Abstract: Barrier sheets for securement to the cover sheet of a multi-compartment medicinal dispensing device having a multi-chambered base to make the device impervious to moisture. The cover sheet includes plural closures releasably secured to one another along weakened lines. The barrier sheet is formed of a moisture impervious plastic and has a central portion and edge portions each including an adhesive on its underside surface. The central portion includes plural weakened lines corresponding to the weakened lines in the closures of the device. In one embodiment, each of the edge portions are narrow elongated flaps. The barrier sheet is secured to the cover sheet by disposing it on the cover sheet with the flaps folded around the edges of the cover sheet and into securement with the device base to seal the edges of the cover sheet.

Abstract: A continuous feed supply of cover sheets suitable for mechanized handling by a computer driven printing means. The supply comprises an elongated web of material on which the cover sheets are releasably secured. Each of the cover sheets is divided by weakened lines corresponding to predetermined separator lines of a medicinal dispensing device base to which the cover sheet is secured to seal medicine within the base. The carrier web includes engagement portions arranged to be engaged by computer driven means to carry the individual cover sheets to a printing station for printing indicia thereon. The carrier web also includes plural die-cut areas which remain affixed to the cover sheet when the cover sheet is removed from the carrier web. The die-cut areas are arranged to overlie the medicine holding chambers of the dispensing device to protect contents therein.

Abstract: A method of joining an assembled multi-compartment medicinal dispensing device and an assembled multi-compartment extender to each other to provide an increased capacity device using an assembly fixture whose maximum capacity is no greater than that of the device. The fixture includes plural rows of openings, each opening being arranged for accommodating a respective compartment of the device during assembly thereof. The method comprises placing an assembled device on the fixture in a location wherein one row of openings is exposed, placing an assembled extender on the fixture with the compartments thereof being disposed within respective openings of said row, and with a portion of said extender disposed over a portion of said device and thereafter securing said portions to each other to join the device and the extender.

Abstract: A barrier sheet for securement to the cover sheet of a multi-compartment medicinal dispensing device to render the cover sheet impervious to moisture. The device also includes a base to which the cover sheet is secured. The cover sheet includes plural closures releasably secured to one another along weakened lines. The barrier sheet is formed of a moisture impervious plastic and has a central portion, a top edge portion, a bottom edge portion and an opposed pair of side edge portions. The central portion and the edge portions each include an adhesive underside surface. The central portion includes plural weakened lines corresponding to the weakened lines in the closures of the device. Each of the edge portions of the barrier sheet is in the form of an elongated foldable flap.

Abstract: A fixture base converter adapted to convert a fixture base used for filling a multi-compartment medicinal dispensing device having a predetermined number of openings corresponding in number to the number of units in the device into a fixture base for filling a medicinal dispensing device having a greater number of units or for filling an assembled dispensing device and extender therefore. The converter includes a planar support having an array of six rows and five columns of openings, and which is adapted for disposition on the fixture base.

Abstract: An extender and header card for a medicinal dispensing device and a fixture base converted for filling the same. The device includes a plurality of article-holding units, each having flanges detachably connected along predetermined weakened lines and a chamber depending from each flange. A cover sheet is secured over the chambers and includes perforated lines corresponding to the weakened flange lines to enable each unit to be separated from the other unit. The header card includes a panel having a front face for receipt of prescription indicia thereron, a transverse weakened line extending along a lower edge and a plurality of longitudinal weakened lines extending parallel to one another from the edge of the transverse line to form a plurality of separable sections. Adhesive is provided along the lower edge of the card for securing the card to the dispensing device.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for filling and sealing a medicinal dispensing device with a flowable material, such as a liquid, and for sealing the liquid therein. The medicinal dispensing device includes a base having plural chambers each surrounded by a flange. A closure is adhesively secured to the base by contacting the flanges to seal the material within the chambers. The apparatus for filling and sealing the medicinal dispensing device comprises a base support block having an extending channel in the top face and a plurality of spaced recesses within the channel. The recesses are so dimensioned and spaced from each other to receive respective chambers of the base, with portions of the channel between the recesses supporting the flanges of the base. Removable guide means in the form of an elongated block is disposed within the channel over the flanges of the device base.