Carded blister pack

Abstract

A blister pack (20) folded wallet has a mounting card (12), with a [hinged] spine segment (15), and an adhesive edge strip (16). Overlaid by a pre-formed blister pack (11), for mutual (edge) entrainment; a dedicated assembly machine entrains mounting cards and blister packs stored in respective magazines. Child resistance is available through cover latching and / or paper reinforced foil laminate (161), with through apertures (166) and perforations (163, 165) for selective localised paper patch (169) removal, over individual blister pockets (168).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to so-called `blister packs` (or simply `blisters`) and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with blister pack mounting, capture or entrainment in, with, upon, or in relation to other elements or structures--say for ease and security of transport and / or storage.[0002] Some aspects of the invention are concerned with tamper-resistant, in particular child-resistant, and / or tamper evident (blister) pack features.[0003] Terminology[0004] The term `blister pack` is used herein to embrace a pre-formed or pre-configured packaging sheet or layer, for example configured as a shallow tray, pre-profiled with multiple localised compartments or pockets.[0005] The individual compartment profile conveniently complements that of the intended contents, to ensure a snug relative interfit.[0006] The pocket wall affords some resistance to impact, but is typically deformable to allow contents displacement and ejection, and modest cushioning action.[0007] The term...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention relates to a mounting card and blister pack that are bonded together. The bonding is done by applying adhesive to one edge of the mounting card and affixing it to the blister pack. The adhesive can be applied along the spine folds in the card. The blister pack can be made of cardboard or plastic and can have access apertures for easy removal of patches of paper backing. The invention allows for easy assembly on conventional packaging machinery and minimal structural adaption of the blister pack. The invention also provides a means for accessing the blister pocket contents without compromising the child-proof features of the pack."

Problems solved by technology

The pocket wall affords some resistance to impact, but is typically deformable to allow contents displacement and ejection, and modest cushioning action.

The paper overlay effectively obscures the foil--and so impedes localised or `piecemeal` foil and blister separation, as described later.

Given their construction, blister packs, and particularly the intentionally frangible (and so fragile) backing foil layer, are vulnerable to inadvertent (impact or abrasion) contact damage and consequent unintentional pack rupture and attendant product fracture, fragmentation, or displacement and loss.

Thus folding, creasing or crushing, such as may arise by carrying a foil-backed blister in the pocket, can lead to contents contamination, displacement and loss altogether.

Similarly, casual handling by a naturally inquisitive child can enable accidental contents access--and the risk of hazardous consumption.

Colour and / or shape encoding of tablet or capsule contents may also be adopted albeit at the risk of unduly complicating the patient task in compliance with the trial sponsor's intentions.

Accordingly, their use is only justifiable economically for long production runs of consistent pack format--that is without frequent interruption for re-setting.

However, subsequent blister and card handling, relative orientation and assembly steps for packaging, pack mounting, or wallet pack assembly and insertion, are generally more elaborate and cumbersome--and so much slower to effect.

Thus blister pack carding may prove either incompatible, or slow blister pack production, possibly to uneconomic levels, for short runs, such as may be dictated by clinical trial studies.

A practical problem arises with securing a cover flap to a foil backed, and in particular paper-foil laminate backed, blister pack.

Thus, whilst a sufficient adhesive bond may be formed between cover and foil, the necessary local `relief`, or peelable edge exposure, would be obstructed at the spine joint between cover and blister.

Local paper backing layer removal is difficult to control, without supplementary provision, such as pre-perforation around individual pockets.

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