Sealable secondary packaging for pharmaceutical product blister pack

Abstract

A pharmaceutical product supply is disclosed in the form of a container, a pharmaceutical product receiver, pharmaceutical product, an adhesive, and at least one release liner. The pharmaceutical product receiver includes a plurality of receptacles for pharmaceutical product. The container is initially disposed in a first configuration where all of the pharmaceutical product receiver receptacles may be accessible. The container is thereafter disposable in a second configuration where no covering for any of the pharmaceutical product receiver receptacles is accessible through any openable access incorporated by the container. One or more release liners may be moved to expose adhesive for disposing and retaining the container in its second configuration. The noted second configuration of the container facilitates disposal of the pharmaceutical product supply (e.g., now being in a form that should reduce the potential for gaining access to any remaining pharmaceutical product still enclosed within the pharmaceutical product receiver).

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical product supply, comprising: a container collectively defined by a first panel and a second panel, wherein said first panel comprises first and second sides that are disposed opposite of one another, wherein said first panel lacks any openable access, wherein said second panel comprises first and second sides that are disposed opposite of one another, wherein said second panel incorporates a pharmaceutical product receiver, wherein said pharmaceutical product receiver comprises a plurality of receptacles, and wherein each receptacle of said plurality of receptacles comprises an opening; pharmaceutical product within at least one of said plurality of receptacles of said pharmaceutical product receiver; each said receptacle of said plurality of receptacles that includes said pharmaceutical product having a corresponding covering over its corresponding said opening, wherein each said corresponding covering encloses said pharmaceutical product in its corresponding said receptacle, and wherein each said corresponding covering is accessible from said first side of said second panel; a first adhesive; a first release liner; a first configuration comprising said first release liner being disposed over said first adhesive, wherein with said pharmaceutical product supply being in said first configuration: 1) said first panel is movable relative to said second panel between an open position for said pharmaceutical product supply and a closed position for said pharmaceutical product supply; 2) said first panel is positioned over said first side of said second panel when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position; and 3) said first release liner is positioned between said first panel and said first side of said second panel when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position; and a second configuration comprising said first release liner being removed to expose said first adhesive, wherein with said pharmaceutical product supply being in said second configuration: 1) said first panel is movable relative to said second panel to said closed position for said pharmaceutical product supply; 2) said first side of said first panel is positioned in interfacing relation with said first side of said second panel when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position; 3) said first side of said first panel is bonded to said first side of said second panel using said first adhesive when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position; and 4) said second side of said first panel and said second side of said second panel define exterior surfaces of said container.

2. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1, wherein said pharmaceutical product receiver is separately mounted to said second panel.

3. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 2, wherein said first adhesive is disposed on said first side of said second panel and is positioned about said pharmaceutical product receiver.

4. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1, wherein said second panel comprises an internal storage area and an opening in said first side of said second panel that leads to said internal storage area, and wherein said pharmaceutical product receiver is disposed within said internal storage area.

5. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of pharmaceutical product receivers within said internal storage area.

6. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 4, wherein said first adhesive is disposed on said first side of said second panel so as to be on a perimeter of said opening.

7. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 6, further comprising: a second adhesive on said first side of said first panel; and a second release liner; wherein said first configuration further comprises said second release liner being disposed over said second adhesive such that said second release liner is also positioned between said first panel and said first side of said second panel when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position; and wherein said second configuration further comprises said second release liner being removed to expose said second adhesive such that said first side of said first panel is bonded to said first side of said second panel using both said first adhesive and said second adhesive when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position.

8. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1, wherein said first adhesive is disposed on said first side of said second panel.

9. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 8, further comprising: a second adhesive on said first side of said first panel; and a second release liner; wherein said first configuration further comprises said second release liner being disposed over said second adhesive such that said second release liner is also positioned between said first panel and said first side of said second panel when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position; and wherein said second configuration further comprises said second release liner being removed to expose said second adhesive such that said first side of said first panel is bonded to said first side of said second panel using both said first adhesive and said second adhesive when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position.

10. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1, wherein said first adhesive is disposed on said first side of said first panel.

11. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1, further comprising: a fold line between said first panel and said second panel, wherein with said pharmaceutical product supply being in said first configuration, said first panel is movable relative to said second panel about said fold line between said open position for said pharmaceutical product supply and said closed position for said pharmaceutical product supply.

12. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1, wherein said container comprises secondary packaging and said pharmaceutical product receiver comprises primary packaging.

13. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1, wherein said pharmaceutical product in each said receptacle comprises a single dose.

14. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1, wherein said pharmaceutical product receiver comprises a blister card.

15. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1, wherein said pharmaceutical product receiver defines said second panel.

16. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1, further comprising a sheet that extends over each said opening of said pharmaceutical product receiver such that each said corresponding covering is defined by a different portion of said sheet.

17. A pharmaceutical product supply, comprising: a container collectively defined by a first panel and a second panel, wherein said first panel comprises first and second sides that are disposed opposite of one another, wherein said first panel lacks any openable access, wherein said second panel comprises first and second sides that are disposed opposite of one another, wherein said second panel incorporates a pharmaceutical product receiver, and wherein said pharmaceutical product receiver comprises a plurality of receptacles; pharmaceutical product enclosed within each of said plurality of receptacles of said pharmaceutical product receiver and separately removable from each receptacle of said plurality of receptacles through a common first side of said pharmaceutical product receiver; a first adhesive; a first release liner; a first configuration comprising said first release liner being disposed over said first adhesive, wherein with said pharmaceutical product supply being in said first configuration: 1) said first panel is movable relative to said second panel between an open position for said pharmaceutical product supply and a closed position for said pharmaceutical product supply; 2) said first panel is positioned over said first side of said second panel when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position; and 3) said first release liner is positioned between said first panel and said first side of said second panel when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position; and a second configuration comprising said first release liner being removed to expose said first adhesive, wherein with said pharmaceutical product supply being in said second configuration: 1) said first panel is movable relative to said second panel to said closed position for said pharmaceutical product supply; 2) said first side of said first panel is positioned in interfacing relation with said first side of said second panel when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position; 3) said first side of said first panel is bonded to said first side of said second panel using said first adhesive when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position; and 4) said second side of said first panel and said second side of said second panel define exterior surfaces of said container.

18. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 17, wherein said pharmaceutical product receiver defines said second panel.

19. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 17, wherein said second panel comprises an internal storage area and an opening in said first side of said second panel that leads to said internal storage area, and wherein said pharmaceutical product receiver is disposed within said internal storage area, wherein said first adhesive is disposed on said first side of said second panel so as to be on a perimeter of said opening, said pharmaceutical product supply further comprising: a second adhesive on said first side of said first panel; and a second release liner; wherein said first configuration further comprises said second release liner being disposed over said second adhesive such that said second release liner is also positioned between said first panel and said first side of said second panel when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position; and wherein said second configuration further comprises said second release liner being removed to expose said second adhesive such that said first side of said first panel is bonded to said first side of said second panel using both said first adhesive and said second adhesive when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position.

20. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 17, wherein said first adhesive is disposed on said first side of said second panel, said pharmaceutical product supply further comprising: a second adhesive on said first side of said first panel; and a second release liner; wherein said first configuration further comprises said second release liner being disposed over said second adhesive such that said second release liner is also positioned between said first panel and said first side of said second panel when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position; and wherein said second configuration further comprises said second release liner being removed to expose said second adhesive such that said first side of said first panel is bonded to said first side of said second panel using both said first adhesive and said second adhesive when said pharmaceutical product supply is in said closed position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1A is a top view of a representative blister card.

(2) FIG. 1B is a side view of the blister card of FIG. 1A.

(3) FIG. 1C is an end view of the blister card of FIG. 1A.

(4) FIG. 2 is an end view of one embodiment of a pharmaceutical product supply that utilizes a three-panel structure that may seal a pharmaceutical product receiver between a pair of panels to facilitate disposal.

(5) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pharmaceutical product supply that utilizes a two-panel structure that may seal a pharmaceutical product receiver between a pair of panels to facilitate disposal.

(6) FIGS. 4A-C are sequential end views of one embodiment of a pharmaceutical product supply that utilizes another two-panel structure that may seal a pharmaceutical product receiver between a pair of panels to facilitate disposal.

(7) FIGS. 5A-B are sequential perspective views of one embodiment of a pharmaceutical product supply that utilizes a sealable carton that may be adhesively sealed to enclose a pharmaceutical product receiver to facilitate disposal.

(8) FIG. 6A-C are sequential views of one embodiment of a pharmaceutical product supply that utilizes a carton with an internally-disposed adhesive to secure a pharmaceutical product receiver therein to facilitate disposal.

(9) FIG. 6D-E are sequential views of a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-C.

(10) FIGS. 7A-C are sequential end views of a variation of the pharmaceutical product supply of FIGS. 4A-C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) A representative blister card or pack is shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, and is identified by reference numeral 10. The blister card 10 includes a tray 12 (e.g., a pre-formed structure, for instance plastic) having a plurality of receptacles 18. Any number of receptacles 18 may be utilized by the tray 12, and these receptacles 18 may be disposed in any appropriate arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two rows and five columns of receptacles 18. Any number of rows and columns may be utilized. Any arrangement of receptacles 18 may be utilized by the blister card 10.

(12) Pharmaceutical product 30 may be disposed in each receptacle 18 of the blister card 10, and as such the blister card 10 may be referred to as primary packaging for the pharmaceutical product 30. A covering 20 is disposed over each receptacle 18 to enclose the corresponding pharmaceutical product 30 (the covering 20 being puckered in FIGS. 1B and 1C to distinguish the same from the tray 12, although the covering 20 could be at least substantially coplanar with the upper surface 14 of the tray 12). Although a single covering could extend over an entirety of an upper surface 14 of the tray 12 (or at least over each of the various receptacles 18), in the illustrated embodiment each receptacle 18 has its own individual covering 20. Any covering 20 for the blister card 10 may be in the form of a film, foil, paper, a sheet-like material, or the like. Generally, pharmaceutical product 30 may be removed from a given receptacle 18 by pushing on a lower surface 16 of the tray 12 (more specifically a receptacle 18), which in turn may push the pharmaceutical product 30 against the associated covering 20 with a sufficient force so as to rupture the covering 20. The covering 20 could also be peeled away from the tray 12 to gain access to pharmaceutical product 30 within a receptacle 18. Any way of gaining access to the pharmaceutical product 30 in a given receptacle 18, enclosed by a covering 20, may be implemented by the blister card 10.

(13) Each receptacle 18 may be characterized as having a corresponding opening 22. The covering 20 for a corresponding receptacle 18 may be characterized as blocking this opening 22 (e.g., to enclose pharmaceutical product 30 within the corresponding receptacle 18). In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 22 for each receptacle 18 is disposed on a common side of the tray 12, namely its upper surface 14.

(14) Blister cards 10 may be utilized by various pharmaceutical products supplies to be addressed herein (e.g., a combination of secondary packaging of a variety of configurations, together with one or more blister cards 10 (e.g., primary packaging)). Each of these embodiments is directed to a pharmaceutical product supply that includes a container, a pharmaceutical product receiver, pharmaceutical product, an adhesive, and at least one release liner. The pharmaceutical product receiver includes a plurality of pockets or receptacles, and pharmaceutical product may be enclosed within each of these receptacles. The adhesive is provided on the container, on the pharmaceutical product receiver, or on each of the container and the pharmaceutical product receiver, and a release liner is positioned over the adhesive. The container is initially disposed in a first configuration where at least one (including all) of the pharmaceutical product receiver receptacles are accessible. The container is thereafter disposable in a second configuration where none of the pharmaceutical product receiver receptacles are accessible through any openable access incorporated by the container. One or more release liners may be moved to expose the adhesive for disposing and retaining the container in its second configuration (where none of the pharmaceutical product receiver receptacles are accessible through any openable access incorporated by the container). The noted second configuration of the container facilitates disposal of the pharmaceutical product supply (e.g., now being in a form that should reduce the potential for gaining access to any remaining pharmaceutical product still enclosed within the pharmaceutical product receiver). At the time of disposal, typically one or more of the pharmaceutical product receiver receptacles will be empty (the pharmaceutical product having been previously removed therefrom), while at least one of the receptacles will still have pharmaceutical product enclosed therein.

(15) One embodiment of such a pharmaceutical product supply is illustrated in FIG. 2 and is identified by reference numeral 40. The pharmaceutical product supply 40 includes a container 42 in the form of a three-paneled structure (only three panels in the illustrated embodiment). The container 42 includes a first panel 44, a second panel 48, and a third panel 52. The second panel 48 is located between the first panel 44 and the third panel 52. A boundary region 64 (e.g., an intersection or fold line) exists between the first panel 44 and the second panel 48. A boundary region 66 (e.g., an intersection or fold line) exists between the second panel 48 and the third panel 52.

(16) The second panel 48 may incorporate a blister card 10 in any appropriate manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the blister card 10 functions as the second panel 48. However, a blister card 10 could also be separately attached or mounted to the second panel 48. Each of the first panel 44 and the third panel 52 are configured so as to not incorporate any openable access (e.g., no openable cover/lid/flap included in either of the first or third panels 44, 52; no perforations or scoring included in either of the first or third panels 44, 52 for defining an openable cover/lid/flap).

(17) The first panel 44 includes a first surface 46a and an oppositely disposed second surface 46b. A first adhesive 56 is provided on at least part of the first surface 46a of the first panel 44. A first release liner 58 is provided for the first adhesive 56. The third panel 52 includes a first surface 54a and an oppositely disposed second surface 54b. A second adhesive 60 is provided on at least part of the first surface 54a of the third panel 52. A second release liner 62 is provided for the second adhesive 60. Prior to removing the release liners 58, 62, the first panel 44 may be pivoted in the direction indicated by the corresponding arrow in FIG. 2 and the third panel 52 may be pivoted in the direction indicated by the corresponding arrow in FIG. 2 to dispose the container 42 in a configuration for storing the blister card 10 between dosing events.

(18) The release liners 58, 62 may be removed from the corresponding adhesive 56, 60 in preparation for disposal of the blister card 10 (e.g., to dispose the container 42 in a configuration for disposal with unused pharmaceutical product 30 remaining in one or more blister cards 10). With the first release liner 58 being moved away from the first surface 46a of the first panel 44, the first panel 44 may be pivoted in the direction indicated by the associated arrow so that its first surface 46a comes into contact with one side of the second panel 48 (the side of the second panel 48 that includes a lower surface 16 of the tray 12 of the blister card 10 in the illustrated configuration). With the second release liner 62 being moved away from the first surface 54a of the third panel 52, the third panel 52 may be pivoted in the direction indicated by the associated arrow so that its first surface 54a comes into contact with an opposite side of the second panel 48 (the side of the second panel 48 that includes the upper surface 14 of the tray 12 of the blister card 10 in the illustrated configuration; the side of the blister card 10 that includes the one or more coverings 20). As the container 42 does not include any openable access after being disposed in this configuration (e.g., no openable cover/lid/flap; no perforations or scoring included by the container 42 for defining an openable cover/lid/flap; such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time), the blister card 10 should be rendered at least substantially inaccessible at this time.

(19) Bonding the third panel 52 to the side of the blister card 10 that includes the openings 22 (and any remaining coverings 20; e.g., its upper surface 14) in the above-noted manner, should reduce the potential of pharmaceutical product 30 thereafter being removed from the blister card 10 (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time). Bonding the third panel 52 and bonding the first panel 44 to opposite sides of the blister card 10, and in the above-noted manner, disposes the blister card 10 within the interior of a stack (e.g., collectively, the first panel 44, the second panel 48, and the third panel 52), which should reduce the potential of pharmaceutical product 30 thereafter being removed from the blister card 10 (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time).

(20) Another embodiment of a pharmaceutical product supply is illustrated in FIG. 3 and is identified by reference numeral 70 (only two panels in the illustrated embodiment). The pharmaceutical product supply 70 includes a container 72 in the form of a two-paneled structure. The container 72 includes a first panel 74 and a second panel 78. An intersection or fold line 90 exists between the first panel 74 and the second panel 78.

(21) The first panel 74 includes a first surface 76. A first adhesive 82 is included on all or part of this first surface 76. A first release liner 84 is disposed over the first adhesive 82. The first panel 74 is configured so as to not incorporate any openable access (e.g., no openable cover/lid/flap included in the first panel 74; no perforations or scoring included in the first panel 74 for defining an openable cover/lid/flap).

(22) The second panel 78 may accommodate a blister card 10 in any appropriate manner. For instance, a blister card 10 could be separately attached to the second panel 78. The second panel 78 could also be in the form of a hollow structure or the like that includes an internal storage area to accommodate one or more blister cards 10 (e.g., and that may be accessed by an opening which may coincide with the intersection between the perimeter of the blister card 10 and the second panel 78 in the view shown in FIG. 3). In any case, all or part of a perimeter region 92 on a surface 80 of the second panel 78 may include a second adhesive 86. A second release liner 88 is disposed over the second adhesive 86. Although both adhesives 82, 86 may be utilized and as illustrated in FIG. 3, it may be possible to only utilize one of the adhesives 82, 86. Prior to removing the release liners 84, 88, the first panel 74 may be pivoted in the direction indicated by the corresponding arrow in FIG. 3 to dispose the container 72 in a configuration for storing one or more blister cards 10 between dosing events.

(23) The release liners 84, 88 may be moved away from the corresponding adhesive 82, 86 in preparation for disposal of the associated blister card(s) 10 (e.g., to dispose the container 72 in a configuration for disposal with unused pharmaceutical product 30 remaining in one or more blister cards 10). With the first release liner 84 being moved away from the first surface 76 of the first panel 74, and with the second release liner 88 being moved away from the first surface 80 of the second panel 78, the first panel 74 may be pivoted in the direction indicated by the associated arrow so that its first surface 76 comes into contact with at least the perimeter region 92 of the second panel 78 (the side of the second panel 78 that includes or provides access to at least one blister card 10 in the illustrated configuration; the side of the blister card 10 that includes the one or more coverings 20). As the container 72 does not include any openable access after being disposed in this configuration (e.g., no openable cover/lid/flap; no perforations or scoring included by the container 72 for defining an openable cover/lid/flap; such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time), the blister card 10 should be rendered at least substantially inaccessible at this time.

(24) Bonding the first panel 74 to the side of the blister card 10 that includes the openings 22 (and any remaining coverings 20; e.g., its upper surface 14), bonding the first panel 74 to the perimeter region 92, or both, should reduce the potential of pharmaceutical product 30 thereafter being removed from any blister card 10 within or incorporated by the container 72 (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time). Bonding the first panel 74 in the noted manner disposes one or more blister cards 10 within the interior of the container 72, which should reduce the potential of pharmaceutical product 30 thereafter being removed from any such blister card(s) 10 (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time).

(25) Another embodiment of a pharmaceutical product supply is illustrated in FIGS. 4A-C and is identified by reference numeral 100. The pharmaceutical product supply 100 includes a container 102 in the form of a two-paneled structure. The container 102 includes a first panel 104 and a second panel 112. An intersection or fold line 126 may exist between the first panel 104 and the second panel 112.

(26) The first panel 104 includes a first surface 110. An adhesive 120 is included on all or part of this first surface 110. A release liner 122 is disposed over the adhesive 120. The first panel 104 may be characterized as having a pair of oppositely disposed ends 106, 108. The end 106 is disposed at the intersection 126 with the second panel 112. One end 124b of the release liner 122 is attached to the first panel 104 at or near its free end 108 (more generally, at a location spaced from where the first panel 104 adjoins the second panel 112). The other end 124a of the release liner 122 is free so that the release liner 122 may be pulled away from the adhesive 120 on the first surface 110 of the first panel 104.

(27) The second panel 112 may accommodate a blister card 10 in any appropriate manner. For instance, a blister card 10 could be separately attached to the second panel 112 (not shown). The second panel 112 could also be in the form of a hollow structure or the like that includes an internal storage area 128 to accommodate one or more blister cards. A front side 114 of the second panel 112 may include an opening to provide access to the internal storage area 128. A back side 116 of the second panel 112 is disposed opposite of the front side 114. Prior to moving the release liner 122 away from the first surface 110 of the first panel 104, the first panel 104 (along with the release liner 122) may be pivoted in the direction indicated by the corresponding arrow in FIG. 4A so as to be disposed in overlying relation to the second panel 112, to in turn dispose the container 102 in a configuration for storing one or more blister cards 10 between dosing events.

(28) The release liner 122 may be moved to expose the adhesive 120 on the first surface 110 of the first panel 104 in preparation for disposal of the associated blister card(s) 10 (e.g., to dispose the container 102 in a configuration for disposal with unused pharmaceutical product 30 remaining in one or more blister cards 10). A patient or other user may grab the free end 124a of the release liner 122 (FIG. 4A) and pull the same away from the first surface 110 of the first panel 104. However, the release liner 122 extends from and remains attached to the first panel 104 (e.g. FIG. 4B). Adhesive 120 may exist on the release liner 122 as well. With the first release liner 122 being moved away from the first surface 110 of the first panel 104, the first panel 104 may be pivoted in the direction indicated by the associated arrow (FIGS. 4A and 4B) so that its first surface to 110 comes into contact with the front side 114 of the second panel 112 (the side of the second panel 112 that includes or provides access to at least one blister card 10 in the illustrated configuration). The release liner 122 (again attached to or extending from first panel 104 at a location spaced from its intersection 126 with the second panel 112) may be pulled around an end section 118 of the second panel 112 and may be disposed against and adhered to at least part of the back side 116 of the second panel 112. As the container 102 does not include any openable access after being disposed in this configuration (e.g., no openable cover/lid/flap; no perforations or scoring included by the container 102 for defining an openable cover/lid/flap; such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time), the blister card 10 should be rendered at least substantially inaccessible at this time.

(29) Bonding the first surface 110 of the first panel 104 to the front side 114 of the second panel 112, bonding the release liner 122 to the back side 116 of the second panel 112, or both, should reduce the potential of pharmaceutical product 30 thereafter being removed from any blister card 10 within or incorporated by the container 102 (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time). Bonding the first surface 110 of the first panel 104 to the front side 114 of the second panel 112, bonding the release liner 122 to the back side 116 of the second panel 112, or both, disposes one or more blister cards 10 within the interior of the container 102, which should reduce the potential of pharmaceutical product 30 thereafter being removed from any such blister card 10 (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time).

(30) Another embodiment of a pharmaceutical product supply is illustrated in FIGS. 5A-B and is identified by reference numeral 130. The pharmaceutical product supply 130 includes a container 132. A first panel 134 and a second panel 136 of the container 132 are disposed in spaced relation (e.g. parallel to one another) and define at least part of an internal storage area 138. The container 132 further includes an opening 140 to provide access to this internal storage area 138. One or more blister cards 10 may be kept in the internal storage area 138.

(31) The container 132 also includes a cover 142 for selectively opening/closing the opening 140. This cover 142 may extend from an end of the second panel 136. A fold line 144 may exist at the intersection of the cover 142 with the second panel 136.

(32) At least part of the cover 142 includes an adhesive 146. A release liner 148 is positioned over the adhesive 146. Prior to removing the release liner 148, the cover 142 (along with the release liner 148) may be pivoted in the direction indicated by the corresponding arrow in FIG. 5A such that its free end is disposed within the internal storage area 138, to in turn dispose the container 132 in a configuration for storing one or more blister cards 10 between dosing events.

(33) The release liner 148 may be moved to expose the adhesive 146 on the cover 142 in preparation for disposal of any blister card(s) 10 contained within the internal storage area 138 (e.g., to dispose the container 132 in a configuration for disposal with unused pharmaceutical product 30 remaining in one or more blister cards 10). The cover 142 may be pivoted in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5A so that the cover 142 may be disposed in engagement with and adhered to an external side of the first panel 134 of the container 132 (FIG. 5B). As the container 132 does not include any openable access after being disposed in this configuration (e.g., no openable cover/lid/flap; no perforations or scoring included by the container 132 for defining an openable cover/lid/flap; such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time), each blister card 10 within the internal storage area 138 should be rendered at least substantially inaccessible at this time.

(34) Bonding the cover 142 to the external side of the first panel 134 (FIG. 5B configuration) should reduce the potential of pharmaceutical product 30 thereafter being removed from any blister card 10 within or incorporated by the container 132 (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time). Bonding the cover 142 to the external side of the first panel 134 disposes one or more blister cards 10 within the interior of the container 132, which should reduce the potential of pharmaceutical product 30 thereafter being removed from any such blister card(s) 10 (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time).

(35) Another embodiment of a pharmaceutical product supply is illustrated in FIGS. 6A-C and is identified by reference numeral 150. The pharmaceutical product supply 150 includes a container 152. A first panel 154 and a second panel 156 of the container 152 are disposed in spaced relation (e.g. parallel to one another) and define at least part of an internal storage area 158. The container 152 further includes an opening 170 to provide access to this internal storage area 158. One or more blister cards 10 may be kept in the internal storage area 158.

(36) Adhesive 160 is included on all or part of an inside wall of the first panel 154 (that wall or surface of the first panel 154 which interfaces with the internal storage area 158). A release liner 162 is positioned over this adhesive 160 (shown in spaced relation in FIG. 6B for clarity, but the release liner 162 will actually be positioned on this adhesive 160). Prior to removing the release liner 162, the container 152 is in a configuration for storing one or more blister cards 10 between dosing events.

(37) The release liner 162 may utilize a doubling-back configuration. Referring to FIG. 6B, the release liner 162 may extend from one of its ends 164 toward a closed container end 172 of the container 152, and may be positioned on the adhesive 160. At location 168, the release liner 162 doubles back toward the container opening 170 where it terminates at a free end 166. In the illustrated embodiment, the end 164 of the release liner 162 is located between it free end 166 and the closed container end 172 (in a dimension coinciding with a spacing between the container opening 170 and the closed container end 172). In the illustrated embodiment, the doubling-back portion of the release liner 162 extends through and past the container opening 170 such that its free end 166 is located outside of the internal storage area 158 of the container 152.

(38) The free end 166 of the release liner 162 may be pulled away from the container 152 so as to expose the adhesive 160 on the inside wall of the first panel 154 in preparation for disposal of each blister card 10 contained within the internal storage area 158 (e.g., to dispose the container 152 in a configuration for disposal with unused pharmaceutical product 30 remaining in a single blister card 10). This configuration is shown in FIG. 6C. The container 152 thereafter may be compressed in a direction corresponding with the spacing between the first panel 154 and the second panel 156 (i.e., to reduce the spacing between the first panel 154 and second panel 156) so that the blister pack 10 is brought into engagement with and adheres to the inside wall or surface of the first panel 154. As the container 152 does not include any openable access after being disposed in this configuration (e.g., no openable cover/lid/flap; no perforations or scoring included by the container 152 for defining an openable cover/lid/flap; such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time), the blister card 10 should be rendered at least substantially inaccessible at this time.

(39) When the release liner 162 is removed in the case of the container 152 of FIGS. 6A-C, the side of the blister card 10 that incorporates the openings 22 for its various receptacles 18 (and any remaining coverings 20; e.g., its upper surface 14) may be disposed in interfacing relation with the adhesive 160 on the inside wall of the first panel 154 to bond this side of the blister card 10 to the interior surface of the first panel 154 (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time). Again, FIG. 6C shows the blister card 10 prior to actually being bonded to the inside wall of the first panel 154. Bonding the blister card 10 to the first panel 154 in the noted manner disposes the blister card 10 within the internal storage area 170 of the container 152, which should reduce the potential of pharmaceutical product 30 thereafter being removed from such a blister card 10 (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time). If the container 152 is formed so as to not be easily ruptured, torn, or the like, either side of the blister card 10 could be bonded to the inside wall of the first panel 154 to become bonded within the interior of the container 152 and rendered at least substantially inaccessible (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time).

(40) Another embodiment of a pharmaceutical product supply is illustrated in FIGS. 6D-E, is a variation of the pharmaceutical product supply 150 of FIGS. 6A-C, and is identified by reference numeral 150. Corresponding components between the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-C and the embodiment of FIGS. 6D-E are identified by the same reference numeral. Those corresponding components that differ in at least some respect are identified by a single prime designation in FIGS. 6D-E. In this regard, the primary distinction between these embodiments is that the container 152 in the embodiment of FIGS. 6D-E also includes adhesive 160 on the inside wall of the second panel 156, along with a corresponding release liner 162 of the above-noted type/configuration. Each release liner 162 is shown in spaced relation to its corresponding adhesive 160 in FIG. 6D for clarity, but each release liner 162 will actually be positioned on its corresponding adhesive 160.

(41) Consider the case where a single blister card 10 is disposed within the container 152 and as shown in FIGS. 6D-E. When the two release liners 162 are removed in the above-noted manner, the container 152 may be compressed to dispose each of the two sides of the blister card 10 (its upper surface 14 and lower surface 16) in interfacing relation with the adjacent inner wall of the panels 154, 156 (e.g., disposes the blister card 10 within the interior of a stack defined by the first panel 154, the blister card 10, and the second panel 156). Bonding the blister card 10 to the inner wall of each of the panels 154, 156 in this manner disposes the blister card 10 within the internal storage area 170 of the container 152, which should reduce the potential of pharmaceutical product 30 thereafter being removed from such a blister card 10 (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time).

(42) If the container 152 is formed so as to not be easily ruptured, torn, or the like, two blister cards 10 could be contained within the container 152 when disposed in a configuration for disposal. Either side of a first blister card 10 could be bonded to the inside wall of the first panel 154 to become bonded within the interior of the container 152 and rendered at least substantially inaccessible (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time). Either side of second blister card 10 could be bonded to the inside wall of the second panel 156 to become bonded within the interior of the container 152 and rendered at least substantially inaccessible (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time).

(43) Another embodiment of a pharmaceutical product supply is illustrated in FIGS. 7A-C, is identified by reference numeral 100, and is a variation of the pharmaceutical product supply 100 of FIGS. 4A-C. Corresponding components between these two embodiments are identified by the same reference numeral. Those corresponding components that differ in at least some respect are identified by a single prime designation in FIGS. 7A-C.

(44) The pharmaceutical product supply 100 includes a container 102 in the form of a three-paneled structure. The container 102 includes a first panel 104 and the above-discussed second panel 112. The first panel 104 in this embodiment is actually itself a two-paneled structureincluding a first panel section 104a and a second panel section 122. An intersection or fold line 126 may exist between the first panel 104 and the second panel 112.

(45) The first panel section 104a includes a first surface 110. An adhesive 120 is included on all or part of this first surface 110. The first panel section 104a may be characterized as having a pair of oppositely disposed ends 106, 108. The end 106 is disposed at the intersection 126 with the second panel 112.

(46) Instead of being in the form of a release liner 122 in the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-C, reference numeral 122 in the embodiment of FIGS. 7A-C is actually in the form of a second panel section 122. All or part of a surface of the second panel section 122 that may be disposed in overlying relation to the first panel section 104a includes adhesive 120. One or more removable release liners 129 may be disposed between the adhesive 120 on first panel section 104a and the second panel section 122.

(47) One end 124b of the second panel section 122 is attached to the first panel section 104a at or near its free end 108 (more generally, at a location spaced from where the first panel section 104a adjoins the second panel 112). The other end 124a of the second panel section 122 is free so that the second panel section 122 may be pulled away from the first surface 110 of the first panel section 104a. Prior to removing the release liner(s) 129, the first panel 104 (along with each release liner 129) may be pivoted in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 7A so as to be disposed in overlying relation to the second panel 112, to in turn dispose the container 102 in a configuration for storing one or more blister cards 10 between dosing events.

(48) The second panel section 122 may be moved in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 7A (e.g., pivoted about a fold line between the first panel section 104a and the second panel section 122) to expose the each release liner 129 (located between the first panel section 104a and the second panel section 122 when disposed in interfacing or overlying relation) in preparation for disposal of the associated blister card(s) 10 (e.g., to dispose the container 102 in a configuration for disposal with unused pharmaceutical product 30 remaining in one or more blister cards 10). This may be referred to as opening the first panel 104. A patient or other user may grab the free end 124a of the second panel section 122 (FIG. 7A) and move the same entirely away from the first surface 110 of the first panel section 104a and at least generally in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 7A. However, the second panel section 122 extends from and remains attached to the first panel section 104a (e.g. FIG. 7B). With the second panel section 122 being moved away from the first surface 110 of the first panel section 104a, the first panel section 104a may be pivoted in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 7A (also depicted by the arrow in FIG. 7B; e.g., about a fold line between the first panel section 104a and the second panel 112) so that its first surface 110 comes into contact with the front side 114 of the second panel 112 (the side of the second panel 112 that includes or provides access to at least one blister card 10 in the illustrated configuration). The second panel section 122 (again attached to or extending from first panel section 104a at a location spaced from its intersection 126 with the second panel 112) may be pulled around an end section 118 of the second panel 112 and may be disposed against and adhered to at least part of the back side 116 of the second panel 112. As the container 102 does not include any openable access after being disposed in this configuration (e.g., no openable cover/lid/flap; no perforations or scoring included by the container 102 for defining an openable cover/lid/flap; such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time), the blister card 10 should be rendered at least substantially inaccessible at this time.

(49) Bonding the first panel section 104a of the first panel 104 to the front side 114 of the second panel 112, bonding the second panel section 122 to the back side 116 of the second panel 112, or both, should reduce the potential of pharmaceutical product 30 thereafter being removed from any blister card 10 within or incorporated by the container 102 (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time). Bonding the first panel section 104a of the first panel 104 to the front side 114 of the second panel 112, bonding the second panel section 122 to the back side 116 of the second panel 112, or both, disposes one or more blister cards 10 within the interior of the container 102, which should reduce the potential of pharmaceutical product 30 thereafter being removed from any such blister card 10 (e.g., such that no covering 20 for any receptacle 18 of the blister card 10 is accessible at this time).

(50) The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.