RE-SEALING MECHANISM FOR A DISPENSER

MECANISME REFERMABLE POUR DISTRIBUTEUR

English Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of dispensing at least one solid
dosage form comprising the steps of: opening a resealable container and lid
assembly, wherein the container comprises a reservoir for storing solid dosage
forms and an opening for dispensing individual solid dosage form; the opening
further comprises an elastomeric seal that is at least partially located
circumferentially around the opening; the lid comprises a plug that is
integrally attached to an inner portion of the lid and the lid consists of a
hinge attached to the container that functions to rotate the lid at one pivot
point; dispensing at least one solid dosage form from the reservoir of the
container and through the opening; applying a sufficient pressure upon an
outer potion of the lid so that the plug engages the elastomeric seal of the
opening; and maintaining the sufficient pressure by a latch mechanism located
on both the container and the lid to form a moisture-tight seal between the
plug and the elastomeric seal of the opening.

French Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé permettant de distribuer au moins une forme posologique solide. Ce procédé comprend les étapes qui consistent à ouvrir un contenant refermable et un ensemble couvercle, le contenant comprenant un réservoir conçu pour stocker des formes posologiques solides et une ouverture permettant de distribuer une forme posologique solide individuelle. L'ouverture comprend également un joint élastomère qui est, au moins en partie, placé sur la circonférence de l'ouverture. Le couvercle comprend un bouchon qui est relié d'une pièce à une portion intérieure du couvercle, lequel couvercle est constitué d'une charnière reliée au contenant et fonctionnant de manière à permettre la rotation du couvercle sur un point de pivotement. Le procédé décrit dans cette invention consiste également à distribuer au moins une forme posologique solide depuis le réservoir du contenant et à travers l'ouverture ; à appliquer une pression suffisante sur une portion extérieure du couvercle pour permettre au bouchon d'entrer en contact avec le joint élastomère de l'ouverture ; et à maintenir cette pression suffisante au moyen d'un mécanisme de blocage situé à la fois sur le contenant et sur le couvercle de manière à former un joint étanche à l'humidité entre le bouchon et le joint élastomère de l'ouverture.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A method of dispensing at least one solid dosage form comprising the
steps of:
opening a resealable container and lid assembly, wherein the container
comprises a
reservoir for storing solid dosage forms and an opening for dispensing
individual solid dosage
form; the opening further comprises an elastomeric seal that is at least
partially located
circumferentially around the opening; the lid comprises a plug that is
integrally attached to an
inner portion of the lid and the lid consists of a hinge attached to the
container that functions to
rotate the lid at one pivot point;
dispensing at least one solid dosage form from the reservoir of the container
and through the opening;
applying a sufficient pressure upon an outer portion of the lid so that the
plug engages
the elastomeric seal of the opening;
maintaining the sufficient pressure by a securing mechanism located on both
the
container and the lid to form a substantially moisture-tight seal between the
plug and the
elastomeric seal of the opening;
opening the resealable container and lid assembly by removing the sufficient
pressure;
dispensing at least one solid dosage form from the reservoir of the container
and
through the opening;
again applying a sufficient pressure upon the outer portion of the lid so that
the plug
engages the elastomeric seal of the opening; and
maintaining the sufficient pressure by the securing mechanism located on both
the
container and the lid to form a substantially moisture-tight seal between the
plug and the
elastomeric seal of the opening.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein, when the plug engages the elastomeric seal,
a top portion of
the plug contacts a top portion of the elastomeric seal.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein, when the plug engages the elastomeric seal,
at least a
portion of the plug passes through the opening such that an outer side portion
of the plug
contacts at least partially a portion of the elastomeric seal.
6

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the opening further comprises a foil that at
least covers the
opening and, when sufficient pressure is applied upon the outer portion of the
lid, the plug
engages the foil of the opening to form a foil seal.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the plug and the container are composed of
similar material.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the plug and the container are composed of
different material.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the lid is integral with the container and
wherein the hinge is
a living hinge.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the solid dosage forms are diagnostic test
strips.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the solid dosage forms are selected from the
group consisting
of Gel Cap dosages, coated tablets, edible films, lozenges, effervescent
tablets, compressed
tablets, fast melt tablets, liquid filled beads, capsules, and pouches.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the securing mechanism comprises a
projection on the inner
portion of the lid and a corresponding slot on the container.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the lid catches and holds the solid dosage
form.
7

Description

CA 02561699 2006-09-29
WO 2005/094307 PCT/US2005/010362
RE-SEALING MECHANISM FOR A DISPENSER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of dispensing at least one solid
dosage form
comprising the steps of: opening a resealable container and lid assembly,
wherein the container
comprises a reservoir for storing solid dosage forms and an opening for
dispensing individual solid
dosage form; the opening further comprises an elastomeric seal that is at
least partially located
circumferentially around the opening; the lid comprises a plug that is
integrally attached to an inner
portion of the lid and the lid consists of a hinge attached to the container
that functions to rotate the
lid at one pivot point; dispensing at least one solid dosage form from the
reservoir of the container
and through the opening; applying a sufficient pressure upon an outer portion
of the lid so that the
plug engages the elastomeric seal of the opening; and maintaining the
sufficient pressure by a latch
mechanism located on both the container and the lid to form a moisture-tight
seal between the plug
and the elastomeric seal of the opening.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Solid dosage forms are typically used to deliver pharmaceutical, medicated
confectionary,
and confectionary products. These dosage forms include but are not limited to:
compressed tablets,
coated tablets, capsules, caplets, liquid gels, liquid encapsulated beads, et
al. One example of a
solid dosage dispenser is an active dispenser where a user pushes a button or
lever and one dosage
form exits the container at a time. Diagnostic test strips and solid dosage
forms often are moisture
sensitive and need to be stored in containers that protect them from ambient
moisture that they may
be exposed to during both storage and use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment of the present invention, the method of dispensing at least
one solid
dosage form comprises the steps of: opening a resealable container and lid
assembly, wherein the
container comprises a reservoir for storing solid dosage forms and an opening
for dispensing
individual solid dosage form; the opening further comprises an elastomeric
seal that is at least
partially located circumferentially around the opening; the lid comprises a
plug that is integrally
attached to an inner portion of the lid and the lid consists of a hinge
attached to the container that
functions to rotate the lid at one pivot point; dispensing at least one solid
dosage form from the
reservoir of the container and through the opening; applying a sufficient
pressure upon an outer
portion of the lid so that the plug engages the elastomeric seal of the
opening; maintaining the
sufficient pressure by a latch mechanism located on both the container and the
lid to form a
moisture-tight seal between the plug and the elastomeric seal of the opening;
opening the resealable
1

CA 02561699 2006-09-29
WO 2005/094307 PCT/US2005/010362
container and lid assembly by removing the sufficient pressure; dispensing at
least one solid dosage
form the reservoir of the container and through the opening; again applying a
sufficient pressure
upon an outer portion of the lid so that the plug engages the elastomeric seal
of the opening; and
maintaining the sufficient pressure by a securing mechanism located on both
the container and the
lid to form a substantially moisture-tight seal between the plug and the
elastomeric seal of the
opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following figures are merely illustrative of the present invention and are
not
meant to limit the invention to the embodiments shown in the figures.
Figures 1A and 1B illustrates an embodiment of the present invention where
Figure lA is a
cut-away view of the lid, foil and opening in the closed position and Figure 1
B is a perspective
view of the lid, foil and opening in the open position.
Figures 2A and 2B illustrates an embodiment of the present invention where
Figure 2A is a
cut-away view of the lid and opening in the open position and Figure 2B is a
cut-away view of the
lid and opening in the closed position.
Figures 3A and 3B illustrates an embodiment of the present invention where
Figure 3A is a
cut-away view of the lid, foil and opening in the open position and Figure 2B
is a cut-away view of
the lid, foil and opening in the closed position.
Figures 4A and 4B illustrates an embodiment of the present invention where
Figure 4A is a
cut-away view of the lid and opening in the open position and Figure 4B is a
cut-away view of the
lid and opening in the closed position.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention where
Figures 5 and 6
are perspective views showing the dispenser in the open position and Figure 7
is a cut-away view
showing a partial view of the dispenser with the lid and opening in the closed
position.
Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects
and
advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following
description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures constitute a part of
this specification and
include illustrative embodiments of the present invention and illustrate
various objects and features
thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however,
it is to be
understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the
invention that may be
embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in
connection with the various
2

CA 02561699 2006-09-29
WO 2005/094307 PCT/US2005/010362
embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative, and not
restrictive. Further, the figures
are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details
of particular
components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed
herein are not to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one
skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention.
The present invention relates to a dispenser that, in one embodiment, is used
in a solid
dosage dispenser that presents a single dosage form during shelf life and
after each index cycle. In
another embodiment, the present invention relates to a dispenser that
dispenses diagnostic test strips
that are packaged in a substantially moisture tight container. The invention
provides a substantially
moisture tight environment during shelf life and use life.
In one embodiment, the dispenser consists of multiple pieces. One piece of the
dispenser is
an element that creates a moisture tight seal at the place where the dosage
form exits the dispenser.
Another aspect is to protect the seal area from being damaged due to
accidental contact with
foreign matter.
The present invention comprises a sealing "door" or "plug" to seal and protect
the
dispensing opening/hole. In one embodiment, the dispensing hole may be an
actual hole or a slit
within an elastomeric material. For example, the plug can be any shape (e.g.
circular, oval,
rectangular, square,...). In another example, the "door" or "plug" can include
a plugging principle
(a "male" to plug the "female") whereby through interference, the opening is
sealed and resealed
upon opening and closing. In yet another example, the hole can be plugged
through interference
with the plug by using the same material or can rely upon the use of
dissimilar materials (e.g. PP
and HDPE, PP and TPE, or others).
In yet another embodiment, the "door" or "plug" applies pressure to an
elastomeric gasket
on the container that forms and protects the dispensing hole.
In a further embodiment, the present invention uses a foil seal over the top
of the "hole".
The foil material can be affixed to the material (e.g. PP or PE) that
surrounds the gasket material
and not onto the gasket material itself.
In another embodiment, the door can be created through a living hinge with the
container or
can be attached afterwards by using common locking mechanisms. In another
example, the door
can be engineered to require at least two movements to release it and could
provide a mechanism
for providing a Child Resistant package. In yet another example, the door can
be designed to catch
and/or retain the dosage form once it has been dispenser from the container.
In another embodiment, the present invention relates to moisture-tight and
resealable
mechanism. The term "resealable" means that the container can be
opened/reopened and
3

CA 02561699 2006-09-29
WO 2005/094307 PCT/US2005/010362
closed/reclosed a numerous amount of times (e.g. more than 5 times) and still
retain its moisture-
tight properties. The term "moisture tight" means the moisture ingress of the
container was less
than about 1000 micrograms/ day of water, determined by the following test
method: (a) place
approximately one gram of molecular sieve in the container and record the
weight; (b) close the
resealable mechanism; (c) place the sealed container in an environmental
chamber at conditions of
80% relative humidity and 72F; (c) after one day, weigh the container
containing the molecular
sieve; (d) after approximately two weeks, weigh the container (e) subtract the
first day sample from
the value obtained and divide by the number of days to calculate the moisture
ingress of the
container in units of micrograms of water.
Figures 1 through 4 illustrates embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1
shows a
dispenser with an enlarged view one embodiment of the sealing mechanism. In
the enlarged view,
the foil seal 1 is also shown. The door 2 applies pressure to the elastomeric
seal 3 of the container
when closed to form a moisture-tight seal. Figure 2 shows another embodiment
of the sealing
mechanism in both the open and closed positions. In the open position, the
"door" (e.g. "plug") 2
on the lid 3 allows the seal to be opened. In the closed position, the plug 2
contacts the elastomer 4
on the container and thus, seals the container. In one example, the container
comprises a portion,
which contacts the plug, composed of an elastomer or like materials. Figure 3
shows yet another
embodiment of the sealing mechanism in both the open and closed positions. In
the open position,
the foil seal 1 is applied to the container (e.g. welded) and the lid 2 does
not contact the container.
In the closed position, the plug 3 of the lid 2 is applied over the foil seal
1 and the plug 3 creates an
interference fit with the container. In one example, the plug and the
container are composed of the
same material (e.g. PP or PE (Hd/Ld)). Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of
the sealing
mechanism in both the open and closed positions whereby the plug 3 again
creates an interference
fit with the container. In one example, the plug 3 and the container are
composed of the same
material (e.g. PP or PE (Hd/Ld)).
In another embodiment, the sealing mechanism of the present invention is used
in a single
dispense solid dosage dispenser or a single dispense diagnostic test strip. In
a further embodiment,
the sealing mechanism of the present invention creates a moisture tight seal
that protects the
product in the dispenser during its shelf life and use life. In yet another
embodiment, the sealing
mechanism of the present invention creates a moisture tight seal by the
interference of a plug in an
opening with the same materials used in the container and lid. In another
embodiment, the sealing
mechanism of the present invention creates a moisture tight seal by the
interference of a plug in an
opening with the plug being composed of a different materials then that used
in the container and
lid. In another embodiment, the sealing mechanism of the present invention
uses, in addition to the
4

CA 02561699 2006-09-29
WO 2005/094307 PCT/US2005/010362
plug, a foil seal over the opening. In another embodiment, the sealing
mechanism of the present
invention creates a moisture tight seal by compressing an elastomer in
conjunction with the plug. In
another embodiment, the sealing mechanism of the present invention comprises a
"door" or "plug'
created as one piece so as to be a living hinge or assembled to a dispenser.
In another embodiment,
the sealing mechanism of the present invention comprises a plug having two
distinct movements to
release in order to create a Child Resistant package. In another embodiment,
the sealing mechanism
of the present invention comprises a door or plug that catches the dosage so
that it does not need to
be touched by the user.
In yet another embodiment, the dispensing hole may be an actual hole or could
be a slit
within an elastomer material. The hole can be any shape (e.g. circular, oval,
rectangular,
square,...). In a further embodiment, the "door" can feature a plugging
principle (a "male" to plug
the female) whereby through interference, the opening is sealed and resealed
upon opening and
closing. The hole can be plugged through interference using a common material
or can rely upon
the use of dissimilar materials (e.g. PP and HDPE, PP and TPE, or others). In
yet another
embodiment, the door applies pressure to an elastomer gasket that forms and
protects the
dispensing hole. Without the pressure exerted by the door, the elastomeric
gasket might not reseal
after each use. In the case where a face seal is used, foil can be heat sealed
to the opening to
provide additional protection during the shelf life storage.
In a further embodiment, the opening that the diagnostic test strips pass
through sufficiently
opens to allow the individual strip to pass through and then be resealed. For
example, Figure 5
shows a hinged door 10 with a plug 11 that creates a seal to the opening 13
when closed. The door
can be opened manually or when the indexing mechanism actuates. The internal
opening 13 is
shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7. In one embodiment, the door 10 is closed
manually after the strip
12 has been indexed out, resealing the opening.
Whereas particular embodiments of the present invention have been described
above as
examples, it will be appreciated that variations of the details may be made
without departing from
the scope of the invention. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the
present invention can be
practiced by other than the disclosed embodiments, all of which are presented
in this description for
purposes of illustration and not of limitation. It is noted that equivalents
of the particular
embodiments discussed in this description may practice the invention as well.
Therefore, reference
should be made to the appended claims rather than the foregoing discussion of
examples when
assessing the scope of the invention in which exclusive rights are claimed.
5

Representative Drawing