Stickpack-type packaging for a test strip

Abstract

The application concerns a stickpack-type packaging comprising an elongate foil tube (12) having two transverse sealing joints (16,18), such that a tightly closed fill space (20) is provided in the foil tube (12) for storing a product. It is proposed that a single disposable test strip (22) is arranged in the fill space (20), wherein the test strip (22) has a chemistry pad (26) for detecting an analyte in a sample, and the chemistry pad (26) is arranged at a distance at least from one of the transverse sealing joints (16,18).

1 . A stickpack-type packaging comprising an elongate foil tube preferably having a longitudinal sealing joint, wherein two transverse sealing joints are provided on the longitudinal ends of said foil tube, such that a tightly closed fill space is provided in the foil tube for storing a product, characterized in that a single disposable test strip is arranged in the fill space, wherein the test strip has a chemistry pad for detecting an analyte in a sample, and the chemistry pad is arranged at a distance at least from one of the transverse sealing joints. 
     
     
         2 . The packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the chemistry pad is arranged close to a first transverse sealing joint and at a larger distance from a second transverse sealing joint, and wherein the first transverse sealing joint is provided prior to the test strip in the foil tube. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the test strip comprises a carrier of a generally rectangular shape and the chemistry pad is provided in one end section and/or in an intermediate section of the carrier. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the foil tube has an imprint of one or more, preferably two to six and most preferably three reference colors on its outer surface, wherein the reference colors are adapted for comparing a color of the chemistry pad resulting from a reaction with the analyte in order to evaluate a test result. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging of  claim 4 , wherein the reference colors each are provided by a spot color which is premixed before printing. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging according to  claim 4 , wherein the reference colors define a color-scale and/or a gray-scale. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging according to  claim 4 , wherein the imprint comprises two reference color scales of different size, wherein a reference color scale of small size is provided in a first zone of the foil tube and a reference color scale of larger size is provided on a second zone of the foil tube preferably arranged opposite to the first zone. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the foil tube is formed from one of
 i) a flexible flat web having a longitudinal sealing joint joining its mutually opposite longitudinal edges,   ii) two pieces of a flexible flat web provided on top of each other and having two longitudinal sealing joints along their paired longitudinal edges,   iii) an extruded tube section free from longitudinal sealing joints.   
     
     
         9 . The packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the foil tube is formed from a composite-layer flat web preferably comprising an aluminum layer. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the foil tube includes a desiccant for drying the fill space. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the foil tube contains an adhesive area or a rubber lining on its outer surface for placing a used test strip thereon. 
     
     
         12 . A method for producing a stickpack-type packaging comprising the steps of
 a) forming an elongate foil tube preferably by joining mutually opposite longitudinal edges of a flexible flat web,   b) sealing the foil tube by first and second heat-sealed transverse joints provided on the longitudinal ends of the foil tube, thereby providing a closed fill space for storing a product,   characterized by   c) providing a disposable test strip having a chemistry pad for detecting an analyte in a sample,   d) introducing the test strip into the fill space before closing the second transverse joint,   e) placing the test strip in step d) such that the chemistry pad is arranged at a distance from the second transverse joint.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising purging the fill space with dry gas and/or drying the test strip before introducing it into the fill space. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising applying an imprint of one or more reference colors to the web such that the imprint appears on the outer surface of the foil tube. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising forming the foil tube by one of the following steps
 i) joining mutually opposite longitudinal edges of a flexible flat web preferably by a heat-sealed longitudinal joint;   ii) providing two congruent pieces of a flexible flat web on top of each other and joining their paired longitudinal edges by respective longitudinal sealing joints,   iii) cutting a section from an extruded tube material.   
     
     
         16 . A method for using a stickpack-type packaging comprising
 a) providing a stickpack-type packaging including a single disposable test strip according to  claim 1 .   b) withdrawing the test strip from the packaging by tearing the foil tube preferably at a pre-weakened or tooth-shaped tear section,   c) applying a sample, preferably of a body fluid to the chemistry pad,   d) comparing a color of the chemistry pad resulting from a reaction with the analyte to the imprint of reference colors in order to evaluate a test result.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the comparison of the color is made optically by an instrument, in particular a mobile device preferably including a digital camera, or visually by a user.