U.S. patent application number 13/003095 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-19 for integrated closure feature for packaging system.
This patent application is currently assigned to MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Laurel Thomas.
Application Number | 20110114527 13/003095 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41110880 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110114527 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thomas; Laurel |
May 19, 2011 |
INTEGRATED CLOSURE FEATURE FOR PACKAGING SYSTEM
Abstract
An integrated closure feature for a package including a tab (25)
integrated into the raised surface of a vaulted carton ad an outer
cover secured to the carton possessing a pocket into which the tab
fits, providing a secure lock for the package. The package is
capable of housing and dispensing a unit dose product such as a
blister pack. The product to be dispensed is contained on an
internal slide card (300) that is removably and lockably engaged
within an inner chamber. The package possesses a secure lock which
provides a child resistant and user-friendly dosing means that can
be opened and closed numerous times while in use, then disposed of
when all the unit doses are exhausted.
Inventors: |
Thomas; Laurel; (Richmond,
VA) |
Assignee: |
MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
Richmond
VA
|
Family ID: |
41110880 |
Appl. No.: |
13/003095 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
July 22, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US09/51337 |
371 Date: |
January 7, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61082663 |
Jul 22, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/474 ;
220/62 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/32 20130101; B65D
2215/04 20130101; A61J 1/035 20130101; B65D 83/0463 20130101; B65D
5/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/474 ;
220/62 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/32 20060101
B65D005/32; B65D 5/66 20060101 B65D005/66 |
Claims
1. A packaging system comprising: an outer cover comprised of a
pair of side panels, a hinge panel and at least one extension
panel, and an inner vaulted carton, said outer cover and inner
vaulted carton being operatively coupled with one another such that
an inner chamber is formed; and an integrated closure feature
comprised of a tab positioned on the vaulted carton and a raised
pocket integrated into the outer cover, wherein the tab can be
manipulated to fit within the raised pocket to secure the outer
cover in a closed position.
2. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the inner chamber
defined by the vaulted carton is capable of receiving and housing
an internal slide card.
3. The packaging system of claim 2 wherein the inner vaulted carton
further comprises: a foldable extension at one end capable of
engaging a reciprocal element on a slide card and retaining the
slide card within the inner chamber; a slit opening capable of
engaging a reciprocal element on a slide card to lock the slide
card in place within the inner chamber; and a release button for
disengaging the slide card from the slit opening.
4. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the vaulted carton is at
least partially laminated with a polymeric film material.
5. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the outer cover is at
least partially laminated with a polymeric film material.
6. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the polymeric film
material is laminated over an entire surface of the vaulted
carton.
7. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the polymeric film
material is laminated over an entire surface of the outer
cover.
8. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the outer cover is
constructed from a paperboard substrate.
9. The packaging system of claim 3 wherein an open end includes a
temporary seal comprised of one of a tuck closure, a perforated
tear-away panel, and a security taped panel that can be removed to
provide access to the internal slide card housed within.
10. A blank for forming an outer cover for a packaging system
comprising: a pair of side panels, a hinge panel and at least one
extension panel, wherein one of said at least one extension panel
is a panel that creates a raised pocket integrated into the outer
cover.
11. The blank of claim 10 further including a polymeric film
material laminated over at least a portion of one or both surfaces
of the blank.
12. A blank for forming a vaulted carton comprising a creased panel
including a cutout feature that forms a tab integrated into the
vaulted carton.
13. The blank of claim 12 further including a polymeric film
material laminated over at least a portion of one or both surfaces
of the blank.
Description
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] An integrated closure feature for a packaging system
according to the embodiments of the invention is comprised of a tab
integrated into the raised surface of a vaulted carton and an outer
cover secured to the carton possessing a pocket into which the tab
fits, providing a secure lock for the package. The outer cover and
the internal carton may be cut from any suitable material, for
example plastic, paperboard or, if desired, a laminate of
paperboard and another foldable material, for example a foil or a
polymeric film. The selection of this substrate may be made
according to the packaging need, and accordingly, a substrate
material generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA is also
within the scope of the invention. In certain embodiments, the
substrate may be selected from a sheet of bleached sulfate board,
solid unbleached sulfate board (SUS), clay-coated newsback (CCNB),
or any other suitable board substrate, such a substrate preferably
ranging in thickness from about 0.008 inches up to about 0.050
inches. For example, the paperboard may be clay coated on one side
(C1S) or on both sides (C2S), with a coating such as a fluidized
blend of mineral pigments selected from coating clay, calcium
carbonate and/or titanium dioxide with starch or adhesive, or
various combinations of these materials. Successive densification
and polishing (via calendering) finishes each coated surface to a
high degree of smoothness and renders it suitable for graphics
printing of superior quality.
[0002] In a first embodiment, the outer cover includes a pair of
side panels which form the wider surfaces of the package, these
side panels being operatively connected by a hinge panel.
Additional panels on the outer cover fold over to form elements of
the integrated closure feature and a cut-out opening which
facilitates release of a slide card. An inner vaulted carton which
possesses a tab integrated into its surface is secured to the inner
surface of one of the side panels of the outer cover. When the
package is closed, the tab fits into a raised pocket formed by a
fold-over panel secured to the inner surface of the other side
panel of the outer cover, thereby providing a secure lock for the
package. The outer cover and the inner vaulted carton, when secured
to one another, create an inner chamber that can accommodate a
separate inner slide card. The inner vaulted carton includes a
slide card locking mechanism as well as a releasing mechanism. The
slide card releasing mechanism can be in the form of a release
button located on the inner vaulted carton, while the slide card
locking mechanism can be composed of a fold-over panel on the inner
vaulted carton that includes a node for engaging an extension of
the internal slide card.
[0003] Depending on the choice of substrate material, another means
of improving the impenetrability of the outer cover and inner
carton involves lamination of at least a part of one or both sides
of the cover or inner carton with a polymer film. In this manner,
the package is made more resistant to tearing. Optionally, this
lamination may not extend over the entire surface of the outer
cover. For example, only tear prone regions may require lamination.
Suitable laminating materials may, for example, be selected from
biaxially oriented or cross-laminated polymeric films such as high
density polyethylene (HDPE), polyolefins, polyesters, e.g.
Mylar.TM., or combinations thereof. In a related embodiment, tear
resistance may be provided at stress points such as the package
corners and exposed edges by applying one or more strips of the
polymeric film, e.g. as a tape, over these areas. In either aspect,
the polymeric film may be applied by extrusion or adhesive
lamination, or by any other suitable means known in the art. It has
been found that this treatment significantly increases tear
resistance and prevents tear propagation. Preferably, neither the
complete laminate film nor the selectively applied film strips will
detract from the package's aesthetic appearance or interfere with
printability or any of the other desirable display features. Text
or graphic information may be printed on the cover or on the
internal vaulted carton according to any means conventionally known
in the art.
[0004] The outer cover of the package and the inner vaulted carton
provide additional protection for the internal slide card, which
can house a unit dose product. The internal slide card includes a
stop feature, typically a folded extension thereof, which engages
with a catch feature, typically also a folded extension, on the
inner vaulted carton, to prevent the user from pulling the internal
slide card completely away from the package.
[0005] Optionally, other means for improving the structural
integrity of the overall package may be incorporated. Such features
include lamination of the inner vaulted carton with a polymeric
film, as described above, which also improves tear resistance.
Lamination of the slide card with a polymeric firm, which also
improves tear resistance, may also be added.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a plan drawing of an outer cover according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a plan drawing of an inner vaulted carton
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an example of a slide card adapted for use with
the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a package according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 is another illustration of a package according to an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
[0011] The embodiments shown and described herein offer the ability
to provide an integrated closure feature for a package which houses
an internal slide card containing unit doses. The embodiments
provide a secure lock for a package without the use of folding
tabs, exposed adhesive or complex structural folds. The closure
mechanism requires no exposed adhesive, which can tear a package
and which can lose its effectiveness over time. The closure
mechanism also requires no complex folds, thereby reducing material
and manufacturing requirements. Furthermore, the closure mechanism
does not interrupt the smooth surface of the package, a feature
which makes it ideal for stacking and shipping needs.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a plan drawing of an outer cover according to a
first embodiment. An outer cover is formed from a blank 100 that is
creased to form a pair of side panels 10, 20, a hinge panel 30, a
first extension panel, 40, a pocket panel 50 with a raised pocket
60 and a second extension panel 70. A cutout 80, removed from
panels 20 and 70, facilitates the removal of an internal slide card
(FIG. 3). The cutout 80 is essentially circular wherein half of the
circle resides on side panel 20 and the other half resides on
extension panel 70. When the extension panel 70 is folded over and
secured to side panel 20, cutout 80 becomes a semi-circular cutout
that exposes the slide card insert enough that a user can grasp and
pull the slide card insert out from the outer cover.
[0013] To form the outer cover, extension panel 70 is folded down
and secured (e.g. using an adhesive) to side panel 20. Extension
panel 40 is folded down and secured to side panel 10. The crease in
pocket panel 50 is pushed out to form a raised pocket 60. Pocket
panel 50 is folded over and adhered to side panel 10 such that the
raised pocket 60 creates a slit large enough that a tab 25 (FIG. 2)
can later be inserted into the slit. Side panel 10 is folded at a
right angle to hinge panel 30. Side panel 20 is then folded at a
right angle to hinge panel 30 so that both side panels 10, 20 are
parallel to each other and both extension panels 40, 70 and the
pocket panel 50 are all on the inner side of the cover.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan drawing of an inner vaulted carton. An
inner vaulted carton is formed from a blank 200 that is creased to
form a carton panel 65 and an extension panel 75. The carton panel
65 is creased so that a three-dimensional vaulted surface can be
formed from the original two-dimensional blank 200. A slit opening
35 which forms part of a retaining element for a slide card is cut
in the vaulted surface. Two holes 45, 55 are cut in extension panel
75. The carton panel 65 is further creased to form a release button
85. A cut is made on the carton panel 65 in order to form a tab 25.
When the creased outside edges of the carton panel 65 are pushed
down to form a three-dimensional carton, a cut-out tab 25 is formed
that functions as part of the integrated closure feature.
[0015] To form the full package, the creased edges of the carton
panel 65 are pushed down so as to form a three-dimensional vaulted
structure having a cut-out tab 25. Extension panel 75 is folded
back over carton panel 65 and the release button 85 is pushed in.
The inner vaulted carton is placed atop side panel 20 on the inner
surface of the outer cover and secured such that the folded down
extension panel 75 is directly above cutout 80 on side panel 20.
Once the inner vaulted carton is adhered to the cover, a chamber is
formed in between the inner vaulted carton and side panel 20. A
slide card can be inserted into this chamber.
[0016] A slide card 300 (FIG. 3) can include a blister pack of
individual unit doses. The slide card 300 can further include its
own extension panel 305 that can be folded back over the slide card
300 itself. The extension panel 305 can further include a small tab
310 such that when the slide card extension panel 305 is folded
over the slide card 300 and the entire unit is inserted into the
chamber defined by the inner vaulted carton, the small tab 30 will
engage slit opening 35 of the inner vaulted carton. To release a
slide card 300 so that it can be withdrawn from its chamber within
the outer sleeve, the user simultaneously grasps the slide card 300
with one hand via notch 80 and depresses the release button 85 with
his other hand. The release button 85 pushes downward on the slide
card 300 to unhook small tab 310 from slit opening 35. When a slide
card 300 is pulled outward, extension panel 75 will extend until a
reciprocal element (slide card extension panel 305) on the slide
card 300 engages the extension panel 75, preventing the slide card
from being fully disengaged from the package.
[0017] The integrated closure feature providing a secure lock for
the package is engaged by inserting tab 25 in the raised pocket 60.
The lock is disengaged and the package can be opened by removing
the tab 25 from the raised pocket 60. This is generally achieved
using a later action in which the side panels 10, 20 can be gently
forced in opposite directions until tab 25 clears raised pocket 60.
Releasing the pressure on the side panels 10, 20 will then allow
tab 25 to operatively engage raised pocket 60 to secure the
package.
[0018] While not shown, the open end of the defined chamber can be
temporarily sealed such that the seal must be removed before a
slide card can be accessed. This would prevent access to the slide
card contents prior to purchase for certain over-the-counter (OTC)
products that utilize this packaging. The end can be sealed with,
for instance, a tuck closure, a perforated tear-away panel, a
security taped panel, etc.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an image of a package according to the first
embodiment. This figure shows the package fully formed and open.
The raised pocket 60 is visible on side panel 10. The tab 25 which
fits into raised pocket 60 is also visible on vaulted carton panel
65. The release button 85 and slit opening 35 are further visible
on carton panel 65. An internal slide card 300 can be seen
contained within the chamber defined by the vaulted carton and side
panel 20.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a second image of a package according to the first
embodiment. This view shows a closed package with an internal slide
card 300 visible. In this view, the integrated closure feature is
engaged because tab 25 is inserted into the raised pocket 60.
[0021] The description above has made reference to slide cards that
can be inserted and withdrawn from the packaging. The slide cards
generally hold a plurality of unit doses contained within what is
commonly referred to as blister packs. Thus, the slide cards may
take the form of solely a blister pack, a blister pack heat sealed
to a substrate, a blister pack glued (e.g., hot melted) to a
substrate, or a blister pack encased by a slotted substrate.
[0022] The package of the present invention offers advantages in
that its integrated closure feature allows for a secure lock
without folding tabs, exposed adhesive, or complex structural
folds. The package itself is lightweight, tamper resistant, senior
friendly, durable, easy to assemble, offers protection of each unit
dose until it is consumed, and is economical. Moreover, the
invention provides a child resistant yet user-friendly unit dose
packaging container, which may be used to contain and dispense a
variety of contents. The improved tamper resistant features of the
package may be attributed, at least in part, to the presence of the
integrated closure feature and the use of partially or fully
laminated structural materials in construction of the package cover
and inner carton. Suitably, the package may, for example, be used
to store pharmaceuticals preparations requiring periodic dosage
regimens. As used herein, the term "pharmaceutical preparation" is
intended to include prescribed or over the counter drugs or
supplements, vitamins or other medicaments, or any other materials
suitable for containment in a package of foil/paperboard or plastic
construction.
[0023] It is believed that the present invention includes many
other embodiments that may not be herein described in detail, but
would nonetheless be appreciated by those skilled in the art from
the disclosures made. Accordingly, this disclosure should not be
read as being limited only to the foregoing examples or only to the
designated preferred embodiments.
* * * * *