enhanced, whereupon there is no concern that
the cylindrical shape gets crushed at the time of opening even if
the material of the PTP sheet 10 is non-elastic, and the opening
operation can be conducted easily.
[0040] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention,
the cylindrical body can be formed by inserting and fixing both
side edges 10a of the PTP sheet 10 to both grooves 5a of the strip
edge frame 5. Thus, shape retaining strength as the cylindrical
body is enhanced and the assembling and manufacturing thereof is
facilitated.
[0041] According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention,
the reinforcing plate 6 is arranged along the diagonal direction
inside the cylindrical body configured to be a polygonal cylinder
having four or more angles. Thus, shape retaining strength as the
cylindrical body is enhanced and the opening operation can easily
and reliably be conducted accordingly.
[0042] According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention,
a plurality of triangular to hexagonal cylindrical bodies T3 to T6
each having at least one side formed into a flat surface 12 without
the pockets 2 are integrated by joining the flat surfaces 12 to
each other. Thus, the cylindrical bodies T3 to T6 having been
formed by using the PTP sheets 10 storing different articles
respectively are joined to each other to be integrated, whereby a
single PTP P6 to P12 storing a plurality of kinds of articles can
be provided easily.
[0043] According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention,
the flat surface 12 of each cylindrical body is formed by another
plate body 7 aside from the PTP sheet 10 in the above PTP in which
a plurality of the cylindrical bodies T3 to T6 are joined to be
integrated. Thus, an appropriate joining means can be selected
regardless of the material of the PTP sheet 10, and shape retaining
strength as the joined and integrated PTP can be increased by using
the plate body 7 with a large rigidity.
[0044] According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention,
the pockets 2 arranged in a plurality of columns along the
longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body or in a plurality of
rows along the circumferential direction store different kinds of
articles according to the columns or the rows. Thus, a plurality of
types of medicines to be taken in a single dose or a plurality of
kinds of other articles to be used in a set can be arranged around
the cylindrical body, for example.
[0045] According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention,
the PTP which can reliably prevent the user from swallowing the
whole PTP without opening it in the case where the articles are
solid medicines M1 to M5 or solid food (candies M6, chocolate chips
M7, or frosted sugar M8) is provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] FIGS. 1A-1B show a medicine PTP according to a first
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1A is a perspective
view of the PTP in a flat form and FIG. 1B is a cross sectional
view of the PTP in an angular cylindrical form;
[0047] FIGS. 2A-2B show a medicine PTP according to a second
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2A is a perspective
view of the PTP in a flat form and FIG. 2B is a cross sectional
view of the PTP in an angular cylindrical form;
[0048] FIGS. 3A-3B show a medicine PTP according to a third
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3A is a perspective
view of the PTP in a flat form and FIG. 3B is a cross sectional
view of the PTP in a square cylindrical form;
[0049] FIGS. 4A-4B show a medicine PTP according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4A is a perspective
view of the PTP in a flat form and FIG. 4B is a cross sectional
view of the PTP in a square cylindrical form;
[0050] FIGS. 5A-5B show a medicine PTP according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5A is a perspective
view of the PTP in a flat form and FIG. 5B is a cross sectional
view of the PTP in a triangular cylindrical form;
[0051] FIGS. 6A-6B show a medicine PTP according to a sixth
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6A is a perspective
view of the PTP in a flat form and FIG. 6B is a perspective view of
the PTP in a triangular cylindrical form;
[0052] FIGS. 7A-7B show a medicine PTP according to a seventh
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7A is a perspective
view of the PTP in a flat form and FIG. 7B is a cross sectional
view of the PTP in a circular cylindrical form;
[0053] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a medicine PTP in a
square cylindrical form according to an eighth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0054] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a medicine PTP in a
circular cylindrical form according to a ninth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0055] FIG. 10 is a perspective view exemplifying an operation of
removing a medicine from the medicine PTP of the present
invention;
[0056] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a PTP according to a tenth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0057] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a PTP sheet used for the
PTP;
[0058] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an operation of taking
out an article in the PTP;
[0059] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional plan view showing an operation
of opening the PTP;
[0060] FIGS. 15A-15B show a PTP according to an eleventh embodiment
of the present invention, and FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a
main part before an opening frame member is fitted and FIG. 15B is
a perspective view of the main part after the opening frame member
is fitted;
[0061] FIG. 16 is a cross sectional plan view of a PTP according to
a twelfth embodiment of the present invention;
[0062] FIGS. 17A-17B show thirteenth and fourteenth embodiments of
the present invention, and FIG. 17A is a cross sectional plan view
of a PTP according to the thirteenth embodiment and FIG. 17B is a
cross sectional plan view of a PTP according to the fourteenth
embodiment;
[0063] FIGS. 18A-18B show a PTP according to a fifteenth embodiment
of the present invention, and FIG. 18A is a perspective view of a
main part of cylindrical bodies before being joined and FIG. 18B is
a cross sectional plan view of the cylindrical bodies after being
joined;
[0064] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a main part of cylindrical
bodies before being joined in a PTP of a sixteenth embodiment of
the present invention;
[0065] FIGS. 20A-20E show seventeenth to twenty-first embodiments
of the present invention, and FIG. 20A is a schematic plan view of
a PTP of the seventeenth embodiment, FIG. 20B is that of the
eighteenth embodiment, FIG. 20C is that of the nineteenth
embodiment, FIG. 20D is that of the twentieth embodiment, and FIG.
20E is that of the twenty-first embodiment, respectively;
[0066] FIG. 21 is a cross sectional plan view of a PTP of a
twenty-second embodiment of the present invention;
[0067] FIG. 22 is a cross sectional plan view of a PTP according to
a twenty-third embodiment of the present invention;
[0068] FIG. 23 is a cross sectional plan view of a PTP according to
a twenty-fourth embodiment of the present invention; and
[0069] FIGS. 24A-24B show a packing box in an opened state which
houses products of PTPs for articles such as medicines according to
the present invention, and FIG. 24A is a perspective view of a main
part in a state where PTPs in the square cylindrical form are
housed and FIG. 24B is a perspective view of a main part in a state
where PTPs in the triangular cylindrical form are housed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0070] A medicine PTP P1 of the first embodiment as shown in FIGS.
1A-1B includes a rectangular transparent base sheet 1 formed of
thermoplastic resin such as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, and
polyethylene terephthalate and a plurality (16 pieces in FIG. 1A)
of pockets 2 swelling roundly on the front surface of the base
sheet 1 and arranged in a matrix. Solid medicines M in the form of
round sugar-coated pills are stored in respective pockets 2 one by
one, and in this state, a cover film 3 formed of aluminum foil is
attached to the rear surface of the base sheet 1, whereby
respective pockets 2 are sealed. The medicine M within each pocket
2 is configured to break through the cover film 3 and be discharged
by pressing the pocket 2 with a fingertip from the front surface on
which the pocket 2 swells.
[0071] Referring to a bottom-left to top-right direction in FIG. 1A
as a longitudinal direction, the base sheet 1 of the medicine PTP
P1 is formed with three equidistant parallel fold lines 4
delimiting the group of pockets 2 into every one column. The base
sheet 1 has two side edges 1a and 1b, one of which 1a is provided
with three pieces of substantially arrow-shaped engaging
protrusions 51 which protrude laterally and are spaced at regular
intervals. The other side edge 1b is provided with three slit holes
52 opposed to the respective engaging protrusions 51 and extending
along the longitudinal direction. It is noted that the fold lines 4
are composed of linear thin portions so as to be easily bent but
not easily torn. The engaging protrusions 51 and the slit holes 52
are formed at the same time as when the base sheet 1 is stamped
from a raw sheet.
[0072] The medicine PTP P1 is delivered in a space-saving flat form
F as shown in FIG. 1A from a manufacturer such as a drug
manufacturer to a dispensary of a medical institution or a
pharmacy. The PTP P1 is transformed in advance into a square
cylindrical form T4 as shown in FIG. 1B when handed to a patient
according to a prescription. More specifically, the PTP P1 in the
flat form F is folded 90 degrees at each fold line 4 with convexes
facing outside, thereby being bent into a square cylindrical shape
as a whole where the pockets 2 swell on the outside of each lateral
surface s. Further, each engaging protrusion 51 at the side edge 1a
of the base sheet 1 is inserted and fitted to each slit hole 52 at
the other side edge 1b, whereby the PTP P1 is assembled into the
square cylindrical form T4 and given to the patient.
[0073] Since having no cut-off lines on the base sheet 1 from the
start, the medicine PTP P1 in the square cylindrical form T4 cannot
be separated into small units such as one or two pockets by hand.
Further, to separate the medicine PTP P1 into small units by
scissors, etc., is not conceivable from its three-dimensional
structure. Thus, the patient has no other choice but to press the
pocket 2 with a finger to break the seal in order to remove and
take the medicine M, and there is no possibility of swallowing the
whole PTP without opening it. Once the patient presses the pocket 2
with a finger to break the seal, the medicine M having broken
through the cover film 3 is discharged inside the PTP in the square
cylindrical form T4 as shown in FIG. 1B. As a result, the medicine
M cannot improperly pop out and be scattered around. Therefore, it
is possible to avoid the medicine M from falling on the floor,
etc., and getting dirty and becoming no longer good or getting lost
and requiring time and effort to find.
[0074] Next, FIGS. 2A-2B are referred to, in which a medicine PTP
P2 of the second embodiment is shown. In the medicine PTP P2, a
base sheet 1 has three fold lines 4 and solid medicines M are
stored in pockets 2 of the base sheet 1 one by one in the same
manner as the first embodiment. In this state, a cover film 3 is
attached to the rear surface of the base sheet 1 and seals each
pocket 2. The base sheet 1 has two side edges 1a and 1b, one of
which 1a is formed with an upward fold back portion 53a via a fold
line 41, and the other of which 1b is formed with a downward fold
back portion 53b. The medicine PTP P2 is bent into a square
cylindrical shape from a flat form F when delivered as shown in
FIG. 2A in the same manner as the first embodiment. While the fold
line 41 is folded inward, the fold back portions 53a and 53b of
both side edges 1a and 1b of the base sheet 1 are attached to each
other. The PTP is handed to the patient in a square cylindrical
form T4 as shown in FIG. 2B.
[0075] In a medicine PTP P3 of the third embodiment as shown in
FIGS. 3A-3B, again, a base sheet 1 has three fold lines 4 and solid
medicines M are stored in each pocket 2 of the base sheet 1 one by
one. In this state, a cover film 3 is attached to the rear surface
of the base sheet 1. The base sheet 1 has one side edge 1a provided
with a strip adhesive piece 11 demarcated by a fold line 42 across
an entire length of the side edge 1a. An adhesive layer 6 with a
release paper 61 is formed on the front surface of the adhesive
piece 11. The medicine PTP P3 is bent at each fold line 4 into a
square cylindrical shape from a flat form F when delivered as shown
in FIG. 3A in the same manner as above, and the adhesive piece 11
at the side edge 1a is folded inward at the fold line 42 as shown
in FIG. 3B. The release paper 61 is peeled off to expose the
adhesive layer 6, and the exposed adhesive layer 6 is adhered to
the rear surface of the side edge 1b. Then, the PTP is handed to
the patient in a square cylindrical form T4.
[0076] Further, in a medicine PTP P4 of the fourth embodiment as
shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, a base sheet 1 has three fold lines 4 and
solid medicines M are stored in each pocket 2 of the base sheet 1
one by one in the same manner. In this state, a cover film 3 is
attached to the rear surface of the base sheet 1. The base sheet 1
has both side edges 1a and 1b provided with respective strip
fastening pieces 12a and 12b demarcated by fold lines 43 across the
entire lengths of the side edges 1a and 1b. The medicine PTP P4 is
bent at each fold line 4 into a square cylindrical shape from a
flat form F when delivered as shown in FIG. 4A in the same manner
as above. Both fastening pieces 12a and 12b having been folded
outward into a dogleg shape and joined to each other are fastened
by a staple 7 as shown in FIG. 4B. Then, the PTP is handed to the
patient in a square cylindrical form T4. However, it is also
possible that the back surface of the strip fastening pieces 12a
and 12b at both side edges 1a and 1b of the base sheet 1 are
configured to be free from the cover film 3 and the joined
fastening pieces 12a and 12b are thermally welded to be fastened
and integrated, instead of being fastened by the staple 7.
[0077] In these medicine PTPs P2 to P4 of the second to fourth
embodiments as well, there is no possibility that the patient
swallows the whole PTP without opening it, and the medicine M is
discharged inside the PTP in the square cylindrical form T4 at the
time of opening and thus it is possible to avoid the medicine M
from falling on the floor, etc., and getting dirty and becoming no
longer good or getting lost and requiring time and effort to find,
similar to the medicine PTP P1 of the first embodiment.
Furthermore, including the first embodiment, the medicine PTPs P1
to P4 can be bent into the square cylindrical form T4 by themselves
and require no additional accessories such as a holder for housing
the PTPs. Accordingly, an increase in cost due to the accessories
can be avoided.
[0078] Although the afore-described medicine PTPs P1 to P4 of the
first to fourth embodiments are handed to the patient in the square
cylindrical form T4, the medicine PTP of the present invention
includes configurations made into a triangular cylindrical form as
in the fifth and sixth embodiments as described below, a pentagonal
cylindrical form, a hexagonal cylindrical form, or a circular
cylindrical form as in the seventh embodiment. However, a polygonal
cylindrical form with seven or more angles is too bulky and the
cylindrical shape thereof easily gets out of shape and
handleability is reduced.
[0079] A medicine PTP P5 of the fifth embodiment as shown in FIGS.
5A-5B has the same configuration as the medicine PTP P1 of the
first embodiment as described above except for providing a base
sheet 2 with two fold lines 4, corresponding to pockets 2 in three
columns. The medicine PTP P5 in a flat form F as shown in FIG. 5A
is folded 60 degrees at each fold line 4 with convexes facing
outside, thereby being bent into a triangular cylindrical shape as
a whole where the pockets 2 swell on the outside of each lateral
surface s. Further, each engaging protrusion 51 at the side edge 1a
of the base sheet 1 is inserted and fitted to each slit hole 52 at
the other side edge 1b, whereby the PTP P1 is given to the patient
in a triangular cylindrical form T3 as shown in FIG. 5B.
[0080] A medicine PTP P6 of the sixth embodiment as shown in FIGS.
6A-6B includes a base sheet 1 provided with pockets 2 in three
columns and two fold lines 4. A twist tie 8 is fused on the rear
surface of the base sheet 1 along a crosswise direction, and a
cover film 3 is attached thereon. The twist tie 8 has both ends 8a
and 8b extending outward from central positions of both side edges
1a and 1b of the base sheet 1 respectively. The medicine PTP P6 in
a flat form F as shown in FIG. 6A is folded 60 degrees at each fold
line 4 with convexes facing outside, thereby being bent into a
triangular cylindrical shape, in the same manner as the above fifth
embodiment. Then, both ends 8a and 8b of the twist tie 8 are
twisted together as in FIG. 6B, whereupon the PTP P6 is given to
the patient in a triangular cylindrical form T3.
[0081] A medicine PTP P7 of the seventh embodiment as shown in
FIGS. 7A-7B includes a base sheet 1 provided with each pocket 2 to
which solid medicines M are stored one by one. In this state, a
cover film 3 is attached to the rear surface of the base sheet 1
and seals each pocket 2. Although provided with no fold lines, the
base sheet 1 has two side edges 1a and 1b, one of which 1a is
formed with an upward fold back portion 53a and the other of which
1b is formed with a downward fold back portion 53b. The entire PTP
is curved into a circular cylindrical shape from a flat form F when
delivered as shown in FIG. 7A. The fold back portions 53a and 53b
at both side edges 1a and 1b are attached to each other, whereupon
the PTP P7 is handed to the patient in a circular cylindrical form
T0 as shown in FIG. 7B.
[0082] In these medicine PTPs P5 and P6 in the triangular
cylindrical form T3 as in the fifth and sixth embodiments and
medicine PTP P7 in the circular cylindrical form T0 as in the
seventh embodiment as well, there is no possibility that the
patient swallows the whole PTP without opening it, and a medicine M
having broken through the cover film 3 is discharged inside the PTP
in the cylindrical form T3 or T0 when a necessary pocket 2 is
pressed with a finger and opened. Consequently, reliable prevention
against accidental swallowing can be achieved and the scattering of
the medicine M at the time of opening can be prevented in the
medicine PTPs P5 to P7 as well.
[0083] The afore-described medicine PTPs P1 to P7 of the first to
seventh embodiments are delivered to a dispensary of a medical
institution or a pharmacy, etc., in the flat forms F. However, if
the PTPs are assembled into the cylindrical forms at a manufacturer
such as a drug manufacturer in advance and then supplied, there is
a great advantage that the effort of assembling the PTPs into the
cylindrical forms at the dispensary or pharmacy, etc., can be saved
although the PTPs are bulky at the time of transportation or
storage. On the occasion where the PTPs are made into the
cylindrical forms at the manufacturer side as described above, both
side edges 1a and 1b of the base sheet 1 do not need to have
individual fastening structures as in the first to seventh
embodiments and can be fused directly by a heat seal. Additionally,
the process of bending the PTP into the cylindrical form and the
process of heat sealing are incorporated after the process of
attaching the cover film 3 in a continuous manufacturing line of
the medicine PTP and then the processes are automated, whereupon
high production efficiency can be achieved.
[0084] Medicine PTPs P8 and P9 of the eighth and ninth embodiments
as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are made into cylindrical forms as a
whole in advance by welding both side edges 1a and 1b of the base
sheet 1 with the use of the heat seal 9, that is, the PTP P8 is
into a square cylindrical form and the PTP P9 into a circular
cylindrical form. It is a matter of course that the cylindrical
form having been made in advance may be a polygonal cylindrical
form other than the square cylindrical shape or may be an
ellipsoidal cylindrical form.
[0085] In the medicine PTP of the present invention, the medicine M
is taken out by opening the PTP in the cylindrical form. Thus, it
is easy to open the PTP while an opening at one end of the
cylindrical form is directed downward and to receive the falling
medicine M with a disengaged palm. When the medicine M is
configured to be received by a wide-mouthed shallow container R as
shown in FIG. 10, for example, the scattering of the medicine M can
be prevented more reliably. Furthermore, on the occasion of taking
a plurality of types of medicines having been stored in the PTP
simultaneously, the medicines can conveniently be received by the
same container R sequentially in the same manner and taken all at
once.
[0086] On the other hand, for medicine PTP products sold over the
counter as, for example, medicines for colds, antipyretic
analgesics, and troches, etc., the assembling of the PTP from the
flat form to the cylindrical form by a recipient himself/herself
requires effort and a procedure thereof may be mistaken. There is
also concern that the recipient separates the PTP in the flat form
F into smaller units such as one pocket by scissors, etc., and
inadvertently swallows the PTP without opening it. Accordingly, it
is recommended for the medicine PTP products sold over the counter
to assemble the PTP from the flat form to the cylindrical form at
the manufacturer side in advance as already described, and to fill
a packing box B with a plurality of the medicine PTPs P in the
square cylindrical form T4 or the triangular cylindrical form T3 as
exemplified in FIG. 24A-24B, for example, or further a circular
cylindrical form (not shown) to be marketed. On this occasion, the
PTP in the triangular cylindrical form T3 preferably has a
cylindrical shape of an isosceles right triangle as shown rather
than an equilateral triangle in order to facilitate storing a
plurality of the PTPs in a rectangular space.
[0087] Particularly for the medicine PTP made into the cylindrical
form in advance, space efficiency can be increased by arranging the
pockets 2 of the base sheet 1 in a staggered fashion since swelling
portions of the pockets 2 of respective PTPs are displaced from
each other and engaged when filled into the packing box B.
Furthermore, the medicine PTP of the present invention may be
configured such that a cover plate with a shape corresponding to an
opening of the PTP in the cylindrical form is integrally formed at
one end of the base sheet 1 and is folded and fitted to one of the
openings of the PTP when made into the cylindrical form, whereupon
shape retaining strength in the cylindrical form is increased,
opening of the pocket 2 by pressure is facilitated, and the
medicine M is taken out from the other opening.
[0088] In each of the afore-described embodiments, the pockets 2 of
the base sheet 1 have a round shape as corresponding to the solid
medicines M in the form of round sugar-coated pills. However, the
shape of the pockets 2 can be configured in various ways depending
on the shape of medicines to be stored. For example, elongated
pockets may be adopted for elongated capsules. Further, the
configuration that the pockets 2 in one column are arranged on each
lateral surface s (FIG. 1) in the angular cylindrical form is
exemplified in the embodiments. However, the configuration that the
pockets 2 in two or more columns are arranged on each lateral
surface s may be adopted, for example, when medicines M are small.
Furthermore, for the fold line 4 of the base sheet 1, a variety of
forming means which render the fold line 4 easy to be folded and
resistant to tearing such as very shallow cuts, widely spaced
perforations, a habit formed by shape memory techniques can be
adopted other than forming by the exemplified linear thin portions.
Further, detailed configurations such as the horizontal and
vertical dimension of the base sheet 1 in the flat form, the number
and arrangement intervals of the pockets 2 in each column, the
configuration of the attachment portion as fastening means of both
side edges 1a and 1b of the base sheet 1 which are joined in the
angular cylindrical form can be modified in various ways other than
the embodiments in the present invention.
[0089] A PTP P10 of the tenth embodiment as shown in FIG. 11 is
formed by folding a PTP sheet 10 as shown in FIG. 12 at three
parallel fold lines 13 into a triangular cylindrical body T3. The
PTP sheet 10 includes a rectangular transparent base sheet 1 formed
of thermoplastic resin such as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene,
and polyethylene terephthalate and a plurality (9 pieces in FIG.
12) of pockets 2 swelling roundly on the front surface of the base
sheet 1 and arranged in a matrix. Solid medicines M1 (see FIG. 14)
in the form of round sugar-coated pills are stored in respective
pockets 2 one by one, and in this state, a cover film 3 formed of
aluminum foil, etc., is attached to the rear surface of the base
sheet 1, whereby each pocket 2 is sealed.
[0090] The PTP sheet 10 has one side edge 10b serving as a strip
fastening piece demarcated by the fold line 13 across an entire
length of the side edge 10b. An adhesive layer 8 with a release
paper 81 is formed on the front surface of the side edge 10b. In
assembling the PTP sheet 10 to the triangular cylindrical body T3,
the PTP sheet 10 is folded at the fold lines 13, the release paper
81 is peeled off to expose the adhesive layer 8, and the exposed
adhesive layer 8 is adhered and fixed to the rear surface of the
other non-folded side edge 10a. It is noted that each fold line 13
is composed of linear thin portions or perforations so as to be
folded easily but to resist tearing.
[0091] Since having no cut-off lines on the base sheet 1 from the
start, the PTP P10 of the triangular cylindrical body T3 cannot be
separated into small units of one or two pockets by hand. In
addition, to separate the PTP P10 into small units by scissors,
etc., is not conceivable from its three-dimensional structure.
Thus, the patient has no other choice but to press the pocket 2
from the outside and break the seal in order to remove and take the
medicine M1, and there is no possibility of swallowing the whole
PTP without opening it. This opening operation can be conducted
simply by pressing the pocket 2 with a thumb F1 while the PTP P10
is held by one hand H as shown in FIG. 13. The medicine M1 having
broken through the cover film 3 by the opening is discharged inside
the triangular cylindrical body T3 as shown in FIG. 14. As a
result, the medicine M1 cannot improperly pop out and be scattered
around. Furthermore, the medicine M1 made to fall out from the
inside of the triangular cylindrical body T3 can be reliably
received by the palm of a disengaged hand. According to the PTP
P10, it is possible to avoid the medicine M1 from falling on the
floor, etc., and getting dirty and becoming no longer good or
getting lost and requiring time and effort to find. Further, the
cover film 3 of the PTP sheet 10 is generally located at an inner
periphery of the triangular cylindrical body T3, and accordingly,
the cover film 3 does not come into contact with fabric or another
article even when PTP P10 is carried about in a clothes pocket or a
bag, etc., for a long time. As a result, a tear or peel of the
cover film 3 due to contact is not caused, and a completely sealed
state can be maintained.
[0092] In this PTP P10, the triangular cylindrical body T3 is
formed by fastening both side edges 10a and 10b of the PTP sheet
10. Thus, no additional accessories such as a holder for housing
the PTP sheet 10 are required, and an increase in cost resulting
from the additional accessories can be advantageously avoided. A
means for fastening both side edges 10a and 10b of the PTP sheet 10
includes a variety of fastening methods such as heat seal, adhesion
by a liquid glue, engagement of a slit at one side edge and an
engaging piece at the other side edge, engagement of fold back
portions formed on both side edges, stapling, a combination of the
above, etc., other than the adhesion fixing by the adhesive layer 8
as exemplified.
[0093] Subsequently, a PTP P11 of the eleventh embodiment as shown
in FIGS. 15A-15B is described. In the PTP P11, a triangular
cylindrical body T3 is formed by folding a PTP sheet 10 and
fastening side edges 10a and 10b in the same manner as the
afore-described tenth embodiment. The triangular cylindrical body
T3 has cylinder openings 11 at both ends thereof to which
triangular annular opening frame members 4 are fitted and fixed
respectively. Each opening frame member 4 is formed by cutting out
a rigid thermoplastic resin tube into a ring, shaping it into a
triangle, providing a fin 4a to each side of the triangle, and
folding the fins 4a outward. The opening frame member 4 is fitted
in such a manner that the annular portion is placed inside the
cylinder opening 11 of the triangular cylindrical body T3 and the
fin 4a is placed outside the cylinder opening 11. The opening frame
member 4 is then fixed by adhesion or heat seal.
[0094] As for the PTP P11 of the eleventh embodiment, not only can
the same operation and effects as the PTP P10 of the tenth
embodiment be achieved but also shape retaining strength as a
cylindrical body is increased by the opening frame members 4 fixed
to the cylinder openings 11 at both ends of the triangular
cylindrical body T3. Thus, there is no concern that the cylindrical
shape gets crushed at the time of opening even if the material of
the PTP sheet 10 is non-elastic. There is an advantage that the
opening operation can be conducted easily.
[0095] Further, in a PTP P12 of the twelfth embodiment as shown in
FIG. 16, a PTP sheet 10 is folded at two lines into a triangular
cylindrical shape. The PTP sheet 10 has both non-folded side edges
10a which are coupled and integrated via a strip edge frame 5,
whereupon a triangular cylindrical body T3 is formed. The strip
edge frame 5 is composed of a molded product having a length across
the entire length of the triangular cylindrical body T3 and made of
a rigid or semi-rigid synthetic resin. The strip edge frame 5 has
both side edges in a substantially V-shape in cross section
provided with grooves 5a opening toward side end surfaces
respectively. The side edges 10a of the PTP sheet 10 are inserted
into respective grooves 5a and fixed by adhesion or heat seal. In
the PTP P12 of the twelfth embodiment as well, the same operation
and effects as the PTP P10 of the tenth embodiment can be achieved.
Additionally, there is an advantage that shape retaining strength
as the cylindrical body is increased by the strip edge frame 5 and
the assembling and manufacturing of the PTP P12 is facilitated.
[0096] If provided for medical purposes as in the PTPs P10 to P12
of the tenth to twelfth embodiments, the PTP may be delivered as a
space-saving PTP sheet 10 as in FIG. 12 from a manufacturer side to
a dispensary of a medical institution or a pharmacy, etc., and then
assembled into a cylindrical form before handed to a patient
according to a prescription, in addition to being formed into a
final cylindrical body at the manufacturer side such as a drug
manufacturer and shipped as a product. The medicine housed in the
PTP is not limited to one type as in the tenth to twelfth
embodiments. Different types of medicines according to columns or
rows may be stored in pockets 2 arranged in a plurality of columns
along a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body or in a
plurality of rows along a circumferential direction. Further, the
cylindrical body is not restricted to the triangular cylindrical
body T3 as in the tenth and eleventh embodiments, and may be a
polygonal cylindrical body having four or more angles.
[0097] A PTP P13 of the thirteenth embodiment as shown in FIG. 17A
includes a triangular cylindrical body T3 provided with pockets 2
storing three types of medicines different among the sides, for
example, medicines M1 in the form of sugar-coated pills, medicines
M2 in the form of tablets, and medicines M3 in the form of
granule-containing capsules. A PTP P14 of the fourteenth embodiment
as shown in FIG. 17B includes a square cylindrical body T4 provided
with pockets 2 storing four types of medicines different among the
sides, for example, the above three types of medicines M1 to M3 and
also medicines M4 in the form of sugar-coated small pills.
[0098] It is very convenient in those PTPs P13 and P14 that the
number of pockets 2 on each side, for example, that is, the number
of pockets 2 disposed in the column direction is set to be three
and that medicines per day are housed altogether in such a manner
that the plurality of types of medicines M1 to M3 or M1 to M4 to be
taken in a single dose by a patient are sorted and stored in each
of upper, middle, and lower rows, and each of the different types
of medicines arranged in the upper row, the middle row, or the
lower row are taken in the morning, the daytime, or the evening,
respectively. It is a matter of course that the number of the
pockets 2 in the column direction is set to be six and medicines
for two days may be housed. For medicines taken twice a day, the
pockets 2 in the column direction is set to be even-numbered and
medicines for one to several days may be housed. Further, contrary
to the exemplified, the plurality of types of medicines can be
stored in pockets 2 on each side, that is, in each column
direction, and the medicines on one side, that is, in one column
can be provided for a single dose.
[0099] In a case where the cylindrical body comprises a polygonal
cylindrical body having four or more angles, a reinforcing plate 6
is arranged inside the polygonal cylindrical body so as to extend
along a diagonal direction as shown by virtual line in FIG. 17B,
for example, and both lateral portions 6a of the reinforcing plate
6 are fastened on an inner surface of the cylindrical body. When
thus configured, shape retaining strength as the cylindrical body
is increased accordingly. Thus, the opening operation can be
advantageously conducted easily and reliably. Further, a plurality
of reinforcing plates 6 may be used when the cylindrical body is of
a polygon more than a pentagon.
[0100] Additionally, a combination of a plurality of types of
medicines to be taken in a single dose by a patient sometimes
varies depending on the degree of symptom or differences between
individuals, etc., even in the same case of a disease. However, the
PTP of the present invention is easily adaptable to variations of
the combination. For example, a PTP P15 of the fifteenth embodiment
as shown in FIGS. 18A-18B includes a square cylindrical body T4
combined by two triangular cylindrical bodies T3A and T3B, each
formed by folding a PTP sheet 10. Medicines M1 in the form of
sugar-coated pills and medicines M2 in the form of tablets are
stored in pockets 2 on two sides of one of the triangular
cylindrical bodies T3A, respectively, and medicines M3 in the form
of granule-containing capsules and medicines M5 in the form of
liquid-containing capsules are stored in pockets 2 on two sides of
the other triangular cylindrical body T3B, respectively, wherewith
four types of medicines come into combination. In this instance,
the rest of the sides of each triangular cylindrical body T3A or
T3B constitutes a flat surface 12 without pockets 2. The flat
surface 12 of one of the triangular cylindrical bodies T3A is
formed with an adhesive layer 8 with a release paper 81. The
adhesive layer 8 whose release paper 81 is peeled off is adhered to
the flat surface 12 of the other triangular cylindrical body T3B,
thereby joining and integrating both triangular cylindrical bodies
T3A and T3B.
[0101] In a PTP P16 of the sixteenth embodiment as shown in FIG.
19, two triangular cylindrical bodies T3C and T3D are united in the
same manner as the fifteenth embodiment and constitute a square
cylindrical body T4. Two sides of each triangular cylindrical body
T3C or T3D which are provided with pockets 2 are composed of a PTP
sheet 10. A flat surface 12 on one side without pockets 2 is formed
by another plate body 7 of rigid synthetic resin having been
fastened to folded side edges 10b of the PTP sheet 10. Both
triangular cylindrical bodies T3C and T3D are joined and integrated
via an adhesive layer 8 provided on one of the flat surfaces 12 in
the same manner as the fifteenth embodiment. Mutually different
types of medicines (not shown) are stored in the pockets 2 of both
triangular cylindrical bodies T3C and T3D.
[0102] According to the configuration that two cylindrical bodies
in which different types of medicines are stored are combined and
integrated as in the fifteenth and sixteenth embodiments, a variety
of cylindrical bodies different according to the type of medicine
are prepared, thereby allowing for various combinations of
medicines suitable for the degree of symptom of a patient or
differences between individuals, etc. A means for joining the
cylindrical bodies to each other includes a variety of methods such
as adhesion by a liquid glue or heat seal, or more simply, stapling
or binding by an adhesive tape other than joining by the adhesive
layer 8 as exemplified.
[0103] Furthermore, the present invention can suit a greater number
of combinations of medicines by configuring the two sides of the
angular cylindrical body to be flat surfaces without pockets and
joining and integrating the flat surfaces with each other. For
example, a PTP P17 of the seventeenth embodiment as shown in FIG.
20A includes a square cylindrical body T4 formed by joining and
integrating four triangular cylindrical bodies T3 each having
pockets 2 only on one side, and thus the PTP P17 is suited to a
combination of four types of medicines in total. A PTP P18 of the
eighteenth embodiment as shown in FIG. 20B includes a hexagonal
cylindrical body T6 formed by joining and integrating six
triangular cylindrical bodies T3 each having pockets 2 only on one
side and suited to a combination of six types of medicines.
Further, a PTP P19 of the nineteenth embodiment as shown in FIG.
20C includes a square cylindrical body T4 formed by joining and
integrating four square cylindrical bodies T4 each provided with
pockets 2 on two sides and suited to a combination of eight types
of medicines. Other special forms include a PTP P20 of the
twentieth embodiment as shown in FIG. 20D in which three hexagonal
cylindrical bodies T6 provided with pockets 2 on four sides are
joined and integrated and a PTP P21 of the twenty-first embodiment
as shown in FIG. 20E in which three pentagonal cylindrical bodies
T5 provided with pockets 2 on three sides are joined and
integrated. The former is suited to a combination of 12 types of
medicines, and the latter, 9 types.
[0104] Any of the afore-described PTPs P10 to P21 of the tenth to
twenty-first embodiments comprises an angular cylindrical body
having three to six angles T3 to T6 or a combination of a plurality
thereof. However, the PTP of the present invention may comprise a
circular cylindrical body T0 as in a PTP P22 of the twenty-second
embodiment as shown in FIG. 21, for example, or an elliptical
cylindrical body (not shown). In the PTP P22 of the twenty-second
embodiment as exemplified, both side edges 10c of a PTP sheet 10
having been folded inward and outward are engaged with each other
and formed into the circular cylindrical body T0. A means for
fastening both side edges of the PTP sheet 10 in order to form the
circular cylindrical body T0 includes a variety of methods, similar
to the afore-described angular cylindrical body.
[0105] The articles to be stored in the PTP of the present
invention are not restricted to solid medicines as exemplified in
the tenth to twenty-second embodiments, and include troches, throat
lozenges, solid health food equivalent to drugs such as a variety
of supplements, chocolate chips, chocolate balls, toffees, candies,
chewing gum, cookies, biscuits, granular confectioneries such as
nuts, solidified soup stocks, curry roux, crystal sugar, granulated
sugar, food like solidified seasonings, solid bath agents, solid
detergents, and chemical agents, etc., such as pipe cleaning
agents. Furthermore, small screws, nails, nuts, washers, rubber
packings, and various small articles for crafts, etc., such as
handicraft beads can be stored in the PTP. Particularly, for a tiny
article, a plurality of pieces may be stored in one pocket 2.
Granular, powder, or liquid articles, etc., as well as solid
articles can be stored if necessary.
[0106] For example, a PTP P23 of the twenty-third embodiment as
shown in FIG. 22 stores candies M6, chocolate chips M7, and small
grain sugar M8 respectively on each side of a triangular
cylindrical body T3, and a combination of three types of
confectioneries can be enjoyed. Further, a PTP P24 of the
twenty-fourth embodiment as shown in FIG. 23 stores a set of a
small screw M9, a nut M10, and a washer M11 in three pockets 2
arranged in the circumferential direction of the triangular
cylindrical body T3, separated. Thus, parts necessary at one spot
can conveniently be taken out at one time without being scattered
at the time of screw clamping.
[0107] In addition, as for the PTP assembled into the cylindrical
body in advance at the manufacturer side and put on the market, it
is recommended that a plurality of PTPs formed into the square
cylindrical bodies T4 or triangular cylindrical bodies T3 are
filled into a packing box B and brought into a product as
exemplified in FIGS. 24A-24B, for example. In this instance, the
triangular cylindrical body T3 is preferably in a cylindrical shape
of an isosceles right triangle as shown rather than an equilateral
triangle so that a plurality of the PTPs can be stored in a
rectangular space easily. Further, if the PTP filled in the packing
box B is configured such that the pockets 2 of the base sheet 1 are
arranged in a staggered fashion, mutual swelling portions of the
pockets 2 are displaced and engaged when the PTPs are filled into
the packing box B. Therefore, space efficiency is increased and the
number of the PTPs to be filled can be increased.
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