WO1998029083A1 - Medicine dispensing device - Google Patents

Medicine dispensing device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998029083A1
WO1998029083A1 PCT/CA1997/000998 CA9700998W WO9829083A1 WO 1998029083 A1 WO1998029083 A1 WO 1998029083A1 CA 9700998 W CA9700998 W CA 9700998W WO 9829083 A1 WO9829083 A1 WO 9829083A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tray
cover
sheet
container
grid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA1997/000998
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jean Provost
Original Assignee
Jean Provost
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jean Provost filed Critical Jean Provost
Priority to AU54738/98A priority Critical patent/AU5473898A/en
Publication of WO1998029083A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998029083A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
    • A61J1/03—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
    • A61J1/035—Blister-type containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/003—Protecting areas of the parts to be joined from overheating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
    • B29C66/131—Single flanged joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being rigid and flanged in the joint area
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/20—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines
    • B29C66/24—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight
    • B29C66/242—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines being closed, i.e. forming closed contours
    • B29C66/2424—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines being closed, i.e. forming closed contours being a closed polygonal chain
    • B29C66/24243—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines being closed, i.e. forming closed contours being a closed polygonal chain forming a quadrilateral
    • B29C66/24244—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines being closed, i.e. forming closed contours being a closed polygonal chain forming a quadrilateral forming a rectangle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/534—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars
    • B29C66/5346—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars said single elements being substantially flat
    • B29C66/53461—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars said single elements being substantially flat joining substantially flat covers and/or substantially flat bottoms to open ends of container bodies
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B29C66/7232—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer
    • B29C66/72327—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer consisting of natural products or their composites, not provided for in B29C66/72321 - B29C66/72324
    • B29C66/72328—Paper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
    • B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
    • B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
    • B65D75/325—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil
    • B65D75/327—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil and forming several compartments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/733—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, e.g. fluorescence, phosphorescence
    • B29C66/7336—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, e.g. fluorescence, phosphorescence at least one of the parts to be joined being opaque, transparent or translucent to visible light
    • B29C66/73365—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, e.g. fluorescence, phosphorescence at least one of the parts to be joined being opaque, transparent or translucent to visible light at least one of the parts to be joined being transparent or translucent to visible light
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
    • B29L2031/7162—Boxes, cartons, cases
    • B29L2031/7164—Blister packages

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a medicine dispensing device and, more particularly, to an improved dosage dispensing pill container that is personalized.
  • Braverman et al proposes a base or tray having a plurality of open bowls or pockets for receiving the drug dosage.
  • the tray is covered by a cover made of paper or other suitable sheet of material that accepts printing.
  • the cover is glued with an adhesive to the base and particularly the flanges surrounding the pockets.
  • the cover includes indicia corresponding to the dosage in each pocket. The indicia is printed on the cover carried by a continuous web or car- rier passing through a suitable computer printer.
  • McKee suggests a series of closed pouches in which the doses are supplied, and each pouch has a label on which the time and dosage description have been printed.
  • the label is supplied as a continuous strip.
  • a dispensing system according to the Braverman et al patent is preferred.
  • the dosage is supplied in individual, labeled packets that can be opened by the patient.
  • the cover in Braverman et al is retained on the tray pocket or bowl by means of an adhesive.
  • Adhesives are necessarily liquid and generate vapors. Since the dosage, in the form of pills for instance, is placed in the bowls before the cover is fixed to the base, the adhesive will by necessity be fresh and in a liquid state when the cover is applied to the base. Thus, the adhesive vapors will be emitted adjacent the pills. This presents a potential health hazard since the medication could absorb the pos- sibly toxic vapors.
  • a construction in accordance with the present invention comprises at least a medicine distribution package comprising an open top container for containing a single dosage of medicine.
  • the container is made of a relatively stiff thermoplastic material compatible with the packaging of pharmaceutical materials.
  • the container defines a flange surrounding the open top thereof and the flange lies in a common plane.
  • the package includes a cover in the form of a flexible sheet having at least a ply of thermoplastic material that is compatible with pharmaceutical materials and that is bondable with the flange of the container upon the application of heat to the thermoplastic ply of the cover and the flange, and the cover includes a surface that accepts indicia identifying the recipient and the dosage as well as the prescribed time for the consumption of the dosage.
  • the container forms part of a tray made up of a plurality of identical containers joined in a single plane at the flanges and individually separable by weakened lines, while the cover is formed from a larger sheet having serrated lines coincident with the weakened lines of the tray such that a cover portion corresponding to a particular container will be part of the single dosage package when the container is separated from the tray.
  • the cover includes a ply of paper to which the ply of thermoplastic material has been lami- nated, and the larger cover sheet is preprinted with the individual dosage indicia located on the cover portion corresponding to each container.
  • a method in accordance with the present invention comprises the steps of forming rectangular trays of stiff thermoplastic material compatible with pharmaceutical products, with each tray defining a sheet in a common plane forming a plurality of pockets defining individual containers having open tops in each sheet, defining a grid of intersecting linear weakened lines in the sheet between each pocket to form flanges surrounding each open top of each container, forming a cover sheet by laminating a ply of thermoplastic material compatible with pharmaceutical products to a web of printable sheet material where the ply of thermoplastic material is bondable to the material of the tray, printing identifying indicia for individual dosages on portions of the web of sheet material corresponding to containers in the tray, forming a grid of linear perforations on the cover corresponding to the grid of weakened lines on the tray, filling single dosages in each container so formed, applying the cover sheet to a corresponding tray, applying heat to the cover sheet and the tray so as to cause the bonding of the thermoplastic ply of the cover to the flanges of the so-
  • An apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a heat conductive substrate having a shape conforming to the bottom of a tray of thermoplastic material, the tray including a sheet in a common plane and formed with a plurality of pockets extending downwardly from the sheet, the sheet having a grid of weakened lines between the pockets, a heated plate for seal- ing a cover to the tray wherein the cover includes a paper sheet and a ply of thermoplastic material bondable with the material of the tray, the cover including a grid of linear perforations corresponding to the grid of weakened lines on the sheet of the tray, and the heated plate having a grid of linear grooves corresponding to the grid of linear perforations on the cover, such that, when the plate is used to apply heat to the cover to bond it to the sheet of the tray in the substrate, the grooves in the plate will bridge the linear perforations, thereby avoiding heat application in the area of the perforations .
  • Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a medicine dispensing device in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view taken from the other side thereof of the device shown in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a dispensing package taken from the dispensing device of Figs. 1 and 2;
  • Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the dispensing device shown in Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end elevation of the dispensing device and showing the elements of Fig. 4;
  • Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-section of the area shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5;
  • Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical cross-section of an apparatus for completing the assembly of the dis- pensing device of Figs. 1 and 2.
  • the dispensing device 10 includes a tray 12 and a cover 14.
  • the tray 12 is made from a sheet of PVC and includes planar sheet 16 in which hooks 18 are cut out. Reinforcement indentations are also provided in the top part of the sheet 16.
  • the slit lines are, in the present embodiment, spaced-apart, short, slit perforations formed by die cutting the sheet 16.
  • Each pack or container 20 defined by slit lines 22 and 24 includes a pocket 26 having a bottom wall 30 and side walls 32 with a flange 28 surrounding the pocket 26.
  • the tray 12 is generally transparent.
  • a suitable film is a rigid PVC film known as "PureTherm 1001C" (a trade-mark of PurePlast Inc.). This PVC film is said to have excellent resistance to a chemical attack and is designed for packaging a pharmaceutical. Any such film must meet H.P.B. and F.D.A. requirements (DMF-8668) .
  • the heat seal range is from 150°C. to 190°C. Its thermoforming range is 120°C. to 175°C.
  • the tray 12 is meant to hold individual dosages of medication, in each pocket 26, for a designated patient.
  • a cover 14 is applied to the tray 12.
  • the cover 14 will be preprinted with the patient's name and specifications as will be described further.
  • the cover 14 is preferably made of a paper sheet 34 to which a PVC coating 36 has been applied.
  • the PVC coating 36 although more flexible than the PVC film utilized for the tray 12, must have similar characteristics in terms of its suitability for use in packaging of pharmaceuticals and its heat seal range since it is to be bonded with the flanges 28 of the sheet 16.
  • the cover 14 could be cut from a continuous web which is passed through a printer connected to a computer.
  • the patient indicia including information such as the patient's name, the dosage, the location of the patient, and the time of consumption of the dosage, can be printed in sectors on the web corresponding to the containers 20 of the tray 16.
  • a grid of perforated lines 38 and 42 is also cut in the cover 14, and this grid corresponds to the grid of lines 22 and 24 on the tray.
  • the grid of lines 38 and 42 on cover 14 will overlay exactly the grid of lines 22 and 24 of the tray 12.
  • a heat seal device which includes a base 44 and a top heat seal plate 46 which might be hinged to the base 44.
  • the base 44 would be provided with a shape corresponding to the bottom shape of the tray 12.
  • the plate 46 is characterized by grooves 48 which correspond to the grid of perforated lines 38 and 42 on the cover 14.
  • the heating plate 46 is brought into contact with the cover 14.
  • the heating plate will be sufficient to bond the PVC coating 36 to the flange 28.
  • the heating plate 46 and optionally the base 44 will increase the temperature of the PVC material to the heat seal range of between 150°C. and 190°C. for a very short period of time.
  • the grooves 48 correspond to the perforated lines 38 and 42. Thus, the heat of the plate 46 will not be communicated to the immediate area of the perforated lines 38, for instance, to avoid the melting of the coating 36 at the perforated line 38 which would thus cover the perforations.
  • the dispensing device 10 can be sent out to a hospital or residence.
  • the attendants can then deliver the individual containers 20 separated from the dispensing device 10, and hand them out individually to the patient with the cover portion intact on the package but with the indicia 40 clearly identifying the dosage and the time.

Abstract

A medicine dispensing device (10) comprising an open top container (20) for containing a single dosage of medicine, the container (20) being made of a relatively stiff thermoplastic material compatible with the packaging of pharmaceutical materials. The container (20) defines a flange (28) surrounding the open tray (12) thereof and the flange (28) lies in a common plane. The dispensing device (10) includes a cover (14) in the form of a flexible sheet having at least a ply (36) of thermoplastic material that is compatible with pharmaceutical materials and that is bondable with the flange (28) of the container (20) upon application of heat to the thermoplastic ply (36) of the cover (14) and the flange (28). The cover (14) includes a surface that accepts indicia (40) identifying the recipient and the dosage as well as the prescribed time for the consumption of the dosage.

Description

MEDICINE DISPENSING DEVICE
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a medicine dispensing device and, more particularly, to an improved dosage dispensing pill container that is personalized.
Background Art
There are different personalized dosage dispensing systems presently in use. One such system is described in Canadian Patent 1,310,936, Webster, 1992 (EP-263, 695) . This patent describes a multi-pocket tray, forming cells into which dosages of pills are placed, to be distributed according to a time schedule indicated on the cover for the tray. The cover is hinged to the tray.
Other examples of such personal dispensing sys- terns are U. S. Patent 4,416,375, Braverman et al, 1983, and U. S. 4,860,899, McKee, 1989. Braverman et al proposes a base or tray having a plurality of open bowls or pockets for receiving the drug dosage. The tray is covered by a cover made of paper or other suitable sheet of material that accepts printing. The cover is glued with an adhesive to the base and particularly the flanges surrounding the pockets. The cover includes indicia corresponding to the dosage in each pocket. The indicia is printed on the cover carried by a continuous web or car- rier passing through a suitable computer printer.
McKee suggests a series of closed pouches in which the doses are supplied, and each pouch has a label on which the time and dosage description have been printed. The label is supplied as a continuous strip. A dispensing system according to the Braverman et al patent is preferred. In accordance with Braverman et al, the dosage is supplied in individual, labeled packets that can be opened by the patient. However, the cover in Braverman et al is retained on the tray pocket or bowl by means of an adhesive. Adhesives are necessarily liquid and generate vapors. Since the dosage, in the form of pills for instance, is placed in the bowls before the cover is fixed to the base, the adhesive will by necessity be fresh and in a liquid state when the cover is applied to the base. Thus, the adhesive vapors will be emitted adjacent the pills. This presents a potential health hazard since the medication could absorb the pos- sibly toxic vapors.
Disclosure Of The Invention
It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved medication dispensing system that is an improvement over U. S. Patent 4,416,375 by having a cover that is fixed to the base in a manner that is adhesive free.
It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an improved dispenser for the purpose of delivering a medication dosage directly from the pharmacist to the patient without third party intervention, while utilizing a device that is simpler than the prior art devices.
It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an improved method of preparing and dispensing medication to individual patients on a dosage basis.
A construction in accordance with the present invention comprises at least a medicine distribution package comprising an open top container for containing a single dosage of medicine. The container is made of a relatively stiff thermoplastic material compatible with the packaging of pharmaceutical materials. The container defines a flange surrounding the open top thereof and the flange lies in a common plane. The package includes a cover in the form of a flexible sheet having at least a ply of thermoplastic material that is compatible with pharmaceutical materials and that is bondable with the flange of the container upon the application of heat to the thermoplastic ply of the cover and the flange, and the cover includes a surface that accepts indicia identifying the recipient and the dosage as well as the prescribed time for the consumption of the dosage.
In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the container forms part of a tray made up of a plurality of identical containers joined in a single plane at the flanges and individually separable by weakened lines, while the cover is formed from a larger sheet having serrated lines coincident with the weakened lines of the tray such that a cover portion corresponding to a particular container will be part of the single dosage package when the container is separated from the tray.
In a still more specific embodiment of the present invention, the cover includes a ply of paper to which the ply of thermoplastic material has been lami- nated, and the larger cover sheet is preprinted with the individual dosage indicia located on the cover portion corresponding to each container.
A method in accordance with the present invention comprises the steps of forming rectangular trays of stiff thermoplastic material compatible with pharmaceutical products, with each tray defining a sheet in a common plane forming a plurality of pockets defining individual containers having open tops in each sheet, defining a grid of intersecting linear weakened lines in the sheet between each pocket to form flanges surrounding each open top of each container, forming a cover sheet by laminating a ply of thermoplastic material compatible with pharmaceutical products to a web of printable sheet material where the ply of thermoplastic material is bondable to the material of the tray, printing identifying indicia for individual dosages on portions of the web of sheet material corresponding to containers in the tray, forming a grid of linear perforations on the cover corresponding to the grid of weakened lines on the tray, filling single dosages in each container so formed, applying the cover sheet to a corresponding tray, applying heat to the cover sheet and the tray so as to cause the bonding of the thermoplastic ply of the cover to the flanges of the so- formed container in order to seal the container, and dispensing the single dosage by separating the prescribed container from the tray and distributing the container to the patient.
An apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a heat conductive substrate having a shape conforming to the bottom of a tray of thermoplastic material, the tray including a sheet in a common plane and formed with a plurality of pockets extending downwardly from the sheet, the sheet having a grid of weakened lines between the pockets, a heated plate for seal- ing a cover to the tray wherein the cover includes a paper sheet and a ply of thermoplastic material bondable with the material of the tray, the cover including a grid of linear perforations corresponding to the grid of weakened lines on the sheet of the tray, and the heated plate having a grid of linear grooves corresponding to the grid of linear perforations on the cover, such that, when the plate is used to apply heat to the cover to bond it to the sheet of the tray in the substrate, the grooves in the plate will bridge the linear perforations, thereby avoiding heat application in the area of the perforations .
Brief Description Of The Drawings
Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompa- nying drawings, showing by way of illustration, a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:
Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a medicine dispensing device in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view taken from the other side thereof of the device shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a dispensing package taken from the dispensing device of Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the dispensing device shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end elevation of the dispensing device and showing the elements of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-section of the area shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5; and
Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical cross-section of an apparatus for completing the assembly of the dis- pensing device of Figs. 1 and 2.
Mode For Carrying Out The Invention
Referring now to the drawings, the dispensing device 10 includes a tray 12 and a cover 14.
The tray 12 is made from a sheet of PVC and includes planar sheet 16 in which hooks 18 are cut out. Reinforcement indentations are also provided in the top part of the sheet 16. A grid of slit lines, including lateral lines 22 and longitudinal lines 24, divides the sheet 16 into individual containers 20. The slit lines are, in the present embodiment, spaced-apart, short, slit perforations formed by die cutting the sheet 16.
Each pack or container 20 defined by slit lines 22 and 24 includes a pocket 26 having a bottom wall 30 and side walls 32 with a flange 28 surrounding the pocket 26.
The tray 12 is generally transparent. One example of a suitable film is a rigid PVC film known as "PureTherm 1001C" (a trade-mark of PurePlast Inc.). This PVC film is said to have excellent resistance to a chemical attack and is designed for packaging a pharmaceutical. Any such film must meet H.P.B. and F.D.A. requirements (DMF-8668) . In the present embodiment, the heat seal range is from 150°C. to 190°C. Its thermoforming range is 120°C. to 175°C.
The tray 12 is meant to hold individual dosages of medication, in each pocket 26, for a designated patient. A dispensing device 10, which includes the tray 12 with a plurality of individual containers 20, might be suitable for a one-week supply of dosages for a patient. Once the dosages have been provided in each of the pockets 26 of individual containers 20, a cover 14 is applied to the tray 12. The cover 14 will be preprinted with the patient's name and specifications as will be described further. The cover 14 is preferably made of a paper sheet 34 to which a PVC coating 36 has been applied. The PVC coating 36, although more flexible than the PVC film utilized for the tray 12, must have similar characteristics in terms of its suitability for use in packaging of pharmaceuticals and its heat seal range since it is to be bonded with the flanges 28 of the sheet 16. The cover 14 could be cut from a continuous web which is passed through a printer connected to a computer. The patient indicia, including information such as the patient's name, the dosage, the location of the patient, and the time of consumption of the dosage, can be printed in sectors on the web corresponding to the containers 20 of the tray 16. A grid of perforated lines 38 and 42 is also cut in the cover 14, and this grid corresponds to the grid of lines 22 and 24 on the tray. Thus, when individual cover sheets 14 are applied to a specific tray 12, the grid of lines 38 and 42 on cover 14 will overlay exactly the grid of lines 22 and 24 of the tray 12.
As shown in Fig. 7, the pharmacist would normally be supplied with a heat seal device which includes a base 44 and a top heat seal plate 46 which might be hinged to the base 44. The base 44 would be provided with a shape corresponding to the bottom shape of the tray 12. The plate 46 is characterized by grooves 48 which correspond to the grid of perforated lines 38 and 42 on the cover 14. As the cover 14 is placed on the tray 12 within the base 44, the heating plate 46 is brought into contact with the cover 14. The heating plate will be sufficient to bond the PVC coating 36 to the flange 28. Thus, the heating plate 46 and optionally the base 44 will increase the temperature of the PVC material to the heat seal range of between 150°C. and 190°C. for a very short period of time. The grooves 48 correspond to the perforated lines 38 and 42. Thus, the heat of the plate 46 will not be communicated to the immediate area of the perforated lines 38, for instance, to avoid the melting of the coating 36 at the perforated line 38 which would thus cover the perforations.
Once the cover 14 has been bonded to the tray 12, the dispensing device 10 can be sent out to a hospital or residence. The attendants can then deliver the individual containers 20 separated from the dispensing device 10, and hand them out individually to the patient with the cover portion intact on the package but with the indicia 40 clearly identifying the dosage and the time.

Claims

CLAIMS :
1. A medicine distribution package comprising an open top container for containing a single dosage of medicine, the container being made of a relatively stiff thermoplastic material compatible with the packaging of pharmaceutical materials, the container defining a flange surrounding the open top thereof and the flange lying in a common plane; the package including a cover in the form of a flexible sheet having at least a ply of thermo- plastic material that is compatible with pharmaceutical materials and that is bondable with the flange of the container upon application of heat to the thermoplastic ply of the cover and the flange, and the cover including a surface that includes indicia identifying the recipient and the dosage as well as the prescribed time for the consumption of the dosage.
2. The distribution package as defined in claim 1, wherein the container is made of a transparent stiff PVC film including a bottom wall, side walls, an open top, and a flange extending continuously about the open top, the cover including a ply of PVC coating which is bond- able with the PVC material of the flange of the container upon application of heat.
3. A device for dispensing medication comprising a tray made up of a plurality of identical open top containers, each for containing a single dosage of medicine, the tray being made of a relatively stiff thermoplastic material compatible with the packaging of pharmaceutical materials, the tray including a planar sheet and a grid of linear weakened lines intersecting each other on the planar sheet dividing the tray into individual containers, the cover including a sheet corresponding to the planar sheet of the tray and a grid of intersecting linear perforated lines formed on the cover corresponding to the grid of weakened lines on the tray and dividing the cover into cover portions, the cover including at least a ply of thermoplastic material compatible with pharmaceutical materials and bondable, on the application of heat, to the flanges of the tray and a ply suitable for receiving indicia, each cover portion having indicia described thereon identifying the patient, the dosage, and the time.
4. The medication dispensing device as defined in claim 3, wherein the cover includes a paper sheet and a PVC coating on the paper sheet, the tray being made of a stiff PVC transparent material and the PVC coating of the cover being bondable to the PVC material of the tray when heat is applied to the coating and the flanges of the tray.
5. A method of dispensing medication to individual patients on a dosage basis comprising the steps of forming rectangular trays of stiff thermoplastic material compatible with pharmaceutical products, with each tray defining a sheet in a common plane, forming a plurality of pockets defining individual containers having open tops in each sheet, defining a grid of intersecting linear weakened lines in the sheet between each pocket to form flanges surrounding each open top of each container, forming a cover sheet by laminating a ply of thermoplastic material compatible with pharmaceutical products to a web of printable sheet material where the ply of thermoplastic material is bondable to the material of the tray, printing identifying indicia for individual dosages on portions of the web of sheet material corresponding to the containers in the tray, forming a grid of linear perforations on the cover corresponding to the grid of weakened lines on the tray, filling single dosages in each container so formed, applying the cover sheet to a corresponding tray and applying heat to the cover sheet and the tray so as to cause the bonding of the thermo- plastic ply of the cover to the flanges of the so-formed container in order to seal the container, and dispensing the single dosage by separating the prescribed container from the tray and cover and distributing the container to the patient.
6. An apparatus for preparing a medicine dispensing device comprising a heat conductive substrate having a shape conforming to the bottom of a tray of thermoplastic material, where the tray includes a sheet in a common plane and formed with a plurality of pockets extending downwardly from the sheet, the sheet having a grid of weakened lines between the pockets, a heated plate for sealing a cover to the tray wherein the cover includes a paper sheet and a ply of thermoplastic material bondable with the material of the tray, the cover including a grid of linear perforations corresponding to the grid of weakened lines on the sheet of the tray, and the heated plate having a grid of linear grooves corresponding to the grid of linear perforations on the cover, such that when the plate is used to apply heat to the cover to bond it to the sheet of the tray in the substrate, the grooves in the plate will bridge the linear perforations between, thereby avoiding heat application in the area of the perforations.
PCT/CA1997/000998 1996-12-30 1997-12-29 Medicine dispensing device WO1998029083A1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU54738/98A AU5473898A (en) 1996-12-30 1997-12-29 Medicine dispensing device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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CA 2194134 CA2194134A1 (en) 1996-12-30 1996-12-30 Medicine dispensing device
CA2,194,134 1996-12-30

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CA (1) CA2194134A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1998029083A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003055770A1 (en) * 2002-01-04 2003-07-10 Michael Von Seidel A medicine dispensing system and components thereof
CN109192989A (en) * 2018-08-27 2019-01-11 广州倬粤动力新能源有限公司 The processing method of grid
FR3100532A1 (en) * 2019-09-10 2021-03-12 Neovia SUPPLEMENTARY ANIMAL FEED PACKAGING KIT

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US4416375A (en) 1982-04-30 1983-11-22 Medi-Dose, Inc. Computer print form cover sheet for multi-compartment medicinal dispensing device
EP0263695A2 (en) 1986-10-08 1988-04-13 Manrex Limited Medication carrier and insert therefor
US4860899A (en) 1988-01-11 1989-08-29 Rna, Incorporated Medication control system
US5014851A (en) * 1989-06-16 1991-05-14 Multi-Comp, Inc. Package assembly for dispensing pharmaceutical medications and method of manufacturing the same
DE4324771A1 (en) * 1993-02-05 1994-08-18 Karl Martin Gebhardt Drug allocating container

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US3780856A (en) * 1971-07-26 1973-12-25 Medi Dose Inc Medicinal dispensing device
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EP0077756A1 (en) * 1981-10-19 1983-04-27 Schweizerische Aluminium Ag Apparatus for closing filled containers
US4416375A (en) 1982-04-30 1983-11-22 Medi-Dose, Inc. Computer print form cover sheet for multi-compartment medicinal dispensing device
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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003055770A1 (en) * 2002-01-04 2003-07-10 Michael Von Seidel A medicine dispensing system and components thereof
CN109192989A (en) * 2018-08-27 2019-01-11 广州倬粤动力新能源有限公司 The processing method of grid
FR3100532A1 (en) * 2019-09-10 2021-03-12 Neovia SUPPLEMENTARY ANIMAL FEED PACKAGING KIT

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU5473898A (en) 1998-07-31
CA2194134A1 (en) 1998-05-16

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