US20080237082A1 - Child resistant device for housing blister packs - Google Patents

Abstract

A container for housing blister packs. The container includes first and second portions attached to one another in a manner whereby said first and second portions are movable from an open condition in which products may be dispensed from the container to a closed condition in which products cannot be dispensed from the container. At least the first portion of the container defines an internal space in said container of sufficient size to receive product in said internal space. The container also includes structure for supporting the blister pack in a position whereby product dispensed from said blister pack is dispensed into the internal space in said container and a closure which retains said first and second portions in the closed position. An opening is provided in the first portion in communication with the internal space to permit passage of product through said opening to be dispensed to outside the container at a location which is blocked when the closure is positioned to retain the first and second portions in the closed position. The container provides a secure way to limit access to product in a blister pack while at the same time facilitating dispensing of product from the blister pack and container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a child resistant device for holding blister packs, and for facilitating dispensing of the contents of the blister packs.
• 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
• Blister packs have become a popular form of packaging, particularly for medicines. Blister packs typically include a thin resilient sheet, normally of plastic material, in which recesses or “blisters” are formed. All of the blisters face the same side of the sheet. The blisters hold individual products, such as medicines, usually in the form of tablets, capsules or lozenges. A thin layer of foil is typically attached to the thin resilient sheet to cover the open portion of the recesses or blisters to thereby retain the products in the blisters and provide a seal between the resilient sheet and the foil layer which seals the products within the blisters. To dispense product from the blister pack, sufficient force is exerted on the closed side of the blister toward the resilient sheet and foil to cause the product to tear the foil at which point the product can be dispensed out of the blister pack.
• It is desirable to store blister packs in some type of outer container, particularly if the blister packs contain products which are dangerous for children. Such outer containers are preferably child resistant to reduce the possibility that a child may obtain access to the contents of the blister pack. Accordingly, a number of devices have been developed for housing blister packs to prevent easy access to the products.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,907 (Kalvelage) describes a device in which the blister packs are housed in a frame formed with openings through which the products may be dispensed from the blisters. The openings in the frame are shaped to partially obstruct the passage of the products through the frame. As a result, the frame of this device must be customized to the size of the particular contents of the blister pack.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,838 (Brozell) describes a child-resistant medication compact. The compact is designed to securely engage one edge of a blister pack in a hinged portion of the compact. The blister pack may be locked into place in the compact. The compact has a clam shell design so that it may be closed to prevent access to the blister pack in the closed position. The compact includes a child resistant closure to make it difficult for a child to open the compact and obtain access to the blister pack. Dispensing of product from a blister pack locked into this compact would appear to be awkward since the blister pack would have to be held up away from the surface of the compact to allow the medication to be dispensed.
• U.S. Patent application publication number US 2004/0099561 A1 (Christiansen et al.) also discloses apparatus and methods for dispensing of tablets from a blister pack. Again, this device employs a clam shell design for an outer container to house a blister pack. The outer container may be locked to make the container child resistant. However, this device requires a customized blister pack designed to fit into the device in a specific manner since the device indexes the round blister pack to position the tablet to be dispensed at a particular dispensing location.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,408 and U.S. Design Pat. No. 411,445 (Anderson) disclose a device for holding blister packs. The device includes first and second members which are movable from an open position to a closed position. In the open position, products can be dispensed from the blister packs. In the closed position, product cannot be dispensed from the blister packs. The blister packs are not removable from the device since they are retained by panels in the device. The members can be retained in their closed position by a child resistant closure. Again, this device relies on the use of a frame having openings therein which must be aligned with the blisters of the blister pack. This requires a special design of the blister pack and the device so that the blister pack is compatible with the device.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,540,081 (Balz et al.) discloses a unit dose blister pack product dispenser. The dispenser includes a housing provided with a plurality of openings therein, a back plate provided with openings therein through which the products are dispensed, and a tray into which the product may be dispensed. The tray includes a conduit at one end through which the product may be dispensed to facilitate product handling. However, this device also relies on a housing with openings therein which must be aligned with the blisters of the blister pack which requires a special design of the blister pack and the housing to ensure that they are compatible.
• Accordingly, there is a need for child resistant containers for blister packs which overcome some of the disadvantages of prior art containers. For example, there is a need for child resistant containers for blister packs which can be easily customized to accommodate a variety of different blister packs and/or different sizes of medications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a container for a blister pack. The container includes first and second portions attached to one another in a manner whereby said first and second portions are movable from an open condition in which products may be dispensed from the container to a closed condition in which products cannot be dispensed from the container. The first portion of the container defines an internal space in the container of sufficient size to receive product. The container also includes a structure for supporting the blister pack in a position whereby product dispensed from the blister pack is dispensed into the internal space in the container and a closure which retains the first and second portions in the closed position. An opening is provided in the first portion in communication with the internal space to permit passage of product through the opening to be dispensed to outside the container at a location which is blocked when the closure is positioned to retain the first and second portions in the closed position.
• In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for dispensing product from a container containing a blister pack. In the method, the blister pack is located in a container at a location whereby dispensing of product from said blister pack causes the product to enter an internal space in the container. Product is then dispensed from the blister pack into the internal space and the container is positioned to cause the product to move in the internal space to an opening in communication with the internal space. Product is then dispensed from the container through the opening in communication with the internal space.
• These and other aspects of the invention are described in greater detail with reference to specific embodiments of the invention in the detailed description of the invention which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1(a) depicts a first embodiment of a blister pack container in accordance with the present invention in the fully open position.
• FIG. 1(b) depicts the blister pack container ofFIG. 1(a) in a partially closed position.
• FIG. 1(c) depicts the blister pack container ofFIGS. 1(a)-1(b) in the closed position.
• FIG. 1(d) is a perspective view of a portion of the blister pack container ofFIGS. 1(a)-1(b) in partial cross-section.
• FIG. 2(a) depicts a second embodiment of a blister pack container in accordance with the present invention in the open position with the blister pack removed.
• FIG. 2(b) depicts the embodiment of the blister pack container ofFIG. 2(a) in the closed position.
• FIG. 2(c) is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the container ofFIGS. 2(a)-2(b).
• FIG. 2(d) is a perspective view of a variation of the container ofFIGS. 2(a)-2(c) in a partially open position.
• FIG. 3(a) depicts a third embodiment of a blister pack container in accordance with the present invention in the open position with the blister pack removed.
• FIG. 3(b) depicts the embodiment of the blister pack container ofFIG. 3(a) in the closed position.
• FIG. 4(a) depicts a fourth embodiment of a blister pack container in accordance with the present invention in the open position with the blister pack removed.
• FIG. 4(b) depicts the embodiment of the blister pack container ofFIG. 4(a) in the closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements in the several views.
• A first embodiment of ablister pack container10 is depicted inFIGS. 1(a)-1(c).Blister pack container10 is in the shape of a bottle formed by first andsecond portions12,14 which are attached together via ahinge16 or other suitable attachment mechanism located along one side thereof.First portion12 is provided with a protrudingmember18 which mates with a protrudingmember20 ofsecond portion14 whencontainer10 is in the closed position to form a generally circular protruding member. Protrudingmembers18,20 are provided withthreads24 on an outer surface thereof onto which ascrew cap22 may be threaded to closecontainer10.Screw cap22 may preferably be a conventional child resistant cap which, for example, requires the user to push down oncap22 while turningcap22 in order to removecap22 fromcontainer10.Threads24 may be designed to provide this type of child resistant engagement betweencontainer10 andcap22. Other types of closures may also be employed to accomplish the same functions as the combination of protrudingmembers18,20 andcap22. For example, align and turn caps, squeeze and turn caps and squeeze and lift caps may be employed. Other types of attachment mechanisms which can be employed, include, but are not limited to, living hinges, pin hinges, spinal hinges and ball and socket hinges.
• As shown,second portion14 includes one ormore recesses26 in an interior portion thereof for the purpose of providing space for the blisters of ablister pack1 whencontainer10 is in a closed position.Recesses26 may be provided with atransparent portion28 so that a user ofcontainer10 may see the contents ofblister pack1 whencontainer10 is in the closed position in order to allow the user to monitor the contents ofblister pack1 without having to opencontainer10. In the embodiment shown,second portion14 also includes aperipheral shoulder29 which is used to supportblister pack1 aboverecesses26. In this embodiment,second portion14 also includes acentral ridge30 located betweenrecesses26 for the purpose of providing additional strength tocontainer10 and to supportblister pack1 between rows of blisters whencontainer10 is in the closed position. One or both ofperipheral shoulder29 andcentral ridge30 may be used to prevent or limit movement ofblister pack1 in aclosed container10 in embodiments ofcontainer10 whereinblister pack1 is not secured tofirst portion12.
• One of first andsecond portions12,14 ofcontainer10 may includerecesses26 to provide space for housing a second blister pack incontainer10. In one embodiment,container10 may simply house a second blister pack until it is ready for use at which time the user may transfer it tofirst portion12, andcontainer10 may be used as described below. In this embodiment, it is preferable thattransparent portion28 be located on the portion ofcontainer10 that will be used for dispensing since then the user will be able to see the contents of theblister pack1 from which product is being dispensed even if a second blister pack is housed in the other portion ofcontainer10.
• More preferably, first andsecond portions12,14 may be formed in a similar manner such thatcontainer10 may be used to dispense from twodifferent blister packs1, one of which is located infirst portion12 and a second of which is located insecond portion14. In this embodiment,container10 can be provided with twoblister packs1 and there would be no need to move the blister pack from one portion ofcontainer10 to another for dispensing. With careful placement of label3, it may still be possible to include atransparent portion28 on both sides ofcontainer10 to allow the user to see at least a portion of the contents of theblister packs1 whencontainer10 is in the closed position.
• Second portion14 may also be provided with anotherrecess32 which can be used to house a foldedinsert2 such as a brochure containing information about the product contained incontainer10.First portion12 may include acorresponding recess34 to provide additional space for foldedinsert2 incontainer10. One or both of first andsecond portions12,14 ofcontainer10 may be provided with a label3 on an outer surface thereof, as shown inFIG. 1(c). First orsecond portion12,14 may include a suitableflat surface portion36 on the outer surface thereof for receiving label3.
• First portion12 ofcontainer10 may be provided with a similar structure as described above forsecond portion14. More particularly,first portion12 may include a pair ofrecesses38, provided with aperipheral shoulder39 and separated by acentral ridge40, as shown inFIG. 1(d).
• As shown inFIG. 1(d), recesses38 each include asidewall42 at a top portion thereof in whichopenings44 are provided.Openings44 are of sufficient size to permit passage of product dispensed fromblister pack1.Openings44 are operatively connected topassages46 which merge to form acentral passage48 in protrudingmember18, as shown in cross-section at the top ofFIG. 1(d).Second portion14, if designed for dispensing product fromblister pack1, will include this same structure.
• In operation,blister pack1 is placed onfirst portion12, as shown inFIG. 1(a) with the blisters facing upwardly. When it is desired to dispense product fromblister pack1, the user exerts a force on a blister to dispense product from the opposite side ofblister pack1 into one ofrecesses38 infirst portion12.Central ridge40 provides support toblister pack1 to facilitate dispensing by providing resistance against the exerted force. Once product is dispensed into one ofrecesses38,container10 can be tipped to cause product to feed towardsopenings44 insidewall42. Product will pass through one ofopenings44 into one ofpassages46 and be directed topassage48 in protrudingmember18. Product can then be dispensed fromcontainer10 viapassage48 into the hand of a user, in a manner similar to dispensing of product from a conventional bottle, except that only product which has been forced fromblister pack1 is dispensed. If product is dispensed usingsecond portion14, a similar series of events occurs, except that product is directed topassage49 in protrudingmember20 for dispensing tooutside container10.
• The embodiment ofFIGS. 1(a)-1(d) offers the advantage that product is initially dispensed fromblister pack1 intorecesses26,38 withincontainer10 such that the user maintains control of the product as it is dispensed fromblister pack1. Numerous other designs for blister pack containers suffer from the disadvantage that product is dispensed from the blister pack directly to a location outside the container whereby the user must take additional measures to maintain control over the dispensed product, such as locating a hand, a cup or a flat surface where the product will be dispensed. This adds additional complexity to the dispensing process and increases the risk that product will drop on the floor or ground or be lost or damaged. This advantage applies to other embodiments of the present invention as well.
• Another advantage of this and other embodiments of the present invention is that since there are no exposed openings in the outside of the container when the container is in the closed position, the container is more secure than some prior art containers. For example, a child cannot insert a narrow or sharp object into the container through an exposed opening to try to obtain access to product housed in the container, as is possible in some prior art containers. This advantage also applies to other embodiments of the present invention as well.
• Yet another advantage of the embodiment ofFIGS. 1(a)-1(d) is that since there are no customized openings in the outside of the container or in a plate or surface located inside the container, this embodiment can accommodate various different designs of blister packs, as well as different sizes of product since there are fewer constraints placed on the size and placement of product by the container. In some prior art containers, the use of different types of blister packs or different size medications is limited due to the placement and/or size of openings in the container, plate or surface which place constraints on the type of blister pack and size of product that can be accommodated.
• Another advantage of the various containers of the present invention is that since there are no permanent openings in the outer walls of the containers, these containers provide more flexibility for adaptation to different blister packs and products than some prior art containers. For example, as discussed above, in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1(a)-1(c), the only constraint on use of different blister packs is that the blister pack must fit within the container and the only constraint on the size of the product is that it must fit intorecesses38 and throughopenings44,48,49 for dispensing. This facilitates reuse of theouter container10 with different blister packs and different products, if desired. In other embodiments of the invention, flexibility to accommodate different types of blister packs or different sized products can be provided by replacing only the plate used in the container allowing reuse of the remainder of the container.
• Another problem of various prior art containers is that certain containers do not include structure for resisting the force required to dispense produce from the blister pack. As a result, dispensing of product from such containers may be more difficult since the user must provide some external means to resist the dispensing force to facilitate breaking open of the blister. The various embodiments of the present invention are all designed to provide structure as part of the container that resists the dispensing force to thereby facilitate dispensing of product from the blister pack.
• Various other designs forfirst portion12 are also possible. For example, more than tworecesses38 can be provided withopenings44 communicating withpassages46 andcentral opening48, if it is desired to provide additional support toblister pack1. Another option is to provide asingle recess38 and asingle opening44 in communication with asingle passage46. In this embodiment, a suitable plate, similar to those described in reference toFIGS. 2-4, may be employed to supportblister pack1 infirst portion12.
• The plates employed in the various embodiments of the invention typically include openings to allow passage of product from the blister pack through the plate into an internal space in the container, at which point dispensing proceeds as described above. In these embodiments, the blister pack rests on the plate such that there is insufficient space for product to come between blister pack and the plate. The plate may have any suitable design and can be customized for the blister pack, if desired, in order to facilitate dispensing. The plate also typically functions to provide resistance to the dispensing force required to dispense product from the blister pack. The plate may be removable from the container in which case it can be releasably retained in the container by any suitable means such as a snap fit, a friction fit or a releasable adhesive, for example. Alternatively, the plate may be integrally formed as part of a portion of the container in which case the plate will form a permanent part of the container.
• Referring now toFIGS. 2(a)-2(b), there is shown a second embodiment of ablister pack container100 in accordance with the present invention.Container100 includes alower portion102 and acover105 preferably attached tolower portion102 by ahinge106. Abase104 and aperipheral wall101 formlower portion102. In this embodiment,lower portion102 is fitted with aplate108 provided with a plurality ofopenings110 that align with blisters onblister pack4.Plate108 is suspended a sufficient distance above aninner surface103 oflower portion102 to allow product dispensed fromblister pack4 to be dispensed into aspace112 betweenplate108 and theinner surface103 oflower portion102, as shown inFIG. 2(c).Space112 is sufficiently large to permit free movement of product once it is dispensed intospace112.
• A protrudingmember120, that may optionally be formed integrally withplate108, protrudes upwardly fromplate108. Protrudingmember120 includes anopening126 that extends the height of protrudingmember120 to communicate withspace112 at one end and to communicate with a location outsidecontainer100 at the other end whencontainer100 is in the open position. Protrudingmember120 may be provided withthreads124 on an outer surface thereof for engagement with ascrew cap122.Screw cap122 may preferably be a conventional child resistant cap which, for example, requires the user to exert a degree of downward pressure oncap122 while turningcap122 in order to removecap122 fromcontainer100.Threads124 may be designed to provide this type of child resistant engagement betweencontainer100 andcap122 in any suitable, conventional manner. The cap outer diameter is larger than opening115.Cap122 may have an extended flange at the base to achieve a larger outer diameter than theopening115.
• Plate108 may be supported above innerbottom surface103 oflower portion102 in any suitable manner, such as by a peripheral flange114 that forms part ofplate108 and rests on innerbottom surface103 as shown inFIG. 2(c). Instead of a peripheral flange114,plate108 may be provided with any arrangement of downwardly projecting members designed to raiseplate108 above innerbottom surface103 oflower portion102, as long as such downwardly projecting members permit dispensed product to move freely inspace112. Alternatively, as shown in, for example,FIG. 1(a),lower portion102 may be provided with a peripheral shoulder and/or one or more ridges upon whichplate108 may rest. In another embodiment,plate108 may be formed integrally withbottom portion102.
• Preferably,plate108 is located slightly below the uppermost part ofperipheral wall101 as shown inFIG. 2(c) to provide aperipheral lip117 formed by the uppermost part ofperipheral wall101 aroundplate108.Peripheral lip117 is employed to position and maintainblister pack4 inlower portion102 onplate108 with the blisters in alignment withopenings110. In this embodiment, a specially designedblister pack4 may be employed which has the blisters positioned at predetermined locations, as shown. In addition, specially designedblister pack4 may be sized to fit snugly withinperipheral lip117 onplate108 and may include a cutout5, as shown inFIG. 2(a) to fit around protrudingmember120.Blister pack4 may be removable fromcontainer100 whencontainer100 is in the open position, or, alternatively,blister pack4 can be affixed to plate108 or held inlower portion102 ofcontainer100 in any suitable manner such as by a snap fit, a friction fit, gluing or other suitable means. For example,peripheral lip117 can provide a snap or friction fit between the periphery ofblister pack4 andperipheral lip117 to releasably retainblister pack4 onplate108. Any other suitable means may be employed to retain blister pack inlower portion102 ofcontainer100, if desired.
• Once product is dispensed intospace112,container100 can be tilted to cause the product to move to opening126 at which point product can be dispensed fromcontainer100 viaopening126.
• Althoughcontainer100 ofFIGS. 2(a)-2(c) places some constraints on theblister pack4 not present in the previous embodiment, there is still a great deal of flexibility inherent in this design. For example, in one embodiment,plate108 may be releasably retained inlower portion102 by a snap fit, friction fit or other suitable releasable engagement mechanism. In this embodiment, it is possible to replaceplate108 with a new plate customized to a new blister pack in order to accommodate, for example, a different blister pack or a different sized product. This allows reuse oflower portion102 and cover104 and also cap122.
• Container100 is provided with acover105 that may be opened whenscrew cap122 is removed from protrudingmember120 as shown inFIG. 2(a). At least a portion ofcover105 is preferably transparent, as shown, to allow viewing of product inblister pack4 whencontainer100 is in the closed position depicted inFIG. 2(b). Cover105 includes aperipheral wall107 and atop portion109.Peripheral wall107 rests onperipheral lip117 oflower portion102 to support top portion109 a sufficient height aboveplate108 to provide sufficient space to at least accommodate the blisters ofblister pack4 whencontainer100 is in the closed position.Peripheral wall107 includes anindentation113 that fits around protrudingmember120. To facilitate access toscrew cap122, it is preferable that, in this embodiment, the combination ofscrew cap122 and protrudingmember120 be of sufficient height that portion ofscrew cap122 extends abovetop portion109 ofcover105, whencontainer100 is in the closed position shown inFIG. 2(b). This provides an accessible portion ofcap122 which can be grasped to facilitate screwing and unscrewing ofscrew cap122.
• Cover105 also includes a flange111 that at least partially surrounds protrudingmember120. Flange111 extends from a lower portion of the part ofperipheral wall117 that formsindentation113. Flange111 fits sufficiently closely around at least a portion of protrudingmember120 such thatscrew cap122 will abut with the upper surface of flange111 whenscrew cap122 is screwed ontothreads124 of protrudingmember120 so thatcover105 cannot be opened. In a preferred embodiment, flange111 includes anopening115 therein such that flange111 may completely surround protrudingmember120 as shown inFIG. 2(a) to provide additional mechanical strength to flange111 and thereby provide additional security against unauthorized opening ofcontainer100.
• The container150 ofFIG. 2(d) is a variation on the container ofFIGS. 2(a)-2(b). As a result, other than those features that would be inconsistent with the features described below, the various features and modifications discussed relative toFIGS. 2(a)-2(c), may also be applied to the embodiment ofFIG. 2(d).
• In this embodiment the shape oflower portion152 is elliptical, substantially elliptical or oval rather than substantially circular or circular as in the embodiment ofFIGS. 2(a)-2(b). As a result,cover155 is also elliptical, substantially elliptical or oval. Cover155 is preferably attached tolower portion152 at one of the narrow ends via ahinge156 as shown.
• The design ofFIG. 2(d) offers two advantages relative to the design ofFIGS. 2(a)-2(b). First, the shape of the container150 may be used to facilitate movement of product in the internal space of container150 to opening176 in protrudingmember170 since the shape ofperipheral wall151 can be used to define the internal space of container150 to thereby provide a shape that will direct product to the narrow end at whichopening176 is located, when container150 is tipped to position that narrow end below the remainder of container150.
• A second advantage of the design ofFIG. 2(d) is that there is no indentation incover105 surrounding protrudingmember170 as in the embodiment ofFIGS. 2(a)-2(b). As a result,cap172 need not extend above top portion159 ofcover155 when container150 is in the closed position because the design of container150 provides sufficient access for the user to graspcap172 without requiringcap172 to extend above top portion159.
• Cover155 is provided with a flange161 that extends from a lower portion of peripheral wall157 ofcover155 at the same narrow end at which protrudingmember170 is located. A surface of flange161 is abutted bycap172 whencap172 is screwed onto protrudingmember170 to holdcover155 in the closed position. Preferably, flange161 includes anopening165 therein such that flange161 extends completely around protrudingmember170, as shown inFIG. 2(d) to enhance the mechanical integrity of flange161 and provide a more secure closure of container150, as discussed above in relation to the embodiment ofFIGS. 2(a)-2(b).
• Referring toFIGS. 3(a)-3(b), there is shown another embodiment of ablister pack container200 in accordance with the present invention. This embodiment is also a variation on the container ofFIGS. 2(a)-2(c). As a result, other than those features that would be inconsistent with the features described below, the various features and modifications discussed relative toFIGS. 2(a)-2(c), may also be applied to the embodiment ofFIG. 2(d).
• More specifically,container200 includes a substantially circularlower portion202 having a base and aperipheral sidewall201.Lower portion202 houses aplate208 provided with a plurality of openings210 that align with blisters on blister pack6.Plate208 is positioned a sufficient height above an inner surface of the base oflower portion202 to provide enough space for product to be dispensed throughplate208 and to be able to move tocentral opening226 in protrudingmember220.Plate208 may be associated withlower portion202 in any suitable manner, such as those described above. For example,plate208 may be formed integrally withlower portion202, orplate208 may be separate fromlower portion202 and may be associated withlower portion202 by, for example, a snap fit, a friction fit, glue or other suitable means.Plate208 may be supported by a peripheral flange provided onplate208, or by a peripheral shoulder that is part oflower portion202 as described above with reference toFIGS. 2(c) and1(a).
• Container200 also includes a substantiallycircular cover205 formed from atop portion209, which is preferably partially or wholly transparent, and aperipheral sidewall207 that is attached tolower portion202 by ahinge206. This embodiment locates protrudingmember220 substantially in the center ofcontainer200, as shown. Thus, cover205 includes acentral opening215 that fits closely around protrudingmember220. Acircular flange211 extends from a lower portion of an innercircular lip221 that surroundsopening215. Ascrew cap222 is provided that can be screwed ontothreads224 of protrudingmember220, andscrew cap222 abuts withcircular flange211 to holdcover205 ontolower portion202 whencontainer200 is in the closed position. In all embodiments of the invention,screw cap222 may be provided with roughened ortextured surface223 to facilitate gripping ofscrew cap222.
• One advantage of this embodiment of the present invention is that it may provide a mechanicallystronger flange211 for securingcover205 ontolower portion202 than other embodiments sinceflange211 is supported on all sides by the remainder ofcover205 due to its central placement. Another advantage is that it is easier to make support walls that form triangular wedges inlower portion202 to guide product to the opening. Blisters formatted in a circular pattern would be better suited to utilize this layout.
• Referring toFIGS. 4(a)-4(b), there is shown yet another embodiment of the present invention which is a variation on the embodiment ofFIG. 2(d). In this embodiment, two blister packs7,8 may be dispensed using asingle container300.Container300 includes alower portion302 formed by a base and aperipheral sidewall301 that includes aperipheral lip317.Lower portion302 ofcontainer300 is substantially similar tolower portion152 of container150 described above with reference toFIG. 2(d). Thus,lower portion302 includes a protrudingmember320 provided withthreads324 on an outer surface thereof, and protrudingmember320 includes acentral opening326 therein that communicates with aspace312 located below aplate308 that supports blister pack7. In this embodiment,lower portion302 is preferably at least partially or wholly transparent to allow the user to view the condition of blister pack7 whencontainer300 is in the closed position. In this manner, the user can see how much product remains in blister pack7. Dispensing from blister pack7 inlower portion302 is also substantially the same as dispensing from the containers ofFIGS. 2(a)-2(b) and2(d).
• Upper portion305 ofcontainer300 is adapted for dispensing product from blister pack8.Upper portion305 is formed from a transparenttop portion309 and aperipheral wall307 that provides aperipheral lip331 which extends slightly above an upper surface ofplate308.Upper portion305 is attached tolower portion302 by ahinge306. In this embodiment,peripheral wall307 ofupper portion305 has an increased height relative to the peripheral walls of the covers of the previously described embodiments ofFIGS. 2-3 to allow space for a second blister pack8 and for a secondinternal space332 formed by asecond plate330 located inupper portion305.Plates308 and330 are each provided with a plurality of openings that align with blisters of blister packs7,8, respectively, as in previously described embodiments.Peripheral lips317 and331 extend aboveplates308,330 to help position and retain blister packs7,8 onplates308,330.
• For dispensing product fromupper portion305,upper portion305 is provided with anopening333 located insidewall307 at a location which is positioned closely adjacent to screwcap322 whencontainer300 is in the closed position, as shown inFIG. 4(b). As a result of this,screw cap322 blocks opening333 whencontainer300 is in the closed position to prevent dispensing of product from secondinternal space332. Whencontainer300 is in the open position ofFIG. 4(a),opening333, which communicates withinternal space332, is no longer blocked and thus product can be dispensed fromupper portion305 viaopening333.
• Upper portion305 also includes aflange311 that extends from a lower portion ofperipheral wall307 ofupper portion305 at the same narrow end at which protrudingmember320 is located. A surface offlange311 is abutted bycap322 whencap322 is screwed onto protrudingmember320 to holdupper portion305 in the closed position. Preferably,flange311 includes anopening315 therein such thatflange311 extends completely around protrudingmember320, in a similar manner as was shown inFIG. 2(d), to thereby enhance the mechanical integrity offlange311 and provide a more secure closure ofcontainer300.
• The embodiment of thecontainer300 ofFIGS. 4(a)-4(b) combines the advantages of the embodiment of the container150 ofFIG. 2(d) discussed above, with the possibility of including two blister packs7,8 incontainer300 at the same time and the ability to dispense from both of blister packs7,8.Container300 also potentially allows the user to see, via transparent portions ofcontainer300, how much product remains in blister packs7,8 without having to opencontainer300.
• The various embodiments of the container of the present invention make possible containers including a second level of child resistance. Since product is dispensed from the blister pack into an internal space within each container in each embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an additional level of child resistance by, for example, including a second child resistant mechanism which must be actuated to dispense product from the internal space within the container through the opening in the protruding member. Thus, for example, the opening in the protruding member could be provided with a secondary closure mechanism that must be separately actuated to allow dispensing of product from the internal space in the container through the opening in the protruding member. Any suitable secondary closure mechanism may be employed for this purpose including mechanical means which block the opening until actuated, or a secondary cap that may be provided with threads on the outer surface thereof onto which the primary cap may be screwed and which secondary cap may be provided with a different type of child resistant mechanism than the primary cap.
• It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims (27)

1. A container for a blister pack, the blister pack having a base and deformable blisters projecting from the base for containing a product, said container comprising:

first and second portions attached to one another in a manner whereby said first and second portions are movable from an open condition in which products may be dispensed from the container to a closed condition in which products cannot be dispensed from the container, the first portion of the container defining an internal space in said container of sufficient size to receive product in said internal space,

a structure for supporting the blister pack in a position whereby product dispensed from said blister pack is dispensed into said internal space in said container,

a closure which retains said first and second portions in the closed position, and

an opening in said first portion in communication with said internal space, said opening being of sufficient size to permit passage of product through said opening to be dispensed to outside said container at a location which is blocked when said closure is positioned to retain said first and second portions in the closed position.

2. A container as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said closure is child resistant.

3. A container as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said opening extends through a peripheral sidewall of said first portion to outside said first portion.

4. A container as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said opening is also in communication with a passage in said closure such that product is dispensed to outside said container through said passage in said closure.

5. A container as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said structure for supporting the blister pack comprises a shoulder proximate to said internal space.

6. A container as claimed inclaim 5, wherein said structure for supporting the blister pack further comprises at least one ridge which divides said internal space into a plurality of internal spaces, and each said internal space is in communication with an opening of sufficient size to permit passage of said product through said each said opening to be dispensed to outside said container.

7. A container as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said structure for supporting the blister pack comprises a plate provided with a plurality of openings therein, said plate being positioned such that dispensing of said product from a blister pack supported on said plate dispenses said product through an opening in said plate into said internal space.

8. A container as claimed inclaim 7, wherein said plate is supported by a shoulder proximate to said internal space.

9. A container as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said closure comprises a screw cap, and a threaded protruding member that is attached to said first portion of said container.

10. A container as claimed inclaim 9, wherein said opening in said first portion communicates with a passage through said threaded protruding member for dispensing of product to outside said container.

11. A container as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said first and second portions of said container are attached to one another by a hinge.

12. A container as claimed inclaim 11, wherein said hinge is located on a side of said first and second portions of said container and mating parts of said closure are formed in each of said first and second portions of said container such that when said container is in the closed position, an additional part of said closure may be attached to said mating parts of said closure to retain said container in a closed position.

13. A container as claimed inclaim 11, wherein said hinge is located at an edge of said first and second portions and said closure is located opposite the location of said hinge.

14. A container as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said second portion comprises a flange positioned to abut with a part of said closure when said container is in the closed position to retain said container in said closed position.

15. A container as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said internal space is shaped to facilitate direction of product to said opening in communication with said internal space.

16. A container as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said second portion of said container defines a second internal space in said container of sufficient size to receive product in said second internal space, said container further comprising:

a second structure for supporting the blister pack in a position whereby product dispensed from said blister pack is dispensed into said second internal space in said container, and

an opening in said second portion in communication with said second internal space, said opening in said second portion being of sufficient size to permit passage of said product through said opening in said second portion to be dispensed to outside said container at a location which is blocked when said closure is positioned to retain said first and second portions in the closed position.

17. A container as claimed inclaim 16, wherein said opening in said second portion extends through a peripheral sidewall of said second portion to outside said second portion.

18. A container as claimed inclaim 16, wherein said opening in said second portion is also in communication with a passage in said closure such that product is dispensed to outside said container from said opening in said second portion through said passage in said closure.

19. A container as claimed inclaim 16, wherein said second structure for supporting the blister pack comprises a shoulder proximate to said second internal space.

20. A container as claimed inclaim 19, wherein said second structure for supporting the blister pack further comprises at least one ridge which divides said second internal space into a plurality of internal spaces in said second portion, and each said internal space in said second portion is in communication with an opening of sufficient size to permit passage of said product through each said opening to be dispensed to outside said container.

21. A container as claimed inclaim 16, wherein said second structure for supporting the blister pack comprises a second plate provided with a plurality of openings therein, said second plate being positioned such that dispensing of said product from a blister pack supported on said second plate dispenses said product through an opening in said second plate into said second internal space.

22. A method for dispensing product from a container containing a blister pack having a base and deformable blisters projecting from the base for containing a product, said method comprising the steps of:

locating the blister pack in a container at a location whereby dispensing of said product from said blister pack causes said product to enter an internal space in said container,

dispensing product from said blister pack into said internal space,

positioning said container to cause said product to move in said internal space to an opening in communication with said internal space, and

dispensing said product from said container through said opening in communication with said internal space.

23. A method as claimed inclaim 22, further comprising the step of opening said container to obtain access to said blister pack prior to said step of dispensing product from said blister pack.

24. A method as claimed inclaim 23, wherein said container comprises a closure and said step of opening said container comprises opening said child resistant closure.

25. A method as claimed inclaim 24, wherein said step of opening said closure also unblocks an opening in said container through which product is dispensed to outside said container in said step of dispensing product from said container.

26. A method as claimed inclaim 25, wherein said container contains at least two blister packs, said method further comprising the step of selecting a blister pack from which product is to be dispensed.

27. A method as claimed inclaim 26, wherein each blister pack is associated with a separate internal space in said container and each said internal space is provided with an opening in communication therewith, and wherein said step of opening said closure unblocks at least one opening in said container in communication with each said internal space to permit dispensing of product from said container from each said internal space.

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