U.S. patent application number 11/985555 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-21 for package for goods.
This patent application is currently assigned to NOVARTIS AG. Invention is credited to Marco Ackermann, Lionel Jeannin.
Application Number | 20090127154 11/985555 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40640793 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090127154 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jeannin; Lionel ; et
al. |
May 21, 2009 |
Package for goods
Abstract
A package comprises an outer package (2) having two members
(20,21) connected to one another via a flexible web portion (22).
Each member (20,21) comprises a base panel (200,210) and two
opposite side wall panels (201,202,211,212). One of the side wall
panels (201,211) has an attachment (204,214) portion extending
towards the opposite side wall panel (202,212). An inner package
comprises blister pack members (3) comprising an edge portion
(304,314) attached to the attachment portion (204,214) of the outer
package member (20,21) such, that in a closed state the goods
carried by the blister pack member are facing towards the base
panel (200,210). The members (20,21) are folded towards each other
via the flexible web portion (22). In an open state the outer
package members (20,21) are unfolded and the members (3) can be
accessed by folding the blister pack member (30,31) away from the
opposite side (202,212) wall panel.
Inventors: |
Jeannin; Lionel; (Choisy,
FR) ; Ackermann; Marco; (Conches, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRANK A. SMITH;Novartis Consumer Health, Inc.
200 Kimball Drive, OTC PATENT DEPARTMENT - 5TH FLOOR
Parsippany
NJ
07054-0622
US
|
Assignee: |
NOVARTIS AG
Basel
CH
|
Family ID: |
40640793 |
Appl. No.: |
11/985555 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/531 ;
206/470 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/0463
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/531 ;
206/470 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00; B65D 73/00 20060101 B65D073/00 |
Claims
1. Package (1) for goods, e.g. chewing gums, tablets, capsules or
the like, comprising a closeable and openable outer package (2) as
well as an inner package carrying the goods, characterized in that
the outer package (2) comprises two comparatively rigid outer
package members (20,21) which are connected to one another via a
flexible web portion (22), each of the two outer package members
(20,21) comprising a base panel (200,210) and two opposite side
wall panels (201,202,211,212), wherein at least one of the side
wall panels (201,211) of each of the two outer package members
(20,21) is provided with a fold so as to form an attachment
(204,214) portion extending in a direction towards the opposite
side wall panel (202,212) of the respective outer package member
(20,21), and wherein the inner package comprises panel members or
blister pack members (3,4) carrying the goods on one of its two
sides, the panel members or blister pack members (3,4) of the inner
package comprising an edge portion (304,314;404,414) which is
attached to the attachment portion (204,214) of the respective
outer package member (20,21) such, that in a closed state of the
package (1) the goods carried by the respective panel member or
blister pack member are facing towards the base panel (200,210) of
the respective outer package member (20,21) and the two outer
package members (20,21) are folded towards each other via the
flexible web portion (22) so as to lie one above the other, whereas
in an open state of the package (1) the two outer package members
(20,21) are unfolded and the panel members or blister pack members
(3,4) carrying the goods can be accessed by folding the attachment
portion (204,214) with the attached panel member or blister pack
member (30,31;40,41) in a direction away from the opposite side
(202,212) wall panel thus exposing the goods carried by the panel
or blister pack (3,4).
2. Package according to claim 1, wherein the outer package members
(20,21) further comprise front wall panels (203,213) having
engagement means (206,216) allowing to lock the outer package
members (20,21) in the closed state and to release them again.
3. Package according to claim 1, wherein the inner package
comprises two panel members or blister pack members (30,31;40,42)
which are connected by a flexible fold (32;42), and wherein the
edge portions (304,314;404,414) of the panel members or blister
pack members (30,31;40,41) are attached to the attachment portions
(204,214) of the outer package members (20,21) with the flexible
web portion (22) between the outer package members (20,21) being
bulged, so that during unfolding of the outer package members
(20,21) the two panel members or blister pack members (30,31;40,41)
are unfolded and additionally flipped to a position where they
expose the goods.
4. Package according to claim 3, wherein the flexible fold
connecting the two panel members or blister pack members (40,41) is
formed by an elongated groove (42) that extends over a substantial
part of the width of the connected panel members (40,41) or blister
pack members (40,41), and wherein slits (420) are arranged in axial
alignment with the elongated groove (42), with one slit (420)
extending from the respective edge of the panel member or blister
pack member (40,41) towards the elongated groove (42) so as to
define the hinge axis which the connected panel members or blister
pack members (40,41) are folded about.
5. Package according to claim 1, wherein those side wall panels
(202,212) of the outer package members (20,21) opposite the side
wall panels (201,211) having the attachment portions (204,214) are
provided with a wall extension (205,215) which is triangularly
folded so as to angularly extend towards the base panel (200,210),
the wall extension (205,215) then being again folded to as to run
parallel to the base panel (200,210).
6. Package according to claim 5, wherein the wall extension (205)
is provided with a flap (207).
Description
[0001] This invention deals with a package for goods according to
the preamble of the independent patent claim.
[0002] Blister packs for drugs in tablet form or in the form of
powder or liquid contained in a capsule have been known for a long
time. Usually, a blister pack comprises a relatively rigid base
foil, and a lid foil, which are attached to one another. The base
foil comprises cavities or open blisters for accommodating a tablet
or capsule, while the lid foil is flat and seals the opening of the
cavities or blisters. The most common way of attaching the foils to
one another is heat sealing. Accordingly, at least one of the foils
typically has thermoplastic properties. Examples of materials for
the base foil are aluminum laminate, polypropylene or
PVC-laminates. Examples of materials for the lid foil are aluminum
or aluminum laminates, etc..
[0003] One or more blister packs are usually placed in an outer
package, such as a box or a carton, and the units sold at the
pharmacies typically comprise an outer package (the box or carton),
that contains one or more inner packages (one or more blister
packs) and typically instructions as to administration, side
effects, etc. In order to save volume in the outer package, it has
been suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,920 to provide a blister pack
that comprises two parallel rows of blisters connected by a
flexible web. The blisters of one row are offset relative to the
blisters of the respective other row, so that upon folding the
blister along the flexible web the blisters of one row come to lie
in the space between the blisters of the respective other row, with
the lid foils of adjacently arranged blister packs facing each
other.
[0004] However, a single blister pack taken out of the package for
being carried along is prone to damage, since the vulnerable lid
foil faces outwardly. Therefore, it has been the usual way to carry
the whole package (outer package containing one or more blister
packs) along, which is quite inconvenient. In addition, the process
of pulling a blister pack out of the outer package is also
comparatively inconvenient. It is therefore an object of the
invention to overcome the afore-mentioned disadvantages.
[0005] To overcome these inconveniencies according to the invention
a package for goods is suggested, as it is characterized by the
features of the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments
are the subject of the dependent claims.
[0006] The general concept underlying the instant invention is,
that the products are better protected against unintentional
access. Therefore, in case the inner package is a blister pack, the
lid foil of one of the blister pack members comes to lie on the lid
foil of the other blister pack member. This provides additional
protection for the products, since the lid foils cannot easily be
damaged unintentionally. However, even if the inner package simply
comprises panel members rather than blister pack members, the
products are carried by the panel members such that they face the
comparatively rigid base panel of the outer package and are thus
better protected against unintentional access.
[0007] In particular, a package for goods, e.g. chewing gums,
tablets, capsules or the like, is suggested which comprises a
closeable and openable outer package as well as an inner package
carrying the goods. The outer package comprises two comparatively
rigid outer package members which are connected to one another via
a flexible web portion. Each of the two outer package members
comprises a base panel and two opposite side wall panels. At least
one of the side wall panels of each of the two outer package
members is provided with a fold so as to form an attachment portion
extending in a direction towards the opposite side wall panel of
the respective outer package member. The inner package comprises
panel members or blister pack members carrying the goods on one of
its two sides. The panel members or blister pack members of the
inner package comprise an edge portion which is attached to the
attachment portion of the respective outer package member such,
that in a closed state of the package the goods carried by the
respective panel member or blister pack member are facing towards
the base panel of the respective outer package member, and the two
outer package members are folded towards each other via the
flexible web portion so as to lie one above the other. In an open
state of the package the two outer package members are unfolded and
the panel members or blister pack members carrying the goods can be
accessed by folding the attachment portion with the attached panel
member or blister pack member in a direction away from the opposite
side wall panel thus exposing the goods carried by the panel or
blister pack.
[0008] While it is preferred that the inner package comprises
blister pack members, this is not mandatory, since even in the case
of panel members the goods are carried such that they face the base
panel of the outer package and are thus protected against
unintentional access. When the outer package has been opened, the
attachment portion with the attached panel members or blister pack
members that carry the products can be folded outwardly so as to
expose the products. This can be done individually for each of the
panel members or blister pack members as long as these members are
not connected to each other.
[0009] In one embodiment of the package according to the invention
the outer package members further comprise front wall panels having
engagement means allowing to lock the outer package members in the
closed state and to release them again. This provides additional
protection against unintentional access, since first of all the
engagement means must be released in order to allow access to the
inner space of the outer package at all.
[0010] In a further embodiment of the package according to the
instant invention the inner package comprises two panel members or
blister pack members which are connected by a flexible fold. The
edge of the panel members or blister pack members are attached to
the attachment portion of the outer package members with the
flexible web portion between the outer package members being
bulged. As a consequence, due to the attachment of the blister pack
members only along the attachment portion of the outer package,
during unfolding of the outer package members the two panel members
or blister pack members are unfolded and additionally flipped to a
position where they expose the goods. This embodiment is
extraordinarily convenient since the user does not have to fold the
attachment portion with the attached panel member or blister pack
member outwardly so as to get access to the product, but rather
this operation is performed "automatically" while opening the outer
package.
[0011] In a still further embodiment of the package according to
the instant invention, the flexible fold connecting the two panel
members or blister pack members is formed by an elongated groove
that extends over a substantial part of the width of the connected
panel members or blister pack members. Slits are arranged in axial
alignment with the elongated groove, with one slit extending from
the respective edge of the panel member of blister pack member
towards the elongated groove so as to define the hinge axis which
the connected panel members or blister pack members are folded
about. While the elongated groove provides for good flexibility of
the hinge it does not--taken alone--precisely determine the hinge
axis which the panel members or blister pack members are folded
about. This hinge axis, however, is set by the precut slits while
at the same time the good flexibility of the hinge is maintained.
It is also evident, that this embodiment is easy to
manufacture.
[0012] In still a further embodiment of the package according to
the invention, those side wall panels of the outer package members
opposite the side wall panels having the attachment portions are
provided with a wall extension which is triangularly folded so as
to angularly extend towards the base panel, the wall extension then
being again folded to as to run parallel to the base panel. This
folding technique minimizes the overall size of the packaging and
provides much a package having improved rigidity when compared to a
square folded end.
[0013] In a specific embodiment of the package according to the
invention, the wall extension is provided with a flap. This
embodiment improves rigidity of the side wall, as will be explained
further below. Further advantageous aspects of the invention will
become clear when reading through the following detailed
description of embodiments of the invention with the aid of the
drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows the outer package of an embodiment of the
package according to the instant invention in the open state
[0015] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the package according to the
instant invention, with an outer package of FIG. 1 and an inner
blister pack being attached to the attachment portion of the side
wall of the outer package
[0016] FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of the package of FIG. 2 in the
closed state, with locked engagement means
[0017] FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of the package of FIG. 2 in the
closed state, with unlocked engagement means
[0018] FIG. 5 shows the embodiment of the package of FIG. 2 just at
the beginning of unfolding the package
[0019] FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of the package of FIG. 2 during
continuation of unfolding the package
[0020] FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of the package of FIG. 2 after
further continuation of unfolding the package, with the inner
blister pack just beginning to flip downwardly
[0021] FIG. 8 shows the embodiment of the package of FIG. 2 again
after further continuation of unfolding the package, with the inner
blister pack continuing to flip downwardly,
[0022] FIG. 9 shows the embodiment of the package of FIG. 2 in the
fully unfolded state with the inner blister pack being completely
flipped downwards
[0023] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a
triangularly folded side wall panel of the outer package
[0024] FIG. 11 shows in a side view a square-folded side wall panel
of the outer package
[0025] FIG. 12 shows in a side view the triangularly folded side
wall panel of FIG. 10
[0026] FIG. 13 shows a top view of a specific embodiment of a
blister pack particularly suitable for use in the package according
to the instant invention
[0027] FIG. 14 shows a side view of the blister pack of FIG. 13,
and
[0028] FIG. 15 shows the detail (elongated groove) indicated in
FIG. 14 in cross-section.
[0029] In FIG. 1 an outer package 2 of one embodiment of the
package according to the invention is shown. Outer package 2 is
shown in the open state, i.e. unfolded. It comprises two outer
package members, a first outer package member 20 and a second outer
package member 21, which are connected to one another via a
flexible web portion 22. First outer package member 20 comprises a
base panel 200, two opposite side wall panels 201 and 202, and a
front wall panel 203. Likewise, second outer package member 21
comprises a base panel 210, two opposite side wall panels 211 and
212, and a front wall panel 213.
[0030] Side wall panel 201 of the first outer package member 20 is
provided with a fold so as to form an attachment portion 204 that
extends in a direction towards the opposite side wall panel 202.
Side wall panel 202 is provided with a wall extension 205 which is
triangularly folded, extends towards base panel 200, and is then
again folded so as to run parallel to base panel 200. A thus
configured side wall panel 202 improves stability of outer package
2. Likewise, side wall panel 211 of second outer package member 21
is provided with a fold so as to form an attachment portion 214
that extends in a direction towards the opposite side wall panel
212. Side wall panel 212 is provided with a wall extension 215
which is triangularly folded, extends towards base panel 210, and
is then again folded so as to run parallel to base panel 210.
[0031] One embodiment of a side wall panel 202 that is provided
with a triangularly folded wall extension 205 is shown in
perspective in FIG. 10 and in FIG. 12, respectively. Triangularly
folded wall extension 205 is provided with a flap 207. Flap 207 may
be bent down to base panel 200 and may be glued to base panel 200
in a position where it abuts against side wall panel 202, as shown
in FIG. 10. Also, the part of wall extension 205 that runs parallel
to base panel 200 is glued to base panel 200. Flap 207 assists in
glueing flap 207 and the lower portion of wall extension 205 to
base panel 205 in the proper position, so that a rectangular
triangle is formed (see FIG. 12). At the same time flap 207
increases the bonding area. Using such a triangularly folded wall
extension, no outer package deformation may occur and the overall
package size is optimized as well.
[0032] This can be immediately recognized when glancing at the
embodiment of a square-folded wall extension of the side wall
panel, as shown in FIG. 11. Even if the lower portion of the wall
extension is glued to the base panel, a deformation of the side
wall and the square-folded wall extension may occur so as to form a
non-rectangular parallelogram, as this is indicated by the dashed
lines in FIG. 11. Such deformation is not possible when using the
triangularly folded wall extension as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 12,
respectively. Accordingly, the triangularly folded wall extension
205 also improves rigidity of outer package 2.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the package 1 according to the
instant invention comprising an outer package 2, as it has been
described by way of example with reference to FIG. 1, and an inner
package, which in the embodiment shown here is a blister pack 3
comprising two blister pack members, a first blister pack member 30
and a second blister pack member 31 which are connected to one
another by a flexible fold 32 (not shown in FIG. 2, see FIG. 5).
The single blisters 300 and 310 of the blister pack members 30 and
31, respectively, are facing towards the respective base panels 200
and 210 of outer package members 20 and 21, as this is indicated in
FIG. 2 by dashed lines. That is to say, the comparatively rigid
(and in some instances transparent) base foils of blister pack
members 30 and 31, respectively, face towards the respective base
panels 200 and 210 of outer package members 20 and 21, while the
more flexible lid foils (typically aluminum foils) are facing
upwardly in FIG. 2. It is to be noted, that the inner package does
not necessarily have to be a blister pack--although a blister pack
is a preferred embodiment of an inner package, it is very well
conceivable to use flat panel members carrying the products on
their upper or lower side instead of blister panels, depending on
the type of products they carry. Also, the inner package members
(blister pack members or panel members) do not necessarily have to
be connected to one another--they can also be separate members,
with each member being attached to one of the attachment portions
of the outer package members. However, the embodiment shown with
the blister pack members 30 and 31 being connected by flexible fold
32 are particularly advantageous, as will be explained in further
detail below.
[0034] Blister pack members 30 and 31 of blister pack 3 have edge
portions 304 and 314, respectively, which are attached to
attachment portions 204 and 214 of the respective outer package
members 20 and 21. Edge portions 304 and 314 of blister pack 3 are
attached to attachment portions 204 and 214 (see FIG. 1) with
attachment portions 204 and 14 having been moved towards each
other, so that the flexible web portion 22 is bulged, as this is
indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 2. Attachment of edge portions
304 and 314 to attachment portions 204 and 214 can be performed by
any suitable technique, such as sealing, glueing, etc..
[0035] Once edge portions 304 and 314 of blister pack 3 are safely
attached to attachment portions 204 and 214 of outer package 2, the
package 1 can be closed and "locked" in the closed state. This
locked closed state of package 1 is shown in FIG. 3. From FIG. 4 it
can be seen, that the package can be locked with the aid of
engagement means that are provided at front panels 203 and 213,
respectively. In the shown embodiment of the package, the
engagement means comprise a tongue 206 provided at front panel 203
of outer package member 20 and a corresponding slit 216 provided at
front panel 213 for accommodating tongue 206 so as to retain
package 1 in the locked state. In the locked state, the aluminum
lid foils of the blister pack members 30 and 31 are arranged to lie
one above the other, and the blister pack is excellently protected
against unintentional damaging of the lid foil.
[0036] With reference to FIGS. 4-9 the process of opening the
package 1 for getting access to the products will now be described.
In FIG. 4 the first step is shown: Tongue 206 being provided at
front panel 203 has been pulled out of slit 216 provided in front
panel 213. Package 1 can then be opened by unfolding it, as this is
shown in FIG. 5 at the beginning of the unfolding process. As
regards the blister pack 3, blister pack member 30 and 31 of the
blister pack 3 are unfolded about flexible fold 32. This unfolding
process is continued as shown in FIG. 6.
[0037] An additional effect that sets in during further
continuation of the unfolding process will now be discussed with
reference to FIGS. 7-9. This effect occurs due to the fact that
flexible web 22 connecting first outer package member 20 and second
outer package member 21 can be stretched in the longitudinal
direction of package 1. However, due to the fact that first blister
pack member 30 and second blister pack member 31 are connected via
fold 32, which can essentially not be stretched in the longitudinal
direction of package 1, flexible web 22 of outer package 2 cannot
be stretched in the longitudinal direction either in the region
where edge portions 304 and 314 of blister pack member 3 are
attached to attachment portions 204 and 214 of outer package 2. As
a consequence, due to being unable to follow the continued
stretching of outer package 2, blister pack 3 starts to flip
downwardly. This situation, in which blister pack 3 just starts the
flipping movement, is shown in FIG. 7. Upon continuing the opening
process, blister pack 3 further flips downwardly as shown in FIG. 8
until the package finally reaches the fully open position with
blister pack 3 completely having flipped downwardly, as shown in
FIG. 9. The base foil of single blisters 300 and 310 is now
accessible, and a tablet or capsule can be taken out by pressing on
the base foil of one of the blisters 300 or 310, respectively,
resulting in creation of a tear in the aluminum lid foil, as this
is conventional with blister packs. After having taken out the
tablet or capsule, blister pack 3 can be returned to its original
position (see FIG. 2) and outer package 2 can then be closed and
"locked" again (see FIG. 3), so that it can be easily carried along
with the aluminum lid foils of the blister packs 3 lying one above
the other and the blisters facing base panels 200 and 210 of outer
package 2, thus minimizing the risk of accidental damage to the
aluminum lid foils of blister pack 3.
[0038] Another embodiment of a blister pack which is particularly
suitable as inner package of the package according to the instant
invention is shown in FIG. 13. This embodiment of the blister pack
4 comprises two blister pack members 40 and 41 (much like blister
pack members 30 and 31 of the embodiment of the package described
above) having blister cavities 400,410 and edge portions 404,414
for attachment to the attachment portions 204,214 of outer package
2. However, the fold of blister pack 4 is formed by an elongated
groove 42 extending over a substantial part of the width of the
connected blister pack members 40,41. In axial alignment with
elongated groove 42 slits 420 are arranged at both ends of
elongated groove 42. The respective slit 420 extends
(perpendicularly) from the respective edge of the panel member or
blister pack member 40,41 towards elongated groove 42. Since
elongated groove 42 has a certain width perpendicular to its
longitudinal extension, elongated groove 42 taken alone does not
precisely define the hinge axis which blister pack members 40 and
41 are folded about during closing and opening of the package. This
hinge axis is set, however, by precut slits 420. In sum, elongated
groove 42 provides for good flexibility of the hinged connection
while precut slits 420 determine the hinge axis which blister pack
members 40,41 are folded about during opening and closing the
package. FIG. 14 shows a side view of blister pack 4 illustrating
the location of elongated groove 42 while FIG. 15 shows detail XV
of FIG. 14 (i.e. the cross-sectional shape of elongated groove 42)
in an enlarged view.
[0039] It is to be noted that although blister pack 4 is
particularly suitable when used as inner package of the package
according to the instant invention, it is also possible to use
blister pack 4 without any outer package at all. In this case,
however, suitable engagement means may be provided at blister pack
4 so that blister pack members 40,41 can be locked in a folded
position in which the two lid foils (aluminum foils) come to lie
one above the other. This foil-on-foil state of blister pack 4
(without an outer package) also provides viable protection against
accidental damage to the lid foil without the need of any outer
package. Engagement means suitable for this purpose are known in
the art and may comprise straps which may be arranged at those
edges of the blister pack 4 running parallel to elongated groove
42, and in a manner such that they are able to overlap and lock
blister pack members 40,41 in the folded position. Alternatively,
the engagement means may comprise a projection in one of these end
regions and a corresponding recess in the other end region of
blister pack 4, so that the protrusion may be pressed into the
recess to provide a frictional fit in order to lock blister pack
members 40,41 in the folded position, as this is well-known in the
art.
[0040] While the invention has been disclosed with the aid of
specific variants, it is to be understood that numerous changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *