Blister pack

Abstract

This blister pack comprises a blister film having at least one recess for a consumable product, each recess having a connecting channel extending therefrom, the blister film having a sealing surface which extends about the periphery of each recess and connecting channel. A lidding film is sealed to the blister film. The blister pack further comprises an active film comprising a base polymer and an active material, which is received on the blister film without covering the at least one recess, in such a way that each recess is connected by a connecting channel to an active surface portion of the active film. The active film is in contact with the sealing surface of the blister film in at least one contact region outside the or each active surface portion. In the sealed configuration of the blister pack, the lidding film is sealed to the sealing surface of the blister film at least around the periphery of the blister pack and the active film is sealed between the lidding film and the blister film in at least part of the at least one contact region.

Description

[0001] BLISTER PACK

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a blister pack for consumable products, in particular pharmaceutical, nutraceutical or herbal products, in which an active material is provided to regulate the atmosphere surrounding the consumable products. The active material may be selected, e.g., in the group of humidity absorbers, oxygen scavengers, odor absorbers, absorbers of volatile olfactory organic compounds, humidity emitters and / or emitters of volatile olfactory organic compounds. The invention also relates to a method and a manufacturing line for manufacturing a blister pack.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Within the meaning of the invention, a blister pack is any type of packaging having a bottom part, typically referred to as a "blister film", with a plurality of recesses formed therein, e.g., through vacuum forming or pressure forming, where each recess is configured to receive a respective consumable product such as, for example, a tablet, a capsule, a pill, etc. A cover, typically referred to as a "lidding film" is placed over and sealed to the blister film about the perimeter of each recess.

[0006] In present day blister packs, the blister film may be formed from a polymer material such as, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene dichloride (PVDC), a PVC / PVDC-com bination, a PVC / PCTFE-combination or polystyrene (PS), or from a cold forming blister laminate comprising an aluminum foil laminated with polymer films using dry bond lamination technology. The lidding film may be formed from an aluminum foil comprising a heat seal lacquer, or from a polymer material such as, for example, polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Blister packs comprising a blister film and a lidding film both formed from a polymer material, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyolefins such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE), are advantageous because of their recyclability.

[0007] A known solution for integrating an active material in a blister pack consists in placing the active material, e.g., in the form of a desiccant or scavenger extruded film, in each recess containing a consumable product. A problem of this type of blister pack, whether it is a "push-through" type or a "peel-push" type of blister pack, is that the active member can be retrieved by a user at the same time as the consumable product. For a "push-through" blister pack, the user uses a finger to push against the blister film at the location of the recess, until the consumable product breaks through the lidding film, thereby rendering the active member also accessible. For a "peel-push" blister pack, the user first peels away an upper layer of a two-layer lidding film to reveal the lower layer and then pushes against the blister film at the location of the recess, until the consumable product breaks through the lower layer of the lidding film, also giving access to the active material. Such an easy accessibility creates a risk of accidental ingestion of the active material. In addition, in this known solution, the quantity of active material that can be used in each recess to regulate the atmosphere is limited by the size of the recess in which the consumable product is received, which does not allow for optimum atmosphere control.

[0008] In other known solutions for integrating an active material in a blister pack, the blister film is provided with recesses dedicated to the active material, which are connected to the recesses containing the consumable products by connecting channels. WO 2023 / 126519 A1 discloses a blister pack comprising a blister film with first recesses for consumable products and second recesses for active members, where a reinforcing strip is sealed between the lidding film and the blister film in the region of the second recesses so as to prevent access to the active members. Such a solution effectively limits the accessibility to the active members and the risk of accidental ingestion thereof. However, the positioning of the active members in their dedicated recesses, and the positioning of the reinforcing strip, are steps that make the manufacturing process of the blister pack complex. It is these drawbacks that the invention is intended more particularly to remedy by proposing a blister pack comprising an active material for regulating the atmosphere surrounding consumable products packaged inside the blister pack, where the blister pack reliably prevents a user from accessing the active material, thus limiting the risk of accidental ingestion thereof, the blister also having a simplified manufacturing process, which can easily be implemented on conventional blister manufacturing lines.

[0009] DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0010] For this purpose, one subject of the invention is a blister pack comprising:

[0011] - a blister film having at least one recess for a consumable product, each recess having a connecting channel extending therefrom, the blister film having a sealing surface which extends about the periphery of each recess and connecting channel,

[0012] - a lidding film sealed to the blister film while covering the at least one recess and connecting channel, wherein the blister pack further comprises at least one active film comprising a base polymer and an active material, the at least one active film being received on the blister film without covering the at least one recess, in such a way that each recess is connected by a connecting channel to an active surface portion of the at least one active film, wherein the at least one active film is in contact with the sealing surface of the blister film in at least one contact region outside the or each active surface portion, wherein, in the sealed configuration of the blister pack, the lidding film is sealed to the sealing surface of the blister film at least around the periphery of the blister pack, and the at least one active film is sealed between the lidding film and the blister film in at least part of the at least one contact region.

[0013] According to the above, the active material is inserted in the blister pack in the form of at least one active film comprising a base polymer and an active material, which is simply placed on the blister film, possibly without having to be positioned in specific recesses of the blister film. The polymer material of the at least one active film allows its sealing between the lidding film and the blister film in the same manufacturing step as the sealing of the lidding film to the sealing surface of the blister film. Thus, the manufacturing method of the blister pack is simplified. Advantageously, the at least one active film can also be provided with a relatively large surface area which is sealed between the lidding film and the blister film, outside the active surface portions exposed to the atmosphere inside the connecting channels and the recesses for the consumable products. This ensures that the at least one active film is securely attached to the blister pack and cannot be removed therefrom by a user. In this way, the risk of accidental ingestion of an active material is prevented.

[0014] Another advantage of the above blister pack structure is that one and the same active film can be used to regulate the atmosphere in several recesses for consumable products, without the need to provide an individual active member for each recess of the blister pack. In other words, one and the same active film can be used to serve several recesses for consumable products. It is noted that, even in this case of a single active film serving several recesses for consumable products, each recess can still be separated from any other recess by a sealed structure formed by the active film sealed between the lidding film and the blister film and / or formed by the lidding film directly sealed to the blister film. In this way, the retrieval of a consumable product out of a recess does not impact the surrounding atmosphere of the other consumable products packaged in the blister pack, since the other recesses are isolated from the recess from which a consumable product has been retrieved.

[0015] According to one embodiment, in the sealed configuration of the blister pack, the at least one active film is sealed between and to each of the lidding film and the blister film in the at last a part of the at least one contact region. Such an arrangement ensures that the at least one active film is securely held in place in the blister pack. According to one embodiment, in the sealed configuration of the blister pack, the lidding film is sealed to the sealing surface of the blister film, either directly or indirectly via the at least one active film, around the periphery of each compartment comprising a recess and an active surface portion connected to each other by a connecting channel. Thanks to this arrangement, each recess for a consumable product can be separated from the other recesses for consumable products by a sealed structure formed by the at least one active film sealed between the lidding film and the blister film and / or formed by the lidding film directly sealed to the blister film.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the at least one active film is made of a monolithic polymeric material formed of at least a base polymer and an active material, also called “entrained active polymer”. Such an entrained active polymer may be obtained, e.g., by compounding, by mixing at least one base polymer and at least one active material in particulate form. The active material may be any type of active material capable of regulating an atmosphere in an enclosure. In particular, the active material may belong to a group of: humidity absorbers (or desiccants); oxygen scavengers; odor absorbers; absorbers of volatile olfactory organic compounds; humidity emitters; emitters of volatile olfactory organic compounds; and mixtures thereof. Optionally, the active material may be capable of releasing gaseous substances such as moisture. Such properties can for example be useful for applications where sensitive products require a certain humidity level. Such products are, for example, powders, especially for generating aerosols, gelatin capsules, herbal medicine, food products, etc.

[0017] Examples of suitable humidity absorbers include, without limitation, silica gels, molecular or similar sieves, natural or synthetic zeolites, dehydrating clays, activated alumina, calcium oxide, barium oxide, or deliquescent salts such as magnesium sulfide, calcium chloride, aluminum chloride, lithium chloride, calcium bromide, zinc chloride or the like. Examples of suitable oxygen scavengers include, without limitation, metal powders having a reducing capacity, in particular iron, zinc, tin powders, metal oxides still having the ability to oxidize, in particular ferrous oxide, as well as compounds of iron such as carbides, carbonyls, hydroxides, used alone or in the presence of an activator such as hydroxides, carbonates, sulfites, thiosulfates, phosphates, organic acid salts, or hydrogen salts of alkaline metals or alkaline earth metals, activated carbon, activated alumina or activated clays. Other agents for collecting oxygen can also be chosen from specific reactive polymers such as those described for example in the patent documents US 5,736,616 A, WO 99 / 48963 A2, WO 98 / 51758 A1 and WO 2018 / 149778 A1.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the polymer composition of the at least one active film comprises a base polymer and an inorganic desiccant material as the active material, in particular selected from the group comprising silica gels, molecular sieves, zeolites, clay, hydrate salts, metal oxides, and mixtures thereof. The inorganic desiccant material may be present in an amount of 50 wt% or more over the total weight of the polymer composition. Typically, the inorganic desiccant material absorbs, adsorbs, or releases moisture. In one embodiment, the polymer composition of the at least one active film may further comprise an additive, for example a polyether block amide, as disclosed in WO 2019 / 197165 A1 .

[0019] According to one embodiment, the at least one active film is a film of entrained active polymer obtained by extrusion or by injection molding. Extrusion is advantageous in that it makes it possible to obtain a web of entrained active polymer which may be wound around a reel, from which the at least one active film may be cut out. In particular, the at least one active film may be cut out from a web of entrained active polymer in a continuous process during the manufacturing of the blister pack, or pre-cut to a desired length and distributed during the manufacturing of the blister pack. Injection molding is advantageous in that it makes it possible to easily obtain various shapes for the at least one active film and to engrave on the at least one active film symbols or alphanumeric characters forming, e.g., words, pictograms or logos. Alternatively, a marking on the at least one active film may be obtained by laser-marking. In this case, the polymeric material of the at least one active film may be formulated with an additive absorbing radiation in a given wavelength range corresponding to the wavelength of the laser beam used for the marking. In particular, the additive may be a pigment which undergoes a photochemical reaction and changes color under the effect of a laser beam whose wavelength is in the absorption spectrum of the additive. An example of such a pigment is titanium dioxide (TiCh), which absorbs radiation in the ultraviolet (UV) wavelength range below 400 nm.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the at least one active film is a thin film comprising two main faces and an edge face connecting the two main faces. The at least one active film may have any shape adapted to the design of the blister pack including, for example, a quadrilateral shape, a circular shape, an oval shape, etc. According to one embodiment, the at least one active film has a thickness of 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. With such a reduced thickness of the at least one active film, the quality of the sealing of the lidding film with respect to the blister film is preserved, both in regions where the lidding film is sealed directly to the blister film and in regions where the lidding film is sealed indirectly to the blister film via an active film.

[0021] According to one embodiment, in the sealed configuration of the blister pack, the sealing surface of the blister film is a substantially planar surface, wherein a maximum distance between two regions of the sealing surface in a direction orthogonal to a mean plane of the sealing surface 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 also contributes to the quality of the sealing of the lidding film with respect to the blister film, both in regions where the lidding film is sealed directly to the blister film and in regions where the lidding film is sealed indirectly to the blister film via an active film.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the at least one active film of the blister pack has at least one rounded or chamfered edge. This allows the insertion of the at least one active film between the blister film and the lidding film with limited demarcation at the junctions between, on the one hand, the regions where the blister film and the lidding film are directly in contact with each other and, on the other hand, the regions where the at least one active film is between the blister film and the lidding film.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the blister film comprises at least one housing for receiving the at least one active film, such that the at least one active film is housed in the at least one housing of the blister film without extending beyond the sealing surface of the blister film, in particular when the blister pack is sealed. In other words, the at least one active film is housed in the at least one housing of the blister film without protruding from the sealing surface of the blister film. In this way, the at least one active film can be inserted between the blister film and the lidding film without demarcation at the junctions between, on the one hand, the regions where the blister film and the lidding film are directly in contact with each other and, on the other hand, the regions where the at least one active film is between the blister film and the lidding film. According to one embodiment, a depth of the at least one housing of the blister film is substantially equal to the thickness of the at least one active film.

[0024] According to one embodiment, for at least one recess of the blister film, an active surface portion to which the recess is connected by the connecting channel is a portion of an edge face of the at least one active film. In this case, the connecting channel can open directly onto the edge face of the at least one active film, without the need of a specific cutout in the blister film, since the edge face of the at least one active film can be at the same level as the connecting channel when the at least one active film is in place on the blister film.

[0025] According to one embodiment, for at least one recess of the blister film, an active surface portion to which the recess is connected by the connecting channel is a portion of a main face of the at least one active film. In this case, a specific cutout is advantageously provided in the blister film so that the connecting channel connects the recess to the cutout which is arranged to expose an 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 or each cutout is designed to maximize the surface area of the active surface portion to which the recess is connected, thus allowing to set the level of atmosphere regulation in the recess receiving the consumable product.

[0026] According to one embodiment, in the sealed configuration of the blister pack, each recess is connected to a respective active surface portion of the at least one active film by a connecting channel. Thanks to this arrangement, the retrieval of a consumable product out of a recess does not impact the surrounding atmosphere of any other consumable product packaged in the blister pack, since the other recesses are not connected to the recess from which a consumable product has been retrieved. On the contrary, when an active surface portion of the at least one active film is connected to several recesses, as soon as a consumable product is retrieved from one of the recesses, by opening the lidding film, the active surface portion and the consumable products received in the other recesses connected thereto are all exposed to the outside atmosphere.

[0027] According to one embodiment, in the sealed configuration of the blister pack, each recess is separated from any other recess by a sealed structure formed by the at least one active film sealed between the lidding film and the blister film and / or formed by the lidding film directly sealed to the blister film. In this way, when a consumable product is retrieved from a recess by opening the lidding film, e.g. in a “push-through” or "peel-push" manner, only the active surface portion connected to said recess is exposed to the outside atmosphere, whereas the active surface portions connected to the other recesses of the blister pack remain protected by the lidding film sealed to the blister film, either directly or indirectly via the at least one active film.

[0028] According to one embodiment, a minimum distance between the sealing surface of the blister film and a bottom wall of each connecting channel of the blister film, optionally also between the sealing surface of the blister film and a bottom wall of each cutout, is higher than or equal to 0.5 mm, preferably higher than or equal to 1 mm. Such a minimum distance ensures that no sealing is established between the lidding film and the bottom walls. It is particularly important to provide this minimum distance between the sealing surface and a bottom wall of each connecting channel, because a connecting channel is generally designed with a reduced cross section compared to the recesses and cutouts. This ensures that no seal is established between the lidding film and the lower wall of the connecting channel likely to close the channel.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the or each active film extends over at least 70% of a main dimension of the blister film. Such an arrangement ensures that a relatively large surface area of each active film is sealed between the lidding film and the blister film, so that it is securely attached to the blister pack and cannot be removed therefrom by a user. Advantageously, the or each active film extends from one end to another end of the blister film along the direction of said main dimension. Such an arrangement may result, e.g., from a continuous manufacturing process of the blister pack in which the or each active film is cut out from a web of active polymer circulating facing the blister film.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the at least one active film and the blister film comprise materials that are chemically compatible so as to bond together under the effect of heat and / or pressure. This allows a sealing between the at least one active film and the blister film, e.g. by heat-sealing, ultrasonic welding, impulse welding, etc. According to one embodiment, the at least one active film and the blister film comprise the same polymer.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the at least one active film comprises a thermoplastic polymer as a base polymer. According to one embodiment, the at least one active film comprises a polymer capable of being heat-sealed to the blister film. This is advantageous in that the whole of the blister pack can be sealed in a single heat-sealing step.

[0032] Examples of suitable polymers for the at least one active film and / or the blister film include, e.g.: polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and other polyolefins; polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); polyvinylidene dichloride (PVDC); a PVC / PVDC combination; a PVC / PTFE combination; polystyrene (PS); ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) (e.g., available from Honeywell under the trademark Aclar®); cyclic olefin copolymers (COC) (e.g., available from Topas Advanced Polymers); polyesters; cellulosic materials; and mixtures thereof.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the blister film and the lidding film are made of polymer materials, optionally the blister film and the lidding film comprise the same polymer. Blister packs in which all of the blister film, the lidding film and the at least one active film are formed from polymer materials are advantageous because of their recyclability. Examples of such “all-polymer” blister packs include, e.g.: blister packs in which all of the blister film, the lidding film and the at least one active film are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET); blister packs in which all of the blister film, the lidding film and the at least one active film are made of polypropylene (PP) and / or polyethylene (PE).

[0034] According to another embodiment, the blister film is made of a polymer material and the lidding film comprises a metal foil, in particular an aluminum foil. A lidding film comprising a metal foil, in particular an aluminum foil, is advantageous in that it has good gas barrier properties, in particular against moisture, oxygen, etc. Examples of lidding films comprising a metal foil include, e.g.: multilayer films comprising an aluminum foil and a heat seal layer, such as an acrylic lacquer; multilayer films comprising an aluminum foil and at least one polymer layer, in particular selected from a polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or other polyolefin layer, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer.

[0035] According to another embodiment, both the blister film and the lidding film comprise a metal foil, in particular an aluminum foil. The integration of at least one active film in a blister pack of which both the blister film and the lidding film comprise a metal foil, in particular an aluminum foil, is particularly effective in protecting a consumable product from gaseous substances such as moisture or oxygen, by combining the gas barrier effect of the blister film and lidding film both comprising a metal foil with the gas absorption effect of the at least one active film. Examples of blister films comprising a metal foil include, e.g.: cold forming blister laminates comprising an aluminum foil and an adhesive layer; cold forming blister laminates comprising an aluminum foil and at least one polymer layer, in particular selected from a polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or another polyolefin layer, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer, a polyamide nylon (OPA) layer.

[0036] Another subject of the invention is a method for manufacturing a blister pack, comprising steps of: a) providing a blister film having at least one recess for a consumable product, each recess having a connecting channel extending therefrom, the blister film having a sealing surface which extends about the periphery of each recess and each connecting channel; b) introducing a consumable product in the 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, in such a way that each recess is connected by a connecting channel to an active surface portion of the active film, and the active film is in contact with the sealing surface of the blister film in at least one contact region outside the or each active surface portion; d) positioning a lidding film on the blister film and the active film, in such a way that the lidding film covers the at least one recess, the at least one connecting channel and the sealing surface of the blister film; e) sealing the lidding film directly to the sealing surface of the blister film, out of the at least one contact region, and sealing the active film between the lidding film and the blister film, in at least part of the at least one contact region, so that the lidding film is sealed directly or indirectly to the sealing surface of the blister film at least around the periphery of the blister pack.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the method, in step e), the lidding film is sealed directly or indirectly to the sealing surface of the blister film around the periphery of each compartment comprising a recess and an active surface portion connected to each other by a connecting channel.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the method, the active film used in step c) is obtained from a web of active polymer circulating facing the blister film, the web of active polymer being positioned so that the active film is placed on the blister film and cut out from the web of active polymer in a continuous process.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the method, the active film used in step c) is precut to a desired size before being placed on the blister film.

[0040] Another subject of the invention is a manufacturing line for manufacturing a blister pack as described above, the manufacturing line comprising:

[0041] - a device for positioning a web of blister material along a conveying path;

[0042] - a thermoforming device for thermoforming the web of blister material with at least one recess and connecting channel extending from the at least one recess, a sealing surface extending about the periphery of each recess and each connecting channel;

[0043] - a device for positioning a web of active polymer, comprising a base polymer and an active material, along the conveying path on the web of blister material; in particular, the web of active polymer is positioned on the web of blister material without covering the at least one recess and in such a way that each recess is connected by a connecting channel to an active surface portion of the active film;

[0044] - a device for positioning a web of lidding material along the conveying path on the web of blister material and the web of active polymer; in particular, the web of lidding material is positioned on the web of blister material and the web of active polymer in such a way that the web of lidding material covers the at least one recess, the at least one connecting channel and the sealing surface of the blister film;

[0045] - a sealing device for sealing the web of lidding material to the web of blister material, either directly or indirectly via the web of active polymer.

[0046] The different devices of the manufacturing line can be distributed along the conveying path in any order technically compatible with the manufacturing of the blister pack.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the sealing device includes at least one of a heatsealing device, an ultrasonic welding device, an impulse welding device. According to one embodiment, the manufacturing line comprises a cutting device for cutting segments of the sealed stack comprising the web of blister material, the web of active polymer and the web of lidding material.

[0048] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of several embodiments of a blister pack, a manufacturing method and a manufacturing line according to the invention, this description being given merely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0050] Figure 1 is a top view of a blister pack according to a first embodiment of the invention, from the side of the blister film, schematically showing sealing regions where the lidding film is sealed to the blister film, either directly or indirectly via an active film;

[0051] Figure 2 is a cross section along the line ll-ll of Figure 1 ;

[0052] Figure 3 is a cross section along the line Ill-Ill of Figure 1 ;

[0053] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the blister film of the blister pack of Figure 1 , seen from the side of the sealing surface intended to receive the active film and the lidding film;

[0054] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the active film of the blister pack of Figure 1 ;

[0055] Figure 6 is a schematic view of a manufacturing line for the manufacturing of the blister pack of Figure 1 ;

[0056] Figure 7 is a top view similar to Figure 1 for a first variant of the blister pack of Figure 1 ;

[0057] Figure 8 is a top view similar to Figure 1 for a second variant of the blister pack of Figure 1 ; Figure 9 is a top view similar to Figure 1 for a blister pack according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0058] Figure 10 is a cross section along the line X-X of Figure 9;

[0059] Figure 11 is a cross section along the line XI-XI of Figure 9;

[0060] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the blister film of the blister pack of Figure 9, seen from the side of the sealing surface intended to receive the active film and the lidding film;

[0061] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the active film of the blister pack of Figure 9;

[0062] Figure 14 is a top view similar to Figure 1 for a blister pack according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0063] Figure 15 is a cross section along the line XV-XV of Figure 14;

[0064] Figure 16 is a top view similar to Figure 1 for a blister pack according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

[0065] Figure 17 is a top view similar to Figure 1 for a blister pack according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

[0066] ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0067] In the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 to 6, the blister pack 1 comprises a thermoformed blister film 3 having ten recesses 32 for consumable products 2. As clearly seen in Figure 4, the blister film 3 has a central housing 35 extending over the length of the blister film, which is designed to receive an active film 5 comprising a base polymer and an active material. The blister film 3 additionally has ten connecting channels 38, each extending from a respective recess 32 towards the central housing 35. Around the periphery of the central housing 35 and each recess 32 and connecting channel 38, the blister film 3 has a sealing surface 31 . The blister pack 1 also comprises a lidding film 4 heat-sealed to the blister film 3 while covering the recesses 32 and the connecting channels 38.

[0068] In this first embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the active film 5 is a parallelepipedal thin film comprising two main faces 53, 54 and an edge face 52 connecting the two main faces. The active film 5 has a length Ls 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. In this way, the active film 5 extends from one end 3A to another end 3C of the blister film along its length direction, i.e. the active film 5 extends over 100% of the length of the blister film 3. Such an arrangement ensures that a large surface area of the active film 5 is sealed between the blister film 3 and the lidding film 4, so that it is securely attached to the blister pack 1 and cannot be removed therefrom by a user. Advantageously, the thickness T5of the active film 5 is substantially equal to or slightly higher than the depth of the housing 35 of the blister film, so that the active film 5 is housed in the housing 35 without extending beyond the sealing surface 31 of the blister film once sealed. By way of example, in this first embodiment, the active film 5 has a thickness T5 of the order of 0.5 mm.

[0069] According to a non-limiting example, the active film 5 may be made of a thermoplastic base polymer formulated with an inorganic desiccant material. In particular, the active film 5 may comprise a polyolefin as the base polymer and an inorganic desiccant material as the active material, for example selected from silica gel, molecular sieve, zeolite, clay, hydrate salt, metal oxide, and mixtures thereof. Advantageously, the inorganic desiccant material is present in an amount of 50 wt% or more over the total weight of the polymer composition of the active film 5.

[0070] As clearly visible in Figure 4, the blister film 3 also has ten cutouts 36 provided at the bottom of the central housing 35 so that each connecting channel 38 connects a recess 32 to a cutout 36. When the active film 5 is received in the central housing 35 of the blister film 3, each connecting channel 38 opens at a portion 56a of the edge face 52 of the active film 5, and each cutout 36 is arranged facing a portion 56b of the lower main face 53 of the active film 5 directed towards the blister film 3, thus exposing the active surface portions 56a and 56b to the atmosphere inside the connecting channel 38 and the recess 32. Advantageously, for each recess 32 receiving a consumable product 2, the size of the cutout 36 can be adapted to adjust the surface area of the active surface portion 56b to which the recess 32 is connected, thus allowing to set the level of atmosphere regulation in the recess 32.

[0071] By way of example, in this embodiment, the depth of each cutout 36 and connecting channel 38, relative to the sealing surface 31 of the blister film, is of the order of 0.5 mm. Thus, the distance d between the sealing surface 31 and the bottom wall 39 of each connecting channel 38 of the blister film, as well as between the sealing surface 31 and a bottom wall 37 of each cutout 36, is of the order of 0.5 mm. Such a distance d ensures that no sealing is established between the lidding film 4 and the bottom walls 37, 39 likely to close the connection between the active surface portions of the active film 5 and the corresponding recess 32. In the sealed configuration of the blister pack 1 , the sealing surface 31 of the blister film 3 is a substantially planar surface.

[0072] In order to be able to seal the entire blister pack 1 in a single heat-sealing step, the base polymer of the active film 5 is advantageously capable of being heat-sealed to the blister film 3. In the cross sections of Figures 2 and 3, each sealing region within the blister pack 1 is shown schematically by thick line, denoted S. According to a non-limiting example of a blister pack according to the first embodiment, the active film 5 as described above, comprising a polyolefin as the base polymer and an inorganic desiccant material as the active material, may be associated with:

[0073] - a blister film 3 made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which has been heated and thermoformed so as to form the recesses 32, housing 35, cutouts 36 and connecting channels 38, as well as the sealing surface 31 ;

[0074] - a multilayer lidding film 4 comprising an aluminum foil, for example ZEON +PR 25 pm from BILCARE which comprises a layer of print primer, an aluminum foil layer, a tie resin layer, and a sealant resin, optionally containing an embrittling agent. A blister pack 1 as described above may be manufactured in a continuous process, the active film 5 being obtained from a web 30 of active polymer. By way of a non-limiting example, as shown schematically in Figure 6, a manufacturing line 10 for manufacturing a blister pack 1 as described above may comprise successively, along a conveying path of the manufacturing line 10:

[0075] - a reel device 11 for unwinding a web 30 of blister material having the composition of the blister film 3, and positioning the web 30 of blister material along the conveying path; according to a non-limiting example, the web 30 of blister material is a web of polyvinyl chloride (PVC);

[0076] - a thermoforming device 12 for thermoforming the web 30 of blister material at regular intervals as it progresses along the conveying path, and thus forming in the web 30 of blister material the recesses 32, the housing 35, the cutouts 36 and the connecting channels 38 of the blister film 3, as well as the sealing surface 31 extending about the periphery of the central housing 35 and each recess 32 and connecting channel 38;

[0077] - a reel device 13 for unwinding a web 50 of active polymer having the composition of the active film 5, and positioning the web 50 of active polymer along the conveying path in the housing 35 of the web 30 of blister material; according to a non-limiting example, the web 50 of active polymer comprises a polyolefin as the base polymer and an inorganic desiccant material as the active material;

[0078] - at least one hopper 14 (two hoppers 14 being shown in Figure 6) for distributing consumable products 2, such as tablets, capsules or pills, and positioning them in the dedicated recesses 32 of the web 30 of blister material as it progresses along the conveying path;

[0079] - a reel device 15 for unwinding a web 40 of lidding material having the composition of the lidding film 4, and positioning the web 40 of lidding material along the conveying path on the web 30 of blister material and the web 50 of active polymer; according to a non-limiting example, the web 40 of lidding material is a multilayer film comprising an aluminum foil;

[0080] - a heat sealing device 16 for sealing the web 40 of lidding material to the web 30 of blister material, either directly, or indirectly via the web 50 of active polymer in the region of the housing 35, at regular intervals as the webs progress along the conveying path, so that the whole of the stack comprising the web 30 of blister material, the web 50 of active polymer and the web 40 of lidding material is sealed in a single heat-sealing step;

[0081] - a cutting device 17 for cutting segments of the heat-sealed stack comprising the web 30 of blister material, the web 50 of active polymer and the web 40 of lidding material, according to the length L3 so that each cut segment forms a blister pack 1.

[0082] It is understood that the blister pack 1 may be manufactured in a completely continuous process, in which the active film 5 is obtained from a web 50 of active polymer circulating facing the blister film, e.g. using the manufacturing line 10 described with reference to Figure 6, or the blister pack 1 may be manufactured in a discontinuous process, in which the active film 5 is pre-cut to a desired size before being positioned on the blister film.

[0083] Whatever the manner in which the active film 5 is provided, either continuously or discontinuously, a method for manufacturing a blister pack 1 as described above advantageously comprises steps of: a) providing the blister film 3 formed with the recesses 32, the housing 35, the cutouts 36 and the connecting channels 38, as well as the sealing surface 31 extending about the periphery of the central housing 35 and each recess 32 and connecting channel 38; b) introducing consumable products 2 in the recesses 32 of the blister film 3; c) positioning an active film 5 in the housing 35 of the blister film 3, so that the recesses 32 are not covered by the active film 5 and are each connected by a connecting channel 38 to respective active surface portions 56a, 56b of the active film 5, the active film 5 being in contact with the sealing surface 31 of the blister film in contact regions 51 outside the active surface portions 56a, 56b; d) positioning the lidding film 4 on the blister film 3 and the active film 5, in such a way that the lidding film 4 covers the whole surface of the blister film 3, i.e. so that that the lidding film 4 covers all of the recesses 32, the connecting channels 38 and the sealing surface 31 of the blister film; e) out of the contact regions 51 , sealing the lidding film 4 directly to the sealing surface 31 of the blister film 3 and, in the contact regions 51 , sealing the active film 5 between the lidding film 4 and the blister film 3, so that the lidding film is sealed directly or indirectly to the sealing surface 31 of the blister film over the whole surface of the blister pack 1 .

[0084] Thanks to the above method, the blister pack 1 of the first embodiment can be sealed easily, by heating the whole surface of the lidding film 4 positioned on the blister film 3 and the active film 5, which generates not only the direct heat-sealing between the lidding film 4 and the blister film 3 out of the contact regions 51 , but also the heat-sealing via the active film 5 in the contact regions 51 , as shown schematically by the thick lines S in Figures 2 and 3. Thanks to the specific design of the different elements of the blister pack 1 , the heat-sealing via the active film 5 is obtained in the contact regions 51 without closing the cutouts 36 and connecting channels 38, where the distance d prevents heat-sealing. Advantageously, it is therefore not necessary to have a localized heating with a specific pattern corresponding to the contact regions 51 , which would make the heat-sealing step more complex and expensive.

[0085] As it emerges from the above, in the sealed configuration of the blister pack 1 , the active film 5 is heat-sealed over its whole surface to both the blister film 3 and the lidding film 4. Since the active film 5 is firmly attached to both the blister film 3 and the lidding film 4 and extends over the whole length L3 of the blister pack, a user cannot retrieve the active film 5 in a “push-through” manner (or "peel-push" manner, if the lidding film 4 comprises an upper layer to be peeled away). Thus, the risk of accidental ingestion of active material is significantly reduced with the blister pack 1 as described above.

[0086] In addition, in the sealed configuration of the blister pack 1 , the lidding film 4 is sealed to the sealing surface 31 of the blister film 3, either directly or indirectly via the active film 5, all around the periphery of each compartment comprising a recess 32 and active surface portions 56a, 56b connected to each other by a connecting channel 38. Thanks to this arrangement, each recess 32 for a consumable product 2 is separated from the other recesses 32 for consumable products by a sealed structure formed by the active film 5 sealed between the blister film 3 and the lidding film 4 and / or formed by the lidding film 4 directly sealed to the blister film 3. Then, when a consumable product 2 is retrieved from a recess 32 by opening the lidding film 4, e.g. in a “push-through” or "peel-push" manner, only the active surface portions 56a, 56b connected to said recess are exposed to the outside atmosphere, whereas the active surface portions 56a, 56b connected to the other recesses 32 of the blister pack remain protected by the lidding film 4 sealed to the blister film 3, either directly or indirectly via the active film 5.

[0087] Figures 7 and 8 show two variants of the blister pack 1 of the first embodiment, which differ from the first embodiment only in that the stack comprising the blister film 3, the active film 5 and the lidding film 4 is sealed according to specific localized patterns, instead of being sealed over its whole surface. In the variant of Figure 7, the sealing zones S are distributed according to a grid pattern, still ensuring that each recess 32 for a consumable product 2 is separated from the other recesses 32 by a sealed structure formed by the active film 5 sealed between the blister film 3 and the lidding film 4 and / or formed by the lidding film 4 directly sealed to the blister film 3. In the variant of Figure 8, the sealing zones S correspond to a frame pattern defined around the periphery of the blister pack 1 . In the variant of Figure 8, the separation between the recesses 32 is not as hermetic as in the preceding figures. In all the blister packs 1 shown in Figures 1 to 8, the active film is effectively retained within the structure of the blister pack, by being sealed between the blister film 3 and the lidding film 4 over a large surface area, so that a user cannot retrieve the active film 5, and the risk of accidental ingestion of active material is reduced.

[0088] The sealing patterns of the variants of Figures 7 and 8 may be obtained, e.g., by sealing the stack comprising the blister film 3, the active film 5 and the lidding film 4 using localized sealing bars, e.g., heat-sealing bars. Advantageously, in the variants of Figures 7 and 8, the lidding film 4 is not sealed to the upper main face 54 of the active film 5 in the vicinity of the cutouts 36 and connecting channels 38, thus making an additional active surface portion 56c available for atmosphere regulation in the recesses 32, said additional active surface portion 56c being part of the upper main face 54 of the active film 5 directed towards the lidding film 4. In the first embodiment, this additional active surface portion 56c (visible in Figures 2 and 3) is sealed to the lidding film 4, as shown by the thick line S, and thus not used for atmosphere regulation.

[0089] In the second embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 13, elements that are similar to those of the first embodiment have the same references. The blister pack 1 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the blister film 3 is devoid of a central housing 35 and cutouts 36. In this second embodiment, the active film 5 extends over an end of each connecting channel 38, so that each connecting channel 38 opens at the level of active surface portions 56a, 56b of the active film 5. In this second embodiment, the active film 5 may be selected to have a reduced thickness Ts compared to the first embodiment, e.g., less than 0.3 mm, so that the quality of the sealing of the lidding film 4 with respect to the blister film 3 is preserved at the junctions between, on the one hand, the regions where the blister film 3 and the lidding film 4 are directly in contact with each other and, on the other hand, the regions where the active film 5 is between the blister film 3 and the lidding film 4. As shown in Figure 13, in this second embodiment, at least the longitudinal edges of the active film 5 are advantageously chamfered to allow the insertion of the active film between the blister film 3 and the lidding film 4 with limited demarcation at the junctions between, on the one hand, the regions where the blister film 3 and the lidding film 4 are directly in contact with each other and, on the other hand, the regions where the active film 5 is between the blister film 3 and the lidding film 4. Of course, in variants, all edges of the active film 5 may be chamfered, or at least some edges of the active film 5 may be rounded.

[0090] In the third embodiment shown in Figures 14 and 15, elements that are similar to those of the first embodiment have the same references. The blister pack 1 of the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the blister film 3 has two housings 35, which extend parallel to its length direction and are configured to receive two distinct active films 5, instead of a central housing 35 configured to receive a single active film 5 serving all of the recesses 32. In this third embodiment, the recesses 32 are grouped into two rows of five recesses and each row is associated with a respective active film 5, to which the recesses 32 of the row are connected by their respective connecting channels 38. Each active film 5 is a parallelepipedal thin film having a length Ls 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. Thus, similar to the previous embodiments, each active film 5 extends from one end 3A to another end 3C of the blister film along its length direction, i.e. each active film 5 extends over 100% of the length of the blister film 3. This arrangement ensures that a large surface area of each active film 5 is sealed between the blister film 3 and the lidding film 4, so that it is securely attached to the blister pack 1 and cannot be removed therefrom by a user.

[0091] In the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 16, elements that are similar to those of the first embodiment have the same references. The blister pack 1 of the fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the blister film 3 has two housings 35, which extend parallel to its width direction and are configured to receive two distinct active films 5, instead of a central housing 35 which extend parallel to its length direction and is configured to receive a single active film 5 serving all of the recesses 32. By way of example, the blister pack 1 of the fourth embodiment as shown in Figure 16 only has two recesses 32, it being understood that it may include any number of recesses 32 connected to an active film 5 by connecting channels 38. Each active film 5 is a parallelepipedal thin film having a length L5 substantially equal to the width W3 of the blister film 3, and a width W5 less than the length L3 of the blister film 3. Thus, in this fourth embodiment, each active film 5 extends from one end 3B to another end 3D of the blister film along its width direction, i.e. 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 lidding film 4, so that it is securely attached to the blister pack 1 and cannot be removed therefrom by a user.

[0092] In the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 17, elements that are similar to those of the first embodiment have the same references. The blister pack 1 of the fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the active film 5 has a length l_5 less than the length L3 of the blister film 3, and does not extend all the way from the end 3A to the other end 3C of the blister film along its length direction. This fifth embodiment illustrates a case where the active film 5 may be pre-cut to a desired size before being positioned on the blister film 3. Advantageously, the active film 5 extends over 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 lidding film 4, so that it is securely attached to the blister pack 1 and cannot be removed therefrom by a user.

[0093] As can be seen from the various embodiments described above, a blister pack according to the invention is advantageous in that the or each active film is effectively retained within the structure of the blister pack by being sealed between the blister film and the lidding film over a large surface area, so that a user cannot retrieve the active film 5, and the risk of accidental ingestion of active material is reduced. Another advantage of the blister pack structures described above is that one and the same active film may be used to regulate the atmosphere in several recesses for consumable products, without the need to provide an individual active member for each recess of the blister pack, which allows a saving in cost and manufacturing time.

[0094] The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown. In particular, all recesses for consumable products may be connected to the same active surface portion(s), which may be positioned centrally relative to the blister pack, instead of having dedicated surface portion(s) for each compartment comprising a recess 32 and a connecting channel 38. In addition, for a recess 32, the at least one active surface portion allowing atmosphere regulation in the recess may comprise 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 is also understood that any number and shape of active film(s), and any orientation of the active film(s) relative to the blister film and the lidding film, may be used in the frame of the invention, without being limited to the examples described and shown. The sealing of the stack comprising the blister film, the lidding film and in some areas the active film inserted between them, may also be obtained by other sealing technologies than heat sealing, e.g. ultrasonic welding, impulse welding, etc. Furthermore, as illustrated above in the variants of Figures 7 and 8, the sealing of the blister film, the lidding film and in some areas the active film inserted between them, may not be carried out over the entire sealing surface 31 of the blister film, but only in localized sealing regions, according to any sealing pattern compatible with the invention. Of course, any combination of features of the embodiments described above and shown in the figures may be considered in the context of the invention, for example cutouts 36 as described in the first embodiment may be added to a blister film without housing 35 for the active film(s) such as the blister film illustrated in the second embodiment.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Blister pack (1) comprising:- a blister film (3) having at least one recess (32) for a consumable product (2), each recess (32) having a connecting channel (38) extending therefrom, the blister film having a sealing surface (31 ) which extends about the periphery of each recess and connecting channel;- a lidding film (4) sealed to the blister film (3) while covering the at least one recess (32) and connecting channel (38), wherein the blister pack further comprises 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), in such a way that each recess (32) is connected by a connecting channel (38) to an active surface portion (56a, 56b) of the at least one active film (5), wherein the at least one active film (5) is in contact with the sealing surface(31 ) of the blister film in at least one contact region (51 ) outside the or each active surface portion (56a, 56b), wherein, in the sealed configuration of the blister pack, the lidding 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 lidding film (4) and the blister film (3) in at least part of the at least one contact region (51 ).

2. Blister pack according to claim 1 , wherein, in the sealed configuration of the blister pack, the lidding film (4) is sealed to the sealing surface (31 ) of the blister film (3) around the periphery of each compartment comprising a recess (32) and an active surface portion (56a, 56b) connected to each other by a connecting channel (38).

3. Blister pack according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, for at least one recess(32) of the blister film (3), an active surface portion (56a) to which the recess(32) is connected by the connecting channel (38) is a portion of an edge face (52) of the at least one active film (5).

4. Blister pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, for at least one recess (32) of the blister film (3), an active surface portion (56b, 56c) to which the recess (32) is connected by the connecting channel (38) is a portion of a main face (53, 54) of the at least one active film (5).

5. Blister pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each connecting channel (38) of the blister film (3) connects a recess (32) to a cutout (36), the cutout (36) being arranged to expose an 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. Blister pack according to claim 5, wherein, when the at least one active film (5) is received on the blister film (3), a wall (37) of the cutout (36) is at a distance (d) from a main face (53) and / or an edge face (52) of the at least one active film (5) so that, in the sealed configuration of the blister pack, an active surface portion (56a, 56b) of the at least one active film (5) is exposed to the atmosphere inside the compartment comprising the recess (32) and the cutout (36) connected to each other by the connecting channel (38).

7. Blister pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the sealed configuration of the blister pack, each recess (32) is connected to a respective active surface portion (56a, 56b) by a connecting channel (38).

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

9. Blister pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a 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, more preferably less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

10. Blister pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a minimum distance (d) between the sealing surface (31 ) of the blister film (3) and a bottom wall (39) of each connecting channel (38) of the blister film, optionally also between the sealing surface (31 ) and a bottom wall (37) of each cutout (36), is higher than or equal to 0.5 mm, preferably higher than or equal to 1 mm.11 . Blister pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each active film (5) extends over at least 70% of a main dimension (L3; W3) of the blister film (3), optionally the or each active film (5) extends from one end (3A; 3B) to another end (3C; 3D) of the blister film (3).

12. Blister pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one active film (5) and the blister film (3) comprise materials that are chemically compatible so as to bond together under the effect of heat and / or pressure, optionally the at least one active film (5) and the blister film (3) comprise the same polymer.

13. Blister pack according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the blister film (3) and the lidding film (4) are made of polymer materials, optionally the blister film (3) and the lidding film (4) comprise the same polymer.

14. Blister pack according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the blister film (3) is made of a polymer material and the lidding film (4) comprises a metal foil, in particular an aluminum foil.

15. Blister pack according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein both the blister film (3) and the lidding film (4) comprise a metal foil, in particular an aluminum foil.

16. Method for manufacturing a blister pack (1 ), comprising steps of: a) providing a blister film (3) having at least one recess (32) for a consumable product (2), each recess (32) having a connecting channel (38) extending therefrom, the blister film having a sealing surface (31 ) which extends about the periphery of each recess and each connecting channel; b) introducing a consumable product (2) in the 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), in such a way that each recess (32) is connected by a connecting channel (38) to an active surface portion (56a, 56b) of the active film (5), and the active film (5) is in contact with the sealing surface (31 ) of the blister film in at least one contact region (51 ) outside the or each active surface portion (56a, 56b); d) positioning a lidding film (4) on the blister film (3) and the active film (5), in such a way that the lidding film (4) covers the at least one recess (32), the at least one connecting channel (38) and the sealing surface (31 ) of the blister film; e) sealing the lidding film (4) directly to the sealing surface (31 ) of the blister film (3), out of the at least one contact region (51 ), and sealing the active film (5) between the lidding film (4) and the blister film (3), in at least part of the at least one contact region (51 ), so that the lidding film (4) is sealed directly or indirectly to the sealing surface (31 ) of the blister film (3) at least around the periphery of the blister pack.

17. Method for manufacturing a blister pack according to claim 16, wherein the active film (5) used in step c) is obtained from a web (50) of active polymercirculating facing the blister film (3), the web (50) of active polymer being positioned so that the active film (5) is placed on the blister film (3) and cut out from the web (50) of active polymer in a continuous process.

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

19. Manufacturing line for manufacturing a blister pack (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the manufacturing line comprising:- a device (11 ) for positioning a web (30) of blister material along a conveying path;- a thermoforming device (12) for thermoforming the web (30) of blister material, as it progresses along the conveying path, with at least one recess (32) and connecting channel (38) extending from the at least one recess, a sealing surface (31) extending about the periphery of each recess and each connecting channel;- a device (13) for positioning a web (50) of active polymer, comprising a base polymer and an active material, along the conveying path on the web (30) of blister material;- a device (15) for positioning a web (40) of lidding material along the conveying path on the web (30) of blister material and the web (50) of active polymer;- a sealing device (16) for sealing the web (40) of lidding material to the web (30) of blister material, either directly or indirectly via the web (50) of active polymer.

Images