U.S. patent application number 13/508372 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-30 for dual insertion plastic shell container.
This patent application is currently assigned to MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION. Invention is credited to John A. Gelardi, Caleb S. Loftin.
Application Number | 20120217183 13/508372 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43618625 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120217183 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Loftin; Caleb S. ; et
al. |
August 30, 2012 |
DUAL INSERTION PLASTIC SHELL CONTAINER
Abstract
Disclosed is a container having an interior chamber and partial
openings (40,50) on either end. The container is characterized by
top and bottom components (10,20) each having opposing ends, one
open and one closed, and opposing sides. The top and bottom
components further include locking posts (24), cut out slit areas,
and tab receptacles adapted to secure an insert attachment
component (30). The top component (10), the bottom component (20)
and the insert attachment component are attached to one another to
form a container having an interior chamber with an open portion on
either end each capable of accepting a separate insert card (60) in
a lockable manner.
Inventors: |
Loftin; Caleb S.; (Richmond,
VA) ; Gelardi; John A.; (Midlothian, VA) |
Assignee: |
MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
Richmond
VA
|
Family ID: |
43618625 |
Appl. No.: |
13/508372 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
December 7, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US10/59181 |
371 Date: |
May 7, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61267314 |
Dec 7, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/555 ;
206/449 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2585/56 20130101;
B65D 2215/02 20130101; B65D 83/0463 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/555 ;
206/449 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/02 20060101
B65D006/02; B65D 6/00 20060101 B65D006/00; B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A container having an interior chamber and partial openings on
either end, each opening adapted to receive and secure a relatively
flat insert card having a cut out area adapted to hook over a catch
mechanism, the container comprising: a top component, the top
component having opposing ends, one open and one closed, and
opposing sides, the top component further comprising: at least one
locking post protruding away from the inner surface of the top
component and positioned near the closed end of the top component
and at least one unlocking mechanism positioned near the closed end
of the top component; a bottom component, the bottom component
having opposing ends, one open and one closed, and opposing sides,
the bottom component further comprising: at least one locking post
protruding away from the inner surface of the bottom component and
positioned near the closed end of the bottom component; and at
least one unlocking mechanism positioned near the closed end of the
bottom component and an insert attachment component wherein the top
component, the bottom component, and the insert attachment
component are attached to one another to form a container having an
interior chamber with an open portion on the top and the bottom
capable of accepting a separate insert card in a lockable
manner.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the open portion of the top
aligns with the closed end of the bottom.
3. The container of claim 1 wherein the insert attachment comprises
two or more securing tabs.
4. The container of claim 3 wherein the insert attachment further
comprises two or more lock release posts.
5. The container of claim 1 wherein the top component and the
bottom component are snap fit to one another wherein the top
component further comprises a plurality of snap fit tabs and the
bottom component further comprises a corresponding plurality of
snap fit receptacles adapted to receive the snap fit tabs.
6. The container of claim 1 wherein the top component and the
bottom component are adhered to one another using an adhesive
material.
7. A container having an interior chamber and partial openings on
either end, each opening adapted to receive and secure a relatively
flat insert card having a cut out area adapted to hook over a catch
mechanism, the container comprising: a top component made from a
plastic material, the top component having opposing ends, one open
and one closed, and opposing sides, the top component further
comprising: an angled locking post protruding away from the inner
surface of the top component and positioned near the closed end of
the top component; a cut out slit area positioned on the surface of
the top component between the location of the angled locking post
and the closed end; and a tab receptacle positioned on the closed
end of the top component, a bottom component made from a plastic
material, the bottom component having opposing ends, one open and
one closed, and opposing sides, the bottom component further
comprising: an angled locking post protruding away from the inner
surface of the bottom component and positioned near the closed end
of the bottom component; and a cut out slit area positioned on the
surface of the bottom component between the location of the angled
locking post and the closed end; and a tab receptacle positioned on
the closed end of the bottom component, an insert attachment
component comprising: a relatively thin base platform having an
upper and lower surface that extends the length of the top and
bottom components; a first sloped guide rib protruding away from
the upper surface of the base platform; a second sloped guide rib
protruding away from the lower surface of the base platform; a
first securing tab extending away from the upper surface of the
base platform positioned at an end of the base platform; a second
securing tab extending away from the lower surface of the base
platform positioned at the opposite end of the base platform
relative to the location of the first securing tab; a first lock
release post extending away from the upper surface of the base
platform positioned between the first guide rib and the first
securing tab; and a second lock release post extending away from
the lower surface of the base platform positioned between the
second guide rib and the second securing tab, wherein the top
component, the bottom component, and the insert attachment
component are attached to one another to form a container having an
interior chamber with an open portion on either end each capable of
accepting a separate insert card in a lockable manner.
8. The container of claim 7 wherein the insert attachment component
further comprises a plurality of retention daggers on opposite ends
and opposite sides of the insert attachment component, the
retention daggers adapted to catch an insert card via the insert
card hole so as to prevent the insert card from being completely
withdrawn from the container.
9. The container of claim 7 wherein the top component further
comprises a finger indent feature along an edge of the top
component that is furthest from the cut out slit.
10. The container of claim 7 wherein the bottom component further
comprises a finger indent feature along an edge of the bottom
component that is furthest from the cut out slit.
11. The container of claim 7 wherein the top component and the
bottom component are snap fit to one another wherein the top
component further comprises a plurality of snap fit tabs and the
bottom component further comprises a corresponding plurality of
snap fit receptacles adapted to receive the snap fit tabs.
12. The container of claim 7 wherein the top component and the
bottom component are adhered to one another using an adhesive
material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Child-resistant plastic shell package containers for blister
package inserts (or the like) are made almost entirely from molded
plastic. The child-resistant aspect generally results from a catch
mechanism integrated into the top and/or bottom pieces of the
plastic shell. The catch mechanism is adapted to cooperate with a
cut out area on the blister pack to `lock` the blister pack in
place within the plastic shell container. Releasing the blister
package from the catch mechanism usually involves applying a force
to a tab portion of the plastic shell that is positioned above (or
below) the catch mechanism. The tab portion is deflectable to the
interior of the plastic shell where it contacts and causes the
blister pack cut out area to become disengaged from the catch
mechanism. The user can then slide the blister pack out of the
plastic shell exposing its contents.
[0002] The typical plastic shell configuration also has a single
open end for inserting and retrieving inserts such as blister
packs. The depth plastic shell container can often accommodate more
than one insert. However, the inserts are all accessed from the
same end. What is needed is a novel way to allow for access to
inserts from either end of the plastic shell container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Disclosed is a container having an interior chamber and
partial openings on either end. The container is characterized by
top and bottom components each having opposing ends, one open and
one closed, and opposing sides. The top and bottom components
further include angled locking posts, cut out slit areas, and tab
receptacles adapted to secure an insert attachment component. The
insert attachment component comprises a relatively thin base
platform having an upper and lower surface that extends the length
of the top and bottom components, first and second sloped guide
ribs protruding away from the upper and lower surfaces, first and
second securing tabs extending away from the upper and lower
surfaces positioned at each end of the base platform, and first and
second lock release posts extending away from the upper and lower
surfaces. The top component, the bottom component, and the insert
attachment component are attached to one another to form a
container having an interior chamber with an open portion on either
end each capable of accepting a separate insert card in a lockable
manner.
[0004] The insert attachment component can optionally include a
plurality of retention daggers on opposite ends and opposite sides
of the insert attachment component. The retention daggers are
adapted to catch an insert card via the insert card hole so as to
prevent the insert card from being completely withdrawn from the
container.
[0005] The top and bottom components can also optionally include
finger indent features along an edge of the top and bottom
components that are furthest from the cut out slit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a plastic shell container
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled plastic shell
container according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of an assembled plastic
shell container according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the top piece (inverted) and
insert attachment component of the plastic shell container shown
receiving a pair of inserts according to an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a substantially rectangular
plastic shell container according to an embodiment of the
invention. The plastic shell container is generally comprised of
three plastic components that snap-fit together to form an
assembled plastic shell container having an interior chamber. The
components include at least one top component 10, at least one
bottom component 20 and at least one insert card attachment
component 30. It is to be understood these components could be
combined in another manner than snap fitting and that the component
number could be adjusted based on manufacturing preferences. The
top and bottom components 10, 20 are generally rectangular in shape
and include a main surface with edge portions that extend
substantially perpendicularly from the main surface on the two long
edges and on one of the short edges of the components 10, 20. The
depth of the edge portions define the sides of and an overall depth
of the plastic shell container once assembled. Once assembled, the
plastic shell container resembles a rectangular box having
partially open ends opposite one another that allow access to the
interior chamber. The openings on the opposing ends are at
different heights along the depth of the structure. One opening
provides access to an upper half of the interior chamber while the
other opening provides access to a lower half of the interior
chamber.
[0011] The top and bottom components 10, 20 are generally identical
mirror images of one another in that each of the components and
features present on one is also present on the other, just in a
reverse location from a left-to-right-perspective. This applies to
all the components except the snap fit components because there
must necessarily be male and female components to have a working
connection. Thus, only the top component 10 has snap-fit tabs 12
while the bottom component 20 has snap fit receptacles 22. The
choice to put the snap fit tabs on the top component and the snap
fit receptacles on the bottom component is merely a design choice.
The tabs and receptacles can be easily swapped to the other
component. Moreover, it is also possible to have two tabs and two
receptacles on each component so long as a tab and a receptacle
mate with one another during assembly.
[0012] While the figures and description herein describe the
components as being snap-fit together, one of ordinary skill in the
art could readily adapt the components to be fastened in an
alternative manner. For instance, the components can be attached
via an adhesive material such as glue or the components may be
riveted or screwed together using suitable hardware. Thus, the
invention should not be considered as exclusively limited to being
assembled using snap fit components.
[0013] In addition, the figures and description herein describe the
plastic shell container as generally rectangular. One of ordinary
skill in the art, however, could vary the geometry of the plastic
shell container without altering the functional aspects of the
components. Thus, the invention should not be considered as limited
to a substantially rectangular structure.
[0014] With respect to FIG. 1, the top component 10 is seen from
its outer perspective and the features of the top component 10
visible from this perspective are described. The top component 10
is further comprised of a plurality of snap-fit tabs 12 generally
positioned near each corner of the substantially rectangular top
component and extend beyond the depth of the side edge portions. At
one edge there is defined a finger indent 14 that is a curved
disruption along the short edge of the main surface that does not
have an edge portion extending down. The curve provides a recess in
the surface area that a user can use to access and grasp an insert.
Near the other end of the main surface of the top component 10 is a
cut out slit 16 that is designed to allow a portion of the surface
area of the top component 10 to be deflected inward. This cut out
slit 14 defines a release button that is used in unlocking or
disengaging an insert that has been locked within the plastic shell
container.
[0015] With respect to FIG. 1, the bottom component 20 is seen from
its inner perspective and the features of the bottom component 20
visible from this perspective are described. The bottom component
20 is further comprised of a plurality of snap fit receptacles 22
that are positioned and adapted to receive the snap fit tabs 12 of
the top component 10. An angled locking post 24 is shown near the
end of the main surface area that is opposite the open end. The
angle locking post 24 is generally centered from side to side and
is adapted to receive and hook onto an insert card that has a
strategically sized and positioned hole. A finger indent 14 for the
bottom component 20 is also shown and is the same as described
above. There is also shown an insert attachment tab receptacle 26
that receives and secures an insert attachment tab 32 that is part
of the insert card attachment component 30. A similar insert
attachment tab receptacle 26 exists on the underside of the top
component 10.
[0016] The insert card attachment component 30 is a narrow rib-like
structure that extends the length of the top and bottom components
10, 20. It is adapted to fit down the middle of the chamber defined
by the top and bottom components 10, 20 when assembled. It creates
a barrier of sorts that separates the interior chamber into upper
and lower sections.
[0017] The insert card attachment component 30 is further comprised
of a base platform 31 (top and bottom surface) that has multiple
features extending perpendicularly from both the top and bottom
surfaces of the base platform. These features include the aforesaid
insert attachment tab 32 on each end, an angled lock release post
34, a retention dagger 36, and a guide rib 38. Each of these
features extends from both the top and bottom surfaces of the base
platform 31 and are oriented in a mirror image from left-to-right.
The angled lock release post 34 is adapted to guide the leading
edge of an insert downward upon pressure being applied to the
surface area defined by the cut out slit 16 such that the
strategically placed hole on the insert can be unhooked from the
angled locking post 24. The retention dagger 36 is positioned near
the edge of the open end of the top (and bottom) components 10, 20
and is designed to hook the strategically placed hole on the insert
to prevent the insert from being completely removed from the
plastic shell container. When assembled, each guide rib 38 extends
toward the inner surface of both the top and bottom components 10,
20 leaving just enough room for a relatively flat insert to slide
along the top of the guide rib 38 keeping the surface of the insert
very close to the inner surface of the top and bottom components
10, 20. The guide ribs 38 are angled at each end to facilitate
causing the insert to ride up on the top of the guide rib 38.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled plastic shell
container according to an embodiment of the invention. In this
view, the top and bottom components 10, 20 have been snap fit
together to form the plastic shell container having an interior
chamber. On left or near end of the plastic shell container there
is a defined opening 40 on the lower half of the left end. The
finger indent 14 for the bottom component 20 is viewable as is the
cut out slit 16 on the top component. On the opposite end, the
finger indent 14 for the top component 10 can be seen. While not
visible, the insert card attachment component 30 is strategically
secured within the chamber of the plastic shell container.
[0019] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of an assembled plastic
shell container according to an embodiment of the invention. From
this perspective, an opening 50 on the upper half of the right hand
side of the plastic shell container is visible. The finger indent
14 for the top component 10 is viewable as is the cut out slit 16
on the top component. The insert card attachment component 30 is
strategically secured within the chamber of the plastic shell
container.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the top component 10
(inverted) and insert card attachment component 30 of the plastic
shell container shown receiving a pair of insert cards 60 according
to an embodiment of the invention. This view highlights one of the
advantages of the invention. Namely, the ability to independently
load and access an insert card 60 in either end of the plastic
shell container. The top component 10 is shown inverted since the
snap fit tabs 12 are shown extending upward. The insert cards 60
shown are of the blister pack type and include a strategically
sized and located hole 62 near one end of the surface and in the
middle of the surface relative to the sides. The hole 62 is sized
to be larger then the angled locking post 24 such that it can hook
onto said post 24. It is positioned such that it will encounter the
angled locking post when fully inserted within the chamber of the
plastic shell container. The cooperative relationship between the
insert cards 60 and the plastic shell container will be described
in more detail below.
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates the system in which the insert cards 60
are either just being inserted or have been fully withdrawn since
neither insert card 60 substantially extends the length of the top
component 10.
[0022] Referring to the left side of FIG. 4, the leading edge of a
first insert card 60 and its insert card hole 62 are visible.
Looking through the insert card hole 62 affords a partial view of a
retention dagger 36 that is a feature of the insert card attachment
component 30. Also partially visible is a lock release post 34
extending downward from the insert card attachment component
30.
[0023] Referring to the right side of FIG. 4, the leading edge of a
second insert card 60 and its insert card hole 62 are visible.
Looking through the insert card hole 62 affords a partial view of a
retention dagger 36 that is a feature of the insert card attachment
component 30. Also visible is a lock release post 34 extending
upward from the insert card attachment component 30 and an insert
attachment tab 32.
[0024] The insert attachment component base platform 31 is seen
generally extending the length of the top component 10. Also
partially visible are the guide ribs 38, one extending upward from
the top surface of base platform 31 and one extending downward from
the bottom surface of base platform 31.
[0025] The insert cards 60 can comprise a blister pack type card
package that is generally comprised of a plurality of individual
bubble-like containers seated on a relatively thin substrate
surface. The embodiments described herein are adapted to accept a
blister pack type insert card. However, the embodiments described
herein may also accept other insert card types that feature a
relatively thin substrate surface.
[0026] In operation, an insert card 60 can be insert into each of
the openings 40, 50 at each end of the plastic shell container and
advance substantially the length of the plastic shell container.
The insert card 60 includes at least one flat surface that will
face toward the interior surface of the top component 10 if insert
into the upper half of the interior chamber and toward the interior
surface of the bottom component 20 if insert into the lower half of
the interior chamber. This will allow the guide ribs to lift the
insert card toward the surface while leaving clearance for features
like individual blisters to be housed within the chamber of the
plastic shell container. The insert cards 60 will eventually hook
onto an angled locking post 24 within the plastic shell container
and become locked within the interior of the plastic shell
container. The cut out slit(s) 16 on the surface of the top and
bottom components 10, 20 act as a release mechanism in conjunction
with the lock release post(s) 34.
[0027] To insert and lock an insert card 60 within an assembled
plastic shell container, a user inserts the leading edge of an
insert card 60 into the opening on one of the ends of the plastic
shell container. The leading edge of the insert card 60 is the edge
which is closest to the insert card hole 62. Since there is an
opening on either end, the following description shall apply to
inserting an insert card into the upper half of the interior
chamber. The description can be equally applied to inserting an
insert card into the lower half of the interior chamber from the
opposite end of the plastic shell container. All of the features of
the top and bottom components 10, 20 as well as the insert card
attachment component 30 are present and apply equally regardless of
whether the insert card is inserted from the left end or the right
end of the plastic shell container.
[0028] For instance, as the insert card 60 enters the upper half of
the interior chamber it first encounters the sloped insert
attachment component guide rib 28 that protrudes up from the insert
card attachment base platform 31. The slope of the guide rib 28
will urge the insert card 60 upward toward the inner surface of the
top component 10 as it continues to move toward the other end of
the plastic shell container. The depth or height of the blister
package guide rib 28 leaves sufficient room remaining for the
relatively flat insert card 60 to slide comfortably.
[0029] The insert card 60 continues until its leading edge
encounters the angled portion of the angled locking post 24 that
protrudes downward from the inner surface of the top component 10.
The depth or height of the angled locking post 24 is such that it
extends past the top line of the guide rib 28. The insert card 60
leading edge rides down along the angled locking post 24 until it
clears.
[0030] The insert card hole 62 is oriented along the same line as
the blister package angled locking post 24. Thus, when the insert
card hole 62 clears the angled locking post 24, the entire insert
card 60 hooks onto the angled locking post 24. The insert card 60
can not be removed from the plastic shell 10 without un-hooking it
from the angled locking post 24.
[0031] To release a locked insert card 60, the user grasps, in one
hand, the trailing edge of the insert card 60 which is accessible
using the finger indent 14. In the other hand, the user applies
pressure (typically with the thumb) to the cut out slit 16 on the
surface of the top or bottom component 10, 20. The pressure forces
a portion of the surface of the top or bottom component 10, 20 into
the chamber and in contact with the insert card 60 forcing it
inward in the same direction as the external force applied. The
insert card contacts and slides along the angled release post 34
until the insert card hole 62 clears the angled locking post. While
the user maintains this pressure on the cut out slit 16, he/she can
simultaneously pull the insert card 60 out of the interior chamber
with the other hand. Once the insert card hole 60 is completely
clear of the angled locking post 24, the user can release the
pressure to the cut out slit 16. The insert card generally slides
across the guide rib 38 and out of an open end 40, 50.
[0032] An optional feature is the retention dagger 36 which is
positioned on the inner surface of the top and bottom components
10, 20 near the open end. The retention dagger 36 protrudes inward
and backward and is adapted to hook the insert card hole 62 to
prevent the insert card 60 from being fully withdrawn.
[0033] It is to be understood that variations to this design may be
possible, including a hinged book-like shell that folds and locks
into place. A paperboard outer shell may be used as well with one
or more paperboard insert card attachment component (30) that may
be either formed from plastic or paperboard. It is to be understood
that the use of paperboard materials may require different
manufacturing techniques, such as the use of adhesive to connect
the components, strengthened board in one or more areas to
withstand tearing or support fold-lines, modified child-resistant
means or other such variations.
[0034] 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 embodiments.
* * * * *