Cover sheet

Abstract

A cover sheet to be secured to the tray of a container is described. The cover sheet includes a first layer and a second layer. An adhesive layer is provided between the first and second layers. The first layer has a first cut line that extends across a corner of the cover sheet between a first edge and a second edge to define a tab portion of the first layer. The second layer has a second cut line that extends from the first edge to the second edge or a third edge to define a removable strip of the second layer. Removing the removable strip and the adhered tab portion exposes the adhesive layer on a securing portion of the first layer that can be used to secure the cover sheet to the tray.

Claims

1. A cover sheet to be secured to a tray of a container in use, the cover sheet comprising a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge that is opposite the first edge, the cover sheet further comprising: (a) a first layer having an upper surface that defines an upper surface of the cover sheet and a lower surface on which an adhesive layer is applied; and (b) a second layer having a lower surface that defines a lower surface of the cover sheet and an upper surface on which a release layer is applied, wherein the release layer is in contact with the adhesive layer; (c) the first layer having a first pre-formed line of separation that extends across a corner of the cover sheet between the first edge and the second edge to define a tab portion of the first layer, wherein a first intermediate point lying along the first pre-formed line of separation divides the first pre-formed line of separation into a first part that extends from the first intermediate point to the first edge, and a second part that extends from the first intermediate point to the second edge; (d) the second layer having a second pre-formed line of separation that extends from the first edge to one of the second edge and the third edge to define a removable strip of the second layer that is adapted to be removed from the adhesive layer to expose the adhesive layer on a securing portion of the first layer for securing the cover sheet to the tray, wherein a second intermediate point lying along the second pre-formed line of separation, and substantially coincident with the first intermediate point, divides the second pre-formed line of separation into a first part that extends from the second intermediate point to the first edge substantially coincident with the first part of the first pre-formed line of separation, and a second part that extends from the second intermediate point towards the third edge substantially parallel with the second edge.

2. The cover sheet of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the first layer is a printable upper surface.

3. The cover sheet of claim 1, wherein the first part of the first pre-formed line of separation is straight or curved, and the second part of the first pre-formed line of separation is straight and extends substantially perpendicular to the second edge.

4. The cover sheet of claim 3, wherein the first part of the second pre-formed line of separation is straight or curved, and coincident with the first part of the first pre-formed line of separation, and the second part of the second pre-formed line of separation is straight and extends substantially parallel with the second edge.

5. The cover sheet of claim 1, wherein the first and second pre-formed lines of separation are cut lines, or pre-formed tear lines, or any combination thereof.

6. The cover sheet of claim 1, wherein at least the first part of the first pre-formed line of separation is a cut line and at least the first part of the second pre-formed line of separation is a cut line.

7. The cover sheet of claim 6, wherein the first part of the first pre-formed line of separation includes a gap that defines a first frangible bridge region that temporarily connects the tab portion of the first layer to the remainder of the first layer.

8. The cover sheet of claim 7, wherein the first frangible bridge region is adjacent the first edge.

9. The cover sheet of claim 6, wherein the first part of the second pre-formed line of separation includes a gap that defines a second frangible bridge region that temporarily connects the removable strip of the second layer to the remainder of the second layer.

10. The cover sheet of claim 9, wherein the second frangible bridge region is adjacent the first edge.

11. The cover sheet of claim 6, wherein the first part of the second pre-formed line of separation is non-coincident with the first part of the first pre-formed line of separation, and wherein a tab portion of the removable strip is larger than the tab portion of the first layer such that the tab portion of the removable strip is removably adhered to a strip of the first layer that extends adjacent to the first part of the first pre-formed line of separation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a top view of a cover sheet according to the present invention showing a first layer;

(2) FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cover sheet of FIG. 1 showing a second layer before a removable strip is removed;

(3) FIG. 3 is a detail view of a first cover sheet arrangement;

(4) FIG. 4 is a detail view of a second cover sheet arrangement;

(5) FIG. 5 is a detail view of a third cover sheet arrangement;

(6) FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the cover sheet of FIG. 1 showing a second layer after a removable strip is removed; and

(7) FIG. 7 is a side view showing how the cover sheet according to present invention is secured to the tray of a container.

(8) A cover sheet 1 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 and is adapted to be secured to the tray of a container for dispensing medication.

(9) The cover sheet 1 includes a first layer 2 (e.g., a face layer) and a second layer 4 (e.g., a liner or backing layer). The cover sheet 1 is substantially rectangular and includes a first edge 6a, a second edge 6b, a third edge 6c and a fourth edge 6d. But it will be readily understood that the cover sheet can have any suitable shape.

(10) The first layer 2 can be made of paper or card. The upper surface of the first layer 2 is a printable surface and defines the upper surface of the cover sheet 1. The upper surface includes areas 2a, 2b where information can be printed, e.g., information relating to the medication that is stored in the container or the like. An adhesive layer (not shown) is applied to the lower surface of the first layer 2 and adheres the first and second layers together.

(11) The second layer 4 can also be made of paper or card. The lower surface of the second layer 4 defines the lower surface of the cover sheet 1. A release layer or coating (not shown) is applied to the upper surface of the second layer 4. The release layer is in contact with the adhesive layer and allows the second layer 4 to be removed easily and cleanly from the adhesive layer.

(12) The first layer 2 includes a first cut line 8 that extends across a corner of the cover sheet 1 between the first edge 6a and the second edge 6b as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5. The first cut line 8 defines a tab portion 10 of the first layer 2.

(13) A first intermediate point 12 lying along the first cut line 8 divides the first cut line into a first part 8a that extends from the first intermediate point to the first edge 6a, and a second part 8b that extends from the first intermediate point to the second edge 6b. The first part 8a is curved and the second part 8b is straight and extends substantially perpendicular to the second edge 6b.

(14) The second layer 4 includes a second cut line 14 that extends from the first edge 6a to the third edge 6c as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

(15) It will be readily understood that the first and second cut lines 8, 14 can be replaced with pre-formed tear lines, e.g., score lines or perforated lines, which would tear when the removable strip 18 and the tab portion 10 are removed.

(16) A second intermediate point 16 lying along the second cut line 14 divides the second cut line 14 into a first part 14a that extends from the second intermediate point to the first edge 6a and a second part 14b that extends from the second intermediate point to the third edge 6c. The first part 14a is curved and the second part 14b is straight and extends substantially parallel with the second edge 6b.

(17) The second cut line 14 defines a removable strip 18 of the second layer 4. The removable strip 18 can include a tab portion 18a at one end that underlies and is adhered to the tab portion 10 of the first layer 2, and a strip portion 18b that extends along the second edge 6b of the cover sheet 1 and that underlies and is adhered to a securing portion of the first layer which is shown most clearly in FIG. 6.

(18) In the cover sheet arrangements shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first and second intermediate points 12, 16 are coincident (or aligned) with each other. The first parts 8a, 14a of the first and second cut lines 8, 14 are also coincident (or aligned) with each other. The tab portions 10, 18a of the first layer 2 and the removable strip 18 are the same size and would be free to bend out of the plane of the remainder of the cover sheet 1. To keep the tab portions 10, 18a in position, and in particular so that they remain in the plane of the remainder of the cover sheet, the first part 8a of the first cut line 8 can include a gap that defines a frangible bridge region 20. FIG. 3 shows a frangible bridge region 20 that is positioned at a midpoint along the first part 8a of the first cut line 8. FIG. 4 shows a frangible bridge region 20 that is positioned at the end of the first part 8a of the first cut line 8 adjacent the first edge 6a. In practice, this means that the first cut line 8 does not extend completely to the first edge 6a of the cover sheet, but is separated from the first edge by the frangible bridge region 20. The frangible bridge region 20 temporarily connects the tab portion 10 to the remainder of the first layer 2 and can be broken or torn preparatory to removing the removable strip 18. A similar frangible bridge region (not shown) can be provided in the first part 14a of the second cut line 14 to temporarily connect the underlying tab portion 18a of the second layer to the remainder of the second layer 4 and which can be broken or torn preparatory to removing the strip portion 18a of the removable strip 18.

(19) The tab portion 10 and the underlying tab portion 18a of the removable strip 18 can be grasped between thumb and forefinger, bent out of the plane of the remainder of the cover sheet 1 to break or tear the frangible bridge region 20, and then used to peel the strip portion 18a of the removable strip 18 away from the adhesive layer. Removing the removable strip 18 exposes the adhesive layer which is on the lower surface of the first layer 2. The tab portion 10 remains adhered to the removable strip 18 and is removed and discarded with it.

(20) FIG. 5 shows an alternative arrangement of the cover sheet 1 where the first parts 8a, 14a of the first and second cut lines 8, 14 are non-coincident with each other. In other words, the first parts 8a, 14a are spaced slightly apart. In FIG. 5, the second cut line 14 is shown in dashed lines to indicate that it would not normally be visible in a top view of the cover sheet 1. The first and second intermediate points 12, 16 are also non-coincident with each other and are spaced slightly apart. The tab portion 18a of the removable strip 18 is larger than the tab portion 10 of the first layer 2. This means that the tab portion 18a is adhered to a narrow strip 2c of the first layer 2 that extends adjacent to the first part 8a of the first cut line 8. This adhesion between the tab portion 18a and the first layer 2 holds the tab portions in position within the plane of the remainder of the cover sheet 1. The tab portion 18a can be peeled away from the adhesive layer on the lower surface of the narrow strip 2c of the first layer 2. This in turn releases the tab portion 10 which can be grasped between thumb and forefinger, together with the underlying portion of the second layer 4 that defines the tab portion 18a of the removable strip 18, and used to remove the removable strip completely to expose the adhesive layer on the securing portion of the first layer 2.

(21) FIG. 6 shows the cover sheet 1 after the removable strip 18 has been removed. The exposed part of the first layer 2 is the securing portion which is used to secure the cover sheet 1 to the tray of a container.

(22) FIG. 7 shows how the cover sheet 1 can be secured to the tray 24 of a container 22 for dispensing medication. The tray 24 has a generally planar top surface 26 into which has been formed an array of discrete cavities 28 for receiving the medication. A seal 30 is secured to the top surface 26 to cover the open mouths of the cavities 28.

(23) The cover sheet 1 is secured to the underside of an overhanging part 32 of the top surface of the tray 24 with the cover sheet upside down as shown in FIG. 7—i.e., the tray is positioned with the mouths of the cavities facing upwards and the upper surface of the cover sheet 1 defined by the upper surface of the first layer 2 is facing downwards. Once the securing part of the cover sheet 1 has been secured to the underside of the overhanging part 32 by the exposed adhesive layer, the cover sheet 1 can be folded over along the edge of the overhanging part as indicated by the arrow so that its upper surface is facing upwards and it overlies the top surface of the tray 24 and the seal 30.