Blister Pack Opening Feature for Low-Force Foil Rupture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blister packs require significant force to rupture the foil, leading to difficulty in opening, potential damage, or dropping of pharmaceuticals.
Innovation Solution
Packaging with integrated opening features in the board that pierce or tear the foil, including inwardly or outwardly extending projections, score lines, and keyhole shapes to facilitate easy opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a foil is used to seal the blister cavity, then the pharmaceutical is protected from contamination, but a significant force is needed to rupture the foil making it difficult to open
Solution Approach 1:
The board is segmented with a hole that includes an opening feature (such as a pointed projection or sharp edge) that concentrates force to initiate foil rupture. This segmentation allows the opening action to be divided into: (1) concentrating force at the opening feature to pierce the foil, and (2) allowing the rest of the board to provide structural support. The hole in the board creates a localized stress concentration point that reduces the overall force needed to rupture the foil while maintaining seal integrity elsewhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening feature in the board acts as an intermediary element between the user's applied force and the foil. Instead of applying force directly to the foil across a large area, the opening feature (pointed projection, sharp edge, or notched region) mediates the force application by concentrating it to a small contact area, enabling easier foil rupture while the board maintains its protective function.
2Ease of operation
If significant force is applied to rupture the foil, then the foil can be opened, but the pharmaceutical may be damaged or dropped
Solution Approach 1:
The opening feature is designed to segment the force application process: the pointed projection or sharp edge concentrates force initially to pierce the foil, then as the foil ruptures, the force distribution changes naturally. The hole in the board provides a controlled path for the pharmaceutical to be expressed through, reducing the risk of sudden rupture and dropping. This segmented approach allows controlled foil failure while maintaining pharmaceutical safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening feature performs a preliminary action by creating a controlled puncture or tear in the foil before the main opening force is applied. The pointed projection or sharp edge in the board hole prepares the foil for rupture by creating an initial stress concentration point, which then guides the subsequent opening process and prevents uncontrolled foil failure that could damage the pharmaceutical.
3Device complexity
If a simple hole is provided in the board, then the structure is simple, but the foil cannot be easily punctured or torn
Solution Approach 1:
The board maintains simple overall structure but introduces local quality variations at the hole region. The opening feature (pointed projection, sharp edge, or notched region) creates localized stress concentration properties in an otherwise simple board structure. This local modification allows the foil to be easily punctured or torn at the hole location while the rest of the board maintains its structural simplicity and protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening feature in the board performs a preliminary action by pre-concentrating stress at specific locations (points, edges, or corners) before the user applies opening force. This preliminary stress concentration preparation allows the foil to rupture more easily with minimal additional force, achieving easy opening without requiring complex board structures or additional components.
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging comprising: (a) a blister having a cavity; (b) a foil disposed over an opening of the cavity and secured to the blister; and (c) a board disposed over the foil having a hole, wherein a shape of the hole is formed by an outer perimeter and the outer perimeter includes an opening feature that pierces or tears the foil during opening of the blister due to a force being applied to the opening feature.