EP2030910A1 - Blister belt for medical and/or pharmaceutical and/or dietary supplement products - Google Patents

Abstract

The blister belt (10) has a rollable product carrier separable into individual blister sections. The product carrier exhibits individual cavities (14) provided one after another in a conveying direction for accommodating individualized medical, pharmaceutical and/or food supplement product (11) e.g. tablet, where the cavities define a partition (T) of the blister belt. A foil-like covering (15) closes the cavities in such a manner that each product is arranged within the respective cavity in a closed manner, where each cavity exhibits a receiving space (23) that is molded in two-stage.

Description

The invention relates to a blister strip for receiving medical and / or pharmaceutical and / or food-supplementing products, comprising a rollable, divisible into individual blister sections product carrier, the one-lane product carrier in its conveying direction F successively individual the division T of the blister strip defining nests for receiving isolated Products, as well as a foil-like cover for closing the nests, such that each product is arranged sealed within a nest.

Such blister belts are used in particular in the production of patient-specific packaging. Such packaging can be made manually or automatically. In this case, sections of a single product or a plurality of products are unrolled from individual rolled-up blister straps, which are preferably each equipped with a product type, separated from the blister strip and positioned on a substrate and, if necessary, e.g. attached by gluing or the like. Typically, the blister strip is sandwiched between the substrate and a lid member. The lid member has openings through which the nests at least partially protrude. The substrate is provided with perforations in the region of the products, so that the products are pushed through the foil-like cover of the blister strip and through the partially weakened material of the substrate during removal of the products by applying pressure to the nests.

Known blister belts are individually designed for each product or product type. Thus, the blister straps and, in particular, the blister sections carrying the nests for the products also differ from product type to product type Geometries and depending on the product geometry on an individual nest size. Specifically, for example, the nests of tablets differ from those of oblongs or of capsules in shape and size. Correspondingly, the product blister sections of different blister belts also have different lengths and / or widths. By way of example, this means that a blister strip for product A has nests adapted to the product A, while a blister strip for product B having a geometry other than product A has nests adapted to product B, eg the blister sections of the blister belt carrying the products A are longer than the blister portions of the blister belt carrying the products B. Furthermore, the nests typically have a single, one-tiered containment space for each product. This means that the nest or the receiving space is designed exclusively product-specific and individualized. In other words, the size of the opening for expressing the product from the nest corresponds to the size of the product.

The blister belts known hitherto are disadvantageous for various reasons, both in the case of preferably automatic placement on a substrate and when expressing from the nest. Due to the different geometries of blister straps or blister sections, automated assembly is only possible with considerable measurement and control effort. In other words, the placement head of a placement machine must each control individual pick-up positions for the blister sections separated from the blister strip. This leads to an increased placement time and to an increase in the number of assembly errors, which is to be avoided especially in the production of patient-specific packaging. Furthermore, the different geometries of the nests necessitate a corresponding adaptation, in particular of the cover elements. More specifically, individual nest sizes require individual apertures in the lid members, resulting in an increased number of lid member formats. In addition to the additional costs for the different cover elements, there is also a logistical problem, namely to stock the different cover element formats in the field of placement machines. Another problem with product-specific, individualized nest sizes is that small products are assigned to a small nest are. Due to the small pressing surface, this results in an increased force required when expressing the products from the nest, which can not be applied by all users / patients. Also, by the fact that the products in the known nests correspond to the size of the opening, the expression is made more difficult because the cover closing the nests has a large tension or holding force which has to be overcome. This tension or holding force is greater, the smaller the spanned cross-section or the spanned opening.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a blister strip, which ensures improved handling in the production of packaging on the one hand and "operating" on the other hand.

The object is achieved on the one hand by an embodiment according to the invention, which is characterized in that each nest has an at least two-stage shaped receiving space. This embodiment ensures in a surprisingly simple manner that a standardization of the nests is achieved, which leads on the one hand to improved handling in the production of packaging and on the other to improved handling in the "operation", ie the actual expressions of the products ,

Advantageously, each nest is formed in multiple stages, wherein the nest is formed of a product geometry independent depression and a product geometry dependent depression. Multi-stage may mean that each nest may preferably have two different wells, but also three or more wells. The recesses are not next to each other but virtually arranged inside each other, wherein the recesses are starting gradually smaller in size, starting from the cover in a cross-section extending parallel to the cover. As a result of the construction according to the invention, the advantages of a product-specific and centered reception of the products on the one hand and standardization for simplified production can be effectively combined. Product-dependent geometry of the recess means in this context that the corresponding recess in their dimensions substantially the outer dimensions of the Products correspond, so that the products are almost closely enclosed by the depression. Product-independent geometry of the depression in this context means that the corresponding depression deviates in dimensions from the dimensions of the product received within the nest. It goes without saying that the depressions, which are independent of the product geometry, can also be somewhat product-dependent in their basic form. For example, the product-independent cavity for an oblong is elongated, while a product-independent cavity for a tablet is round shaped.

A further preferred embodiment provides that the product-independent depression in its parallel to the cover cross-section is greater than the product-dependent depression, so that the expressions and thus the handling is simplified.

An expedient development is characterized in that the depth of the product-independent depression, starting from the cover, is less than the minimum thickness / height of the product located within the nest. The minimum thickness / height makes sense to refer to the outer contour of the product. This effectively prevents the products from getting into the space between the step or the shoulder and the cover.

On the other hand, this object is also achieved by a blister strip of the type mentioned above in that the ratio of the pitch T of the blister strip to the width B of the blister strip is fixed. This standardization is achieved, which facilitates the automatic loading much easier. In particular, any arrangement of blister sections with different products on a substrate is possible. In other words, the blister sections can be arranged longitudinally and / or transversely on the substrate, so that a single standardized cover element can be used to produce a packaging. The formation of the fixed ratio of pitch to width of the blister strip can independently solve the task independently of the formation of the nest. In other words, the combination of the features of the preamble of claim 1 with the feature that the Ratio of the pitch T of the blister strip to the width B of the blister strip is fixed, improve the handling in the production and in the operation.

An expedient development of the invention is characterized in that the distance A from center nest to center nest corresponds to the pitch T, whereby the above-mentioned advantages are particularly easy to achieve.

Advantageously, the geometric dimensions of the blister strip or blister sections are product-independent, so that in the production of packaging from multiple blister belts with different products, a common standard exists that greatly simplifies production. Regardless of the product or the product geometry, a defined pick-up position can be reached, so that the measurement or control effort is avoided or greatly reduced.

Preferably, each nest is assigned a positioning aid, wherein the position of the positioning aid is fixed to the nest. The positioning aid can be used to improve the positioning and control of the blister straps or blister sections, for example, on placement machines or the like.

In another preferred embodiment, each nest or each blister section is assigned an encoding. This coding enables the "nest-by-nest" identification of the products contained in the nests, thus preventing mishandling.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf einen einbahnigen Blistergurt,

Fig. 2

eine Schnittdarstellung entlang des Schnitts II-II gemäß Figur 1,

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Blistergurts,

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Blistergurts,

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf ein mit mehreren Blisterabschnitten bestücktes Substrat.

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen mehrstufigen Nests im Schnitt mit einer Tablette,

Fig. 7

eine Seitenansicht eines weiteres Nests im Schnitt mit einem Oblong,

Fig. 8

eine Vorderansicht des Nests gemäß Figur 7,

Fig. 9

eine Seitenansicht eines weiteren Nests im Schnitt mit einer Kapsel,

Fig. 10

eine Vorderansicht des Nests gemäß Figur 9,

Fig. 11

eine Seitenansicht auf die von der Produktgeometrie unabhängigen Vertiefung,

Fig. 12

eine Draufsicht auf die Vertiefung gemäß Figur 11,

Fig. 13

eine Seitenansicht eines Blisterabschnitts mit drei mehrstufig ausgebildeten Nestern im Schnitt, und

Fig. 14

eine Draufsicht auf den Blisterabschnitt gemäß Figur 13.

Further expedient or advantageous features and developments emerge from the subclaims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a plan view of a single-track blister strip,

Fig. 2

a sectional view along the section II-II according to FIG. 1 .

Fig. 3

a plan view of another embodiment of a blister,

Fig. 4

a plan view of another embodiment of a blister,

Fig. 5

a plan view of a stocked with multiple blister sections substrate.

Fig. 6

a side view of a multi-stage nest according to the invention in section with a tablet,

Fig. 7

a side view of another nest in section with an oblong,

Fig. 8

a front view of the nest according to FIG. 7 .

Fig. 9

a side view of another nest in section with a capsule,

Fig. 10

a front view of the nest according to FIG. 9 .

Fig. 11

a side view on the independent of the product geometry well,

Fig. 12

a plan view of the recess according to FIG. 11 .

Fig. 13

a side view of a Blisterabschnitts with three multi-level nests in section, and

Fig. 14

a plan view of the Blisterabschnitt according to FIG. 13 ,

The invention relates to different variants of blister straps, which are particularly suitable to be assembled into a patient-specific packaging.

An inventive blister strip 10, as in FIG. 1 is shown, serves to receive medical and / or pharmaceutical and / or food supplementing products 11. The products may be formed as tablets, oblongs, capsules or in other conventional dosage form. The blister straps 10, which are basically formed in one lane, comprise a roll-up product carrier 12, which is divisible into individual blister sections 13. In the conveying direction F of the blister strip 10 or the product carrier 12, wherein the conveying direction F relates in particular to the unrolling in a preferably automated assembly, the product carrier 12 in succession individual nests 14, which serve to receive isolated products 11. The nests 14 or their distances from one another, which define the pitch T of the blister strip 10, are closed with a film-like cover 15, so that each individual product within the nest 14 is completely shielded from the environment.

Each blister strip 10, regardless of the type of filling or the products 11 assigned to the nests 14, has a pitch T whose ratio to the width B of the blister strip 10 is fixed. Preferably, a blister portion 13 is formed rectangular. The length L of a Blisterabschnitts13, so the lateral edge length of a product 11 carrying Blisterabschnitts 13, in the conveying direction F is usually longer than the width B of the blister strip 10. Of course, a Blisterabschnitt 13 also have other shapes. For example, the pitch T may correspond to the width B of the blister strip 10, so that the blister sections 13 are square-shaped. In other words, the distance A from center nest to center nest then corresponds to the width B of the blister strip 10. In the case of a square formation of blister sections 13, the lateral edge length of a blister section 13 corresponds to the width B of the blister strip 10.

The geometric dimensions of the blister strip 10 and the individual blister sections 13 are product-independent. In other words, the blister strips 10 or blister sections 13 have common, standardized dimensions for all different products 11. Each blister section 13 has exactly one nest 14 formed to receive a single product 11. Of course, a plurality of blister sections 13 connected to a blister section strand can also be separated from the blister strip 10. The nests 14 are aligned centrally on each or each blister section 13. This means that the center of a nest 14 lies above or at the center of a blister section 13. The size of the nest 14 is variable. The lateral edge length of a For example, blister section 13 may also correspond to the pitch T, while the width B is smaller with respect to the pitch T or the edge length. It is important, however, that the pitch T to the width B is in a fixed ratio.

Again FIG. 2 can be seen, the nest 14 may be formed in a conventional manner in one stage. In other words, the nest 14 forms a step-free receiving space 16 for the product 11. The nest 14 can assume different shapes on the side facing away from the cover 15. Preferably, a flattened, planar training as a so-called standard plateau, which is the simplified coupling, so the safe placement of suction nozzles or other suitable placement heads on the nest 14 is used. Optionally, a positioning aid may be formed between the nests 14 in the conveying direction F of the blister strip 10, which in the present example is a hole 17. The training and the position of the positioning aid can of course vary. Namely, other particularly visually recognizable or readable markings or markings come into question as a positioning aid. Preferably, however, the hole 17 is always arranged in a defined and constant position relative to the nest 14 with respect to the width B of the blister strip 10. The hole may be arranged centrally, for example, based on the width B of the blister strip 10. Furthermore, a perforation 18 or the like can run between adjacent blister sections 13 transversely to the conveying direction F. The perforation 18 may be formed by material weakening, for example by hole perforation, material reduction, etc. Preferably, the perforation 18 extends over the entire width B of the blister strip 10, but may also extend only partially across the width B. In the embodiment shown, the perforation 18 extends through the hole 17.

Laterally in the conveying direction F, the blister strip 10 can optionally be formed perforation-free, as in the FIGS. 1 and 3 represented, or with a perforation 19, as in FIG. 4 represented provided. The perforation 19 may be formed on one side or on both sides and serves the guided transport of the blister straps 10, for example, in placement machines. The perforation 18 for separating individual Blisterabschnitte 13 from each other, for example by means of a theoretical cutting section with a blade can, like the FIG. 3 also be designed as a perforation 20. By a double cut or a cut with a double knife when separating the Blister sections 13 each blister section 13 shortened by a small amount in its length L, whereby an optimized and non-overlapping placement of blister sections 13 on a substrate 21 or the like can be achieved. Again FIG. 5 can be seen, various Blisterabschnitte 13 or blister section strands 22 formed therefrom with different products 11 in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction may be placed on the substrate 21. Due to the constant and / or identical pitch and width ratios of all blister sections 13, all nests 14 with the most diverse products 11 are located at defined and standardized positions, such that despite the different products 11, a uniform format for a cover element (not shown) can be used , The possibility of nesting in the longitudinal and transverse directions ensures a space-saving arrangement of the blister section strands 22 on the substrate 21. This nesting is ensured both with square and with rectangular or otherwise shaped blister sections 13 or corresponding blister section strands 22.

The inventive design of the nests 14 itself is based on the FIGS. 6 to 12 , which show different nests 14 in different scales, explained in more detail. Each nest 14 may have an at least two-stage shaped receiving space 23. Preferably, each nest 14 is multi-level, namely in particular formed in two stages. This means that the product carrier 12 in the region of each nest has 14 wells of different dimensions. In the preferred embodiment, nest 14 is formed of a product geometry independent well 24 and a product geometry dependent well 25.

The recess 25, which is adapted to the product geometry, is arranged, starting from the cover 15, behind the recess 24, which depends on the product geometry. In this case, the cross-section of the product-independent recess 24 in its parallel to the cover 15 extending cross section is greater than the product-dependent recess 25. In other words, the recess 24 in its cross-section, which is parallel to the plane spanned by the cover 15 plane E, greater than that accordingly extending cross-section of the recess 25. Within the recess 25, which has product-specific dimensions, the product 11 is centered with respect to held the nest 14, so that the pressure exerted during the expression of the products 11 pressure acts directly on the product 11. The recess 24, which determines the size of the opening in an associated cover element (not shown) of a package, is the same for all products 11.

The depth of the product-independent depression 24 is less than the minimum thickness of the product 11 located in the nest 11, starting from the cover. In this case, the thickness of the product 11 in its edge region is particularly important. As a preferred value, the depth of the recess 24 is two millimeters. Of course, other values are possible larger and less than two millimeters. In the plan view, the recess 24 has a substantially oval shape, although other shapes, e.g. Circles, rectangles, parallelograms etc. are possible.

Each nest 14 is optionally a positioning aid (see FIG. 14 ), wherein the position of the positioning aid, which may be formed by way of example as a punch hole 26, with respect to the position of the nest 14 is fixed. As a positioning aid but also other in particular visually recognizable or readable markings or markings come into question. In addition to the positioning aid, each nest 14 or each blister section 13 can be assigned an encoding 27. The coding includes information about the corresponding nest 14 and the product 11 therein. Furthermore, the blister strip 10 may also have a superordinate, central (not shown) coding which contains information on the blister strip 10 itself (for example, date of manufacture, etc.).

The two different embodiments concerning the formation of the blister strip 10 with a fixed and equal ratio of pitch T to width B of the blister strip 10 on the one hand and the formation of the nest 14 with a multi-level receiving space 23 on the other hand can be performed independently or in combination with each other.

The method principle for producing a blister strip 10 according to the invention and a packaging formed from individual blister sections 13 or blister section strands 22 are described in more detail below:

On a thermoforming machine or the like, a so-called bottom sheet, which constitutes the product carrier 12, is unwound from an endless roll and fed to a thermoforming station consisting essentially of a preheater, a blowing head and a thermoforming mold. The respective nest 14 is e.g. formed by compressed air. The formation of the nest 14 can also be carried out at least partially by a stamp or the like. For the multi-stage nest 14, therefore, successively or simultaneously several of the forming steps are necessary.

When the blister strip 10 or the base film formed for the product carrier 12 is produced, the nests 14 are filled with products 11, wherein the nests 14 of a blister strip 10 are respectively filled with identical products 11. However, different products 11 can also be filled into a blister strip 10. Basically, each nest 14 is filled with only one product 11. The filling may optionally be checked by inspection systems or the like. Also, a preferably manual refilling of empty nests 14 can take place. Subsequently, the filled and controlled blister strip 10 is closed or sealed with the film-like cover 15, namely a cover film. Furthermore, a punching station or the like is provided. After the formation and sealing of the nest 14, which can also be referred to as a yard, a punched hole 26 is introduced into the bottom foil / cover foil in the region of each nest 14 as a positioning aid. Subsequent to the application of the cover film, a perforation 18 can take place transversely to the conveying direction F of the blister strip 10. As a result, a targeted separation of individual blister sections 13 from the blister strip 10 is simplified.

Subsequently, an encoding 27 is applied in the region of each nest 14, which allows the identification of the contents of the nest 14. For example, a 2D matrix code is lasered into the bottom film from the base film side. Of course, other methods of application and other means of identification are possible.

The described production can also be carried out in parallel for a plurality of interconnected blister straps 10, whereby according to the method steps described a separation takes place in the longitudinal direction of the blister straps 10. In other words, one can several, for example, five tracks existing track in five individual Blistergurte 10 are shared. After separation into individual blister straps 10, the side edges can be trimmed so that blister straps 10 of the same width are formed.

Claims (25)

Blister belt (10) for receiving medical and / or pharmaceutical and / or food supplementing products (11), comprising a rollable, in individual blister sections (13) divisible product carrier (12), wherein the one-lane product carrier (12) in its conveying direction F one behind the other individual nest (14) defining the pitch T of the blister strip (10) for receiving isolated products (11), and a foil-like cover (15) for closing the nest (14) such that each product (11) within a nest ( 14) is arranged closed, characterized in that each nest (14) has an at least two-stage shaped receiving space (23). Blister strip according to claim 1, characterized in that each nest (14) is formed in several stages, wherein the nest (14) of a product geometry independent of the recess (24) and a product geometry dependent recess (25) is formed. Blister strip according to claim 2, characterized in that the recess (25) adapted to the product geometry is arranged starting from the cover (15) behind the recess (24) independent of the product geometry. Blister strip according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the product-independent recess (24) in its parallel to the cover (15) extending cross section is larger than the product-dependent recess (25). Blister strip according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the depth of the product-independent depression (24) starting from the cover (15) is less than the minimum thickness of the product (11) located inside the nest (14). Blister strip according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ratio of the pitch T of the blister strip (10) to the width B of the blister strip (10) is fixed. Blister strip according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pitch T of the blister strip (10) corresponds to the width B of the blister strip (10). Blister strip according to claim 7, characterized in that in the conveying direction F lateral edge lengths of a product (11) carrying blister portion (13) of the width B of the blister strip (10) correspond. Blister strip according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the geometric dimensions of the blister strip (10) or blister sections (13) are product-independent. Blister strip according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each blister section (13) has exactly one single nest (14) which is designed to receive a single product (11). Blister strip according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each nest (14) is arranged centrally on or in its blister section (13). Blister strip according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the distance A from the center of the nest (14) to the center of the nest (14) corresponds to the pitch T. Blister strip according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that each nest (14) is associated with a positioning aid, wherein the position of the positioning aid to the nest (14) is fixed. Blister strip according to claim 13, characterized in that the positioning aid is a punched hole (26). Blister strip according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that in the conveying direction F of the blister strip (10) between two nests (14) each have a positioning aid is formed. Blister strip according to claim 15, characterized in that the positioning aid is a hole (17). Blister strip according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the positioning aid or the hole (17) relative to the width B of the blister strip (10) is arranged in a defined and constant position relative to the nest (14). Blister strip according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that each nest (14) or each blister section (13) is associated with a coding (27). Blister strip according to claim 18, characterized in that the coding (27) is designed as optically and / or electronically detectable field. Blister strip according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the blister strip (10) is associated with a higher-level, central coding. Blister strip according to one of Claims 1 to 20, characterized in that a perforation (18), a perforation region (20) or the like extends transversely to the conveying direction F between adjacent blister sections (13). Blister strip according to claim 21, characterized in that the perforation (18) or the perforation region (20) extends over the entire width B. Blister strip according to one of Claims 15 to 22, characterized in that the perforation (18) or the perforation region (20) runs through the positioning aid. Blister strip according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the blister strip (10) is designed to be perforation-free laterally in the conveying direction F. Blister strip according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the blister strip (10) has a perforation (19) in the conveying direction F on at least one side.

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