U.S. patent application number 11/504305 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for product packaging system with lock release.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nosco, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kregg Albrecht, Michael A. Baker, Gregory L. Davis, Leonard E. Ekdahl, Dawn M. Kempf, Richard Schmerling.
Application Number | 20070199857 11/504305 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38049287 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070199857 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Baker; Michael A. ; et
al. |
August 30, 2007 |
Product packaging system with lock release
Abstract
A child resistant, senior friendly packaging system is designed
to securely hold multiple unit dose products and formed out of
natural fiber or synthetic materials, or any combination thereof.
The packaging system comprises a movable insert that can locked in
an inaccessible position and comprises a physically detachable
unlocking mechanism that can engage the locking mechanism of the
movable insert in order to unlock the movable insert permitting
movement into an accessible position. The unlocking mechanism can
be in the form of an access card that is a part of the system or is
user supplied.
Inventors: |
Baker; Michael A.; (Kenosha,
WI) ; Schmerling; Richard; (Trevor, WI) ;
Ekdahl; Leonard E.; (Antioch, IL) ; Kempf; Dawn
M.; (Fox Lake, IL) ; Davis; Gregory L.;
(Winthrop Harbor, IL) ; Albrecht; Kregg; (Pleasant
Prairie, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHIFF HARDIN, LLP;PATENT DEPARTMENT
6600 SEARS TOWER
CHICAGO
IL
60606-6473
US
|
Assignee: |
Nosco, Inc.
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20070045147 A1 |
March 1, 2007 |
|
|
Family ID: |
38049287 |
Appl. No.: |
11/504305 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60736732 |
Nov 15, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/531 ;
206/538 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/38 20130101;
B65D 83/0463 20130101; B65D 2215/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/531 ;
206/538 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/04 20060101
B65D083/04; B65D 85/42 20060101 B65D085/42 |
Claims
1. A product packaging system with a lock release, comprising: an
outer sleeve; a movable insert selected from the group consisting
of a movable tray, a slide card, and a package that fits within the
outer sleeve comprising a product, the insert having an
inaccessible position that prevents user access to the product, and
an accessible position that allows user access to the product; a
locking mechanism on the outer sleeve comprising a motion
inhibiting portion that engages the movable insert to maintain the
inaccessible position; and a physically detachable or detached
unlocking mechanism having a breaking portion that breaks the
engagement of the inhibiting portion of the locking mechanism
permitting the movable insert to move to the accessible
position.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the packaging system
further comprises: a sleeve into which the slidably movable insert
is fully inserted in the inaccessible position, and is extended in
the accessible position.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein: the locking mechanism
comprises cutouts; the movable insert comprises protrusions that
engage the cutouts in an interference manner; and the unlocking
mechanism breaking portion breaks the interference engagement.
4. The system according to claim 4, wherein the unlocking mechanism
is an access card, comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; and
a front edge, the front edge serving to initially contact and break
the engagement and the top surface and bottom surface serving to
keep the engagement broken as long as the unlocking mechanism is in
contact with the locking mechanism.
5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: an
unlocking slot into which the unlocking mechanism is inserted to
break and maintain the broken engagement.
6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage
slot into which the unlocking mechanism may be inserted when not
being utilized to contact and break the engagement.
7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking mechanism
further comprises a stop that regulates a depth of insertion of the
unlocking mechanism.
8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking mechanism
is initially physically bound to the system prior to being
physically detached upon first use.
9. The system according to claim 9, wherein the unlocking mechanism
is an access card that is initially bound to the system by a
perforation cut that is broken upon first use prior to being
physically detached.
10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is a
five-panel system, the system further comprising: a closing
mechanism that keeps the five-panel system closed when it is
engaged, and permits the five-panel system to be opened up when it
is disengaged.
11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the closing mechanism
comprises a cover tab and a cover tab slot designed to engage one
another.
12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the product comprises
multiple dose units.
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the multiple dose
units are provided in a bubble pack configuration.
14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is formed
out of paperboard or synthetic paperboard materials.
15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system, other than
the product or immediate product holder is formed exclusively out
of paperboard or synthetic paperboard materials.
16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking
mechanism is an end-user-supplied unlocking mechanism.
17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the end-user-supplied
unlocking mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a
drivers license, business card, credit/debit card, insurance card,
or association card.
18. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a holding
mechanism for holding the unlocking mechanism in place when
permitting the movable insert to move into its accessible position
to permit the system to permanently remain in its accessible
configuration.
19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the holding mechanism
is selected from the group consisting of adhesive, glue and
cohesion.
20. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a storage
area for holding at an element selected from the group consisting
of a leaflet, enclosure, customer instructions, regulator
information, sales and marketing information and product
literature.
21. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is a
five-panel system, the system further comprising: a closing
mechanism that keeps the five-panel system closed when it is
engaged, and permits the five-panel system to be opened up when it
is disengaged.
22. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is a
three-panel system.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/736,732, filed Nov. 15, 2005, herein
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The invention is directed to child resistant, senior
friendly packaging designed to securely hold multiple unit dose
products and formed out of natural fiber or synthetic materials, or
any combination thereof.
[0003] The field of packaging is challenged to provide the end user
with packaging designed, or constructed, to hold multiple unit
doses in a package that is child resistant and yet senior friendly.
The criteria of child resistance requires a package be designed in
a manner so that it is extremely difficult for a child (under the
age of five) to gain access to any of the unit doses. The criteria
of senior friendliness requires a package that is designed to have
the unit doses easily accessed by a mature adult who may be
arthritic or weak. Clearly, these two criteria are difficult to
balance, i.e., making a package difficult for a child to open, but
easy for a senior to open.
[0004] Known packages, in their most basic form, may simply rely on
features such as pull tabs to cover the cell cavities holding the
unit dose product. tabs to cover the cell cavities holding the unit
dose product. Examples of such packages are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 3,129,817; 3,610,410; 3,809,220; 3,809,221; 3,811,564;
3,835,995; 3,872,970; 3,899,080; 3,905,479; 3,912,081; 3,912,082;
3,921,805; 3,924,746; 3,924,747; 3,941,248; 4,011,949; 4,120,400;
4,125,190; 4,192,422; 4,231,477; 4,485,915; 4,506,789; 5,046,618;
5,172,812; 5,310,060; 5,529,188; 6,047,829; 6,375,956; and
6,523,691 as well as U.S. patent publication nos. 2001/0017273;
2002/0185404; and 2003/0064381.
[0005] These references and any other reference cited herein are
incorporated by reference.
[0006] Tabs designed in such a manner, which are difficult for
children to remove, are normally not senior friendly; conversely,
tabs that can be easily removed by mature adults are normally not
child resistant. Integrated tabs of this type can be defined as
"first level" resistance in paperboard packaging.
[0007] In certain instances, it maybe desirable if the package
requires the individual to perform a sequence of steps, perhaps
simultaneously. An illustration of this is for an individual to
first read a set of specific instructions and then perform a
sequence of steps simultaneously. For example, the product can be
opened by holding package in the left hand, while pressing down on
a lock release, and pulling out a slide card with the right hand.
Typically, children under the age of five have great difficulty
reading and comprehending instructions, while simultaneously
attempting to perform a series of sequential steps, thereby
rendering the package child resistant. Examples of this are
disclosed in U.S. patent publication nos. 2004/0099565 and
2004/0045858, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,272.
[0008] However, a complete packaging system designed with the
aforementioned features can be further defined as both child
resistant and senior friendly. For example, Mature adults are able
to read and comprehend instructions and can perform a series of
sequential steps simultaneously.
[0009] Such a multi step packaging system is advantageous in that
it prevents young children from accessing unit dose products, while
allowing mature adults access to the individual unit doses
contained therein. Additionally, this type of package can be opened
and closed repeatedly, which is particularly advantageous when
there are unused unit doses remaining inside the package. A
package, as described, can continue to provide reassurance that the
complete package maintains its child resistant and senior friendly
characteristics throughout the dispensing life of the package.
[0010] Known packaging systems containing both child resistant and
senior friendly features are disadvantageous, in that certain
mature adults may find it difficult to gain access to the unit dose
product. For example, an adult with arthritis in the joints of the
hands may have difficulty in performing a series of sequential
steps, such as grasping and holding the package, pressing down on a
lock release, and pulling out a slide card containing unit dose
product. Such packaging systems, which encumber access to the unit
dose product by a mature adult, may have the very features, which
are child resistant, circumvented in such a manner that the
complete package no longer provides child resistance.
[0011] Therefore, it is preferable to provide an option whereby the
child resistant features can be disengaged, long term. For example,
some styles of child resistant bottle caps are manufactured with
one end containing internal screw threads and a locking mechanism,
while the opposite end contains external screw threads only. Such a
system is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,161.
SUMMARY
[0012] It is the object of the invention to provide a complete
packaging system containing multi step child resistance and senior
friendly features. In addition, this packaging system may be
configured to allow for long term disabling of the child resistant
features.. Within the scope of this new invention is a multiple
lock system, a detachable and reusable access card and card
slot.
[0013] This object is solved according to an embodiment of the
invention by providing a lock system, designed into a single
integrated or unibody package, which is released through the use of
a detachable and reusable access card. The invention is to be
broadly construed as any single integrated or unibody package with
a lock system released by any type of reusable card. For example, a
credit card, picture ID card, or drivers license. However, the
preferred embodiments described below utilize a packaging system
formed out of paperboard, natural fiber or synthetic materials or
any combination thereof and designed to securely hold multiple unit
dose products.
[0014] According to preferred embodiments of the invention, an
outer folding carton, containing a detachable and reusable access
card, and an internal slide tray are formed out of paperboard or
synthetic paperboard material, or any combination thereof.
[0015] The access card is detached from one of a plurality of side
panels and inserted into a card slot in one of a plurality of end
panels.
[0016] Should the access card remain in the card slot, the multiple
lock system is temporarily disabled and the package is placed into
a non-child resistant, or open state. Removing the access card
reactivates the multiple lock system and returns the package to the
previously child resistant condition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The invention is explained below based on drawings showing
the various embodiments of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a pictorial diagram of an unassembled outer
folding carton having five panels;
[0019] FIG. 1A is a pictorial diagram of an alternate embodiment of
the unassembled outer folding carton having three panels, and with
offset locking holes;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a pictorial diagram of a completely assembled
internal slide tray;
[0021] FIG. 3A is an image of an assembled outer folding carton and
internal slide tray in a basically closed configuration;
[0022] FIG. 3B is an image of an assembled outer folding carton and
internal slide tray in an open and pre-use configuration;
[0023] FIG. 4 is an image of the assembly in an open and
ready-for-use but locked configuration
[0024] FIG. 5 is an image of the assembly showing the insertion of
the access card;
[0025] FIG. 6 is an image of the assembly showing the unlocked
configuration and the internal slide tray partially extended;
[0026] FIG. 7 is an image similar to that of FIG. 6, with the
internal slide tray fully extended and opened;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a cut-away image (not seen in normal use) showing
the access card and internal slide tray extended;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a cut-away image showing the access card partially
removed to reveal the catch-holes;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a cut-away image showing the back side of the
internal slide tray;
[0030] FIG. 11 is an image of a 2-card variation for the internal
slide tray; and
[0031] FIG. 12 is an image showing a storage area for holding
leaflets, enclosures, customer instructions, regulatory
information, sales or marketing information, or product
literature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] An embodiment of the invention comprises an outer folding
carton containing a detachable and reusable access card, and an
internal slide tray.
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary outer folding carton 10,
comprising a plurality of panels 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 that are
designed to be folded along fold portions 14, 18, 22, 26 with
selected panels glued together. A first panel 12 is folded along a
first fold portion 14, and then the first panel 12 along with a
second panel 16 are folded along a second fold portion 18 and the
first panel 12 is glued to a third panel 20 such that a gap
approximately the width of the first 14 and second 18 fold portion
is formed between a) the glued first 12 and third 20 panels, and b)
the second panel 16. The first three panels 12, 16, 20, when
assembled, comprise a first primary section 100 that will hold the
internal slide tray 50.
[0034] The first panel 12 has a tab 44 that is used as a protruding
guide for the access card 34 card when the carton is assembled. The
lower pane extension 40 of the second panel 16 and the lower panel
extension with slot 38 of the third panel 20, when assembled,
extend in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing
page, creating depth or thickness to the carton and thereby forming
a corner at which the access card slot 42 is present.
[0035] It should be noted that the description below refers to the
slide tray 50 in an embodiment of the invention. However, the
invention contemplates any slidable element, such as a movable
tray, slide card or package.
[0036] The fourth panel 24 and the fifth panel 28 are glued
together at selected portions along fold line 26 and form a second
primary section 110. Thus, in its assembled condition, the outer
folding carton appears as two primary sections 100, 110, each
having panels glued together. The first primary section 100
comprises the first through third panels 12, 16, 20, and the second
primary section 110 comprises the fourth and fifth panels 24, 28.
The first three fold sections 14, 18, 22 have two fold lines so
that the panels are separated from one another with a distance
sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the internal slide tray
50. During manufacturing the first panel to be folded and glued
will be panel 28, followed by panel extensions 48, then panels 12
and 16.
[0037] The internal slide tray 50, as illustrated in FIG. 2,
comprises a first panel 54 and a second panel 56 that are folded
together along a fold portion 52. These panels are configured to
hold, e.g., single dose units, such as a bubble pack 60', although
obviously any mechanism for holding the product can be utilized.
The fold portion 52 comprises two fold lines so that the panels 54,
56, when folded together, have a gap between them large enough to
accommodate the product.
[0038] The internal slide tray 50 further comprises an end tab 58
that may further comprise two sub-tabs 59. This tab 58 and sub-tabs
59 are configured to interact with the outer folding carton 10 in a
manner that will be explained below.
[0039] It should be noted that the internal slide tray 50 is formed
from two separate cardboard layers. The internal slide tray 50 may
be constructed either as a single piece unit (the top and bottom
layers simply folded over) or as a two-piece unit, as illustrated
in FIG. 11, where the two pieces are affixed one on top of the
other. Accordingly, it can be seen that a perforated bottom portion
of the single dose unit bubble pack 60' would be matched with a top
portion which is a hole having the general shape of the dose unit.
A plastic portion of the bubble pack 60' would then protrude
through this top portion hole. FIG. 11 illustrates the bottom layer
54 and top layer 54' of the first panel of the internal slide tray,
the bottom layer 52 and top layer 52' of the fold portion of the
internal slide tray, and the bottom layer 56 and top layer 56' of
the second panel of the internal slide tray. The end-tab 58 and
sub-tab 59, discussed in more detail below, need only be present on
one of the layers. An additional end tab 58' may be provided for
support.
[0040] In its assembled state, as illustrated by FIG. 3A, the outer
folding carton 10 comprises the second primary section 110 on top.
The fourth panel 24 and fifth panel 28 are glued together in
portions. The fourth panel comprises a cover tab 30 that inserts
into a cover tab slot 32 in its closed position.
[0041] FIG. 3B illustrates the outer folding carton 10 in an
initially opened pre-use state. The cover tab 30 has not been
separated from the fifth panel 28 and is still attached by a
perforation. Similarly, an access card 34 remains attached to the
fifth panel 28 before it has been separated and inserted into the
access card storage slot 36. The user would partially separate the
cover tab 30 from its perforations so that the tab 30 is hinged to
the fifth panel 28 upon first use. Similarly, the user would
completely separate the access card 34 and insert it into the
access card storage slot 36.
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates the outer folding carton 10 in its
initially opened, but locked, configuration after the tab 30 and
access card 34 have been separated. The access card 34 is removed
from its position on the fifth panel 28 (which may be originally
perforated to permit its easy separation from the fifth panel 28)
and inserted into a card storage slot 36 where it can be kept when
the assembly is not in use. The second primary section 110 is
attached to the first primary section 100 via the third fold
portion 22. In this open configuration, the second panel 16 is
visible on the right-hand side. It should be noted that the image
FIGS. 3-10 reflect a carton that has been cut to reveal detail. The
split-open portions of the first primary section 100 at the bottom
and right-hand side would ordinarily be joined to the first primary
section 100 in normal use. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4
(the locked configuration), the internal slide tray cannot be
removed for reasons that are explained in more detail below.
[0043] It should be noted that in one embodiment, the access card
34 is the same width as a standard credit card or driver's license,
so that in the event the access card 34 is lost or damaged, the
user can still make use of the package using the standard credit
card or drivers license. Furthermore, it is also possible that a
holding mechanism may be provided so that the access card can be
permanently installed to allow access for situations where, e.g.,
there are no children present or when the convenience of a
non-child resistant design is desired. The holding mechanism can
comprise glue, adhesive, cohesion, or physical elements, such as
some form of interference, frictional, magnetic or other known
holding mechanisms.
[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates the insertion of the access card 34 into
a card slot 42 on the third panel 42. When the access card 34 is
fully inserted, the internal slide tray 50 can be extended
permitting access to its contents.
[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates the unlocked configuration of the
assembly. The access card 34 is fully inserted into the slot 42,
and the internal slide tray 50 is partially extended. In FIG. 6,
the first panel of the internal slide tray 54 is visible, as are
the perforated tabs 60 on the backside of the single dose unit
bubble packs 60'.
[0046] As can be seen in FIG. 7, when the internal slide tray 50 is
extended, it can be unfolded along fold portion 52' and the full
contents on both the first 54' and second panels 56' are visible
and accessible.
[0047] FIG. 8 illustrates a cut-away view of the outer folding
carton 10 that would normally not be visible during normal use,
since the first panel 12 is glued to the third panel 20. To create
the cut-away view, a slice has been made along the second fold
portion 18 that normally connects the second panel 16 and the third
panel 20. This view reveals the first fold portion 14 that connects
the first panel 12 and the second panel 16. The second panel 16
comprises a flap 48 that is glued to the second panel 16 for
strength and stability. In this view, the access card 34 can be
seen in its inserted position.
[0048] FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8, except that the access card 34
has been withdrawn to reveal the presence of locking holes 46
present in the first panel 12. A card stop 34' can also be seen.
The card stop 34' being wider than the slot 42 prevents the access
card 34 from being inserted so far so that it cannot be retrieved
after use.
[0049] FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9, except that the internal slide
tray 50 has been flipped over to reveal the locking mechanism.
Accordingly, without the access card 34 being inserted, the
sub-tabs 59 engage the locking holes 46 due to a slight bias of the
sub-tabs 59 against the surface of the first panel 12 created by
the fold connecting the end tab 58 to the second panel 56 of the
internal slide tray 50. Since this second panel 56 of the internal
slide tray is normally pressed against the surface of the first
panel 12, the sub-tabs 59 get caught in the locking holes 46 and
prevent the internal slide tray 50 from being extended.
[0050] However, once the access card 34 has been inserted, it
covers the locking holes 46 and prevents the sub-tabs 59 from
engaging these holes. The internal slide tray 50 can then be
extended until its end tab 58 engages the non-glued flap 48' of the
first panel 12 and prevents removal of the internal slide tray 50.
The internal slide tray 50 can then easily be re-inserted, and the
card 34 removed and placed back in the card storage slot 36 for
safe keeping.
[0051] FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment utilizing a storage area
36' for holding leaflets, enclosures, customer instructions,
regulatory information, sales or marketing information, or product
literature.
[0052] FIG. 1A illustrates an alternate simplified three-panel
embodiment of the invention. The primary difference is that the
access card 34 has an access card tab 34'' that is initially
affixed to the first panel 12 at an upper notch portion 13 of first
panel 12 via perforations or other know affixing mechanism. A user
access portion 13' is provided within the upper notch portion that
is not filled with the tab 34'' initially, which permits the user
to separate the access card 34 from the first panel 12 upon first
use. FIG. 1A also illustrates a pattern of four locking holes 46 in
the third panel that provides an enhanced locking function. These
offset holes are designed to interface with the subtabs 59 of the
internal slide tray 50.
[0053] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference has been made to the
preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific
language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, no
limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by this
specific language, and the invention should be construed to
encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0054] The particular implementations shown and described herein
are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to
otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake
of brevity, conventional aspects may not be described in detail.
Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the
various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary
functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings
between the various elements. It should be noted that many
alternative or additional functional relationships, physical
connections or logical connections may be present in a practical
device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice
of the invention unless the element is specifically described as
"essential" or "critical". Numerous modifications and adaptations
will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
TABLE OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS
[0055] 10 outer folding carton [0056] 12 first panel of outer
folding carton [0057] 13 upper notch portion [0058] 13' user access
portion of the upper notch portion [0059] 14 first fold portion of
outer folding carton [0060] 16 second panel of outer folding carton
[0061] 18 second fold portion of outer folding carton [0062] 20
third panel of outer folding carton [0063] 22 third fold portion of
outer folding carton [0064] 24 fourth panel of outer folding carton
[0065] 26 fourth fold portion of outer folding carton [0066] 28
fifth panel of outer folding carton [0067] 30 covertab [0068] 32
cover tab slot [0069] 34 access card [0070] 34' access card stop
[0071] 34'' access card tab [0072] 36 access card storage slot
[0073] 36' storage area [0074] 38 lower panel extension with slot
[0075] 40 lower panel extension [0076] 42 access card slot [0077]
44 panel tab [0078] 46 locking holes [0079] 48 glued flap [0080]
48' non-glued flap [0081] 50 internal slide tray [0082] 52, 52'
bottom and top layers of the fold portion of internal slide tray
[0083] 54, 54' bottom and top layers of the first panel of internal
slide tray [0084] 56, 56' bottom and top layers of the second panel
of internal slide tray [0085] 58 end tab [0086] 58' additional end
tab [0087] 59 sub-tab [0088] 60 perforated tabs [0089] 60' single
dose unit bubble pack [0090] 100 first primary section of outer
folding carton [0091] 110 second primary section of outer folding
carton
* * * * *