EP0915020A1 - Dispositif pour enlever des pilules et similaires de leur emballage blister - Google Patents

Dispositif pour enlever des pilules et similaires de leur emballage blister Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0915020A1
EP0915020A1 EP97308881A EP97308881A EP0915020A1 EP 0915020 A1 EP0915020 A1 EP 0915020A1 EP 97308881 A EP97308881 A EP 97308881A EP 97308881 A EP97308881 A EP 97308881A EP 0915020 A1 EP0915020 A1 EP 0915020A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tablet
hand tool
module
opening
pill
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP97308881A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Larry David Hunts
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP97308881A priority Critical patent/EP0915020A1/fr
Publication of EP0915020A1 publication Critical patent/EP0915020A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/04—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills
    • B65D83/0445—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills all the articles being stored in individual compartments
    • B65D83/0463—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills all the articles being stored in individual compartments formed in a band or a blisterweb, inserted in a dispensing device or container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B69/00—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
    • B65B69/005—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for by expelling contents, e.g. by squeezing the container
    • B65B69/0058—Solid contents

Definitions

  • This invention relates to devices arranged to facilitate the removal of pills and the like from blister type packaging cards and strips commonly being used as an alternative to bottle-type bulk packaging of pharmaceuticals and such. More particularly, this invention provides a simplified hand tool arranged primarily for the easy and convenient dispensing of individual doses of pre-packaged, individually wrapped tablets, capsules, etc. by a user, as distinguished from the prior art devices which heretofore have been provided only for larger-scale dispensing situations routinely encountered by the staff and caregivers in the medical profession.
  • this invention provides an extremely efficient yet simplified hand tool arranged to remove individual tablets and the like from foil or blister type packaging cards or strips.
  • Another object of this invention is the provision of a pill removing hand tool of the class described which facilitates the cutting of the foil cover sheet of the blister package as the table-T is being pressed thereagainst in order to assure against breaking or powdering of the table which could result in a loss of proper dosage.
  • Another object of this invention is the provision of a pill removing hand tool of the class described which is fully operably in conjunction with any conventional size, shape and type of pill including round and oval tablets, caplets, capsules and others typically provided in blister-type packaging strips and cards.
  • a still further object of this invention is the provision of a pill removing hand tool of the class described which may also be provided in the form of a free-standing surface-supported device operable by a user's arm, for use by persons having severe or complete loss of hand function.
  • a still further object of this invention is the provision of a pill removing hand tool of the class described which is of simplified construction for economical manufacture and ease of use.
  • a pharmaceutical blister package 10 is typically provided as a card or strip comprising a clear plastic sheet 12 formed with a plurality of rows of regularly spaced apart pockets 14 into which a single pill P is placed. An overlying foil or plastic cover sheet 16 is then bonded to the first sheet 10, thus closing the pockets and sealing the pills therein.
  • Perforated tear lines are typically provided between adjacent pockets so that used sections of the card may be separated and discarded as they are used and so that unused sections may be more conveniently carried with the user until needed.
  • the present invention provides an extremely simply, convenient and easily operable solution to the above problems, the basic concept of the invention being readily identifiable is simply in viewing the operation of the device as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings.
  • the invention provides a structurally simple hand tool generally similar in overall appearance to a pair of pliers wherein the tool comprises a pair of opposite arm members 18, 20 connected pivotally together by a pivot pin 22, which effectively divides each arm member into a handle end portion 18a, 20a and a working end or jaw portion 18b, 20b.
  • a spring member 24 may for convenience be provided to urge the arm members 18, 20 to return to the normally at rest position shown in Fig. 1 in which the jaws of the tool are maintained in open condition for ubobstructed placement or removal of a pill card.
  • the tool of this invention is arranged with one working end portion 18b configured to terminate in a pair of projecting supports 26 spaced apart from each other a distance sufficient to provide an opening through which a pill may pass freely.
  • These supports 26 provide an underlying base for supporting a blister package during operation of the tool as will be explained.
  • the projecting supports 26 mount an underlying pill-catching pocket member or bucket 28, which may as illustrated be open at its front end 28a, the bucket configured to underlie the opening between the supports 26 to receive and hold a pill passing therethrough, as will become apparent.
  • the jaw or working end 20b of the opposing arm member 20 terminates in a pressing member 30, as seen in Figs. 1 and 4.
  • This pressing member is configured to provide a confronting surface arranged to provide means for engaging and pressing against the outer surface pocket of a blister card positioned cover sheet-side down on the supports 26.
  • the pressing member 30 is shown as a separate element mounted pivotally by pivot pin 32 to the end portion 20b. This arrangement permits the pressing element to adjust its orientation in order to maintain the greatest amount of surface contact against the pocket of the package as it is pressing thereagainst.
  • a pressing element 30a (Fig. 9) may instead be formed as an integral feature of the terminal end of the working portion 20b of the arm member 20.
  • the invention may include cutter means to facilitate the initial tearing of the foil layer as the pill is pressed downwardly thereagainst during operation of the hand tool.
  • a pill hole module 34 is removably mounted on the supports 26 and spans the opening therebetween, the module forming an underlaying base platform beneath the foil layer of the pill-containing pocket of the package.
  • An opening 36 is provided through the module, the opening configured to be larger in size and preferably generally similar in shape to the type of pill being removed from its packaging. In this manner, when the pill is forced downwardly into the opening 36, the foil is forced to tear instead of simply deforming.
  • different module openings may be provided to accommodate virtually any type or shape of pill or capsule as may be encountered.
  • Fig. 8 illustrates the hand tool of this invention wherein the cutter means previously described in connection with the pill hole module is provided in the alternative form of a slide member 38 arranged to accommodate virtually any tablet configuration.
  • the slide is operably mounted on the base supports 26 for positioning of a desired cutter hole configuration over the opening between the support members 26.
  • Fig. 8a simply illustrates the jaw member 18b configured instead to mount a rotary pill hole disk 38a by pivot pin 46, as an equally satisfactory alternative to the slide member 38 configuration of Fig. 8. It is to be understood of course that while the various embodiments of cutter means discussed hereinbefore are illustrative of satisfactory arrangements, other entirely suitable configurations are also contemplated and may alternatively be provided for the purpose.
  • a hand tool of this invention although readily apparent from Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings is as follows:
  • the hand tool is grasped in one hand and a blister package is positioned on the supports 26 so that the pocket of the blister pack is positioned over the opening between the supports as seen in Figs. 1 and 4.
  • the hand grips are squeezed toward each other, pivoting one jaw member toward the other and moving the pressing member downwardly into contact with the top surface of the pocket, whereupon continued downward movement of the pressing member collapses the blister package pocket inwardly forcing the pill downwardly, tearing the cover sheet of the blister package, allowing the pill to drop freely downwardly through the opening.
  • the freed pill falls into the bucket and, since the bucket is provided with an open front end 28a, the pill may then be dispensed into the user's hand simply by tilting the hand tool downwardly as in Fig. 3.
  • the amount of force required to squeeze the handle members can be varied in any number of conventional ways including varying the pivot point of the arm members and hence the resulting leverage function; varying the type and tension of the spring means illustrated generally at 24; providing gearing and other mechanical advantage structure between the handle portion and working portions of the arms; and other known methods.
  • FIG. 9 the arm member 20 of the previous embodiment is replaced by an alternative arm member 40 configured to mount a supporting base structure.
  • leg structure 42 is shown in the drawings arranged to support the device in stable condition on an underlying surface 44 such as a table or counter top.
  • the supporting base structure may be integrally formed with the arm member 40 as shown, or alternatively the base structure may if desired be provided separately, and configured for removable attachment to the handle portion 20a of the hand tool embodiment described earlier.
  • the operation of this embodiment is essentially identical to the foregoing embodiment of the hand tool except that the user may simply press downwardly on the arm 18a of the free standing device in whatever manner is possible or convenient.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
EP97308881A 1997-11-05 1997-11-05 Dispositif pour enlever des pilules et similaires de leur emballage blister Withdrawn EP0915020A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP97308881A EP0915020A1 (fr) 1997-11-05 1997-11-05 Dispositif pour enlever des pilules et similaires de leur emballage blister

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP97308881A EP0915020A1 (fr) 1997-11-05 1997-11-05 Dispositif pour enlever des pilules et similaires de leur emballage blister

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0915020A1 true EP0915020A1 (fr) 1999-05-12

Family

ID=8229595

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97308881A Withdrawn EP0915020A1 (fr) 1997-11-05 1997-11-05 Dispositif pour enlever des pilules et similaires de leur emballage blister

Country Status (1)

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EP (1) EP0915020A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007033673A1 (fr) 2005-09-21 2007-03-29 Pirutech Aps Appareil manuel pour le retrait d’une dose unitaire de son emballage
GB2474673A (en) * 2009-10-22 2011-04-27 Andrewson Designs Ltd Blister pack dispensing device

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3317549A1 (de) * 1983-05-13 1984-11-15 Lutz 8000 München Preis Geraet zum entnehmen von kapseln, tabletten oder dragees aus folienpackungen (blister)
GB2192827A (en) * 1986-07-24 1988-01-27 Marcus Diamant An instrument for pressing items out of blister packs
US4909414A (en) 1989-05-09 1990-03-20 Clarence Heath Device to remove objects from blister packs
US5038968A (en) 1990-11-01 1991-08-13 Albetski Donald N Medication deblistering apparatus and method
US5472115A (en) * 1994-07-05 1995-12-05 Whiton; Joseph L. Blisterpack opening tool

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3317549A1 (de) * 1983-05-13 1984-11-15 Lutz 8000 München Preis Geraet zum entnehmen von kapseln, tabletten oder dragees aus folienpackungen (blister)
GB2192827A (en) * 1986-07-24 1988-01-27 Marcus Diamant An instrument for pressing items out of blister packs
US4909414A (en) 1989-05-09 1990-03-20 Clarence Heath Device to remove objects from blister packs
US5038968A (en) 1990-11-01 1991-08-13 Albetski Donald N Medication deblistering apparatus and method
US5472115A (en) * 1994-07-05 1995-12-05 Whiton; Joseph L. Blisterpack opening tool

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007033673A1 (fr) 2005-09-21 2007-03-29 Pirutech Aps Appareil manuel pour le retrait d’une dose unitaire de son emballage
GB2474673A (en) * 2009-10-22 2011-04-27 Andrewson Designs Ltd Blister pack dispensing device
GB2474673B (en) * 2009-10-22 2014-02-19 Medi Popper Ltd Dispensing device

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