Patent Application
20090071864
The present invention generally relates to child-resistant containers for holding blister cards for dispensing product.
The use of child resistant packaging is well known through the art and has been utilized for goods ranging from household items to pharmaceutical products. This type of packaging is very useful when the product being contained can be harmful to children. The pharmaceutical industry has settled on two main methods of dispensing medication, either loosely in a bottle or more discretely in a blister card.
In the search for better ways to dispense goods in a safe manner there have been many innovations. U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,838 discloses a child resistant pack that consists of a one-piece molded plastic design, where the edge of a blister card is clamped between two opposite sides of the case. This arrangement does not allow for the blister to be removed from its plastic housing.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/190,032 discloses a similar container consisting of a one-piece plastic molded design having first and second clamp sections for capturing the end of a blister card. The container also includes at-least one child resistant latch on the periphery of the case for opening outer panels that allow the user access to the blister cards. Both U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,838 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/190,032 require the installation of the blister card in multiple steps, which makes the securing of the blister card more difficult to automate or accomplish by machine.
Another way of holding a blister card inside a child resistant contained is disclosed by patent application Ser. No. 10/595,196. A plastic outer housing receives a blister card that slides from an opening in one end of the housing. The blister card is prevented from completely being removed from the plastic housing by a plastic catch, that is located near the open end of the housing, that enters a pre-cut hole in the blister card and prevents the user from removing the blister card from the housing. The same pre-cut hole also retains the blister card in the housing unless the user presses a button at the un-open end of the housing to release the blister. This construction provides child resistance, since the card must be pulled and button pressed simultaneously. One drawback with the foregoing designs is their reliance upon a catch consistently being received in a pre-cut hole in a blister card. This construction makes it more difficult to automate the process, since the blister card must be either inserted into the plastic housing completely or, be set in place before the container is sealed.
The present invention discloses a locking mechanism for permanently retaining a blister card within a child resistant container. The present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks by creating a one-piece inexpensive design that prevents the user from removing the blister card from its housing while also ensuring an easy and simple method of installing the blister card. In one embodiment of the present invention, a one-way attachment mechanism for a blister card includes a locking system having a top plate, a bottom plate, and a base that cooperatively allow a blister card to enter the attachment mechanism, but prevents its removal. The top plate and bottom plate are attached to the base. The top plate consists of a top center section and top extensions that extend from the top center section to either side along the length of the base. The bottom plate consists of a bottom center section and bottom extensions that lengthen from either side of the bottom center section along the length of the base
Stiffening ribs are molded into the outside surface of the bottom plate. A hook molded into the inner surface of the bottom plate and extends towards the top plate before bending downward toward the base. A pair of arced protrusions is molded into the inner surface of the top center section across from the hook. The arced protrusions are on either side of said hook and leave only a small space between the arced protrusions and the bottom center section.
In another embodiment, a single arced protrusion can be positioned just across and allows for a one way entry by pressing against the upper area of the hook and creating a pressure seal that will not allow a user to remove the blister card.
This orientation allows the blister to be loaded by hand or more preferably by high-speed automation equipment. The one motion loading system utilizes a blister card with opening after is pushed by the arced protrusion and then secured around the hook.
The combination of the top plate and the bottom plate form the present invention and can be utilized to permanently hold a blister card to any container by attaching the attachment mechanism to a base. This attachment mechanism can be used by any enclosure be it child-proof or not in order to provide the enclosure with the ability to increase production by having a system that can be easily automated and will assist in any requirement for child-safety.
The means by which the present invention obtains its child resistance, as shown in the drawings, is fully disclosed in the commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/649,466.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in or rendered obvious by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings in which:
This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In the description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if used, are intended to cover the structures described, suggested, or rendered obvious by the written description or drawings for performing the recited function, including not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.
Referring to
Hook 12 is molded or attached to an inner surface of bottom plate 10 and ensures that blister card 30 (
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It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited to the particular constructions herein disclosed and shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the claims.
This application claims priority from, and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/973,308, filed Sep. 18, 2007, and entitled Container for Housing Medication.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60973308 | Sep 2007 | US |
