Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: BLISTER PACKAGE WITH CLOSABLE CAVITIES AND USES
THEREOF
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to blister packages having pre-formed cavities for
holding products for display, sale, distribution and use. More particularly,
the
invention relates to blister packages having pre-formed cavities preferably
intended
for holding dosages or selections of materials that have to be used at regular
time
intervals, in different quantities, or over an extended time period, or the
like. The
1o invention also relates to the use of such packages for the dispensing and
use of
materials, particularly medicaments.
2. BACKGROUND ART
Many products these days are displayed and sold in blister packages. Blister
packages are containers that generally consist of a thin-flat body having at
least one
15 cavity projecting from at least one side of the body. The cavity is used
for holding the
product and the thin-flat body may be used as a support and/or as a medium for
displaying advertising, decoration or product information. Quite often, the
projecting
cavity is made of a transparent plastic material so that the contents can be
observed
before the package is opened.
20 A special form of blister package is often used for materials that are
required
in dosage or metered form, such as for example medicines. In this case, more
than
one projecting cavity is provided in each package so that the product can be
divided
into two or more doses and the contents of each cavity can be removed and used
separately from the contents of the other cavities. Perhaps the most well-
known
25 package of this kind is the one developed for contraceptive pills many
years ago
where a separate cavity is provided for each pill so that individual pills can
be
removed and consumed at appropriately-spaced time intervals, e.g. on a daily
basis.
In this way, each dosage can be kept fresh, clean and uncontaminated until
required
for use, and the package acts as a visual confirmation that a dose has been
used on
30 time. However, it has been usual in this kind of package to provide an
individual
dosage form, e.g. a single pill or tablet, in each cavity.
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In the conventional form of blister packages of this kind, the "blister" is
made
up of two parts, such as a flat rupturable foil layer sealing the open end of
a cavity
formed in an adjacent layer. The contents of each cavity can then be removed
individually, if the product is sufficiently rigid, by pressing down on the
projecting
cavity so that the contents, e.g. a pill, bursts through the foil closure.
One problem with packages of this kind is that the cavities are not re-usable
or
re-sealable, once the contents have been removed and the entire package is
useless
once the final dosage has been removed. Such packages are not convenient for
holding several small groups of products, e.g. tablets, that are not all
consumed at the
to same time. Moreover, a package that is suitable for all potential users
must be
designed and modifications for different individuals are impossible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the preset invention is to provide packaging of the blister type
that is more effective to use.
15 Another object of the invention, at least in preferred forms, is to provide
a
blister type package that can be used to customize a product for particular
individuals
or situations.
According to one preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided a
package for a product, the package comprising a body formed by layers of
packaging
2o material and at least one cavity formed by an outward projection of at
least one of the
layers, wherein one of the layers, in a region of the at least one cavity, is
provided
with a line of weakness or a cut in the material of the layer extending
partially around
an entrance to the cavity and forming a releasable hinged flap forming an
openable
and closable lid for the cavity.
25 Preferably, the body is generally flat and made of tv~~o layer of
transparent
material. By the term "generally flat" we mean that the layers extend from the
cavities
in an approximate plane or shallow arc. Most preferably, the package has two
or more
cavities, and ideally 2 to 7 or more.
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In this way, a product held in the cavity, may be removed simply by releasing
the lid formed in the material of the other layer without completely
disassembling the
entire blister package or destroying individual blisters formed by the
cavities.
Preferably, there are two or more cavities per package, each pxovided with a
releasable lid of the type described above.
The or each lid preferably has a projection of suitable shape and size to
extend
partially into the cavity formed from the other layer of material. In this
way, the lid
can be friction- or compression-fitted into the opening of the cavity, so that
the lid
may be held securely when closed.
to Additionally, the lid has an area forming a graspable tab so that the lid
may be
easily be grasped by the user and pulled away from the remainder of the
package to
open the cavity. Furthermore, the opposite layer of material beneath the
graspable tab
may be provided with at least one projection extending from the layer on the
side
facing the graspable area. This causes the graspable area to stand proud of
the layer
15 of material from which it is formed so that it is always readily available
to be grasped
by the user.
The lid is preferably square or rectangular in shape and the line of weakness
or
cut is formed along three sides, leaving the fourth side to form a hinge about
which
the lid may pivot when released from the cavity.
2o The generally flat body may be used to support or contain printed material
indicating the contents of each cavity or the time or date of which the
contents of each
cavity should be removed and consumed or used. The generally flat body may, of
course, be used to support or contain other printed material of an
advertising,
informative, or decorative nature.
2s 'The blister package is most preferably made from a single piece of heat-
deformable, preferably transparent, plastic material in which the cavity or
cavities and
lines of weakness or cut may be made. After this has taken place the material
may be
folded back on itself along a line and secured around the edges, e.g. by
providing the
edges with shapes that fit together by means of a friction fit.
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An additional layer of material, e.g. made of paperboard or cardboard or the
like, may be sandwiched between the two layers of plastic material (with
openings
provided appropriately for the one or more cavities) and provided with the
intended
decorative, informative or advertising material or information.
'The package of the invention is not only easy to use because the individual
lids can be removed from the cavities without disassembling the entire
package, but
the cavities can be re-closed, for example when each cavity is used to hold
several
dosages of material (e.g. several pills or tablets) which are not intended to
be used or
consumed all at the same time. For example, a package containing four re-
closeable
to cavities of the above kind could be used to hold a product that has to be
consumed
over four weeks at different dosages for each week. A first cavity could then
hold
seven tablets of the material at one dosage level and the other cavities could
each hold
seven tablets of the product at different dosage levels. The user would then
remove
individual tablets on each day starting with the dosage intended for the first
week and
then progressing to the cavity with the tablets intended for the second week.
The invention is particularly suitable for packaging four strengths of a
product
(e.g. a pharmaceutical provided in discrete dosage form, e.g. tablets, pills,
capsules,
gelcaps and the like) in the same package, or four weeks of dosage. In such
cases, it
was previously necessary to package the material in four separate bottles or
2o containers. This facilitates those cases where a patient may have to take a
regime of
treatment requiring different dosages at different times.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of
distributing a product available in the form of a plurality of discrete units,
which
method comprises dividing the units into a plurality of groups according to
requirements of a specific user, introducing a different one of the plurality
of groups
into a different cavity of package of the above type, closing each cavity with
the
associated lid, providing the package with instructions regarding the removal
of the
discrete units from the cavities, and distributing the package to the user of
the product.
The package of the invention can thus be used for customizing the product to a
3o specific user or group of users, distribution to that user or group and
then dispensing
of the product white being used by the user or member of the group. The method
is
particularly suitable for distribution of medicaments that must be taken in
regular
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doses over time, especially where the product is customized to a user by a
physician,
packaged by a pharmacist according to a prescription from the pharmacist and
used
by a patient.
Thus, the product may be, for example, a medicament in the form of tablets,
pills, capsules, or similar discrete units. Many medicaments of this kind are
prescribed by physicians in different ways for different patients. For
example, a
patient may require a different dosage at different times, or different
combinations of
medicaments at different times. The package of the invention can be used to
dispense
medicaments of this kind already divided into different dosage forms
appropriate for
to use at the different times.
For example, the drug nefadozone HCl (referred to as Nefazodone or
Serazone) is often prescribed for depression. The drug is available in the
form of
tablets of different dosages (e.g. 50 mg, l00 mg, 200 mg, etc.). Individual
patients
often require specific treatment regimes. For example, one patient may require
one
SO mg tablet every day for a week, then one 100 mg tablet every day for a
further
week, and so on. Another patient may require a 100 mg tablet once a day for
four
weeks, etc. In such circumstances, a physician would normally provide several
containers, each having tablets of the same dosage strength (all 50 mg, all
100 rng,
etc.), and provide the patient with instructions regarding which strengths to
use over
time. However, this is costly and inefficient and prone to error if patients
misunderstand the instructions or choose a wrong container by mistake.
In such circumstances, it is possible to provide a blister package according
to
the present invention with, say, four cavities, each cavity being intended to
hold a
supply of tablets for one week, thus making the package suitable for a four
week
supply. The cavities may be numbered Week l, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4,
respectively. According to the needs of a particular patient, a physician, or
more
likely a pharmacist, would fill each cavity with tablets of an appropriate
dosage. For
example, the first cavity might be filled with tablets of 50 mg strength, the
second at
100 mg, the third at 100 mg and the fourth at 200 mg. The patient would then
merely
consume the tablets from the appropriate for the week of treatment. The
tablets may
be removed by raising the lid of the selected cavity, removing one of the
tablets, and
then closing the lid to keep the remaining tablets secure and sanitary. For a
different
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patient, the cavities might be filled in a different way (e.g. all four
containing tables of
50 mg strength).
Not only may the package of the invention be customized in this way, but it
may also be customized for different drugs or other products. For example, a
printed
card or sheet may be positioned between the layers of the generally flat body.
By
providing sheets printed with identifying information for a number of
different
products, a package can be made ready for any one of those products by
separating
the layers of the generally flat body, inserting a card or sheet appropriate
for the
product of interest, and then closing the package so that the card or sheet is
secured
between the layers. Since the layers are preferably transparent, the
information
provided on the card or sheet can be viewed through the body portion of the
package
and information about the product may be viewed.
Accordingly, the package of the present invention is readily customizable and
is perfectly suited for accommodating a new way of distributing products,
particularly
t5 medicaments, that is customized for individuals that have individual needs.
The
package not only acts as a means of distributing a product, but also as a
means of
temporarily storing and dispensing the product until all is consumed. The
simplicity
and low cost of the package means that it can be discarded after use without
adding
unduly to the overall cost of the product.
2U BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is top-plan view of a package according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 2 is an underneath plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of the embodiment of Figure 1 with
25 the lid of one of the cavities in the raised position;
Figure 4 is a vertical cross-section of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken on
the
line IV-IV of Figure 1; and
Figure 5 is a vertical cross-section of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken on
the
tine V-V of Figure 1;
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the blister package of present invention is shown
in Figures 1 through 5 of the accompanying drawings.
The drawings show a blister package 10 having a generally flat body 11
formed by two layers 12 and I3 of relatively stiff but flexible material,
preferably
heat- or impact-deformable, transparent plastic material (for example
polyethylene
terephthalate or other relatively transparent material). The package 10 has
four domed
cavities I4 extending outwardly from one of the layers 13 of the material.
These
domed cavities form "blisters" for containing and preferably displaying
product
material. The cavities should preferably be made large enough to hold more
than one
item, e.g. tablet or capsule, and preferably large enough to hold several such
items
(e.g. seven items, suitable for daily doses for a week).
On the side of the package 10 opposite the domed cavities 14, the ether
layer 12 has lids 15 covering the entrance 16 of each domed cavity 14. The
lids 15
are defined by cuts or pre-formed tearable lines of weakness 17 in the layer
12, but
these cuts or lines of weakness do not extend fully around each cavity, thus
leaving
uncut or unweakened sections I 8 that may act as a flexible hinge 19 for each
associated lid 15. An advantage of the use of lines of weakness is that the
interior of
the package may remain completely sealed and sterile, and tampering is
immediately
apparent in that the lines of weakness will then be torn open and transformed
to cuts
in the material.
Each lid 15 preferably has a generally planar peripheral portion 20 aligned
with (and forming part of) the layer 12 and a central portion 21 that projects
inwardly
from the layer 12 and extends for a short distance into the entrance I6 of the
domed
cavity 14. The central portion 21 is shaped and dimensioned to fit snuggly
within the
entrance 16 of the associated domed cavity 14, thus forming a secure friction-
or
compression-fit which holds the lid securely within the opening of the cavity
when in
the closed position.
Each lid 15 is provided with an extension forming a tab 22 that can be grasped
3o between the fingers of the user of the package to facilitate removal of a
lid 15 from an
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associated domed cavity 14, thus enabling removal of the contents (not shown)
from
the cavity.
Once a lid 15 has been removed in this way, it is held on the package by
means of the flexible hinge 19 and can be repositioned over the entrance 16 of
the
domed cavity 14 and secured in place once again by means of the friction- or
compression-fit.
The layer 13 of material from which the domed cavities are formed may be
provided with outward projections 25 (preferably of half moon (hemispherical)
shape) beneath the tabs 22 so that the graspable tabs 22 must stand proud of
the plane
of the layer 12 (see Fig. 4), thus improving their accessibility to the user.
The layer 12 of material is also provided with a short, elongated outward
projection 26 in the regions of the hinges 19 intended to provide a greater
range of
movement for the hinges to facilitate the action of the hinges and to reduce
the danger
that the lids 15 may be torn accidentally from the blister package 10.
t5 It will be seen that the lid 15 of each domed cavity 14 may be opened and
closed independently of the others so that the contents of one domed cavity
14, or of
several domed cavities or even of all domed cavities, may be accessed at the
same or
at different times.
A layer 30 of thin cardboard, paper or other printable material is provided
between the outer layers 12 and 13 of the blister package 10. This layer 30 of
material may carry printing or indicia to ba seen by the user through the
transparent
layers 12 and I3. For example, the layer 30 may bear numbers 31 to
differentiate the
domed cavities I4 from each other and/or to indicate the time periods (e.g.
weeks)
over which the contents of each cavity may be concealed or used. The printing
may
alternatively be "Week I", "Week 2", "Week 3" or "Week 4", or a similar
indication.
The card may also contain the name of the product and a decorative logo as
well as product information and indication of the source of the product. When
the
package is to be used for a number of different products, a different layer 30
may be
provided for each product with suitable product information and the
appropriate one
selected when a package is being assembled.
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The edges 33 of the blister package 10 may be held together by providing the
edges of each layer 12 and 13 with nesting profiles 34 and 34' that mutually
engage
and hold the layers together by means of a friction- or compression fit. This
allows
the package to be secured, while allowing it to be disassembled, if necessary.
s Alternatively, the edges 33 may be permanently sealed, if desired.
Nevertheless, a
non-permanent attachment of the edges in the manner described is preferred so
that a
package made up for one particular product (or a package containing no layer
30) may
be opened and the layer 30 replaced or inserted for the first time. This makes
the
package customizable for a particular product, or changeable from one product
to
1o another without difficulty.
The layers 12 and 13 are preferably formed from a single sheet of plastics
material that is bent back on itself at fold 36, thus forming a hinge 37. This
gives the
package a "clam-shell" (book hinge) design or structure.
During manufacturing, the domed cavities 14 are formed by heat molding or
~s stamping in a line on one side of the hinge 37 and the lines of weakness or
cuts 17 for
the lids 15 are formed by stamping on the other side with the cavities and the
lids in
proper alignment for correct positioning when the sheet is bent back on itself
around
the hinge 37. The half moon projections 25 and elongated hinge 27 are also
formed at
the same time as the cavities 14 and/or cuts 17, as well as the profiled edges
33. All
20 of this can be done in a single operation starting from a flat sheet of the
plastics
material. The layer 30 of card (preprinted with desired information or
indicia) may be
sandwiched within the blister package as the halves of the sheet forming the
layers 12
and I3 are folded against each other via hinge 37.
In use, the illustrated embodiment may be used to facilitate a novel method of
2s packaging and distributing items, particularly medicaments. For example, a
physician
may prescribe for a patient a four week course of medication produced in the
form of
tablets of different strengths. When filling the prescription, the pharmacist
selects a
package 10 and inserts a layer 30 appropriate for the medicament (showing the
name
of the medicament, dosage information, labeling for the cavities, decoration,
patent
3o and trademark information, etc.). The layers 12 and 13 are then brought
together and
secured at their edges. The pharmacist then fills each cavity with a dosage
form
appropriate for one week, using tablets having a strength suitable for the
first week in
CA 02456624 2004-O1-28
l~
the first cavity, tablets having a strength suitable for the second week in
the second
cavity, etc. The lids 15 are then closed to temporarily seal the package and a
label
typical for a medicament container may be applied to the outside or inside of
one of
the layers 12 and 13. The package is then given to the patient, who will
select tablets
from the first cavity during the first week, the second cavity during the
second week,
etc. This facilitates distribution and proper use of the product.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail
above, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that other
embodiments and
variations may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention.
