WO2003042066A1 - Dispositif de distribution d'un emballage-coque - Google Patents

Dispositif de distribution d'un emballage-coque Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003042066A1
WO2003042066A1 PCT/GB2002/005149 GB0205149W WO03042066A1 WO 2003042066 A1 WO2003042066 A1 WO 2003042066A1 GB 0205149 W GB0205149 W GB 0205149W WO 03042066 A1 WO03042066 A1 WO 03042066A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
buttons
blister
button
projections
apertures
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2002/005149
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Andrew Robert Fry
Richard Iain Simpson
Christopher John Hurlstone
Andrew Gordon Pocock
Paul Greenhalgh
Matthew Egerton Young
Reuben Wu
Original Assignee
Team Holdings (Uk) Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Team Holdings (Uk) Limited filed Critical Team Holdings (Uk) Limited
Priority to US10/495,830 priority Critical patent/US20050082194A1/en
Priority to DE60209138T priority patent/DE60209138D1/de
Priority to EP02781395A priority patent/EP1446335B1/fr
Publication of WO2003042066A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003042066A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/04—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills
    • B65D83/0445—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills all the articles being stored in individual compartments
    • B65D83/0463—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills all the articles being stored in individual compartments formed in a band or a blisterweb, inserted in a dispensing device or container
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
    • A61J1/03—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
    • A61J1/035—Blister-type containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2215/00—Child-proof means
    • B65D2215/04—Child-proof means requiring the combination of different actions in succession

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a blister pack dispensing device and to a method of manufacturing such a device.
  • blister packs which comprise a plastic sheet having plurality of moulded receptacles (or blisters) in which one or more tablets are placed covered by a foil which is pierced or burst to obtain access to the contents of the blister.
  • blister packs are known in two forms, a standard form with a burstable foil which can be easily, "popped" and a child resistant form which has a thicker non-burstable foil.
  • the non-burstable foil is normally peeled off to expose a standard burstable foil. This peeling process may be difficult for persons suffering from arthritis or having a weak grip so cutting tools have been provided to pierce the foil. A more dangerous alternative is to use a pair of scissors.
  • US-A-51504793 discloses a device for inhibiting removal of an article from a blister-type container having at least one blister.
  • the device includes a housing surrounding at least -a portion of the container sized to permit movement of the container between the first and second positions.
  • the housing has a base positioned facing the blister-type container with at least one base opening in registry with the blister when the container is in the first position.
  • the base opening is sized to permit passage of the article therethrough.
  • the device also includes a biasing member for biasing the container toward the second position. When the container is in the second position, the base of the housing is positioned to inhibit removal of the article from the container.
  • the blister is in registry with the base opening to permit removal of the article by applying pressure to the outside surface of the blister to force the article to rupture the container and pass through the base opening.
  • US-A-5244081 discloses a device for inhibiting removal of a first article from a first ' blister-type container having at least one blister.
  • the device includes a first member or second blister-type container positioned facing the first blister-type container with at least one opening in the second container in registry with the blister when the second container in the first position.
  • the first container likewise may include an opening in registry with a second blister of the second container when the second container is in the first position.
  • the openings in the first and second containers are sized to permit passage of the respective articles therethrough.
  • the device may also include a first member for permitting movement of the second container between the first and second positions and a second member for maintaining the second container proximate the container and permitting movement of the second container between the first and second positions.
  • a locking member may be provided for locking the containers in the second position.
  • the invention provides a blister pack dispensing device comprising a housing for accommodating the blister pack, the housing comprising a first wall provided with plurality of apertures arranged to correspond to blisters on the blister pack, a second opposing wall carrying a corresponding plurality of buttons, and a manually operable locking mechanism for enabling or disabling depression of the buttons, the locking mechanism comprising a movable stop member the stop member being movable between a first position in which one or more of the button (s) is/are enabled to be operated to dispense the contents of a blister though an aperture and a second position in which the button is prevented from being operated to dispense the contents of the blister.
  • buttons By providing a locking mechanism, which will be released by a manual operation by a user, the release of the contents of a blister by pressing one of the buttons can be inhibited unless two separate operations are carried out, that is release of the locking mechanism and depression of one of the buttons
  • the movable stop member may comprise a frame which surrounds at least some of the blisters of the blister pack.
  • the blister pack can remain stationary within the housing while the frame in the first position allows the buttons to be fully depressed to eject the contents from the blister through the corresponding aperture in the housing while in the second position the frame prevents the buttons being sufficiently depressed to eject the contents of the blister.
  • the blister pack itself can constitute the locking mechanism.
  • the movable stop member may be provided with a plurality of openings each corresponding to a button, the buttons being provided with projections projecting in the direction of depression of the button; wherein in the first position the openings are aligned with the projections on the button to allow the projections to pass through the movable member and the buttons to be fully depressed while in the second position the projections engage the movable member to prevent the buttons from being fully depressed.
  • This construction gives the advantage that the projections and openings in the frame can be of smaller area than the buttons and consequently the distance between the two positions can be relatively small. This enables the spacing between the blisters to be minimised.
  • the movable stop member may be provided with a plurality of projections each corresponding to ' a button, the buttons being provided with openings for accommodating the projections, wherein in the first position the projections are aligned with the openings in the buttons to allow the buttons to pass over the projections and fully depress while in the second position the projections engage the buttons to prevent them from being fully depressed.
  • the movable stop member is provided with a plurality of projections each corresponding to a button, wherein in the first position the projections are misaligned with the buttons to allow the buttons to fully depress while in the second position the projections engage the buttons to prevent them from being fully depressed.
  • the movable stop member may comprise an elongate member having projections that are arranged to prevent operation of the buttons when the elongate member is in a first position and to allow operation of at least some of the buttons when in a second position.
  • the elongate moveable stop member may be moveable longitudinally between the first and second positions.
  • the elongate movable stop member may be arranged to rotate between the first and second positions.
  • Cutters which may be integrally moulded with the first wall, may be provided around the apertures on the interior of the first wall, the cutters being effective to pierce the foil covering a blister when the corresponding button is depressed.
  • cutters in the dispensing pack enables convenient dispensing of the contents of child resistant " blister packs, that is those packs which have a strong foil over the blister which needs a cutting tool to pierce it.
  • dispensing of blister contents which may be damaged by the pressure required to pierce the foil when transferred through the contents.
  • the apertures may be provided with frangible covers which are displaced by the act of dispensing the contents of a blister. This reduces the possibility of the contents of a blister being accessed through an aperture by piercing the foil and allowing the contents to drop through the aperture. Thus the use of child resistant blister packs is not required when using such a dispensing device.
  • the invention further provides a method of manufacturing a blister pack dispensing device comprising the steps of: producing a one piece thermoplastic moulding comprising a first wall of a housing having a plurality of apertures spaced to correspond with the spacing of a blister pack to be contained within the dispenser and a second wall of the housing having a plurality of buttons spaced to align with the apertures when the dispenser is assembled, the first and second walls being joined by a flexible web portion; folding the first and second walls about the flexible web to enclose a blister pack; and joining the two walls together to form the housing.
  • the method may comprise the further step of inserting a movable frame between the first and second walls.
  • the method may further comprise the further step of moulding the movable frame integrally with the first and second walls and connecting the movable frame to the opposite end of one of the first and second walls by a second flexible web.
  • the second web may be joined to a spring means on the frame and when the dispensing device is assembled the spring means may act as a biassing means for the movable frame.
  • the first and second walls may be joined by a snap fit mechanism.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a dispensing device according to the invention
  • Figure 2 shows in unassembled form a first embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention
  • Figure 3 shows in unassembled form a second embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention
  • Figure 4 shows in unassembled form a third embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention
  • Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of part of a fourth embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention
  • Figure 6 shows plan and cross-sectional views of frangible covers
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention.
  • Figure 8 shows the embodiment of Figure 7 in an exploded perspective viewed from the side of the second wall
  • Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the embodiment of Figure 7 viewed from the side of the first wall
  • Figure 10a shows a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 7
  • Figure 10b shows a cross-sectional view on line B-B of Figure 10a
  • Figure 11a shows a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 7;
  • Figure lib shows a cross-sectional view on line C-C of Figure 11a on an enlarged scale;
  • Figure 12 is a perspective view of part of a wall 120 of Figure 8 on an enclosed scale showing an additional optional feature
  • Figures 13a to 13c show a sixth embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention.
  • Figure 14 shows a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention in the form of a one piece moulding before assembly to form the dispensing device;
  • Figure 15 shows on elevation of a part of the embodiment of Figure 13;
  • Figure 16 shows in perspective view the moulding of Figure 14 assembled to form the seventh embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective drawing of a blister pack dispensing device according to the invention which comprises a housing 1 for containing a blister pack, the housing 1 having an array of buttons 2 which corresponds to the array of blisters on the blister pack for which the device is designed.
  • the housing 1 has an aperture 3 through which a button 4 projects, the button 4 forming part of an inhibit frame whose function is to lock the buttons 2 unless the button 4 is depressed.
  • buttons 2 are unlocked and may be depressed to dispense the contents of the blisters through apertures on the underside of the housing 1.
  • Figure 2 shows in unassembled form a first embodiment of a blister pack dispensing device according to the invention, Figure 2a showing the device in plan view, Figure 2b showing the device in an elevational view, and Figure 2c showing the device in perspective view. As shown in
  • the dispensing device comprises a first wall 10 having an array of apertures 11 formed therein.
  • a second wall 12 is formed with a corresponding array of buttons 13, which are arranged so that when the device is assembled the buttons 13 are aligned with the apertures 11.
  • a movable frame 14 has a plurality of apertures 15 which correspond to the buttons 13 in the second wall 12.
  • the movable frame 14 is connected to the first wall 10 by means of a flexible web or hinge 16 and a portion 17 that, in operation, forms a biassing means for the frame 14, while the first wall 10 is connected to the second wall 12 by a further flexible web or hinge 18.
  • the movable frame 14 is provided with a projecting button 19 that, when the device is assembled, projects through an aperture 20, the button 19 corresponding to the button 4 in the device of Figure 1.
  • the apertures 11 are covered by frangible covers (or trapdoors) 21 and each button in the array of buttons 13 is provided with a projection 22.
  • a blister pack 23 is placed over the frame 14 as shown in Figure 2b and the frame 14 is folded about the web 16 to lie against the wall 10 of the housing. It will be apparent that the blister pack 23 is sandwiched between the frame 14 and the wall 10 of the housing with the foil side of the blister pack facing the wall 10 and the blisters projecting through the inhibit frame 14. The wall 12 is then folded about the web 18 and a latching projection 24 snap fits over the end of the wall 10 to hold the device closed.
  • the frame 14 is biassed by the spring 17 to a position where the apertures 15 are misaligned with the projections 22 on the buttons 13 to prevent the buttons from being sufficiently depressed to eject the contents of the blisters.
  • the user presses the button 19 against the spring 17 to align the apertures 15 in the frame 14 with the projections 22 on the buttons 13.
  • the projections 22 can pass through the apertures 15 allowing the buttons 13 to be fully depressed (as can be seen more clearly from Figure 5) .
  • frangible covers 21 are provided over the apertures 11 the projection 22 on the button 13 presses on the cover 21 to break the frangible coupling between the cover and the wall 10 and allow the contents of the blister to be dispensed through the aperture by further depression of the button 13.
  • the dispensing device shown in Figure 2 is formed from a single plastic moulding and has the advantage of requiring only a small number of manufacturing steps in order to assemble it.
  • the only components are the blister pack and the single moulding which merely requires folding operations, once the blister pack has been placed in position, to form the completed device.
  • Figure 3 shows in unassembled form, a second embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention, Figure 3a showing the device in plan view, Figure 3b showing the device in an elevational view, and Figure 3c showing the device in perspective view.
  • Figure 3 those elements having the same form and function as corresponding elements in the embodiment of Figure 2 have been given the same reference numerals.
  • the following description will highlight the differences between the embodiments of Figure 2 and 3 rather than repeating the description of the common elements.
  • the significant difference is that the frame 14 is moulded as a separate component from the walls 10 and 12 of the housing. While this embodiment requires more parts and further assembly steps it has the advantage that the housing walls 10 and 12 can be moulded from a different plastics material from that of the frame 14.
  • the spring 17 and frame 14 may be moulded from Delrin while the walls 10 and 12 may be moulded from polypropylene.
  • the blister pack 23 is positioned on the opposite side of the frame 14 but this is an inessential difference as in both embodiments it is possible to place the blister pack 23 on either side of the frame 14.
  • Figure 4 shows in unassembled form, a third embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention, Figure 4a showing the device in plan view, Figure 4b showing the device in an elevational view, and Figure 4c showing the device in perspective view.
  • Figure 4 those elements having the same form and function as those shown in Figure 2 have been given the same reference numerals. The following description will highlight the differences between this embodiment and that shown in Figure 2 and not repeat a description of the common elements.
  • the embodiment of Figure 4 is designed to be able to dispense the contents of child resistant or other blister packs which have a relatively strong foil which cannot be broken merely by applying pressure to the blister which is transferred to the foil by the contents of the blister.
  • Such blister packs need a cutting tool to remove the foil and while resistant to opening by young children cause difficulty to those whose manual dexterity is limited, for example due to arthritis.
  • the embodiment may also be useful even where a strong foil is not provided but where the contents of the blister are fragile and likely to be damaged by the force necessary to burst the foil.
  • the apertures 11 are surrounded by cutters 25 rather than being provided with frangible covers.
  • the buttons 13 are not provided with projections as these are not required to break the frangible covers.
  • the frame 14 is provided with apertures 26 through which the blisters on the blister pack project when the device is assembled.
  • the blister pack 23 moves as the frame 23 moves so that in a first position the blisters are not aligned with the apertures 11 and a second position where they are aligned with the apertures 11.
  • the blister pack 23 moves as the frame 23 moves so that in a first position the blisters are not aligned with the apertures 11 and a second position where they are aligned with the apertures 11.
  • buttons may be provided with projections 22 and the frame 14 with additional apertures 15 which cooperate with the projections 22 to provide a locking mechanism for the buttons 13 in the same manner as described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.
  • the frame 14 may be of the skeletal form shown in Figures 2 and 3. This enables the blister pack to be located in a stationary manner with respect to the apertures 11, the frame 14 sliding across the blister pack.
  • the frame 14 shown in Figure 4 may have the advantage of holding the blister pack 23 more firmly against the cutters 25 when dispensing the contents but will cause the blister pack 23 to slide with respect to the apertures 11 and cutters 25.
  • the interior of the wall 10 is provided with a rib 27 which spaces the blister pack from the wall, and hence the cutters 25, except when a button 13 is depressed above a blister when the blister pack deforms to allow the cutter to pierce the foil.
  • the under surface of the button 13 may be profiled to extend around the blister when depressed to hold the pack firmly against the cutters 25.
  • Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view on line x-x of Figure 1 showing the assembled embodiment of Figure 2.
  • Figure 5a shows the frame 14 in its inhibit position where it prevents the button 13 from being depressed as the projection 22 on the button 13 engages with the surface of the frame 14.
  • Figure 5b shows the situation where a user has moved the frame 14 against the biassing spring 17 to a position where the projection 22 on the button 13 is aligned with the aperture 15 in the frame 14.
  • Figure 5c shows the button 13 being depressed to dispense the contents of a blister of the blister pack 23. As shown in Figure 5c the projection 22 passes through the aperture 15 and engages with the frangible cover 21 to cause it to break away. The button 13 then presses on the blister causing the contents to break though the foil and be dispensed through the aperture 11.
  • the frame 14 may be dispensed with.
  • the blister pack 23 forms the manually operable locking mechanism, the blister pack being provided with apertures 15 corresponding to the apertures 15 in the frame 14.
  • the projections 22 will then either pass through the blister pack to enable the buttons 13 to be fully depressed and eject the contents from the blister or additionally open the trap door if the frangible covers are provided.
  • the blister pack could be provided with the projections as previously discussed with respect to the frame 14.
  • Figure 6 shows in plan and cross-sectional view three possible constructions for the frangible covers 21.
  • the cover 21 is only connected to the wall 10 by a hinge section 51 and a small, typically spherical, bridging member 52.
  • the remainder of the periphery of the cover 21 is separated from the wall 10 by a small gap 53 around its perimeter.
  • the projection 22 on the push button 13 presses on a portion 53 of the cover 21 causing the bridging section 52 to break and the cover 21 to open about the hinge 51.
  • Figure 6b) shows a construction where instead of a gap 53 being left around the periphery of the cover 21 a frangible boundary is formed that is a boundary where the cross- section is reduced.
  • FIG. 6c shows a further alternative where instead of covering the whole of the aperture 11 a strap is provided across the aperture . Where the contents of the blister are relatively large compared with the size of the aperture it is not necessary to fully cover the aperture to prevent the contents from being released by breaking the foil through the aperture.
  • buttons 13 has been shown in the embodiments as a sliding member having apertures or projections for engaging or disengaging the buttons the invention is not limited to such a construction. Any manually operated locking mechanism which efficiently prevents the buttons from being fully depressed unless operated could be used. Preferably it should require the user to operate it at the same time as depressing the buttons but a sequential operation of the locking mechanism and the depression of the buttons could be used.
  • One possible alternative locking mechanism could involve a rotatable member which lies across the buttons in one positions to prevent their depression and swivels away from the buttons to release them in a second position. Other mechanisms could be devised to perform this function and some examples are shown in the further embodiments described below.
  • the housing has an array of buttons 102 which correspond to the array of blisters on the blister pack for which the device is designed.
  • the housing 101 has an aperture 103 through which part of an operable locking mechanism 104 projects.
  • the locking mechanism 104 has a spring arrangement 105 which engages with the housing 101 to bias the locking mechanism 104 to a first position in which the buttons 102 are prevented from being depressed.
  • the locking mechanism 104 can be moved to a second position in which the buttons 102 are released so that they can be depressed by pressing against the end of the member 104 to push it further into the housing 101 against the force of the spring 105.
  • the housing 101 comprises a first wall 110 which carries the buttons 102 and a second wall 120 which contains a plurality of apertures 124 covered by hinged covers 121.
  • the housing 101 is formed by the walls 110 and 120 between which are sandwiched the moveable stop member 104 and a blister pack 130.
  • the blister pack 130 is located against the wall 120 with the blisters positioned over the hinged aperture covers 121.
  • the moveable stop member is constrained between the blister pack 104 and a groove 111 in the wall 110.
  • the buttons 102 have a sidewalls 112 and 113 which are separated by a gap 114.
  • the actuation of the buttons 102 is effected by depressing the button 102 where upon the region of the gap 114 opens to enable the button to straighten and then collapse onto the top of a blister on the blister pack 130 to collapse the blister and eject the contents through the hinged cover 121.
  • the straightening of the button 102 on depression causes it to elongate and cause a web 115 in the central groove 111 to flex inwardly.
  • the button 102 on further pressure engages with a blister 131 on the blister pack 130 and further depression collapses the blister 131 and ejects the contents of the blister 131 through the hinged cover 121 and allows the web 115 to return to its original position.
  • the locking member 104 is of an elongate form and comprises a number of projections 140 which when the locking mechanism is in the locked position align with the webs 115 to prevent them being flexed inwardly thus preventing the buttons 102 from being depressed.
  • the projections 140 become misaligned with the webs 115 and allow the buttons to be depressed by allowing the webs 115 to flex inwardly.
  • the buttons 102 have a central rib 116 extending along their length. This central rib engages a blister 131 in the blister pack 130 to cause the blister to collapse and eject its contents through a hinge cover 121. It will be seen that the rib 116 contacts the blister 131 near to one edge of the blister. This off centre contact causes the blister to collapse under a lesser force than if the initial force was in the centre of the blister.
  • the off centre contact when the content of the blister is a relatively large solid object such as a pill, filling the major portion of the blister, produces a more effective tear of the foil as one edge of the pill is preferentially forced against a small area of the foil.
  • the collapse of the blister is accentuated by the small contact area formed by the control rib on the underside of the button 102 with the blister surface leading to an initial fold of the blister.
  • the hinged cover 121 is hinged about a hinge 122 located at the edge of the blister 131 nearest to the point of contact of the rib 116 onto the blister 131.
  • the content of the blister on the cover relatively close to the hinge portion forces the hinge cover to open more fully. This aids efficient dispensing of the contents of the blister 131 by providing the largest possible opening for the discharges of the blister contents.
  • the wall 110 is joined to the wall 120 by means of pegs 123 which are an interference fit in holes 117 in the wall 110.
  • This structure also adds rigidity to the housing around its perimeter.
  • Other means of joining the two parts could be used, for example if the device is to be reusable with new blister packs then a snap-fit' arrangement analogous to that shown in the embodiment of Figure 2 could be used.
  • the locking mechanism 104 fits between the wall 120 and the wall 110 in the groove portion 111 and helps to provide rigidity to the whole structure.
  • the locking mechanism 104 is arranged to prevent the walls 110 and 120 flexing towards each other but is also arranged to have as little friction as possible between itself and those walls so that its resistance to depression of the end of the mechanism 104 is not so large as to make the operation of the mechanism 104 too stiff for those with a relatively weak grip to operate. To this end it will be seen from Figure 10b) that the surface area of the mechanism 104 in contact with the groove 111 and blister pack 130 is kept relatively small.
  • a blister pack 130 is sandwiched between the wall 110 and wall 120.
  • the blisters 131 are aligned with hinged covers or trap doors 121 in the wall 120 and with buttons 102 in the wall 110.
  • the moveable stop member 104 slides over the blister pack 130 between the blisters 131 and is effective to prevent the buttons 102 from being depressed when in the first position.
  • a rib 113 presses on the blister 121 when the button 102 is depressed to cause the blister to collapse.
  • the contents of the blister break the foil underneath the blister and as the button is depressed the trap door 121 is hinged open to allow the contents of the blister to be ejected.
  • the trap door 121 is moulded so that it is biassed inwardly of the housing and is forced to lie flat when the housing is assembled by the bottom of the blister pack 130. It will be noted that the trap doors 121 are recessed with respect to the wall 120 to minimise the possibility of gaining access to the underside of the blisters by prizing the trap door 121 open.
  • Figure 12 illustrates a modification in which a pointed projection 125 is moulded into an edge of the aperture 124.
  • Figure 13 shows a further embodiment of a blister pack dispenser according to the invention.
  • Figures 13a) and b) are cross-sections on line D-D of figure 13c) .
  • Figure 13c) is a plan view with the top wall removed of a dispensing device according to the invention.
  • a blister pack 201 having a plurality of blisters 211 is placed on the bottom portion of a dispenser 200 so that it covers trap doors 202.
  • a button 204 is depressed to move a moveable locking member 205 laterally inwards towards the blister pack.
  • Buttons 206 are provided in the top wall 210 of the dispenser and are aligned with the blisters 211 on the blister pack 201 and are provided with a projection 207 which contacts the blister 211 to collapse the blister and dispense its contents.
  • a projection 208 when the button 204 is not depressed, makes contact with the bottom surface 200 of the dispenser pack preventing the button 206 from being depressed.
  • the moveable member 205 is moved towards the blister pack and contacts the projection 208 to deflect it so that it now contacts the trap door 202 rather than the bottom of the dispenser 200 enabling the button 206 to be depressed and to dispense the contents of the blister 211.
  • figure 13a) illustrates the situation where the button 206 cannot be depressed while figure 13b) illustrates the situation where the button 204 has been depressed.
  • the moveable member 205 when the button 204 is depressed, moves laterally to deflect the projection 208 on the button 206 so that it engages with the trap door 202 rather than the bottom of the dispenser 200.
  • the button 206 can then be depressed and deliver the contents of the blister through the trap door 202.
  • the trap door 202 is either formed with a frangible boundary with the dispenser 200 that can be broken by a relatively small force or is freely hinged along one side so that it opens with comparatively little force required.
  • Figures 14 to 16 show a further embodiment of a blister pack dispensing device according to the invention.
  • Figure 14 shows a moulding from which the dispensing device is assembled.
  • the moulding comprises a first wall 301 having a number of apertures 302 through which the contents of a blister pack are to be dispensed.
  • a further wall 303 has a number of pockets 304 which cover the blisters of a blister pack which is arranged to be housed between the walls 301 and 303.
  • the wall 303 when the blister pack is assembled is folded over the wall 301.
  • a moveable frame 305 having a button 306 attached thereto is, during assembly of the blister pack dispensing device, folded over the blister pack and below the wall 303.
  • Tabs 307 are provided with a first projection 308 and a second projection 309 on the opposite side of the tab as shown in figure 14. On assembly of the dispensing device the tab
  • the flexible frame 305 has to be deflected by depressing the button 306 so that cut outs 311 in the frame align with the apertures 310.
  • the projection 308 then hooks over the frame 305 when the button 306 is released holding the tabs 307 in place.
  • the tabs 307 cover the apertures 302 thus preventing any access to the content of the blister pack through those apertures.
  • the tabs 307 can only be released when the button 306 is depressed thus aligning the cut outs 311 with the apertures 310 allowing the tab 307 to be released.
  • the pockets 304 have a cross-shaped aperture 312 through their upper surface. When the tabs 307 are released they can be rotated around the pack so that the projection 309 which has a corresponding cross shaped section is inserted through the apertures 312 to deform the blister within the pocket 304 and eject the content of the blister through the aperture 302.
  • the shape of the projection 309 and aperture 312 are preferably complementary but they do not need to be cross shaped and any conveniently shaped aperture could be provided. Further it is not strictly necessary that the apertures 312 are of complementary shape to the projection 309. It is merely necessary that the aperture 312 will enable the projection 309 to pass through it. Ideally the size of the aperture 312 should be smaller than the contents of the blister to prevent access to the contents from that side of the dispensing device. However blisters are normally sufficiently robust to resist entry by small children without a sharp cutting tool so the pockets 304 could be replaced by apertures through which the blister projects. It is however preferred that pockets 304 are provided to cover the blisters and that the apertures 312 are complementary in shape to the projection 309 and relatively small so that easy access to the blister is not allowed.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de distribution d'un emballage-coque comprenant un boîtier doté d'une première (10) et d'une seconde (12) parois et renfermant un emballage-coque (23), ainsi qu'un cadre mobile (14). La première paroi (10) comprend un réseau d'ouvertures (11) correspondant au réseau de coques sur l'emballage-coque (23). La seconde paroi (12) comprend un réseau de boutons (13) alignés avec les ouvertures (11). Chaque bouton (13) comprend une saillie (22), alors que le cadre (14) présente des ouvertures correspondantes (15). Le cadre peut être contraint par un utilisateur dans une première position dans laquelle les saillies (22) sur les boutons (13) sont alignées avec les ouvertures (15), de manière qu'un utilisateur puisse presser les boutons (13), aux fins de distribution du contenu de la coque via les ouvertures (11). Un ressort (17) remet le cadre (14) dans une seconde position, lorsque l'utilisateur le relâche, de manière que les saillies (22) soient mal alignées avec les ouvertures (15) sur le cadre (14) et empêche que les boutons (13) ne soient pressés.
PCT/GB2002/005149 2001-11-15 2002-11-15 Dispositif de distribution d'un emballage-coque WO2003042066A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/495,830 US20050082194A1 (en) 2001-11-15 2002-11-15 Device for dispensing from a blister pack
DE60209138T DE60209138D1 (de) 2001-11-15 2002-11-15 Vorrichtung zum spenden aus einer blisterpackung
EP02781395A EP1446335B1 (fr) 2001-11-15 2002-11-15 Dispositif de distribution d'un emballage-coque

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0127443A GB2388836A (en) 2001-11-15 2001-11-15 A dispensing device
GB0127443.0 2001-11-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003042066A1 true WO2003042066A1 (fr) 2003-05-22

Family

ID=9925842

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2002/005149 WO2003042066A1 (fr) 2001-11-15 2002-11-15 Dispositif de distribution d'un emballage-coque

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20050082194A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1446335B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE317356T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60209138D1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2388836A (fr)
WO (1) WO2003042066A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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WO2004052749A1 (fr) * 2002-12-12 2004-06-24 Mso Cleland Limited Dispositif de type receptacle pour un emballage-coque
DE10307590A1 (de) * 2003-02-22 2004-09-09 Uhlmann Pac-Systeme Gmbh & Co Kg Kindersichere Blisterpackung
DE102004025136A1 (de) * 2004-05-17 2005-12-15 Körber Ag Spendervorrichtung, Produktträger sowie Packungseinheit aus Produktträger und Spendervorrichtung
FR2953816A1 (fr) * 2009-12-15 2011-06-17 Yves Gricourt Boitier distributeur de pastilles
WO2019081622A1 (fr) * 2017-10-26 2019-05-02 A.C.D. (Agence Commerciale Doucet) Conditionnement securise pour comprimes

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GB0311143D0 (en) * 2003-05-15 2003-06-18 Team Holdings Uk Ltd Blister pack dispensing device
DK1678053T3 (da) * 2003-10-22 2011-03-28 Nycomed Gmbh Hidtil ukendt lægemiddelpakning
US7360652B2 (en) * 2004-06-11 2008-04-22 R.P. Scherer Technologies, Inc. Child resistant product dispenser
US7549541B2 (en) * 2005-07-26 2009-06-23 Rexam Closure Systems Inc. Child-resistant compact for blister card products
US7481331B2 (en) * 2005-09-09 2009-01-27 Manrex Limited Dispensing container for a blister pack of medications
FR2892398B1 (fr) * 2005-10-25 2010-04-23 Acd Emballage securise pour comprime
US7938265B2 (en) * 2005-12-21 2011-05-10 Watson Laboratories, Inc. Medicament dispenser and method
US8038008B2 (en) * 2005-12-21 2011-10-18 Watson Laboratories, Inc. Medicament dispenser and associated methods
US20070173971A1 (en) * 2006-01-26 2007-07-26 Prairiestone Pharmacy, Llc System and method of providing medication compliance packaging
US20080164259A1 (en) * 2007-01-04 2008-07-10 Coe Matthew T Container useful for holding multiple articles of manufacture
FR2913674B1 (fr) * 2007-03-12 2009-05-08 Sanofi Aventis Sa Etui de protection d'un blister comportant des moyens de verrouillage automatique deverrouillables par torsion
US7818950B1 (en) 2007-05-30 2010-10-26 Walgreen Co. Method of loading a multi-dose blister card using a transfer fixture
US7866476B2 (en) 2007-05-30 2011-01-11 Walgreen Co. Multi-dose blister card pillbook
US8251219B1 (en) 2007-10-22 2012-08-28 Walgreen Co. Package for medicine
US20090255842A1 (en) * 2008-04-09 2009-10-15 Rexam Closure Systems Inc. Child-resistant compact for blister card products
US7946448B1 (en) 2008-09-30 2011-05-24 John Madey Pill dispenser
US7937911B1 (en) 2008-11-21 2011-05-10 Walgreen Co. Method of preparing a blister card
CA2750734C (fr) * 2009-03-16 2013-11-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Emballage de presentation
TWI401189B (zh) * 2009-09-18 2013-07-11 Colgate Palmolive Co 用於產品之展示包裝盒
DE102009042858A1 (de) * 2009-09-24 2011-04-07 Schreiner Group Gmbh & Co. Kg Anordnung zur Aufnahme mindestens eines Arzneimittelblisters und Verfahren zur Entnahme von mindestens einem Arzneimittel
US8910456B2 (en) * 2010-02-01 2014-12-16 Mallinckrodt Apparatuses and methods for storing pharmaceutical product
US9125456B2 (en) * 2012-03-26 2015-09-08 Chong Sun CHOW Object-containing button
CA2953624C (fr) * 2014-07-08 2019-09-24 Medipense Inc. Distributeur de pilules avec support de conditionnement cylindrique pour conditionnements de type groupement
CN107427408A (zh) 2015-01-21 2017-12-01 迈兰公司 药物包装和剂量方案系统
AU2016201131B2 (en) * 2015-03-30 2020-04-02 Manrex Limited Dispensing container for blister pack of medication
JP7223399B2 (ja) * 2018-12-28 2023-02-16 大成化工株式会社 押出機構

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FR2638430A3 (fr) * 1988-10-27 1990-05-04 Chollet Jean Louis Conditionnement pour produits pharmaceutiques preemballes du type comprimes, gelules, pastilles ou similaires
US5150793A (en) * 1991-10-16 1992-09-29 Pci/Delvco, Inc. Device for inhibiting removal of an article from a blister-type container
US5244091A (en) * 1991-10-16 1993-09-14 Pci/Delvco, Inc. Device for inhibiting removal of an article from a blister container
EP1057750A1 (fr) * 1999-06-02 2000-12-06 Alusuisse Technology & Management AG Emballage pour tablettes avec sécurité pour enfants

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FR2638430A3 (fr) * 1988-10-27 1990-05-04 Chollet Jean Louis Conditionnement pour produits pharmaceutiques preemballes du type comprimes, gelules, pastilles ou similaires
US5150793A (en) * 1991-10-16 1992-09-29 Pci/Delvco, Inc. Device for inhibiting removal of an article from a blister-type container
US5244091A (en) * 1991-10-16 1993-09-14 Pci/Delvco, Inc. Device for inhibiting removal of an article from a blister container
EP1057750A1 (fr) * 1999-06-02 2000-12-06 Alusuisse Technology & Management AG Emballage pour tablettes avec sécurité pour enfants

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004052749A1 (fr) * 2002-12-12 2004-06-24 Mso Cleland Limited Dispositif de type receptacle pour un emballage-coque
DE10307590A1 (de) * 2003-02-22 2004-09-09 Uhlmann Pac-Systeme Gmbh & Co Kg Kindersichere Blisterpackung
US6896138B2 (en) 2003-02-22 2005-05-24 Uhlmann Pac-Systeme Gmbh & Co. Kg Childproof blister pack
DE10307590B4 (de) * 2003-02-22 2007-05-10 Uhlmann Pac-Systeme Gmbh & Co Kg Kindersichere Blisterpackung
DE102004025136A1 (de) * 2004-05-17 2005-12-15 Körber Ag Spendervorrichtung, Produktträger sowie Packungseinheit aus Produktträger und Spendervorrichtung
FR2953816A1 (fr) * 2009-12-15 2011-06-17 Yves Gricourt Boitier distributeur de pastilles
EP2336045A1 (fr) 2009-12-15 2011-06-22 Yves Gricourt Boîtier distributeur de pastilles
WO2019081622A1 (fr) * 2017-10-26 2019-05-02 A.C.D. (Agence Commerciale Doucet) Conditionnement securise pour comprimes
FR3072952A1 (fr) * 2017-10-26 2019-05-03 A.C.D. (Agence Commerciale Doucet) Conditionnement securise pour comprimes
US11772880B2 (en) 2017-10-26 2023-10-03 A.C.D. (Agence Commerciale Doucet) Secure package for tablets

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2388836A (en) 2003-11-26
DE60209138D1 (de) 2006-04-20
EP1446335A1 (fr) 2004-08-18
EP1446335B1 (fr) 2006-02-08
GB0127443D0 (en) 2002-01-09
US20050082194A1 (en) 2005-04-21
ATE317356T1 (de) 2006-02-15

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