EP0513008B1 - Pasty substance dose storage and dispensing device, and method for producing same - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/BE90/00073 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 26, 1992 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 26, 1992 PCT Filed Dec. 28, 1990 PCT Pub. No. WO91/11371 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 8, 1991.A device for storage and dispensation of measured quantities of pasty material. The device is formed from two juxtaposed formable sheets including, respectively, a compartment forming a volume housing the measured quantity and a passage forming a duct for ejection of the measured quantity, as well as deformable membrane constituting a sealing mechanism which separates the compartment from the passage. The invention is applicable to packaging and dispensation of measured quantities of a pasty material.

Description

The subject of the present invention is a device for storing and distributing doses of pasty material, as well as the method for producing such a device.

In the field of packaging of doses, in particular of unit doses, it is known, for liquid or pasty materials, to produce the packaging in the form of pads which can be cut, or even be torn to give access at the dose of liquid or pasty material. A tearable packaging for liquid or pasty material resulting from the evolution of this type of packaging is described in patent EP-A0178918. In the field of piece packaging of solid objects, and in particular of drugs, it is known to produce packaging using a sheet of formable material comprising cells in which the objects to be packaged are placed. , and to close the cells by assembling the face of the formable sheet disposed away from the cells to a sheet of material of less resistance than the formable sheet, capable of being torn by the thrust of the object contained in the alveolus, under the effect of the crushing of said alveolus

The present invention aims to provide a packaging for doses of pasty material similar, in terms of its use, to the known packaging described above for the single piece packaging of solid objects.

This object is achieved by providing a device for storing and distributing doses of pasty material comprising a volume for receiving the dose of material and a means for closing this volume, which can be opened for discharging the dose of material, device consisting of two juxtaposed formable sheets, one of which has a first deformation directed away from the junction surface of the two sheets, in the form of a cell constituting the volume for receiving the dose of pasty material, device characterized in that the other sheet comprises a second deformation, in the form of a channel constituting the conduit for discharging the dose of pasty material, the evacuation duct, open at one of its ends, terminating at its other end in front of the cell, and in which a deformable membrane constituting closure means, ensures the separation between the cell and the conduit, the two formable sheets , ensuring the maintenance of the membrane, being assembled at least in the peripheral zone of the cell.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the junction surface of the two sheets of formable material is arranged along a plane, and the deformable membrane is a plane membrane arranged along this same plane.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the deformable membrane is a stretch film capable, under the effect of the pressure exerted on the pasty material by crushing the cell, to deform to release the access of the pasty material to the exhaust duct.

According to another particular characteristic of the invention, the deformable planar membrane is a pre-notched film, the weakening zone of which is located in the zone of the duct and is intended to tear under the effect of the pressure exerted on the pasty material by crushing the cell, to free access of the pasty material to the discharge duct.

According to another characteristic, the two formable sheets and the membrane are assembled at least in the peripheral zones of the cell and of the duct, corresponding, in the two formable sheets, to non-deformed zones.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the deformable membrane, the edges of which, considered in the longitudinal direction of the duct, are placed in the immediate vicinity of the peripheral zone of the cell, does not participate in the junction between the sheets of formable material and is therefore intended to slide between them under the effect of the pressure exerted on the pasty material by crushing the cell, to match the shape of the duct, said membrane being fixed, at its end opposite to the duct, at least to the sheet in which the channel is formed, to avoid its entrainment by the pasty material.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the membrane is also assembled, in the region of the duct, with the sheet in which the cell is formed, using a light adhesive, to form a connection at this location. easily frangible.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for producing a device for storing and distributing doses of pasty material, characterized in that it consists in forming, in a first sheet of formable material, cells, and correspondingly, in a second sheet of formable material, channels, to fill the cells with doses of pasty material, to have at least partially on the cells a deformable membrane, to be juxtaposed, by their face away from deformations , the first and the second sheet of formable material so that the channels are arranged, relative to the cells, to form conduits leading to said cells at the location of the deformable membrane, and to be fixed to each other the two sheets of formable material at least in the peripheral zone of each cell.

• à former à chaud, dans les deux moitiés, considérées suivant la direction longitudinale, d'une feuille de matière thermoformable alimentée en continu, respectivement des alvéoles et des canaux,
• à remplir en continu les alvéoles de doses de matière pâteuse,
• à recouvrir en continu les alvéoles d'un film de matière déformable,
• à replier en continu la moitié de la feuille comportant les canaux sur la moitié de la feuille comportant les alvéoles pour former des conduits, obturés par le film de matière déformable à l'endroit où ils aboutissent aux alvéoles,
• à souder en continu les deux moitiés de feuille thermoformable superposées, entre elles et avec le film de matière déformable, au moins dans les zones périphériques des alvéoles et des conduits, et
• à découper en continu le produit obtenu pour former des ensembles de doses et, là où l'opération s'avère nécessaire, libérer l'extrémité des conduits opposée aux alvéoles.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the method consists:

• to form hot, in the two halves, considered in the longitudinal direction, of a sheet of thermoformable material fed continuously, cells and channels respectively,
• continuously filling the cells with doses of pasty material,
• continuously covering the cells with a film of deformable material,
• to continuously fold back half of the sheet comprising the channels on half of the sheet comprising the cells to form conduits, closed by the film of deformable material at the point where they terminate in the cells,
• continuously welding the two halves of thermoformable sheet superimposed, between them and with the film of deformable material, at least in the peripheral zones of the cells and of the conduits, and
• continuously cutting the product obtained to form sets of doses and, where the operation proves necessary, release the end of the conduits opposite the cells.

• La fig. 1 est une vue en élévation et en coupe d'un dispositif suivant l'invention;
• La fig. 2 est une vue en élévation et en coupe d'un autre mode de réalisation d'un dispositif suivant l'invention;
• La fig. 3 est une vue en perspective du dispositif illustré en fig. 2;
• Les fig. 4 et 5 montrent en plan deux modes de réalisation d'emballages mettant en oeuvre le dispositif de l'invention;
• La fig 6 illustre, en plan, une étape d'un procédé de fabrication d'un dispositif suivant l'invention.

The invention will be better understood by referring to the description below, at the same time as to the appended drawing which represents, by way of example only, various embodiments of the invention, and in which:

• Fig. 1 is an elevational view in section of a device according to the invention;
• Fig. 2 is an elevational view in section of another embodiment of a device according to the invention;
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device illustrated in FIG. 2;
• Figs. 4 and 5 show in plan two embodiments of packaging implementing the device of the invention;
• FIG. 6 illustrates, in plan, a step in a process for manufacturing a device according to the invention.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the device of the invention consists of two formable sheets 1, 2 and a membrane 7. The formable sheet 1 comprises a deformation in the form of a cell 3 intended for receive a dose of pasty material 4, while the formable sheet 2 has a channel-shaped deformation 5. The sheets 1 and 2 are juxtaposed so that their respective deformations 3 and 5 are directed away from the junction surface 8 of the two sheets, and that the channel 5, which forms with the sheet 1 a discharge duct 6 open at one of its ends 6 ', terminates at its other end 6''opposite the cell 3. The membrane 7, arranged along the junction surface 8 of the sheets 1 and 2, performs the separation between the cell 3 containing the dose of pasty material 4 and the conduit 6 opening onto the outside. The membrane 7 is held, along the junction surface 8, by the sheets 1 and 2 assembled, for example by gluing or welding, the membrane 7 participating in the assembly. This assembly must be carried out at least in the peripheral zone of the cell.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 corresponds substantially to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the sheets 21, 22, the cell 23, the dose 24, the channel 25, the conduit 26 corresponding substantially and respectively to the sheets 1 , 2, to the socket 3, to the dose 4, to the channel 5 and to the duct 6 of FIG 1. The difference lies in the membrane 27 which, unlike the membrane 7, extends only over part of the cell 23. As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 3, the membrane 27 is not only limited in its longitudinal dimension (considered in the longitudinal direction of the conduit 26) relative to the cell 23, but also in its transverse dimension. In this way, provision can be made either for the membrane 27 to participate in the assembly of the sheets 21 and 22, or for it to remain free between the sheets 21 and 22 assembled, these only ensuring that the membrane is held in place 27. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the membrane 27 is bonded to the sheet 21 at 29, in the region of the duct 26. This bonding is carried out using a light adhesive, easily frangible. Such bonding 29 is mainly recommended in the case where the membrane 27 does not participate in the junction between the sheets 21 and 22.

The deformable membrane 7 or 27 is either a stretchable membrane or a tearable membrane if it participates in the junction between the sheets 1 and 2, respectively 21 and 22, that is to say if it is glued or welded with the said sheets, or even a simply deformable membrane if it does not participate in the junction between the sheets 21 and 22, that is to say if the junction by gluing / welding of said sheets, in the peripheral zone of the cell, bypasses said membrane.

During storage, the membrane 7, 27, applied during the production of the packaging against the dose 4, 24 of pasty material, is held there on the one hand by the retaining action exerted by the sheets 1,2; 21,22, and on the other hand, in the zone of the conduit, by the action of atmospheric pressure, possibly reinforced by the action of bonding 29.

During use, the crushing of the cell 3.23 achieves, via the dose of pasty material 4.24, a pressure on the membrane 7.27. In the case where the membrane participates in the assembly of the sheets 1,2, 21,22, the membrane 7,27 is deformed either by stretching, until substantially matching the shape of the channel, or by tearing if the membrane is by example a pre-notched film whose weakening zone is located in the zone of the duct 6,26. In the case where the membrane 27 does not participate in the assembly of the sheets 21, 22, that is to say, as said above, in the case where the bonding or welding zone bypasses the membrane 27, the deformation will consist, after rupture of the bonding 29, in a sliding of the sheet until it matches the shape of the conduit 26. In the latter case, the membrane will also be fixed, for example by bonding, at its end opposite to the conduit 26, to prevent it from being carried away by the pasty material 24 out of the socket 23.

By way of example, according to one embodiment of the invention, the formable sheets 1,2,21,22 are produced in a thermoformed film of 150 microns, while the deformable membrane is a polyethylene film of 10 microns, stretchable, susceptible to elongation of up to 600%.

Referring to fig. 4, a package 40 of generally rectangular shape comprises two rows of cells 43, each cell 43 being connected to the outside of the package by a conduit 46, while a membrane 47 covers the two rows of cells 43 for to be interposed between the said cells and the end of the conduits 46 terminating therein. This embodiment is therefore similar, at the level of a cell, to that represented in FIG. 1.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 5, a package 50 of circular shape comprises a series of cells 53 arranged radially, each cell being connected by a conduit 56, also radial, outside the package, a membrane 57, of annular shape, interposed between the end of the cells 53 directed towards the conduits 56 and the said conduits. This embodiment corresponds substantially to the embodiment illustrated in section in FIG. 2.

The invention also relates to the method of manufacturing a device as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 which generally consists in forming in a sheet of formable material 1.21 cells 3.23 and, correspondingly, in a second sheet of formable material 2.22 in channels 5.25, to be filled the cells 3.23 of doses 4.24 of pasty material, to have at least partially on the cells 3.23 a deformable membrane 7.27, to be juxtaposed, by their face away from the deformations, the first and the second sheet of formable material so that the channels 5.25 are arranged, relative to the cells 3.23, to form conduits 6.26 terminating at one end to the cells at the location of the deformable membrane 7, 27 and by the other end to the open air, the membrane 7, 27 being held between the sheets of formable material 1,2,21,22, and to fix the 'to each other the two sheets of formable material, at least in the peripheral zone of each cell.

According to a preferred embodiment, one step of which is illustrated in FIG. 6, the method of the invention consists in hot forming, in the two halves 61, 62, considered in the longitudinal direction, of a sheet of thermoformable material 60 supplied continuously, respectively from the cells 63 and channels 65, to continuously fill the cells 63 with doses 64 of pasty material, to continuously cover the cells with a film 67 of deformable material (step illustrated in fig. 6), to continuously fold back the half 62 of the sheet 60 comprising the channels 65 on the half 61 of the sheet 60 comprising the cells 63 to form conduits, closed by the film of deformable material 67 at the place where they terminate to the cells 63, to continuously weld the two halves 61, 62 superimposed of thermoformable sheet 60, between them and with the film 67 of deformable material, in all of the zones located outside the cells 63 and channels 65, to continuously trim the edge of the product obtained corresponding to the fold line 70, in the area between the dotted lines 71,71 ', to release the end of the conduits formed by the channels 65, opposite to the cells 63, and finally to cut the continuous product obtained to form packages such as the package 40 illustrated in FIG. 4.

In the various embodiments illustrated in the drawing, the junction surface 8,28 between the formable sheets 1,2 respectively 21,22 has been shown plane, and it is obvious that such an arrangement will constitute the most frequent embodiment of the invention. It is however conceivable that such a junction surface is in the form of a left surface, the sheets formable 1,2,21,22 then having corresponding shapes, or else that the particular shape of the assembly is imparted during a forming operation concomitant with the operation of welding the sheets to one another and with the deformable membrane.

Claims (9)

1. Device for storage and dispensation of measured quantities of a pasty material, comprising a volume housing the measured quantity of the material and means for sealing this volume, which may be opened for ejection of the measured quantity of material, device formed from two juxtaposed formable sheets (1, 2; 21, 22; 61, 62) one of which (1; 21; 61) incorporates a first deformation extending away from the connection surface (8, 28) joining the two sheets, existing as a compartment (3; 23; 43; 53; 63) forming a volume which houses the measured dose (4; 24; 64) of the pasty material, characterized in that the other sheet (2; 22; 62) incorporates a second deformation, in the form of a passage (5; 25; 65) creating a duct (6; 26; 46; 56) for the ejection of the measured quantity of pasty material, said ejection duct (6; 26; 46; 56), open at one of its ends, terminating at its other end opposite the compartment (3; 23; 43; 53; 63), and in that a deformable membrane (7; 27; 47; 57; 67) constituting the sealing means separates the compartment (3; 23; 43; 53; 63) from the duct (6; 26; 46; 56), the two formable sheets (1, 2; 21, 22; 61, 62) holding the membrane (7; 27; 47; 57; 67) in place being assembled in at least the peripheral area of the compartment (3; 23; 43; 53; 63).
2. Device for storage and dispensation of measured quantities of a pasty material according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection surface (8; 28) of the two sheets (1, 2; 21, 22; 61, 62) of formable material lies in one plane, and in that the deformable membrane (7; 27; 47; 57; 67) is a flat membrane lying in this same plane.
3. Device for storage and dispensation of measured quantities of a pasty material according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the deformable membrane (7; 27; 47; 57; 67) is an extensible film which is capable, when subjected to the pressure exerted on the pasty material by crushing the compartment (3; 23; 43; 53; 63), of being deformed so as to allow the pasty material to be engaged in the ejection duct (6; 26; 46; 56).
4. Device for storage and dispensation of measured quantities of a pasty material according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the flat deformable membrane (7; 27; 47; 57; 67) is a pre-cut film whose weakened area is located in the area of the duct (6; 26; 46; 56) and is designed to be torn when subjected to the pressure exerted on the pasty material by crushing the compartment (3; 23; 43; 53; 63), in order to allow the pasty material to be engaged in the ejection duct (6; 26; 46; 56).
5. Device for storage and dispensation of measured quantities of a pasty material according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the deformable membrane (27) whose edges, taken in the longitudinal direction of the duct (26), are arranged in immediate proximity to the peripheral area of the compartment (23), does not form part of the connection between the sheets of formable material (21, 22) and is , consequently, designed to slide between these sheets when subjected to the pressure exerted on the pasty material (24) when the compartment (23) is crushed, thereby taking on the shape of the duct (26), said membrane being attached, by its end opposite the duct (26), to at least the sheet (22) in which the passage (25) is formed, to avoid being carried away by the pasty material.
6. Device for storage and dispensation of measured quantities of a pasty material according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the two formable sheets (1, 2; 21, 22; 61, 62) and the membrane (7; 27; 47; 57; 67) are assembled together in at least the peripheral areas of the compartment (3; 23; 43; 53; 63) and of the duct (6; 26; 46; 56), which correspond, in the two formable sheets (1, 2; 21, 22; 61, 62) to non-deformed areas.
7. Device for storage and dispensation of measured quantities of a pasty material according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the membrane (27) is, moreover, attached, in the area of the duct (26), to the sheet (21) in which the compartment (23) is formed, by means of a light adhesive, so as to form, at that spot, a point of attachment (29) that can easily be broken.
8. Process for the manufacture of a device for storage and dispensation of measured quantities of a pasty material, characterized in that said process consists of the following steps: forming compartments (3; 23; 63) in a first sheet (1; 21; 61) of formable material and, correspondingly, creating passages (5; 25; 65) in a second sheet (2; 22; 62) of formable material; filling the compartments (3; 23; 63) with measured quantities of a pasty material (4; 24; 64); arranging a deformable membrane (7; 27; 67) at least partially on the compartments (3; 23; 63); juxtaposing, by means of their faces extending away from the deformation, the first (1; 21; 61) and second (2, 22, 62) sheets of thermoformable material in such a way that the passages (5; 25; 65) are positioned in relation to the compartments (3; 23; 63) so as to form ducts (6; 26) terminating in said compartments (3; 23; 63) at the place of the deformable membrane (7; 27; 67); and attaching the two sheets (1, 2; 21, 22; 61, 62) of thermoformable material together in at least the peripheral area of each compartment (3; 23; 63).
9. Process for the manufacture of a device for storage and dispensation of measured quantities of a pasty material according to claim 8, characterized in that said process comprises the following steps:

   - heat-forming compartments (63) and passages (65), respectively, in the longitudinal dimension of the two halves (61, 62) of a continuously-fed sheet (60) of a thermoformable material;

   - filling, in a continuous operation, the compartments (63) with measured quantities (64) of a pasty material;

   - covering, in a continuous operation, the compartments (63) with a film (67) of deformable material;

   - folding, in a continuous operation, the half (62) of the sheet incorporating the passages (65) over the half (61) of the sheet incorporating the compartments (66), so as to form ducts sealed by the film (67) of deformable material at the point where they end in the compartments (63);

   - fusing, in a continuous operation, the two superposed halves (61, 62) of the thermoformable sheet, both together and with the film (67) of deformable material, in at least the peripheral areas of the compartments (63) and of the ducts; and

   - cutting out, in a continuous operation, the product obtained, so as to form sets of measured quantities and, where the operation proves necessary (70), opening the ends of the passages (65) remote from the compartments (63).

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