DE19713685A1 - Blister strip packaging for tablets - Google Patents

Abstract

A blister strip packaging, for pharmaceutical tablets, has a writing surface (8, 9) at the covering layer (2) shrouding each tablet (3), secured to the base layer (1). The writing surface allows writing by e.g. a pencil, normal ink or ball-point pen. The covering layer (2) is of a plastic e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene or polyester, together with mixed fine glass particles to give the writing surfaces.

Description

Medicines in the form of tablets are often packed in blister strips in the Han brought del. Blister strips are essentially flat sheets made from a flexible Cover layer and an easily pushable base layer exist between them Tablets are regulated and stored separately from each other. The top layer and the The base layer is solid at the edges or over its entire contact area connected with each other. The regulated storage of the tablets is made possible in that the top layer with troughs or bulges (blister, English = bladder) for the admission is provided with a tablet.

For the so-called blister strips in pharmacies and specialist shops, there is also the Expression "blister pack" z. B. in DE 41 01 265 A1, or "donor tape", for. B. in the Interpretation 20 45 545. In the latter case, it is a relatively long, spiral wound up blister strips for storing and transporting tablets net. In contrast, the predominantly used blister strips are rectangular with Length / width ratios from approx. 1.5 to 5.

Blister strips have the advantage that every single tablet is protected on all sides, and - since the top layer is often transparent or translucent - the number of them contained tablets can be easily checked; otherwise the filling condition the number of breakthroughs on the base layer or the indentations the top layer can be recognized. Individual tablets can be easily removed by applying pressure to the flexible, compressible bulge of the cover layer ne single tablet is pushed through the easily pushable base layer. The tablets not intended for removal remain in an orderly position and in front external influences remain protected at their specified positions.  

The top layer and base layer mostly consist of waterproof, water-repellent Materials. The base layer consists largely of thin metal foil, but in exceptional cases e.g. B. also made of metallized paper, which is water and is coated to repel dirt. The base layer is usually named with the Drug and the manufacturer, production numbers, expiry date, etc. intensively printed. As a rule, due to the properties of its surface, it is not easy Chen means can be labeled.

The cover layer usually consists of thermoplastic plastic, in which the Aus bulges are molded, and usually also not smudge-proof with simple means can be written on. Inscriptions that should be legible on the side of the cover layer, who the z. B. printed on the side of the base layer facing the cover layer, so that they are legible through the cover layer if the cover layer is transparent or is translucent. So z. B. with certain hormone tablets weekdays or their Initial letters assigned to each tablet made visible. That too to the bottom The printed or embossed expiry date of the tablets is known in some cases made. However, this type of imprint is not ideal, at least not in general usable because sometimes very different rhythms for taking medication ment are prescribed. It can be taken on different days of the week begin and extend over different periods, sometimes with breaks chung.

For certain drugs it is e.g. B. required by doctor's order, in the morning and take one or more tablets in the evening and take the tablets after a certain time took, e.g. B. 1 week to interrupt before resuming. In such or similar cases, it also doesn't make sense to label pre-printed strips stick on a blister strip from weekdays, as is the case for special applications te is executed. Most of the blister strips, however, do not indicate anything seen intake data of the tablets and are also not suitable to use such data simple means assigned to the individual tablets to write down smudge-proof.

Experience has shown that many people are overwhelmed when it comes to taking tablets Take regulations regularly, especially if they are not caused by acute Pain or other processes can be spontaneously remembered. If too few or  Taking too many tablets can have serious consequences for the patient to have.

The inventive design of blister strips enables the patient to Planning the planned intake dates supports the memory of Patients z. B. in such a way that the patient can still determine "whether he the tablet for today "has already taken and thus enables an in life-saving self-control in some situations. Also for carers it will be easier to check whether the scheduled for the course of a day Tablets were taken.

The patent concerns blister strips in which - assigned to each tablet - with simple Surfaces that can be written on to write down the intended date of ingestion, If necessary, provided with a description of the time of day or with other information are. If in the previous text or in the further course the expressions "with simple Means labeled "or" easy to label "are used so means are like e.g. B. Ballpoint pen, pencil or normal ink, which is used in practically everyone these days Household are present. It is also assumed that the inscription is not extremely light is a smudge, a condition that usually arises when you try, for example with To write ballpoint pens on a standard blister strip, but the Smear resistance of the label is so good that the label after normal use of the Blister strip remains legible.

The invention does not exclude that even with special writing utensils such. B. foils is written on the surfaces of the blister strips according to the invention, but they are not a requirement for labeling in accordance with the present invention because experience has shown that they are only reliably available in a few households.

If a blister strip is provided with predetermined breaking points that allow individual ab cut or break tablets without releasing the enclosed tablet (s) in an embodiment according to the invention are intended for labeling the separated Ta provided blank, easy-to-write areas with the associated tablets stay connected.

The invention is described on the basis of FIGS. 1 to 4 designated below:

Fig. 1a and b partial view of a blister strip in plan view and section. The labels are written on the front of the tablets.

Fig. 2a and b partial view and section of a blister strip with elongated tablets of circular cross-section and rounded ends, ( 7 ). The numbers ( 8 ) and ( 9 ) denote flattening of the cover layer to create labeling areas.

Fig. 3a Partial view of a blister strip with tablets labeled on the top layer and an easily labeled surface between the rows of tablets.

Fig. 3b Partial view of a blister strip with tablets and a glued-on, easily inscribable strip.

Fig. 4 Partial view of an easy-to-label blister strip with relatively small tablets.

The other reference numbers in the figures have the following meaning:

Reference list

1 base layer
2 top layer
3 tablets, drawn in dashed lines
4 space for labeling between or next to rows of tablets
5 easy-to-label, glued strips
21 to 28 Labeling of removal dates.

The features of the invention described above have been believed to be commercially available so far usual blister strips not implemented for 3 reasons (individually or separately applicable):

• 1.) The base and top layers are made of waterproof and therefore non-absorbent gene and usually not easy-to-write materials made to the tablets to protect as well as possible from harmful external influences.
• 2.) For economic reasons, the blister strips are usually so dense with tablets ten packed that there are hardly enough large spaces in between that can be hand-filled could be written. In addition, only a few tablets show - mostly those whose It is destined that they should not be swallowed, but dissolved or chewed - In blister strips so flat and large end faces that they are suitable for labeling would. Tablets that are to be swallowed whole or not dissolved mostly relatively small and rounded. So that the shape of the tablets are common adapted bulges of the blister strips are also rounded, so that from the For this reason - apart from their nature - the surfaces are often not easy are inscribable.
• 3.) The idea of hand blister strips with the intended date of taking the tablets it is not yet generally known to label. Since one has blister strips according to the invention without additional information does not look at the advantages of easy labeling  offers, it seems appropriate, references to the ability to be labeled until further notice to put it on the market at the same time.

Point 1.) is proposed, proven and according to the present invention Functional, but not easy to label materials for the production of blister strips fen, especially the top layer, by known treatment methods, material to make the choice of coating or sticker easy to label, without this having a disadvantage would have consequences for the function of the packaging or its handling.

For example, it is known that by mixing fine glass particles or pig ment in thermoplastic polymer such. B. polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, etc. Easy-to-write films can be produced from these polymers. Furthermore can plastic films such. B. by treatment with high-frequency electrical voltage partial or complete, easy to label. Through such treatment Although the transparency of the foils is somewhat reduced, the foils are attached to the be traded areas matt to translucent, however, this is for the quality of the imprints currency not disadvantageous.

The areas provided for lettering can also be made easy-to-write by treating them with easy-to-write lacquers or paints, e.g. B. by printing or spraying. With appropriate shaping of the blister strips, these surfaces can be designed in such a way that the tablets remain partially or completely visible, Figs. 2a and 3a.

In addition, unlabeled, easy-to-write papers or foils can be glued, welded, etc. on the surfaces of the blister strips, ( Fig. 3b). The idea of the invention is not restricted to these examples mentioned in order to achieve easy labeling. It should also not be ruled out that other, easily inscribable materials, besides those mentioned, are used for blister strips according to the features of the present invention.

To point 2.) according to the present invention, areas for space-saving arrangement z. B. created in that the bulges in the top layer to take the tablets are made slightly larger than would be necessary for the volume of the tablet alone, Fig. 2a, (8) and (9) and Fig. 4. In many Cases suffice if a bulge is not adapted to the rounded contour of a round tablet, but rather with the same base area, with a sufficiently flat and therefore inscribable top is formed.

Examples: While in Fig. 1a the tablets with large faces are suitable for labeling, in Fig. 2a, (7) an elongated tablet with a circular cross-section is shown, which would not be suitable for direct labeling because the entire bulge is strongly arched. As shown in Fig. 2a, (8), however, it can remain positively gripped at both ends by the cover layer, while in the middle region of the tablet the cover layer is shaped such that it forms a simple-inscribable, largely flat surface. Furthermore, in Fig. 2a, (9) an elongated tablet is shown in a bulge, the base of which has not been enlarged beyond the amount shown in Fig. 2a, (7), but the top of which can be labeled by being at its highest Was formed in a flat surface, without adapting to the round contour of the tablet. Similarly, spherical, egg-shaped, etc. tablets can be taken. In addition, e.g. B. in the case of packaging very small Ta tablets, the corresponding bulges should be somewhat larger than the tablets in order to obtain sufficiently large, inscribable areas, Fig. 4. The tablet is then with a little more latitude within the bulge, one version, which is not common, but often essential for the ability to be labeled.

In the examples in Fig. 1a, 2a and 4, the easy-to-label areas are raised above the level of the base areas. This offers a possibility to give these surfaces the property of being easy to label, e.g. B. by printing, Lackie ren or electrical high-frequency treatment, without the entire surface of the cover layer would have to be treated. However, the cover layer as a whole can also be provided with a coating that is easy to label.

In Fig. 3a and 3b it is shown that the areas intended for labeling can also be arranged between the bulges of the cover layer. There is then a solution, as in Fig. 3a, to write directly on the easy-to-write top layer, or as in Fig. 3b, to glue easily-inscribable but unlabeled strips to the surface created especially between the rows of tablets. to be welded on, etc. The latter embodiment has the additional advantage that this strip is easily recognizable as such, as it were, requires lettering, and additionally encourages patients to label it.

It can be space-saving to provide 2-row inscribable strips for 2 rows of tablets - possibly also with predetermined breaking edges ( Fig. 3b). If the blister strip has predetermined breaking points in a direction or crosswise, this glued-on strip should also have these predetermined breaking points. According to one feature of the invention, this ensures that the intended intake date remains connected to a tablet, even if the tablet is broken off along a predetermined breaking line by the blister strip.

Areas provided for the inscription can - possibly additionally - be arranged on the base layer ( 1 ) of the blister strip. In this case, the entire surface or a single point is provided with a surface that can be easily labeled and the labeling fields for the individual tablets are marked.

If the areas provided for labeling are approximately congruent with the Bulges (blisters) for the tablets are arranged, should be labeled with the provided data of the removal take so carefully that the intended easily penetrable base film is not accidentally pierced when labeling. This can be avoided if the areas provided for labeling are min at least partially outside the bulge, but with a clearly visible one Reference to one tablet each.

For point 3.) it is proposed that on the blister strips themselves and / or on stickers, that are attached to the blister strips and / or packaging or packaging enclosures of blister strips according to the invention, references to the possibilities given here the labeling of the blister strips with their advantages will.

Claims (11)

1. Blister strip for packaging medicament tablets, characterized in that on the blister strip, which has a base layer ( 1 ) and a cover layer ( 2 ), each tablet ( 3 ) is uniquely assigned to at least one surface ( 4 , 5 , 8 , 9 ) is seen easily, which can be labeled with simple means, for. B. with pencil, norma ink or ballpoint pen. 2. blister strips for packaging medicinal tablets according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) consists of plastic and at least on the surfaces provided for the inscription ( 4 , 8 , 9 ) has been treated in such a way that it is simple can be written on, ie with a ballpoint pen, pencil or normal ink. 3. blister strips for packaging pharmaceutical tablets according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) consists of plastic, which fe by mixing suitable substances such. B. fine glass particles can be written on with simple means. 4. blister strips for packaging pharmaceutical tablets according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) consists of plastic, which by known chemical or physical surface treatment methods, such as. B. etching or high-frequency electrical treatment has been made at least at the designated locations for labeling a subject. 5. Blister strips for packaging pharmaceutical tablets according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) consists of plastic, the surface of which has been made easy-to-write at least at the points provided for the inscription by coating, for example paint or varnish layers. 6. blister strips for packaging medicinal tablets according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least on the designated locations ( 5 , 8 , 9 ) of the cover layer ( 2 ) a simple-inscribable material, such as. B. paper or easily-inscribable plastic or metal foil ( 5 ) is glued or welded. 7. blister strip for packaging pharmaceutical tablets according to claim 1, characterized in that each tablet is assigned a surface ( 8 ), ( 9 , 5 ) is provided on the cover layer ( 2 ) of the blister strip, which is for sticking a self-adhesive, unlabeled, a tray-inscribable sticker ( 5 ) is suitable, which is prefabricated by the manufacturer in the appropriate dimensions and attached to the blister strip, with the provision that the sticking is done by the consumer according to the instructions. 8. blister strips for packaging pharmaceutical tablets according to claim 1, characterized in that on the base layer ( 1 ) surfaces are designated, which are easy to write on, and which are intended for applying a label for a site-associated tablet with an intended removal date and / or other data. 9. blister strips for packaging pharmaceutical tablets according to claim 1, characterized in that on the cover layer ( 2 ) and / or the base layer ( 1 ) indications of the ability to write on the cover layer and / or base layer are printed, optionally with the description of the loading advantageous use of this property according to the present inven tion. 10. blister strips for packaging pharmaceutical tablets according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with a sticker or adhesive strip on which text and / or Image Notes on the labeling of the blister strip, possibly with the advantage liable use of this property according to the present invention.   11. blister strips for packaging pharmaceutical tablets according to claim 1 with Ver pack, characterized in that the package insert and / or the package by text and / or image notes on the labeling of the blister strip, if necessary with a description of the Advantages of using this property according to the present invention.