AU2019201984A1

AU2019201984A1 - Medication tray

Info

Publication number: AU2019201984A1
Application number: AU2019201984A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jin Kyu Kim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-03-23
Filing date: 2019-03-22
Publication date: 2019-10-10

Abstract

Abstract A blister pack for storing medication comprising a base comprising an upper surface, a plurality of blisters removably retained to the base, each blister comprising a cavity formed by walls adapted to retain medication and an opening and lidding to at least cover the openings, the lidding comprising an adhesive portion to adhere the lidding to at least the upper surface, wherein the blister is removable from a side of the base opposite the upper surface. 'I.) ft~ K - Is) 'a ii

Description

MEDICATION TRAY

The present invention relates to a blister pack to store and dispense medication. More particularly but not exclusively it relates to blister tray with removable blisters.

BACKGROUND

Blister pack is a term for several types of pre-formed plastic packaging used for small consumer goods, foods, and medication. Blister packs are commonly used as unitdose packaging for pharmaceutical tablets, capsules, pills or lozenges. Blister packs can provide barrier protection for shelf life requirements, and a degree of tamper resistance. Blister packs are often used for packing over-the-counter medication in a pharmacy. So they need to be able to be filled and sealed by a pharmacist in a pharmacy.

The primary component of a blister pack is a pocket or blister made from a thermoformed plastic. The blister is usually integrally formed with a base, a planar web connecting the blisters. The blisters and base usually have a lidding seal of aluminium foil or plastic overlaid upon the base and blisters, to retain medication in the cavities formed by the blisters. As used in the specification, the blisters and base form a blister tray. When overlaid with lidding, the blister tray is described as a blister pack.

A blister pack may be known as a push-through pack, as the lidding foil may be brittle or rupturable. As such it may be possible for a user to press out medications from a blister via breaking the lidding foil. Breaking the lidding with a fingernail or implement for the appropriate medications may be easier than pressing out. It may be difficult to push the blister and hence medication through the lidding. It also may be difficult to rupture the lidding, and subsequently scoop out the medication from the blister. Users of blister packs may not have full physical capacity.

The main advantages of unit-dose blister packs over other methods of packing medication are shelf-life (due to potential air tightness of each blister), as well as prepackaging as a unit dose a combination of medications that need to be consumed at a similar time.

For the purposes of this specification, the term plastics shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of a hydrocarbon-based polymer.

For the purpose of this specification, where method steps are described in sequence, the sequence does not necessarily mean that the steps are to be chronologically ordered in that sequence, unless there is no other logical manner of interpreting the sequence.

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It is an object of the present invention to provide a blister pack which overcomes or at least partially ameliorates some of the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

Alternately, it is an object of the present invention to provide a blister pack where at least a portion of the blister can be removed from the tray whilst retaining medication.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention relates to a blister pack for storing medication, the blister pack comprising

a. a base comprising an upper surface;

b. a plurality of blisters removably retained to the base, each blister comprising a cavity formed by walls adapted to retain medication and an opening; and

c. lidding to at least cover the openings, the lidding comprising an adhesive portion to adhere the lidding to at least the upper surface, wherein the blister is removable from a side of the base opposite the upper surface.

In one embodiment, the blister comprises a sealing surface about the periphery of the opening.

In one embodiment, the tray comprises a further adhesive portion intermediate at least the lidding and the sealing surface to seal the lidding to the sealing surface.

In one embodiment, the adhesive portion and further adhesive portion are integral and continuous with each other.

In one embodiment, the medication is accessible from the cavity without damage to the lidding.

In one embodiment, the blister is removable from a side of the base opposite the upper surface.

In one embodiment, the base is substantially planar.

In one embodiment, the sealing surface is flush with the upper surface

In one embodiment, the sealing surface extends about the periphery of the opening.

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In one embodiment, the blister is retained to the base via retaining feature(s) located about a blister periphery that is flush and adjacent the upper surface.

In one embodiment, the blister is retained to the base via a destructible or breakable retaining feature.

In one embodiment, the blister is retained to the base via a tamper evident retaining feature.

In one embodiment, the blister is retained to the base via a frangible retaining feature.

In one embodiment, the blister is retained to the base via a region of engineered weakness retaining feature.

In one embodiment, the retaining feature is located entirely about the blister periphery.

In one embodiment, the retaining features are located at remote locations about the blister periphery at the interface with the base.

In one embodiment, intermediate the retaining features the blister periphery is not attached to the base.

In one embodiment, the blister cavity is a frusto-pyramidal shape formed by the blister sidewalls and an integral blister base.

In one embodiment, the adhesive portion is affixed initially to one of the lidding and sealing surface.

In one embodiment, the adhesive portion is integral with the lidding.

In one embodiment, the adhesive portion seals the lidding to the upper surface.

In one embodiment, the lidding covers the upper surface, sealing surfaces and openings.

In one embodiment, the lidding aids in retaining the blisters to the base.

In one embodiment, the lidding comprises the adhesive portion and the lidding bridges the blister periphery and base interface.

In one embodiment, the blisters are configured to be removed via a user by manipulating the blisters relative the base to break the retaining features and to

- 4 2019201984 22 Mar 2019 overcome the adhesion of the adhesive portion intermediate the sealing surface and lidding.

In one embodiment, one lidding covers all the openings of the tray.

In one embodiment, the lidding is composed of plastics.

In one embodiment, the lidding is foil.

In one embodiment, the lidding is sheet like and pliable.

In one embodiment, the lidding comprises a plurality of layers.

In one embodiment, the blisters are able to be removed from the base in the direction opposite of their protrusion.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a blister tray comprising a planar base retaining a plurality of blisters protruding from the base, the blisters retained via a retaining feature configured to allow the blisters to be removed from the base in a direction of their protrusion.

In one embodiment, the blisters comprise an opening to receive medication into a cavity formed by the blister.

In one embodiment, the blisters comprise a flat sealing surface about the periphery of the opening which is flush to an upper surface of the planar base.

In one embodiment, both the upper surface and sealing surface are adapted to receive an adhesive lidding.

In one embodiment, the lidding covers the opening to retain the medication.

In one embodiment, the retaining feature is a destructible retaining feature.

In one embodiment, the retaining feature is one or more bridges of material between the base and blister.

In one embodiment, the blister has an interface about the periphery of the sealing surface that meets with the base.

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In one embodiment, there are four retaining bridges of material between the base and blister.

In one embodiment, the retaining features are located at remote locations about the interface with the base.

In one embodiment, the tray is thermoformed.

In one embodiment, a cutter cuts the tray to separate the base from the blister intermediate the remote locations.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method to extract medication from a blister of a blister pack, the method comprising the steps of;

a. providing said blister pack comprising a blister tray comprising a base having an upper surface and retaining a plurality of blisters via retaining features, one or more blisters containing medications to be extracted from a cavity defined by the blister, an opening flush with the upper surface, the upper surface and blisters overlaid with a lidding with adhesive portions to adhere the lidding to the upper surface and cover the openings; and

b. manipulating said blister, from a side of the of base opposite the upper surface, relative to the base to destruct said retaining features to disengage the blister to the base.

In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of extracting the medication from an open cavity of said blister.

In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of removing an opening lidding from said blister.

In one embodiment, the method includes the step of providing said blister pack with blisters which comprise a sealing surfaces flush the upper surface and also configured to adhere to the adhesive portion of the lidding.

In one embodiment, the method includes the step of overcoming the adhesion of the adhesive portion between said sealing surface and the lidding.

In one embodiment, the method includes the step of overcoming the adhesion of said blister to the lidding without any substantial manipulation of the lidding with respect to the base.

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In one embodiment, the retaining feature is a bridge of material between the base and blister.

In one embodiment, the blister has an interface about the periphery that meets with the base.

In one embodiment, there are multiple frangible bridges of material retaining the blister to the base.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term and/or means and or or, or both.

As used herein (s) following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

The term comprising as used in this specification and claims means consisting at least in part of. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as comprise and comprised are to be interpreted in the same manner.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1: shows a front top perspective view of a blister tray.

Figure 2: shows a front top perspective view of a blister with a blister removed.

Figure 3: shows a side cross sectional view of a blister pack with the lidding partial applied.

Figure 4: shows a side cross sectional view of a blister pack with the lidding applied and a blister removed.

Figure 5: shows a side schematic view of a perforated interface between a blister and a base.

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Figure 6: shows a side schematic view of a threaded interface between a blister and a base.

Figure 7: shows a side schematic view of an interference interface between a blister and a base.

Figure 8: shows a side schematic view of an adhesive lidding retaining a blister to a base.

Figure 9: shows a side schematic view of an interference interface between a blister and a base, with the blister further comprising a sealing surface.

Figure 10: shows a circular blister retained to a base via a perforated retaining feature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the above drawings, in which similar features are generally indicated by similar numerals, a medications blister pack is generally shown by the numeral 100.

The pack 100 is comprised of a tray 1 and a lidding 8. The tray 1 comprising a base 2 retaining a plurality of blisters 3. The blisters 3 each comprise an opening 7 and a cavity 5 (defined by walls 11 and a base 12) to receive and contain medications 20. A lidding 8 is overlaid upon the tray 1 and the opening 7 of blisters 3 to contain said medications 20 within the cavity 5 of the blister 3.

One unique aspect of this invention is that the blisters 3 can be removed from the base 2 from underneath or from the opposite side of the tray as the lidding 8. This allows a user to remove a blister 3 to get access to the medications 20 without manipulating, pealing, tearing or generally damaging the lidding 8. This specific type of access to the medications 20 allows the medications 20 to be kept or retained within the blisters 3 whilst still being able to get access to the medications. This is good for elderly users who may find it difficult to manipulate or rupture a lidding 8 to get access to the medications 20 within the blister. E.g. a user can pull off a blister 3 from a tray, and keep the blister 3 in the upright position so medications do not fall out. The user can then upend the blister 3 to tip the medications into their hand, mouth or other device. This is difficult to do when a blister 3 is attached to the base 2, like in the prior art.

Removal of the blister 3 from the underside of the blister pack 100 means that a user can then access their medications 20 from the blister 3 and use the blister 3 like a cup. This is alternative to a used rupturing the foil, and then trying to manipulate the medications out of the cavity of a blister, whilst the blister is still part of the tray.

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The blister 2 itself also does not need to be substantially deformed or crumpled as with push through packs. With traditional push through packs the blister is crushed from the underside, to force the medications out through the openings via rupturing the lidding. This method ejects the medications from the blisters in an often uncontrollable fashion. The present invention allows the blister to be removed from the tray in an orderly fashion, so the medication 20 can stay retained in the accessible and open cavity until required to be consumed.

The blisters 3 are retained by retaining features 6 that are intermediate each blister 3 and the base 2. Each blister 3 has an interface between the blister 3 and the base 2. This interface is where the retaining features 6 are located.

The retaining features 6 can be one or more features. A retaining feature 6 as shown in Figure 1 is a frangible tab or portion that is able to be broken or torn so as to release the blister 3 from the base 2. There may be any number of these retaining features 6 along the interface between the blister and the base 2. Figure 1 and 2 show four frangible tabs 6, however it could increase in number so that the interface becomes a perforated interface.

Figure 2 shows the blister 3 being removed from the base 2 after subsequent tearing or breaking of the retaining features 6. The lidding 8 is not shown in this embodiment for clarity purposes. In this embodiment, a slit, groove or cut 14 is intermediate the retaining features 6. The cut 14 is what forms the interface. The retaining features 6 are located at remote locations about the interface. Preferably, the cuts 14 are very thin or narrow so that the blister 3 is somewhat supported by the base 2.1.e the cuts may not be material removing cuts, so when the plastic elastically deforms back to its original shape after being cut, the interface will have the plastic of the blister and tray contacting each other. The cuts 14 are shown thicker and wider in the Figures for clarity purposes.

Figure 3 and Figure 4 show a like embodiment as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. Figure 3 shows a side cross-sectional view of two blisters, where one blister 3 is covered by the lidding, and the second blister 3 has had medications 20 inserted within the cavity 5 ready for the lidding 8 to be applied onto an upper surface 9 of the base 2 to contain the medications 20 within the cavity.

The retaining features 6 can be a number of different types of features. In one embodiment as shown in Figures 1-4, there are small frangible tabs. In other embodiments, there may be perforations about the entire interface or periphery of the blister 3 with the base 2. In other embodiments, the retaining features may be an engineered line of weakness, i.e. where the interface between the blister 3 and the base

- 9 2019201984 22 Mar 2019 is merely scored, weakened or thinned to allow easier breakage of the blister with respect to the base 2. An example of a frangible interface is shown in Figure 10.

Further embodiments utilising different retaining features are shown in Figures 5-9. Figure 5 shows a perforated interface between the blister 3 and the base 2 located on the walls 11 of the blister 3.

Figure 6 shows a similar concept where a retaining feature is location on the side walls 11 of a blister. In this embodiment the retaining feature 6 is a thread. The blister 3 has side walls 11 that overlap with walls 15 of the base 2 that extend downwards towards the blister 3. The walls 11 of the blister 3 may overlap internally or externally of the downward protruding walls 15 of the base 2.

Figure 7 shows a similar configuration where the retaining feature 6 is located on the walls 11 of the blister 3 and the walls 15 of the base 2. In this embodiment, the retaining feature 6 may be an interference type fit between the base 2 and the blister 3. The embodiment shown as a pop type retaining feature, but it also may be a snap or barb type fit.

The embodiment shown in Figures 5-7 may not be preferable where an air tight blister cavity 7 is required. As it may be difficult to create an airtight seal using these types of retaining features. As such it is another unique aspect of this invention that the blister 3 comprises a sealing surface 6 that is located on the upper side of the blister opposite the base 12 of the blister. This will be described later.

Figure 8 shows an embodiment where the blister 3 is not mechanically attached to the base 2. Instead, in this embodiment the lidding 8 attaches the blister 3 to the base 2, via an adhesive portion 13 that is overlaid between both the upper surface 9 and the sealing surface 10 or other surface of the blister 3. This embodiment is not preferable because the blisters / tray is not mechanically sound and does not hold together when the lidding is not applied. As such, it is difficult to transport the trays without lidding to pharmacists for filling. The other embodiments are more preferred where the tray can hold itself together without the need for the lidding.

Figure 9 shows a similar embodiment to Figure 7 except that the blister has the addition of sealing surfaces 10 to increase airtightness of the cavity 5.

The blister tray of the present invention may comprise a mix of retaining features and sealing surface configurations. Furthermore, the blisters 3 may be of numerous different shapes and sizes. A circular blister 3 is shown in Figure 11, with a perforated retaining feature 6.

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The preferred method of packing the tray 1 with medications 20 to be contained via a lidding 8 will now be described. Preferably the trays 1 are able to be stacked and nested with each other. Preferably the trays 1 do not come with any sort of lidding 8 on them already. The trays can be supplied to a pharmacist who will take one tray from the top of the stack (or leave it on top of the stack), insert the correct medications 20 into the correct blisters 3, and then subsequently apply the adhesive lidding 8 onto the top surface of the tray. The medications may be applied by an automated system also. Furthermore, the lidding 8 to may also be applied by an automated system.

Preferably each tray 1 has a base 2 and blisters 3. The base 2 has an upper surface 9 which is configured to be adhered to the lidding 8. The lidding 8 or the upper surface 9 can comprise an adhesive portion 13, or the adhesive portion 13 can be supplied separately. The adhesive portion 13 allows the lidding 8 to be adhered to the upper surface 9 of the base 2. This allows the lidding 8 to cover the opening 7 of the blisters to retain the medications 20. In use, once the pharmacist has inserted the medications 20 into each respective cavity 5, the lidding 8 is adhered to the base 2.

In a preferred embodiment, the blisters 3 have a sealing surface 10 which preferably is flush with the upper surface 9 of the base 2. The sealing surface 10 provides an area at the periphery of the opening 7 of each blister 3 which allows a further adhesive portion 13 to adhere the lidding 8 to the sealing surface 10. The lidding 8 can then provide an airtight seal with the sealing surface 10 to provide an airtight seal with the cavity 5.

In a preferred and further embodiment, the adhesive portion 13 adheres the lidding 8 to both the upper surface 9 and the sealing surface 10. This further provides a another retaining feature between the blister 3 and the base 2, alongside the retaining feature 6. In a preferred embodiment, the lidding 8 adheres to entire upper surface 9. However, there may also be additional non-adhesive portions on the lidding 8 that complement the opening 7 of the blisters 3 so that the medications 20 do not stick to the adhesive portion of the lidding.

Preferably the trays numeral 1 will be thermoformed from a plastics film or sheet as known in the art. In the embodiment as shown in Figures 1 through 4, once the tray is cooled and becomes rigid, the blisters 3 can be stamped out via forming the cuts 4. Alternatively, the base maybe a thin cardboard or like material with suitable stiffness and mechanical properties to allow the blister to be releasably retained to the base.

In a further embodiment not shown, the sealing surface of the blister may be adhered to a lower surface (opposite the upper surface 9) of the base. The adherence acts as the retaining feature that retains the blister to the base. The lidding is applied

- 11 2019201984 22 Mar 2019 and retained as usual, except the lidding does not adhere to the blisters. This embodiment may be more expensive to manufacture compared to the other embodiments.

Where the term adhere, adhesive and adhesive portion 13 have been used in this specification, it is intended to include many different types of materials and configurations. For example, general glues, cements, adhesives, and/or sticky materials may be used to adhere the lidding to the appropriate surface. The adhesive material may always be sticky, or may become sticky once a chemical, pressure, or heat has been applied to it. The adhesive material may be a two part form, where one material is applied to the appropriate tray surface, and the lidding is applied to the tray, once the lidding and material meet, they adhere to each other.

In one embodiment, the lidding 8 is composed of multiple layers. The lidding 8 may be comprised of a combination of two or more of the following layers

1) An outward facing upper layer which can be used for displaying indicia. Such a layer can be called a paper or printing layer.

2) A cover layer. The cover layer acts as a waterproofing and/or hermetic layer. The cover layer may be a foil type material. In some embodiments, the cover layer may be integral with and/or achieve the same function as the printing layer.

3) An adhesive layer. This layer can comprise an adhesive material such as a glue, or a material that becomes sticky once melted and/or activated. This adhesive layer is configured to adhere to the appropriate surfaces of the tray 1 and/or base 2.

4) A protective layer. This layer functions to prevent or reduce the adhesive layer, and/or other layer, from coming into contact with the contents of the cavity 5. E.g. so the pills don't stick to the adhesive layer.

In a preferred embodiment, the lidding 8 is composed of two layers; a cover layer, and an adhesive layer. In one embodiment, the adhesive layer is activated/melted by heat so as to adhere to the tray 1 and/or base 2. The heat may be applied to specific parts of the lidding 8, to correspond to the areas of the tray 1 and/or base 2 that are configured to be adhered to.

In another preferred embodiment, the lidding 8 is a four layer lidding, having the four layers as described above.

A unique aspect of this invention is that there is no need for a user to modify the lidding 8 to gain access to the medications 20 within a blister 3. Le. the lidding 8 does

- 12 2019201984 22 Mar 2019 not need to be ruptured, torn, destroyed, tampered, manipulated, broken, burst, ripped, slashed, modified or peeled from the base 2.

In a further embodiment, the lidding 8 is modified so the blister 3 and a corresponding opening lidding (embodiment not shown) that covers the opening 7, is able to separate from the base 2 and surrounding lidding 8, so the blister 3 and the opening lidding can be removed in one. This configuration allows a lidded blister to be removed from the base 2. In these embodiments, there will be a line or weakness, between the lidding 8 and opening lidding, much like the weakness that forms the retaining feature(s). In these embodiments, the lidded blister may be removed in either direction relative the base 2.

In a further embodiment, the blister 3 is configured to be removed from the base 2 and lidding 8, but the blister 3 opening lidding (not shown) is still covering the opening 7. The opening lidding is a separate layer to the lidding 8, so the lidding 8 does not need to be manipulated for the lidded blister to be removed.

In one embodiment, the opening lidding comprises a tab (not shown), that extends off the periphery of the upper surface 9, that allows a user to more easily remove the opening lidding from the blister 3.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if they were individually set forth.

Although the invention has been described by way of example and with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/or improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A blister pack for storing medication, the blister pack comprising

a. a base comprising an upper surface;

b. a plurality of blisters removably retained to the base, each blister comprising; a cavity formed by walls adapted to retain medication; and an opening; and

2. The pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blister comprises a sealing surface about the periphery of the opening.

3. The pack as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the pack comprises a further adhesive portion intermediate at least the lidding and the sealing surface to adhere the lidding to the sealing surface.

4. The pack as claimed in claim 3, wherein the adhesive portion and further adhesive portion are integral and continuous with each other.

5. The pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the medication is accessible from the cavity without damage to the lidding.

6. The pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the blister is removable from the side of the base opposite the upper surface.

7. The pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base is substantially planar.

8. The pack as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the sealing surface is flush with the upper surface.

9. The pack as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the sealing surface extends about the periphery of the opening.

10. The pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the blister is retained to the base via retaining feature(s) located about a blister periphery that is flush and adjacent the upper surface.

11. The pack as claimed in claim 10, wherein the blister is retained to the base via a frangible retaining feature.

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12. The pack as claimed in any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein intermediate the retaining features the blister periphery is not attached to the base.

13. The pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the adhesive portion is integral with the lidding.

14. The pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the lidding covers the upper surface, sealing surfaces and openings.

15. The pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the lidding aids in retaining the blisters to the base.

16. The pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the lidding comprises the adhesive portion and the lidding bridges the blister and the base.

17. The pack as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the blisters are configured to be removed via a user by manipulating the blisters relative the base to break the retaining features and to overcome the adhesion of the adhesive portion intermediate the sealing surface and lidding.

18. A pack as claimed in claims 1 to 17, wherein one lidding covers all the openings of the tray.

19. A blister tray comprising a planar base retaining a plurality of blisters protruding from the base, the blisters retained to the base via a retaining feature configured to allow the blisters to be removed from the base in a direction of their protrusion.

20. The tray as claimed in claim 19, wherein the blisters comprise an opening to receive medication into a cavity formed by the blister.

21. The tray as claimed in claim 20, wherein the blisters comprise a flat sealing surface about a periphery of the opening which is flush to an upper surface of the planar base.

22. The tray as claimed in claim 21, wherein both the upper surface and sealing surface are adapted to receive an adhesive lidding.

23. The tray as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the lidding covers the opening to retain the medication.

24. The tray as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the retaining feature is a destructible retaining feature.

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25. A tray as claimed in claims 19 to 24, wherein the blister has an interface about the periphery of the sealing surface that meets with the base.

26. A tray as claimed in claims 19 to 25, wherein there are four retaining bridges of material between the base and blister.

27. A method to extract medication from a blister of a blister pack, the method comprising the steps of;

a. providing said blister pack comprising a blister tray comprising a base having an upper surface and retaining a plurality of blisters via retaining features, one or more blisters containing medications to be extracted from a cavity defined by the blister, an opening flush with the upper surface, the upper surface and blisters overlaid with a lidding with adhesive portions to adhere the lidding to the upper surface and cover the openings;

b. manipulating said blister, from a side of the of base opposite the upper surface, relative to the base to destruct said retaining features to disengage the blister to the base; and

c. extracting the medication from an open cavity of said blister.

28. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the method includes the step of providing said blister pack with blisters which comprise a sealing surface flush the upper surface and also configured to adhere to the adhesive portion of the lidding.

29. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the method includes the step of overcoming the adhesion of the adhesive portion between said sealing surface and the lidding.

30. The method as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the method includes the step of overcoming the adhesion of said blister to the lidding without any substantial manipulation of the lidding with respect to the base.

31. The method as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein the retaining features are at least one bridge of material between the base and blister.