Title of Invention

BLISTER CARD FOR CHILD-RESISTANT PACKAGE

Abstract A slide card (10) for use with a sleeve of a unit dose packaging system, comprises a base panel (40) adapted for receiving unit doses of a medicament (90), a locking panel (20) joined by a hinge (30) to the base panel (40) and fold-resisting mechanism (30), (70), (80) for inhibiting substantially parallel alignment between the base panel (40) and the locking panel (20) when folded over with respect to one another so as to promote engagement of the locking panel (20) with at least one locking element of the sleeve, thereby inhibiting undesired removal of the base panel (40) from the sleeve when the base panel (40) is attempted to be withdrawn from the sleeve.
Full Text RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to co-pending United States Provisional
Application No. 60/617,982, filed October 11,2004, which is entirely incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to unit dose packaging systems, and more particularly to
an improved slide card having blisters integrally formed therewith and elements for
enhancing performance of a locking panel of the slide card.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Unit dose packaging systems are useful as a means for dispensing individual,
or unit, dose of a medicament. Such systems are even more useful when they have the added
features of providing resistance to the package being opened by a child while at the same
time facilitating ease of opening, closing and general use by older individuals whose manual
dexterity may have decreased with age. These two attributes are typically referred to as
packages, or systems, that are "child-resistant" and "senior-friendly," respectively.
[0004] The MeadWestvaco Corporation, or one of its predecessor entities, owns
patents issued in the United States that disclose unit dose packaging systems that possess
child-resistant and senior-friendly characteristics. MeadWestvaco Corporation, the owner of
the present application, is the owner of U.S. Patents No. 6,047,829, No. 6,230,893, No.
6,412,636 and No. 6,752,272, which disclose unit dose packaging systems. The specifications
and teachings of those four patents are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0005] U.S. Patent No. 6,047,829 discloses a unit dose packaging system having a
slide card that is received within a shell. The insertable inner slide card is formed from side
panels and side panel extensions, both of symmetric construction, that are folded over upon
one another to form the slide card. One set of the symmetric side panels contain conventional
unit dose packaging holes for receiving respective unit dose blisters. The symmetric
equivalents of these panels contain perforated areas corresponding to the holes for permitting
removal of respective unit doses. The side panel extensions are disposed at one end of and
2

extend longitudinally from the side panel portions to form an extension to form a panel that
will be a part of the systems locking arrangement The extension is folded over onto the side
panel portion to be in condition to engage two separate locking mechanisms. In both locking
arrangements, the leading edge of the extension engages an edge and/or opening in the sleeve
or shell in a manner that inhibits withdrawal of the insert card until desired One locking
mechanism is positioned at a posterior end of the sleeve/shell to maintain the insert in place
fully inserted in the sleeve/shell. A release mechanism can be depressed to lower and
disengage the extension, thereby allowing the insert to be withdrawn. A second locking
mechanism is formed by folded panels disposed at the anterior end of the sleeve, which is the
opening. The folded panel or panels provide a stopping mechanism upon which the extension
catches to prevent the insert card from being completely withdrawn.
[0006] U.S. Patent No. 6,230,893 discloses an improvement in the sleeve/shell of a
cut-out and node to facilitate use of a first locking mechanism that fully retains the insert
within the sleeve/shell.
[0007] U.S. Patent No. 6,412,636 discloses a unit dose packaging system wherein the
outer sleeve includes offset notches for grasping and removing an internal slide card and the
outer sleeve is at least partially laminated with a polymeric film.
[0008] U.S. Patent No. 6,752,272 discloses a unit dose package having a pocket
foldably extending from the sleeve.
[0009] Preventing or inhibiting undesired partial or full removal of the inner slide
card from the sleeve/ shell is important in helping facilitate resistance to child tampering and
use by seniors. Thus, it will be appreciated that it is useful to have a unit dose package that
enhances the operation of features that prevent or inhibit the undesired removal of the inner
card from the sleeve/shell.
[0010] Because cost of manufacturing is an important factor in the production of any
product, it will likewise be appreciated that it is desirable to have a unit dose package that is
efficient to operate, is durable and sturdy, and simple to construct thereby reducing the cost
of manufacture.
3

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011 ] The present invention provides a unit dose packaging system having an inner
slide card that is simple and more cost effective to manufacture. The slide card of the system
also provides enhanced features for preventing or inhibiting undesired removal of the slide
card from a sleeve or shell of the system.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment of one aspect of the invention, a slide card for use
with a sleeve of a unit dose packaging system has at least one blister integrally formed with
the base panel of the slide card for receiving a unit dose of a medicament
[0013] In a preferred embodiment of a second aspect of the invention, a slide card for
use with a sleeve or shell of a unit dose packaging system has at least one fold-resisting
mechanism for inhibiting substantially parallel alignment between a base panel and a locking
panel of the slide card.
[0014] In another preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the
fold-resisting mechanism is a hinge that connects the base panel and locking panel adapted
for biasing the base panel and the locking panel away from one another.
[0015] In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the
invention, at least one of a base panel and a locking panel of the slide card has at least one
fold-resisting abutment as the fold-resisting mechanism.
[0016] In accordance with still a further preferred embodiment of the second aspect
of the invention, the base panel and the locking panel each have at least one fold-resisting
abutment.
[0017] In accordance with an additional preferred embodiment of the second aspect
of the invention, a fold-resisting abutment on the base panel and a fold-resisting abutment on
the locking panel are disposed for engagement with one another.
[0018] In accordance with still an additional preferred embodiment of the invention,
the fold-resisting abutment is an embossment.
4

[0019] In a final preferred embodiment of the invention, the slide card including base
panel and locking panel are formed from plastic.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0020] Fig. 1 is a top plan view a slide card in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0021] Fig. la is an elevation view from an enterior end of the slide card of Fig. 1.
[0022] Fig 2 is a side elevation view of the slide card of Fig. 1.
[0023] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the slide card of Fig. 1 showing the locking
panel partially pivoted with respect to the base panel.
[0024] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the slide card of Fig. 1 with the locking panel
more fully pivoted with respect to the base panel but at an angle wherein the slide card would
be inserted within a sleeve or shell and the locking panel disposed for engagement by one or
more locks of the sleeve/shell.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed
herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the
invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof.
The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized
to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components,
systems, materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring
the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are
not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative
basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
[0026] Referring first to Fig. 1, therein is illustrated a slide card in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the invention. A slide card 10 has a base panel 40 and a locking
panel 20 hingedly 30 connected. The base panel has blisters 50 for holding a medicament. A
rib 60 extends around the perimeter of the base panel 40. The locking panel 20 has a fold-
5

resisting abutment 70 and base panel 40 has a fold-resisting abutment 80 proximate the hinge
30 and adjoining locking panel.
[0027] Referring now to Fig. la, therein is illustrated a slide card 10 in an elevation
view from an anterior vantage point. One aspect of the invention is directed primarily to the
fold-resisting abutments 70,80. In the plan view of Fig. 1, the slide card 10 would appear the
same irrespective of whether the slide card would be integrally formed with blisters or having
a separate blister pack joined to the slide card. Fig. la illustrates the manner in which the card
10 would be formed from composite slide and blister cards but still maintain the fold-
resisting abutment features. The combination of the rib(s) 60 rising above the surface of the
base panel 40 creates a flange 42 element.
[0028] Referring now to the side elevation view of the slide card 10 in Fig. 2, the
alignment and relative disposition of fold-resisting abutments 70,80 with respect to one
another can be seen As in Fig. la, the option of forming the card from composite slide and
blister cards as opposed to an integrated card is shown. In this side view, the hinge 30 is
shown with the possibility of being formed in the "reverse" of the other elements, namely, the
fold-resisting abutments 70,80 and rib 60. If the card 10 is made of plastic material and some
types of paper substrates, it can be formed by manufacturing processes such as thermo-
forming or die-press with a tool set. An integrated slide and blister card as taught by the
invention is simple and can be simply formed by these processes, particularly when the card
is made of plastic substrate. The term "reverse" for the hinge 30 refers to the fact that the
hinge as illustrated is formed in a downward direction, opposite the direction in which the
abutments 70,80 and rib(s) 60 are formed Although shown in is reverse form, the hinge may
be suitably formed in the same upward direction as the other elements on the card. The hinge
30 may be formed in any configuration by known substrate manufacturing methods including
but not limited to perforation along a line that will form the hinge and creasing.
[0029] Referring now to Fig 3, the slide card 10 of Figs. 1, la or 2 is shown in
perspective view. The locking panel 20 is shown partially pivoted about the hinge 30 with
respect to the base panel 40. In using the slide card 10, medicaments 90 are contained within
the blisters 50. A substrate such as foil or some type of composite substrate containing foil,
generally indicated but not shown, holds the medicaments 90 in place within the blisters 50
until removed by known methods.
6

[0030] Referring finally to Fig. 4, the slide card 10 is shown as illustrated in Fig. 3
with the locking panel 20 further pivoted to a position wherein it would engage one or more
locks in a sleeve or shell to help form a locking arrangement as shown in the prior art
discussed herein.
[0031] In one aspect of the invention, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in
Figs. 1,3 and 4, the slide card 10 has unit dose blisters 50 that are integrally formed with the
base panel.
[0032] In another aspect of the invention, the ability of the locking panel 20 to be
engaged by an aperture or panel that forms a part of the locking arrangement of the system's
sleeve or shell is enhanced by biasing the locking panel away from a substantially parallel
condition with respect to the base panel 40. A fold-resisting mechanism serves this purpose.
The hinge 30 serves as a fold-resisting mechanism to bias the locking panel. The amount of
bias in the hinge 30 may be controlled by manufacturing techniques such as varying the
thickness of the hinge 30 or otherwise varying the degree to which a line forming the hinge
30 is weakened to permit bending. An abutment 70,80 may serve as an additional or distinct
fold-resisting mechanism or element. The abutment 70,80 prevents the locking panel 20 and
base panel 40 from being placed into a substantially parallel condition with respect to one
another. Although one abutment 70,80 on either of the locking panel 20 and the base panel
40 is sufficient to serve as a fold-resisting mechanism or element, more than one be used on
either one or both panels. The use of opposing abutments 70,80 on respective locking 20 and
base 40 panels, provides the advantage of being able to minimize the height of each abutment
while still achieving desirable fold resistance. Although the abutment may be take many
forms, an embossed abutment may be easily manufactured in a substrate, particularly a slide
card substrate of plastic. Although paper may be used as a substrate, plastic may be easily
thermoformed, die-pressed or otherwise easily manipulated.
[0033] It must be emphasized that the law does not require and it is economically
prohibitive to illustrate and teach every possible embodiment of the present claims. Hence,
the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set
forth for a clean understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations, modifications,
and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from
7

8
the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included
herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.


WE CLAIM:
1. A slide card for use with a sleeve in a unit dose packaging system, the slide card
comprising:
a base panel having at least one blister integrally formed therewith for receiving a unit
dose of a medicament; and
a locking panel integrally formed with and hingedly extending from said base panel,
pivotable with respect to said base panel so as to engage at least one locking element of the
sleeve to inhibit undesired removal of said base panel from the sleeve.
2. The slide card of claim 1, further comprising at least one fold-resisting mechanism for
inhibiting substantially parallel alignment between said base panel and said locking panel
when folded over with respect to one another.
3. The slide card of claim 2, wherein said at least one fold-resisting mechanism
comprises the hinge that connects said base panel and said locking panel, formed so as to bias
said base panel and said locking panel away from one another when folded together.
4. The slide card of claim 2, wherein said at least one fold-resisting mechanism
comprises at least one of said base panel and said locking panel having at least one fold-
resisting abutment.
5. The slide card of claim 4, wherein said base panel and said locking panel each have at
least one said fold-resisting abutment.
6. The slide card of claim 5, wherein said fold-resisting abutment of said base panel and
said folding-resisting abutment of said locking panel are disposed for engagement with one
another.
7. The slide card of claim 4, wherein said fold-resisting abutment is an embossment.
8. The slide card of claim 1, wherein the slide card is formed from plastic.
9

9. A slide card for use with a sleeve in a unit dose packaging system, the slide card
comprising:
a base panel adapted for receiving at least one unit dose of a medicament;
a locking panel integrally formed with and hingedly extending from said base panel;
and
at least one fold-resisting mechanism for inhibiting substantially parallel alignment
between said base panel and said locking panel when folded over with respect to one another,
so as to promote engagement of said locking panel with at least one locking element of the
sleeve.
10. The slide card of claim 9, wherein said at least one fold-resisting mechanism
comprises the hinge that connects said base panel, and said locking panel formed so as to bias
said base panel and said locking panel away from one another when folded together.
11. The slide card of claim 10, wherein said at least one fold-resisting mechanism
comprises at least one of said base panel and said locking panel having a fold-resisting
abutment.
12. The slide card of claim 11, wherein said base panel and said locking panel each have
at least one said fold-resisting abutment.
13. The slide card of claim 12, wherein said fold-resisting abutment of said base panel
and said fold-resisting abutment of said locking panel are disposed for engagement with one
another.
14. The slide card of claim 11, wherein said fold-resisting abutment is an embossment.
15. The slide card of claim 9, wherein the slide card is formed from plastic.
16. A unit dose packaging system comprising:
a sleeve; and
a slide card for selective insertion and withdrawal from said sleeve, said slide card
including a base panel having at least one blister integrally formed therewith for receiving a
unit dose of a medicament; and a locking panel integrally formed with and hingedly
10

extending from said base panel, pivotable with respect to said base panel so as to engage at
least one locking element of the sleeve.
17. The unit dose packaging system of claim 16, further comprising at least one fold-
resisting mechanism for inhibiting substantially parallel alignment between said base panel
and said locking panel when folded over with respect to one another.
18. The unit dose packaging system of claim 17, wherein said at least one fold- resisting
mechanism comprises the hinge that connects said base panel and said locking panel, formed
so as to bias said base panel and said locking panel away from one another when folded
together.
19. The unit dose packaging system of claim 17, wherein said at least one fold- resisting
mechanism comprises at least one of said base panel and said locking panel having a fold-
resisting abutment.
20. The unit dose packaging system of claim 19, wherein said base panel and said locking
panel each have a said fold-resisting abutment.
21. The unit dose packaging system of claim 20, wherein said fold-resisting abutment of
said base panel and said folding-resisting abutment of said locking panel are disposed for
engagement with one another.
22. The unit dose packaging system of claim 19, wherein said fold-resisting abutment is
an embossment.
23. The unit dose packaging system of claim 16, wherein the slide card is formed from
plastic.
24. A unit dose packaging system comprising:
a sleeve; and
a slide card for selective insertion and withdrawal from said sleeve, the slide card
having
a base panel adapted for receiving at least one unit dose of a medicament;
a locking panel integrally formed with and hingedly extending from said base
panel; and
11

at least one fold-resisting mechanism for inhibiting substantially parallel alignment
between said base panel and said locking panel when folded over with respect to
one another, so as to promote engagement of said locking panel with at least one
locking element of the sleeve.
25. The unit dose packaging system of claim 24, wherein said at least one fold- resisting
mechanism comprises the hinge that connects said base panel and said locking panel, formed
so as to bias said base panel and said locking panel away from one another when folded
together.
26. The unit dose packaging system of claim 25, wherein said at least one fold-resisting
mechanism comprises at least one of said base panel and said locking panel having a fold-
resisting abutment.
27. The unit dose packaging system of claim 26, wherein said base panel and said locking
panel each have at least one said fold-resisting abutment.
28. The unit dose packaging system of claim 27, wherein said fold-resisting abutment of
said base panel and said folding-resisting abutment of said locking panel are disposed for
engagement with one another.
29. The unit dose packaging system of claim 26, wherein said fold-resisting abutment is
an embossment
30. The unit dose packaging system of claim 24, wherein the slide card is formed from
plastic.
Dated this 10th day of April 2007

12

A slide card (10) for use with a sleeve of a unit dose packaging system, comprises a
base panel (40) adapted for receiving unit doses of a medicament (90), a locking panel (20)
joined by a hinge (30) to the base panel (40) and fold-resisting mechanism (30), (70), (80) for
inhibiting substantially parallel alignment between the base panel (40) and the locking panel
(20) when folded over with respect to one another so as to promote engagement of the locking
panel (20) with at least one locking element of the sleeve, thereby inhibiting undesired
removal of the base panel (40) from the sleeve when the base panel (40) is attempted to be
withdrawn from the sleeve.

Documents:

01239-kolnp-2007-abstract.pdf

01239-kolnp-2007-claims.pdf

01239-kolnp-2007-correspondence others 1.1.pdf

01239-kolnp-2007-correspondence others.pdf

01239-kolnp-2007-description complete.pdf

01239-kolnp-2007-drawings 1.1.pdf

01239-kolnp-2007-drawings.pdf

01239-kolnp-2007-form 1.pdf

01239-kolnp-2007-form 3.pdf

01239-kolnp-2007-form 5.pdf

01239-kolnp-2007-international publication.pdf

01239-kolnp-2007-international search report.pdf

1239-KOLNP-2007-(15-03-2012)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1239-KOLNP-2007-(15-03-2012)-FORM-27.pdf

1239-KOLNP-2007-ABSTRACT 1.1.pdf

1239-KOLNP-2007-AMENDED DOCUMENT.pdf

1239-KOLNP-2007-CANCELLED PAGE.pdf

1239-kolnp-2007-correspondence others 1.2.pdf

1239-kolnp-2007-CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 1.3.pdf

1239-kolnp-2007-form 1 1.1.pdf

1239-KOLNP-2007-FORM 1-1.2.pdf

1239-kolnp-2007-FORM 18.pdf

1239-KOLNP-2007-FORM 27.pdf

1239-KOLNP-2007-FORM 3 1.1.pdf

1239-kolnp-2007-form 5 1.1.pdf

1239-kolnp-2007-gpa.pdf

1239-KOLNP-2007-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

1239-KOLNP-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT-1.1.pdf

1239-KOLNP-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

abstract-01239-kolnp-2007.jpg


Patent Number 237907
Indian Patent Application Number 1239/KOLNP/2007
PG Journal Number 03/2010
Publication Date 15-Jan-2010
Grant Date 12-Jan-2010
Date of Filing 10-Apr-2007
Name of Patentee MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
Applicant Address 11013 WEST BROAD STREET, GLEN ALLEN, VA
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 HESSION, CHRISTOPHER J. 3215, CONDIE STREET, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23221
PCT International Classification Number B65D 83/04
PCT International Application Number PCT/US2005/036312
PCT International Filing date 2005-10-11
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/617,982 2004-10-11 U.S.A.