Abstract:
The present invention is a system for opening blister packages. Generally, a cover attachment is fixed to a blister card. Buttons or tabs on the cover attachment are aligned with individual blisters on the blister card and have piercing edges or attachments. A user presses the buttons or lifts tabs and a cover layer over the blisters is pierced. The buttons or tabs are then moved or raised to allow the user to access the contents of the blister by conventional means. Embodiments include hinged tabs, slideable attachments, clamshell-like covers with moveable carriages, rotatable arms with piercing attachments, locking tab mechanisms, and flexible tethered tool devices. A variety of different blister configurations can be used. Additionally, the blister card attachments render the blister card/pack child resistant despite being easier to open.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/452,964, filed Mar. 10, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Blister packaging is commonly used for pharmaceuticals and other products. Pills or other small products are deposited in individual blisters on sheets of material. Each sheet of blisters has a variable number and arrangement of blisters, but each sheet generally has blisters formed in rows or other geometric patterns. After the pills or other products are deposited in the blisters, a sheet of covering material is applied over the entirety of the blister package and the cover material is sealed to the blister card. The cover material is generally a foil covered lid stock. The cover material seals the pills or other products into the blister and prevents air from interacting with them. 
   In order to open the blister package, a user must break the cover material seal. The user must push the product through the cover material or break the cover material and peel it off of the blister. Because many pharmaceuticals are packaged in blister packaging, the packages are often child resistant to prevent children from harming themselves by taking medication that is not theirs or that is toxic. 
   Current child safe blister packaging inherently is generally known to be difficult to open. Child resistant lidding, such as reinforced foil stock, paper, or plastic laminate, is difficult for the average adult to open. It is especially difficult for seniors with declining manual dexterity and those who are physically impaired to access many important medications. Current child safe blister packages cause much frustration because of the difficulty of opening individual blisters. 
   Needs exist for improved methods of opening childproof packaging to allow for easier access to pharmaceuticals and other products in blister type packaging. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention addresses the difficulties of opening blister type childproof packaging. The present invention includes embodiments that offer dual child resistance and the ability to use non-CR foil lid-stock. Additionally, the ability to provide printed cues and counting devices on the proposed inventions aids in patient compliance. This may include patients more closely adhering to a proper dosage regimen as outlined by drug manufacturer or distributor. 
   An embodiment of the present invention is a product ejection system for blister packages. A cover attachment is fixed to a blister card with snaps or heat stake posts. Tabs are pressed down by the user and cut a cover layer. The cover layer is completely cut and the contents of individual blisters can be removed. 
   Another embodiment is a bend and lift system for opening blister packages. A tongue is attached to the periphery of a blister card attachment. The user bending the blister card lifts the tongue initially, when the tongue is raised far enough, the user grasps it and pulls up. This gives the user access to the cover layer underneath and the pill can be removed by conventional means. 
   Another embodiment is a bubble piercing slide attachment system for opening blister packages. An attachment folds around a blister package and slides up and down the blister card. When positioned over a blister, a button can be depressed that pierces a cover layer. The attachment is then slid away and the user can remove the contents of the blister. 
   Another embodiment is a traversing button with push thru tabs system for opening blister packages. An attachment wraps around a blister card in a clamshell-like manner. A carriage attached to a frame is moveable to any position on the blister card. A button is positioned on the carriage. When a button is over a blister, the button can be depressed and a cutting edge pierces the material covering the blister. The carriage is then slid out of the way and the contents of the blister can be removed by pressing a push through tab on the underside of the attachment. 
   Another embodiment is a bend, twist and pierce system for opening blister packages. Rotatable arms are attached to a blister card via a spike or a barb that also serves as a pivot point. Each rotatable arm has circular pads on the ends with piercing edges underneath. The rotatable arms are initially held in a locked position. The arms, when unlocked, are free to move and can be positioned over a blister compartment. The circular pads are pressed and the material covering the blisters is pierced. The rotatable arms are returned to the locked position and the contents of the blister are removed by conventional means. 
   Another embodiment is an alternative push-pierce system for opening blister packages. An array of piercing buttons is positioned over a blister card with each button corresponding to a specific blister. The array is attached to the blister card by glue or another appropriate adhesive. Pressing down operates the buttons, piercing the cover material. The button is then lifted and the contents of the blister can be pushed out. 
   A further variation on the push-pierce system includes an attachment that is attached to a blister card via glue strips or other suitable adhesives. 
   Another embodiment is a push lock system for opening blister packages. Buttons are arrayed on a cover. Pressing the buttons pierces the cover material and after the button is pulled back a user can push the contents of the blister out. Each button has a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism prevents the button from being pulled up. To unlock the button, a tab must be pushed away from the button while the button is lifted. 
   Another embodiment is a slide tool system for opening blister packages. A frame is welded to the top of a blister card, but does not cover the center of the blister card. A slideable tool is attached to the underside of the frame and is free to slide up and down the length of the frame. The slideable tool is moved so that a piercing attachment is aligned with a blister compartment. The piercing attachment is pressed into the cover layer and pierces the layer. The slideable tool is then moved and the contents of the blister can then be removed by conventional means. 
   Another embodiment is a push cutter system for opening blister packaging. An attachment has protrusions that extend from the edges of the frame out over blister compartments. A cutting edge on each protrusion is depressed by the user and pierces a cover layer. The protrusion locks into place, preventing the user from raising the protrusion. Once the user unlocks the protrusion, the user can lift it and access the contents of the blister. 
   Another embodiment is a tethered tool system for opening blister packaging. A tether tool is folded around an edge of the blister card. The tether tool has an extension made of sufficiently flexible material to allow a cutting device to be positioned over any blister compartments on the blister card. The flexibility of the tethered tool accommodates even unusual blister configurations. The cutting device is pressed into a cover material over a blister. The tethered tool is then removed from the cover layer and locked into a childproof holder on the frame of the tethered tool. The user can then access the contents of the blister package by conventional means. 
   In another embodiment, the cutting device also contains a locking button mechanism which, when pressed, presents the cutting edge. Upon piercing a blister compartment, the cutting edge is automatically reset within its housing. The button must be pressed and the cutting edge activated prior to each piercing and dose releasing. 
   These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification, with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a tethered tool system with the tool unfastened. 
       FIG. 2  shows a tethered tool system with the tool aligned with the blister card. 
       FIG. 3  shows a tethered tool for a tethered tool system. 
       FIG. 4  shows a tethered tool system with child resistant lid. 
       FIG. 5  shows a detail of the tethered tool cutter. 
       FIGS. 6-9  show a bend and lift system from the top, bottom edge, side edge and the system in operation from the top. 
       FIGS. 10-13  show a piercing slide attachment system from the top, bottom edge, side edge and bottom. 
       FIG. 14  shows an oblique view of a piercing slide attachment system from the top. 
       FIGS. 15-20  show a traversing piercing button with blister push-thru tab system from the top, bottom, bottom edge, side edge, bottom and top. 
       FIGS. 21-26  show a bend, twist and pierce system from the top, bottom, bottom edge, side edge, in operation from the top and from the top. 
       FIG. 27  shows a push-pierce system with a cover and blisters separated. 
       FIG. 28  shows a push-pierce system with a cover and blisters separated and glue strips in place. 
       FIG. 29  shows a push-pierce system from the side with one cutter in the relaxed position and another in the cutting position. 
       FIG. 30  shows a magnification of the push-pierce cutter in the depressed position. 
       FIG. 31  shows a sliding tool system with a frame attached to a blister card. 
       FIG. 32  shows a sliding tool system from the side. 
       FIGS. 33-35  show a push lock system from the top, side edge and top. 
       FIG. 36  shows a push cutter system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention is a method of opening blister type packaging. The present invention facilitates opening of these packages through a variety of methods that elderly or other individuals with inhibited dexterity can easily operate. Additionally, the present invention is childproof. The present invention includes embodiments that offer dual child resistance and the ability to use non-CR foil lid-stock. 
   Additionally, the ability to provide printed cues and counting devices on the proposed inventions aids in patient compliance. This may include patients more closely adhering to a proper dosage regimen as outlined by drug manufacturer or distributor. 
     FIGS. 1-5  show a tethered tool system  1  for opening blister packaging. A cover layer  14  covers a blister card  3 . A tethered tool frame  123  is folded around an edge of the blister card  3 . The tethered tool frame  123  is attached to the blister card  3  by suitable adhesive. The tethered tool  123  has a flexible tether extension  125  made of sufficiently flexible material to allow an opener cutting device  127  to be positioned over any blister position of the cover layer  14  opposite the compartments  15  on the blister card  3 . The flexibility of the tethered tool system  1  accommodates many blister  15  configurations, even unusual ones. As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4  and  5 , the cutting device  127  has a cutting edge  129  that is pushed into the cover material  14 , to pierce the material  14 . The cutting device  127  is then removed from the cover material  14  and the contents of the blister  15  are removed by conventional means. The cutting device  127  is snapped into a holding socket  131  on frame  123  for storage. While the cutting device  127  is in the holding space  131 , it is locked and child resistant. The cutting device  127  must be unlocked before further use. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , a button  126  on holder  127  is pressed to expose a cutter  129 . A reset spring  128  within the holder withdraws the blade  129  into the holder  127  after a blister has been cut. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , frame  123  may have front part  122  and back part  124  hinged  126  together for mounting along one edge  128  of the blister card  3  and backing sheet  14 . In  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the frame  123  covers all edges of the blister card  3  and backing sheet  14 . In  FIG. 2 , the tether  125  and socket  131  are attached to a hinged flap  124 . 
   Alternatively, a book-like cover  133  may be attached to the tethered tool frame  123 . The book-like cover  133  is hinged  135  and locks closed in a childproof manner. The socket  131  is mounted outside of the cover  133 . 
     FIGS. 6-9  depict a bend and lift system for opening blister packages. This embodiment utilizes a plastic tongue  21  that is attached to the periphery of an access hole  23  by breakaway struts  25 . Around the lift edge  27  of the tongue  21 , there is a vertical wall  29  that the lift edge  27  of tongue  21  must be bent above in order for the user to grab and pull the tongue  21  completely away. The blister card  3  is bent about a longitudinal axis. The blister card  3  is bent so that the lift edge  27  of tongue  21  is raised above the surrounding rims  29 . Bridges  28  hold rims  29  in position while a loosened lift edge  27  of tongue  21  pops up during bending. The tongue  21  is lifted as shown in  FIG. 9 . Once this is done, pushing the pill through a cover layer  14  on the blister tray  3  accesses a pill in a blister  15  of blister tray  3 . 
     FIGS. 10-14  depict a bubble piercing slide attachment system  30  for opening blister packages. A slide  31  with a front  32  and a back  34  folds around a blister card  3  and is held together by snaps or heat-staked posts  33 . The slide  31  folds around by means of a living hinge  37 . Bridges  38  on front  32  extend over the blisters  15 . The attachment slide  31  slides up and down along the card  3 . When positioned opposite a blister  15 , a button  35  with a cutter  36  hinged on the back  34  can be pressed down, opening or slicing a lid stock  14 . Lifting up the button  35  allows the pill to be removed from the blister  15 . Alternatively, sliding the unit  31  out of the way and pushing in on the lidstock  14  opposite a blister  15  or pushing on a blister  15  and pushing the tablet through lidstock  14  conventionally allows a user to gain access. A support cradle  39  is formed when the slide  31  is folded around a living hinge  37 . This support cradle  39  provides the user with support and something to grip during operation of the buttons  35 . 
     FIGS. 15-20  depict a traversing system  40  with a button  45  for use with push through tabs  53  for opening blister packages. In this embodiment, a top  41  and bottom  43  of a covering wrap around a blister card  3  in a clamshell-like manner. The top  41  and bottom  43  are bent around the blister card  3  through the use of a living hinge  42 . The top  41  of the covering wrap is a support for a track frame  55 . A carriage  47  is attached to the track frame  55  and allowed to move in the horizontal and vertical directions. A button  45  is attached to the carriage  47 . This carriage  47  attaches to vertical slides  49  that lay across the top  41 . The vertical slides  49  fit into horizontal slides  51  that are fixed to the top  41 . The vertical slides  49  are allowed to move in relation to the horizontal slides  51 , and the carriage  47  is allowed to slide relative to the vertical slides  49 . In this manner, the button  45  can be positioned over any of the blisters  15  in the container. 
   To open a blister  15 , the button  45  is depressed to pierce a material  14  covering a blister  15 . The button  45  and carriage  47  are then moved away from the opened blister  15 , and the contents of the blister  15  are pushed out of the blister  15  using a push through tab  53  on the bottom side. A push through tab  53  is located under each individual blister  15 . 
     FIGS. 21-26  depict a bend, twist and pierce system  60  for opening blister packages. This embodiment includes one or more rotatable arms  57 . The rotatable arms  57  are snapped onto a blister card  3  via a spike or barb  61 . The barb  61  acts as a pivot point for the rotatable arms  57 . The rotatable arms  57  have circular pads  59  on each end. The underside of each of the circular pads  59  has a sharp wall  63  that is used to pierce a cover layer  14  over individual blister compartments  15 . 
   The initial position  67  of the rotatable arms  57  is perpendicular to the edges  66  of the blister card  3 . In this position  67 , the piercing sharp walls  63  fit into locking holes  65 . The piercing walls  63  pass through the plane of the blister card  3  and are securely held in the locking holes  65 . To operate the bend, twist and pierce system  60 , the blister card  3  is bent slightly so that the piercing walls  63  can disengage from the locking holes  65 . When the piercing walls  63  are freed from the locking holes  65 , the rotatable arms  57  can be rotated into an appropriate piercing position  69 , shown in  FIG. 25 . The rotatable arms  57  are rotated over so that a circular pad  59  is over the desired blister  15 , and the circular pad  59  is pressed through the cover layer  14 . The rotatable arms  57  are then returned to their locked position  67 . The contents of the blister  15  are then removed by conventional means. 
     FIGS. 27-30  show a push-pierce system  70  for opening blister packages. This embodiment of the present invention includes an array of piercing buttons  71  on a cover  73  over a blister card  3 . Each piercing button  71  is situated over a corresponding blister compartment  15 . Glue strips or other acceptable adhesive materials  75  are laid out over a cover layer  14  that is attached to the blister card  3 . The adhesive materials  75  are arranged so that they do not interfere with the operation of the piercing buttons  71 . The piercing buttons carry sharp piercing walls similar to those in systems  60  and  30 . 
     FIG. 29  shows the operation of the push-pierce system. A piercing button  71  is depressed from its initial position  77  to a fully depressed position  79 . 
     FIG. 30  is a magnified view of the piercing button  71  in the fully depressed position. When the button  71  is pressed, the cover material  14  is pierced in an approximately 180-degree arc around a sharp leading edge  81  of the button  71 , at the opposite end of a hinge  83 . The piercing button  71  is then lifted and the contents of a blister  15  are removed by conventional means. 
     FIGS. 31 and 32  show a slide tool system  110  for opening blister packages. A frame  105  is welded or bonded to the top of a blister card  3 . The frame  105  covers the edges of the blister card  3  but does not cover the center of the blister card  3 . A cover layer  14  remains exposed. A slideable tool  107  is attached on each of two opposite sides  106  of the frame  105 . The slideable tool  107  is attached to the underside of the frame  105  and is free to slide up and down along the length of the frame  105 . The tool  107  is hinged  109  to allow it to wrap around to the top of the frame  105 . A piercing attachment  111  is located on a section  113  of the tool  107  that comes in contact with the cover layer  14 . The slideable tool  107  is moved so that when the tool  107  is folded, the piercing attachment  111  is aligned with a blister compartment  15 . The tool  107  is pressed into the cover layer  14  and pierces the layer  14 . The slideable tool  107  is then moved, and the contents of the blister  15  can then be removed by conventional means. 
     FIGS. 33-35  show a push lock system  100  for opening blister packages. Buttons  97  are arrayed on a cover  99 . As in previous embodiments, the buttons  97  have cutting walls  102  that break though a cover layer  14  when depressed. A latching means  103  is employed so that the button  97  cannot be pulled up until the latch  103  is disengaged. The latching means  103  has a tab  104  that extends over the button  97 . The tab  104  must be pushed backward and outward for the user to lift the end  101  of a button  97  and rotate the button around hinge  98  to access a blister  15 . That prevents accidental release of the contents of the blister compartments  15 . 
     FIG. 36  shows a push cutter system  120  for opening blister packaging. A frame  115  is welded or bonded to a blister card  3 . A cover layer  14  is sandwiched between the frame  115  and the blister card  3 . The frame  115  has protrusions  117  that extend from the edges of the frame  115  out over blister compartments  15 . Each protrusion  117  has a cutting edge  119  that is depressed by the user. A protrusion  117  with a cutting edge  119  rotates around a hinge  121  and pierces the cover layer  14 . Each protrusion has two stable positions, an outward inoperative position and an inward position, in which the blister-covering layer  14  has been pierced. The protrusion  117  is then lifted backwards in an unlocking stage along the hinge  121 , and the contents of a blister  15  can be removed by conventional means. The unlocking stage is a child resistant stage as the protrusion  117  locks in place after being depressed. 
   While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention.