GB2086855A

GB2086855A - Packaging element

Info

Publication number: GB2086855A
Application number: GB8130179A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Sterwin AG
Current assignee: Sterwin AG
Priority date: 1980-10-08
Filing date: 1981-10-06
Publication date: 1982-05-19
Also published as: GB2086855B

Abstract

A packaging element for mounting blister strips containing a course of medication for a patient comprises a lamina foldable along a straight line dividing the lamina into a supporting member 12 having blister- receiving apertures 14 and a backing member 13 having like apertures so that when the lamina is folded the one faces of the members lie adjacent, the one faces bearing a pressure-sensitive adhesive capable of securing blister strips to the two members and of bonding together the one faces of the two members. A respective protective release sheet is strippably adhered to the pressure-sensitive adhesive of each of the members so that in use each release sheet can be removed separately from its respective member. According to the invention the element includes a separate flap 23 disposed along an edge of the backing member and bearing a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on an adjacent face thereof covered by the protective release sheet of the backing member which extends over the adhesive coated face of the flap whereby the backing member release sheet may be removed by gripping the flap and moving it with the release sheet in a direction away from the one face. The flap may have separable label or marking elements delineated therein, e.g. by cuts. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Packaging element This invention relates to a packaging element, in particular a packaging element for use in packaging drugs to encourage patient compliance that is to say, to encourage patients to take medication in the doses and at the times prescribed by their doctors.

In our co-pending Application No. 24,381/78 (Serial No. 1,601,885) there is described and claimed a packaging element for mounting blister strips containing a course of medication for a patient, which element comprises a lamina foldable along a straight line dividing the lamina into a supporting member and a backing member so that when the lamina is folded the one faces of the member lie adjacent, the supporting member being provided with a plurality of apertures for receiving the blisters of a plurality of blister strips when the blister strips are mounted on the one face of the supporting member so that the blisters project through the member and form a matrix with the blister strips aligned with the columns of the matrix and the backing member being provided with a plurality of apertures arranged so that when blister strips are mounted on the supporting member and the lamina is folded the contents of the blisters may be removed through apertures of the backing member, the one faces of the members bearing a pressure-sensitive adhesive capable of securing blister strips to the two members and of bonding together the one faces of the two members, the other face of the supporting member bearing or being adapted to receive in relation to each row of the matrix directions as to the day on which the contents of the blisters in the row are to be administered and further being adapted to receive directions in relation to each column of the matrix as to the time of administration of the contents of blisters in the column, the element further comprising one or more protective release sheets strippably adhered to the pressure-sensitive adhesive, so that in use the or each release sheet can be removed from the lamina, blister strips containing a course of medication can be mounted on the supporting member and the backing member can be bonded to the supporting member by folding the lamina to form an integral package to which appropriate administration directions are applied, and the contents of the blisters may be removed in accordance with the directions without disturbing the integrity of the package.

According to the present invention there is provided a packaging element for mounting strips containing a course of medication for a patient, which element comprises a lamina foldable along a straight line dividing the lamina into a supporting member and a backing member so that when the lamina is folded the one faces of the members lie adjacent, the supporting member being provided with a plurality of apertures for receiving the blisters of a plurality of blister strips when the blister strips are mounted on the one face of the supporting member so that the blisters project through the member and form a matrix with the blister strips aligned with the columns of the matrix and the backing member being provided with a plurality of apertures arranged so that when blister strips are mounted on the supporting member and the lamina is folded the contents of the blisters may be removed through apertures of the backing member, the one faces of the members bearing a pressure-sensitive adhesive capable of securing blister strips to the two members and of bonding together the one faces of the two members, the other face of the supporting member bearing or being adapted to receive in relation to each row of the matrix directions as to the day on which the contents of the blisters in the row are to be administered and further being adapted to receive directions in relation to each column of the matrix as to the time of administration of the contents of blisters in the column, the element further comprising blisters in the column, the element further comprising a protective release sheet strippably adhered to the pressure-sensitive adhesive of each of the supporting and backing members so that in use each release sheet can be removed separately from its respective member, blister strips containing a course of medication can be mounted on the supporting member and the backing member can be bonded to the supporting member by folding the lamina to form an integral package to which appropriate administration directions can be applied, and the contents of the blisters may be removed in accordance with the directions without disturbing the integrity of the package, the element including a flap bearing a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on one face thereof and disposed adjacent the backing member but separate therefrom so that its one face provides an extension remote from the fold line of the adhesive coated backing member face, and the protective release sheet of the backing member extending over the adhesive coated face of the flap whereby the backing member release sheet may be removed by gripping the flap and moving it with the release sheet in a direction away from the one face of the backing member.

It will be appreciated from the above definition that the element of the present invention is closely similar to the element of our earlier application except for the inclusion of a grippable flap disposed along one edge of the backing member.

Thus, the various details concerning the structure of the earlier element, its lamina, its support and backing members, its adhesive coating, its release sheets etc., as described in the complete specification, of our earlier application, apply to the present elements, and the whole of our earlier disclosure is incorporated herein by way of reference to avoid unnecessary repetition. It is to be understood, therefore, that insofar as the earlier invention possesses features, in particular those which are preferred, which are relevant to the present invention, those features apply equally here unless there are indications to the contrary in the description which follows.

The provision of a flap in accordance with the present invention has the particular advantage of affording means to provide a packaging element which is complete in itself, that is to say an element which is useable with no additions other than the necessary blister strips. This is advantageous in that no ancillary printed matter is required: accordingly ancillary printed matter cannot be lost or mislaid, and such difficulties arising out of the use of ancillary printed matter are avoided.

Thus, in a preferred aspect of the invention the flap carries on its face remote from the adhesive coated face printed matter which is removable to provide a plurality of labels which can be applied to the other face of the supporting member as directions for the time of administration and/or as time divisions. Preferably, the labels are backed with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and this may be achieved in a convenient manner by providing a flap which is pre-cut so that portions of the flap may be removed and the adhesive coated on the one face of the flap can serve to secure the removable portions to the other face of the supporting member.

In a particularly preferred aspect the flap carries a plurality of e.g. at least four removable coloured dividing strips and a plurlity of e.g. four to six removable tabs bearing time of day directions, typically: BREAKFAST NOON TEATIME and/or TEA BEDTIME and/or BED In the preferred case where the flap is pre-cut to provide removable portions, those portions when adhered to the other face of the supporting member since they are raised above that face, provide a useful guide to patients who are blind.

With blind patients it has been found that once they know the particular daily regimen they must follow they can readily tell with the aid of the apertures in the supporting member and the adhered dividing strips where they have reached in any particular course of treatment.

As will be appreciated it is of advantage that by providing a flap carrying removable printed matter a complete packaging element can be produced. It is important also, however, that the flap itself should be removable, not least to minimise the final package size, and also for aesthetic reasons.

Accordingly, when providing a flap in any packaging element of the kind described in our earlier application it is necessary to provide a flap which can be removed from the element.

The flap and its associated release sheet may be made removable, and may be removed, by a number of means or techniques. However, it is a disadvantage if any such means or techniques afford at the same time an uncovered adhesive layer on the backing member and an adjacent flap whereby the flap and backing member accidentally can become adhered together, thus preventing proper assembly of the packaging element and blister strips. Accordingly, it is a particular feature of the present invention that the protective release sheet of the backing member extends over the adhesive coated face of a flap which is not joined to the adjacent backing member edge, the essential integrity of the packaging element being maintained by the release sheet.By using such an assembly the flap can be employed to remove the protective release sheet, and sicne it is itself removed cannot then adhere to the remainder of the packaging element.

Moreover, the element of the present invention has the added advantage that since the backing member is initially extended by addition of the flap, the flap acts as a means to distinguish the two members of the element and to enable the element to be oriented correctly. Thus, in using an assembly technique employing a platform device as described in our co-pending Application No. 79-00932 (Serial No. 1,601,886), and where that device employs a wall against which an edge of the supporting member is located, the flap provides positive means to prevent location of the backing member in mistake for the supporting member.

As with our earlier element it is particularly preferred that the packaging element of this invention is adapted to be capable of mounting a one week course of medication for a patient. This may be achieved by providing the supporting member with apertures capable of receiving blister strips when the blister strips are mounted to form a seven row matrix, and by providing the backing member with appropriate apertures to allow the contents of blisters so mounted to be removed. In this arrangement for each day of the week there is a corresponding row in the matrix.

Again as with the earlier element the lamina used in the present element is conveniently adapted to be readily foldable along the line dividing it into the two members to that the folding operation may be performed quickly and without the remainder of the lamina being distorted. Thus, the lamina is preferably provided with a weakened e.g. scored portion along the line of the fold.

Also, the lamina may be any shape which when folded will give the package an easily manipulable configuration. It should preferably be symmetrical about the fold line so that the outer edges of the two members correspond when the lamina is folded. This gives the formed package additional strength. Preferably the lamina is rectangular with the fold line parallel to and equidistant between two opposed sides of the rectangle, and preferably the flap, which itself typically may be rectangular extends from one side edge of the backing member to the other.

It will be understood that the adhesive used must be compatible with the lamina and with the blister strips. By the term "compatible" it is meant that the pressure-sensitive adhesive is adherent to the material of the lamina and to the materials of component parts of the blister strips without there being any unwanted chemical interactions between the adhesive and these materials. Again this is a feature of our earlier application to which reference may be had for more specific details.

In order to enable the packaging element of the invention to be stored without adhering to neighbouring articles the element also comprises two protective release sheets covering the adhesive. Each release sheet is firmly adherent to the adhesive so that it will not become dislodged during normal handling and yet is strippable therefrom when the packaging element is to be put into use. In a preferred embodiment each release sheet is also provided with apertures corresponding to those in the supporting and backing members of the lamina. The release sheet is preferably a silicone-coated release sheet, which is usually a paper sheet. Furthermore, if desired the release sheet may be suffiently transparent or translucent to enable instructions applied to each member to be read through the release sheet even when it is adhered to the lamina.

Unlike our earlier invention, in the present element the adhesive may not be covered by a single release sheet extending all over the adhesive-coated faces of the members of the packaging element, but must comprise two separate release sheets, one applied to the supporting member and another applied to the backing member and flap.

Moreover, it is preferred that the adjacent edges of the release sheets of each member are spaced apart so that the sheets do not extend into the fold line area of the lanina. Also, each member preferably should be adhesive coated so that adjacent the fold line a strip along the edge of at least the release sheet of the supporting member is not adhered to its adjacent member.

Once again as with our earlier element the packaging element of the present invention enables the individual doses of a course of medication to be mounted in a matrix with the medication for each day forming a row in the matrix. To encourage the patient to administer each dose on the correct day at the correct time the columns and rows of the matrix in the complete package are labelled appropriately, with one day being assigned to each row. The outer face of the supporting member may either bear this information or be adapted to receive the information so that it may be applied when the package is assembled. Since it is obviously highly advantageous for the rows to be labelled in sequence, it is preferable from the point of view of simplifying the preparation of a package if the element of this invention incorporates labelling of the rows.This may be achieved by printing the days of the week on the outer face of the supporting member, although the information may be associated with each row in any convenient way. It has been found most desirable to apply the information to the supporting member so that it lies to the left of the matrix when the package is held by the patient so that the directions for administration can be read. A simple abbreviation of the name of the day of the week is sufficient MON, TUES, WED, etc. - but it is highly desirable that the supporting member be marked so as to define easily discernible strips which extend thereacross, each stripe corresponding to and being associated with the apertures for receiving the blisters of one row of the matrix.For example, the outer face of the supporting member may be given a striped appearance by applying alternating bands of contrasting colours. In this way the patient may more easily identify the row in the matrix corresponding to a particular day.

When the directions for the day of administration are applied to the element and the first day of treatment does not correspond to the day associated with the top row in the matrix it is possible that the patient may be confused because it will be necessary to start removing doses from a lower row and to follow the weekly dosage from the intermediate point in the matrix. Therefore for some applications it may be preferable for the directions as to the day of administration to be applied to the supporting member when a package is being assembled. In this case the outer face of the supporting member should be adapted to receive the information.The member may, for example, be provided with a space in which the information could be written against each row, or the information could be applied by a suitable rubber stamp but it is most convenient if the supporting member is adapted to receive manually-applied labels bearing the appropriate designations. In this way the pharmacist can label the rows so that the first dose to be administered is always taken out of the top row of the matrix irrespective of when in the week the treatment starts.

The time of day when doses are to be administered may vary widely depending on the complaint being treated, the nature of the treatment and the age of the patient. Thus, to ensure the maximum adpatability for the element of the present invention directions for the time of administration may be applied to the element when it is assembled into a package. The supporting member is adapted to receive such information and again, although the information could be written, stamped or printed on the member, it is preferred that these directions are also applied in the form of individual labels, so that the member is adapted to receive one such label for each column of the matrix.

It is usual for medication to be administered 3 times a day, and in some cases 4 times a day. The labels could actually be marked with the time of day, but unless a 24 hour clock is used, this could cause some confusion, It has been found that the times of admininstration are best related to breakfast, noon, teatime and/or bedtime as described above, and the labels are preferably marked with these times. In addition it is preferable for the labels to be coloured, and the labels for each time may have a characteristic colour.

When labels are used to apply information to the supporting member they are preferably derived from the flap as described above. The supporting member should be adapted to receive the directions, and whre these directions are applied as adhesive labels the outer face of the supporting member is provided with areas to which the lables may be attached to relate to the columns, and where appropriate the rows, of the matrix of doses. If the lamina is cardboard the outer face is preferably suitably finished to enable labels to be applied and removed or relocated, as necessary, without damage to the surface. The adhesive is preferably one which rapidly reaches its full adhesive strength after application.

In a preferred aspect the element of the invention is also adapted to receive further information such as the identity of the patient, the identity and address of the pharmacist assembling a package from the element and the date. Most conveniently the outer face of the backing member is adapted to receive this information preferably by being provided with delineated areas into which the information may be entered.

In use it is intended that where the prescribing doctor wishes a patient to use the packaging system of this invention he will specify its use on the patient's prescription. When the prescription is presented to the pharmacist it will be made up in the form of a package from the element of the invention and the appropriate blister strips. To do this the pharmacist will take an appropriate size of element (having sufficient apertures to accommodate all the columns of the matrix required for the course of medication), preferably he will locate it by its supporting member on a platform according to our second-mentioned earlier application, and he will peel off the release sheet protecting the supporting member.He will then arrange blister strips in an appropriate array in the apertures in the supporting member, with the strips forming the columns and the columns preferably being arranged so that the doses are in chronological order reading from left to right.

When the blister strips are mounted on the supporting member pressure may be applied to bond them to that member. Then, he will grip the flap adjacent the backing member, and pull it away from the said one face of the member to remove the remaining release sheet, whereafter the lamina will be folded to bring the one face of the backing member into contact with the one face of the supporting member and the mounted blister strips, and so sandwich the blister strips between the two members. Pressure may be applied as necessary to ensure that the two members are bonded together, and that the package is integrated. The package will then be turned over to place the supporting member uppermost and the appropriate directions applied to the outer face of the supporting member e.g.

after their removal from the flap. The complete package will then be ready to give to the patient.

The invention further includes an assembled package containing a course of medication, which package comprises a plurality of blister strips mounted on the supporting member of a lamina of an element according to the invention so that the blisters of those strips form a matrix with the medication for one day of the course contained within the blisters of one row of the matrix, the release sheets and attached flap having been removed and the lamina having been folded to bond the one face of the supporting member and the backing member to each other and to sandwich the blister strips therebetween, and the outer face of the supporting member bearing directions in relation to each row of the matrix as to the day of administration of the contents of blisters in the row, and directions in relation to each column of the matrix as to the time of administration of the contents of blisters in each column.

The invention still further includes a method of assembling a package, which method comprises removing the release sheet from the supporting member of an element according to the invention, mounting a plurality of blister strips containing a course of medication on the supporting member so that the blisters form a matrix in which each row contains the medication for one day of the course arranged in chronological order of the time of administration, gripping the flap and moving it.

away from the one face of the backing member to remove the release sheet therefrom, folding the lamina to bond the one face of the backing member to the one face of the supporting member and the mounted blister strips, and applying directions for administration to the outer face of the supporting member, preferably using printed matter removable from the flap, so that each column is identified with a time of administration.

The overall size of an assembled package produced by the above method will largely depend on the number of columns in the matrix of the packaging element from which the package is produced. Thus, a packaging element with seven rows and six columns will generally give rise to a smaller package than one produced from an element with, for example, seven rows and ten columns. However, even where a packaging element is of a size consistent with a minimal array of rows and columns, in certain circumstances the package may be too large.

Thus, for example, in the case of an active patient who is likely to be moving between or occupying a number of locations on a daily or even weekly basis it may be more convenient to provide an assembled package which can be folded to reduce its overall size in one of its two larger dimensions. Such a package may be produced by providing a packaging element which includes means, generally comprising one or more lines of weakening which in an assembled package enable the package to be folded e.g. into a wallet.Since blister strips containing doses of medication have an overall depth which although small in comparison with their width and length may be significant in a folded package, it is preferred to provide adjacent pairs of lines of weakening separated by a narrow strip of lamina material whereby an assembled package may be folded over into a flat wallet shape with the tops of the blisters towards each other.

The line or lines of weakening may be provided at any position in the matrix which allows folding to be effected. Preferably, however, the line or lines of weakening are provided between adjacent columns of the package i.e. normal to the line about which the lamina is folded, and are so spaced from the columns that interference from the edges of blister strips in the assembled package is avoided. Also while the line or lines may be positioned in the columnar array in any arrangement which affords the desired reduction in size on folding, it is preferred that the arrangement chosen should lead to a size reduction which is as near as is practical to the maximum obtainable size reduction.

In the case of smaller packages produced from the element of the invention, for example, where there are six columns, the desired folding may be achieved by providing one pair of lines positioned halfway along the array of columns i.e. between the third and fourth columns. On the other hand in the case of larger packages, for example, where there are ten columns two pairs of lines may be provided so that two outer sections, for example, comprising three columns can be folded inwards over a central section, for example, comprising four columns.

The lines of weakening may be provided in any manner which enables the assembled package to be folded over on itself. Thus, the lines may be score lines or crease lines produced by the various techniques known per se.

Since the thickness of the lamina however small may effect the proper co-operation between any line of weakening of the supporting member and any corresponding such line of weakening of the backing member, those lines may be provided on each member in an arrangement which takes account of the thickness of the lamina. Thus, pairs of lines on one member may be offset with respect to corresponding lines on the other member.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view of the adhesive bearing face of one form of packaging element according to the invention; Figure 2 is a view of the other face of the element of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of an assembled package according to the invention; Figure 4 is a view of the other face of another form of packaging element according to the invention; and Figure 5 is a view of the other face of yet another form of packaging element according to the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings the packaging element shown comprises a lamina 11 foldable along line A-A dividing the lamina into a rectangular supporting member 12 and a rectangular backing member 13 of equal size.

Each member 12, 13 has a multiplicity of apertures 1 4 for receiving the blisters of a plurality of blister strips as described more fully in connection with Application No. 24,381/78 (Serial No. 1,601,885). Each member will generally include seven rows of apertures (as shown), one row for each day of the week. The number of columns, however, will vary depending on the treatment, although it is thought that a system could be operated to a useful degree if the pharmacist has a choice between a six column element as shown and a ten column element.

On the one face shown in Figure 1 each member has a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive (not shown), which in turn is covered by a release sheet 1 5 and 1 6 respectively. The release sheets 1 5 and 1 6 include apertures corresponding with apertures 14, and are spaced from each other on either side of fold line A-A so that they do not extend into the fold line area.

Also, the adhesive coating is so disposed that a narrow strip along the edge adjacent the fold line of each release sheet is not adhered to its adjacent member. If desired the apertures 14 of the member 1 2 may be delineated in rows by printed lines 1 7 as shown, but the lines are preferably omitted.

On the other face shown in Figure 2 the supporting member carries across the face a printed pattern of coloured stripes 18, and down the left hand side of the face a marking indicating the day of the week to which each row relates. On the other face of the backing member there are printed boxes 19, 20, 21 in which there may be written or printed additional information, such as: Box 19 -- pharmacist's name etc.

Box 20 -- patient's name, Box 21 -date.

Disposed along one edge of the backing member 16 is a flap 23, divided from the member 1 3 by a cut 24. The cut 24 extends to separate the flap 23 from the member 13, but does not extend to separate sheet 1 6 into corresponding portions.

On its other face as shown in Figure 2 the flap 23 bears printed tabs 25 to 30, as well as coloured strips 31. Each tab 25 to 30 and strip 31 is delineated by a cut line so that the portion of the flap bearing the printing of each tab or strip is removable as a label bearing-sensitive adhesive on one face and printed matter on its other face.

The element shown may be formed from cardboard stock, which is coated with adhesive, laminated with release sheet material, in register printed, and cut to form the apertures 14, as well as line 24 and the tabs and strips.

In use the element 11 is placed on a supporting surface with the printed face of member 12 downwards and with edge 32 nearest the person assembling the package. Typically the surface may be a platform comprising a bearing surface having a plurality of similar recesses e.g. apertures or slots, adapted to receive the blisters of blister strips as they are mounted on the member 12 as described in the above-mentioned earlier Application. Release sheet 1 5 is then removed and the blister strips of the prescribed course of medication pressed into place on member 12.

Then member 13 is grasped with one hand and moved to reduce the included angle between the one faces bearing adhesive so that the flap 23 can be grasped by the other hand and pulled away from member 13 to remove the release sheet 1 6.

Next the lamina is folded so that member 13 overlies member 12, the members being pressed together to provide an assembled package.

Finally, time of day indications and divisions are applied to the other face of the member 12 using the tabs 25 to 30 and strips 31 as necessary, the package being completed by inclusion of the pharmacist's name, the patient's name and the date in boxes 19 to 21 respectively. The front face of a package thus produced is, for example, as shown in Figure 3.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, these show packaging elements from which foldable packages can be produced. In each case one or a number of pairs of score lines 35 are provided on each of the supporting and backing members 12 and 13 respectively. Typically the score lines 35 may be about 1 mm wide, and to accommodate the thickness of the lamina when folded the spacing between the lines 35 on the backing member 1 3 as shown may be slightly greater than that between the lines 35 on the supporting member 12 e.g. by a difference of about 1 mm such as between a spacing of 1 6 mm and a spacing of 15 mm.

In the case of the element of Figure 4 with six columns a single pair of score lines 35 is provided.

However, in the case of the element of Figure 5 with ten columns two pairs of score lines 35 are provided to enable two outer sections 36 to be folded over an inner section 37.

The elements of Figures 4 and 5 may be used to form an assembled package in the same manner as described for the element of Figures 1 and 2. When assembled such a package may be folded about lines 35 to reduce its size.

Claims

1. A packaging element for mounting blister strips containing a course of medication for a patient, which element comprises a iamina foldable along a straight line dividing the lamina into a supporting member and a backing member so that when the lamina is folded the one faces of the members lie adjacent, the supporting member being provided with a plurality of apertures for receiving the blisters of a plurality of blister strips when the blister strips are mounted on the one face of the supporting member so that the blisters project through the member and form a matrix with the blister strips aligned with the columns of the matrix and the backing member being provided with a plurality of apertures arranged so that when blister strips are mounted on the supporting member and the lamina is folded the contents of the blisters may be removed through apertures of the backing member, the one faces of the members bearing a pressure-sensitive adhesive capable of securing blister strips to the two members and of bonding together the one faces of the two members, the other face of the supporting member bearing or being adapted to receive in relation to each row of the matrix directions as to the day on which the contents of the blisters in the row are to be administered and further being adapted to receive directions in relation to each column of the matrix as to the time of administration of the contents of blisters in the column, the element further comprising a protective release sheet strippably adhered to the pressure-sensitive adhesive of each of the supporting and backing members so that in use each release sheet can be removed separately from its respective member, blister strips containing a course of medication can be mounted on the supporting member and the backing member can be bonded to the supporting member by folding the lamina to form an integral package to which appropriate administration directions can be applied, and the contents of the blisters may be removed in accordance with the directions without disturbing the integrity of the package, the element including a flap bearing a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on one face thereof and disposed adjacent the backing member but separate therefrom so that its one face provides an extension remote from the fold line of the adhesive coated backing member face, and the protective release sheet of the backing member extending over the adhesive coated face of the flap whereby the backing member release sheet may be removed by gripping the flap and moving it with the release sheet in a direction away from the one face of the backing member.

2. An element according to claim 1, wherein the supporting member is provided with apertures capable of receiving blister strips so that the blisters form a seven-row matrix, and the backing member is provided with corresponding apertures to allow the contents of blister strips so mounted to be removed.

3. An element according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lamina is rectangular with the fold line parallel to and equidistant between two opposed sides of the rectangle.

4. An element according to any one of the preceing claims, wherein the other face of the supporting member is adpated to receive directions for the time of administration and/or time divisions in the form of a plurality of manually-applied labels backed with a pressuresensitive adhesive.

5. An element according to claim 4, wherein the flap carries on its other face remote from its adhesive coated face printed matter which is removable to provide said plurality of labels.

6. An element according to claim 5, wherein the flap is pre-cut so that a plurality of dividing strips and a plurality of tabs bearing time of day directions are removable and the adhesive coated on said one face of the flap can serve to secure them to the other face of the supporting member.

7. An element according to claim 6 wherein there-are at least four strips and four to six tabs.

8. An element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjacent edges of the release sheets of each member are spaced apart so that the sheets do not extend into the fold line area of the lamina.

9. An element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or each member is adhesive coated so that a strip adjacent the fold line along the edge of at least the release sheet of the supporting member is not adhered to its adjacent member.

10. An element according to any one of the preceding claims whcih includes one or more lines of weakening in the lamina whereby a package assembled from the element can be folded to reduce its size.

11. An element according to claim 10, wherein the one or more lines of weakening are crease lines or score lines.

12. An element according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the one or more lines of weakening are provided between adjacent columns of apertures.

13. An element according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein one or more pairs of lines of weakening are provided.

14. A packaging element substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, 4 or 5 of the accompanying drawings.

1 5. An assembled package containing a course of medication, which package comprises a plurality of blister strips mounted on the supporting member of a lamina of an element according to any one of claims 1 to 13 so that the blisters of those strips form a matrix with the medication for one day of the course contained within the blisters of one row of the matrix, the release sheets and attached flap having been removed and the lamina having been folded to bond the one faces of the supporting member and the backing member to each other and to sandwich the blister strips therebetween, and the outer face of the supporting member bearing directions in relation to each row of the matrix as to the day of administion of the contents of blisters in the row, and directions in relation to each column of the matrix as to the time of administration of the contents of blisters in each column.

1 6. An assembled package containing a course of medication substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

1 7. A method of assembling a package, which method comprises removing the release sheet from the supporting member of an element according to any one of claims 1 to 14, mounting a plurality of blister strips containing a course of medication on the supporting member so that the blisters form a matrix in which each row contains the medication for one day of the course arranged in chronological order of the time of administration, gripping the flap and moving it away from the one face of the backing member to remove the release sheet therefrom, folding the lamina to bond the one face of the backing member to the one face of the supporting member and the mounted blister strips, and applying directions for administration to the other face of the supporting member so that each column is identified with a time of administration.

1 8. A method according to claim 17, wherein the directions for administration are applied using directions for the time of administration and time divisions in the form of labels provided from the flap according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

19. A method according to claim 17 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.