Blister Pack Carrier Blocking Tab Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current child-resistant packaging for pharmaceutical products, particularly blister packs, is not sufficiently effective in preventing children from accessing the contents, and there is a need for a more efficient manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
A carrier system for blister packs that includes a blocking member connected to a foldable panel, which can be moved between a blocking and dispensing position, preventing alignment with dispensing openings unless intentionally shifted, thereby enhancing child resistance and facilitating efficient manufacturing by allowing the slider to be integrated without interfering with the blocking member's folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking member is added to prevent child access, then child resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is integrated into the foldable panel structure, forming a unified component rather than a separate element. The foldable panel itself becomes the blocking mechanism when folded over the blister pack, eliminating the need for additional complex blocking devices while maintaining child resistance functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member transitions from a static barrier to a dynamic element that can be folded and unfolded. The foldable panel dynamically changes position between a blocking state (folded over the blister) and an access state (unfolded), allowing the same structure to serve both protective and access functions
2Productivity
If a slider is integrated into the packaging, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but the blocking member's folding capability is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is divided into distinct functional zones: the slider mechanism for efficient assembly and the foldable panel with blocking member for child resistance. The foldable panel is connected to the slider at a position that allows independent operation of each component, with the blocking member folding away from the slider's movement path
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member folds in a dimension perpendicular to the slider's linear movement. This spatial arrangement allows the slider to move horizontally for efficient packaging while the blocking member folds vertically, eliminating interference between the two mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier for a blister pack includes a first panel having an opening for movably receiving a blister of the blister pack, and a second panel having one or more dispensing openings aligned with the first panel opening. The first panel and the second panel slidably receive the blister pack there between. The carrier includes a blocking tab between the first and second panels that is selectively moveable between a blocking position and a dispensing position. When the blocking tab is in its blocking position it prevents movement of the blister in the first panel opening into alignment with a dispensing opening, thereby preventing dispensing of the blister's contents through the dispensing opening. When the blocking tab is in the dispensing position, it permits the blister to be moved into alignment with a dispensing opening for dispensing the blister's contents. The blocking tab is connected to a free edge of one of the first and second panels about a fold line, and one of the first and second panels of the blister pack carrier is connected to a panel of a slider.