Unit-dose medication dispenser and multiple-dispenser frame therefor

A medication dispenser for containing a blister pack of unit doses comprising:

• a top plate having a face area and a back area with at least one aperture for receiving the blister portion of a blister pack;
• a bottom plate adapted to receive said blister pack and to engage said back area of said top plate so as to confine said blister pack between said top plate and said bottom plate, said bottom plate having at least one dispensing aperture in register with said blister of said blister pack,
• a bridge spanning at least a portion of said face area of said top plate, said bridge comprising,
• a label-receiving surface having an area less than the area of said face area of said top plate, and
• support members extending between said label receiving surface and said face area of said top plate,
• said label-receiving surface being spaced above said face area of said top plate a distance sufficient to avoid interference with said blisters of said blister pack, and being provided with label-retaining tabs.

A medication dispenser for containing a blister pack of unit does comprising:

• a top plate having a face area and a back area with at least one aperture for receiving the blister portion of a blister pack;
• a bottom plate adapted to receive said blister pack and to engage said back area of said top plate so as to confine said blister pack between said top plate and said bottom plate, said bottom plate having at least one dispensing aperture in register with said blister of said blister pack;
• a bridge spanning at least a portion of said face area of said top plate, said bridge comprising,
• a label-receiving surface having an area less than the area of said face area of said top plate, and
• support members extending between said label receiving surface and said face area of said top plate, said bridge support members include a longitudinal rib,
• said label-receiving surface being spaced above said face area of said top plate a distance sufficient to avoid interference with said blisters of said blister pack.

A medication dispenser-holding frame comprising

• a generally rectangular planar base,
• longitudinal side walls extending upward from two opposite sides of said rectangular base,
• bosses on the interior of said side walls for cooperation with retaining tabs on said medication dispenser to retain said dispenser within said frame, and
• at least one interior longitudinal wall parallel with said side walls and located centrally therebetween on said base, said interior longitudinal wall being provided with bosses for cooperation with retaining tabs on said medication dispenser to retain said dispenser within said frame.

In combination, a frame for holding a medication dispenser and a medication dispenser held in said frame,

• said medication dispenser comprising
• a top plate having a face area and a back area and at least one aperture for receiving a blister of a blister pack,
• a bottom plate adapted to engage said back area of said top plate thereby confining said blister pack between said top plate and said bottom plate, said bottom plate having at least one dispensing aperture in register with said blister of said blister pack, at least one of said top plate and said bottom plate having retaining tabs extending therefrom in the plane of said top plate or said bottom plate,
• a bridge spanning at least a portion of said face area of said top plate, said bridge comprising,
• a label-receiving surface having an area less than the area of said face area of said top plate, and
• support members extending between said label receiving surface and said face area of said top plate,
• said label-receiving surface being spaced above said face area of said top plate a distance sufficient to avoid interference with said blisters of said blister pack,
• said medication dispenser being held within a frame comprising
• a generally rectangular planar base,
• longitudinal side walls extending upward from two opposite sides of said rectangular base,
• bosses on the interior of said side walls for cooperation with said retaining tabs on said medication dispenser to retain said dispenser within said frame.