U.S. patent application number 11/536412 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-29 for packaging system with an improved lock and release mechanism.
Invention is credited to Christopher J. Hession.
Application Number | 20070068843 11/536412 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37684351 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070068843 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hession; Christopher J. |
March 29, 2007 |
PACKAGING SYSTEM WITH AN IMPROVED LOCK AND RELEASE MECHANISM
Abstract
A package includes a slide card that can be releasably locked in
an outer sleeve. The slide card includes an engaging tab that
provides part of a locking mechanism that is used to lock the slide
card in the outer sleeve. A support element is positioned and
secured to the slide card to maintain the resilience of the slide
card at a hinged connection between the engaging tab and a base
panel along a fold line. The support element is dimensioned and
positioned to define a minimum angle between the engaging tab and
the base panel. Thereby, the resiliency of the slide card is not
compromised as the engaging tab is repeatedly folded or depressed
toward the base panel.
Inventors: |
Hession; Christopher J.;
(Richmond, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION;ALEXANDRA B. URBAN,ESQ.
299 PARK AVENUE, 13TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10171
US
|
Family ID: |
37684351 |
Appl. No.: |
11/536412 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60721409 |
Sep 28, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/538 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/728 20130101;
B65D 2215/02 20130101; B65D 5/0227 20130101; B65D 83/0463 20130101;
B65D 5/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/538 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/04 20060101
B65D083/04 |
Claims
1. A slide card that can be releasably locked in an outer sleeve,
said slide card comprising: a base panel; an engaging tab hingedly
connected to said base panel along a fold line; a support element
secured to one of said engaging tab and said base panel; wherein
said support element is dimensioned and positioned so as to be
disposed between said base panel and said engaging tab when said
slide card is folded along said fold line.
2. The slide card of claim 1, wherein said support element is
secured to said slide card by means for securing.
3. The slide card of claim 2, wherein said slide card includes a
blister pack and said support element is integral to said blister
pack.
4. The slide card of claim 1, wherein said support element provides
an angle between said base panel and said engaging tab.
5. The slide card of claim 1, wherein the slide card includes a
plurality of support elements, each of said support elements being
secured to one of said base panel and said engaging tab.
6. The slide card of claim 5, wherein support elements are secured
to both said base panel and said engaging tab, wherein at least one
support element secured to said base panel contacts at least one
support element secured to said engaging tab to provide an angle
between said base panel and said engaging tab.
7. A package, comprising: an outer sleeve; a slide card that can be
releasably locked in said outer sleeve, said slide card comprising:
a base panel; an engaging tab hingedly connected to said base panel
along a fold line; a support element being secured to one of said
engaging tab and said base panel; wherein said support element is
dimensioned and positioned so as to be disposed between said base
panel and said engaging tab when said engaging tab is folded along
said fold line.
8. The slide card of claim 7, wherein said support element is
secured to said slide card by means for securing.
9. The slide card of claim 8, wherein said slide card includes a
blister pack and said support element is integral to said blister
pack.
10. The slide card of claim 7, wherein said support element
provides an angle between said base panel and said engaging
tab.
11. The slide card of claim 7, wherein the slide card includes a
plurality of support elements, each of said support elements being
secured to one of said base panel and said engaging tab.
12. The slide card of claim 11, wherein support elements are
secured to both said base panel and said engaging tab, wherein at
least one support element secured to said base panel contacts at
least one support element secured to said engaging tab to define an
angle between said base panel and said engaging tab.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Application No.
60/721,409, filed Sep. 28, 2005, the entirety of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a packaging system for packaging
and dispensing articles, and more specifically to a packaging
system that includes an improved lock and release mechanism for
releasably locking an internal slide card in an outer sleeve.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A known packaging system for packaging blisters packs and/or
other articles includes a slide card that is received in an outer
sleeve. In certain applications, a blister pack is secured,
mounted, or integral to the slide card. Such a packaging system is
a convenient packaging format for certain pharmaceutical
applications because the slide card can be repeatedly removed from
and returned to the outer sleeve, for example, to dispense unit
doses from a blister pack. The packaging system is also child
resistant in that the slide card can be retained within the outer
sleeve by a locking mechanism and released from the outer sleeve by
a release mechanism. Operation of the release mechanism in order to
release the slide card from the outer sleeve requires a set of
actions that are counter-intuitive to a child.
[0004] Child resistance is a feature particularly desired for
pharmaceutical packaging and, with regard to certain products, is
mandated by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970. For
example, to achieve a desired child resistance (CR) rating of F=1,
the number of subject packages that are compromised by children of
a specific age may not exceed a pre-set failure rate. This general
guideline is designed to ensure that the package has sufficient
integrity against tampering by children.
[0005] Although many packaging systems include child-resistant
locking features, the locking mechanism of some packaging systems
includes elements that are constructed from materials that may
deform or lose their resiliency with repeated use. In such
packaging systems the locking mechanism may not properly engage or
can be disengaged to remove the slide card from the outer sleeve
without properly operating the release mechanism, thereby
inadvertently allowing access to the blister pack and/or other
articles therein.
[0006] Accordingly, there remains in the art a need for a packaging
system that facilitates easy access to articles by the intended
user and that has an improved locking mechanism so as to be less
susceptible to manipulation by an unintended user, such as a
child.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the
known art and the problems that remain unsolved, by providing a
packaging system that includes an improved slide card which is
received in an outer sleeve. The improved slide card includes a
support element that is disposed between a base panel and an
engaging tab of the slide card as the engaging tab is folded along
a hinge that connects the engaging tab and the base panel. The
engaging tab is an element of a locking mechanism for locking the
slide card in the outer sleeve. The support element maintains the
structural integrity and the spring back capability of the hinge.
Thereby, the slide card can be repeatedly inserted into and removed
from the outer sleeve without compromising the functionality of the
lock and release mechanism.
[0008] In the exemplary embodiment, the packaging system includes
elements that provide a locking mechanism for retaining the slide
card within the outer sleeve as well as elements that provide a
release mechanism for releasing the slide card from the locking
feature. Thereby, the slide card can be repeatedly removed to
dispense articles to an intended user and reinserted in the outer
sleeve to prevent the articles from being dispensed to an
unintended user. The elements that provide the locking feature
include an engaging tab of the slide card and an engaging aperture
of the outer sleeve. The engaging edge of the engaging tab engages
an edge of the engaging aperture to releasably lock the slide card
in the outer sleeve. The elements that provide the release
mechanism include a release button of the outer sleeve that can be
pressed to disengage the engaging edge of the engaging tab from the
edge of the engaging aperture such that the slide card can be at
least partially removed from the outer sleeve.
[0009] The engaging tab is hingedly connected to a base panel of
the slide card. The resiliency of the slide card ensures that the
engaging tab tends to rotate away from the base panel such that the
engaging edge of the engaging tab is forced into the engaging
aperture. After repeated use and/or if the engaging tab is folded
too far toward the base panel, the slide card can lose its
resiliency such that the engaging edge of the engaging tab is not
properly forced into the engaging aperture. The exemplary slide
card includes a support element that is secured to the engaging tab
or the base panel. The support element is dimensioned and
positioned so as to be disposed between the base panel and the
engaging tab when the engaging tab is folded toward the base panel.
The support element defines a minimum angle between the base panel
and the engaging tab. This angle is determined such that the
engaging tab is prevented from being folded too far toward the base
panel, thereby retaining the resiliency of the slide card.
[0010] In the exemplary embodiment, the support element and blister
packs are secured to the slide card. The exemplary support element
includes a flanged portion and a support blister. Advantageously,
the support element can be formed by a process that is similar to
that used to form the blister packs. The support blister can be
formed from sheet material as the blisters of the blister packs are
formed from sheet material. In the embodiment shown, the support
element is independent of the blister packs. However, in
alternative embodiments, the support element can be integrally
formed as part of a blister pack.
[0011] In alternative embodiments the slide card may be configured
to hold articles on structures other than a blister pack, such as a
tray as taught in one or more co-pending applications that claim
priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/591,677, and
incorporated herein by reference. Still other alternative
embodiments include articles attached directly to the slide card,
without first being placed in primary packaging.
[0012] Further, in alternative embodiments, the support element can
be structure that functions to prevent the engaging tab from being
folded toward the base panel such that there is at least a minimum
angle between the engaging tab and the base panel. For example, the
blank that forms the slide card can include panels that can be
folded and secured to provide a support structure between the
engaging tab and the base panel. A wedge, disc, series of pegs, or
similar protruding object can be secured to the base panel and/or
to the engaging tab to provide a support element.
[0013] In the exemplary embodiment, the support element and the
blister packs are secured to the slide card as the support blister
and the blisters of the blister packs are received in apertures of
a blank that forms the slide card and the flange portions of each
are sandwiched between panels of the blank that forms the slide
card. In alternative embodiments, the support element can be
secured to the base panel and/or to the engaging tab by any
suitable means for securing including, but not limited to, glue or
other adhesives, mechanical fasteners, chemical bonding,
VELCRO.RTM., tape, a combination thereof, and the like.
[0014] In the exemplary embodiment, a support element is secured to
the base panel and that support element contacts the engaging tab
at a contact point. In alternative embodiments, a support element
is secured to the engaging tab and that support element contacts
the base panel at a contact point. In other alternative
embodiments, each of the engaging tab and base panel include one or
more support elements that contact one another.
[0015] The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and
features of the present invention, which should be construed to be
merely illustrative of various potential application of the
invention. Other beneficial results ran be obtained by applying the
disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various
aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects
and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be
obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary
embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a blank
for forming an outer sleeve, according to the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a partially erected outer
sleeve that is formed from the blank of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of components for forming an
exemplary embodiment of a slide card, according to the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a slide card formed from the
components of FIG. 3.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fully erected outer sleeve
that is formed from the blank of FIG. 1 which is shown to receive
the slide card of FIG. 4 to form an exemplary package, according to
the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the package of FIG.
5.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the package of FIG. 5
that illustrates an alternative position of a support element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed
embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be
embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations
thereof. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used expansively
to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens,
models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and
some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of
particular components. In other instances, well-known components,
systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in
order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific
structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and
as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention.
[0024] The present invention is applicable to the packaging,
storing, and dispensing of various products. Specifically, the
invention is illustrated in the context of a package that includes
a slide card that can be releasably locked in an outer sleeve. The
illustrated package can provide primary or secondary packaging for
many different products and especially for products that require
child-resistant packaging. For example, in certain of the
embodiments described herein, the present invention provides
secondary packaging for blister packs that are secured to or
integral to the slide card so as to be releasably locked in the
outer sleeve. In alternative embodiments, a tray for receiving a
product is integral to or directly attached to the slide card.
[0025] Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals
indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings
illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments
of a package that includes a slide card and an outer sleeve,
according to the present invention. In the embodiments described
herein, the slide card includes an engaging tab and a base panel
that are hingedly connected to one another along a fold line. The
slide card further includes a support element that is disposed
between the engaging tab and the base panel such that the
resiliency of the slide card is not compromised, as described in
further detail below.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, an outer sleeve blank 10 for forming an
outer sleeve 12, shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, is first described.
Generally described, the outer sleeve blank 10 is formed from a
foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board,
plastic, cardboard, any other flexible and durable material, a
combination thereof, and the like. The selection of this material
may be made according to the packaging needs. For example, a
material selected for medicines should be recognized as safe by the
Food and Drug Administration. In certain embodiments the material
may be selected from a sheet of bleached sulfate board, a sheet of
solid unbleached sulfate board (SUS), clay-coated newsback (CCNB),
or any other suitable board material. In other examples, the
paperboard may be clay coated on one side (C1S) or both sides (C2S)
with a coating such as a fluidized blend of mineral pigments. The
mineral pigments may be coating clay, calcium carbonate, or
titanium dioxide and may be combined with starch or adhesive.
Successive densification and polishing (via calendering) finishes
each coated surface to a high degree of smoothness and renders it
suitable for printing graphics of superior quality. Text or graphic
information may be printed on the outer sleeve 12 or on the surface
of a slide card according to any means conventionally known in the
art. Similarly, a slide card blank as described herein can be
formed from a foldable sheet material such as those described
above.
[0027] At least a part of one or both sides of the blank 10 may be
laminated with a polymer film. In this manner, the outer sleeve 12
is made more resistant to tearing. Optionally, this lamination may
not extend over the entire surface of the blank 10 since only tear
prone regions of the outer sleeve 12 may require lamination.
Suitable laminating materials may be selected from biaxially
oriented or cross-laminated polymeric films such as high density
polyethylene (HDPE), polyolefins, polyesters, or combinations
thereof. In a related embodiment, tear resistance may be provided
at stress points, such as the corners and exposed edges of the
outer sleeve 12, by applying one or more strips of polymeric film
over these areas. The polymeric film may be applied by extrusion,
adhesive lamination, or by any other suitable means known in the
art. Polymeric film is typically applied to the side that is the
interior surface of the blank 10. Similar lamination with polymeric
film may be used to treat the surface of a slide card.
[0028] The blank 10 includes a number of primary panels that are
substantially rectangular and that are aligned along the
longitudinal axis L of the blank 10. For reference, a transverse
axis V is provided to illustrate a transverse direction, which is
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. The primary
panels are folded and secured to form a tubular structure T, as
described in further detail below. The primary panels are hingedly
connected one to the next along transverse fold lines, which are
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the blank
10. The primary panels of the blank 10 include an inner panel 20, a
bottom panel 22, a top panel 24, and side panels 32, 33. The panels
20, 22 are hingedly connected to opposite edges of the first side
panel 32 along fold lines 34, 36. The panels 22, 24 are hingedly
connected to opposite edges of the second side panel 33 along fold
lines 38, 40.
[0029] The blank 10 further includes a number of extension panels
that are hingedly connected to an end edge of certain primary
panels along fold lines that are substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis L of the blank 10. An inner extension panel 50 is
hingedly connected to the inner panel 20 along a fold line 52 and a
bottom extension panel 54 is hingedly connected to the bottom panel
22 along a fold line 56. Apertures A1, A2 are disposed in the blank
10 so as to interrupt fold lines 52, 56 and thereby each aperture
A1, A2 is partially disposed in a respective primary panel and
partially disposed in a respective extension panel. Specifically,
aperture A1 is partially disposed in inner panel 20 and partially
disposed in inner extension panel 50. Aperture A2 is partially
disposed in bottom panel 22 and partially disposed in bottom
extension panel 54. In addition, the top panel 24 includes a notch
N1. When the extension panels are folded relative to the respective
primary panels, the apertures define notches which facilitate
removing the slide card from the outer sleeve. The notches are
positioned relative to one another to provide child resistance, as
described in further detail below.
[0030] End wall panels are hingedly connected to an end edge of
certain primary panels along fold lines that are substantially
parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the blank 10. The end wall
panels can be folded and secured as described below to form an end
closure structure at an open end of the tubular structure T defined
by certain primary panels and thereby define an end wall of the
outer sleeve 12. A first end wall panel 62 is hingedly connected to
the bottom panel 22 along a fold line 64 and a second end wall
panel 66 is hingedly connected to the top panel 24 along a fold
line 68.
[0031] The blank 10 includes elements that define a false end wall
102, shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, in the outer sleeve 12 when folded and
secured as described below. Referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of
panels for forming a false end wall 102 are defined in the inner
panel 20 by a cut line 70 and two fold lines 76, 78. Specifically,
a false bottom panel 80 is at least partially defined by the fold
lines 76, 78 and the cut line 70. In addition, a glue flap 82 is at
least partially defined by the fold line 76 and the cut line 70.
The cut line 70 extends from a transverse free edge 72 of the inner
panel 20 toward the fold line 34 and is orientated substantially
parallel to a longitudinal free edge 74 of the inner panel 20. The
first fold line 76 and the second fold line 78 extend between the
longitudinal free edge 74 and the cut line 70. Specifically, the
second fold line 78 extends transversely between the distal end of
the cut line 70 and the longitudinal free edge 74. The first fold
line 76 is offset from and substantially parallel to the second
fold line 78.
[0032] The top panel 24 and the inner panel 20 include elements
that at least partially define a locking mechanism and a release
mechanism of the outer sleeve 12, as described in further detail
below. The top panel 24 includes a release button 90 that is
defined by a contoured cut line 91 and the inner panel 20 includes
an engaging aperture 86 that defines a node 88 and an edge E2. The
release button 90 and engaging aperture 86 are disposed in their
respective panels 24, 20 such that when the top panel 24 overlaps
the inner panel 20, as described in further detail below, the
release button 90 functionally aligns with the node 88.
[0033] It is envisaged that, in any embodiment of the present
invention, the outer sleeve can be formed from the outer sleeve
blank by a series of sequential folding and gluing operations,
which can be performed by a straight-line automatic packaging
machine so that the outer sleeve is not required to be rotated or
inverted to complete its construction. It is also envisaged that
the series of sequential folding and gluing operations can be
manually performed. The folding process is not limited to that
described below and can be altered according to particular
manufacturing or user requirements. In addition, alternative
embodiments may be made from multiple individual blanks, panels, or
panel portions, rather than the illustrated single blank, without
varying from the scope of the claims.
[0034] Turning now to the erection of the outer sleeve blank 10, it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that the particular
sequences of folds discussed below are neither limiting nor the
only sequence of folds possible to erect the outer sleeve 12 from
the outer sleeve blank 10. The outer sleeve blank 10 may be
initially folded to form a collapsed tubular structure with a
collapsed false end wall such that the collapsed tubular structure
and collapsed false end wall can be simultaneously erected to form
the outer sleeve 12 having the false end wall 102, best shown in
FIG. 2. Arranging the outer sleeve 12 in a collapsed condition
facilitates shipping or stacking the outer sleeve 12. For purposes
of clarity, the side or surface of the outer sleeve blank 10 that
is shown in FIG. 1 is designated as the outside surface of the
outer sleeve blank 10 and the opposite side is designated as the
inside surface of the outer sleeve blank 10.
[0035] According to a first exemplary method for forming a
collapsed tubular structure with a collapsed false end wall, the
inner extension panel 50 and the bottom extension panel 54 are
folded along respective fold lines 52, 56 such that the inside
surface of each of the extension panels 50, 54 is substantially in
a face contacting arrangement with the inside surface of the panels
20, 22, respectively. The bottom extension panel 54 can be
optionally secured to the bottom panel 22. Adhesive is applied to
the inside surface of the glue flap 82 and the inner panel 20 is
folded along fold line 34 such that the inside surface of the glue
flap 82 is secured to the inside surface of the bottom panel 22.
Adhesive is further applied to the outside surface of the inner
panel 20 and the blank 10 is folded along fold line 38 such that
the inside surface of top panel 24 overlaps and is secured in a
face contacting arrangement with the outside surface of the inner
panel 20.
[0036] The collapsed tubular structure, which is formed from the
method described above, can be erected to form the outer sleeve 12,
best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, by pulling the bottom panel 22 from
the inner panel 20 such that the panels 20, 22, 24 are
substantially parallel to one another and substantially
perpendicular to each of the side panels 32, 33. In addition, a
false end wall 102 is erected as the bottom panel 22 is pulled from
the inner panel 20 such that the false bottom panel 80 is
substantially perpendicular to the panels 20, 22 and substantially
parallel to the side panels 32, 33. When arranged as a tubular
structure T, the top panel 24 and the inner panel 20 define a
composite top wall 224, the bottom panel 22 defines a bottom wall
222, and the side panels define side walls 232, 233. To complete
the folding sequence for the outer sleeve 12, the end panels 62, 66
are folded and secured to form an end closure structure that
defines an end wall 104 of the outer sleeve 12, as shown in FIG.
5.
[0037] It should be noted that the outer sleeve 12 illustrated in
FIG. 2 is partially formed in that the top panel 24 is not shown as
being secured to the inner panel 20. FIG. 2 is illustrated in this
manner to best show certain elements of the outer sleeve 12.
[0038] An exemplary slide card is now described which is suitable
for use with the outer sleeve 12. Slide cards with means for
receiving and securing an item, including those that receive and
secure blister packs, those with integral trays, those with trays
mounted thereon, and those with articles mounted directly thereon,
are known or have been developed by the Applicant and are the
subject of issued patents and/or co-pending applications. However,
the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments
of slide cards described herein or previously developed by the
Applicant. Rather, the scope of the invention includes any slide
card that includes a support element which maintains the resiliency
of the slide card at a hinged connection between an engaging tab
and a base panel, as described in further detail below.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, exemplary embodiments of a slide card
blank 310, a support element 312, and blister packs 314 can be
assembled to form an exemplary slide card 400, best shown in FIG.
4. The slide card blank 310 includes a first series of panels
aligned in a longitudinal direction which are hingedly connected to
one another along fold lines which are oriented in a transverse
direction. The first series of panels includes an engaging tab
320a, a base panel 322a, a spine panel 324a, and a cover panel
326a. The engaging tab 320a is hingedly connected to the base panel
322a along a fold line 330a, the base panel 322a is hingedly
connected to the spine panel 324a along a fold line 332a, and the
spine panel 324a is hingedly connected to the cover panel 326a
along a fold line 334a. The exemplary embodiment of the slide card
blank 310 further includes a second series of panels that are
substantially similar to the first series of panels. Further,
certain of the first series of panels are hingedly connected to
respective ones of the second series of panels along a fold line
340. It should be understood that, in alternative embodiments, the
first series of panels and the second series of panels can be
separated from one another, for example, by a cut line that is
substituted for the fold line 340. In these embodiments, each
series of panels defines a separate card, which is desirable in
certain manufacturing applications.
[0040] The second series of panels includes an engaging tab 320b, a
base panel 322b, a spine panel 324b, and a cover panel 326b that
are hingedly connected one to the next along fold lines 330b, 332b,
334b. Thus, the base panels 322a, 322b are hingedly connected along
fold line 340, the spine panels 324a, 324b are hingedly connected
along fold line 340, and the cover panels 326a, 326b are hingedly
connected along fold line 340. The slide card blank 310 can be
folded along the fold line 340 to form a two ply thick slide card
400, as described in further detail below.
[0041] In the exemplary embodiment, the base panel 322b and the
cover panel 326b each include a pattern of apertures A3. The base
panel 322a and the cover panel 326a each include a similar pattern
of apertures A4. Further, the base panel 322b includes an aperture
A5. These elements will be described in further detail below as
they relate to elements of the support element 312 and to elements
of the blister pack 314.
[0042] The blister pack 314 includes a flange portion 348 from
which blisters 350 extend. Blister packs 314 can be formed in
numerous ways including by thermoforming blisters 350 in a sheet of
plastic-type material and attaching a foil or paperboard backing to
the sheet of plastic-type material to enclose the cavities defined
by the blisters 350. Thereby, the flange portion 348 is the
composite planar portion of the blister pack 314 that is formed by
the backing and the planar portion of the sheet material. The
blisters 350 are sized and dimensioned to receive products, such as
medicaments. In the exemplary embodiment, the blisters 350 are
arranged in a matrix configuration having two columns and seven
rows, but this configuration is merely a design choice. The
products in each of the blisters 350 are accessible through the
backing of the blister pack 314. For example, a foil backing can be
broken or a paperboard backing can include detachable gates in
order to access articles in blisters 350.
[0043] The support element 312 can be formed in a manner that is
similar to that which is used to form the blister packs 314 such
that the support element 312 includes a flange portion 352 and a
support blister 354. The support blister 354 can be any suitable
size or shape to provide support to elements of the slide card, as
described in further detail below. Further, the support blister 354
is dimensioned to be received in the aperture A5. In the exemplary
embodiment, the support blister 354 and the aperture A5 each have
an oval shape. However, the support blister 354 and the aperture A5
can have any suitable shape. It should be understood that, in
alternative embodiments, the support blister 354 can be integral to
a blister pack 314 so as to extend from the flange portion 348.
This arrangement is advantageous in that the support element 312
and the blister pack 314 do not have to be independently positioned
on and secured to the slide card blank 310.
[0044] For clarity, it is noted that the inside surface of the
slide card blank 310 is shown in FIG. 3. It should be understood
that, the support element 312 and the blister marks 314 can be
secured to the slide card blank 310 by means for securing including
adhesive, mechanical fasteners, chemical bonding, slits for
receiving corners, VELCRO.RTM., tape, a combination thereof, and
the like.
[0045] In the exemplary embodiment, the support element 312 and the
blister packs 314 are secured between respective panels of the
first series of panels, designated by the suffix "a", and the
second series of panels, designated by the suffix "b", as the slide
card blank 310 is folded along the fold line 340. According to an
exemplary method, the blisters 350 of each blister pack 314 are
received in apertures A3 such that the surface of the flange
portion 348 of one of the blister packs 314 is disposed in a face
contacting arrangement with the inside surface of the base panel
322b and the surface of the flange portion 348 of the other of the
blister packs 314 is disposed in a face contacting arrangement with
the inside surface of the cover panel 326b. Further, the support
blister 354 is received in the aperture A5 such that the surface of
the flange portion 352 of the support element 312 is in a face
contacting arrangement with the inside surface of the base panel
322b. The slide card blank 310 is then folded along the fold line
340 such that the flange portions 348, 352 of the blister packs 314
and the support element 312 are sandwiched between the base panels
322a, 322b and between the cover panels 326a, 326b, respectively.
Thereby, the apertures A4 that are defined in the panels 322a, 326a
are aligned with the blisters 350 of each blister pack 314.
[0046] The apertures A4 are dimensioned and positioned to align
with the blisters 350 such that articles in the blisters 350 can be
accessed therethrough. In alternative embodiments, the panels 322a,
326a can provide at least a portion of the backing of the blister
pack 314. In other words, the blister pack 314 can be integral to
the slide card blank 310. For example, blisters 350 can be formed
from a sheet of material, as described above, and the planar
portion of the sheet of material can be secured to the panels 322a,
326a of the slide card blank 310 such that the blisters align with
gates or other features that can be substituted for the apertures
A4.
[0047] It should be noted that adhesive can be applied to the
inside surface of the slide card blank 310 to secure the panels
ending in the suffix "a" to the panels ending in the suffix "b"
when the slide card blank 310 is folded along the fold line 340.
Alternatively, the panels may be secured together by means for
securing described above or by heat-sealing processes, hot-glues
and adhesives, all known and foreseeable types of mechanical
fasteners including engaging elements, staples, all known and types
of chemical bonding, any combinations thereof, and the like.
[0048] According to an alternative method for forming the slide
card 400, the flange portions 348, 352 of the blister packs 314 and
the support element 312 can be disposed in a face contacting
arrangement with corresponding panels 322a, 326a. The slide card
blank 310 is then folded along the fold line 340 such that the
apertures A3, A5 receive blisters 350 of the blister pack 314 and
the support blister 354 of the support element 312.
[0049] Thereby, the exemplary slide card 400 is formed as shown in
FIG. 4. Specifically, the engaging tabs 320a, 320b are secured
together to form a composite engaging tab 420, the base panels
322a, 322b are secured together to form a composite base panel 422,
the spine panels 324a, 324b are secured together to form a
composite spine panel 424, and the cover panels 326a, 326b are
secured together to form a composite cover panel 426. The engaging
tab 420, the base panel 422, the spine panel 424, and the cover
panel 426 are hingedly connected one to the next along fold lines
430, 432, 434. The fold line 430 is defined by fold lines 330a,
330b, the fold line 432 is defined by fold lines 332a, 332b, and
the fold line 434 is defined by fold lines 334a, 334b. In
alternative embodiments, the slide card includes only a base panel
and an engaging tab that are hingedly connected along a fold
line.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 4, the engaging tab 420 includes an
engaging edge 428 that is provided at the distal end of the
engaging tab 420. The distal end of the engaging tab 420 is that
which is distal to the hinged connection between the engaging tab
420 and the base panel 422 along fold line 430. The support element
312 is positioned to be adjacent to the hinged connection between
the base panel 422 and the engaging tab 420 so as to control a
minimum angle X that is allowed between the engaging tab 420 and
the base panel 422 as the engaging tab 420 is folded along the fold
line 430.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 6, the support element 312 has a contact
point P where the engaging tab 420 contacts the support element 312
when the engaging tab 420 is folded along the fold line 430. The
angle X is approximately a function of the distance S between the
contact point P and the fold line 430 and the distance H between
the contact point P and the base panel 422. It should be understood
that the location of the contact point P is a design choice that is
dependent on the size and shape of the support element 312 as well
as the position of the support element 312 relative to the fold
line 430. In addition, in alternative embodiments, the slide card
400 can include multiple contact points provided by one or more
support elements. In other alternative embodiments, at least one
support element is positioned to extend from the engaging tab such
that the contact point is determined where the base panel contacts
the support element. In still other alternative embodiments, each
of the engaging tab and the base panel include at least one support
element and the contact point is defined where the support elements
contact one another.
[0052] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an exemplary package 500 formed
from the outer sleeve 12 and the slide card 400 according to the
present invention. To construct the package 500, the following
method, which is presented for purposes of teaching and not
limitation, is described. Beginning with the folding of the slide
card 400, the slide card 400 is folded inwardly along fold lines
432, 434 such that the cover panel 426 is substantially parallel to
the base panel 422 and such that the spine panel 424 extends
between and substantially perpendicular to the panels 422, 426 so
as to form an end wall, as described in further detail below. In
this configuration the blisters 350 are sandwiched between, and
protected by, the cover panel 426 and base panel 422. The engaging
tab 420 is then folded inwardly along fold line 430 so that the
engaging tab 420 is at an acute angle with respect to the base
panel 422 and such that the support element 312 is disposed between
the engaging tab 420 and the base panel 422. The engaging edge 428
of the engaging tab 420 points generally toward the end wall
defined by the spine panel 424.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 5, to insert the slide card 400 into the
outer sleeve 12, the edge of the slide card 400 that is formed by
the fold line 430 is positioned toward the open end of the outer
sleeve 12. The outer sleeve 12 is oriented such that the engaging
edge 428 of the engaging tab 420 is matingly aligned with the edge
E2 of the engaging aperture 86 of the inner panel 20, best shown in
FIG. 2. The slide card 400 may then be fully inserted into the
outer sleeve 12 between inner panel 20 and bottom panel 22, so that
the engaging edge 420 releasably engages the edge E2 of the
engaging aperture 86. In this configuration, the slide card 400 is
fully encased by, and releasably locked in, the outer sleeve 12.
When the slide card 400 is fully inserted in the outer sleeve 12,
the spine panel 424 closes the open end of the sleeve 12 and
thereby forms an end wall closure for the sleeve 12 that is
opposite the end wall closure 104. Further, the edge of the slide
card 12 that is defined by the fold line 430 is adjacent to or can
abut the innermost vertical edge of the false end wall 102.
[0054] It should be understood that the illustrated engaging tab
420 and the illustrated engaging aperture 86 are provided for
teaching and not limitation. Accordingly, the engaging tab 420 and
the engaging aperture 86 can have any suitable size and shape such
that at least one engaging tab 420 and at least one engaging
aperture 86 are dimensioned and positioned to releasably engage one
another. The slide card 400 can include multiple engaging tabs 420
and the outer sleeve 12 can include multiple engaging apertures 86
for receiving the engaging tabs 420. The engaging edge 428 of the
engaging tab 420 can be any suitable shape for engaging the edge E2
of one or more engaging apertures 86 or for engaging the edge of
another element that provides an edge, such as a detent or ridge.
The engaging edge 428 of the engaging tab 420 can be shaped as an
arc, several arcs, a series of peaks and valleys, one or more
pointed ends, combinations thereof, and the like.
[0055] The engagement of the slide card 400 and outer sleeve 12 is
now further discussed in further detail with reference to FIGS. 2,
5 and 6. When folded along fold line 430, the resilience of the
slide card 400 causes the engaging tab 420 to resist the fold and
inherently spring back toward its unfolded position. This spring
resistance holds the engaging edge 428 of the folded engaging tab
420 against the inner panel 20 wherein, when the slide card 400 is
fully received in the outer sleeve 12, the engaging edge 428 of the
engaging tab 420 is forced into the engaging aperture 86. The
engaging edge 428 of the engaging tab 420 abuts an edge E2 of the
inner panel 20 that is defined by the engaging aperture 86 such
that the slide card 400 is releasably locked in the outer sleeve
12. Further, this connection between the edge E2 defined by the
engaging aperture 86 and the engaging edge 428 of the engaging tab
420 prevents the slide card 400 from being removed from the outer
sleeve 12 unless the release button 90 is depressed. Referring to
FIG. 6, the release button 90 and the node 88 cooperate such that,
when a force F is applied to the release button 90, the release
button 90 and the node 88 deflect into the outer sleeve 12 thereby
pushing against the engaging tab 420 to release the engaging edge
428 from the edge E2 of the engaging aperture 86. The slide card
400 may then be at least partially withdrawn from the outer sleeve
12. In the exemplary embodiment, as the slide card 400 is
withdrawn, the spring resistance of the engaging tab 420 holds the
engaging edge 428 of the engaging tab 420 against the inner panel
20 such that the engaging edge 428 abuts an edge of, or otherwise
the engaging tab 420 interlocks with, the inwardly folded extension
panel 54 so as to prevent the slide card 400 from being fully
removed from the outer sleeve 12.
[0056] The support element 312 can be positioned to provide a
physical stopping point for the release button 90 and node 88 and
to provide feedback to a user applying the force F that indicates
that the release button 90 is fully depressed and the slide card
400 is able to be removed. As the release button 90 is fully
deflected, the engaging tab 420 is folded along the fold line 430
until the engaging tab 420 contacts the support element 312. When
the engaging tab 420 is in contact with the support element 312,
the engaging tab 420 is approximately at an angle X with respect to
the base tab 422. Depending on the position of the support element
312 and the location of the applied force F, the engaging tab 420
can be held against or flexed over the support element 312. By
restricting how far the engaging tab 420 can be folded along the
fold line 430 toward the base panel 422, the hinged connection
between the engaging tab 420 and the base panel 422 retains its
resiliency.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 7, the support element 312 can
alternatively be positioned and dimensioned to provide a leverage
point P about which the engaging tab 420 flexes as the force F is
applied to the release button 90. In such an embodiment, the
engaging tab 420 can contact the support blister 354 of the support
element 312 at or near the leverage point P as the engaging edge
428 of the engaging tab 420 is releasably engaged with the edge E2
of the engaging aperture 86. As the force F is applied to the
release button 90, the release button 90 contacts the engaging tab
420 at a point that is offset from (from the perspective of FIG. 7,
to the right of) the leverage point P. Thus, the leverage point P
does not provide a stopping point for the push button 90 and the
engaging tab 420 does not rotate or hinge about the fold line 430.
The relative positions of a first portion of the engaging tab 420,
which is substantially defined between the point P and the fold
line 430, and the base panel 422 are substantially fixed at an
angle X. In other words, the fold line 430 merely provides an
attachment point between the engaging tab 420 and the base panel
422. A second portion of the engaging tab 420 that is distal of the
leverage point P flexes relative to the plane defined by the first
portion about the fulcrum defined by the leverage point P. The
inherent rigidity and elasticity of the engaging tab 420 provides
that the engaging tab 420 can return to the locking position,
wherein the first and second portions of the engaging tab 420 are
substantially aligned, and to repeatedly flex between a locking
position and a release position.
[0058] The false end wall 102 enhances the structural integrity of
the outer sleeve 12 by providing a brace between the top and bottom
walls 224, 222 of the outer sleeve 12 and thereby allows the outer
sleeve 12 to be more resistant to deformation from squeezing or
crushing. Squeezing or crushing the outer sleeve 12 can
inadvertently disengage the locking mechanism of the package,
thereby providing inadvertent access to the items therein. As best
illustrated in FIG. 2, the false end wall 102 obstructs an opening
at one end of the tubular structure T to additionally prevent the
articles in the package from being inadvertently accessed.
[0059] When the extension panels 50, 54 are folded and secured as
described above, the edges of the apertures A1, A2, define notches
at the open end of the outer sleeve 12 to facilitate removal of the
slide card 400. The aperture A1 is substantially centered with
respect to inner panels 20 and the aperture A2 is off center with
respect to the bottom panel 22. Thus, the notch that is defined by
aperture A1 aligns with the notch N1 when the panels 20, 24 overlap
to form the outer sleeve 12 and the notch that is defined by the
aperture A2 is offset from or is otherwise intentionally misaligned
with the notch defined by the aperture A1 and with the notch N1
with respect to the perpendicular direction between the top and
bottom walls 224, 222. The offset relationship between the notches
provides an additional child-resistance feature in that, to open
the package, the user must grasp the slide card 400 at the
positions defined by the offset notches. Grasping the slide card
400 in this manner requires asymmetric placement of the fingers,
which is counter-intuitive to children, and thus their ability to
grasp and withdraw the slide card 400 from the outer sleeve 12 is
greatly reduced. It should be understood that the position of the
apertures A1, A2 as well as the position of the notch N1 can be
varied such that the notches along the edges of the open end of
outer sleeve 12 are offset from one another to produce the same
relationship. For example, the location of the notches may be
varied depending on the overall dimensions of the package.
[0060] The present invention offers advantages in that it is
lightweight, tamper resistant, senior friendly, durable, easy to
assemble, economical, and offers protection of the articles
contained therein. Moreover, the invention provides a child
resistant, yet user-friendly, unit dose packaging container that
may be used to contain and dispense a variety of products. The
improved tamper resistant features of the package may be
attributed, at least in part, to the presence of the false bottom
structural support, the offset notch placement, and the use of
partially or fully laminated structural materials in construction
of the package sleeve and slide card.
[0061] It must be emphasized that the law does not require and it
is economically prohibitive to illustrate and teach every possible
embodiment of the present claims. Hence, the above-described
embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations
set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the
invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the
above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the
claims. All such modifications, combinations, and variations are
included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following
claims.
* * * * *