Unit dose packaging system with reusable electronics component

• US 20090194434A1
• Filed: 02/04/2008
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Meadwestvaco (WestRock Company)
• Original Assignee: Meadwestvaco (WestRock Company)
• Inventors: Haraldsson, Rune K., Weston, Mike, Ellis, Kevin, Hession, Christopher J., Loftin, Caleb, Knouse, William J.
• Application Number:
  US12/025,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20090194434A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/1.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 3/077 Manufacturing capsule shells
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/049 automatically changing in response to a schedule deviation by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2215/02 requiring the combination of simultaneous actions
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2215/04 requiring the combination of different actions in succession
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0463 formed in a band or a blisterweb, inserted in a dispensing device or container
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0275 Security details, e.g. tampering prevention or detection
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0293 Individual printed conductors which are adapted for modification, e.g. fusable or breakable conductors, printed switches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/189 characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit H05K3/326 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/80 Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging bio-packaging Y02W90/10

Abstract

Described herein is an apparatus and method for attaching a removable and reusable electronic component to a to a slide card that can be preprinted with electrical traces for the purpose of collecting data on pill expression. A removable and reusable electronic component can be coupled with a slide card incorporating preprinted electrical traces, using a hub like plastic seating component attached to and through the slide card.

Claims

1. A unit dose package insert comprising:

a blank comprised of a bottom panel and a top panel,

the bottom panel including one or more areas of weakness, an electrical trace element having at least first and second ends positioned away from the one or more areas of weakness, wherein the electrical trace element intersects the one or more areas of weakness such that when an area of weakness is compromised the electrical trace element is broken for that area of weakness, and

the top panel including one or more unit dose cut out areas and an electronics seating hub component cut out area;

a blister pack comprised of one or more sealed unit doses positionable atop the bottom panel; and

an electronics seating hub component adapted to mechanically receive an electronics component, wherein the electronics seating hub component is positioned proximate to the at least first and second ends of the electrical trace element,

wherein the top panel substantially covers and is adhered to the bottom panel so as to secure the blister pack and electronics seating hub component between the top and bottom panel such that the sealed unit doses protrude through the unit dose cut out areas and the electronics seating hub component protrudes through the electronics seating hub component cut out area.

2. The unit dose package insert of claim 1 wherein the blank includes a crease that defines a boundary between the top panel and the bottom panel such that folding the blank along the crease positions the top panel substantially covering the bottom panel aligning the cut out areas of the top panel with the areas of weakness of the bottom panel.

3. The unit dose package insert of claim 1 wherein the blank further comprises a pair of creases in which the space between the pair of creases defines an end panel when the unit dose package insert is folded back over itself along the creases creating an upper portion and a lower portion separated by the end panel.

4. The unit dose package insert of claim 3 further comprising a protruding element attached to the upper portion and positioned to be proximate the electronics seating hub component when the unit dose package insert is folded back over itself such that the protruding element is obstructed by the electronics seating hub component upon trying to slide the upper portion with respect to the lower portion.

5. The unit dose package insert of claim 4 wherein the blank comprises paperboard.

6. The unit dose package insert of claim 1 wherein the electronics seating hub component comprises:

a housing comprised of a first and second pair of opposing walls each having a base associated therewith, wherein

one wall of the first pair of opposing walls includes at least one opening at the base of the wall that is adapted to receive a tab that is attached to an electronics component and the opposite wall of the first pair of opposing walls includes a cut out area to facilitate insertion and removal of the electronics component within the electronics seating hub component; and

one wall of the second pair of opposing walls includes a detent adapted to receive a corresponding inverted detent that is attached to an electronics component such that the electronics component remains seated in place upon lining up the detent and inverted detent.

7. The unit dose package insert of claim 1 wherein the electronics seating hub component comprises:

a pair of opposed rigid side members including a dovetail slot extending substantially the length of each side member;

a rigid cross member including one or more electrical contacts that are electrically coupled with the electrical trace element ends,

wherein an electronics component having a corresponding dovetail slot can be slidably seated with the electronics seating hub component.

8. A reusable electronics component adapted to communicate with a disposable unit dose package to collect and disseminate data pertaining to the expression of unit doses comprising:

a seating mechanism adapted to fit into an electronics seating hub component, wherein the seating mechanism enables the electronics component to be removed from the electronics seating hub component without causing damage to the electronics component;

a microcontroller;

an electrical trace contact interface coupled with the microcontroller, wherein the electrical trace contact interface is positioned relative to the seating mechanism enabling the electronics component to receive signals from electrical traces present on the disposable unit dose package,

wherein the microcontroller is programmed to detect, based on the signals, when a unit dose has been expelled from the disposable unit package.

9. The reusable electronics component of claim 8 further comprising a display for displaying data.

10. The reusable electronics component of claim 8 further comprising an indicator light for providing a visual status indication.

11. The reusable electronics component of claim 8 further comprising a speaker for providing an audible status indication.

12. The reusable electronics component of claim 8 further comprising a power jack for recharging an internal power source of the electronics component.

13. The reusable electronics component of claim 8 further comprising a data port for providing a wired data output mechanism.

14. A method of assembling a unit dose package insert comprising:

forming a blank comprised of a top panel and a bottom panel, wherein the top panel and a bottom panel include one or more creases, cut outs, and perforations required to accommodate a blister pack and an electronics seating hub component;

applying electrical traces to the blank in a desired pattern so as to ensure each unit dose has a portion of the electrical trace associated therewith;

adhering the blister pack to the bottom panel of the blank such that each unit dose is substantially over a perforated area;

adhering an electronics seating hub component to the bottom panel such that electrical trace terminations are coupled with corresponding electrical trace contacts in the electronics seating hub component; and

sealing the top panel to the bottom panel thereby encasing the blister pack and the electronics seating hub component firmly and immovably between the top and bottom panels of the unit dose package insert.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising adhering a protruding element attached to the bottom panel.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the electrical traces are comprised of conductive ink that is printed onto the blank.

17. A unit dose package system comprising:

a slide card insert comprised of a blank that includes a bottom panel and a top panel,

the bottom panel including one or more areas of weakness, an electrical trace element having at least first and second ends positioned away from the one or more areas of weakness, wherein the electrical trace element intersects the one or more areas of weakness such that when an area of weakness is compromised the electrical trace element is broken for that area of weakness, and

the top panel including one or more unit dose cut out areas and an electronics seating hub component cut out area;

a blister pack comprised of one or more sealed unit doses positionable atop the bottom panel,

wherein the top panel substantially covers and is adhered to the bottom panel thereby securing the one or more blister packs and electronics seating hub component securely between the top and bottom panel such that the sealed unit doses protrude through the unit dose cut out areas and the electronics seating hub component protrudes through the electronics seating hub component cut out area;

an electronics seating hub component adapted to mechanically receive a removable, reusable electronics component wherein the electronics seating hub component is positioned proximate to the termination of the electrical trace element ends; and

a reusable electronics component mechanically and electrically coupled with the electronics seating hub component to create a complete electrical circuit between each unit dose and the reusable electronics component;

a protruding element positioned to be proximate the electronics seating hub component when the slide card insert is folded back over itself creating an upper and lower portion, the protruding element is obstructed by the electronics seating hub component upon trying to slide the upper portion with respect to the lower portion; and

a child resistant outer sleeve adapted to receive the slide card insert such that the slide card insert is lockably and slidably engaged within the child resistant outer sleeve.

18. An insert for a package for holding medication, comprising:

a slide card including at least one area of weakness formed therein;

an electrical trace element including at least first and second ends positioned away from the area of weakness, wherein the electrical trace element intersects the area of weakness such that when the area of weakness is compromised, the electrical trace element is broken for the area of weakness; and

an electronics seating hub component adapted to mechanically receive an electronics component, wherein the electronics seating hub is positioned proximate to the at least first and second ends of the electrical trace element.

19. The insert of claim 18 further comprising a protruding element positioned to be proximate the electronics seating hub component when the slide card is folded back over itself creating an upper and lower portion, wherein the protruding element is obstructed by the electronics seating hub component upon trying to slide the upper portion with respect to the lower portion.

20. The insert of claim 18 wherein the electronics seating hub component is further adapted to release the electronic component without causing damage thereto.

21. The insert of claim 18 further comprising an electronics component, wherein the electronics component is removably attached to the electronics hub seating component, and wherein the electronics component is in electrical contact with the at least first and second ends of the electrical trace element.

22. The insert of claim 18 further comprising a blister package holding medication.

23. The insert of claim 18 further comprising a blister package holding a unit dose of medication, wherein the blister package is generally aligned with the slide card such that the unit dose of medication is aligned with the at least one area of weakness.

24. The insert of claim 21 wherein the electronics component is programmed to detect when the unit dose of medication is expressed through the area of weakness.

25. The insert of claim 21 wherein the electronics component is further programmed to communicate when the unit dose of medication is expressed through the area of weakness.

26. The insert of claim 18 wherein the slide card comprises paperboard.

27. A package for holding medication, comprising:

a slide card including at least one area of weakness formed therein;

an electrical trace element including at least first and second ends positioned away from the area of weakness, wherein the electrical trace element intersects the area of weakness such that when the area of weakness is compromised, the electrical trace element is broken for the area of weakness;

an electronics seating hub component adapted to mechanically receive an electronics component, wherein the electronics seating hub is positioned proximate to the at least first and second ends of the electrical trace element; and

a sleeve which houses the slide card.

28. The package of claim 27 wherein the slide card further comprises a locking mechanism, wherein the sleeve further comprises a reciprocal locking mechanism, and wherein the locking mechanism and the reciprocal locking mechanism cooperate to lock the card within the sleeve.

29. The package of claim 28 wherein the sleeve further comprises a release located proximate the reciprocal locking mechanism, wherein the release, when activated, enables the slide card to be moved substantially outside of the sleeve.

30. The package of claim 27 wherein the package is child resistant compliant.

31. The package of claim 27 further comprising an electronics component, wherein the electronics component is removably attached to the electronics hub seating component, and wherein the electronics component is in electrical contact with the at least first and second ends of the electrical trace element.

32. The package of claim 27 further comprising a protruding element positioned to be proximate the electronics seating hub component when the slide card is folded back over itself creating an upper and lower portion, wherein the protruding element is obstructed by the electronics seating hub component upon trying to slide the upper portion with respect to the lower portion.

33. The package of claim 27, further comprising a dummy electronics component attached to the electronics seating hub component.

34. The package of claim 31, wherein the electronics seating hub component is further adapted to release the electronic component without causing damage thereto.