WO1995023101A1

WO1995023101A1 - Child-resistant blister package

Info

Publication number: WO1995023101A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/002333
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilbert Lataix
Original assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
Priority date: 1994-02-28
Filing date: 1995-02-24
Publication date: 1995-08-31
Also published as: AU1882695A

Abstract

There is disclosed a child-resistant blister package (10) comprising a conventional blister package having cavities (12) for containing unit doses of medication. The blister package is adapted to receive three locking keys (15) which engage three holes (19) in the blister package so that only by simultaneously disengaging all the keys can the blister package be opened. The package effectively prevents children from accessing medication therein and yet the keys are readily removed from the blister package by an adult to access medication.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

CHILD RESISTANT BLISTER PACKAGE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed toward a child resistant blister package of the type commonly used to package multiple units of medication in tablet or pill form. Such blister packages typically comprise a plastic laminate film having a plurality of cavities formed therein in which units of medication in pill or tablet form are placed and an aluminum cover sheet which overlies the cavities and is adapted to be sealed to the plastic laminate. To remove a pill or tablet, one manually pushed the pill or tablet through the aluminum cover sheet. In other types of commercial blister packages, the aluminum cover sheet is adapted to be peelably sealed to the plastic laminate so that a pill or tablet can be accessed by peeling the aluminum cover sheet off of the plastic laminate.

Due to the relative ease with which the cover sheet of these commercial blister packages can be peeled off or punctured, their medication contents can be readily accessed by children who, imitating their elders, can accidentally ingest medication that may be harmful to them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that these commercial blister packages can be made to be effectively child resistant by the child resistant blister package of this invention.

The child resistant blister package of the invention generally comprises a typical blister package adapted to receive three locking keys or hooks which engage three holes in the blister package. Two holes are on one side, and one hole is on the opposite side, so that a child cannot reach the keys and synchronize the needed movement to unlock and open the package. These keys must be simultaneously disengaged before the blister package can be removed. The locking keys prevent access to the unit doses of medication but upon being removed, the medication is readily accessible.

In summary, the child resistant blister package of the invention comprises a blister package having a plurality of cavities containing units of medication in wafer or tablet form. The cavities can also be shaped to accommodate a device, such as a nasal device, or capsules. The blister package is adapted to have opposed, extended sides in which are formed three spaced holes, or notches.

The locking keys for the blister package is generally "U-shaped" and are preferably fabricated or molded from a suitable plastic material such as polypropylene. Polypropylene is preferable because it is inexpensive and allows built-in hinges. These U-shaped keys can be pressed to disengage their hook attachment from the cavities in the blister pack.

In assembly, the blister package is folded so that the three cavities in its extended sides are respectively in superimposed alignment with each other in an alternative embodiment, a one-sided blister can be used. The locking keys are then pressed and secured through the cavities on the extended sides of the blister package so that each key is received by and contained within a cavity on the extended sides of the blister package. The projecting flanges on the keys are mated with and engage the cavities in the blister pack.

To remove the locking keys from the blister package and access the units of medication, the three keys are pressed, or manually flexed, to disengage the inwardly projecting flanges from the cavities, thus enabling the blister pack to be slidably removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The child resistant blister package of the invention will become more apparent from the ensuing description when considered together with the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals denote like parts and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the child resistant blister package of the invention in its closed, locked position; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the blister package of Fig. 1 as it is being opened;

Figs. 3 A and 3B are side elevation views showing further details of the locking keys points A and B of Figure 2.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a conventional blister package, generally identified by reference numeral 10, typically comprises a plastic laminate film 11 in which a plurality of cavities 12 have been formed to contain units of medication in wafer, device, capsule, or tablet form (not shown). An aluminum cover sheet 13 overlies the cavities 12 and is bonded to the plastic laminate film 11 to complete the blister package.

To provide the child resistant blister package of the invention, the blister package 10 is adapted to have three holes or notches 19 on the sides which are folded together to form edge 14. Three key elements, 15 fit through the holes or notches. These are placed through the holes or notches so that the middle key of the three is press opened in the direction opposed to other two keys, as indicated by arrows (a) and (b) on Figure 2.

As shown in Figs. 3A, and 3B, the locking key of the invention, identified by reference numeral 15, is generally U-shaped and has opposed top and bottom walls 16, 17, one of which has a projecting flange 18 which fits through cavity 19. These are individual pressed in the direction of the arrow to push the flange 18 out of cavity 19 to disengage each key. Only when all keys are disengaged can one blister be opened.

While the child resistant blister package of the invention has been described with particularity and in some detail, it should be understood and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention recited in the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A child resistant blister package comprising:

(i) a blister package formed from a film having a cavity formed therein in which units of medication or devices are placed and a cover sheet which overlies said cavities and which is bonded to said film, said blister package adapted to have:

(a) optionally, extended sides;

(b) one, two, or three spaced holes formed in said extended sides; and

(ii) a generally U-shaped locking member having opposed top and bottom walls, one of which has a projecting flange;

(iii) which is assembled so that one, two, or three locking members are inserted through the three spaced holes in a configuration so that one can be opened by pressing in the opposite direction from the other two locking numbers.

2. The blister package of Claim 1 which has three locking members.

3. The blister package of Claim 2 in which the middle of the three locking members is opposably opened from the two on either side.