U.S. patent application number 10/489462 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-30 for container with locking device.
Invention is credited to Farrar, Peter Antony, Fraser, Anthony Henry Joseph.
Application Number | 20040262189 10/489462 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9921829 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040262189 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fraser, Anthony Henry Joseph ;
et al. |
December 30, 2004 |
Container with locking device
Abstract
A container (1) comprises a container body comprising first and
second parts (3, 5) which may be brought together to close
container and separated to open the container, and a retaining
device (11) comprising a retaining member (13) and a release member
(15), wherein the retaining member is securable in a retaining
position in which it retains the first and second parts (3, 5) of
the container body together and thereby contains the container
closed, the retaining member (13) being manually disengageable from
its retaining position by movement of the release member (15) with
respect to the retaining member (13). The container is particularly
suitable for containing one or more packs of pharmaceutical
tablets.
Inventors: |
Fraser, Anthony Henry Joseph;
(Rutland, GB) ; Farrar, Peter Antony; (Leeds,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
299 PARK AVENUE, 13TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10171
US
|
Family ID: |
9921829 |
Appl. No.: |
10/489462 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
September 11, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB02/04132 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/536 ;
220/528 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B 65/0014 20130101;
B65D 50/046 20130101; E05C 19/184 20130101; B65D 55/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/536 ;
220/528 |
International
Class: |
B65D 083/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 11, 2001 |
GB |
0121867.6 |
Claims
1. A container which comprises a container body comprising first
and second parts which may be brought together to close the
container and separated to open the container, and a retaining
device comprising a retaining member and a release member, wherein
the retaining member is securable in a retaining position in which
it retains the first and second parts of the container body
together and thereby retains the container closed, the retaining
member being manually disengageable from its retaining position by
movement of the release member with respect to the retaining
member.
2. A container according to claim 1, in which said movement of the
release member disengages the retaining member from its retaining
position.
3. A container according to claim 1, in which said movement of the
release member enables the retaining member to be disengaged from
its retaining position.
4. A container according to any preceding claim in which the
container is arranged such that after said movement of the release
member, movement of the retaining member with respect to at least
one of the parts of the container body opens the container.
5. A container according to claim 4, in which said movement of the
retaining member comprises movement of one of the parts of the
container body with respect to the other part of the container
body, causing the container to be opened.
6. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the
container is arranged such that after said movement of the release
member, movement of the retaining member with respect to at least
one of the parts of the container body allows the container to be
opened.
7. A container according to any preceding claim, in which the
retaining device and one of the first or second parts of the
container body have been formed as a single integral part.
8. A container according to any preceding claim, in which the
retaining member of the retaining device comprises a member of one
of the parts of the container body that is resiliently biased to
press against the other part of the container body when the
container is closed.
9. A container according to claim 8, in which the retaining member
is resiliently biased to press outwardly against an interior
surface of the other part of the container body.
10. A container according to claim 8 or claim 9, in which the
retaining member is a member of the second part of the container
body.
11. A container according to any one of claims 8 to 10, in which
the retaining member interlocks with a recess, aperture or
protrusion of the other part of the container body when the
retaining member is in its retaining position.
12. A container according to any one of claims 8 to 11, in which
the movement of the release member acts against the resilient bias
of the retaining member to disengage the retaining member from its
retaining position.
13. A container according to claim 12 when dependent upon claim 9,
in which the movement of the release member causes a retraction of
the retaining member away from the interior surface of the other
part.
14. A container according to any preceding claim, in which the
release member and the retaining member have chamfered surfaces
which cooperate to disengage the retaining member from its
retaining position upon said movement of the release member.
15. A container according to claim 8 or any other claim dependent
thereon, in which the release member is a member of the same part
of the container body as that of the retaining member.
16. A container according to any preceding claim, in which the
release member is directly or indirectly accessible from the
exterior of the container.
17. A container according to claim 16, in which the release member
is only indirectly accessible from the exterior of the container
when the container is closed, for example by means of a button,
membrane or flap.
18. A container according to any preceding claim, in which the
release member is arranged to disengage the retaining member from
its retaining position by being manually depressed from the
exterior of the container.
19. A container according to any preceding claim, in which the
release member is engageable, by manually releasable interlocking,
with the container body or a component thereof, such that when so
engaged it secures the retaining member in its retaining
position.
20. A container which comprises a container body comprising first
and second parts which may be brought together to close the
container and separated to open the container, and a retaining
device comprising a retaining member and a release member, the
release member being engageable, by manually releasable
interlocking, with the container body or a component thereof such
that when so engaged it secures the retaining member in a retaining
position in which the first and second parts of the container body
are retained together and when disengaged it enables the retaining
member to be moved from its retaining position to release the first
and second parts of the container body.
21. A container according to claim 20, in which the release member
comprises a projection arranged to interlock with a corresponding
aperture in or on the container body.
22. A container according to claim 20 or claim 21, in which the
release member comprises an aperture arranged releasably to receive
a projection of the container body therein.
23. A container according to any one of claims 20 to 22, in which
the release member is engageable with only one of either the first
part or the second part of the container body.
24. A container according to any preceding claim, in which the
first part of the container comprises a lid or sleeve of the
container and the second part of the container comprises a base or
tray of the container, the tray being receivable in the sleeve to
close the container.
25. A container according to any preceding claim, in which the
first and second parts of the container body are connected by means
of one or more hinges by which they may be rotated with respect to
each other in order to open or close the container.
26. A container according to any preceding claim, in which the
release member and the retaining member are spaced apart from each
other but are physically interconnected.
27. A container according to claim 26, in which the retaining
device further comprises a member to which both the release member
and the retaining member are joined.
28. A container according to any preceding claim, which is suitable
for holding one or more generally flat packs of pharmaceutical
tablets, the interior of the container including means for holding
the, or each, pack of tablets.
29. A container according to claim 28, in which the holding means
comprises one or more retaining clips arranged to engage the, or
each, pack of tablets.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to containers, and in
particular to devices for retaining containers closed. The
invention is particularly concerned with containers for
pharmaceutical tablets and the like, but it is generally applicable
to containers having other uses.
[0002] A first aspect of the invention provides a container which
comprises a container body comprising first and second parts which
may be brought together to close the container and separated to
open the container, and a retaining device comprising a retaining
member and a release member, wherein the retaining member is
securable in a retaining position in which it retains the first and
second parts of the container body together and thereby retains the
container closed, the retaining member being manually disengageable
from its retaining position by movement of the release member with
respect to the retaining member.
[0003] Preferably, such movement of the release member with respect
to the retaining member either disengages the retaining member from
its retaining position, or enables the retaining member to be
disengaged from its retaining position. Advantageously, subsequent
movement of the retaining member with respect to at least one of
the parts of the container body preferably either opens the
container or allows the container to be opened.
[0004] A second aspect of the invention provides a container which
comprises a container body comprising first and second parts which
may be brought together to close the container and separated to
open the container, and a retaining device comprising a retaining
member and a release member, the release member being engageable,
by manually releasable interlocking, with the container body or a
component thereof such that when so engaged it secures the
retaining member in a retaining position in which the first and
second parts of the container body are retained together and when
disengaged it enables the retaining member to be moved from its
retaining position to release the first and second parts of the
container body.
[0005] (At least in the second aspect of the invention, the release
member may be regarded as a securement member, or a securement and
release member.)
[0006] The invention has the advantage that the function of
retaining the container closed (which is carried out by the
retaining member) is separated from the function of releasing the
retaining member from its securement in its retaining position in
which it retains the container in its closed state (which is
carried out by the release member). This is advantageous for
several reasons.
[0007] Firstly, the separation of functions can provide a
child-proof or child-resistant opening mechanism for the container,
which may be important, for example, when the container is used for
pharmaceutical tablets and the like. This is because small children
will typically be unable to carry out both (or all) of the actions
required to open the container, or they may be unable to appreciate
that the two (or more) actions are required.
[0008] Secondly, the fact that at least two separate actions
(namely releasing the retaining member and opening the container,
or alternatively releasing the retaining member, moving the
retaining member, and opening the container) are required to open
the container generally provides a degree of security against
accidental opening of the container.
[0009] Thirdly, the separation of the retaining and securing
functions can enable the container to be designed for ease of use
by the elderly or disabled. This is because, by physically
separating the actions required firstly to enable the container to
be opened and secondly actually to open the container, the opening
of the container (which initially is securely closed) can be made
easier for people with manual dexterity difficulties (for example
the arthritic). For example, the physical spacing and/or the size
of container components arranged to carry out the two actions may
be made sufficiently large to facilitate their use by such
people.
[0010] It was mentioned above that the container body comprises
first and second parts which may be brought together to close the
container and separated to open the container. The first and second
parts may be entirely separate, and only brought together, and
retained together, when the container is closed. Alternatively, the
first and second parts of the container body may be connected to
each other even when the container is open. For example, the first
and second parts may be connected by means of one or more hinges or
the like by which they may be rotated with respect to each other in
order to open or close the container.
[0011] The first part of the container may comprise a lid or outer
sleeve of the container, and the second part of the container may
comprise a base of the container or a tray of the container
arranged to be received in the sleeve. The base may be larger than
the lid, or the lid may be larger than the base, but in a preferred
embodiment of the invention, which is particularly suitable for
holding pharmaceutical tablets and the like, the base and the lid
are of substantially the same size and shape.
[0012] In addition to the first and second parts of the container
body, the container body may comprise one or more additional parts.
For example, some embodiments of the invention include a third part
of the container body forming a hinge region of the container
between the first and second parts.
[0013] It was also mentioned above that the retaining device
comprises a retaining member and a release member. In its retaining
position, the retaining member retains the first and second parts
of the container body together such that the container cannot be
opened. In this position, the retaining member preferably therefore
engages with both the first and second parts of the container body
to prevent their separation. Advantageously, the retaining member
may comprise an integral part of either the first or the second
part of the container body (e.g. the second part, especially if it
is in the form of a base or tray). Alternatively, the retaining
member may comprise two (or more) spaced apart arms, each of which
is arranged to engage with a respective part of the container body
to prevent their separation. Such engagement of the retaining
member arms with the container body parts may comprise the
insertion of the arms into corresponding slots or other apertures
in the respective body parts, or it may comprise location of the
arms on corresponding ledges of the respective body parts, for
example.
[0014] In some embodiments of the invention, the release member of
the retaining device comprises a securement member which not only
causes the retaining member to be released from its retaining
position but which also secures the retaining member in its
retaining position prior to causing such release when moved. In
such embodiments, the release member preferably is manually
releasably interlockable with the container body or a component
thereof, for example by being manually depressed. For example, the
release member may comprise a projection, preferably a resiliently
flexible projection, arranged to interlock with a corresponding
recess or other aperture, or with a corresponding projection, in or
on the container body. Additionally or alternatively, the release
member may comprise a recess or other aperture arranged releasably
to receive a projection (e.g. a resiliently flexible projection) of
the container body therein. For example, the release member may
comprise a resiliently flexible detent arranged to form a snap-fit
in a recess or other aperture, or with a corresponding projection,
in or on the container body.
[0015] In such embodiments, the release member is preferably
engageable with the first and/or second part of the container body.
In preferred embodiments, the release member is engageable with
only one of either the first part or the second part of the
container body. For example, the release member may be engageable
with a lid of the container.
[0016] In other embodiments of the invention, the release member of
the retaining device does not itself secure the retaining member in
its retaining position (i.e. the release member is not also a
securement member) but instead functions merely to release the
retaining member from its retaining position. In such embodiments,
actuation of the release member by moving the release member
relative to the retaining member causes the retaining member to be
released from its retaining position. This may be achieved, for
example, by the release member disengaging the retaining member
from an interlocking engagement with one or more of the parts of
the container body. For example, the retaining member may be
resiliently biased to interlock with one or more parts of the
container body (thereby to retain the container closed); actuation
of the release member by moving it relative to the retaining member
may cause the release member to act against such resilient biasing
to release the retaining member. This may, for example, be achieved
by means of one or more wedges or chamfered surfaces of the release
member.
[0017] The release member may itself be accessible from the
exterior of the container. Alternatively, the release member may
not be directly accessible from the exterior of the container, but
instead may be indirectly accessible, for example by means of a
button or the like, or a depressible membrane. However, even though
the release member may be only indirectly accessible, the
expression "manually disengageable" is intended to mean that the
retaining member does not require the use of a tool to release it
from its engagement with the container body (or a component
thereof).
[0018] The release member and the retaining member of the retaining
device are preferably spaced apart from each other but physically
interconnected. This may be achieved, for example, by means of
another member forming part of the retaining device, to which both
the release member and the retaining member are joined.
[0019] The container body and/or the retaining device is/are
preferably formed from a polymer material, for example a polyolefin
(e.g. polypropylene), a polyacrylate, Nylon (trade mark) or the
like. The container body and preferably also the retaining device,
is/are preferably moulded, more preferably injection moulded.
Advantageously, the container body may be injection moulded as a
single integral article. Additionally or alternatively, other
materials, for example metals and/or card may, be used.
[0020] As already mentioned, a preferred use of the container
according to the invention is for containing pharmaceutical
tablets, pills, capsules, or the like. The expression
"pharmaceutical tablets" is used in this specification to include
any kind of pharmaceutical, medicinal (conventional or
alternative), homeopathic, nutritional (including vitamins and
minerals etc) or similar tablet, pill, capsule, etc., or any other
discrete dose, whether solid, liquid, or semi-liquid. Preferably
such tablets are themselves held in one or more generally flat
packs, for example formed from metal foil and/or flexible polymeric
material and/or card and/or paper. Such packs include so-called
"blister packs" comprising a vacuum formed tray provided with
depressions for the tablets, the tray being sealed (normally heat
sealed) by means of a covering layer, normally of metal foil or
polymeric material or paper or card. For such embodiments of the
invention, the interior of the container preferably includes means
for holding the or each pack of tablets, for example one or more
retaining clips, e.g. arranged to engage one or more respective
apertures provided in the, or each, pack of tablets.
[0021] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, of which:
[0022] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a container according to the
invention, including a retaining device shown separately from the
body of the container;
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a detail of the exterior of the container of
FIG. 1, with the retaining device partly inserted into the
container;
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a detail of the interior of the container of
FIGS. 1 and 2, with the retaining device fully inserted into the
container;
[0025] FIG. 4 (views a and b) shows two details of retaining clips
for holding packs of tablets within a container according to the
invention;
[0026] FIG. 5 (views a to c) shows two details of an alternative
form of retaining clip for holding packs of tablets within a
container according to the invention;
[0027] FIG. 6 shows the various major components of a second
embodiment of a container according to the invention;
[0028] FIG. 7 shows, separately, the tray (or second part of the
container body) of the container of FIG. 6;
[0029] FIG. 8 shows the tray of FIG. 7 immediately subsequent to
its removal from the sleeve (or first part of the container
body);
[0030] FIG. 9 shows the container of FIGS. 6 to 8 fully closed;
and
[0031] FIG. 10 (views (a) and (b)) shows a third embodiment of
container according to the invention.
[0032] FIG. 1 shows a container 1 suitable for pharmaceutical
tablets, which comprises a container body comprising a first part 3
in the form of a lid, and a second part 5 in the form of a base.
The container, which is formed form a polymer material, for example
polypropylene, is generally rectangular in plan view and has a
thin, flat, shape, making it suitable to contain one or more
generally flat foil packs of tablets, for example.
[0033] The first and second parts 3 and 5 of the container body are
connected to each other by means of hinge region comprising a third
part 7 of the container which forms one thin edge of the container
and which is itself joined to both the first and second container
body parts by means of webs 9 of the polymer material. The polymer
webs act as hinges, allowing the first and second parts 3 and 5 of
the container body to be brought together (at their opposite edges)
to close the container and separated (at their opposite edges) to
open the container. As shown in FIG. 1, the container is
closed.
[0034] FIG. 1 also shows a retaining device 11 that also forms part
of the container, and which is formed from Nylon (trade mark). The
retaining device 11 comprises a retaining member 13 and a release
member 15 which are interconnected by means of an elongate member
17. The retaining member comprises a pair of spaced apart arms 19
which are sized and shaped to locate with corresponding ledges 21
formed in the opposing first and second container body parts 3 and
5 in the thin edge 23 of the container opposite to the hinged edge
7. When the arms 19 of the retaining member are so located on the
ledges 21, i.e. the retaining member is in its retaining position,
the container is prevented from being opened.
[0035] The elongate member 17 of the retaining device 11 is joined
to one of the spaced apart arms 19 of the retaining member of the
device, and extends away from the arm in substantially the same
direction as that in which the arm extends. The elongate member 17,
which has the form of a substantially rigid strip, is sized and
shaped to be received in a slot 25 provided in a recess formed to
accommodate the ledge 21 in the lid 3 when the retaining member 13
is in its retaining position (i.e. located on the ledges 21).
[0036] When the retaining member 13 is in its retaining position,
and the elongate member 17 is received within the slot 25 so that
it extends into the interior of the container, the release member
15, which is in the form of a resiliently flexible projection or
detent carried by the elongate member, is releasably engaged with
an aperture 27 provided in the container lid 3. In this way, the
release member 15 secures the retaining member 13 in its retaining
position in which the first and second parts 3 and 5 of the
container body are retained together. The release member 15 is
disengageable from the aperture by pressing down upon the release
member from the exterior of the container 1. When disengaged, the
release member 15 enables the retaining member 13 to be moved from
its retaining position to release the first and second parts of the
container body, thereby allowing the container to be opened. It
will thus be appreciated that the functions of retaining the
container closed, and securing the container in its closed state,
are separated, and in order to open the container, two separate
actions (prior to actually opening the container) are required.
[0037] FIG. 2 shows a detail of the retaining member 13 of the
retaining device 11, with the elongate member partially inserted
into the slot 25 in the container lid 3 (which in this view is
shown beneath the base 5 of the container).
[0038] FIG. 3 shows a detail of the interior of the container, and
in particular a detail of the interior underside 29 of the lid 3
(the base 5 is not shown). The retaining member 13 is in its
retaining position (although it is located on the ledge of the lid
3 only, since the base is not shown, for clarity). The elongate
member 17 of the retaining device 11 is shown extending through the
slot 25 in the lid, and extending along the underside 29 of the
lid. The elongate member 17 is guided by means of a pair of guide
members 31 formed on the underside 29 of the lid 3, the guide
members being shaped and sized to guide a bevelled end region 31 of
the elongate member. The release member 15, which as already
mentioned comprises a resiliently flexible projection or detent is
received within the aperture 27 in the lid 3.
[0039] FIG. 4(a) shows a detail of the interior of a modified form
of the container shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Specifically, the detail
shows one end of the hinge region of the container, including the
edge portion 7 of the container. The interior of the edge portion
includes a plurality (three as shown) of retaining clips 33 for
holding a pack 35 of tablets (as herein defined) to be stored in
the container. There will be a corresponding set of three retaining
clips at the opposite end of the hinge portion (not shown). The
retaining clips 33 are arranged to be received in apertures 37
provided in an edge region of the tablet pack. As shown, alternate
clips are arranged in opposing orientations, and as shown in FIG.
4(b) the opposing clips are arranged to overlap slightly in
profile, so that each tablet pack is trapped and therefore held by
the clips. However, the clips are curved, thereby allowing the
tablet packs to be pivoted while being held by the clips, for ease
of access and removal of tablets from each pack.
[0040] FIG. 5 (views a to c) shows an alternative form of retaining
clip 38 for a tablet pack, in which an overhanging clip portion 39
extending substantially parallel to the interior of the base 5 of
the container has a downwardly projecting spur 41 which projects
into an aperture 43 provided in the base 5 below the overhanging
clip portion 39. The spur 41 has an inclined leading edge 45 to
facilitate the insertion of an edge of a tablet pack so that an
aperture 37 in the tablet pack can engage with the spur. Removal of
the tablet pack from the retaining clip is more difficult than its
insertion, because the back edge of the spur 41 is not inclined.
FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view of the retaining clip 38 and tablet
pack 35, FIG. 4(b) is a side view, and FIG. 4(c) is a plan view of
the underside of the base 5.
[0041] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the invention,
comprising a sleeve 51 (or first part) and a tray 53 (or second
part) which together comprise a container. Also shown is a blister
pack 55 of tablets which is sized and shaped to be received and
retained in the tray 53 under detents 57 provided in side walls of
the tray (as shown in FIG. 8). Additionally, a card inlay 59 (which
may be printed with a design and/or information pertaining to the
tablets, for example) is also shown. The card inlay 59 is also
sized and shaped to be retained in the tray 53 under the detents
57, and includes apertures 61 through which the tablet "blisters"
and other projections on the blister pack may project (also as
shown in FIG. 8).
[0042] The sleeve 51 is sized and shaped to receive the tray 53
(containing the blister pack and the card inlay) as a snug fit
therein. The sleeve (which preferably is formed from card, but may
be formed from a plastics material for example) comprises a
generally rectangular box which is closed except for an open end 63
through which the tray may be inserted into, and removed from, the
sleeve. The tray 53 preferably is formed from a plastics material
(and preferably is injection moulded).
[0043] FIG. 7 shows the tray 53 of FIG. 6 alone. The tray 53
comprises a containment portion 65 in which, for example, a pack of
tablets (as shown in FIG. 6) may be contained. The tray 53 also
comprises a retaining device 67 which is an integral part of the
tray (and preferably moulded as such). The retaining device 67
comprises a pair of retaining members 69 and a release member 71.
Each retaining member 69 comprises a pivoted flap of part of a side
wall of the tray, the flap being resiliently biased (by means of an
injection moulded "live" hinge 73) outwardly as shown in FIG. 7.
The release member 71 comprises a plate joined to an end wail 75 of
the tray by means of an injection moulded live hinge such that the
plate is resiliently biased to extend in a direction away from the
remainder of the tray, as shown in FIG. 7. Opposite ends of the
release member 71 include projections 77, each of which has a
chamfer 79 extending from an end thereof on an inwardly facing
surface of the projection. These projections 77 and chamfers 79 are
arranged to fit into corresponding chamfered apertures 81 provided
on the interior surface of each retaining member 69, as will be
explained with reference to FIG. 8.
[0044] FIG. 8 shows the container of FIGS. 6 and 7 with the tablet
blister pack 55 and inlay card 59 contained in the tray 53, and
retained under detents 57. The tray 53 is shown immediately
subsequent to its removal from the sleeve 51 (or alternatively
immediately prior to its insertion in the sleeve). The release
member 71 has been folded over a low part of the end wall 75 of the
tray to which it is joined by means of a live hinge, so that the
plate of the release member lies generally parallel to the plane of
the tray and overlies an end region of the tray. With the release
member 71 in this orientation, the tray may be inserted into the
sleeve 51 so that the tray is fully contained within the
sleeve.
[0045] When the tray 53 is fully inserted into the sleeve 51, the
retaining members 69 (which are biased outwardly against the side
wall of the sleeve) interlock with projections and/or recesses
(e.g. cut outs--not shown) provided on the internal surfaces of the
side walls of the sleeve. In this manner, the tray is prevented
from being removed from the sleeve. An end region of an upper
surface of the sleeve (at the opposite end of the sleeve to the
open end 63) contains a slot which provides a depressible flap 83
in the upper surface of the sleeve. This depressible flap 83 (which
preferably includes a marking, e.g. as shown, to indicate that it
should be depressed) is arranged to be in alignment with the
release member 71 when the tray is contained in the sleeve. If the
flap 83 is depressed, this causes the release member 71 also to be
depressed relative to the remainder of the tray. The depression of
the release member causes the projections 79 to extend into the
apertures 81 of the retaining members 69, and the chamfered
surfaces of the projections 79 and the apertures 81 cooperate to
pull the retaining members inwards, thereby releasing them from
their interlocking engagement with the interior of the sleeve. The
tray 53 may then be withdrawn from the sleeve 51 with the aid of a
"finger pull" recess 85 provided at the opposite end of the tray,
which is accessible via a corresponding cut-out portion 87 of the
sleeve.
[0046] The tray 53 may therefore be removed from the sleeve 51 only
by means of a two step procedure, whereby retaining members on the
tray (which retain the container closed) are firstly released from
their retaining position by means of a release member of the tray,
and subsequently the tray may be withdrawn from the sleeve.
[0047] FIG. 10 (views (a) and (b)) shows a third embodiment of a
container according to the invention. This embodiment also
comprises a tray 93 which is slidingly received within a sleeve 91.
In this embodiment, however, the retaining device 95 comprises a
sheet (for example of card or plastics material) which has a groove
97 formed across its width and which causes the sheet to be
resiliently biased towards a contracted configuration.
Additionally, in this embodiment the retaining device forms part of
the sleeve 91 (rather than the tray 93) and preferably is adhered
to an interior surface of the sleeve by means of adhesive 99.
[0048] When the tray 93 is fully inserted in the sleeve 91 and the
retaining device 95 is in its relaxed (contracted) configuration,
the groove 97 interlocks with corresponding grooves 101 (only one
of which is shown) in the sidewalls of the tray 93, thereby
preventing the withdrawal of the tray from the sleeve. In order to
withdraw the tray from the sleeve, it is necessary to pull the
sheet retaining device 95 relative to the tray and the sleeve in
the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 10(a). A portion 102
of the retaining device 95 is accessible from the exterior of the
container via a cut out portion 103 of the sleeve, and the
accessible portion 102 constitutes the release member of the
retaining device. Pulling the sheet retaining device with respect
to the remainder of the container in this way straightens the
sheet, thereby releasing the groove 97 (which constitutes the
retaining member of the retaining device) from the corresponding
grooves 101 (i.e. releasing the retaining member from its retaining
position) and allowing the tray 93 subsequently to be withdrawn
from sleeve 91.
* * * * *