CN102482002B - Two-shell and two-drawer containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A package comprises a latch including first and second legs and an actuating portion. The first and second legs are joined at an angle. The actuator portion of the first leg is positioned to be displaced generally laterally to displace the second leg generally longitudinally to release the latch. In another embodiment the package has base wells on the inside surface. A generally flat marginal sealing surface encircles the first and second base wells. The wells of the base and/or lid are covered with a cover sheet to close them. Still another embodiment is a child-resistant container comprising a shell, two drawers, a stop, and a latch. The drawers are prevented from sliding apart past a limit of travel when one drawer is open sufficiently to provide access to its contents and the other drawer is not.

Description

Container with two shells and two drawers

cross reference

This application claims priority to two Provisional US Patent Applications, US Serial No. 61/236,370, filed August 24, 2009, and US Serial No. 61/257,735, filed November 3, 2009. The entire specification, claims and drawings of US Serial Nos. 61/236,370, 61/257,735 and 12/398,475 are incorporated herein by reference.

Federally funded research or development

no

Microfiche/Copyright Citation

none

technical field

The present invention relates to packaging, such as child-resistant, yet adult-friendly packaging, for containing items such as pharmaceutical dosage forms or tobacco products.

Background technique

Containers for packaging pharmaceutical products provided with child resistant features are well known in the art, particularly in North America. Child-resistant structural features are also known as child-resistant closures (Child-Resistant Closure, CRC). Typically, a child-resistant closure must be difficult to open for children under the age of five, but generally friendly to users over the age of 50, especially over the age of 60. The US government has established the CR Act to evaluate the effectiveness of closure devices. Child Prevention Act testing is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration in CRT Chapter 16, Part 1700. Ideally, these are provided in a manner that makes use of the product easy and convenient for the intended consumer.

The packaging of a product adds many additional features to the product, such as environmental protection and protection from injury. Many products are packaged in multiple unit packages or in bulk for consumer convenience and packaging efficiency. Typically, when the package is opened, the entire product is exposed. Sealing is required if the product needs to be protected from the environment such as moisture.

One way to ensure that the product is protected is to provide a seal for the entire contents of the package. This type of approach may impose some size, shape or other design constraints on the packaging design. In this approach, the entire product may be exposed to consumers or children who open the package. Some means will be required to restrain the product so that it remains in place so that it is easily accessible but does not fall out of the package.

Another way is to protect the product by means of a protective cover or sleeve. When the wrapper is opened, the entire product is exposed. Again, the entire product is exposed to the environment and is no longer protected. Additionally, all remaining products were exposed to children.

Depending on the requirements of the package, the design can become complex due to several contradictory constraints that need to be resolved to meet the requirements. This can lead to increased costs and to packaging that is undesirable for consumers.

Contents of the invention

What is desired is a simple, easy to construct package that can be adapted to different types of products and packaging requirements.

One aspect of the invention is a package comprising a first housing part, a second housing part, an optional hinge and a latch.

The first housing portion has a first peripheral portion and a second peripheral portion. The second housing has a first peripheral portion and a second peripheral portion. A second peripheral portion of the second housing has a first latch abutment.

Optionally, but not necessarily or obligatoryly, a hinge may be provided which connects the first and second housing parts at a first peripheral part of the first and second housing parts Partially combined.

The latch is configured for releasably latching the first housing part and the second peripheral part of the second housing part together. The latch includes first and second legs, an actuation portion, and a second latch abutment. The first and second legs join at an angle. The first leg is secured to the first housing portion.

The first leg has an actuation portion and the second leg has a second latch abutment. The actuation portion of the first leg is arranged to be moved, eg generally laterally, by a finger of a user to move the second leg, eg generally longitudinally, from the latched position to the released position. The second latch abutment is secured to the second leg. The second latch abutment is configured to engage the first latch abutment when the second abutment is in its latched position, and is configured to engage the second latch abutment when the second abutment is in its latched position. When the leg is in its release position, the first latch abutment is released.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a clamshell package that includes a base housing, a lid housing, an integral hinge, and a closure.

The base shell has an inner surface and an outer surface. The base housing has at least first and second base recesses on the inner surface. A generally planar edge sealing surface surrounds the first and second base recesses. The cover housing also has an inner surface and an outer surface. The cover housing optionally has at least first and second base cover recesses on the inner surface. A generally planar edge sealing surface surrounds the first and second cover recesses.

The integral hinge joins the base housing and lid housing. The hinge allows the base housing and lid housing to be clamshell closed together. When the clamshell package is closed, edge sealing surfaces of the lid housing and base housing face and are adjacent to each other, preventing access to the recess. The closure device releasably secures the base housing to the lid housing when closed.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base housing further comprises at least a second base recess on the inner surface.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a substantially planar edge sealing surface of the base housing surrounds the base recess.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cover housing comprises at least a first cover recess on the inner surface, a substantially planar edge sealing surface of the cover housing surrounding the first cover recess. into the Ministry.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cover case further includes at least a second cover recess on an inner surface of the cover case.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the substantially planar edge sealing surface of the cover housing surrounds the cover recess.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the package further comprises a sealing sheet attached to the substantially planar edge sealing surface of the base wells to seal the respective base wells.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the package further comprises a sealing sheet attached to a substantially planar edge sealing surface surrounding the lid recesses to seal the respective lid recesses.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, said sealing sheet is weakened or cut between adjacent recesses to define individually removable strips which are individually removable to open one recess, while Adjacent recesses are not unsealed.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base housing, the lid housing, the integral hinge and the closure means are formed as a single injection molded part.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the package further comprises at least a third base recess on an inner surface of the base shell, wherein a substantially planar edge sealing surface of the base shell surrounds the base shell. Describe the third recessed portion.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, said package further comprises at least a third lid recess on an inner surface of said lid housing, wherein said substantially planar edge sealing surface of said lid housing surrounding the third cover recess.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, said first closure means comprises: a first upwardly facing lid abutment secured to said lid housing; and at least a first downwardly facing base abutment, It is fixed to the base housing and normally abuts against the lid abutment when the package is closed.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the package further comprises: second closure means comprising at least a second upwardly facing lid abutment secured to the lid housing; and at least a second downwardly facing A base abutment is secured to the base housing and normally abuts against the lid abutment when the package is closed.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, said first closure device is spaced apart from said second closure device.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one first abutment is resiliently mounted to the corresponding housing, normally biased into engagement with another first abutment, and capable of overcoming its bias. The press elastically deflects out of engagement with the other first abutment, thereby releasing the first closure means.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one of said second abutments is resiliently mounted to a respective housing, normally biased into engagement with the other second abutment, and It is resiliently deflectable against its bias to disengage said further second abutment, thereby releasing said second closure means.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, said first and second closing means must operate at least substantially simultaneously to open said package.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, said resiliently mounted abutments of said first and second closure means are operable to be pushed into one closure means by towards the resiliently mounted abutment of the other closure means. The elastic mounting abutment of the , to release the closure device.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base recess and the cover recess have a length and a width substantially parallel to the substantially planar edge sealing surface of the base recess and substantially perpendicular to the The depth of the substantially planar edge sealing surface of the base housing.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base recess and the cover recess are at least three times as long as they are wide.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, said package further comprises a product dosage form in at least one of said base recess and lid recess.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the dosage form is an extruded stick of composition.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the dosage form is a rolled sheet of a composition.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sheet of composite comprises a portion of a sheet.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the composition includes an abrasive material and a binder.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base recess or the cover recess is defined by an upstanding wall extending from said respective housing to said substantially planar edge sealing surface and surrounding said recess.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upstanding walls of at least two adjacent base or lid recesses are spaced apart, defining a gap therebetween.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the base recess or the cover recess is formed by corrugations in the respective base housing or cover housing.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the base recess or the cover recess is formed by an inner recess in the respective base housing or cover housing.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base and cover recesses reinforce the base case and the cover case against deformation.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when closed, the amount of moisture entering does not exceed 2500 micrograms of water per day.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the moisture ingress rate of the sealed recess does not exceed 750 micrograms of water per day.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the thinnest parts of the base shell and the cover shell is at least 0.5 mm thick.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the thinnest parts of the base shell and the cover shell is at least 0.8 mm thick.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the thinnest parts of the base shell and the cover shell is at least 1 mm thick.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the thinnest parts of the base shell and the cover shell is at least 2 mm thick.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the package further comprises a peripheral seal arranged around the recesses of the base housing and the lid housing.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the package further comprises a resealable peripheral seal disposed around the recesses of the base and lid housings.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the packaging incorporates plastic doped with an active agent for degassing.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the active agent is an oxygen absorber.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the active agent is a desiccant.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the active agent is molecular sieve or silica gel.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method of filling said package with a product. Piece of product are placed in the base recess and/or lid recess. The base recess and/or the lid recess are covered with a cover sheet to close them. The cover sheet is sealed to the generally planar edge sealing surface to seal the recess. The portion of the cover sheet between the two indentations is weakened or cut to form a strip of the cover sheet. In one embodiment, each strip of cover sheet covers a recess. In one embodiment, each strip is separately removed from one or more adjacent masking sheet strips covering one or more different recesses.

Yet another embodiment is a child-resistant container that includes a housing, two drawers, a stop, and a latch.

The housing may optionally have opposing first and second drawer openings. The housing may define a longitudinal passage from the first drawer opening to the second drawer opening.

A first drawer is slidably received in the longitudinal channel and protrudes through the first drawer opening when the first drawer is opened. A second drawer is slidably received in the longitudinal channel, relatively movable relative to the first drawer, and protrudes through the second drawer opening when the second drawer is opened.

The stop is located within the channel. The stop is configured for engagement with the first and second drawers to prevent the first and second drawers from sliding away relative to the housing beyond a limit of travel. The limit of travel is reached when either of the first and second drawers is sufficiently open to enable access to its contents and the other drawer is sufficiently closed to prevent access to its contents.

The latch is normally biased to latch the closed first and second drawers. The latch is operable against its normal bias to unlock at least one drawer.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the stopper includes: an abutting portion of the first drawer facing the first opening, and an abutting portion of the second drawer facing the second opening. The first and second abutting parts engage to define the stopper when the drawer moves apart.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the abutting parts is connected to the corresponding drawer by a link extending toward the other drawer.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the abutment parts is connected to the corresponding drawer by a link extending towards the other drawer.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each drawer has the same shape.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing further defines a side opening providing access to the longitudinal channel from outside the housing.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, said latch is located at least partially within said longitudinal channel and is accessible through said lateral opening to unlock the drawer.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the latch includes a first latch engaged with the first drawer, and a second latch engaged with the second drawer.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing further defines first and second openings providing access to the longitudinal channel from outside the housing.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, said first and second latches are located at least partially within said longitudinal channel and are respectively accessible through said first and second side openings for unlocking said first and second latches. One and two drawers.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first drawer has a first drawer abutment facing the first drawer opening, and the latch has a first latch abutment facing the second drawer opening. the first drawer abutment and the first latch abutment are arranged to engage each other when the first drawer is closed and the latch is normally biased to latch closed first drawer.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second drawer has a second drawer abutment facing the first drawer opening, and the latch has a second latch facing the second side opening an abutment, the second drawer abutment and the second latch abutment are arranged to engage each other when the first drawer is closed, the latch being normally biased to latch closed first drawer.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, said first and second latches are configured to move said first One of the drawer abutments and the second drawer abutment are disengaged from the corresponding latch abutment to unlock.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first drawer and the latch are configured for only simultaneously pushing the first drawer further closed to engage with an unlocking mechanism and operating the latch to The second drawer is unlocked when the first drawer is unlocked.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second drawer and the latch are configured for only simultaneously pushing the second drawer further closed to engage with the second unlocking mechanism and operate the latch to unlock the second drawer when unlocking the second drawer.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the unlocking mechanism is a ramp on the latch, and a ramp on a link protruding from the drawer, engaging to laterally deflect the drawer abutment away from the latch abutment.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ramp on the latch and the corresponding ramp on the drawer normally move longitudinally when the drawer is closed, and when the drawer is pushed further to close Aligned vertically in a mated relationship.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the container further comprises a stop which prevents the drawer from being pushed further closed to simultaneously engage the unlocking mechanism of the first drawer and the unlocking of the second drawer mechanism whereby only one of said first and second drawers is allowed to be opened at a time.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, said first and second latches are identical in shape.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a packaging assembly showing the lid opened to reveal the interior.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but with a portion of the insert tray cut away to show underlying detail.

FIG. 2A is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing an alternative embodiment with modified first and third legs 60 and 90 and without pivots 84 and 102 .

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the latch advanced to its release position.

Figure 3A is a view similar to Figure 3 showing an alternative embodiment to Figure 2A.

Figure 4 is an enlarged side view showing an engaged latch.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing the latch disengaged.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a package according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the package when opened.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 6, showing the package when closed.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 6 showing details of the base recess.

9 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 showing the interior of the base housing.

Figure 10 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 6, showing the exterior of the base housing.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the exterior of the base housing in the embodiment of FIG. 6 .

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 6, showing the package when closed, cut away to show the relationship of the base recess and the lid recess.

13 is a perspective view of the cover housing of the embodiment of FIG. 6 .

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 6 opened, cut away to show the recess, and showing the stick-like product seated in the recess, with the sealing sheet covering the recess.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a package showing a different arrangement and shape of the recesses.

Figure 16 is an enlarged view of another embodiment of the package showing the corrugated housing walls for the base housing and/or lid housing.

Figures 17 (showing the base housing) and Figure 18 (showing the lid housing) are views similar to Figures 9 and 13 of another embodiment having a perimeter seal around the recess.

Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the package when closed, with a blister sheet bonded to the package and a perimeter seal around the recess.

Figure 20 is a cutaway perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 19 when opened.

Figure 21 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 22 is a similar view of the embodiment of Figure 21, showing only the housing.

Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 21 showing details of the drawer.

Figure 24 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 21 with the housing removed, showing details of the latch and drawer. Bevels 70, 72, 84 and 86 are shown in dashed lines.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing only the drawer of the embodiment of Fig. 21, mainly showing the bottom of the drawer.

Figure 26 is a perspective view showing only the drawer of the embodiment of Figure 21, primarily showing the top of the drawer.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing only one side of the latch according to the embodiment of FIG. 21 .

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing only the other side of the latch according to the embodiment of FIG. 21 .

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 21 .

Figure 30 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 21 showing the inner wall.

Figure 31 is another cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 21 showing more internal detail.

The following reference signs are used in the description and drawings:

40 Package 42 The first shell part 44 Second shell part 46 The first peripheral part (42's) 48 The second peripheral part (42's) 50 The first peripheral part (of 44) 52 Second peripheral part (44's) 54 First latch abutment 56 Hinge 58 latch 60 The first leg (58's) 62 Second leg (58's) 64 Actuating part (60's) 66 Second latch abutment 68 Peripheral edge (42's) 70 Peripheral edge (44's) 72 first closed lip 74 Surrounding part (limited by 72)

76 Second closed lip 78 plugin 80 The first curved slope (for 62) 82 First bias abutment (for 62) 84 First Pivot (60's) 86 Third latch abutment 88 second latch 90 third leg 92 fourth leg 94 Actuating part (90's) 96 Second curved slope (joined by 92) 98 Fourth latch abutment 100 Second bias abutment (for 92) 102 Second Pivot (90's) 106 Leaf spring (60's) 108 Leaf spring (90's) 110 Concave 112 Side wall (110's) 114 Flange 116 Holes (of 114) 118 Holes (of 114) 120 Package 122 Base shell 124 cover housing 126 One-piece hinge 128 1st closing stop 129 first closed hole 130 Second closing stop

131 Second closed hole 132 Inner surface (122's) 134 External surface (122's) 136 Basal recess (122's) 138 Base recess (122's) 140 Base recess (122's) 142 Basal recess (122's) 144 Basal recess (122's) 146 Long upright wall (136's) 148 Long upright wall (138's) 150 Gap (between 146 and 148) 152 Short upright wall (136's) 154 Short upright wall (138's) 156 Edge sealing surface (136's) 158 Edge sealing surface (138's) 160 Edge sealing surface (140's) 162 Edge sealing surface (142's) 164 Edge sealing surface (144's) 166 Long upright wall (138's) 168 Long corrugated part 172 Inner surface (124's) 174 External surface (124's) 176 Cover recess (124's) 178 Cover recess (124's) 180 Cover recess (124's) 182 Cover recess (124's) 184 Cover recess (124's) 186 Long upright wall (176's)

188 Long upright wall (178's) 190 Clearance (between 186 and 188) 192 Short upright wall (176's) 194 Short upright wall (178's) 196 Edge sealing surface (176's) 198 Edge sealing surface (178's) 200 Edge sealing surface (180's) 202 Edge sealing surface (182's) 204 Edge sealing surface (184's) 206 Long upright wall (178's) 210 Upward cover abutment 212 Downward base abutment 214 Elastic tab (for 128) 216 Proximal part (214's) 218 Remote part (214's) 220 Upward cover abutment 222 elastic tab 224 Proximal part (222's) 226 Remote part (222's) 228 thumb tab 230 seal 232 seal 234 Incision (230's) 236 Incision (230's) 238 Incision (230's) 240 Incision (230's) 242 Incision (232's) 244 Incision (232's)

246 Incision (232's) 248 Incision (232's) 250 Product pieces 252 Product pieces 254 Product pieces 256 Product pieces 258 Product pieces 260 Product pieces 262 Product pieces 264 Product pieces 266 Product pieces 268 Product pieces 270 Bands 272 recessed part 274 cover housing 276 Base shell 278 Base shell (Figure 12) 280 Cover housing (Figure 13) 282 perimeter seal 284 Lips (280's) 286 Lips (282's) 290 Base shell 292 cover housing 294 Blister board (290) 296 Blister board (292's) 298 Cover sheet (290) 300 Cover sheet (292) 330 container

332 Shell 334 1st drawer 336 2nd drawer 338 The first abutment part (of the stopper part) 340 The second abutment part (of the stopper part) 342 first latch 344 second latch 346 1st drawer opening 348 Second drawer opening 350 Channel (330's) 352 First side opening (330's) 354 Second side opening (330's) 356 Washer (334) 358 storage area (334) 360 The first connecting rod (334) 362 Second link 364 1st button gasket 366 Second Button Gasket 368 The first latch abutment (of 342) 370 Bevel (Latch 342) 372 Bevel (of first latch 342) 374 Second latch abutment (of 344) 376 button(342) 378 button(344) 380   The first unlocking mechanism 382  Second Unlocking Mechanism 384 Bevel (of drawer 334) 386 Bevel (of drawer 334)

388 Connecting rod (of drawer 334) 390 The first drawer abutment (of 334) 392 The second drawer abutment (of 336) 394 The first stopper (in the drawer 334) 396 The second stopper (in the drawer 336) 398 The second connecting rod (of the drawer 334) 400 Guidance Department (332) 402 Guidance Department (332) 404 Guidance Department (332) 406 Guidance Department (332) 408 Guidance Department (332) 410 Guidance Department (332) 412 Cover (334's)

Detailed ways

The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Moreover, these embodiments are examples of the invention, which has the full scope indicated by the language of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5 , in the illustrated embodiment, a package 40 is shown having the following common structural features: a first housing portion 42 , a second housing portion 44 , a hinge 56 , and a latch 58 . Herein, a "package" is broadly defined as a package having two parts or pieces that are releasably joined so that they can be opened and closed. In order to form a package as defined herein, the two parts or pieces need not be identical or of the same size or have matching edges.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first housing portion 42 has a first peripheral portion 46 and a second peripheral portion 48 and the second housing portion 44 has a first peripheral portion 50 and a second peripheral portion 52 . In addition to the first peripheral portions 46 and 50 , the second peripheral portions 48 and 52 constitute the entire perimeter of the housing portions 42 and 44 .

In the illustrated embodiment, the second peripheral portion 52 of the second housing portion 44 includes a first latch abutment 54 that engages and disengages a latch 58 as described below. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge 56 joins the first housing portion 42 and the second housing portion 44 at first portions 46 and 50 of the first housing portion 42 and the second housing portion 44, forming a clamshell. packaging. However, hinges and parts articulated by hinges are not necessary, nor indispensable, to perform any embodiment of any invention disclosed in this specification. For example, instead of the hinge 56, the first and second housing portions 42 and 44 may have two or more hooks or another latch between their respective first peripheral portions 46 or 50 to releasably engage First and second housing portions 42 and 44 .

In the illustrated embodiment, a latch 58 may be provided for latching the second portions 48 and 52 of the first housing portion 42 and the second housing portion 44 together. The illustrated latch 58 includes a first leg 60 and a second leg 62 , an actuation portion 64 and a second latch abutment 66 . The first and second legs 60 and 62 join at an angle (the angle being, for example, 90 degrees and/or corresponding to the corresponding angle between the side edges of the second housing portion 44 and the front edge of the second housing portion). ), and the first leg 60 is secured to the first housing portion 42.

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating portion 64 of the first leg 60 is configured to be moved generally laterally (in the direction indicated by "L" in FIGS. The legs 62 move generally longitudinally from the latched position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to the released position shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 . In the illustrated embodiment, the actuation portion 64 is movable laterally by pushing it inwardly with one's finger. In this embodiment, the lateral movement of the actuating portion is perpendicular to the first leg 60 (which extends in the direction marked "V" in FIGS. 1 to 3A ), and since the second leg is parallel to the The front edge of the second housing part 44 is arranged and since the angle between the two legs is 90 degrees, the movement is also perpendicular to the side edge of the second housing part 44 and parallel to the front edge of the second housing part 44. edge. Optionally, but not necessarily, as shown in FIGS. 2, 2A, 3 and 3A, a resilient member, such as a leaf spring 106, may be provided which resists this lateral movement and biases the actuating portion 64 towards its latched position. . In the illustrated embodiment, the leaf spring 106 optionally but not necessarily rests against a portion of the insert 78 (in the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall defining the recess 110, which will be described below), elastically resisting the resulting The advancement of the moving part 64.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second latch abutment 66 is secured to the second leg 62 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second latch abutment 66 is configured to engage the first latch abutment when the second leg 62 is in its latched position as shown in FIGS. 1 , 2 and 4 . 54 engages, and releases the first latch abutment 54 when the second leg 62 is in its released position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 . Optionally, but not necessarily, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , a leaf spring 108 may be provided, which works similarly to leaf spring 106 .

In addition to the common and optional structural features in the illustrated embodiment, the package 40 shown in the figures may have any one or more of a number of additional optional structural features. Zero, one or more of these optional structural features may be applied individually or in any combination.

As a first optional feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 , the first and second housing portions 42 and 44 may have cooperating peripheral edges 68 and 70 . "Mating peripheral edges" are defined as peripheral edges that are substantially congruent and aligned when the package 40 is closed.

A second optional feature of the embodiment of Figures 1-5 is that a lip seal may be provided to seal the interior of package 40 from the external environment when package 40 is closed. For example, the package 40 may include a first closure lip 76 on the first housing portion defining the enclosure 74 , and a cooperating second closure lip 76 on the second housing portion 44 . The second closing lip 76 may be configured to engage the first closing lip 72 when the first housing portion 42 and the second housing portion 44 are latched and seal the enclosure from ambient air outside the enclosure 74 74. "Closed loop" means that the lips are connected end to end or continuous, like a ring. The ring may be circular, oval, rectangular with rounded corners, irregularly shaped, or have another shape.

A third optional feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is that the insert 78 may be provided as part of the first housing portion, which defines the first closing lip 72 and is joined to the remainder of the first housing portion 42. Section 104. The insert 78 shown in FIG. 1 may take the shape of a tray 78 having a recess 110 located within the closing lip 72 and defined by side walls 112 . The recess may define a sealed portion of the container. The tray 78 may also include a peripheral flange 114 outside the closing lip 72 . In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral flange 114 obscures most of the latches 58 and 88, but includes holes 116 and 118 to allow the first and second latch abutments 54 and 66, as well as the first and second latch abutments 54 and 66. engagement between the third and fourth latch abutments 86 and 98 .

As a fourth optional structural feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 , at least a portion of the latch 58 and at least a portion of the latch 88 may be disposed between the flange 114 of the insert 78 and the first housing portion 42 . This shields the latches 58 and 88 while providing side walls 112 that serve as bearing surfaces against which the second and fourth legs 62 and 92 or the leaf springs 106 and 108 can rest to hold the latches 58 and 88. The locks 58 and 88 are biased toward their latched positions. It will be appreciated that the second latch 88 and its engaging structure are not necessary or necessary, as one latch may alternatively be provided to latch the container closed as desired. For example, a single latch 88 could be modified to carry both the second and fourth abutments 66 and 98, which could be modified to latch in the same direction.

A fifth optional feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is that a curved ramp 80 may be provided for extending the second leg 62 generally longitudinally from the latched position (such as shown in FIGS. 1 , 2 and 4 ) toward The release position (shown, for example, in FIGS. 3 and 5 ) is moved to engage the second leg 62 , bending the second leg 62 into contact with the biased abutment 82 . In the illustrated embodiment, the curved ramp 80 is a curved portion of the fourth leg 92, which has the advantage that when the latches 58 and 88 move in opposite directions toward their respective unlocked positions, the curved ramp 80 moves to the right and The second leg 62 moves to the left. The relative motion of the two latches doubles their rate of travel and doubles the rate of bending of the second leg 62 compared to the rate of travel of each latch relative to the fixed structure.

A sixth optional feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is that the first leg 60 may be secured to the first housing portion 42 by a pivot 84 . Providing the pivot 84 allows a user to move the actuation portion 64 to pivot the first leg 60 relative to the first housing portion 42 . Alternatively, the pivot 84 may be replaced by a fixed attachment or support point, which, provided that the first leg 60 is elastic, will provide an additional or alternative biasing force to lock the latch 58 is biased toward its latched position.

A seventh optional feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is that the container latch device may further include a third latch abutment 86 and a second latch 88 . The third latch abutment 86 may be disposed on either of the first and second housing portions 42 and 44 . A second latch 88 may be provided for releasably latching the second portions 48 and 52 of the first housing portion 42 and the second housing portion 44 together.

An eighth optional feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is that the second latch 88 may include third and fourth legs 90 and 92 , an actuation portion 94 and a fourth latch abutment 88 . The third and fourth legs 90 and 92 may join at an angle as shown herein. The third leg 90 may be secured to the other of the first housing portions 42 and 44 relative to the third latch abutment 86 . The actuation portion 94 of the third leg 90 may be configured for generally lateral movement by a user's finger. In the illustrated embodiment, moving the actuation portion 94 of the third leg 90 moves the fourth leg 92 generally longitudinally from the latched position to the released position.

The fourth latch abutment 88 may be secured to the fourth leg 92 . The fourth latch abutment 88 may be configured as shown in the illustrated embodiment to engage the third latch abutment 86 when the fourth leg 92 is in its latched position. The fourth latch abutment 88 may be configured as shown in the illustrated embodiment to release the third latch abutment 86 when the fourth leg 92 is in its release position.

A ninth optional feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is that the actuating portions 64 and 94 of the first and third legs 60 and 90 may be spaced apart by at least 5 cm, optionally at least 6 cm, optionally at least 7 cm , optionally at least 8 cm, optionally at least 9 cm, optionally at least 10 cm.

A tenth optional structural feature of the embodiment of Figures 1-5 is that the actuating portions 64 and 94 of the first and third legs 60 and 90 may optionally be arranged so that they must be actuated simultaneously to unlock the first housing Body portion 42 and second portions 48 and 52 of second housing portion 44 .

Either or both of the ninth and tenth optional structural features may be used to provide a child-resistant, yet adult-friendly package 40 . For this reason, it is desirable that actuating portions 64 and 94 are spaced far enough apart that small children who are not permitted to access the contents of package 40 will find it difficult or impossible to operate both with one hand. Ideally, the actuating portions 64 and 94 are brought close enough together that adults (including the elderly) who are allowed to access the contents of the package 40 will find it possible (preferably easily) to use one hand at the same time. The two actuating parts 64 and 94 are operated to open the package.

As the eleventh optional child-resistant structural feature, the embodiment in Figures 1-5 does not have opening springs, struts and other components for automatically opening the package when the package is unlocked. When the latches 58 and 88 are disengaged, the second housing part 44 (which in this case is the lid) does not automatically pop open; the second housing part 44 must be manually pulled up to open the package. To this end, the first housing part 42 has a recess corresponding to the curved slope 96 , over which the second peripheral part 52 of the second housing part 44 will span.

When the latches 58 and 88 are released, a user can pick up the portion of the second peripheral portion 52 that spans the recess of the closed package 40 to open the package 40 and access its contents. This is a child resistant feature since in normal operation one hand is required to engage the two actuating portions 64 and 94 and the other hand is used to lift the second housing portion 44 . The user's hand must be large enough to simultaneously engage both actuation portions 64 and 94 to open the package. Moreover, opening the package 40 does not require complicated actions (such as grasping one part and twisting the part relative to the other), and can be easily designed by controlling the necessary biasing force so that it does not need to be very large force to open.

A twelfth optional structural feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is that the second and fourth legs 62 and 92 are optionally disposed generally parallel when in their latched position. "Substantially parallel" means that, when the latch is packaged, a substantial portion of the length of each leg extends side by side at about the same distance apart along their mutual length. As can be understood from this description, the legs need not remain parallel when the package 40 is unlocked, since part of their respective movements are sideways.

A thirteenth optional feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is that the second and fourth legs 62 and 92 may optionally be arranged to move generally longitudinally in opposite directions from their latched position to their released position.

A fourteenth optional structural feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is that the curved ramp 80 and the optional curved ramp 96 can be configured to be in contact with one or alternatively of the second and fourth legs 62 and 92. Both engage to bend the engaged leg 62 or 92 into contact with the biased abutment 98 or 100 as the engaged leg 62 or 92 moves generally longitudinally from the latched position toward the released position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second and fourth legs 62 and 92 are aligned with curved ramps (the curved ramp 80 defined by the fourth leg 92, respectively, defined by the wall of the second portion 48 of the first housing portion 42 The curved slope 96) defined by the recess of the joint. This juxtaposition of the two curved ramps accelerates the lateral movement of the second leg 62 when the package is unlocked, as can be explained below. Engaging the curved ramp 96 with the fourth leg 92 moves the fourth leg 92 and thus the curved ramp 80 laterally inward relative to the package and also moves the second leg 62 laterally inward. Engaging the curved ramp 80 with the second leg 62 also moves the second leg 62 further laterally inward. This provides movement equivalent to a compound lever. Optionally, but not necessarily, only the second leg 62 will abut against the side wall 112, or alternatively or additionally against the wall of the aperture 116, to create a biasing force tending to resist unlocking.

A fifteenth optional feature of the embodiment of Figures 1-5 is a means for biasing the actuating portion towards its latched position. A first curved ramp 80 may be provided which is configured for engagement with the second leg 62 to bend the second leg 62 into engagement with the second leg 62 as the second leg 62 moves generally longitudinally from its latched position towards its released position. A biased abutment 82 contacts.

In a sixteenth optional feature of the mechanism, a second curved ramp 96 may be provided and configured for engagement with the fourth leg 92 so as to be substantially longitudinal when the fourth leg 92 is from its latched position. Moving towards its release position, the fourth leg 92 is bent into contact with the second biased abutment 100 .

The seventeenth optional structural feature of the embodiment of FIGS. Fixed to the first housing part 42 .

Referring to FIGS. 6-20 , the package 120 includes a base housing 122 , a lid housing 124 , an integral hinge 126 , a first closure 128 and a second closure 130 . These parts can be manufactured by different processes according to the characteristics of the design. In the illustrated embodiment, the base housing 122, lid housing 124, integral hinge 120 and closures 128 and 130 are formed as a single injection molded part 120, molded in a single injection in a single mold. In alternative embodiments, one or more components or parts may be formed separately and combined to form a unitary package, or individual components may be formed in more than one mold or in more than one shot. The package can also be blow molded or thermoformed.

The base housing 122 has inner and outer surfaces 132 and 134 . It has at least a first base recess, here five base recesses 136 , 138 , 140 , 142 and 144 , on the inner surface 132 . The well is formed by being recessed in the base case 122 . In the illustrated embodiment, each base recess such as 136 is defined by an upstanding wall 146 extending from the base housing 122 to a generally planar edge sealing surface and surrounding the recess such as 136 . In the illustrated embodiment, upstanding walls 146 and 148 of at least two adjacent base recesses (here of all five illustrated base recesses) are spaced apart, defining a gap, eg, 150 therebetween.

In the illustrated embodiment, base recesses 136-144—and more specifically upstanding walls such as 146 and 148—reinforce base housing 122 against deformation. This reinforcement can be used to stiffen the base housing 122 to prevent bending, thus making its contents more secure when the package 120 is closed and the closure devices 128-131 engaged, preventing the base housing 22 from being bent by prying or otherwise. to access the contents of the base recesses 136-144.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base recess, such as 136, has a length (measured along the longer upstanding walls, such as 146 and 148) that is generally parallel to the generally planar edge sealing surfaces 156-164 of the base housing 122. and width (measured along the shorter upstanding walls such as 152 and 154 ), and depth generally perpendicular to the generally planar edge sealing surfaces 156 - 164 of the base housing 122 .

In the illustrated embodiment, edge sealing surfaces 156 - 164 are substantially coplanar edge sealing surfaces 156 , 158 , 160 , 162 of respective base recesses 136 , 138 , 140 , 142 , and 144 of base housing 122 . and 164 defined discontinuous surfaces. In an alternative embodiment, facing upstanding walls such as 148 and 166 between two recesses may merge, thereby reducing or eliminating gaps such as 150, and may be formed in conjunction with a portion of edge sealing surfaces 156-164. A single continuous sealing surface 156-164.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 16 , the base recess is formed by a corrugation 168 in the base housing 122 . In this corrugated structure, both the inner surface 132 and the outer surface 134 exhibit a wave shape.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base recesses 136-144 are at least three times as long as they are wide, and as shown, roughly twenty times their width.

Cover housing 124 also has inner and outer surfaces 172 and 174 . Cover housing 124 has at least first and second cover recesses, here five cover recesses 176 , 178 , 180 , 182 and 184 , on inner surface 172 . The concave portion may be formed by recessing in the cover case 124 . In the illustrated embodiment, each cover recess such as 176 is defined by an upstanding wall 186 extending from the cover housing 124 to a generally planar edge sealing surface and surrounding the recess such as 176 . In the illustrated embodiment, upstanding walls 186 and 188 of at least two adjacent cover recesses (here of all five illustrated cover recesses) are spaced apart, defining a gap, such as 190 , therebetween.

In the illustrated embodiment, cover recesses 176-184—and more specifically, upstanding walls such as 186 and 188—reinforce cover housing 124 against deformation. This reinforcement can be used to stiffen the lid housing 124 to prevent bending, thus making its contents more secure when the package 20 is closed and the closure devices 128-131 engaged, preventing the lid housing 124 from being bent by prying open or otherwise. to access the contents of the lid recesses 176-184.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cover recess, such as 176, has a length (measured along the longer upstanding walls, such as 186 and 188) that is generally parallel to the generally planar edge sealing surfaces 196-204 of the cover housing 124. and width (measured along shorter upstanding walls such as 192 and 194 ), and depth generally perpendicular to the generally planar edge sealing surfaces 196 - 204 of cover housing 124 .

In the illustrated embodiment, the edge sealing surfaces 196-204 are substantially coplanar edge sealing surfaces 196, 198, 200, 202 of the respective lid recesses 176, 178, 180, 182, and 184 of the lid housing 122. and 204 define the discontinuous surface. In an alternative embodiment, facing upstanding walls such as 198 and 206 between two recesses may merge, thereby reducing or eliminating gaps such as 190, and may be formed in conjunction with portions of edge sealing surfaces 196-204. A single continuous sealing surface 196-204.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cover recesses 176-184 are at least three times as long as they are wide, and as illustrated, roughly twenty times their width.

In the illustrated embodiment, the portions of the base housing 122 and lid housing 124 that separate the base recesses 136-144 from the exterior of the container are each at least 0.5 mm thick, alternatively at least 0.8 mm thick, alternatively is at least 1mm thick, alternatively at least 2mm thick, and may be thick enough to provide an adequate barrier and seal against the passage of moisture, oxygen, or both, to meet the needs of the particular item loaded in the recess. The housing may eg be made of polyethylene or polypropylene.

An integral hinge 126 joins the base housing 122 and the lid housing 124 . Hinge 126 allows base housing 122 and lid housing 124 to close in a fashion. Optionally, a non-integral hinge could be used, but it may increase manufacturing costs.

Package 120 has at least one closure, and in this embodiment two closures. When the package 120 is closed, the edge sealing surfaces of the lid housing 124 and the base housing 122 face each other and are adjacent, as shown in FIG. 12 , preventing entry into the recess. When closed, the closure devices—in this example first closure devices 128-129 and second closure devices 130-131—releasably secure the base housing 122 to the lid housing 124 .

The first closure means 128-129 comprises: at least a first upwardly facing lid abutment 210 (see FIGS. 7 and 13 ) secured to the lid housing 124; and at least a first downward facing first closure stop 128 A base abutment 212 is secured to the base housing 122 and generally abuts against the lid abutment 210 (as shown in FIG. 2 ) when the package is closed. In an alternative embodiment, the first closure may be centrally located and a single closure may be used to secure the package 20 .

The first downwardly facing base abutment 212 is resiliently mounted to a corresponding (base) housing 122 as best shown with reference to FIG. 9 . The stop 128 is mounted to the proximal portion 216 of the resilient tab 214 . The distal portion 218 of the resilient tab is offset in this embodiment to increase the amount the tab 214 can deflect downward (see orientation of FIG. 9 ) without contacting the rest of the package 120 .

The first downwardly facing base abutment 212 carried on the tab 214 is normally biased into the as-molded position shown in the figures, where it is engaged and secured to the cover shell The first side of the body 124 faces the upper cover abutment 210 (see FIGS. 7 and 13 ), so the stopper 128 is inserted into the hole 129 . The first downward facing base abutment 212 is resiliently deflectable against its biasing force, in this case towards the remainder of the package 120, to disengage the first upward facing lid abutment 210 by closing the stop. The movable member 128 is withdrawn from the hole 129 to release the first closing device 128 .

The second closure device 130-131 comprises: at least a second upwardly facing lid abutment 220 (see FIGS. 7 and 13 ) secured to the lid housing 124; A base abutment 212, which is secured to the base housing 122 and which normally abuts against the lid abutment 220 when the package 120 is closed.

A second downwardly facing base abutment on the stop 130 is resiliently mounted to a corresponding (base) housing 122 as best shown with reference to FIG. 9 . The stop 130 is mounted to the proximal portion 224 of the resilient tab 222 . The distal portion 226 of the resilient tab 222 is offset in this embodiment to increase the amount the tab 222 can deflect upwards (see orientation of FIG. 9 ) without contacting the rest of the package 120 . The second closure devices 130-131 operate in the same manner as the first closure devices 128-129 described above.

The first closure device 128 is spaced apart from the second closure device 130 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second closure devices 128-129 and 130-131 generally must operate at least substantially simultaneously to open the package 120. When the distal end portions 218 and 226 are squeezed by using the fingers and thumb of one hand, the resiliently mounted abutments of the first and second closure devices are operable to move the resiliently mounted abutment of one closure device toward The resilient mounting abutment of the other closure pushes to release the closure. When the distal portions 218 and 226 are squeezed inwardly with one hand, the thumb tab 228 can be engaged to open the package. The need to manipulate the two resilient tabs and the thumb tab on different parts of the package 120 makes the closure child resistant, but still relatively easy to open for adults with larger hands than children.

The package 120 as shown in FIG. 14 includes a sealing sheet 230 attached to the generally planar edge sealing surfaces 156-164 surrounding the base indentations 136-144 to seal the respective base indentations. The sealing sheet may be attached, for example, by ultrasonic welding, solvent welding, heat sealing, adhesives, or other means including those known in the art. The package 120 as shown in FIG. 14 also includes a sealing sheet 232 attached to the generally planar edge sealing surfaces 196-204 surrounding the lid indentations 176-183 to seal the respective lid indentations. Optionally, the sealing recess may be "moisture proof" (as will be defined below).

If a seal is not required in a given example, the flexible membrane need not have barrier and sealing properties to provide a seal. For example, suitable seals may be used. In another embodiment, the design of the recess may be of a design to confine the product in the package, thereby eliminating the need for a flexible membrane.

The flexible membrane material can be formed in a way that allows opening of one compartment at a time. Sealing sheets 230 and 232 are optionally, but not necessarily, weakened, cut or perforated, for example between adjacent indentations—such as cutouts 234-240 of sheet 230 and cutouts 242-248 of sheet 232—to define respectively Removed strips, such as strip 270 (between two adjacent slits such as 234 and 236), which can be removed individually to open or open one recess without opening or opening adjacent recessed part. To access the product, the consumer tears away the flexible membrane material, exposing one of the compartments. Additionally or alternatively, a tool may be used to open the compartment. Another option is to provide a pull tab with a wire or other material that is pulled through a flexible membrane covering the recess to open the compartment.

In various embodiments, sealing sheets 230 and 232 may be two separate sheets, or part of one sheet spanning an integral hinge. The bridging webs of the sheet can be removed or left in place.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method of filling the package 120 with a product. A plurality of products, such as the plurality of stick-shaped products 252-268 shown in cross-section in Figure 14, are placed in the base and housing recesses 136-144 and 176-184. Recesses 136-144 and 176-184 of base housing 122 and lid housing 124 are covered by cover sheets 230 and 232 so that they are closed. Cover sheets 230 and 232 seal to generally planar edge sealing surfaces 156-164 and 196-204 to seal recesses 136-144 and 176-184. The portions of cover sheets 230 and 232 between the two recesses are weakened or cut in the form of cutouts 234-240 of cover sheet 230 and cutouts 242-248 of cover sheet 232 to form a gap between the cutouts of the two. Strips such as 270 of the cover sheet. In one embodiment, each strip of cover sheet, eg 270, covers one indentation, but alternatively, each strip 270 may cover more than one indentation - such as when the object to be dispensed is a tablet, and The recommended dosage is two tablets each time. In one embodiment, each strip is removable independently of one or more adjacent strips of the cover sheet covering different recesses.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 15 , wherein the recesses, such as 272 , are generally circular and are arranged in two offset rows, both in the cover 272 and in the base 276 . This embodiment can be used in tablet or disk or spiral dosage forms or other objects. The shown recesses of the lid and base do not intersect when the package is closed. One use of offsetting the base and lid indentations is to allow a pull tab or other structure for opening each base indentation to protrude into the space between the offset lid indentations, and vice versa. Alternatively, the offset recesses of the cover and base may be staggered so that the base recess faces and protrudes into the cover portion between two cover recesses, or vice versa.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of another embodiment of the package showing the corrugated housing walls for the base housing 122 that may also be used for the lid housing 124 . In this embodiment, both the inner and outer surfaces 132, 134 are corrugated.

17 and 18 show another embodiment of the invention which also includes a base housing 280 and a cover housing 282 . In this embodiment, a perimeter seal 283 has been incorporated into the clamshell, which includes a lip 284 of the base housing 280 and a lip 286 of the lid housing 282 . The lips may form a lip-to-lip butt seal, or the lips may be concentric surfaces with matching tapers to engage the sides of each lip. Optionally, but not necessarily, the perimeter seal 283 may be moisture resistant (defined hereinafter). In yet another embodiment, the perimeter seal can be resealed upon opening and closing the clamshell package, re-establishing the moisture-tight seal. For example, the package may be designed to be "moisture proof" at least until it has been opened the number of times required to access all of the recesses in the package, one at a time.

Figures 19 and 20 show yet another embodiment that can be used as a blister pack receptacle or overwrap. Lips 284 and 286 may be concentric surfaces with matching tapers forming peripheral seal 282 as shown in Figures 17 and 18, but this is an optional feature for Figures 19-20. 19 and 20 also show a base housing 290 and a lid housing 292 supporting and attaching to blister sheets 294 and 296 sealed to cover sheets 298 and 300, respectively. It is useful to permanently secure the blister panels 294 and 296 within the package so the child-resistant closure cannot be circumvented by removing the blister pack from the outer packaging prior to dispensing its contents.

The outer packaging of Figures 17-18 or 19-20 may be molded as a single piece with an integral hinge and child resistant closure. In these embodiments, the flexible membrane optionally need not provide any seal, which would allow greater flexibility in its design and materials. For example, a simple inexpensive paper-based material could be used to close the compartment, while the perimeter seal provides the sealing function.

In various embodiments of the invention, where a seal is required, the recess or other packaging element may optionally, but not necessarily, comprise a material that removes gases from which the product needs to be protected. The reagent can be added separately into the recess, or manufactured as an integral part of the base housing and/or the lid housing. For example, a multi-material molding process may be used to mold the body using one material and mold a second bonding material in the form of a polymer or plastic material with the active agent doped therein.

An example of a plastic doped with an active agent is the three component disclosed in one or more of the following U.S. Patent Nos. Synthesis and methods. Another example is a two-component mixture of active agent and polymer.

In one example, a desiccant can be used as an active agent doped into the polymer. Desiccants can be used to remove moisture from the product and/or packaging environment. Desiccants can be selected to maintain a specific range of relative humidity. In one example, molecular sieve desiccants may be used to maintain relative humidity less than 10%. In another example, a silica gel desiccant can be used to maintain the relative humidity in the range of 10-30% RH (relative humidity) or 30-50% RH or 40-60% RH. Relative humidity can be controlled, for example, by the amount of silica gel incorporated into the polymer.

Optionally, other active agents are contemplated, such as oxygen absorbers or preservative releasing materials. These can also be incorporated into the three-component compositions described above as well as into the two-component compositions.

In some embodiments, the dosage form of the product is provided in at least one of the base or lid recess. Products may be extruded sticks of composites, rolled sheets of composites, portions of sheets, abrasives and binders, lozenges, tablets, suppositories, and combinations of these types (e.g., sheets rolled portion) or other dosage forms, without limitation.

As used herein, the term "moisture protection" as used with reference to a package, individual recess or other container is defined as follows.

For a complete package with a perimeter seal, "moisture proof" means that moisture entering the package is less than about 2500 micrograms of water per day, in another embodiment about 2000 micrograms of water per day, in another embodiment about 1500 micrograms of water per day, in another embodiment about 1000 micrograms of water per day, in another embodiment about 500 micrograms of water per day, in yet another embodiment about 300 micrograms of water per day, in another embodiment about 150 micrograms of water Every day——Determined by the following test methods: (a) place about one gram of molecular sieve in the container, and record the weight; (b) close and seal the container; (c) place the sealed container at 80% relative humidity, 22 degrees Celsius ( 72 degrees Fahrenheit); (c) weigh the container containing the molecular sieve after one day; (d) after about two weeks, weigh the container; (e) subtract the first day from the value obtained and divide by the number of days to calculate the humidity entering the container in micrograms of water per day.

For the individual recesses of the package, "moisture proof" means that the moisture entering each sealed recess is less than about 750 micrograms of water per day, in another embodiment less than about 500 micrograms of water per day, in another embodiment less than About 250 micrograms of water per day, in another embodiment less than about 150 micrograms of water per day, in another embodiment less than about 100 micrograms of water per day—determined by the following test method: (a) adding about 0.2 grams of molecular sieves (according to concave more or less in size) in the container, and record the weight; (b) close and seal the recess, and close the container; (c) place the sealed container at 80% relative humidity, 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit) in an environmental chamber; (c) after one day, weigh the package containing the molecular sieve; (d) weigh the package after about two weeks; (e) subtract Sample on the first day and divide by the number of days to calculate the moisture entering the package in micrograms of water per day. Testing for multi-indent packages may be performed on each indentation individually, on all indentations, or on any number of indentations between one and all of the indentations.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-23 , there is disclosed a child resistant container generally indicated at 330 comprising a housing or lid 332 , two drawers or product trays 334 and 336 , a stop defined by abutments 338 and 340 portion, and a latch defined in this embodiment by a first latch 342 and a second latch 344 .

Housing 332 may optionally have opposing first and second drawer openings 346 and 348 . Housing 332 may define a longitudinal passage 350 from first drawer opening 346 to second drawer opening 348 . In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 332 can also define a first side opening 352 and, in this embodiment, can also define a second side opening 354 that provides access to the longitudinal passage from the exterior of the housing 332 .

The first drawer 334 is slidably received in the longitudinal channel 350 and protrudes through the first drawer opening 346 when the first drawer 334 is open, and in another embodiment protrudes through the first drawer opening 346 when the drawer is closed. a little. In the illustrated embodiment, the first drawer 334 may optionally have its first drawer abutment 340 facing the first opening 350 . The first drawer 334 has a gasket 356 and a storage area 358 for receiving objects kept in the container 330 .

Second drawer 336 is slidably received in longitudinal channel 350, is relatively movable relative to first drawer 334, and protrudes through second drawer opening 348 when the second drawer is open, and in another embodiment when the drawer is closed. protrudes a little through the second drawer opening 348. In the illustrated embodiment, each drawer 334, 336 is identical in shape and function.

A stop defined by abutments 338 and 340 is provided in channel 350 . It is configured for engagement with the first and second drawers 334, 336 to prevent the first and second drawers from sliding out of the housing beyond the limit of travel. The travel limit is reached when either of the first and second drawers is sufficiently open to enable access to its contents, and the other drawer is sufficiently closed to prevent access to its contents.

In the illustrated embodiment, the stop includes an abutment 336 of the first drawer 334 facing the first opening 346, and an abutment 340 of the second drawer 336 facing the second opening 348; When moved apart, the first and second abutments 338 and 340 engage to define a stop. In the illustrated embodiment, at least one of the abutments 338 and 340 — and in this example each — passes through a link 360 of one drawer 334 extending toward the other drawer 336 and the other drawer 336 A link 362 extending toward one of the drawers 334 is connected to the corresponding drawer 334 or 336. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop may optionally have a first portion 360 associated with the first drawer 334 and a second portion 362 associated with the second drawer 336 . In alternative embodiments, the stop may alternatively be a first and second portion as shown engaging each other, or a first and second portion engaging a portion of the housing, or a latch One part joins the first and second parts.

The latch defined by the first latch 342 and the second latch 344 in this embodiment is normally biased, here by the resilient force of the first and second button washers 364 and 366 deforming against the housing 332 Bias to latch and seal the first and second drawers 334, 336 closed as shown in FIGS. 21-24. A latch such as 342 is operable against its normal bias to unlock at least one drawer 334 or 336 . In the illustrated embodiment, the latches include a first latch 342 that engages the first drawer 334 , and a second latch 344 that engages the second drawer 336 . Alternatively, a one-piece latch may be designed to engage both drawers 334, 336 simultaneously or alternately. The first latch 342 may optionally have a first latch abutment 368 facing the first drawer opening 346, the first latch 342 comprising a portion of the unlocking mechanism described below - which in this embodiment is a ramp 370 , and in this embodiment, more specifically a pair of ramps 370 and 372 on the latch 342 .

In this embodiment, first and second latches 342 and 344 are located at least partially within longitudinal channel 350 and are accessible through first and second side openings 352 and 354, respectively, for unlocking the first and second latches, respectively. Drawers 334,336. The second latch 344 may optionally have a second latch abutment 374 facing the first drawer opening 346 .

In the illustrated embodiment, the latch 344 is operated using buttons—here, opposing buttons 376 and 378 .

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second latches 342 and 344 are identical in shape.

Each drawer 334 , 336 and corresponding latch 342 , 344 define an unlocking mechanism 380 , 382 . In the illustrated embodiment, the unlocking mechanisms 380, 382 include ramps 370 or 372 on the latch 342 or 344 and ramps (here ramps 384 and 386) on a link 388 extending from the drawer 334 that engage to enable The drawer abutment 390 is deflected laterally away from the latch abutment 368 (to the rear of the plane of FIG. 24 ).

In the illustrated embodiment, the first drawer abutment 390 and the first latch abutment 368 are configured to engage each other when the first drawer 334 is closed and the latch 342 is normally biased to The first drawer 334 is latched closed. Similarly, in this embodiment, the second drawer abutment 392 and the second latch abutment 374 are arranged to engage each other when the second drawer 336 is closed, and the latch 344 is normally biased to latch. The second drawer 336 is locked closed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second latches 342 and 344 are configured to engage the first and second drawers against each other by moving laterally toward each other within the channel 350 when both latches 342 and 344 are operated. One of the abutments 390, 392 is disengaged from the corresponding latch abutment 368 or 374 to unlock.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first drawer 334 and the latch 342 are configured to unlock the first drawer 334 only when the first drawer 334 is pushed further closed to engage the unlocking mechanism 380 and the latch 334 is operated to unlock the first drawer 334. Drawer 334. In the illustrated embodiment, the second drawer 342 and the latch 344 are similarly configured to unlock the first drawer 336 only when the second drawer 336 is pushed further closed to engage the unlocking mechanism 382 and the latch 334 is operated to unlock the first drawer. Drawer 336.

The unlocking mechanism of this embodiment such as 380 works as follows.

In the illustrated embodiment, ramps 370 and 372 on latch 342 and corresponding ramps 384 and 386 on drawer 334 move generally longitudinally when drawer 334 is closed, as shown in FIG. ), and are longitudinally aligned in engaging relationship by moving the ramps 384 and 386 to the right in FIG. 24 as the drawer 334 is further pushed closed.

In the illustrated embodiment, a first stop 394 (in drawer 334) and a second stop 396 (in second drawer 336) limit movement of links 360 and 398, respectively, to prevent drawers 334, 336 from being Simultaneously, the closure is pushed farther enough to engage the unlocking mechanism 380 of the first drawer 334 and the unlocking mechanism 382 of the second drawer 336, thereby allowing only one of the first and second drawers to be opened at a time.

The housing 332 of the illustrated embodiment has guides 400 and 402 that receive the link 388 of the drawer 334 when the unlock mechanism 380 is engaged and the link 388 is deflected; The link engaging the unlocking mechanism 382 and the drawer 336 receives the link of the drawer 336 when deflected; in each case it serves to guide the drawer as it is opened. The housing 332 also has a guide 408 for guiding the drawer link 360 ; and a guide 410 for guiding the other drawer link 398 .

A drawer such as 334 may also include a partial cover such as 412 . In one embodiment, the partial cover 412 may be molded as an integral part of the drawer 332, with an integral hinge 414, but with an orientation 412' as shown in phantom in FIG. 24 . The partial cover 412' can then be folded up and secured to the main body of the drawer 334, optionally by snaps or the like. Additionally or alternatively, when the partial cover 412 is in the closed position shown in solid lines in FIG. Cover 412. Partial covers such as 412 limit access to the stack 416, prompting the user to remove individual sheets 416 from the top of the stack 416 of sheets at a time.

A further description of the illustrated embodiments follows.

The illustrated embodiment includes a package 330 that may be used, for example, with solid oral dosage forms arranged in batches, thereby limiting the number of solid oral dosage forms provided to a user. Batch pack 330 optionally can be portable, lightweight and easy to use. The package 330 as shown has an effective child resistant closure, as a child will find it difficult to simultaneously press the buttons 376, 378 and push the drawer into the package. Also, the dual drawer feature that only one can be operated at a time limits the amount of contents that a user can access at any given time. Packaging 330 optionally can help create an emotional bond between the user and the product. The packaging is fun to handle and has attractive tactile elements - which are believed here to create such an emotional bond.

The illustrated embodiment includes a bulk package for delivering solid oral dosage forms to a user. Solid oral dosage forms may include, but are not limited to, edible films, tablets, lozenges, and capsules. In one embodiment, the product is an edible film. In another embodiment, the edible membrane is of regular shape; approximate dimensions may be, for example, 25mm x 35mm in size. The bulk pack of the illustrated embodiment can be substantially a regular parallelepiped, for example: the illustrated embodiment is a rectangular parallelepiped with rounded edges and corners, and relatively thin so that the pack can be easily carried in a pocket or in handbag. The edible films are stacked in trays located in bulk packs. Bulk packs consist of two pallets, one set in each end of the pack.

Trays slide out from each end of the pack. In one embodiment, each tray contains up to 25 edible films, more preferably about 10 edible films per tray. The bulk pack shown in Figure 21 may optionally have 20 edible film sheets: 10 per tray.

To open the package, one tray is slid out using two buttons 376 and 378 located in the middle of the package. The buttons are attached to the latches 342, 344 that control the child resistant mechanism. Press and hold the button while pushing a tray (or drawer) in about 1 to 2 mm to open the package. When pushed inward, the tray releases, causing the tray to move outward from the bulk packaging housing. When the tray is released, the user can manually slide the tray further open to access the product.

Packaging is designed so that only one pallet is accessible at a time. When one tray is opened to the user, the other tray is locked within the package.

With the tray open, the user can release the two buttons 376 and 378 . When released, the button moves the latch outwards, back to its original position, due to the elastic return force of the compliant washer. To close the package, the user slides the open tray into the housing lid. In the illustrated embodiment, the tray may be flush with the housing lid when fully seated in the package. The tray can be pushed 1 to 2mm beyond the flush surface. When in the closed position, the tray is locked into the package again and cannot be opened again until the above sequence of steps is repeated.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bulk pack includes five parts: the housing cover, two identical side buttons with latches, and two identical product trays.

Bulk packaging is designed to protect the product from its exposure to moisture. The bulk pack as shown may have a seal formed between the product tray and the housing cover, and optionally may also have a seal formed between the button and the housing cover. These seals can be re-established during the useful life of the bulk package (after the trays have been opened and closed). The resealable is designed for up to 50 open/close cycles per tray. In one embodiment, the seal has a moisture ingress rate of less than 2000 micrograms per day, preferably less than 1500 micrograms per day at 22°C/80% RH (relative humidity) - determined by the following test method: (a ) place approximately one gram of molecular sieve in the container and record the weight; (b) close the resealable mechanism; (c) place the sealed container in an environmental chamber at 80% relative humidity and 22°C; (c) after one day, weigh the container containing the molecular sieve; (d) after about two weeks, weigh the container; and (e) subtract the first day's sample from the resulting value, and divide by the number of days to get The unit of calculation is the humidity entering the container in micrograms of water per day.

The tray assembly consists of three parts: (1) the product tray, (2) a resilient gasket material at one end (which also acts as a button), and (3) a product cover for partially restricted access to the product.

The product tray is used as a reservoir to hold the edible films arranged in a stack. The product tray may optionally have a sloped area to facilitate removal of an edible film from said stack of films. The sloped area assists in separating the top membrane from the stack of membranes. Typically, the user places a finger on top of the stack of edible films and slides the top film towards the sloped area. Product trays can be constructed of only one material (ie polyethylene or polypropylene) or can incorporate active polymers (ie desiccant plastic) to control moisture levels in the product. In one embodiment, the product tray is manufactured in a two-shot molding process: the exterior is molded from thermoplastic resin (ie polypropylene or polyethylene) and the interior (sloped areas) is molded from desiccant plastic. Desiccant plastic materials are described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,911,937; No. 6,080,350; No. 6,130,263; No. 6,174,952; In this article.

A resilient gasket material is disposed on one end of the product tray. There are two protrusions on opposite sides of the gasket material. Referring to Figure 24, the shorter protrusion may optionally have a slit in the middle of the protrusion. The longer protrusion may optionally have a harpoon-like structure along one side of the protrusion. The shorter protrusion interacts with the latch mechanism. The longer tab extends into the opposing tray and prevents both trays from opening at the same time.

The product tray may optionally have a cover extending partly over the top of the tray. The cover can be manufactured as a separate component, or integrally with the product tray. As an integral part, it can be hinged to the product tray. In one embodiment, the product tray and lid are formed in a single shot molding process. The lid is not fitted over the top of the tray prior to filling with product. The cover may be hingedly connected in an open position. After the product is filled into the tray, the lid can be swiveled closed and locked in place. When closed, the cover is not removable.

The gasket serves two purposes: (1) providing a seal between the housing lid and the product tray, and (2) providing a resilient force when the user pushes the product tray inward. During the packaging operation, the user applies an inward force to the tray on the gasket material.

Gaskets can be a separate component or manufactured in one piece with the product tray. In one embodiment, the gasket is molded with the product tray in an overmolding process. The gasket may consist of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). A suitable TPE is a material that has a good moisture vapor transmission rate and is one that is readily bonded to (compatible with) the thermoplastic resin used for the product tray.

The push button latch and product tray fit into the housing cover. Each button latch has a hook feature at its distal end. When the button is fitted into the housing cover, the hooks interlock together and prevent removal of the button latch from the package. The button is an integral part of the child-resistant mechanism in the package. In the closed position, the latch prevents the product tray from opening when the button is not depressed. The shorter slot tabs in the product tray may optionally have a protrusion along the distal end that fits over the latch. Interaction between the protrusion and the latch prevents the product tray from opening.

The housing cover can consist of one material. In a preferred embodiment, the housing cover can be produced in one part using an injection molding process. The material used for the housing lid can optionally provide a good barrier to moisture and UV light to protect the product within the package. The material may also optionally be dimensionally stable as there are structural features in the housing lid that interact with other aspects of the bulk packaging to aid in packaging operations. Suitable materials include polypropylene (PP), high density polyethylene (HDPE), cycloolefin copolymer (COC), and the like.

The inner bottom surface of the housing cover may optionally have two channels protruding outwardly from the surface. These channels are used to capture the shorter slit tabs of the product trays.

The slotted tab of the product tray may optionally have a set of cleats along the middle of the top surface. The peg rides along the latch when the button latch is pressed inward. At the same time, press one product tray inwards. The latch bottom surface may optionally have a corresponding peg to deflect the slotted tab downwards by approximately 2 to 3 mm. When the button tab is fully depressed, the tab with the slot deflects downward to align the tab with one of the channels in the housing cover. When the product tray is released, the product tray slides outwards from the package; during this outward movement, the tab with the slit is captured by one of the channels in the housing cover.

The product tray can then be pulled out of the package until the longer tab on the product tray reaches the end of travel. The end of travel is reached when the harpoon feature of one product tray comes into contact with the harpoon feature of the opposing product tray. The maximum distance the product tray can be opened is limited by the position of the harpoon.

The push button latch may consist of two components: (1) a button that forms a seal with the lid housing, and (2) a movable latch that is used to release the product tray. The push button latch can be formed from two parts and assembled. In a preferred embodiment, the push button latch is formed in a two injection molding process. Buttons are made of thermoplastic elastomer with similar material requirements as gaskets on product trays.

The button latches are pushed inward together. In this example, the latch moves about 4mm inwards. A set of pegs on the bottom surface of the latch engages a corresponding set of pegs on the slotted tab on the product tray, deflecting the slotted tab downward. This enables a tab with a slit to fit into a channel in the housing lid and enables one of the product trays to open outwards.

It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

Claims (20)

1. A package comprising: a first housing portion having a first peripheral portion and a second peripheral portion; a second housing portion having a first peripheral portion and a second peripheral portion, the second peripheral portion of the second housing portion including a first latch abutment; An optional hinge linking the first housing part and the second housing part at a first peripheral portion of the first housing part and a first peripheral part of the second housing part combine; and a latch for releasably latching the second peripheral portion of the first housing portion and the second peripheral portion of the second housing portion together, the latch comprising: at an angle combined first and second legs, wherein said second leg is disposed parallel to a front edge of said second housing portion, the first leg is secured to said first housing portion; and said latch Also included is an actuation portion of the first leg adapted to be moved by a user's finger parallel to the front edge of the second housing portion to move the second leg from the latched position to the a release position; and a second latch abutment secured to the second leg, the second latch abutment being configured to engage the first latch abutment when the second leg is in its latched position. The latch abutment engages and releases the first latch abutment when the second leg is in its release position. 2. The package of claim 1, wherein the first and second housing parts have cooperating peripheral edges. 3. The package of claim 1, further comprising: a first closing lip defining an enclosure on the first housing portion, and A cooperating second closing lip, on said second housing part, is arranged so that when the second peripheral part of the first housing part and the second peripheral part of the second housing part are latched together , engaging the first closing lip and sealing the enclosure from ingress of ambient air outside the enclosure. 4. The package of claim 3, further comprising an insert defining the first closure lip and joined to the first housing portion. 5. The package of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the latch is disposed between the insert and the first housing portion. 6. The package of claim 1 , wherein the package further comprises a curved ramp configured for substantially longitudinal movement of the second leg from the latched position toward the released position when engaged with the second leg to bend the second leg into contact with the biased abutment. 7. The package of claim 1 , wherein the first leg is pivotally secured to the first housing, and moving the actuating portion causes the first leg to move relative to the first leg. The housing part pivots. 8. The package of claim 1, wherein the actuating portion of the first leg is normally biased towards its latched position. 9. The package of claim 1, further comprising: a third latch abutment on one of said first and second housing parts; and a second latch for releasably latching the second peripheral portion of the first housing portion and the second peripheral portion of the second housing portion together, the second latch comprising: third and fourth legs joined at an angle; a third leg secured to the other of said first and second housing portions relative to said third latch abutment; an actuating portion of the third leg adapted to be moved by a user's finger to move the fourth leg from a latched position to a released position; and a fourth latch abutment secured to the first four legs, the fourth latch abutment configured to engage the third latch abutment when the fourth leg is in its latched position and to engage the third latch abutment when the fourth leg is in its released position , the third latch abutment is released. 10. The package of claim 9, wherein the actuation portions of the first and third legs are spaced apart by at least 7.62 cm. 11. The package of claim 9, wherein the second and fourth legs are generally parallel when in their latched positions. 12. The package of claim 9, wherein the second and fourth legs are arranged to move generally longitudinally in opposite directions from their latched position to their released position. 13. The package of claim 9, further comprising a curved ramp configured to engage at least one of said second and fourth legs so that said leg is engaged from said Movement of the latched position generally longitudinally toward the released position bends the engaged leg into contact with a biased abutment. 14. The package of claim 13, wherein the curved ramp is configured for engagement with the fourth leg and is defined by the second leg. 15. The package of claim 13, wherein the curved ramp is configured for engagement with the second leg and is defined by the first housing portion. 16. The package of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and third legs is pivotally fixed to the first housing portion and one of the first and third legs moves Said actuation portion of said at least one will cause a leg fixed to said first housing portion to pivot relative to said first housing portion. 17. The package of claim 9, wherein the actuation portion of at least one of the first and third legs is normally biased toward its latched position. 18. The package of claim 9, further comprising: a first curved ramp configured to engage the second leg to bend the second leg into engagement with the second leg as the second leg moves generally longitudinally from its latched position toward its released position a biased abutment contact; and a second curved ramp configured to engage the fourth leg to bend the fourth leg into engagement with the fourth leg as the fourth leg moves generally longitudinally from its latched position toward its released position The two biased abutting parts are in contact. 19. The package of claim 18, wherein the first curved slope is defined by the first housing portion and the second curved slope is defined by the second leg. 20. The package of claim 9, wherein said first leg is secured to said first housing portion by a first pivot, moving said actuating portion of said first leg causing said second leg to One leg pivots relative to the first housing part, the third leg is fixed to the first housing part by a second pivot, and the actuating part moving the third leg causes the third leg to A leg pivots relative to the first housing portion.