WO2015142194A2

WO2015142194A2 - Apparatus for removing medication units from blister packs and methods therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2015142194A2
Application number: PCT/NZ2015/050030
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Orchard
Original assignee: Pete's Pill Popping Parlour Limited
Priority date: 2014-03-20
Filing date: 2015-03-18
Publication date: 2015-09-24
Also published as: AU2015232052A1; WO2015142194A3; EP3119375A2

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for the removal of medication units from a blister pack with at least one column of blisters protruding from the upper side and a rupturable covering sheet material on the underside. The apparatus comprises a platform comprising surfaces to support the underside of said blister pack on either side of said column of blisters, and a gap for medication units to be ejected through; and an ejection member configured to act on the upper side of the blister pack, to eject at least one unit of medication out of a blister and through the gap. In a preferred form, the ejection member at least partially protrudes into the gap, below the level of the surface of the platform during operation of ejecting a medication unit.

Description

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING MEDICATION UNITS FROM BLISTER PACKS AND

METHODS THEREFOR

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a medication dispenser and more particularly but not exclusively it relates to apparatus and methods for removing medication units from a card or blister pack.

It is common practice in pharmacies and rest homes to remove medication such as pills or tablets from blister packs to permit counting of the tablets and re-packing prior to being Issued to end users,

In some establishments such as for example dispensing chemists, there is a need to de-bllster lots of the blister packs of tablets. This may be done for example for bulk storage and well prior to being dispensed to end users. The mass de-blistering of the blister packs is typically done manually by pressing each tablet individually from the packs. This is time consuming.

A person will remove the medication units from blisters of the blister pack as required by breaking the covering material. Breaking the covering material of the blister Is often done manually by thumb or finger. Others have contemplated using an apparatus such as described in US 5038968. These apparatuses remove the need for pushing out Individual tablets, by instead using a roller or other such device to push out the tablets from the blisters. However, such an apparatus may be relatively large and costly, and may require that all of the medication be removed from the card dispenser at the same time. These large apparatus may be configured for one type of blister pack configuration only and/or may not be 100% effective in dispensing each tablet. Such roll-over devices are known to result in some tablets remaining associated with the pack by virtue of the foil not fully rupturing. Their setup time, especially when changing between blister pack types/shapes is also slow.

In this specification, where reference has been made to external sources of Information, including patent specifications and other documents, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present Invention, Unless stated otherwise, reference to such sources of information is not to be construed, In any jurisdiction, as an admission that such sources of information are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a medication removal apparatus which overcomes or at least partially ameliorates some of the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus for the removal of medication units from a blister pack with at Ieast one column of blisters protruding from the upper side and a rupturable covering sheet material on the underside, said apparatus comprising a platform comprising surfaces to support the underside of said blister pack on either side of said column of blisters, and a gap for medication units to be ejected through; and an ejection member configured to act on the upper side of the blister pack, to eject at Ieast one unit of medication out of a blister and through the gap, wherein In a preferred form the ejection member at least partially protrudes into the gap, below the level of the surface of the platform during operation of ejecting a medication unit.

In one embodiment, the gap is adjustable in size.

In one embodiment, the surfaces of the platform can move relative each other to allow the gap to be adjustable in size.

In one embodiment, the support surfaces are coplanar.

In one embodiment, the support surfaces define a gap of a size so that edges of the gap defined by said surfaces are in juxtaposition opposite edges of a column of blisters.

In one embodiment, the gap spans between parallel elongate edges of said surface of said platform.

In one embodiment, the platform is defined by two platform sections defining said surfaces to support the underside of the blister pack on either side of said column of blisters, the gap spanning between said sections and said sections movable relative to each other to change the size of the gap.

In one embodiment, the two sections define and present said surfaces in a co- planar manner.

In one embodiment, the two sections are able to be moved in a translational manner relative to each other.

In one embodiment, the two sections are able to be moved in a translational manner ensuring the surfaces remain coplanar to each other.

In one embodiment, the apparatus Includes a clamp configured to clamp the blister pack against a surface of the platform,

In one embodiment, the clamp is pressed onto the blister pack whenever the ejection member is applying a downwards force in operation.

In one embodiment, the clamp is pressed onto the blister pack whenever downwards force is applied to the ejection member in operation.

In one embodiment, the clamp can act adjacent the gap.

In one embodiment, the clamp and an edge of the gap defined by one of said surfaces are parallel and vertically aligned with each other.

In one embodiment, the clamp Is coextensive with the gap.

In one embodiment, the clamp and an edge of the gap defined by one of said surfaces are parallel each other.

In one embodiment, the clamp Is a rigid elongate member.

In one embodiment, the clamp is a clamp bar.

In one embodiment, the clamp operates across the entire blister pack adjacent the column.

In one embodiment, the clamp includes a surface of surfaces with which a blister pack can register for the purposes of alignment of the column with the gap.

In one embodiment, the clamp includes a surface of surfaces with which the column of blisters can register for the purposes of alignment of the column with the gap.

In one embodiment, the clamp includes a surface of surfaces with which the column of blisters can abut, located relative to the platform in a manner to ensure alignment of the column with the gap.

In one embodiment, the clamp can move between a clamping position and a non clamping position.

In one embodiment, the non clamping position is distal more the platform.

In one embodiment, when in the non clamping position the blister pack Is free to move unobstructed by the clamp, between the clamp and the platform.

In one embodiment, when in the non clamping position non blister regions and regions with ejected medication units are free to move unobstructed by the clamp, between the clamp and the platform.

In one embodiment, the clamp Is biased to the non clamping position, preferably under the influence of a spring.

In one embodiment, the clamp is adapted and configured to move between two non clamping settings one more distal the platform than the other,

In one embodiment, the more distal non clamping position defines a gap between the clamp and the platform to allow a broken column/s to slide underneath the clamp.

In one embodiment, the clamp comprises a clamping edge at where said clamping occurs adjacent said gap.

In one embodiment, the edge is adapted and configured to be able to locate between adjacent columns of a blister pack,

In one embodiment, the ejection member is movable, during operation, along a linear path.

In one embodiment, the ejection member is mounted for movement during operation along a linear path.

In one embodiment, the ejection member is movable along a path in a parallel direction to the gap in the platform during operation.

In one embodiment, the ejection member is mounted for movement along a path in a parallel direction to the gap In the platform during operation.

Alternatively, the ejection member Is mounted relative the platform for movement during operation.

In one embodiment, the ejection member Is supported for movement during operation relative the platform by a slider member.

Alternatively, the ejection member is able to move between an operative condition to a retreaded condition.

In one embodiment, in the retreaded condition the ejection member is distal more the platform.

In one embodiment, in the retreaded condition the ejection member as at a flank to the region at where said blister pack is supported for operative ejection of medication units.

In one embodiment, the ejection member is a wheel.

In one embodiment, the wheel Is mounted to rotate, In operation, about an axis parallel the surfaces of the platform.

In one embodiment, the wheel is mounted so that its periphery is presented to act below the surface and on a column of blisters rolls.

In one embodiment, the wheel includes, in radial cross section, a bevelled edge. In one embodiment, the bevelled edge, In operation, is proximate more the side of the gap at where said clamp is provided,

In one embodiment, the wheel is a disk having, in radial cross section, a bevel between a face side of the disk and the circumferential edge of the disk.

In one embodiment, the wheel diameter and profile of the wheel, combined with the adjustable gap allows the apparatus to be suitable for ejecting various shaped or sized medication units from blister packs.

In one embodiment, the wheel diameter Is between 40 and 60 millimetres.

In one embodiment, the wheel diameter is between 45 and 55 millimetres.

In one embodiment, the wheel diameter is 50 millimetres,

In one embodiment, the wheel is positioned for operation so that the distance between the wheel and the clamped edge of the blister pack is less than 8 millimetres, In one embodiment, the wheel is positioned for operation so that the distance between the wheel and the clamped edge of the blister pack is less than 4 millimetres.

In one embodiment, the wheel is positioned for operation so that the distance between the wheel and the clamped edge of the blister pack is 1 millimetre.

In one embodiment, the distance the ejection member protrudes below the platform supporting surfaces is greater than 1 millimetre.

In one embodiment, distance the ejection member protrudes below the platform supporting surfaces is greater than 2 millimetres,

In one embodiment, distance the ejection member protrudes below the platform supporting surfaces Is 3 millimetres.

Alternatively, the distance the ejection member protrudes below the platform supporting surfaces is greater than 3 millimetres,

In one embodiment, the width of regions of the ejection member that located in said gap is between 5 and 13 millimetres.

In one embodiment, the width of regions of the ejection member that located in said gap, is between 7 and 11 millimetres.

In one embodiment, the width of regions of the ejection member that located in said gap is wheel is 9 millimetres.

In one embodiment, the wheel comprises a bevel on both sides.

In one embodiment, the bevel is of a shape to, in the wheel's operation, extend from being in line with the platform supporting surfaces to circumference of the wheel.

Alternatively the bevel is of a shape to, in the wheel's operation, extend to or past the middle of the wheel In a direction of the rotational axis of the wheel.

In one embodiment, the bevel stops before the middle of the wheel In a direction of the rotational axis of the wheel.

In one embodiment, the bevel extends 3.5 millimetres towards the middle of the wheel in a direction of the rotational axis of the wheel,

In one embodiment, the ejection member is operationally forced by a user from a first position where the wheel does not protrude through the gap, to a second position where the ejection member protrudes through the gap.

In one embodiment, in the second position the wheel simultaneously forces the clamp to move to its clamping condition,

In one embodiment, the ejection member includes a region able to engage on said damp member to force the clamp member to its clamping condition.

In one embodiment, the clamp includes a surface, spaced a thickness of the clamp member above the support surface of the platform, and ejection member includes a clamp engaging portion of a diameter which, in use rolls on the surface of the clamp.

In one embodiment, the clamp Includes a top surface spaced a distance X above the support surface when said clamp Is In said clamping condition, the ejection member being rotational member having a first wheel of a radius and positioned for operative engagement with said blisters with Its circumference located into the gap below the level of the surfaces, and first wheel being of a radius greater than the sum of the radius of the second wheel plus distance X.

In one embodiment, the gap is a slot.

In one embodiment, the slot is an elongate slot.

In one embodiment, slot has parallel elongate sides.

In one embodiment, the platform Is a removable cassette,

In one embodiment, the wheel is rolled using a handle. In one embodiment, there are different sized cassettes having different width gaps for different sized medication units respectively.

In one embodiment, the cassette is configured and adapted to support a blister pack,

In one embodiment, the wheel comprises projections on either side to clamp the blister packet as the wheel is rolled.

In one embodiment, the projections are less than the width between two adjacent columns of blisters.

In one embodiment, the handle is attached to the centre of one or more projections In a second aspect the present invention may be said to broadly consist in a method of removing medication units from a blister pack with at least one column of blisters, the method comprising,

1. providing a platform to support a blister pack, the platform comprising surface spaced apart by a gap to allow said medication units to be operatively ejected through,

2. laying a blister pack on the surface of the platform with the upwardly projecting blisters projecting away from the platform yet aligned with the gap,

3. optionally adjusting the width of the gap to allow the platform to support either side of the underside of said column of blisters,

4, actuating an ejection member that acts at least partially below the surfaces along said upwardly projecting column of blisters to sequentially eject the medication units from the blisters.

In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of clamping the blister packed with a clamp.

In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of catching the ejected medication in a catcher.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to broadly consist in an apparatus for the removal of medication units from a blister pack with at least one column of blisters protruding from the upper side and a rupturable covering sheet material on the underside, said apparatus comprising a platform comprising surfaces to support the underside of said blister pack on either side of said column of blisters, and a gap for medication units to be ejected through ; and an ejection member configured to act on the upper side of the blister pack, to eject at least one unit of medication out of a blister and through the gap,

In one embodiment, the ejection member at least partially protrudes into the gap, below the level of the surface of the platform during operation of ejecting a medication unit.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.)

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification and claims means

"consisting at least in part of". When Interpreting statements in this specification and claims that include the term "comprising", the features, prefaced by that term In each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as ^""comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

For the purposes of this specification, the term "plastic" shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of a hydrocarbon-based polymer.

For the purpose of this specification, where method steps are described in sequence, the sequence does not necessarily mean that the steps are to be

chronologically ordered in that sequence, unless there Is no other logical manner of interpreting the sequence.

The term "tablets" is a generic term used in this specification to mean any medicinal unit; this can Include capsules, tablets, pilules, lozenges, pellets, boluses, troches, pastilles or any other unit packaged in a tablet sized blister pack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure is shows a front perspective view of a medication removing apparatus in a first position.

Figure 2: shows a front perspective view of the apparatus in a second position with a blister pack in operation.

Figure 3: shows a front cross section of the platform and wheel in a second position.

Figure 4: shows a front cross section of the platform and wheel In a first position with a blister pack in position.

Figure 5: shows a front cross section of the platform and wheel in a second position with a blister pack in position. Figure 5a: shows an alternative front cross section of the platform with an inset clamping position.

Figure 6: shows a side view of the platform and wheel dimensions.

Figure 7: shows a front view of a second embodiment of an apparatus for removing medication in a first position.

Figure 8: shows a front view of the second embodiment as shown in Figure 7 in a second position.

Figure 9: shows the apparatus of Figure 7 with the platform in a first position.

Figure 10: shows the apparatus of Figure 7 with the platform in a second position,

Figure 11: shows a third embodiment of an apparatus for removing medication showing dual wheels for removing medication.

Figure 12: shows a fourth embodiment of a free hand apparatus used for removing medication.

Figure 13: shows a multiple column blister pack, in position under the clamp of the apparatus of figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the above drawings, in which similar features are generally indicated by similar numerals, an apparatus for removing medication according to a first aspect of the invention Is generally Indicated by the numeral 1 and as seen in figure 1 and 2.

In one embodiment now described, there is provided an apparatus 1 for removing medication 8 from blister packs 9 or cards. Such an apparatus 1 is designed for use by businesses such as pharmacies and rest homes who regularly need to expel medication (usually in the form or tablets) from blister packs, prior to issuing to the end consumer of the tablets. Typically the blister packs comprise plastic film 50 having a plurality of pocket formations or blisters 6 in which the tablets 52 are housed and sealed with the plastic pockets by a foil 51 that is coextensive the plastic film. The foil 51 is rupturable so that tablets can be removed from their blisters. This Is able to be done by applying pressure to the plastic film at a blister to press the tablet through the foil.

Blisters are arranged is a plurality of parallel columns each column containing a plurality of blister containing tablets. Variation in column and blister spacing is common depending on the size and type of tablet and manufacturer.

The preferred form of the apparatus 1 uses an ejection member that Is preferably in the form of a wheel 2. The wheel is designed to be able to displace along a column of blisters 19 of a supported blister pack 9, evacuating the tablets from respective blisters 6 by ensuring sufficient rupture of the foil, as the wheel 2 proceeds.

The apparatus includes a platform 7 to appropriately support a blister pack. The platform ensures appropriate positioning and support of a blister pack during the evacuation of tablets from their blisters. In the preferred form the platform provides an upward support surface 7a that can support the blister pack on one or preferably both sides of a slot 10. The slot 10 is of a shape and configuration to align with a column of blisters to be ruptured. The slot allows for unobstructed ejection of tablets. As can be seen, in use, a blister pack can present a column of blisters in a manner so that the platform 7 supports adjacent the column and In close juxtaposition, leaving the regions of the foil enclosing each blister unsupported and located at the slot. This allows tablets to be pressed out of the foil by the wheel 2 in an unobstructed manner.

Preferably the wheel 2 rotates as it displaces along a column. The wheel 2 is preferably supported for such rotation about Its axis 53. This support may be in the form of an axle.

The wheel 2 may move from one end of a column to the other end. Once at the end of a column 19 and having dispensed each tablet of the column, the wheel 2 can be released from the blister pack. The blister packet 9 can be removed and discarded or if necessary rotated or translated to allow tablets in other columns to be evacuated.

The apparatus 1 is preferably manually actuated. However automatic actuation is within the scope of this invention. Manual actuation Is performed by actuating a handle 13 joined to the wheel 2 to displace the wheel along a column of blisters 19. A person can grasp the handle 13 and cause the wheel 2 to translate along a column of blisters of a blister pack appropriately positioned by a platform 7.

As the wheel 2 displaces it pushes down on each blister sequentially along the column so as to rupture the foil of the blister pack and eject a tablet from each Individual blister. The wheel 2 is so shaped so as to eject one tablet at a time, moving sequentially along the column of blisters on a blister pack. Once one column 19 of tablets 52 is ejected, the pack 9 may be removed and discarded or moved so a new column of blisters of that pack are aligned with the wheel actuation path.

More detail will now be described.

The slot 10 at which the tablets 8 fall through is of a width to support the blister pack at each side of a column of blisters. The slot spans a distance D between support surfaces 7a of the platform 7 on each side of the slot. The slot is preferably elongate and linear. The slot edges preferably are a sharp 90 degree corner between the support surfaces 7a and the platform depth. This allows precise adjustment of gap size for various pill types.

The slot is of a width to be able to accommodate at least part of the wheel 2 therein. More will be described about this herein after. The slot is of a length to allow a continuous movement of the wheel at a fixed height relative the platform as it moves along (and partially through) the slot to be able to dispense a plurality of tablets from a column of an appropriately positioned blister pack.

In a preferred form the slot 10 is of an adjustable width, This means that the distance D can be varied. The slot 10 Is adjustable by virtue of part of the platform 7 being able to move via a gap adjuster 11 as seen In figure 2, This can cause greater and less separation between the two support surfaces 7a on each side of the slot 10,

Adjusting the slot 10 Is desirable so that the apparatus is re-configurable for different shaped, oriented and/or sized tablets that may mean a wider or narrower column of blisters is to be ruptured.

Preferable the slot 10 is just wide enough so as to be the same as the width of a column of blister to be ruptured. This allows each blister 6 to be adequately supported, so that the force of the wheel 2 is imparted predominantly to rupture the blister, and no or little force is applied to cause a bending of the blister pack. The apparatus may still be effective if a slightly larger gap than the width of the column of blister is used,

Each blister pack 9 may be held in place by a clamping mechanism during the dispensing of tablets from a column. The clamping mechanism may provide at least one and preferably at least two functions. The primary function Is to clamp onto the blister pack, This holds the blister pack relative to the platform. It stops the blister pack sliding out of appropriate alignment and being driven too far Into the slot. Such could result in some of all the blisters not being ruptured. As seen In figures 4 and 5 a clamp 4 may press down on the blister pack at an edge 60 of the pack. The clamp 4 may have a damping jaw 4a that Is located to press down on the blister pack adjacent the slot 10 to capture the blister pack onto the platform surface 7a.

Preferably the clamping jaw is located proud or inset towards the slot.

Preferably this Inset distance is set up to be 0.5mm to 1mm proud of the edge 10a of the slot underneath, I.e. the clamp slightly overhangs the slot. The overhang creates a registration edge for the blister column to register against, the overhang brings the registration edge away or shy from the edge 10a as shown in Figure 5a by 'C. This may alleviate the likelihood of slight scraping of some pills on expulsion down the side of the slot, In other embodiments the clamping jaw is located at edge of the slot so that it is vertically aligned with an edge of the slot.

Preferably the clamp Is coextensive the length of the slot.

A secondary function that may be performed by the clamp is to present a registration region for a blister pack. The clamp or another part of the device may provide a surface of the like against which the edge of a blister pack can locate, such location ensuring that the edge 10a of the slot 10 is positioned juxtaposed one edge of a column of blisters. The edge 10b of the slot being set or adjusted to be juxtaposed the opposite edge of the column. It may be that it's not the edge of the blister pack with which registration is effected, but Instead the column of blisters to be ruptured themselves. For example, the edge 19a of the column may be utilised for such registration purposes. It may make contact with surface 4b of the damp as an example. Other features of the blister pack are contemplated also for these purposes.

The clamp 4 as shown in Figures 1-5 may move between a retracted position and a clamping position. In the clamping position it can clamp the blister pack. In a retracted position the blister pack is not or less restricted in movement by the clamp 4,

Clamping may be effected by the user operating the handle 13. The handle may apply a force onto the clamp 4. In the preferred form shown in figure 1, the wheel and handle may be supported on a slider 5. The wheel is supported and guided for linear motion by virtue of its connection with the slider 5, An arm 3 connects the wheel 2 with the slider 5. In one embodiment the slider 5 Is a rod which the arm 3 is linearly translatable to. Linear bearings may be used. The slider allows the wheel 2 to run parallel to the column of blisters and slot, in a fixed and precise directional line due to the stability of the slider 5 from which is the arm 3 / wheel 2 slides. The slider is mounted in a fixed condition relative the platform.

The slider 5 is preferably elongate and presents an axis about which the wheel can rotate in moving from an active position (shown in figure 5) to drive tablets from the blisters and a retracted position (shown in figure 1), This rotation allows a force to be applied via the handle to the clamp also. As the wheel 2 Is pushed down onto the blisters simultaneously the arm 3 compresses the clamp 4 which clamps an edge of the blister pack 9 nearest to the column of blisters to be ejected. As the wheel 2 Is moved along the actuation path along a column of blisters, the point of application of clamping pressure moves with the wheel 2 to clamp the edge nearest the currently ejecting blister.

The clamp may be biased to a retracted condition by a spring 63 as seen in figure 4. As soon as pressure is taken off the handle the clamp releases the blister pack.

In other embodiments as shown in Figure 7 and 8, the clamp is part a swinging arm 128 that also holds a wheel 2 for guided movement there along by a handle 113. As the arm 128 can rotate about pivot 104 to come down, as it clamps onto the edge of a blister pack,

In more detail, handle 13 and wheel may be mounted by an arm 3 for rotation about axis 61 and movement along the slider 5.

The arm 3 may be of a shape and configuration to contact the clamp 4 and engage together. The arm 3 may actuate the clamp 4 to clamp the blister pack 9.

Alternatively the wheel 2 may include an extension to contact the clamp. The wheel may Include an engaging surface 17 which engages with a complimentary surface 118 on the clamp 4 as seen in figure 4. The engagement between the engaging surface 17 and the complimentary surface 118 allows force to be supplied through the arm 3 to wheel 2 to push onto the clamp 4 to clamp down the blister pack 9, As the arm 3/wheel 2 moves along the blister pack 9 the engaging surface 17 rolls along the clamp 4 and associated complimentary surface 118. In other embodiments such as Figures 7 and 8, the engaging surface 117 and complimentary surface 118 may be in a form of a wheel and groove.

Furthermore the embodiments shown in Figures 7 and 10 allow a multi- columned blister pack, i.e. with 2 or more columns of blisters, to be clamped without crushing the columns of blisters that aren't to be ejected. This is due to the clamp 4 having a thin contact area with the associated complimentary upper surface 7a. This thin width allows the clamp 4 to compress the blister packet, intermediate of two adjacent columns of blisters - without touching any blisters, against the complimentary upper surface 7a

The clamp 4 as shown In Figures 7 and 8 may be between 1 and 2mm wide, however variations on this width is permissible so long as the clamp width is less than the perpendicular distance between two adjacent columns of blisters. The clamp of Figure 8 may appear wide at the top but underneath it is thin at the contact point.

Figure 11 shows a further embodiment using a similar 'thin' clamping concept as the embodiments shown in Figures 7 and 8, This embodiment comprises a similar clamping, sliding and ejecting concept as the other described embodiments. This embodiment comprises two sliders 5 to allow for a stable and rigid platform for the wheel 2 to slide along, The wheel and wheel arm 3 Is prevented from continuing off the end of the slider 5 by a stopper 20 mounted at or towards the end of the slider 5.

Both 'thin' clamp embodiments of Figures 7 and 11 have their clamping surfaces (the area between surface 7a and the contacting surface of the clamp 4) inside or inset a perpendicular distance away from the elongate slot 10. This is so the clamping surface Is not over the slot 10, which would provide a twisting and/or shearing force on the blister pack - this may tear or damage the blister pack. The clamping surface Is also blunt so as not to exhibit a cutting or shearing force on the blister packet when a force is applied through the blister packet by the wheel.

Figure 9 and Figure 10 shows, for gap of the platform 7 adjustment, a gap adjuster handle 121 to allow for different size blisters and blister packs 9.

The distance A as shown In Figure 3 Is important to get right. This distance needs to be set to prevent the wheel 2 from scissoring or cutting the blister pack 9 when it is clamped between the clamp 4 and the platform 7 at the edge of the slot. If the distance is too narrow, it may cause the blister pack to be cut as the wheel 2 rolls past. This may cause fragments to fall with the tablets. This is generally undesirable.

Distance A Is the perpendicular distance between the wheel that protrudes through the gap and the edge 10a of the slot at where the blister pack is clamped. If the distance A is too narrow then the blister pack 9 will be cut or severed, if the gap Is too wide there is not enough point force for the wheel 2 to be able to eject the tablet from the blister pack 9. Preferably the distance A is 1 millimetre, however other dimensions may still provide an effective result. A feature of this apparatus is that the wheel 2 has an operating surface below that of the upper surface 7a of platform 7. This feature ensures that tablets 8 from the blister pack 9 are fully ejected from the blister when the wheel 2 presses onto a blister 6. If the lowest surface of the wheel acts at the same level or above the platform 7, the blisters may still rupture however the tablet 8 inside each blister may not be fully ejected. Part of the foil may be slit but the foil and/or the plastic film may hold onto a tablet and prevent it from dropping down into a collection tray below. If the wheel 2 is too far below the platform surface 7a, the wheel 2 may rip the foil and/or plastic film sufficiently to separate it, causing separations to fail into the collection tray. Such may also reduce the smoothness of the action of the wheel 2 acting on the blisters.

Preferably the wheel operates at a distance of 3.7 mm below the platform 7 surface as shown In Figure 6. It is envisaged that other depths below the platform 7 surface may lead to an effective evacuation of tablets from their respective blister.

The diameter of the wheel 2 is another feature that alone or together with depth of penetration facilitates the operation of the apparatus. If the diameter of the wheel 2 is too large, there Is too much surface area contact between the wheel 2 and the blister pack 9 - this means there Is less pressure on each individual blister and may prevent successful or easy evacuation of each blister 6. A diameter that is too large may also cause the wheel to operate on more than one blister at the same time. However a large diameter may be used if it is required or wanted to be able to eject multiple units at one time.

If the diameter is too small, the wheel 2 may rip the foil or break the blister 6 or blister pack 9 without fully ejecting the tablet 8, as well as damaging tablets that are soft - such as gel caps or particular capsules. Preferably the diameter of the wheel 2 is 54mm; however other diameters may be produced for particular types of blister packs. Other diameters of wheel are within the scope of the Invention,

In some embodiments the wheel 2 may not be a round wheel 2; it may be faceted with multiple faces. Such may be configured to engage on each blister, A ten sided wheel may have 10 flat facets to it. However in a preferred embodiment the wheel 2 is round. Different wheel shapes are better than others for particular tablets, A faceted wheel is better for smaller pills, whilst a rounded wheel is better for tablets - which may be larger. A compromise can be found between the shape and diameter to work efficiently for the majority of common medical unit sizes. This is described above and below as the preferred embodiment.

Another feature of the wheel 2 as shown in Figure 3 is the bevelled edge 16.

As well as its spacing from the edge 10a of the slot, the bevelled edge further reduces the prospect of any scissoring action by the wheel 2 with the edge 10a. The profile (that is the shape of the wheel 2 at or near the point of contact with the pack) of the wheel 2 is such that It can operate close to the clamped side and below the surface of the platform and not tear or twist the pack due to a 'scissoring' action during the extraction process. This is possible by the reduced pressure on the edge that is clamped, due to the bevelled edge on one side of the wheel 2 profile. A variety of bevel types are possible, Including fillets and chamfers, such to reduce said scissoring action. Further profiles, such as the wheel having a groove or ridge In the centre or to a side of the wheel to effect a different rupturing or ejection style Is possible.

The width of the wheel in the preferred embodiment is 9mm. In a preferred embodiment the bevel extends from the platform 7 supporting surface to the bottom of the wheel. Preferably the bevel extends 3.5 mm towards the middle of the wheel in a direction of the rotational axis of the wheel.

Once the blisters have ejected the tablets 8, the tablets 8 may fall into a tray 14 located underneath the platform 7. This tray 14 can be removed and/or is removable to dispense the tablets 8 easily into a desired container.

In many situations a blister pack may include only two columns of tablets. When one column has been ejected, the clamp can be released and the blister pack rotated to then present the other column for tablet ejection.

Where there are three or more columns of blisters within a blister pack 9, a just ejected column of blisters can be pushed under the clamp 4 in order the next and adjacent column of blisters to be presented for ejection. The clamp 4 is so designed to accommodate the broken foil and blisters within a space/recess 66 just past the clamping surface as shown in Figure 13. This allows the wheel 2 to act on a second, middle or intermediate column of blisters.

The clamp 4 may have multiple settings in its retracted condition. The clamp may have a high and a low setting to allow for blister packs of either two columns or three or more columns. The high setting raises the clamp 4 higher to allow the broken blister packs to be pushed between the clamp 4 and platform 7 more easily when the clamp 4 is in an open position as shown in Figure 13.

In a further embodiment as shown in Figure 12 the invention may be in the form of a free hand wheel 80. The free hand wheel 80 includes a blister rupturing potion 81 that is provided to act below the surfaces 82a and 82 of a platform 83. To facilitate a clamping of the blister pack the wheel 80 preferably has peripheral to and coaxial with the blister rupturing portion, clamping members 17, These are preferably cylindrical and located on either side of the rupturing portion and are presented to act as clamping members to clamp the blister pack to the platform 83. The wheel 80 still operates on ejecting the blisters 6 by operating part of the wheel 2 below the platform surfaces 82a and platform surfaces 82b and in the gap between these two surfaces. A bevelled edge Is not shown in this embodiment but may be desirable to prevent scissoring or tearing of the blister pack,

In alternative embodiments not shown, the embodiment of Figure 12 excluding the wheel and handle, can be Inserted into an apparatus to allow preset gaps. Different sized platforms (and respective gaps) - cassettes - can be inserted into an apparatus that comprises a fixed clamping and wheel system that is configured to receive said cassettes of different slot size, and/or slot number.

Whilst in the preferred forms, clamping and positioning of the wheel to be able to eject tablets preferably occurs together it may be that clamping may occur as a first step and positioning of the wheel to a condition and/or level to be able to eject the tablets occurs subsequent. It may be that the wheel is not mounted for movement between a retracted and use position but is merely set at a level for use. It may for example be mounted for linear movement only and may start from adjacent one end of a column of blisters, be caused to move over the blisters and then may leave the column of blisters at the other end. The wheel at each end may be clear from the blister pack location, to allow it to be inserted and removed, In this example a separately operable clamp may be utilised.

The wheel as herein described with reference to the preferred embodiments is preferably a firm plastics or firm rubber wheel 2. The wheel 2 may however be made other suitable and appropriate materials. The platform 7 may be made of any hard rigid material such as stainless steel or hard plastics suitable to withstand deformation when the blister card is put under force,

Preferably the actuation of the device is manual as this allows it to be produced cheaply and simply. In other embodiments the apparatus may include a powered drive means to actuate the wheel 2 along the blister pack 9; this could be an electrically operated drive means.

Benefits/advantages of the preferred form of the invention include:

1. The wheel Is guided to run parallel to the column of tablets in a fixed and precise directional line due to the stability of the bar from which is slides.

2. The profile (that is the shape of the wheel at the point of contact with the foil) of the wheel Is such that it can operate close to the fixed side and below the surface of the platform and not tear or twist the foil due to a 'scissoring' action during the extraction process. This is possible by reducing pressure on the edge that is clamped due to the bevelled edge on one side of the wheel profile that pops the tablets.

3. The size and profile of the wheel teamed with the adjustable gap makes the device suitable for any shape or size pill or capsule.

4. The adjustable gap allows various shape tablets to be popped by altering the dimensions through which the wheel penetrates.

5. The clamping mechanism provides support for the stability of the foil relative to the wheel during the extraction motion,

6. The wheel provides downward pressure over and on the clamping bar, 7. The adjustable clamping bar allows 2 settings, one for dual column blisters, and 1 for blisters with more than 2 rows by an adjustment that raises the bar slightly to allow the blister to slide underneath during pill/capsule extraction. Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are Included as if they were individually set forth.

Although the invention has been described by way of example and with reference to particular embodiments, it Is to be understood that modifications and/or improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognise that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus for the removal of medication units from a blister pack with at least one column of blisters protruding from the upper side and a rupturable covering sheet material on the underside, said apparatus comprising a platform comprising surfaces to support the underside of said blister pack on either side of said column of blisters, and a gap for medication units to be ejected through; and an ejection member configured to act on the upper side of the blister pack, to eject at least one unit of medication out of a blister and through the gap, wherein the ejection member at least partially protrudes into the gap, below the level of the surface of the platform during operation of ejecting a medication unit,

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gap is adjustable in size.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the surfaces of the platform can move relative each other to allow the gap to be adjustable in size.

4. An apparatus as claimed In anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support surfaces are coplanar.

5. An apparatus as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support surfaces define a gap of a size so that edges of the gap defined by said surfaces are in juxtaposition opposite edges of a column of blisters,

6. An apparatus as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gap spans between parallel elongate edges of said surface of said platform.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the platform is defined by two platform sections defining said surfaces to support the underside of the blister pack on either side of said column of blisters, the gap spanning between said sections and said sections movable relative to each other to change the size of the gap.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the two sections define and present said surfaces in a co-planar manner.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the two sections are able to be moved in a translatlonal manner relative to each other.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the two sections are able to be moved in a translatlonal manner ensuring the surfaces remain coplanar to each other,

11. An apparatus as claimed In any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the apparatus

includes a clamp configured to clamp the blister pack against a surface of the platform.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the clamp is pressed onto the blister pack whenever the ejection member is applying a downwards force in operation.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the clamp is pressed onto the blister pack whenever downwards force Is applied to the ejection member in operation.

14. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the clamp can act adjacent the gap,

15. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the clamp and an edge of the gap defined by one of said surfaces are parallel and vertically aligned with each other.

16. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the clamp Is

coextensive with the gap.

17. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the clamp and an edge of the gap defined by one of said surfaces are parallel each other.

18, An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the clamp is a rigid elongate member.

19. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the clamp Is a clamp bar.

20. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein the clamp operates across the entire blister pack adjacent the column.

21. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 20, wherein the clamp operates across the entire blister pack adjacent the column.

22. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 21, wherein the clamp includes a surface of surfaces with which a blister pack can register for the purposes of alignment of the column with the gap.

23. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 22, wherein the clamp includes a surface of surfaces with which the column of blisters can register for the purposes of alignment of the column with the gap.

24. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 23, wherein the clamp includes a surface of surfaces with which the column of blisters can abut, located relative to the platform in a manner to ensure alignment of the column with the gap.

25. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 24, wherein the clamp can move between a clamping position and a non clamping position.

26. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the non clamping position is distal more the platform.

27. An apparatus as claimed In claim 25 or 26, wherein when in the non clamping

position the blister pack is free to move unobstructed by the clamp, between the clamp and the platform.

28. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25 or 26, wherein when in the non clamping

position non blister regions and regions with ejected medication units are free to move unobstructed by the clamp, between the clamp and the platform.

29. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the clamp is biased to the non clamping position, preferably under the Influence of a spring.

30. An apparatus as claimed In any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein the clamp is adapted and configured to move between two non clamping settings one more distal the platform than the other.

31. An apparatus as claimed In claim 30, wherein the more distal non clamping position defines a gap between the clamp and the platform to allow a broken column/s to slide underneath the clamp.

32. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 31, wherein the clamp comprises a clamping edge at where said clamping occurs adjacent said gap.

33. An apparatus as claimed In claim 32, wherein the edge is adapted and configured to be able to locate between adjacent columns of a blister pack.

34. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33, wherein the ejection member is movable, during operation, along a linear path.

35. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 34, wherein the ejection member is mounted for movement during operation along a linear path.

36. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein the ejection member is movable along a path in a parallel direction to the gap in the platform during operation.

37. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 36, wherein the ejection member is mounted for movement along a path in a parallel direction to the gap In the platform during operation.

38. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 36, wherein the ejection member is mounted relative the platform for movement during operation

39. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 38, wherein the ejection member Is supported for movement during operation relative the platform by a slider member.

40. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 38, wherein the ejection member is able to move between an operative condition to a retreaded condition,

41. An apparatus as claimed in claim 40, wherein, In the retreaded condition the ejection member is distal more the platform,

42. An apparatus as claimed in claim 40, wherein, in the retreaded condition the ejection member as at a flank to the region at where said blister pack Is supported for operative ejection of medication units.

43. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 42, wherein the ejection member is a wheel.

44. An apparatus as claimed in claim 43, wherein the wheel is mounted to rotate, in operation, about an axis parallel the surfaces of the platform,

45. An apparatus as claimed in claim 43 or 44, wherein the wheel is mounted so that its periphery is presented to act below the surface and on a column of blisters rolls.

46. An apparatus as claimed In any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein the wheel includes, in radial cross section, a bevelled edge.

47. An apparatus as claimed in any claim 46, wherein the bevelled edge, in operation, is proximate more the side of the gap at where said damp is provided.

48, An apparatus as claimed In any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein the wheel is a disk having, in radial cross section, a bevel between a face side of the disk and the circumferential edge of the disk.

49. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 48, wherein the wheel diameter and profile of the wheel, combined with the adjustable gap allows the apparatus to be suitable for ejecting various shaped or sized medication units from blister packs.

50. An apparatus as claimed In any one of claims 43 to 49, wherein the wheel diameter is between 40 and 60 millimetres.

51. An apparatus as claimed In any one of claims 43 to 50, wherein the wheel diameter is between 45 and 55 millimetres.

52. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 51, wherein the wheel diameter Is 50 millimetres.

53. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 52, wherein the wheel Is

positioned for operation so that the distance between the wheel and the clamped edge of the blister pack is less than 8 millimetres,

54. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 53, wherein the wheel is

positioned for operation so that the distance between the wheel and the clamped edge of the blister pack is less than 4 millimetres,

55. An apparatus as claimed In any one of claims 43 to 54, wherein the wheel Is

positioned for operation so that the distance between the wheel and the clamped edge of the blister pack is 1 millimetre.

56. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 55, wherein the distance the

ejection member protrudes below the platform supporting surfaces is greater than 1 millimetre.

57. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 56, wherein distance the ejection member protrudes below the platform supporting surfaces is greater than 2 millimetres.

58. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 57, wherein distance the ejection member protrudes below the platform supporting surfaces is 3 millimetres,

59. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 57, wherein distance the ejection member protrudes below the platform supporting surfaces is greater than 3 millimetres.

60. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 59, wherein the width of regions of the ejection member that located in said gap, is between 5 and 13 millimetres.

61. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 60, wherein the width of regions of the ejection member that located In said gap, is between 7 and 11 millimetres.

62. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 61, wherein the width of regions of the ejection member that located In said gap, is wheel is 9 millimetres.

63. An apparatus as claimed In any one of claims 43, wherein the wheel comprises a bevel on both sides,

64. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 63, wherein the bevel is of a shape to, in the wheel's operation, extend from being In line with the platform supporting surfaces to circumference of the wheel.

65. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 63, wherein the bevel is of a shape to, in the wheel's operation, extend to or past the middle of the wheel In a direction of the rotational axis of the wheel.

66. An apparatus as claimed In any one of claims 65, wherein the bevel stops before the middle of the wheel in a direction of the rotational axis of the wheel.

67. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 65 or 66, wherein the bevel extends

3.5 millimetres towards the middle of the wheel in a direction of the rotational axis of the wheel,

68. An apparatus as claimed In any one of claims 1 to 67, wherein the ejection member is operationally forced by a user from a first position where the wheel does not protrude through the gap, to a second position where the ejection member protrudes through the gap.

69. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 33, wherein In the second

position the wheel simultaneously forces the clamp to move to its clamping condition,

70. An apparatus as claimed in claim 69, wherein the ejection member includes a region able to engage on said clamp member to force the clamp member to Its clamping condition.

71. An apparatus as claimed tn claim 69, wherein the clamp includes a surface, spaced a thickness of the clamp member above the support surface of the platform, and ejection member includes a clamp engaging portion of a diameter which, In use rolls on the surface of the clamp.

72. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the clamp includes a top surface

spaced a distance X above the support surface when said clamp Is In said clamping condition, the ejection member being rotational member having a first wheel of a radius and positioned for operative engagement with said blisters with its

circumference located into the gap below the level of the surfaces, and first wheel being of a radius greater than the sum of the radius of the second wheel plus distance X,

73. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gap Is a slot.

74. An apparatus as claimed in claim 72, wherein the slot is an elongate slot.

75. An apparatus as claimed in claim 72 or 73, wherein slot has parallel elongate sides.

76. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the platform is a removable cassette.

77. An apparatus as claimed In claim 1, wherein the wheel is rolled using a handle.

78. An apparatus as claimed in claim 77, wherein there are different sized cassettes having different width gaps for different sized medication units respectively.

79. An apparatus as claimed In claim 78, wherein the cassette is configured and adapted to support a blister pack,

80. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 76 to 79, wherein the wheel comprises projections on either side to clamp the blister packet as the wheel is rolled,

81. An apparatus as claimed in claim 80, wherein the projections are less than the width between two adjacent columns of blisters,

82. An apparatus as claimed In any one of claims 77 to 81, wherein the handle is

attached to the centre of one or more projections

83. A method of removing medication units from a blister pack with at least one column of blisters, the method comprising,

a. providing a platform to support a blister pack, the platform comprising surface spaced apart by a gap to allow said medication units to be operatively ejected through,

b. laying a blister pack on the surface of the platform with the upwardly projecting blisters projecting away from the platform yet aligned with the gap, c, optionally adjusting the width of the gap to allow the platform to support either side of the underside of said column of blisters,

d. actuating an ejection member that acts, preferably at least partially below the surfaces along said upwardly projecting column of blisters to sequentially eject the medication units from the blisters,

84. The method as claimed in claim 83, wherein the method comprises the step of clamping the blister packed with a clamp.

85. The method as claimed in any one of claims 83 to 84, wherein the method comprises the step of catching the ejected medication in a catcher.

86. An apparatus for the removal of medication units from a blister pack with at least one column of blisters protruding from the upper side and a rupturable covering sheet material on the underside, said apparatus comprising a platform comprising surfaces to support the underside of said blister pack on either side of said column of blisters, and a gap for medication units to be ejected through; and an ejection member configured to act on the upper side of the blister pack, to eject at least one unit of medication out of a blister and through the gap.

87. An apparatus as claimed in claim 86, wherein the ejection member at least partially protrudes into the gap, below the level of the surface of the platform during operation of ejecting a medication unit.