Blister pack

Abstract

The blister package includes a blister film having at least one recess for a consumable, each recess having a connecting channel extending from the recess, the blister film having a sealing surface extending around a perimeter of each recess and each connecting channel. A lidding film is sealed to the blister film. The blister package further includes an active film comprising a base polymer and an active material, the active film received on the blister film without covering the at least one recess such that each recess is connected to an active surface portion of the active film by a connecting channel. The active film is in contact with the sealing surface of the blister film in at least one contact area located outside the active surface portion or each active surface portion. In a sealed configuration of the blister package, the lidding film is sealed to the sealing surface of the blister film at least around a perimeter of the blister package, and the active film is sealed between the lidding film and the blister film in at least a portion of the at least one contact area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to blister packaging for consumables (particularly pharmaceuticals, health products, or herbal products), wherein an active material is provided in the blister packaging to regulate the atmosphere surrounding the consumable. The active material can be selected from, for example, the group consisting of moisture absorbers, oxygen scavengers, odor absorbers, volatile olfactory organic compound absorbers, moisture releasers, and / or volatile olfactory organic compound releasers. The invention also relates to a method and production line for manufacturing blister packaging. Background Technology

[0002] Within the meaning of this invention, blister packaging is any type of packaging having a bottom portion (typically referred to as a "blister film") in which a plurality of recesses are formed, for example by vacuum forming or pressure forming, wherein each recess is configured to receive a corresponding consumable, such as tablets, capsules, pills, etc. A cover layer (typically referred to as a "capping film") is placed on the blister film and seals it to the blister film around the periphery of each recess.

[0003] In modern blister packaging, the blister film can be formed from polymeric materials such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), PVC / PVDC combinations, PVC / PCTFE combinations, or polystyrene (PS), or from cold-formed blister laminates comprising aluminum foil laminated with a polymeric film using dry-bonding lamination technology. The capping film can be formed from aluminum foil containing a heat-sealing varnish, or from polymeric materials such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Blister packaging comprising both blister film and capping film is advantageous due to its recyclability if both are formed from polymeric materials, particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or from polyolefins such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE).

[0004] Known solutions for integrating active materials into blister packaging involve placing the active material (e.g., in the form of a desiccant or cleansing agent extruded film) in each recess containing the consumable. The problem with this type of blister packaging is that, whether "push-through" or "peel-push-through," the user may remove the active material along with the consumable. For "push-through" blister packaging, the user uses their fingers to push the blister film at the recess location until the consumable breaks through the sealing film, thus making the active material accessible. For "peel-push-through" blister packaging, the user first peels off the upper layer of the double sealing film to expose the lower layer, then pushes the blister film at the recess location until the consumable breaks through the lower layer of the sealing film, thus also accessing the active material. This easy accessibility creates a risk of accidental ingestion of the active material. Furthermore, in this known solution, the amount of active material available in each recess for atmosphere control is limited by the size of the recess receiving the consumable, which does not allow for optimal atmosphere control.

[0005] In other known solutions for integrating active materials into blister packaging, the blister film has recesses dedicated to the active material, which are connected via connecting channels to a recess containing the consumable. WO 2023 / 126519 A1 discloses a blister package comprising a blister film having a first recess for the consumable and a second recess for the active component, wherein a reinforcing strip is sealed between the capping film and the blister film in the region of the second recess to prevent access to the active component. This solution effectively limits accessibility to the active component and the risk of accidental ingestion. However, positioning the active component in its dedicated recess and the positioning reinforcing strip are steps that complicate the manufacturing process of the blister package.

[0006] The present invention is particularly intended to overcome these disadvantages by providing a blister pack comprising an active material for regulating the atmosphere around a consumable packaged within the blister pack, wherein the blister pack reliably prevents the user from coming into contact with the active material, thereby limiting the risk of accidental ingestion of the active material, and the blister pack also has a simplified manufacturing process that can be easily implemented on conventional blister production lines. Summary of the Invention

[0007] For this purpose, one aspect of the present invention is a blister pack comprising: - A blister film having at least one recess for a consumable, each recess having a connecting channel extending from the recess, and the blister film having a sealing surface extending around the periphery of each recess and each connecting channel. - A sealing film that seals to the blister film while covering the at least one recess and the at least one connecting channel. The blister pack further includes at least one active film comprising a base polymer and an active material. The at least one active film is received on the blister film without covering the at least one recess, such that each recess is connected to an active surface portion of the at least one active film via a connecting channel. In this embodiment, at least one active film contacts the sealing surface of the blister film in at least one contact area located outside the active surface portion or each active surface portion. In the sealing structure of the blister packaging, the capping film is sealed to the sealing surface of the blister film at least around the periphery of the blister packaging, and the at least one active film is sealed between the capping film and the blister film in at least a portion of the at least one contact area.

[0008] Based on the above, the active material is inserted into the blister pack in the form of at least one active film comprising a base polymer and the active material. This at least one active film is simply placed on the blister film, and may not necessarily be positioned within a specific recess of the blister film. The polymer material of the at least one active film allows it to be sealed between the capping film and the blister film in the same manufacturing steps as sealing the capping film to the sealing surface of the blister film. This simplifies the manufacturing method of the blister pack. Advantageously, the at least one active film may also have a relatively large surface area that is sealed between the capping film and the blister film outside the active surface portion exposed to the atmosphere inside the recess for consumables. This ensures that the at least one active film is securely attached to the blister pack, and that the user cannot remove the at least one active film from the blister pack. In this way, the risk of accidental ingestion of the active material is prevented.

[0009] Another advantage of the blister packaging structure described above is that the same active film can be used to regulate the atmosphere in several recesses for consumables, without the need for separate active components for each recess in the blister packaging. In other words, the same active film can be used to serve several recesses for consumables. It should be noted that even when a single active film serves several recesses for consumables, each recess can still be separated from any other recess by a sealing structure formed by the active film sealed between the cap film and the blister film and / or by the cap film directly sealed to the blister film. In this way, removing a consumable from a recess does not affect the atmosphere surrounding other consumables packaged in the blister packaging, because the other recesses are isolated from the recess from which the consumable has been removed.

[0010] According to one embodiment, in the sealing configuration of a blister pack, at least one active film is sealed between and to each of the cap film and the blister film in at least a portion of at least one contact area. This arrangement ensures that at least one active film is securely held in place within the blister pack.

[0011] According to one embodiment, in the sealing configuration of blister packaging, a capping film seals the periphery of each compartment directly or indirectly to the sealing surface of the blister film, either directly or indirectly via at least one active film. Each compartment includes recesses and active surface portions connected to each other by connecting channels. With this arrangement, each recess for a consumable can be separated from other recesses for consumables by a sealing structure formed by at least one active film sealed between the capping film and the blister film, and / or by a capping film directly sealed to the blister film.

[0012] According to one embodiment, at least one active film is made of a monolithic polymer material, which is formed from at least a base polymer and an active material, also referred to as a "doped active polymer". This doped active polymer can be obtained, for example, by compounding, by mixing at least one base polymer with at least one active material in particulate form. The active material can be any type of active material capable of regulating the atmosphere in an enclosed space. In particular, the active material can belong to the group consisting of: humidity absorbers (or desiccants); oxygen scavengers; odor absorbers; volatile olfactory organic compound absorbers; humidity releasers; volatile olfactory organic compound releasers; and mixtures thereof. Optionally, the active material can be capable of releasing gaseous substances such as moisture. For example, such a property can be useful for applications where sensitive products require specific humidity levels. Such products are, for example, powders, especially for the production of aerosols, gelatin capsules, herbs, foods, etc.

[0013] Examples of suitable moisture absorbers include, but are not limited to, silica gel, molecular sieves or similar sieves, natural or synthetic zeolites, dehydrated clay, activated alumina, calcium oxide, barium oxide, or deliquescent salts such as magnesium sulfide, calcium chloride, aluminum chloride, lithium chloride, calcium bromide, and zinc chloride. Examples of suitable oxygen scavengers include, but are not limited to: metal powders with reducing power, especially iron, zinc, and tin powders; metal oxides that still have oxidizing power, especially ferrous oxide; and iron compounds such as carbides, carbonyl compounds, and hydroxides, which can be used alone or in the presence of activators such as hydroxides, carbonates, sulfites, thiosulfates, phosphates, organic acid salts, or alkali or alkaline earth metal hydrogen salts, activated carbon, activated alumina, or activated clay. Other reagents for collecting oxygen may also be selected from specific reactive polymers, such as those described in, for example, patent documents US 5,736,616 A, WO 99 / 48963 A2, WO 98 / 51758 A1 and WO 2018 / 149778 A1.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the polymer composition of at least one active membrane comprises a base polymer and an inorganic desiccant material (particularly selected from the group consisting of silica gels, molecular sieves, zeolites, clays, hydrated salts, metal oxides, and mixtures thereof) as the active material. The amount of the inorganic desiccant material present may be 50 wt% or more based on the total weight of the polymer composition. Typically, the inorganic desiccant material absorbs, adsorbs, or releases moisture. In one embodiment, the polymer composition of at least one active membrane may further comprise an additive, such as a polyether block amide, as disclosed in WO 2019 / 197165 A1.

[0015] According to one embodiment, at least one active film is a doped active polymer film obtained by extrusion or injection molding. Extrusion is advantageous because it allows for the production of a doped active polymer web that can be wound onto a spool, from which at least one active film can be cut. Specifically, at least one active film can be cut from the doped active polymer web in a continuous process during blister packaging manufacturing, or it can be pre-cut to a desired length and dispensed during blister packaging manufacturing. Injection molding is advantageous because it allows for the easy production of various shapes of at least one active film and the engraving of symbols or alphanumeric characters, such as words, pictographs, or logos, onto the at least one active film. Alternatively, marking on at least one active film can be obtained by laser marking. In this case, the polymer material of at least one active film can be formulated with an additive that absorbs radiation within a given wavelength range corresponding to the wavelength of the laser beam used for marking. Specifically, the additive can be a pigment that undergoes a photochemical reaction and changes color under the action of a laser beam with a wavelength within the absorption spectrum of the additive. An example of such pigment is titanium dioxide (TiO2), which absorbs radiation in the ultraviolet (UV) wavelength range below 400 nm.

[0016] According to one embodiment, at least one active film is a thin film comprising two main surfaces and an edge surface connecting the two main surfaces. The at least one active film can have any shape suitable for blister packaging design, including, for example, a quadrilateral shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, etc. According to one embodiment, the thickness of the at least one active film is less than or equal to 0.7 mm, preferably less than or equal to 0.5 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 0.3 mm. This reduced thickness of the at least one active film maintains the sealing quality of the capping film relative to the blister film, both in the area where the capping film is directly sealed to the blister film and in the area where the capping film is indirectly sealed to the blister film via the active film.

[0017] According to one embodiment, in the sealing structure of blister packaging, the sealing surface of the blister film is a substantially flat surface, wherein the maximum distance between two regions of the sealing surface in a direction orthogonal to the average plane of the sealing surface is less than or equal to 0.7 mm, preferably less than or equal to 0.5 mm, and more preferably less than or equal to 0.3 mm. This also contributes to the sealing quality of the capping film relative to the blister film, whether in the area where the capping film is directly sealed to the blister film or in the area where the capping film is indirectly sealed to the blister film via an active film.

[0018] According to one embodiment, at least one active film of the blister pack has at least one rounded or chamfered edge. This allows at least one active film to be inserted between the blister film and the capping film, while having a limited boundary at the intersection of the following areas: on the one hand, the area where the blister film and the capping film are in direct contact with each other; on the other hand, the area where at least one active film is located between the blister film and the capping film.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the blister film includes at least one housing for receiving at least one active film, such that the at least one active film is contained within the at least one housing of the blister film without extending beyond the sealing surface of the blister film, particularly when the blister package is sealed. In other words, at least one active film is contained within at least one housing of the blister film without protruding from the sealing surface of the blister film. In this way, at least one active film can be inserted between the blister film and the capping film, while there is no boundary at the junction of the following areas: on the one hand, the area where the blister film and the capping film are in direct contact with each other; on the other hand, the area where at least one active film is located between the blister film and the capping film. According to one embodiment, the depth of at least one housing of the blister film is substantially equal to the thickness of at least one active film.

[0020] According to one embodiment, for at least one recess in the blister film, the portion of the active surface to which the recess is connected via a connecting channel is part of the edge face of at least one active film. In this case, the connecting channel can directly access the edge face of at least one active film without requiring a specific cut in the blister film, because when the at least one active film is properly positioned on the blister film, the edge face of the at least one active film can be at the same level as the connecting channel.

[0021] According to one embodiment, for at least one recess in the blister film, the active surface portion to which the recess is connected via a connecting channel is part of the main surface of at least one active film. In this case, it is advantageous to provide specific cuts in the blister film such that the connecting channel connects the recess to the cuts, which are arranged to expose the active surface portion of the at least one active film to the atmosphere inside the connecting channel and the recess when the at least one active film is in place on the blister film. In other words, the cut, or each cut, is designed to maximize the surface area of ​​the active surface portion to which the recess is connected, thereby allowing the setting of the atmosphere conditioning level in the recess receiving consumables.

[0022] According to one embodiment, in the sealing structure of the blister pack, each recess is connected to a corresponding active surface portion of at least one active film via a connecting channel. With this arrangement, removing a consumable from a recess does not affect the surrounding atmosphere of any other consumables packaged in the blister pack, because other recesses are not connected to the recess from which the consumable has been removed. Conversely, when the active surface portion of at least one active film is connected to several recesses, once a consumable is removed from one of these recesses by opening the sealing film, that active surface portion and the consumable received in the other recesses connected to that active surface portion are exposed to the external atmosphere.

[0023] According to one embodiment, in the sealing configuration of the blister pack, each recess is separated from any other recess by a sealing structure formed by at least one active film sealed between the cap film and the blister film, and / or by a cap film directly sealed to the blister film. In this way, when the consumable is removed from the recess by opening the cap film, for example, by a "push-through" or "peel-push-through" method, only the active surface portions connected to the recess are exposed to the external atmosphere, while the active surface portions connected to other recesses of the blister pack remain protected by the cap film, which is directly or indirectly sealed to the blister film via at least one active film.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the minimum distance between the sealing surface of the blister film and the bottom wall of each connecting channel of the blister film, and optionally also between the sealing surface of the blister film and the bottom wall of each cut, is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 1 mm. This minimum distance ensures that no seal is established between the capping film and the bottom wall. Providing this minimum distance between the sealing surface and the bottom wall of each connecting channel is particularly important because the connecting channels are generally designed to have a smaller cross-section compared to recesses and cuts. This ensures that no seal that could potentially close the channel is established between the capping film and the lower wall of the connecting channel.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the active film, or each active film, extends over at least 70% of the main dimension of the blister film. This arrangement ensures that a relatively large surface area of ​​each active film is sealed between the capping film and the blister film, so that the active film is firmly attached to the blister packaging and cannot be removed by the user. Advantageously, the active film, or each active film, extends from one end of the blister film to the other along the direction of the main dimension. This arrangement can be produced, for example, by a continuous manufacturing process for blister packaging, in which the active film, or each active film, is cut from an active polymer web facing the blister film cycle.

[0026] According to one embodiment, at least one active film and blister film comprise chemically compatible materials to bond together under heat and / or pressure. This allows for sealing between at least one active film and blister film, for example, by heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, pulse welding, etc. According to one embodiment, at least one active film and blister film comprise the same polymer.

[0027] According to one embodiment, at least one active film comprises a thermoplastic polymer as the base polymer. According to another embodiment, at least one active film comprises a polymer capable of being heat-sealed to a blister film. This is advantageous because the entire blister package can be sealed in a single heat-sealing step.

[0028] Examples of suitable polymers for at least one active film and / or blister film include, for example: polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and other polyolefins; polyethylene terephthalate (PET); ethylene glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC); PVC / PVDC combinations; PVC / PTFE combinations; polystyrene (PS); ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); polytrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) (e.g., available from Honeywell under the trademark Aclar®); cyclic olefin copolymers (COC) (e.g., available from Topas Advanced Polymers); polyesters; cellulose materials; and mixtures thereof.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the blister film and the capping film are made of a polymer material, and optionally, the blister film and the capping film contain the same polymer. Blister packaging in which the blister film, capping film, and at least one active film are all formed from polymer materials is advantageous due to its recyclability. Examples of such "all-polymer" blister packaging include, for example: blister packaging in which the blister film, capping film, and at least one active film are all made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET); and blister packaging in which the blister film, capping film, and at least one active film are all made of polypropylene (PP) and / or polyethylene (PE).

[0030] According to another embodiment, the blister film is made of a polymer material, and the capping film includes a metal foil, particularly aluminum foil. An advantage of a capping film including a metal foil, particularly aluminum foil, is that it has good gas barrier properties, especially against moisture, oxygen, etc. Examples of capping films including metal foil include, for example: multilayer films comprising aluminum foil and a heat-sealing layer (such as acrylic varnish); multilayer films comprising aluminum foil and at least one polymer layer, particularly selected from polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or other polyolefin layers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layers, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layers.

[0031] According to another embodiment, both the blister film and the capping film comprise metal foil, particularly aluminum foil. Integrating at least one active film into a blister package in which both the blister film and capping film comprise metal foil, particularly aluminum foil, is particularly effective in protecting consumables from gaseous substances such as moisture or oxygen by combining the gas-barrier effect of the blister film and capping film, both comprising metal foil, with the gas-absorbing effect of at least one active film. Examples of blister films comprising metal foil include, for example: cold-formed blister laminates comprising aluminum foil and an adhesive layer; cold-formed blister laminates comprising aluminum foil and at least one polymer layer, wherein the at least one polymer layer is particularly selected from polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or another polyolefin layer, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer, and polyamide nylon (OPA) layer.

[0032] Another subject of the present invention is a method for manufacturing blister packaging, the method comprising the following steps: a) Provide a blister film having at least one recess for a consumable, each recess having a connection channel extending from the recess, the blister film having a sealing surface extending around the periphery of each recess and each connection channel; b) Introduce the consumable into at least one recess of the blister film; c) Positioning an active film comprising a base polymer and an active material on the blister film without covering the at least one recess, such that each recess is connected to an active surface portion of the active film via a connecting channel, and the active film contacts the sealing surface of the blister film in at least one contact area located outside the active surface portion or each active surface portion. d) Position the capping film on the blister film and the active film such that the capping film covers at least one recess, at least one connection channel and sealing surface of the blister film; e) Seal the capping film directly to the sealing surface of the blister film outside the at least one contact area, and seal the active film between the capping film and the blister film in at least a portion of the at least one contact area, such that the capping film is directly or indirectly sealed to the sealing surface of the blister film at least around the periphery of the blister package.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the method, in step e), a sealing film is directly or indirectly sealed to the sealing surface of a blister film around the periphery of each compartment, the compartment including recesses and active surface portions connected to each other by connecting channels.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the method, the active film used in step c) is obtained from an active polymer web facing the blister film cycle, the active polymer web being positioned such that the active film is placed on the blister film and cut from the active polymer web in a continuous process.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the method, the active film used in step c) is pre-cut to the desired size before being placed on the blister film.

[0036] Another subject of the present invention is a production line for manufacturing blister packaging as described above, the production line comprising: - A device for positioning blister material webs along the conveying path; - A thermoforming apparatus for thermoforming the blister material web into a sealing surface having at least one recess and at least one connecting channel extending from the at least one recess, and extending around the periphery of each recess and each connecting channel. - A means for positioning an active polymer web comprising a base polymer and an active material on a blister material web along the transport path; in particular, positioning the active polymer web on the blister material web without covering at least one recess, and in such a manner that each recess is connected to an active surface portion of the active film via a connecting channel. - A means for positioning a capping material web on the blister material web and the active polymer web along the transport path; in particular, the capping material web is positioned on the blister material web and the active polymer web in such a way that the capping material web covers at least one recess, at least one connecting channel and sealing surface of the blister film; - A sealing device for sealing the capping material web directly or indirectly to the blister material web via the active polymer web.

[0037] The different units of the production line can be distributed along the conveyor path in any order that is technically compatible with the manufacture of blister packaging.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the sealing device includes at least one of a heat sealing device, an ultrasonic welding device, and a pulse welding device.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the production line includes a cutting device for cutting segments of a sealed stack comprising a blister material web, an active polymer web, and a capping material web. Attached Figure Description

[0040] The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of several embodiments of blister packaging, manufacturing methods, and production lines according to the invention. This description is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a top view of a blister pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from one side of the blister film, which schematically shows the sealing area where the capping film is sealed directly or indirectly to the blister film via an active film. Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 The cross section of line II-II; Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 The cross section of line III-III; Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the blister pack film from the side designed to receive the active film and the sealing film; Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the active film in blister packaging; Figure 6 It is used for manufacturing Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a blister packaging production line; Figure 7 yes Figure 1 The first variant of the blister packaging is similar to Figure 1 Top view; Figure 8 yes Figure 1 The second variant of the blister packaging is similar to Figure 1 Top view; Figure 9 It is a blister packaging similar to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 Top view; Figure 10 It is along Figure 9 The cross section of line XX; Figure 11 It is along Figure 9 The cross section of line XI-XI; Figure 12 yes Figure 9 A perspective view of the blister pack film from the side designed to receive the active film and the sealing film; Figure 13 yes Figure 9 A three-dimensional view of the active film in blister packaging; Figure 14 It is a blister packaging similar to that of the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 Top view; Figure 15 It is along Figure 14 The cross section of line XV-XV; Figure 16 It is a blister packaging similar to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 Top view; and Figure 17 It is a blister packaging similar to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 Top view. Detailed Implementation

[0041] exist Figures 1 to 6 In the first embodiment shown, the blister pack 1 includes a thermoformed blister film 3 having ten recesses 32 for the consumable 2. (As shown in...) Figure 4 As clearly seen, the blister film 3 has a central shell 35 extending along its length, designed to receive an active film 5 containing a base polymer and an active material. The blister film 3 also has ten connecting channels 38, each extending from a corresponding recess 32 toward the central shell 35. Around the central shell 35 and around the periphery of each recess 32 and each connecting channel 38, the blister film 3 has a sealing surface 31. The blister package 1 also includes a capping film 4, which heat-seals to the blister film 3 while covering the recesses 32 and connecting channels 38.

[0042] In this first embodiment, as Figure 5 As shown, the active film 5 is a parallelepiped film comprising two main faces 53 and 54 and an edge face 52 connecting the two main faces. The length L5 of the active film 5 is substantially equal to the length L3 of the blister film 3, and its width W5 is less than the width W3 of the blister film 3. In this way, the active film 5 extends from one end 3A to the other end 3C along the length direction of the blister film, i.e., the active film 5 extends over 100% of the length of the blister film 3. This arrangement ensures that a large surface area of ​​the active film 5 is sealed between the blister film 3 and the capping film 4, so that the active film is firmly attached to the blister pack 1 and the user cannot remove the active film from the blister pack. Advantageously, the thickness T5 of the active film 5 is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the depth of the shell 35 of the blister film, such that the active film 5 is contained within the shell 35 and does not extend beyond the sealing surface 31 of the blister film after sealing. For example, in this first embodiment, the thickness T5 of the active film 5 is approximately 0.5 mm.

[0043] According to a non-limiting example, the active membrane 5 can be made from a thermoplastic base polymer formulated with an inorganic desiccant material. Specifically, the active membrane 5 can comprise a polyolefin as the base polymer and an inorganic desiccant material (e.g., selected from silica gels, molecular sieves, zeolites, clays, hydrated salts, metal oxides, and mixtures thereof) as the active material. Advantageously, the inorganic desiccant material is present in an amount of 50 wt% or more based on the total weight of the polymer composition of the active membrane 5.

[0044] As in Figure 4 Clearly visible, the blister film 3 also has ten slits 36 located at the bottom of the central housing 35, such that each connecting channel 38 connects the recess 32 to the slit 36. When the active film 5 is received in the central housing 35 of the blister film 3, each connecting channel 38 is open at a portion 56a of the edge face 52 of the active film 5, and each slit 36 ​​is arranged to face a portion 56b of the lower main face 53 of the active film 5 oriented towards the blister film 3, thereby exposing the active surface portions 56a and 56b to the atmosphere inside the connecting channels 38 and the recess 32. Advantageously, for each recess 32 receiving the consumable 2, the size of the slit 36 ​​can be adjusted to adjust the surface area of ​​the active surface portion 56b to which the recess 32 is connected, thereby allowing the setting of the atmosphere conditioning level in the recess 32.

[0045] For example, in this embodiment, the depth of each cut 36 and connecting channel 38 relative to the sealing surface 31 of the blister film is approximately 0.5 mm. Therefore, the distance d between the sealing surface 31 and the bottom wall 39 of each connecting channel 38 of the blister film, and between the sealing surface 31 and the bottom wall 37 of each cut 36, is approximately 0.5 mm. This distance d ensures that no seal is established between the capping film 4 and the bottom walls 37, 39 that could potentially seal the connection between the active surface portion of the active film 5 and the corresponding recess 32. In the sealing configuration of the blister package 1, the sealing surface 31 of the blister film 3 is a substantially flat surface.

[0046] In order to seal the entire blister pack 1 in a single heat-sealing step, the base polymer of the active film 5 is advantageously heat-sealed to the blister film 3. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the cross-section, each sealed area within the blister pack 1 is schematically shown by a thick line labeled S. According to a non-limiting example of the blister pack of the first embodiment, the active film 5 comprising a polyolefin as a base polymer and an inorganic desiccant material as an active material, as described above, can be associated with the following: - A blister film 3 made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has been heated and thermoformed to form a recess 32, a shell 35, a cut 36 and a connecting channel 38, and a sealing surface 31; - A multilayer capping film 4 including aluminum foil, such as ZEON +PR 25 µm from BILCARE, which includes a printed primer layer, an aluminum foil layer, an adhesive resin layer and a sealing resin (optionally containing an embrittlement agent).

[0047] The blister pack 1 described above can be manufactured in a continuous process, and the active film 5 is obtained from the active polymer web 30. By way of non-limiting examples, such as... Figure 6 As schematically shown, the production line 10 for manufacturing the blister packaging 1 as described above may sequentially include, along the conveying path of the production line 10: - A reel device 11 for unrolling a blister material web 30 having a blister film 3 and positioning the blister material web 30 along a transport path; according to a non-limiting example, the blister material web 30 is a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) web. - A thermoforming apparatus 12 for thermoforming the blister material web 30 at regular intervals as it moves along a conveying path, thereby forming in the blister material web 30 recesses 32, shells 35, cutouts 36 and connecting channels 38 of the blister film 3, as well as sealing surfaces 31 extending around the central shell 35 and the periphery of each recess 32 and each connecting channel 38; - A reel device 13 for unrolling an active polymer web 50 having the composition of an active film 5 and positioning the active polymer web 50 along a transport path in the housing 35 of a blister material web 30; according to a non-limiting example, the active polymer web 50 comprises a polyolefin as a base polymer and an inorganic desiccant material as an active material. - At least one hopper 14 ( Figure 6 Two hoppers 14 are shown, at least one of which is used to dispense consumables 2 such as tablets, capsules or pills and to position these consumables in a dedicated recess 32 of the blister material web as the blister material web 30 moves along the conveying path; - A reel device 15 for unfolding a capping material web 40 having a capping film 4 and positioning the capping material web 40 along a transport path on a blister material web 30 and an active polymer web 50; according to a non-limiting example, the capping material web 40 is a multilayer film comprising aluminum foil. - Heat sealing device 16, which is used to seal the capping material web 40 directly or indirectly via the active polymer web 50 to the blister material web 30 in the area of ​​the housing 35 at regular intervals as the webs advance along the conveying path, such that the entire stack including the blister material web 30, the active polymer web 50 and the capping material web 40 is sealed in a single heat sealing step. - Cutting device 17, which is used to cut segments of a heat-sealed stack comprising a blister material web 30, an active polymer web 50 and a capping material web 40 according to a length L3, such that each cut segment forms a blister package 1.

[0048] It should be understood that the blister pack 1 can be manufactured in a completely continuous process, wherein the active film 5 is obtained from an active polymer web 50 for blister film circulation, for example using a reference... Figure 6 The described production line 10; or the blister pack 1 can be manufactured in a discontinuous process, wherein the active film 5 is pre-cut to the desired size before being positioned on the blister film.

[0049] Regardless of the manner in which the active film 5 is provided (continuously or discontinuously), the method for manufacturing the blister pack 1 as described above advantageously includes the following steps: a) Provide a blister film 3 having recesses 32, a housing 35, cutouts 36 and connecting channels 38, and a sealing surface 31 extending around the central housing 35 and the periphery of each recess 32 and each connecting channel 38. b) Introduce the consumable 2 into the recess 32 of the blister film 3; c) Position the active film 5 in the housing 35 of the blister film 3 such that the recess 32 is not covered by the active film 5 and is connected to the corresponding active surface portions 56a and 56b of the active film 5 through the connecting channel 38. The active film 5 contacts the sealing surface 31 of the blister film in the contact area 51 located outside the active surface portions 56a and 56b. d) Position the capping film 4 on the blister film 3 and the active film 5 such that the capping film 4 covers the entire surface of the blister film 3, that is, the capping film 4 covers all the recesses 32, connecting channels 38 and sealing surfaces 31 of the blister film. e) Outside the contact area 51, the capping film 4 is directly sealed to the sealing surface 31 of the blister film 3, and within the contact area 51, the active film 5 is sealed between the capping film 4 and the blister film 3, such that the capping film is directly or indirectly sealed to the sealing surface 31 of the blister film on the entire surface of the blister packaging 1.

[0050] Using the above method, the blister packaging 1 of the first embodiment can be easily sealed by heating the entire surface of the capping film 4 positioned on the blister film 3 and the active film 5. This not only creates a direct heat seal between the capping film 4 and the blister film 3 outside the contact area 51, but also creates a heat seal through the active film 5 within the contact area 51. Figure 2 and Figure 3The thick line S in the diagram is schematically shown. By means of the specific design of the different elements of the blister pack 1, heat sealing is achieved in the contact area 51 via the active film 5 without closing the cuts 36 and connecting channels 38, in which distance d prevents heat sealing. Advantageously, localized heating with a specific pattern corresponding to the contact area 51 is therefore unnecessary, which would otherwise make the heat sealing process more complex and expensive.

[0051] As described above, in the sealing structure of blister packaging 1, the active film 5 is heat-sealed to both the blister film 3 and the capping film 4 across its entire surface. Because the active film 5 is securely attached to both the blister film 3 and the capping film 4 and extends along the entire length L3 of the blister packaging, the user cannot remove the active film 5 by "pushing through" (or by "peeling through" if the capping film 4 includes an upper layer to be peeled off). Therefore, using blister packaging 1 as described above, the risk of accidental ingestion of active material is significantly reduced.

[0052] Furthermore, in the sealing structure of the blister pack 1, the capping film 4 seals the entire periphery of each compartment directly or indirectly via the active film 5 to the sealing surface 31 of the blister film 3. Each compartment includes recesses 32 and active surface portions 56a, 56b connected to each other via connecting channels 38. With this arrangement, each recess 32 for the consumable 2 is separated from other recesses 32 for consumables by a sealing structure formed by the active film 5 sealed between the blister film 3 and the capping film 4 and / or by the capping film 4 directly sealed to the blister film 3. Then, when the consumable 2 is removed from the recess 32 by opening the capping film 4, for example, in a “push-through” or “peel-push-through” manner, only the active surface portions 56a, 56b connected to the recesses are exposed to the external atmosphere, while the active surface portions 56a, 56b connected to the other recesses 32 of the blister pack remain protected by the capping film 4, which is directly or indirectly sealed to the blister film 3 via the active film 5.

[0053] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Two variations of the blister packaging 1 of the first embodiment are shown. These variations differ from the first embodiment only in that the stack comprising the blister film 3, the active film 5, and the capping film 4 is sealed according to a specific local pattern, rather than sealing the entire surface of the stack. Figure 7 In the variant, the sealing area S is distributed according to a grid pattern, still ensuring that each recess 32 for the consumable 2 is separated from other recesses 32 by a sealing structure formed by an active film 5 sealed between the blister film 3 and the capping film 4 and / or formed by a capping film 4 directly sealed to the blister film 3. Figure 8 In the variant, the sealing area S corresponds to a frame pattern defined around the periphery of the blister pack 1. Figure 8In the variant, the separation between the recesses 32 is not as airtight as in the aforementioned figures. Figures 1 to 8 In all the blister packs 1 shown, the active film is effectively held within the structure of the blister pack by sealing it between the blister film 3 and the capping film 4 over a large surface area, making it impossible for the user to remove the active film 5 and reducing the risk of accidental ingestion of the active material.

[0054] Figure 7 and Figure 8 The variant sealing pattern can be obtained, for example, by sealing the stack comprising blister film 3, active film 5, and capping film 4 using a local sealing strip (e.g., a heat-sealing strip). Advantageously, in Figure 7 and Figure 8 In a variant, the capping film 4 is not sealed to the upper main surface 54 of the active film 5 near the cut 36 and connecting channel 38, thus allowing an additional active surface portion 56c to be used for atmosphere conditioning in the recess 32. This additional active surface portion 56c is a portion of the upper main surface 54 of the active film 5 oriented toward the capping film 4. In the first embodiment, this additional active surface portion 56c (in...) Figure 2 and Figure 3 (As can be seen in the image) it is sealed to the capping membrane 4, as shown by the thick line S, and therefore is not used for atmosphere conditioning.

[0055] exist Figures 9 to 13 In the second embodiment shown, elements similar to those in the first embodiment have the same reference numerals. The difference between the blister pack 1 of the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the blister film 3 lacks a central shell 35 and a cutout 36. In this second embodiment, the active film 5 extends over the ends of each connecting channel 38, such that each connecting channel 38 is open at the location of the active surface portions 56a, 56b of the active film 5. In this second embodiment, the active film 5 can be selected to have a reduced thickness T5 compared to the first embodiment, for example, less than 0.3 mm, such that the sealing quality of the capping film 4 relative to the blister film 3 is maintained at the boundary between: on the one hand, the area where the blister film 3 and the capping film 4 are in direct contact with each other; on the other hand, the area where the active film 5 is located between the blister film 3 and the capping film 4. Figure 13 As shown, in this second embodiment, at least the longitudinal edges of the active film 5 are advantageously chamfered to allow the active film to be inserted between the blister film 3 and the capping film 4, while having a limited boundary at the intersection of the following areas: on the one hand, the area where the blister film 3 and the capping film 4 are in direct contact with each other; on the other hand, the area where the active film 5 is located between the blister film 3 and the capping film 4. Of course, in variations, all edges of the active film 5 may be chamfered, or at least some edges of the active film 5 may be rounded.

[0056] exist Figure 14 and Figure 15In the third embodiment shown, elements similar to those in the first embodiment have the same reference numerals. The difference between the blister pack 1 of the third embodiment and the first embodiment is that the blister film 3 has two housings 35 extending parallel to the length direction of the blister film and configured to receive two distinct active films 5, instead of a central housing 35 configured to receive a single active film 5 serving all the recesses 32. In this third embodiment, the recesses 32 are arranged in two rows of five recesses each, and each row is associated with a corresponding active film 5, the recesses 32 of which are connected to the corresponding active film via corresponding connecting channels 38. Each active film 5 is a parallelepiped film with a length L5 substantially equal to the length L3 of the blister film 3 and a width W5 less than the width W3 of the blister film 3. Therefore, similar to the aforementioned embodiments, each active film 5 extends along the length direction of the blister film from one end 3A to the other end 3C, i.e., each active film 5 extends over 100% of the length of the blister film 3. This arrangement ensures that the large surface area of ​​each active film 5 is sealed between the blister film 3 and the capping film 4, so that the active film is firmly attached to the blister packaging 1 and the user cannot remove the active film from the blister packaging.

[0057] exist Figure 16 In the fourth embodiment shown, elements similar to those in the first embodiment have the same reference numerals. The difference between the blister pack 1 of the fourth embodiment and the first embodiment is that the blister film 3 has two housings 35 extending parallel to the width direction of the blister film and configured to receive two different active films 5, instead of a central housing 35 extending parallel to the length direction of the blister film and configured to receive a single active film 5 serving all the recesses 32. For example, as... Figure 16 The blister pack 1 shown in the fourth embodiment has only two recesses 32. It should be understood that the blister pack may include any number of recesses 32 connected to the active film 5 via connecting channels 38. Each active film 5 is a parallelepiped film with a length L5 substantially equal to the width W3 of the blister film 3, and its width W5 is less than the length L3 of the blister film 3. Therefore, in this fourth embodiment, each active film 5 extends from one end 3B to the other end 3D of the blister film along the width direction of the blister film, that is, each active film 5 extends over 100% of the width of the blister film 3. This arrangement also ensures that a large surface area of ​​each active film 5 is sealed between the blister film 3 and the capping film 4, so that the active film is firmly attached to the blister pack 1 and the user cannot remove the active film from the blister pack.

[0058] exist Figure 17In the fifth embodiment shown, elements similar to those in the first embodiment have the same reference numerals. The difference between the blister pack 1 of the fifth embodiment and the first embodiment is that the length L5 of the active film 5 is less than the length L3 of the blister film 3, and it does not extend along the length of the blister film from end 3A to the other end 3C. This fifth embodiment illustrates a case where the active film 5 can be pre-cut to the desired size before being positioned on the blister film 3. Advantageously, the active film 5 extends for at least 70% of the length of the blister film 3 to ensure that a large surface area of ​​the active film 5 is sealed between the blister film 3 and the capping film 4, so that the active film is firmly attached to the blister pack 1 and cannot be removed from the blister pack by the user.

[0059] As can be seen from the various embodiments described above, the advantage of the blister packaging according to the present invention is that the active film, or each active film, is effectively held within the structure of the blister packaging by sealing it over a large surface area between the blister film and the capping film, making it impossible for the user to remove the active film 5 and reducing the risk of accidental ingestion of active materials. Another advantage of the above-described blister packaging structure is that the same active film can be used to regulate the atmosphere in several recesses for consumables, without the need to provide separate active components for each recess of the blister packaging, which allows for cost and manufacturing time savings.

[0060] This invention is not limited to the examples described and shown. Specifically, all recesses for consumables can be connected to the same active surface portion that can be centrally positioned relative to the blister pack, rather than providing a dedicated surface portion for each compartment including recess 32 and connecting channel 38. Additionally, for recess 32, at least one active surface portion allowing atmosphere conditioning within the recess may include a portion of the edge face 52 of the active film, a portion of the lower main face 53 of the active film, a portion of the upper main face 54 of the active film, or any combination thereof. It should also be understood that any number and shape of active film, and any orientation of the active film relative to the blister film and capping film, can be used within the scope of this invention, and is not limited to the examples described and shown. Sealing of a stack including the blister film, capping film, and active film inserted between the blister film and capping film in some areas can also be achieved by sealing techniques other than heat sealing (e.g., ultrasonic welding, pulse welding, etc.). Furthermore, as described above... Figure 7 and Figure 8As illustrated in the variants, the sealing of the blister film, the capping film, and the active film inserted between the blister film and the capping film in some areas may not be performed on the entire sealing surface 31 of the blister film, but only in local sealing areas according to any sealing pattern compatible with the invention. Of course, in the context of the invention, any combination of features of the embodiments described above and shown in the figures can be considered; for example, a cutout 36 as described in the first embodiment may be added to a blister film without a housing 35 for the active film (as illustrated in the second embodiment).

Claims

1. A blister pack (1), comprising: - A blister film (3) having at least one recess (32) for a consumable (2), each recess (32) having a connection channel (38) extending from the recess, and the blister film having a sealing surface (31) extending around the periphery of each recess and each connection channel. - A sealing film (4) that seals the blister film (3) while covering the at least one recess (32) and the connecting channel (38). The blister pack further includes at least one active film (5) comprising a base polymer and an active material, the at least one active film (5) being received on the blister film (3) without covering the at least one recess (32), such that each recess (32) is connected to an active surface portion (56a, 56b) of the at least one active film (5) via a connecting channel (38). Wherein, at least one active membrane (5) is in contact with the sealing surface (31) of the blister film in at least one contact area (51) located outside the active surface portion (56a, 56b). In the sealing structure of the blister pack, the capping film (4) is sealed to the sealing surface (31) of the blister film (3) at least around the periphery of the blister pack, and the at least one active film (5) is sealed between the capping film (4) and the blister film (3) in at least a portion of the at least one contact area (51).

2. The blister packaging according to claim 1, wherein, In the sealed structure of the blister pack, the sealing film (4) seals the periphery of each compartment to the sealing surface (31) of the blister film (3), the compartments including recesses (32) and active surface portions (56a, 56b) connected to each other by connecting channels (38).

3. The blister packaging according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, For at least one recess (32) of the blister film (3), the active surface portion (56a) to which the recess (32) is connected via the connecting channel (38) is part of the edge surface (52) of the at least one active film (5).

4. The blister packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, For at least one recess (32) of the blister film (3), the active surface portion (56b, 56c) to which the recess (32) is connected via the connecting channel (38) is part of the main surface (53, 54) of the at least one active film (5).

5. The blister packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each connecting channel (38) of the blister film (3) connects a recess (32) to a cut (36), the cut (36) being arranged to expose the active surface portion (56a, 56b) of the at least one active film (5) to the atmosphere inside the connecting channel and the recess when the at least one active film (5) is received on the blister film (3).

6. The blister packaging according to claim 5, wherein, When the at least one active film (5) is received on the blister film (3), the wall (37) of the cut (36) is a distance (d) from the main surface (53) and / or edge surface (52) of the at least one active film (5) such that, in the sealed configuration of the blister package, the active surface portions (56a, 56b) of the at least one active film (5) are exposed to the atmosphere inside the compartment, the compartment including the recess (32) and the cut (36) connected to each other by the connecting channel (38).

7. The blister packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the sealed structure of the blister pack, each recess (32) is connected to the corresponding active surface portion (56a, 56b) via a connecting channel (38).

8. The blister packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the sealing structure of the blister pack, each recess (32) is separated from any other recess (32) by a sealing structure formed by at least one active film (5) sealed between the capping film (4) and the blister film (3) and / or by the capping film (4) directly sealed to the blister film (3).

9. The blister packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The thickness of the at least one active film (5) is less than or equal to 0.7 mm, preferably less than or equal to 0.5 mm, and more preferably less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

10. The blister packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The minimum distance (d) between the sealing surface (31) of the blister film (3) and the bottom wall (39) of each connecting channel (38) of the blister film, and optionally between the sealing surface (31) and the bottom wall (37) of each cut (36), is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 1 mm.

11. The blister packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The active membrane (5) extends over at least 70% of the main dimension (L3; W3) of the blister membrane (3), and optionally, the active membrane (5) extends from one end (3A) of the blister membrane (3). 3B) extends to the other end (3C; 3D).

12. The blister packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one active membrane (5) and the blister membrane (3) comprise chemically compatible materials to bond together under the action of heat and / or pressure. Optionally, the at least one active membrane (5) and the blister membrane (3) comprise the same polymer.

13. The blister packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The blister film (3) and the capping film (4) are made of polymer material, and optionally, the blister film (3) and the capping film (4) contain the same polymer.

14. The blister packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The blister film (3) is made of polymer material, and the sealing film (4) includes metal foil, particularly aluminum foil.

15. The blister packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, Both the blister film (3) and the capping film (4) comprise metal foil, particularly aluminum foil.

16. A method for manufacturing blister packaging (1), comprising the following steps: a) Provide a blister film (3) having at least one recess (32) for a consumable (2), each recess (32) having a connection channel (38) extending from the recess, and the blister film having a sealing surface (31) extending around the periphery of each recess and each connection channel. b) Introduce the consumable (2) into at least one recess (32) of the blister film (3); c) Positioning an active film (5) comprising a base polymer and an active material on the blister film (3) without covering the at least one recess (32), such that each recess (32) is connected to an active surface portion (56a, 56b) of the active film (5) via a connecting channel (38), and the active film (5) contacts the sealing surface (31) of the blister film in at least one contact area (51) located outside the active surface portion (56a, 56b); d) Position the capping film (4) on the blister film (3) and the active film (5) such that the capping film (4) covers at least one recess (32) of the blister film, the at least one connecting channel (38) and the sealing surface (31). e) Seal the capping film (4) directly to the sealing surface (31) of the blister film (3) outside the at least one contact area (51), and seal the active film (5) between the capping film (4) and the blister film (3) in at least a portion of the at least one contact area (51), such that the capping film (4) is directly or indirectly sealed to the sealing surface (31) of the blister film (3) at least around the periphery of the blister package.

17. The method for manufacturing blister packaging according to claim 16, wherein, The active film (5) used in step c) is obtained from an active polymer web (50) circulating toward the blister film (3), the active polymer web (50) being positioned such that the active film (5) is placed on the blister film (3) and cut from the active polymer web (50) in a continuous process.

18. The method for manufacturing blister packaging according to claim 16, wherein, The active film (5) used in step c) is pre-cut to the desired size before being placed on the blister film (3).

19. A production line for manufacturing blister packaging (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the production line comprising: - Device (11) for positioning the blister material web (30) along the conveying path; - A thermoforming apparatus (12) for thermoforming the blister material web (30) into having at least one recess (32) and a connecting channel (38) extending from the at least one recess, and a sealing surface (31) extending around the periphery of each recess and each connecting channel as the blister material web (30) moves along the conveying path. - A device (13) for positioning an active polymer web (50) containing a base polymer and an active material along the transport path on the blister material web (30). - A device (15) for positioning the capping material web (40) along the conveying path on the blister material web (30) and the active polymer web (50). - Sealing device (16) for sealing the capping material web (40) directly or indirectly via the active polymer web (50) to the blister material web (30).

Images