EP2197764B9 - Blister belt for receiving medical and/or pharmaceutical and/or food 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 nutritional supplemental 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 with isolated recorded 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 area of the products, so that the products are pushed through the foil-like covering of the blister strip and through the partially weakened material of the substrate during the removal of the products by applying pressure to the nests.

Known blister straps, as they are for example in the US 6,244,442 B1 are individually designed with a single-stage nest for each product or product type. Thus, the blister straps and in particular also the nests formed for receiving the products have different geometries from product to product or from product type to product type depending on the product geometry. Specifically, for example, the nests of tablets differ from those of oblongs or of capsules in shape and size. Accordingly, each also product-carrying blister sections of different blister belts 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, which has a geometry different from product A, has nests adapted to product B, for example 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. From the DE 198 35 940 A1 is also a blister with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known.

From the WO 99/01101 A2 For example, an oval-shaped oval nest for blisters is known which is higher and wider than a product received in it. The nest is multi-stepped with a plurality of circumferential heels to facilitate the ejection of a product from the nest. Due to the large number of circumferential paragraphs, the effect is to ensure that with a continued pressing against the outer surface of the top paragraph of the nest tends to crumple and the subsequent, lower paragraphs are gradually pushed together buckling. The U.S. 4,574,954 deals with a blister strip, which has rhombic nests on average, each of which comprises a single-stage receiving space. In addition to the receiving space accommodating the product, each nest is associated with an ejection yard located behind the receiving space from the cover covering the receiving space.

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 of a placement machine each individual pick-up positions for the of control 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 associated with even a small nest. 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. The expression is further complicated by the fact that the belt material for the blister strip is thicker the smaller the nest is. A further disadvantage of the known blister belts is that there are large free spaces inside the nests which are not filled by the products, so that an insufficient durability of the products as a result of air entrapment can occur.

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

The object is achieved by a blister with the features mentioned in the present invention, that each nest has a two-stage shaped receiving space with a product geometry independent recess and a product geometry dependent depression, the depth D of the product independent depression starting from the cover on the one hand at least 1.2 mm, so that the blister strip along the product-independent depression is mechanically laterally feasible, and on the other hand less than the thickness of the smallest recorded within the nest product, wherein the parallel to the cover extending cross-section of the product-independent depression geometrically designed to accommodate a wide variety of product types and is established by the running parallel to the cover cross-section of the product-independent depression corresponds to a rhombus with rounded corners. This embodiment ensures in a surprisingly simple manner that a standardization of the nests is achieved, which leads to improved automatic handling during the production of packaging and to improved handling during "operation". The handling in the "operation" is facilitated in particular by the present invention achieved double effect of the Ausdrückhilfe. On the one hand, the longer lever on each product during expression ensures lower ejection forces. On the other hand, the formation of the nest and in particular the product-independent depression leads to a dilution of the nest wall, so that the Eindrückwiderstand is lowered. The inventive cross-sectional shape ensures that the filling of the individual nests with products of different product geometries can be achieved with a small number of nest geometries. This reduces the required number of format parts in the production or molding of the nests. The minimum depth of the product-independent recess of 1.2mm ensures that the blister straps are still mechanically manageable. In other words, the side edge of the recess directed vertically to the conveying plane forms a guide means during transportation or during the conveyance of the blister straps, the minimum height of the side edge corresponding to the depth D of the recess causing the blister straps to deflect laterally during transport or during conveyance effectively prevented. The special geometry of the product-independent recess in the shape of the rhombus with rounded corners ensures that a wide variety of products, such as maximum round flat or spherical tablets but also maximum size tablets in oblong or capsule form in a blister strip are bleachable. Another advantage is that the inventive design and arrangement of the product-independent depression leads to space savings in width and length of the blister strip, as a space-optimized alignment of the product-independent depression is guaranteed. You could do that outer edge of the surface of the product-independent depression also with an oval and a centrally superimposed circle describe, with the transitions between the oval and the circular path are smoothed.

A preferred embodiment provides that the product-independent recess in its parallel to the cover cross-section is greater than the product-dependent depression, so that the expressions and thus the handling are simplified. The cross section parallel to the cover in this context means nothing more than the plan view of the recess in the plane of the cover.

An expedient development of the invention is characterized in that the product-independent depression in its parallel to the cover extending cross-sectional geometry for all products is identical. It is thereby achieved that the product-independent depression on the one hand, which is also referred to as a standardized atrium, and the product-dependent depression on the other hand, which is also referred to as product farm, ensure the incorporation of products of different product geometries into a standard blister, so that for all products to be stored, e.g. identical cover elements can be used, whereby the production costs can be reduced. A further advantage of the embodiment according to the invention is that the logistical effort can be reduced since the variety of elements / parts required for production, e.g. common cover elements for all products, is reduced.

A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the depth D of the product-independent depression is at least 1.2 mm and at most 2.5 mm. The maximum depth of the product-independent well ensures that products are within the product-dependent well after filling the nest and do not inadvertently reach the area between the product-independent well and the cover. In other words, the products within the product-dependent depression are quasi fixed by the inventive design or training of the product-independent depression.

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 associated with a first 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 Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Blistergurts,

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Blistergurts,

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf ein mit mehreren Blisterabschnitten bestücktes Substrat,

Fig. 5

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

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht eines weiteren Nests im Schnitt mit einem Oblong,

Fig. 7

eine Vorderansicht des Nests gemäß Figur 6,

Fig. 8

eine Seitenansicht eines weiteren Nests im Schnitt mit einer Kapsel,

Fig. 9

eine Vorderansicht des Nests gemäß Figur 8,

Fig. 10

eine Seitenansicht auf die von der Produktgeometrie unabhängige Vertiefung,

Fig. 11

eine Draufsicht auf die Vertiefung gemäß Figur 10,

Fig. 12

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

Fig. 13

eine Draufsicht auf den Blisterabschnitt gemäß Figur 12.

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 plan view of another embodiment of a blister,

Fig. 3

a plan view of another embodiment of a blister,

Fig. 4

a top view of a stocked with multiple blister sections substrate,

Fig. 5

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

Fig. 6

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

Fig. 7

a front view of the nest according to FIG. 6 .

Fig. 8

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

Fig. 9

a front view of the nest according to FIG. 8 .

Fig. 10

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

Fig. 11

a plan view of the recess according to FIG. 10 .

Fig. 12

a side view of a Blisterabschnitts with three two-stage nests in section, and

Fig. 13

a plan view of the Blisterabschnitt according to FIG. 12 ,

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 for receiving medical and / or pharmaceutical and / or food supplementing products 11. The products 11 may be formed as tablets, oblongs, capsules or in another conventional dosage form. The blister straps 10, which are basically designed as a single web, comprise a roll-up product carrier 12, which usually consists of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a material with comparable properties and can be divided 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 and their distances from one another, which define the pitch T of the blister strip 10, are closed with a film-like cover 15, which are preferably made of aluminum or a material with comparable properties, so that each individual product 11 within the nest 14 opposite the environment is completely shielded.

Each blister strip 10, regardless of the type of filling or of the nests 14 associated products 11, has a pitch T, ie the distance from nest center to nest center on. Preferably, a blister portion 13 is formed rectangular. The length L of a blister section 13, that is to say the lateral edge length of a blister section 13 carrying a product 11, in the conveying direction F is usually longer than the width B of the blister strip 10. Of course, a blister section 13 can also have other shapes. For example, the length L may correspond to the width B of the blister strip 10, so that the blister sections 13 are square-shaped.

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. However, other positions of the nests 14 on the blister portion 13 are also possible.

Optionally, a positioning aid 17 is formed between the nests 14. The positioning aid 17 may be formed between two nests 14 in the conveying direction F of the blister strip 10, wherein the positioning aid 17 in the present Example is a hole. The formation and the position of the positioning aid 17 can of course vary. Namely, other particularly visually recognizable or readable markings or markings come into question as a positioning aid 17. Preferably, however, the hole is always arranged relative to the nest 14 in a defined and constant position relative 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.

Laterally in the conveying direction F, the blister strip 10 can optionally be formed perforation-free, as in the Figures 1 and 2 represented, or with a perforation 19, as in FIG. 3 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. 2 also be designed as a perforation 20. By means of a double cut or a cut with a double blade, when blister sections 13 are separated, each blister section 13 is shortened by a small amount in its length L, whereby an optimized and overlapping-free placement of blister sections 13 on a substrate 21 or the like can be achieved. Again FIG. 4 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 can be used for a cover element (not shown) , 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. These Nesting is ensured with square as well as 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. 5 to 11 , which show different nests 14 in different scales, explained in more detail. Each nest 14 has an exactly two-stage shaped receiving space 23. This means that the product carrier 12 in the region of each nest 14 has two recesses 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 adapted to the product geometry is arranged, starting from the cover 15 spanning a plane E, behind the recess 24 which is independent of the product geometry. In this case, the product-independent recess 24 in its parallel to the cover 15 extending cross-section (ie, in plan view) is greater than the product-dependent recess 25 in the corresponding cross-section. Within the recess 25, which has product-specific dimensions, the product 11 is held centered with respect to the nest 14, so that the pressure exerted during the expression of the products 11 acts directly on the product 11. The product-independent depression 24, which determines the size of the opening in an associated (not shown) cover element of a package, is chosen identical in its cross-sectional geometry for all products 11 and all nests 14.

The two recesses 24, 25 thus form the two-stage receiving space 23. In other words, the product-independent recess 24 forms a universal forecourt, while the product-dependent recess 25 forms a special product court. The depth D of the product-independent recess 24 is of particular importance. On the one hand, the depth D is sufficiently large, so that the blister strip 10 can be mechanically guided laterally along the product-independent recess 24. On the other hand, the depth D is less than the thickness of the smallest product 11 to be received. In this case, the thickness of the product 11 in its edge region is particularly important. This means on the one hand that a through the recess 24 formed peripheral edge portion, which is perpendicular to the plane E, has a height which allows a reliable mechanical guidance along the edge portion. On the other hand, the chosen depth D of the recess 24 enables a secure holding of the products 11 in the product-dependent recess 25 in relation to the product thickness. The depth D lies in a selected range of approximately 1.2 mm to 2.5 mm and is preferably 2 mm. Minor deviations in the tolerance range, however, are also allowed.

The shape of the product independent well 24 is also of particular importance, with the mold alone or in conjunction with the selected depth region of the well 24 providing distinct advantages. With the shape of the recess 24 is meant in particular the parallel to the cover 15 extending cross-section of the product-independent recess 24. The cross section is formed and arranged in a section parallel to the plane E geometrically for receiving a wide variety of product types. In other words, describes the outer edge of the recess 24 in cross section a shape that is optimized so that a wide variety of product shapes and / or product sizes can be included in the correspondingly formed product-dependent recess 25. In plan view, the recess 24 corresponds to a rhombus with rounded corners. To describe the shape of the cross section of the recess 24, the outer edge of the recess 24 may also be described by an oval path with a centrally superimposed circular path, wherein the diameter of the circle is selected to be larger than the minor axis of the oval. In the transition region of the two geometric bodies, the track is smoothed.

The shape of the product-independent depression 24 can also be described as follows. The particular in FIG. 11 illustrated outer contour of the cover 15 parallel to the cross-section of the product-independent recess 24 is composed of several sections together. The outer contour of the recess 24 is spanned by two at right angles intersecting distances a and b. The distance a forms the longitudinal axis of the cross section of the recess 24 and is inclined relative to an axis K extending in the longitudinal direction of the blister strip 10 by an angle α. The angle α is between 14 ° and 21 ° and preferably between 16 ° and 18 °, more preferably between 16.5 ° and 17.5 °. The FIG. 11 is a schematic Representation of an arrangement and formation of the contour of the atrium, wherein the representation is not true to scale. The in FIG. 11 shown angle α should be about 16.7 ° in a preferred embodiment. An inclination in the above-mentioned range, in particular in the preferred range and especially in the range specified as particularly preferred, makes it possible to accommodate also elongate products 11 in the nest 14 at a relatively short length L of a blister portion 13. At an angle α of about 16.7 °, an optimal arrangement of the distance a of the cross section of the recess 24 of the blister section 13 is achieved and a still easy filling of the nest 14 is ensured.

The distance b forms the transverse axis of the cross section of the recess 24 and is arranged at right angles to the distance a. The distance a and the distance b intersect each other halfway along the distance a or b. The ratio of the length of the distance b to the length of the distance a is preferably 0.55 to 0.75 and particularly preferably 0.6 to 0.7. At these ratios, especially at the most preferred ratio, both elongate and circular products 11 are accommodated with minimized clearance. Im in FIG. 11 shown embodiment, the ratio is about 0.656, the length of the distance a about 25.9mm and the length of the distance b about 17mm.

In each case at the end of the distance b, the outer contour of the depression 24 composed of subsections forms an arc with a radius R ₁ . In each case the end of the distance a forms the outer contour of the recess 24 composed of sections of an arc with a radius R ₂ . The radius R ₁ is preferably 6 to 10 mm, more preferably 7 to 9 mm. Im in FIG. 11 illustrated embodiment, the radius R _{1 is} about 8mm. The radius R ₁ behaves in relation to the radius R ₂ in the order of about 1.2 to 1.3. This means that the radius R _{2 is} between 6mm and 7mm and preferably about 6.5mm. A radius R ₁ in the above-mentioned ranges, especially in the most preferred range, ensures that a wide variety of products 11 are accommodated while minimizing free space in the nests 14. As a result, only minimal amounts of air are trapped, which increases shelf life. In the result Therefore, in the nest 14 recorded products 11 can therefore be kept in stock for a longer period without having to fear any loss of quality.

Other sections of the composite outer contour of the cross section of the recess 24 form - next to the two arcs with the radii R ₁ at the ends of the transverse axis (distance b) and the two arcs with the radii R ₂ at the ends of the longitudinal axis (distance a) - Sections S of four tangents, which are applied on the one hand to an arc of radius R ₁ and the other to an arc of radius R ₂ . The aforementioned sections S each extend from the point of contact of the corresponding tagente with the arc of radius R ₁ to the point of contact of this tangent with the arc of radius R ₂ . The aforementioned outer contour thus results from an assembly of two opposing sheets having a radius R ₁ and two opposing sheets having a radius R ₂ and four these arches connecting, rectilinear sections S to the pair of sheets (the radii R ₁ and R ₂ ) applied tangents.

Advantageously, a rectilinear, an arc with the radius R ₁ and an arc with the radius R ₂ connecting portion S is arranged parallel to the longitudinal extent of the blister strip 10 or the blister portion 13. Expressed differently, at least one section S runs parallel to the side edge of the blister belt 10. With such an arrangement of a connecting section S, a wall is formed by this section S which is particularly well suited for guiding the blister strip 10, for example along a filling station with a guide rail. Here, a low surface pressure is achieved due to the relatively long, formed by the wall guide surface, which allows to work with very thin wall thicknesses. This in turn allows a low material consumption. If the radii R ₁ and / or R _{2 are} increased in such a way that they virtually merge until such a connecting section S is omitted, the risk of damage due to increased surface pressure during conveying increases, but this can be reduced by appropriate choice of the wall thicknesses ,

The transversely to the longitudinal extent of the blister strip 10 or the blister portion 13 projected length d of the outer contour of the cross section of the recess 24 is preferably 22 to 28mm, more preferably 23 to 27mm. Im in FIG. 11 illustrated embodiment, the length d is about 25mm. The projected along the longitudinal extent of the blister strip 10 and the blister portion 13 width c of the outer contour of the cross section of the recess 24 is preferably 14 to 20mm, more preferably 15.5 to 18.5mm. Im in FIG. 11 illustrated embodiment, the width c is about 17mm. If the length D and the width c are in the above-mentioned ranges, especially in the particularly preferred range, a multiplicity of different geometries of products 11 can be accommodated in the nests 14 with minimized clearances.

For easier and more durable molding of the recess 24 and at the same time good management option when filling two radii R ₃ and R _{4 are} provided. The radius R ₃ at the protruding, free step of the recess 24 is preferably 07, to 0.9 mm, more preferably 0.75 to 0.85 mm. In the in FIG. 10 illustrated embodiment, the radius R _{3 is} about 0.8mm. At the transition of the recess 24 to the blister base of the radius R _{4 is} provided, which is preferably 0.2 to 0.4 mm, more preferably 0.25 to 0.35 mm. In the in FIG. 10 illustrated embodiment, the radius R _{4 is} about 0.3mm.

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

The process 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 is described in more detail below. On a thermoforming machine or the like, a so-called bottom film made of PVC, which represents the product carrier 12, is unwound from an endless roll and a thermoforming station, which is essentially formed of a preheater, a blowing head and a thermoforming mold supplied. 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 sheet of aluminum or the like. Furthermore, a punching station or the like is provided. After the formation and sealing of the nest 14, a punching hole is introduced as a positioning aid 26 in the bottom foil / cover foil in the region of each nest 14. 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 of several, e.g. five tracks of existing track can be divided into five individual blister straps 10. To guide the out of e.g. five webs existing trays serve the product-independent recesses 24. After separating into individual blister straps 10, the side edges can be trimmed so that blister straps 10 of equal width arise.

Claims (12)

1. Blister strip (10) for receiving medical and/or pharmaceutical and/or food supplement products (11), comprising a roll-up product carrier (12) that can be divided into individual blister sections (13), the single-web product carrier (12) having, one behind the other in its direction of transport F, individual nests (14) defining the division T of the blister strip (10) with singularly received products (11), as well as a film-like cover (15) for closing the nests (14), such that each product (11) is arranged in sealed form within a nest (14), characterised in that each nest (14) has a holding chamber (23) formed with two steps, having a depression (24) independent of the product geometry and a depression (25) dependent on the product geometry, the depth D of the product-independent depression (24) starting from the cover (15) on the one hand being at least 1,2 so that the blister strip (10) can be laterally guided mechanically along the product-independent depression (24), and on the other hand being less than the thickness of the smallest product (11) received within the nest (14), wherein the cross-section of the product-independent depression (24) running parallel to the cover (15) is geometrically shaped and designed to receive the most varied product types, in that the cross-section of the product-independent depression (24) running parallel to the cover (15) corresponds to a lozenge with rounded corners.
2. Blister strip according to claim 1, characterised in that the product-independent depression (24) is larger in its cross-section running parallel to the cover (15) than the product-dependent depression (25).
3. Blister strip according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the product-independent depression (24) is identical for all products (11) in its cross-sectional geometry running parallel to the cover (15).
4. Blister strip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the depth D of the product-independent depression (24) is not less than 1.2 mm and not more than 2.5 mm.
5. Blister strip according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the geometrical dimensions of the blister strip (10) or blister sections (13) are independent of the product.
6. Blister strip according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that each nest (14) is arranged centrally on or in its blister section (13).
7. Blister strip according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that each nest (14) is assigned a first positioning aid (26), the position of the positioning aid (26) being fixed relative to the nest (14).
8. Blister strip according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that in the direction of transport F of the blister strip (10) between two nests (14) is formed one further positioning aid (17) each.
9. Blister strip according to claim 8, characterised in that the further positioning aid (17) in relation to the width B of the blister strip (10) is arranged in a predefined and constant position relative to the nest (14).
10. Blister strip according to one any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that each nest (14) or each blister section (13) is assigned a code (27).
11. Blister strip according to claim 10, characterised in that the code (27) is designed as an optically and/or electronically detectable field.
12. Blister strip according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the blister strip (10) is assigned a superordinate, central code.

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