WO1994005560A1 - Pharmaceutical packaging - Google Patents

Pharmaceutical packaging Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1994005560A1
WO1994005560A1 PCT/GB1993/001909 GB9301909W WO9405560A1 WO 1994005560 A1 WO1994005560 A1 WO 1994005560A1 GB 9301909 W GB9301909 W GB 9301909W WO 9405560 A1 WO9405560 A1 WO 9405560A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
medicament
blisters
capsule
capsules
base member
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1993/001909
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Brindra Paul Singh Chawla
Original Assignee
Fisons Plc
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
Priority claimed from GB929219113A external-priority patent/GB9219113D0/en
Priority claimed from GB939314050A external-priority patent/GB9314050D0/en
Priority to JP50702894A priority Critical patent/JP3166123B2/en
Priority to EP94908816A priority patent/EP0659150B1/en
Priority to DE69310923T priority patent/DE69310923T2/en
Priority to US08/397,186 priority patent/US5560490A/en
Application filed by Fisons Plc filed Critical Fisons Plc
Priority to KR1019950700913A priority patent/KR100300691B1/en
Priority to AU49775/93A priority patent/AU670627B2/en
Publication of WO1994005560A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994005560A1/en
Priority to NO950823A priority patent/NO305937B1/en
Priority to FI951098A priority patent/FI951098A/en
Priority to GR970401806T priority patent/GR3024161T3/en

Links

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
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
    • B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
    • B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
    • B65D75/325—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil
    • B65D75/327—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil and forming several compartments
    • 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
    • B65D2585/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D2585/56—Containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or materials for medicinal tablets or pills

Definitions

  • This invention relates to packaging for medicaments, in particular to packaging for pre-pierced capsules of inhalation medicaments.
  • Powdered inhalation medicament is often supplied in capsules which may be dispensed using e.g. the device known as the SPINHALERTM.
  • This device comprises a housing which retains an individual capsule of medicament, the capsule is pierced in situ thus releasing the medicament for inhalation.
  • Such devices have the disadvantage that small fragments of the capsule may be produced during to the piercing process which could be inhaled by the patient.
  • Pre-pierced medicament capsules i.e. capsules the walls of which are provided with one or more apertures during manufacture
  • capsules may leak medicament through the apertures and hygroscopic medicaments may take up water du to ingress of moisture into the is capsules.
  • European Patent Application 0385156 discloses a method of avoiding the problems associated with packaging pre-pierced capsules by providing a . disposable inhaler containing a single pre-pierced capsule.
  • this device suffers from the drawback that it may be necessary to carry several separate devices 2 o in order to provide a day's supply of medicament. It is also wasteful, since the device cannot be refilled and is thus discarded after only one use.
  • a medicament pack comprising a base member having a plurality of blisters formed therein, each blister being adapted to accommodate a medicament containing capsule, each capsule being provided with at least one aperture to permit medicament to be dispensed therefrom, characterised in that the base member comprises sealing means adapted 30 to seal the apertures.
  • the medicament pack according to the invention may be adapted to accommodate any practicable number of capsules, for example, enough to provide a day's, e.g. 4 doses, or a week's, e.g. 28 doses, supply of medicament for a patient.
  • the medicament packs according to the invention may be made by conventional techniques known for the formation of blister-packs.
  • the base member may be made by thermoforming, e.g. by pressure forming or vacuum-drawing a heat- softened sheet of thermoplastic resin into a contoured mould. Once the base member has been cooled and removed from the mould, the medicament capsules may then be inserted into the blisters, e.g. mechanically or manually.
  • Conventional blister-packaging materials may be used to form the packaging according to the invention, e.g. polyvinyl chloride (PNC), PNC/polyethylene combinations, polystyrene and polypropylene.
  • PNC polyvinyl chloride
  • PNC/polyethylene combinations polystyrene and polypropylene.
  • polystyrene and polypropylene polystyrene and polypropylene.
  • polyvinylidene chloride or polychlorotrifluoroethylene films may be laminated to PNC.
  • the sealing means provided in the base member are designed to prevent loss of medicament through the capsule apertures and also to minimise the ingress of moisture into the capsules.
  • the sealing means preferably comprise sealing surfaces adapted to seal the aperture containing portions of the capsules.
  • Each sealing surface preferably has a profile which corresponds to the profile of the aperture containing portion of the capsule it is adapted to seal.
  • each sealing surface preferably comprises a circular concave surface embossed into the blister wall, this surface envelops and thereby seals the pierced end of the capsule.
  • the sealing means may take the form of tapered projections adapted to sealably engage the apertures.
  • the tapered projections fit into and plug the apertures.
  • the number of sealing means provided in the base member of the pack will obviously depend on the number of apertures provided in the capsules it is adapted to accommodate.
  • the pack we prefer the pack to be adapted to accommodate capsules having two apertures, we particularly prefer the pack to be adapted to accommodate cylindrical medicament containing capsules having an aperture formed at both ends.
  • the relative dimensions of the blisters and the medicament containing capsules said blisters are adapted to accommodate, to be such that the sealing means are urged into a sealing engagement with the capsules.
  • the distance between the sealing means provided at both ends of each blister to be less than the distance between the pierced ends of the medicament containing capsule.
  • the blisters formed in the base member of the pack are preferably further provided with at least one resilient projection adapted to urge the medicament 10 containing capsules into a sealing engagement with the sealing means.
  • Each blister is preferably provided with two resilient projections, these being located on opposite sides of the blister.
  • the resilient projections may take the form of shoulders formed in the walls of the blisters, said shoulders being adapted to bear on a capsule accommodated within the blister and thereby prevent significant movement of the is capsule within the blister.
  • the resilient projections may be formed in the walls of the blisters during the moulding of the base member as described above.
  • the capsules to be packaged according to the invention may be made from any material in which apertures may be formed, suitable materials include hard or soft gelatin, polystyrene, nylons, polyalkylenes such as polyethylene, cellulose, alkyl ⁇ a cellulose and acetate polymers.
  • suitable materials include hard or soft gelatin, polystyrene, nylons, polyalkylenes such as polyethylene, cellulose, alkyl ⁇ a cellulose and acetate polymers.
  • the capsules may be of any shape, however, we prefer the capsules to be cylindrical.
  • the capsules may contain one or more apertures, e.g. 1 to 6, and especially 2 apertures.
  • the apertures may be situated in any portion of the capsule, however, we prefer capsules in which an aperture is situated at the end of the capsule and 25 more preferably at both ends of the capsule.
  • the capsule apertures may be of any shape, e.g. square, rectangular, oval, or preferably circular. When the apertures are circular they may have a diameter of between 0.50 and 1.20 mm, preferably from 0.50 to 1.01 mm, more preferably from 0.76 to 1.01 mm and especially 0.81 mm. When a capsule contains more then one 30 aperture then the apertures may have the same or different dimensions.
  • the method used for forming the capsule apertures will be dependent upon the size, shape and position of the apertures, any conventional techniques known per se may be employed. When a circular or oval aperture is required a cutting or piercing tool may be used, alternatively LASER light may be employed or a hot needle. When a square or rectangular aperture is required a cutting tool with an inclined terminal face may be employed.
  • the apertures may be formed in the capsules before or after they are filled with medicament, however, we prefer the apertures to be formed in the capsules after they have been filled with medicament.
  • the capsules to be packaged according to the invention will generally contain a unit dose of a medicament which is conventionally administered by inhalation to the lung or the nose.
  • Such medicaments include drugs for use in the prophylactic or remedial treatment of reversible obstructive airways disease.
  • Specific active ingredients which may be mentioned include salts of cromoglycic acid, e.g. sodium cromoglycate; salts of nedocromil, e.g. nedocromil sodium; inhaled steroids such as beclomethasone dipropionate, tipredane, budesonide and fluticasone; anticholinergic agents such as ipratropium bromide; bronchodilators, e.g. salmeterol, salbutamol, reproterol, terbutaline, isoprenaline and fenoterol, and salts thereof.
  • a mixture of active ingredients for example, a mixture of sodium cromoglycate and a bronchodilator, such as salbutamol, reproterol, isoprenaline, terbutaline, fenoterol or a salt of any one thereof, may be contained in the capsules.
  • active ingredients include antihistamines, e.g. clemastine, pentamidine and salts thereof, acetyl- ⁇ -methylcholine bromide; peptide hormones, e.g. insulin and amylin; bradykinin antagonists; PLA 2 inhibitors; PAF antagonists; lipoxygenase inhibitors; leukotriene antagonists; CNS active drugs, e.g.
  • NMDA antagonists glutamate antagonists, CCK agonists and antagonists
  • macrolide compounds e.g. FK 506, rapamycin, cyclosporin and structurally related compounds
  • vitamins e.g. MMR vaccine and polio vaccine
  • vectors for gene therapy e.g. plasmids containing genes intended to correct genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis.
  • the medicaments contained in the capsules to be packaged according to the invention will generally be in a form suitable for direct administration to a patient.
  • the medicaments may comprise a particulate active ingredient in admixture with a solid pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the carrier will generally be a non-toxic material chemically inert to the active ingredient but may, if so desired, also comprise larger particles of the active ingredient.
  • carriers which may be used include a dextran, mannitol and, preferably, lactose.
  • a particularly preferred carrier is crystalline lactose.
  • the medicament may be a so-called "pelletised" composition, i.e.
  • the open faces of the blisters in which the capsules are accommodated are preferably sealed by a removable cover sheet, e.g. a heat-sealable lidding material, which is attached to the base member.
  • the cover sheet may be of either a push- through or peelable type.
  • the cover sheet may comprise a heat-seal-coated aluminium foil. The coating on the foil must be o compatible with the blister material to ensure satisfactory sealing both for product protection, e.g. to prevent the ingress of moisture and microorganisms, and for tamper resistance.
  • the cover sheet For a peelable pack the cover sheet must also have a degree of puncture resistance and sufficient tensile strength to allow the cover sheet to be pulled away from the base member even when it is strongly adhered to it.
  • a material such as polyester or paper may be used as a component of a foil lamination.
  • a medicament pack comprising a base member having a plurality of blisters formed therein, each blister accommodating a medicament capsule, each capsule being o provided with at least one aperture to permit medicament to be dispensed therefrom, the blisters being sealed by a removable cover sheet attached to the base member, characterised in that the base member comprises sealing means adapted to seal the apertures.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a medicament pack according to the invention (with cover sheet partially removed);
  • Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line II-II of Figure 1 (with cover sheet intact);
  • Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line III-III of Figure 1 (with cover sheet intact);
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative medicament pack according to the invention (with cover sheet partially removed); and Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line N-N of Figure 4 (with cover sheet intact).
  • a medicament pack (1) comprises a PNC base member (2) thermoformed to define four open faced blisters (3).
  • Each blister (3) is shaped so as to accommodate a cylindrical medicament capsule (4) having a circular aperture (5) formed at both ends.
  • Two circular sealing surfaces (6) are formed in the walls of each blister (3). The surface area of the sealing surfaces (6) being greater than the area of the apertures (5). These surfaces seal the pierced ends of the capsule (4) thus preventing loss of medicament through the apertures (5).
  • the distance between the centre of the sealing surfaces (6) formed in any one blister (3) is slightly less than the length of the medicament capsule (4), such that surfaces (6) are urged into a sealing engagement with the pierced portions of the capsule (4).
  • the capsules (4) are further urged into sealing engagement with surfaces (6) by shoulders (7) formed on opposite sides of each blister (3).
  • the open faces of the blisters (3) in base member (2) are sealed by a plastic/metal laminate cover sheet (8) which is heat-sealed to the surface of the base member (2).
  • the cover sheet (8) may be peeled back to allow a capsule (4) to be removed from the pack prior to insertion in an appropriate inhalation device.
  • FIGS 4 and 5 show an alternative medicament pack (1) comprising a PNC base member (2) thermoformed to define four open faced blisters (3).
  • Each blister (3) is shaped so as to accommodate a cylindrical medicament capsule (4) having a circular aperture (5) formed at both ends. Tapered projections (9) formed in the walls of each blister (3) fit into and sealably engage the capsule apertures (5).
  • the distance between the bases of the projections (9) formed in any one blister (3) is slightly less than the length of the medicament capsule (4), such that projections (9) are urged into a sealing engagement with the capsules (4).
  • the open faces of the blisters (3) in base member (2) are sealed by a plastic/metal laminate cover sheet (8) which is heat-sealed to the surface of the base member (2).
  • the cover sheet (8) may be peeled back to allow a capsule (4) to be removed from the pack prior to insertion in an appropriate inhalation device.

Abstract

A medicament pack (1) comprising a base member (2) having a plurality of blisters (3) formed therein, each blister (3) being adapted to accommodate a medicament containing capsule (4), each capsule (4) being provided with at least one aperture (5) to permit medicament to be dispensed therefrom, wherein the base member (2) comprises sealing means (6) adapted to seal the apertures (5).

Description

PHARMACEUTICAL PACKAGING
This invention relates to packaging for medicaments, in particular to packaging for pre-pierced capsules of inhalation medicaments.
The administration of inhalation medicaments in both liquid and dry powder s forms are well known. Powdered inhalation medicament is often supplied in capsules which may be dispensed using e.g. the device known as the SPINHALER™. This device comprises a housing which retains an individual capsule of medicament, the capsule is pierced in situ thus releasing the medicament for inhalation. Such devices have the disadvantage that small fragments of the capsule may be produced during to the piercing process which could be inhaled by the patient.
Pre-pierced medicament capsules, i.e. capsules the walls of which are provided with one or more apertures during manufacture, are known. However, during storage such capsules may leak medicament through the apertures and hygroscopic medicaments may take up water du to ingress of moisture into the is capsules.
European Patent Application 0385156 (Phidea Sri) discloses a method of avoiding the problems associated with packaging pre-pierced capsules by providing a . disposable inhaler containing a single pre-pierced capsule. However, this device suffers from the drawback that it may be necessary to carry several separate devices 2o in order to provide a day's supply of medicament. It is also wasteful, since the device cannot be refilled and is thus discarded after only one use.
We have now devised an improved form of packaging for pre-pierced medicament capsules which is both effective and economical and which overcomes or substantially mitigates the problems described above. ■2S According to the present invention, there is provided a medicament pack comprising a base member having a plurality of blisters formed therein, each blister being adapted to accommodate a medicament containing capsule, each capsule being provided with at least one aperture to permit medicament to be dispensed therefrom, characterised in that the base member comprises sealing means adapted 30 to seal the apertures.
The medicament pack according to the invention may be adapted to accommodate any practicable number of capsules, for example, enough to provide a day's, e.g. 4 doses, or a week's, e.g. 28 doses, supply of medicament for a patient. The medicament packs according to the invention may be made by conventional techniques known for the formation of blister-packs. The base member may be made by thermoforming, e.g. by pressure forming or vacuum-drawing a heat- softened sheet of thermoplastic resin into a contoured mould. Once the base member has been cooled and removed from the mould, the medicament capsules may then be inserted into the blisters, e.g. mechanically or manually.
Conventional blister-packaging materials may be used to form the packaging according to the invention, e.g. polyvinyl chloride (PNC), PNC/polyethylene combinations, polystyrene and polypropylene. For improved moisture protection polyvinylidene chloride or polychlorotrifluoroethylene films may be laminated to PNC.
The sealing means provided in the base member are designed to prevent loss of medicament through the capsule apertures and also to minimise the ingress of moisture into the capsules. We prefer the sealing means to be formed in the walls of the blisters. When the sealing means are formed in the walls of the blisters they may be produced during the moulding of the base member as described above.
The sealing means preferably comprise sealing surfaces adapted to seal the aperture containing portions of the capsules. Each sealing surface preferably has a profile which corresponds to the profile of the aperture containing portion of the capsule it is adapted to seal. For example, when the medicament capsule is cylindrical and has an aperture at formed at one or both ends, each sealing surface preferably comprises a circular concave surface embossed into the blister wall, this surface envelops and thereby seals the pierced end of the capsule.
Alternatively, the sealing means may take the form of tapered projections adapted to sealably engage the apertures. The tapered projections fit into and plug the apertures.
The number of sealing means provided in the base member of the pack will obviously depend on the number of apertures provided in the capsules it is adapted to accommodate. However, we prefer the pack to be adapted to accommodate capsules having two apertures, we particularly prefer the pack to be adapted to accommodate cylindrical medicament containing capsules having an aperture formed at both ends. We prefer the relative dimensions of the blisters and the medicament containing capsules said blisters are adapted to accommodate, to be such that the sealing means are urged into a sealing engagement with the capsules. For example, when the base member is adapted to seal cylindrical capsules having an aperture s formed at both ends, we prefer the distance between the sealing means provided at both ends of each blister to be less than the distance between the pierced ends of the medicament containing capsule.
The blisters formed in the base member of the pack are preferably further provided with at least one resilient projection adapted to urge the medicament 10 containing capsules into a sealing engagement with the sealing means. Each blister is preferably provided with two resilient projections, these being located on opposite sides of the blister. The resilient projections may take the form of shoulders formed in the walls of the blisters, said shoulders being adapted to bear on a capsule accommodated within the blister and thereby prevent significant movement of the is capsule within the blister. The resilient projections may be formed in the walls of the blisters during the moulding of the base member as described above.
The capsules to be packaged according to the invention may be made from any material in which apertures may be formed, suitable materials include hard or soft gelatin, polystyrene, nylons, polyalkylenes such as polyethylene, cellulose, alkyl ιa cellulose and acetate polymers. The capsules may be of any shape, however, we prefer the capsules to be cylindrical.
The capsules may contain one or more apertures, e.g. 1 to 6, and especially 2 apertures. The apertures may be situated in any portion of the capsule, however, we prefer capsules in which an aperture is situated at the end of the capsule and 25 more preferably at both ends of the capsule.
The capsule apertures may be of any shape, e.g. square, rectangular, oval, or preferably circular. When the apertures are circular they may have a diameter of between 0.50 and 1.20 mm, preferably from 0.50 to 1.01 mm, more preferably from 0.76 to 1.01 mm and especially 0.81 mm. When a capsule contains more then one 30 aperture then the apertures may have the same or different dimensions.
The method used for forming the capsule apertures will be dependent upon the size, shape and position of the apertures, any conventional techniques known per se may be employed. When a circular or oval aperture is required a cutting or piercing tool may be used, alternatively LASER light may be employed or a hot needle. When a square or rectangular aperture is required a cutting tool with an inclined terminal face may be employed. The apertures may be formed in the capsules before or after they are filled with medicament, however, we prefer the apertures to be formed in the capsules after they have been filled with medicament. The capsules to be packaged according to the invention will generally contain a unit dose of a medicament which is conventionally administered by inhalation to the lung or the nose. Such medicaments include drugs for use in the prophylactic or remedial treatment of reversible obstructive airways disease. Specific active ingredients which may be mentioned include salts of cromoglycic acid, e.g. sodium cromoglycate; salts of nedocromil, e.g. nedocromil sodium; inhaled steroids such as beclomethasone dipropionate, tipredane, budesonide and fluticasone; anticholinergic agents such as ipratropium bromide; bronchodilators, e.g. salmeterol, salbutamol, reproterol, terbutaline, isoprenaline and fenoterol, and salts thereof. If desired a mixture of active ingredients, for example, a mixture of sodium cromoglycate and a bronchodilator, such as salbutamol, reproterol, isoprenaline, terbutaline, fenoterol or a salt of any one thereof, may be contained in the capsules. Other active ingredients that may be mentioned include antihistamines, e.g. clemastine, pentamidine and salts thereof, acetyl-β-methylcholine bromide; peptide hormones, e.g. insulin and amylin; bradykinin antagonists; PLA2 inhibitors; PAF antagonists; lipoxygenase inhibitors; leukotriene antagonists; CNS active drugs, e.g. NMDA antagonists, glutamate antagonists, CCK agonists and antagonists; macrolide compounds, e.g. FK 506, rapamycin, cyclosporin and structurally related compounds; vitamins; vaccines, e.g. MMR vaccine and polio vaccine; and vectors for gene therapy, e.g. plasmids containing genes intended to correct genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis.
The medicaments contained in the capsules to be packaged according to the invention will generally be in a form suitable for direct administration to a patient. The medicaments may comprise a particulate active ingredient in admixture with a solid pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The carrier will generally be a non-toxic material chemically inert to the active ingredient but may, if so desired, also comprise larger particles of the active ingredient. Examples of carriers which may be used include a dextran, mannitol and, preferably, lactose. A particularly preferred carrier is crystalline lactose. Alternatively, the medicament may be a so-called "pelletised" composition, i.e. soft pellets comprising a plurality of individual particles of active ingredient loosely held together such that upon inhalation the pellets disintegrate to the constituent particles. 5 The open faces of the blisters in which the capsules are accommodated are preferably sealed by a removable cover sheet, e.g. a heat-sealable lidding material, which is attached to the base member. The cover sheet may be of either a push- through or peelable type. For a push-through type of pack, the cover sheet may comprise a heat-seal-coated aluminium foil. The coating on the foil must be o compatible with the blister material to ensure satisfactory sealing both for product protection, e.g. to prevent the ingress of moisture and microorganisms, and for tamper resistance. For a peelable pack the cover sheet must also have a degree of puncture resistance and sufficient tensile strength to allow the cover sheet to be pulled away from the base member even when it is strongly adhered to it. Thus, for s a peelable cover sheet a material such as polyester or paper may be used as a component of a foil lamination.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a medicament pack comprising a base member having a plurality of blisters formed therein, each blister accommodating a medicament capsule, each capsule being o provided with at least one aperture to permit medicament to be dispensed therefrom, the blisters being sealed by a removable cover sheet attached to the base member, characterised in that the base member comprises sealing means adapted to seal the apertures.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference 5 to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a medicament pack according to the invention (with cover sheet partially removed);
Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line II-II of Figure 1 (with cover sheet intact); 0 Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line III-III of Figure 1 (with cover sheet intact);
Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative medicament pack according to the invention (with cover sheet partially removed); and Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line N-N of Figure 4 (with cover sheet intact).
In the Figures, corresponding features of the alternative medicament packs are given the same reference numeral. Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3 - a medicament pack (1) comprises a PNC base member (2) thermoformed to define four open faced blisters (3). Each blister (3) is shaped so as to accommodate a cylindrical medicament capsule (4) having a circular aperture (5) formed at both ends. Two circular sealing surfaces (6), each having a concave profile, are formed in the walls of each blister (3). The surface area of the sealing surfaces (6) being greater than the area of the apertures (5). These surfaces seal the pierced ends of the capsule (4) thus preventing loss of medicament through the apertures (5). The distance between the centre of the sealing surfaces (6) formed in any one blister (3) is slightly less than the length of the medicament capsule (4), such that surfaces (6) are urged into a sealing engagement with the pierced portions of the capsule (4). The capsules (4) are further urged into sealing engagement with surfaces (6) by shoulders (7) formed on opposite sides of each blister (3).
The open faces of the blisters (3) in base member (2) are sealed by a plastic/metal laminate cover sheet (8) which is heat-sealed to the surface of the base member (2). The cover sheet (8) may be peeled back to allow a capsule (4) to be removed from the pack prior to insertion in an appropriate inhalation device.
Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative medicament pack (1) comprising a PNC base member (2) thermoformed to define four open faced blisters (3). Each blister (3) is shaped so as to accommodate a cylindrical medicament capsule (4) having a circular aperture (5) formed at both ends. Tapered projections (9) formed in the walls of each blister (3) fit into and sealably engage the capsule apertures (5). The distance between the bases of the projections (9) formed in any one blister (3) is slightly less than the length of the medicament capsule (4), such that projections (9) are urged into a sealing engagement with the capsules (4). The open faces of the blisters (3) in base member (2) are sealed by a plastic/metal laminate cover sheet (8) which is heat-sealed to the surface of the base member (2). The cover sheet (8) may be peeled back to allow a capsule (4) to be removed from the pack prior to insertion in an appropriate inhalation device.

Claims

1. A medicament pack (1) comprising a base member (2) having a plurality of blisters (3) formed therein, each blister (3) being adapted to accommodate a medicament containing capsule (4), each capsule (4) being provided with at least one
5 aperture (5) to permit medicament to be dispensed therefrom, characterised in that the base member (2) comprises sealing means (6) adapted to seal the apertures (5).
2. A medicament pack according to Claim 1, wherein the sealing means (6) are formed in the walls of the blisters (3).
3. A medicament pack according to Claim 2, wherein the sealing means o comprise sealing surfaces (6) adapted to seal the aperture (5) containing portions of the capsules (4).
4. A medicament pack according to Claim 3, wherein each sealing surface (6) has a profile which corresponds to the profile of the aperture (5) containing portion of the capsule (4) it is adapted to seal. s
5. A medicament pack according to Claim 2, wherein the sealing means comprise tapered projections (9) adapted to sealably engage the apertures (5).
6. A medicament pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blisters (2) are adapted to accommodate cylindrical medicament containing capsules (4) having an aperture (5) formed at both ends. 0
7. A medicament pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the relative dimensions of the blisters (3) and the medicament containing capsules (4) said blisters are adapted to accommodate, is such that the sealing means (6) are urged into a sealing engagement with the capsules (4).
8. A medicament pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein 5 each blister (3) is further provided with at least one resilient projection (7) adapted to urge the medicament containing capsules (4) into a sealing engagement with the sealing means (6).
9. A medicament pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base member (2) is provided with a sufficient number of blisters (3) to o accommodate one day's supply of medicament containing capsules (4) for a patient.
10. A medicament pack (1) comprising a base member (2) having a plurality of blisters (3) formed therein, each blister (3) accommodating a medicament containing capsule (4), each capsule (4) being provided with at least one aperture (5) to permit medicament to be dispensed therefrom, the blisters (3) being sealed by a removable cover sheet (8) attached to the base member (2), characterised in that the base member (2) comprises sealing means (6) adapted to seal the apertures (5).
PCT/GB1993/001909 1992-09-09 1993-09-09 Pharmaceutical packaging WO1994005560A1 (en)

Priority Applications (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU49775/93A AU670627B2 (en) 1992-09-09 1993-09-09 Pharmaceutical packaging
KR1019950700913A KR100300691B1 (en) 1992-09-09 1993-09-09 Pharmaceutical Packaging
EP94908816A EP0659150B1 (en) 1992-09-09 1993-09-09 Pharmaceutical packaging
DE69310923T DE69310923T2 (en) 1992-09-09 1993-09-09 PHARMACEUTICAL PACKAGING
US08/397,186 US5560490A (en) 1992-09-09 1993-09-09 Pharmaceutical packaging with capsule sealing means
JP50702894A JP3166123B2 (en) 1992-09-09 1993-09-09 Drug packaging
NO950823A NO305937B1 (en) 1992-09-09 1995-03-02 Pharmaceutical packing
FI951098A FI951098A (en) 1992-09-09 1995-03-09 Pharmaceutical packaging
GR970401806T GR3024161T3 (en) 1992-09-09 1997-07-18 Pharmaceutical packaging.

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB929219113A GB9219113D0 (en) 1992-09-09 1992-09-09 Medicament packaging
GB939314050A GB9314050D0 (en) 1993-07-07 1993-07-07 Pharmaceutical packaging
GB9219113.9 1993-07-07
GB9314050.7 1993-07-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994005560A1 true WO1994005560A1 (en) 1994-03-17

Family

ID=26301585

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1993/001909 WO1994005560A1 (en) 1992-09-09 1993-09-09 Pharmaceutical packaging

Country Status (15)

Country Link
US (1) US5560490A (en)
EP (1) EP0659150B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3166123B2 (en)
KR (1) KR100300691B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE153299T1 (en)
AU (1) AU670627B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2144163A1 (en)
DE (1) DE69310923T2 (en)
DK (1) DK0659150T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2102210T3 (en)
FI (1) FI951098A (en)
GR (1) GR3024161T3 (en)
NO (1) NO305937B1 (en)
NZ (1) NZ255541A (en)
WO (1) WO1994005560A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK0659150T3 (en) 1997-09-29
NO950823D0 (en) 1995-03-02
FI951098A0 (en) 1995-03-09
NZ255541A (en) 1996-05-28
DE69310923D1 (en) 1997-06-26
NO950823L (en) 1995-03-02
FI951098A (en) 1995-03-09
ES2102210T3 (en) 1997-07-16
US5560490A (en) 1996-10-01
GR3024161T3 (en) 1997-10-31
EP0659150A1 (en) 1995-06-28
EP0659150B1 (en) 1997-05-21
JP3166123B2 (en) 2001-05-14
KR100300691B1 (en) 2001-11-22
AU670627B2 (en) 1996-07-25
CA2144163A1 (en) 1994-03-17
DE69310923T2 (en) 1997-10-09
NO305937B1 (en) 1999-08-23
AU4977593A (en) 1994-03-29
JPH08501046A (en) 1996-02-06
ATE153299T1 (en) 1997-06-15

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