ES2706278T3 - Use of a container to store contraceptive pills - Google Patents

Abstract

Use of a container (1) comprising three blister packs (2, 3, 4) joined together and consisting of two rectangular cardboard strips (5, 6), among which the three pill blisters (2, 3, 4) are arranged in such a way that the rows of pills of the pill blisters (2, 3, 4) are essentially parallel, wherein two folds (7, 8, 9, 10) are provided between the respective blister packs. pills (2, 3, 4), in such a way that in the open state the pill blisters (2, 3, 4) can be arranged side by side in the plane that extends through the pill blister packs (2, 3, 4). , 4), and in the closed state the pill blisters (2, 3, 4) can be arranged one above the other vertically with an essentially parallel alignment of the pill blisters (2, 3, 4), wherein each blister of pills (2, 3, 4) presents four rows of pill cameras (11) each with seven cameras to put on or is on Between two adjacent rows to store contraceptive pills.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Use of a container to store contraceptive pills

[0001] The present invention relates to the use of a container for storing contraceptive pills.

[0002] Pills are usually sold in so-called blister packs. Blister packs are packages of products that allow the customer or buyer to see the packaged item. The number of pills provided per blister may vary depending on the indication as well as the size of the individual pills.

[0003] In particular, pills that must be taken regularly, for example daily, are often prepared in special blisters that favor compliance with a regular administration regime by means of printing, disposition, etc. An example of the corresponding blisters are the blister packs of contraceptive pills.

[0004] In the field of contraceptives, blisters of 21 or 28 pills are usually presented. In both cases the 21 pills or 21 pills of the 28 pills contain a combination of estrogen and gestagen, which provides a regular cycle in which after 21 days taking pills you do not take any pill or a pill without active ingredient for 7 days. days. The last option is that, to simplify, one pill is taken each day and the break does not last more than 7 days by mistake, which would stop offering protection against conception.

[0005] For some years it has been clearly established a pill taking that goes beyond the 21 days of the administration of the active principle or the 28 days with 21 pills with active principle and 7 without active principle. The term long cycle used here means that after the 21-day intake is suspended in the 7-day break either without pills or with 7 pills without active ingredients. Without pause there is no drop in hormone levels and therefore there is no bleeding. The duration of this time without bleeding can be determined by the woman in consultation with her gynecologist. In most cases, a 12-week intake is followed by a 7-day interval without medication, either without a pill or with 7 pills without an active ingredient.

[0006] Suitable blister packs are necessary for safe contraceptive use within the long cycle.

[0007] Packages of this type are known, for example, from WO 2005/023657 A, in which a package for a plurality of blisters is described. The blisters are detachably attached to a rail provided in the package. The containers of this type, which are generally made of plastic, are expensive to manufacture and relatively large, which is why patients consider them difficult to handle. In addition, these packages are harmful to the environment due to the plastic material used. WO 2013/160850 A discloses a pack of pads that is configured in the form of a booklet in which individual pamphlet blister packs are presented in page form of the booklet. A disadvantage of this pack of pills is the size of the pack of pills, since the individual pads of the blister packs are on top of one another. In addition, the package after its use, ie the extraction of a tablet, can not be closed again. From WO 2009/145932 A a similar package for a plurality of tablet blisters is also known.

[0008] EP 0210 820 A2 describes a pack of pills that is formed by folding a rectangular cardboard strip, wherein between two subsections of the cardboard strip a blister with birth control pills is disposed for a single normal cycle.

[0009] Other blisters are known from EP 0940353 A1, WO 98/36727 A1 and WO 2013/128459 A1. Starting from this state of the art, the present invention is intended to help patients maintain a regular administration regimen.

[0010] This object is achieved by the use of a container for storing contraceptive pills according to claim 1.

[0011] According to the invention, therefore, a package comprising three blisters of pills joined together and consisting of two rectangular cardboard strips is used, between which the three blister packs are arranged in such a way that the rows of Pill blister pills are essentially parallel, wherein there are two folds between the respective blister packs, such that in the open state the blister packs may be arranged side by side in the plane that extends through the blister packs of pills, and in the closed state the pill blisters can be arranged one above the other vertically with an essentially parallel alignment of the pill blisters, wherein each pill blister presents four rows of pill cameras each with seven pill cameras. pills and the rows are thus separated from one another in parallel so that a numerical imprint can Ede put or is placed between two adjacent rows.

[0012] The package can be opened or closed to extract a pill from one of the pill blisters. In the open state of the container, the pill blisters of the container may be arranged in a plane extending through the rectangular shape of the pill blisters. The open state of the package is shown in Figure 1, while the closed state of the package is shown in Figure 2c and Figure 4. In the closed state of the container are the pill blisters on top of each other vertically with an alignment essentially parallel to the blister packs.

[0013] The package comprises three blister packs that are disposed between the two cardboard strips. Between the respective pill blisters there are two folds, so that in the opened state the pill blisters can be arranged side by side in the plane that extends through the pill blisters, and in the closed state the pill blisters can to be arranged one above the other vertically with an essentially parallel alignment of the pill blisters.

[0014] The respective pill blisters each have 28 pill chambers for the reception of contraceptive pills. Each of the 28 pill chambers of the three pill blisters is arranged in 4 rows of 7 pill chambers each.

[0015] The 4 respective rows of the three pill blisters are thus separated from one another in parallel so that a numerical imprint can be placed on the upper cardboard strip between two adjacent rows of pill chambers of a pill blister.

[0016] It is preferred that the individual pill chambers of the first pill blister be numbered from 1 to 28.

[0017] In addition, it is preferred that the pill chambers of the second pill blister be numbered 29 through 56.

[0018] Furthermore, it is preferred that the pill chambers of the third pill blister be numbered 57 through 84.

[0019] Within the framework of the present invention, commercially available pill blisters are used in the package. This type of pill blister is known per se by a person skilled in the art and generally comprises an aluminum-containing cover film which is provided with an adhesive layer, as well as a base film or thermoforming film generally produced on a PVC base, in which the pill chambers are formed by drawing.

[0020] The present invention is explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. In this case, the reference symbols used have the following meanings: Meaning of the reference symbols:

1: Container

2: Blister of pills

3: Pill blister

4: Pill blister

5: Top cardboard strip on the side of the base film of the pill blister

6: Lower cardboard strip on the side of the cover film of the pill blister

7: Fold

8: Fold

9: Fold

10 Fold

11 Pill camera

12 Digital printing

13 Subsection of the cardboard strip

14 Subsection of the cardboard strip

15 Subsection of the cardboard strip

16 Subsection of the cardboard strip

17 Fold

18 Fold

19 Separation strip

20 Separation strip

21 Separation strip

22 Cavities

23 repositionable adhesive strips

24 Tab

25 Adhesive surfaces in subsections 13, 14, 15

26 Slit

[0021] Figures 1 and 3 show a package 1 in the open state.

[0022] Figure 2 shows the closure of the package 1 from the open state in Figure 2a to a folded state in Figure 2b to a closed state in Figure 2c.

[0023] Figure 4 shows a closed container 1 with pill chambers 11 displaced in blister packs 3 and 4.

[0024] In detail:

Figure 1 shows a package 1. The three blisters of pills 2, 3, 4 are arranged in such a way that the rows of pills of the respective blister packs 2, 3, 4 are parallel to each other. The blister packs 2, 3, 4 are arranged between two cardboard strips 5, 6, visible in Figures 2a to 2c, which extend laterally on the pill blisters 2, 3, 4 as well as on the area between the blisters of pills 2, 3, 4. Outside the areas of the blister packs 2, 3, 4, the cardboard strips 5, 6 are joined together, in particular glued together. The upper cardboard strip 5 has cavities 22 for the pill chambers of the respective pill blisters 2, 3, 4.

[0025] The cardboard strips have subsections 13, 14, 15 which are assigned to the respective pill blisters 2, 3, 4. Between these subsections 13, 14, 15 there are two folds 7, 8, 9, 10 respectively they are configured as bent edges. The package 1 can be folded by these folded folds or edges 7, 8, 9, 10 so that the three pill blisters 2, 3, 4 can be disposed either side by side in a plane extending in the shape rectangular of the pill blisters 2, 3, 4 (open state of the container 1), or one above the other vertically, with an essentially parallel alignment of the pill blisters 2, 3, 4 (closed state of the container 1).

[0026] In addition, the cardboard strip may have an additional subsection 16 which is joined to subsection 13 in the longitudinal direction. In subsection 16 you can place leaflets, stickers or similar.

[0027] All subsections 13, 14, 15, 16 have an essentially identical surface, so that when folding the package 1 along the folds 7, 8, 9, 10, as shown in Figures 2a to 2c , you get a body in cuboid shape like a box.

[0028] Between the rows of individual pills the package 1 has sufficient space for the numbering by means of numerical printing 12 of the corresponding pills of the respective blister packs 2, 3, 4.

[0029] Since the package 1 is used for the administration of contraceptives in the long cycle, each blister of pills 2, 3, 4 consists of 28 pills respectively, each arranged in 4 rows of 7 pills.

[0030] In principle, there is a possibility that the pill blister 2 that is provided in subsection 13 comprises the pills numbered 1 to 28 from the upper left to the lower right. These are followed by pills 29 to 56 that are provided in the pill blister 3 in subsection 14, and pills 57 to 84 that are provided in the pill blister 4 in subsection 15, also from the top left to the lower right. This embodiment is shown in Figure 1.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 3a, the pill blister 4 in subsection 15 contains pills 1 to 28, the pill blister 3 in subsection 14 pills 29 to 56 and the Pill blister 2 in subsection 13 pills 57 to 84, also from the upper left to the lower right. In this second alternative embodiment of the present invention there is the advantage that the patient first takes pills 1 to 28 from the blister of pills 4. If pills 1 to 28 of the blister pack 4 are depleted, the patient can separate the pill blister 4 in subsection 15 along a perforation provided between the blister packs of pills 4 and 3, and only the pill blister packs 2 and 3 are needed for the remaining administration regimen. After consumption of pills 29 to 56 of the pill blister 3, subsection 14 can also be separated along the perforation provided between subsections 12 and 13. Thus, the patient does not have to permanently use the pill blisters. , 3, 4. The perforations provided to separate the subsections 14, 15 with the blister packs 3, 4 can be provided in the folds 7, 8, 9, 10 or separated therefrom.

[0032] In another alternative embodiment, which is shown in Figure 3b, the order of the individual contraceptive pills in each pill blister is rotated 180 °, so that the weekly rows of 7 pills each are arranged in a Consistent order of 1 to 12. This provision of the pills represents a safe take on the part of the patient.

[0033] The container 1 comprises, as already pointed out, two cardboard strips 5, 6, between which the blister packs 2, 3, 4 are presented. Cardboard or cardboard strips means any cardboard material, paper or plastic that gives sufficient stability to the container 1.

[0034] Within the framework of the present invention, it is preferred that the cardboard strips 5, 6 be in a single piece on both sides of the pill blister packs, where the folds 7, 8, 9, 10, 17 are provided, 18 mentioned between the individual subsections 13 to 16 and perforations are provided between subsections 14 and 15 respectively, corresponding to the blister packs 3 and 4.

[0035] In another preferred embodiment only the cardboard strip 5 is in one piece, and the cardboard strip 6 is composed of three or four individual cardboard strips corresponding to subsections 13, 14, 15 or 13 , 14, 15, 16.

[0036] In a further embodiment only the cardboard strip 6 is in one piece, and the cardboard strip 5 is composed of three or four individual cardboard strips corresponding to subsections 13, 14, 15 or 13, 14, 15, 16.

[0037] The disposition of the pills in the blister packs of pills 3 and 4 in subsections 14 and 15 is preferably shifted so that when folding the pack 1 the pills of the blister packs 4 are in the spaces between the pills of the blister packs of pills 3. Thus the separation strips 19, 20, 21 between subsections 13 to 16 can be shortened thereby reducing overall the need for space of the package 1 in the closed state. A corresponding configuration of the container 1 is shown in Figure 4. The cardboard strips on the side of the base films of the pill blisters 2, 3, 4 have the chambers 11 corresponding to the compartments of the pills.

[0038] It is preferable that subsection 16 present at least seven strips 23 that can be disassembled and pasted again, each indicating the seven days of the week and beginning each with another day of the week.

[0039] Within the framework of the present invention it is possible for one of the seven adhesive strips 23 of subsection 16 to be able to stick to the surface 25 above the first row of the blister packs 2, 3, 4 on the strip of adhesive. cardboard 5 covering the cover film of the pill blister 2, 3, 4. This makes it easier and more controllable for the patient to comply with the administration regimen.

[0040] In another more preferred embodiment of the present invention there are three series of 7 adhesive strips each in subsection 16, so that in each case 3 adhesive strips start on the same day of the week and the corresponding adhesive strips are place respectively above the blister packs 2, 3, 4.

[0041] Furthermore, it is preferred that subsection 16 be provided with a tongue 24 with which the container 1 can be closed after folding subsections 13, 14, 15 adjacent to subsection 16 when inserted into a corresponding notch 26, for example in the fold 8.

[0042] It is preferred that the package 1 has a seal that is such that only with the visible destruction of the seal the tongue 24 can be removed from the notch 26.

[0043] The manufacture of the container 1 was carried out in such a way that in a first stage of the method a cardboard strip 5 with chambers 22 is provided as well as with an adhesive coating applied on the rear part, in a second stage of the method is provided a strip of cardboard 6 of the same size and in a third step of the method the two cardboard strips 5, 6 are joined together, in particular they stick together, with the simultaneous fixation of the blister packs 2, 3, 4.

[0044] The folds 7 to 10 as well as 17 and 18 as well as the perforations provided if necessary between subsections 13 to 15 in the area of the separation strips 19, 20, 21 can be provided in this case on the cardboard strips 5, 6 before the closing of the cardboard strips 5, 6 or later after the closing of the cardboard strips 5, 6. The perforations can also be provided in this case in the folds 7, 8, 9, 10.

[0045] Figure 5 shows a blister 2, 3, 4 available on the market with pill cameras 11 that are used in the package 1.

[0046] Figure 6 shows the modular structure of the container 1. On a cardboard strip 6 there are three blister packs 2, 3, 4 and a cardboard strip 5 provided with the corresponding chambers is fixed to the cardboard strip 6 above the blister packs.

[0047] The package 1 is particularly suitable for storing contraceptive pills that are taken for a longer period of time, for example 12 weeks. Therefore, the packages shown in Figures 1, 3a and 3b are provided with a total of 84 pills chambers each. Usually, after taking the corresponding contraceptive pills during this period, you are given the possibility of not taking pills for a week or taking placebo pills for a week. For safety in the taking it is preferable that the package also contains 7 placebo pills. That is why the package preferably has the third blister of pills with 35 pill chambers instead of 28 pill chambers. These embodiments of the package are shown in Figures 7a to 7c which, with the exception of the other pill chambers for the placebo pills, correspond to the embodiments of Figures 1, 3a and 3b.

Claims (9)

Use of a container (1) comprising three blister packs (2, 3, 4) joined together and consisting of two rectangular cardboard strips (5, 6), among which the three blister packs ( 2, 3, 4) are arranged in such a way that the rows of pills of the pill blisters (2, 3, 4) are essentially parallel, wherein two folds (7, 8, 9, 10) are provided between the respective pill blisters (2, 3, 4), such that in the open state the pill blisters (2, 3, 4) may be arranged side by side in the plane that extends through the pill blisters (2, 3, 4). , 3, 4), and in the closed state the pill blisters (2, 3, 4) can be arranged one above the other vertically with an essentially parallel alignment of the pill blisters (2, 3, 4), where each blister of pills (2, 3, 4) presents four rows of pill cameras (11) each with seven pill chambers (11) and the rows are separated from one another in parallel so that a digital print (12) can be placed or placed between two adjacent rows to store contraceptive pills. 2. Use of a container (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the cardboard strips (5, 6) are in one piece. 3. Use of a package (1) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the cardboard strips (5, 6) extend laterally on the blister packs (2, 3, 4) as well as on the area between the blisters of pills (2, 3, 4). 4. Use of a container (1) according to claim 3 characterized in that, outside the areas of the pill blister (2, 3, 4), the cardboard strips (5, 6) are joined together, in particular stuck 5. Use of a container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an upper cardboard strip (5) has cavities (22) for the pill chambers of the pill blister packs (2, 3, 4) respective. 6. Use of a container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cardboard strips (5, 6) are divided into at least three subsections (13, 14, 15), that is, a first one ( 13), a second (14) and a third (15) subsection that correspond to the blister packs (2, 3, 4). 7. Use of a container (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the cardboard strips (5, 6) have an additional subsection (16) that joins the first subsection (13) in the longitudinal direction. 8. Use of a container (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that in the subsection (16) additional leaflets, stickers or similar are placed. Use of a package (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that all the subsections (13, 14, 15, 16) have an essentially identical surface, so that when the package (1) is folded along the folds (7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 18) a cuboid-shaped body is obtained as a box.