GB2418408A

GB2418408A - Packaging of polymeric films containing pharmaceutical etc agents

Info

Publication number: GB2418408A
Application number: GB0421008A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Mitchell; Martin Snowden; Victoria Cornelius
Original assignee: MEDWAY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES LT
Current assignee: MEDWAY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES LT
Priority date: 2004-09-22
Filing date: 2004-09-22
Publication date: 2006-03-29
Also published as: GB0421008D0

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for the delivery and packaging of polymeric films containing a pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or other active considered to provide a beneficial effect. The film would typically be produced for oral delivery. The films 3 are supported on a lining of hydrophobic material 2 within a folded booklet 1. The lining may be formed directly on the surface of the booklet or be a separate backing member. The booklet is made of lightweight, durable material such as cardboard, PVC or other plastics. The films may have peel-off covers (7, Figure 2). The booklet may be held shut by one end engaging a C-shape cut 4 at the other, and may be sealed by peripheral adhesive 6. The hydrophobic material may contain PTFE. The booklet may be enclosed in a resealable plastics bag.

Description

24 1 8408

Description

Description of related art

As thin polymeric films become a focus for the oral delivery of pharmaceutical, anaesthetic, cosmetic or otherwise therapeutic active ingredients the issue of storage, packaging and delivery needs to be addressed. Tablets and capsules have long been delivered in childproof bottles or blister packs, which are inappropriate for thin films.

As a result of the nature of thin films, being smaller and more inconspicuous than their capsule, tablet or liquid counterparts, special consideration is required for portable, discreet travel size packaging that is also suitable for use in the home.

Current breath freshening films available on the market, which are not toxic if taken in large quantities, employ a simple plastic container where single films may be removed. Upon incorporation of an active, the toxicity of the films consumed in large quantities becomes more significant and the possibility of accidental multiple doses must be eliminated.

Disclosure of invention

The present invention is directed to an improved method for the packaging and delivery of thin polymeric films containing a pharmaceutical, anaesthetic, cosmetic or otherwise beneficial agent for oral delivery. In all cases disclosed the films may be held on a backing material that may or may not be the backing material onto which the film has been cast. The backing material should preferably be thin and hydrophobic, for example, containing PTFE. This method of packaging provides protection for the films from contamination from external agents therefore the films are kept in a more hygienic environment which may in turn enhance the lifetime of the films.

Brief description of Drawings

The apparatus described by figure 1 shall be referred to as a film packet and may be best described as discrete doses enclosed in a booklet, which may be made of paper, cardboard or plastic material that may be modified by a hydrophobic coating. The films may be adhered to the booklet itself, or to a backing material that is held in place in the booklet. In addition the booklet may or may not contain an adhesive seal around the periphery of the booklet to keep out unwanted moisture and/or air. This booklet may be wrapped in plastic or stored in a reseal able bag, or held in a paper, cardboard or plastic sleeve to help eliminate impurities, moisture and air. A separate sheet of backing material, or other hydrophobic material, may or may not be placed over the discrete doses and this may or may not be held in place by adhesive or perforations to further enhance the prevention for contamination.

A modified film packet is also disclosed in figure 2 whereby the previous description applies, however, each dose is individually held under a cover material held in place by an adhesive, such that actives contained that may be particularly air or hydro sensitive are kept in the absence of such contaminants until the dose is required.

Detailed Description

The film packet is produced in the form of a booklet (1) made from thin cardboard or similar material such that it is light but resistant to low impact with some flexibility.

To this booklet a backing material (2) is adhered although this may not be necessary if the booklet (l) is made of a suitably modified material such that it has a degree of hydrophobicity and the thin film (3) that is attached to the backing material or booklet is simply removed but still held in place when not required. The backing material or booklet may be modified to contain PTFE or some plasticising agent such that the ideal properties are maintained. The booklet is folded in half to protect the films within (1B). Further protection may be employed by the use of a semicircular flap that provides a lift and tuck seal (4) system. In addition to this, a top material (5), possibly of the same material as the backing paper as the same properties are required, may be placed over the top of the films for further protection from the elements. An adhesive seal (6) around the films may be utilised or for optimum protection from moisture, individual peal off top strips (7) may be secured over each film (3) so that each film is protected until it is administered.

Claims

What is claimed is 1. A folded booklet or similar package made of a

lightweight and durable material such as cardboard or a PVC based or comparable plastic that holds a hydrophobic material possibly containing PTFE supporting discrete polymeric films containing a pharmaceutical, cosmetic or other active agent that is considered to have a beneficial effect.
2. A package as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the hydrophobic material is the backing paper on which the films have been cast.
3. A package as claimed in Claim I characterized in that package is made of a suitably hydrophobic material that the package acts as the backing material.
4. A package as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein there is an additional layer of material is placed over the films for added protection.
5. A package as claimed in Claim 4 in that individual films have individual cover by applying individual peel-off strips over each film.
6. A package as claimed in Claim 4 in that the films have a peel cover over more than one or all of the doses.
7. A package as claimed in Claim 5 and 6, wherein the individual, multi or all dose peel off cover is made of a thin hydrophobic material.
8. A package as claimed in Claim 5 and 6, wherein the individual, multi or all dose peel off cover is made of a metallic foil.
9. A package as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the top layer of the folded package is held in place semicircular flap that provides a lift and tuck seal system.
10. A package as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the package is held folded by an adhesive seal around the periphery of the package.
11. A package as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the package is kept in a re-seal able plastic bag to ensure optimise the moisture resistance.