U.S. patent application number 13/510959 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-25 for child resistant packaging system.
This patent application is currently assigned to MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION. Invention is credited to John A. Gelardi.
Application Number | 20120267261 13/510959 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43558303 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120267261 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gelardi; John A. |
October 25, 2012 |
CHILD RESISTANT PACKAGING SYSTEM
Abstract
Disclosed is a packaging system, comprising a top cover (30), a
bottom cover (20) and a sled (40). The bottom cover further
includes a sled lock (26) positioned along the side wall near the
closed end of the bottom cover and a sled rail extending
substantially the length of the bottom surface. The sled lock
includes a ramped surface facing the open end of the bottom cover
and a flat vertical surface facing the closed end of the bottom
cover. The sled is adapted to sit between the top and bottom cover
when the packaging system is assembled. The sled includes a dagger
(42) capable of receiving and retaining an insert card. Pressure
applied to the top and bottom covers or the sides proximate to
where the sled is positioned will cause the sled to deflect inward
and result in the trailing edge of the sled clearing the sled
lock.
Inventors: |
Gelardi; John A.;
(Midlothian, VA) |
Assignee: |
MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
Richmond
VA
|
Family ID: |
43558303 |
Appl. No.: |
13/510959 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
December 16, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US10/60638 |
371 Date: |
May 21, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61287960 |
Dec 18, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/1.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/0463 20130101;
B65D 77/04 20130101; B65D 2215/02 20130101; B65D 50/046 20130101;
A61J 1/035 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/1.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 77/04 20060101
B65D077/04 |
Claims
1. A packaging system comprising: a top cover including a top
surface and a side wall defining an open end and a closed end for
the top cover; a bottom cover including a bottom surface and a side
wall defining an open end and a closed end for the bottom cover,
the bottom cover further comprising at least one sled lock
positioned along the side wall near the closed end of the bottom
cover and at least one sled rail extending substantially the length
of the bottom surface, the at least one sled lock comprised of a
ramped surface facing the open end of the bottom cover and a flat
vertical surface facing the closed end of the bottom cover; and a
sled adapted to sit between the top cover and the bottom cover when
the packaging system is assembled, the sled comprising a leading
edge and a trailing edge and at least one dagger capable of
receiving and retaining at least one insert card, wherein the top
cover attaches to the bottom cover to define an interior chamber in
which the sled can slide along the at least on sled rail such that
the leading edge of the sled will ride up and over the ramped
surface of the sled lock until the trailing edge of the sled clears
the sled stop causing the sled to be locked into place and pressure
applied to the top and bottom covers proximate to where the sled is
positioned will cause the sled to deflect inward and result in the
trailing edge of the sled clearing the sled lock.
2. The packaging system of claim 1 further comprising a hinged end
cover attached along the edge of the open end of the bottom
cover.
3. The packaging system of claim 2 wherein the top cover further
comprises a sled containment ridge, the sled containment ridge
positioned along the top surface and extending substantially the
length of the open end wherein the sled containment ridge functions
to prevent the sled from being completely withdrawn from within the
interior chamber by abutting the trailing edge of the sled.
4. The packaging system of claim 3 wherein an insert card that
includes a strategically positioned aperture is adapted to hook
over and be retained by the at least one dagger.
5. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the top cover further
comprises a plurality of cover tabs and the bottom cover further
comprises a plurality of corresponding tab receptacles that are
adapted to receive and retain the cover tabs thereby coupling the
top cover with the bottom cover.
6. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the bottom cover further
comprises a plurality of cover tabs and the top cover further
comprises a plurality of corresponding tab receptacles that are
adapted to receive and retain the cover tabs thereby coupling the
top cover with the bottom cover.
7. A package comprising an outer shell having locking elements and
retention elements and a sled having at least one dagger.
8. The package of claim 7 wherein the sled has a C-shape.
9. The package of claim 7 further comprising one or more insert
cards having an aperture.
10. A package comprising: an outer shell having a top; a bottom;
two sides, a closed end and an open end; a sled adapted to sit
between the top and bottom when the packaging system is assembled,
the sled comprising a leading edge and a trailing edge and at least
one dagger capable of receiving and retaining at least one insert
card.
11. The package of claim 10 further comprising sled rails.
12. The package of claim 11 wherein the sled can slide along the at
least on sled rail such that the leading edge of the sled will ride
up and over the ramped surface of the sled lock until the trailing
edge of the sled clears the sled stop causing the sled to be locked
into place and pressure applied to the top and bottom covers
proximate to where the sled is positioned will cause the sled to
deflect inward and result in the trailing edge of the sled clearing
the sled lock.
13. The packaging system of claim 10 wherein the top further
comprises a sled containment ridge, the sled containment ridge
positioned along the top surface and extending substantially the
length of the open end wherein the sled containment ridge functions
to prevent the sled from being completely withdrawn from within the
interior chamber by abutting the trailing edge of the sled.
14. The packaging system of claim 10 wherein an insert card that
includes a strategically positioned aperture is adapted to hook
over and be retained by the at least one dagger.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a locking
container that may be child resistant where multiple movements are
required to open the package and control the dispensing of
medication.
[0002] Locking caps on medicine bottles are well known. Locking
tray systems have also been taught as shown in U.S. Pat. No.
7,591,372. Multiple tray systems also have value for bulk
prescriptions or for am/pm combination medications.
[0003] A need exists for an easily assembled and easily fillable
multi-blister pack that may have child resistant features for use
with medications, food, tobacco products or other such
products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Disclosed is a package or packaging system comprising a top
cover and a bottom cover, which may form an outer shell, and a
sled. The top cover may include a top surface and a side wall
defining an open end and a closed end, while the bottom cover may
include a bottom surface and a side wall defining a corresponding
open end and a closed end. The bottom cover may further include a
sled lock positioned along the side wall near the closed end of the
bottom cover and a sled rail extending substantially the length of
the bottom surface. The sled lock includes a ramped surface facing
the open end of the bottom cover and a flat vertical surface facing
the closed end of the bottom cover. It is to be understood that the
sled lock, sled rail or portions thereof may be adjusted to be
located on the top cover based on manufacturing preferences.
[0005] The sled is adapted to sit between the top and bottom cover
when the packaging system is assembled. The sled includes a leading
edge and a trailing edge and a dagger capable of receiving and
retaining an insert card. The top cover attaches to the bottom
cover to define an interior chamber in which the sled can slide
along the sled rail. The leading edge of the sled will ride up and
over the ramped surface of the sled lock until the trailing edge of
the sled clears the sled stop causing the sled to be locked into
place. Pressure applied to the top and bottom covers proximate to
where the sled is positioned will cause the sled to deflect inward
and result in the trailing edge of the sled clearing the sled lock.
Based on manufacturing preferences, the sled and shell may be
adjusted such that pressure may be applied from the sides of the
top and bottom covers as well to move the sled.
[0006] The packaging system can also include a hinged end cover
attached along the edge of the open end of the top and/or bottom
cover. The top cover further may comprise a sled containment ridge
positioned along the top surface and extending substantially the
length of the open end that functions to prevent the sled from
being completely withdrawn from within the interior chamber by
abutting the trailing edge of the sled. It is to be understood that
manufacturing preferences may adjust the sled containment ridge to
be positioned on the bottom cover.
[0007] The sled is adapted to receive an insert card that includes
a strategically positioned aperture adapted to hook over and be
retained by the at least one dagger.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a bottom cover and sled in an
unlocked position of a packaging system according to an embodiment
of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a bottom cover and sled in a
locked position of a packaging system according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of an
assembled packaging system having the sled in its locked position
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an assembled packaging system
having the sled in its unlocked position further showing a
plurality of insert cards attached to the sled according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of an
assembled paperboard packaging system having the sled in its
unlocked position according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a bottom cover 20 and sled 40
in an unlocked position of a package or packaging system 10
according to an embodiment of the invention. The bottom cover 20
includes a bottom surface 21 and a side wall 23 that defines an
open end and a closed end. The bottom cover 20 is adapted to mate
with a top cover 30 to form the packaging system 10 in which an
interior chamber is defined. There are a plurality of tab
receptacles 22 that are adapted to receive a corresponding
plurality of tabs 32 of the top cover 30 in a snap-fit
configuration. Other means of connecting the top cover 30 with the
bottom cover 20 can be used such as an adhesive material.
Furthermore the bottom cover 20 may be hingidly connected to the
top cover 30 in a book style configuration. The bottom surface 21
has at least one sled rail 24 that provides a generally flat
surface for a generally C-shaped sled 40 to ride along within the
interior chamber of the assembled packaging system 10. Also
included is at least one sled lock 26 positioned along one or more
side walls 23 near the closed end of the bottom cover 20. A hinged
end cover 28 is connected along the open end of the bottom cover 20
and provides access to the interior chamber when the packaging
system 10 is assembled. The hinged end cover 28 can fold up over
and couples with a portion of top cover 30 to seal the interior
chamber. It is to be understood that based on manufacturing
preferences the features mentioned in this paragraph could be
placed on the top cover.
[0014] A sled 40 is shown positioned near the open end of the
bottom cover 20 resting on the at least one sled rail 24. This is
considered the unlocked position since the sled 40 can slide freely
along the at least one sled rail 24. The sled includes a sled
dagger feature that is used to couple with at least one insert card
50. The insert card 50 contains the contents of the packaging
system 10 and can take multiple forms including, but not limited
to, blister type packaging or tray type packaging.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a bottom cover 20 and sled 40
in a locked position of a packaging system 10 according to an
embodiment of the invention. This illustration is the same as FIG.
1 except that the sled 40 is now in its locked position tucked
behind the at least one sled lock 26. The at least one sled lock 26
includes a ramped vertical surface facing the open end of bottom
cover 20 and a flat vertical surface facing the facing the closed
end of bottom cover 20. This configuration allows the leading edge
of sled 40 to ascend up and over the ramped vertical surface of the
at least one sled lock 26. Once the trailing edge of sled 40 clears
the at least one sled lock 26 it becomes fixed in place due to the
trailing edge of sled 40 abutting the flat vertical surface of the
at least one sled lock 26. The sled 40 cannot move back out until
the user applies a force on the packaging system 10 sufficient to
cause the trailing edge of sled 40 to clear the flat vertical
surface of the at least one sled lock 26. This unlocking step is
described in more detail later.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of an
assembled packaging system 10 having the sled 40 in its locked
position according to an embodiment of the invention. This
illustration provides a close up view of the sled 40 in the locked
position tucked behind the at least one sled lock 26. A plurality
of sled daggers 42 are shown. The one or more sled daggers 42 each
angle back. One may protrudes up from the bottom the sled 40 while
one may protrude down from the top of the sled 40. These one or
more sled daggers 42 may work in concert to receive and retain at
least one insert card 50 wherein the insert card 50 includes a
strategically positioned aperture that corresponds with the sled
daggers 42.
[0017] The top cover 30 is similar in construction to the bottom
cover 20 in that it also includes a top surface 31 and a side wall
33 that defines an open end and a closed end. The top cover 30 and
bottom cover 20 are joined together in this embodiment using a
snap-fit type coupling. A cover tab 32 is shown inserted within and
retained by a tab receptacle 22. It should be noted that the cover
tabs 32 and the tab receptacles 22 can be inverted such that the
cover tabs are present on the bottom cover while the tab
receptacles are present on the top cover. Other such couplings can
be found about the perimeter of the packaging system 10 to ensure a
sufficient connection.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an assembled packaging system
10 having the sled 40 in its unlocked position further showing a
plurality of insert cards 50 attached to the sled 40 according to
an embodiment of the invention. The top cover 30 and bottom cover
20 are coupled with the hinged end cover 28 open. A plurality of
insert cards 50 are coupled to a sled 40 (hidden from view) that is
resting on sled rails 24 (hidden from view). The top cover 30
further includes a sled containment ridge 34 that runs along the
open end of top cover 30. The sled containment ridge 34 serves a
dual purpose. A first function is to ensure that the sled 40 can
not be completely withdrawn from the interior chamber of the
packaging system 10. This is achieved because the sled containment
ridge 34 extends below the surface 31 of top cover 30. If a user
attempts to withdraw the sled 40 by pulling the insert cards 50,
the top trailing edge of the sled will encounter and abut the sled
containment ridge 34 preventing sled 40 from coming out of the
interior chamber. A second function for sled containment ridge 34
is to provide a coupling point with the hinged end cover 28 of the
bottom cover 20. When sled 40 and insert cards 50 are fully
inserted within the interior chamber and locked behind the at least
one sled lock 26, the hinged end cover 28 can be rotated about its
hinged axis and rest upon the upper surface of the sled containment
ridge 34 thereby sealing the sled 40 and insert cards 50 within the
packaging system 10.
[0019] To assemble the packaging system 10, sled 40 is placed atop
the at least on sled rail 24 that are formed on the surface 21 of
the bottom cover 20. The top cover 30 is then fit atop the bottom
cover 20 and snapped into place using the plurality of cover tabs
32 and tab receptacles 22. Alternatively, the top cover 30 and the
bottom cover 20 can also be coupled in a different manner such as,
for instance, via an adhesive material. In addition, the top and
bottom could be hinged such that the two sides may be folded
together to form a sealed outer shell. One or more insert cards 50
can be inserted into the open end of the packaging system 10 until
the insert cards 50 encounter and hook over the sled dagger(s) 42.
It is also possible for the insert cards 50 to be attached to sled
40 before the top cover 30 and bottom cover 20 are coupled if
preferred.
[0020] Once the packaging system 10 is assembled, a user can push
the insert cards 50 into the interior chamber causing the leading
edge of sled 40 to ride up the ramped surface of the at least one
sled lock 26 until the sled 40 clears the at least one sled lock 26
and becomes fixed in place.
[0021] To release sled 40 from its locked position, a user applies
a pinching pressure on the top cover 30 and the bottom cover 20 in
an area proximate to the location of the sled 40. This area can be
on the top, bottom and/or sides of the outer shell. The top cover
30 and bottom cover 20 will deflect inward and contact the surfaces
of the generally C-shaped sled 40. Continued pressure will cause
the trailing edges of sled 40 to deflect inward until the sled's
bottom trailing edge clears the at least one sled lock 26. This
effort combined with the user gently grasping and pulling on the
insert cards 50 once sled 40 clears the at least one sled lock 26
will allow sled 40 to ride along at least one sled rail 24 further
removing and exposing the insert cards 50. The insert cards can be
fully withdrawn while the sled remains trapped within the interior
chamber since the trailing edge of sled 40 cannot clear the one or
more sled containment ridge(s) 34.
[0022] The design and construction of the packaging system 10 is
not dependent on a specific unlocking tab feature to release the
sled from its locked position. Rather, a user need only pinch in a
generalized area proximate to the sled's location to cause a
deflection sufficient to clear the at least one sled lock 26.
[0023] The materials that comprise the main components of the
packaging system 10 can vary so long as they maintain sufficient
flexibility and rigidity to perform the functions described and
attributed to them herein.
[0024] The outer shell may be composed of paper board or a
paperboard like substrate and may be folded into an outer shell
shape from a cut out die. The paperboard outer shell may have am
open end and a closed end. The board may be treated to be tear
resistant, water resistant, to have better printing features and/or
to add other benefits to the material. The outer shell could be
wrapped in shrink film to provide additional barrier or printing
benefits. In such a package the locking and retaining features may
be adhered or attached to the interior of the paperboard outer
shell. For example, at least one sled rail 24 could be attached to
the bottom and/or top of the paperboard shell such that the sled
can slide along the at least one sled rail 24. At least one sled
lock 26 may be attached to the top and/or bottom of the paperboard
package in a location similar to that describes in the prior
versions of the package. The sled lock may be attached closer to
the closed end of the package; it may be attached to the last third
of the package closer to the closed end; it may be attached to the
second half of the package. The sled element may be similar to the
sled in the plastic shell package. A sled containment ridge 40 may
be attached or built-in to the outer paperboard shell. This ridge
40 may be placed in the front third of the package; this ridge 40
may be placed adjacent to or as a portion of the open end of the
package.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of an
assembled packaging system 10 having the sled 40 in its unlocked
position according to an embodiment of the invention and having the
outer shell being comprised of paperboard material. The paperboard
may be treated or untreated. The paperboard may be tear resistant.
The outer shell may be folder and sealed to form a six sided
rectangle with one or more open ends. The outer shell may have a
locking ledge 44 formed on the inside by an extra panel. The outer
shell may also have locks and retaining features attached to it.
Such features may be paperboard or plastic or any other suitable
materials. This illustration provides a close up view of the sled
40 in the unlocked position. A sled dagger 42 is shown. The one or
more sled daggers 42 angles back away from the open side of the
outer shell. These one or more sled daggers 42 may work in concert
to receive and retain at least one insert card 50 wherein the
insert card 50 includes a strategically positioned aperture that
corresponds with the one or more sled daggers 42. The sled may be
made of plastic or any other suitable material. An unlocking
feature to allow the sled to move past the locking ledge or locking
element 44 may be placed on the sides, top, bottom or any
combination of the package. The unlocking element may be a pressure
area or a push tab area and may be proximate to the locking
element. The unlocking element may be in the same third of the
package as the locking element. The unlocking element may be in the
same half of the package as the locking element.
[0026] It is to be understood that the pinch pressure may be
applied to the top and bottom of the package or on the sides or any
combination of the above based on manufacturing preferences.
[0027] This disclosure should not be read as being limited only to
the foregoing examples or only to the designated preferred
embodiments.
* * * * *