GB2438192A

GB2438192A - Dispensing device

Info

Publication number: GB2438192A
Application number: GB0609819A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Frederick Roe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-05-18
Filing date: 2006-05-18
Publication date: 2007-11-21
Also published as: GB0609819D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispensing device generally arranged to remove a dosage unit 16, such as a pill, tablet or capsule, from one or more sealed compartments 15b of a blister packet. The invention comprises a force generating member 8 comprising a compartment contacting member 11 with a recessed portion 11a that generates sufficient force upon a compartment 15b of a blister packet to enable the dosage unit 16 to be dispensed through an aperture 5 in the blister packet supporting member 2. The device may comprise one or more compartment contacting members 11, each with a different shape, which may be integrated to form one member 11. The device may also comprise a collection chamber 1 with a removable tray 12.

Description

1 2438192

DISPENSING DEVICE

The invention relates to a dispensing device generally arranged to remove a dosage unit from one or more sealed compartments of a blister packet.

It will be appreciated that references to the term "dosage unit" include references to one or more pill, tablet, capsule and the like and references made herein to dosage unit extend equally to other similar sized products, including non-medical products such as a microchip.

Blister packets are a form of packaging used to store pharmaceuticals, as they allow for individual dosage units to be dispensed whilst leaving the remainder in a sealed, uncontaminated condition. They are also used for other retail goods such as toys and electrical items, e.g. microchips.

A blister packet comprises a plastic sheet, which has one or more compartments (commonly known as blisters) arranged in rows and columns that store individual dosage units, and a rupturable foil that seals the dosage units in their individual compartments. To remove a dosage unit from its blister, pressure must be applied to the base of the compartment so that the foil will rupture, allowing the dosage unit to escape.

Blister packets can be difficult to open manually for elderly or infirm people, in particular those suffering from arthritis or other hand impediments. They may also be problematic when they have been designed to be difficult to rupture, e.g. so that children cannot open them.

Furthermore, there will be some instances, for example in hospitals or pharmacies, when a large quantity of dosage units need to be removed from either the same blister packet or a plurality of different blister packets. In all these cases, removing dosage units can become painful and tiring on the fingers. Furthermore, some dosage regimes require dispensing of numerous dosage units per day which can possibly lead to repetitive strain injury.

In addition to this, when the foil is ruptured, the user must always catch the dosage unit so that it does not fall and cause contamination or drop out of sight and/or out of reach. Once removed, the dosage unit must then be stored in sterile conditions or administered immediately to prevent contamination.

Thus, it is often useful to remove dosage units from blister packets using a dispensing aid. A number of dispensing devices are available which aim to assist a user in dispensing dosage units from blister packets. For example, US 5,791,513, US 6,557,740, GB 2383988 and WO 03/070598 each disclose devices for dispensing a dosage unit from a blister packet.

However there is still a need for a dispensing device which can simply and effectively remove and collect a plurality of dosage units from a wide range of blister packets which have compartments that vary in size and shape.

Thus, according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a dispensing device arranged to remove a dosage unit from one or more sealed compartments of a blister packet, wherein said device comprises: (a) a blister packet supporting member which comprises an aperture configured to allow the passage of the dosage unit; (b) a force generating member comprising at least one compartment contacting member moveable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position, such that during use, the force generating member allows the compartment contacting member to generate sufficient force upon the compartment to enable the dosage unit to be dispensed through the aperture; characterised in that the at least one compartment contacting member comprises a recessed portion.

It will be appreciated that references to sufficient force' include a force capable of creating pressure upon the compartment such that the foil of the blister packet ruptures and dispenses the dosage unit.

In one embodiment, the recessed portion is complementary to the shape of a blister packet compartment and is positioned such that it enables the compartment contacting member generally to align and engage smoothly with the compartment of the blister packet during use. This helps the device efficiently transfer the force generated from the force generating member to the compartment so that the pressure required to rupture the foil is easily produced. Thus it provides a more effective means for dispensing a dosage unit from a blister packet.

In one embodiment, the recessed portion of the compartment contacting member comprises a protruding member. For example, the recessed portion may have a raised surface, such as a notch, possibly on its apex so that it is substantially rn-shaped'. This has the advantage of preventing a shallow compartment of a blister packet from being located in the recessed portion without the compartment contacting member being able to make the necessary contact to apply sufficient pressure to rupture the foil.

In one embodiment, the force generating member comprises two or more compartment contacting members, which, depending on their position, may require additional apertures in the blister packet supporting member.

In a further embodiment, each compartment contacting member comprises a different size and/or shape which improves the device's ability to engage with various forms of blister packet compartment. In yet a further embodiment, the outline of the aperture mirrors the outline of the compartment contacting member.

In a yet further embodiment, the compartment contacting members of different size and shape are integrated to form one whole member so that only one aperture in the blister packet supporting member is required.

For example, the compartment contacting member may comprise a dual shape which may be a circle and a rounded rectangle, allowing it to remove both pills and capsules efficiently. Other embodiments may use other shapes.

In one embodiment, each compartment contacting member is detachable from the force generating member through ways that are well known to those skilled in the art, for example, by clip means. This allows the device to provide multiple compartment contacting members that closely match the diverse range of blister packet compartment sizes and/or shapes.

In a further embodiment, the force generating member comprises a rotating member to which one or more compartment contacting members are attached. For example, this may be a rotating turret, similar to those featured on microscopes, which is arranged to revolve so that only one compartment contacting member is in a dispensing position when the device is in use. This has the advantage of providing numerous compartment contacting members, which not only cater for many different types of blister packets effectively, but also have the same dispensing position so that only one aperture is required. 4 V

In a further embodiment, the device additionally comprises a collection chamber, which may, for example, be a hollow region made up of at least one set of opposed side walls, and possibly a base. The collection chamber is arranged to receive one or more dosage units dispensed through the aperture of the blister packet supporting member. The collection chamber may have the blister packet supporting member as an integral part of its structure.

In one embodiment, the collection chamber comprises a removable tray capable of collecting and storing a plurality of dispensed dosage units.

This ensures that a large number of dispensed dosage units, either from the same or from different blister packets, can be safely collected and stored until they are ready to be transferred to a bottle or administered to a patient. The advantage of such a tray is that it allows the user to continue dispensing dosage units without having to stop to empty the collection chamber.

In one embodiment the tray comprises walls, e.g. two sets of opposed walls, and a base and is positioned in the collection chamber such that the outline of the tray walls engirds the outline of the aperture. In a further embodiment, the walls of the tray are arranged so that they, or at least their upper edges are immediately adjacent to the walls of the collection chamber to ensure dosage units are safely collected.

In a yet further embodiment, the tray is slideably removable from a side of the collection chamber that is open or can be opened. Sliding may be achieved via guiding means, which are well known to those skilled in the art, and may, for example, comprise drawer guiding means, such that a ridge present on the walls of the tray interacts with a groove in the collection chamber or vice versa. This ensures that the tray sits in the same position in the chamber and its internal movement is limited.

In a further embodiment, the collection chamber comprises locking means to prevent the tray from being dislodged from the device during use or transport. Locking means are well known to those skilled in the art and may, for example, comprise a releasable catch or a clip and a member that attaches to either locking means. Alternatively locking means may partially block the open end of the collection chamber such that the tray cannot be dislodged unless the locking means are repositioned or removed, for example a lid, door or bar.

In one embodiment, the tray is tapered to form a pouring spout to funnel one or more dispensed dosage units into a bottle, hand, etc. when the tray has been removed from the collection chamber.

In a further embodiment, the tray comprises a grip, which may be formed through indentation of the walls of the tray. This allows the removable tray to be held comfortably by the hand and makes introduction to and removal from the collection chamber easier for the user.

In a further embodiment, the device additionally comprises a storage chamber for storing one or more blister packets. This ensures that the blister packets can be stored safely within the dispensing device. The storage chamber may be positioned either inside or outside the collection chamber or alternatively on the blister packet supporting member and may comprise walls or ledges. In a yet further embodiment the storage chamber comprises a locking means as hereinbefore defined to prevent any object stored from being dislodged during use or transport.

In one embodiment, the blister packet support member comprises abutment means to help with positioning of the blister packet prior to use.

This further assists with aligning the compartment with both the aperture and the compartment contacting member when in the dispensing position.

In a further embodiment, the abutment means comprise adjustable, parallel channels that can move closer to or further from each other, and swivel at the point of attachment. In a yet further embodiment, the points of attachment of both channels are positioned or arranged to allow the compartment contacting member to make contact with all compartments of a blister packet regardless of the number of rows and columns.

It will be appreciated that the force generating means can include a wide range of apparatus that can produce sufficient pressure to rupture the foil of a blister packet, for example a plunger, a ratchet apparatus, a pivoting lever, a clamp apparatus, a rack and pinion apparatus and other suitable means well known to those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, the force generating means comprises a pivoting lever. This may be attached by pivoting means to any part of the device, for example the blister packet supporting member or the collection chamber. Pivoting means may comprise an attachment point, such as a pivot bar, and attachment means, such as a pivot clip, or any other suitable means. In a further embodiment the lever is arranged such that the compartment contacting member is adjacent to the aperture when it is in the dispensing position. In a yet further embodiment the lever comprises a contoured handle that reduces operator fatigue and discomfort.

In one embodiment, the device additionally comprises fastening means for holding the lever in a fixed position when not in use.

In a further embodiment, the device additionally comprises a slip resistant base. It will be appreciated that only a small area of the base need provide grip to ensure that the device does not slide during use.

Therefore in one embodiment, the base comprises one or more areas, which may be protruding and which form non-slip feet.

In a yet further embodiment, the device additionally comprises a handle so that it may be easily transported.

In a yet further embodiment the dispensing device is predominantly constructed from durable materials, e.g. plastics or metal. Such materials provide the advantage of being light weight, strong and durable. It will also be appreciated that certain parts of the device, e.g. non-slip feet, may be constructed from softer materials e.g. rubber. This provides the advantage of prevention of damage to the surface that the device is resting on and improves traction during use.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows an aerial view of the collection chamber according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the collection chamber according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a plan view of the force generating member according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the compartment contacting member and the recessed portion shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a plan view of the removable tray according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows a plan view of the embodiments shown in Figures 1-5 combined to form a dispensing device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and Figures 7 and 8 show a schematic representation of use of the dispensing device according to one embodiment of the invention to release a dosage unit from a blister packet.

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, a collection chamber shown generally as 1, comprises a substantially hollow box with a back wall la, two opposed side walls ib, a blister packet supporting member 2, a base 3 and an open end 4. The blister packet supporting member 2 comprises an aperture 5 and an attachment point 6, positioned towards the rear, which has two upright members 6a connected by a pivot bar 6b. Non-slip feet 7 on the base are additionally shown in Figure 2.

In Figure 3, a force generating member is shown generally as a lever 8.

At one end of the lever 8, there is a pivot clip 9, for securing the lever 8 to a pivot bar 6b on attachment point 6 of the collection chamber 1. At the other end of the lever 8 there is a contoured handle 10 designed to reduce operator fatigue and discomfort. The lever 8 also comprises a compartment contacting member 11 with detachment means lib to allow it to be interchanged with other compartment contacting members 11 of different shapes and/or sizes. In this example, the compartment contacting member 11 has a dual shape to allow it to remove dosage units of differing forms (e.g. circular tablets and rounded rectangular shaped capsules). The bottom of the compartment contacting member 11 has a recessed portion ha which allows a compartment of the blister packet to be securely located when the device is in use. A more detailed view of the base of the compartment contacting member 11 and the recessed portion ha can be seen in Figure 4.

The removable tray is shown in Figure 5 as 12 and comprises a base 12a, and two opposing side walls 12c, a front wall 12b and a back wall 12d.

The front wall 12b has a pouring spout 13 formed in it to allow easy removal of dosage units. Both side walls 12c and the back wall 12d are indented to form a grip 14 that allows the removable tray to be held comfortably by the hand and makes introduction to and removal from the open end 4 of the collection chamber 1 easier for the user.

Figure 6 shows the removable tray 12 stored in the collection chamber 1 and the lever 8 hingedly connected to the blister packet supporting member 2 at the attachment point 6 by pivot clip 9. The lever 8 can freely pivot on the pivot bar 6b, allowing the compartment contacting member 11 to align itself, during use, with the aperture 5 in the blister packet supporting member 2 of the collection chamber 1. The removable tray 12 can be removed from or introduced into the collection chamber 1 via the open end 4.

In use, the removable tray 12 is stored in the collection chamber 1 and the lever 8 is held in a raised position (Figure 7). The blister packet shown generally as 15, containing the dosage unit 16 or dosage units to be extracted, is placed with the rupturable foil iSa in contact with the blister packet supporting member 2 of the collection chamber 1 and the base of the compartment 15b of the blister packet 15 facing upwards so that the dosage unit 16 to be extracted is in register with the aperture 5 in the blister packet supporting member 2.

The lever 8 is then lowered so that the compartment contacting member 11 meets the base of the compartment 15b of the blister packet (Figure 8).

As the lever is brought down further, the shape of the recessed portion ha helps to more securely locate the compartment 15b containing the dosage unit 16. The pressure caused by this compression increases the tension in the foil 15a until it eventually ruptures, allowing the dosage unit 16 to escape. The dosage unit 16 passes through the aperture 5 and drops into the removable tray 12, where it can be stored.

It will be appreciated that the steps shown in Figures 7 and 8 can be repeated using different compartments from the same blister packet 15 or entirely different blister packets. Once a sufficient quantity of dosage units has been extracted, the removable tray 12 can be removed for temporary storage in a sealed container or administration to a patient. I,

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A dispensing device arranged to remove a dosage unit from one or more sealed compartments of a blister packet, wherein said device comprises: (a) a blister packet supporting member which comprises an aperture configured to allow the passage of the dosage unit; (b) a force generating member comprising at least one compartment contacting member moveable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position, such that during use, the force generating member allows the compartment contacting member to generate sufficient force upon the compartment to enable the dosage unit to be dispensed through the aperture; characterised in that the at least one compartment contacting member comprises a recessed portion.

2. A dispensing device as defined in claim 1 wherein the force generating member comprises two or more compartment contacting members.

3. A dispensing device as defined in claim 2 wherein each compartment contacting member comprises a different size and/or shape.

4. A dispensing device as defined in claim 3 wherein two or more compartment contacting members are integrated to form one compartment contacting member.

5. A dispensing device as defined in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein each compartment contacting member is detachable.

6. A dispensing device as defined in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein each compartment contacting member is attached to a rotating member present on the force generating member.

7. A dispensing device as defined in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the recessed portion of the compartment contacting member comprises a protruding member.

8. A dispensing device as defined in any of claims 1 to 7 which additionally comprises a collection chamber arranged to receive one or more dosage units dispensed through the aperture of the blister packet support member.

9. A dispensing device as defined in claim 8 wherein the collection chamber comprises a removable tray capable of collecting and storing a plurality of dispensed dosage units.

10. A dispensing device as defined in claim 9 wherein the tray is slideably removable.

11. A dispensing device as defined in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the collection chamber comprises locking means.

12. A dispensing device as defined in any of claims 9 to 11 wherein the tray is tapered to form a pouring spout.

13. A dispensing device as defined in any of claims 9 to 12 wherein the tray comprises a grip.

14. A dispensing device as defined in any of claims 1 to 13 which additionally comprises a storage chamber for storing one or more blister packets.

15. A dispensing device as defined in claim 14 wherein the storage chamber comprises locking means.

16. A dispensing device as defined in any of claims 1 to 15 wherein the blister packet support member comprises abutment means for alignment of the blister packet with the aperture.

17. A dispensing device as defined in claim 16 wherein the abutment means comprise adjustable channels.

18. A dispensing device as defined in any of claims 1 to 17 wherein the force generating means comprises a pivoting lever.

19. A dispensing device as defined in claim 18 wherein the lever comprises a contoured handle.

20. A dispensing device as defined in claim 18 or claim 19 which additionally comprises fastening means for holding the lever in a fixed position when not in use.

21. A dispensing device as defined in any of claims 1 to 20 which additionally comprises a slip resistant base.

22. A dispensing device as defined in any of claims 1 to 21 which additionally comprises a handle. p

23. A dispensing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying Figures 1 -8.