EP2113236A1 - Lid and/or seal foil for an item of packaging and method for determining the opening state of an item of packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

The foil has an electrical frequency generator unit (44) designed for co-operation with an antenna (26) formed on the foil by an antenna strip conductor such that the antenna or an associated electrical capacitance causes electrical energy to be supplied to the frequency generator. Electroconductive property of the foil influences an oscillation frequency of the frequency generator unit arranged on the foil. The frequency generator unit modulates an antenna signal of the antenna by the oscillation frequency. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for determining an opening state of a pack (2) a system for determining an opening state of a pack.

Description

The present invention relates to a lid and / or closure film for a packaging, in particular a blister packaging, according to the preamble of the main claim. The invention further relates to a method for determining the opening state of a closed by a lid and / or closure film packaging, the use of a lid and / or closure film and a system for determining the opening state of a sealed by a lid and / or closure film packaging.

Such a generic cover and / or closure film is generally known from the prior art, for example in the form of a medication blister packaging, in which the closure film carries an electrical conductor, which is associated with a Füllgutkammer that during the (manual) access on the drug in the Füllgutkammer the electrically conductive path is destroyed and can be determined by electronic evaluation of the conduction behavior of the conductor track, whether the Füllgutkammer has been opened. The EP 0 972 507 A1 discloses such a known lid or closure film, wherein a plurality of Füllgutkammern and, accordingly, a more complex interconnect structure is described, which is evaluated electronically with respect to a total ohmic resistance; According to this prior art disclosure, the local rupture results in an interruption of a respective (resistive) trace with a corresponding effect on the (electronically evaluated) total resistance of the interconnect arrangement.

From the further prior art, various approaches are known to evaluate or further process the opening signal available in the manner described above; For example, it is known in the pharmaceutical industry that suitable e.g. At the edge contactable strip conductors of a generic cover film are connected to a so-called datalogger, which any change in the line properties, so for example. applied total resistance, recorded, if necessary provided with a time stamp and thus offers the possibility to monitor access or removal times of the packaging in question. It is also known in this connection to use a (typically directly contacted) evaluation system in order to indicate, in the manner of a warning, access that has not been reached (that is, for instance, if there is no detected opening).

Furthermore, it is known from an applicant's own, unpublished state of the art to provide on or on the cover or closure film wirelessly effective evaluation means, such as by means of common RFID technology, so that in response to the change in the line property a (typically) digital evaluation and Implementation takes place in a detection signal, which is processed in an otherwise known manner in the context of RFID data protocols and transmitted wirelessly for further external processing. However, here is the production cost, especially for each so to be equipped packaging or lidding film, very high, in addition to the fact that complex integrated electronic components are necessary.

The object of the present invention is therefore to simplify a cover and / or closure film for packaging, in particular blister packaging, according to the preamble of the main claim with regard to the hardware outlay on the film, at the same time wireless transmission or interrogation of a To enable opening state signal and to provide a device which is operable with low electrical energy consumption. Further, a new use for such a lidding film as well as a sealed package is to be provided, and it is an improved method for detecting and wirelessly transmitting the opening state of a closed with a lid and / or closure film packaging, which high Operational reliability with low energy consumption and ease of manufacture and manageability combines.

The object is achieved by the lid and / or closure film having the features of the main claim, the use according to independent claim 12, the method according to independent claim 14 and the system according to independent claim 16. Advantageous developments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

In an advantageous manner according to the invention, a frequency generator unit whose oscillation frequency is directly influenced by the electrical conductivity property of the film or a film section (ie ohmic resistance and / or electrical capacitance) is formed on the cover or closure film, wherein, in particular in one Use for blister packs and / or in a plurality of Füllgutkammern, the electrical conductivity property in an access to a respective one of the Füllgutkammern (by the tearing or tearing) is changed. In the context of the invention, the electrical frequency generator unit is supplied with energy by the antenna (or more precisely by an electromagnetic alternating signal coupled into the antenna) or by an electrical capacitance assigned to the antenna and modulates the antenna signal radiated wirelessly by the antenna with the oscillation frequency.

Thus, it is suitable and particularly preferably possible to provide the films themselves without battery or other autonomous electrical power supply; Rather, the operating voltage supply takes place only by externally and wirelessly supplied energy, which may be buffered by the associated electrical capacity, which can also be realized by a suitable capacitive portion on the film further education.

The modulation according to the invention of the antenna signal (or of the resonant circuit realized by means of the antenna) is carried out according to training by periodic or temporary short-circuiting of this resonant circuit, wherein the vibration frequency signal of the frequency generator unit drives a correspondingly assigned electronic switching element suitable for short-circuiting in the implementation according to the invention.

In the context of the invention, it is provided, on the one hand, a change in an ohmic resistance (or in the case of multiple product chambers of an ohmic parallel resistance). Additionally or alternatively, it is within the scope of the invention to provide the film capacitively or with capacitively acting sections (capacitor sections), which in view of the invention, are evaluated in accordance with the Füllgutkammer associated individual resistors (or respective resistive line sections of the film) with respect to the opening state be evaluated to a total capacity (as a parallel circuit) and, depending on the local opening state of individual Füllgutkammern, can be monitored for changes or deviations in terms of their influence on the total capacity.

In particular, the provision of capacitor sections is made possible according to training and in the context of preferred embodiments (best mode) of the invention in that large-area or local capacitor structures are realized consisting of an electrode layer pair with an intermediate dielectric layer, wherein, depending on the configuration, suitable interconnect leads on the film cause the (typically parallel) overall circuit.

It is both encompassed by the present invention, the preferably provided, a respective Füllgutkammer associated capacitively effective portion directly for covering or closing the Füllgutkammer and evaluate its capacity change for opening condition detection, as well as a supply line to such a capacity for opening condition detection to separate or so that then the relevant capacitive section no longer contributes to the formation of the total capacity (through parallel connection). It is also advantageous in this case to provide a simple printed conductor structure on or in the cover or closure film, which electrically switches a plurality of capacitively active sections assigned to the respective product chambers (and thus adds them with regard to their total capacity).

An essential advantage of the present invention is that - while avoiding a standardized, integrated RFID chip - the electronic components can be realized by printed or printable manufacturing process. The simple procedure according to the invention for the generation of oscillations and their modulation thus far pursues an intended departure from (comparatively complex) RFID protocols, which would require corresponding integrated circuits in the case of conventional implementation; In contrast, the present invention provides a significant topological simplification, which is reflected accordingly in drastically reduced manufacturing costs while avoiding complex integrated device and thus implemented protocols.

In addition, the implementation of the present invention provides numerous additional advantages in terms of process technology; Thus, according to preferred further developments, on the one hand, with regard to mass production, it is advantageous to apply at least one layer that realizes an electrode by vapor deposition, laminating or other application methods of a metal to a substrate (which in turn can also serve as a dielectric); Additionally or alternatively, a conductor layer by painting with (corresponding conductive paint), by applying a conductive polymer or the like. Can be realized, as well as the dielectric layer by means of about an insulating resist layer or by chemical treatment of an adjacent electrode layer (eg by oxidation of a Surface of the same) can be generated. In particular, the latter variant also offers the advantage that in process technology elegant, at the same time electrotechnically optimized way, for example by etching or the like. chemical or electrochemical measures an effective surface enlargement of a (serving as the first electrode) metal layer is performed, a subsequent oxidation of this surface-magnified metal layer (eg as aluminum layer to alumina) the correspondingly large-area dielectric layer is generated and subsequent vapor deposition of the dielectric layer with conductive material provides the counter electrode , In this way, it is then possible to produce a large effective capacity area on an optimized film surface, which, moreover, promises especially industrially favorable manufacturability. The same applies to the manufacturability of ohmic resistance regions.

In terms of process technology, it is also particularly possible within the scope of the invention to realize the comparatively simple circuit arrangement cost-effectively with little effort, without the need for integrated circuits through printed conductor tracks; The technology according to the invention thus makes it possible to use printing technology suitable for mass production in a much more favorable manner than the prior art used. In particular, it is therefore further development of the invention to realize the frequency generator unit according to the invention only by means of discrete electronic components and preferably without integrated semiconductor components, in particular silicon-based integrated semiconductor components.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is also, by means of ohmic resistance ranges and / or capacitor areas (sections) on the film coding sections provide such that, depending on the inclusion of these sections in the frequency generator unit, a presetting of vibration frequencies or vibration frequency ranges can be done, so that in particular an individual adaptation of a more general basic design to different conditions of use or labeling requirements.

It is also within the scope of the invention to provide a method for determining the opening state of a packaging, in particular blister packaging, closed by means of a cover and / or closure film, wherein the invention also particularly relates to the operation of the above-described inventive lid and / or closure film includes with the purpose of opening state detection of a respective Füllgutkammer. In the context of the present disclosure, in particular, all disclosed process features in connection with the cover and / or closure film should also be considered as belonging to the method invention.

Finally, it is within the scope of the invention to provide the lid and / or closure film according to the invention together with a (wirelessly connected) detection unit, which is designed in particular to detect a (an opening state or a change of the same) representing the oscillation frequency or their change and others To make evaluation accessible. Such, even stationary or mobile unit to be established then offers in cooperation with the lid and / or closure film of the invention (or a package provided therewith) various possibilities of opening state detection or also a logistical processing and monitoring, wherein within the scope of developments of the invention, in particular also time sequences of an opening state change and / or a multiplicity of (possibly by means of their oscillation frequency suitably encoded or preset) packaging units can be treated.

The present invention is due to their high mass production capability (ease of manufacture and low hardware cost) for any packaging applications, the invention proves to be particularly in connection with blister packaging particularly favorable. Also, in principle, the range of applications of such cover or closure films and thus sealed packaging arbitrary, but in particular the use in the field of drugs or other pharmaceutical products is likely, not least because of the advantageous logistics and monitoring properties by means of the present invention, as being particularly prove suitable.

As a result, a way is provided by the present invention in a surprisingly simple and elegant way, reliably and precisely evaluable opening state detection for a variety of to be sealed with the lid and / or sealing foil Füllgutkammern to create lower packaging hardware expense with high mass production suitability , great reliability and the most flexible applications can be connected.

Fig. 1:

ein schematisches Schaltbild der technischen Funktionalität der Deckel- und/oder Verschlussfolie gemäß einer ersten bevorzugten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 2:

ein schematisches Schaltbild einer exemplarisch zur Realisierung der Frequenzgeneratoreinheit der Fig. 1 verwendeten Oszillatorschaltung;

Fig. 3:

eine Draufsicht auf das Folienlayout einer mittels der Deckel- bzw. Verschlussfolie im Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 1 verschlossenen Blisterverpackung;

Fig. 4, Fig. 5:

Schnittansichten des Schichtaufbaus der Folie gemäß Fig. 3 und

Fig. 6:

ein Schaltbild der im Folienlayout der Fig. 3 bis 5 realisierten Parallelschaltung von jeweils Füllgutkammern zugeordneten Kondensatorabschnitten.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings; these show in:

Fig. 1:

a schematic diagram of the technical functionality of the lid and / or closure film according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2:

a schematic diagram of an exemplary of the realization of the frequency generator unit of Fig. 1 used oscillator circuit;

3:

a plan view of the film layout one by means of the lid or closure film in the embodiment of Fig. 1 sealed blister pack;

4, 5:

Sectional views of the layer structure of the film according to Fig. 3 and

Fig. 6:

a circuit diagram of the in the film layout of Fig. 3 to 5 realized parallel connection of each Füllgutkammern associated capacitor sections.

The Fig. 1 illustrates as a schematic diagram of the basic (signal) operation of a lid and / or closure film according to a first embodiment of the present invention: A schematically shown as a coil and realized by means of printed conductors Antenna 26, with a capacitor C1 connected in parallel with it, forms an LC circuit which is tuned to a suitable carrier frequency (eg 13.56 MHz). Parallel to this resonant circuit, a field effect transistor 40 is connected as a switching unit, which receives its gate signal via a clock line 42 from a frequency generator unit 44, which will be explained in detail below. As the Fig. 1 illustrates, is the antenna 26 and a there coupled external signal via a rectifier diode 46 and a buffer capacitor C2 as a power supply to the frequency generator unit 44 at.

The Fig. 2 illustrates an example of a (largely generic) oscillator unit, realized as a bistable multivibrator, a possible implementation of the frequency generator unit 44: Two arranged in the manner shown (and typically realized as an integrated circuit) transistors T1, T2 are for generating a rectangular output signal OUT to the control line 42, wherein the capacitors C3 and C4 and the resistors R3 and R4 determine or influence the frequency of the oscillator output signal (oscillation frequency). The terminals 50 and 52 (see also the Fig. 1 ) supply operating voltage or ground.

In the diagram of the Fig. 2 the electronic components are each provided with typical parameters or types, wherein, in the example shown, the capacitor C3 is realized by a parallel circuit of (realized by means of capacitive portions of the lid or closure film) single capacitors (capacitances), and wherein, depending on Opening state of the associated product chambers, individual capacities contribute to the total capacity C3 or, in the case of an open condition, be disregarded.

For further explanation, with reference to the FIGS. 3 to 6 explained below how on the lid or closure film according to the embodiment shown, the total capacity C3 is formed and changes at an opening access to a Füllgutkammer.

The Fig. 3 shows in plan view how a cover sheet 10 is provided for closing a total of eight Füllgutkammern 12 in the manner of an otherwise known blister carrier unit. The itself from an insulating material, eg. As a plastic film, realized film 10 carries on a portion of an aluminum foil 22, which in turn is coated with a lacquer insulating. The aluminum foil 22 thus forms a first, large-area electrode of the device as a counterelectrode for eight second electrode sections 14 assigned to the respective product chambers 12 and is contacted via a first supply line 16. The respective second electrodes (electrode surfaces) 14 are as shown in FIG Fig. 1 shown in a U-shape of a second lead 18 and each contacted by meandering conductor pieces 20, so that in the in Fig. 6 shown a parallel connection of the individual capacitances C ₁₄ corresponding to a respective formed by an electrode surface 14 opposite the (coated) aluminum foil 22 capacity arises. Specifically, the second supply line 18, the supply lines 20 and the electrode surfaces 14 are formed as conductive sections (eg realized by means of conductive ink or conductive polymer) on the lacquer coating the coated aluminum foil 22 acting as a dielectric.

In the embodiment shown, each of the surfaces 14 is approximately 2 cm ^{2 in} size, wherein the paint used for the production of the insulating interlayer on the conductor layer 22 (dielectric) is typically applied in a paint thickness of 2 microns and has a dielectric constant ε _r of 3 , This then leads to a capacitance C ₁₄ in the order of about 27 nF, which, depending on the opening state of the Füllgutkammern (in the case of opening the Blisterverpackung the respective lead 20 would be separated) contributes to the two-pole 16, 18 adjacent parallel connection of all capacities or disconnected from it by the separation.

The opening detection unit formed by the units 12 to 22, which represents the two-terminal with respect to the terminals 16 and 18 and, as described, the total capacity C ₃ formed from the addition of the individual capacitances C ₁₄ (see Fig. 2 ) is applied to the in Fig. 1 evaluated and described above.

In use of the device shown, a user now removes the contents contained in a respective chamber 12, eg tablets, by locally cutting or tearing open the cover film 10 in the area of the relevant chamber 12 in an otherwise known manner, with the result that the connecting line piece 20 is severed. This is indicated by the symbolic switch unit in the diagram of the Fig. 6 , the connection to the capacitor in question electrically isolated (open), so that this capacitor no longer contributes to the total capacity C ₃ . Accordingly, the total capacity C ₃ decreases by the contribution of the respective capacity, wherein, in the example described the parallel connection of the capacities, this is done in the manner of a subtraction of the capacitance value.

The thus reduced capacity C ₃ then influences in the above in connection with the Fig. 1 and 2 described manner, the vibration behavior of the frequency generator unit, so that in the manner described an external opening state detection can take place.

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, nor the capacitive opening state detection shown, in particular a (almost any) implementation with other capacitance configurations and / or ohmic resistance configurations is possible.

Claims (16)

Lidding and / or sealing film for a packaging, in particular blister packaging, which is designed to close at least one filling material chamber and to allow an opening access to the filling material chamber by severing and / or tearing open,
wherein the film, in particular in the region of the filling material chamber, has a predetermined electrical conductivity characteristic which can be contacted for electronic evaluation and undergoes an evaluable change in response to the separation or tearing open,
characterized in that
the electric line characteristic affects the oscillation frequency of an electric frequency generator unit (44) formed on the film
and the frequency generator unit is configured to cooperate with an antenna formed on the film by means of an antenna track so that the antenna and / or an associated electrical capacitance effects an electrical power supply to the frequency generator unit and the frequency generator unit at the oscillation frequency performs a modulation of an antenna signal of the antenna. A film according to claim 1, characterized in that no battery or other autonomous electrical power supply is provided on the film. A film according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the modulation by temporary, in particular clocked with the oscillation frequency, shorting a caused with the antenna LC-circuit is effected. A foil according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the conduction characteristic includes a resulting ohmic resistance of a resistance-parallel circuit of ohmic resistance portions associated with a plurality of product wells and electrical in response to the tearing of the resistance-parallel circuit be separated. A film according to claim 4, characterized in that the resistor sections realized by means formed on the film conductor track sections and / or are electrically contacted. A foil according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the conduction characteristic is a resultant electrical capacitance of a capacitor parallel connection of capacitor sections associated with a plurality of product chambers and electrically isolated in response to the tearing of the capacitor parallel circuit. A film according to claim 6, characterized in that a capacitive layer structure of the capacitor sections has an electrically conductive electrode layer and a dielectric layer formed by a coated insulating lacquer layer or by chemical treatment, in particular oxidation, of the electrode layer. A film according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that a capacitively active layer structure of the capacitor sections has a formed on a dielectric layer by coating with electrically conductive paint or an electrically conductive polymer or by applying, in particular vapor deposition or lamination, a metal layer electrode layer. Sheet according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that a capacitive layer structure of the capacitor section at least partially an electrode layer pair whose capacitive metallic surface is increased by a chemical or electrochemical treatment. Sheet according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the ohm's resistance sections and / or the capacitor sections are contacted by an electrical contact and / or conductor track structure formed by means of the film and connected to one another. A film according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by additionally provided on the film ohm 'cal resistance and / or capacitor sections, which are contacted influencing the vibration frequency and can be dekontaktiert controlled for frequency coding of the film. Use of the lid and / or closure film according to any one of claims 1 to 11 for sealing a Blister packaging and for detecting a particular partial opening state of the provided with a plurality of Füllgutkammern blister packaging. Use of the cover and / or closure film according to claim 12, characterized in that the blister packaging is a medicament blister packaging. Method for determining the opening state of a packaging sealed by means of a cover and / or closure film, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 11, in particular blister packaging, characterized by the steps - generating an oscillator signal influenced by a film formed on the frequency generator unit having an ohmic of a resistor and / or an electric capacitance of the foil oscillation frequency; wireless detection of the modulated on a carrier signal oscillation frequency and - Detecting an opening state of the package in response to the detection, in particular in response to a detected change in the oscillation frequency. A film according to claim 14, characterized in that a power supply of the frequency generator means is effected only by a wirelessly coupled into the film electromagnetic alternating signal. System for determining the opening state of a closed by means of a lid and / or closure film packaging, in particular blister packaging, with a lid and / or closure film according to one of claims 1 to 11 having packaging and a wirelessly assigned to the packaging detection unit, the wireless detection of the oscillation frequency and for generating an opening state - detection signal in response to the oscillation frequency, a deviation of the oscillation frequency of a predetermined comparison and / or threshold value and / or a frequency change of the oscillation frequency is formed.

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