Dispensing containers

Abstract

A seal that forms part of a container for storing and dispensing consumer products is provided. The container can be used for the packaging of pills, tablets or capsules, or as a multi-cavity container for organizing and storing mixed medication for subsequent dispensation according to a predefined dosage regimen. The seal includes a cover film and a barrier film. The cover film has pre-formed lines of separation defining a removable portion per cavity. The barrier film is secured to the cover film by a layer of peelable adhesive and has pre-formed lines of separation defining the periphery of a barrier patch per removable portion. The cover film includes a tamper-indicating line of separation close to an edge of the cover film that is designed to tear if an attempt is made to peel the cover film away from the tray to expose one or more of the cavities.

Claims

1. A seal for sealing a container for storing and dispensing consumer products, the seal comprising: a cover film having an underside, a top side, and pre-formed lines of separation defining an array of removable portions; and a layer of adhesive coated on the underside of the cover film, wherein the cover film includes a plurality of pre-formed tamper-indicating lines of separation formed in a part of the cover film that lies outside the array of removable portions, including a first tamper-indicating line of separation extending along and adjacent to a first edge of the cover film, and a second tamper-indicating line of separation extending along and adjacent to a second edge of the cover film, the second edge being opposite the first edge, wherein the array of removable portions comprises outer removable portions adjacent the first edge of the cover film, each of the outer removeable portions having two outer corners adjacent the first edge of the cover film, wherein the first pre-formed tamper-indicating line of separation comprises a pre-perforated straight tear line and curved cut lines that extend from the straight tear line and partly around the outer corners of the outer removable portions, and wherein the second pre-formed tamper-indicating line of separation comprises a plurality of individually spaced cut lines that are arranged in a zig-zag pattern along the second edge of the cover film.

2. The seal of claim 1, wherein each tamper-indicating line of separation is formed by a pre-scored tear line, a pre-perforated tear line, or both.

3. The seal of claim 1, wherein the layer of adhesive has a top side in contact with the underside of the cover film, and a bottom side, and the seal further comprises a barrier film secured to the cover film by contact with the bottom side of the layer of adhesive, the barrier film having pre-formed lines of separation defining an array of peripheries of barrier patches including one barrier patch per removable portion.

4. The seal of claim 3, wherein each barrier patch is larger than the respective removable portion.

5. The seal of claim 3, wherein part of the barrier film is adapted to be removed from the cover film along a removal direction of the seal to expose part of the bottom side of the layer of adhesive, the first and second tamper-indicating lines of separation extending substantially along the removal direction.

6. A container for storing and dispensing consumer products, comprising: a tray having a generally planar top surface into which has been formed an array of discrete cavities for receiving consumer products; and the seal of claim 1 secured to the generally planar top surface of the tray, the seal sealing the array of cavities to retain consumer products in the array of cavities, the cover film including a removable portion per cavity.

7. The container of claim 6, in the form of a multiple-compartment container for containing and dispensing medication according to a pre-defined dosage regimen and containing medication to be used according to the pre-defined dosage regimen.

8. The container of claim 6, wherein the seal is secured to the generally planner top surface of the tray by the layer of adhesive.

9. The container of claim 6, wherein the seal further comprises a barrier film secured to the cover film by a layer of adhesive, the barrier film defining an array of barrier patches including one barrier patch per removable portion, each barrier patch being shaped and sized so that it overlies an associated cavity.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the seal is secured to the generally planner top surface of the tray by the layer of adhesive.

11. A method of making the container of claim 6, comprising removing part of the barrier film from the cover film along a removal direction of the seal, and then adhering the seal to the generally planar top surface of the tray, wherein the first and second tamper-indicating lines of separation extend substantially along the removal direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention can be even more fully understood with the reference to the accompanying drawings which are intended to illustrate, not limit, the present invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a top view of a molded tray of a multiple compartment dispensing container;

(3) FIG. 2 is a top view of a cover film;

(4) FIG. 3 is a top view of a barrier film to be used in conjunction with the cover film of FIG. 2 to form a seal according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a top view of a seal according to the invention where the cover film of FIG. 2 has been secured to the barrier film of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of the seal of FIG. 4 showing how the barrier film is peeled away from the cover film; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a top view of an alternative cover film.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) Although the dispensing container according to the invention is suitable for storing and dispensing a wide range of consumer products, the rest of the specification will concentrate mainly on its use as a multiple-compartment container for organizing and storing mixed medication for subsequent dispensation according to a predefined dosage regimen.

(9) Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a molded tray 1 of a multiple-compartment container. The tray 1 is formed from a sheet of thermoplastic material and may be formed for example by press molding or by vacuum molding. The tray 1 has a generally planar top surface 2 into which has been formed a 4×7 array of discrete cavities 4. It will be readily appreciated that other arrangements of the discrete cavities are possible depending on the particular dosage regimen required.

(10) A flat header portion 6 immediately above the array of cavities 4 is provided for receiving printed information such as a trademark or a pharmacy label. However, in other arrangements this header portion may be omitted completely, and the cover film and barrier film will be sized and shaped accordingly. Close to the top corners of the header portion 6 the tray is provided with two upstanding integrally molded location brackets 8 for the accurate location of a seal 10 in register with the cavities 4.

(11) The seal 10 is of a laminated construction, which can be best understood by reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. The top layer of the seal 10 is the cover film 12 shown in FIG. 2. It is a sheet of smooth and flexible, and preferably transparent, plastics film, the outline of which corresponds generally to the outline of the tray 1 with which it is to be used. A suitable material for the cover film 12 is polypropylene. A pair of location rebates 14 formed in the cover film 12 cooperate with the location brackets 8 for the accurate location of the seal on the tray 1 in precise alignment one with the other.

(12) The cover film 12 includes a 4×7 array of tear-off portions 16 each of which is defined by a pre-perforated tear line 18 that extends completely around the periphery of an underlying cavity 4 in the molded tray 1 when the seal is adhered to the top surface 2 of the tray 1. The pre-perforated tear lines 18 represent predefined lines of weakness in the cover film 12. For the purpose of illustration, one tear-off portion 16a is defined by a pre-perforated tear line 18a that does not extend completely around the periphery of an underlying cavity 4. The ends of the tear line 18a are separated by a bridge region 17 so that the tear-off portion 16a remains attached to the cover film 12 even when the tear line 18a is torn.

(13) The cover film 12 includes a first tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear line 19a adjacent the left edge 12a and a second tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear line 19b adjacent the right edge 12b. For the purpose of illustration, the second tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear line 19b is shown as a pair of closely spaced, parallel pre-perforated tear lines. The cover film 12 also includes a third tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear line 19c between two adjacent columns of tear-off portions 16. The tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear lines 19a-19c represent predefined lines of weakness in the cover film 12 providing tamper evident properties and extend substantially to the upper and lower edges 12c, 12d of the cover film 12. Although the tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear lines 19a-19c are shown as straight lines, it will be readily appreciated that other shapes are possible, e.g., wavy or zig-zag lines.

(14) The first and second tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear lines 19a, 19b extend along the left and right edges 12a, 12b, respectively. They are positioned close to the respective edge of the cover film 12, e.g., spaced about 1 or 2 millimeters from the edge, so that the cover film will tear or separate along the respective tamper-indicating tear line if a blade or other sharp object penetrates only a short distance between the cover film and the top surface 2 of the tray.

(15) Although not shown, additional tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear lines can also extend adjacent the upper and lower edges 12c, 12d of the cover film 12 and between two adjacent rows of tear-off portions 16, for example. A tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear line can also be defined by a plurality of straight or curved line segments that close in a loop to define a closed polygonal tear line. For example, the tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear line can extend completely around the periphery of the cover film 12 along the left, top, right and bottom edges 12a-12c to enclose the 4×7 array of tear-off portions 16.

(16) The entire underside of the cover film 12 is coated with a layer of peelable adhesive 30 and is adhered to a barrier film 20 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The barrier film 20 is a sheet of smooth and flexible, and preferably transparent, plastics film, the outline of which corresponds generally to the outline of the cover film 12 with which it is to be used. A suitable material for the barrier film 20 is polypropylene.

(17) The barrier film 20 has two location rebates 22 that register with the location rebates 14 of the cover film 12. Pre-perforated tear lines 24 define the outer peripheries of a 4×7 array of vapor-impermeable barrier patches 26, which in use are adhered to the underside of the respective tear-off portions 16 and lie directly over the respective cavities 4 of FIG. 1. The barrier patches 26 are slightly larger than the tear-off portions 16 such that in use they overly a region of the generally planar top surface 2 of the tray 1 extending completely around the periphery of the respective cavities 4. However, the barrier patches may be the same size as, or smaller than, the tear-off portions 16.

(18) It will be readily appreciated that the pre-perforated tear lines 18, 18a in the cover film 12 can be replaced with cut lines that extend completely through the cover film material, or by pre-scored tear lines. Similarly, the perforations 24 in the barrier film 20 can be replaced with cut lines that extend completely through the barrier film material, or by pre-scored tear lines. The tamper-indicating perforations 19a-19c can be replaced with pre-scored tear lines. The cut lines or tear lines will normally be formed using a die cutter after the cover film 12 and the barrier film 20 have been secured together to form the laminated seal 10. A pair of rotary die cutters can be used with one die cutter forming cut lines or tear lines in the cover film 12 from one side of the seal 10 and the other die cutter forming cut lines or tear lines in the barrier film 20 from the other side of the seal. In the case of cut lines or tear lines, care must be taken to ensure that the overall physical integrity of the seal is maintained. For example, in practice it will often be the case that the cut lines or tear lines formed in the cover film 12 will extend slightly into the layer of peelable adhesive 30, but the respective rotary die cutter is preferably set such that the cut lines or tear lines do not extend into the barrier film 20 to any appreciable extent.

(19) In use, a pharmacist, a caregiver, or the patient himself or herself, will distribute medication in the form of pills, tablets, and/or capsules between the 28 discrete cavities 4 formed in the top surface 2 of the tray 1 in accordance with a seven-day or 28-day dosage regimen. For example, the seven rows of cavities represent the days of the week, and the four columns can represent either four consecutive weeks of a 28-day dosage cycle, or four different dosage times for each day of treatment. In the latter case, the first column can represent breakfast-time, the second column lunchtime, the third column early evening and the fourth column bedtime. Either a uniform medication can be distributed through the 28 discrete cavities, or a varying mixture of medications can be placed into each cavity.

(20) When the cavities 4 have been properly filled the cover film 12 is secured to the top surface 2 of the tray. The barrier film 20 and cover film 12 are separated first at the upper edge 12c and the majority of the barrier film 20 is then peeled away from the cover film 12 along a removal direction towards the lower edge 12d—the removal direction is indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5 by arrow A—to expose the layer of peelable adhesive 30. The barrier film 20 will tear along the pre-perforated tear lines 24 such that the barrier patches 26 remain adhered to the underside of the cover film 12.

(21) The tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear lines 19a-19c extend substantially parallel to the removal direction.

(22) The cover film 12 is secured to the top surface 2 of the tray 1 by the layer of peelable adhesive 30 with the barrier patches 26 overlying the respective cavities 4.

(23) If an attempt is made to peel the cover film 12 away from the top surface 2 of the tray, e.g., by inserting a blade underneath the left edge 12a of the cover film, the cover film will intentionally tear or separate along the tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear line 19a. A torn tear line provides a clear visual indication that the cover film 12 has been tampered with.

(24) An alternative cover film 12′ is shown in FIG. 6. It is a sheet of smooth and flexible, and preferably transparent, plastics film, similar to the cover film 12 shown in FIG. 2. Like parts have been given the same reference number and are not described further here.

(25) The cover film 12′ includes a tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear line 19d adjacent the left edge 12a. The tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear line 19d is similar to the first tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear line 19a shown in FIG. 2 but additionally includes curved cut lines 19e that extend from the straight tear line and partly around the corners of the adjacent removable portions 16. These additional cut lines 19e help to prevent a blade or other sharp object, if inserted from the edge of the dispensing container, from lifting the cover film away from the part of the tray that surrounds a discrete cavity. It will be clear that if the cover film is lifted in this way, it might be possible to create an opening underneath the cover film between the discrete cavity and the outside edge that would permit the contents of the cavity to be tampered or interfered with. The tamper-indicating pre-perforated tear line 19d extends along the left edge 12a and is spaced about 1 to 2 millimeters from it so that it will tear or separate if a blade or other sharp object penetrates only a short distance between the cover film and the top surface of the tray.

(26) A tamper-indicating line of separation 19f extends along the right edge 12b of the cover film 12′. The tamper-indicating line of separation 19f comprises a plurality of individually spaced cut lines 19g that are arranged in a zig-zag pattern along the right edge 12b. The cut lines 19g are about 4 to 6 millimeters long and are spaced about 1 to 2 millimeters from the right edge 12b. The cover film 12′ will tear between the cut lines 19g of the tamper-indicating line of separation 19f if a blade or other sharp object penetrates only a short distance between the cover film and the top surface of the tray.

(27) A cover film can have different types of tamper-indicating lines of separation depending on the overall design of the cover film and the amount of space that is available outside of the removable portion(s) or between the removable portion(s) and the edges of the cover film. For example, in the cover film 12′ shown in FIG. 6, there is more between the removable portions and the right edge 12b than there is between the removable portions and the left edge 12a. In other words, there is more space adjacent the right edge 12b in which to accommodate the zig-zag pattern of cut lines 12g that defines the tamper-indicating line of separation 12f.

(28) The present invention can include any combination of these various features or embodiments above and/or below as set-forth in sentences and/or paragraphs. Any combination of disclosed features herein is considered part of the present invention and no limitation is intended with respect to combinable features.

(29) The entire contents of all references cited in this disclosure are incorporated herein in their entireties, by reference. Further, when an amount, concentration, or other value or parameter is given as either a range, preferred range, or a list of upper preferable values and lower preferable values, this is to be understood as specifically disclosing all ranges formed from any pair of any upper range limit or preferred value and any lower range limit or preferred value, regardless of whether such ranges are separately disclosed. Where a range of numerical values is recited herein, unless otherwise stated, the range is intended to include the endpoints thereof, and all integers and fractions within the range. It is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific values recited when defining a range.

(30) Other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the present specification and practice of the present invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the present specification and examples be considered as exemplary only with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims and equivalents thereof