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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
CONSUMER FRIENDLY BLISTER LAYOUT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2010/082987
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Disclosed is a blister pack that contains a plurality of individual dose units secured thereon wherein each individual dose is part of a regimen and is associated with a printed label describing the regimen. The plurality of individual doses are arranged in a layout in which the individual dose corresponding to the printed label representative of a first individual dose of the regimen appears at least as soon as any subsequent individual dose when the blister pack is extracted from an opening of a protective housing.

Inventors:
PANSE PUSHKARAJ (IN)
KOSLOSKI RANDOLF (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2009/067075
Publication Date:
July 22, 2010
Filing Date:
December 08, 2009
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
MEADWESTVACO CORP (US)
PANSE PUSHKARAJ (IN)
KOSLOSKI RANDOLF (US)
International Classes:
A61J7/04
Domestic Patent References:
WO2007011524A12007-01-25
Foreign References:
US5265728A1993-11-30
US20060070895A12006-04-06
US20040171992A12004-09-02
US5788974A1998-08-04
FR2440736A11980-06-06
Other References:
None
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
SCHEIDLER, Alison et al. (1021 Main Campus DriveRaleigh, North Carolina, US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
ase Doc et No.: 7 - RD

Claims:

1. A user-friendly blister pack comprising of a blister pack containing a plurality of individual dose units secured thereon wherein each individual dose is associated with a printed label and the plurality of individual doses are arranged in a layout in which the first individual dose is positioned in the upper right most corner of the blister pack and the last individual dose is positioned in the lower left most corner of the blister pack such that the intervening doses progress from top to bottom, right to left through a series of columns and rows.

2. The user-friendly blister pack of claim 1 wherein the blister pack is adapted to fit within a housing in a horizontal configuration wherein the housing includes an opening on its right side.

3. The user-friendly blister pack of claim 1 further comprising a directional line connecting each unit dose to the next unit dose in the progression from the first individual dose to the final individual dose.

4. A user-friendly blister pack comprising of a blister pack containing plurality of individual dose units secured thereon wherein each individual dose is associated with a printed label and the plurality of individual doses are arranged in a layout in which the first individual dose is positioned in the upper left most corner of the blister pack and the last individual dose is positioned in the lower right most corner of the blister pack such that the intervening doses progress from left to right, top to bottom through a series of rows and columns.

5. The user-friendly blister pack of claim 4 wherein the blister pack is adapted to fit within a housing in a vertical configuration wherein the housing includes an opening on its top side. ase Doc et No.: 7 - RD

6. The user-friendly blister pack of claim 4 further comprising a directional line connecting each unit dose to the next unit dose in the progression from the first individual dose to the final individual dose.

7. A user-friendly blister pack comprising of a blister pack containing a plurality of individual dose units secured thereon wherein each individual dose is associated with a printed label and the plurality of individual doses are arranged in a layout in which the first individual dose is positioned in the upper right most corner of the blister pack and the final individual dose is positioned in the lower left most corner of the blister pack such that the intervening doses progress in a back and forth pattern through a series of columns and rows such that the next individual dose is adjacent, either horizontally or vertically, to the last individual dose at all times.

8. The user-friendly blister pack of claim 7 wherein the blister pack is adapted to fit within a housing in a horizontal configuration wherein the housing includes an opening on its right side.

9. The user-friendly blister pack of claim 7 further comprising a directional line connecting each unit dose to the next unit dose in the progression from the first individual dose to the final individual dose.

10. A user-friendly blister pack comprising of a blister pack containing a plurality of individual dose units secured thereon wherein each individual dose is associated with a printed label and the plurality of individual doses are arranged in a layout in which the first individual dose is positioned in the upper left most corner of the blister pack and the final individual dose is positioned in the lower right most corner of the blister pack such that the intervening doses progress in a back and forth pattern through a series of rows and columns such that the next individual dose is adjacent, either horizontally or vertically, to the last individual dose at all times. ase Doc et No.: 7 - RD

1 1. The user-friendly blister pack of claim 10 wherein the blister pack is adapted to fit within a housing in a vertical configuration wherein the housing includes an opening on its top side.

12. The user-friendly blister pack of claim 10 further comprising a directional line connecting each unit dose to the next unit dose in the progression from the first individual dose to the final individual dose.

13. A user-friendly blister pack adapted to fit within a housing via an opening in the housing, the blister pack containing a plurality of individual dose units secured thereon wherein each individual dose is part of a regimen and is associated with a printed label describing the regimen and the plurality of individual doses are arranged in a layout in which the individual dose corresponding to the printed label representative of a first individual dose of the regimen appears at least as soon as any subsequent individual dose.

14. The user-friendly blister pack of claim 13 in which the first individual dose is positioned in the upper right most corner of the blister pack and the last individual dose is positioned in the lower left most corner of the blister pack such that the intervening doses progress from top to bottom, right to left through a series of columns and rows.

15. The user-friendly blister pack of claim 13 in which the first individual dose is positioned in the upper right most corner of the blister pack and the final individual dose is positioned in the lower left most corner of the blister pack such that the intervening doses progress in a back and forth pattern through a series of columns and rows such that the next individual dose is adjacent, either horizontally or vertically, to the last individual dose at all times. ase Doc et No.: 7 - RD

16. The user-friendly blister pack of claim 13 further comprising a directional line connecting each unit dose to the next unit dose in the progression from the first individual dose to a final individual dose.

17. The user-friendly blister pack of claim 13 in which the individual dose units and associated printed labels are for more than one type of medication.

Description:
ase Doc et No.: 7 - RD

CONSUMER FRIENDLY BLISTER LAYOUT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Many pharmaceutical products are dispensed in packaging that includes a blister pack. This is true for both over the counter and prescription medications. Typically the blister pack is housed within a paperboard or plastic shell. The consumer exposes the blister pack from its housing and then accesses one or more of the individual doses contained thereon.

[0002] Many times the individual doses are part of a regimen that must be adhered to for the medication to be properly administered. For instance, a prescription could call for the consumer to take one pill per day for 30 days. Alternatively, a prescription could call for the consumer to take two pills per day, one in the morning and one in the evening, for 2 weeks days. To help the consumer track the regimen, many blister packs are labeled. For instance each unit dose may have a printed label or caption corresponding to the pill that states "Day 1" through "Day 30" or "Day 1 - AM" and "Day 1 - PM". Such labeling assists the consumer in knowing where they are in the regimen and which individual dose to take next. [0003] While the labeling certainly helps the consumer track the regimen, it is often oriented or presented to the consumer in a non-intuitive manner. Typically, the labeling is presented in a fashion that reads from left to right and from top to bottom (Fig. 1) since this is the manner in which most everyone is used to reading. However, this orientation is not always the most intuitive for the consumer because most blister packs are exposed from their housing from the right side of the housing. Most consumers are right-handed and this configuration is seemingly easier for right-handed consumers. Thus, the right hand side of the blister pack is the first side exposed to the consumer, not the left as is shown in Figure 2. [0004] What is needed is a more intuitive orientation or layout of the labeling on a blister pack to further ensure that a consumer adheres to a prescribed regimen of medication.

Page l of 12 ase Doc et No.: 7 - RD

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one embodiment, a blister pack contains a plurality of individual dose units secured thereon wherein each individual dose is associated with a printed label. The plurality of individual doses are arranged in a layout in which the first individual dose is positioned in the upper right most corner of the blister pack and the final individual dose is positioned in the lower left most corner of the blister pack. The intervening doses progress from top to bottom, right to left through a series of columns and rows.

[0006] The blister pack can be adapted to fit within a housing in a horizontal configuration wherein the housing includes an opening on its right side.

[0007] In another embodiment, a blister pack contains a plurality of individual dose units secured thereon wherein each individual dose is associated with a printed label. The plurality of individual doses are arranged in a layout in which the first individual dose is positioned in the upper left most corner of the blister pack and the final individual dose is positioned in the lower right most corner of the blister pack. The intervening doses progress from left to right, top to bottom through a series of rows and columns.

[0008] The blister pack can be adapted to fit within a housing in a vertical configuration wherein the housing includes an opening on its top side.

[0009] In yet another embodiment, a blister pack contains a plurality of individual dose units secured thereon wherein each individual dose is associated with a printed label. The plurality of individual doses are arranged in a layout in which the first individual dose is positioned in the upper right most corner of the blister pack and the final individual dose is positioned in the lower left most corner of the blister pack. The intervening doses progress in a back and forth pattern through a series of columns and ase Doc et No.: 7 - RD rows such that the next individual dose is adjacent, either horizontally or vertically, to the last individual dose at all times.

[0010] The blister pack can be adapted to fit within a housing in a horizontal configuration wherein the housing includes an opening on its right side.

[001 1] In still another embodiment, a blister pack contains a plurality of individual dose units secured thereon wherein each individual dose is associated with a printed label. The plurality of individual doses are arranged in a layout in which the first individual dose is positioned in the upper left most corner of the blister pack and the final individual dose is positioned in the lower right most corner of the blister pack. The intervening doses progress in a back and forth pattern through a series of rows and columns such that the next individual dose is adjacent, either horizontally or vertically, to the last individual dose at all times.

[0012] The blister pack can be adapted to fit within a housing in a vertical configuration wherein the housing includes an opening on its top side.

[0013] In still another embodiment, a blister pack adapted to fit within a housing via an opening in the housing contains a plurality of individual dose units secured thereon wherein each individual dose is part of a regimen and is associated with a printed label describing the regimen. The plurality of individual doses are arranged in a layout in which the individual dose corresponding to the printed label representative of a first individual dose of the regimen appears at least as soon as any subsequent individual dose when the blister pack is withdrawn from the opening of the housing. [0014] In each of the embodiments above, the blister packs can further comprise a directional line connecting each unit dose to the next unit dose in the progression from the first individual dose to the final individual dose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a prior art illustration of a blister pack with labeling used to assist a consumer. ase Doc et No.: 7 - RD

[0016] Figure 2 is a prior art illustration of the blister pack of Figure 1 shown partially exposed from a housing.

[0017] Figure 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of a blister pack with labeling used to assist a consumer.

[0018] Figure 4 is an illustration of the blister pack of Figure 3 shown partially exposed from a housing.

[0019] Figure 5 is an illustration of another embodiment of a blister pack with labeling used to assist a consumer.

[0020] Figure 6 is an illustration of the blister pack of Figure 5 shown partially exposed from a housing.

[0021] Figures 7- 10 illustrate additional embodiments of a blister pack with labeling used to assist a consumer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Embodiments of the invention disclose various blister pack labeling configurations designed to be more intuitive to a consumer. As described above, to the extent a blister pack includes descriptive labeling, it is typically done from left to right and top to bottom which mimics the manner in which we read a book. This orientation does not, however, provide the most intuitive or easiest to understand mechanism for following a prescribed regimen because of the manner that a blister pack is housed and exposed. A consumer exposing a blister pack from its housing typically sees the right side of the pack first and cannot see the left side (or the side held furthest within the housing) unless the blister pack is substantially fully withdrawn from the housing. Accordingly, the consumer may not even see any label or mark indicating where they should start their pill regimen unless they pull the blister as far out of the housing as possible. [0023] Figure 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of a blister pack

10 with labeling used to assist a consumer. This layout is based on a horizontal relationship between the blister pack 10 and a housing 14. In this layout the individual doses 12 are labeled from top to bottom, right to left. Thus, 'Day 1 ' is the upper right most individual dose. Oay 2' is directly ase Doc et No.: 7 - RD beneath 'Day 1 '. In this example each column comprises four individual doses. 'Day 5' begins at the top of a new vertical column just to the left of 'Day 1 '. This pattern is repeated until all the unit doses 12 have been labeled. This example shows a total of 28 doses. This is for illustration purposes only. The total number of individual doses 12 that can be accommodated on a single blister pack 10 can vary as can the number of rows and/ or columns on the blister pack. It is the orientation of the labeling that is the subject of this disclosure not the number of doses. [0024] Figure 4 is an illustration of the blister pack 10 of Figure 3 shown partially exposed from a housing 14. One typical housing 14 configuration provides blister pack 10 access from the right hand side of the housing 14 since most people are right-handed and find it easier to grasp the blister pack 10 in their right hand.

[0025] In this view it becomes evident that the orientation of Figure 3 is more intuitive than the typical left to right, top to bottom layout. The blister pack 10 has been partially withdrawn from its housing 14 to reveal the first two columns of individual dose. It can be seen that the pills for 'Day 1 ' and 'Day 2' have already been used. 'Day 3' is the next unused dose in the regimen. Had this blister pack been labeled left to right, top to bottom, the consumer would have had to fully withdraw the blister pack 10 from its housing 14 to expose the 'Day 1 ' unit dose.

[0026] Figure 5 is an illustration of another embodiment of a blister pack 10 with labeling used to assist a consumer. This layout is based on a vertical relationship between the blister pack 10 and a housing 14. 'Day 1 ' is the upper left most individual dose followed by 'Day 2' adjacent on the right of 'Day 1 '. Each row in this example includes four unit doses 12. The rows are then repeated until all of the unit doses 12 have been exhausted. [0027] Figure 6 is an illustration of the blister pack 10 of Figure 5 shown partially exposed from a housing 14. This view reveals the intuitiveness of the layout when the blister pack 10 is partially extended out of the top of the housing 14. The used doses 16 are distinguishable from the unused doses 12. ase Doc et No.: 7 - RD

[0028] Figure 7 is an illustration of yet another embodiment of a blister pack 10 with labeling used to assist a consumer. In this example the regimen has been modified to 2 pills a day (one morning and one evening). Each day 18 has been individually separated and includes an AM pill and a PM pill. To add another level of intuitiveness, the labeling can optionally darken or color-code the PM pill 20 differently than the AM pill 22. The overall layout of Figure 7 is similar to that of Figure 3, specifically, top to bottom, right to left.

[0029] Figure 8 is an illustration of still another embodiment of a blister pack 10 with labeling used to assist a consumer. This layout combines the 2 pill a day labeling 18 regimen of Figure 7 with the vertical relationship of Figure 5.

[0030] Figure 9 is an illustration of still another embodiment of a blister pack 10 with labeling used to assist a consumer. This can be referred to as a horizontal serpentine layout. This layout runs back and forth in a horizontal pattern and ensures that the next dose in the regimen is always adjacent to the last dose whether it be a horizontal or vertical relationship.

[0031] Figure 10 is an illustration of still another embodiment of a blister pack 10 with labeling used to assist a consumer. This can be referred to as a vertical serpentine layout. This layout runs back and forth in a vertical pattern and ensures that the next dose in the regimen is always adjacent to the last dose whether it be a horizontal or vertical relationship. [0032] Also shown in Figure 10 (but equally applicable to all of the other embodiments) is a directional line 24 connecting each unit dose to the next unit dose in the progression from the first individual dose to the final individual dose. The line is optional but can further assist a consumer in following a regimen.

[0033] In addition, the regimen and individual dose units do not necessarily need to be for the same medicine. For instance, a single blister pack can contain multiple medications that are representative of a custom developed regimen. ase Doc et No.: 7 - RD

[0034] It is believed that the present invention includes many other embodiments that may not be herein described in detail, but would nonetheless be appreciated by those skilled in the art from the disclosures made. Accordingly, this disclosure should not be read as being limited only to the foregoing examples or only to the designated preferred embodiments.