U.S. patent application number 13/394047 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-28 for multi-pack traveler component package insert.
This patent application is currently assigned to MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION. Invention is credited to John A. Gelardi.
Application Number | 20120160726 13/394047 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43127344 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120160726 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gelardi; John A. |
June 28, 2012 |
MULTI-PACK TRAVELER COMPONENT PACKAGE INSERT
Abstract
A packaging apparatus is designed to accommodate one or more
blister packages in a secure child-resistant manner. The one or
more blister packages (30) include at least one engaging aperture
(32). The apparatus includes a sleeve that receives the one or more
blister packages and a traveler clip (10) that is coupled with the
one or more blister packages. The traveler clip is received in the
sleeve in a lockable slidable fashion. The traveler clip further
includes a backwardly inclining dagger (12) that hooks onto the
engaging aperture of the one or more.
Inventors: |
Gelardi; John A.;
(Midlothian, VA) |
Assignee: |
MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
Richmond
VA
|
Family ID: |
43127344 |
Appl. No.: |
13/394047 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
September 23, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US10/49896 |
371 Date: |
March 2, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61245759 |
Sep 25, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/468 ;
206/467 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2215/02 20130101;
B65D 83/0463 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/468 ;
206/467 |
International
Class: |
B65D 50/06 20060101
B65D050/06; B65D 77/04 20060101 B65D077/04; B65D 75/36 20060101
B65D075/36 |
Claims
1. A packaging apparatus comprising: clip At least one blister
package for storing packaging contents, the at least one blister
package including an engaging aperture; a sleeve for housing the at
least one blister packages; and a traveler clip comprising a dagger
that is received in the engaging aperture to allow the at least one
blister package to be joined the traveler clip, the traveler clip
received in the sleeve in a lockable and slidable fashion.
2. The packaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has an
open end and an opposite closed end.
3. The packaging apparatus of claim 2 wherein the sleeve further
comprises a locking stop on the sleeve, and the traveler clip
comprises a locking element for engaging with the locking stop to
lock the traveler clip.
4. The packaging apparatus of claim 3 wherein the traveler clip is
received in the sleeve for sliding movement between a rearmost
position where the traveler clip allows the locking element to be
in engagement with the locking stop of the sleeve to prevent the
traveler clip from moving toward the open end of the sleeve and a
forwardmost position where the traveler clip allows the locking
element to be in engagement with a locking portion of the sleeve to
prevent the traveler clip to be completely withdrawn from the
sleeve.
5. The packaging apparatus of claim 4 wherein the sleeve further
comprises a release element disposed such that depressing the
release element while the traveler clip is in the rearmost position
will cause the locking element of the traveler clip to clear the
locking stop of the sleeve allowing the traveler clip to be move
toward the forwardmost position.
6. The packaging apparatus of claim 4 wherein the rearmost position
is located proximate the closed end of the sleeve and the front
most position is located proximate the open end of the sleeve.
7. The packaging apparatus of claim 4 wherein the locking element
projects upward from an upper panel of the traveler clip, and the
stop portion is provided adjacent to the open end of the
sleeve.
8. The packaging apparatus of claim 4 wherein the locking element
project downward from a lower panel of the traveler clip, and the
stop portion is provided adjacent to the open end of the
sleeve.
9. The packaging apparatus of claim 2 wherein the sleeve further
comprises a finger indent at the open end of the sleeve to assist a
person when grasping the at least one blister package.
10. The packaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the traveler clip
comprises a substantially U-shaped frame structure including a pair
of upper and lower panels connected together by a spine panel.
11. A packaging apparatus comprising: at least one blister package
that contains a plurality of contents, the at least one the blister
package including an engaging aperture; a sleeve in which the at
least one blister package is received; and a traveler clip slidably
received in the sleeve, the traveler clip comprising a
substantially U-shaped frame structure and a dagger engaged with
the at least one blister packages by the engaging aperture, the
frame structure including a pair of upper and lower panels
interconnected by a spine panel, the dagger extending upward from
the lower panel substantially toward the spine panel.
12. The packaging apparatus of claim 11 wherein the traveler clip
further comprises a locking element for releasable engagement with
the sleeve.
13. The packaging apparatus of claim 12 wherein the sleeve
comprising a series of foldable panels including a top panel, a
bottom panel, a pair of side panels, and traveler guide section
panels that can be folded to form the sleeve.
14. The packaging apparatus of claim 13 wherein the traveler guide
section panels include cut out slots defining a channel for
slidably engaging the locking element of the traveler clip and cut
out slots defining a locking stop for receiving and securing the
locking element of the traveler clip such that the locking element
abuts edges of the cut out slots to prevent sliding movement of the
traveler clip.
15. The packaging apparatus of claim 14 wherein the top panel
further includes a slit therein, the slit at least partially
defines a release button such that depressing the release button
frees the locking element from the edges of the cut out slots.
16. The packaging apparatus of claim 15 wherein the sleeve further
comprises at least one stop portion positioned near an open end of
the sleeve, the at least one stop portion engages the locking
element of the traveler clip to prevent the traveler clip from
being completely withdrawn from sleeve.
17. The packaging apparatus of claim 13 wherein the bottom panel of
the sleeve includes a finger indent at an open end front edge
thereof to assist a person in grasping the at least one blister
package.
18. The packaging apparatus of claim 11 wherein the traveler clip
further comprises at least one retainer rib extending downward from
the upper panel of the frame structure, a lower end of the retainer
rib reaches an elevation substantially equal to, or slightly lower
than, an upper end of the dagger.
19. The packaging apparatus of claim 11 wherein the traveler clip
further comprises an opening that is defined in the spine panel to
allow fingers or tools to be inserted therethrough to facilitate
disengagement of the blister packages from the dagger.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] One form of pharmaceutical packaging is a blister pack. A
blister pack is comprised of a generally flat substrate on one side
and a plurality of bubble like cavities on the other side. Within
each cavity is stored a unit dose of a pharmaceutical such as a
pill, tablet, or capsule. The contents within the cavity need not
be pharmaceutical per se, however. When a consumer wishes to access
the contents of a blister, he presses down on the cavity `bubble`
causing the contents to pierce the bottom surface (usually foil or
the like) of the blister pack.
[0002] Blister packages are a convenient primary form of packaging.
However, blister packages generally require a secondary form of
packaging. The secondary form of packaging serves to protect the
primary package as well as providing a convenient form for
labeling. More importantly, however, the secondary packaging can
also provide a means for securing the primary package from children
as a safety feature since the contents of the primary packages can
often be dangerous.
[0003] One of the safety measures associated with the secondary
packaging is the ability to `lock` and `unlock` a primary package
within a secondary package. In general, a secondary package
receives a primary package and can securely seat it within a
chamber such that it can not be withdrawn without manipulating a
locking mechanism.
[0004] Typical packaging solutions only accommodate a single
primary package within a secondary package. In these solutions, the
primary package itself is in a direct cooperative relationship with
the secondary package. This can be inefficient if the contents of
the primary package are used up rather quickly or if the primary
package can only accommodate a relatively small number of discrete
items.
[0005] Blister packages are not the only form of primary packaging
that can be accommodated in the solutions described above. Such
systems can protect primary packages that contain, for instance,
medical devices such as syringes, dermal strip medications, liquid
vials or ampules, etc. The primary package can be used to store and
protect just about anything that can be retained by the relatively
flat primary packaging medium.
[0006] What is needed is a secondary packaging solution that can
accommodate multiple primary packages in a secure child resistant
manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one embodiment of the disclosure there is disclosed a
packaging apparatus designed to accommodate one or more blister
packages in a secure child-resistant manner. The one or each
blister package is designed for storing packaging contents and has
at least one engaging aperture. A shell or sleeve houses the
plurality of blister packages. A traveler mechanism or clip is
coupled with the one or more blister packages and adapted to fit
within the hard plastic sleeve in a lockable slidable fashion. The
traveler clip securely retains the one or more blister
packages.
[0008] The hard plastic sleeve is comprised of plastic top and
bottom portions that can be snap fit (or glued or otherwise
adhered) together such that when fit together, the hard plastic
sleeve defines an interior chamber that is open on one end and
closed on the opposite end. The hard plastic sleeve is further
comprises a locking stop extending downward from the interior
surface of the top portion of the hard plastic sleeve and at least
one exit stop on the interior surface of at least one of the top
and bottom portions of the hard plastic sleeve positioned near the
open end of the interior chamber.
[0009] The hard plastic sleeve further comprises a lock release tab
positioned such that depressing the lock release tab while the
traveler clip is in the locked position within the hard plastic
sleeve will cause the locking face of the traveler clip to clear
the locking stop of the hard plastic sleeve allowing the traveler
clip to unlock and be slidably withdrawn from the hard plastic
sleeve.
[0010] The top and bottom portions of the hard plastic sleeve
further include a thumb/finger indent at the open end front edge to
assist a person when grasping a blister package contained within
the hard plastic sleeve.
[0011] The traveler clip is adapted to be seated within the
interior chamber of the hard plastic sleeve in a lockable and
slidable fashion. The traveler clip is a generally U-shaped hard
plastic apparatus that includes a flexible dagger extending
upwardly and back from the bottom surface of the traveler clip. The
dagger is designed to fit within a blister pack aperture. The
traveler clip further comprises a locking face portion designed to
engage the locking stop of the hard plastic sleeve. The traveler
clip also include at least one raised leading edge flat surface
adapted to engage the at least one traveler stop on the hard
plastic sleeve to prevent the traveler clip from being completely
withdrawn from within the interior chamber of the hard plastic
sleeve.
[0012] In another embodiment of the disclosure there is disclosed a
packaging apparatus designed to accommodate one or more blister
packages in a secure child-resistant manner. The one or more
blister packages are designed to package contents (e.g.,
medicaments). The one or each package includes at least one
engaging aperture. A sleeve houses the one or more blister
packages. A traveler clip is coupled with the one or more blister
packages and adapted to fit within the paperboard housing in a
lockable slidable fashion. The traveler clip securely retains the
one or more blister packages.
[0013] The paperboard housing is formed from a paperboard blank
that is comprised of a series of panels that when folded define an
interior chamber that is open on one end and closed on the opposite
end. The assembled paperboard housing further comprises a release
button that can extend downward into the interior chamber to
release the traveler clip from its locked position.
[0014] The bottom panel of the paperboard housing further includes
a thumb/finger indent at the open end front edge to assist a person
when grasping a blister package contained within the paperboard
housing.
[0015] The traveler clip is adapted to be seated within the
interior chamber of the paperboard housing in a lockable and
slidable fashion. The traveler clip is a generally U-shaped hard
plastic apparatus that includes a flexible dagger extending
upwardly and back from the bottom surface of the traveler clip. The
dagger is designed to be inserted into each blister pack engaging
aperture. The traveler clip further comprises a locking face
portion designed to engage a traveler guide slot. The traveler clip
also include at least one raised leading edge flat surface adapted
to engage stop portions that are formed in assembling the
paperboard housing to prevent the traveler clip from being
completely withdrawn from within the interior chamber of the
paperboard housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a traveler clip to be used
with a packaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of some of the components that
form the packaging apparatus of the first embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the
packaging apparatus of the first embodiment, showing the traveler
clip seated within the bottom portion of the hard plastic sleeve
and cooperatively engaged with one or more blister packages.
[0019] FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional perspective view of the
packaging apparatus of the first embodiment, showing the traveler
clip seated within the complete hard plastic sleeve and
cooperatively engaged with one or more blister packages.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the packaging apparatus of
FIG. 4, showing the complete hard plastic sleeve in which one or
more blister packages are received.
[0021] FIGS. 6-9 illustrate a blank of a paperboard sleeve used
with a packaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the
disclosure, showing various folded stages of the blank.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the paperboard sleeve in
its fully erected form.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of the
packaging apparatus of the second embodiment, showing a traveler
clip inside the sleeve and the blister packages outside the
sleeve.
[0024] FIG. 12 is an end view of the traveler clip of FIG. 11.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a front elevation of the traveler clip shown in
FIG. 11.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a top-rear perspective view of the traveler clip
shown in FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0027] One embodiment of the disclosure describes an improved
packaging apparatus comprised of a sleeve made, for example of hard
plastic, adapted to receive and house at least one blister packages
bound by a traveler clip. Rather than having the one or more
blister packages connect directly in a cooperative relationship
with the sleeve, the one or more blister packages are coupled with
the traveler clip. The traveler clip is then coupled with the
sleeve in a cooperative relationship that permits the traveler to
be securely housed within the sleeve yet also allows the traveler
clip to be substantially withdrawn to expose the contents of the
one or more blister packages.
[0028] For ease of description, the sleeve may also be referred to
as a shell package throughout this disclosure. The sleeve or shell
package is generally formed from two pieces of plastic (top and
bottom portions) that snap fit to one another. They may also be
glued or otherwise adhered. Once fitted together, one end of the
sleeve remains substantially open and an interior chamber is formed
that is adapted to house one or more blister packages. There are
one or more locking and unlocking mechanisms on and about the
sleeve and the traveler clip that operate to securely retain the
one or more blister packages within the sleeve. To withdraw and
expose the one or more blister packages, a consumer must know how
to operate the sleeve to release the locking mechanism(s). These
locking mechanisms provide the entire packaging solution with an
enhanced degree of child resistant safety features.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a traveler clip 10 designed
to use with the aforementioned packaging apparatus according to a
first embodiment of the disclosure. The purpose of the traveler
clip 10 is to (1) engage or bind one or more blister packages
together, and (2) slidably and securely engage with a sleeve such
that the one or more blister packages can be accessed by a user of
the packaging apparatus.
[0030] The traveler clip 10 includes a pair of upper 11 and lower
15 panels connected together by a spine panel 13 to form a
generally U-shaped frame structure. The traveler clip 10 is
preferably formed of a hard plastic. Other suitable materials can
be used such that the functionality of the traveler clip 10 is
preserved. To achieve its first purpose, the traveler clip 10
includes an inclined dagger 12 that extends upward and backward
from the lower panel 15 so that the upper end of the dagger 12 is
positioned proximate the upper panel 11 with a small space retained
between the upper panel 11 and the upper end of the dagger. The
rear ends of blister packages 30 are inserted into that space one
by one, or all at one time, till the aperture 32 of each blister
package 30 clears the dagger 12, receives the dagger 12 and becomes
hooked thereon. The dagger 12 is inclined to the lower panel 15
such that it defines an acute angle with respect to the lower panel
15. Such an inclined orientation of the dagger 12 allows the
blister packages 30 to be retained and securely connected to the
traveler clip 10 once the blister packages 30 are engaged with the
dagger 12 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).
[0031] To achieve the second purpose, the traveler clip 10 has been
constructed and U-shaped to fit within the chamber defined by the
assembled hard plastic sleeve 20a and 20b shown in FIG. 5. The
traveler clip 10 is designed such that it allows itself and the
attached blister packages 30 to be seated within the chamber and to
slide back and forth within the chamber. A locking lug 14 on the
upper panel 11 of the traveler clip 10 is designed to engage
portions of the hard plastic sleeve 20a, 20b to prevent
unintentional withdrawal of the traveler clip 10.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of some of the components that
form the first embodiment of the packaging apparatus of the
disclosure. A bottom portion 20b of the hard plastic sleeve is
shown with the traveler clip 10 seated therein toward the rear end
of the bottom portion 20b. The bottom portion 20b has a pair of
guiding ribs 19 on its inside surface. The guiding ribs 19 extend
substantially parallel to the tubular axis X-X of the sleeve 20a,
20b (FIG. 5). These ribs 19 slidingly engage feet 16 of the lower
panel 15 to assist the traveler clip 10 in slidingly moving along
the axis X-X of the sleeve 20a, 20b. The feet 16 project slightly
downward from the lower surface of the lower panel 15 to be in
direct sliding contact with the inside surface of the bottom
portion 20b. The sleeve 20a, 20b further comprises a top portion
20a (not shown in FIG. 2) that generally fits atop and covers the
bottom portion 20b. The top portion 20a and the bottom portion 20b
are generally snap fit (or glued or adhered in some other manner)
together using a plurality of reciprocating connections (not
shown). The result is a sleeve 20a, 20b that is closed at one end
and open at the other end as is shown in FIG. 5. The top 20a and
bottom 20b portions also include a thumb/finger indent 28 at the
open end front edge to assist a person when grasping a blister
package 30 contained within the sleeve 20a, 20b. The top 20a and
bottom 20b portions further include at least one exit stop portion
22 that act to block the path of the traveler clip 10 so that it
can not be completely removed from the sleeve when blister packages
30 are withdrawn. More specifically, at least one of the feet 16 of
the traveler clip 10 comes into engagement with the at least one
exit stop portion 22 to prevent the clip 10 from fully withdrawn
from the sleeve 20a, 20b. It is to be understood that the sleeve
20a, 20b may be made of other materials, including but not limited
to paperboard.
[0033] The traveler clip 10 is adapted to fit snugly yet slidably
within the chamber defined by the sleeve 20a, 20b. A plurality of
blister packages 30 are also shown each containing a blister pack
aperture 32 approximately positioned at the rear center edge of the
blister package 30. The blister pack apertures 32 are designed to
slide over and hook onto the inclined dagger 12 of the traveler
clip 10.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the
packaging apparatus of the first embodiment wherein the traveler
clip 10 is seated within the bottom portion 20b of the sleeve and
is cooperatively engaged with a plurality of blister packages 30.
This illustration affords a view of the traveler clip 10 within the
bottom portion 20b coupled with the blister packages 30. Each
blister package 30 has been `hooked` over the inclined dagger 12 of
the traveler clip 10 using the engaging aperture 32.
[0035] FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional perspective view of the
packaging mechanism of the first embodiment in which the traveler
clip 10 is seated within the complete sleeve 20a and 20b and is
cooperatively engaged with a plurality of blister packages 30. The
traveler clip 10 further includes a locking lug 14 that can be
depressed inward when an external force is applied. A pair of slots
17 are located on the opposite sides of the lug 14 to facilitate
flexing of a portion of the upper panel 11 between the slots 17
(FIG. 1). The locking lug 14 is designed to engage and cooperate
with a locking stop 24 that is part of the inside surface of the
top portion 20a of the sleeve proximate the closed end of the
sleeve 20a, 20b. As the traveler clip 10 slides into the chamber of
the sleeve 20a, 20b and approaches the rearmost position next to
the closed end of the sleeve, it encounters the locking stop 24 and
allows its locking lug 14 to be depressed inward as the lug 14
rides up the tapered aspect of the locking stop 24. Once clearing
the locking stop 24, the locking lug 14 snaps back to its original
position such that it now abuts the locking stop 24. In this
`locked` position, the traveler clip 10 can not be withdrawn
(without unlocking) because the lug 14 will engage the locking stop
24 whenever the combination traveler clip 10 and blister packages
30 is attempted to be withdrawn. However, if the lock release tab
26 on the sleeve top portion 20a were to be depressed enough by the
user, it would cause the locking lug 14 to clear the non-tapered
straight edge of the locking stop 24 to allow the traveler clip 10
to be withdrawn.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the complete packaging
apparatus wherein the plurality of blister packages 30 are fully
received and secured within the sleeve 20a, 20b. The sleeve top
portion 20a and bottom portion 20b can share a common edge seam and
are generally snap fit together using a plurality of reciprocating
connections (not shown). The size and depth of the hard plastic
sleeve 20a and 20b and traveler clip 10 are generally a function of
the number and depth of the blister packages 30. The greater the
number of blister packages 30 to be included in the sleeve 20a,
20b, the deeper the sleeve 20a and 20b and traveler clip 10.
[0037] To withdraw and access a blister package 30 from the sleeve
20a and 20b, one would grasp the entire packaging apparatus with
both hands. One hand would grasp the closed end of the sleeve 20a,
20b such that the thumb (or other finger) was atop the lock release
tab 26 on the top portion 20a while at least one other finger is
positioned somewhere on the bottom portion 20b, allowing for a
pinching movement. The user's other hand would grasp at least one
of the blister packages 30 between the thumb and another finger
using the indent area 28 on the open end of the top 20a and bottom
20b portions of the sleeve. The indent area 28 functions as a means
of access to the blister packages 30. Next, the user depresses the
lock release tab 26 until it contacts and forces downward the
locking lug 14 of the traveler clip 10. Once the locking lug 14
clears the locking stop 24, the user can pull on the blister
packages 30 causing the traveler clip 10 to slide outward toward
the open end of the sleeve thereby exposing the blister packages
30. The traveler clip 10 can continue until its own leading edge or
feet 16 encounter the exit stop portions 22 of the top 20a and/or
bottom 20b portions of the sleeve . The feet 16 and stop portions
22 prevent the traveler clip 10 (and blister packages 30) from
being completely separated from the sleeve.
[0038] To load a plurality of blister packages 30 into the
packaging solution, the traveler clip 10 is seated at the rearmost
or locked position next to the rear end of the bottom portion 20b
of the sleeve. The top portion 20a of the sleeve is then attached
to the bottom portion 20b such that the traveler clip 10 is locked
in place (locking lug 14 abuts locking stop 24). One by one, or all
at one time, blister packages 30 can be inserted through the open
end of the sleeve 20a, 20b such that the rear end of each blister
package having the aperture 32 leads. The aperture 32 of each
blister package 30 has been positioned on the respective blister
package 30 such that it aligns with the backwardly inclining dagger
12 of the traveler clip 10. The blister package 30 eventually
reaches the dagger 12 and will ride up the incline until the
aperture 32 clears the dagger 12 and becomes hooked thereon. The
blister package 30 can not be removed from the dagger 12 due to the
backward inclination of the dagger 12 causing it to behave like a
barbed hook. Additional blister packages 30 can be inserted and
hooked as just described. The ability to attach the blister
packages 30 after the traveler clip 10 has been secured within the
sleeve 20 is unique to this solution.
[0039] It should be noted that the locking mechanisms that is
formed of the locking lug 14, stop 24 and release 26 may be placed
on the top portion 20a of the packaging apparatus, the bottom
portion 20b of the packaging apparatus or on both the top and
bottom portions 20a, 20b of the packaging apparatus. More
specifically, the lug 14 may be formed on the lower panel 15 to
extend downward therefrom while the stopper 26 and release 26 are
formed on the bottom portion 20b of the sleeve.
[0040] FIGS. 6-14 show a second embodiment of the packaging
apparatus according to the disclosure. In this embodiment, a
traveler clip 110 (FIGS. 11-14) can be utilized with a paperboard
sleeve in place of the hard plastic sleeve 10 described above.
FIGS. 6-10 illustrate a blank 60 of a paperboard sleeve in various
folded stages for assembling an erected sleeve (FIG. 10) adapted to
receive the traveler clip 110. The folding process shown in FIGS.
6-10 progress from a completely flat, unfolded form (FIG. 6) of
blank to a fully assembled three-dimensional form (FIG. 10) through
intermediate forms (FIGS. 7-9) in which the blank 60 is partially
folded and/or glued.
[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates the paperboard blank 60 in a completely
flat form prior to any assembly. The paperboard blank 60 is
comprised of a top panel 62 with an end panel 68 hingedly connected
along a fold line 82, a first side panel 66 hingedly connected to
the top panel 62 along a fold line 85, a bottom panel 64 with end
stop panels 70 hingedly connected to the bottom panel 64 along a
fold line 91, and a second side panel 66 hingedly connected to the
bottom panel 64 along a fold line 87. The side panels 66 are
included to provide a height dimension once the paperboard blank 60
is fully assembled. To accommodate the sliding action of the
traveler clip 110, a traveler guide section 72 comprised of three
fold-able panels 80, 81 and 83 is connected to the second side
panel 66 as part of the paperboard blank 60. The first guide panel
80 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 66 along a fold
line 88. The second guide panel 81 is hingedly connected to the
first guide panel 80 along a fold line 89. The third guide panel 83
is hingedly connected to the second guide panel 81 along a fold
line 90. Each of the first and third guide panels 80 and 83
includes a traveler guide slot 74, and a locking slot 75. Other cut
out areas 76 and 92 also provided. One of the cutout areas 76 is
defined at a location between the first 80 and second 81 guide
panels such that it interrupts the fold line 89. The other cutout
area 76 is defined at a location between the second 81 and third 83
guide panels such that it interrupts the fold line 90. The cutout
area 92 is defined along the free longitudinal edge of the third
guide panel 83. When the blank is set up, the guide panels 80, 81
and 83 form a layered structure (at "72" in FIG. 9) in which the
traveler guide slots 74 are substantially aligned along the
thickness of the layered structure to define a lengthwise channel
parallel to the tubular axis X-X of the sleeve formed from the
blank 60 (see FIG. 10). The lengthwise channel can slidably receive
a lug 114 of the traveler clip 110 and allows the traveler clip 110
to move in and out along the tubular axis X-X of the paperboard
sleeve. As also shown in FIG. 9, the locking slots 75 are also
aligned along the thickness of the layered structure (72) to define
a single locking stop (in the form of a channel) for receiving and
engaging the locking lug 114 (see FIGS. 11 and 14) of the traveler
clip 110. The lug 114 is received in the locking stop to retain the
traveler clip 110 in a locked position when it is fully inserted
into the paperboard sleeve.
[0042] FIG. 7 illustrates the blank 60 after the first step of
assembly in which the third guide panel 83 is folded over the
second guide panel 81. The end stop panels 70 have also been folded
over and glued or otherwise adhered down to the bottom panel 64 to
form a tubular end barrier 70 for closing the rear end of the
paperboard sleeve. FIG. 8 illustrates the next step in which the
combined layers 81/83 of the second and third guide panels 81, 83
are folded onto the first guide panel 80. At this step, as
discussed above, all of the guide slots 74 are aligned with each
other while both the locking slots 75 are aligned with each other.
FIG. 9 shows the entire traveler guide section 72 folded over to
form the interior layered structure of the paperboard sleeve.
Traveler guide slots 74 form the guide channel for the traveler
clip 110 while locking slots 75 form the locking stop for securing
the traveler clip 110 within the paperboard sleeve. A stop portion
78 is formed from the edges 69, 71, 79 (see FIG. 6) of the three
guide panels 80, 81, 83 that have been aligned with each other.
Another stop portion (hidden from view) is present on the right
side of the layered structure 72. Such another stop portion is
formed from the edges 73, 77 of the second and third guide panels
81, 83. These stop portions provide means for engaging shoulders
116, 116 of the traveler clip 110 to prevent the clip 110 from
fully withdrawn from the sleeve.
[0043] FIG. 10 illustrates the paperboard sleeve 60 fully assembled
with the top panel 62 folded up and over the layered structure or
traveler guide section 72. The end panel 68 is folded over the end
barrier 70 and secured thereto with an adhesive. The top panel 62
is also adhered to the traveler guide section 72 by means of an
adhesive. The end result is a rectangular sleeve having one open
end for receiving and seating a combination traveler clip 110 and
blister packages 30.
[0044] FIG. 11 shows the assembled paperboard sleeve 60 of FIG. 10
with a traveler clip 110 contained therein. The release button 67
is defined by cut 63 in the top panel 62. The release button 67
sits directly above the locking stop provided by the locking slots
75 (see FIG. 9). The traveler clip 110 locking lug 114 extends
upward from the upper panel 111 of the traveler clip 110 and will
contact the front edge of the locking stop defined by the locking
slots 75 if the traveler clip 110 is pulled toward the open end of
the sleeve 60 without pressing on the release button 67. The cut or
slit 63 allows a user to depress the release button 67, i.e., an
area of the top panel 62 behind the slit 63, such that the release
button 67 contacts and forces downward the locking lug 114 of the
traveler clip 110. When the locking lug 114 is depressed
sufficiently, it will clear the locking slots 75 and can be slid
along the guide channel defined by the guide slots 74 by applying a
pulling force on the blister package(s) 30 attached to the traveler
clip 110. The traveler clip 110 can continue to be withdrawn along
the guide channel until the shoulders 116 and the locking lug 114
of the traveler clip 110 contact the stop portions 78 and the
forward end of the guide slots 74 (channel) respectively. By this
means, the traveler clip 110 is prevented from being completely
removed from the paperboard sleeve. However, either the shoulders
116 may be omitted along with its cooperating stopper, i.e., the
stop portions 78. However, the shoulders 116 or feet such as shown
in FIG. 1 may be used to function as a locking lug when cooperating
stopper and stop portion are provided by the sleeve. In such an
embodiment, the locking lug 114 and its cooperating stopper, i.e.,
the guide channel 74, may be omitted instead of the shoulders and
its cooperating elements. The side panels 66, in such an
embodiment, provide a guide for the traveler clip 110 by slidingly
contacting the opposite ends of the traveler clip 110.
[0045] FIGS. 12-14 illustrate details of the traveler clip 110. The
traveler clip 110 has a generally U-shaped frame structure formed
of a pair of upper 111 and lower 115 panels integrally
interconnected by a spine panel 113. The dagger 112 extends upward
and backward from the lower panel 115 to the position spaced from
the upper panel 111. A pair of retainer ribs 118, 118 extend
downward from the upper panel 111. The retainers 118, 118 are
located on the opposite sides of the dagger 112 as viewed in FIG.
13. The lower ends of the retainer ribs 118, 118 reach the
elevation substantially equal to, or slightly lower than, the
elevation of the upper end of the dagger 112. The reference letter
"R" in FIG. 13 designates a vertical distance between the upper end
of the dagger 112 and the lower ends of the retainer ribs 118. Once
the blister packages 30 are hooked on the dagger 112, the retainer
ribs 118, 118 prevent the packages 30 from being disengaged from
the dagger 112 since the ribs 118, 118 do not allow the packages 30
to be lifted beyond the elevation of the lower ends of the ribs
118, 118. An opening 121 is defined in the spine panel 113 to allow
fingers or tools to be inserted therethrough to facilitate
disengagement of the blister packages 30 from the dagger 112 after
the contents of the blister packages 30 are consumed.
[0046] It is believed that the present disclosure 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.
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