Carton

Abstract

The present invention relates to a carton for obscuring the contents of a syringe barrel, the carton comprising a housing including an opening through which a tip, barrel and flange of a syringe can be inserted into the housing, a chamber having a first portion that accommodates the barrel of the syringe and a second portion that accommodates the flange of the syringe, and an aperture opposite the opening through which the tip of the syringe can protrude when the syringe is inserted into the housing.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to packaging. In particular, the present invention provides a carton that obscures the contents of a syringe barrel. [Background technology]

[0002] Blinded clinical trials eliminate patient and / or physician bias, which may consequently limit potential placebo effects. To meet the requirements of blinded clinical trials, it is important that the recipient of the drug, and often the physician administering the drug, does not know whether they are receiving or administering a placebo or drug. A study in which both the physician and the patient do not know whether they are receiving or administering a placebo or drug is called "double-blind."

[0003] Currently, possibilities for drug / placebo blinding include the use of vial-ampoule blinding solutions, e.g., opaque vials containing drug or placebo, the use of plastic syringe blinding systems, e.g., blackened syringe barrels or plastic syringe covers, and the use of makeshift systems, e.g., covering the vial or syringe with fabric.

[0004] However, in many cases of the blinding possibilities listed above, the placebo or drug may need to be packaged differently or transferred to new solid black or opaque packaging for the study, both of which can be inconvenient and costly for users. Furthermore, the makeshift systems may become dislodged during administration of the placebo or drug, potentially compromising the validity of the blinded clinical trial.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for an effective syringe shielding carton for blinded clinical trials that is user friendly, effective, and easy and economical to manufacture. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a carton for obscuring the contents of a syringe barrel, the carton comprising a housing including an opening through which the tip, barrel and flange of the syringe can be inserted into the housing, a chamber having a first portion that receives the barrel of the syringe and a second portion that receives the flange of the syringe, and an aperture opposite the opening through which the tip of the syringe protrudes when the syringe is inserted into the housing.

[0007] As used herein, the term "syringe" refers to the assembled plunger, barrel, flange, and tip (of a syringe), which may include a needle and / or a protective cover (i.e., a cap). Thus, it will be understood that the term "syringe" may refer to a syringe that includes a needle and / or a protective cover (i.e., a cap) on its tip. Furthermore, it will be understood that the term "syringe" refers to any syringe known in the art (including, for example, prefilled syringes).

[0008] The carton can include at least one flap portion, and after a syringe (i.e., tip, barrel and flange) is inserted into the housing, the flap portion can be moved from a first (e.g., unlocked) configuration in which it does not engage the syringe to a second (e.g., locked) configuration in which it engages a flange of the syringe to secure the syringe within the housing.

[0009] Preferably, the carton includes at least two flap portions, and after a syringe (i.e., tip, barrel and flange) is inserted into the housing, the flap portions are movable from a first (e.g., unlocked) configuration in which they do not engage the syringe to a second (e.g., locked) configuration in which they engage a flange of the syringe to secure the syringe within the housing.

[0010] After the syringe (i.e., tip, barrel and flange) is inserted into the housing, the barrel of the syringe is in a first portion of the chamber, the flange of the syringe is in a second portion of the chamber, the tip of the syringe is outside the housing, and the tip of the syringe protrudes through the aperture such that the plunger of the syringe is outside the opening of the housing. Thus, as used herein, the phrases "syringe in a housing" or "syringe of a housing" refer to a syringe in the above arrangement.

[0011] To facilitate insertion of the tip, barrel and flange of the syringe into the housing, the flap portion(s) must be in (or moved to) a first (e.g., unlocked) configuration such that the flap portion(s) are disposed within the opening and do not engage the syringe. After the tip, barrel and flange of the syringe are inserted into the housing and the tip then protrudes through the aperture of the housing, the flap portion can be in (or moved to) a second (e.g., locked) configuration in which the flap portion engages the flange of the syringe, thereby securing the syringe within the housing.

[0012] As used herein, the phrase "securing the syringe within the housing" means that the syringe is substantially prevented from moving back through the opening of the housing. In other words, in the second (e.g., locked) configuration, the flap portion prevents the tip, barrel, and flange of the syringe from being pulled back from the opening of the housing, thereby preventing the carton from falling off the syringe during use (e.g., during administration of the contents of the syringe barrel to a patient). A user (e.g., a user of the syringe) can move the flap portion between the first (e.g., unlocked) configuration and the second (e.g., locked) configuration after inserting the tip, barrel, and flange of the syringe into the housing.

[0013] It will be understood that the flap portion(s) include a first end and a second end. The or each flap portion's first end may be attached to the housing at a location substantially adjacent the opening of the housing. Preferably, the or each flap portion's first end is attached to the housing on an edge or rim of the opening of the housing. Preferably, the or each flap portion's first end is an extension of the housing (i.e., formed from a continuous sheet of the same material). When the carton of the present invention includes at least two flap portions, the flap portions are preferably uniformly distributed on / around the edge or rim of the opening of the housing.

[0014] The opening of the housing may be substantially square or rectangular. When the carton of the present invention includes at least one or at least two flap portions, the or each flap portion may be located on a side of the square or rectangular opening of the housing (i.e., on a side / edge of the opening). When the carton of the present invention includes at least two flap portions, the flap portions are preferably located on opposite sides of the square or rectangular opening of the housing (i.e., on opposite sides / edges of the opening).

[0015] Preferably, the flap portion(s) are dimensioned such that when in the second (e.g., locked) configuration, the or each flap portion's second end abuts the syringe's flange, thereby securing the syringe within the housing. The flap portion(s) may resist movement of the syringe back through the opening in the housing, thereby preventing the carton from dropping off the syringe during use. However, it will be appreciated that if necessary (i.e., after use of the syringe), the user may remove the syringe from the carton by moving the flap portion between the second (e.g., locked) and first (e.g., unlocked) configurations and removing the syringe's tip, barrel and flange from the opening.

[0016] The second portion of the chamber can include an ergonomically designed (e.g., semicircular) recess (e.g., located opposite the opening) to engage the fingers (e.g., index and middle fingers) of a user (e.g., a user of the syringe). The recess can provide a rest upon which the user's fingers can rest during use of the syringe (e.g., during administration of the contents of the syringe barrel to a patient). The recess can be shaped and dimensioned to be complementary to the user's fingers, thereby facilitating use of the syringe.

[0017] The second portion of the chamber may include an ergonomically designed (e.g., semicircular) plunger recess (e.g., located adjacent the opening) to allow the syringe plunger to be depressed (e.g., fully). It will be appreciated that to use the syringe (e.g., to administer the contents of the syringe barrel to a patient), a user (e.g., a user of the syringe) must depress the syringe plunger until the plunger reaches a desired position within the barrel. The plunger recess may be shaped and dimensioned to allow the syringe plunger to be depressed (e.g., fully). Thus, the entire contents of the syringe barrel may be administered while the syringe is within the housing.

[0018] Preferably, the housing is at least substantially opaque, which allows the contents of the syringe barrel to be obscured or partially obscured from a user (e.g., a syringe user), physician, patient, or the like, after the syringe (i.e., tip, barrel, and flange) is inserted into the housing.

[0019] As used herein, the phrase obscured or partially obscured means that a user (e.g., a syringe user), physician, patient, etc., cannot identify (e.g., by reading a label) the contents of a syringe (e.g., a syringe barrel) within a carton of the invention and / or cannot distinguish between a carton of the invention that includes a syringe that houses (e.g., in a syringe barrel) a first substance and a carton of the invention that includes a syringe that houses (e.g., in a syringe barrel) a second (i.e., different) substance. However, it will be understood that a user (e.g., a syringe user), physician, patient, etc., may be able to see the barrel, flange, and / or label of a syringe within a carton of the invention but may not be able to identify or distinguish the substance therein.

[0020] Preferably, the housing is of a shape that is substantially complementary to the syringe (e.g., a T-shaped prism). When the housing is of a shape that is substantially complementary to the syringe, use of the syringe within the housing (e.g., administering the contents of the barrel to a patient) can be simple and comparable to use of an uncovered syringe. However, it will be understood that the housing can be of any shape (e.g., a rectangular parallelepiped, e.g., a triangular prism).

[0021] The opening in the housing is sized to allow the tip, barrel and flange of the syringe to be inserted into the housing through the opening. A first portion of the chamber is sized to receive the barrel of the syringe and a second portion of the chamber is sized to receive the flange of the syringe. The aperture is sized such that the tip of the syringe can protrude from the aperture when the syringe is inserted into the housing.

[0022] Preferably, the housing is dimensioned such that movement of the syringe (i.e., within the housing) is substantially prevented after the syringe is inserted into the housing. Movement of the syringe within the housing can interfere with use of the syringe (e.g., administration of the contents of the syringe barrel to a patient). Thus, to facilitate use of the syringe, it is preferred that movement of the syringe (i.e., within the housing) is substantially prevented.

[0023] The carton can be formed from a continuous sheet of the same material. The continuous sheet of material can be held in shape by an adhesive (e.g., glue). The adhesive (e.g., glue) can be present on a tab portion of the continuous sheet of material. Preferably, the material used to form the carton is a paper-based material, such as paperboard, e.g., corrugated cardboard. The carton can be manufactured using conventional manufacturing procedures and is easy to manufacture.

[0024] The carton may have a syringe disposed therein. The syringe may be a pre-filled syringe. The syringe may contain a substance (e.g., in a barrel). The substance may be a medicine or a health care product. The product may be a liquid or a powder. However, it will be understood that the powder will need to be reconstituted with a solution before administration to the patient. Preferably, the barrel of the syringe is within the first portion of the chamber, the flange of the syringe is within the second portion of the chamber, and the tip of the syringe protrudes from the aperture such that the tip of the syringe is outside the housing and the plunger of the syringe is outside the opening of the housing. Preferably, the syringe is dimensioned such that movement of the syringe (i.e., within the housing) is substantially prevented after the syringe is inserted into the housing.

[0025] In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a use of a carton for obscuring the contents of a syringe barrel, the carton being capable of obscuring the contents of the syringe barrel during administration to patients during clinical trials (e.g., clinical trial phase 3 and phase 4 studies).

[0026] In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blank for forming a carton in accordance with any of the statements made herein.

[0027] In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a blank for a carton comprising a continuous sheet of a single material, the single sheet including a first section forming a back panel of the carton, a second section forming a first side panel of the carton, a third section forming a front panel of the carton, and a fourth section forming a second side panel of the carton, the first section being joined to the second section along folds and / or perforations, the second section being joined to the third section along the folds and / or perforations, the third section being joined to the fourth section along the folds and / or perforations, at least one flap extending longitudinally from one or more of the sections in substantially the same direction as the at least one fold and / or perforation, and a tab extending longitudinally from the first section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the at least one fold and / or perforation.

[0028] The blank may further include at least two cuts, a first cut traversing a portion of the second section and the third section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the at least one fold and / or perforation, and a second cut traversing a portion of the fourth section and the third section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the at least one fold and / or perforation.

[0029] The blank may further include recesses (eg, notches) in the first section and the third section.

[0030] The blank is folded along the creases and / or perforations so that the tab contacts the underside of the fourth section and is attached thereto with adhesive, thereby joining the tab and the fourth section.

[0031] The blank is folded along the further creases and / or perforations so that a portion of the fourth section contacts a portion of the first section and is attached thereto with adhesive, thereby joining a portion of the first section to a portion of the fourth section.

[0032] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the blank may be folded along creases and / or perforations to form the carton.

[0033] In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making a carton comprising folding a blank as described herein. Advantageously, the carton is easily erected from the blank.

[0034] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a carton according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the carton of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the carton of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled syringe that can be placed in a carton according to the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a blank of the carton of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a carton for obscuring the contents of a syringe barrel according to one embodiment of the invention. Figures 2 and 3 show different views of the same carton as Figure 1. Figure 5 shows a carton blank according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0037] The carton 100 includes a housing 101, a first flap portion 110, and a second flap portion 120, and is formed from the same continuous sheet of paper (e.g., paperboard) or other suitable material (e.g., cardboard). The continuous sheet of paper (e.g., paperboard) or other suitable material (e.g., cardboard) is substantially opaque. The carton 100 can house a syringe (e.g., including a prefilled syringe) (see FIG. 4) that includes a liquid pharmaceutical agent (e.g., drug or placebo) therein (i.e., within the barrel).

[0038] Housing 101 has an oval opening 102 at one end through which the tip, barrel and flange of a syringe (i.e., an assembled syringe, see e.g., FIG. 4 ) can be inserted into housing 101, a chamber having a first portion 103 that accommodates the barrel of the syringe and a second portion 104 that accommodates the flange of the syringe, and an aperture 105 opposite opening 102 through which the tip of the syringe can protrude when the syringe is inserted into housing 101.

[0039] The second portion of the chamber 104 has semicircular recesses 107a and 107b located in the wall of the second portion of the chamber 104 opposite the opening 102 and located on either side of the entrance to the first portion of the chamber 103. The recesses 107a and 107b are complementary to the shape of and are sized to fit the index and middle fingers of a user. The second portion of the chamber 104 has semicircular plunger recesses 106a and 106b located adjacent to and on opposite sides of the opening 102 and sized to allow the plunger of a syringe to be fully depressed.

[0040] Opening 102 is sized to allow the tip, barrel and flange of a syringe to be inserted into the housing through opening 102. A first portion of chamber 103 is sized to accommodate the barrel of the syringe and a second portion of chamber 104 is sized to accommodate the flange of the syringe. Aperture 105 is sized to allow the tip of the syringe (including the needle and / or protective cap) to protrude through aperture 105 when the syringe is inserted into housing 101.

[0041] It will be appreciated that the two flap portions 110 and 120 are extensions of the housing 101 and are formed from the same continuous sheet of paper (e.g., paperboard) or other suitable material (e.g., cardboard). The two flap portions 110 and 120 each have a first end 110a / 120a and a second end 110b / 120b. The first ends 110a / 120a of the two flap portions 110 and 120 are attached to the housing 101 at edges of the opening 102 on opposite sides. As shown in FIG. 1, in a first (e.g., unlocked) configuration, the two flap portions 110 and 120 are positioned such that they are positioned within the opening 102 and do not engage the syringe.

[0042] After inserting a syringe (i.e., tip, barrel and flange) (not shown in FIG. 1 ) into the housing 101, the two flap portions 110 and 120 are moved from a first (e.g., unlocked) configuration to a second (e.g., locked) configuration in which the second ends 110b / 120b abut the flange of the syringe, thereby securing the syringe within the housing 101. The two flap portions 110 and 120 are dimensioned such that when in the second (e.g., locked) configuration, the second ends 110b / 120b resist movement of the syringe back through the opening 102 of the housing 101, thereby preventing the carton 100 from falling off the syringe during use. However, it will be appreciated that if necessary (i.e., after using the syringe), the user can remove the syringe from the housing 101 by moving the two flap portions 110 and 120 between the second (e.g., locked) configuration and the first (e.g., unlocked) configuration and removing the tip, barrel and flange of the syringe from the opening 102.

[0043] 4 is a schematic diagram of an assembled syringe that can be placed in a carton according to the present invention. Syringe 300 includes a barrel 301, a flange 302, a plunger 303, and a tip 304 with a needle 305.

[0044] 5 illustrates a blank 200. The blank illustrated in FIG. 5 is configured to form the carton 100 illustrated in FIGS.

[0045] Blank 200 includes a first section 201 forming a back panel of the carton, a second section 202 forming a first side panel of the carton, a third section 203 forming a front panel of the carton, and a fourth section 204 forming a second side panel of the carton. First section 201 is joined to second section along fold lines 208 and 209. Second section 202 is joined to third section 203 along fold line 213 and perforation line 214. Third section 203 is joined to fourth section 204 along fold line 220 and perforation line 221.

[0046] Flap 211 extends longitudinally from second section 202 in substantially the same direction as fold line 208 and is joined to second section 202 along fold line 212. Flap 223 extends longitudinally from fourth section 204 in substantially the same direction as fold line 220 and is joined to the fourth section along fold line 224.

[0047] Tab 205 extends longitudinally from first section 201 in a direction substantially perpendicular to perforations 206 and is joined to first section 201 along perforations 206 .

[0048] The first section 201 is recessed to form a plunger recess 207. The third section 203 is recessed to form a plunger recess 219 of the same shape and dimensions as the plunger recess 207.

[0049] The second section 202 includes a cut 210 that traverses the second section 202 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fold 209 (from the fold 209 / 208 to the perforation 214 / fold 213).

[0050] The third section 203 has two parallel folds 215, 216 that extend longitudinally of the third section 203 from an edge of the third section 203 over substantially half the length of the third section 203. A semicircular cut 217 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fold 215 from the fold 215 to the second section 202 (where the perforation 214, the cut 210 and the fold 213 converge). A semicircular cut 218 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fold 216 from the fold 216 to the fourth section 204 (where the perforation 221, the cut 222 and the fold 220 converge).

[0051] The fourth section 204 includes a cut 222 that traverses the fourth section 204 (from an edge of the fourth section 204 to the perforation 221 / fold 220) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fold 220.

[0052] It will be appreciated that blank 200 can be assembled by one of ordinary skill in the art to form the carton of Figure 1. An example of how blank 200 can be assembled is as follows.

[0053] To assemble the blank 200 into the carton 100, the blank is folded along the creases and / or perforations so that the tab 205 contacts the underside of the fourth section 204 and is attached thereto with adhesive, joining the tab 205 and the fourth section 205.

[0054] The blank 200 is then folded along the further creases and / or perforations such that a portion of the fourth section 204 contacts a portion of the first section 201 and is attached thereto with an adhesive, joining a portion of the first section 201 to a portion of the fourth section 204.

[0055] The second section 202 then moves perpendicular to the first section 201. The third section 203 moves synchronously with the second section 202 such that a portion of the third section 203 is parallel to the first section 201 and a portion of the third section 203 (between the fold 216 and the perforation 221) is perpendicular to the first section 201.

[0056] Next, a portion of second section 202 (i.e., between fold line 209 and perforation 214) and a portion of third section 203 (i.e., between fold line 215 and perforation 214) are folded toward the underside of first section 201 along fold lines 215, 209 and perforation 214 so that a portion of second section 202 contacts first section 201 and a portion of third section 203 is perpendicular to first section 201.

[0057] The opening 102 is formed from edges of the first section 201, the second section 202, the third section 203 and the fourth section 204. The flaps 211 and 223 form flap portions 110 and 120, respectively, located on opposite sides of the opening 102.

[0058] The first portion of chamber 103 is formed from a portion of the underside of first section 201, an underside of a portion of third section 203 perpendicular to first section 201, and a portion of third section 203 parallel to first section 201. Aperture 105 is formed from a portion of an edge of first section 201, a portion of an edge of third section 203 perpendicular to first section 201, and a portion of an edge of third section 203 parallel to first section 201 (between fold 125 and fold 216).

[0059] The second portion of the chamber 104 is formed from the lower portions of the first section 201 , the second section 202 , the third section 203 and the fourth section 204 .

[0060] Semicircular cuts 217 and 218 form recesses 107a and 107b disposed in the wall of the second portion of chamber 104. Recesses 207 and 219 form plunger recesses 106a and 106b adjacent to and disposed on opposite sides of opening 102.

Claims

1. 1. A carton for obscuring the contents of a syringe barrel, comprising: a housing including an opening through which the tip, barrel, and flange of the syringe can be inserted into the housing; a chamber having a first portion that receives the barrel of the syringe and a second portion that receives the flange of the syringe; an aperture opposite the opening through which the tip of the syringe can protrude when the syringe is inserted into the housing; Provided with a carton.

2. 10. The carton of claim 1, comprising at least one flap portion movable from a first (e.g., unlocked) configuration in which the flap portion does not engage the syringe after the syringe is inserted into the housing to a second (e.g., locked) configuration in which the flap portion engages the flange of the syringe to secure the syringe within the housing.

3. 3. The carton of claim 1 or claim 2, comprising at least two flap portions that are movable from a first (e.g., unlocked) configuration in which the flap portions do not engage the syringe after the syringe is inserted into the housing to a second (e.g., locked) configuration in which the flap portions engage the flange of the syringe to secure the syringe within the housing.

4. 3. The carton of claim 2, wherein the flap portion is dimensioned such that when in the second (e.g., locked) configuration, an end of the flap portion abuts the flange of the syringe to secure the syringe within the housing.

5. 3. The carton of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second portion of the chamber includes ergonomically designed (e.g., semicircular) recesses (e.g., located opposite the opening) for engaging a user's fingers (e.g., index and middle fingers).

6. 3. The carton of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second portion of the chamber includes an ergonomically designed (e.g., semicircular) plunger recess (e.g., located adjacent the opening) to allow the plunger of the syringe to be depressed (e.g., fully).

7. 3. The carton of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing is at least substantially opaque.

8. 3. The carton of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing is substantially complementary in shape to the syringe (e.g., a T-prism).

9. 3. The carton of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing is dimensioned to substantially prevent movement of the syringe after insertion into the housing.

10. 3. The carton of claim 1 or claim 2 formed from a continuous sheet of the same material.

11. 11. The carton of claim 10, wherein the continuous sheet of material is held in shape by an adhesive.

12. 3. The carton of claim 1 or claim 2, which is formed from paperboard.

13. 3. The carton of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a syringe is disposed therein.

14. 14. The carton of claim 13, wherein the barrel of the syringe is within the first portion of the chamber, the flange of the syringe is within the first portion of the chamber, the tip of the syringe is located outside the housing, and the tip of the syringe protrudes from the aperture such that the plunger of the syringe is located outside the opening of the housing.

15. 3. Use of the carton of claim 1 or claim 2 to obscure the contents of the barrel of a syringe.

16. 16. The use of claim 15, wherein the carton obscures the contents of the barrel of a syringe while it is being administered to a patient during a clinical trial.

17. A blank for forming the carton of claim 1 or claim 2.

18. 1. A blank for a carton comprising a continuous sheet of a single material, said single sheet comprising: a first section forming a rear panel of the carton; a second section forming a first side panel of the carton; a third section forming a front panel of the carton; a fourth section forming a second side panel of the carton; Including, the first section is joined to the second section along folds and / or perforations; the second section is joined to the third section along folds and / or perforations; the third section is joined to the fourth section along a fold and / or perforation; at least one flap extends longitudinally from one or more of the sections in substantially the same direction as at least one of the folds and / or perforations; A tab extends longitudinally from the first section in a direction substantially perpendicular to at least one of the folds and / or perforations.

19. 19. The blank of claim 18, further comprising at least two cuts, the first cut traversing a portion of the second section and the third section in a direction substantially perpendicular to at least one of the folds and / or perforations, and the second cut traversing a portion of the fourth section and the third section in a direction substantially perpendicular to at least one of the folds and / or perforations.

20. 20. A product comprising the blank of claim 18 or 19, wherein the blank is folded along the crease and / or perforation so that the tab contacts the underside of the fourth section and is adhesively attached thereto, thereby joining the tab and the fourth section together.

21. 20. A product comprising the blank of claim 18 or 19, wherein the blank is folded along further folds and / or perforations such that a portion of the fourth section contacts a portion of the first section and is adhesively attached thereto, thereby joining the portion of the first section to the portion of the fourth section.

22. A method of making a carton, comprising folding a blank according to claim 18 or 19.

23. 4. A carton substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

24. 6. A blank substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 5.

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