DISPENSING APPARATUS WITH MONITORING SYSTEM FOR BLISTER PACKS
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing apparatus comprising a case (20) and a removable package (10), for example a blister pack. The package (10) has compartments (12) and a film (11) of frangible material extending across the mouth of the compartments (12) in order to close the compartments (12). An electrically conductive track (16) is provided on the external face of the film (11) and has segments that traverse at least partly across the compartments (12). The case (20) includes a connector (22) for receiving the package (10) and means for electrically connecting, when the package (10) is inserted, the conductive track (16) to a monitoring system located in the case (20). The monitoring system includes means for monitoring the electrical signals from the conductive track, and means for determining that a respective compartment (12) has been opened upon depending on the monitored electrical signals.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1-23. -23. (canceled)
- 24. A dispensing apparatus comprising a case and a removable package, the package comprising at least one compartment and a film of frangible material extending across an open mouth of the or each compartment in order to close the compartment, the film having an external face wherein at least one electrically conductive track is provided on the external face of the film and traverses at least partly across the or each compartment, the case including a connector for receiving said package and electrically connecting, when said package is received by said connector, said at least one conductive track to a monitoring system located in said case, said monitoring system being configured to monitor electrical signals received from said at least one conductive track, and to determine, from said electrical signals, whether or not said at least one compartment has been opened.
Specification