GB2474673A - Blister pack dispensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

Arranged to dispense a dosage unit from a sealed compartment of a blister packet, wherein the device comprises a blister packet-supporting member 7 which comprises an aperture (8, figure 1b) configured to allow the passage of the dispensed dosage unit, a pivotable lever 14 comprising an upper surface configured for a user to apply a force to the lever by pressing the upper surface using any of their elbow, lower arm, wrist, hand, palm or fingers, and a compartment-contacting member 12 having a concave surface (13, figure 2a) arranged to contact the compartment. The compartment-contacting member 12 is moveable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position when a force is applied by the user, wherein the pivotable lever 14 transmits sufficient force via the compartment contacting member 12 onto the compartment to enable the dosage unit to be dispensed through the aperture 8 without being substantially damaged. A collection chamber 3 may be present below the aperture 8 to receive the dispensed dosage unit. The blister supporting member 7 may include a plurality of apertures 8 and be in the form of a disk, rotation of which positions a selected aperture 8 adjacent the compartment contacting member 12.

Description

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.

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.

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.

It can be difficult or impossible for elderly or infirm people, in particular those suffering from hand impediments such as caused by Parkinson's disease or arthritis, to manually open blister packets. This is especially so when they have been designed to be difficult to rupture, e.g. so that children cannot open them. Some dosage regimes require dispensing of numerous dosage units per day, which exacerbates the problem. Even if it is possible for an elderly or infirm person to open blister packs, to do so several or more times a day can become painful and tiring on the fingers.

In addition to this, when the foil is ruptured, the user must typically catch the dosage unit SO that is does not fall and cause contamination or drop out of sight and/or out of reach.

Once removed, the dosage unit must typically be administered immediately to prevent contamination.

Thus, it is often useful to remove dosage units from blister packets using a dispensing aid.

There is 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, and which can be operated by a person having limited manual dexterity.

22-02-2011 1 A first aspect of the invention provides a dispensing device arrange to dispense a dosage unit from a sealed compartment 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 dispensed dosage unit; and (b) a pivotable lever comprising: (i) an upper surface configured for a user to apply a force to the lever by pressing the upper surface using any of their elbow, lower arm, wrist, hand, palm or fingers; and (ii) a compartment-contacting member having a concave surface arranged to contact the compartment, which compartment-contacting member is moveable between a non-dispensing position and dispensing position when force is applied by the user, wherein the pivotable lever transmits sufficient force via the compartment-contacting member on to the compartment to enable the dosage unit to be dispensed through the is aperture without being substantially damaged.

It will be appreciated that references to the term "dosage unit" include references to a pill, tablet, capsule and the like.

The configuration of the upper surface of the pivotable lever allows the user to apply hand-pressure or use their elbow, lower arm or wrist to apply pressure. In this way, even users having very limited strength in their fingers or hands can use the device to dispense a dosage unit.

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.

Suitably, the concave surface of the compartment-contacting member 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 pivotable lever to the compartment so that the pressure required to rupture the foil is easily produced, and the dosage unit is not substantially damaged. By "substantially damaged" is meant crushed, ruptured or fragmented. Thus it provides a more effective means for dispensing a dosage unit from a blister packet.

22-02-2011 2 Suitably, the outline of the aperture mirrors the outline of the compartment contacting member.

Preferably, the pivotable lever is configured such that the force required to be applied to the upper surface of the pivotable lever during use is between 1.6 and 3.0 kilogram-force, typically between 1.9 and 2.7 kilogram-force, more typically between 2.1 and 2.5 kilogram-force. For the avoidance of doubt, 1 kilogram-force is equal to 9.8 N. Suitably, the force transmitted by the pivotable lever via the compartment-contacting io member onto the compartment to enable the dosage unit to be dispensed through the aperture is between 2.7 and 4.0 kilogram-force, typically between 3.0 and 3.7 kilogram-force, more typically between 3.2 and 3.5 kilogram-force. These ranges allow for a variety of different dosage units to be dispensed.

Preferably, the pivotable lever is configured such that the force required to be applied to the upper surface of the pivotable lever during use is less than the force transmitted on to the compartment, preferably by at least about 10%, more preferably by at least about 20%, more preferably by at least about 30%. This is achieved by setting the pivot point such that lever must be depressed proportionately further than the compartment-contacting member moves when dispensing the dosage form. By reducing the force required to be applied by the user, the pivotable lever according to this arrangement allows for greater ease of use.

Preferably, the compartment-contacting member is frusto-conical or frusto-pyrim idal.

This shape assists the compartment-contacting member in transmitting the force to the compartment, without the compartment-contacting member deforming.

Suitably, the compartment-contacting member is removable from the pivotable lever. For example, the pivotable lever may comprise a hollow projection, into which the compartment-contacting member is securely inserted. In one embodiment, this allows the device to provide multiple compartment contacting members that closely match the diverse range of blister packet compartment sizes and/or shapes.

Suitably, the dispensing device is made substantially from plastics, preferably flexible grade polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or polythene, most preferably flexible grade polyvinyl chloride. By "made substantially from plastics" we mean that the structure is largely plastic, although some elements may be non-plastics, such as 22-02-2011 3 springs, screws, washers, or fastenings. Non-slip feet, if present, 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. Preferably, the compartment-contacting member is made from plastics, preferably flexible grade polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or polythene, most preferably flexible grade polyvinyl chloride.

Properties of flexible grade polyvinyl chloride are as sent out in Table 1.

io Table 1: Properties of flexible grade polyvinyl chloride Physical Metric English Comments Properties Density 1.11 -1.58 g/cc 0.0401 -0.0571 lb/ins Average value: 1.25 g/cc Grade Count:264 Mechanical Metric English Comments Properties Hardness, 35.0 -96.0 35.0 -96.0 Average value: 71.6 Grade Count:242 Shore A Hardness, 66.0 -81.0 66.0 -81.0 Average value: 73.6 Grade Count:7 Shore C Tensile 0.758 -23.9 MPa 110 -3460 psi Average value: 14.0 MPa Grade Strength, Count:1 12 Ultimate Tensile 1.72 -23.4 MPa 250 -3400 psi Average value: 10.2 MPa Grade Strength, Count:1 74 Yield Elongation at 50.0 -490 % 50.0 -490 % Average value: 340 % Grade Break Count:263 Modulus of 0.00144 -0.0110 GPa 0.209-1.60 ksi Average value: 0.00490 GPa Grade Elasticity Count:27 TearStrength 17.5-77.1 kN/m 100-440p1i Average value: 41.3 kN/m Grade Count:1 5 Compression 22.0 -43.0 % 22.0 -43.0 % Average value: 29.8 % Grade Count:7 Set Plastics having a similar density and/or similar mechanical properties are also suitable.

A particularly relevant mechanical property is resistance to indentation, also known as Shore hardness. Preferred materials have a Shore A hardness of 30 to 100, preferably to 90, more preferably 50 to 85, still more preferably 60 to 80, most preferably about 70, particularly 71.6. The Shore A hardness is measured with a Durometer and consequently may also be known as Durometer hardness'. The hardness value is determined by the penetration of the Durometer indenter foot into the sample. An alternative hardness measurement is Shore C. Preferred materials have a Shore C hardness of 60 to 85, preferably 65 to 80, most preferably 70 to 75, particularly 73.6.

22-02-2011 4 A suitable flexible grade PVC may be obtained from S & S Plastics (Sutton-in-ashfield Nottinghamshire, NG177IRB, United Kingdom).

Suitably, the blister packet supporting member comprises a rotatable platform comprising a plurality of apertures configured to allow the passage of dosage units of different shape or size, the platform being rotatable between a plurality of discrete positions, wherein at each discrete position, an aperture is appropriately positioned for the dosage unit to be dispensed through the aperture by the compartment-contacting member, wherein the resistance to rotation of the platform is greater at each of the discrete positions than it is io between the discrete positions.

This feature allows the user to select a suitable aperture for dispensing the required dosage form. Typically, the rotatable platform comprises two, three, four or five such apertures, which are typically equally spaced on the platform. In a preferred embodiment, there are three uniquely sized apertures at discrete positions, which are separated from each other by 1 2O.

The resistance to rotation is greater at the discrete positions than between the discrete positions, so that the chosen aperture may be correctly aligned with the compartment-contacting member, and resist further rotation during use of the device. When it is necessary to use a different aperture, the disc can be rotated to align the selected aperture against the resistance. This may be done either by the user or, where the user lacks the necessary manual dexterity, by their carer.

Preferably, the rotating platform is disk-shaped.

Preferably, the rotating platform has a knurled or textured peripheral edge or edges.

This improves the ease by which the platform may be rotated by hand.

Suitably, the dispensing device additionally comprises a collection chamber arranged to receive a dosage unit dispensed through the aperture of the blister packet support member. This 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. Preferably, the collection chamber comprises an aperture from which the dosage unit can be dispensed in a controlled manner by tipping the dispensing device.

This allows the user to tip the dosage unit or units into their hand or mouth, for example.

22-02-2011 5 Suitably, the dispensing 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. Suitably, the base comprises one or more areas, which may be protruding, and which form non-slip feet.

The pivoting lever may be attached by pivoting means to any part of the device, for example the blister packet supporting member (if not rotatable) or the collection chamber. Pivoting means may comprise an attachment point, such as a pivot bar, and io attachment means, such as a pivot clip, or any other suitable means. The lever is arranged such that the compartment contacting member is adjacent to the aperture when it is in the dispensing position.

A second aspect of the invention provides a method of dispensing a dosage unit form a is sealed compartment of a blister pack comprising: (i) providing a dispensing device as defined in relation to the first aspect of the invention; (ii) aligning the sealed compartment of the blister pack over the aperture; (iii) applying force to the upper surface of the pivotable lever to dispense the dosage unit.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 A shows a plan view of the base comprising the collection chamber according to one embodiment of the invention. Figures 1 B and C show plan views of the rotatable platform according to one embodiment of the invention from above and below respectively.

Figures 2A and B show the compartment-contacting member according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 2A is a longitudinal section through the centre of the member. Figure 2B is a plan view from below.

Figures 3A and B show plan views of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 together with the pivotable lever of one embodiment of the invention combined to form a dispensing device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Figures 3A and B show the device from above and below respectively.

22-02-2011 6 Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of the dispensing device according to one embodiment of the invention, and a detailed view of means allowing for the rotatable platform to occupy discrete positions.

Referring to Figure 1A, a base shown generally as 1, comprises a substantially hollow box 2, in which the dosage form is collected after it is dispensed. The box 2 has an aperture 3 from which the dosage form may subsequently be recovered. A pivotable lever (not shown) is integral with the base and pivotable about an axis 4. A hollow io projection 5 is provided to accommodate the spindle 10 of the rotatable disc shown generally as 7 in Figures lB and C. The spindle 10 has a central hole configured to receive a self-tapping screw (not shown). A projection 6 in the upper surface of the base engages with one of three corresponding depressions 11 in the rotatable disc to allow for the disc to occupy discrete positions and impede further rotation. The rotatable disc is comprises three differently sized apertures which may be positively located above the box 2, and below the compartment-contacting member (not shown), during use. The peripheral edges 9 of the rotatable disc are knurled to facilitate rotation by hand between the discrete positions.

Figure 2 shows the frusto-pyramidal compartment-contacting member 12, having a concave surface 13 which contacts the blister pack during use.

Figures 3A, B and 4 show the base 1 and integral pivotable lever 14 assembled together with the rotatable disc 7, and the compartment-contacting member 12. The upper surface of the pivotable lever is shaped so as to allow the user to press it down easily using their elbow, lower arm, wrist, hand palm or fingers. The compartment-contacting member 12 is accommodated within a hollow projection 15 from the lever 14. A self-tapping screw 16, shown in Figures 3B and 4, engages with the spindle 10 of the rotatable disc 7. Non-slip feet 17 are also shown in Figures 3B and 4. Figure 4 shows a spring 18, which resists downward pressure on the lever 14.

According to the inventor's experience, a dispensing device made as described above from flexible grade PVC allows for the dispensing of small, medium and large tablets upon application of between 2.1 and 2.5 kilogram-force to the lever. In contrast, if the same pills are dispensed by hand, between 3.2 and 3.5 kilogram-force is required. This represents a reduction of about 30% of the force required to dispense a tablet.

22-02-2011 7

Claims (16)

1. Claims 1. A dispensing device arranged to dispense a dosage unit from a sealed compartment 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 dispensed dosage unit; and (b) a pivotable lever comprising: (i) an upper surface configured for a user to apply a force to the lever by pressing the upper surlace using any of their elbow, lower arm, wrist, hand, palm or io fingers; and (ii) a compartment-contacting member having a concave surface arranged to contact the compartment, which compartment-contacting member is moveable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position when force is applied by the user, wherein the pivotable lever transmits sufficient force via the compartment-contacting is member onto the compartment to enable the dosage unit to be dispensed through the aperture without being substantially damaged.
2. 2. The dispensing device of Claim 1 wherein the pivotable lever is configured such that the force required to be applied to the upper surface of the piovtable lever during use is between 1.6 and 3.0 kilogram-force.
3. 3. The dispensing device of Claim 1 or 2 wherein the force transmitted by the pivotable lever via the compartment-contacting member onto the compartment to enable the dosage unit to be dispensed through the aperture is between 2.7 and 4.0 kilogram-force.
4. 4. The dispensing device of any preceding claim wherein the pivotable lever is configured such that the force required to be applied to the upper surface of the pivotable lever during use is less than the force transmitted onto the compartment, preferably by at least about 10%, more preferably by at least about 20%, more preferably by at least about 30%.
5. 5. The dispensing device of any preceding claim wherein the compartment-contacting member has a Shore A hardness of 30 to 100, preferably 40 to 90, more preferably 50 to 85, still more preferably 60 to 80, most preferably about 70.

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6. 6. The dispensing device of any preceding claim wherein the compartment-contacting member is frusto-conical or frusto-pyrim idal.
7. 7. The dispensing device of any dispensing claim wherein the compartment-contacting member is removable from the pivotable lever.
8. 8. The dispensing device of any preceding claim which is made substantially from plastics, preferably flexible grade polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or polythene.
9. 9. The dispensing device of any preceding claim wherein the blister packet supporting member comprises a rotatable platform comprising a plurality of apertures configured to allow the passage of dosage units of different shape or size, the platform being rotatable between a plurality of discrete positions, wherein at each discrete position, an aperture is appropriately positioned for the dosage unit to be dispensed through the aperture by the compartment-contacting member, wherein the resistance to rotation of the platform is greater at each of the discrete positions than it is between the discrete positions.
10. 10. The dispensing device of Claim 9 wherein the rotating platform is disk-shaped.
11. 11. The dispensing device of Claim 9 or 10 wherein the rotating platform has a knurled or textured peripheral edge or edges.
12. 12. The dispensing device of any preceding claim which additionally comprises a collection chamber arranged to receive a dosage unit dispensed through the aperture of the blister packet support member.
13. 13. The dispensing device of Claim 12 wherein the collection chamber comprises an aperture from which the dosage unit can be dispensed in a controlled manner by tipping the dispensing device.
14. 14. The dispensing device of any preceding claim which additionally comprises a slip resistant base.
15. 15. The dispensing device essentially as described herein with reference to the accompany drawings.22-02-2011 9
16. 16. A method of dispensing a dosage unit from a sealed compartment of a blister pack comprising: (i) providing a dispensing device as defined in any of Claims 1-15; (ii) aligning the sealed compartment of the blister pack over the aperture; (iii) applying force to the upper surface of the pivotable lever to dispense the dosage unit.22-02-2011 10