Blister dispenser

Abstract

A blister dispenser for unitary dosage forms such as tablets having a housing formed of side walls and a bottom and having a closeable lid with a plurality of cavities to hold the unitary dosage forms. The unitary dosage forms can be sealed into the cavities by a breakable film. The housing has a dispensing opening, and a unitary dosage form may dispensed by pressing the cavity to force the unitary dosage form through the film into the enclosed area defined by the housing and closed lid and then manipulating the housing to direct the unitary dosage form through the dispensing opening.

1 . A dispenser for a product in unit dosage form comprising:
 a. a housing comprising:
 i. a circumferential side wall; and 
 ii. a bottom; and 
   b. a lid,   
       wherein said housing supports said lid and wherein said lid and said housing cooperate to form an enclosed volume, and wherein said lid comprises at least one cavity formed therein for holding at least one unit dosage form of a product, said cavity having an opening oriented towards the enclosed volume; and wherein said housing comprises a dispensing opening for removing said unit dosage form of said product from said enclosed volume. 
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein said opening in said cavity is closed by a breakable sealing layer. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein said lid comprises a plurality of cavities. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein said lid is pivotally connected to at least part of said circumferential side wall by a hinge. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein said lid is further connected to said circumferential side wall by releasable crimping dots. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein said housing is a unitary body 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 6 , wherein said housing and said lid comprise a unitary body. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein said cavity is adapted to be pressed from the outside of the lid to force said unit dosage form through said breakable sealing layer, thereby dispensing said unit dosage form into said enclosed volume. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 8 , wherein said cavity comprises a blister formed in said lid. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein said dispenser is made by thermoforming, cold forming, or plastic-injection technology. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein said housing further comprising a gutter adapted to guide said unitary dosage form towards said opening upon physical manipulation of said dispenser. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein said gutter comprises at least one turn so that at least two physical manipulation steps are required to guide said unitary dosage form to said dispensing opening. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein said unit dosage form comprises a powder, granule, chewable tablet, swallowable tablet, soft gel capsule, lozenge or pill. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein said product is a medicament, dietary supplement, food supplement or confection.