Packaging means for incorporating a blister pack

Abstract

A foldable, unitary, packaging means for use in conjunction with one or more blister pack(s) containing medicament comprising: (i) a first surface area presenting the medicament/blister pack(s); and (ii) a second surface area presenting text containing information/instructions relating to the medicament; wherein the ratio of the first surface area to the second surface area is greater than 1:2. The invention also extends to processes for preparing the said packaging means and uses thereof.

1 . A foldable, unitary packaging means for use in conjunction with one or more blister pack comprising: 
 (i) a first surface area presenting the medicament/blister pack; and    (ii) a second surface area presenting information/instructions relating to the medicament;    wherein the ratio of the first surface area to the second surface area, is greater than 1:2.    
     
     
         2 . Packaging means according to  claim 2 , wherein the said ratio is 1:5 or greater.  
     
     
         3 . Packaging means according to  claim 2 , wherein the said ratio is 1:7.  
     
     
         4 . Packaging means according to anyone of  claims 1  to  3  wherein at least one panel travels through at least two planes which are perpendicular to each other during the folding to close the said means.  
     
     
         5 . Packaging means according to any one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein said means has a surface area when fully open which is significantly larger than the external surface visible when the packaging means is closed.  
     
     
         6 . Packaging means according to  claim 5 , wherein the surface area when fully open is between 5 and 8 times larger than the external surface.  
     
     
         7 . Packaging means according to any one of  claims 1  to  6 , wherein the means comprises defined panels hingedly located to facilitates a folding type mechanism necessary to close the said package means.  
     
     
         8 . Packaging means according to any one of  claims 1  to  7 , wherein said presentation means is printed directly or indir ctly means or a mixture thereof on the surface of the packaging.  
     
     
         9 . Packaging means according to any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein said presentation means comprises printed and braille means.  
     
     
         10 . Packaging means according to  claim 9 , wherein said presentation means is printed directly on the surface of the packaging means.  
     
     
         11 . Packaging means according to  claims 1  to  7 , wherein the information/instructions are in braille.  
     
     
         12 . Packaging means according to any one of  claims 1  to  11 , which once closed has an inherent bias to remain closed.  
     
     
         13 . Packaging means according to any one of  claims 1  to  12 , which contains a fastening mechanism.  
     
     
         14 . Packaging means according to  claim 13 , wherein fastening means is reusable.  
     
     
         15 . Packaging means according to  claim 14 , wherein fastening mechanism is a resealable adhesive strip.  
     
     
         16 . Packaging means according to  claim 14  wherein fastening mechanism is a slot and corresponding tab.  
     
     
         17 . Packaging means according to any one of  claims 1  to  16 , which when closed is resistant to crushing.  
     
     
         18 . Packaging means according to any one of  claims 1  to  17 , which when closed is slimline.  
     
     
         19 . Packaging means according to any one of  claims 1  to  18 , which when closed is a regular shape condusive to bulk packing.  
     
     
         20 . Packaging means according to any one of  claims 1  to  19 , which has only one code allocated to it when used in conjunction with automated packaging systems.  
     
     
         21 . Packaging means according to any one of  claims 1  to  20 , suitable for containing pharmaceutical solid dose formulations.  
     
     
         22 . Packaging means according to any one of  claims 1  to  21 , which contains perforations to facilitate access to the pharmaceutical solid dose formulations contained therein.  
     
     
         23 . Packaging means according to any one of  claims 1  to  22 , wherein the material from which the means is prepared is paper card.  
     
     
         24 . Packaging means according to  claim 23 , wherein the paper card is treated with a coating to improve wear resistance.  
     
     
         25 . Packaging means according to any one of  claims 1  to  24 , wherein the packaging means is covered by a suitable overwrap.  
     
     
         26 . Packaging means according to  claim 25 , wherein the overwrap is transparent.  
     
     
         27 . Packaging means according to  claim 26 , wherein the overwrap is a sealed plastic film.  
     
     
         28 . A process for the preparation of packaging means as defined according to any one of  claims 1  to  27  comprising: 
 (i) cutting the raw material into the required shape;  
 (ii) scoring lines to define panels; and  
 (iii) folding to form panels.  
 
     
     
         29 . A process of filling pharmaceutical solid dose formulations into a packaging means as defined according to any one of  claims 1  to  28 .  
     
     
         30 . Use of a blister package in a packaging means according to any one of  claims 1  to  29 .  
     
     
         31 . A method of folding a packaging means as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  30  comprising: 
 (a) folding panel Z containing the blister pack until it comes to rest substantially parallel to panel Y as shown in FIG. 7 a ; and  
 (b) folding panel V until it comes to rest substantially parallel to panel (w) as shown in FIG. 7 b ; and  
 (c) folding panel U until it comes to rest substantially parallel to panel (t) as shown in FIG. 7 c ; and  
 (d) folding panel Y/Z, as formed in step (a) above, until it comes to rest substantially parallel to panel X such that panel Z is sandwiched between panel X and panel Y as shown in FIG. 7 d ; and  
 (e) folding panel V/W, as formed in step (b) above, until it comes to rest substantially parallel to panels X/Z/Y, as formed in step (d) above as shown in FIG. 7 e ; and  
 (f) folding panel U/T as formed in part (c) above, until it comes to rest substantially parallel to panel S, such that panel U is sandwiched between panels S and T as shown in FIG. 7 f ; and  
 (g) folding panel S/U/T, a formed in step (f) above, such that it comes to rest such that the packaging means is substantially closed as shown in FIG. 7 g ; and  
 (h) optionally a flap R can be folded such that the packaging means is retained in the closed position as shown in FIG. 7 h.