CN108025847B

CN108025847B - Individual blister package for optimized stacking

Info

Publication number: CN108025847B
Application number: CN201680054965.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·布拉赫特
Original assignee: Bayer Pharma AG
Current assignee: Bayer Pharma AG
Priority date: 2015-09-22
Filing date: 2016-09-19
Publication date: 2019-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-19
Also published as: CO2018003056A2; EA201890798A1; CA2999102A1; CR20180179A; IL258028A; CL2018000758A1; PE20180644A1; PH12018500593A1; SG11201802095WA; HK1250363A1; AU2016328423A1; KR20180054790A; CN108025847A; EP3147233A1; MA42916A; SV2018005658A; JP2018527262A; MX2018003577A; US20180282040A1; WO2017050665A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to individual blister packages, a method of producing individual blister packages, a stack-like arrangement comprising such individual blister packages and a box comprising a stack-like arrangement of individual blister packages.

Description

Individual blister package for optimized stacking

The present invention relates to individual blister packages, to a method of producing individual blister packages, to a stack-like arrangement comprising individual blister packages of this type and to a box comprising a stack-like arrangement of individual blister packages.

Blister packages have long been known. The pharmaceutical product parts, such as tablets and capsules, are preferably supplied in blister packs as primary packages. In blister packs, tablets or capsules are present in an arrangement of individual indentations (blisters). The indentations are typically sealed with aluminum foil. The medical product portions may be individually removed and thereby protected from dust and atmospheric moisture. Another advantage of the pharmaceutical product portions within the blister package is that the remaining number of available pharmaceutical product portions is easily identified.

A typical blister package is illustrated in figure 1a of published application GB 2184086A: the 15 individual pharmaceutical product portions are arranged in a planar arrangement of about 6-8cm by 4-6 cm.

The blister package is typically introduced into another package prior to delivery to the patient. This secondary package is typically a folded box which, in addition to comprising about 1 to 10 blister packages, typically contains package instructions containing usage information and security information. The secondary package prevents the displacement of blister packages stacked one on top of the other. The secondary package is essentially only needed for shipping and is generated as waste by the user. The secondary package is also of considerable capacity due to the bulky and large capacity blister structure of conventional blister packages.

Different approaches have been followed to simplify and make smaller secondary packages.

DE10044118a1 discloses a blister package which, in addition to the indentations for receiving the medical product parts, additionally has a central nub which extends beyond the underside of the indentations. The blister package additionally has a support nub which likewise protrudes beyond the underside of the indentation. A perforation is arranged in the cover in the area of each central nub such that each central nub of a blister strip rests against a perforation of a blister strip arranged below when said blister packages are stacked in register. If the stack of this type of blister package is pressed together, the central nub breaks the perforation arranged underneath and the central nub protrudes into the resulting opening. The blister packs are thus centred with respect to each other in an interlocking manner in a horizontal plane. Here, the support nubs bear against the cover film of the blister strip arranged underneath, so that the blister strips are supported against one another. Since the blister packs stacked one above the other cannot be displaced in relation to each other, complicated surrounding packs can be dispensed with, or such packs can be formed in a very simple manner. Disadvantageously, however, the result of the described stack is that there is no reduction in capacity of the surrounding packages as compared to a stack of similar blister strips without a central nub. Furthermore, individual blister strips cannot be easily removed from the surrounding package; individual blister strips must first be removed from the stack, which is possible in only one direction.

DE19680564T1 discloses a foldable blister strip. It has two parallel rows of blisters offset with respect to each other in such a way that: when the blister strip is folded, the blisters in one row enter the gaps between the blisters in the other row. Thus, the folded blister strip takes up less space than when multiple rows of blisters are stacked one on top of the other in a conventional manner. However, for use, it is necessary to first remove the folded blister strip from the surrounding package and unfold the folded blister strip, which is quite laborious. A similar foldable blister package is also disclosed in DE29780456U 1.

The blister package described previously contains more than one pharmaceutical product portion. However, patients typically only take one individual pharmaceutical product portion when taking the pharmaceutical product portion. For example, if a patient has to take one pharmaceutical product portion per day, the patient will gradually empty the blister package by removing one individual pharmaceutical product portion per day. For example, patients often carry with them blister strips containing multiple portions of a pharmaceutical product, thereby preparing the portions of the pharmaceutical product as needed and/or reminding regular administration of the portions of the pharmaceutical product. Therefore, patients often carry with them more medical product parts than are actually used. There is therefore a risk that: the blister strip will be lost or damaged and the individual pharmaceutical product portion will be lost, become damaged, become wet, or otherwise rendered unusable.

Similar problems may occur in hospitals, nursing centers or similar institutions where medical product segments are provided to patients/residents by nursing staff. In this type of establishment, the caregiver often removes individual pharmaceutical product portions from a blister package that includes a plurality of pharmaceutical product portions, and when the portions are to be taken, the individual product portions are given to the patient in the form of small containers. It is conceivable that confusion may occur here. It is also conceivable that this type of container is accidentally tipped over and the contents fall to the ground. It is conceivable that the spilled portion of the medical product is no longer usable for hygienic reasons. However, it is also conceivable that spilled portions of medical product can no longer be dispensed to a patient. In some establishments, it is also common to remove the pharmaceutical product portion from the blister package and store it in day or week canisters/boxes where it is exposed to light and moisture (particularly when the dispensing is stored in a bathroom). In this respect, it would be advantageous if the pharmaceutical product portions remained packaged in the blister package, which contains the necessary labels to clearly identify the contents, until the patient removed them.

In order to solve the specified problem, blister strips are provided which have a perforated portion in order to be able to separate the individual blisters containing the pharmaceutical product portions (see for example EP679587a 1). Thus, the patient may carry with him only the amount of the part of the medical product actually used. The packaged medical product portion may also be given to a patient in a hospital or resident in a care center. However, these blister units typically do not have complete information concerning the contents, as the label on the back side of the blister strip is typically destroyed by separating the individual blister units. In addition, when the individual blister units are separated, there is a risk that the blister strip and/or blister unit will be damaged; for example, the cover film may tear. By separating the individual units, sharp edges and corners are often additionally created, on which people may injure themselves or thereby possibly cause damage to the material, for example when blister units or the rest of the blister strip are stored in pockets or jackets without surrounding packaging.

Furthermore, blister strips having a fixed number of multiple pharmaceutical product portions limit flexibility. For example, if the blister strip contains 10 pharmaceutical product portions, only packages containing this number or multiples thereof (20, 30, etc.) can be provided.

The problem forming the basis of the present invention is therefore to provide a medical product part in the form of a package, which allows a greater degree of flexibility and reliability when providing and handling the medical product part, and at the same time saves space and resources.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims 1, 12, 20 and 21. Preferred embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

A first subject of the present invention is a stacked arrangement of N individual blister packages, where N is an integer greater than 1,

each individual blister package comprises:

-a planar body having a blister,

-one or more pharmaceutical product portions, the pharmaceutical product portions being within the blister, and

-a cover film enclosing the blisters,

height h of the stack-like arrangement_SLess than height h of the blister_BThickness d of the planar body_GAnd thickness d of the cover film_DN times the sum of:

h_s＜N·(h_B+d_G+d_D)。

the pharmaceutical product part is understood to mean a solid administration form of a pharmaceutical product which can be taken as an individual unit by a patient. Examples of pharmaceutical product parts are tablets, pills, lozenges and capsules.

An individual blister package is understood to mean a combination of one individual blister package and one pharmaceutical product part or a plurality of pharmaceutical product parts. One or more pharmaceutical product portions are packaged within an individual blister package and together with this individual blister package form an individual blister package, or simply an individual blister, containing one or more pharmaceutical product portions. The term "individual" relates to the number of blisters. Thus, an individual blister is a unit with individual blisters. For example, synonymous terms used in the prior art instead of the term blister are cavity and indentation.

The individual blister pack comprises a planar body. The planar body is typically composed of one film layer. Another film layer (referred to herein as a cover film) is used to seal the blisters.

The planar body is understood to mean a body having a greater extent in two of the three spatial directions of the cartesian coordinate system than in the third spatial direction. If one imagines that the blister is not in a planar body and if one assumes that the body does not have any curvature, the extent in the third spatial direction (z-direction, thickness of the film layer) is only a fraction of the extent in the other two spatial directions (x-direction and y-direction). Thickness d of the film_GThe extent (in the z-direction) is preferably less than one tenth of the extent in the orthogonal spatial directions (x-and y-directions) extending perpendicular to the thickness,particularly preferably less than one twentieth.

The planar body preferably has no curvature or only a slight curvature. In a preferred embodiment, the radius of curvature is at least 10 times the extent in the x-direction and/or y-direction. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the radius of curvature is at least 20 times the extent in the x-direction and/or y-direction. In an even more particularly preferred embodiment, the radius of curvature is at least 50 times the extent in the x-direction and/or y-direction.

It is clear to the person skilled in the art of plastic processing that the planar body always has a certain curvature, even if the aim is to form the body as flat as possible (except for the blisters). The introduction of blisters into the body, which is typically done by thermoforming, causes stresses in the body, which stresses lead to curvature. Further, curvature may be introduced into the body by machining such as printing, cutting, clamping (e.g., during shipping), and the like. The application of the cover film also constitutes a mechanical load, which can lead to deformations. For simplicity, an ideal non-curved body is assumed in this specification. However, this is merely to facilitate a better presentation of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the invention.

The planar body may take a variety of forms. It may take circular, elliptical, triangular, quadrangular (e.g. rectangular or square), pentagonal, hexagonal and otherwise basic forms in the xy plane, and the corners may be rounded in each case.

The planar body preferably has a square, rectangular or angled basic form in the xy-plane, however the corners may be rounded. The term "angled" is explained in further detail below.

The corners of the planar body are preferably rounded to avoid injury to the individual handling the individual blister and/or to avoid damage to the material in contact with the individual blister.

The body must be at least large enough for the blisters to receive the portion of medical product to be introduced and for the blisters to be closed by the covering film. Typical dimensions are, for example, in the x-and y-directions ranging from 0.6cm to 6cm and in the z-direction ranging from 0.2mm to 2 mm. However, the body may also be larger or smaller.

Information relating to the medical product located within the blister is preferably applied to the cover film. This type of information may be, for example, the name of the active substance, the name of the manufacturer and/or distributor, the batch number, the expiry date, the dosage and further information. Some information is required by authorities monitoring the circulation of pharmaceutical products, and additional information may be useful to individuals (e.g., patients, doctors, caregivers, transportation and logistics companies, packagers, etc.) encountering packaged pharmaceutical products.

Information relating to the time at which the medical product was taken is also considered useful. For example, a particular color may be used; it is conceivable that, for example, the medical product taken in the morning is red, and the medical product taken in the evening/night is blue.

It is also conceivable to apply information to the cover film, which information provides access to further information, for example an optical code providing information about risks and side effects via the internet.

Thus, the provision of the pharmaceutical product portion and the individual blisters provides a high degree of flexibility with respect to individual design possibilities. Individualization of individual blisters is also conceivable, for example by means of an individual optical code.

Additionally or alternatively, information may also be applied to the ventral side of the subject. The ventral side is the side where the blisters protrude from the body and the side arranged opposite to the side where the cover film is applied.

The body thus has a minimum size which makes it possible to apply at least the legally required information to the body and/or to the cover film.

The particular minimum size additionally provides the advantage that: the individual blister will not be lost very quickly and can be handled and opened more easily, especially for elderly individuals.

Of course, information may also be introduced to the body and/or the cover film, for example as an engraving.

The blisters are formed in the body. It is typically used to receive individual portions of medical products. However, it is also conceivable that a plurality of pharmaceutical product parts are located within the blister. For example, it is conceivable that the amount of active substance that the patient must take at a defined moment in time is too large for the individual medical product part, since problems may occur during swallowing. It may therefore be expedient to divide the active substance into a plurality of smaller pharmaceutical product parts. The blister preferably comprises up to four pharmaceutical product portions; it particularly preferably comprises a single pharmaceutical product portion.

The blister may be formed centrally or in a non-central manner in the body. The terms "centered" and "non-centered" will be explained in more detail further below.

The cover film is applied to what is referred to as the back side of the body and closes the side of the blisters that protrude from the body on the opposite ventral side. This is illustrated in fig. 1.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an individual blister 1 in plan view and from both sides. The individual blister 1 comprises a planar body 2 in which blisters 3 are formed. Within the blister 3 is positioned a single pharmaceutical product portion (not illustrated in fig. 1). The blister is closed by a cover film 4. The blisters 3 are formed centrally in the planar body 2. The basic shape of the body is rectangular-the corners are rounded.

The cover film typically, but not necessarily, extends over the entire back side of the body and terminates flush with the edge of the body. Thus, the cover film preferably also has the basic shape of the body and is ideally flat (no curvature).

In the stack according to the invention, the cover films preferably lie in planes extending parallel to one another.

There are a multiplicity of stacking possibilities, with the cover films extending parallel, stacking being provided by the orientation of the cover films relative to the direction of gravity.In the "simplest case", the cover film extends horizontally with respect to gravity, and the individual blister packages are stacked "one on top of the other". In another case, the cover film extends vertically with respect to gravity, and the individual blister packages are stacked "adjacently". In addition, by rotating the stack, the cover film can be brought into any other orientation between the "vertical orientation" and the "horizontal orientation". The present invention is not limited to any orientation of the stack relative to gravity. The term "stack" in this specification is to be interpreted more broadly than in the colloquial language, in which case it is generally understood to mean only "an arrangement one on top of the other". The term "height h of the stack-like arrangement_SNor is it to be understood to mean that only individual blisters stacked "one on top of the other" are the subject of the present invention. Thus, the term "height" is to be construed more broadly herein than is commonly understood. These considerations assume cover films extending in parallel, and are not intended to cause them to be applied only to stacks having cover films extending in parallel. For example, the invention also includes stacks in which the cover films of the individual blisters do not lie in planes extending parallel to one another.

For the following considerations, a stack is assumed in which the cover films of the individual blisters are arranged horizontally with respect to gravity, so that the individual blisters are arranged "one on top of the other". This thus results in the individual blisters of the stack being arranged at the bottom most and the individual blisters of the stack being arranged at the top most. Further individual blisters may be located therebetween. In this type of stack, adjacent individual blisters should be understood to mean the individual blisters that are in contact with the individual blister in question. Here, the adjacent individual blister may be positioned above or below the individual blister in question. The individual blister located at the lowermost portion has only a single adjacent individual blister; this adjacent individual blister is located above the individual blister located at the lowermost portion. Similarly, the individual blister at the topmost also has only one adjacent individual blister; the adjacent individual blister is located below the individual blister positioned at the topmost portion. If further individual blisters are provided between the individual blister at the lowermost portion and the individual blister at the uppermost portion, these individual blisters each have two adjacent individual blisters, wherein one of the adjacent individual blisters is positioned above the individual blister in question and the other of the adjacent individual blisters is positioned below the individual blister in question. Similar considerations apply to stacks in which individual blisters are arranged "adjacently".

Typical numbers N of individual blisters in a stack-like arrangement are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 28, 30 and 31. However, other numbers are also conceivable.

In a preferred embodiment, N is an integer in the range of 2 to 31.

In another preferred embodiment, N is 7.

In another preferred embodiment, N is 28.

In a stack according to the invention, the blisters are preferably directed in the same direction. However, it is also conceivable to arrange the individual blisters alternately dorsal-to-dorsal and ventral-to-ventral. Hybrid forms of the specified stacked forms are also conceivable.

In a conventional blister stack, where N blisters are stacked backside to ventral, the height h of the stack-like arrangement_SIs the height h of the bubble_BThickness d of the flat body_GAnd thickness d of the cover film_DN times the sum of:

conventional blister stack: h is_S＝N·(h_B+d_G+d_D)

This is illustrated in fig. 2, where for illustrative reasons the thickness D of the film composite consisting of a flat body and a cover film is specified. The following is true: d ═ D_G+d_D。

The stack height is reduced according to the invention:

blister stacks according to the invention: h is_S＜N·(h_B+d_G+d_D)

In a preferred embodiment, the height of the stack-like arrangement is:

h_S＝N·(d_G+d_D)+h_B

in a particularly preferred embodiment, the following holds for the stack height:

N·(d_G+d_D)+h_B≤h_S＜N·(h_B+d_G+d_D)

in a further preferred embodiment, the height of the stack-like arrangement is:

h_S＝(N-1)·(d_G+d_D+h_N)+(h_B+d_G+d_D) Wherein h is_N＜h_B

h_NThe height of the support structure is indicated and will be described in more detail further below.

In a further preferred embodiment, the height of the stack-like arrangement is:

h_S＝1/2·(N+1)·(h_B+d_G+d_D)

in one embodiment of the invention, the individual blisters are stacked such that the cover film of one individual blister rests on the body of an adjacent individual blister in the area located beside the blister. This embodiment is illustrated in fig. 3.

Fig. 3 shows one embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention in plan view (bottom) and from one side (top). Seven embodiments (1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7) of the individual blisters 1 from fig. 1 are arranged one above the other in a stack-like manner. All the blisters point in the same direction. The individual blisters 1-1 are arranged at the very bottom of the stack. The individual blister 1-2 rests on the individual blister 1-1. Here, the cover film of an individual blister 1-2 rests on the body of an adjacent individual blister 1-1, more specifically in the area beside the blister. For the individual blisters 1-7, it is specified which side is the ventral side B and which side is the dorsal side R. Therefore, the ventral side B is the side where the blisters 3 protrude from the main body 2. The backside R is the side of the cover film 4 where the closed blisters 3 are applied.

The height of the stack-like arrangement shown in fig. 3 is:

h_S＝N·(d_G+d_D)+h_B＝7·(d_G+d_D)+h_B

if the stack from fig. 3 is projected onto a plane extending parallel to the basic shape (rectangle with rounded corners) of a planar body (xy-plane), an area requirement F of the following formula results_S：

F_S＝7·F_E-6·F_O

Here, F_EIs the area content of a single individual blister, when projected onto a plane arranged parallel to the basic shape of the planar body (xy-plane), and F_OIs the overlapping area of two adjacent individual blisters in the same projection plane.

If N individual blisters are arranged adjacently in an aligned manner on a table, their area requirement is that of an individual blister F_EN times of (c):

F_S＝N·F_E

for the stack-like arrangement according to the invention, the following generally holds:

F_S＜N·F_E

the area requirement of the stack-like arrangement according to the invention is smaller than the area requirement of the adjacently arranged individual blisters, since the individual blisters of the stack-like arrangement overlap in the xy projection plane.

For example, for a stack as shown in FIG. 3, the following holds:

F_S＝N·F_E-(N-1)·F_O

stacks according to the invention or with a large relative overlap area F_O ^relPreferred embodiments of the stack of (a):

FO^rel＝F_O/F_E≤1

preferably, F_O ^relIs 0.3 to 1, particularly preferably 0.5 to 1.

The size of the relative overlap area may be maximized in different ways, for example by a non-central arrangement of the blisters and/or by a recess in the body, as will be explained in more detail below.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the blisters of the individual blisters are arranged in a non-central manner with respect to the basic shape of the planar body.

The center of the basic shape of the planar body is determined by its center of symmetry or, if the basic shape does not have a center of symmetry, by the center of gravity of the basic shape. The blister also has a center that is determined by the center of symmetry or, if the blister does not have a center of symmetry, by the center of gravity of the blister.

A non-central arrangement of the blisters is understood to mean an arrangement in which the centre of the blisters does not coincide with the centre of the basic shape of the planar body.

Due to the non-central arrangement, there is a larger non-blister area on the body beside the blister on which an adjacent individual blister can rest via its cover film. Thus, the adjacent individual blisters may be "moved closer to each other" in the xy-plane, so that not only a denser packing of individual blisters in the stacking direction can be produced, but also a denser packing perpendicular to the stacking direction. This embodiment is illustrated in fig. 4 and 5.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of an individual blister 1 in plan view and from both sides. The individual blister 1 comprises a planar body 2 in which blisters 3 are formed. Within the blister 3 is located an individual medical product portion (not illustrated in fig. 4). The blister is closed by a cover film 4. The blisters 3 are formed in the planar body 2 in a non-central manner. The basic shape of the body is rectangular-the corners are rounded.

Fig. 5 shows one embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention in plan view (bottom) and from one side (top). Seven embodiments (1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7) of the individual blisters 1 from fig. 4 are arranged one above the other in a stack-like manner. All the blisters point in the same direction.

The height of this stack-like arrangement is:

h_S＝N·(d_G+d_D)+h_B＝7·(d_G+d_D)+h_B

in yet another embodiment, the base region of each individual blister has a recess into which the blisters of an adjacent individual blister can be placed. This also results in denser packages in the stacking direction and perpendicular to the stacking direction. This embodiment is illustrated in fig. 6 and 7.

The height of this stack-like arrangement is:

h_S＝N·(d_G+d_D)+h_B

the term "recess" is used herein in a broad sense. Considering the body of a conventional blister package (see for example fig. 1a of published application GB 2184086A), the edges of the basic shape have a convex profile. For example, circular, square and rectangular basic shapes always have a convex contour (see, for example, fig. 6). If, on the other hand, a semicircular recess is punched out in the edge region of the square basic shape, the contour of the basic shape is no longer convex at all points, but is concave in the region of the recess.

Thus, the expression "base region with recesses" is understood to mean all base regions in which the contour comprises, in addition to the convex region, at least one concave region.

The recess is preferably round, semi-circular, elliptical, semi-elliptical or rectangular.

In a preferred embodiment, two different individual blisters are stacked alternately, which appear as an image and mirror image relative to each other. Fig. 6 shows an embodiment. The two individual blisters 1 and 1' appear as images and mirror images relative to each other. Both having a planar body 2 in which blisters 3 are formed for receiving portions of the pharmaceutical product. The blister is arranged in a non-central manner with respect to the body. Both bodies have a semicircular recess 5. Fig. 7 shows how two individual blisters 1 and 1' are arranged alternately one on top of the other in a stack-like manner. The stack height is:

h_s＝4·(d_G+d_D)+h_B

in yet another embodiment, the body of each individual blister has a support structure. The support structure may be formed in the body, similar to a blister. It is also conceivable that the support structure is applied to the body. According to the invention, the support structure has a height lower than the blisters: h is_N<h_B。

In a stack of individual blisters with support structures, the cover film of an individual blister rests against the support structure of an adjacent individual blister. Such a support structure results in a stable stack, but may be at the expense of packing density in the stacking direction.

The height of the stack-like arrangement is:

h_s＝(N-1)·(d_G+d_D+h_N)+(h_B+d_G+d_D)＝N·(d_G+d_D)+(N-1)·h_N+h_B

fig. 8 shows an embodiment. The blisters 3 are arranged in a non-central manner in the body 2 of the individual blister 1. A circular recess 5 is formed in the body 2 into which a blister of another individual blister in a stack-like arrangement can be placed. The body also has a support structure in the form of two support nubs 7, the height h of the support nubs 7_NLess than height h of the blister_B。

In fig. 9, two of the individual blisters from fig. 8 are stacked one on top of the other. Here, the lower individual blister is rotated 180 ° with respect to the upper individual blister so that the blisters of the lower individual blister fall exactly into the recesses in the upper individual blister. The main body of the upper individual blister rests on the support nub of the lower individual blister.

The height of the stack-like arrangement is:

h_S＝(N-1)·(d_G+d_D+h_N)+(h_B+d_G+d_D)＝2·(d_G+d_D)+h_B+h_N

ruler for relative overlapping areaCun is FO^rel＝1。

The special form of "a base region with recesses" is an angled base region, which constitutes a particularly preferred embodiment. Here, the recess is rectangular. One embodiment of an angled base region is shown in fig. 10. An angled base region is to be understood as meaning a region in which two region elements extend in different directions starting from a common region and delimit a free region located between the region elements. In the preferred embodiment of the stack-like arrangement according to the invention discussed herein, the blisters of an individual blister fall within the free region between the region elements of the body of adjacent individual blisters. The area elements extending in different directions enclose an angle of less than 180 deg.. The angle is preferably in the range from 120 ° to 60 °, particularly preferably in the range from 100 ° to 80 °; the angle is most preferably 90 °. The area elements extending in different directions preferably have the same shape; they are preferably rectangular. They may be the same size or different sizes. In a preferred embodiment, they are the same size; in another preferred embodiment, they are of different sizes.

An individual blister having an angled body is illustrated in fig. 10. The body 2 comprises two rectangular area elements 6 and 6' which are arranged at an angle of 90 ° to each other and define a free area in which blisters of another individual blister in the stack-like arrangement can be placed. The main body 2 has a support structure in the form of a support nub 7, the height h of the support nub 7_NLess than height h of blister 3_B. Figure 11 shows how two of the individual blisters from figure 10 are stacked one on top of the other in plan view (bottom) and in side view (top).

The stack height is:

h_S＝(N-1)·(d_G+d_D+h_N)+(h_B+d_G+d_D)＝2·(d_G+d_D)+(h_N+h_B)

relative overlap regionIs FO in size^rel＝2/3。

In a further embodiment, the blisters of each individual blister of a stack according to the invention are arranged in a non-central manner with respect to the basic shape of the body, and the body additionally has a recess in which the blisters of adjacent individual blisters can be placed. This embodiment is illustrated in fig. 12 and 13. In fig. 12, an individual blister 1 is illustrated, the body 2 of which 1 has two rectangular area elements 6 and 6 ', said area elements 6 and 6' being arranged at an angle of 90 ° to each other and defining a free area in which blisters of another individual blister in a stack-like arrangement can be placed. The body 2 also has a support structure in the form of support ribs 8. Height h of support ribs_NPlus the thickness d of the body_GAnd thickness d of the cover film_DIn this embodiment corresponds exactly to the height h of the blisters_B：2·h_N+d_G+d_D＝h_B

Figure 13 shows how three of the individual blisters from figure 12 are stacked one on top of the other in a spiral fashion.

The stack height is:

h_S＝(N-1)·(d_G+d_D+h_N)+(h_B+d_G+d_D)＝1/2·(N+1)·(h_B+d_G+d_D)＝2·(h_B+d_G+d_D)

the size of the relative overlap area is Fo^rel＝1

Fig. 14, 15, 16 and 17 show further embodiments of the invention in which the pharmaceutical product portion and, correspondingly, the blisters, have an elongated form.

In fig. 14, an individual blister 1 is illustrated, the body 2 of which 1 has two rectangular area elements 6 and 6 ', said area elements 6 and 6' being arranged at an angle of 90 ° to each other and defining a free area in which blisters of another individual blister in a stack-like arrangement can be placed. The area elements 6 and 6' have different sizes.

In fig. 15, three of the individual blisters from fig. 15 are stacked one on top of the other.

Fig. 16 shows an individual blister 1 in the body 2 of which individual blister 1 blisters 3 are arranged in a non-central manner. A recess 5 is introduced into the body 2 into which a blister of another individual blister in the stack-like arrangement can be placed. The body also has a support structure in the form of four support nubs 7, the height h of the support nubs 7_NLess than height h of the blister_B。

In fig. 17, two of the individual blisters from fig. 16 are stacked one on top of the other. Here, the lower individual blister is rotated 180 ° with respect to the upper individual blister so that the blisters of the lower individual blister fall exactly into the recesses in the upper individual blister. The main body of the upper individual blister rests on the support nub of the lower individual blister.

Another subject of the invention is a cartridge comprising a stack-like arrangement of individual blisters according to the invention. The box serves as a secondary package. It also typically contains a package insert containing information relating to the part of the pharmaceutical product to be taken. The cassette serves to stabilize the stack-like arrangement according to the invention. The case is made of, for example, card, plastic, metal or also a composite material. In a preferred embodiment, the box is a folded box made of card, as is also used for conventional blister strips.

In a preferred embodiment, the cartridge comprises a viewing window via which the remaining amount of an individual blister provided in the cartridge can be determined.

In a further preferred embodiment, the box has a transverse opening in a lower region of the box, via which individual blisters can be removed from the box. Due to gravity, the individual blisters remaining within the box move downwards when the lower individual blister is removed and can be successively removed individually until the box is empty.

Three cartridges according to the present invention are illustrated in fig. 18. The box on the right hand side contained seven individual blisters, the middle box contained fourteen individual blisters, and the box on the left hand side contained 28 individual blisters. The left-hand box has a viewing window on its side, via which the remaining number of individual blisters can be determined. The left-hand box also has an opening in the lower region, via which individual blisters can be removed laterally.

A further subject of the invention consists of individual blisters embodied in a particular way to realize the stacking according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the individual blisters are characterized in that the blisters are arranged in a non-central manner with respect to the body. Particularly preferred embodiments are illustrated in fig. 4, 6, 8, 12, 14 and 16.

In a further preferred embodiment, the individual blisters have a recess within which a blister of an adjacent individual blister in a stack-like arrangement according to the invention can be placed. Particularly preferred embodiments are illustrated in fig. 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16.

In a further preferred embodiment, the individual blisters have a support structure with a height h_NLess than height h of the blister_B. In a further preferred embodiment, the height h of the blisters_BCorresponding to the height h of the support structure_NDouble, thickness d of the body_GAnd thickness d of the cover film_DSum of (a): h is_B＝2·h_N+d_G+d_D. Particularly preferred embodiments are illustrated in fig. 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16.

In a further preferred embodiment, the body of the individual blister according to the invention has a rectangular or square basic shape, wherein the corners are optionally rounded. Particularly preferred embodiments are illustrated in fig. 4, 6, 8 and 16.

In a further preferred embodiment, the body of the individual blister according to the invention has an angled basic shape, wherein the corners are optionally rounded. Particularly preferred embodiments are illustrated in fig. 10, 12 and 14.

In a further preferred embodiment, the individual blisters are present in two different copies, the two different copies appearing as images and mirror images relative to each other. A particularly preferred embodiment is illustrated in figure 6.

In a further preferred embodiment, the planar body has one or more basic shapes which, in addition to optionally rounded corners, also allow a tessellation (parkettierging) of rectangular areas.

A tessellation (also known as tiling, or blanking without scrap) is understood to mean covering an area without gaps and without overlap by smaller areas of the same shape. The basic shape of the planar body forms a subregion here. The advantage of the tessellation lies in the fact that: the body can be obtained by dividing a larger blister sheet, wherein the division remnants (cutting remnants, waste) are reduced to a minimum.

For example, the individual blisters shown in fig. 1, 4, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 allow for a tessellation.

A further subject of the present invention is a method for producing the individual blisters according to the invention.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that the individual blisters are separated from a sheet or web comprising a plurality of individual blisters. The separation may be performed by conventional methods such as laser cutting, mechanical cutting, stamping, etching, electron beam machining, ultrasound, and water jet. These and further methods are described, for example, in DIN standards 8588, 8589 and 8590.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the individual blisters are produced from a large blister package, which is described in more detail in EP 15182316.8.

Claims

A stack-like arrangement of N individual blister packages, wherein N is an integer greater than 1,

each individual blister package comprises:

-a planar body having a blister,

-one or more pharmaceutical product portions, the pharmaceutical product portions being within the blister, and

-a cover film enclosing the blisters,

height h of the stack-like arrangement_sLess than height h of the blister_BThickness d of the body_GAnd thickness d of the cover film_DAnd (N-1) individual blisters rest on the ventral side of an adjacent individual blister, via the back side of their body, in the area alongside the blister of this adjacent individual blister, the ventral side representing the side from which the blister protrudes from the body, and the back side representing the side on which the cover film is arranged.
2. The stack-like arrangement of claim 1, wherein the blisters of an individual blister are arranged in a non-central manner with respect to the body of an individual blister.
3. The stack-like arrangement of claim 1, wherein a recess is formed in the body, a blister of an adjacent individual blister being placed within each of the recesses.
4. The stack arrangement of claim 1, wherein the body has a support structure against which adjacent individual blisters rest for a height h of the support structure_NThe following holds: h is_N＜h_B。
5. The stack-like arrangement of claim 1, for a height h of the stack-like arrangement_sThe following holds: h is_S＝1/2·(N+1)·(h_B+d₆+d_D)。
6. The stack-like arrangement of claim 2, wherein adjacent individual blisters are arranged alternately one after the other, and each two adjacent individual blisters are horizontally mirrored from one another after being rotated 180 degrees about themselves.
7. The stack-like arrangement of claim 1, wherein the relative overlap area F for each two adjacent individual blisters_O ^rel＝F_O/F_EThe following holds:

0，5≤F_O ^rel≤1

wherein F_ESpecifying the content of the area occupied by a single individual blister when projected onto a plane parallel to the back side of the body, and F_OThe overlapping areas of adjacent individual blisters in the same projection plane are specified.
8. The stack-like arrangement of claim 1, wherein the body of the individual blister has a rectangular or square basic shape.
9. The stack-like arrangement of claim 8, wherein corners of the body of the individual blisters are rounded.
10. The stack-like arrangement of claim 1, wherein the body of the individual blister has an angled basic shape.
11. The stack-like arrangement of claim 10, wherein corners of the body of the individual blisters are rounded.
12. The stack-like arrangement of claim 1, wherein successive individual blisters are rotated relative to each other by an angle of 60 °, 90 °, 120 ° or 180 °.
13. Individual blisters for a stack-like arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 12, comprising:

-a planar body having a blister,

-one or more pharmaceutical product portions, the pharmaceutical product portions being within the blister, and

-a cover film enclosing the blisters,

wherein the blisters are arranged in a non-central manner with respect to the body.
14. The individual blister of claim 13, wherein the individual blister has a recess into which blisters of adjacent individual blisters in the stacked arrangement can be placed.
15. The individual blister of claim 13, wherein the individual blister has a support structure having a height h_NLess than the height h of the blister_B。
16. The individual blister of claim 15, wherein the support structure has a height h_NPlus the thickness d of the body_GAnd the thickness d of the cover film_DHeight corresponding to the blisters: 2. h_N+d_G+d_D＝h_B。
17. The individual blister of claim 13, wherein the body has a rectangular or square basic shape.
18. The individual blister of claim 17, wherein the corners of the body are rounded.
19. The individual blister of claim 13, wherein the body has an angled basic shape.
20. The individual blister of claim 19, wherein the corners of the body are rounded.
21. The individual blister of claim 13, wherein the basic shape of the body allows for a tessellation of rectangular areas.
22. The individual blister of claim 13, wherein adjacent individual blisters are arranged alternately one after the other, and wherein each two adjacent individual blisters are horizontally mirrored from each other after being rotated 180 degrees about themselves.
23. Method for producing individual blisters according to any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein the individual blisters are separated from a sheet or web comprising a plurality of individual blisters.
24. A cartridge comprising a cartridge body and a stack-like arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
25. The cartridge of claim 24, which is a folded cartridge made of card.
26. The cassette of claim 24 or 25, comprising a viewing window via which the number of individual blisters contained is visible.
27. The cartridge of claim 24, wherein the cartridge has a transverse opening in a lower region from which individual blisters can be transversely removed.