A PHARMACEUTICAL PACKAGE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a blister pack for pharmaceutical compositions or supplements.

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical package comprising: a carrier for a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least two cavities for housing the pharmaceutical composition and at least a cover sheet covering said at least two cavities, said cover sheet comprising elements; wherein said carrier further comprises at least a first and a second portion, wherein said first and second portion are configured to mutually engage upon folding and/or pressing of said second portion and said first portion onto each other, said second portion when engaged onto said first portion producing a rigid structure; wherein said first and/or second portion has/have at least one bevelled edge; a container said carrier for a pharmaceutical composition; wherein said container comprises at least two pivotally connected halves; wherein at least one of said two pivotally connected halves comprises sidewalls having one or more indentations, and when said carrier is contained in said at least one of said two pivotally connected halves, said one or more indentations allows for pinching said elements between a thumb and another finger of a user; wherein at least one of said two pivotally connected halves comprise a first and a second endwall, wherein said first endwall comprises at least one protrusion extending towards said second endwall; and wherein said at least one protrusion is complementary to said at least one bevelled edge.

2-21. (canceled)

22. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 1, wherein said sidewalls having one of more indentations match one or more carrier recess of said carrier.

23. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 1, wherein, when said carrier is contained in said at least one of said two pivotally connected halves, said one or more sidewall surrounds said carrier.

24. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said two pivotally connected halves is a carrier holder.

25. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 1, wherein the other one of said two pivotally connected halves is a lid.

26. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 1, wherein said carrier for a pharmaceutical composition comprises: at least two cavities for housing the pharmaceutical composition and at least a cover sheet covering said at least two cavities, said cover sheet comprising elements.

27. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 1, wherein said carrier comprises one or more recess.

28. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 27, wherein said cover sheet covers said one or more recess.

29. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 1, wherein said elements cover one or more recess of said carrier.

30. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 27, wherein said recesses are located on an edge of said carrier.

31. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 27, wherein said recesses are located on more than one edge of said carrier.

32. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 1, wherein said elements comprise pinchable elements.

33. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 1, wherein said elements comprise tear-off elements.

34. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 1, wherein said elements comprise peel-off elements.

35. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 1, wherein said elements are snips.

36. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 1, wherein said elements are strips.

37. The pharmaceutical package according to claim 1, wherein said elements are flaps that comprise protrusions configured to allow for a better grip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0072] The pharmaceutical package according to the invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of implementing the present invention and is not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.

[0073] FIG. 1 shows a picture of the schematically 3-dimensional view of a single use pharmaceutical package in its closed state having two means for opening located on the longest and opposite sides of the according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0074] FIG. 2 shows a picture of the schematically 3-dimensional view of a single use pharmaceutical package in its open state when the carrier for pharmaceutical composition has been removed according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0075] FIG. 3 shows a photo of the single use pharmaceutical package in its open state as depicted in FIG. 2.

[0076] FIG. 4 shows a picture of the schematically 3-dimensional view of the top surface carrier in its unfolded state according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0077] FIG. 5 shows a picture of the schematically 3-dimensional view of the bottom surface of the carrier in its unfolded state according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0078] FIG. 6 shows a photo of the carrier in its folded state according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0079] FIG. 7 shows a picture of the schematically 3-dimensional view of the carrier in its folded state contained in the holder according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0080] FIG. 7a shows the package of FIG. 7 where a cover sheet has been outlined onto the carrier.

[0081] FIG. 7b shows the package of FIGS. 7 and 7a refilled with different pharmaceutical compositions protected by a transparent cover sheet.

[0082] FIG. 7c shows the package of FIG. 7b in its unfolded state.

[0083] FIG. 8 shows a picture of the schematically 3-dimensional views of a carrier of a single use pharmaceutical package according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0084] FIG. 9 shows a way to use the package and get access to the content of the container according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0085] FIG. 10 shows a photo of the carrier in its unfolded state according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0086] FIG. 11 shows a photo of the container for holding the carrier, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0087] FIG. 12 shows a photo of the package where the carrier is inserted into the container, according to some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0088] FIG. 1 shows a picture of the schematically 3-dimensional view of a single use pharmaceutical package 1 in its closed state. Package 1 shows opening elements 2 and 3 (not visible) located on the longest and opposite side of the package. FIG. 1 shows also gripping elements 4 and 5 (not visible) located on the longest and opposite side of the package. The gripping elements 4 and 5 and the opening elements 2 and 3 are located conveniently close to each other. The gripping elements may have the same size and shape of the opening elements thus providing a degree of child safety as children will be confused on which one of the elements is the opening element, thus hindered from opening the package.

[0089] In general, the package and/or the container and/or the lid may comprise functional and not functional elements having the same size and shape to provide a degree of child protection.

[0090] FIG. 2 shows a picture of the schematically 3-dimensional view of a single use pharmaceutical package 8 in its open state when the carrier for pharmaceutical composition has been removed.

[0091] The container 8 comprises at least two pivotally connected halves, i.e. a lid 9 and a holder 10. Both may comprise sidewalls with one or more indentations. FIG. 2 shows the holder sidewalls having indentations 6 and 7.

[0092] Indentations 6 and 7 have a curved shape. However, indentations may have any shape, size or dimension allowing for finger access to the cover sheet covering the cavities of the carrier. Indentation is thus adapted to allow a finger to grab a gripping element present on at least part of the cover sheet.

[0093] The container 8 may be a casing such as a box made of plastic material, such as a hard polymer.

[0094] The lid 9 has the function of closing the container and protecting the contained carrier for pharmaceutical compositions. Lid 9 and holder 10 comprise opening elements with members 11 on the holder 10 that mutually engage with members 12 on the lid 9 upon folding and/or pressing of the lid 9 onto the holder 10.

[0095] FIG. 3 shows a photo of the single use pharmaceutical package 8 in its open state as depicted in FIG. 2.

[0096] FIG. 4 shows a picture of the schematically 3-dimensional view of the top surface carrier 13 in its unfolded.

[0097] The carrier 13 comprises at least a first 14 and a second portion 15. The first 14 and second portion 15 are adapted to mutually engage upon folding and/or pressing of said second portion 15 and said first portion 14 onto each other. Cavities 16 and 17 have dimensions and sizes so as to accommodate one or more pharmaceutical compositions. For example, FIG. 4 shows a smaller cavity 17 where one pharmaceutical composition, e.g. in the form of capsule containing a liquid may be contained and a larger cavity 16, where more than one pharmaceutical composition, in the form of tables, may be contained.

[0098] The carrier 13 comprises recesses 18 on the edge of the carrier 13. Recesses may be on one or both side edges.

[0099] The carrier 13 is generally made out of a thermoformed plastic sheet.

[0100] FIG. 5 shows a picture of the schematically 3-dimensional view of the bottom surface of the carrier 13 in its unfolded state.

[0101] It can be seen that cavities 16 and 17 on the first portion 15 have size, dimension and shape that fit in the spaces 19 between other cavities of the second portion 14, so as to engage by interference fit between the other cavities of the second portion 14. Thus, by folding the first portion 15 onto the second portion 14 a rigid structure is produced.

[0102] FIG. 6 shows a photo of the carrier 20 in its folded state. Easy folding of the first portion 21 into the second portion 22, is possible as cavities of the first and second portion have complementary shapes. Thus, cavities on a first carrier portion are adapted to engage in an interference fit with cavities on a second carrier section when the carrier is folded.

[0103] Two complementary shapes can be combined together so that their surfaces mutually engage, e.g. plug-socket or key-lock.

[0104] An interference fit, also referred to as a press fit, provides fastening between two carriers simply by friction after the carriers, e.g. the complementary shapes of the cavities, are pushed in contact.

[0105] In some embodiments the cavities may have protrusions engaging by interlocking or by interference fit upon folding and/or pressing of the first and the second carrier portion onto each other.

[0106] FIG. 6 shows that the carrier 20 has recesses on its edge, which are on the same side of the carrier, whether the carrier is in its folded or unfolded state. Recesses are conveniently located on the same side of the carrier, while indentations are located on both of the longest and opposite sides of the holder. When the pharmaceutical composition contained in the cavities of the top surface of the carrier have been used, the carrier can lifted from the holder, turned by 180° and re-inserted in the holder. The bottom surface of the carrier becomes thus accessible and the cover sheet covering the bottom surface of the carrier gets accessible thought the indentation located on the opposite side of the holder.

[0107] FIG. 7 shows a photo of the package 24 where the carrier 23 in its folded state contained in the holder 25.

[0108] Recesses 26 on the carrier 23 are matching with the indentations 27 on the sidewalls of the holder 25. This allow for a finger, such as a thumb to enter the opening created in between the indentations 27 and the recesses 26. When the carrier 23 contains pharmaceutical composition, a cover sheet (not shown) covers and protect the pharmaceutical composition and reach the edge 29 of the carrier 23, thus covering also the recesses 26.

[0109] FIG. 7a shows the package 24 of FIG. 7 where a cover sheet 30 has schetched onto carrier 23. Cover sheet 30 reaches edge 29 and covers recesses 26.

[0110] The openings 31 defined by indentations 27 and cover sheet 30 covering recesses 26 allow for pinching of an elements 32 between thumb and another finger of a user.

[0111] Punched lines 33 allow for multiple opening of cavities 34 and 28, while the other cavities remain sealed.

[0112] FIG. 7b shows the package 24 wherein one of the cavities is filled with three tablets while the other cavity is filled with a capsule containing a liquid. The tables and capsules are protected by a transparent cover sheet.

[0113] FIG. 7c shows the packages 39 and 40 in their unfolded state. It can be noticed that the positioning of the three tables in the two packages is different according to different filling procedures.

[0114] FIG. 8 shows a picture of the schematically 3-dimensional views of a carrier 35 where at least one cavity has a multicompartment feature. Carrier 35 has cavities 36 and 37. The space inside cavity 37 is separated by separations 38, such as partial walls 38. This ensures physical separation inside a single cavity between different pharmaceutical compositions in the form, e.g. of tablets.

[0115] Separation walls 38 have a dimension, i.e. a highest that is lower than the cavity depth. Thus, the number of sealing points required between the carrier surface and the cover sheet may be reduced compared to a carrier with multiple cavities.

[0116] A carrier having multicompartments cavities has the advantage of allowing easy access to multiple pharmaceutical compositions that are stored in a way in which physical contact between pharmaceutical composition is still hindered.

[0117] FIG. 9 shows a way to use the package and get access to the content of the container according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0118] To open the pharmaceutical package, the opening means, such as unlock buttons may be pushed so as to open the container. The carrier may be removed and access to the tables can be achieved by removal of a strip. This may be convenient when the holder does not have indentation along its side walls. Direct access to the content of the cavities may be achieved by direct removal of the strip element or part of the cover sheet while the carrier is contained in the holder, due to the presence of indentations, according to some other embodiments of the invention.

[0119] FIG. 10 shows a photo of the carrier in its unfolded state according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0120] FIG. 11 shows a photo of the container for holding the carrier, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0121] FIG. 11 shows that the one of the two pivotally connected halves 50 of the container comprises a first endwall 51 that comprises two protrusions 52 extending towards the second endwall.

[0122] FIG. 12 shows a photo of the package where the carrier is inserted into the container, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0123] FIG. 12 shows that the protrusions 52 may be complementary to bevelled edges 53.

[0124] Thus, the pharmaceutical package is adapted so that the carrier 54 when folded can be positioned inside the container in a desired direction, i.e. wherein the bevelled edges 53 and the corresponding protrusions 52 match allowing for positioning of the carrier 54 in a desired and predeterminate position.

[0125] This has the advantage that the carrier containing pharmaceutical compositions or supplements may be positioned only in a desired direction thus allowing for perfect match between indentations on the sidewalls of the container and recesses on the edge of the carrier. In this way a user will be able to easily pitch elements of the cover sheet for removing the cover sheet and access the cavities housing pharmaceutical compositions or supplements.

[0126] Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented examples. The scope of the present invention is set out by the accompanying claim set. In the context of the claims, the terms “comprising” or “comprises” do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, the mentioning of references such as “a” or “an” etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims with respect to elements indicated in the figures shall also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous.