Individual blister pack, packaging machine and method for producing an individual blister pack

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an individual blister packaging for drug administration, in particular a blister card, comprising a carrier, wherein the carrier has a plurality of recesses arranged in a matrix-like manner, and a cover film for closing the filled recesses, wherein at least two recesses are provided substantially independently from each other and, in particular, are connected to one another only by the cover film and/or a defined number of connection points.

Claims

1.-13. (canceled)

14. An individual blister pack (1) for medication administration, having a carrier (3), the carrier (3) having a plurality of recesses (2) arranged in a matrix-like manner, and a cover film (4) for closing the recesses (2), wherein at least two of the recesses (2) are provided substantially independently of one another and are only connected to one another by the cover film (4) and/or a defined number of connection points.

15. The blister pack (1) according to claim 14, wherein the recesses (2) are arranged in form of at least one 1×n, 2×n, 3×n, 4×n, 5×n or 7×n matrix, where n is a positive integer.

16. The blister pack (1) according to claim 15, wherein two rows of the matrix are provided substantially independently of one another.

17. The blister pack (1) according to claim 14, wherein the recesses (2) are provided such that they are separable from one another by punchings and/or perforations.

18. A packaging machine (5) for producing individual blister packs (1) for medication administration, comprising: a filling station (10) having a plurality of containers (6), wherein each container (6) is provided for storing and dispensing a predetermined medication; and a conveying device (7), wherein the conveying device (7) is provided for conveying a carrier (3) of a blister pack (1), wherein the packaging machine (5) is configured such that, in the filling station (10), the medications can be filled directly from the containers (6) into the recesses (2) of the carrier (3).

19. The packaging machine (5) according to claim 18, wherein the conveying device (7) is provided for conveying at least one movable transport container (9), wherein the packaging machine (5) is configured such that, in the filling station (10), the medications can be filled directly from the containers (6) into the transport container (9), wherein the packaging machine (5) comprises a transfer station, wherein the packaging machine (5) is configured such that, in the transfer station, the medications can be transferred from the movable transport container (9) into a recess (2) of a carrier (3) of a blister pack (1) associated with the transport container (9).

20. The packaging machine according to claim 19, further comprising a sealing station (11), wherein the sealing station (11) is arranged immediately after the filling station (10) or the transfer station, and wherein the sealing station (11) is set up for sealing a cover film (4) onto the carrier (3).

21. The packaging machine (5) according to claim 20, further comprising a separating device (8) for separating a predetermined length of the blister pack (1) and/or the carrier (3), wherein the separating device (8) is arranged before or after the filling station (10), the transfer station and/or the sealing station (11).

22. The packaging machine (5) according claim 19, further comprising a cleaning station, wherein the cleaning station is arranged after the transfer station, wherein the cleaning station is set up for cleaning the at least one transport container (9) and/or the container (6).

23. The packaging machine (5) according to claim 18, wherein the carriers (3) are made available by different machines and have a tablet, a powder, an ointment and/or a liquid.

24. The packaging machine (5) according to claim 18, wherein the containers (6) are automatically interchangeably and/or fillable.

25. A method for producing an individual blister pack (1) for medication administration, wherein, in a first step, a carrier (3) is provided having a plurality of recesses (2) arranged in a matrix-like manner, wherein, in a second step, the recesses (2) are automatically filled with medications, wherein, in a third step, immediately after filling, a cover film (4) is sealed onto the carrier (3), and wherein at least two recesses are connected (2) substantially only through the cover film (4).

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein, in the second step, the medications are filled directly through containers (6) into the recesses (2) or wherein in a first sub-step of the second step, the medications are placed in at least one movable transport container (9) and wherein in a second sub-step, the medications are transferred from the transport container (9) into at least one predetermined recess (2) in the carrier (3).

27. The method according to claim 25, wherein the method is carried out using a packaging machine (5) comprising: a filling station (10) having a plurality of containers (6), wherein each container (6) is provided for storing and dispensing a predetermined medication; and a conveying device (7), wherein the conveying device (7) is provided for conveying a carrier (3) of a blister pack (1), wherein the packaging machine (5) is configured such that, in the filling station (10), the medications can be filled directly from the containers (6) into the recesses (2) of the carrier (3).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The invention is explained below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. These explanations are only examples and do not restrict the general idea of the invention. The explanations apply equally to the individual blister pack according to the disclosure, the packaging machine according to the disclosure and the method according to the disclosure. The same parts are designated with the same reference numerals.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a blister pack.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a packaging machine.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a packaging machine according to a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a blister pack 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In this case, an already packaged individual blister pack 1, that is, one filled with medications and sealed with a cover film 4, is illustrated here. In this case, for the sake of simplicity, the individual blister pack 1 is referred to below as blister pack 1.

[0037] In this context, individual means tailored to a specific patient or a specific patient group. In particular, it should be individualized for the patient (that is, the entire blister pack 1 is produced according to the prescription for an individual patient) and individualized for the ward (that is, the blister pack 1 comprises medications for several patients in a hospital ward). A blister pack 1 individualized for a family is also conceivable, for example, if several family members or members of a household have been prescribed medication. In the case of blister packs for a plurality of patients, the rows or columns of the matrix-like arrangement are preferably associated with individual patients.

[0038] The blister pack 1 comprises a carrier 3, in which recesses 2 are provided, for example, molded in one piece. The carrier 3 together with the recesses 2 is in this case preferably produced from a film by deep drawing. The carrier 3 preferably comprises a plastic material.

[0039] The recesses 2 can be designed in any way. Rounded recesses 2 having a substantially oval cross-section in the plane of the cover film 4 are customary. A variant is illustrated having substantially cylindrical recesses 2, that is, a circular cross-section. A hemispherical shape of the recesses 2 is also conceivable. This enables a stable shape that can safely simultaneously accommodate several medications, even of different sizes. The recesses 2 are arranged in a matrix-like manner, that is, on a grid in rows and columns.

[0040] At least two recesses 2 of the carrier 3 are provided substantially independently of one another. This should be understood to mean that at least two recesses 2 are connected to one another substantially only by the cover film 4, or that there are only a few individual connection points, for example, a connecting bridge of small width. The individual series or rows of the matrix formed by the recesses 2 are preferably largely or completely independent of one another (apart from the cover film 4).

[0041] The carrier 3 here has a fixed number of columns, for example, seven columns, corresponding to seven recesses 2 arranged next to one another (for example, for seven days of the week), and a certain number of rows, that is, recesses 2 arranged one after the other. The rows correspond, for example, to different administration times, such as in the morning, noon and/or evening.

[0042] During the production of the blister pack 1, a number of recesses 2 suitable according to the individual requirements is then composed and connected to one another by the cover film 4, and thus a matrix having a specific (finite) matrix size is generated.

[0043] In the example illustrated, a blister pack 1 individualized for the patient is provided for four days and three administration times per day. According to the embodiment illustrated, this is composed of three rows of four recesses 2, wherein the rows are connected to one another by the cover film 4 and, optionally, individual connection points, for example, connecting bridges. The finished blister pack 1 thus has 12 recesses, which are arranged in the form of a 4×3 matrix or 3×4 matrix.

[0044] The cover film 4 is preferably sealed immediately after being filled with medications in order to avoid possible contamination and/or cross-contamination.

[0045] Such a blister pack 1 is similar, for example, to known condensed milk blister packs, in which individual cylindrical packages are connected to circular cover films 4 at very few points and can be easily separated.

[0046] Blister packs 1 of any size can thus be provided in accordance with medical requirements by suitably providing the recesses 2, for example, in the form of rows having seven recesses 2 arranged next to one another and optionally connected directly or indirectly (through the cover film 4) to one another.

[0047] The medications in this case can be in tablet, pill, liquid and/or powder form and can be filled into the recesses 2.

[0048] The cover film 4 is preferably made of a plastic and/or a metal, in particular aluminum. The cover film 4 is particularly preferably made of an aluminum-plastic composite.

[0049] FIG. 2 illustrates a packaging machine 5 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Only a section of the packaging machine 5 is illustrated schematically here. Coming from the left, a conveying device 7, for example, an endless conveyor belt, transports an (endless) carrier 3 having recesses 2 arranged in a matrix-like manner along a, here linear, conveying direction.

[0050] The packaging machine 5 comprises a control unit, not shown here, which monitors and controls the operation of the packaging machine 5.

[0051] A plurality of containers 6 is arranged in a filling station 10, each of which contains a predetermined medication. If a container 6 is arranged exactly above a recess 2 into which the medication contained in the container 6 is to be filled in accordance with the patient's individualized specification which the control unit can detect, for example, by means of a corresponding detection device, a predetermined amount of the medication is filled into the recess 2. Aids such as funnels or other filling aids can be used for this purpose. It is only important that these filling aids are not used for containers 6 with different medications in order to avoid cross-contamination.

[0052] Various alternatives are conceivable for filling each of the recesses 2 with the correct medications. According to one embodiment, the containers 6 are displaceable at least transversely to the conveying direction. According to an additional or alternative embodiment, the carrier 3 is at least partially displaceable transversely to the conveying direction. Alternatively or additionally, filling aids are provided such that the medication can be filled from a container 6 into one or more recesses 2 in a targeted manner.

[0053] After all recesses 2 have been filled with medications in accordance with the patient's individualized specifications, the cover film 4 is sealed onto the carrier 3 in a sealing station 11, as soon as possible after the last filling. The recesses 2 are hygienically closed as a result. The cover film 4 is unwound from a roll, for example, and sealed by ultrasound or heat. For the sake of simplicity, no sealing tool is illustrated here.

[0054] In the present case, a separating device 8 is arranged after the sealing station 11, which separating device separates the different blister packs 1 from one another and/or separates the cover film 4.

[0055] Also not illustrated is a printing station in which the cover film 4 and/or the carrier 3 can be printed with relevant information. This printing station can be arranged before or after the filling station 10 or the sealing station 12.

[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates a packaging machine 5 according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. In contrast to the embodiment described in connection with FIG. 2, the recesses 2 are not filled directly with the medications from the containers 6 here, but are first filled into movable transport containers 9. The transport containers 9 can be moved by the conveying device 7 or they can be automatically movable independently of one another, wherein the conveying device 7 can provide a drive, for example, a magnetic drive, or merely form a guide for the transport containers 9.

[0057] The transport containers 9 are filled by the containers 6, wherein this is easier than when the recesses 2 are filled directly, due to an opening adapted to the containers 6 or at least one larger opening compared to the opening of the recesses 2.

[0058] The transport containers 9 can assume a plurality of possible shapes, for example, a shape similar to a wagon.

[0059] Downstream of the filling station 10 a transfer station—not illustrated here—is provided, in which the medications collected in the transport containers 9 are transferred into the respective recesses 2. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that a transport container 9 is preferably associated with each recess 2 for correct dosing.

[0060] As in the previously described embodiment, a sealing station 11 is provided immediately following the transfer station in order to close the recesses 2.

[0061] Furthermore, a cleaning station, likewise not illustrated, is preferably provided, in which the transport containers 9 are cleaned, preferably disinfected and particularly preferably sterilized, in order to avoid possible cross-contamination during subsequent use.

[0062] The cleaning station is particularly preferably arranged immediately after the transfer station in order to avoid possible cross-contamination.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the number of transport containers 9 corresponds at least to the number of recesses 2 in one row, particularly preferably in two rows, in order to increase the cycle speed. For example, in a 7×3 matrix-like blister pack 1, at least seven, better 14 and very particularly preferably 21 transport containers 9 are provided. In particular, a high process speed of the packaging machine 5 is achieved when the number of transport containers 9 corresponds at least to the number of recesses 2 of a blister pack 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0064] 1 blister pack [0065] 2 recess [0066] 3 carrier [0067] 4 cover film [0068] 5 packaging machine [0069] 6 container [0070] 7 conveying device [0071] 8 separating device [0072] 9 movable transport container [0073] 10 filling station [0074] 11 sealing station