U.S. patent number RE35,445 [Application Number 08/445,778] was granted by the patent office on 1997-02-11 for packaging system for medication.
This patent grant is currently assigned to UDL Laboratories, Inc.. Invention is credited to Raymond I. Pora.
United States Patent |
RE35,445 |
Pora |
February 11, 1997 |
Packaging system for medication
Abstract
A sealed package is provided for holding a predetermined supply
of individual medication units, such as pills. The package includes
a base panel defining a predetermined number of sealed
compartments. The base panel includes opening means for
accommodating the tearing of the base panel from an edge thereof
into each compartment to release the pills. A cover panel is
provided for overlying the base panel and is hinged to the base
panel. A retainer means or latch is provided for releasably
engaging the cover panel with the base panel. The cover panel, the
base panel, or both present indicia for identifying said medication
units and the .[.and.]. dosage therefor.
Inventors: |
Pora; Raymond I. (Brookfield,
IL) |
Assignee: |
UDL Laboratories, Inc.
(Rockford, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
25529209 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/445,778 |
Filed: |
May 22, 1995 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
982484 |
Nov 27, 1992 |
05242055 |
Sep 7, 1993 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/532;
206/459.5; 206/534 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J
1/035 (20130101); B65D 75/327 (20130101); B65D
75/38 (20130101); B65D 83/0463 (20130101); B65D
2575/3227 (20130101); B65D 2583/0404 (20130101); B65D
2583/0409 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61J
1/03 (20060101); A61J 1/00 (20060101); B65D
83/04 (20060101); B65D 75/28 (20060101); B65D
75/34 (20060101); B65D 75/38 (20060101); A61J
001/00 (); B65D 085/58 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/461-472,459.5,528-540 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Photographs J and K of a Norgesic-Forte package. .
Photographs A, B, and C of a Mortin Package. .
Photograph D, E, and F of a Suprol package. .
Photographs G, H, and I of a Disalcid package. .
Photographs L and M of a Deconamine package. .
Photographs N, O, and P of an unlabeled package. .
The laminate design of the carrier 50 with slits 130 and 140 shown
in the instant patent application in FIG. 5A..
|
Primary Examiner: Foster; Jimmy G.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dressler, Goldsmith, Milnamow &
Katz, Ltd.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sealed .[.,.]. package from which a predetermined supply of
discrete units of medication can be dispensed, said package
comprising:
a base panel defining a predetermined number of sealed compartments
corresponding to the number of medication-units to be dispensed to
a patient in a predetermined time period, each said compartment
containing one of said medication units, said base panel further
including opening means for accommodating the tearing of said base
panel from an edge thereof into each said compartment to release
said medication units;
said base panel further including:
(a) a carrier that has a transparent medication-receiving member
that has a row of outwardly projecting receptacles defining said
compartments for receiving said medication units; and
(b) top and bottom sheath layers on opposite sides of said
carrier;
said top sheath layer including a plurality of apertures for each
receiving one of said receptacles and for accommodating the
projection of said receptacles through said apertures;
said bottom sheath layer having a .Iadd.bottom notch along said one
side edge of said base panel, said bottom notch extending below
said compartments to expose said carrier below said
compartments;
said top sheath layer having a .Iaddend.top notch along said one
edge of said base panel; and
said top notch extending inwardly from said one edge but
.[.terminates.]. .Iadd.terminating .Iaddend.outwardly of said
compartments so that said top sheath layer defines a land between
said apertures and said top notch;
a cover panel for overlying said base panel;
a hinge means for connecting said cover panel and base panel to
accommodate relative movement of said cover panel and base panel
between open and closed configurations; and
a retainer means for releasably engaging said cover panel with said
base panel when said cover panel and base panel are in said closed
configuration.
2. A sealed .[.,.]. package from which a predetermined supply of
individual medication units can be dispensed, said package
comprising:
a base panel defining a predetermined number of sealed compartments
corresponding to the number of medication-units to be dispensed,
each said compartment containing one of said medication units;
a cover panel for overlying said base panel to accommodate relative
movement of said cover panel and base panel between open and closed
configurations;
said compartments being spaced-apart in a row inwardly of one edge
of said base panel, said base panel further defining a plurality of
spaced-apart weakened zones which are each associated with one of
said compartments and are each located between said one edge and
said one compartment, said base panel including a carrier, said
carrier including a transparent medication-receiving member having
a row of outwardly projecting receptacles with openings on one side
for defining said compartments for receiving said medication units,
said carrier including a backing sheet sealed to said transparent
medication-receiving member and covering each said receptacle
opening; and
said base panel further including top and bottom sheath layers on
opposite sides of said carrier, said top sheath layer including a
plurality of apertures for each receiving one of said receptacles
and accommodating the projection of said receptacles through said
apertures, said bottom sheath layer having a bottom notch along
said one edge of said base panel, said bottom notch extending
.[.inwardly beyond.]. .Iadd.below .Iaddend.said compartments to
expose said backing sheet below said compartments, said top sheath
layer having a top notch along said one edge of said base panel,
said top notch extending inwardly from said one edge beyond said
weakened zones but terminating outwardly of said compartments so
that said top sheath layer defines a land between said apertures
and said top notch.
3. The package in accordance with claim 2 in which portions of said
top sheath layer and said bottom sheath layer extend beyond said
carrier and are sealed together at regions extending beyond said
carrier.
4. The package in accordance with claim 2 in which said top sheath
layer and said bottom sheath layer are each sealed to said
carrier.
5. The package in accordance with claim 2 in which said cover panel
includes a top layer and a bottom layer sealed together.
6. The package in accordance with claim 2 in which said base panel
bottom sheath layer and said base panel top sheath layer are both
defined by a single piece of paperboard folded over said
carrier.
7. The package in accordance with claim 2 in which said cover panel
includes a single piece of paperboard folded over upon itself to
define both said cover panel top layer and said cover panel bottom
layer.
8. The package in accordance with claim 2 in which each said
weakened zone includes a perforation through said carrier.
9. The package in accordance with claim 8 in which each said
perforation is a slit that is spaced inwardly of said one edge of
said base panel.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a package from which a
predetermined supply of individual medication units, such as pills,
can be dispensed, and the invention more particularly relates to
such packages of the type which are sealed and difficult for
children to open.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE
PRIOR ART
A variety of medications, including drugs and the like, are
provided in the form of solid or liquid medication units, including
pills which may be defined as including tablets, capsules, caplets,
lozenges, etc. Although a variety of packaging arrangements have
been provided or proposed for such medication units it would be
desirable to provide an improved packaging system which would aid
in the proper administration of the medication.
For example, a patient should be able to conveniently carry and use
the package. Further, the package should permit the medication to
be readily identified by both the distributor or the medication and
the patient, and the package should minimize the likelihood or a
child accidentally ingesting the medication.
Also, it would be desirable to provide an improved package which
has a structure for facilitating the effective display of patient
instructions and warnings relating to the medication.
Although it is possible for an institution, such as a hospital, to
procure medication in bulk form and then prepare individual doses
from a bulk supply, there are a number of reasons why such a method
or medication administration is not desirable. In particular, in
view of rising health care costs, there is a need to reduce costs
by eliminating or reducing labor-intensive tasks relating to
medication administration. Thus, it would be advantageous to
provide a method of medication administration which does not
require personnel at a hospital or physician's office to prepare
one or more individual doses from a bulk supply of medication.
It would also be beneficial to provide an improved system in which
a limited, predetermined number of doses can be provided in advance
to a patient for use by the patient during a subsequent time
period. For example, in some countries, regulations regarding the
administration of drugs require that a patient who is treated as a
hospital out-patient, or who is released from a hospital emergency
room, be given no more than a 24 hour supply of a prescription drug
or general medication.
The patient must have a prescription filled by a registered
pharmacist to obtain an additional supply of the drug. Thus, it
would be desirable to provide an improved package for such a 24
hour supply of a prescription drug or general medication.
Such a system for accommodating a predetermined supply of
medication should also desirably permit the dispensed medication to
be traced and controlled from the administering source, such as the
drug manufacturer, through the administering agent e.g., hospital
or physician) to ultimate consumption by the patient.
It would also be desirable to provide an improved package which
would accommodate identification or labeling or the medication as
well as identification and labeling of the patient's name and other
patient-related data. This may help to prevent confusion or mix up
of the medication with the medication of other patients.
Such an improved medication package should also advantageously
accommodate the maintenance of records which may have to be kept by
the administering agent (e.g., hospital or physician) with respect
to dispensing of the medication.
Advantageously, such an improved medication package should be
easily processed in conventional medication inventory systems and
in reordering or restocking operations. Further, it would be
desirable if such an improved package could be easily used with
institutional data processing systems for patient billing, patient
monitoring, and the like.
It would also be beneficial if such an improved package could be
provided in a form that could accommodate date efficient packing,
shipping, handling, storage, end dispensing with a minimum of
wasted space.
Preferably, such an improved package should also protect the
mediation and yet be relatively light weight and have a
configuration that is unlikely to snag objects when being removed
from a patient's purse or pocket.
Preferably, such an improved package should also seal each
individual dose of the medication.
Advantageously, the package design should permit, where desired,
the construction of the package in a form that is sufficiently
difficult to open so as to greatly inhibit or prevent a child from
gaining access to one or more of the medication doses.
The present invention provides an improved unit dose package which
can accommodate designs having the above-discussed benefits and
features.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a novel unit dose packaging system
or arrangement for medication. It is particularly suitable for use
in hospital emergency departments. The package holds a supply of a
predetermined number of individual solid or liquid medication
units, such as pills. Preferably, the medication units to be
dispensed to a patient over a selected time period are each
provided in separate, heat-sealed compartments in the package. In a
preferred form of the invention, each compartment is at least
somewhat difficult for a child to open.
One form of the package of the present invention includes a base
panel that defines a predetermined number of sealed compartments
corresponding to the number of pills or other forms of medication
to be dispensed to a patient in a predetermined period. Each
compartment contains one of the medication units. The base panel
further includes opening means for accommodating the tearing of the
base panel from an edge thereof into the compartments to release
the medication.
A cover panel is provided for overlying the base panel, and a hinge
means is provided for connecting the cover panel and base panel to
accommodate relative movement of the cover panel and base panel
between open and closed configurations.
A retainer means is provided for releasably engaging the cover
panel with the base panel when the cover panel and base panel are
in the closed configuration.
The cover panel and/or base panel preferably present indicia means
for identifying the medication units and dosage therefor.
In a preferred form of the invention, the package holds a
predetermined number of medication units which are to be dispensed
to a patient in a 24 hour period. This form of the package is
especially suitable for use by hospital emergency departments. The
emergency department can treat a patient and then release the
patient with a 24 hour supply of a medication conveniently
contained in the novel package. Such a package may also be
conveniently used by psychiatric hospitals which can provide such a
package to a patient when temporarily discharged on a leave, such
as a week-end leave.
According to another aspect of the invention, the package is
provided with a unique sheath layer configuration associated with
medication-containing compartments. As described above, a base
panel is provided to define a predetermined number of sealed
compartments corresponding to the number of discrete solid or
liquid medication units (e.g., pills) to be dispensed. Each
compartment contains one of the medication units.
A cover panel overlies the base to accommodate relative movement of
the cover panel and base panel between open and closed
configurations.
The compartments in the base panel are spaced apart in a row
inwardly of one edge of the base panel. The base panel further
defines a plurality of spaced-apart weakened zones. Each weakened
zone is associated with one of the compartments and is each located
between the compartment and the edge of the base panel.
The base panel also includes a carder, and the carrier includes a
transparent medication unit-receiving member having a row of
outwardly projecting receptacles.
The receptacles have openings on one side for defining the
compartments for receiving the medication. The carrier includes a
backing sheet sealed to the transparent medication-receiving member
and covering each receptacle opening.
The base panel further includes top and bottom sheath layers on
opposite sides of the carrier. The top sheath layer includes a
plurality of apertures for each receiving one of the receptacles
and accommodating the projections of the receptacles through the
apertures.
The bottom sheath layer has a bottom notch along the one edge of
the base panel. The bottom notch extends inwardly beyond the
compartments to expose the backing sheet below the compartment.
The top sheath layer has a top notch along the one edge of the base
panel, and the top notch extends inwardly from the one edge beyond
the weakened zones but terminates outwardly of the compartments so
that the top sheath layer defines a land between the apertures and
the top notch. The weakened zones facilitate tearing of the package
to gain access to the medication.
The package of the present invention provides a system for
supplying a desired amount of medication in a convenient,
easy-to-use package. The system is effective in protecting the
medication, inhibiting access to the medication by children,
accommodating identification of the medication and recordation of
data relating to the patient, facilitating storage and handling,
and serving as a means for displaying instructions and other
indicia.
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention
will become readily apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention, from the claims. and from the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings that form part of the specification,
and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts
throughout the same,
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of packages of the
present invention shown disposed in a container in accordance with
the teachings of one aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of one of the packages of
the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, top plan view taken
generally along the plane 3--3 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a rear, elevational view of a package taken is generally
along the plane 4--4 in FIG. 3 with the sides of the container
omitted for ease of illustration;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the package in tn
opened configuration;
FIG. 5A is an exploded, perspective view of the components of the
package shown prior to assembly;
FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged, plan view of a piece of paperboard
prior to being assembled with, and folded over, other components of
the package;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a scaled carrier prior to assembly
with the piece of paperboard illustrated in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view
taken generally along the plane 8--8 in FIG. 5;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, plan view of a base panel of a second
embodiment of the package of the present invention; and
FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but showing a base panel of a
third embodiment of the package of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different
forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose
only some specific forms as examples of the invention. The
invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so
described, however. The scope of the invention is pointed out in
the appended claims.
For ease of description, the package of this invention is described
in typical use positions, and terms such as upper, lower,
horizontal, etc., are used with reference to these positions. It
will be understood, however, that so the package of this invention
may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an
orientation other than the positions described.
A first embodiment of the package of the present invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, and a plurality of such packages are
designated generally by the reference numeral 12 in FIG. 1 wherein
the packages 12 are stored in a generally upright, vertical
configuration within a container 14. Each package 12 has a
generally thin, right rectangular parallelpiped shape (in the
closed configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1). The packages 12 are
arranged seriatim in a row in the container 14 with the front panel
or cover panel of one package being in face-to-face registration
with the rear or base panel of an adjacent package.
The container 14 has a base 16, a front wall 18, a rear wall 20,
and a pair of opposed side walls 22 and 24. The container walls 18,
20, 22, and 24 extend upwardly from the base 16 to define an
opening for receiving the vertically disposed packages 12. The rear
wall 20 is taller than the front wall 18.
Each wall has a top edge, and the top edge of the rear wall 20 is
generally parallel to the top edge of the front wall 18 and to the
base 16. The top edges of the side walls 22 and 24 extend at an
oblique angle relative to the base 16 and connect the top edge of
the front wall 18 with the top edge of the rear wall 20.
The novel structure of the container 14 permits a plurality of
packages 12 to be efficiently packed and stored within the
container 14. Further, the container 14 permits the packages 12 to
be easily removed from the container one at a time, or in groups of
more than one.
A plurality of containers 14, each containing a full load of
packages 12, may be conveniently packed in a larger carton (not
illustrated) of a suitable conventional or special type.
The container 14 may be provided with indicia on the exterior
surfaces, such as with textual and pictorial information relating
to the medication, manufacturer, storage, instructions, warnings,
etc.
A package 12 is shown in the closed configuration in FIG. 2. The
package 12 includes a base panel 26 and a cover panel 28. A hinge
panel or hinge means 29 connects the cover panel 28 and the base
panel 26 to accommodate relative movement of the cover panel and
base panel between a closed configuration (FIG. 2) and an open
configuration (FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 5, the hinge means 29
includes a short wall, panel, or member connected at one end to the
base panel 26 along a fold line 30 and connected at the other end
to the cover panel 28 along a fold line 31.
As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the package 12 includes a generally
L-shaped closure wall 32 connected along a bend line or hinge line
34 to one end of the base 26. The closure wall 32 includes a first
leg 36 and a second leg 38 connected to the first leg 36 at a hinge
or bend line 40. A centrally disposed slit or slot 42 is defined
along the bend line 40 for receiving a latch tab 44 extending from
the distal end of the cover panel 28. The latch tab 0 44, extends
in a substantially perpendicular orientation from, and relative to,
the plane of the cover panel 28 along a bend line 46. When the
package 12 is closed, the tab 44 may be inserted through the slit
42. The tab 44 and latch wall 32 may be characterized as defining a
retainer means for releasably engaging the cover panel with the
base panel.
Preferably, the base panel 26 and/or cover panel 28 may be used to
display textual and/or pictorial material or other indicia means
for identifying the medication and the dosage therefor, and for
providing other information, such as the name of the manufacturer,
etc. For example, the base panel 26 (FIG. S) displays a diagram
illustrating how the sealed medication may be accessed.
As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 5A, 7, and 8, the base panel 26 includes
a carrier 50 for holding the medication, such as pills 52, in a
sealed condition. The base panel 26 includes a unique structure for
retaining the carrier 50.
In particular, the base panel 26 includes a top sheath layer 26A on
the top of the carrier 50 and a bottom sheath layer 26B on the
bottom of the carrier 50.
As best illustrated in FIG. 8, the carrier 50 includes a
transparent medication-receiving member 62 having a row of
outwardly projecting blisters or receptacles 66 which open on one
side (downwardly with reference to
FIG. 8) for defining compartments for receiving the solid or liquid
medication, such as tablets, capsules, caplets, lozenges,
quantities of liquid medication, or pills 52, during manufacture of
the carrier 50. Each compartment 66 formed in the transparent,
medication-receiving member 62 may be alternatively characterized
as a cavity or chamber. The transparent medication-receiving member
62 may be of conventional design and thermo-formed from a suitable
polyvinyl chloride polymer having a typical thickness of about 10
mils and which may include a conventional ultraviolet
inhibitor.
The upper surface of the medication-receiving member 62 is
preferably heat sealed to the lower surface of the top sheath layer
26A with an intermediate, heat-activated, heat seal coating 70A
which my be of any suitable conventional type well-known to those
of skill in the art.
The carrier 50 also includes a backing sheet or foil laminate 74
which is sealed to the transparent medication-receiving member 62
for covering each receptacle opening. The backing sheet 74 may be
of say suitable special or conventional design.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the backing sheet 74 is of
a conventional type and includes a heat-activated, heat heat seal
coating 78 for heat sealing the backing sheet 74 to the underside
of the medication-receiving member 62. The heat seal coating 78 is
carried on the top surface of a metal foil layer 80. In the
preferred embodiment, the foil layer 80 has a thickness ofabout
0.001 inch, and the heat seal coating 78 is applied to the foil
layer 80 at a coverage of about 3 pounds per ream.
The bottom surface of the foil layer 80 is bonded to a paper layer
84 with three, intermediate, polymer layers. 86, 88, and 89. The
paper layer 84 is preferably a conventional 25 pound, sulfite,
pouch paper. The layer 86 is polyethylene at about 10.8 pounds per
ream. The layer 88 is polyethylene terephalate with a thickness of
about 50 gauge. The layer 89 is polyethylene at about 10.8 pounds
per ream. The bottom of the paper layer 84 of the backing sheet 74
is bonded with a heat-activated, heat seal coating 70B to the upper
surface of the bottom sheath layer 26B.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the sheath layer 26A and
bottom sheath layer 26B are each preferably formed from solid,
bleached sulfite paperboard board ("SBS board"). Preferably, the
base panel bottom sheath layer 26B and base panel top sheath layer
26A are both defined by a single piece of paperboard 90 which is
folded over the carrier 50 as illustrated in FIG. 5A.
During manufacture, the single, paperboard piece 90 is die cut or
otherwise formed in an unfolded, flat condition as illustrated in
FIG. 6. The single paperboard piece 90 includes a longitudinal fold
line defined by a plurality of spaced-apart slits 94. The
paperboard piece 90 can be folded over along the fold line slits 94
in the direction of the arrow 96 as illustrated in FIG. 5A.
With reference to FIG. 6, the top sheath layer 26A is defined on
one side of the fold line slit 94, and the bottom sheath layer 26B
is defined on the other side of the fold line slit 94. A portion
36A of the paperboard piece 90 is connected 1o the distal end of
the top sheath layer 26A along a fold line 34A, and a flap portion
38A extends from the portion 36A along a fold line 40A. The fold
lines 34A and 40A are of the conventional type having a raised area
(facing upwardly toward the viewer in FIG. 6) on one side of the
paperboard piece 90 and having a shallow groove (facing downwardly
away from the viewer FIG. 6) paperboard piece 90.
At the distal end of the bottom sheath layer 26B there are
spaced-apart, transverse fold line slits 34B and 40B which are
adapted to lie in registration with the fold lines 34A and 40A,
respectively, when the paperboard piece 99 is folded over along the
fold line slits 94.
The fold line 40A is interrupted with a slit 42A, and the
spaced-apart fold line slits 40B are interrupted with a continuous
slit 41B. When the single paperboard piece 90 is folded over, the
slits 42A and 42B define the tab-receiving slot 42 (FIG. 5).
The middle of the single paperboard piece 90 defines a inner hinge
wall 29A on one side of the fold line slits 94 and defines an outer
hinge wall 29B on the other side of the fold line slits 94. The
inner hinge wall 29A is connected to one end of the top sheath
layer 26A via a fold line 30A and is connected on the other end to
an inner cover portion 28A along a fold line 31A. The structure of
the fold lines 30A and 31A may be of any suitable conventional or
special design. The fold lines 30A and 31A each preferably have a
structure identical to that of the fold lines 34A and 40A described
above.
The outer hinge wall 29B is connected to the bottom sheath layer
26B along a fold line defined by slits 30B and is connected to an
outer cover portion 28B along a fold line defined by slits 31B. The
fold lines defined by the slits 3lB and 30B are adapted to be in
registration with the fold lines 31A and 10B, respectively, when
the single paperboard piece 90 is folded over along the
longitudinal fold line defined by the slits 94.
A tab member 44A extends from the distal end of the inner cover
portion 28A at a fold line 46A. A tab member 44B extends from the
distal end of the outer cover portion 28B along a fold line defined
by slits 46B. When the single paperboard piece 90 is folded over
about the longitudinal fold line defined by the slits 94, the tab
members 44A and 44B lie in registration to form the tab 44 (FIG.
5).
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 6, the single paperboard piece 90 has a
unique cut-out configuration for receiving the carrier 50. In
particular, the top sheath layer 26A defines a plurality of
apertures 98 for each receiving one of the carrier receptacles 66
and for each accommodating the projection of a receptacle through
the aperture.
Further, the top sheath layer 26A defines a top notch 100 along
each side edge, and the bottom sheath layer 26B defines a bottom
notch 110 along each side edge.
When the single paperboard piece 90 is folded over on the carrier
50 so that the receptacles 66 project through the apertures 98, the
lateral edges of the carrier 50 extend into the regions of the
notches 100 and 110. As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 6, the top
sheath layer notches 100 are not as deep as the bottom sheath layer
notches 110. Thus, a relatively greater area of the bottom of the
carrier 50 is exposed in the notches 110 on the bottom of the
package (as illustrated in FIG. 4) compared to the area of the
carrier exposed through the lateral notches 100 in the top sheath
layer 26A as shown in FIG. 5.
When the carrier 50 is assembled in the folded over paperboard
piece 90, the assembly is secured in that position. To this end,
the above-described heat-activated heat seal coating extends over
the mating surfaces of the paperboard piece 90 (i.e., over the
entire surface of the paperboard piece 90 as viewed in FIG. 6).
This heat seal coating is seen as layers 70A and 70B in FIG. 8.
Suitable conventional thermal pressing techniques may be employed
to thermally bond the components together.
The paperboard piece notches 100 and 110 cooperate with features on
the carrier 50 to define a unique structure which children find
difficult to open. In particular, the medication-receiving
compartments defined by the receptacles 66 in the carrier 50 are
spaced-apart in two parallel rows. Each row of receptacles 66 is
spaced inwardly of an adjacent edge of the base panel 26 (FIG. 5).
Further, each row of receptacles 66 is spaced inwardly of the
adjacent notch 100 (FIG. 5). Each notch 100 extends laterally
inwardly from the adjacent edge of the base panel 16 beyond the
lateral edge of the carrier 50 but terminates laterally outwardly
of the receptacles 66 so that the top sheath layer 26A defines a
land or region 120 (FIG. 5) between the receptacles 66 and the
notch 100. Each land 120 may thus be characterized as extending
between a row of apertures 98 and an adjacent notch 100.
In order to gain to a pill 52 or other type of medication unit, the
edge of the carrier 50 can be torn, in the location of the notch
100, inwardly to a receptacle 66. The manner in which the carrier
50 can be torn is illustrated in the diagram shown on the surface
of the top sheath 26A in FIG. 5. In one form of the present
invention, the laminate structure of the carrier 50 is preferably
made sufficiently strong so as to inhibit a small child from
tearing through the carrier to gain access to the pills 52. Much of
the resistance to tearing is provided by the transparent, polyvinyl
chloride layer 62 (FIG. 8) and the foil laminate backing sheet 74
(FIG. 8).
Typically, tearing of the polyvinyl chloride layer 62 and foil
backing sheet 74 would be difficult even for an adult. Accordingly,
a weakened zone is provided between each receptacle 66 and the
lateral edge of the carrier 50. In the preferred embodiment
illustrated, the weakened zone is in the form of a perforation or
slit 130. Other suitable weakened zone structures may be employed,
such as a weakened line, tear zone, or other frangible region.
Preferably, the slit 130 does not extend all the way to the lateral
edge of the carrier 50 and does not extend all the way to the
receptacle 66. In one contemplated embodiment, the distance between
the end of slit 130 and the edge of the carrier is 3/64 inch. Thus,
considerable effort is required to initially tear the portion of
the carrier 50 between the lateral edge of the carrier 50 and the
slit 130. This effort is typically much greater than can be exerted
by a child. Thus, this preferred form of the package can be
characterized as being difficult for children to open.
In order to assist in removal of a pill 52 from its receptacle 66,
the back of the compartment defined by the receptacle 66 is not
covered by the bottom sheath layer 26B. Specifically, with
reference to FIGS. 4, 5A, and 6, it can be seen that the notch 110
on each side of the bottom sheath layer 26B extends inwardly a
substantial distance from the lateral edge of the bottom sheath
layer 26B. Thus, the transparent member 62 and foil laminate 74
(FIG. 8) can be tom into the compartment or receptacle 66 without
having to tear the bottom sheath layer 26B.
Preferably, in order to assist in separating previously opened
receptacles 66 from those that have not yet been opened, suitable
tear lines, such as spaced-apart slits or perforations 140 (FIGS. 4
and 5A), are provided between each transverse row of receptacles
66. Thus, used portions of the carrier 50 can be torn away.
The large cut out region defined by each bottom sheath layer notch
110 exposes a large area of the bottom of the carrier 50, and
information can be printed on the bottom surface of the carrier 50
in the notch region below each pill or other form of medication.
Typically, such information will include manufacturing data such as
product lot or number, expiration date, and the like.
Also, the bottom surface of the bottom sheath layer 26B may
desirably be provided with text material, such as information
regarding the medication name, manufacturer, dosage, and the
like.
FIG. 9 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention
wherein a package 212 is shown in an open position to expose a base
panel 226 having a top sheath layer 226A. A carrier 250 is provided
with a plurality of receptacles 266 each containing a medication
dose, such as a pill 252. The receptacles 266 are disc-like in
slope as opposed to the elongate, dome-like shape of the
receptacles 66 for the first embodiment described above with
reference to FIGS. 1-8.
The carrier 250 contains two longitudinal rows of receptacles 266,
and there are three receptacles in each longitudinal row. As in the
first embodiment, the top sheath layer 226A defines a top notch 200
along each side edge of the top sheath layer 226A. A bottom sheath
layer (not visible in FIG. 9) defines a bottom notch 210 shown
hidden in FIG. 9 (wherein the hidden notch 210 is represented by
dashed lines).
The carrier 250 may have substantially the same laminate structure
as the carrier 50 in the first embodiment described above with
reference to FIGS. 1-8. To this end, a weakened zone or slit 230 is
defined in the carrier 250 inwardly of the lateral edge of the
carrier 250 adjacent each pill-receiving receptacle 266. The
lateral rows of the receptacles 266 may be separated after opening
by tearing along weakened zones defined by slits 240.
The package 212 may incorporate a hinged cover panel and retention
means or latch (not illustrated) with configurations substantially
identical to those employed for the cover panel and retention means
of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS.
1-8.
A third embodiment of a package 312 is illustrated in FIG. 10. The
package 312 is similar to the second embodiment of the package 212
described above with reference to FIG. 9 except that only one
longitudinal row of pill-receiving receptacles 366 is provided.
Accordingly, only one top notch 300 and bottom notch 310 are
employed along one side edge of a package base panel 326. The
receptacles 366 are defined by a carrier 350 which extends only
part way across the base panel 326 and terminates in a rear edge
.[.310.]. .Iadd.311 .Iaddend.in a central region of the base panel
326.
The novel package of the present invention provides a convenient
system for permitting the administration of a predetermined supply
of medication. The invention can be incorporated in a package which
is difficult for children to open. The package protects the
medication and provides the capability for displaying instructions
or other information. The package can be readily handled and used,
axed the package configuration accommodates efficient shipping and
storage.
It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description
of the invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerous
variations and modifications may be effected without departing from
the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of
this invention.
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