Patent Publication Number: US-2009230130-A1

Title: System for storing and unpacking encased article

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/506,199, filed Dec. 8, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the packaging of encased articles such as those wrapped in a protective seal, and more specifically to an apparatus for storing and opening a unit blister-pack type package. 
     A blister-pack is a type of package wherein an item or article to be protected is sealed between a substantially planar substrate and a concave compartment structure resembling a “blister.” The blister is typically made of a plastic type material. The substrate may be paper, foil, or plastic, or a laminate of one or more of these materials. The encased item or article is typically removed by pushing the article or item from the blister side of the pack through the planar substrate. In the case of a child-resistant package, both the substrate and blister are made difficult to penetrate. 
     The blister-pack is useful for packaging individual, or unit, doses of pharmaceutical products. And, when used for this purpose, the blister-pack is particularly suitable for the packaging and distribution of multiple unit doses in a single package. A well known typical multiple blister pack  20  arranged as an array of individual, or unit, dose blister packs is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In the pack illustrated, each blister  22  contains a single (or individual, or unit) dose of a medication or similar item. Each unit dose is segregated by lines of demarcation  26 . The intersecting lines of demarcation  26  define individual unit dose blister-packs  28 . The line of demarcation  26  may be a frangible line such as a perforated line that facilitates separation of a unit  28  from the multiple pack  20 . 
     A problem with a blister-pack is that often it may be difficult to push the item or article, such as pill, through the substrate. This problem exists because often the substrate is made particularly durable to maintain the freshness and efficacy of the encased article. Sometimes the substrate is made to inhibit removal of the encased article or item, as in the use of a child-resistant package. Thus, a need exists for a means for facilitating removal of an encased item or article from a blister-pack or similar protective seal. 
     It is known to provide a separate package opener that employs a protruding blade to puncture a substrate. However, such blades are typically exposed and create a hazard for users. In addition, such blades are designed to substantially protrude into the package. This configuration creates the possibility of the blade puncturing or otherwise coming into contact with the enclosed item or article. This is especially undesirable in the case of items/articles such as capsules, gel caps or tablets that may be damaged if punctured. Further, it is generally undesirable for a non-sterile foreign object to come into contact with a consumable product. 
     Although prior attempts to solve the problem of removing an encased article from its protective seal are known, there remains the need for a convenient means to store encased articles together with a means for safely and efficiently cutting the unique protective seal that encases the article. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a system for storing and opening encased articles. By way of example and not limitation, an encased article includes an item that is sealed by any flexible or semi-flexible protective covering, shrink-wrapped, or blister-wrapped. For the purpose of efficiently teaching the present invention, and not as a limitation, the example of a blister-pack will be illustrated and described. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, a channel for receiving a flanged edge of a unit dose blister-pack has a cutting edge disposed with respect to the channel so as to engage the flanged edge that is translated along the channel. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a channel for receiving a flanged edge of a unit dose blister-pack is defined between a blister abutment structure and a backstop structure. A cutting edge is disposed with respect to the channel so as to engage the flanged edge translated along the channel. The abutment structure is adapted to abut the blister when the flanged edge is translated along the channel such that the cutting edge does not substantially protrude into the compartment, or cavity, defined by the blister. In accordance with another aspect of this embodiment the cutting edge projects from the backstop. In accordance with yet another aspect of this embodiment, a first height of the abutment structure is offset from a second height of the backstop structure. 
     Another embodiment of the invention teaches a container for receiving an array of encased articles and an apparatus for opening the seal that encases each of said articles. In accordance with another aspect of this embodiment, the apparatus for opening the seal is disposed within an opening of the container. In another aspect of this embodiment, the container has an opening at one end for receiving the array and the apparatus for opening the seal is disposed at an opening at an opposing end, or an adjacent end, or the same end. 
     Other advantages and objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the cutting apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is the underside view of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     Throughout the various figures, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or like features of the invention. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , therein is illustrated an apparatus  40  for opening the seal of an encased article, such as the seal which is a unit blister-pack package  28 . Also shown in  FIG. 1 , but which will be discussed in greater detail later, is a container  12  which together with the apparatus  40  form a system  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Further illustrated in  FIG. 1  is an array  20  of unit dose blister-pack  28  packages. 
     Referring now simultaneously to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the apparatus  40  has a channel  50  with a cutting member  60  having a cutting edge  62  disposed with respect to the channel  50  such that a flanged edge of a unit dose blister-pack  28  is engaged when the flanged edge is translated along the channel  50 . One of the flanged edges of the blister-pack  28  is shown disposed within the channel  50  positioned for movement in the direction shown by the direction arrow  41 . 
     The channel  50  is defined by a blister abutment structure  44  and a back stop  48 . In  FIG. 1 , the blister  22  of the unit dose blister-pack  28  is shown abutting the abutment structure  44 . The underside of the unit dose blister-pack  28  is shown in contact with the backstop  48  in  FIG. 1 . In this illustrated embodiment a first height of the abutment structure  44  is offset from a second height of the backstop, thereby forming a stepped or recessed structure for engaging a blister. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2  simultaneously, the cutting member  60  with its cutting edge  62  is shown positioned within and projecting into the channel  50  from the backstop  48 . 
     Referring now particularly to  FIG. 2 , therein can be seen the manner in which the cutting member  60  can be seated within a seating compartment  64  in the backstop and held in place by a securing member  66 . It will be understood that the cutting member  60  may be permanently or temporarily integrated into the apparatus  40  by way of any number of methods known by those skilled in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4  simultaneously, the apparatus  40  is shown separated from the container  12 . To form the package  10  of  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  40  is inserted into the container  12  in the direction illustrated by the arrows  18 . In the embodiment illustrated, the apparatus  40  is held in place at the opening  16  of the container by cooperation between detents  42  of the apparatus and slots  14  of the container. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the apparatus  40  may be attached to the container  12  with mechanical or chemical means including tabs, couples, tapes, adhesives or formed integrally therewith. Alternatively the apparatus  40  may be removably attached to the container  12 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in operation the end-user separates a unit dose blister pack  28  from the array package  20  by tearing along lines of demarcation  26 . A flanged edge of an individual, or unit, dose blister-pack  28  is then inserted in the channel  50  and translated in the direction of arrow  41  to cut along the unit dose blister pack  28 . The abutment of the blister  22  with the abutment member  44  helps position the pack  28  so that the cutting edge  62  of the cutting member  60  engages the pack  28  below the blister  22  compartment or so close to the perimeter of the blister  22  compartment that the cutting edge  62  does not substantially project into the cavity, or compartment, formed by the blister  22 . A relief nick  46  is positioned adjacent the cutting edge  62  and the cutting member  60 . The relief nick  46  allows the flanged edge of the pack  28  to deform slightly and depart from the path of the channel sufficiently to prevent bunching at the cutting edge and thereby facilitate initiation of and cutting of the pack  28 . 
     This specification conveys the best mode for carrying out the invention known to the inventor at the time of filing the patent application. Modifications and alternative embodiments may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.