WO2015150259A1

WO2015150259A1 - Container for storing tablets

Info

Publication number: WO2015150259A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/056723
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hubert Bensmann; Karl-Heinz BANNEFELD
Original assignee: Haupt Pharma Münster Gmbh; Madaus Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-03-31
Filing date: 2015-03-27
Publication date: 2015-10-08
Also published as: EP3125851A1; ES2706278T3; EP3125851B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) for storing medicinal tablets, in particular contraceptive pills, which comprises at least two blister packs (2, 3).

Description

description

CONTAINER FOR STORING TABLETS

The present invention relates to a container 1 for storing medicament tablets, in particular contraceptive tablets, a process for its preparation and its use for storing tablets, in particular contraceptive tablets.

Tablets are usually sold in so-called blister packs. Blister packs are product packs that allow the customer or buyer to see the packaged item. The number of tablets per blister can vary depending on the indication and the size of the individual tablets.

In particular, tablets which have to be taken regularly, for example daily, are often provided in special blister packs which support the maintenance of a regular intake regimen by means of printing, arrangement etc. An example of corresponding blister packs are tablet blisters for contraceptives.

In the field of contraceptives, blister packs usually have either 21 or 28 tablets. In both cases, the 21 tablets or the 21 tablets of the 28 tablets contain a combination of estrogen and progestin, resulting in a regular cycle by taking either no tablet or a drug-free tablet for 7 days after 21 days of tablet intake. The last option is that - for the sake of simplicity - one pill is taken each day and the taking break does not inadvertently last longer than 7 days, which would eliminate protection from conception. For several years, a pill intake has been established which goes beyond the 21 days of active ingredient administration or over the 28 days with 21 active ingredient-containing tablets and 7 active ingredient-free tablets. The term "long cycle" used for this purpose means that after the 21-day intake, the 7-day pause in taking either without tablets or with 7 active ingredient-free tablets is dispensed with. Without break there is no drop in hormone levels and thus no bleeding. The duration of this bleeding-free time can determine the woman in consultation with her treating gynecologist. In most cases, a 12-week dose with a subsequent 7-day, drug-free interval either without a tablet or with 7 drug-free tablets is practiced. For safe use of long-cycle contraceptives, customized blister packs are required.

Corresponding packages are known, for example, from WO 2005/023657 A, in which a container for a plurality of blister packs is described. The blister packs are releasably fixed on a rail provided in the container. Corresponding containers, which as a rule consist of a plastic, are expensive to manufacture and relatively large, so they are considered unwieldy by the patients. In addition, these packaging are environmentally critical due to the plastic material used.

WO 2013/160850 A describes a tablet package which is designed in the form of a booklet in which individual tablet blisters are introduced in the form of a magazine page. A disadvantage of this tablet packaging is the size of the tablet packaging, since the individual tablets of tablet blisters are one above the other. In addition, the package after use, i. Removal of a tablet, not resealable. A similar package for a variety of Tablettenblistem is also known from WO 2009/146932 A.

Based on this prior art, the present invention has the object to provide a container for storing several Tablettenblistem, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

The container according to the invention should be resealable. Another object of the present invention is to provide a container for storing a plurality of tablet blisters, which assists in the maintenance of a regular regimen by the patient.

The container according to the invention should be suitable in particular for the storage of contraceptive tablets. These objects are preferably achieved by a container 1 which comprises at least two interconnected tablet blisters 2, 3.

The container 1 according to the invention is then characterized in that the container 1 is formed from two rectangular cardboard strips 5, 6 between which at least two tablet blisters 2, 3 are arranged such that the rows of tablets of the tablet blisters 2, 3 are substantially parallel and the rectangular cardboard strips 5, 6 are foldable such that the at least two tablet blisters 2, 3 can be arranged side by side in a plane which is spanned by the rectangular structure of the tablet blisters 2, 3, or in parallel one above the other.

According to the invention, a container 1 is thus provided in particular for storing at least two tablet blisters 2, 3 which are connected to one another via the cardboard strips 5, 6, between which the tablet blisters 2, 3 are arranged, and between which at least two tablet blisters 2 3, at least two folds 7, 8 of the type are provided, that the two tablet blisters 2, 3 either side by side in a plane which is biased by the rectangular shape of the tablet blisters 2, 3, or vertically above each other with substantially parallel orientation of Tablettenblister 2, 3 can be arranged.

The container 1 can be opened or closed to remove a tablet from one of the tablet blisters 2, 3. In the open state of the container 1, the tablet blister 2, 3 of the container 1 in a plane which is due to the rectangular shape of the Tablets blister 2, 3 is clamped, are arranged. The open state of the container 1 is shown in Figure 1, while the closed state of the container 1 according to the invention in Figure 2c 4 is shown. In the closed state of the container 1, the tablet blisters 2, 3 lie vertically one above the other with essentially parallel alignment of the tablet blisters 2, 3.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the container 1 according to the invention comprises three tablet blisters 2, 3, 4, which are arranged between the two cardboard strips 5, 6. In this case, when the container is open, the three tablet blisters 2, 3, 4 are arranged side by side in a row, two folds 7, 8, 9, 10 being provided between the respective tablet blisters 2, 3, 4, so that in the opened position Condition the tablets blister 2, 3, 4 in the plane defined by the tablets blister 2, 3, 4 can be arranged side by side and in the closed state, the tablets blister 2, 3, 4 arranged vertically one above the other with substantially parallel orientation of the tablet blister 2, 3, 4 can be. The respective tablet blisters 2, 3, 4 preferably each have 28 tablet chambers 11 for receiving medicament tablets, in particular tablets for contraception.

It is preferred that the respective 28 tablet chambers 11 of the at least two tablet blisters 2, 3 are arranged in each case in 4 rows of 7 tablet chambers 11. It is further preferred that the respective 4 rows of the at least two tablet blisters 2, 3 are spaced apart from each other in such a way that a numerical imprint 12 can be applied to the upper cardboard strip 5 between two adjacent rows of tablet chambers 11 of a tablet blister.

It is further preferred that the individual tablet chambers 11 of the first tablet blister 2 are numbered from 1 to 28.

It is further preferred that the tablet chambers 11 of the second tablet blister 3 are numbered from 29 to 56.

It is further preferred that the tablet chambers 11 of the third tablet blister 4, if present, are numbered from 57 to 84. In the context of the present invention, commercially available tablet blisters are used in the container 1. Corresponding tablet blisters are known per se to a person skilled in the art and generally comprise an aluminum-comprising cover film which is provided with an adhesive layer, and a base film or thermoforming film usually produced on the basis of PVC, in which the tablet chambers are formed by deep-drawing. the.

The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following description of the figures. In this case, the reference symbols used have the following meanings:

Meaning of the reference signs: 1: Inventive container

2: tablet blister

3: tablet blister

4: tablet blister

5: Upper cardboard strip on the side of the base film of tablet blister

6: Lower cardboard strip on the side of the cover foil of the tablet blister

7: folding

8: folding

9: folding

10: folding

11: tablet chamber

12: numerical imprint

13: Part of the cardboard strips

14: Part of the cardboard strips

15: Part of the cardboard strips

16: Part of the cardboard strips

17: folding

18: folding

19: Footbridge

20: Footbridge

21: Standing

22: recesses

23: Repositionable strips

24: tongue

25: adhesive surfaces on the subregions 13, 14, 15

26: recess Figures 1 and 3 show a container 1 according to the invention in the open state.

FIG. 2 shows the closure of the container 1 according to the invention from the open state 2a through a folded state 2b to a closed state FIG. 2c. FIG. 4 shows a closed container 1 according to the invention with staggered tablet chambers 11 in the blisters 3 and 4.

In detail:

FIG. 1 shows a container 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, three tablet blisters 2, 3, 4 are arranged such that the rows of tablets of the respective tablet blisters 2, 3, 4 run parallel to one another. The tablet blisters 2, 3, 4 are arranged between two cardboard strips 5, 6, visible from FIGS. 2 a to 2 c, which extend laterally beyond the tablet blisters 2, 3, 4 and over the region between the tablet blisters 2, 3, 4 extend. Outside the areas of the tablet blister 2, 3, 4, the cardboard strips 5, 6 are connected to each other, in particular glued. The upper cardboard strip 5 has recesses 22 for the tablet chambers of the respective tablet blisters 2, 3, 4.

The cardboard strips have partial regions 13, 14, 15 which are assigned to the respective tablet membranes 2, 3, 4. Between these portions 13, 14, 15 are each two folds 7, 8, 9, 10, which are formed as folded edges. At these folds or folding edges 7, 8, 9, 10, the container 1 can be folded so that the three tablets blister 2, 3, 4 either side by side in a plane which is spanned by the rectangular shape of the tablet blister 2, 3, 4 (Open state of the container 1), or vertically above one another with substantially parallel alignment of the tablet blister 2, 3, 4 can be arranged (closed state of the container 1). In addition, the cardboard strip can have a further partial region 16, which adjoins the partial region 13 in the longitudinal direction. Attachment information, stickers or the like may be attached to the subarea 16.

The partial regions 13, 14, 15, 16 all have a substantially identical surface, so that when the container 1 is folded along the folds 7, 8, 9, 10, as shown in FIGS. 2a to 2c, a carton-like shaped body in a cuboid shape results

Between the individual rows of tablets, the container 1 according to the invention has sufficient space for numbering by numeric printing 12 of the corresponding tablets of the respective tablet blister 2, 3, 4.

In the case in which the container 1 according to the invention is used for the administration of contraceptives in the long cycle, each tablet blister 2, 3, 4 consists of 28 tablets each, which are arranged in 4 rows of 7 tablets.

Basically, there is the possibility that the tablet blister 2, which is provided in the portion 13, the tablets numbered 1 to 28 from top left to on the lower right. This is followed by the tablets 29 to 56 which are provided in the tablet blister 3 in the partial area 14, and the tablets 57 to 84 which are provided in the tablet blister 4 in the partial area 15, likewise from top left to bottom right. This Ausführungsfbrm is shown in Figure 1. In an alternative embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 3 a, the tablet blister 4 contains in the partial area 15 the tablets 1 to 28, the tablet blister 3 in the partial area 14, the tablets 29 to 56 and the tablet blister 2 in the partial area 13 the tablets 57 to 84, likewise each from top left to bottom right. In this second alternative embodiment of the present invention, there is the advantage that the tablets 1 to 28 of the tablet blister 4 are first taken by the patient. If the tablets 1 to 28 of the tablet blister 4 are used up, the patient can separate the tablet blister 4 in the partial area 15 along a perforation provided between the tablet blisters 4 and 3 and only needs the tablet blisters 2 and 3 for the remaining revenue regimen. After the tablets 29 have been used to 56 of the tablet blister 3 can then also the portion 14 are separated along the provided between the sections 12 and 13 perforation. As a result, the patient does not have to permanently use the tablet blister 2, 3, 4. The perforations provided for separating the partial regions 14, 15 with the tablet blisters 3, 4 may be provided on the folds 7, 8, 9, 10 or separately therefrom. In a further alternative embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 3 b, the sequence of the individual contraceptive tablets on each tablet blister is rotated by 180 °, so that the weekly rows of 7 tablets each are arranged in a consistent sequence 1 to 12. This arrangement of the tablets represents a safe intake by the patient. As already stated, the container 1 comprises two cardboard strips 5, 6, between which the tablet blisters 2, 3, 4 are inserted. A cardboard or cardboard strip is understood to be any paperboard, paper or plastic material which gives the container 1 sufficient stability.

In the context of the present invention, it is preferred that the cardboard strips 5, 6 are integrally formed on both sides of the tablet blisters, wherein said folds 7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 18 are provided between the individual portions 13 to 16 and between the respective portions 14 and 15, which correspond to the tablet blisters 3 and 4, perforations are provided.

In another likewise preferred embodiment, only the cardboard strip 5 is integrally formed and the cardboard strip 6 is composed of three or four individual cardboard strips corresponding to the subregions 13, 14, 15 or 13, 14, 15, 16.

In another embodiment, only the cardboard strip 6 is integrally formed and the cardboard strip 5 is composed of three or four individual cardboard strips corresponding to the subregions 13, 14, 15 or 13, 14, 15, 16. The arrangement of the tablets in the Tablettenblistem 3 and 4 in the sub-areas 14 and 15 is preferably offset, so that when folding the container 1, the tablets of the tablet blister 4 lie in the spaces between the tablets of the Tablettenb- listers 3. As a result, the webs 19, 20, 21 between the subregions 13 to 16 can be reduced in size and the space requirement of the container 1 according to the invention in the closed state is reduced overall. A corresponding embodiment of the container 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG.

The cardboard strips on the side of the base sheets of the tablet blisters 2, 3, 4 have lockouts 11 corresponding to the tablet compartments. It is preferred that the partial area 16 has at least seven removable strips which can be stuck on again, each of which identifies the seven days of the week and each beginning with a different day of the week.

In the context of the present invention, it is possible for one of the seven adhesive strips 23 of the subarea 16 above the first row of tablet blisters 2, 3, 4 to be adhered to the surface 25 on the cardboard strip 5 covering the cover foil of the tablet blisters 2, 3, 4 , This makes it easier and more controllable for the patient to comply with the intake regime.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention are on the portion 16 each three sets of 7 adhesive strips, so that each 3 adhesive strips start on the same day of the week and the respective adhesive strips are then mounted above the tablet blister 2, 3, 4.

It is further preferred that the partial region 16 is provided with a tongue 24, with which the container 1 is closed after folding in the partial regions 13, 14, 15 adjoining the partial region 16 by introduction into a corresponding recess 26, for example in the fold 8 can be.

It is preferred that the container 1 has a seal which is such that only by visible destruction of the seal, the tongue 24 can be removed from the recess 26.

A further subject of the present invention is a method for producing the container 1 described above. The container 1 according to the invention was produced such that in a first method step a cardboard strip 5 with recesses 22 and an adhesive coating applied on the back is provided in a second method step provided a cardboard strip 6 of the same size and in a third process step, the two cardboard strips 5, 6 with simultaneous fixation of the tablet blister 2, 3, 4 connected to each other, in particular glued be.

The folds 7 to 10 and 17 and 18 and the optionally provided perforations between the subregions 13 to 15 in the region of the webs 19, 20, 21 can in this case on the cardboard strips 5, 6 before merging the cardboard strips 5, 6 or subsequently after merging the cardboard strip 5, 6 are provided. The Perforations can also be provided on the folds 7, 8, 9, 10.

FIG. 5 shows a commercially available blister 2, 3, 4 with tablet chambers 11, which are used in the container 1 according to the invention.

FIG. 6 shows the modular construction of the container 1 according to the invention. Three cardboard blisters 2, 3, 4 are arranged on a cardboard strip 6 and a cardboard strip 5 provided with corresponding recesses is fixed onto the cardboard strip 6 via the tablet blisters.

The container 1 according to the invention is particularly suitable for the storage of contraceptive tablets, which are taken over a longer period of time, for example 12 weeks. For this purpose, the containers shown in Figures 1, 3a and 3b are provided with a total of 84 Tablettenkammem. Typically, after taking contraceptive pills over this period, you may not take pills for one week or placebo tablets for a week. For the purpose of safe intake, it is preferred if the container according to the invention additionally contains 7 placebo tablets. Therefore, the container according to the invention preferably each has the third tablet blister with 35 Tablettenkammem instead of 28 tablet chambers. These embodiments of the container according to the invention are shown in FIGS. 7a to 7c which, with the exception of the other tablet chambers for the placebo tablets, correspond to the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 3a and 3b.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of such a container for storing tablets, in particular contraceptives.

Claims

1. Container (1) which comprises at least two interconnected tablet blisters (2, 3), characterized in that the container (1) consists of two rectangular cardboard strips (5, 6) between which at least two tablet blisters (2, 3) are arranged such that the rows of tablets of tablet blisters (2, 3) are substantially parallel and the rectangular cardboard strips (5, 6) are foldable such that the at least two tablet blisters (2, 3) side by side in a plane through the rectangular structure of the tablet blister (2, 3) is clamped, or can be arranged in parallel one above the other.

2. Container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (1) comprises three tablet blisters (2, 3, 4) which are arranged between the two cardboard strips (5, 6), wherein between the respective Tablettenblistem (2 , 3, 4) are each provided with two folds (7, 8, 9, 10) so that in the opened state the tablet blisters (2, 3, 4) are arranged side by side in the plane defined by the tablet blister (2, 3, 4) can be and in the closed state, the tablets blister (2, 3, 4) can be arranged vertically one above the other with substantially parallel orientation of the tablet blister (2, 3, 4).

3. Container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each tablet blister (2, 3, 4) four rows of tablet chambers (11) each having seven tablet chambers (11) and the rows are spaced apart from each other in such a way that between two adjacent rows a numeric imprint (12) can be attached or is.

4. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cardboard strips (5, 6) are integrally formed.

5. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cardboard strips (5, 6) laterally on the tablet blister (2, 3, 4) and over the area between the Tablettenblistem (2, 3, 4 ).

6. Container (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that outside the areas of the tablet blister (2, 3, 4), the cardboard strips (5, 6) connected to each other, in particular glued.

7. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the upper cardboard strip (5) recesses (22) for the Tablettenkammem the respective Tablettenblister (2, 3, 4).

8. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cardboard strips (5, 6) are divided into at least three subregions (13, 14, 15), which with the Tablettenblistem (2, 3, 4) correspond.

9. Container (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the cardboard strips (5, 6) have a further partial region (16) which adjoins the partial region (13) in the longitudinal direction.

10. Container (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that attached to the portion (16) accessory information, stickers or the like.

11. Container (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that between the subregions (13) and (16) in each case two folds (7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 18) are provided.

12. Container (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the partial regions (13, 14, 15, 16) all have a substantially identical surface, so that when folding the container (1) along the Folds (7, 8, 9, 10,

17, 18) results in a carton-like shaped body in cuboid shape.

13. A method for producing a container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that in a first method step, a cardboard strip (5) with recesses (22) and an applied on the back adhesive coating is provided in a second process step one

Pappstreifen (6) of the same size provided and in a third process step, the two cardboard strips (5, 6) with simultaneous fixation of Tablettenb- lister (2, 3, 4) connected to each other, in particular glued, become.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the folds (7) to (10) and (17) and (18) between the partial areas (13) to (16) before

Merging the cardboard strips (5, 6) or subsequently after the merging of the cardboard strips (5, 6) are provided.

15. Use of a container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 for the storage of contraceptive tablets.