Abstract:
A child-resistant container for housing a blister card includes a top section and bottom section with an opening on one side for a blister card to be moved from a stored position to a dispensing position, partially removed form the container. A blister card sits against the inner surface bottom section and is held there by a trap arm molded into the top section. The trap arm has a plate that presses down on the blister holding it in place. The blister card is unreachable, except via an opening in the bottom of the container. The user pushed on the blister card through the thumbhole causing the blister into a dispensing position. As the blister moves out of the container a notch in the blister card catches on a hook molded into the trap arm not permitting the card to completely leave the container.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from, and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/978,768, filed Oct. 10, 2007, and entitled Child-Resistant Container for Housing Medication. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to senior-friendly, child-resistant containers for holding blister cards that store and dispense medication. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The use of child resistant packaging is well known in the art for goods ranging from household items to pharmaceutical products. This type of packaging is very useful when the product being delivered may be harmful to children. To satisfy this need, the pharmaceutical industry utilizes two main methods of dispensing medication, either loosely in a bottle or more discretely in a blister card. 
         [0004]    The child resistant traditional “amber” bottle utilizes a “push and turn” cap. With this technology, a person wishing to open the bottle must press down to release a locking mechanism while turning the cap. These bottles are effective for mass distribution of a medication, but have significant drawbacks. First, “amber” bottles are smaller in size and do not provide a sufficiently stable gripping surface to allow a user of limited dexterity, i.e., the elderly, to access the medication easily. Secondly, there is a significant problem related to stability of the individual pills. Medication stability is a growing worry in the pharmaceutical field since the pills are often handled and then returned to their container. In this way, the chances of contamination are increased as the user must repeatedly open and close the bottle to get the medication. Furthermore, the shelf life and effectiveness of a medication can be decreased by being over exposed to hand oils and body moisture due to over handling. Finally, an “amber” bottle provides no compliance feature that provides the user with information as to whether or not a dose has been taken. 
         [0005]    Another well-known type of medication packaging is a blister card or “unit dose” packaging. Blister cards are typically formed from flexible materials with a plurality of cavities that receive and dispense one pill. The open side of the cavity is then covered with a foil seal. The user must push the pill through the foil seal in order to take the medication. Although this type of packaging ensures stability and allows for patient compliance, it does not provide enough protection or child resistance. Unlike a bottle, the blister pack achieves patient compliance because the user can more easily keep track as to whether or not a dose was taken that morning, day, or week since a pill will be visually missing. 
         [0006]    The present invention provides a significant improvement over the “amber” bottle because it does not require a pressing and turning motion that can be difficult for those with limited dexterity. While retaining child-resistance, the ease of which the blister card is removed form the present invention creates a simple method for users to gain access to their medication. Furthermore, by incorporating a blister card into the child-resistant packaging allows the user to maintain a compliance regimen and retain a safety measurement against any children gaining access to the medication. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a child-resistant container having a top and a bottom that together form a secure enclosure. A blister card is installed through an opening in a front side of the container and rests upon the inside surface of the bottom of the container. A trap is connected to a lower portion of the inside surface of the top of the container, where it angles downwardly so as to exert a downward force onto the blister card. This downward force keeps the blister card pinned inside the container. A user can only access the blister card, from this stored position, via a thumbhole in the container bottom. 
         [0008]    According to the present invention, in order to access the medication the user must push on the blister card through the thumbhole in an upward and forward direction. The upward pressure by the user bends the trap and releases the downward pressure on the blister card enabling its forward movement. As the blister card slides forward, a slot formed in the rear of the blister card catches on a hook at the forward end of the trap. A stop formed in the top of the container near the opening ensures that the hook cannot be prevented from engaging the slot to allow the blister card to be removed from the container. The trap has a lower arm angled from the top front to the bottom rear that creates a barrier to force the blister back down toward its original stored position inside the container. The plate is then reengaged thereby pinning the blister in this stored state. 
         [0009]    Embodiments of the invention also allow for high speed filling. The blister card may be easily inserted into the opening in the container and slid back into a stored position. This can be easily accomplished by either hand or by assembly line type machinery. The ability to load the child-resistant container automatically allows for costs to be decreased in relation to both manufacture and distribution of the medication. Additionally, it allows for an increased ease in packing and shipping since the machinery can accomplish all of this with ease. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the child-resistant container formed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the child-resistant container shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the child-resistant container shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the child-resistant container with inserted blister card formed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the child-resistant container in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the child-resistant container shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the child-resistant container shown in  FIG. 1 , as taken along line  100 - 100  in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the child-resistant container shown in accordance with the present invention in a dispensing position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the child-resistant container shown in  FIG. 1 ; as taken along lines  200 - 200  in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a top view of a blister card used with the child-resistant container in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In the description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if used, are intended to cover the structures described, suggested, or rendered obvious by the written description or drawings for performing the recited function, including not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a senior friendly, child-resistant container  1  includes a top  2  and a bottom  4  that are connected to one another by a hinge  6 . Top  2  includes a top panel  8  and a top sidewall  9 , and is sealed to bottom  4 . Bottom  4  includes a bottom panel  10  and a bottom sidewall  11 . Top  2  and bottom  4  together define opening  12  near an end of container  1  suitable for dispensing blister card  40 . A stop  14  formed on top  2  splits opening  12  into medication openings  13   a  and  13   b.  Bottom  4  further comprises a lip  15 , which is formed across the lower edges of opening  11  to provide blister card  40  with a secure stored position within container  1 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 4-7 , top  2  includes trap arm  20  formed on the inner surface of top panel  8 . Trap arm  20  comprises upper arm  22 , plate  24 , lower arm  26  and hook  28 . Upper arm  22  is formed on an inner surface of top panel  8  and is arranged at a downwardly sloping angle toward lip  15 . At lip  15 , upper arm  22  flattens so as to be arranged in parallel relation to top  2  and bottom  4  so as to form plate  24 . Plate  24  presses against blister card  40  between medications  44 , thereby keeping blister card  40  tightly pinned to the inner surface of bottom panel  10 . Lower arm  26  is formed on plate  24  at an upwardly sloping angle toward stop  14  before forming hook  28 . Inner guide walls  16  and outer guide walls  18  are formed on the inner surface of top panel  8  to define medication channels  19 . Inner guide walls  16  and outer guide walls  18  provide barriers to medication  44  when it is being moved, thus ensuring that blister card  40  will not become skewed or misaligned within container  1 . Bottom  3  includes thumbhole  30  formed beneath trap arm  20 . Thumbhole  30  is the primary means for reaching blister card  40  in order to move it into a dispensing position. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 8-10 , to move blister card  40  into dispensing position, the user must simultaneously press both up and forward on the bottom of blister card  40  through thumbhole  30  with either a thumb or finger. When the user presses on blister card  40 , upper arm  22  starts to flex so that the downward pressure of plate  24  is lessened. This in turn allows the user to slide blister card  40  forward through opening  12 . As the blister card  40  moves forward through opening  12 , a slot  42  formed in the rear portion of blister card  40  catches on hook  28  halting all forward movement of blister card  40 . This construction is essential to child-resistance since if the blister card  40  can be removed, container  1  would no longer be child resistant. Additionally, stop  14  creates a barrier that does not allow a user to manipulate blister card  40  by twisting or bending since that could permit circumvention of trap arm  20 . 
         [0025]    After a dose is dispensed, blister card  40  is slid back into container  1  to its stored position. While the user pushes blister card  40  back into container  1 , lower arm  26  creates a barrier that forces the rear portion of blister card  40  downwardly below plate  24  where it returns to its original stored position against the inner surface of bottom panel  10 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 11-13 , in another embodiment, the container  51  includes top  52 , bottom  54  connected by hinge  56 . The top  52 , comprising top panel  58  and top sidewall  59 , is sealed to the bottom  54 , similarly comprising bottom panel  60  and bottom sidewall  61 , by any method known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. In this embodiment the top sidewalls  59  and bottom sidewalls  61  are connected via post  66  and pocket  68  system, The posts  66  enter into the pockets  68  and seal the top  52  and bottom  54  at all points along the top sidewalls  59  and bottom sidewalls  61 , thus creating opening  62  for dispensing blister card  90 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 14-17 , trap  70  is formed on the inside surface of top panel  58 . The trap  70  includes base  72 , upper arm  74 , plate  76 , hook  78  and lower arm  80 . Base  72  and trap arm  74  of trap  70  are formed on the inside of top panel  58 . Trap arm  74  slopes downwardly towards opening  62 . Plate  76  forms a flat plateau-like surface along the length of trap arm  74  toward bottom panel  60 . Plate  76  is often of sufficient height to press downwardly upon a blister card  90  that is set in against the inner surface of bottom panel  60  and inside lip  63 . A hook  78  is formed on the lower side of trap arm  74  where it slopes away from opening  62  and toward bottom panel  60 , where it comes in contact with blister card  90 . At the far end of trap arm  72  is upward arm  80  that curves upwardly toward top panel  58  and opening  62 . Two limits  82  are formed on either side of blister arm  74  so as to drop from the inner surface of top panel  58 . The limits  82  stop blister arm  74  from flexing beyond a predetermined amount when a user it dispensing medication  94 . 
         [0028]    Guide walls  64  are formed on the inner surface of top panel  58  and run along the length of top  52  from base  72  to the rear portion of container  51 . Guide walls  64  help align blister card  90  within container  51  but prevent blister card  90  from skewing within the container causing medication  94  to become unattainable by a user. Bottom  54  includes thumbhole  84  that is formed in bottom panel  61  below trap  70 . Thumbhole  84  is the only means a user has for activating or initiating the method to attain blister card  90  by moving it into dispensing position. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 18-20 , when blister card  90  has been moved from the stored position to a dispensing position, the user pushes or presses through thumbhole  84  onto the bottom side of blister card  90  thereby propelling it up and forward. Trap arm  74  then flexes toward the inner surface of top panel  58  until it engages limits  82 . This releases the downward pressure of plate  76  on the top surface of blister card  90  thereby permitting access to blister card  90  through opening  62 . As blister card  90  travels forward through container  1 , blister slot  92  catches engages hook  78  and stops the forward movement of blister card  90 . This is essential to child-resistance since if the blister card  90  can be removed, container  1  would no longer be child resistant. In this embodiment, limits  84  create a barrier that prevents a user from manipulating blister card  90  by twisting or bending it which would permit trap arm  74  or hook  78  to be circumvented or defeated. After dispensing medication  94 , the user slides blister card  90  back into container  1 . Lower arm  80  is sloped away from opening  62  to direct blister card  90 , thus returning it in position against the inner surface of bottom panel  60  and inside lip  63 . The downward pressure of trap arm  70  and plate  76  are again exerted upon blister  90  until time for dispensing a next dose of medication. 
         [0030]    It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited to the particular constructions herein disclosed and shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the claims.