Outer packaging for blister packaging

Abstract

The present teaching relates to a packaging unit for one or more individually removable products, in particular tablets, including a blister packaging and a bag-type outer packaging, in which the blister packaging is enclosed. The blister packaging is movably arranged in the outer packaging and can be brought into at least one removal position, in which the removal of at least one of the products is enabled. The blister packaging has at least one positioning element, and the outer packaging has at least one receiving element for the positioning element, wherein the positioning element arranged in the receiving element defines the removal position.

Claims

1. A packaging unit for one or a plurality of individual removable products, wherein the packaging unit has a blister packaging and a bag outer packaging, in which the blister packaging is enclosed, wherein the blister packaging is movably arranged within the outer packaging and can be brought into at least one removal position in which a removal of at least one of the products is possible, wherein the blister packaging has at least one positioning element and the outer packaging or a locking element arranged in or at the outer packaging has at least one receiving element for the positioning element, and wherein the positioning element arranged at the receiving element defines the removal position.

2. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the blister packaging has a plurality of cup-like cavities, wherein at least one cup-like cavity of the blister packaging forms a positioning element.

3. The packaging unit according to claim 2, wherein at least one cup-like cavity that forms the positioning element is free from products.

4. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one positioning element is formed by an extension of a molded part of the blister packaging.

5. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one receiving element is defined by a molding in the outer packaging.

6. The packaging unit according to claim 5, wherein the molding is designed to receive a cup-like cavity of the blister packaging.

7. The packaging unit according to claim 5, wherein the molding forms a receiving recess in the edge region of the outer packaging.

8. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the receiving element can be activated or deactivated via user intervention by a separating element that can be pierced by force and/or a foldable edge of the outer packaging and/or a removable safety element.

9. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one receiving element is defined by a weak point in a first bag film and/or a second bag film of the outer packaging.

10. The packaging unit according to claim 9, wherein the weak point is arranged in such a manner that at least one cup-like cavity of the blister packaging breaks open the weak point when the blister packaging is moved into the removal position.

11. The packaging unit according to claim 10, wherein at least one weak point is located in one of the receiving recesses arranged on an edge region of the outer packaging, wherein the breaking-open of the weak point requires moving the blister packaging along a rear-wall level of the blister packaging.

12. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein, in the removal position, at least one product chamber of the blister packaging is arranged with the product delivery side above a break-through point provided in the outer packaging.

13. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of different removal positions is provided in the outer packaging.

14. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein a locking element, which has at least one receiving element for the positioning element, is integrated in the outer packaging, is arranged within it or is connected thereto.

15. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the products comprises a tablet.

16. A packaging for individual removable products, comprising: a blister packaging having a film wall and a positioning element; a bag outer packaging having a breakthrough point and a locking element; the blister packaging movably arranged within the bag outer packaging; a removal position defined when the positioning element is aligned with the locking element, such that removal of at least one of the products is possible through the film wall and the breakthrough point.

17. The packaging of claim 16, wherein: the positioning element comprises a molded part of the blister packaging; and the locking element comprises a weak point in the bag outer packaging.

18. The packaging of claim 16, wherein the locking element can be activated by user intervention.

19. The packaging of claim 16, wherein a plurality of removal positions is provided.

20. The packaging of claim 16, wherein the individual removable products comprise tablets.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present teaching is explained below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11, showing exemplary, schematic and non-restrictive advantageous embodiments of the present teaching. Shown are

(2) FIG. 1 is a packaging unit according to the present teaching in a bottom view;

(3) FIG. 2 is the packaging unit according to the present teaching from FIG. 1 in a sectional view transverse to the blister packaging along the line II-II, which is represented in FIGS. 1 and 3;

(4) FIG. 3 is the packaging unit according to the present teaching from FIG. 1 in a top view.

(5) FIGS. 4a-4d are schematic representations of an exemplary sequence during the removal of a product;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a packaging unit according to a further embodiment;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a packaging unit according to a further embodiment;

(8) FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a further advantageous embodiment of the present teaching;

(10) FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a packaging unit according to a further embodiment;

(11) FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a packaging unit according to a further embodiment; and

(12) FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of the packaging unit according to the present teaching.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the packaging unit 1 according to the present teaching in three views. The packaging unit 1 comprises a blister packaging 3 that is, in turn, packed within an outer packaging 4. The blister packaging 3 comprises a molded part 16, into which a plurality of cup-like cavities 7 are introduced in a known manner. In the sectional view in FIG. 2, three cup-like cavities 7 are represented that each define a product chamber 12, in each of which a product 2 is located. The molded part 7 is covered in a known manner by a back wall 13, which is generally made from an aluminum, paper or plastic film and which is punctured during the removal of a product from the blister packaging. As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3, the exemplary blister packaging 3 has six product chambers 12, wherein products 2 are located in only four of these product chambers, however, and the other two product chambers 12 are empty. As is discussed in more detail below, the two empty product chambers 12 serve as positioning elements 5.

(14) The products 2 are generally medicines, mostly in tablet form; however, other single-piece products can also be packaged using the packaging unit according to the present teaching, such as household items like cleaning tablets, fertilizer tablets or insecticides, or some other sort of product that should be kept out of the reach of children.

(15) The outer packaging 4 essentially comprises a first (outer) bag film 8 and a second (inner) bag film 9 that are connected together at their edge by a seal region 17. This embodiment is described purely by way of example because, essentially, different types of bag-like outer packagings can be used depending upon the application. The difference between first bag film 8 and second bag film 9 serves only for ease of reference and description and can be similar or different films. In connection with the representational description, the film that is located above the blister packaging 3, meaning located on the side of the cup-like cavities 7, is described as first or upper bag film 8 and, correspondingly, the film that is located below the blister packaging 3, meaning on the side of the back wall 13, is described as second or lower bag film 9.

(16) As can be seen, in particular, from FIGS. 1 and 3, the outer packaging 4 is dimensioned substantially larger than the size of the blister packaging 3 would require. In this manner, the blister packaging can essentially move and twist freely horizontally within the boundaries of the outer packaging 4, wherein the size is preferably measured so that a rotation of the blister packaging within the outer packaging 4 into a position in which the cup-like cavities 7 would face the second, inner bag film 9 is not possible.

(17) On the second bag film 9 (see FIG. 1), a plurality of break-through points 11 are arranged, wherein the arrangement of the break-through points 11 corresponds to the arrangement of the product chambers 12 of the blister packaging 3 that are filled with a product 2. Only if a product chamber 12 is arranged precisely above a break-through point 11 can the product 2 located in this product chamber 12 be removed by the corresponding cup-like cavity 7 being pressed in a known manner so that the product 2 is pushed out through the back wall 13, which breaks at this point, and by the also-breaking break-through point 11 and can be pushed out and removed. The position in which the product chambers 12 containing the products 2 are aligned with break-through points 11 is designated herein as removal position.

(18) Because the blister packaging 3 can move within the outer packaging 4, the product chambers, in general, are, however, not aligned with the break-through points 11, or the blister packaging 3 is not located in its removal position. In another position, however, it is not possible to press the product through the back wall 13 and the second bag film 9 because, without break-through point 11, this offers too great a resistance.

(19) The break-through points 11 can be designed as weak points or perforations and they can, as represented in FIG. 1, correspond to the, in this case round, shape of the product 2; however, they can also have a different shape, or be arranged as slit shapes, cross shapes or, for example, be u-shaped. In general, the break-through points 11 each have a desired shape that allows the products 2 to be pressed through.

(20) In order to offer the user the possibility of bringing the blister packaging 3which, because of the flexibility of the bag films, can be moved and displaced inside the outer packaging 4 even if the outer packaging 4 is sealedinto the removal position and to secure it there, the first bag film 8 has two weakened points 10. The weakened points can be designed in a manner similar to the break-through points 11 in second bag film 9; however, they are not used for the removal of products 2, but instead have a function as receiving elements 6 for the positioning elements 5. The user first moves the blister packaging 3 into the removal position, then the empty cup-like cavities 7 that serve as positioning elements 5 are pressed through the respective weakened points 10, whereby the latter are punctured so that they can act as receiving element 6 for the positioning element 5.

(21) Alternatively, the weakened point 10 can also be designed to be elastically or plastically deformed so that first bag film 8 forms a molding in the region of the weakened point 10 if the positioning element 5 is pressed into the weakened point 10. As appropriate, instead of a weakened point 10, a pre-formed molding can be provided into which the positioning element 5 is inserted.

(22) In FIG. 4, the method for removing a product is schematically represented in individual steps: FIG. 4a) shows a partial cross-section through the blister packaging 3, which is arranged in an outer packaging 4, wherein the product chamber 12, in which the product 2 is contained, is not located above the corresponding break-through point 11 that is indicated as a broken line. Even the empty cup-like cavity 7 that serves as positioning element 5 is not arranged under the weakened point 10. In such a position, it is not possible to press the product 2 through the back wall 13 and the second bag film 9. In the removal position of the blister packaging 3 described in FIG. 4b), the empty cup-like cavity 7 is arranged below the weakened point 10 and the product in the product chamber 12 is arranged above the break-through point 11, meaning the blister packaging 3 is located in the removal position. In order to secure the blister packaging in the removal position, the empty cup-like cavity 7 is now pressed against the weakened point 10 (indicated by arrows) so strongly that it breaks through the weakened point 10 (FIG. 4c)), wherein the edge of the break-through forms the receiving element 6 for the positioning element 5 (in the case of the cup-like cavity 7). If a second positioning element 5 is secured in a second receiving element (not shown in FIG. 4), the blister packaging can be secured against turning and held stably in its removal position. FIG. 4d) shows how the product 2 is pressed downward by a pressure on the cup-like cavity 7, in which the product 2 is located, down through the rear wall 13 and through the break-through point 11.

(23) It is also possible to loosen the blister packaging 3 from the removal position after the removal of a first product 2 if the positioning element 5 is pressed out of the receiving element 6. The next removal of a product 2 can then be accomplished in turn only if the blister packaging 3 is again brought into the removal position.

(24) FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment according to the present teaching, in which the receiving element 6 is designed as a molding 14 in the edge region of the outer packaging 4. The molding 14 can be defined by the course of the inner edge of the seal region 17, for example. The molding 14 described in FIG. 5 has two adjacent receiving recesses 15 that are separated from one another by a positioning wedge 18. As a positioning element, the molded part of the blister packaging 3 is extended on one end and there forms two extensions 19 that have a shape corresponding to the receiving recesses 15 of the molding 14. In FIG. 5, the molding 14 having the two receiving recesses 15 is made wider than the two extensions 19 of the blister packaging 3 so that the precise positioning of the blister packaging in the removal position is accomplished, specifically by the positioning wedge 18 that engages into the intermediate space between the two extensions 19. On the one hand, this simplifies the locating of the removal position and simultaneously provides a high child-resistance.

(25) In addition, additional positioning elements 5 and receiving elements 6 can be provided, for example in the form previously referred to in FIGS. 1 to 4. In general, the features represented in the individual figures and described herein can be combined in a preferred manner by a person skilled in the art.

(26) FIGS. 6 and 7 show a further advantageous embodiment that is also based on a receiving element 6 that is designed as molding 14 of the inner edge of the seal region 17 between the first bag film 8 and the second bag film 9. The molding 14 has an essentially U shape, the contour of which roughly corresponds to the shape of the edge at a narrow end of the blister packaging 3. In contrast to the embodiment in FIG. 5, however, the blister packaging has no extension, but has a common shape, wherein the outermost two cup-like cavities 7 (meaning the two cup-like cavities on the end of the blister packaging 3) are empty and serve as positioning elements 5.

(27) As can be seen in cross-section in FIG. 7, the receiving recess 15 formed from the molding 14 has a height that is smaller than the height of the cup-like cavities 7 of the blister packaging 3 so that the narrow end of the blister packaging cannot be easily inserted into the receiving recess 15. This is necessary, however, in order to bring the blister packaging into the removal position that is defined by the break-through points 11 in the bag film 9.

(28) The first bag film 8 has for this purpose two U-shaped weakened points 10 above the receiving recess 15 that are broken by the two empty cup-like cavities 7 serving as positioning element 5 if the blister packaging 3 is pushed with its end into the receiving recess with sufficient force. Simultaneously, the two positioning elements 5 are positioned by the U-shaped edges of the broken weakened point 10 in the removal position and secured.

(29) According to the present teaching, the receiving elementsmeaning, for example, the weakened points 10 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 to 7 or receiving recesses 15 on the edge of outer packaging 4 in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 9 are protected against unauthorized use. For example, the weakened points 10 can be provided with removable reinforcements, such as in the form of stickers that must be pulled off or torn away before use.

(30) The receiving recesses 15 can, for example, be protected by folding over so that it is no longer possible to insert the part of the blister packaging 3 provided for this into the receiving recess. In FIG. 8, such a safety form is illustrated as an example, wherein the whole edge region of the outer packaging 4 can be folded over downward. The edge region, for example, can be secured in the folded-over position by an adhesive region 20, wherein the adhesion system used can also enable a repeated releasing and re-sticking of the adhesive region 20.

(31) A further advantageous embodiment is schematically represented in FIG. 9. The (exaggeratedly large) outer packaging 4 illustrated has on its edge a plurality of receiving elements 6 that have a shallow depth, however, so that they cannot receive the extensions 19 of the blister packaging 3. In order to activate the receiving elements 6, a tear tab 21 along a line of weakness 22 must first be removed, for example, by cutting off or tearing off, wherein the lines of weakness release the receiving elements 6. The extensions 19 can then be inserted into the receiving elements 6 opening outward, as is represented by the removal position 23 of the blister packaging 3 marked by a dashed line. The extensions 19 can thus be firmly grasped by the user to remove a product 2 in order to secure the blister packaging 3 in the removal position 23 during the removal process.

(32) The removal position 23 can, for example, provide break-through points 11 for all products 2 contained in the blister packaging 3; it is, however, also possible to define a plurality of removal positions 23 that each permit only one removal of a single product 2 (or a defined quantity of precisely defined products 2) from a specific product chamber 12. In FIG. 9, for example, three receiving elements 6 are arranged that each enable removal positions 23 having a specified break-through point 11-A, 11-B, 11-C for a specific product 2. The user can tell by the already pulled-off tab which tablets have already been taken. Such an embodiment can be used for medications, for example, that must be taken in a specified order.

(33) A further advantageous embodiment is described by way of example in FIG. 10. As in the embodiment represented in FIGS. 1 to 4, the blister packaging 3 according to FIG. 10 is secured in the outer packaging 4 in a removal position, in that a cup-like cavity acting as positioning element 5 is pressed through a weakened point 10 introduced into the first bag film 8 of the outer packaging 4, wherein the breaking of the weakened point 10 releases a receiving element 6 for the positioning element 5.

(34) The outer packaging 4 is also provided with a locking element 24 that is connected to the first bag film 8 and the second bag film 9 at the seal region 17. The locking element 24 can, for example, be designed in the form of a hole plate made of plastic or cardboard, or in the form of a film, wherein the locking element 24 has a quantity of pass-through points 25 via which the products 2 can be pressed through if the blister packaging 3 is located in the removal position. The product 2 then falls into a region between the second bag film 9 and the locking element 24 and can there slide to a removal opening 26, where it can be removed.

(35) The locking element 24 here need not be permanently attached to the outer packaging 4, but can also be movably arranged within the outer packaging 4, wherein it must always be ensured that the blister packaging 3 can be brought into a removal position defined in relation to locking element 24 and that the removal of the products 2 is not possible or is at least greatly hindered.

(36) FIG. 11 shows an example of such an embodiment. While the locking element 24 is not connected to the outer packaging 4, it is, however, positioned in relation to this outer packaging 4 in such a way that the blister packaging 3 is arranged between the first bag film 8 and the locking element 24. The removal opening 26 is again arranged on the side of the second bag film 9.

(37) In order to be able to remove a product 2 from the blister packaging 3, the latter must first be aligned with the pass-through points 25 of the locking element 24. For this purpose, the locking element 24 has a recess 27 on the side facing towards the first bag film 8 (and thus the blister packaging), whose edge corresponds to the contour of the back wall 13 of the blister packaging 3. The edge of the recess 27 thus forms a receiving element 6, into which the edge of the blister packaging 3 acting as positioning element 5 can be received in a positively locking manner. The blister packaging 3 and the locking element 24 must thus be put together in the manner of a puzzle before removal. Only in this position can a product 2 be pressed through the pass-through points 25 and removed via the removal opening 26.

(38) The removal opening 26 of the embodiments in FIGS. 10 and 11 can additionally be secured via a reusable closure label, for example.

(39) In a further embodiment that corresponds to a version of the embodiment from FIG. 10, the locking element 24 can also be integrated into the first bag film 8, for example. Instead of the pass-through points 25, the second bag film 9 may have expansion regions into which the products 2 can be pushed out of the blister packaging 3, wherein the expansion regions deform elastically and/or plastically in order to receive the respective product. After the product 2 is pressed out from the blister packaging 3, the former is still located inside the outer packaging 4 and can be brought to a removal opening 26 by shaking or moving.

(40) In order to simplify finding the removal position for the user, the outer packaging in all embodiments can be designed as translucent or transparent or have see-through or transparent points that are used for orientation. Tips as to how products are to be removed can be printed directly on the outer packaging, possibly in the form of pictograms.

(41) The embodiments described above can be freely combined in an appropriate manner, wherein all these combinations form a part of this disclosure.