Pouch cutter

The dispenser assembly is for opening a pouch or packet structure. The dispenser assembly includes a container structure having an interior cavity. The cavity has a sufficient dimension such that the packet structure may be stored therein. The dispenser assembly includes a cutter for severing the pouch or packet structure. The cutter is secured to or removably stored in the container. The cutter may be constituted by a slider structure, guillotine cutter, or U-shaped member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a pouch cutter and, more specifically, to a cutter and a container in which are stored pouches or packets which contain film strips. The cutter is secured to or removably stored in the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pharmaceuticals and similar substances are typically required to be ingested in relatively precise amounts. One technique for providing pharmaceuticals in such relatively precise amounts for ingestion is to impregnate a dissolvable film strip with the relatively precise amount of the pharmaceutical. The user may then place the film strip in their mouth and receive the relatively precise amount of the pharmaceutical.

Medications are frequently applied to cuts and wounds to facilitate the healing thereof. One technique for applying such medications to cuts and wounds on the skin is to impregnate a film strip with the medication. The user may then place the film strip on the cut or wound and, frequently, the adjacent skin, such that the medication on the film strip is transferred to the cut or wound. The film strip may be dissolvable or removed after the medication has been transferred to the cut or wound.

Such impregnated film strips may be contained within a pouch or packet for storage before ingestion or application by the user. Such pouches or packets provide protection to the film strip and maintain the pharmaceutical or medication in a controlled environment before ingestion or application thereof by the user.

The pouches or packets are typically opened by the user manually tearing the pouch or packet to gain access to the film strip therein. Preferably, the tearing force and manual dexterity required to open the pouches or packets by tearing is limited such that the pouches or packets may be readily opened. This feature of the pouches or packets is particularly advantageous when the pouches or packets are to be used by persons with limited manual strength and dexterity. Such limited manual strength and dexterity may be present in elderly persons, especially those who suffer from arthritis. Also, such limited manual strength and dexterity may be present in people of all ages who have, for example, suffered an injury to their hands, undergone surgery, or other detrimental medical conditions.

Another aspect of the use of the pouches or packets makes it preferable for the pouches or packets to be difficult to open. This aspect relates to child-resistance and, more specifically, the desirability that the pouches or packets be difficult for a child to open. Providing the pouches or packets with this feature reduces the likelihood of children gaining access to the film strips within the pouches or packets. Frequently, the pharmaceuticals or other substances of which the film strips are impregnated are preferably not accessible directly by children. This is a consequence of the proper use of such pharmaceuticals or other substances normally being beyond the capabilities of children.

The desirability of making the pouches or packets child resistant may result in the pouches or packets being difficult to open by an adult having limited manual strength or dexterity. Consequently, the configuration and fabrication of the pouches or packets may be difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The dispenser assembly of the present invention is for opening a pouch or packet structure. The dispenser assembly includes a container structure having an interior cavity. The cavity has a sufficient dimension such that the packet structure may be stored therein. The dispenser assembly includes a cutter for severing the pouch or packet structure. The cutter is secured to or removably stored in the container. The cutter may be constituted by a slider structure, guillotine cutter, or U-shaped member.

The cutter may readily sever a pouch or packet structure which is otherwise difficult to open by the manual tearing thereof. Consequently, the pouch or packet structure may be sufficiently difficult to open by a child to satisfy the requirements of child-resistance. The cutter may also be configured to be difficult to operate by a child to further provide child-resistance. The cutter, however, may be configured to be readily operable by an adult, including adults who have limited manual strength and dexterity, to sever the pouch or packet structure to gain access to the film strip contained therein. Accordingly, the dispenser assembly provides child-resistance while allowing adults who have limited manual strength and dexterity to readily open the pouch or packet structure.

These and other features of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description of specific embodiments of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and more specifically toFIGS. 1 and 2, the dispenser assembly20includes a container structure22having an interior cavity24. The container structure22includes a body structure26having an outer surface27. The cavity24is located within the body structure26. The body structure26has a front surface30, a rear surface32, two pairs of side surfaces34,36, and a pair of bottom surfaces38.

The container structure22has a cap structure28which is connected to the body structure26by a hinge structure. The hinge structure provides for the cap structure28to swing between open and closed positions. When the cap structure28is in the open position, access is provided to the cavity24.

The connection of the cap structure28to the body structure26when the cap structure is in the closed position may provide for the container structure22to be child-resistant. A container structure22which is child-resistant would normally prevent children from moving the cap structure28from the closed position to the open position.

The dispenser assembly20includes a cutter structure which is defined by a cutter assembly42having a support structure44. The support structure44includes an elongate channel member46which has opposite ends48,50. The support structure44has an elongate cavity52within the channel member46. The support structure44includes a tongue member45which is integral with the channel member46. The tongue member45extends into a groove47which is between the side surfaces36. The tongue and channel members45,46are secured to the side surfaces36, such as by acrylate or heat welding. The extension of the tongue member45into the groove47and connection of the tongue member to the side surfaces36defines a tongue and groove connection. The groove47may have a width which narrows at the ends of the groove to obstruct longitudinal translation of the tongue member45relative to the side surfaces36. The ends of the groove47may be closed to further obstruct such longitudinal translation of the tongue member45.

The cutter assembly42has a slider structure53which includes a tab structure54and a blade structure56which is connected thereto. The blade structure56has an annular body57the outer edge58of which is sharpened for cutting. It is possible for the connection of the blade structure56to the tab structure54to provide for rotation of the annular body57relative to the tab structure.

The tab structure54is mounted on the channel member46such that the blade structure56extends into the cavity52. The connection of the tab structure54to the channel member46provides for the translation of the slider structure53relative to the support structure44between the ends48,50.

The dispenser assembly20is included in a kit which includes one or more pouches or packet structures60which are stored in the cavity24. The cavity24has a sufficient dimension such that the one or more packet structures60may be stored therein. Each of the packet structures60includes an envelope structure62which has an interior cavity in which a strip structure is contained. Each of the packet structures60has opposing side layers between which the cavity of the packet structure is located. Each of the side layers has an inner liner and an outer layer which provides the packet structures60with a quadra-layer structure. The inner liner of the packet structures60may be formed of a metallic foil material.

The outer layers of the packet structures60are formed of a material which resists tearing by a tear force which is below a specific magnitude. The specific magnitude of the tear force is sufficiently large such that the packet structures60are child-resistant. The material of the outer layers of the packet structures60may be severed by a suitable instrument, such as the cutter assembly42.

The envelope structure62has an opening edge64and a pair of lateral edges66,68which intersect the opening edge. Each of the packet structures60has a locator structure connected to the envelope structure62. The locator structure shown inFIG. 5is defined by a pair of chevron structures70,72each of which is integral with a respective one of the lateral edges66,68. The chevron structures70,72reduce the longitudinal dimension74of the cavity of the corresponding packet structure60to a size which is smaller than the corresponding dimension of the strip structure which is stored within the packet structure60. Consequently, the strip structure is obstructed from translating laterally within the packet structure60to a section75thereof which is between the chevron structures70,72. This maintains a lateral clearance between the strip structure and opening edge64which is at least as large as the lateral dimension76between each of the chevron structures70,72and the opening edge.

The packet structures60have indicia on the outer surface of one or both of the outer layers. The indicia are located near the chevron structures70,72. The indicia indicate the alignment of the chevron structures70,72relative to the blade structure56when the cutter assembly42is actuated.

The opening edge64is severed by the cutter assembly42, as shown inFIG. 7, to provide access to the strip structure within the cavity of the envelope structure62. The severing is provided by initially positioning the slider structure53adjacent to the end48of the channel member46, as shown inFIG. 6.

The packet structure60is then located relative to the channel member46and slider structure53, as shown inFIG. 6. In this position of the packet structure60, the channel member46is located laterally between the opening edge64and body structure26. This position of the packet structure60provides for the chevron structures70,72to have substantially the same lateral positions as the blade structure56. The indicia which are printed on the outer surface of the envelope structure62indicate that the packet structure60is positioned relative to the cutter assembly42such that the chevron structures70,72have substantially the same lateral positions as the blade structure56.

The slider structure53is then translated relative to the channel member46in the direction toward the end50such that the blade structure56cuts through the packet structure60. The blade structure56initially contacts the chevron structure70as a result of the lateral position thereof being substantially the same as the blade structure. The continuation of the translation of the slider structure53toward the end50results in the blade structure56contacting the section75of the packet structure60. This translation of the slider structure53severs the opening edge64from the packet structure60. The severing of the opening edge64from the packet structure60is completed by the blade structure56cutting through the chevron structure72. After completion of the severing, the opening edge64is completely separated from the packet structure60and the slider structure53is positioned adjacent to the end50of the channel member46, as shown inFIG. 7.

The severing of the opening edge64from the packet structure60by the cutter assembly42provides for the strip structure which is within the envelope structure62to not be contacted by the blade structure56. This is provided by the chevron structures70,72which obstruct the strip structure from translating laterally within the packet structure60to the section75which is cut by the blade structure56. Consequently, the chevron structures70,72provide for the maintenance of a lateral clearance between the strip structure and opening edge64which is at least as large as the lateral dimension76. This provides a minimum clearance between the strip structure and opening edge64.

The cutter assembly42is preferably child-resistant such that children would normally be unable to sever a packet structure60using the cutter assembly42. The child-resistance may be provided by configuring the cutter assembly42such that a child would normally be unable to properly position the packet structure60relative to the cutter assembly42as shown inFIG. 6. Also, the child-resistance may be provided by configuring the cutter assembly42such that a child would normally be unable to translate the slider structure53from the position thereof shown inFIG. 6to the position of the slider structure shown inFIG. 7to sever the opening edge64from the packet structure60.

After the opening edge64is completely severed from the packet structure60, the packet structure is removed from the cutter assembly42and opened to remove the strip structure from within the envelope structure62. The strip structure is digestible and may be impregnated with a pharmaceutical substance for ingestion by the user.

In an alternative embodiment of the dispenser assembly20, the cutter assembly42has a blade structure56which is stationary relative to the body structure26. Such a cutter assembly may be configured to provide for the severing of the opening edge64from the packet structure60by sliding the packet structure against the outer edge58of the blade structure56.

In an alternative embodiment of the dispenser assembly20, the cutter assembly42may provide for the severing of the lateral edges66,68from the packet structure60.

In an alternative embodiment of the dispenser assembly20, the support structure44is secured to the side surfaces34. In a further alternative embodiment of the dispenser assembly20, the support structure44is secured to the bottom surfaces38.

In an alternative embodiment of the dispenser assembly20, the cutter structure is defined by a laser cutter.

In an alternative embodiment of the packet structure60, the opposing sides thereof may be homogeneous such that the packet structure is a bi-layer structure.

An alternative embodiment of the dispenser assembly120is shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. The dispenser assembly120includes a container structure122having an interior cavity124. The container structure122includes a body structure126having an outer surface127. The cavity124is located within the body structure126. The body structure126has a front surface130, a rear surface132, two pairs of side surfaces134,136, and a pair of bottom surfaces138.

The container structure122has a cap structure139which is connected to the body structure126by a hinge structure. The hinge structure provides for the cap structure139to swing between open and closed positions. When the cap structure139is in the open position, access is provided to the cavity124.

The connection of the cap structure139to the body structure126when the cap structure is in the closed position may provide for the container structure122to be child-resistant. A container structure122which is child-resistant would normally prevent children from moving the cap structure139from the closed position to the open position.

The dispenser assembly120includes a sliding cutter140which is an alternative embodiment of the cutter structure which is included in the dispenser assembly20shown inFIGS. 1 to 4,6, and7. The sliding cutter140has a frame structure142which includes a guide structure144and base structure148. The base structure148has a planar surface which defines a cut surface150. The cut surface150includes front and rear sections which are separated by a gap151, as shown inFIG. 10. The base structure148and guide structure144are monolithic such that a clearance154is provided between the guide structure and base structure. The clearance154is elongate, as shown inFIG. 8. The front section of the clearance154defines an evacuation port146. An alternative embodiment of the evacuation port146is provided by slits or openings which are formed in the base structure148and extend downward from the front and rear sections of the cut surface150to the bottom surface of the base structure.

The frame structure142includes a tongue member156which is integral with the base structure148. The tongue member156extends into a groove158which is between the side surfaces136. The tongue member156and base structure148are secured to the side surfaces136, such as by acrylate or heat welding. The extension of the tongue member156into the groove158and connection of the tongue member to the side surfaces136defines a tongue and groove connection. The groove158may have a width which narrows at the ends of the groove to obstruct longitudinal translation of the tongue member156relative to the side surfaces136. The ends of the groove158may be closed to further obstruct such longitudinal translation of the tongue member156.

The sliding cutter140includes a cutter structure160having a blade structure162which is supported within the guide structure144, as shown inFIGS. 8, and13to15. The blade structure162has a cutting edge164which is sharpened for cutting. The blade structure162has a base edge166which is parallel to the cutting edge164. The cutter structure160includes a tab structure168which is secured to the base edge166.

The support of the blade structure162by the guide structure144provides for the cutter structure160to be located in an open position, shown inFIG. 13, in which the cutting edge164is located between the base edge166and cut surface150. The support by the guide structure144further provides for displacement of the blade structure162from the open position, shown inFIG. 13, to a cut position, shown inFIGS. 8 to 11, and14. When the blade structure162is in the cut position, the cutting edge164is within the gap151, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11.

The support of the blade structure162by the guide structure144provides for the direction of the displacement of the blade structure between the open and cut positions to be perpendicular to the cut surface150. Alternative embodiments of the sliding cutter140are possible in which the direction of the displacement of the blade structure162between the open and cut positions is inclined relative to the cut surface150such that the direction of the displacement intersects a plane which coincides with the cut surface.

The sliding cutter140includes a pair of return springs170which are connected to the guide structure144and blade structure162, as shown inFIGS. 11 and 15. The return springs170resist displacement of the blade structure162from the open position to the cut position.

The dispenser assembly120is included in a kit which includes one or more pouches or packet structures172which are stored in the cavity124. The cavity124has a sufficient dimension such that the one or more packet structures172may be stored therein. Each of the packet structures172includes an envelope structure174which has an interior cavity in which a strip structure is contained. Each of the packet structures172has opposing side layers between which the cavity of the packet structure is located. Each of the side layers has an inner liner and an outer layer which provides the packet structures172with a quadra-layer structure. The inner liner of the packet structures172may be formed of a metallic foil material.

The outer layers of the packet structures172are formed of a material which resists tearing by a tear force which is below a specific magnitude. The specific magnitude of the tear force is sufficiently large such that the packet structures172are child-resistant. The material of the outer layers of the packet structures172may be severed by a suitable instrument, such as the sliding cutter140.

The envelope structure174has an opening edge176and a pair of lateral edges178,180which intersect the opening edge. Each of the packet structures172has a locator structure connected to the envelope structure174. The locator structure shown inFIG. 12is defined by a pair of chevron structures182,184each of which is integral with a respective one of the lateral edges178,180. The chevron structures182,184reduce the longitudinal dimension186of the cavity of the corresponding packet structure172to a size which is smaller than the corresponding dimension of the strip structure which is stored within the packet structure. Consequently, the strip structure is obstructed from translating laterally within the packet structure172to a section188thereof which is between the chevron structures182,184. This maintains a lateral clearance between the strip structure and opening edge176which is at least as large as the lateral dimension190between each of the chevron structures182,184and the opening edge.

The packet structures172have indicia on the outer surface of one or both of the outer layers. The indicia are located near the chevron structures182,184. The indicia indicate the alignment of the chevron structures182,184relative to the blade structure162when the cutter structure160is displaced from the open to cut positions.

The opening edge176is severed by the sliding cutter140, as shown inFIG. 14, to provide access to the strip structure within the cavity of the envelope structure174. The severing is provided by initially positioning the cutter structure160in the open position relative to the guide structure144, as shown inFIG. 13. The cutter structure160is located in the open position by releasing the tab structure168such that the return springs170force the blade structure168to the open position.

The packet structure172is then located relative to the frame structure142and cutter structure160, as shown inFIG. 13. In this position, the packet structure172is placed flat on the cut surface150such that the packet structure is perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the cutter structure160from the open to cut positions. Also, the frame structure142is located laterally between the opening edge176and body structure126. This position of the packet structure172provides for the chevron structures182,184to have substantially the same lateral positions as the blade structure162. The indicia which are printed on the outer surface of the envelope structure174indicate that the packet structure172is positioned relative to the cutter structure160such that the chevron structures182,184have substantially the same lateral positions as the blade structure162.

The cutter structure160is then translated relative to the frame structure142in the direction toward the gap151between the front and rear sections of the cut surface150by depressing the tab structure168sufficiently to overcome the resistance of the return springs170. The translation of the cutter structure160is sufficient for the blade structure162to cut through the packet structure172. The cutting edge164initially contacts substantially the entire section188of the packet structure172contemporaneously as a result of the lateral position of the chevron structures182,184being substantially the same as the blade structure162. The continuation of the translation of the cutter structure160toward the gap151results in the cutting edge164traveling through the entire thickness of the section188contemporaneously such that the sliding cutter140defines a guillotine cutter. This translation of the cutter structure160severs the opening edge176from the packet structure172. After completion of the severing, the cutting edge164is located within the gap151, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11. This defines the cut position of the cutter structure160, as shown inFIG. 14. Also following completion of the severing, the opening edge176is completely separated from the packet structure172to allow removal of the opening edge through the evacuation port146and from the frame structure142, as shown inFIG. 14. The removal of the opening edge176through the evacuation port146reduces the possible accumulation of opening edges176, which have been severed from respective packet structures172, in the clearance154.

The alternative embodiment of the evacuation port146defined by the slit or opening which is formed in the base structure148and extends downward from the front and rear sections of the cut surface150to the bottom surface of the base structure provides for the opening edge176, which has been severed from the packet structure172, to drop through the slits or openings under the force of gravity. This provides for the removal of the opening edge176from the frame structure142which reduces the possible accumulation of opening edges176, which have been severed from respective packet structures172, in the clearance154.

The severing of the opening edge176from the packet structure172by the cutter structure160provides for the strip structure which is within the envelope structure174to not be contacted by the blade structure162. This is provided by the chevron structures182,184which obstruct the strip structure from translating laterally within the packet structure172to the section188which is cut by the blade structure162. Consequently, the chevron structures182,184provide for the maintenance of a lateral clearance between the strip structure and opening edge176which is at least as large as the lateral dimension190. This provides a minimum clearance between the strip structure and opening edge176.

The sliding cutter140is preferably child-resistant such that children would normally be unable to sever a packet structure172using the sliding cutter. The child-resistance may be provided by configuring the sliding cutter140such that a child would normally be unable to properly position the packet structure172relative to the sliding cutter, as shown inFIG. 13. Also, the child-resistance may be provided by configuring the sliding cutter140such that a child would normally be unable to translate the cutter structure160from the position thereof shown inFIG. 13to the position of the cutter structure160shown inFIG. 14to sever the opening edge176from the packet structure172.

After the opening edge176is completely severed from the packet structure172, the packet structure is removed from the sliding cutter140and opened to remove the strip structure from within the envelope structure174. The strip structure may be digestible and impregnated with a pharmaceutical substance for ingestion by the user. Alternatively, the strip structure may be impregnated with a medication for application to a cut or wound on the skin.

In an alternative embodiment of the dispenser assembly120, the sliding cutter140may provide for the severing of the lateral edges178,180from the packet structure172.

In an alternative embodiment of the dispenser assembly120, the frame structure142is secured to the side surfaces134. In a further alternative embodiment of the dispenser assembly20, the frame structure142is secured to the bottom surfaces138.

In an alternative embodiment of the packet structure172, the opposing sides thereof may be homogeneous such that the packet structure is a bi-layer structure.

An alternative embodiment of the dispenser assembly220is shown inFIGS. 16 and 17. Parts illustrated inFIGS. 16 and 17which correspond to parts illustrated inFIGS. 8 to 15have, inFIGS. 16 and 17, the same reference numeral as inFIGS. 8 to 15with the increase by “100” of the reference numeral inFIGS. 8 to 15. For example, the container structure222inFIG. 16corresponds to the container structure122inFIGS. 8 to 11, and13to15.

The dispenser assembly220includes a handheld cutter240which is removably stored, with the packet structures272, in the container structure222. Removal of the handheld cutter240from the container structure222is shown inFIG. 16.

The handheld cutter240includes a frame structure242having a U-shaped member292within which is defined an interior region294such that the interior region is planar and partially enclosed by the U-shaped member. The U-shaped member292has ends between which is defined a gap region296.

The handheld cutter240includes a cutter structure260having a blade structure262. The blade structure262has a cutting edge264which is sharpened for cutting. The blade structure262is connected to the U-shaped member292such that the blade structure is located within the interior region294in coplanar relation thereto. The blade structure262is oriented relative to the U-shaped member292such that access to the cutting edge264is provided by the gap region296. Access to the cutting edge264is limited by the U-shaped member292.

With the handheld cutter240removed from the container structure222, the opening edge276is severed by the blade structure262, as shown inFIG. 17, to provide access to the strip structure within the cavity of the envelope structure274. The severing is provided by initially positioning the handheld cutter240to have substantially the same lateral position as the chevron structure284, as shown inFIG. 17. The handheld cutter240is further positioned such that the section288of the packet structure272which is adjacent to the chevron structure284is within the interior region294. The further positioning of the handheld cutter240orients the legs of the U-shaped member292to extend in the direction of the chevron structure282and the blade structure262to be generally perpendicular to the packet structure272.

The handheld cutter240is displaced longitudinally relative to the packet structure272such that the cutting edge264initially contacts the section288at the intersection thereof with the chevron structure284. The displacement the handheld cutter240is continued such that the cutting edge264severs the section288progressively in the direction toward the chevron structure282, as shown inFIG. 17. The chevron structures282,284obstruct the strip structure which is within the envelope structure274from translating laterally within the packet structure272. Consequently, the strip structure is not contacted by the blade structure262in a manner which corresponds to the strip structure which is within the envelope structure174not being contacted by the blade structure162as a result of the chevron structures182,184.

The displacement of the handheld cutter240is completed by displacing the blade structure262sufficiently such that the cutting edge264reaches the chevron structure282and cuts through the intersection thereof with the section288. Subsequently, the opening edge276is completely separated from the packet structure272. The complete separation of the opening edge276from the packet structure272allows the removal of the strip structure from within the envelope structure274in a manner which corresponds to the removal of the strip structure from the envelope structure174.

The handheld cutter240is displaced by being held between the fingers and thumb of one hand of the user. The initial positioning of the handheld cutter240at the chevron structure282may be facilitated by indicia on one or both of the outer layers of the packet structure272which indicate the correct orientation of the handheld cutter240, including the blade structure262, relative to the section288. Alternatively, the handheld cutter240may be initially positioned at the chevron structure282of a packet structure272which does not include the indicia.

An alternative method of the severing of the packet structure272by the handheld cutter240provides for the cutting to be initiated at the chevron structure282. This method further provides for the section288to be severed progressively in the direction toward the chevron structure284, in a manner which corresponds to the severing of the section288shown inFIG. 17. The handheld cutter240is displaced by being held between the fingers and thumb of one hand of the user. The initial positioning of the handheld cutter240at the chevron structure282may be facilitated by indicia on one or both of the outer layers of the packet structure272, in a manner which corresponds to the initial positioning of the handheld cutter240at the chevron structure284. Alternatively, the handheld cutter240may be initially positioned at the chevron structure284of a packet structure272which does not include the indicia.

An alternative embodiment of the handheld cutter240is constituted by a cutter assembly which corresponds to the cutter structure defined by the cutter assembly42shown inFIGS. 1 to 4,6, and7. A further alternative embodiment of the handheld cutter240is constituted by a sliding cutter which corresponds to the sliding cutter140shown inFIGS. 8 to 11, and13to15. A further alternative embodiment of the handheld cutter240is constituted by a laser cutter. The alternative embodiments of the handheld cutter240are each removably stored in the container structure222with the packet structures272, such that the respective handheld cutters are removed from the container structure for the severing of the sections288.

While the invention has been described by reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes could be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but that it have the full scope permitted by the language of the following claims.