Child-resistant and senior-friendly eco-friendly pill dispenser blister package.

(54) Title: ECOLOGICAL CHILD-PROOF AND EASY TO USE BLISTER-TYPE PILL DISPENSER CONTAINER FOR OLDER ADULTS.

(54) Title: CHILD-RESISTANT AND SENIOR-FRIENDLY ECO-FRIENDLY PILL DISPENSER BLISTER PACKAGE.

(57) Summary

A blister pack system made of a blister card and an outer pack with unique interacting locking mechanisms; the strip or blister card is inserted into the outer package or sleeve and locks immediately without having to further process the outer package or the card or blister strip; the user is able to expose the ampoules outside the outer packaging by unhooking the latch; the card or blister strip includes a sheet of flexible, moldable material in which one or more individual cavities or blisters are formed; the separate cavities are filled with product and sealed with one or more layers of sheets of pierceable or tear-away material, such as aluminum foil; the card or blister strip contains a plastic rivet assembly that forms an interference mechanism; the rivet is trapped by an internally formed panel and stopped by a trap flap included in the outer package.

(57) Abstract

A blister and package system made of a blister card and an outer package with unique interacting locking mechanisms. The blister card or strip is inserted into the outer package or sleeve and locks immediately without having to further process the outer package or the blister card or strip. The user is able to expose the blisters from the outer package by disengaging the lock. The blister card or strip ineludes a formable, pliable sheet material, into which one or more individual cavities or blisters are formed '. The separated cavities are loaded with product and sealed with one or more layers of punctureable or tearable sheet material, such as aluminum foil. The blister card or strip contains a plastic rivet assembly that forms an interference mechanism. The rivet is trapped by an internally formed panel and stopped by a catch flap included in the outer package.

<img file="MX349331B_D0001.tif" />

PATENT TITLE No. 349331

Holder (s) i

KEYSTONE FOLDING BOX CO.

Home!

367 Verona Avenue, Newark, New Jersey, 07104, USA

Denomination:

ECOLOGICAL BLISTER TYPE PILL DISPENSER PACKAGING CHILD PROOF AND EASY TO USE FOR OLDER ADULTS.

Classification!

CIP:

CPC:

B65D83 / 04 .......

B65O75 / 327; A61J1 / 035; B65D5 / 38; B65D59 / 04; B65D77 / 22; B65D77 / 0413;

B65D83 / 0463; B65D2215 / 02; B65D2575 / 3227 Inventor (s):

MICHAEL H. WESTON; FRANK EDWARD SMITH

REQUEST

Number:

MX / a / 2013/000837

International Presentation Date!

July 2011

PRIORITY

Country!

Date:

Number

US July 2010

12/804,311

Validity: Twenty years

Expiration Date: July 18, 2031

Issue Date: July 21, 2017

The patent of references granted based on articles 1^or, 2^or fraction V, 6 “fraction Ul, and 59 of the Industrial Property Law.

In accordance with article 23 of the Industrial Property Law, this patent has a validity of twenty non-extendable articles, counted from the filing date of the international application and will be subject to the payment of the fee to keep in force, the rights.

Whoever subscribes to this title does so based on the provisions of articles 6^or fractions III and 7^or bis 2 of the Industrial Property Law (Official Gazette of the Federation (DO.F) 06/27/1991, amended on 08/02/1994, 10/25/1998, 12/26/1997, 05/17 / 1999, 01/26/2004, 06/16/2005, 01/25/2006, 05/06/2009, 06/01/2010, 18/06/2010, 06/28/2010, 01/27/2012 and 04/09/2012); items 1^or, 3rd fraction V part a), 4^or and 12^or Sections I and III of the Regulations of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (DOF 12/14/1999. amended on 07/01/2002. 07/15/2004, 07/28/2004 and 09/07/2007); items 1^or, 3°, 4^or, 5^or fraction V subsection a), 16 sections 1 and Ul and 3Q of the Organic Statute of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (DOF 12/27/1999, amended on 10/10/2002, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007); 1, 3 * and 5 'subsection a) of the Agreement that delegates powers to the Deputy General Directors, Coordinator, Divisional Directors, B &lt;Holders. «Of ..... the Regional Offices, Divisional Deputy Directors, Departmental Coordinators and other subordinates of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property. (DOF 12/15/1999, amended on 02/04/2000, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007) s

This document is signed with an advanced electronic signature (FIEL), based on articles 7 BIS 2 of the Industrial Property Law; 3 of its Regulations, and 1 section III, 2 section V, 26 BIS and 26 TER of the Agreement establishing the guidelines for the use of the Payment and Electronic Services Portal (PASE) of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, in the procedures indicated.

<td colspan="2"></td><td>DIVISIONAL PATENT DIRECTOR NAHANNY CANAL REYES</td>

<td rowspan="2">I®</td><td></td><td>5.Θ Original Chain</td>

<td></td><td>«Ϊ * NAHANNY MARISOL CANAL REYES | 00001000000403252793 | Administration Service Tax | 1695 || MX / 2017/58308 | MX / a / 2013/000837 | PCT patent title | 1223 | GAGV | Page (s) Yes? 1 | 69Mlnfb / obX4WFFGWz6MD / aJqU0 =</td>

<td></td><td></td><td>Digital stamp: Rj6kMHRGNRE1KFOzMqlFBI1zWeOOXmnfcX3yu9ffENqtRuQGyoW1o4 + GJNPFhqU6f8bFFGjNSQY23zfw / QmvUI9Wun</td>

<td></td><td></td><td>ÍIkS qfy4Y06nmzFF5pbOHqtJjWQGaPv2gJuyhHG71kUtQyYDRLRCGnSWokrBxRtwOZ1E + jehyDuvtz2EBLyb + kAJ9lf3H5 Wa09xhxxdzGbx + 4EZWSOkNDw9dAXISAHDhx7N5ITAJB9WOXwGBAiOCOMujnTHDndmFLwoK7eTRjfxZYI2M5HJwwSNrxn 06mcNJFe8S2kOOXDv5Y9WJwOkj4NHGNTW5Y9WJWOkj4NHGNHKmKmwJFQB8MOvMohl</td>

Tepepan. Xochimilco. 16020.

Oiuaaci from Mexico.

340700 www. gob. rn x / iin pi

MX / 2017/58308

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BLISTER TYPE A ECOLOGICAL PILL DISPENSER PACKAGING

CHILD TEST AND EASY TO USE FOR OLDER ADULTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of packaging, and more particularly, to a dispensing package having a blister strip encapsulated in an outer sleeve. Preferably, the container has a locking function designed to provide older adults with easy access to the contained drugs while preventing a child from gaining access to the contents of the blister strip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Blister card packs are commonly used for the distribution of many products, including pharmaceutical drugs, batteries, sewing kits, toy cars, etc. A blister card package is used to stiffen or as a backing sheet for packaging a blister-packed product, which may comprise a blister strip having a single row of individual blisters, or a massive blister having a two-dimensional array of individual blisters (which will be discussed in more detail later). Typically, the blister card package is comprised of hard pre-printed paper, such as cardboard, that is folded to create at least two sides.

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adjacent. One or both sides typically contain * 'W &lt;l apeituia. The product to be packaged is usually enclosed in a single transparent plastic blister, which may be inserted between the two adjacent sides of the blister card package such that the product protrudes from one or both openings. The two cardboard sides are then sealed, typically by the application of heat and pressure, to retain the individual plastic blister within its blister card package.

Blister card packs can accommodate individual blisters (as illustrated above) or they can be designed to accept blister strips or bulk blisters. The latter are commonly used to package pharmaceutical drugs for public distribution or clinical trials. Pharmaceutical drugs are distributed in many forms such as capsules, pills, pills, etc., which are suitable to be distributed in blister strips or massive blisters.

A blister strip comprises a contiguous strip of individual plastic blisters having a common backing, such as aluminum foil, that is one unit wide by any number of units long. In contrast, bulk blisters comprise both horizontal and vertical rows of individual blisters, however, bulk blisters typically also share a common backing.

Blister strips and bulk blisters are well-diffused containers for pharmaceutical drugs because the strips can be specially configured to meet the dosing requirements of

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the drug. For example, an antibiotic prescription 'may require ΊΘ pills to be taken in a specific order. The blister strip or bulk blister can be manufactured in such a way that the pills are packed in the same order in which they are to be taken. The blister strip or bulk blister can then be packaged in a pre-printed blister card package that contains printed instructions regarding when and how to take each dose. (Additionally, inserting a 16 dose strip or a 4 dose wide by 4 dose long blister in a blister card package is much easier to perform than inserting 16 different ampoules arranged in a specific order) . Therefore, pharmaceutical drugs that are distributed to the public or used in clinical trials are typically packaged in blister strips or bulk blisters contained within sealed blister card packs.

Many products packaged in blister cards, especially pharmaceutical drugs, can be harmful or even fatal to children or adults with mental disabilities. At the same time, however, the products contained in blister card packs can be vital to the health of other adults including the elderly, some of whom have impaired physical and cognitive faculties and / or poor vision. Consequently, it is desirable to manufacture blister card packages that prevent a child's access to the product contained in the blister while simultaneously facilitating the access of the elderly to its contents. Such packages are known in the art and are commonly referred to as a package.

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child proof and easy to use for older adults. -----——————

The federal government has implemented several laws to ensure that materials deemed hazardous by the government are packaged in child-resistant, senior-friendly containers. Specifically, the federal government enacted the Poison Prevention Act of 1970 (“PPA”) (Pub. L. 91-601, 84 Stat. 1670, 15 USC 1471-75) on December 30, 1970, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Poison Prevention Act of 1970 requires that harmful substances be packaged in child-resistant containers, that is, in such a way that children under 5 years of age, who do not have physical or mental disabilities, cannot "open or obtain a harmful amount of the substance contained therein within a reasonable time ”and easy-to-use containers for older adults, that is, such containers "should not [be] difficult to use properly for normal adults." Notably, PPA does not require that children be prevented from opening or obtaining a toxic or harmful amount of a substance 100 percent of the time attempted. When the substance is packaged in individual units, the Code of Federal Regulations requires that the child-resistant container be effective no less than 80 out of 100 attempts (16 CFR 1700.15 (b) (1)). Conversely, adults between the ages of 50 and 70, who do not have physical or mental disabilities, must be able to open the container no fewer than 90 out of 100 attempts when allowed to see printed instructions that accompany the container (16 CFR

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1700.15 (b) (2) (i-ii), 16 CFR 1700.20 (a) (3) (¡), 16C.FR 17ϋθ ^ θ- (δ ^ 3) (Ϊ ¥)) __

To ensure compliance with the aforementioned federal guidelines, the blister card containers are sent to a testing agency, which determines the rating of "childproof" and if the container is easy to use for older adults. The container is rated as easy to use for older adults only based on the 90 percent criterion, that is, older adults are able to open the container at least 90 times out of 100 attempts. However, the “childproof” rating is determined on a scale from F1 to F8. The F represents "lethal in" and the number that follows represents the number of doses, therefore, F4 is "lethal in 4 doses". (Consequently, the more difficult it is for a child to access the product contained within a blister card package, the lower the “childproof” rating applied to the package). It is intuitive that it must be very difficult for children to access products contained in packages rated with F1, that is, lethal at one dose, while products rated with F8, that is, lethal at 8 doses, do not require the same level of difficulty. A blister card container that is to be used for the distribution of potentially lethal pharmaceutical drugs or clinical trial drugs must pass the aforementioned federal guidelines before being used. Additionally, the "childproof" rating will determine what type of pharmaceutical drugs can be distributed within each package category, for example, a pharmaceutical drug that is lethal in three doses cannot be packaged in a blister card package that

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It is rated between F4 and F8. When the lethal dose of the drug has not been established, federal regulations require that the drug be assumed to be fair in 8 doses, therefore, such a drug can be distributed in F8 rated containers.

Today there are blister card packs that passed the federal guidelines for “childproof” tests and are easy to use for older adults. Many existing proprietary blister packs were originally designed for the distribution of non-lethal drugs and, therefore, were not required to pass federal guidelines tests. To sell to a larger market of users, these blister card packs were modified to achieve the category of "child resistant" using a variety of methods including adding layers of cardboard, adding layers of plastic or tape to the outside of the cardboard, reinforcing a fragile metallic paper support with a less fragile paper, etc.

After making the aforementioned modifications, many blister card packs that were previously not child resistant were able to pass the “child resistant” test, however the packs became unwanted for other reasons. For example, the additional reinforced layers often prevented the pills from being pushed neatly through the blister holder and thus caused degradation of the holder of other adjacent pills. Specifically, some blister card packaging manufacturers have added a layer of paper to the foil backing through which a pill is pushed.

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Paper and / or metallic paper backing sometimes does not tear neatly, leaving the user only one option: ripping the backing until a sufficient portion of it is removed to allow the user to grasp and remove the backing just enough to reach the pill. This can be very difficult, especially for older adults or other adults with decreased physical abilities. Additionally, these blister card packages have been manufactured with more than the minimum amount of plastic, which does not make them environmentally viable to produce or dispose of after use.

To address some of the problems mentioned above, manufacturers have sought alternative forms of packaging to contain medications in safe containers that are strong enough to be opened and closed numerous times until the medication cycle is completed, even having a function of locked to prevent a child from accessing medications. Various packages have been used comprising a two-piece cardboard container having an internal slide card containing medications and contained within an external cardboard cover. While these devices have locking mechanisms to prevent access by a child, they do not prevent the slide card from being completely removed from the cardboard cover by applying sufficient force to a push tab. Furthermore, other packages are not easy to assemble into a flat, pre-gummed package layout.

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Thus, there is a clear need for child-resistant and easy-to-use containers for older adults that have a locking function that achieves a high “child-proof” rating when tested while remaining easy to use. by older adults during multiple uses of the container until the prescription runs out. There is a further need for child-resistant and senior-friendly packaging that is environmentally friendly and requires minimal modifications to an established blister arrangement among users, reducing costs and increasing speed to market.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In general, the invention provides an improved elderly-friendly and child-resistant pill dispenser package particularly devised for the distribution of pharmaceutical drugs to the public or for use in clinical trials. Specifically, the pill dispenser container of the invention complies with federal guidelines for "childproof" and ease of use for older adults through a latching function while providing a pill dispenser container that is easy to use for all adults including those with reduced physical abilities. Additionally, the pill dispenser package of the invention allows a single pharmaceutical drug to be removed from the pill dispenser multiple times without decreasing the

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1ΝΓΗ ISWAL “child-proof” rating of the dispensed container-of-pixelGFas ——— containing the remaining pharmaceutical drugs.

It is an object of the present invention to provide dispensing packages for pills or pharmaceuticals that are difficult for a child to open.

Additionally, it is an object of the invention to provide a container that is easily accessible to competent adults and older adults including those with impaired physical abilities.

It is also an object of the invention to provide child-resistant and easy-to-use packaging for older adults that complies with federal guidelines.

Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide packages that are easily and inexpensively manufactured.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide packaging that is environmentally friendly.

Additionally, it is an object of the invention to provide packages using established blister strip arrangements on the market.

Additionally, it is an object of the invention to provide packages that allow instructions to be printed directly on the package.

In a non-limiting aspect of the invention, a packaging apparatus is provided and includes an inner panel, a lower panel, and an inner folding panel connecting the upper panel to the inner panel and an inner closure panel connected to the inner panel therewith. along a left panel. A panel¹⁰ IMPIOUS

MEXICAN INSTITUTE

Say the rworiEDAn V * »; ® INDUSTRIAL left folding panel connects the lower panel and the upper panel to each other and a right folding panel connects an upper closure panel to the lower panel. A lower right panel connects to an upper right panel along a common first edge. The interior panel is connected to the upper right panel along a second common edge, where the interior closure panel, interior panel, interior folding panel, top panel, left folding panel, bottom panel, right folding panel, and top closure form a sheath having an opening, the sheath having a substantially rectangular cross section. The inner panel includes a rectangular cutout on one edge directly opposite the second common edge. The sleeve is adapted to receive an insert slidable therein along a sliding direction perpendicular to the rectangular cross section, wherein the insert includes a locking member coupled to the rectangular cutout. The locking member prevents the insert from sliding out of the sleeve when the locking member is engaged in the rectangular cutout.

In a second non-limiting aspect of the invention, a blister and packaging system is provided including a blister card or strip and an outer package with unique interacting locking mechanisms. The blister card is inserted into the outer package and locks immediately without having to further process the outer package or blister card. The user is able to expose the ampoules outside the outer container by unhooking the latch. The blister card includes a flexible, moldable sheet material within the

INSTITUTO MEX1CAN., DE LA AROPIE: ΑΓ INDUSTRIAL which forms one or more individual cavities or blisters — Separate ._______ cavities are loaded with product and sealed with one or more layers of pierceable or tear-off sheet material, such as aluminum foil. The blister card contains an interface mechanism such as a plastic rivet assembly. The rivet is trapped by an internally formed panel and stopped by a trap flap included in the outer package.

Other objects, aspects and characteristics of the invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and manufacturing savings, will become more apparent when considering the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the invention may be obtained by reference to a preferred embodiment set forth in the accompanying drawing illustrations. Although the illustrated embodiment is merely an example of the systems and methods for carrying out the invention, both the organization and the method of operation of the invention, in general, together with additional objectives and advantages thereof, may be more easily understood by reference to the drawings and the following description. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, which is₁₂¹ BMSTlTUTO MEXICANO re the statement: INDUSTRIAL enunciated with particularity in the claims — annexed — n. subsequently modified, but merely to clarify and exemplify the invention.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is now made to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a pill dispenser in a closed position, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the pill dispenser shown in FIG. 1, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of a blister strip in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of the blister strip shown in FIG. 3A according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the end of the blister strip shown in FIG. 3A-3B according to the preferred embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the pill dispenser in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention in a deployed position;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the housing shown in FIG. 5, with inner closure panel, upper right panel and &lt;, LM P i 63 ^ *

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DE La rnontüAD t ** ¿_ZSTjSf5 inejuswai lower right panel, in folded positions; —-----—

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the housing shown in FIG. 6 with the inner closure panel, upper right panel and lower right panel, in folded positions;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the housing shown in FIG. 7 with the top panel in a further folded position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembled pill dispenser housing (or sleeve) shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a pill dispenser in a locked position in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11A is a top perspective view of a blister strip in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11B is a bottom perspective view of the blister strip shown in FIG. 11A, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a pill dispenser housing (or sleeve) according to the alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the housing of the

FIG. 12 with inside left panel, inside right panel and top right panel folded;

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FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the housing of ta —- FIG. 12 with the inner panel additionally folded over the upper panel and the upper right panel; Y

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the assembled housing (or sleeve) shown in FIG. 10; Y

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the pill dispenser shown in FIG. 10, showing the panel being disengaged from the locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention may be more immediately understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, techniques, systems and structures of operation in accordance with the invention can be encompassed in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, although in that regard, it is believed that they represent the best embodiment for the purposes of disclosure and provide a basis for the claims herein, which define the scope of the invention. It should be noted that, as used in the description and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a" and "the" include the

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plural referents unless the context specifically indicates otherwise.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an environmentally friendly pill dispenser 100 is shown comprising a sleeve 105 adapted to receive an insert, such as for example a blister strip 110 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown, the blister strip or card 110 and its contents can be selectively accessed from the inner sleeve 105 by sliding the blister strip 110 with a sliding motion along direction 102, in order to expose the contents. of the blister strip 110. The pill dispenser 100 preferably includes a latching feature comprising a selectively pressable button 215 (shown in FIG. 2) formed by partial openwork, which is shown in FIG. 5. Button 215 can be depressed in order to disengage blister strip 110 from sleeve 105, thus releasing blister strip 110 and allowing blister strip 110 to slide along direction 102 and expose blister strip 110 of sleeve 105, which is shown and described below. It should be appreciated that the blister strip 110 engages a lip 564 (shown in FIG. 5) formed internally by folding the various panels to create a sleeve 105, and that sliding the blister strip 110 before pressing the button 215 prevents the lip 564 (FIG. 5) from disengaging from the blister strip 110 and prevents the blister strip 110 is slid out of sleeve 105, as shown and described below. It should also be appreciated that the blister strip 110 may be

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inserted into sleeve 105 and locks immediately if you have to further process sleeve 105 or strip 110.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4, a view of blister strip 110 for use with sleeve 105 is shown in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3A, the blister strip 110 comprises a base 305, which is preferably constructed from a flexible, semi-rigid plastic, however various other materials can be used, including injection molded plastics, thick foil sheets, etc. . The blister strip 110 also comprises blisters, such as a blister 310 formed from the base 305. The blister 310 includes a cavity for receiving a product, such as a pill or tablet (i.e., the blister strip 110 includes a moldable laminated material, flexible, within which one or more individual cavities may be formed), although in other non-limiting examples, ampoule 310 may contain non-pharmaceuticals. In a non-limiting example, blister strip 110 is shown as a "bulk blister" arranged in a two-dimensional array, however, any number of blisters 310 can be used with the invention. In addition, blister strip 110 includes a plastic rivet assembly 330 provided along a trailing edge 340 at a corner 335 and which extends from a top surface 345 to a bottom surface 350, with rivet assembly 330 forming the mechanism. interference device to engage the sleeve 105 (shown in FIG. 1). Plastic rivet assembly 330 is provided to engage lip 564 (FIG. 5) Mexican iNynnrrt * 17 DE LA? &lt;OFI £ OaD¹ 'INDUSTRIAL -&gt;

internally formed by folding the various panels that form the sleeve 105 (shown in FIG. 1), thus allowing the locking function of the sleeve 105 (FIG. 1), as will be shown and described below. In other non-limiting embodiments, the plastic rivet assembly 330 can be provided along the center of the trailing edge 340 without departing from the scope of the invention. Rivet assembly 330 is trapped by an internally formed panel and is held back by a flap included in sleeve 105, which will be shown and described below.

Turning now to FIG. 3B, the rear perspective view of blister strip 110 illustrates a holder 315, attached to the bottom surface of base 305 and which acts as seals 320 to seal the openings of each corresponding blister 310. The backing 315 is preferably constructed from one or more layers of pierceable or tear-off sheet material such as, for example, aluminum foil sheet, however, other types of metallic papers or other materials such as paper and plastic may be used. In a non-limiting embodiment, the holder 315 may comprise perforations or punched lines (not shown) surrounding the portion of the holder that coincides with the perimeter of the opening of the individual ampoule (i.e., seal 320) to aid the user in penetrate the portion of the holder 315 that acts as seals 320 or to push the contents of the ampoule 310 through the seal 320. Preferably, the seals 320 of the blister strip 110 are brittle, to prevent damage to a capsule or other item contained within the blister 310, when the capsule or item is pushed through

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FROM ΙΛ EXOMEDAN CY «INDUSTEIAl the brittle layer. In addition, the vial 310 is preferably constructed from a durable, flexible, semi-rigid, tear and puncture resistant material, thus allowing the user to press down on the individual vial 310 by forcing the capsule or item through the seal 320, at the same time. time that avoids the rupture of the capsule or item. Additionally, the blister 310 can be formed as indentations in the base 305 or it can be constructed from a different material that adheres to the base 305.

As shown in greater detail in FIG. 4, the plastic rivet assembly 330 includes a male rivet member 405 selectively coupled to a female rivet member 410 in order to allow the locking function of the sleeve 105 (FIG. 1), although in other non-limiting examples, it may An air duct retainer or other similar types of retainers should be used in place of the rivet assembly 330. The male rivet member 405 includes a disk-shaped member 407, coupled to a pin 409, which is received in the opening 415 formed in the base 305. The disk-shaped member 407 abuts the upper surface 345 while Pin 409 passes through aperture 415 and selectively engages with female rivet member 410 to selectively couple rivet assembly 330 to base 305. The female rivet member 410 is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a wall 412 that has a length to catch the inner lip 564 (FIG. 5) of the sleeve 105 when the blister strip 110 is in a locked position within the sleeve 105 , while also being able to release from lip 564 (FIG. 5) when

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blister strip 110 is in an unlocked position within sleeve 10 &amp;. Female rivet member 410 additionally has a circumferential edge 420 to prevent member 410 from disengaging from lip 564 (FIG. 5) upon application of a force greater than that required to slide blister strip 110 out of sleeve 105.

Turning to FIG. 5, a pattern 500 is shown for forming the sleeve 105 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. Pattern 500 is sleeve 105 in an unfolded position. Pattern 500 is preferably made of cardboard and can be coated with a polymeric coating to make it more tear resistant, although in other non-limiting examples, pattern 500 can be made from composite material, durable paper, or other types of similar materials. The pattern 500 is preferably made up of several panels, which are folded along predetermined fold lines or pre-cut lines to form the sleeve 105. The fold lines may be marked while the pre-cut lines are formed by a folding operation, both of which are provided to make it easier to fold the various panels during the assembly of the sleeve 105. In addition, during the manufacturing process of sleeve 105, the various panels are folded to desired fold angles (eg, 90 degrees or 180 degrees) and panels 508, 504, 552, 536, and 558 can be glued between yes to permanently dock the panels together. As shown, pattern 500 comprises an inner panel 502, a top panel 504, and a panel

IMPI ¢ 3 iNJTiTí ΓΓΟ MEXICANO DBLAP * O? WDAO V * tws ÍNDUSTUAt lower 506. The interior panel 502 is folded in relation to the interior closure panel 508 by the fold lines 510 (also third fold line) and 512, to forming a left panel 514 between the inner panel 502 and the inner closure panel 508. The inner panel 502 includes a rectangular shaped cutout 528 to form a lip 564, which abuts the rivet assembly 330 (FIG. 3A) and locks the blister strip 110 into the sleeve 105.

Additionally, a lower right panel 516 is preferably a mirror image of the upper right panel 518, with the lower right panel 516 folded over the upper right panel 518, along the fold line 520 (also first fold line). The lower right panel 516 includes a hook 522 while the upper right panel 518 has a similar hook 524. By folding the lower right panel 516 over the upper right panel 518, the hook 522 is folded over the hook 524, causing the hooks 522 and 524 that the rivet assembly 330 abuts against the hooks 522 and 524, to prevent disengagement of the strap. blister 110 from sleeve 105. In addition, the upper right panel 518 and the lower right panel 516 are folded along the fold line 526 (also second fold line) to provide the hooks 522 and 524 in front of the sleeve 105, and thus provide, a obstruction to prevent blister strip 110 from disengaging from sleeve 105, without application of force by a user. Additionally, pattern 500 is provided with a plurality of substantially similar semi-circular cutouts 501, 503, 505, and 507, on lower right panel 516, upper panel 504, lower panel 506 and

<img file="MX349331B_D0013.tif" />

upper panel for printing 556, respectively, and a circular cutout 509 on the edge 526 that separates the upper right panel 518 from the inner panel 502. The cutouts 501, 509, 503 and 505 form grip openings of the sleeve 105, making it possible to slide blister strip 110 (FIG. 3A-3B) substantially outward from sleeve 105 with a simple finger grip.

Also as shown in FIG. 5, the inner panel 502 is folded relative to the top panel 504 along the fold line 530 (also fourth fold line) and the pre-cut line 532 to form an inner folding panel 534 between the inner panel 502 and the panel top 504. Top rear panel 536 is folded along pre-cut line 538 to form a rear top wall for sleeve 105. The top panel 504 is folded relative to the bottom panel 506 at a fold line 540 (also fifth fold line) and pre-cut line 542, to form a left fold panel 544. The lower rear panel 558 is folded along along the pre-cut line 560 to form a rear bottom wall for the sleeve 105. The bottom panel 506 includes a partial cutout 562 that acts as a button 215 (shown in FIG. 2) which must be pressed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in order to release the blister strip 110 (FIG. 3A-3B) and allow a user to slide the blister strip 110 out of a locked position within the sleeve 105 ( FIG. 2). The lower panel 506 is folded relative to the upper closure panel 552 along the fold line 546 (also sixth fold line) and by the pre-cut line 548, to form a right folding panel 550. The folding panel

<img file="MX349331B_D0014.tif" />

Left 544 and right folding panel 550 define the thickness of the sleeve 105 along the left and right edges, respectively. The top closure panel 552 is connected to a top panel for printing 556 along the fold line 554, the top closure panel 552 being selectively provided with payment to engage by adhesion to the top closure panel 552 of the opposite surface of top panel 504, thus supporting sleeve 105 in its assembled form. The 556 print top panel is selectively provided with fugitive glue (i.e., a low tack adhesive that lacks permanence) or other similar type of glue in order to temporarily affix the sleeve 105 to advertising literature, for example, a newspaper. , an envelope for mail or a magazine, although in other non-limiting modalities, the sleeve 105 can be supplied without a top panel for printing 556, by cutting panel 556 along fold line 554 before shipping sleeve 105.

In operation, and as shown in FIG. 1-5, blister strip 110 (FIG. 1) can be selectively locked within sleeve 105 to form a child-resistant "F1" pill dispenser 100, using rivet assembly 330 (FIG. 3A) to engage the inner lip 564 and locking the blister strip 110 within the cavity of the sleeve 105 until the rivet assembly 330 disengages. When the pill dispenser 100 is in its locked position, the circumferential edge 420 (FIG. 4) is located below the lip 564 (FIG. 5). Sliding blister strip 110 in direction 102 (FIG. 1) causes female rivet member 410 (FIG. 4) to abut the

<img file="MX349331B_D0015.tif" />

ΙΝ &lt;ΤΙΤΙΓΓ '. MEXICAN the p * 'IN! AL lip 564 (FIG. 5) and prevents blister strip 110 from sliding out-in-direction 102 (FIG. 1). In order to release the blister strip 110, a pressing force is applied to the button 215 (FIG. 2) before sliding the blister strip 110 (FIG. 1) in order to make the female rivet member (FIG. 4) is pushed up and releases lip 564 (FIG. 5) thereby disengaging rivet assembly 330 (FIG. 3A) from lip 564 on inner panel 502 (FIG. 5). Blister strip 110 can then be selectively accessed by sliding blister strip 110 (FIG. 2) from sleeve 105 along direction 102 (FIG. 1). It should be appreciated that lip 564 (FIG. 5) may be formed to locate along the bottom surface of sleeve 105, internally folding the various panels to create sleeve 105. It should also be appreciated that sliding blister strip 110 before pressing button 215 (FIG. 2) prevents lip 564 (FIG. 5) disengages from rivet assembly 330 (FIG. 3A) even after a force is applied to button 215 (FIG. 2) of sleeve 105 and preventing blister strip 110 from sliding out of sleeve 105.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-9, the process for assembling the sleeve 105 may comprise folding the various panels of the pattern 500 in a predetermined order. First, as shown in FIG. 5 and 6, the lower right panel 516 (FIG. 5) is folded 180 degrees along the fold line 520 (also first fold line) to align the lower right panel 516 on top of the upper right panel 518 Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper right panel 518 is

<img file="MX349331B_D0016.tif" />

Folds 180 degrees along fold line 526 (also second fold line) to position lower right panel 516 and upper right panel 518 within the perimeter of inner panel 502 (shown in FIG. 6). Then, inner closure panel 508 is folded 90 degrees relative to left panel 514 along fold line 510 (also third fold line). Left panel 514 folds along pre-cut line 512 to position inner closure panel 508 within the perimeter of inner panel 502 (shown in FIG. 6).

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the interior panel 502 is folded 90 degrees along the fold line 530 (also fourth fold line) and is located within the perimeter of the top panel 504 when the interior folding panel 534 is folded 90 degrees along pre-cut line 532. Additionally, upper rear panel 536 folds along pre-cut line 538 to form the rear wall, and the inner surface of inner closure panel 508 (FIG. 5) is adhesively bonded to the interior surface of top panel 504 to form a permanent adhesive bond. As shown in FIG. 8, pattern 500 is folded 90 degrees along fold line 540 (also fifth fold line) and additionally folded 90 degrees along pre-cut line 542 to make inner panel 520 sit on top of the bottom panel 506 (FIG. 5). In addition, the lower rear panel 558 is folded 90 degrees and is adhesively coupled to the upper rear panel 536 to form a rear wall.

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Then, as shown in FIG. 9, right folding panel 550 (FIG. 5) is folded 90 degrees along fold line 546 (also sixth fold line) along direction 900 and along pre-cut line 548 to position the top closure panel 552 within the perimeter of the top panel 504. Next, the top closure panel 552 is adhesively attached to the top panel 504 by gluing the inner surface of the top closure panel 552 to the outer surface of the top panel 504 to form the sleeve 105. Gluing the panels causes the sleeve 105 to remain fixed in place. desired configuration. The top printing panel 556 is visible and fugitive glue can be applied to make the sleeve 105 temporarily adhered to advertising literature or other similar types of advertising materials.

In an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 10, the pill dispenser 1000 may comprise a sleeve 1005 adapted to receive an insert, such as for example a blister strip 1010, which, in a locked position, is located within the cavity of the sleeve 1005 from the rear end. 1020 to the open end 1015. As shown, the blister strip 1010 can be selectively removed from the sleeve 1005 by sliding the blister strip 1010 with a sliding motion along direction 1002. The pill dispenser 1000 includes a locking function comprising a partially peeled portion. 1202 (shown in FIG. 12), which must be depressed in order to release blister strip 1010 and allow blister strip 1010 to slide along direction 1002, which will be

<img file="MX349331B_D0017.tif" />

shown and described below. It should be appreciated that the blister strip 1010 includes a protrusion to engage a lip 1204 (shown in FIG. 12) formed within the sleeve 1005 by folding the various panels. It should also be appreciated that the pill dispenser 1000 includes a child resistant locking feature whereby, by sliding the blister strip 1010 prior to pressing a button, the blister strip 1010 is prevented from being released into the sleeve 1005, thus preventing the blister strip 1010 to slide out of the sleeve 1005 and expose the potentially hazardous contents of the blister strip 1010 to a child, which will be shown and described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, perspective views of blister strip 1010 for use with sleeve 1005 (FIG. 10) are shown in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 11A, the top perspective view of blister strip 1010 is substantially similar to blister strip 110 shown and described in FIGS. 3A-3B, and includes a base 1105, which is preferably constructed from a flexible, semi-rigid plastic, although various other materials can be used including injection molded plastics, thick foil, etc. The blister strip 1010 also comprises blisters, such as an ampule 1110 formed from the base 1105. Ampoule 1110 includes a cavity for receiving a product, such as a pill or tablet, although in other non-limiting examples, ampoule 1110 may contain non-pharmaceuticals. In a non-limiting example, the strip

<img file="MX349331B_D0018.tif" />

blister 1010 is a "bulk blister" arranged in a bidiiilensional nratliz ·; ---- although any type of ampoule configuration 1110 can be used with the invention. In addition, blister strip 1010 includes a locking panel 1115 preferably made of plastic semi-rigid riveted to base 1105 on bottom surface 1107 at trailing edge 1120 (i.e., trailing edge 1120 is positioned at trailing end 1020 in a locked position as shown in FIG. 10). Interlocking panel 1115 includes a generally trapezoidal portion 1125 which folds around edge 1120 toward blisters 1110 in direction 1130 and includes an exposed edge 1135 provided to abut lip 1204 (FIG. 12) and allow the function of locking sleeve 1005 (FIG. 10), as will be shown and described below. In other non-limiting embodiments, dowels, glue, staples, or other similar types of attachment means may be used to couple locking panel 1115 to base 1105.

Turning to FIG. 11B, the rear perspective view of blister strip 1010 illustrates a holder 1140 attached to the bottom surface of base 1105 and which acts as a seal 1145 to seal the openings of each corresponding blister 1110. Backing 1140 is preferably constructed from aluminum foil, although other types of metallic foil or other materials such as paper and plastic can be used. In a non-limiting embodiment, the holder 1140 may comprise perforations or punches (not shown) surrounding the portion of the holder 1140 that coincides with the perimeter of the opening of the individual ampoule (i.e., the seal

<img file="MX349331B_D0019.tif" />

1145) to assist the user in penetrating the portion of the holder 1140 that acts as seals 1145 or to push the contents of the ampoule TT10 (FIG. 11A) through the seal 1145. In addition, the locking panel 1115 includes a generally semi-circular portion 1150 leading away from bracket 1140 along an acute angle in direction 1132. Portion 1150 has a generally curved exposed edge 1155, which is provided to abut a lip 1206 (FIG. 12) and prevent blister strip 1010 from disengaging from sleeve 1005 (FIG. 10) in a fully extended (or open) position, which will be shown and described below.

FIG. 12 discloses a pattern 1200 having multiple panels, folded along predetermined crease lines or pre-cut lines in order to assemble the sleeve 1005 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. Pattern 1200 is sleeve 1005 in an unfolded position. Pattern 1200 is preferably made of cardboard and can be coated with a polymeric coating to make it more tear resistant, although in other non-limiting examples, pattern 1200 can be made of durable paper, composite material, or other similar types of materials. Pattern 1200 is preferably made up of multiple panels, which are folded along predetermined crease lines or pre-cut lines to form sleeve 1005 (FIG. 10). The fold lines are marked while the pre-cut lines are formed by a folding operation, both of which are provided to make it easier to fold the various panels during assembly of the

<img file="MX349331B_D0020.tif" />

sleeve 1005 (FIG. 10). Furthermore, during the fabriftQoiÓR-de Ja.íunda _ 1005 process, the various panels are folded to desired bend angles (e.g., 90 ° or 180 °) and the panels 1214, 1218, 1208, 1240, 1246 and 1212 can be glued to firmly connect the panels together.

As shown, pattern 1200 comprises interior panel 1208, top panel 1210, and bottom panel 1212. Interior panel 1208 is folded relative to interior right panel 1214 by pre-cut line 1216 (also pre-cut first line) and it is also folded relative to inner left panel 1218 by pre-cut line 1220 (also second pre-cut line). The inner panel 1208 and the inner left panel 1218 include a generally rectangular cutout 1222 along the pre-cut line 1220. In addition, the inner panel 1208 includes a generally rectangular cut-out 1224 along the pre-cut line 1216, while the inner right panel 1214 includes a generally rectangular cutout 1226 disposed partially along the pre-cut line 1216. The cutout 1226 includes a lip 1206 to prevent the blister strip 1010 from disengaging from the sleeve 1005 (FIG. 10) when the blister strip 1010 is fully extended in an open position, which will be shown and described below.

The top panel 1210 is folded along the precut line 1242 to form a rear top panel 1240 while the bottom panel 1212 is folded along the precut line 1248 to form a rear bottom panel 1246. In addition, the top panel 1210 is

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OF THE&gt;? &lt;_v '7': J l N v U 'T ¿IA L · -Y folded relative to the lower panel 1212 along the lines n3re-eerteda ^ 125 £ Ly .._ 1252 to form a right folding panel 1254 between the inner panel 1208 and top panel 1210. Inner panel 1208 includes a rectangular shaped cutout 1222 to form a protruding lip 1204, which abuts edge 1155 (FIG. 11B) and locks blister strip 1110 within sleeve 1005. In addition, the upper right panel 1234 is folded relative to the upper panel 1210 along the pre-cut line 1236. The upper right panel includes a circular shaped cutout 1238 on the edge that separates the upper right panel 1234 and the upper panel 1210. The cutouts 1224 and 1238 form grip openings in the sleeve 1005 that make it possible to slide the blister strip 1010 (FIG. 10) substantially out of the sleeve 1005 with a simple finger grip.

Top panel 1210 is folded relative to bottom panel 1212 along pre-cut lines 1230 and 1232 to form a left folding panel 1228 between interior panel 1208 and top panel 1210. Pattern 1200 includes a locking feature that comprises a partially pierced portion 1202, which must be depressed in order to disengage blister strip 1010 and allow a user to slide blister strip 1010 along direction 1002 (shown in FIG. 10) in order to access the contents of blister strip 1010. It should be appreciated that blister strip 1010 engages a lip 1204 and sliding blister strip 1010 prior to depressing portion 1202 prevents lip 1204 (shown in FIG. 12) disengages from blister strip 1010, thus preventing blister strip 1010 from sliding out of

<img file="MX349331B_D0021.tif" />

the case 1005, which will be shown and described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-15, the process of assembling the sleeve 1005 (FIG. 10) may comprise folding the various panels of the pattern 1200 (FIG. 12) in a predetermined order. First, as shown in FIG. 12 and 13, the inner right panel 1214 is folded 180 degrees along the pre-cut line 1216 and is glued to the inner panel 1208 to permanently position the inner right panel 1214 within the perimeter of the inner panel 1208. Next, the interior left panel 1218 is folded 180 degrees along the pre-cut line 1220 and glued to the interior panel 1208 to permanently position the interior left panel 1218 within the perimeter of the interior panel 1208. Then, the panel top right 1234 is folded 180 degrees along pre-cut line 1236 and is glued to top panel 1210 to permanently position top right panel 1234 within the perimeter of top panel 1210.

Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the inner panel 1208 is folded 90 degrees along the pre-cut line 1230 and the left foldable panel 1228 is folded 90 degrees causing the footprint of the inner panel 1208 to be located within the perimeter of the top panel 1210. In addition, rear top panel 1240 (FIG. 12) is folded 90 degrees along pre-cut line 1242 to form a rear wall. Then, and as shown in FIG. 15, bottom panel 1212 is folded 90 degrees along pre-cut line 1252 and right folded panel 1254 is folded 90

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<img file="MX349331B_D0022.tif" />

degrees along pre-cut line 1250 (FIG. 12) causing bottom panel 1212 to be positioned above interior panel 1208 (FIG. 14). The bottom panel 1212 is glued to the exposed surface of the inner panel 1208 to permanently couple the bottom panel 1212 to the inner panel. Finally, the lower rear panel 1246 is folded 90 degrees and glued to the upper rear panel 1240 to form a permanent wall for the sleeve 1005.

In operation and as shown in FIGS. 10, 11 A, 12 and 16, blister strip 1010 (FIG. 16) can be selectively locked within sleeve 1005 to form a child resistant "F1" pill dispenser 1000. As shown in FIG. 16, the latch function is engaged using latch panel 1115 to engage protruding lip 1204 of inner panel 1208 and latch blister strip 1010 within the pocket of sleeve 1005, until latch panel 1115 is disengaged. Particularly when pill dispenser 1000 is in its locked position, exposed edge 1155 (FIG. 11B) of portion 1150 (FIG. 16), which is aligned along vertical axis 1605, sits below lip 1204 (FIG. 16) and provides an obstruction that prevents blister strip 1010 from sliding out in direction 1600. In order to release the blister strip 1010, a pressing force is applied to the portion 1202, also aligned along the vertical axis 1605, prior to sliding the blister strip 1010 in order to cause the portion 1150 to be pushed up and release the lip 1204, thus disengaging the locking panel 1115 from the inner panel 1208. The strip ₃₃ IMPIAS ό MEXICAN INSTITUTE. 4

FROM THE FROHBOAD k 'NOUsTRJAL blister 1010 can now be selectively accessed by sliding blister strip —.— 1010 along direction 1600. Additionally, as blister strip 1010 is slid along direction 1600, prevents it from being disengaged from sleeve 1005 by lip 1206 on inner right panel 1214 (FIG. 12), which abuts portion 1150. It should also be appreciated that sliding blister strip 1010 prior to depressing portion 1202 prevents lip 1204 from disengaging from locking panel 1115, even after a sliding force is applied to blister strip 1010 in direction 1600, thus avoiding blister strip 1010 to slide out of sleeve 1005.

While the invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, the embodiments of which have been shown in considerable detail for the purpose of making a full disclosure of the invention, such embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent a exhaustive listing of all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore, will be defined solely by the appended claims. Additionally, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes can be made to such details without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.

<img file="MX349331B_D0023.tif" />

<img file="MX349331B_D0024.tif" />

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