DEVICE AND USE FOR STORAGE AND PROVISION OF MEDICAMENT WAFERS

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for storage and provision of medicament wafers 2 serving preferably for contraception or hormone replacement therapy, said device comprising a stack 1 of medicament pockets 4 for the storage and provision of the medicament wafers 2, wherein first medicament pocket areas 10 have openings 8 aligned with one another, and at least one connecting element 9 that is guided through the openings 8 and that connects the medicament pockets 4 to one another and arranges them movably relative to one another.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for storage and provision of medicament wafers, i.e. of medicaments in laminar form, and to a use of the device for medicament wafers serving for contraception or hormone replacement therapy.

PRIOR ART

Medicament wafers are film-shaped articles containing pharmaceutically active substances held in an active substance carrier. The active substances in the wafers can, for example, be administered by the transmucosal route, i.e. via the oral mucosa, by means of the wafers being placed on or under the tongue, after which the active substance carrier dissolves and in so doing releases the active substances. The wafers provided are enclosed in film pockets. According to DE 101 59 746 B4, these pockets can be composed of at least one support film and at least one cover film, in which case at least the film with the larger surface area has two parallel side edges, and the film-like or laminar material (wafer) is enclosed in a gas-tight and moisture-proof manner between the support film and the cover film. Devices for storage and provision of medicament wafers can contain film pockets stacked therein.

The device described in DE 101 59 746 B4 for storage and provision of wafers comprises a housing which is partitioned at least once and on whose lateral inner faces the side edges of the stacked film pockets bear, while the edge of a support film protruding beyond the edge of an associated cover film bears on a front inner face, and in which the stacked film pockets are pressed by means of a spring against the upper inner face of the housing. The front, upper area of the housing has two slits for separate dispensing of the support film and cover film, the wafer being able to be provided with the support film or with the cover film. After a film pocket has been removed, the spring has the purpose of holding the remaining film pockets together near the slits and positioning them for further removal. A separating tool for separating the support film from the cover film is arranged between the slits, on which separating tool the uppermost support film bears via its area lying in front of the front edge of the cover film. A transport element, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, transports the medicament pockets out of the housing.

This device has the disadvantage that a user has no possibility of monitoring whether a wafer intended to be taken at a certain time has already been taken or is still to be taken. As a result, two wafers can easily be taken instead of one, or the user completely forgets to take the wafer. Moreover, with this closed device, the user cannot see how many wafers he has already taken or how many wafers remain to be taken. Opening this compact device is not envisioned and would destroy it.

As regards the possibility of monitoring the time and frequency of administration of tablets, coated pills or the like, the prior art discloses so-called medicament blister packs, i.e. articles for storage of tablets, coated pills or the like, in which the tablets, coated pills or the like are contained in pockets embossed in a first foil, and the foil is connected to a second foil that seals the pockets and can be torn off.

In EP 0 166 763 B1, for example, a blister pack is provided with a row of pockets for the tablets, where the pockets correspond in an unambiguous manner to the days of at least one calendar month and where, in addition, consecutive integer indicia are arranged in proximity to the pockets in such a way that each pocket can be visually identified with one and only one calendar day of the calendar month, and where consecutive integer indicia are arranged in proximity to tear-off zones in the second foil in such a way that they are visible from the rear face of the second foil, and where each zone can be visually identified with one and only one calendar day of the calendar month. Each pocket can therefore be visually identified, both from the front face and also from the rear face, with one and only one calendar day. Taking the tablets on a daily basis and monitoring user compliance is made easier in this way.

Moreover, EP 0 511 726 B1 describes an arrangement which is used to receive tablets in an array and comprises the following: a blister pack with a predetermined surface area within which are located a plurality of tablets configured in a chosen array, a container for receiving the blister pack, and a day calendar which can be oriented with respect to the array of tablets in the blister pack, the day calendar being movable in order to position a selected start day on a first tablet in the array of tablets, and with pointers being provided on the container, and the blister pack has a locating notch near its edge and in proximity to a first tablet, such that the first tablet to be taken is indicated.

Furthermore, DE 10 2005 032 015 A discloses a case which receives a blister pack and comprises a first case half and a second case half hinged thereon. The first case half is designed as a pocket for receiving the blister pack and has an outer part and an inner viewing part and also first apertures in the viewing part and second apertures in the outer part, the first apertures being aligned with the second apertures, specifically at least where the receptacles for the tablets are located in the blister pack after it is received in the pocket. The second case half has a compartment for receiving a display means displaying days of the week, and windows for displaying the days of the week in an inner viewing surface of the second case half in the area of the compartment, the windows being arranged in such a way that they are assigned to the columns of the receptacles of a blister pack received in the pocket.

However, these embodiments of devices for storage and provision of medicament units relate to tablets in blister packs, not to medicament wafers in medicament pockets.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to make available a device for storage and provision of medicament wafers which makes it possible to monitor the progress with which medicament wafers are taken.

Another object of the present invention is to ensure that the wafers are reliably removed from the device in a predetermined rhythm, i.e. that the device allows the user to monitor whether a medicament wafer has been taken as planned at a predetermined time.

A further object of the present invention is to make available a device for storage and provision of medicament wafers which is suitable for everyday use, has the required mechanical stability and can be produced easily and simply and therefore inexpensively.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a safe means of storing the medicament wafers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects are achieved by the claimed device for storage and provision of medicament wafers and by the claimed use of the device. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

A medicament pocket in the device according to the invention typically consists of a base film and of a cover film. The cover film can be connected, for example glued or welded, to the base film via a preferably strip-shaped join that extends along the side edges of the cover film. Moreover, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the base film and the cover film, on at least one side edge, can each have protruding tabs that are not connected to each other. This makes it much easier to tear apart and thus open the medicament pocket in order to remove the wafer contained therein, because the two films can be easily gripped. A medicament wafer is enclosed, preferably in an airtight and moisture-proof manner, between the base film and the cover film inside an area formed by the join. The film pockets can have a small raised area, which is either a result of their structure or is caused by the wafer and is provided only in the area thereof.

The device according to the invention for storage and provision of medicament wafers comprises a stack of medicament pockets for the storage and provision of the medicament wafers, and at least one connecting element. The medicament pockets each have first medicament pocket areas with openings which are aligned with one another and through which the at least one connecting element is guided and connects the medicament pockets to one another and arranges them movably relative to one another.

By virtue of the ability of the connecting element, which is guided through the aligned openings, to arrange the medicament pockets movably relative to one another, it is advantageously achieved that the areas of the medicament pockets having the opening do not have to lie directly on one another, and instead they can be spaced slightly apart from one another. This avoids a situation in which, because of the increased thickness of the medicament pockets in the area of the respective medicament wafer, the stack fans out in an impractical and inappropriate way in the direction of the medicament pockets otherwise lying tightly over one another, specifically on the side directed away from the opening in the medicament pockets, in the same way, for example, as a book which has become wet and in which the side areas of the pages of the book that are not bound in the spine take up more room overall in their spatial extent and thus leave the book looking unsightly and misshapen.

Compared to the prior art, this simple device has the further advantage that the user is always able to check the number of medicament pockets remaining and, knowing the total number of medicament pockets at the start of the first administration and knowing the starting date of the first administration or removal of a medicament pocket, can determine whether he/she has already removed a medicament pocket or has still to remove it. In addition, the user can determine how long the treatment still has to go or when he/she will need a new device.

The device according to the invention can preferably be used for the storage and provision of medicament wafers serving for contraception or hormone replacement therapy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The at least one connecting element, which is guided through the openings, connects the medicament pockets to one another and arranges them movably relative to one another, can be designed, for example, as a rivet, i.e. the at least one connecting element can consist of two for example rod-shaped connecting element parts, which can be plugged into each other or screwed together or adhesively bonded to each other. The at least one connecting element can also be rod-shaped.

In another embodiment of the invention, the connecting element can also have a compact design in which it consists of two parts and, when these are joined together, can almost completely fill the openings in the medicament pockets. The at least one connecting element can in particular comprise a box-shaped lower part, with a rib arranged therein for passing through the openings, and an upper part closing off the box-shaped lower part. Moreover, the box-shaped lower part of the box-shaped connecting element can have a base plate, a wall sitting on the base plate and partially enclosing and therefore guiding the respective first medicament pocket areas, and the rib.

A connecting element is in any case to be understood as a component that is guided through the openings in the medicament pockets and connects the medicament pockets. Thus, a rivet and also the rib of the compact connecting element can be understood as connecting elements. In the case of the rib, additional suitable holding devices are of course needed at the foot and head of the rib in order to hold the stack together. These additional holding devices can, for example, be provided by the box structure consisting of the box-shaped lower part and upper part. Alternatively, the foot and head of the rib can also be provided with differently configured head and foot parts that hold the stack together. The rib can also be designed as a rivet with two rib-shaped rivet heads.

When connecting element parts forming the at least one connecting element are joined together, they can latch onto each other and are preferably not able to be separated again without being destroyed, or they can be adhesively bonded or welded to one another or can also be joined together using another joining technique. In all these cases, the join constitutes what is called a tamper-evident closure, i.e. a closure that is secure against tampering. It is particularly preferable if the at least two parts forming the connecting element are joined together by a form-fit connection.

A rivet is to be understood as a connecting element that consists of at least two parts, which engage in each other and are thus connected to each other with a form fit, and that is also able, by means of suitable head designs, to hold together the stack of medicament pockets arranged therebetween.

The openings, which are located in the first medicament pocket areas, are preferably in the form of oblong holes. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the medicament pockets can be connected using two connecting elements spaced apart from each other, and, in particular, the connecting elements can each be guided through adjoining the ends of the oblong holes. This embodiment avoids individual medicament pockets shifting relative to one another. In this way, the connecting elements also act as guide elements for the medicament pockets.

The shape of the openings is preferably such that a connecting element guided through the openings slides therein without friction.

By means of the chosen structure of the device, the medicament pockets, with the wafers contained in them, are stacked together as in a notepad or book and can be removed one after another, preferably from the top. When the pocket lying at the top is removed in order to administer a first wafer, the pocket lying below it in the stack becomes visible. This pocket lying underneath can then be removed during a subsequent second time of administration. The other pockets with the wafers can be removed according to the sequence of pockets in the stack. The pocket can be removed by being torn off or torn out.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the medicament pockets, in addition to having the first medicament pocket area, in which the openings but not the medicament wafer are located, also have a second medicament pocket area, in which the medicament wafer is located.

The first medicament pocket area and the second medicament pocket area are preferably connected separably to each other. The first medicament pocket area and the second medicament pocket area are preferably connected to each other via a perforation. This allows the pockets to be easily removed from the stack, for example by being torn out or severed. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the perforation via which the first medicament pocket areas and the second medicament pocket areas are connected to each other is not formed across the full width of the medicament pockets and is instead shorter and merges at both of its ends into slits, which act like notches. This makes removal of the medicament wafer even easier. It has been found that it is thus possible to avoid or reduce the difficulties that often arise at the start of the process of separating the second medicament pocket area on account of the firm material property of the medicament pockets.

To further simplify or improve the overview of the number of medicament pockets, the medicament pockets can each additionally have a cutout located on an edge of the medicament pockets that is preferably formed jointly by the first and second medicament pocket areas. The cutouts can, for example, be punched out of the medicament pocket. They give a view of a graphic mark on the medicament pocket lying underneath in the stack. The graphic mark can, for example, be a symbol, such as two coloured dots, a smiley face, a company logo or a crossbar. The cutout becomes incrementally larger from medicament pocket to medicament pocket, such that the cutouts, when seen across all the medicament pockets in the stack, have a step-shaped profile, with the result that the marks on all the medicament pockets are visible. The cutouts and the graphic marks that can be discerned through them also have the advantage that, during the production of the stack, the production personnel or a suitable monitoring device can easily check that the stack is complete and can thus easily check the number of medicament pockets in the stack.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the second medicament pocket areas has, on a marking edge, a marking in one of several marking portions arranged next to one another at the marking edge, wherein the respective markings on the second medicament pocket areas within the stack are arranged in successive marking portions from one medicament pocket to the next medicament pocket. In this way, a user can easily monitor the progress with which the medicament wafers are administered.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the stack can additionally be connected to a support by means of the at least one connecting element, which support is used to give the stack additional stability and protect it against mechanical damage. In addition, a cover can be provided which at least partially covers the second medicament pocket areas. The cover can, for example, also be a component part of the connecting element. The stack is preferably arranged between the support and the cover at least partially covering the second medicament pocket areas. It is particularly preferable if the cover and the support are formed in one piece.

The support and the cover are provided in particular for protection of the medicament pockets. The support and the covers are preferably made of a stable material, for example card or plastic. The cover and/or the support can also be provided with an inscription or a logo or with some other arrangement that does not exclusively have functional purposes and instead also or exclusively serves aesthetic purposes. For example, a mirror or a graphic representation, e.g. a photograph or a drawing, can also be arranged on the inside face of the cover. Likewise, this site can also be provided with a storage area in which, for example, cosmetic articles such as face powder or similar make-up can be kept ready. A pocket calculator or a clock can also be provided on the inside face of the cover. Said devices and representations can be provided equally or in addition on the outside face of the cover and/or on the inside face or the outside face of the support.

In another particular embodiment, successive date indicators are arranged on the support or on the cover. The date indicators are aligned with the marking portions on the medicament pockets and allow the user to monitor the administration of the wafers.

If the date indicators are arranged on the cover, the cover preferably only partially covers the second medicament pocket areas, specifically only to such an extent that the markings on the second medicament pocket areas can still be seen when the cover is closed and can be aligned with the date indicators. However, the date indicators can also be arranged on the inside face of the cover, such that they are visible together with the markings on the medicament pockets when the wafer pocket booklet has been opened.

Preferably, the date indicators are arranged on an edge of the cover adjoining the second medicament pocket areas. Accordingly, the date indicators are aligned with markings which, in the second medicament pocket areas, are each located on a marking edge adjoining the edge of the cover having the date indicators. The markings are in each case provided in one of several marking portions arranged next to one another on the marking edge and, in the second medicament pocket areas within the stack, are arranged in successive marking portions from one medicament pocket to the next.

Moreover, the support can have an end strip protruding from an edge of the second medicament pocket areas and has the date indicators on the end strip. In this case, the date indicators can be aligned with markings which, in the second medicament pocket areas, are located on a marking edge adjoining the end strip. The markings are provided in each case in one several marking portions arranged next to one another on the marking edge. They are arranged, in the second medicament pocket areas within the stack, in successive marking portions from one medicament pocket to the next. The date indicators can be arranged either on the inside face of the end strip or on the outside face thereof. In the first case, the date indicators and preferably also the markings are visible only when the end strip is folded out. In the second case, the end strip has to be folded in to make the date indicators visible. In this case, the markings on the medicament pockets are to be arranged in such a way that they are adjacent to the date indicators on the end strip when the latter is folded in.

With the aid of the two last-mentioned embodiments, the progress with which the medicament wafers are administered can be better monitored, since this progress is related to the date indicators.

If the wafers are to be taken daily, the date indicators, in a preferred embodiment, indicate days of the week or days of the calendar, the latter being shown by the numbering of the days of a month. Compared to the indication of calendar days, indicators showing days of the week have the advantage of a more frequent rate of repetition. This permits an easier arrangement of date indicators on the end strip of the support or the cover since, for the first day, only the matching day of the week has to be chosen from the seven days of the week, whereas, in the case of calendar days being indicated, the matching calendar day has to be chosen from 28, 29, 30 or 31 calendar days.

The date indicators are preferably provided by applying, to the end strip of the support or to the cover, a display means that has the date indicators, for example a display strip. For example, a display strip containing the date indicators can be applied by sliding it into a holder on the end strip of the support or on the cover or by affixing it to the end strip of the support or to the cover. For example, the holder can designed as a slit which, in the area of the date indicators arranged on the inserted display strip, has windows which permit a view of the date indicators and permit assignment to an aligned marking on the top medicament pocket.

A display strip of this kind can, for example, initially have about twice as many successive date indicators as can be accommodated in the holder, so as to be able to suitably prepare the display strip for application to the end strip of the support or to the cover. After determining when a wafer is to be taken for the first time, the associated date indicator on the display strip is placed on the end strip of the support or the cover, and, starting from this determined date indicator, the length of the display strip is then reduced to the length area corresponding to the available length on the end strip of the support or the cover. For example, the display strip can be bent aside or cut off for the first administration. The display strip thus prepared is then secured in the holder on the end strip of the support or the cover, for example pushed into it or clamped there, or affixed to the end strip of the support or the cover, such that the date indicators are aligned with the markings on the medicament pockets. Of course, the date indicators on the display strips or the end strips of the support or of the cover can also be applied in handwritten form. The days of the week, days of the calendar or other date indicators are preferably applied at the start of a phase of administration of the wafers.

In another embodiment of the invention, the support on which the stack of medicament pockets is arranged is also preferably formed in one piece with a lid that closes in order to cover the second medicament pocket areas. Depending on the embodiment, the lid can comprise the above-described end strip with date indicators.

In a preferred embodiment, the lid can extend as far as the cover, and either the lid and the cover can each have a closure element or only the cover or only the support can have a closure element, such that the lid can be closed with the cover.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, for example, a first closure element can be a metal element, e.g. a metal strip, and a second closure element can be a magnet element, e.g. a magnetic strip. It is likewise conceivable that the closure elements form a velcro closure. In another variant of the invention, the closure elements can also form a press-stud system, e.g. as in a purse. In another embodiment, one closure element can be button-like and the other closure element shaped like a buttonhole and they can be accordingly connected to each other. Likewise, one of the closure elements can be designed as a clip, which is inserted into a slit-like opening in the second closure element. Moreover, the support or the cover can have a stretchable closure element, for example a rubber band. In this embodiment, the closed lid, which extends as far as the closed cover and bears on the latter or under it, is connected to the cover by the rubber band, said rubber band being guided round the outside of the whole device.

A device according to the invention, which can used for contraception, can contain a stack of, for example, 120 medicament pockets for receiving medicament wafers. For contraception, it has hitherto been customary for one administration unit, i.e. one wafer, to be taken each day for 21 days, this administration phase being followed by a medication-free phase of 7 days. Alternatively, one administration unit can also be taken each day for 24 days, this administration phase being followed by a medication-free phase of 4 days. In the case of modern contraceptives, however, flexible administration cycles are used that last longer than 21 days, for example up to 120 days. This longer administration phase is then followed by a medication-free phase of 4 days, for example. To be able to provide wafers in sufficient numbers for such a case, a greater number of medicament pockets than a total of 28 can also be made available in the stack. For example, or even 120 medicament pockets for the administration phase can be provided in the device.

The device according to the invention is preferably forgery-proof. For this purpose, one or more security features are provided on the device to make it possible to verify that the device is genuine, for example imprints in microscript, holograms, tilt images or other security features.

The figures described below serve to provide a general understanding of the invention. However, they are not to be understood as limiting the invention, and instead they merely explain certain embodiments that are preferred, without excluding other preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a stack of wafers according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a stack of wafers according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a wafer pocket booklet according to a third embodiment of the invention, with step-shaped cutouts in the state when closed;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a wafer pocket booklet according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows another perspective view of the wafer pocket booklet from FIG. 4 in the closed state;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a wafer pocket booklet according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a wafer pocket booklet according to a sixth embodiment of the invention in different stages of assembly; FIG. 7a: support with a slit; FIG. 7b-1: stack and connecting element in separate view; FIG. 7b-2: stack and connecting element assembled; FIG. 7c: device in the assembled state; FIG. 7d: device in the closed state; FIG. 7e: alternative embodiment of the wafer pocket booklet;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the wafer pocket booklet from FIG. 4 in the opened and closed state;

FIG. 8a shows a side view of the wafer pocket booklet from FIG. 8, but with magnetic closure;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the wafer pocket booklet from FIG. 4 in the partially opened and closed state with a stretchable connecting element;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the wafer pocket booklet from FIG. 9 in the opened and closed state with another closure element;

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the wafer pocket booklet according to the invention in the partially opened state and the closed state;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a wafer pocket booklet with the connecting element from FIG. 7 in different stages of assembly; FIG. 12a: support with the connecting element; FIG. 12a-1: first variant of the arrangement of a strip showing days of the week; FIG. 12a-2: second variant of the arrangement of a strip showing days of the week; FIG. 12b: after insertion of the stack; FIG. 12c: device partially closed.

The same reference signs in the figures designate the same features.

FIG. 1 shows a wafer pocket booklet according to the invention for storage and provision of medicament wafers 2. The wafer pocket booklet consists of a stack of several medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ for the storage and provision of the medicament wafers 2. The medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ have first medicament pocket areas 10 and second medicament pocket areas 11. The medicament wafers 2 are contained in the second medicament pocket areas 11. The first medicament pocket areas 10 have openings 8 aligned with one another. The openings 8 are designed as oblong holes. The connecting element 9 is guided through the openings 8. The connecting element 9 connects the medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ to one another and arranges them movably relative to one another. The connecting element 9 is a rivet. The first medicament pocket areas 10 and the second medicament pocket areas 11 are each connected to one another via a perforation 7, which makes it easier to remove a medicament wafer 2 by simply tearing the second medicament pocket area 11 from the first medicament pocket area 10 at the perforation 7. The first medicament pocket area 10 remains in the wafer pocket booklet.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the wafer pocket booklet according to the invention. The wafer pocket booklet according to FIG. 2 is substantially identical to the design of the wafer pocket booklet in FIG. 1. The wafer pocket booklet consists of a stack 1 of several medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ for the storage and provision of the medicament wafers 2. The medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ have first medicament pocket areas 10 and second medicament pocket areas 11, wherein the second medicament pocket areas are once again provided with aligned openings 8. The opening 8 is designed as an oblong hole. In contrast to FIG. 1, the medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ in this embodiment are connected to one another by a compact connecting element 9. The compact connecting element 9 completely fills the opening in the assembled state.

The compact connecting element 9, which is a rivet, is shown above the stack 1. The connecting element 9 has a lower part 9a and an upper part 9b. The lower part 9a engages from underneath through the oblong holes 8. The column-like rivet holders 9d, 9e are secured on a base plate 9c and spaced apart from each other in such a way that the outer flanks of the rivet holders 9d, 9e bear loosely on the rounded ends of the oblong holes. These outer flanks tilt slightly inwards towards the top (see enlarged view of the rivet holder 9e) such that the medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ placed one after another onto the lower part 9a of the rivet slide easily with their respective oblong hole 8 onto the rivet 9. Once the whole stack 1 has been formed, the rivet 9 is closed, by means of the upper part 9b of the rivet being pressed in between the column-like rivet holders 9d, 9e. For the form-fit connection of the upper part 9a of the rivet to the lower part 9b of the rivet, both rivet parts have serrated side faces that latch onto each other. After the rivet 9 has been closed, the stack 1 can be handled without any problem, without fear of the integrity of the stack 1 being adversely affected during handling. The form-fit connection also ensures that the rivet cannot be opened without the connecting element being destroyed. This permits a design that is secure against tampering. Moreover, the riveted stack 1 can also be used to replenish a separate support. The rivet 9 is of such a length that the medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ have vertical play thereon. It is possible in this way to take account of the difference in thickness between the second medicament pocket areas 11 and the first medicament pocket areas 10. The medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ also slide on the rivet 9 without friction.

The first medicament pocket areas 10 and the second medicament pocket areas 11 are connected to each other via a perforation 7, wherein the perforation as a whole is shorter than in FIG. 1, i.e. does not extend across the full width of the medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″, and instead merges into slits 20 at its two ends. In this way, the removal of the medicament wafer 2, which is located in the second medicament pocket area 11, is facilitated by easier tearing of the second medicament pocket area 11 from the first medicament pocket area 10 at the perforation 7. It has in fact been found that, because of the nature of the material at the transitions from the first medicament pocket area 10 to the second medicament pocket area 11, the medicament pocket areas 10, 11 often cannot be easily separated from each other, which problem is avoided by this means. After separation, the first medicament pocket area 10 remains in the wafer pocket booklet.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention with a structure analogous to FIG. 1, wherein the medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ each additionally have a cutout 16 and a marking 3. The cutouts 16 are each located at an edge of the medicament pocket 4 that the first and second medicament pocket areas 10, 11 have in common. The individual cutouts 16 of the successive medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ in the stack 1 are designed in such a way that they become incrementally larger from medicament pocket to medicament pocket, as a result of which the cutouts, seen across all the medicament pockets, have a step-shaped profile from medicament pocket to medicament pocket. The cutouts 16, which can be punched out for example from the medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ during the production process, allow a view of a graphic mark 21, shown as two dots in the area of the cutout, on the medicament pocket 4′, 4″ lying under it in the stack 1.

In this embodiment, the stack 1 is arranged on a support. The stack 1 and the support are connected to each other by two rivets 9. Alternatively, it would also be possible to use just one rivet 9′ to connect the stack 1 to the support and to connect the medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ to one another. The marking 3 can be seen on the top medicament pocket 4 in the second medicament pocket area 11.

In this embodiment, the support has an end strip 17 protruding from one edge of the second medicament pocket areas 11 and has date indicators 6 arranged on the end strip 17. Said edge of the second medicament pocket areas 11 is the marking edge, on which a marking 3 is located. The date indicators 6, here weekday indicators, are aligned with the respective marking 3.

The date indicators 6 are applied, for example, by affixing a strip showing the date indicators and comprise the days of the week “Mon”, “Tue”, “Wed”, “Thu”, “Fri”, “Sat”, “Sun”. This strip is prepared in such a way that the indicator of the first day of the week appears to the far left. A first marking 3 aligned with the weekday indicator “Mon” is arranged on the top medicament pocket 4. Further markings are not shown, since they are concealed by the upper medicament pocket 4.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention with a design with step-shaped cutouts 16 analogous to FIG. 3. In this embodiment, a cover 12 is provided in addition to the support 5, wherein the support 5 and the cover 12 are formed in one piece. The cover 12 extends across the first medicament pocket area 10 and as far as the lower edge of the second medicament pocket area 11. It ends almost flush with the second medicament pocket area 11. A closure element in the form of a metal strip is applied on or introduced into the cover 12 at the end thereof. In addition to the cover 12, the support 5 is formed in one piece with a closing lid 13 for covering part of the second medicament pocket area 11. The lid 13 comprises the protruding end strip 17 with date indicators 6 as also shown in FIG. 3, in this case weekday indicators. The date indicators 6 are aligned with the respective markings 3, which are located on the marking edge of the second medicament pocket areas 11 adjacent to the end strip 17 and are arranged in successive marking portions 22 from one medicament pocket 4 to the next medicament pocket 4.

The date indicators 6 are applied by affixing a strip showing the date indicators and comprise the days of the week “Mon”, “Tue”, “Wed”, “Thu”, “Fri”, “Sat”, “Sun”. This strip is prepared in such a way that the indicator of the first day of the week appears to the far left. A first marking 3 aligned with the weekday indicator “Mon” is arranged on the top medicament pocket 4. Further markings are not shown, since they are concealed by the upper medicament pocket 4.

Another closure element 15′, designed as a magnetic strip, is arranged on the lid 13.

FIG. 5 shows another perspective view of the wafer pocket booklet shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 5, the wafer pocket booklet from FIG. 4 is shown in closed state. The lid 13 lies on the cover 12 and thus closes the booklet according to the invention. Decorations and a logo are applied on the cover 12 and on the lid 13.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention with support 5 and cover 12. The wafer pocket booklet according to the invention in FIG. 6 corresponds in principle to the view of the booklet in FIG. 4.

In contrast to the wafer pocket booklet in FIG. 4, the date indicators 6 in this embodiment, here days of the week, are located on the closure element 15 at the end of the cover 12. The cover 12 extends only as far as the edge of the surface showing the markings 3 on the second medicament pocket areas 11 and leaves the markings exposed when the cover is closed. In this way, the marking 3 on the top medicament pocket 4 remains visible when the cover 12 is closed.

In this embodiment, the lid 13 with the closure element 15′ is designed without end strip and date indicators and is integrally formed directly on the support 5, the lid 13 closing the wafer pocket booklet as in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a wafer pocket booklet according to a second embodiment of the invention in different stages of assembly.

FIG. 7a shows a support 5 with a slit 19 formed in the support according to another embodiment of the invention. An end strip 17 with date indicators 6, adjoined by a lid 13, is formed integrally on the support 5.

FIG. 7b-1 shows a stack 1 with medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ having a marking 3, wherein the medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ have a perforation 7 with slits 20 as in FIG. 2.

In this embodiment, another connecting element 9 is shown, consisting of the lower connecting element part 9a and the upper connecting element part 9b. The lower connecting element part 9a is box-shaped and contains, at the centre, a rib 9c for engaging in the openings 8 in the medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″. The rib 9c is arranged on the base plate 9d. The base plate 9d further supports a wall 9e which, on three sides and partially on the fourth side, sits on the edge of the base plate. The upper connecting element part 9b is designed as a plate and can be fitted snugly onto the lower connecting element part 9a and, for example, connected thereto by adhesive bonding or by means of ultrasonic welding. In this embodiment, the upper connecting element part 9b is designed at the same time as cover 12 and therefore also takes over the function of the latter. At the lower end, the connecting element 9 has a tab 18 with which the stack 1, held together by the connecting element, is inserted into a separate support 5. Insertion is made possible, for example, by the slit 19 shown in the support 5 in FIG. 7a. In this way, a reusable support 5 can be replenished many times over with an assembled stack 1.

In a particularly expedient variant of this embodiment, the connecting element 9 is designed as a rivet (not shown). For this purpose, the rib 9c has a slit-shaped recess that extends in the longitudinal direction and runs from the top face of the rib down into the rib. In this case, the plate 9b is also provided with a downwardly projecting further rib, which is preferably designed in one piece with the plate and has the function of engaging in the recess in the lower rib 9c. This permits a connection of the upper connecting element part 9b to the lower connecting element part 9a. This connection can also be provided as a form-fit connection, for example by means of the additional rib on the plate 9b and the walls of the recess in the rib 9c each having serrated surfaces that latch onto each other when the rivet is closed. Moreover, the end face of the wall 9e can also be provided with a slit, and the underside of the plate 9b can have, for example, a further longitudinal rib that engages in the slit in the wall and, for example, is locked therein.

FIG. 7b-2 shows a stack 1 that has been fitted into the lower connecting element part 9a. The box-shaped wall 9e of the lower connecting element part 9a completely encloses the outsides of the medicament pocket area 10 and thus serves as an outer guide for the medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″.

FIG. 7c shows the wafer pocket booklet according to the invention combined with the support 5 and the lid 13. For this purpose, the assembled stack 1 is inserted by means of the tab 18 (FIG. 7b-1) into the slit 19 (FIG. 7a) of the support 5. This embodiment has the advantage that the support 5 can be used more than once, with only new stacks 1 being used in each case.

FIG. 7d shows, finally, the closed wafer pocket booklet of this embodiment, wherein print has been arranged on the lid 13. In this embodiment, the lid 13 is designed such that, in the closed state of the booklet, it extends over the medicament pockets 4, 4′, 4″ as far as the edge of the cover 12 and ends almost flush with the latter.

FIG. 7e shows an embodiment variant serving as an alternative to the embodiment described above. This differs from the embodiment in FIG. 7a to FIG. 7d in that the cover 12 is guided away rearwards from the stack 1 and in that the date indicators 6 on the lid 13 are located in front of a closure block 14, which serves to receive a closure element, for example a magnetic strip.

FIG. 8 shows a variant of the embodiment from FIG. 4 in a side view, in which the closure elements 15, 15′ are designed as a velcro closure. The closure element 15′ is arranged at the end of the cover 12, on the underside thereof, and the closure element 15 is arranged at the end of the lid 13 on the upper side thereof (when seen in the closed state). In the closed state of the device, the closure elements 15 and 15′ engage in each other as shown in FIG. 8.

It will be seen from FIG. 8 that the rivet 9 is of such a length that the medicament pockets have vertical play thereon.

A wafer pocket booklet with a magnetic closure is shown in FIG. 8a. On the edge of the lid 13, a metal strip 15 is applied preferably across the full width thereof, and, on the edge area of the cover 12, a magnetic strip 15′ is applied likewise preferably across the full width thereof.

FIG. 9 shows perspective views of a variant of the embodiment from FIG. 4 in the partially opened state and in the closed state. The device has a compact connecting element 9, formed by the connecting element parts 9a and 9b (FIG. 2). On the support 5, a closure element 15″ is provided which is designed as a rubber band.

In the view of the closed embodiment in FIG. 9, it will be seen that the rubber band 15″ surrounds the device and thus closes the cover 12 with the lid 13.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a variant of the embodiment from FIG. 9 in the opened state and in the closed state. The device has a closure element 15, 15′ differing from the wafer pocket booklet shown in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, a closure element 15 is provided in the cover 12 and a closure element 15′ is provided in the lid 13. The closure element 15 is designed as a clip, and the closure element 15′ is designed as a slit or oblong hole. To close the cover 12 with the lid 13, the clip 15 is pushed into the slit 15′. In the view of the closed embodiment in FIG. 10, it will be seen that the clip 15 engages in the slit 15′ and thus closes the lid 13 with the cover 12.

FIG. 11 shows side views of another embodiment of the invention in the partially opened state and in the closed state. The lid 13 has a closure element 15, which is designed like a buttonhole. The material of the lid 13 is preferably card. The connecting element 9 is designed as a rivet, which at the same time serves as closure element 15′ and takes over the function of the latter.

In order to close the lid 13 in this case with the rivet 9, the connecting element 15 of the lid 13, designed as a hole, is pressed with light pressure onto the rivet 9. The head end of the rivet 9 is guided through the hole 15 and thus closes the device.

FIGS. 12a, 12b, 12c show another embodiment of a wafer pocket booklet in different stages of assembly.

The stack 1 comprises a large number of medicament pockets 4, for example 28 pockets, of which only the uppermost medicament pocket is visible. The medicament pocket 4 contains a sealed-in wafer 2. Marking portions are located at the lower edge of the medicament pockets 4. A marking 3 is located on one of the marking portions 22. In the second (not visible) medicament pocket lying beneath the upper and visible medicament pocket 4, this marking is arranged on the marking portion lying next to the first marking portion in which the marking is located on the uppermost medicament pocket.

The medicament pockets 4 are notched on both sides in the upper area at 20 and have a perforation 7. In addition, the medicament pockets 4 have oblong holes 8 through which a rib 9c engages in the assembled state of the wafer pocket booklet.

In FIG. 12a, the lower connecting element part 9a is shown on the support 5. As in the embodiment from FIG. 7, the connecting element is in two parts: it has a lower part 9a and an upper part 9b. The lower part 9a comprises a rib 9c, a frame 9e and also a base plate 9d. The rib 9c engages from below through the oblong holes 8. The frame 9e sits on the edge of the base plate 9d. It delimits the base plate 9d on three sides and also partially on the fourth side. At the point where this frame 9e is not present, the medicament pockets 4 can extend through the connecting part having the perforation 7. Otherwise this frame 9e engages flush around the upper part of the medicament pockets 4 and therefore guides the latter in such a way that they sit firmly without play in the wafer pocket booklet. The upper connecting element part 9b is formed by a plate, which can be secured with a form fit or with a materially cohesive fit on the lower connecting element part 9a. This plate 9b is connected to the support 5, for example materially cohesively (welding, gluing or the like).

The lower connecting element part 9a is secured on the support 5, for example by gluing. When producing the stack 1 of medicament pockets 4, the supports 5 are preferably made available with the lower connecting element part 9a. The medicament pockets 4 are then placed onto the support 5, wherein the rib 9c of the lower part 9a secured on the support 5 slides into the oblong hole 8 of the pockets 4. The medicament pockets 4 are held on the support 5 by this rib 9c and by the frame 9e. In addition, their position is determined exactly by the frame 9e.

After all the medicament pockets 4 of a wafer pocket booklet have been stacked together and the connecting element has been closed, the support 5 is provided with a strip 6 showing the days of the week. The strip 6 showing the days of the week can be applied both in the position shown in FIG. 12a-1 and also in the position shown in FIG. 12a-2. The strip 6 showing the days of the week is arranged such that it is flush with the marking portions 22 on the medicament pockets 4. In this way, the user can tell on which day of the week the wafer 2 in the upper medicament pocket 4 has to be taken.

The support 5 is then folded over at the upper end in such a way that the end forms a cover 12 for the wafer pocket booklet. Information concerning the manufacturer and the name of the medicament or even a logo can be arranged on the cover 12. The cover 12 extends across the entire surface of the medicament pockets 4 and across the protruding edge of the support 5 at the lower end of the wafer pocket booklet.

The wafer pocket booklet is assembled after the connecting element has been folded over and closed.

Claims

1. Device for storage and provision of medicament wafers (2), said device comprising a stack (1) of medicament pockets (4) for the storage and provision of the medicament wafers (2), wherein first medicament pocket areas (10) have openings (8) aligned with one another, and at least one connecting element (9) that is guided through the openings (8) and that connects the medicament pockets (4) to one another and arranges them movably relative to one another.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one connecting element (9) is a rivet.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one connecting element (9) comprises a box-shaped lower part (9a), with a rib (9c) arranged therein for passing through the openings (8), and an upper part (9b) closing off the box-shaped lower part (9a).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the box-shaped lower part (9a) has a base plate (9d), a wall (9e) sitting on the base plate (9d) and partially enclosing and therefore guiding the respective first medicament pocket areas (10), and the rib (9c).

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the openings (8) are in the form of oblong holes.

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the shape of the openings (8) is such that the connecting element (9) guided through the openings (8) slides therein without friction.

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the medicament pockets (4) each consist of the first medicament pocket area (10), in which the openings (8) but not the medicament wafer (2) are located, and of a second medicament pocket area (11), in which the medicament wafer (2) is located, wherein the first medicament pocket area (10) and the second medicament pocket area (11) are connected separably to each other.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the first medicament pocket area (10) and the second medicament pocket area (11) are connected to each other via a perforation (7).

9. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that each of the second medicament pocket areas (11) has, on a marking edge, a marking (3) in one of several marking portions (22) arranged next to one another at the marking edge, wherein the respective markings (3) within the stack (1) are arranged in successive marking portions (22) from one medicament pocket (4) to the next medicament pocket (4).

10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stack (1) is additionally connected to a support (5) by means of the at least one connecting element (9).

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the stack (1) is arranged between the support (5) and a cover (12) that at least partially covers the second medicament pocket areas (11).

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the cover (12) and the support (5) are formed in one piece.

13. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that successive date indicators (6) are arranged on the support (5) or on the cover (12).

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the date indicators (6) are days of the week or calendar days.

15. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the date indicators (6) are arranged on an edge of the cover (12) adjoining the second medicament pocket areas (11), such that the date indicators (6) are aligned with markings (3) which, in the second medicament pocket areas (11), are each located on a marking edge adjoining the edge of the cover (12) having the date indicators (6), in each case in one of several marking portions (22) arranged next to one another on the marking edge and, in the second medicament pocket areas (11) within the stack (1), are arranged in successive marking portions (22) from one medicament pocket (4) to the next medicament pocket (4).

16. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the support (5) has an end strip (17) protruding from an edge of the second medicament pocket areas (11) and has the date indicators (6) on the end strip (17), wherein the date indicators (6) are aligned with markings (3) which, in the second medicament pocket areas (11), are located on a marking edge adjoining the end strip (17), in each case in one several marking portions (22) arranged next to one another on the marking edge and, in the second medicament pocket areas (11) within the stack (1), are arranged in successive marking portions (22) from one medicament pocket (4) to the next medicament pocket (4).

17. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the support (5) is formed in one piece with a lid (13) that closes in order to cover the second medicament pocket areas (11).

18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the lid (13) extends as far as the cover (12), and either the lid (13) and the cover (12) each have a closure element (15, 15′) or only the cover (12) or only the support (5) has a closure element (15″), as a result of which the lid (13) can be closed with the cover (12).

19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that the one closure element (15) is a metal element and the other closure element (15′) is a magnet element, or in that the closure elements (15, 15′) form a velcro closure, or in that the one closure element (15) is button-like and the other closure element (15′) is shaped like a buttonhole, or in that the closure element (15″) is a rubber band.

20. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the medicament pockets (4) additionally each have an edge-side cutout (16), wherein the cutouts (16) become incrementally larger from medicament pocket (4) to medicament pocket (4), such that the cutouts (16), when seen across all the medicament pockets (4) in the stack (1), have a step-shaped profile.

21. A method for storage and provision of medicament wafers (2) serving for contraception or hormone replacement therapy which comprises locating the wafers in the device of claim 1.