GB2325768A

GB2325768A - Package

Info

Publication number: GB2325768A
Application number: GB9711003A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Bignall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-05-28
Filing date: 1997-05-28
Publication date: 1998-12-02
Also published as: GB9711003D0

Abstract

This invention relates to a package eg for drugs, comprising a chamber 2 for an article 3, a memory with a pre-recorded message and a message display, wherein the chamber includes a switch actuated by the removal of an article from the chamber, the switch being coupled to the memory to control the display of the pre-recorded message by the display.

Description

PACKAGE There are a number of situations in which it is desirable to convey information in an easy to understand form to a person or persons to whom an article is being dispensed.

For example, drug safety information must by law be included in or on all drug packages and it is clearly desirable that persons using or administering the drugs should be aware of possible side-effects and correct dosage information. When new drugs are launched, it is particularly important that patients know the exact frequency and amount of dosage prescribed. They must also be aware of any potential dangers, side-effects and drug interactions which might be encountered whilst taking the drug. Adequate information about the drug becomes even more important when drugs are sold over-the-counter i.e. without a doctor's prescription. For individuals who cannot read drug information packs, the partially sighted or illiterate, for example, or for those with memory loss, the written information supplied with conventional drug packs may not be readily understandable. Furthermore, the patient to whom a drug is dispensed may lose or simply not read the written information typically supplied with drugs or pharmaceuticals.

Where articles are dispensed infrequently or are kept in reserve for long periods before they are actually used, a reminder of, for example, possible side-effects and instructions for its use, given or conveyed at the time the article is actually dispensed may be of significant usefulness.

The present invention provides a package and an unpackaging method as set out in claims 1 and 8 respectively, to which reference is now made.

The package and method of the invention results in a package system having a display on the package itself which displays a pre-recorded message when an article is actually removed from its packaging. This means that the information of the pre-recorded message cannot be separated from the package, and a display of the necessary information can be conveyed to a person using the package, every time an article is removed from the package. Generation of a display, which may be, for example, audible or visual, rather than the use of a permanent label, is also more likely to attract the attention of the person using the package. A change such as the switching on or off of a display is more noteworthy.

Preferred features of the present invention are defined in the claims dependent on claims 1 and 8. Reference is now made to these dependent claims.

The conveying of an audible message means that the message is conveyed in a form which is extremely easy to understand even by the partially sighted, illiterate or those that are in a hurry. The production or display of an audible message will also attract the attention of someone using packages embodying this preferred feature of the invention.

The combination of the switch actuated by the removal of an article and operator control allows the operator to instruct the package display to repeat the pre-recorded message if this was not fully understood the first time, or if he or she wishes to confirm the message at a time when an article is not being removed from the package.

The provision of a sensor on the package which is sensitive to the removal of an article from the package, allows one to ensure that the pre-recorded message is displayed whenever an article is removed. This significantly reduces the likelihood that the person unpackaging the article, is unaware of the important information which needs to be conveyed.

Provision of a lock on the article chamber of the package, which is coupled to the message display means that one can ensure that an article cannot be unpackaged without the accompanying message. This again has clear advantages in that it reduces the risk that an article is removed from its packaging without the accompanying message.

The provision of a plurality of switches and prerecorded messages allows one to convey different information in different circumstances. Different circumstances may, for example, be the unpackaging of articles from different chambers within the package device, the removal of articles at different times or in different quantities, or the unpackaging of different articles in an unpackaging or dispensing sequence.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the following figures in which: FIGURES 1 to 3 are top, end and side views respectively of a package embodying the present invention; FIGURE 4 is a block diagram of a voice message circuit suitable for use in the package of Fig.l to 3; FIGURES 5 and 6 are two alternative embodiments of voice message circuits suitable for use in the package of Figs.l to 3; FIGURES 7(a) to 7(c) illustrate a sensing mechanism suitable for use with embodiments of the invention; FIGURES 8(a) and 8(b) illustrate an alternative sensing mechanism; FIGURE 9 is an electrical circuit diagram of an electrical circuit corresponding to the block diagram of Fig.5; and FIGURE 10 to 12 are alternative electrical circuits for use with embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 1 to 3 show a drug dispensing device or package embodying the present invention. As discussed above, drug safety information has by law to be included in drug packages, and possible effects of mis-using drugs or pharmaceuticals make drug packages embodying the present invention particularly advantageous.

The drug package or dispensing device 1 includes a chamber 2 containing a drug sachet/blister pack 3, loud speaker 4 and message button 5 on its outside surface. The drug containing sachet/blister pack 3 may be inserted at the point of sale or in the factory. The drug package 1 contains a cut-out 6 through which a portion of the sachet or blister pack may be grasped to withdraw it from within the package 1 and out of the dispensing device chamber 2.

The package chamber includes separated metal contacts forming a switch or sensor sensitive to the presence or absence of a drug containing sachet or blister pack within the package chamber. There may be two metal contacts which are insulated from each other by the blister pack/sachet when this is within the package. On removal of the drugcontaining sachet, contact is made between these two metal contacts.

The switch may be of any type provided that it responds to the removal of an article from the package chamber.

Possible alternative switches or sensors include a conductive strip at a predetermined position on the sachet in the chamber, and contact terminals on the chamber inner wall at a predetermined position relative to the sachet. As the sachet is removed it moves into a position where the conductive strip forms a contact bridge between the two contact terminals. The closing of the gap between the contacts results in a pulse of current which actuates the display circuitry as will be described below.

Referring to Fig.4 the chamber switch 10 formed, for example, by the contact arrangement described above, closes a circuit which includes a memory chip 11 and a power source (e.g. lithium cell) 12. A pre-recorded voice message is recorded on the memory chip 11. The chip 11 is connected to the loudspeaker 4. When the switch 10 is closed, the connection of the power source 12 to the memory chip 11 and loudspeaker 4 causes the pre-recorded message on the memory chip to be transmitted as a signal to the loud speaker which in turn broadcasts an audible message corresponding to the pre-recorded message.

The circuit also includes a terminal 13 for connection of the memory chip to a message recording system so as to allow one to pre-record selected message signals on the chip for later broadcast on closure of the switch 10. The memory chip may include a number of different recorded messages which may be played, in the correct sequence, following successive actuations of the switch. The message may be recorded on to the memory chip during manufacture of the package or provision made for replacement or recording of messages outside the factory, for example, at the point of sale in accordance with the contents of the package.

In an alternative embodiment (see Fig.5), the package may include a number of switches. These switches may, for example, correspond to different chambers within a single drug package. The switches are connected via a diode array to the memory chip and the actuation of different switches causes the speaker to broadcast different messages.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, the device is operated in addressable mode, and passive (diode-wired) logic is used to select a message address. In this embodiment, the diode logic sets the address lines to specify which switch has been actuated and also lowers the chip enable and power down line as in the embodiment of Figure 4.

Referring to Fig.6, the drug package may include a Set Reset (R-S) latch 15 coupled to the memory chip 11. The broadcast of the audible message by the loudspeaker 4 resulting from the signal from the memory chip to the loudspeaker, is accompanied by a message start signal to the R-S latch, and the end of the message and its broadcast by the loudspeaker is accompanied by an end of message signal to the R-S latch. The R-S latch is itself coupled to a solenoid latch 16 or lock which is powered to lock the drug chamber 2 and prevent removal of the drug sachet 3 or blister pack from within the package when the message is not being broadcast, or if the cell does not have sufficient power to drive the loudspeaker to generate the message.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate two alternative switch constructions in which the sachet has a conductive layer 8 and a non-conductive layer 9 with apertures 7. Metal contacts 6 coupled to the display circuitry are located on the inner wall of the chamber 2.

When the sachet or pack 3 is in the article chamber 2, contacts 6 are in contact with and electrically isolated from each other by the non-conductive layer 7. As the sachet or pack is removed from the package, the aperture 9 moves relative to the contacts 6. As it does so it moves through a position where the contacts 6, both touch the conductive layer 8 to allow current to flow between the contacts 6. The contacts 6, conductive 8 and non-conductive 9 layers thereby from a switch actuated by removal of a sachet 3 from within the package 1. Further possible alternative switches include an optical switch such as, for example, a photosensor and corresponding light source on opposite sides of the chamber.

An embodiment of the invention may be constructed (see Figs. 9 to 13) using an ISD 1020A microchip. This can provide up to 160 messages with the total duration of each message not exceeding 20 seconds. The ISD 25xx family of chips are pin compatible and provide a total duration of up to 2 minutes. The electrical circuit is powered such that it consumes very little power when not in use so as to ensure a long battery life.

A power cell (see Figure 9) (alkaline 6v camera type, or in alternative embodiment two 3V Lithium lcoin cells connected in series) is provided which provides power for device operation. Capacitor C1 provides smoothing to reduce distortion caused by power supply variation in use.

In this embodiment the dispensing device includes a pair of spring contacts which are in contact with the package to be dispensed (Figures 7(a) to 7(c)). As the contents are removed a conductive foil strip fastened to the contents at a specific location causes an electrical connection to be made. A push switch or message button 5 mounted on the dispensing device is connected in parallel with the spring contacts 10.

Connections to pins 1-10 and 27 (see Fig.9) on the speech memory chip 11 set the operating mode for the device, such that the device will playback several messages sequentially, each message starting on switch actuation and continuing to the end of that message. In this embodiment the speech memory has messages recorded into it prior to device assembly.

Resistor R1 is connected to the push switch switch 5 and the spring contacts such that the chip enable pin (23, labelled CE) on the speech recorder chip is usually held at supply voltage (off). Resistor R2 and capacitor C2 normally hold the power down pin at supply level (off). Diode D1 ensures that activation of the push switch turns the chip on (by pulling the voltage at pin 24 to OV and charging the capacitor C2) and the chip remains in the on state until this capacitor has discharged through R2, a period of, for example, 3 minutes.

On the first depression of switch or message button 5 the device turns on, and it plays the first message. The speech recorder chip directly drives a small loudspeaker 4 at an audible level.

For each subsequent switch activation the subsequent message will be played, subject to a maximum pause between switch activation of, for example, three minutes. After this interval has elapsed the device turns itself off.

In the embodiment of Figure 10 a two position sliding switch 14 is provided to allow for message recording, using a small microphone 15 mounted inside the package. This recording switch 14 has two separate functions: one half of the switch 14 connects power to the microphone circuit (R3, R4, C3, C4, Mic) only when set to record: this prevents battery drain when not in use. The other half of the switch 14 connects the playback/record pin of the voice recorder chip 11 to either ground or supply voltage, which sets the appropriate internal operating mode.

For simplicity the switch 10 formed by spring contacts 6 wired in parallel with message button 5 has been omitted from this drawing.

Connections to pins 1-10 on the speech recorder chip 11 set the operating mode for the device, such that the device can record several messages sequentially, can playback sequentially, and is edge-triggered when in playback mode and level-sensitive in record mode.

With recording switch 14 set to playback circuit operation is exactly as for Figure 9 above.

With recording switch 14 set to record, on the first depression of message button 5 the device turns on, and it records until the button 5 is released. Sound is converted to electrical impulse by the microphone 15, and this is decoupled by capacitors C3 and C4 and then amplified. The microphone amplifier (integral to the speech recorder chip) incorporates means to adjust the amplifier gain to achieve a constant recording level, and components R6 and C6 provide a suitable time constant for the gain response. The amplifier output is then decoupled by capacitor C5 and the output level set by the combination of resistor R5 and an impedance internal to the speech recorder chip.

Recording stops when the message button or recording switch 5 is released. Further depression of the switch 5 allows further messages to be recorded up to the limit of duration of the recorder and subject to a maximum pause between messages of for example three minutes. After this interval has elapsed the device turns itself off.

In the embodiment of Figure 11 provision is made for a set of messages to be recorded into the speech memory 11 at the point of sale of the package together with its contents, by an external device. This connects via the plug contacts labelled 'external recording circuitry' 13 in the figure.

A suitable device would be supplied to the dispensing retail outlet, which would sense the contents of the package to be supplied (for example by optical barcode, or by electrical contact grid) and would record an appropriate set of messages into the device suitable for that particular product.

The recording device must connect 'external recording circuitry' connector 1 to 'external recording circuitry' connector 4 (ground) to enable record mode. Then for each message the device must connect 'external recording circuitry' connector 2 to 'external recording circuitry' connector 4 (ground); provide the message required as an electrical signal at 'external recording circuitry' connector 3, and then disconnect 'external recording circuitry' connector 2. After all required messages have been recorded it must disconnect connector 1, and should provide a display (audible, visible or both) to alert the retailer. As recording takes place at normal speed the time taken to record will be, for example, one minute.

Referring to the embodiment of Figure 12: the left hand side of this figure is a copy of the circuit of Figure 9 described above, and could alternatively be replaced with the circuits of Figures 10 or 11 as appropriate.

The right hand side of this figure describes means for displaying an audible alarm if an incorrect package is inserted into the device.

An alarm switch 16 is constructed as part of the device such that the switch 16 is momentarily closed as the device is shut. This causes capacitor C3 to charge, and provides power to the package sensing circuitry for a few seconds by turning on transistor Q3, the duration being determined by R3 and C3. After this time the sensing circuitry is disabled to eliminate the battery drain otherwise caused.

A series of spring contacts 6 are formed as part of the device (see Figures 8(a) and 8(b)), and arranged such that they are in contact with specific locations on the contents sachet or packets. A conductive foil 8 is formed as part of this sachet, and is covered by a non-conductive label 9 with prearranged apertures.

In the example given in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), apertures (d), (c) and (e) is open, and the foil is in electrical contact with the OV supply. Apertures (b) and (d) are closed, and as a consequence the voltage at contacts (b) and (d) is held at supply level. Diodes D4 and D5 respectively provide a wired-AND function for these contacts. Apertures (c) and (e) are open, and hold these contacts at OV. Diodes D2 and D3 respectively provide a wired-OR function for these contacts.

If an incorrect package is inserted with no conductive foil, D2 and D3 conduct, and the ensuing current turns on transistor Q2, which sounds the alarm buzzer 17.

Similarly if any incorrect combination of open and closed apertures is found, either D2/D3 will conduct so triggering an alarm, or D4/D5 will conduct, causing base drive to inverter Q 1 and hence turning on transistor Q2 and triggering the alarm buzzer.

Alternative embodiments could use a larger number of contacts or alternative sensing techniques to provide similar functionality.

In some embodiments the contact arrangements shown for Figures 7(a) to 7(c) (package removal sensing) and 8(a) and 8(b) (package identification) would be formed as a single unit, and the circuitry has been designed such that a single conductive foil element could be used to provide implementation of each function.

In an alternative embodiment the buzzer control transistor Q2 could have a further input derived from speech memory pin 14. This pin is normally at OV while the memory is inactive, and acquires a direct current bias of approximately 1.5V whilst a message is playing. A diode/resistor/capacitor network could be provided to sound the alarm buzzer at the start of message playback.

Whilst the embodiments of the invention described have been concerned with a drug dispensing device, the invention is clearly applicable to all forms of packaging which might usefully issue a warning or information message when the package is first, opened, or subsequently. Examples of packages with which the invention may be used include those containing biohazardous material, contaminated medical/industrial waste, hazardous chemicals requiring special handling on removal from packaging, substances requiring immediate refrigeration and radioactive substances.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A package comprising a chamber for an article, a memory with a pre-recorded message and a message display, wherein the chamber includes a switch actuated by the removal of an article from the chamber, the switch being coupled to the memory to control the display of the pre-recorded message by the display.

2. A package according to claim 1, wherein the display is an audible display and the pre-recorded message is a voice message.

3. A package according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the package includes an operator controllable message control coupled to the switch and the message display, for operator control of the display of the pre-recorded message.

4. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the switch is coupled to a sensor for sensing the removal of an article from the chamber.

5. A package according to any preceding claim, including a controllable latch for locking the chamber, coupled to the message display and controlled by the status of the message display.

6. A package according to any preceding claim, including a plurality of switches each coupled to the memory, the memory storing a plurality of different pre-recorded messages in a plurality of memory fields each corresponding to a respective one of the switches.

7. A package according to any preceding claims wherein the package is a dispensing device.

8. An unpackaging method comprising displaying a prerecorded message as an article is removed from its packaging.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the pre-recorded message is a voice message.

10. A method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the display is operator controlled.

11. A method according to any of claims 8 to 10, including the step of sensing the removal of an article from its packaging.

12. A method according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the article to be unpackaged is releasably held within a chamber with a controllable closure, the closure being operable to release the article when the message is displayed.

13. A package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 13.

14. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 13 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A package comprising a chamber for an article, a memory with several pre-recorded messages and a message display, wherein the chamber includes a switch actuated by the removal of an article from the chamber, the switch being coupled to the memory to control the display of a pre-recorded message by the display, and wherein the package includes control means for controlling the sequential display of the several pre-recorded messages.

2. A package according to claim 1, wherein the display is an audible display and the pre-recorded messages are voice messages.

3. A package according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control mans is an operator controllable message control coupled to the switch and the message display, for operator control of the display of the pre-recorded messages.

4. A package according to claim 3, wherein the operator controllable message control is a message button connected in parallel with the switch.

5. A package according to any preceding claims, wherein the switch is coupled to a sensor for sensing the removal of an article from the chamber.

6. A package according to any preceding claim, including a controllable latch for locking the chamber, coupled to the message display and controlled by the status of the message display.

7. A package according to any preceding claim, including a plurality of switches each coupled to the memory, the memory storing a plurality of different pre-recorded messages in a plurality of memory fields each corresponding to a respective one of the switches.

8. A package according to any preceding claims wherein the package is a dispensing device.

9. An unpackaging method comprising sequentially displaying several pre-recorded message after an article is removed from its packaging.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the prerecorded messages are voice messages.

11. A method according to claims 9 or 10, wherein the display is operator controlled.

12. A method according to any of claims 9 to 11, including the step of sensing the removal of an article from its packaging.

13. A method according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the article to be unpackaged is releasably held within a chamber with a controllable closure, the closure being operable to release the article when the message is displayed.

14. A package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 13.

15. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 13.