EP3373886B1 - Medication system with a medication tray and method for producing a ready-to-deliver medication system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a medication system with a medication tray with a substantially rectangular tray plate with a number of individual and separate receiving points running in rows and with a large number of containers containing liquid or solid medication and having an upper opening closed with plastic film, wherein the plastic film is sealed to the container edges, each container being individually provided with the plastic film sealed to its container edge, which comes from a single flexible plastic film perforated along the outer contours of the containers. The invention further relates to methods for creating a ready-to-deliver medication system with a medication tray, which has a substantially rectangular tray plate with a number of individual and separate receiving points for medication-receiving containers running in rows.

A medication system with a medication tray is from the EP 2 194 952 B1 known. A film sealing the individual containers extends over the top of the tray and thus also over all containers that are positioned in the receiving points. The film is therefore welded both to the edge areas of the container and to the surface areas of the tray plate in between. For each container, the film is perforated along the outer contour of the rim to allow selective removal of individual containers, while containers not removed are retained and remain sealed. To remove the medication contained in the container, the piece of film that forms the lid is removed. In this known packaging system, the trays are not reusable and the facilities in which the system is used are relatively bulky Plastic waste. The trays made by deep drawing are thin-walled and unstable, which makes them difficult to handle.

The WO 2013/050577 A1 discloses a tray already formed with a container forming compartments for holding medication, with perforations allowing the compartments to be separated from the tray, so that openings remain in the tray after they have been removed. A flexible film, for example made of PET, is provided with an adhesive layer on its underside in certain areas so that the film can be glued to the tray or to a frame of the tray. Reusing the tray after the containers have been removed is therefore not possible and not provided for in this known embodiment.

The invention is based on the object of providing a medication system with a reusable, stable and easy-to-handle medication tray. The tray should therefore also be easy to clean, especially dishwasher safe. The invention is also based on the object of providing a simple method for creating a medication system with a ready-to-deliver and reusable medication tray.

As far as the medication system is concerned, the object is achieved according to the invention in that the tray is a plastic injection-molded part, the plastic film being welded only to the edges of the container and not to the plastic injection-molded part, this part of the plastic film forming a film grid, which can be cut through can be removed from the tray plate in the area of the perforations, so that the containers can be removed individually from the receiving points without being connected to one another.

• Einsetzen der Behälter in die Aufnahmestellen der Trayplatte,
• Befüllen der Behälter mit Medikamenten,
• Positionieren einer einzelnen flexiblen Kunststoff-Folie, welche entlang der Außenkonturen der Behälter mit Perforationen versehen ist, auf der Trayplatte und den Behältern, Versiegeln der Folie ausschließlich entlang der Behälterränder und mit den Behälterrändern und unter Bilden eines mit der Trayplatte nicht verschweißten Foliengitters,
• Abziehen des an der Trayplatte nicht verschweißten, das Foliengitter bildenden Teiles der Folie von der Trayplatte durch Durchtrennen im Bereich der Perforationen.

The method according to the invention provides for the following successive steps: producing the medication tray by injection molding from plastic,

• Inserting the containers into the receiving points of the tray plate,
• Filling the containers with medication,
• Positioning a single flexible plastic film, which is provided with perforations along the outer contours of the containers, on the tray plate and the containers, Sealing the film exclusively along the container edges and with the container edges and forming a foil grid that is not welded to the tray plate,
• Remove the part of the film that is not welded to the tray plate and forms the foil grid from the tray plate by cutting it in the area of the perforations.

The inventive design of the tray as a plastic injection-molded part, to which the film is therefore not welded, makes it possible to ensure reusability, high stability, comfortable and improved handling and the possibility of optimal cleaning. The medication system can be brought into a ready-to-delivery state in a simple and practical manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the containers are positioned in the receiving points of the tray plate so that they can be detached and reused by means of at least one latching connection. This measure protects the containers from accidental loss and makes handling the medication system according to the invention easier.

For reasons of weight, it is also advantageous if the receiving points of the tray plate according to the invention are openings.

Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention is particularly advantageous in which the locking connection mentioned has at least one projection formed on the inner edge of the receiving point and at least one projection formed on the container. In the locked or snapped state, the projection formed on the container is located below the edge of the receiving point.

According to a further feature of the invention, safe parking of the tray is ensured by an embodiment in which an edge part which runs essentially perpendicular to the tray plate is provided on the two long sides and preferably also on at least one of the end faces of the tray plate.

An embodiment of the invention is particularly advantageous in which a lid-like receptacle, in particular for storing intake instructions or patient information, is arranged to be pivotable on the edge part of the tray plate, the receptacle being releasably connected to the edge part of the tray by means of a snap connection. The intended detachable arrangement of the holder on the tray plate offers advantages when positioning the mentioned intake instructions or patient information and also when cleaning the tray.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, an inclined front part with fields for attaching labels is formed on one end face of the tray plate. Additional individual labeling of the tray can therefore be carried out on this front part in a removable manner, for example by means of stick-on labels and again removable, appropriately labeled labels, which are positioned in the fields, which are designed in particular as shallow recesses.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, each container has a cup on which sits a lid edge with a surface running in the plane or parallel to the plane of the tray plate, with which the film, forming a film lid, is sealed. The lid edge is advantageously designed in such a way that it can be removed from the cup together with the film sealed with it so that it can be put back on.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the cups are made in one piece with an edge part which has a surface for welding on the film. In this case it is intended that the containers can be opened by peeling off the film. Reclosing is not possible with this design variant.

The delivery-ready state of the medication system can be created particularly easily and efficiently by inserting a number of containers arranged in a row and connected to one another via connection points in the tray, the connection points being severed mechanically or thermally during the sealing process.

The sealing, which can be carried out in particular by welding or a gluing process, is simplified by the fact that the container edges forming the sealing surfaces lie in the plane of the tray plate.

The plastic film can be printed in a simple manner before it is positioned within the dividing lines formed by perforations, in particular by punching. These areas are also those that form the foil lids of the containers after the part of the foil forming a foil grid has been removed.

• Fig. 1 eine Schrägansicht einer Trayplatte eines erfindungsgemäßen Trays von oben,
• Fig. 2 ein Detail der Fig. 1,
• Fig. 3 eine Unteransicht des Trays, mit geschlossener Aufnahme
• Fig. 4 eine Schrägansicht der Unterseite des Trays, mit geöffneter Aufnahme
• Fig. 5 bis Fig. 7 unterschiedliche Stadien bei der Herstellung eines zur Auslieferung fertigen Trays,
• Fig. 6a ein Detail der Fig. 6 in vergrößerter Darstellung,
• Fig. 7a ein Detail der Fig. 7 in vergrößerter Darstellung,
• Fig. 8 eine Ansicht des Trays mit positionierten Behältern im Zustand der Auslieferung und
• Fig. 9 eine Schnittdarstellung durch einen im Tray gehaltenen Behälter.

Further features, advantages and details of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, which shows exemplary embodiments. Show it

• Fig. 1 an oblique view of a tray plate of a tray according to the invention from above,
• Fig. 2 a detail of the Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 3 a bottom view of the tray, with the holder closed
• Fig. 4 an oblique view of the bottom of the tray, with the holder open
• Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 different stages in the production of a tray ready for delivery,
• Fig. 6a a detail of the Fig. 6 in an enlarged view,
• Fig. 7a a detail of the Fig. 7 in an enlarged view,
• Fig. 8 a view of the tray with positioned containers in the delivery state and
• Fig. 9 a sectional view through a container held in the tray.

The invention is concerned with a medication packaging system - a medication system - for providing medications in liquid, solid or pasty form, for example medications that are in the form of powder, globules, pills, capsules, creams, liquids and the like. The use of the medication system according to the invention to provide medication individually tailored to each patient is particularly advantageous, both in stationary facilities such as nursing homes, retirement homes, outpatient care services and the like, but also in the private sector. Above all, nursing staff and patients in inpatient facilities, but also pharmacies that carry out the filling, benefited from the medication system according to the invention.

The main components or essential components of the medication system according to the invention are a medication tray 1 and a variety of matching designed containers 2, in which the medication is packaged in the appropriate dosage tailored to the respective time of intake. Like in particular Fig. 8 shows, each container 2 consists of a cup 3 and a lid 4, which in a preferred embodiment is designed as a resealable lid. The cup 3 has a preferably round, in particular cylindrical, foot 3a and then a diameter that increases towards its upper edge. The cup 3 consists of a preferably transparent plastic material and has, for example, a capacity for liquid of preferably 10 ml or 15 ml, but up to a maximum of approximately 45 ml. The lid 4 has a contour that runs around the upper edge of the cup 3 This edge is adapted to the lid edge 5, which is a separate part from the cup 3 and is connected to the upper edge of the cup 3 in a liquid-tight but releasable manner. The lid edge 5 projects beyond the upper edge of the cup 3 to the outside and has a flat surface that is, for example, 2 mm to 4 mm wide. When ready for delivery and use, there is at least one liquid or solid medication in the container 2, with a preferably transparent cover film 6 spanning the lid edge 5 and closing the cup 3 being sealed, in particular glued or welded, to the surface of the lid edge 5 , as described in detail below, so that the medication is provided in containers 2 provided with removable and replaceable lids 4.

The container 2 is manufactured from cup 3 and lid edge 5 in a two-component injection molding process, with a dressing 7 consisting of a number of cups 3, for example seven cups 3, such as in Fig. 5 shown, each with a lid edge 5, but still without a lid film 6. The individual cups 3 of an association 7 are connected to one another at the lid edges 5 via local connections 8. Like for example Fig. 5 shows, these connections can be 8 thin places, for example webs, between the lid edges 5 of adjacent cups 3. Other designs, for example thin skins, are also possible.

The tray 1, made of plastic by injection molding, is essentially rectangular in plan view; its length is equal to the number of containers 2 per dressing 7, its length Width adjusted to the number of associations 7. The tray 1 shown in the figures is intended to hold four dressings 7 of seven containers 2 each. Fewer or more than four associations, for example six associations 7, are also possible. The tray 1 has a flat tray plate 9 with receiving points 10 for the individual containers 2 of the associations 7. In the embodiment shown, the receiving points 10 are openings in the tray plate 9, the contours of which are adapted to the design or design and contour of the cups 3 at their upper edge region. The receiving points 10 are each surrounded by a low elevation 11, which is adapted to the outer contour of the lid edges 5, so that when the cups 3 are inserted, the surfaces of the lid edges 5 run in a single plane, which is either slightly different, by approx. 0.5 mm , above the level of the tray plate 9 or in the level of the tray plate 9. On the inner edge area of the receiving points 10, two projections 12 are formed diametrically opposite one another, below which, when the cups 3 are inserted, projections 2a snap into the cup wall, so that the containers 2 in the tray 1 are secured against accidental loss, but are removed from the tray 1 without any particular effort can be. The cups 3 are also secured by the snapping of the projections 2a, 12 when the foil grid 17a is removed ( Fig.7 ), as will be described, secured in the receiving points 10 and held in position.

On the two longer sides and on one of the end faces, the tray plate 9 is surrounded by an edge part 13, on which the tray 1 stands when it is placed down. The transition areas of the tray plate 9 to the edge part 13 are rounded. The height of the edge part 13 is such that the cups 3 positioned in the tray 1 remain within the edge part 13 and on the underside of the tray 1 there is a plate-shaped receptacle 14 that can be opened and closed ( Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 ) is surrounded by the edge part 13 in the folded state.

On the second end face of the tray plate 9, a front part 15 is formed which is inclined towards the tray plate 9 and provides fields 15a for individual labeling of the tray 1, for example with patient information. The fields 15a, which are preferably designed as shallow depressions, can be provided with labeled labels that can be stuck on or inserted and removed again, with inserted labels being held by means of retaining lugs 15b. Fig. 4 shows the hinged receptacle 14, which is hinged like a hinge on the inside of the edge part 13 in the area of the end of the tray 1 opposite the front part 15. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the receptacle 14 is essentially designed as a rectangular plate provided with a number of openings - corresponding to the number of containers 2 that can be positioned in the tray 1. By means of snap connections 16, the receptacle 14 can be snapped into place on the inside of the edge part 13, preferably near the front part 15. In the embodiment shown, the snap connections 16 are projections 16a formed on the edge of the receptacle 14, which releasably snap into correspondingly designed openings 16b which are formed on the inside of the edge part 13 of the tray 1. The receptacle 14 is also provided with a low edge 14a facing the inside of the tray 1, so that a sheet with further information that is useful and necessary for administering the medication can be inserted into the receptacle 14 in such a way that it is protected against loss.

Based on Figures 5 to 7 The steps to create the medication tray ready for delivery are now described below. How Fig. 5 shows, the dressings 7 are first inserted into the receiving points 10 of the tray plate 9 of the tray 1. The individual containers 2 are then filled with medication according to the intended medication of the patient in question. In the next step, the containers 2 are sealed with a plastic film 17. The film 17 consists in particular of a single-layer or multi-layer composite made of PE, PP or PET, has a printable top, and its underside is used as a sealing layer for liquid-tight sealing of the cups 3 Gluing or welding, can be used. The film 17 is initially on a backing paper and is provided with a number of perforations 18, for example “slits” formed by punching, in accordance with the shape of the outer contours of the containers 2 or the lid edges 5. In Fig. 6a the slots are shown as continuous lines. How Fig. 6a shows, the perforation is also a slot 18a between adjacent containers 2 of a dressing 7. The external dimensions of the film 17 essentially correspond to the external dimensions of the tray plate 9. In the surface areas within the perforations 18, the sealing film 17 has already been printed with information about the contents of the container 2. After the backing paper has been removed from the film 17, this is placed on the tray plate 9. The film 17 is inserted within positioning tabs 9a formed on the longitudinal edges of the plate 9.

In a cold or hot sealing device, which can be a welding device or an adhesive device, which is not the subject of the invention, the film 17 is now sealed to the surfaces of the lid edges 5, within the perforations 18, in particular thermally welded or glued, where bonding can also be hot melt bonding, contact bonding, reactive bonding, etc. During the sealing process, the containers 2 or their lid edges 5 are simultaneously separated by cutting the connections 8, preferably in a thermal or mechanical manner. In the next step ( Fig. 7 ), the foil grid 17a, that part of the foil 17 which was not sealed, is pulled off along the perforations 18. The containers 2, now each sealed liquid-tight with the cover film 6, are held in the tray 1 by the projections 12 when the unsealed film grid 17a is removed. Tray 1 is now ready for delivery.

The trays 1 are designed in such a way that they can be stacked on top of each other with and without containers 2 to save space. Since the trays 1 are made of plastic by injection molding, they are easy to clean, preferably in dishwashers, and can be disinfected using commercially available disinfectants.

The containers 2 are removed individually from the tray 1 at the scheduled time of medication, with the lid 4 being opened to remove the medication and, if necessary, being placed back on the cup 3.

In a further embodiment, not shown, the cups 3 can be made in one piece with an edge part which has a surface for welding on the film 17. In this case, the containers can no longer be closed after the film has been removed.

Reference number list

1

Tray

2

container

2a

head Start

3

Mug

3a

Foot

4

Lid

5

Lid edge

6

Lid film

7

Association

8th

Connection

9

tray plate

9a

Positioning tab

10

Recording locations

11

survey

12

head Start

13

Edge part

14

Recording

14a

edge

15

Front part

15a

Area

15b

holding nose

16

Snap connection

16a

head Start

16b

opening

17

Plastic film

17a

foil grid

18

perforation

18a

slot

19

Snap connection

Claims (14)

1. Medication system with a medication tray (1) having a substantially rectangular tray plate (9) with a number of individual receptacle points (10) running in rows which are separate from one another and with a plurality of containers (2) containing liquid or solid medications and having an upper opening closed with plastic film, wherein the plastic film (17) is sealed with the container rims, wherein each container (2) is individually provided with the plastic film (17) sealed with its container rim, which originates from a single flexible plastic film (17) provided with perforations (18) along the outer contours of the containers (2),
   characterized in that
   the tray (1) is a plastic injection-moulded part (9), wherein the plastic film (17) is only welded to the container rims and not to the plastic injection-moulded part (9), wherein this part forms a film grid (17a) that can be detached from the tray plate (9) by severing in the region of the perforations (18), so that the containers (2) can be individually removed from the receptacle points (10) without being connected to one another.
2. Medication system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the containers (2) are positioned in the receptacle points (10) of the tray plate (9) in a releasable and re-insertable manner by means of at least one locking connection (19).
3. Medication system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the receptacle points (10) are openings in the tray plate (9).
4. Medication system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking connection (19) has at least one projection (12) formed on the inner edge of the receptacle point (10) and at least one projection (2a) formed on the container (2).
5. Medication system according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an edge part (13) running substantially perpendicularly to the tray plate (9) is provided on the two longitudinal sides and preferably on one end of the tray plate (9).
6. Medication system according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a lid-like receptacle (14), in particular for storing dosage instructions, patient information, or the like, is pivotally arranged on the edge part (13) of the tray plate (9), wherein the receptacle (14) is detachably connected to the edge part (13) of the tray (1) by means of a snap connection (16).
7. Medication system according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an inclined front part (15) with fields (15a) for attaching labels is formed on one end of the tray plate (9).
8. Medication system according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each container (2) has a cup (3) on which a lid rim (5) with a surface running in the plane or parallel to the plane of the tray plate (9) sits, with which the film (17) forming a film cover (6) is sealed.
9. Medication system according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each container has a cup that has an edge region with a surface running in the plane or parallel to the plane of the tray plate (9), with which surface the film (17) forming a film cover is sealed.
10. Method for producing a ready-to-deliver medication system with a medication tray (1) having a substantially rectangular tray plate (9) with a number of individual receptacle points (10) running in rows which are separate from one another for medication-containing containers (2), wherein the method has the following sequential steps:

    - producing the medication tray (1) by injection-moulding from plastic,

    - inserting the containers (2) into the receptacle points (10) of the tray plate (9),

    - filling the containers (2) with medication,

    - positioning a single flexible plastic film (17), which is provided with perforations (18) along the outer contours of the containers (2), on the tray plate (9) and the containers (2),

    - sealing the film (17) exclusively along the container rims and with the container rims, forming a film grid (17a) that is not welded to the tray plate (8),

    - removing the part of the film (17) that forms the film grid (17a) and is not welded to the tray plate (8) from the tray plate (9) by severing in the region of the perforations (18).
11. Method according to Claim 10, characterized in that during the removal of the film grid (17a), each container (2) in the tray (1) is held by at least one locking connection (19) formed by each container (2) and its receptacle point.
12. Method according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a number of multiple containers (2) arranged in a row and connected to one another by connections (8) are inserted, wherein the connections (8) are mechanically or thermally severed during the sealing process.
13. Method according to Claim 10, characterized in that the container rims forming the sealing surfaces are located in the plane of the tray plate (9).
14. Method according to Claim 10, characterized in that the plastic film (17) is printed in the regions surrounding the perforations (18) before being positioned.

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