DE20021412U1 - Package insert for medication - Google Patents

Description

Package leaflet for medicines

Due to legal regulations, medicines may only be sold to the consumer together with written information about the composition, use and possible side effects. This information is usually printed on a separate sheet of paper which is folded and inserted into the medicine packaging as an insert. Due to its nature, this leaflet causes problems when medicines are automatically packaged in packaging machines. The folded sheet of paper can open and jam, especially if it is folded several times and therefore has a certain thickness.

It is often necessary to take only a portion of the medication contained in a medication package, for example to cover the daily requirement. Carrying such partial quantities without the corresponding packaging often causes problems, for example because small portions can be lost or because the type of medication can no longer be identified after it has been taken out of the medication package and the medication is confused with other medications. In these situations, it would be practical to have a small package on hand in which such a partial quantity can be stored and which ideally also bears the name of the medication in question. Enclosing such a small package for partial quantities of medication in a medication package also causes problems during the packaging process. The same applies to aids such as plastic gloves, which are sometimes required for administering or applying a medication.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a package insert for medicines which is easy to handle during the packaging process, especially when it consists of several parts.

This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

4313G-Dg-.lö:...

The invention makes the package leaflet into a closed, compact unit that can be easily handled by automatic packaging machines. The package leaflet also remains a self-contained unit if it consists of several parts, for example a flat packaging sleeve that is able to hold a portion of the medication contained in the medication packaging. Such a multi-part package leaflet could also include stickers that, for example, have the days of the week labeled on them, which can be used to specify certain days for taking the medication, which is important for contraceptives, for example, or plastic gloves that should be used when applying the medication.

In the simplest case, the device that holds the folded information carrier together in a compact, uniform insert consists of an adhesive strip that is stuck over at least that edge of the folded information carrier where it opens. If the folded information carrier is held firmly together by such an adhesive strip, then it is also able to hold another insert element of the aforementioned type, such as a card, a flat cardboard tube or an adhesive label carrier, so securely between its folds that this additional insert element does not come loose from the package insert during the packaging process.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the device which encloses the folded information carrier in a compact unit can consist of a flat, tubular sleeve or of a cardboard box with folding flaps formed thereon which completely enclose the folded information carrier when closed. Further insert elements of the aforementioned type can be accommodated in the flat cavity enclosed by the cardboard box and its folding flaps, so that the overall arrangement forms a so-called kit. The folded information carrier can optionally be glued to the cardboard box, and the cardboard box can have an insertion tab on one of its folding flaps in order to hold it securely in the closed state by inserting this tab into a slot formed on an opposite folding flap. If necessary,

4313G-D&IÖ;...

the external folding flaps of the carton can also be releasably glued together in order to ensure that the package leaflet does not burst open during the packaging process of the medicine pack, which is to be provided with the package leaflet, in the packaging machine.

This sleeve or the folded cardboard box can be provided with at least one window at a location that is appropriate for the information carrier, through which a pharmaceutical code and/or drug name printed on the information carrier can be seen. In this case, the sleeve or the folded cardboard box can have a neutral design and still allow the contents to be individualized.

Due to its ability to contain a partial quantity of a drug, for example enclosed in a blister pack, the subject matter of the invention can also be used as a sample pack that can be given separately to consumers.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

Fig.1

a first embodiment of the invention in the closed state, and

Fig.2

a second embodiment of the invention in the opened state.

Fig. 1 shows a package insert in the form of a multiply folded information carrier 1 which, according to the invention, is glued to an adhesive strip 2 at one edge. This edge is the one opposite the spine 3 of the information carrier, where the information carrier has the most folds. The edge at which the information carrier 1 is held together by the adhesive strip 2 is the one at which it opens most easily when relaxed. It can be seen that the adhesive strip 2 holds the information carrier 1 together like a latch or buckle on a book. A further, flat insert element can be inserted into the information carrier, which is understandably not visible in Fig. 1.

ϕ ϕ ϕ
ϕ ' ϕ ϕ ϕ ϕ ϕ ϕ
&phgr; M ··
φ Φ Φ Φ Φ Φ
Φ Φ * ϕ ϕ
Φ Φ ΦΦ «
ΦΦ ·«
ϕ 4 a
Φ
Φ Φ Φ
Φ Φ
Φ φφ φφφ
? ? φ ? φφ
Φ Φ Φ Φ Φ ϕ ϕ Φ · · Φ Φ Φ » φφφφ · &phgr; • · φ Φ; 4313G-DBvW &phgr;
φφ φ φ φ Φ Φ ·
? ? ?? ? ? ϕ φ
Φ Φ &phgr;
ΦΦΦΦ · ' ϕ ϕ φφφφ &phgr;&phgr;&phgr;&phgr; φφ ··

Fig. 2 shows a package insert according to the invention, in which the device 2 for enclosing an information carrier 1 consists of a cardboard field 4 forming a spine with four inner and outer folding flaps 5 and 6 formed thereon, which can be folded onto the cardboard field 4 and in this way enclose a relatively flat hollow space in which the folded information carrier 1 is accommodated. The information carrier 1 can be glued to the cardboard field 4. One of the folding flaps 6 has an insertion tab 7 at its free end, while the opposite folding flap 6 has an insertion slot 8 for the insertion tab 7. The cardboard field can have a window (not visible in Fig. 2) through which an imprint on the information carrier 1, for example the pharma code or name of the medication, is visible from the outside.

In the original state, i.e. before the consumer wants to study the information carrier 1 for the first time, the outer folding flaps 6, which lie on the inner folding flaps 5, are expediently glued together in a detachable manner. After the adhesive connection has been opened, the wrapping of the contents of the package leaflet can be securely closed again by inserting the insertion tab 7 into the slot 8. The object formed from the cardboard field 4 with its folding flaps 5 and 6 can also be used as small packaging for accommodating a partial quantity of the medication in question, or it can also accommodate, in addition to the information carrier 1, a flat small packaging container for a partial quantity of medication, such as a cardboard sleeve, and other inserts, such as adhesive labels, which then form part of the package leaflet.

4313G-DEM(J :

Claims (9)

1. Package leaflet for medicines, consisting of a folded information carrier ( 1 ) and a device ( 2 ) which at least partially encloses the information carrier ( 1 ) and holds it together in a compact unit. 2. Package leaflet according to claim 1, wherein the device is an adhesive strip ( 2 ). 3. Package insert according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one further insert element, which is a component of the package insert, is inserted into the folded information carrier ( 1 ). 4. Package leaflet according to claim 1, characterized in that the information carrier ( 1 ) is enclosed in a cover ( 2 ) made of paper or cardboard. 5. Package insert according to claim 4, characterized in that the cover ( 2 ) consists of a folded cardboard ( 4 , 5 , 6 ) and has an insertion flap ( 7 ). 6. Package leaflet according to claim 5, characterized in that the information carrier ( 1 ) is partially glued to the cover ( 2 ). 7. Package insert according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that at least one further insert element is enclosed by the casing ( 2 ). 8. Package leaflet according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the cover ( 2 ) has at least one window. 9. Package insert according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that one of the further insert elements is a flat sleeve for receiving a portion of the tablet- or pill-shaped medication contained in a medication package or a plastic glove.