EP2883223A1

EP2883223A1 - Barrier-free packaging for goods, particularly for medicaments

Info

Publication number: EP2883223A1
Application number: EP13745424.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Harald Frank
Original assignee: Gebr Frank & Co KG GmbH
Current assignee: Gebr Frank & Co KG GmbH
Priority date: 2012-08-07
Filing date: 2013-08-06
Publication date: 2015-06-17
Also published as: DE102012213970A1; WO2014023735A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a barrier-free packaging for goods, particularly for medicaments, comprising a packaging body made of a packaging material and a label that has been put onto the packaging body. This label is distinguished by an arrangement that ensures barrier freedom and that comprises at least one code field, arranged on the packaging, that can be sensed by a code sensing means, wherein the code sensing means contains a voice converter for audibly reading data encrypted in the code field.

Description

Barrier-free packaging for goods, especially for medicines

description

The invention relates to a barrier-free packaging for goods, in particular for medicaments, according to the preamble of claim 1 or 2.

Barrier-free packaging that conveys information to the visually impaired about the nature of the packaged goods, in particular medicines, is known. This is usually an applied on the packaging, perceptible for the visually impaired label, especially in the form of an embossed, sublimely printed or sprayed Braille. This can be felt and thus read.

Such a Braille label has a number of disadvantages. A first disadvantage is the very limited information density of Braille. This must, in order to be reliably felt by the visually impaired, have a certain minimum size. This is the impressed

Lettering is relatively fast, even for short words, so that very little information content can be found in Braille, especially on smaller packaging.

In the case of medicament packaging, the focus is therefore essentially only on applying the name of the medicament in conjunction with an indication of an amount of active substance or an active substance concentration on the packaging, whereby additional information must inevitably be dispensed with. The limited information density of Braille labeling is also the reason why currently legislatures are exempt from the Braille label packaging which falls short of a certain minimum size of the package. This represents an additional disadvantage for visually impaired people, because there is a danger that important and actually indispensable references to the contents of the package, in particular warnings of common side effects of a drug or in any case to take into account for the

Taking medication, can not be accommodated on the packaging, especially since a leaflet in Bra i I le-Sch rift practically impossible or only with a disproportionate effort to add the drug. Another disadvantage of the usual Braille labeling is that it can be applied only to suitable packaging materials. At the present time, Braille labels are only affixed to cartons and in particular imprinted.

A Braille label can be practically only on packaging in

Apply cardboard packaging form, other packaging, especially films, bags, bottles or ampoules and the like made of plastic, paper or glass packaging, ruled out for the Braille lettering from the outset.

Although the Braille label can be translated into an already known operation, e.g. the punching of the packaging material or an adhesive step in the shaping of the packaging to be integrated. With regard to cardboard boxes, however, there is the typical additional production step in one

Embossing process, which must be carried out in addition to the pressure of the packaging and thus also requires additional equipment.

However, not all cardboard boxes can be meaningfully provided with Braille embossing in the same way. As a rule, these are the embossable ones

Carton types are more expensive, while for less expensive types of cardboard test runs may be necessary first, which must prove whether the applied embossment remains consistent and can be reliably felt later, or whether it wears and flattened during storage of the package or later use. The risk of a misrecognition of the packaging may under no circumstances be tolerated, especially not if the packaging is highly effective

medical preparations which must be taken according to a precise prescription.

Furthermore, there is the problem that a braille label as well as the normal lettering for people with blindness, a so-called Alexie brings any benefit. People with this

Disabilities are cognitively unable to recognize letters and signs so that they can read them, although their vision is by no means limited.

It is therefore the task of a barrier-free packaging for goods, in particular for medicines specify, in which the above Disadvantages are eliminated. The barrier-free packaging should in particular ensure the highest possible information density, it should remain as independent as possible from the packaging material and it should be the stored

Can reproduce information permanently. Furthermore, the intended information should be as easy to apply. It is also

desirable, if necessary, to bring additional information, which can provide the user with an additional use value. Furthermore, the desired barrier-free packaging should also have a use value for people with Alexie or illiterate and allow them access to the attached information on the packaging.

The solution of the object of the invention is carried out with the feature combination according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dependent claims appropriate

Embodiments and developments include.

The object is therefore with a barrier-free packaging for goods, in particular for medicines, comprising a packaging body of a

Packing material and arranged on the packaging body label solved. This is characterized in that an accessibility securing arrangement of at least one detectable by a code detection means

Code field is provided, wherein the code detection means includes a voice converter for an audible reading of coded in the code field data.

Instead of or in addition to a Braille imprint is thus a code field on the

Packaged, which is detected by a code detection means. The code detection means again contains a language converter which stores the data encrypted in the code field, for example the name of a medicament,

Taking notes or other information, acoustically and thus the

Visually-impaired or the blind-blinded reader.

A great advantage of such a packaging is that the code field only the requirement must be made that it can be detected and is processable. The nature of the packaging material as such so no special requirements are made. The code field can therefore be printed, glued or applied in any other way. In any case, an elaborate embossing process for the packaging is unnecessary, because the code field can be printed together with the other labels. In addition, since an acoustic output of the acquired data is eliminated, the human reading and recognition of characters is completely dispensed with. Therefore, they are on the packaging therefore also available for blind people. In place of the sense of touch, the sense of hearing is addressed.

In a first embodiment, the code detection means is a

Image capture means, wherein the code field through the image capture means

has photographable and processable data structures. The code field is thus photographed, supplied to an image processor and thereby read out, the read-out data being output acoustically in speech form.

In a further embodiment, the code detection means is designed as a capacitively and / or inductively sensitive unit, the code field having capacitively and / or inductively effective data structures that can be detected and processed by the code detection means. The code detection means thus detects the code field capacitive and / or inductive. The data within the code field are read out, processed internally and output acoustically in speech form. This offers the advantage that the code field can be visually completely invisible and thus does not affect the conventional labeling otherwise printed on the packaging. Therefore, in particular, the entire surface of the packaging can be covered by the invisible code field.

In an advantageous embodiment, the capacitively and / or inductively sensitive code detection means comprises a capacitively and / or inductively sensitive display surface, which can be addressed by the capacitively and / or inductively effective data structures of the code field. Such display surfaces are known and as

touch-sensitive displays used as input means. The advantage of such an embodiment is that the touch-sensitive display of any device must be placed only on the package. The acquisition of the data from the code field via the display in the

Code acquisition means with the corresponding further processing.

In an expedient embodiment, the code field has reference structures and / or location structures as references for a focusing and / or positional adjustment carried out by the code detection means. Thereby, the orientation between the code detection means and the surface of the package is facilitated, whereby the code field can be reliably recognized and read out completely.

In an expedient embodiment, the code field contains appointment data which can be converted by the code detection means into an internal automatic scheduler. This offers a decisive increase in ease of use. Because with the Reading the code field is thus not only reproduced the name of the drug, but can also be an automatic scheduling for taking the drug done, in particular without written down and manageable for blind people input instructions and remembers the person concerned to the regular intake of the drug.

In a further embodiment, the code field consists of a visually imperceptible printed image, wherein the image capturing means is sensitive to the spectral range of the light emanating from the printed image and / or can be detected by means of an internal image processing. In this expedient embodiment, it is possible to provide virtually the entire package with the code field to the greatest extent possible, in particular to print, the normal sight does not see these visually unrecognizable print structures practically and therefore is not disturbed, while the disabled user on the Image collection means receives all necessary information in the largest possible extent for him.

In the embodiment of the code acquisition means as image acquisition means, the image acquisition means has optics which are tuned to a reading focus defined by anatomical dimensions, in particular finger thicknesses or finger widths. As a result, the detection of the code field can be simplified because it succeeds reliably in a defined hand position or finger position.

In an expedient embodiment, the code field is forgery-proof

executed. Modifications and manipulations on the code field are therefore recognized by the image acquisition means and signaled accordingly.

In an expedient embodiment, the code field is irreversibly destructible when the package is opened for the first time, wherein the package content contains a second code field and the code acquisition means includes means for performing a match between the code field located on the package and the code field located on the package contents. This ensures a perfect match between the packaging and its contents, wherein

it is excluded that in an open package, another content can be introduced. In a still unopened packaging, for example, the name of the drug is detectable and is output from the code detection means, while in the opened packaging this is no longer executable. The user is thereby forced to read out the code field on the packaging content, for example directly on the medicine blister, in future uses, so as to be quite sure. In a further expedient refinement, the code field contains hidden, authenticity-certifying data. In this case, means for testing the certifying data are provided in the code detection means. This hidden data may be, for example, identification data of a physician, a pharmacist or another trustworthy person or institution. These can be in the

Image capture means tested and checked for authenticity.

In one embodiment, the certifying data is formed as a two-part record. Part of the data set is already present in advance in the code reading means and checked for its trustworthiness. This can be checked for its complementarity with another part which can be read out from the code field. The first part of the certifying record comes from a trusted source, such as a doctor, a pharmacist or another

trusted institution. The other part of the certifying record is encoded on the code field. The certifying dataset is trusted in its entirety only if its two parts match. Then it can be assumed with reasonable certainty that the packaging and its contents come from a trusted and well-known source or a known distribution channel.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments. The figures 1 to 4 serve to explain. The same reference numerals are used for identical or identically acting parts. It shows:

1 is a first view of an exemplary carton according to the invention,

2 is a second view of the exemplary carton,

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary carton with destructible code field with a

Medicine leaves,

4 shows an exemplary construction of an image acquisition unit,

5 shows an exemplary folding box with two capacitively detectable code fields.

Figures 1 to 4 show first embodiments in which the code field is visually perceptible and can be detected and processed by an image capture unit. 1 shows a first view of an exemplary folding box 1 according to the invention, which in the present case is intended to serve as medicament packaging. The

Folding box consists of a cardboard material to which no special

Requirements must be made. It contains a usual 2 imprint in letter form, which refers to the name of the drug. Furthermore, additional imprints 3 are provided which can be read by non-visually impaired or non-blind people, and in the usual way to a manufacturer, a portioning of the medication and the determination of the

Refer medicament.

On the carton a 2-dimensional code field 4 is further provided, which is located here on one of the small end faces of the carton. When

two-dimensional code field, the usual codes can be used. The code field encodes a string, which usually consists of several words. It can be photographed in the usual way by an image capture device. The image capture device can be, for example, a mobile phone with built-in camera, which is operated as a so-called smartphone and contains corresponding software for converting the coded character string into speech signals. As a rule, the image capture device is designed as a device intended for exactly this intended use. A connection of the image capture device with a communication network is not necessary in any case and initially not provided.

In the present case, code field 4 of the code encodes the character string "frankolol twenty-five milligrams", which is converted into a corresponding acoustic voice output within the image capture device, so in fact the content of the code field is read to the user by the image capture unit is therefore advantageous because with him a high

Information density can be achieved, wherein the code field can be made sufficiently small, but still remains securely detectable and readable. Of course, other code field standards can be used, for. As a barcode, which has only a very limited capacity.

The code field is printed in the present case on the carton. This printing is done together with the usual printing of the carton in one operation. Of course, it is also possible a subsequent application of the code field, in particular by means of a sticker, which is about a

Computer software in conjunction with a corresponding printer very easily, for example, in the pharmacy, the dealer or the doctor can produce. In the present example, according to FIG. 2 on the carton still another code field 4 is provided, which is located on the second small end face of the

Folding box is located. The second, now rectangular code field also contains a data matrix code which encodes the string "can cause allergy." By means of the image capture device, this second code is also detected and read to the user, thus indicating a frequent and noteworthy side effect of the Drug is received acoustically and in speech form.

Of course, the second code field may also contain other information, for example, a dosing notice of the form "every morning and evening a tablet", which is then issued accordingly in speech and acoustically and refers to the individual prescription of the drug the above-mentioned possibility to generate the code field by means of a printer at the doctor or pharmacist and stick later on the carton.

The code fields are expediently at those points of the package, which are particularly easy to identify especially by a visually impaired people, so that the effort for finding the code field and the scanning of the

Packaging is as low as possible. Here, in particular, surfaces which differ significantly in the sense of touch, in particular the small end faces, or also large frontal surfaces of the packaging, are expedient.

The respective code field may contain reference points which facilitate focusing of an optics of the image capture device. This is expediently supplemented by the fact that the image capture device emits audible signals that signal the visually impaired user whether the focus on the code field is successful, or whether it must be corrected accordingly. However, an optic within the image acquisition unit that is set to a specific distance between the code field and the image acquisition unit is simpler, this distance being based on anatomical dimensions, for example, of the user's hand. These dimensions can be especially finger widths. In such a case, the user holds the image capture device, for example, at a distance of two finger widths above the surface on which the code field is located, thereby ensuring that the code field is unambiguously completely detected.

The code fields themselves do not necessarily have to be visually visible to normal-sighted people. Also possible is an embodiment in which the code fields only in invisible part of the spectrum or only due to a special contrast and / or brightness adjustment in the image processing within the

Image detection unit are visible, wherein the image detection device is set up on this spectral section and thus detects the code field. In particular, this can be a weak contrast in normal visual perception, but it clearly emerges after internal image processing. This has the advantage that even larger packaging sections can be printed with the code field, in which case the rest of the label no consideration must be taken, because the normal user does not perceive the code field disturbing. A larger code field may also include larger information content and is thus correspondingly advantageous.

As an embodiment, it is expedient to encode in the code field an instruction that the character string stored there is not only acoustically read, but in another way, in particular by means of data acquisition and

Data storage, is processed. Thus, for example, the string "every day in the morning and in the evening a tablet" in one in the image capture device

Electronic diaries are transmitted in such a way that the strings are assigned "daily", "early" and "evening" on each day of a week or a month to certain times or periods of time, for example, the string "early" is the time "8 : 00 h "and the string" evening "is assigned the time" 19:00 h ", so that the electronic schedule is automatically filled and reminds the user to take the medication at the appropriate times milligrams "and the corresponding times in electronic scheduling, for example, around 8 o'clock in the morning, the automatic acoustic voice message" Eight o'clock in the morning! Please take Frankolol one tablet 25 milligrams! "Spent.

The problem of a faulty or even deliberate and insidious

Assignment between an outer packaging and the drug contained in the outer packaging can be met in various ways.

An example of this is shown in FIG. The carton 1 as outer packaging here has a rupturable cover 5. This opens along a tear edge 6. Transversely over the crack edge 6, a seal 7 is glued. The seal 7 contains the code field 4, which encodes, for example, the character string "frankolol twenty-five milligrams".

Within the outer packaging is at least one tablet blister 8 with a plurality of individual tablets 9. Each tablet blister also has a code field 4, which coincides with the code field on the outer packaging. To recognize a sealed overwrap the code field is read on the seal 7 in the manner described above. When opening the outer packaging along the

Crack edge 6, the seal 7 is destroyed. The code field on it is no longer or at least not completely readable or at least not without error. Thus, confusions are now completely excluded in a once opened outer packaging, because to identify the drug now only the code fields remain on the respective tablet blisters 8. It now irrelevant whether the tablets blisters in their original packaging or in any other opened outer packaging or accidentally stored in another outer packaging, because these once opened outer packaging no longer have readable code fields and therefore no longer give rise to a mistake.

This safety precaution can be complemented by the fact that within the

Image capture device a comparison between the information of the code fields on the outer packaging on the one hand and the code fields on the blisters is executed. As soon as both code fields differ, a warning signal or an indication is issued.

The configuration shown in Fig. 3 thus avoids at least simple

Mismatches between outer packaging and content. A higher level of security, such as deliberately "deferring" a non-prescribed drug by untrusted unknowns, can be achieved by having the code field contain part of a certification code that is clearly assigned to a particular physician, pharmacy, or other trusted institution The disabled patient stores in advance in his personal image capture device another part of the certification code, which has been transferred to this on a previous visit to his personally known doctor, pharmacist or other trustworthy institution

Packaging contained codeword thus carries the doctor assigned and coded, for example, in a pharmacy for recipes redemption in the form of code field certification code, which must fit to the pre-stored in the image capture device certification code as a key to a castle. If this is not the case, an audible or verbal warning of the nature "This medicine is not from a trusted source!" Is displayed.

In an advantageous, but in principle not necessary embodiment, the image capture device can be connected to an external communication network, for example the Internet. This makes it possible to request additional data that is not stored in the code field (s) on the package. In such an embodiment, for example, typical or especially key information of a leaflet for the appropriate drug downloaded from a remote database, which is now available on demand

Image capture device stored and audible by voice

can be played back. The access to the removed data is made very simple by the unique name of the preparation.

4 shows an exemplary structure of an image acquisition unit 10, with which the aforementioned functions can be performed. The image capture unit includes an optic 11, which in the manner described above for detecting the

Code field 4 is used. The optics are linked to an image processing unit 12, which converts the image data supplied by the optics into decodable data. A

Downstream central unit 13 then executes a speech conversion of the character strings decoded from the code field. A miniaturized loudspeaker 14 then outputs the speech-converted strings acoustically.

This named basic structure is supplemented in FIG. 4 by further components. The image capture unit further includes an internal memory 15 for storing the aforementioned schedules and storing certifying records. The processing of the scheduling and the certification data takes place in the central unit 13.

In the example shown here, the image acquisition unit also has a transmitter / receiver 16 which is wirelessly connected via a communication network 17 to a remote database 18 and can be loaded into the central unit 13 via the external data. This relates in particular to the data relevant for the "electronic leaflet." These are stored in the internal memory 15 and can be output acoustically via the loudspeaker 14 if required.

The embodiment explained below relates to alternative embodiments of the code field, the code detection device and the process for reading the code field. The previously mentioned uses and

Embodiments of the code field, in particular the precautions against a

Confusion and misallocation between outer packaging and content and against unauthorized "pushing" of preparations from untrustworthy sources may, of course, also be used in the following embodiments. FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a folding box 1, which here has two capacitive code fields 19. These consist of individual capacitive ones

Structures 20 which are arranged in a matrix and the code field in one

fill in the appropriate way. In the visual inspection of the folding box, these structures, which are highlighted here for reasons of illustration, are not recognizable. They hide, for example, under a superficial printing layer or may be superficially imprinted in the form of a non-visible material. Therefore, the code fields can cover a large part of the side surfaces or even the entire surface of the carton, without affecting the readability of the other imprints 2 or 3.

For the capacitive structures can be made of already known embodiments of a so-called touch structure. For detecting and processing the capacitive code structure, use is made of a capacitively sensitive display, in particular a touch screen on a mobile or stationary terminal. The display is placed directly on the carton or moved over it. The

The structure of the code field is transferred to the display where it is used as input, which is detected. The processing of the structure of the code field is done in the manner already described above. The in the two-dimensional code field

stored string sequence is transferred via the language converter directly into an acoustic speech output, which is read to the user. As previously mentioned, other data, such as the mentioned appointment data, stored in the code field and further processed accordingly.

The code field can also be designed inductively. Printed structures made of a magnetically active material, in particular a printing paste with ferromagnetic additives, which are in the form of the Datamatrix code or a

are applied according to other two-dimensional codes. The

Code reading device has for reading a coil arrangement, which is guided in a relative movement over the code field and thereby receives the signals generated by the printed data structures and forwards internal processing.

As inductively effective embodiments of the code field and RFID fields are used, which are adhered to the packaging. These contain one

Data carrier, which is connected to an RFID antenna and is read out via the formed as an RFID reader code detection device. The data stored on the data carrier are already shown as before output acoustically and by voice output or the other mentioned

Data processing processes provided.

The code may comprise compressed target speech information according to the invention, so that different speech information can also be provided, in particular of rare or not widely used languages. About the

Code information can emphasize important content and speak slowly; but less important facts with a faster speech speed.

The invention has been explained with reference to exemplary embodiments. Further embodiments result from expert action and in particular from the dependent claims. The transfer of the doctrine of the invention to more

Application areas, such. As city guidance systems, elevators, manuals, menus, timetables, exhibitions, posters or the like. As disclosed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 carton

2 imprint in letter form

3 more prints

4 code field

5 openable lid

6 crack edge

7 seals

8 tablet blisters

9 single tablet

10 image capture unit

11 optics

12 image processing unit

13 central unit

14 speakers, miniaturized

15 internal memory

16 transceivers

17 communication network

18 remote database

19 capacitive code field

20 capacitive individual structure

Claims

claims

1. Barrier-free packaging (1) for goods, in particular for medicines,

comprising a packaging body of a packaging material and a label (2, 3) applied to the packaging body,

marked by

an accessibility-securing arrangement comprising at least one code field (4) which can be detected on the package and is imprinted or affixed by a code acquisition means, wherein the code detection means contains a speech converter for audible reading of data encrypted in the code field

and the code detecting means is an image capturing means (10), wherein the

Code field photographable and processable by the image capture means

Has data structures.

2. Barrier-free packaging (1) for goods, in particular for medicines,

marked by

an accessibility-securing arrangement comprising at least one code field (4) which can be detected on the package and is printed or affixed by a code detection means, wherein the code detection means contains a voice converter for audible reading of data encrypted in the code field,

Furthermore, the code detection means is designed as a capacitive and / or inductively sensitive unit and the code field capacitive and / or inductive effective and detectable by the code detection means and processable

Has data structures and the code field (4) reference structures and / or location structures as references for a executed by the code detection means focusing and / or positional adjustment.

3. Packaging according to claim 2,

characterized in that

the capacitively and / or inductively sensitive code detection means contains a capacitively and / or inductively sensitive surface, which can be addressed by the capacitively and / or inductively effective data structures of the code field.

4. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that

the code field (4) has reference structures and / or location structures as references for a focusing and / or position adjustment carried out by the code detection means.

5. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the code field (4) contains appointment data which can be converted by the code detection means (10) into an internal automatic scheduler.

6. Packaging according to one of claims 1, 4 or 5,

characterized in that

the code field (4) consists of a visually imperceptible printed image, wherein the image acquisition means (10) to the spectral range of the of

Print image outgoing light is sensitive and / or the code field by means of an internal image processing is detected.

7. Packaging according to one of claims 1 or 6,

characterized in that

the image acquisition means (10) has optics (11) which are tuned to a reading focus defined by anatomical dimensions, in particular finger thicknesses or finger widths.

8. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the code field (4) is executed counterfeit-proof.

9. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the code field (4) is irreversibly destructible upon initial opening of the package, the package contents including a second code field and the code detecting means including means for performing alignment between the code field located on the package and the code field located on the package contents.

10. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the code field (4) contains hidden, authenticity certifying data, wherein means for testing the certifying data are provided in the code detection means.

11. Packaging according to claim 10,

characterized in that

the certifying data is designed as a two-part data record, wherein a part of the data record is already present in the code detection means and can be checked for its complementarity with another part which can be read out by the code field.