HK1182068A - Wafer pocket with tear-open wafer accommodating compartment - Google Patents

Description

Patch package with tear-open patch accommodating cavity

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a wafer pocket for receiving a patch (wafer), i.e. for receiving a film having at least one active substance contained therein, for example for receiving a pharmaceutical patch, in particular a patch containing an active substance for contraceptive or hormone replacement therapy purposes, or a patch containing another active substance, for example a non-pharmaceutical active substance, such as nicotine. In addition, a flavoring or fragrance may be included in the patch.

Background

Typically, such primary packages of the type according to the present invention comprise a first and a second envelope film, which are connected by at least one connecting region, such that a patch-receiving cavity adapted to receive a patch and sealed with respect to the environment is formed between the first and the second envelope film.

A patch package of this type is disclosed in e.g. DE102004047447a 1. The package described herein, for example for a sheet-like or film-like pharmaceutical product, has a carrier layer and a cover layer detachably connected thereto. In this package, the carrier layer is not connected to the cover layer in the delimited surface region, resulting in a peripherally closed cavity, and the surface region is completely closed by the edge region in which the carrier layer is detachably connected to the cover layer. The cavity is used to house a sheet or film-like drug. To remove the medication, the cover layer is manually detached or pulled off the carrier layer to open the cavity.

However, it has been found that in this case manual removal of the cover film from the bottom layer is not easily achieved if the cover film and the bottom film comprise a material on the sides of the two layers respectively closing the cavity, which material does not allow the release of the seal by peeling the cover film from the bottom film, since the two layers form a connection which is not easily separable for sealing reasons.

Another example of a package is described in patent publication WO03/103950A1, in which case the package is for food products. The package described therein comprises two films connected to each other, which form a receiving cavity closed all around, so that for example food can be kept therein in a safe closed manner. To access the food product, the package may be torn open. For this purpose, scoring structures made by means of a focused laser beam are introduced into at least one of the films on the outside, along which the film can be torn.

Another embodiment is described in patent publication US6719678B1, which is also used for containing food. The bag disclosed therein comprises two film laminates which are joined to each other at the edges by heat sealing. Furthermore, in addition to the scored structures produced by the focused laser beam in the explosion-proof layer, mechanical closures are formed on the respective inner sides of the film laminate, by means of which the bag can be closed again after tearing by the scored structures.

The known bag is not suitable for accommodating a medicament patch and for ensuring that the inner film layer is inert with respect to the exchange of substances between the product and the film, and at the same time is not suitable for allowing a simple and smooth removal of the medicament patch. The bags for containing food described in patent publications WO03/103950A1 and US6719678B1 are not suitable for the preservation of pharmaceutical patches. Even if the patch package can be torn open according to the design described in these documents in order to extract the medicament patch, since the patch cannot be easily manually extracted from the housing cavity, extraction of the patch can be difficult due to its small thickness, which is produced by the dimensioning adapted to the small housing cavity for the patch.

Disclosure of Invention

From this point of view, the invention is based on the object of developing a primary packaging for the safe storage of film-like objects, such as patches, in which one or more active substances are present, which are or are not used as medicaments, and which furthermore may contain flavours or fragrances, and from which patches or other film-like objects can be easily removed. Furthermore, the initial package should also have a pleasant appearance, which means that the user is attracted by attractive and informative printing.

Said object is achieved by a patch package as claimed in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

As used in the present description and in the claims, the term "patch" is understood to mean a planar flexible object or membrane containing at least one active object. Typically, such patches are used for administering an active substance or substances to the human or animal body, since the patch contains the active substance or substances and since the patch is brought into contact with a point of the body of the individual for administration, the active substance or substances is/are administered at said point. For example, the patch may be a drug, in particular an agent for contraception or hormone replacement therapy or another drug, or the patch may also comprise other active substances, for example one or more active substances of a nicotine plaster. In addition, the patch may also contain other substances, such as flavors or fragrances. In another embodiment of the invention, the patch may also contain only flavors, such as sweeteners or flavorants. Typically, a patch consists of a patch matrix which dissolves or releases the active substance or substances during administration.

The patch package according to the invention is connected to each other by means of the first and second envelope films via at least one connection area, so that a receiving chamber adapted to receive the patch and to be sealed with respect to the outside is formed between the first envelope film and the second envelope film. In the connecting region, the first and second encapsulation films can be connected to one another in a force-fitting, form-fitting or material-connecting manner, for example by welding, cold or heat sealing or by adhesive bonding. The connection area enables the patch accommodating cavity to be sealed with the outside, so that the quality of the patch positioned in the patch accommodating cavity cannot be damaged by the outside influence. Thus, a safe and even relatively long-term preservation is ensured. Encapsulating films are typically laminates comprising multiple layers, each of which has different properties, achieving different objectives. In principle, either the envelope film or one of the two envelope films may also consist of only a single layer. The attachment area preferably encloses the patch on all sides.

In addition, at least one of the envelope films (and possibly also both envelope films) is weakened in a weakened area in the area of the patch-receiving chamber, so that the patch-receiving chamber can be opened by tearing the patch package along a tear line through the weakened area. Thereby, the patch package can be easily torn in one direction for removal of the patch.

In a manner according to the invention, the weakened area is spaced from each edge of the patch. In addition, the tear line also extends partially beyond the weakened region. These measures ensure that the weakened zone does not damage the outside of the patch package. For example, the scoring structure is not easily printed, so that it remains readily visible after printing. If the weakened area extends between the two edges of the patch package over the entire width of the patch package, it will result in a considerable damage of the outer configuration of the patch package. Only by limiting the extent of the weakening area to a smaller area, which is thus spaced apart from the edge of the patch package, a large degree of freedom of design of the outside of the patch package is possible, so that firstly the aesthetic impression is not impaired and secondly the application of the necessary information is not limited by the weakening area.

Preferably, at least one, and possibly both, of the envelope films of the patch package are weakened along a turning line extending in the area of the patch receiving bag or in the area of the turning zone, so that the patch receiving cavity can be opened by tearing along at least two edges of said patch receiving cavity. This includes not only the variant in which the patch is torn parallel to the edge of, for example, at least two containing packs, but also the variant in which the tear line extends in a manner not parallel to said edge. The diversion line or diversion area preferably causes a diversion of the tear line extending in any other way when the patch cover is torn open.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the patch pack according to the invention comprises a patch.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the weakening area is made in the form of a weakening line or in the form of a weakening area. For example, the weakening line may be shaped as a trench-like structure, which is introduced into the uppermost layer of the envelope film. Such trench-like structures are elongated and may have a width of several hundred microns. Such structures are preferably at least 500 μm wide, particularly preferably at least 1mm wide. Most preferably, the structure is at least 1.5mm wide. For example, the structure may be particularly up to 10mm wide. It is preferably at most 5mm wide, particularly preferably at most 2.5mm wide. The indicated width values are based on the surface of the encapsulating film. If the structure does not have a rectangular cross-section, but, for example, a trapezoidal or triangular cross-section, the width at the base of the structure is less than the indicated value. As an alternative, the weakening area may be a weakening area, for example an area-like depression formed in the at least one envelope film by removal. The region may be shaped, for example, as a circle. Other region shapes, such as oval or triangular or other region shapes, are similarly contemplated. Preferably, the region has a border extending around it on at least one side, on which border the tear line is diverted in the other direction. The weakening line is distinguished from the weakening zone by its elongated shape, said shape having a side length ratio (length to width ratio) of at least 5, in particular 10.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first encapsulant film and/or the second encapsulant film are oriented in a biaxial manner. This achieves a situation in which the envelope film forms a straight tear line starting from the tear point when torn. The film formed in this way forms a preferred tear line in two mutually orthogonal directions, thereby making it possible to make a substantially straight tear line.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the first and/or second envelope film is oriented in a direction at right angles to at least one edge of the patch. Thus, the patch package may be torn in a straight line in a direction at right angles to the edge or edges of the patch package.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, an edge weakening is present in each case on at least one edge of the wafer packet, from which edge weakening the first and second envelope films can be torn open. Thus, the patch is torn in particular at a point on said hem edge.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the edge weakening is formed by a notch or cut, respectively, in at least one edge of the patch. By means of such a notch or such a cut, the envelope film can be torn off easily. Thereby creating a starting point for the tear line. The direction of the tear line typically becomes the preferred direction from the notch or cut depending on the manufacturing conditions. In principle, a single such notch or a single such cut in one edge of the patch package is sufficient for opening the patch package. However, such notches or cuts may be provided at both (adjacent) edges of the patch in order to leave the user with the option of selecting the edge from which he or she would like to tear the patch.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the edge weakening is located in the connecting region so that the receiving chamber for the patch is not in communication with the outside and the patch is thus hermetically sealed within the receiving chamber.

The patch tears along the tear line during opening. The direction of the tear line is influenced by the direction of the diversion line or diversion area, along which the tear line changes direction or within the diversion area, in particular along the boundary line of the diversion area. This is because, in this region, the material of the envelope film having the turning lines or turning areas is weakened or substantially completely removed. The turning line forms a track that changes direction when it is torn. In a corresponding manner, the diverting area also produces a trajectory at one of its boundaries, along which the tear line changes direction. Thereby, the receiving cavity can be opened at least two (adjacent) sides. This makes it possible for the user to open the pack over a large area for easy access and removal of the patch.

On the other hand, if the patch package is opened on only one side, as provided for example in patent publication US6719678B1, the opening of the receiving bag only becomes very narrow, so that it is only possible to grasp the patch with the fingers. In this case, the removal of the patch would be extremely difficult. The patch is only easily graspable by opening the receiving cavity on at least two sides, because the envelope film, which has been torn at least along the film weakening applied thereto, is thus pulled back relative to the patch contained in the patch package along or in the turning line, and at least one edge of the patch can be exposed or at least easily bent back, so that the patch can be easily grasped.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the turning line or area may be located in only one of the two envelope films, so that only this envelope film tears with a change in the direction of the tear line. In this case, the other wrapping film can tear without changing direction, since no such turning line exists in the one wrapping film, in which the material is weakened. The patch-receiving chamber is thus opened only on the side on which the envelope film has been weakened along the turning line or in the turning zone, and is torn off "diagonally". In this case, the patch can still be removed very easily, since it is partially exposed on the side on which the envelope film weakened along the turning line or in the turning zone has been torn off from the patch package, or since the patch-receiving chamber can easily be turned back, so that the patch can easily be grasped.

Of course, according to another embodiment of the invention, the removal of the patch can also be facilitated if a turning line or a turning zone is provided in both of the envelope films, the envelope films being weakened in the course of said turning line, the envelope films being easily torn along the border of said turning zone. In this case, it is advantageous if the turning lines or turning areas of the two envelope films lie congruently on one another in the patch package, so that the envelope films are torn apart at mutually coinciding tear lines. However, it is to be avoided to bond the two envelope films to one another, for example by an excessively high input of heat. In this case, it is also sufficient, for the sake of the ability to easily remove the patch, if the turning lines or turning areas of the two envelope films extend not exactly in line with each other but substantially in line with each other, for example at a distance of a few millimetres, such as 2-5mm, that the two turning lines do not necessarily extend in parallel with each other, or that the turning areas do not necessarily lie on top of each other in an abutting manner, so that the turning area borderlines causing the respective direction changes of the tear lines do not extend in parallel with each other. In any case, it is advantageous if the turning line or the turning zone is applied in such a way that after tearing, at least one of the films can be grasped or extended with the fingers, or at least the patch can be grasped by merely turning the envelope film back.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the turning line or turning zone connects the first and second preferably straight tear line segments to each other, it being possible for this connection to be preferably curved. The diversion or diversion zone according to this embodiment may cause the first tear line segment to undergo a change of direction of about 90 deg., for example, or to undergo a change of direction of less than 90 deg. or greater than 90 deg.. Preferably, the tear line is rotated through 90 ° relative to its original tearing direction when torn, so that a first tear line segment and a second tear line segment are created. The two tear line segments according to the present embodiment extend substantially at right angles or exactly at right angles to each other if the tear line segments each form a straight line and merge into each other along a preferably curved turning line or along a preferably curved turning zone borderline, along which the envelope film or the two envelope films are torn. In the case of a tear line which is diverted by means of the diverting region, the diverting region preferably has an outer boundary line on which the tear line is diverted from the first tear line segment to the second tear line segment. This is because in the turning zone the envelope film with this turning zone is weakened so that, when the film is torn, the tear line expands in one direction until it meets the outer boundary line. The tear line is then diverted in the direction in which the border extends. Of course, the tear line extends still further along the boundary line when it has encountered the turning zone in a tangential manner to meet the outer boundary line.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the steering line has ends located within the hollowed out region, first and second tangents to the respective ends of the steering line extend at right angles to each other, and a first tear segment extends along the first tangent and a second tear segment extends along the second tangent. The first, preferably straight, tear line formed during tearing thus extends without any further change of direction into the trajectory of the preferably curved diversion line and, starting therefrom, merges without any further change of direction into a second tear line at right angles to the first tear line and again preferably extends straight.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention at least one of the two tear lines defines an edge weakening arrangement, such as a notch or cut-out in the edge of the patch.

The weakening structures formed in the turning line trajectory or the turning zone by the envelope film or the material of the respective envelope film are produced as one or more scoring structures in the envelope material or the plurality of envelope materials, since preferably a focused laser beam is aimed at the first and/or second envelope film (via the gap formed by the laser beam). As a result of this action of the laser beam on the encapsulation film, the material of the uppermost layer or of the uppermost layers of the encapsulation film is evaporated or otherwise removed, for example by decomposition, so that thinning of the material of the uppermost layer takes place along the turning line or in the region of the turning zone. Therefore, sufficient interaction between the laser beam and the top material of the encapsulating film is necessary. A process of this type is explained in more detail, for example, in WO03/103950A 1. Advantageously, only one component of the envelope film is at least partially removed, for example the outer layer of the envelope film. It is likewise possible to produce a weakening of only a single wrapping film along the turning line or in the region of the turning zone or a weakening of both wrapping films along the turning line or in the region of the turning zone.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the patch is detachably connected on one side to one or more tear segments. The or each tear segment may be separable from the patch pack. By means of the or each tear segment, the patch package can be accommodated in a stack within the secondary package, since the or each tear segment is securely held in the secondary package. The fact that the tear section or sections can be separated from the individual packs of patches, for example by being torn off, means that the individual packs of patches can be individually removed from the secondary package. The ability to separate each patch from the corresponding tear-off segment may be implemented, for example, by at least one perforation, respectively.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the tear-off sections can be shaped such that they can be accommodated in a containment module in the secondary packaging. For example, the containment module may partially enclose the tear-off segment, such that the tear-off segment is connected to the patch only by respective connection regions, for example with perforations. As an alternative, the cut-outs, which are aligned with one another to accommodate the containment elements passing through the cut-outs, may be located in the tear-off section. By using each of these embodiments, the patch is left contained in a secondary package.

It is particularly preferred that the first and second envelope films are each formed from a layer combination made of a plurality of layers connected to one another, whereby an optimum structure of the layer combination is achieved with regard to the compatibility of the respective film with the patch, with regard to the ability to handle the patch pack, for example during opening, with regard to the outer structure, for example for external printing, and with regard to other requirements, in particular for pharmaceuticals.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second envelope films on the sides which are to be in contact with the patch are covered with a material which is inert with respect to the or each active substance of the patch, which means that the active substance does not penetrate or migrate into such a material. Such a material is preferablyAcrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate copolymer (acrylic-methacrylate copolymer) provided, for example, in the form of a layer on the inner side. The inert layer of the encapsulating film thus faces the cavity of the patch. Thus, the chemical inertness of the first and second encapsulation films with respect to the active substance of the patch is substantially achieved.

In addition, the first and second envelope films may each have a printable polymer layer on the outer facing side, whereby an imprint can be provided to the patch package. The imprintable printed polymer layers of the first and second encapsulation films may in particular be composed of polyethylene terephthalate (polyethylene terephthalate).

The inert inner layers of the first and second encapsulation films and the printable polymer layer may advantageously be connected to one another by respective aluminium films. These aluminum films act as moisture barriers.

Drawings

The figures described below serve to further illustrate the invention.

Fig. 1 shows in a schematic top view a patch package according to the invention having a patch contained therein in a first embodiment;

fig. 2 shows in a schematic cross-sectional view a patch package according to the invention with a patch contained therein;

fig. 3 shows a patch package according to the invention with a patch contained therein in a second embodiment in a schematic top view;

fig. 4 shows in a schematic top view a patch package according to the invention having a patch contained therein in a third embodiment;

like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Detailed Description

The patch pack 1 shown in fig. 1 is rectangular and is detachably connected to the tear-off section 20 on one side. For this purpose, two perforation segments 21 and four incisions 22 are provided in this case.

The patch 1 comprises two envelope films 9, 11 (fig. 2), only the upper envelope film 9 of which can be seen in fig. 1. The two envelope films are joined to one another by a joining region 2, for example by heat sealing. The connection area 2 extends all around along the edge of the patch 1 and encloses a patch-receiving chamber 3, which is thus hermetically sealed from the outside. In the patch-accommodating chamber 3 there is a patch 4.

In the upper and lower envelope films 9, 11, a notch 10 is formed along the turning line 5 by laser removal (fig. 2). This means that an indentation 10 is formed, for example along the turning line 5, on the outer side of the upper envelope film 9 and on the outer side of the lower envelope film 11. The recess has a width of at least 0.1mm at least on the surface of the envelope film. The notch is very short and spaced from the edge of the patch. Thus, they do not substantially damage the outside of the encapsulating film. There is a sufficiently large area available for printing on the outside of the envelope film.

Along the gap 10, the material of the upper and lower envelope films 9, 11 is weakened, so that the envelope films are torn along the gap 10 when the patch package 1 is opened. To open the patch package 1, the envelope films 9, 11 are first torn starting from the incision 6, so that a first tear line segment 7 extending in a straight line is formed. The first tear line segment 7 then meets the turning line 5, pivoting the direction of the tear line (to the left) through 90 °. In other stages of opening of the patch pack 1 the tear line further follows another segment (second tear line segment) designated by 8. Thus, the patch housing chamber 3 is opened at both edges, so that the patch 4 can be easily grasped with fingers and taken out.

If necessary, the patch 1 is torn off from the tear-off section 20. The tear-off section 20 is now contained in the secondary packaging and the patch 1 can be torn off to remove the patch 4.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the turning line 5 extends approximately curvilinearly from the edge of the patch package 1 (fig. 3).

In a third embodiment of the invention, there is a turning zone 12 on both of the two encapsulation films 9, 11 (the encapsulation film 11 is not shown in fig. 4). Such a turning area is circular. The material of the encapsulation films 9, 11 in the turning zones is thinned at the surface by laser removal. The diverting area has a boundary line 13 which ends tangentially on one side in the tear-off line sections 7, 8. When tearing the patch 1 starting from the cut 6, the tear line meets the turning zone tangentially at the outer boundary line of the turning zone. An increased resistance to further tearing is created by the unthinned material of the envelope film, whereby the envelope film is torn along the borderline, so that the direction of the tear line is pivoted through 90 °. The material of the envelope film preferably consists at least in part of a biaxially oriented sealing film, so that two tear directions are produced which are aligned orthogonally to one another and which are additionally at right angles to the edges. The tear line thus leaves the diverting area at the second tear line segment in 90 ° alignment with respect to the first tear line segment, and the second tear line segment follows the first tear line segment. In this case, the patch package can thus also be torn parallel to the two edges, so that the patch 4 can be easily removed from the patch-receiving chamber 3.

Claims (17)

1. Patch package (1) formed by a first and a second envelope film (9, 11) connected to each other by at least one connection region (2) such that a patch receiving cavity (3) adapted to receive a patch (4) and sealed with respect to the outside is formed between the first and the second envelope film (9, 11), at least one of the envelope films (9, 11) being weakened in a weakening region (5) located in the region of the patch receiving cavity (3) such that the patch receiving cavity (3) can be opened by tearing the patch package (1) along a tear line passing through the weakening region (5),

characterised in that the weakened region (5) is spaced from each edge of the patch (1) and further that the tear line portion extends beyond the weakened region.

2. A packet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said weakened zone is made in the form of a weakened line (5) or in the form of a weakened zone (12).

3. Patch package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first envelope film (9) and/or the second envelope film (11) is biaxially oriented.

4. Patch package (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first and/or second envelope film (9, 11) is/are oriented in a direction at right angles to at least one edge of the patch package (1).

5. A patch package (1) according to claim 3, wherein there is an edge weakening (6) on at least one edge of the patch package (1), from which the first and second envelope films (9, 11) are tearable through.

6. A patch package (1) according to claim 5, wherein the edge weakening is formed by a notch or cut (6) in at least one edge of the patch package (1).

7. A patch package (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the edge weakening is located in the connection area (2).

8. Patch package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weakened area (5) causes a turning of the tear line when the patch (1) is torn.

9. A patch pack (1) according to claim 8, wherein the weakened area is formed by a turning line (5) or a turning zone (12), and the turning line (5) or the turning zone (12) connects together a first tear line segment (7) and a second tear line segment (8) which extend substantially at right angles to each other.

10. The patch (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the turning zone (12) has an outer boundary line (13) on which the tear line turns from the first tear line segment (7) to the second tear line segment (8).

11. Patch package (1) according to any one of claims 1-9, characterised in that the weakening area is formed by a turning line (5), which turning line (5) has ends in the area of the patch-receiving cavity (3), a first and a second tangent to the respective ends of the turning line (5) extending at right angles to each other and forming a first tear section (7), which forms a second tear section (8).

12. Patch package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the weakened area is formed by a turning line (5) or a turning zone (12) and that the turning line (5) or the turning zone (12) is a scored structure (10) formed by the action of a laser beam on the first and/or second envelope film (9, 11).

13. Patch package (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the turning line (5) or the turning zone (12) is formed in only one of the encapsulating films (9, 11).

14. Patch package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the patch package (1) is detachably connected to the tear segment (20) on one side.

15. The patch (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the patch (1) is connected to the tear section (20) via at least one perforation (21).

16. Patch package (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second envelope films (9, 11) each have a printable polymer layer on the outwardly facing side.

17. Patch package (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a patch (4) is present within the patch-receiving cavity (3).