Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02777965 2012-05-24
CRUMPLE ZONE PACKAGE FOR
MOISTURE SENSITIVE PRODUCTS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to packaging and more particularly, relates to a
package
for moisture sensitive components and to a method for packaging such moisture
sensitive
components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Particularly, in the pharmaceutical field, there are some materials which are
both
temperature and humidity sensitive. These components must be kept at a certain
temperature
(usually below ambient) and the humidity level needs to be controlled.
One type of product which is sensitive to humidity is a lyophilized compound.
The
product starts out in a liquid form and is then frozen and lyophilized to
emerge in its dry form.
One particular pharmaceutical component which undergoes a lyophilization is
heparinase which is an enzyme that breaks down heparin. It is used in the
monitoring of
homeostasis.
The current package format for heparinase comprises packaging 20 cups along
with
their pins which rest in a tray in a box with a shrink wrap film covering the
box. Once the
package is open, the seal is broken and all 20 cups are exposed to the ambient
environment
which may not be benign to the active ingredient. The cups and their pins are
held in place in
the tray by gravity alone. The configuration is such that the operator has to
take great care to
keep the tray flat so that none of the cups and/or pins fall out of the box
which would
contaminate them and render the cup and pin unusable.
In a current production process, following controlled rehydration, the cups
(without
their pins) are shipped in bulk under controlled conditions to a secondary
manufacturing site
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where the cups are put in trays of 20. Pins are inserted and the package is
sealed. It is
necessary to maintain a desired level of moisture or humidity in the product.
However, one
disadvantage is that once the package is opened, the moisture level of the
products in the
remaining cups may be affected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a blister pack which
provides for easier
access to the blister and permitting easier removal of the contents thereof.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a blister
pack
comprising a blister layer, the blister layer having a plurality of blisters
formed therein, at least
one of the blisters having a plurality of recesses formed therein, each of the
recesses being
located adjacent the one of the blister, the blister being partially defined
by a blister lower wall,
a blister upper wall, the blister upper wall being spaced outwardly with
respect to the lower
wall, and a blister connecting wall extending between the upper wall and the
lower wall
whereby pressure exerted in the area of the blister upper wall and the blister
connecting wall
will cause the blister pack to crumple to provide easier access to contents of
the blister.
Initially, although reference has been made herein to the use of heparinase as
a
compound which is contained within a cup within the blister, it will be
understood that other
compounds may equally well be used. Similarly, other arrangements for the
container may be
employed. In such an instance, the blisters and associated recesses will be
shaped to the
desired configuration.
The blister pack may be formed of any suitable material used for blisters.
Typically, the
blister pack includes a blister layer having blisters formed therein as is
known in the art. The
blister layer for the present invention will typically have a thickness of
around 20 gauge
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although other thicknesses may also be utilized.
The blister layer also has a plurality of recesses formed around the periphery
of one or
more of the blisters. Preferably, the recesses are formed around each of the
blisters. Typically
three or four recesses will be utilized.
A cover layer overlies each blister as is known in the art. Depending upon the
method
of removal, the cover layer may be formed of a paper board material or a foil.
Typically, the
foil is used when there is a push through arrangement for dispensing
individual tablets or the
like. The paper or paperboard cover layer is designed to be peeled back to
gain access to the
contents of the blister.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blister layer has a
plurality of
perforated lines running therethrough in order that individual blisters may be
separated. Also,
preferably the paper layer is arranged to provide for easy peeling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment, in which:
Figure 1 is a top plan view of a blister pack according to one embodiment of
the present
invention;
Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof,
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a single blister with a cup and pin
therein;
Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating removal of the cup and pin from
the blister;
and
Figure 5 is a side elevational view thereof.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters
thereto, there is
illustrated in Figure 1 a blister pack which is generally designated by
reference numeral 10.
Blister pack 10 comprises a blister layer 12 having a plurality of blisters or
blister
pockets 14. As may be seen, there are three finger recesses 16 formed adjacent
each blister 14.
As seen in the drawing, each finger recess 16 is spaced approximately 90 from
an adjacent
finger recess. Naturally, other arrangements could be utilized so long as they
serve the
function as will be described herein. In particular four recesses will
function well.
Each blister or blister pocket 14, as may be best seen in Figure 3, has a
lower wall 18
which is substantially vertical. An upper wall 20 extends downwardly from
blister layer 12 and
is of an arcuate configuration. Connecting lower wall 18 and upper wall 20 is
an intermediate
connecting wall generally designated by reference numeral 22. Intermediate
connecting
wall 22 includes an upper substantially vertical section 24 and a lower
arcuate section 26.
There is also a bottom wall 28.
As shown in Figure 1, blister layer 12 has a plurality of perforations 13
which extend in
vertical and horizontal rows to divide blister pack 10 into individual
blisters 32 as may be seen
in Figure 3.
A cover layer 44 extends over blister layer 12 and covers each blister pocket
14. Cover
layer 44 includes a plurality of cuts 34 to provide a location where cover
layer 44 may be
peeled from the individual blisters.
In the illustrated embodiment, each blister 14 receives a cup 36 containing an
ingredient. Cup 36 is shaped to have a cylindrical lower portion 38 and a
larger cylindrical
upper portion 40. Cups 36 also contain a pin 42.
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As shown in Figures 4 and 5, an individual blister 32 may be broken off from
blister
pack 10. Cover layer 44 is then peeled back to expose cup 36 with pin 42. In
order to gain
access to the individual cups 36, a finger F and a thumb T may be placed
partially within finger
recesses 16. Downward pressure on blister layer 12 will cause the upper wall
20 and
connecting wall 22 to crumple. This will allow for easier access to remove cup
36 and pin 42.
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of
illustration
only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing
from the spirit
and scope of the invention.
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