Patent Application
20160347524
This invention relates to unit dose packaging systems, and more particularly to an improved slide card having blisters integrally formed therewith and elements for enhancing performance of a locking panel of the slide card.
Unit dose packaging systems are useful as a means for dispensing individual, or unit, dose of a medicament. Such systems are even more useful when they have the added features of providing resistance to the package being opened by a child while at the same time facilitating ease of opening, closing and general use by older individuals whose manual dexterity may have decreased with age. These two attributes are typically referred to as packages, or systems, that are “child-resistant” and “senior-friendly,” respectively.
The MeadWestvaco Corporation, or one of its predecessor entities, owns patents issued in the United States that disclose unit dose packaging systems that possess child-resistant and senior-friendly characteristics. MeadWestvaco Corporation, the owner of the present application, is the owner of U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,829, U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,893, U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,636 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,272, which disclose unit dose packaging systems. The specifications and teachings of those four patents are hereby incorporated by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,829 discloses a unit dose packaging system having a slide card that is received within a shell. The insertable inner slide card is formed from side panels and side panel extensions, both of symmetric construction, that are folded over upon one another to form the slide card. One set of the symmetric side panels contain conventional unit dose packaging holes for receiving respective unit dose blisters. The symmetric equivalents of these panels contain perforated areas corresponding to the holes for permitting removal of respective unit doses. The side panel extensions are disposed at one end of and extend longitudinally from the side panel portions to form an extension to form a panel that will be a part of the systems locking arrangement. The extension is folded over onto the side panel portion to be in condition to engage two separate locking mechanisms. In both locking arrangements, the leading edge of the extension engages an edge and/or opening in the sleeve or shell in a manner that inhibits withdrawal of the slide card until desired. One locking mechanism is positioned at a posterior end of the sleeve/shell to maintain the insert in place fully inserted in the sleeve/shell. A release mechanism can be depressed to lower and disengage the extension, thereby allowing the insert to be withdrawn. A second locking mechanism is formed by folded panels disposed at the anterior end of the sleeve, which is the opening. The folded panel or panels provide a stopping mechanism upon which the extension catches to prevent the slide card from being completely withdrawn
U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,893 discloses an improvement in the sleeve/shell of a cut-out and node to facilitate use of a first locking mechanism that fully retains the slide card within the sleeve/shell.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,636 discloses a unit dose packaging system wherein the outer sleeve includes offset notches for grasping and removing an internal slide card and the outer sleeve is at least partially laminated with a polymeric film.
Preventing or inhibiting undesired partial or full removal of the internal slide card from the sleeve/shell is important in helping facilitate resistance to child tampering and use by seniors. Thus, it will be appreciated that it is useful to have a unit dose package that enhances the operation of features that prevent or inhibit the undesired removal of the internal slide card from the sleeve/shell.
Because cost of manufacturing is an important factor in the production of any product, it will likewise be appreciated that it is desirable to have a unit dose package that is efficient to operate, is durable and sturdy, and simple to construct thereby reducing the cost of manufacture.
The present invention provides an inner slide card for selective insertion and withdrawal from a sleeve, the slide card including a base panel having at least a first blister, a locking panel connected to a first end edge of the base panel along a first hinge, an additional panel having at least a second blister; the additional panel connected to a second edge of the base panel along a second hinge, a lidding film adhered directly to the base panel and the additional panel and sealing the first and second blisters, wherein with the slide card in a flat configuration the lidding film forms a first outward surface and the base panel forms a second, opposed outward surface.
In certain embodiments the slide card consists essentially of a lidding film adhered to a series of panels formed from plastic. In certain embodiments the panels are thermoformed from plastic.
In certain embodiments the second edge of the base panel is opposite the first end edge of the base panel. In certain embodiments the second edge is a longitudinal edge of the base panel and is perpendicular to the first end edge of the base panel.
In certain embodiments the slide card further includes a spine panel between the base panel and the additional panel.
In certain embodiments the additional panel is folded along the second hinge and overlaps the base panel with the lidding film in facing relationship. In certain embodiments the additional panel is folded along the second line until the first and second blisters are in facing relationship. In certain embodiments the first and second blister are intercalated.
In certain embodiments the slide card is combined with an open-ended sleeve, wherein the slide card is received within the sleeve. In certain embodiments the locking panel is held with the sleeve by the locking panel contacting a lock feature within the sleeve. In certain embodiments the sleeve includes a release button which disengages the locking panel from the lock feature.
In certain embodiments the locking panel includes a stiffening feature. In certain embodiments the stiffening feature includes a first debossment. In certain embodiments the stiffening feature includes a first embossment.
In certain embodiments the first hinge is formed by a single weakened line. In certain embodiments the first hinge is formed by a groove line. In certain embodiments the first hinge is formed by a series of perforations.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
Referring first to
Additional panel 142 is connected to base panel 140 through a second hinge 132. Additional panel 142 has blisters 152 for holding a medicament M.
A lidding film 145 covers at least the portions of base panel 140 and additional panel 152 that have the blisters 150, 152. The lidding film 145 is shown here as a transparent material, but it will be understood that the lidding film 145 may be an opaque material such as a metal foil or a translucent material. The lidding film 145 is shown as one continuous piece of material, although more than one piece of material may be used, provided it covers any blister 150, 152 that contains a medicament M.
Blisters 150, 152 and abutments 170, 180 may be pressed downward (debossed) into the panels as illustrated in the Figures here. If this is done, the upper surface of the panels will be flat and will readily seal to the lidding film 145. If certain features (such as the abutments 170, 180) need not be sealed by the lidding film such features might also be also formed by embossing.
It should be noted that the slide card panels may be made entirely of a single blank of plastic material and one or more sheets of lidding film to cover the blisters. Thus when the slide card 101 is in a flat configuration with hinges 130, 132 not folded, the slide card 101 in its base panel 140 portion has a first or surface formed by lidding film 145, and an opposite or lower surface formed by the plastic of base panel 140. A paperboard layer or partial paperboard layer is not found on either the first or second surfaces.
Suitable materials to form the base panel, locking panel, and additional panel may include polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, bio-based plastics, triplex, and other plastics. Suitable materials for the lidding film may include aluminum, bio-based plastics, and other plastics. Suitable materials for the sleeve may include paperboard, laminated paperboard, plastics, and other sheet materials.
Referring now to the side view of the slide card 101 in
Referring now to
Instead of additional panel 142 being connected to the base panel 140, with slide card 102, the base panel is first connected through hinge 132 to a spine panel 141, which in turn is connected through third hinge 133 to additional panel 142. Additional panel 142 has blisters 152 for holding a medicament M. A lidding film 145 covers at least the portions of base panel 140 and additional panel 142 that have the blisters 150, 152. The lidding film 145 is shown here as a transparent material, but it will be understood that the lidding film 145 may be an opaque material such as a metal foil or a translucent material. The lidding film 145 is shown as one continuous piece of material that covers the base panel 140, spine panel 141, and additional panel 142, although more than one piece of material may be used, provided it covers any blister 150, 152 that contains a medicament M.
Blisters 150, 152 and abutments 170, 180 may be pressed downward (debossed) into the panels as illustrated in the Figures here. If this is done, the upper surface of the panels will be flat and will readily seal to the lidding film 145. However, certain features such as the abutments 170, 180 need not be sealed by the lidding film and therefor the abutments 170, 180 may be also formed by embossing.
As shown, in this configuration the blisters 150, 152 may contact each other. Therefor the overall height or thickness of the slide card 102 may be approximately the combined height of blisters 150, 152. Also the overall height or thickness of the slide card 102 may be the height of spine panel 141.
As seen in
Referring now to
Slide card 103 has a base panel 140 and a locking panel 120 connected by a first hinge 130. Base panel has blisters 150′ for holding a medicament M. The base panel 140 has one or more fold-resisting abutments 180 formed therein, and the locking panel 120 has one or more fold-resisting abutments 170 formed therein, in each case the abutments formed proximate the first hinge 130.
Base panel is connected through hinge 132 to a spine panel 141′, which in turn is connected through third hinge 133 to additional panel 142. Additional panel 142 has blisters 152′ for holding a medicament M. A lidding film 145 covers at least the portions of base panel 140 and additional panel 142 that have the blisters 150′, 152′. The lidding film 145 is shown here as a transparent material, but it will be understood that the lidding film 145 may be an opaque material such as a metal foil or a translucent material. The lidding film 145 is shown as one continuous piece of material that covers the base panel 140, spine panel 141′, and additional panel 142, although more than one piece of material may be used, provided it covers any blister 150′, 152′ that contains a medicament M.
Blisters 150′, 152′ and abutments 170, 180 may be pressed downward (debossed) into the panels as illustrated in the Figures here. If this is done, the upper surface of the panels will be flat and will readily seal to the lidding film 145. However, certain features such as the abutments 170, 180 need not be sealed by the lidding film and therefor such features may be also formed by embossing.
Blisters 150′, 152′ may be sized, positioned, or shaped so as to intercalate when the slide card is folded as shown in
As shown, in this configuration the blisters 150′, 152′ may intercalate, that is fit between, each other. Therefor the overall height or thickness of the slide card 103 may be approximately the height of blisters 150′, 152′. Also the overall height or thickness of the slide card 103 may be the height of spine panel 141′.
As seen in
Referring now to
Slide card 104 has a base panel 140 and a locking panel 120 connected by a first hinge 130. Base panel 140 has blisters 150′ for holding a medicament M. The base panel 140 has one or more fold-resisting abutments 180 formed therein, and the locking panel 120 has one or more fold-resisting abutments 170 formed therein, in each case the abutments formed proximate the first hinge 130.
Base panel is connected through hinge 132 to additional panel 142. Additional panel 142 has blisters 152′ for holding a medicament M. A lidding film 145 covers at least the portions of base panel 140 and additional panel 142 that have the blisters 150′, 152′. The lidding film 145 is shown here as a transparent material, but it will be understood that the lidding film 145 may be an opaque material such as a metal foil or a translucent material. The lidding film 145 is shown as one continuous piece of material that covers the base panel 140 and additional panel 142, although more than one piece of material may be used, provided it covers any blister 150′, 152′ that contains a medicament M.
Blisters 150′, 152′ and abutments 170, 180 may be pressed downward (debossed) into the panels as illustrated in the Figures here. If this is done, the upper surface of the panels will be flat and will readily seal to the lidding film 145. However, certain features (such as the abutments 170, 180 need not be sealed by the lidding film and therefor the abutments 170, 180 may be also formed by embossing.
Blisters 150′, 152′ may be sized, positioned, or shaped so as to intercalate when the slide card is folded as shown in
As shown, in this configuration the blisters 150′, 152′ may intercalate, that is fit between, each other. Therefor the overall height or thickness of the slide card 104 may be approximately the height of blisters 150′, 152′. Although slide card 104 lacks a spine panel, blisters 150′, 152′ may be located a sufficient distance X away from hinge 132 so that the sufficient distance X allows some flexing of the base panel 140 and additional panel 142 adjacent hinge 132.
As seen in
Referring now to
Slide card 105 has a base panel 140 and a locking panel 120 connected by a first hinge 130. Base panel 140 has blisters 150 for holding a medicament M. The base panel 140 has one or more fold-resisting abutments 180 formed therein, and the locking panel 120 has one or more fold-resisting abutments 170 formed therein, in each case the abutments formed proximate the first hinge 130.
Base panel is connected through hinge 132 to additional panel 142. Additional panel 142 has blisters 152 for holding a medicament M. A lidding film 145 covers at least the portions of base panel 140 and additional panel 142 that have the blisters 150, 152. The lidding film 145 is shown here as a transparent material, but it will be understood that the lidding film 145 may be an opaque material such as a metal foil or a translucent material. The lidding film 145 is shown as one continuous piece of material that covers the base panel 140 and additional panel 142, although more than one piece of material may be used, provided it covers any blister 150, 152 that contains a medicament M.
Blisters 150, 152 and abutments 170, 180 may be pressed downward (debossed) into the panels as illustrated in the Figures here. If this is done, the upper surface of the panels will be flat and will readily seal to the lidding film 145. However, certain features (such as the abutments 170, 180 need not be sealed by the lidding film and therefor the abutments 170, 180 may be also formed by embossing.
Referring now to
Slide card 106 has a base panel 140 and a locking panel 120 connected by a first hinge 130. Base panel has blisters 150′ for holding a medicament M. The base panel 140 has one or more fold-resisting abutments 180 formed therein, and the locking panel 120 has one or more fold-resisting abutments 170 formed therein, in each case the abutments formed proximate the first hinge 130.
Base panel is connected through hinge 132 to spine panel 141 which is then connected through hinge 133 to additional panel 142. Additional panel 142 has blisters 152′ for holding a medicament M. A lidding film 145 covers at least the portions of base panel 140 and additional panel 142 that have the blisters 150′, 152′. The lidding film 145 is shown here as a transparent material, but it will be understood that the lidding film 145 may be an opaque material such as a metal foil or a translucent material. The lidding film 145 is shown as one continuous piece of material that covers the base panel 140, spine panel 141, and additional panel 142, although more than one piece of material may be used, provided it covers any blister 150′, 152′ that contains a medicament M.
Blisters 150′, 152′ and abutments 170, 180 may be pressed downward (debossed) into the panels as illustrated in the Figures here. If this is done, the upper surface of the panels will be flat and will readily seal to the lidding film 145. However, certain features (such as the abutments 170, 180 need not be sealed by the lidding film and therefor the abutments 170, 180 may be also formed by embossing.
Blisters 150′, 152′ may be sized, positioned, or shaped so as to intercalate when the slide card is folded as shown in
Thus, the overall height or thickness of the slide card 106 may be approximately the height of a blister 150′ or 152′, or of spine panel 141.
Hinge 138 may be formed in the opposite direction from the other elements, namely, the fold-resisting abutments 170, 180, as shown in
The flexibility of hinge types 134, 135, 136, 137, 138 may be controlled by adjusting the depth into or through the material, the width of the hinge area, or the relative proportions of the holes or slots compared with the undisturbed material along the hinge line.
The slide cards 101-106 may be made of plastic material and can be formed by manufacturing processes such as thermo-forming or die-press with a tool set. An integrated slide and blister panel as taught by the invention is simple and can be simply formed by these processes.
In another aspect of the invention, the ability of the locking panel 120 to be engaged by an aperture or panel that forms a part of the locking arrangement of the system's sleeve or shell is enhanced by biasing the locking panel away from a substantially parallel condition with respect to the base panel 140. A fold-resisting mechanism serves this purpose. The hinge 130 serves as a fold-resisting mechanism to bias the locking panel. The amount of bias in the hinge 130 may be controlled by manufacturing techniques such as varying the thickness of the hinge 130 or otherwise varying the degree to which a line forming the hinge 130 is weakened to permit bending. An abutment 170, 180 may serve as an additional or distinct fold-resisting mechanism or element. The abutment 170, 180 prevents the locking panel 120 and base panel 140 from being placed into a substantially parallel condition with respect to one another. Although one abutment 170, 180 on either of the locking panel 120 and the base panel 140 is sufficient to serve as a fold-resisting mechanism or element, more than one be used on either one or both panels. The use of opposing abutments 170, 180 on respective locking panel 120 and base panel 140, provides the advantage of being able to minimize the height of each abutment while still achieving desirable fold resistance. Although the abutment may take many forms, an embossed abutment may be easily manufactured in a substrate, particularly a slide card substrate of plastic.
In another aspect of the invention, the card may be used without a locking panel. An example of such a card 107 is shown in
Embodiments shown in other Figures herein may also be used with or without a locking panel.
In certain embodiments, the cards 101-107 may be used with or without a sleeve or shell.
It must be emphasized that the law does not require and it is economically prohibitive to illustrate and teach every possible embodiment of the present claims. Hence, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clean understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/167,411 filed on May 28, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62167411 | May 2015 | US |
