MXPA99011981A - Device for holding blister pack - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for holding blister packs has first ans second members, which are operable between an open condition to allow removal of products from the blister packs, and a closed condition to prevent this. The blister packs are not removable from the device. The blister packs may be retained by panels overlying their bases. The members can be retained in their closed condition by a child-resistant closure.

Description

DEVICE FOR HOLDING PACKAGES IN THE FORM OF AMPOLLA DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for holding blister-shaped packages, and with blister-shaped packages. A widely disseminated form of packaging, particularly for medicines, is blister packaging. A blister-shaped package comprises a thin resilient sheet, typically of plastic material, in which voids or "blisters" are formed, all oriented away from one side of the sheet. These ampoules accommodate products, for example drug products, usually in the form of tablets or capsules. A tear-off sheet is sealingly joined to the sheet to cover the ampoules and retain the products therein. To remove a product, a blister is pressed down towards the body of the sheet, and this action drives the product through the tear-off sheet and out of the package. It can be problematic to have loose blister packs stored, particularly if the packs contain products which are dangerous to children. Consequently, many devices have been proposed for REF: 32402 retain blister-shaped packages so that easy access to products is avoided. In one example, which is shown in US 5323907 (Kalvelage), the blister-shaped packages can be housed in a frame formed with openings through which the products can be delivered from the blisters. The openings are specially sized to provide partial obstruction to the passage of the products. The ability of the device to prevent access to the products therefore depends on the level of obstruction, rather than the device having open and closed conditions respectively that allow easy access or lack of access. Another solution is presented in document US 5129527 (Lataix) It describes a blister-shaped package which folds inwardly on itself to form two halves positioned sheet by sheet. The two halves are then held together along their edges away from the fold line by an immobilization device. However, there is a risk with this type of arrangement that an implement such as a knife can be inserted between the two halves of the blister-shaped package bent at its exposed side edges, allowing access to the side of the package sheet with blister form and therefore potentially to the products.

An additional solution is to place the packages in a container, in order to avoid access to the products when the container is closed. A container of this type is described, for example, in US 4485915 (Berghahn). In this document, a blister-shaped package is held in a shallow tray, which can slide in and out of a wrapper. There is no specific means to retain the blister-shaped package in the tray, and if, for example, the wrapper is kept turned upside down, when the tray is pushed out, the blister-shaped package can simply fall out. . A similar container is described in DE 3840080 (Lobermeier). Here, a blister-shaped package can be slipped into the holder. The fastener has an array of holes arranged below the blister-shaped package in use, which allows products to be pushed out of the packages. The holes can be covered by an articulated cover to prevent the products from being supplied. The blister-shaped package can be easily removed from the holder, for example to allow an empty blister-shaped package to be replaced by a full one. However, since the blister-shaped package can be easily removed, there is a risk that a child may have access to the products simply by removing the blister-shaped package from the fastener. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a device is provided for holding a blister-shaped package, comprising first and second members operable between an open condition in which the product can be removed from a blister-shaped package held by the device, and a closed position in which the products can not be removed, and a retention means for the blister-shaped package which allows the products to be removed from the blister-shaped package when the device is opened, the retention means avoid that the blister-shaped package is removable from the device. The retaining means ensures that the blister-shaped package remains in its position in or on the device, even when the device is opened. If the blister-shaped package is not retained in place, then it may fall out during the opening procedure, and in particular if the device is dropped when it is opened, which is clearly inconvenient. In addition, if the device is used to store several packages containing tablets which must be taken according to a particular dosage regimen, when packing is dropped it is particularly inconvenient and in fact possibly dangerous, since the packages can then be placed back in the device in the wrong positions, which leads to possible overdosing or insufficient dosage. In addition, since the blister-shaped package is not removable from the device, a child who makes manipulations to open the device may not be able to remove the blister-shaped package from the device and then have relatively easy access to the products. It is preferred that the retention means be evident for indefinite use. Any attempt to remove the blister-shaped package from the retention medium will then leave obvious signs, which may warn the patient. In addition, if the blister-shaped package is to be inserted into the device by a pharmacist that is dispensed into the medication, making the means of retention evident from misuse means that the device can not be reused in an unauthorized manner. This helps reduce the risk of the device being used with counterfeit products. The retention means can be provided in any suitable form. For example, the blister-shaped package may be engaged in recesses in the device, or may be held therein by immobilization rods or the like. However, it is preferred that the retention members be in the form of a panel which is placed on the base of the blister-shaped package. This does not greatly increase the size of the device, and also ensures that the blister-shaped package is retained across its entire surface, instead of just being held at its ends. In order to allow the products to be removed, the panel can have regions that can be broken, for example, in the same way that the regions that can be broken are normally provided in the blister-shaped packages. However, for simplicity, it is preferred that the openings are provided in the panel to allow the products to be removed from the blister-shaped package in the open condition without removing the panel. It is preferred that the blister-shaped package be held by each of the first and second members, to increase the total storage capacity of the device. In addition, this allows products such as a medication to be divided into groups, for example tablets that are to be ingested in the morning and tablets that are to be ingested in the afternoon. Ampoules in the blister-shaped package can be accommodated by the device in any suitable way; for example, they can be placed in recesses. However, it is preferred that at least one of the first and second members have openings therethrough. This can allow access to the ampoules to allow the products in them to be removed. For example, if a blister-shaped package is interposed between a first and second member provided with openings and a panel is provided with aligned openings, then the blister can be accessed from one side of the "sandwich" and the product is pushed from the other side. If both the first and second members have openings therethrough, then it is preferred that the openings be alternated so that the openings in the first and in the second member do not overlap each other when the device is closed. If the openings overlap each other, and the blister-shaped packages should only be placed (for example) within the first member, then it would be possible to remove the tablets when the device is closed is implemented by pushing it through the corresponding opening in the second member. Having the alternating openings avoids this problem, since the tablet is then directed towards a solid part of the second member, instead of going to an opening therein. The device may have a peripheral wall to prevent a knife or similar implement from being forced between the first and second members when the device is closed. This helps avoid misuse with the device. Preferably, the wall extends outwardly from the device, transversely to the general plane of a blister-shaped package to be held by the device. Therefore, when used with outwardly directed blisters, the wall may extend higher than the blisters, so as to avoid damage to the blisters. If the wall is smaller than the blisters, then if the device is dropped, it will collide with the blisters, which leads to the blisters and possibly to the tablets in it. Preferably, the device comprises a child resistant closure. Any suitable child resistant closure can be used. However, in a preferred embodiment, the child-resistant closure has a drive member for engagement by a user and which is provided on the first member, a locking portion operably connected to the drive member and adapted to engage with the portion of corresponding immobilization that is provided in the second member, wherein, in the closed condition of the device, the immobilization portions are on one side of the first and second members, and the actuating member is on the opposite side. The positioning of the immobilization portions of the actuating member on opposite sides of the device is designed to prevent children from attempting to open the device, by returning the manipulation required to open the less obvious device. The actuating member can be formed in numerous ways, but preferably in a generally "U" -shaped manner, one arm of the "U" is fixed on the first member and the immobilization portion is provided on the other arm of the "U". OR" . It is preferred that the child resistant closure has two separate drive members. Then it is necessary to operate both members at the same time in order to open the device. The spacing between the driving members can be such that a sufficiently large adult hand drives both drive members with one hand, but the children's hand is too small to do this. A cover can be provided around the closure to prevent accidental operation. This can also serve to increase the resistance to the children of the device, since the closure in this way is partially hidden, and in this way is less evident to an inquisitive child. As an alternative form of this child resistant closure, the first and second members can carry, both, parts of a child resistant closure, the parts are coupled by an additional member to close the device. Preferably, this additional member is a child-resistant threaded cap or the like, and the first and second members both carry a portion of a neck for coupling with the lid. Suitable threaded child resistant caps are easily available. Preferably, the device further comprises a means for retaining the first and second members in a closed position when the child resistant closure is released. This ensures that a separate movement is required, in addition to the necessary one to uncouple the child resistant closure. Even if a child discovered the method of opening the child resistant closure, the device would not open yet unless an additional measure was taken. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for retaining a blister-shaped package, comprising a first and second relatively movable member between an open condition in which the products can be removed from the blister-shaped package fastened by the device, and a closed condition in which the products can not be removed, and a child-resistant closure, wherein the child-resistant closure has a drive member for attachment by a user and is provided in the first member, and an immobilization portion operatively connected to the actuator member and adapted to engage with the corresponding fastening portion that is provided in the second member, wherein in the closed position of the device, the immobilization portions are on one side of the first member. and second members, and the driving member is on an opposite side. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for holding a blister-shaped package, comprising a first and second relatively removable members between an open condition in which the products can be removed from a blister-shaped package fastened by the device, and a closed condition in which the products can not be removed, and a child-resistant closure, where the first and second children transport, both, part of the child-resistant closure, the parts are coupled by a additional member to close the device. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for holding a blister-shaped package containing products, the device is capable of adopting an open condition in which the products are removable from the blister-shaped package, and a closed condition in which the removal of the products is avoided, and the device contains a plurality of openings to expose the respective ampoules of the blister-shaped package to the exterior when the device is in any of the conditions, closed and open, so, when the device is in the open condition, the blisters can be pushed from the outside to remove the product. With such an arrangement, a user can easily see the blisters, therefore, identify the products which have already been removed, without opening the device. At the same time, although the device remains closed, the removal of the products is avoided. Once the device is opened, the products can be removed. Preferably, the device is kept closed by a child resistant closure. The device can optionally be provided with other advantageous features herein. The device of the present invention is particularly designed for use with relatively small products. Generally, in blister-shaped packages, the size and shape of the blister is very similar to that of the product. However, for small products, the ampoule can be difficult to reform for a user, particularly due to the difficulty in bending a low height peripheral blister wall applied to the top, as required when a blister is tightened. Furthermore, if the dimensions of the ampoule as seen in a plane are small, then the upper wall of the ampoule only covers a small distance within the peripheral wall and is therefore relatively rigid. As a result, a person's finger, which finger is soft, attempts to supply the tablet, tends to compress itself, instead of compressing the ampoule. This makes it difficult to supply the product. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a blister-shaped package having at least one ampule for accommodating a product therein, the ampoule extending upwardly from a base to a top surface, the ampoule is dimensioned so that a part of the ampoule projects into the ampoule below its upper surface, the projecting part serves to make contact with the product when the ampoule is pressed by a force applied to the ampoule and by It both transmits strength to the product. By providing a part that is projected to act on the product, a reliable supply of the product can be obtained even if the entire ampoule is larger than the product. When manufacturing a larger ampoule, the deformation of the ampoule is generally easier for the reasons explained above. A larger blister is also advantageous during the filling operation of a blister package with products. The part that projects into the blister can be formed as a depression in the upper surface of the blister. The lower part of the depression can then act on the product when the vial is compressed.

Advantageously, the depression is placed centrally in the ampoule so that the center makes contact with the product to push it outwards. Preferably, the ampule has two main faces, which coincide in an upper region of the ampule, the depression is formed in the upper region. The depression can be formed to be generally more rigid than the main faces, so that it tends to retain its shape while the main face collapses. Preferably, the upper region is generally elongated. When used, a main axis of the product is parallel to the elongated upper region. As an alternative, the part projecting inwardly from the ampoule is formed as a circumferential protrusion extending around the ampoule. This then acts along the circumference of the product when the ampule is compressed. Preferably, additional ridges are formed along the height of the ampoule. This allows the blister to collapse in a certain way ensuring that the product is pushed out. The invention also extends to an apparatus for making ampoules for ampoule-shaped packages as described herein. previous. The apparatus for manufacturing blister-shaped packages is of course known, but is modified according to the required shape of the ampoules.

The preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of "a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, divided into its various components, Figure 2 shows a top perspective view of a tray of the first embodiment of the device, which is folded in its closed condition, Figure 3 shows a top perspective view of the tray of the first embodiment of the device in its closed condition, Figure 4 shows a perspective bottom side view of the tray of the first embodiment of the device in its closed condition, Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of a tray lock, Figure 6 is an enlarged view. of the bolt, Figure 7 shows an alternative arrangement for holding the blister-shaped gaskets in place; an alternative closure arrangement; Figure 9 is a perspective view of an ampoule for a blister-shaped package; - 1E Figure 10 is a plan view of the ampoule of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a section along line 11-11 in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a view along the arrow 12 in Figure 10; Figure 13 is a view along the arrow 13 in Figure 10; Figure 14 is a perspective view of another ampoule for a blister-shaped package; Figure 15 is a plan view of the ampule of Figure 14; Figure 16 is a section along line 16-16 in Figure 14; and figure 17 is a section along the line 17-17 in Figure 14. A first embodiment of the device of the invention is generally shown in Figure 1, and is denoted by the reference number 10. The device 10 is constituted of an articulated tray 20 and panels 50 which retain packages 40, in the form of a blister in its place. The device is capable of holding several blister-shaped packages 40 (only one of which is shown in Figure 1), in the form of ampoule strips.

The tray 20 comprises a base 22 and a lid 24, connected by means of a hinge 26. The lid 24 is formed as a flat plate with many openings 28 formed therethrough. At the end of the distal plate of the hinge is a planar region. The base 22 is also formed as a flat plate with many openings 32 formed therethrough, and has vertical projection walls 34 formed along the three non-hingeed edges. These projecting walls 34 extend up and down relative to the plate. At the end of the plate distant from the hinge, a generally flat region 36 is formed, which extends between the projection walls 34. The tray 20 can be opened so that the lid 24 and the base 22 are generally co-planar (as in Figure 1). The lid 24 can also be pivoted about the hinge 26 to overlap the base 22 (as shown in Figures 3 and 4), in which position the inner faces of the lid 24 and the base 22 are confronted with each other, and the outer faces of the lid and the base form the outer surface of the device 10. The base 22 and the lid 24 can be retained in this folded position by means of a child resistant closure 60. Because the projection walls 34 which extend up and down from the base, it is not possible to open the tray when inserting a knife or similar thin article between the cover and the base, since the separation between them is protected by the wall in this closed position. The openings 28, 32 formed in the base and lid 24 are of a size and shape to receive the ampoules 42 of the blister-shaped packages 40. To assemble the device 10 in a package, the tray 20 is opened, as shown in figure 1, and the blister-shaped packages 40 are inserted inside the tray 20 are their packages 42 facing downwards and their sheets 44 of support superimposed on the inner faces of the base and / or lid. In this position, the packages 40 are retained by gravity. The number of blister-shaped packages 40 used may vary, based (in the case of medicinal products) of the required course of medication. The height of the ampoules 42 relative to their support sheet 44 should be such that the ampoules 42 do not project above the projection walls 34, in order to reduce the risk of accidental damage to the ampoules 42. Once that the blister-shaped packages 40 have been inserted, the panels 50 are placed on them. The panels 50 are in the form of flat plates and also have openings 52 through them, which correspond in shape, size and position to those found in the base 22 and lid 24 of the tray. The panels 50 can also have other openings 51, through which information and the like can be read on the support plate 44 of the blister-shaped packages 40. The purpose of the panels 50 is to retain the blister-shaped packages 40 in place. The supporting sheet 44 of each package 40 is retained between the base 22 or the lid 24 and the panel 50. The openings 52 in the panel 50 allow the tablets contained in the blister-shaped packages 40 to be pushed outwardly through. of the panel 50 while still retaining the package 40 in the form of a blister itself in place. The panels 50 may be snapped into place in the base 22 and the lid 24 by means of a press-fit coupling in such a manner that their removal during normal use is prevented. Although it would be possible to remove the panels, for example for the purpose of filling the device with blister-shaped packages, such removal usually requires the use of a tool of some kind, and would damage or break the panels and ensure that they can not be reused, which provides some degree of evidence of misuse. It is contemplated that the tray 20 will be filled with ampoule-shaped packages 40 by the pharmaceutical supplier of the tablets, who will then press the panels in place over the blister-shaped packages, and in this way, the degree of evidence of misuse provided by the press fitting of the panels 50 helps to avoid any unused change of the tablets. In addition, the fact that the panels are damaged when they are removed helps to avoid the reuse of the trays with other blister-shaped packages, and in this way the opportunity for counterfeiting is reduced. However, in circumstances where you want to return the reusable device, for example due to environmental legislations, the panels can be fixed removably to the tray. The blister-shaped packages 40 can be inserted both in the base 22 and in the cover 24, or only in one of them. If the blister-shaped packages 40 are inserted in both, then when the tray 20 is folded closed, the sheets 44 of the blister-shaped packages 40 will face each other >; making it impossible to supply any of the tablets while the tray is closed. If the blister-shaped packages 40 are only inserted into the base 22, then there is a risk that the tablets may be pushed out of the device 10, through the openings 28 in the lid 24, while the tray 20 is closed, which eliminates the goal of placing the child-resistant closure 60 on the tray 20 to prevent it from being opened. A similar risk is presented when the blister-shaped packages 40 are only inserted in the lid 24.- 2i - To prevent the tablets from being pushed out of the blister-shaped packages 40 in this manner, the openings 28, 32 in the base 22 and in the lid 24 are positioned so that they are out of alignment when the tray 20 It closes, as can be seen in figures 3 and 4. In this way any attempt to push the tablets outward is prevented, as the tablets come up against the body of the base or on the lid, instead of passing through. the openings. This alternation of the openings can be obtained by varying their separation or (as in the illustrated mode) by having some openings of different sizes. Whichever method is used, it is a preferred feature that the device of the openings in the base and in the cover is the same in the plan view, as this allows the panels used with the base and the cover to have the same same arrangement of openings. As a result of this, the panels for the base and the lid can be manufactured equal. As an additional precaution to allow the tablets to be pushed out of the device when closed, any of the openings in the base and the lid which is not used to prepare packages can be closed, for example, by empty blister packs or strips of cards in them.

In the embodiment shown, the number of openings 28, 32 in base 22 and cover 24 is the same, although different numbers may be used. The openings 28, 32 are placed in a 5 x 7 grid, and it is intended that each of the seven columns will accommodate the tablets to be taken on a particular day of the week. In addition, base 22 and lid 24 can be used to separately store tablets that are ingested in the morning and in the afternoon. In figures 5 and 6, the child resistant closure 60 is shown in greater detail. As can be seen from these figures, two locks are provided in the flat portion 36 of the base 22 remote from the hinge, each in the form of a resilient clasp 62. The clasps 62 are adapted to engage with the openings 74 in the flat portion 30 of the distal cover of the hinge. Each clasp 62 is formed together with an opening 64 in the flat portion 36 of the base 22. The clasp 62 is formed as a U-shaped member, with an end 66 of an arm connected to one side of the opening 64 and which it extends generally perpendicular to the flat portion 36. The end 68 of the other arm is free, and extends through the opening 64. This end has a portion 70 thereon, and the face of the projection 70 is remote from the flat portion of the base and has a region 72. beveled The projection 70 is adapted to be coupled with an opening 74 in the flat portion 30 of the lid 24. This opening 74 is best shown in Figure 5. As can be seen, the opening 74 has a small vertical wall 76 surrounding it, the wall 76 projects away from the base 22 when the tray 20 is closed. The height of the wall 76 is such that the end of the clasp 62 which extends through the opening 74 does not project above the wall 76. A projection 78 extends away from the lower end of the wall 76 towards the clasp 62, and this projection 78 engages the projection 70 at the end 68 of the clasp arm 62. This coupling is the one that holds the closed tray. The coupling of the clasp 62 will now be described. During the closing of the tray 20, the inner faces of the base 22 and the lid 24 approach each other as the lid 24 rotates around the hinge 26. In particular, the inner face of the projection 78 of the lid approaches the free end 68 of the clasp 62. The clasp 62 and the projection 78 are arranged so that the projection 78 makes contact with the beveled portion 72 of the projection 70 on the clasp 62. As a result of the 72, and the resilient flexibility of the clasp 62, the arms of the U are pushed together, and this displaces the projection 70 on the free end 68 of the clasp 72 in such a way that the projection 78 can pass. Once the projection 78 has passed to the projection 70 on the pin 62, the clasp is returned by bending to its original position, so that the projection 70 on the clasp 62 is superimposed on the lid projection 78. As mentioned before, this coupling of the projections 70, 78 keeps the lid 24 in the base 22 in a closed position. The only way to access the tablets in the blister-shaped packages 40 is to release the coupling projections, open the tray and push the tablets out, through the openings in the panels. To assist in the opening of the tray, the flat portion 36 of the base 22 is provided with a cutout 80, and the flat portion 30 of the cover 24 has a finger holding portion 82 which overlaps the cutout 80 when Tray 20 closes. Clearly, in order to release the coupling projections 70, 78, it is necessary to move the projection 70 at the end of the clasp 62. However, because the vertical wall 76 surrounds the opening 74 in a flat portion 30 of the lid 24, it is very difficult to manipulate the projection 70 on the broach 62 directly. Although it is possible to do this using a tool class, this is annoying, and it is unlikely that a child will do it accidentally. To move the projection 70 on the end of the clasp 62, it is necessary to press the arms of the U together, as indicated by the arrows in Figures 4 and 5. As the unprotected arms are fixed to the base 22, this has the effect of pulling the projection 70 on the free end of the U away from the projection 78 in the lid 24, and in this way the coupling is released. This is shown schematically in Figure 6. Although the maneuver required to undock the clasp 62 is very direct, it is considered unlikely that a child, who attempts to open the package 10, can carry out the correct method. A child who tries to open the package 10 in an obvious way will concentrate on the coupling projections. However, it is very difficult to uncouple the projections by direct manipulation of the projection 78 on the clasp 62 because it is "covered" by the vertical wall 76. The difficulty for children can be further increased by providing an additional wall, perpendicular to the flat portion of the base 36 and the projection walls 34, even if such a wall is not present in the embodiment shown. Providing that wall means that the clasp 62 is effectively "concealed" and thus there is a much smaller opportunity for a child to discover the necessary opening procedure by accident. In addition, it reduces the opportunity to inadvertently open tray 20 when this is not desired.

There are two clips 62, and therefore two sets of coupling projections, both of which need to be decoupled in order to allow the tray 20 to open. Therefore, it is necessary to manipulate both clasps 62 simultaneously to open the device. The separation of the clasps is such that they can be manipulated simultaneously using an adult hand, by pressing the two free ends of the U together. However, the separation, approximately 60 mm, is such that a child's hand is usually not large enough to do this. The adult then uses his other hand to raise the lid by means of the finger holding portion 82. Although this is relatively easy for an adult, it is not easy for a child. A further advantageous aspect of the device using the clips is that the entire tray can be molded from a plastic material in one piece using a simple two-piece mold. The tray is molded in its open position, and the position of the various openings with respect to the projections and the clasp eliminates the need to use cutouts or cores in the mold. However, to the extent that the tray is molded in its open position, there is a problem that the tray then presents a tendency to "return by bending" to its original position as it is molded. As a result, the tray will return to its open position as soon as the projections_ of decoupling. Since the point of providing the two clasps is to ensure that both hands are needed to open the device, one to uncouple the clasps and another to raise the lid, this "return by bending" will reduce the resistance to the children of the device. To solve this, the base and lid are provided with a means for retaining the closed device even after the child resistant closure has been opened. This means keeps the device closed with a relatively small force, and in this way the device is still easy to open by an adult, but improves the resistance to the children of the device as a whole. This means may be, for example, a bolt on one of the base and the lid that engages erfun a hole that is provided in the other, the base or the lid. Such a bolt and hole are known in Figure 1, indicated by reference numerals 86 and 88. As shown in Figure 3, flat areas 84 of the device 10, such as the projecting walls 34 and the exterior face of the flat portion 36 of the base 22, may have labels applied thereto. These labels can present information about the tablets in the device 10, about the times and the order in which the tablets should be ingested, or any other information. The information, in particular with respect to the timing and order in which the tablets are to be ingested, can also be displayed on the panels 50. Although the tray 20 is not shown with the base 22 and the lid 24 hinged around a of its shorter walls, the hinge 26 can be formed along one of the larger walls. In addition, there is no need for the base 22 and lid 24 to be rectangular, as they can acquire any shape. In addition, although the tray 20 is shown with two clasps 62, it can be used more or less. It is also possible to have hinged or hinged panels to the base and lid, instead of being completely separate parts. In this case, the panels again - they are coupled with the base and lid in a way that allows them to be removed without damage, which allows the package to be refilled. The modality described above works well in practice. However, it will be noted that in order to supply tablets from the blister-shaped packages, it is necessary to exert a force which tends to push the packages in the form of a bullet away from the base and the lid, and towards the panels. As a result, the means to retain the panels in the base and the lid need to retain the panels very securely, and this can lead to difficulties, for example, for the pharmacist filling the package, where the force of placing under pressure can be relatively large, or a larger number of pressures may be needed. Accordingly, in a second embodiment shown in Figure 7, the device for retaining the blister-shaped packages is a little different. The corresponding parts of the device of this mode are indicated by the same reference numbers as in the first embodiment. Instead of the packages being inserted into the tray so that the blisters project down through the holes, the blister-shaped packages are placed on the tray, with the blisters projecting upwards, away from the holes and between the positioning reinforcements 90. It should be noted that the tray in figure 7 is inverted in relation to that shown in figure 1. When the packages have been inserted, the panels are then placed on the packages, and the openings 92 in the panels are coupled with the parts placed under pressure 94 in the tray. As a result of the different distribution, when a tablet is to be supplied, the blister-shaped package 40 is pushed into the tray 20, instead of away from it. The supply force does not tend to push the panel 50 away from the tray. Therefore, the attachment of the panel 50 to the tray need not be designed to be excessively strong, but simply to resist the supply force. In addition, due to the different distribution, openings 96 may be provided in the base and in the lid, instead of the panels, for observation of batch information and the like printed on the sheets of the blister-shaped packages. These openings 96 are almost hidden by the side walls 34 in Figure 7. The lid of the tray in this embodiment is preferably formed with the support legs 98. This allows the flat plates of the base 22 and the lid 24 to be placed in the same plane while the tray is filled by the pharmacist, to the extent that the lid is supported by the legs 98 and the base is supported by the walls 34 outgoing. In addition, when the tablets are supplied from the tray, the tray can be opened and placed with the blisters facing upwards, and the tablets supplied by pressing downwards, so that they fall in the region below the flat plates. This can make the removal of tablets easier, especially for the sick or convalescent. The support legs 98 are placed in the grooves in the base (not shown). In a further preferred feature, the legs and slots are coupled together to provide the same means for retaining the enclosed device included after the child resistant closures have been opened. An additional embodiment, having a child-resistant closure, different, as shown in Figure 8. The device 110 of the additional embodiment, is generally similar to that shown in Figure 7, insofar as it comprises a tray 120 formed of an articulatedly connected base 122 and a cover 124, and thus will not be described in more detail. However, instead of the child-resistant closure that forms like two U-shaped snaps, the child-resistant closure used in this mode is similar to that used in bleach and similar bottles, in which a lid engages the neck of the bottle. In one version, the neck projections engage with the lugs inside the cap, and this coupling normally prevents the cap from rotating on the neck. To uncouple the projections and lugs, it is necessary to press the lid on opposite sides of it. As a result, the parts of the lid which are 90 ° away from the parts which are oppressed, they deform outwards and this outward deformation serves to uncouple the lugs and the projections. In this embodiment, both the base 122 and the lid 124 carry the half 146, 148 of the neck, each with a projection therein. When the base and the lid are folded to close, the halves coincide and form the entire neck. The child resistant cap 150 can then be placed over the neck to keep the device closed. As an alternative to the child resistant closure described above with reference to FIG. 8, the neck halves can be formed with normal threaded screws, and the cap can be a child-resistant cap of the type commonly used in pill bottles. Of course, any other suitable form of child resistant closure can be used to keep the device closed. The clasp of the first and second modalities has the advantage that it always requires the same force to open it. The force required to open the child-resistant screw cap may vary, depending on the force originally used to screw it, but the clasp always requires the same amount in force, no matter how it has been closed. The required force can be adapted, for example, for people with arthritis so that they have no difficulty in opening the device. The trays described herein are designed to be used with a particular medicament, whose dosage ranges from 1 mg to 2.75 mg depending on the patient's body mass. To avoid the production of a large number of tablets of different sizes, the drug is supplied in 1 mg and 0.25 mg tablets. The various doses in this way can be constituted from a certain amount of large and small tablets. It will be noted that the trays described above have two large openings and three small openings in each of the seven columns, thus allowing a maximum delivered dose of 2 x 1 mg + 3 x 0.25 mg or 2.75 mg. Different amounts of ampule-shaped packages can be supplied by the pharmacist using the same tray to constitute the prescribed dose. In each tray the course of tablets of a week can be stored (in the morning and in the afternoon). - _ The 0.25 mg tablet is relatively small. Problems with small tablets in blister packs have already been discussed, in particular regarding the difficulties involved in removing the tablets from the packages. A first ampoule for use with a blister-shaped package and designed to solve these problems is illustrated in Figures 9 to 13. Blister 200 is generally oval in a plan view, with a major axis 202 and a minor axis 204. The blister comprises two main faces 206, 208 and several smaller faces, which are inclined upwards from the base at a relatively shallow angle. The main faces 206, 208 coincide in an upper region of the ampule, along a line which is, in a plan view, at an angle with respect to the main and minor axes. In the middle part along the junction line, at the center of the ampule surface, a depression or concavity 210 is formed, which projects into the blister body. The ampule and the tablet are sized so that the tablets are parallel to the junction line when the ampule is filled. As a result, the ampoll in a plan view is considerably larger than the tablet, which makes the ampoule-shaped package easier to fill. In addition, the distance between the base of the vial and the lowermost point 212 of the concavity projecting inwardly is only slightly greater than the thickness of the tablet. Therefore, the concavity projects downward into the ampule almost at the same distance as the upper surface of the tablet. A person who wants to supply the tablet pushes down with a finger or thumb on the blister. According to the line of union of the two main faces 206, 208 is the highest point of the ampule 200, this will contact the finger and press down. The joint line and the concavity 210 formed in the middle part thereof have a degree of structural rigidity, and thus tend to move downward in their entirety. As a result, the lowermost point 212 of the concavity 210 makes contact with the upper surface of the tablet after the person has pressed the top of the blister a very small distance. The subsequent force pushes the tablet against the sheet, and finally through it. The application of force continues in the ampoule as the tablet passes through the sheet tends to shrink the ampoule. However, during this shrinkage, the bond line and concavity 210 tend to retain their shape. The tablet in this manner continues to push downward through the lowermost point 212 of the concavity 210, even when the ampule 200 is compressed, and this additionally adds removal of the tablet. Returning now to Figures 14 to 17, these show an alternative ampule for use with a blister-shaped package. Again, ampoule 220 is generally oval in a plan view. The sides of the blister are tilted upwardly from the plane of the sheet, towards a central projection 222. However, instead of being uniform inclinations, the sides of the blister are staggered in the way to a pyramid of ziggurat. As a result of these rungs, a series of ridges 224, 226, 228 are defined which run around the circumference of the ampoule. The ridges are sized relative to the tablet to be retained in the vial so that the uppermost shoulder 228 is spaced very little above the edge of the tablet 230, which is along the main axis of the vial, as best shown in Figures 16 and 17. When a person wishes to supply the tablet, he pushes down with a finger or thumb on the central projection 222 of the ampule 220, the most superior projection 228 makes contact with the edge of the tablet 230. The force is rotated by the person in this way is transmitted directly to the tablet 230 after the person has pressed the top of the blister a very small distance. A subsequent force pushes the tablet 230 against the sheet and finally through it. The continued application of force in the ampule 220 as the tablet passes through the sheet will tend to shrink the blister along the ridges 224, 226, 228 in a manner similar to concertinas, further assisting in the removal of the tablet. Therefore, an ampule can be provided which is larger and wider than the tablet it retains, and still allow the tablet to be dispensed from the ampoule without difficulty. Although the invention has been described in the context of a device for holding ampule-shaped packages of medical tablets, it will be appreciated that it can be used to hold blister-shaped packages of any kind.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects or products to which it refers.

Claims (26)

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property:

1. A device for holding a blister-shaped package containing products, characterized in that it comprises first and second members operable between an open condition, in which the products of the package can be removed in the form of ampoules held by the device, and a condition Closed in which the products may not be removed, the device also comprises a retention means for the blister-shaped package, to allow the products to be removed from the blister-shaped package when the device is opened, the retention means it prevents the blister-shaped package from being removable from the device, and the device has a plurality of openings to expose the respective blisters of the blister-shaped package to the exterior when the device is in the closed and open conditions, so when the device is in the open condition, the blisters can be pushed from the outside to remove the os products.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the retention means is evident from misuse.

3. The device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the retaining means is in the form of a panel which is placed on the base of the blister-shaped package.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that openings are provided in the panel to allow products to be removed from the blister-shaped package in the open condition without removing the panel.

5. The device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the blister-shaped package is held by each of the first and second members.

6. The device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that at least one of the first and second members have openings therethrough.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that openings are provided in both the first and second members, the openings are alternated so that the openings in the first member and in the second member do not overlap each other when the closure is closed. device.

8. The device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it additionally comprises a peripheral wall.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the wall extends outwards from the device, transversely to the general plane of the ampule-shaped package to be held by the device, higher than the ampoules.

10. The device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it additionally comprises a child resistant closure.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the child resistant closure has a drive member for engagement by a user and that is provided on the first member, and a locking portion operably connected to the drive member and adapted to be coupled with a corresponding immobilization portion provided in the second member, wherein, in the closed condition of the device, the immobilization portions are on one side of the first and second members and the driving member is on the opposite side.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the actuating member preferably has a generally "U" shaped, an arm of the "U" is anchored in the first member and the immobilization portion is provided in the other arm of the "U". the "U".

13. The device according to claim 11 or claim 12, characterized in that the child resistant closure has two separate drive members.

14. The device according to claims 10 to 13, characterized in that a cover is provided around the closure.

15. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the first and second members carry both part of a child resistant closure, the parts are coupled by an additional member to close the device.

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that the additional member is a child-resistant threaded cap or the like, and the first and second members both carry a portion of a neck to engage with the cap.

17. The device according to any of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that the device further comprises a means for retaining the first and second members in closed position when releasing the child resistant closure.

18. A device for fastening in a blister-shaped package, characterized in that it comprises a first and second relatively movable member between an open condition in which the products can be removed from a blister-shaped package held by the device, and a closed condition in which products can not be removed, and a child-resistant closure, wherein the child-resistant closure has a drive member for engagement by a user and which is provided on the first member, and a locking portion operatively connected to the drive member and adapted to engage with a corresponding locking portion provided in the second member, wherein, in the closed position of the device, the locking portions are on one side of the first and second members, and the actuating member it is on the opposite side.

19. A device for holding a blister-shaped package, characterized in that it comprises a first and second relatively movable member between an open condition in which the products can be removed from a blister-shaped package held by the device, and a closed condition in which products can not be removed, and a child-resistant closure, wherein the first and second members carry both, parts of the child resistant closure, the parts are coupled by an additional member to close the device.

20. A blister-shaped package, characterized in that it has at least one ampoule to accommodate a product therein, the ampoule extends upwardly from a base to a top surface, the ampoule is shaped so that a part of the ampoule is projects inside the ampule below the upper surface, the projecting part serves to make contact with the product when the ampoule is pressed by a force applied to the ampoule, and in this way transmits force to the product.

21. The blister-shaped package according to claim 20, characterized in that the part projecting inwards from the ampule is formed as a depression in the upper surface of the ampoule.

22. The blister-shaped package according to claim 21, characterized in that the depression is placed centrally in the vial so that it makes contact with the center of a product to be pushed outwards.

23. The blister-shaped package, according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the blister has two inclined main faces which coincide in an upper region of the blister, the depression being formed in the upper region.

24. The blister-shaped package according to claim 20, characterized in that the part projecting inwards from the ampoule is formed as a circumferential projection extending around the ampoule.

25. The blister-shaped package according to claim 24, characterized in that the additional ridges are formed along the height of the ampoule.

26. An apparatus for manufacturing ampoules for ampoule-shaped packages, according to any of claims 20 to 25.