GB2223741A

GB2223741A - Pack for tablets

Info

Publication number: GB2223741A
Application number: GB8819522A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Morgan
Original assignee: C G M Ltd; ORIGINAL PACK DESIGN Ltd
Current assignee: C G M Ltd; ORIGINAL PACK DESIGN Ltd
Priority date: 1988-08-17
Filing date: 1988-08-17
Publication date: 1990-04-18
Also published as: GB8819522D0

Abstract

A tablet pack for dispensing to patients who have to take dosages of tablet (numbers per day) which vary from one patient to another has a matrix of tablet receptacles on a carrier and the pack is marked with at least a first marking (16) to divide the receptacles into daily dosage groups at a first daily dosage (e.g. 3 tablets per day) and a second marking (17) indicative of e.g. groups of 4 tablets per day. In this way, tablets can be dispensed in a single pack both to patients who take (for example) 3 tablets per day and those who take 4 tablets per day. <IMAGE>

Description

PACK FOR TABLETS This invention relates to the packaging of small solid objects such as tablets, lozenges, capsules, pills or other medicaments. In this specification these objects will be referred to generically as "tablets".

Until now, tablets on prescription from pharmacists have been dispensed packed loose in bottles or plastic containers. The pharmacist counts out the number of tablets prescribed.

The industry is currently moving to a regime of what is .termed "original pack dispensing". Under this regime, what is dispensed is not loose individual tablets but one or more packs containing in aggregate the precise number of tablets required by the prescription. Apart from greater dispensing precision, there are advantages such as increased speed of dispensing, security of tablet stocks, and information to the patient.

A particular problem arises, however, with tablets which are taken in different daily dosages by different persons. Clearly, it is iDefficient for pharmacists to carry a different stock item for each dosage required in practice. What is required is a universal pack which achieves the technical effect of adherence to a prescribed daily dosage, whatever that daily dose may be.

According to the present invention there is provided an original pack in which to dispense tablets to be taken by a patient in a prescribed daily dose of more than one tablet per day for a prescribed number of days, the pack defining a plurality of individually sealable tablet receptacles arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, and marked so as to define an order ,n which the tablets are to be taken from the pack, and in intervals corresponding to the daily dose, whereby to provide the patient with a check that the number of tablets taken is in accordance--with instructions.

In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided an original pack in which to dispense tablets which are to be taken in a prescribed daily dose for a prescribed number of days, the number of tablets constituting the daily dose varying from one patient to another, wherein each of the individual receptacles for tablets on the carrier is marked by a first imprint indicative of a first daily dosage mark and a second imprint indicative of a second different daily dosage mark, each said imprint indicating the total dose for one day, and the total number of receptacles affording an integral number of daily doses at both the first daily dose and the second daily dose, whereby the same original pack may be dispensed for use either by patients for whom is prescribed the said first daily dosage or by those for whom the said second daily dosage is prescribed.

In a second embodiment of the invention there is provided an original pack in which to dispense tablets to be taken in a prescribed daily dose (x tablets per day) for a prescribed number (y) of weeks, the pack defining a plurality of individually sealable tablet receptacles arranged in a matrix of 7m rows and n columns, (x,y, m and n being integral numbers, with m preferably 1) wherein all the receptacles in any one row carry the same marking characteristic of a specific day of the week and in each of the n columns there are seven(or an integral multiple of seven) receptacles and the marking on the receptacles down the length of each column advance successively through markings characteristic of the successive days of the week.

In one example, the pack has 60 receptacles. The receptacles could each be marked by up to 6 different colours, to indicate a different one of daily doses from 1 to 6 tablets. Where the daily dose is 6, the chosen colour is provided as one or more imprints each spanning a group of 6 receptacles only. Where the daily dose is 1 tablet only, the imprint of the colour indicative of this dose spans one tablet only. Intermediate dosage (2,3,4 and 5 per. day) markings are coloured strips linking 2,3,4 and 5 receptacles, respectively.

In another example, the pack has 28 receptacles.

This provides a 4 week prescription at a dosage of 1 per day, or a supply for one week only where the dosage is 4 per day, or 2 weeks at 2 per day.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings which: FIGURE 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of tablet pack in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the pack; FIGURE 3 is a view of the pack when folded and ready to fit into a carton; FIGURE 4 is a front view of a second embodiment of tablet pack; FIGURE 5 if a front view of a third embodiment of tablet pack; and FIGURE 6 is a cross-section through a latching element of the Figure 5 pack.

Referring to Figure 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a package 10 of tablets or pills, the package comprising a rectangular blister pack formed with a fold line 12 down its middle. The pack can thus be folded in the manner of a book to bring the opposite portions of its front face into contact with each other. The blister pack comprises an array of receptacles 14 as shown, each containing a tablet or pill, and the pack presents a flat front face which is covered with a foil to seal the receptacles 14.

The package which has been described can conveniently be folded in half and then slipped into the user's pocket for example or into a small carton 20, as shown in Figure 3. This is particularly easy if the reverse face of each half of the pack 10, which has a projection at each of the receptacles 14, is covered with a smooth flat skin to overlie all the projections, as shown in Figure 3.

Furthermore the foil which covers the front face of the pack is printed with markings to enable the user to ensure that he takes the correct number of tablets each day. The pack shown in Figure 1 is appropriate for the case where the user needs to take a regular daily dose of 3,4 5 or 6 tablets. Different markings are provided on the foil for these cases. Thus, different markings interlink respective groups of receptacles 14, markings 16 for "3 tablets per day" usage interlinking groups of three receptacles, markings 17 for "4 tablets per day" usage interlinking groups of four receptacles, and so on.

In the example shown, the markings 16, 17, 18, 19 are stripes of different colours, extending parallel to each other across the successive rows of receptacles on each of the two folded portions of the pack. For example, the marking 16 is a stripe which extends continuously across the first three receptacles in the first row and is then interrupted, only to recommence on the next receptacle and (because in the example shown there are five receptacles in each row) is regarded as continuing to the first receptacle on the second row, and so on. The successive receptacles in each group are numbered on the respective stripes, as shown. At the foot of the card, a key is given indicating the colours of the stripes which apply for "3 tablets per day" usage etc.

With different markings, the illustrated pack of 60 receptacles would be useful for daily dosages of 1 tablet or 2 tablets.

In another embodiment the pack has a number of receptacles which is an even number multiple of 7 e.g. 28 or 56. Such a pack caters for a prescription expressed as a dosage to be taken over a specified number of weeks.

It is easy for the user to ensure that each day he takes the tablets of the required group, by following the coloured stripe marking appropriate to the number of tablets which he must take each day. The foil is broken in the usual way in order to take out a tablet and it can be seen at a glance if there are any unbroken receptacles remaining in the same group, interlinked by the appropriate colour marking.

In particularly preferred embodiments, shown in Figure 4 and 5, the covering of each receptacle 14 is printed with indicia 24 indicative of a day of the week.

The card.is provided with seven rows 25 of receptacles, and the receptacles in each row are marked to identify a different day of the week. The Figure 4 card has four columns 26 of tablets on each of the halves 27, 28 of the card and colour band imprints 30, 31 at the top of the .card together with colour key 32 indicate daily dosages of k tablets and 4 tablets respectively i.e. the colour bands 30 span two columns and the bands 31 span 4 columns. Thus for a 28 day prescription and a dose of 4 tablets per day, two packs are dispensed to the patient.

The Figure 5 pack has only three columns on each half of the pack and is therefore appropriate for daily dosages of three or six tablets. For a 28 day prescription and a daily dose of six tablets, 4 packs must be dispensed.

Preferably, the pack has a latch 30, such as the one shown in Figure 6, which has co-operating male 31 and female 32 formations which are formed in the plastics material of the card simultaneously with the receptacles 14 and which resiliently engage and disengace with each other as the card halves are folded together into the Figure 3 disposition, and unfolded.

Claims

1. An original pack in which to dispense tablets to be taken by a patient in a prescribed daily dose which is one of at least a first daily dose of A (more than one) tablets per day and B (more than one, but not equal to A) tablets per day for a prescribed number of days, the pack defining a plurality of individually sealable tablet receptacles arranged on a carrier in a matrix of rows and columns each receptacle being labelled with a different mark (16-19) indicative of each one of the said daily doses, each mark (16) indicative of the first daily dose spanning successive groups of A receptacles, each mark (17) indicative of the second daily dose spanning successive groups of B receptacles, and so on if there is a third or more daily dose.

2. An original pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the individual receptacles for tablets on the carrier is marked by a first imprint indicative of a first daily dosage mark and a second imprint indicative of a second different daily dosage mark, each said imprint indicating the total dose for one day, and the total number of receptacles affording an integral number of daily doses at both the first daily dose and the second daily dose, whereby the same original pack may be dispensed for use either by patients for whom is prescribed the said first daily dosage or by those for whom the said second daily dosage is prescribed.

3. An original pack as claimed in claim 1 and with which to dispense tablets to be taken in a prescribed daily dose (x tablets per day) for a prescribed number (y) of weeks, the pack defining a plurality of individually sealable tablet receptacles arranged in a matrix of 7m rows and n columns, (x,y,m and n being integral numbers, with m preferably 1) wherein all the receptacles in any one row carry the same marking characteristic of a specific day of the week and in each of the n columns there are seven (or an integral multiple of seven) receptacles and the marking on the receptacles down the length of each column advance successively through markings characteristic of the succcessive days of the week.

4. An original pack as claimed in claim 2 wherein the pack has 60 receptacles.

5. An original pack as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pack has 28 receptacles.

6. An original pack substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 3, Figure 4, or Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.