Dispensing containers

Abstract

A container for storing consumer products is described. The container includes a tray having a generally planar top surface into which has been formed one or more discrete cavities. A seal includes a cover film secured to the top surface of the tray to seal the one or more cavities. The cover film has pre-formed lines of separation defining a releasable portion per cavity, and a barrier patch per releasable portion secured to the cover film. Each releasable portion is attached to the remainder of the cover film by a bridge region defined by a gap in the associated pre-formed line of separation. Each barrier patch includes a main portion that is shaped and sized so that in use it overlies an associated cavity, and a securing portion that projects outwardly from the main portion and which is substantially aligned with the bridge region of the associated releasable portion.

Claims

1. A tamper-evident seal for use with a tray having a generally planar top surface into which has been formed a plurality of discrete cavities for receiving the consumer products, the seal comprising: a cover film having an underside and pre-formed lines of separation defining a plurality of releasable portions; a layer of peelable adhesive coated on the underside of the cover film; and a barrier film comprising a plurality of barrier patches including a barrier patch per releasable portion, the barrier film being secured to the cover film by the layer of peelable adhesive; wherein each releasable portion is attached to the remainder of the cover film by a bridge region defined by a gap in the associated pre-formed line of separation; each barrier patch includes a main portion having a periphery, and a securing portion that projects outwardly from the main portion and that is substantially aligned with the bridge region of the associated releasable portion; the main portion of each barrier patch is larger than the associated releasable portion of the cover film; and the periphery of the main portion of each barrier patch is adapted to be peeled away from an overlapping region of the cover film surrounding the associated releasable portion, exposing the peelable adhesive on the underside of the cover film.

2. The tamper-evident seal of claim 1, wherein the securing portion of each barrier patch is adapted to remain secured to the cover film when the associated releasable portion is released.

3. The tamper-evident seal of claim 1, wherein the plurality of barrier patches includes a first barrier patch and a second barrier patch, and wherein the securing portion of the first barrier patch extends to an edge of the second barrier patch.

4. The tamper-evident seal of claim 3, wherein the securing portion of the first barrier patch extends to part of the edge of the second barrier patch that defines the main portion of the second barrier patch.

5. The tamper-evident seal of claim 3, wherein the securing portion of the first barrier patch includes a narrowed part.

6. The tamper-evident seal of claim 1, wherein each pre-formed line of separation in the cover film is formed by a pre-scored or pre-perforated tear line, a cut line, or a combination thereof.

7. The tamper-evident seal of claim 1, wherein the barrier film further comprises pre-formed lines of separation defining each barrier patch and a peelable majority configured to be peeled away from the cover film to expose a peelable adhesive to secure the cover film to a generally planar top surface of a tray and leave each barrier patch attached to the underside of the cover film.

8. The tamper-evident seal of claim 7, wherein the peelable majority of the barrier film has been peeled away from and is separated from each barrier patch and the underside of the cover film such that the peelable adhesive is exposed in areas surrounding each barrier patch of the plurality of barrier patches, the plurality of barrier patches remain secured to the cover film, and the seal is configured to be applied to a tray having a plurality of discrete cavities.

9. A container for storing and dispensing consumer products, comprising: a tray having a generally planar top surface into which has been formed a plurality of discrete cavities for receiving consumer products; and the tamper-evident seal of claim 1, wherein the cover film is secured to the generally planar top surface of the tray and seals the plurality of discrete cavities to retain consumer products in the plurality of discrete cavities, wherein the main portion of each barrier patch overlies an associated cavity of the plurality of discrete cavities.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the cover film is secured to the generally planar top surface of the tray by a layer of peelable adhesive.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein each barrier patch is secured to the underside of the cover film by the same layer of peelable adhesive as that which secures the cover film to the generally planar top surface of the tray.

12. The container of claim 10, wherein each barrier patch is larger than the associated releasable portion.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the main portion of each barrier patch is adapted to be peeled away from an overlapping region of the cover film between the pre-formed line of separation in the cover film and a periphery of the barrier patch when the associated releasable portion is released.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the securing portion of each barrier patch is adapted to remain secured to the cover film when the associated releasable portion is released.

15. The container of claim 9, wherein the plurality of barrier patches includes a first barrier patch and a second barrier patch, and wherein the securing portion of the first barrier patch extends to an edge of the second barrier patch.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the securing portion of the first barrier patch extends to the edge of the second barrier patch that defines part of the main portion of the second barrier patch.

17. The container of claim 15, wherein the securing portion of the first barrier patch includes a narrowed part.

18. The container according to claim 9, wherein the cover film, prior to application of the tamper-evident seal to secure it to the generally planar top surface of the tray to retain consumer products within the plurality of discrete cavities, has, over the whole of its underside, the barrier film secured thereto by the peelable adhesive, the barrier film having pre-formed lines of separation defining a barrier patch per releasable portion, so that peeling away the majority of the barrier film immediately prior to application of the cover film to secure it to the generally planar top surface of the tray, exposes the peelable adhesive in areas necessary for adhesion to the tray but leaves each barrier patch attached to the underside of the cover film.

19. The container of claim 9, wherein the barrier film further comprises a peelable majority that has been peeled away from the cover film to expose the peelable adhesive that secures the cover film to the generally planar top surface of the tray, and that leaves each barrier patch attached to the underside of the cover film, and wherein the peelable majority is separated from each barrier patch and the underside of the cover film.

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 moulded tray of a known multiple-compartment dispensing container.

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

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

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

(6) FIGS. 5 to 10 are top views of part of a seal according to the present invention.

(7) FIG. 11 is a cross section view through the seal of FIG. 5 after it has been applied to a tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) With reference to FIGS. 5 to 10 show part of a seal for use with a container for storing and dispensing consumer products where the barrier patches have different securing portions. Like parts have been given the same reference sign throughout.

(9) The seal and the container are generally as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

(10) The container is suitable for storing and dispensing a wide range of consumer products but might be used as a multiple-compartment container for organising and storing mixed medication for subsequent dispensation according to a pre-defined dosage regimen. The container includes a tray 30 formed from a sheet of thermoplastic material, for example by press moulding or by vacuum moulding. The tray has a generally planar top surface 32 into which has been formed an array of discrete cavities 34 for receiving the consumer products. It will be readily appreciated that the number and arrangement of the cavities will depend on the particular dosage regimen required.

(11) The seal 36 includes a cover film 38 and a barrier film 46 adhered together by a layer of peelable adhesive. The cover film 38 is a sheet of smooth and flexible, and preferably transparent, plastics film, the outline of which corresponds generally to the outline of the tray 30 with which it is to be used. The cover film 38 includes an array of releasable portions but only two releasable portions 40a, 40b are shown. Each of the releasable portions 40a, 40b is defined by a line of separation 42. As shown, the lines of separation 42 defining the two adjacent releasable portions 40a, 40b are pre-formed perforated tear lines that do not extend completely around the periphery of an underlying cavity to form a closed loop. The ends of each tear line are separated by a bridge region 44 so that each releasable portion 40a, 40b remains attached to the cover film 38 even when the associated tear line 42 is torn.

(12) The entire underside of the cover film 38 is coated with a peelable adhesive. Prior to use, the cover film 38 is adhered to the barrier film 46. The barrier film 46 is a sheet of smooth and flexible, and preferably transparent, plastics film.

(13) The barrier film 46 includes an array of barrier patches but only two barrier patches 48a, 48b are shown. Each of the barrier patches 48a, 48b is defined by a line of separation 50.

(14) The barrier patch 48a includes a main portion 52 that in use overlies a tray cavity 34 and a securing portion 54 that extends outwardly from the main portion. The securing portion 54 can have any suitable shape. In FIG. 5, the securing portion 54 is shown to be generally rectangular but it can be generally T-shaped and include one or more extensions or wings 54a (which are shown ghosted) to increase its surface area still further. The shape of the securing portion might take into account the need to remove the majority of the barrier film 46 from the cover film 38 to expose the peelable adhesive necessary to adhere the cover film to the generally planar top surface of the tray.

(15) The main portion 52 of the barrier patch 48a is slightly larger than the associated releasable portion 40a in the cover film 38. The barrier patch 48b also has a main portion 52 that is slightly larger than the associated releasable portion 40b in the cover film 38. Although not shown, the barrier patch 48b can have a securing portion that is the same as the securing portion of barrier patch 48a or different.

(16) In FIG. 5, the periphery of the main portion 52 of each barrier patches 48a, 48b is defined by a pre-formed cut line 56. The periphery of the securing portion 54 of barrier patch 48a is also defined by a pre-formed cut line 58. The securing portion 54 of barrier patch 48a extends part of the way towards the adjacent barrier patch 48b. The cut lines 56, 58 together define the line of separation 50 and hence the periphery of the barrier patch 48a as a whole. When the cover film 38 is adhered to the generally planar top surface 32 of the tray 30, the part of the cover film between the securing portion 54 of the barrier patch 48a and the adjacent barrier patch 48b (which part is identified by reference sign 60 in FIGS. 5 and 11) is adhered to the generally planar top surface 32 of the tray 30 and provides a physical barrier that prevents transfer of medication between the adjacent cavities 34. This can be seen most clearly in FIG. 11.

(17) In FIG. 6, the periphery of the securing portion 62 of barrier patch 48a is defined partly by pre-formed cut lines 64 that extend all the way to the pre-formed cut line 56 that defines the main portion 52 of the adjacent barrier patch 48b. The periphery of the securing portion 62 of barrier patch 48a is therefore also partly defined by the pre-formed cut line 56 of the adjacent barrier patch 48b. A variation is shown in FIG. 7 where the main portion 52 of the adjacent barrier patch 48b is defined by the combination of a pre-formed cut line 66 and a pre-perforated tear line 68. The periphery of the securing portion 62 of barrier patch 48a is partly defined by the pre-formed cut lines 64 and partly defined by the pre-perforated tear line 68. The same general construction can be used with the variations described below with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. The pre-perforated tear line 68 can be considered to be a cut line but with one or more ties that are defined by small gaps in the cut line.

(18) When the adjacent releasable portion 40b is released from the cover film 38 along the line of separation 42, the pre-perforated tear line 68 will be torn to release the adjacent barrier patch 48b from the securing portion 62 of barrier patch 48a and allow it to be peeled away from the cover film. In FIG. 7, the main portion 52 of barrier patch 48a is defined by a pre-formed cut line 56. But the main portion 52 of barrier patch 48a might be defined by the combination of a pre-formed cut line and a pre-perforated tear line if the securing portion of a further adjacent barrier patch (not shown) extends to it.

(19) FIG. 7 also shows that the bridge region 44 that is defined by the gap in the pre-perforated tear line 42 can be significantly larger than the width of the securing portion 62 of the barrier patch 48a. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the bridge region 44 is substantially the same width as the securing portion. Although not shown, the bridge region can also be narrower than the width of the securing portion.

(20) FIG. 8 shows that the securing portion 62 can be offset relative to the bridge region 44 such that the hinge 80 defined by the bridge region 44 and the hinge 82 between the securing portion 54 and the main portion 52 of barrier patch 48a are partially overlapping.

(21) A further variation is shown in FIG. 9 where barrier patch 48a has two securing portions 62a, 64b, each being defined partly by pre-formed cut lines 64a, 64b that extend all the way to the pre-formed cut line 56 that defines the main portion 52 of the adjacent barrier patch 48b.

(22) A further variation is shown in FIG. 10 where the securing portion 70 of barrier patch 48a includes two opposing notches 72 to create a narrowed part 74 (or neck) which forms a physical barrier that prevents transfer of medication between adjacent cavities. The periphery of the securing portion 70 of barrier patch 48a is partly defined by the pre-formed cut lines 76 that are shaped to form the opposing notches 72 and extend all the way to the pre-formed cut line 56 that defines the main portion 52 of the adjacent barrier patch 48b.

(23) FIG. 11 shows part of the seal of FIG. 5 after the majority of the barrier film 46 has been peeled away from the cover film 38 to leave the barrier patches adhered to the underside of the cover film. The cover film 38 has then been adhered to the generally planar top surface 32 of the tray 30 using the exposed peelable adhesive. In FIG. 11 the releasable portion 40a has been released from the remainder of the cover film 38, e.g., by pushing down on the releasable portion to tear along the pre-formed tear line 42. The releasable portion 40a has barrier patch 48a adhered to its underside. The periphery of the main portion 52 of barrier patch 48a has been peeled away from an overlapping region of the cover film 38 between the pre-formed line of separation in the cover film and the periphery of the associated barrier patch. The overlapping region of the cover film 38 is shown raised but in practice it will adhere to the generally planar top surface 32 of the tray as soon as the interposing periphery of the barrier patch 48a is peeled away from it. This provides tamper evident properties because the periphery of the barrier patch 48a cannot be reinserted between the cover film 38 and the top surface 32 of the tray 30.

(24) It can be seen that the bridge region 44 of the releasable portion 40a acts as a hinge 80 to allow the releasable portion to bend downwardly into the cavity (or upwardly) to allow the contents of the cavity 34 to be dispensed through the opening 78 created in the cover film.

(25) The securing portion 54 of the barrier patch 48a provides a large surface area that remains secured to the underside of the cover film 38 by the layer of peelable adhesive. A hinge 82 is also provided between the securing portion 54 of the barrier patch 48a and the main portion 52 that is secured to the underside of the associated releasable portion 40a. The securing portion 54 prevents the barrier patch 48a from becoming detached from the associated releasable portion 40a in use.

(26) 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.

(27) 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.

(28) 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.