Packaging system for medication

Abstract

A sealed package is provided for holding a predetermined supply of individual medication units, such as pills. The package includes a base panel defining a predetermined number of sealed compartments. The base panel includes opening means for accommodating the tearing of the base panel from an edge thereof into each compartment to release the pills. A cover panel is provided for overlying the base panel and is hinged to the base panel. A retainer means or latch is provided for releasably engaging the cover panel with the base panel. The cover panel, the base panel, or both present indicia for identifying said medication units and the .[.and.]. dosage therefor.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sealed .[.,.]. package from which a predetermined supply of discrete units of medication can be dispensed, said package comprising: a base panel defining a predetermined number of sealed compartments corresponding to the number of medication-units to be dispensed to a patient in a predetermined time period, each said compartment containing one of said medication units, said base panel further including opening means for accommodating the tearing of said base panel from an edge thereof into each said compartment to release said medication units;   said base panel further including:   (a) a carrier that has a transparent medication-receiving member that has a row of outwardly projecting receptacles defining said compartments for receiving said medication units; and   (b) top and bottom sheath layers on opposite sides of said carrier;   said top sheath layer including a plurality of apertures for each receiving one of said receptacles and for accommodating the projection of said receptacles through said apertures;   said bottom sheath layer having a .Iadd.bottom notch along said one side edge of said base panel, said bottom notch extending below said compartments to expose said carrier below said compartments;   said top sheath layer having a .Iaddend.top notch along said one edge of said base panel; and   said top notch extending inwardly from said one edge but .[.terminates.]. .Iadd.terminating .Iaddend.outwardly of said compartments so that said top sheath layer defines a land between said apertures and said top notch;   a cover panel for overlying said base panel;   a hinge means for connecting said cover panel and base panel to accommodate relative movement of said cover panel and base panel between open and closed configurations; and   a retainer means for releasably engaging said cover panel with said base panel when said cover panel and base panel are in said closed configuration.   
     
     
       2. A sealed .[.,.]. package from which a predetermined supply of individual medication units can be dispensed, said package comprising: a base panel defining a predetermined number of sealed compartments corresponding to the number of medication-units to be dispensed, each said compartment containing one of said medication units;   a cover panel for overlying said base panel to accommodate relative movement of said cover panel and base panel between open and closed configurations;   said compartments being spaced-apart in a row inwardly of one edge of said base panel, said base panel further defining a plurality of spaced-apart weakened zones which are each associated with one of said compartments and are each located between said one edge and said one compartment, said base panel including a carrier, said carrier including a transparent medication-receiving member having a row of outwardly projecting receptacles with openings on one side for defining said compartments for receiving said medication units, said carrier including a backing sheet sealed to said transparent medication-receiving member and covering each said receptacle opening; and   said base panel further including top and bottom sheath layers on opposite sides of said carrier, said top sheath layer including a plurality of apertures for each receiving one of said receptacles and accommodating the projection of said receptacles through said apertures, said bottom sheath layer having a bottom notch along said one edge of said base panel, said bottom notch extending .[.inwardly beyond.]. .Iadd.below .Iaddend.said compartments to expose said backing sheet below said compartments, said top sheath layer having a top notch along said one edge of said base panel, said top notch extending inwardly from said one edge beyond said weakened zones but terminating outwardly of said compartments so that said top sheath layer defines a land between said apertures and said top notch.   
     
     
       3. The package in accordance with claim 2 in which portions of said top sheath layer and said bottom sheath layer extend beyond said carrier and are sealed together at regions extending beyond said carrier. 
     
     
       4. The package in accordance with claim 2 in which said top sheath layer and said bottom sheath layer are each sealed to said carrier. 
     
     
       5. The package in accordance with claim 2 in which said cover panel includes a top layer and a bottom layer sealed together. 
     
     
       6. The package in accordance with claim 2 in which said base panel bottom sheath layer and said base panel top sheath layer are both defined by a single piece of paperboard folded over said carrier. 
     
     
       7. The package in accordance with claim 2 in which said cover panel includes a single piece of paperboard folded over upon itself to define both said cover panel top layer and said cover panel bottom layer. 
     
     
       8. The package in accordance with claim 2 in which each said weakened zone includes a perforation through said carrier. 
     
     
       9. The package in accordance with claim 8 in which each said perforation is a slit that is spaced inwardly of said one edge of said base panel.