Thermoformed housing for oxygen absorbing tablets

Abstract

An oxygen absorbing housing (100) made of thermoformed material for packaging individual oxygen absorbing tablets (106) is disclosed. The housing (100) includes a body (102), a top cover (104) over the body (102), and a bottom cover (108). The top cover (104) is made of high-density spunbonded polyethylene fibers or polyvinyl chloride. The bottom cover (108) of the housing (100) has high moisture transmission rate (MVTR) and oxygen transmission rate (OTR) characteristics. The housing (100) is non-rupturable and securely positions the oxygen absorbing tablet (106) in the cavity of the housing (100), thereby minimizing the opportunity of spillage of the contents in the bottle. The housing (100) enables an oxygen absorbing tablet (106) to be easily inserted into a bottle having a narrow opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the packaging of drugs, and particularly to a housing for thermoformed packaging of oxygen-absorbing tablets. Background Art

[0002] The packaging industry plays a crucial role in the commercial field, focusing on the concept and manufacture of various packaging products. Packaging plays a vital role in the transportation, protection, display, and exhibition of goods. The industry has applications in multiple fields, including fast-moving consumer goods, healthcare, and the hospitality industry. In the medical field, packaging plays a crucial role in maintaining product integrity, application suitability, and shelf life. Particularly in drugs, packaging is an important barrier against damage, contamination, external environmental factors, and harmful microorganisms.

[0003] Various types of drug packaging are crucial in the medical and healthcare industries. These include containers, aluminum foils, injectables / vials, bottles, cartons, and combinations incorporating PVC. In the medical field, packaging serves multiple purposes, helping to accurately identify and disseminate information about drugs and pharmaceuticals. A particularly popular and sought-after packaging method is blister wrapping or blister packaging.

[0004] Blister wrapping consists of preformed packaging materials, typically having thermoformed plastic cavities and flexible bendable lids. In this type of packaging, the product is firmly placed in deep-drawn pockets or cavities similar to raised blisters. Blister wrapping is most commonly used for the packaging of pharmaceutical products such as pills, tablets, capsules, and lozenges. Their popularity stems from their ability to effectively protect and present drugs.

[0005] Various types of drug packaging are crucial in the medical and healthcare industries. These include containers, aluminum foils, injectables / vials, bottles, cartons, and combinations incorporating PVC. In the medical field, packaging has multiple uses, helping to accurately identify and disseminate information about drugs and pharmaceuticals. A particularly popular and sought-after packaging method is blister wrapping or blister packaging.

[0006] Blister wrapping has preformed packaging materials, typically having thermoformed plastic cavities and flexible bendable lids. In this type of packaging, the product is firmly placed into deep-drawn pockets or cavities similar to raised blisters. Blister wrapping is most commonly used for the packaging of pharmaceutical products such as pills, tablets, capsules, and lozenges. Their popularity stems from their ability to effectively protect and present drugs.

[0007] U.S. Patent No. US10781027B2, issued to Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH, describes a packaging system designed for injectable drugs sensitive to oxygen. The system utilizes a secondary packaging method, which can take the form of a bag or blister pack. US6279736B1 by Ihab M. Hekal discloses a barrier package with an absorbent that includes a desiccant. The base can be made of peelable aluminum material, and the lid can be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The key feature of these prior art packages is that they are made of thermoformed materials, mainly composed of aluminum. The present invention addresses the problems of existing packaging systems that are prone to cracking, leading to potential spillage of the drugs or tablets contained within the package.

[0008] There is a need for a packaging for oxygen-absorbing tablets that is non-breakable so that individual absorbent tablets can be easily added to a bottle with a narrow opening. There is also a need for a housing that holds the oxygen-absorbing tablets within a cavity and restricts spillage of the oxidized contents within the bottle. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention describes a thermoformed housing 100 for oxygen-absorbing tablets. The housing 100 includes: a body 102 having a cylindrical or hexagonal prism shape; a top lid 104 having a circular or hexagonal shape and capable of being positioned on top of the body 102; a bottom lid 108 that forms the base of the body and has a lid diameter 112; wherein the lid diameter 112 is greater than the diameter of the oxygen-absorbing tablets.

[0010] The top lid 104 is selected from amorphous polyester sheet (APET), crystallized polyester (CPET), and GPET. The top lid 104 is either perforated or non-perforated together with the body 102. The bottom lid 108 is made of high-density spunbonded polyethylene fibers or polyvinyl chloride. The bottom lid 108 is also selected from aluminum, cardboard, Aclar, Cold-form Foil (CFF).

[0011] When the body of the thermoformed housing is circular, the body diameter 110 is in the range of 10 - 15 mm, the lid diameter 112 is in the range of 15 - 20 mm, and the body height 120 is in the range of 5 - 8 mm. When the body of the thermoformed housing is hexagonal, the side 502 is in the range of 6 - 8 mm, the lid diameter 112 is 17.00 - 21.00 mm, the body height 512 is 6.0 - 8.0 mm, the short diagonal 504 is in the range of 10 - 13 mm, the long diagonal 506 is in the range of 11 - 14 mm, the circumradius 508 is in the range of 5 - 7 mm, and the apothem 510 is in the range of 5 - 7 mm. When the body of the thermoformed housing is dome-shaped, the lid diameter 112 is between 15.00 - 21.00 mm, the height of the dome 602 is between 7.00 - 10.00 mm, and the diameter of the dome 604 is in the range of 10 - 14 mm.

[0012] The method of assembling the housing 100 includes: passing the thermoformed sheet through a thermoforming plate heated at a temperature of 110 to 140 °C; more preferably a thermoforming plate heated at a temperature of 120 to 127 °C; filling tablets into the thermoformed recess formed on the thermoformed sheet through a tablet feeder; contacting the sealing material with the thermoformed sheet filled with tablets at a set sealing temperature of 110 to 125 °C, more preferably at a temperature of 113 to 120 °C; and passing the sealed tablets in the sheet through a series of aligned cutting stations to obtain individual blister-containing tablets. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] The objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,

[0014] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the housing 100 made of thermoformed material;

[0015] Figure 2 is a bottom view of the housing 100;

[0016] Figure 3 is a side view of the housing 100;

[0017] Figure 4 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the housing 100 with perforations;

[0018] Figure 5 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the housing 100 having a hexagonal shape;

[0019] Figure 6 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the housing 100 having a dome-shaped cylinder. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0020] As used in the specification, "an embodiment" or "embodiments" means that the specific features, structures, characteristics, or functions described in connection with the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. The phrase "in one embodiment" appearing in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0021] As used in the specification, "preferred embodiment" means that known structures and functions are omitted from the specific features, structures, characteristics, or functions described in detail to clearly describe the present invention.

[0022] For purposes of illustration and description, the above description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been given. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings.

[0023] Reference Figure 1 , a front perspective view of a housing 100 according to the present invention is described. The housing 100 includes a body 102 firmly positioned on a base and a top cover 104 above the body 102. The body 102 is defined by a body 102 having a bottom and a top. The body 102 has a generally circular bottom and a generally circular top. The housing 100 has a bottom cover 108 forming the base of the body 102. The bottom cover 108 has a generally circular shape and is a planar body.

[0024] The diameter of the bottom cover 108 is approximately 1.5 times the diameter of the body 102. The body 102 includes an oxygen absorption tablet 106 that can move freely within the outer shell formed by the body 102, the top cover 104, and the bottom cover 108. The body 102 of the housing 100 has a body diameter 110. The bottom cover 108 of the housing 100 has a cover diameter 112.

[0025] An oxygen absorption tablet 106 is received inside the housing 100. The top cover 104 of the housing 100 shields the oxygen absorption tablet 106 from the top side of the housing 100. The housing 100 has a bottom cover 108 that supports the bottom side of the housing 100. In this one embodiment, the housing 100 is made of a thermoformed material, however, in other embodiments, the housing 100 is made of other materials.

[0026] Reference Figure 2 , a bottom view of the housing 100 is described. According to the present invention, the bottom cover 108 is preferably made of a sealing material having high MVTR and OTR values. The body diameter 110 of the housing is D1, the cover diameter 112 of the housing 100 is D2, and the diameter of the oxygen absorption tablet is D3, where D3 is less than D1, and D2 is greater than D1.

[0027] According to the present invention, the body diameter 110 of the housing 100 is in the range of 10 - 15 mm, the lid diameter 112 of the housing 100 is 15 - 25 mm, and the diameter of the oxygen-absorbing tablet is 5 - 10 mm. The size and composition of the oxygen-absorbing tablet can be modified according to the required oxidation performance to fit the interior of the thermoformed housing.

[0028] Refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , a side view of the housing 100 is disclosed. The housing 100 has a body height 120. The body height 120 of the housing 100 is 5 - 8 mm, and the height of the oxygen-absorbing tablet 106 is in the range of 5 - 8 mm. The diameter of the oxygen-absorbing tablet is 5 - 10 mm. The size and composition of the oxygen-absorbing tablet can be modified according to the required oxidation performance to fit the interior of the thermoformed housing. Alternatively, the top lid 104 and the body 102 are perforated. The size of the perforations varies between 0.0001 mm and 0.0005 mm.

[0029] Reference Figure 5 , a top perspective view of the housing 100 of an alternative embodiment is described. In this embodiment, the top lid 104 is a hexagonal shape located on a hexagonal prism-shaped body 102, and the body 102 has sides 502 in the range of 6 - 8 mm; the lid diameter 112 is 17.00 - 21.00 mm, and the body height 512 is 6.0 - 8.0 mm. The short diagonal 504 is in the range of 10 - 13 mm. The long diagonal 506 is in the range of 11 - 14 mm. The circumradius 508 is in the range of 5 - 7 mm.

[0030] The apothem 510 is in the range of 5 - 7 mm. In this embodiment, the top lid 104 and the body 102 are perforated. The size of the perforations varies between 0.0001 mm and 0.0005 mm, and the diameter of the oxygen-absorbing tablet is between 8 - 16 mm. The height of the body 512 is less than the long diagonal 506 of the hexagonal top lid 104. The sides 502 of the hexagonal polygon and the body height 512 are the same.

[0031] According to the required oxidation performance, the size and composition of the oxygen-absorbing tablet can be changed to fit the interior of the thermoformed housing.

[0032] Reference Figure 6, a top perspective view of the housing 100 of an alternative embodiment is described. In this embodiment, the top cover 104 is dome-shaped. In this embodiment, the cover diameter 112 is between 15.00 - 21.00 mm, and the height 602 of the dome is between 7.00 - 10.00 mm. The diameter 604 of the dome is in the range of 10 - 14 mm. In this embodiment, the body and the cover of the housing 100 are defined by the dome-shaped cover 104. The diameter of the oxygen-absorbing tablet is between 10.00 - 14.00 mm. In order to be installed in a thermoformed housing and achieve the desired oxidation performance, the size and arrangement of the oxygen-absorbing tablets can be changed. The diameter 604 of the dome is approximately 1.5 times the height 602 of the dome.

[0033] According to the present invention, the top cover 104 is selected from amorphous polyester sheet (APET), crystalline polyester (CPET), and GPET, also known as PETG (amorphous PET resin modified with cyclohexanedimethanol). As a specific product for use inside a medicine bottle, the color of the top cover remains red as an indication of a warning to avoid accidental human ingestion. The bottom cover 108 is made of a sealing fabric having high MVTR and OTR values.

[0034] The sealing material is made of high-density spunbonded polyethylene fibers or polyvinyl chloride sheets in different thickness ranges from 0.25 mm to 0.53 mm. The sealing material is selected from DuPont TM (DuPont TM ) etc. It is easy to print product descriptions and usage precautions on the sealing material using inks approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In another embodiment, the sealing material is also selected from aluminum, cardboard, acra, cold stamping forming foil (CFF), etc. The housing 100 is unbreakable and holds the oxygen-absorbing tablets 106 inside the housing 100, thus restricting the spillage of the oxidized contents inside the bottle.

[0035] The following describes the preferred assembly method of the housing 100:

[0036] 1) Pass the thermoformed sheet through a thermoforming plate heated at a temperature of 110 to 140 °C; more preferably through a thermoforming plate heated at a temperature of 120 to 127 °C;

[0037] 2) Fill the thermoformed grooves formed on the thermoformed sheet with tablets through a tablet feeder;

[0038] 3) Bring the sealing material into contact with the thermoformed sheet filled with tablets at a set sealing temperature of 110 to 125 °C, more preferably at a temperature of 113 to 120 °C; and

[0039] 4) The sealed tablets in the sheet are passed through a series of aligned cutting stations to obtain individual tablets sealed by the above method.

[0040] Thus, in a preferred method of assembling the housing 100, first, a thermoformed sheet is fed into the thermoformer and heated to a controlled temperature, typically in the range of 110 to 140 °C, with a particularly preferred temperature between 120 and 127 °C. Then, the tablets are loaded into the thermoformed recesses on the heated sheet using a tablet feeder. Subsequently, at a specified sealing temperature, typically in the range of 110 to 125 °C, a sealing material is applied to the thermoformed sheet filled with the sheet, with a more precisely preferred temperature between 113 and 120 °C. Finally, the sheet with the sealed tablets is cut at a series of aligned cutting stations, thereby firmly sealing the individual tablets through this integrated process. This process is advantageously adhesive-free.

[0041] In view of the following detailed description of some embodiments, these and other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and others. However, it should be understood that this summary and detailed description only illustrate some examples of the various embodiments and are not intended to limit the claimed invention. The following examples illustrate the invention but do not limit the invention.

[0042] Examples:

[0043] Example 1: As Figures 1 to 4 the dimensions of the tablet and the housing 100 shown.

[0044] Serial number Tablet diameter Tablet height Body diameter 110 Cap height 120 Cover diameter 112 1 9.0mm 6.0mm 11.0mm 6.4mm 17.0mm

[0045] Example 2: As Figure 5 the dimensions of the housing 100 shown.

[0046] Edge 502 6.35mm Cover diameter 112 17mm Height 512 6.00mm Short diagonal 504 11.00mm Long diagonal 506 12.7mm Radius of circumscribed circle 508 6.35mm Apothem 510 5.5mm

[0047] Example 3: As Figure 6 the dimensions of the housing 100 shown.

[0048] Cover diameter 112 17mm Dome height 602 8.00mm Dome diameter 604 12.00mm

[0049] The present invention includes a housing 100 made of polyvinyl chloride, which is non-breakable and holds oxygen-absorbing tablets in a cavity while restricting the spillage of oxidized contents in the bottle. The bottom layer has high MVTR and OTR values and has a strong sealing property with the top layer material. The housing 100 with the bottom layer 108 has moisture permeability and oxygen permeability to facilitate the oxygen absorption of the oxygen-absorbing tablets in the thermoformed housing.

[0050] The selection and description of embodiments are made in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical applications, so that those skilled in the art can best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications to suit the particular purposes contemplated.

[0051] It should be understood that various omissions and substitution equivalents may be advisable or convenient according to circumstances, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A thermoformed shell (100) for an oxygen absorption tablet, comprising: i. A body (102) having a cylindrical or hexagonal prism shape; ii. A top cover (104) having a circular or hexagonal shape and capable of being positioned on top of the body (102); and iii. A bottom cover (108) forming the base of the body and having a cover diameter (112); wherein the cover diameter (112) is greater than the diameter of the oxygen absorption tablet.

2. The thermoformed shell (100) according to claim 1, wherein, the top cover (104) is selected from amorphous polyester sheet (APET), crystalline polyester (CPET), and GPET.

3. The thermoformed shell (100) according to claim 1, wherein, the top cover (104) is perforated or non-perforated together with the body (102).

4. The thermoformed shell (100) according to claim 1, wherein, the bottom cover (108) is made of high-density spunbonded polyethylene fibers or polyvinyl chloride.

5. The thermoformed shell (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The bottom cover (108) is also selected from special aluminum, cardboard, akra, cold forming foil (CFF).

6. The thermoformed shell (100) according to claim 1, wherein, when the body is circular, the body diameter (110) is in the range of 10 - 15 mm, the cover diameter (112) is in the range of 15 - 20 mm, and the body height (120) is in the range of 5 - 8 mm.

7. The thermoformed shell (100) according to claim 1, wherein, when the body is hexagonal, the side (502) is in the range of 6 - 8 mm, the cover diameter (112) is 17.00 - 21.00 mm, the body height (512) is 6.0 - 8.0 mm, the short diagonal (504) is in the range of 10 - 13 mm, the long diagonal (506) is in the range of 11 - 14 mm, the circumradius (508) is in the range of 5 - 7 mm, and the apothem (510) is in the range of 5 - 7 mm.

8. The thermoformed shell (100) according to claim 1, wherein, the body is dome-shaped, having a cover diameter (112) between 15.00 - 21.00 mm, the height of the dome (602) is between 7.00 - 10.00 mm, and the diameter of the dome (604) is in the range of 10 - 14 mm.

9. A method of assembling the shell (100) according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: i. Passing a thermoformed sheet through a thermoforming plate heated at a temperature of 110 to 140 °C; more preferably through a thermoforming plate heated at a temperature of 120 to 127 °C; ii. Filling the thermoformed grooves formed on the thermoformed sheet with tablets through a tablet feeder; iii. Contacting a sealing material with the thermoformed sheet filled with tablets at a set sealing temperature of 110 to 125 °C, more preferably at a temperature of 113 to 120 °C; and iv. Passing the sealed tablets in the sheet through a series of aligned cutting stations to obtain individual blister-containing tablets.

Images