Medication packaging

Abstract

The invention relates to medication packaging, comprising: • an upper film and • a lower film, wherein: the upper film and the lower film are interconnected along a plurality of lines; a first group of compartments is provided, the compartments of which are arranged successively in a longitudinal direction; each compartment is delimited at the top by part of the upper film and at the bottom by part of the lower film; a front compartment is separated from a rear compartment, which directly follows said front compartment in the longitudinal direction, by one of the lines which connects the upper film to the lower film; at least one tablet is arranged at least in a compartment of the first group; a second group of compartments is provided, the compartments of which are arranged successively in a longitudinal direction; each compartment is delimited at the top by part of the upper film and at the bottom by part of the lower film; a front compartment is separated from a rear compartment, which directly follows said front compartment in the longitudinal direction, by one of the lines which connects the upper film to the lower film; at least one tablet is arranged at least in a compartment of the second group.

Description

[0001] Medicine packaging'

[0002] The invention relates to a pharmaceutical packaging.

[0003] Medications in tablet form are often packaged in blisters. A blister typically consists of a lower material, often made of opaque plastic, sometimes in the form of a deep-drawn element with several compartments, each containing a tablet. A blister typically consists of an upper material, usually aluminum, that covers the compartments of the lower material and is bonded to the lower material at the surfaces between the compartments.

[0004] Recently, patient-specific drug blister packs have become popular, in which a patient's medications are assembled and packaged in individual portions according to the doctor's prescription. This concept involves removing the medications from their original packaging (unblistered) and repackaging them into tubular blister packs, blister cards, or tubular blister packs. Tubular blister packs and blister cards typically contain medication for seven days. Tubular blister packs have sachets for each dosage appointment, with each sachet containing the medications prescribed and packaged for that appointment. The blister packs are usually made of plastic and can be disposed of in the recycling bin.

[0005] A tubular blister is a medicine package with an upper film and a lower film, the upper film and the lower film being connected to one another along a plurality of lines, wherein compartments are provided as part of the tubular blister, which are arranged one after the other along a longitudinal direction, wherein the respective compartment is delimited at the top by a part of the upper film and at the bottom by a part of the lower film, wherein a front compartment is separated from a rear compartment immediately following it in the longitudinal direction by one of the lines which connects the upper film to the lower film, wherein at least one tablet is arranged in each of the compartments of the tubular blister.

[0006] A disadvantage of the usual longitudinal arrangement of the compartments in tubular blisters is that there is a risk that a patient who has forgotten to take a tablet in one compartment at the scheduled time (for example on Thursday evening) will be tempted to empty this compartment at the next scheduled time (for example on Friday morning) and thus take the tablet it contains at the wrong time. Sometimes two separate compartments are provided for one dosage time. This can be the case if the patient needs to take more tablets at the time of administration than can technically be filled into one compartment or technically checked as being present in one compartment. In such cases, the tablets to be taken at one dosage time may be distributed across multiple compartments.

[0007] Against this background, the object of the invention was to create a medication packaging which at least substantially retains the advantages of a tubular blister, in particular with regard to material expenditure and / or with regard to production, but allows more targeted access to the respective compartment of the medication packaging.

[0008] This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are set out in the subclaims and the description below.

[0009] The invention is based on the basic idea of ​​providing, in addition to a first group of compartments whose compartments are arranged one after the other along a longitudinal direction, at least a second group of compartments whose compartments are arranged one after the other along a longitudinal direction, wherein the respective compartment is delimited at the top by a part of the upper film and at the bottom by a part of the lower film, wherein a front compartment is separated from a rear compartment immediately following it in the longitudinal direction by one of the lines connecting the upper film to the lower film, wherein at least one tablet is arranged in at least one compartment of the second group. The invention therefore makes it possible to now also provide the matrix-like arrangement of compartments, as is known, for example, from blister cards, in the context of tubular blisters.This retains the advantages of tubular blisters, particularly with regard to their use of materials and ease of production, while enabling the benefits of targeted access to individual compartments at the respective time of administration in the context of a matrix-like arrangement, as is known from blister cards.

[0010] The medication packaging according to the invention comprises an upper film and a lower film. The upper film and the lower film can be separate films that are joined together at designated locations to form the medication packaging. However, embodiments are also possible in which the upper film and the lower film are parts of a single element. To produce the medication packaging, a sheet can be used, which is folded once, and the sheet material on one side of the fold, to form the upper film, is placed on the sheet material on the other side of the fold, which then forms the lower film.Embodiments are also possible in which the upper film and the lower film are part of a tube which is bent at two parallel areas, so that one part of the tube forms the upper film and another part of the tube forms the lower film, with the upper film merging into the lower film at two opposite bends.

[0011] The upper film and the lower film are connected to one another along a plurality of lines. In a preferred embodiment, the lines along which the upper film and the lower film are connected to one another are arranged according to a grid. In a preferred embodiment, a first group of lines is provided which run parallel to one another, and a second group of lines is provided which also run parallel to one another, but the lines of the first group are arranged at an angle, preferably at an angle of 90°, to the lines of the second group. In a preferred embodiment, at least one line of the lines of the first group crosses one line of the lines of the second group. In a particularly preferred embodiment, each line of the first group crosses the majority, preferably the vast majority (more than 75%) of the lines of the second group, and particularly preferably each of the lines of the second group.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the upper film is continuously connected to the lower film along the respective line. Embodiments are possible in which the upper film is connected to the lower film along the respective line only along dash-shaped sections of the line or at points arranged along the line. Embodiments are possible in which the upper film is connected to the lower film in the manner of a dotted line or in the manner of a dashed line or in the manner of a dash-dotted line along the respective line. However, only partially connecting the upper film to the lower film along the respective line poses the risk of contamination of the tablet arranged in one compartment with abrasion or dust from a tablet arranged in an adjacent compartment.It is therefore particularly preferred if the upper film and the lower film are completely connected to one another along the respective line. In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower films are welded to one another along at least one of the lines along which they are connected to one another. Preferably, the upper film and the lower film are welded to one another along the majority, preferably the vast majority (more than 75%), and particularly preferably along all of the lines along which they are connected to one another. In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower films are glued to one another along at least one of the lines along which they are connected to one another.Preferably, the upper film and the lower film are glued together along the majority, preferably the vast majority (more than 75%), and particularly preferably along all lines along which they are connected to each other. Embodiments are possible in which the upper film and the lower film are glued and welded together along the majority, preferably the vast majority (more than 75%), and particularly preferably along all lines along which they are connected to each other.

[0013] A line along which the upper and lower films are connected to each other preferably has a width of more than 0.5 mm, preferably more than 1 mm, and preferably more than 1.5 mm. A line along which the upper and lower films are connected to each other preferably has a width of less than 15 mm, preferably less than 10 mm, and preferably less than 5 mm.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, in the region of at least one line, preferably in the region of the majority of lines, particularly preferably the vast majority (more than 75%) and in a preferred embodiment in the region of all lines along which the upper film is connected to the lower film, a material weakening or a partial material break is provided in the upper and / or lower film to form a separation aid. For example, a perforation or a serrated profile can be provided along the lines. These are intended to make it easier to destroy the connection provided there between the upper and lower films, for example by tearing. In order to provide sufficient space for a material weakening or a partial material break, it is preferred if the line along which the upper film is connected to the lower film has a certain width.In particular, the width preferably ensures that after a compartment is separated, the remaining compartment remains securely closed, meaning that the connections between the upper film and the lower film are securely maintained for the remaining compartment. The wider the line along which the upper film is connected to the lower film, the more it is ensured that a remaining compartment remains securely closed.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of lines are provided along which the upper film is connected to the lower film, wherein in a preferred embodiment, at least some of these lines have a material weakening or a partial material breakthrough in the upper and / or lower film in the region of the respective line to form a separation aid, wherein in a particularly preferred embodiment, the type of material weakening or the type of partial material breakthrough in the region of one of these lines is different from the type of material weakening or the type of partial material breakthrough in the region of another of these lines. In the region of one line, the material weakening can be greater (the region can be more weakened) than in the region of another line. In the region of one line, the partial material breakthrough can be greater (the region has more broken through parts) than in the region of another line.In a preferred embodiment, one of the lines in the region of which the type of material weakening or the type of partial material breakthrough is different than in the region of another line does not run parallel to the other line and preferably at an angle of more than 40°, preferably at an angle of more than 80° and particularly preferably at an angle of less than 140° and particularly preferably at an angle of less than 100°. In particular, in the case of a line which - as described in part below - separates the compartments of a first group from the compartments of a second group in a preferred embodiment, the type of material weakening or the type of partial material breakthrough in the region of this line can be different than the type of material weakening or the type of partial material breakthrough of a line which separates individual compartments of the first group.By choosing a different type of material weakening or the type of partial material penetration, it can be easier to separate the medication packaging in one direction than in the other. For example, a medication package designed for a week with three administration times per day (morning, noon, evening), thus comprising three groups of seven compartments each, can be designed so that the compartments corresponding to individual days can be more easily separated from compartments of a different day than the compartments corresponding to different administration times within a day.A medication package according to the invention, which extends in a longitudinal direction and in which the compartments provided for the individual days of the week are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, and the compartments corresponding to the different administration times within a day extend transversely to the longitudinal direction, can, in a preferred embodiment, be separated more easily transversely to the longitudinal direction than along the longitudinal direction. Thus, a user can more easily and continuously separate the compartments corresponding to one day of the week from the compartments of another day of the week, while the compartments belonging to one day of the week remain connected during this separation.

[0016] With a perforation, the type of perforation can be changed by changing the number and / or size of the perforation points. With a serrated profile, the type of material weakening can be changed by the direction of the serrations.

[0017] The medication package comprises a first group of compartments, wherein the compartments of the first group are arranged one after the other along a longitudinal direction, with each compartment being bounded at the top by a portion of the upper film and at the bottom by a portion of the lower film. A front compartment is separated from a rear compartment immediately following it in the longitudinal direction by one of the lines connecting the upper film to the lower film.In a preferred embodiment, for a majority of the compartments present in the first group, particularly preferably the vast majority (more than 75%) of the compartments present in the first group, particularly preferably for all compartments present in the first group, the respective front compartment of two immediately consecutive compartments is separated from the immediately following rear compartment in the longitudinal direction by one of the lines. As described in detail above, in a preferred embodiment, in the region of a line along which the upper film is connected to the lower film, a material weakening or a partial material break in the upper and / or lower film can be provided to form a separation aid; for example, a perforation or a serrated profile can be provided along the lines. The line described in this paragraph, orThe lines described in this paragraph may be those in the area of ​​which a material weakening or a partial material breakthrough in the upper and / or lower film is provided to form a separation aid.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the majority of the compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of the compartments of the first group and particularly preferably all compartments of the first group are rectangular, particularly preferably square or alternatively particularly preferably rectangular but not square. However, designs are also possible, for example, in which the compartments are arranged next to one another in the manner of a honeycomb. In a preferred embodiment, the majority of the compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of the compartments of the first group and particularly preferably all compartments of the first group are longer in a first direction (“length”) than in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (“width”) and / or than in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions (“height”).

[0019] Designs are also possible in which the majority of the compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of the compartments of the first group, have the same geometric shape, but at least one compartment of the first group has a different geometric shape than other compartments of the first group. In a preferred embodiment, the majority of the compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of the compartments of the first group, are the same size. In a preferred embodiment, all compartments of the first group are the same size. In an alternative embodiment, the majority of the compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of the compartments of the first group, are larger or smaller than at least one other compartment of the first group.

[0020] Assuming a use of the medication packaging according to the invention in which the compartments of a group contain tablets that are taken at the same time of day but on different days, for example, if a group of compartments is assigned to the "morning" intake time, it may be that within a week, at the same intake time (e.g., "morning"), a different number of tablets must be taken depending on the day of the week. For example, it may be stipulated that fewer tablets must be taken on one day of a weekend (Saturday or Sunday).In such a case, a preferred embodiment may provide that the compartments of the weekdays (for example Monday to Friday) on which many tablets have to be taken at the time of intake (for example “morning”) are larger than the compartments of the weekdays (for example Saturday and Sunday) on which fewer tablets have to be taken at the time of intake (for example “morning”).

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the rectangular compartments, at least one, preferably the majority, and particularly preferably the vast majority (more than 75%), and particularly preferably all rectangular compartments of the first group are delimited by lines at which the upper film is connected to the lower film. Embodiments are possible in which a compartment is delimited, for example, by only three lines because the fourth boundary is formed by the kink at which a sheet of material was bent to form the upper and lower films or at which a tube was bent to form the upper and lower films.However, since the methods of connecting the upper film to the lower film, for example by welding or gluing, can create a particularly good and secure seal between the upper and lower films, it is preferred if the respective compartment is delimited at all its boundaries by lines at which the upper film is connected to the lower film.

[0022] According to the invention, at least one tablet is arranged in at least one compartment of the first group. Preferably, in the majority, preferably in the vast majority (more than 75%), preferably in all compartments of the first group, at least one tablet is arranged in the respective compartment.

[0023] According to the invention, it is now provided that the medicament packaging has a second group of compartments, wherein the compartments of the second group are arranged one after the other along a longitudinal direction, wherein the respective compartment is delimited at the top by a part of the upper film and at the bottom by a part of the lower film, wherein a front compartment of the second group is separated from a rear compartment immediately following it in the longitudinal direction by one of the lines which connects the upper film to the lower film, wherein at least one tablet is arranged in at least one compartment of the further group.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, for a majority of the compartments present in the second group, particularly preferably the vast majority (more than 75%) of the compartments present in the second group, particularly preferably for all compartments present in the second group, the front compartment of two immediately consecutive compartments is separated from the rear compartment immediately following it in the longitudinal direction by one of the lines. As described in detail above, in a preferred embodiment, in the region of a line along which the upper film is connected to the lower film, a material weakening or a partial material break in the upper and / or lower film can be provided to form a separation aid; for example, a perforation or a serrated profile can be provided along the lines. The line described in this paragraph, orThe lines described in this paragraph may be those in the area of ​​which a material weakening or a partial material breakthrough in the upper and / or lower film is provided to form a separation aid.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the majority of the compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of the compartments of the second group, and particularly preferably all compartments of the second group, are rectangular, particularly preferably square, or alternatively, particularly preferably rectangular but not square. In a preferred embodiment, the majority of the compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of the compartments of the second group, and particularly preferably all compartments of the second group, are longer in a first direction ("length") than in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction ("width"), and / or than in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions ("height").

[0026] Designs are also possible in which the majority of the compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of the compartments of the second group, have the same geometric shape, but at least one compartment of the second group has a different geometric shape than other compartments of the second group. In a preferred embodiment, the majority of the compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of the compartments of the second group, are the same size. In a preferred embodiment, all compartments of the second group are the same size. In an alternative embodiment, the majority of the compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of the compartments of the second group, are larger or smaller than at least one other compartment of the second group.

[0027] Assuming a use of the medication packaging according to the invention in which the compartments of a group contain tablets that are taken at the same time of day but on different days, for example, if a group of compartments is assigned to the intake time "midday," it may be that within a week, at the same intake time (e.g., "midday"), a different number of tablets must be taken depending on the day of the week. For example, it may be stipulated that fewer tablets must be taken on one day of a weekend (Saturday or Sunday).In such a case, a preferred embodiment may provide that the compartments of the weekdays (for example Monday to Friday) on which many tablets have to be taken at the time of intake (for example “midday”) are larger than the compartments of the weekdays (for example Saturday and Sunday) on which fewer tablets have to be taken at the time of intake (for example “midday”).

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the rectangular compartments, at least one, preferably the majority, and particularly preferably the vast majority (more than 75%), and particularly preferably all rectangular compartments of the second group are delimited by lines at which the upper film is connected to the lower film. Embodiments are possible in which a compartment is delimited, for example, by only three lines because the fourth boundary is formed by the kink at which a sheet of material was bent to form the upper and lower films or at which a tube was bent to form the upper and lower films.However, since the methods of connecting the upper film to the lower film, for example by welding or gluing, can create a particularly good and secure seal between the upper and lower films, it is preferred if the respective compartment is delimited at all its boundaries by lines at which the upper film is connected to the lower film.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the majority of compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of compartments in the first group, and the majority of compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of compartments in the second group, are of equal size. In a preferred embodiment, all compartments in the first group and all compartments in the second group are of equal size.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the majority of compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of compartments of the first group, are larger or smaller than the majority of compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of compartments of the second group. In a preferred embodiment, all compartments of the first group are smaller or larger than all compartments of the second group.

[0031] If one assumes a use of the medicament packaging according to the invention in which the compartments of a group contain the tablets that are taken at the same time of day but on different days, i.e. for example a first group of compartments is assigned to the time of intake “morning”, while a second group of compartments is assigned to the time of intake “midday”, it may be that relatively more tablets have to be taken at one time of intake (for example morning) than at another time of intake (for example midday).In such a case, a preferred embodiment can provide for the compartments of one group, in which many tablets need to be taken at the time of administration (e.g., "morning"), to be larger than the compartments of the other group, in which fewer tablets need to be taken at the time of administration (e.g., "midday"). This can then be combined with the above-described teaching of varying the size of the compartments within a group if, for example, more tablets need to be taken at the time of administration on a certain day of the week (e.g., Monday to Friday) than on certain other days of the week (e.g., Saturday and Sunday). Finally, it is possible to combine this teaching with the also described teaching of leaving individual compartments empty.

[0032] According to the invention, at least one tablet is arranged in at least one compartment of the second group. Preferably, in the majority, preferably in the vast majority (more than 75%), preferably in all compartments of the second group, at least one tablet is arranged in the respective compartment.

[0033] Embodiments are possible in which individual compartments are deliberately left empty. If the medication packaging according to the invention, through its shape and arrangement of the compartment groups, represents, for example, the intake times of a week and has, for example, three groups of seven compartments each (for the intake times of morning, noon, and evening of the seven days of the week), it may be that no medication is to be taken at a certain intake time; for example, no medication is to be taken on Sunday mornings. The compartment corresponding to the intake time "Sunday morning" would then be left empty, but would still be present.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, a compartment of the first group is separated from an adjacent compartment of the second group by one of the lines that connects the upper film to the lower film. In a preferred embodiment, the majority, preferably the vast majority (over 75%) of the and particularly preferably all compartments of the first group are arranged adjacent to a compartment of the second group. In a preferred embodiment, the compartment of the first group is separated from the adjacent compartment of the second group by one of the lines that connects the upper film to the lower film.As described in detail above, in a preferred embodiment, in the region of a line along which the upper film is connected to the lower film, a material weakening or a partial material perforation in the upper and / or lower film can be provided to form a separation aid; for example, a perforation or a serrated profile can be provided along the lines. The line(s) described in this paragraph can be lines in which a material weakening or a partial material perforation in the upper and / or lower film is provided to form a separation aid.In particular, in the case of a line that separates the compartments of a first group from the compartments of a second group, the type of material weakening or the type of partial material breakthrough in the area of ​​this line can be different from the type of material weakening or the type of partial material breakthrough of a line that separates individual compartments of the first group.In a particularly preferred embodiment, a further group of compartments is provided, wherein the compartments of the further group are arranged one after the other along a longitudinal direction, wherein the respective compartment is delimited at the top by a part of the upper film and at the bottom by a part of the lower film, wherein a front compartment is separated from a rear compartment immediately following it in the longitudinal direction by one of the lines which connects the upper film to the lower film, wherein at least one tablet is arranged in at least one compartment of the further group.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, for a majority of the compartments present in the further group, particularly preferably the vast majority (more than 75%) of the compartments present in the further group, particularly preferably for all compartments present in the further group, the respective front compartment of two immediately consecutive compartments is separated from the immediately following rear compartment in the longitudinal direction by one of the lines. As described in detail above, in a preferred embodiment, in the region of a line along which the upper film is connected to the lower film, a material weakening or a partial material break in the upper and / or lower film can be provided to form a separation aid; for example, a perforation or a serrated profile can be provided along the lines. The line described in this paragraph, orThe lines described in this paragraph may be those in the area of ​​which a material weakening or a partial material breakthrough in the upper and / or lower film is provided to form a separation aid.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the majority of the compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of the compartments of the further group, and particularly preferably all compartments of the further group are rectangular, particularly preferably square, or alternatively particularly preferably rectangular but not square. Designs are also possible in which the majority of the compartments, particularly preferably the vast majority of the compartments of the further group, have the same geometric shape, but at least one compartment of the further group has a different geometric shape than other compartments of the further group.In a preferred embodiment of the rectangular compartments, at least one, preferably the majority, and particularly preferably the vast majority (more than 75%), and particularly preferably all rectangular compartments of the further group are delimited by lines at which the upper film is connected to the lower film. Embodiments are possible in which a compartment is delimited, for example, by only three lines because the fourth boundary is formed by the kink at which a sheet of material was bent to form the upper and lower films or at which a tube was bent to form the upper and lower films.However, since the methods of connecting the upper film to the lower film, for example by welding or gluing, can create a particularly good and secure seal between the upper and lower films, it is preferred if the respective compartment is delimited at all its boundaries by lines at which the upper film is connected to the lower film.

[0037] According to the invention, at least one tablet is arranged in at least one compartment of the further group. Preferably, in the majority, preferably in the vast majority (more than 75%), preferably in all compartments of the further group, at least one tablet is arranged in the respective compartment.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, a compartment of the second group is separated from an adjacent compartment of the further group by one of the lines that connects the upper film to the lower film. In a preferred embodiment, the majority of the, preferably the vast majority (over 75%) of the, and particularly preferably all, compartments of the second group are arranged adjacent to a compartment of the further group. In a preferred embodiment, the compartment of the second group is separated from the adjacent compartment of the further group by one of the lines that connects the upper film to the lower film.As described in detail above, in a preferred embodiment, in the region of a line along which the upper film is connected to the lower film, a material weakening or a partial material perforation in the upper and / or lower film can be provided to form a separation aid; for example, a perforation or a serrated profile can be provided along the lines. The line(s) described in this paragraph can be lines in which a material weakening or a partial material perforation in the upper and / or lower film is provided to form a separation aid.In particular, in the case of a line that separates the compartments of a second group from the compartments of another group, the type of material weakening or the type of partial material breakthrough in the area of ​​this line can be different from the type of material weakening or the type of partial material breakthrough of a line that separates individual compartments of the second group.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the number of compartment groups present is selected based on the number of administration times per day. If a medication plan is provided for the respective patient that provides for administration times in the morning, at midday, and in the evening, the medication packaging according to the invention preferably has three groups. If the respective patient's medication plan provides for an additional administration time at night in addition to administration times in the morning, at midday, and in the evening, then in particular four compartment groups are provided. The number of groups can thus be adapted to the number of administration times per day.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the first group contains seven compartments and / or the second group contains seven compartments. By providing seven compartments per group, the seven days of a week can be represented. Thus, the medication packaging according to the invention can provide a medication plan for one week. In a preferred embodiment, all existing groups of compartments have the same number of compartments.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal direction along which the compartments of the first group are arranged is parallel to the longitudinal direction along which the compartments of the second group are arranged. If a further group of compartments or further groups of compartments are provided, it is preferred if the longitudinal directions along which the compartments of these groups are arranged also run parallel to the longitudinal direction along which the compartments of the first group are arranged.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, more than one tablet is arranged in at least one compartment of the medicament packaging, preferably in the majority, particularly preferably in the predominant majority (in more than 75%) and particularly preferably in all compartments of the medicament packaging.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, two tablets are arranged in at least one compartment which are different from one another, in particular different in terms of their chemical composition and / or different in terms of their geometric shape and / or in terms of their size.

[0044] Embodiments are also possible in which, for example, a compartment of the medication package is empty. Depending on the patient's medication schedule, it is conceivable, for example, that no medication is scheduled to be taken at a time determined from the grid, such as Saturday lunchtime. However, this is unproblematic for the implementation of the invention, since in such a case the respective compartment is simply left empty.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, a print is provided on the upper side of the upper film and / or on the lower side of the lower film. In a preferred embodiment, a print is provided on the upper side of the upper film and / or on the lower side of the lower film at least in the region of one compartment of the medication packaging, preferably in the region of the majority, preferably the vast majority (more than 75%), particularly preferably all compartments. The respective compartments can be labeled with the print. The print can describe the contents of the compartment or of the medication packaging. The print can describe the day on which a medication contained in the compartment was taken. The print can describe the time on which a medication contained in the compartment was taken.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the medication packaging has a frame that runs around the existing compartments and in which the upper film is directly connected to the lower film. A direct connection is understood to mean a connection without the formation of a compartment. It is known from blister cards that the cardboard used in the formation of the blister card surrounds a central area in which individual trays containing the tablets are located, in the sense of a surrounding frame. Such a frame can give the medication packaging structure. In addition, such a frame can be used to hold the medication packaging securely. Furthermore, such a frame can be used to transport the medication packaging according to the invention, for example by means of roller drives that run on the frame.Designs are also possible in which the frame of the medication packaging is used to hold the medication packaging in a separate reinforcement and / or transport frame, for example, using a cover card. Such a frame can also be used for labeling. The label can describe the contents of the compartment or the medication packaging. The label can describe the day of administration of a medication contained in the compartment. The label can describe the time of administration of a medication contained in the compartment.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the upper film and the lower film are made of the same material.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the material of the upper film has food-safe, water vapor-resistant material properties. In a preferred embodiment, the material of the lower film has food-safe, water vapor-resistant material properties.

[0049] The upper and / or lower film can be made of LDPE (low-density polyethylene). The films can be processed using a commercially available beam welding machine. The film can be a 100 μm film, but also a 25 μm or 50 μm film. In a preferred embodiment, the material of the upper film is transparent. In a preferred embodiment, the material of the lower film is transparent.

[0050] The invention is explained in detail below with reference to a drawing illustrating only one embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:

[0051] Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a medicament package according to the invention;

[0052] Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the drug packaging along the line BB according to Fig. 1 and

[0053] Fig. 3 shows detail C from Fig. 2 in an enlarged view.

[0054] The medication packaging 1 shown in Fig. 1 has an upper film 2 and a lower film 3. The upper film 2 and the lower film 3 are connected to one another along a plurality of lines 4. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the lines 4 form a grid. A first group of lines 4 with eight vertically running lines is provided. A second group with four horizontally running lines 4 is provided. Each horizontal line intersects each vertical line once. The connection of the upper film 2 to the lower film 3 along the respective line 4 is effected by means of welding. The width D of the line 4 is shown in Fig. 3. This width is chosen to be large enough that a partial material break 5 is provided in the area of ​​the line 4 in the upper film 2 and the lower film 3.The material opening 5 is a point-shaped material opening and part of a line of point-shaped material openings that extend along the line 4 and serve as a separation aid. The width D is selected such that even after separation at the material opening 5, sufficient welded material remains to hold the tablet 6 in the respective compartment 7.

[0055] The medication packaging 1 has a first group, a second group and a further, namely a third group of compartments 7. The compartments 7 of the respective group are arranged one after the other along a longitudinal direction A1, A2, A3, wherein the respective compartment of the respective group is delimited at the top by a part of the upper film 2 and at the bottom by a part of the lower film 3 (cf. Fig. 2). A front compartment 7, for example a compartment 7 arranged further to the left in Fig. 1, is separated from a rear compartment immediately following it in the longitudinal direction A1, A2 or A3, i.e. the compartment 7 arranged immediately next to it to the right in Fig. 1, by one of the lines 4 which connects the upper film 2 to the lower film 3. As Fig. 1 shows, at least one tablet 6 is arranged in each compartment 7 of the respective group.1 shows that the longitudinal directions A1, A2, A3 of the respective group run parallel to each other.

[0056] The first group has seven compartments 7, the second group has seven compartments 7 and the third group also has seven compartments 7. Therefore, the medication package 1 has 21 compartments 7.

[0057] Figure 1 shows that the medication packaging 1 has prints at various locations on the top side of the upper foil. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the prints indicate the days of the week (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun) and the times of administration (morning, noon, evening).

[0058] The medication packaging 1 has a frame 8 which runs around the existing compartments 7 and in which the upper film 2 is directly connected to the lower film 3.

Claims

Patent claims: Drug packaging (1) with • an upper foil (2) and • a lower film (3), wherein the upper film (2) and the lower film (3) are connected to each other along several lines (4), wherein a first group of compartments (7) is provided, the compartments (7) of which are arranged successively along a longitudinal direction (A1), wherein the respective compartment (7) is bounded at the top by a part of the upper film (2) and at the bottom by a part of the lower film (3), wherein a front compartment (7) is separated from a rear compartment (7) immediately following it in the longitudinal direction (A1) by one of the lines (4) that connects the upper film (2) with the lower film (3), wherein at least one tablet (6) is arranged in at least one compartment (7) of the first group, characterized by a second group of compartments (7), the compartments (7) of which are arranged successively along a longitudinal direction (A2),wherein each compartment (7) is bounded at the top by a portion of the upper film (2) and at the bottom by a portion of the lower film (3), wherein a front compartment (7) is separated from a rear compartment (7) immediately following it in the longitudinal direction (A2) by one of the lines (4) connecting the upper film (2) to the lower film (3), wherein at least one tablet (6) is arranged in at least one compartment (7) of the second group. Drug packaging (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal direction (A1) along which the compartments (7) of the first group are arranged runs parallel to the longitudinal direction (A2) along which the compartments (7) of the second group are arranged. Drug packaging (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by at least one further group of compartments (7) whose compartments (7) are arranged successively along a longitudinal direction (A3),wherein each compartment (7) is bounded at the top by a part of the upper film (2) and at the bottom by a part of the lower film (3), wherein a front compartment (7) is separated from a rear compartment (7) immediately following it in the longitudinal direction (A3) by one of the lines (4) connecting the upper film (2) with the lower film (3), wherein at least one tablet (6) is arranged in at least one compartment (7) of the further group. Drug packaging (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first group contains seven compartments (7) and / or the second group contains seven compartments (7). Drug packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one compartment (7) contains two tablets (6). Drug packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a material weakening or a partial material breakthrough (5) is provided in the upper film (2) and / or the lower film (3) in the region of at least one line (4) to form a separating aid. Drug packaging (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a print is provided on the upper side of the upper film (2) and / or on the lower side of the lower film (3).Drug packaging (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by a frame (8) that surrounds the existing compartments (7) and in which the upper film (2) is directly connected to the lower film (3). Drug packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the upper film (2) and the lower film (3) are made of the same material. Drug packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the upper film (2) and the lower film (3) are welded and / or glued together along several lines (4).

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