Child resistant package with slidable tray section

<td>REPUBLIC POLAND</td><td>(12) PATENT DESCRIPTION (19) PL (21) Application number: 372835</td><td>(11) 201702 (13) B1</td>

<td>patent Office</td><td>(22) Date of notification: September 6, 2002 (86) Date and number of the international application: 2002-09-06, PCT / SE02 / 01600 (87) Date and publication number of the international application:</td><td>(51) Int.Cl. B65D 5/38 (2006.01) B65D 75/38 (2006.01) B65D 50/04 (2006.01)</td>

<td>Polish Republic</td><td>2003-12-11, WO03 / 101840 PCT Gazette No. 50/03</td><td></td>

(54)

Package

<td>(30) Priority: 2002-05-30, SE, 0201610-3</td><td>(73) The right holder of the patent: STORA ENSO ACTIVATION AB, Stockholm, SE</td>

<td>(43) Application announced: 08.08.2005 BUP 16/05</td><td>(72) Inventor (s): Ake Ehrlund, Spanga, SE</td>

<td>(45) The grant of the patent was announced:</td><td>(74) Representative:</td>

<td>April 30, 2009 WUP 04/09</td><td>Hołyst Anna, POLSERVICE, Kancelaria Rzeczników Patentowych Sp. z o. o</td>

(57) A package has been proposed comprising a substantially parallelepiped-shaped sleeve (2) and an insert (3) that can be inserted and removed from the sleeve (2) in a sliding direction (S) through an opening (4) in the sleeve (2). The sleeve (2) includes a top wall (2a), a bottom wall (2b), a first sidewall (2c) and a second sidewall (2d) that are substantially parallel to the slide direction (S), and the insert (3) includes a bottom portion. (3a) and the first side portion (3b) and the second side portion (3c) which, in the inserted state, the inserts are positioned substantially parallel to and adjacent to the bottom wall (2b), the first side wall (2c) and the second side wall (2c), respectively. 2d) of the sleeve (2). The sleeve (2) is provided with a first stop tab (7a) and the insert (3) has a first locking edge (9a), the insert is secured when the first locking edge (9a) contacts the first stop tab (7a). before sliding out of the sleeve (2). The package is characterized in that the first stop tab (7a) extends from the first side wall (2c) to the top wall (2a) of the sleeve (2), the tab being, in cross-section perpendicular to the sliding direction (S), at least partially separated from the first side wall (2c) and the top wall (2a), the top edge of the first side portion (3b) has a cutout (8a) in which the first locking edge (9a) is formed, and the first locking edge (9a) can , by elastic deformation of the part of the insert (3) due to maneuvering by the user, be displaced so that it is allowed to move through the first stop tab (7a).

<img file="PL201702B1_D0001.tif" />

PL 201 702 B1

Description of the invention

The invention relates to a package. The invention relates to a package comprising a substantially parallelepiped-shaped sleeve and an insert that can be inserted and removed from the sleeve in a sliding direction through an opening in the sleeve, the sleeve having four longitudinal walls that are substantially parallel to the sleeve. the direction of travel.

In packages with dangerous contents, especially packages for pharmaceutical preparations, it is desirable to prevent small children who have managed to get into the package from getting into its contents. In the field of packaging, various solutions have been proposed to solve this problem.

EP 1 002 744 A1 shows a carton with a locking system for children, with an outer casing and an inner sliding part. The sliding part is prevented from being pulled out of the housing, unless the locking system has been disengaged by pressing the release button. The locking system acts as a tab on the sliding portion making contact with a shoulder on the inside of the housing. The threshold is made up of an inner cardboard layer glued to the outer layer in which there is a cutout. A disadvantage of this structure is that the operation of the locking system depends on a threshold of sufficient height, depending on the thickness of the inner cardboard layer. Thus, the locking effect depends on the choice of a sufficiently thick material for the housing. Material that is too thin puts locking security at risk. Moreover, it is likely that the structure will lead to wear of the threshold due to repeated use and that its performance will deteriorate after the package is opened several times.

PCT / SE01 / 02496 describes a package with a locking structure that prevents small children from opening the package and accessing its contents. The packaging consists of a sleeve into which an insert part can be inserted. The insert part is provided with a locking tab which, due to contact with a stop tab situated on the inner surface of the sleeve, prevents the insertion part from being pulled out of the sleeve. In order to bring the stop tab in the path of the locking tab in the direction of pulling out the insert part, a protruding part is provided on the stop tab, which, by abutting against one of the sleeve walls, causes the stop tab to be positioned at a certain angle to the direction of the insertion part. the wall so that it faces the path of the locking tab. In order to withdraw the insert, the user has to maneuver the locking tab so that it moves beyond the area of ​​the stop tab in the pulling direction.

A problem with the PCT / SE01 / 02496 solution is that the protruding part on the stop tab causes difficulties in the manufacture of the package. In the usual situation, such as the production of a sleeve from a cardboard blank, the protruding portion is produced by cutting and punching the blank, then forming a cup-shaped portion in the blank. This must be done before the sleeve is glued together. During gluing, the surfaces to be glued are pressed together in an automated process. Accordingly, special studies have to be carried out on how the protruding part produced during punching is produced so that it is not flattened. Both the stop tab and the surfaces to be glued are formed at the edge of the cardboard blank, which means that the stop tab is in the immediate vicinity of the surfaces to be glued. In this respect, the pressing step during the gluing process is even more difficult.

The package according to PCT / SE01 / 02496 comprises a locking tab which is produced by folding the insert blank. In the inserted position of the insert part in the sleeve, the locking tab extends inside the package, substantially from its bottom wall towards the top wall. The locking tab is maneuvered by a maneuvering tab on the upper side of the package, where the locking tab has a free end.

The problem with this solution is that if the package is designed such that it is relatively tall, i.e. the distance between the bottom wall and the top wall is large, the locking tab is long. It then has inferior strength because it has a large buckling length. As a result, there is a great risk that the locking tab becomes deformed due to buckling rather than folding in the intended manner when maneuvered. Another problem is that the locking tab is relatively bulky, necessitating the production of a package larger than its contents require.

Another problem with the locking tab design according to PCT / SE01 / 02496 is as follows. The locking tab is arranged to extend from the bottom of the package through it at an angle to

Of its walls. This angle is necessary because the maneuvering of the locking tab is from the top of the package and, when the locking tab is maneuvered, it pivots about its attachment to the insert portion so that the angle changes. In a situation where the package is designed to be relatively high, the angle of the locking tab requires that the package is also sufficiently wide. This imposes certain limitations on the design possibilities of the packaging. This problem is even more pronounced when using two locking tabs as proposed in PCT / SE01 / 02496. The locking tabs are then positioned side by side in the transverse direction of the package and, in the case of a tall package being manufactured, a large width is necessary to accommodate the two long oblique locking tabs and allow them sufficient space for movement.

From US Patent No. 5,080,222, a security box is also known having a lid slidably arranged on a tray. Vertical and horizontal rails are provided on the inner sides of the cover sidewalls which cooperate with transverse protrusions on the tray sidewalls to prevent the tray from moving relative to the cover until the cover is bent by using vertical force to deflect the vertical rails away from the protrusions. thus allowing the tray to slide with respect to the cover such that the projections do not interfere with the vertical rails. The horizontal rails contact the protrusions and restrain the tray from sliding relative to the lid when the box is opened to keep the tray and the lid assembled. The cover also has side flanges for frictional engagement with the underside of the track on the tray to inhibit bending of the cover until a specific force is applied to the cover.

One of the objectives of the invention is to produce a package that is protected against access by children to its contents and free from the problems described above, the production of which is simpler compared to the state of the art, the gluing of which in the production process is simpler than the previously known solutions, the function of which is secured by before it is opened by children, it does not deteriorate in the event of repeated opening of the package, and which is highly versatile in terms of package design without compromising the security function.

A package comprising a substantially parallelepiped-shaped sleeve and an insert that can be inserted and removed from the sleeve in a slide direction through an opening in the sleeve, wherein the sleeve comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall that are substantially parallel to the slide direction and the insert comprises a bottom portion and a first side portion and a second side portion which, in the inserted state of the insert, are disposed substantially parallel to and adjacent to, respectively, a bottom wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall of the sleeve, and wherein the sleeve is provided with a first stop tab and the insert has a first locking edge, the insert being prevented from sliding off the first locking edge with the first stop tab after the first locking edge contacts the first stop tab. The sleeve according to the invention is characterized in that the first stop tab extends from the first side wall to the top wall of the sleeve, the tab being in a cross section perpendicular to the sliding direction, at least partially separated from the first side wall and the top wall, and the top edge of the first side portion has a cutout in which the first locking edge is formed, and the first locking edge may result from elastic deformation of the insert portion due to to be maneuvered by the user, be displaced so that it is allowed to move through the first stop tab.

A stop tab constructed in accordance with the invention is located inside the sleeve walls in the direction of insertion of the insert without the need for a special protruding part on the stop tab to position the stop tab at a distance from the sleeve walls. Since the need for a protruding portion is eliminated, the manufacture of the sleeve can also be simplified.

In a preferred embodiment, a side portion of the insert has means disposed on the insert and operable to provide a locking action designed to provide a strong structure, especially when the side portion extends along the main portion of the lower portion and is connected together. with her along the main part of its length. The fact that the side portion is, in the inserted state of the insert, disposed substantially parallel to and next to the first side wall of the sleeve means that the means arranged on the insert and operative to effect the locking action do not take up a significant amount of space in the package.

Another advantage of the preferred embodiment is that the side portion of the insert with means disposed on the insert and operable to provide a locking action is oriented.

The package is parallel to the side of the package, which means that the package can be constructed with high side walls without having to consider its other dimensions.

Preferably, there is a first opening in the first sidewall through which said maneuvering can take place, the elastic deformation taking place at least partially in the first sidewall such that at least a portion thereof moves away from the first sidewall.

Preferably, the sleeve is fabricated from a cardboard blank and the first sidewall comprises at least portions of two cardboard portions of the cardboard blank, where one cardboard portion, in the sidewall, is positioned inside the second cardboard portion and the first opening is defined by an inner hole in the inner cardboard portion. and an outer hole in the outer cardboard part, and on the inner cardboard part there is a swinging flap, which is a flap, in the closed position, in the plane of the first side wall, extends at least partially outside the extent of the outer opening.

This means that the flap can, by finger pressure from the outside of the package, be pivoted inwards so that, by contact with a side part of the insert, it guides it away from the side wall. The solution according to the preferred embodiment further means that the flap cannot be pivoted outwards because it is larger than the outer opening.

Preferably, the sleeve is provided with a second stop tab which extends from the second side wall to the top wall, which tab is at least partially separated from the second side wall and the top wall, and a second locking edge is formed on the second side portion of the insert, the second side wall. the side portion is, in a state with the insert inserted, extending substantially parallel to and next to the second side wall of the sleeve, the insert being secured, after the second locking edge contacts the second stop tab, before it slips out of the sleeve, and the second locking edge can be moved such that it is allowed to move through the second stop tab, which movement takes place through a second opening in the second side wall, in by maneuvering the second side part so that at least a part of it moves away from the second side wall.

The subject matter of the invention is shown in the drawing, in which fig. 1 shows a package in a preferred embodiment of the invention, in a perspective view, fig. 2 - a package from fig. 1 in another perspective view, fig. 3 - a production blank for a part of a package with Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a part of the package made of the production blank of Fig. 3, with some hidden parts shown in broken lines, 5 - part cut out from the part of fig. 4 in perspective view, fig. 6 - part of the packaging of fig. 1 in perspective view, fig. 7 - manufacturing blank for the part of fig. 6, fig. 8 - part of the packet of fig. 1 and 2, in cross-section, Fig. 9 - a manufacturing blank for a part of a package according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, Fig. 10 - a cut-out part of a package part that is made from the production blank of Fig. 9 in a perspective view, and Fig. 11 - a section of a package including a part of a package made from the production blank of Fig. 9.

1 shows a package 1 in a preferred embodiment of the invention. The package 1 comprises a sleeve 2 with a substantially parallelepiped shape and an insert 3 intended to hold the contents of the package. Preferably, the sleeve 2 and the insert 3 are produced by folding and gluing blanks made of cardboard material (see below). The insert 3 can be inserted into the sleeve 2 and withdrawn therefrom in the sliding direction S, indicated by the double arrow in Fig. 1, through the opening 4 in the sleeve 2. In Fig. 1 the package 1 is shown in the state with the liner fully inserted. Figure 2 shows the package 1 in a partially extended state of the insert 3, whereby access to the contents of the package is possible.

The sleeve 2 has four longitudinal walls which are approximately parallel to the direction of slide S. The longitudinal walls are top wall 2a, bottom wall 2b, first side wall 2c and second side wall 2d, with the top wall 2a being seen in Figures 1 and 2. and the first side wall 2c.

At the opening 4, each of the side walls 2c, 2d has gripping cutouts 5 in which, in each of them, the insert 3 can be grasped with a finger in order to pull it out. Preferably, the width of the package is adapted such that the insert 3 can only be gripped by a person having hands large enough for this. This means that small children cannot grasp the width of the package with their thumb and forefinger to pull out the insert 3.

Preferably, at one end of the insert 3 there is a beam-like portion 6 which is produced by folding an insert blank 3 (see further). The insert 3 is so stiff that the child is unable or difficult to deform the end of the insert 3 and thus gain access to the contents of the package 1.

PL 201 702 B1

At the opening 4, the sleeve 2 preferably has two tabs which are folded inwardly substantially parallel to the top wall 2a and bottom wall 2b, respectively (see later). This means that the upper and lower edges in the opening 4 are reinforced, which makes it impossible or difficult for children to tear the sleeve 2 at these edges to get into the contents of the package 1.

Fig. 3 shows a sleeve blank 2 'made of cardboard from which the sleeve 2 is formed by folding and gluing. As can be seen in Fig. 3, the sleeve blank 2j comprises two tabs 21, 22 which, as mentioned above, reinforce the opening 4 of the sleeve 2 by being folded inwards substantially parallel to the top wall 2a and the bottom wall, respectively. 2b.

In the blank 2 'of the sleeve 2 there is a first portion 2a' intended to form the top wall 2a of the sleeve 2 and a second portion 2b 'intended to form a bottom wall 2b of the sleeve. The third portion 2c 'and the fourth portion 2c "are intended to form the first side wall 2c of the sleeve, the fourth portion 2c" being intended to be placed inside the third portion 2c'. Correspondingly, the fifth portion 2d 'and the sixth portion 2d "are intended to form the second side wall 2d of the sleeve.

The seventh portion 7a 'and the eighth portion 7b' are intended to form a first stop tab 7a and a second stop tab 7b, respectively, which function to lock the insert 3 in the sleeve 2, as will be described in more detail below. As can be seen in fig. 3, the portions 7a ', 7b' which are to form the stop tabs 7a, 7b are approximately triangular in shape, with one of the vertices of the triangle being on the free longitudinal edge, respectively, on the fourth portion 2c "and on the sixth portion 2d" . The seventh portion 7a 'and the eighth portion 7b' extend out of the free longitudinal edge on the fourth portion 2c "and the sixth portion 2d" respectively and are intended to be folded on respective lines 7a ", 7b" inside said free edges.

Alternatively, those parts intended to form the stop tabs may have a shape other than triangular, for example rectangular.

When the sleeve blank is folded, the fourth portion 2c "and the sixth portion 2d" are folded with their free longitudinal edges at the junction between the top wall 2a and the first sidewall 2c and the second sidewall 2d, respectively. Then the seventh part 7a 'and the eighth part 7b' are folded so as to be angled to the top wall 2a and the first side wall 2c and the second side wall 2d of the sleeve, respectively; they then form a first stop tab 7a and a second stop tab 7b, respectively. Therefore, each stop tab is connected to the respective side wall and forms an angle thereto against the top wall.

Fig. 4 shows the folded and glued sleeve with some hidden parts marked with broken lines. The first stop tab 7a and the second stop tab 7b are provided on the inner surface of the sleeve at respective corners formed by the top wall 2a and the first side wall 2c and the second side wall 2d, respectively. The first stop tab 7a and the second stop tab 7b are also spaced from the rear wall 2e of the sleeve 2.

Figure 5 shows the cut-out portion of the sleeve 2 in a perspective view from below for clarity. The second stop tab 7b extends from the inside of the second side wall 2d to the inside of the top wall 2a. Thus, the stop tab 7b extends at an angle to the walls 2a, 2d of the sleeve 2 such that at least part of it is in the part of the area intended for the movement of the insert 3 in the sliding direction S. As described in more detail below, the stop tab 7b acts by contact with the insert 3 to prevent it from being pulled out of the sleeve 2. The fact that the stop tab 7b runs inside and is separate from the walls of the sleeve 2 ensures that its operation is not affected. its multiple use. Moreover, a solution is obtained in which the stop tab is separate from the sleeve walls without any means, such as a protruding part, specifically designed for this purpose.

As can be seen in Fig. 5, the stop tab 7b is also angled with respect to the sliding direction S of the insert 3 such that the part of the stop tab which is closest to the opening 4 of the sleeve is closer to the walls 2a, 2d of the sleeve than the other parts of the stop tab. . Consequently, upon insertion of the insert into the sleeve, the locking portions of the insert 3 which are described in more detail below may, by elastic deformation due to contact with the stop tab 7b, pass through it and "snap" back after this passage. This design of the stop tab 7b also means that it is very strong and can withstand high forces when trying to pull it out without an unlocking operation, as described later.

PL 201 702 B1

Fig. 6 shows an insert 3 and fig. 7 shows a blank 3 'for producing an insert by folding and, if appropriate, gluing. The blank 6 of the insert 3 has portions 61 for producing the above-mentioned beam 6.

The insert 3 has a bottom portion 3a, a first side portion 3b and a second side portion 3c. In the inserted state, the side parts 3b, 3c are arranged substantially parallel to and next to the side walls 2c, 2d of the sleeve 2. The side parts 3b, 3c extend substantially in the insertion sliding direction S in the sleeve 2. They are connected to the lower portion 3a and are oriented approximately at right angles thereto.

Each side portion 3b, 3c has a cutout 8a, 8b. In these notches, a first locking edge 9a and a second locking edge 9b are respectively formed. In the inserted state, the locking edges 9a, 9b are slightly closer to the rear wall 2e of the sleeve than the stop tabs 7a, 7b and, in the event of attempts to pull the insert out of the sleeve, prevent this by contacting the side parts 3b, 3c in the edge area. locking tabs 9a, 9b with a first stop tab 7a and a second stop tab 7b, respectively.

As can be seen in Fig. 3, the sleeve blank 21 has holes 10a ', 10b', hereinafter referred to as outer holes 10a ', 10b', on the third portion 2c 'and fifth portion 2d1, and holes 10a ", 10b", called further internal holes 10a ", 10b", on the fourth portion 2c "and the sixth portion 2d". Each of the inner openings 10a ", 10b" is covered by a flap 101 which, at the approximately straight edge of the respective inner hole, is connected to a blank for the sleeve such that the flap can swing about a straight edge.

In the finished condition of the sleeve 3, on the first side wall 2c and the second side wall 2d there are third and fourth portions 2c ', 2c "and fifth and sixth portions 2d', 2d", respectively. Thus, the third portion 2c 'and the fifth portion 2d' are outside the fourth portion 2c "and the sixth portion 2d", respectively. The flaps 101 and outer openings 10a ', 10b' are dimensionally adapted such that the flaps 101 extend outside the area of ​​the respective outer opening 10a ', 10b' so as to pivot only inwards in the package. The flaps are then secured against movement outside the package and thus against possible damage.

As can be seen in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the inner holes 10a ", 10b" and the outer holes 10a ', 10b' form, in the finished collapsed sleeve 2, a first opening 10a and a second opening 10b, respectively, in the first side wall 2c and the second side wall 2d. The package is adapted such that the user can grasp the package across the package with his thumb and forefinger. The user can then press a finger against each of the openings 10a, 10b to move the tabs 101 inward and, inside the sleeve, press against the side portions 3b, 3c of the insert such that the inserts, at least in the area of ​​the locking edges, are resiliently deformed such that that they are inclined inwards in the sleeve 2 as can be seen in Fig. 8 (where only one side portion 3c is visible). The locking edges 9a, 9b are then spaced apart from the side walls 2c, 2d of the sleeve. In this way, the locking edges 9a, 9b move so that, as viewed in the sliding direction S of the insert 3, lie outside the extension area of ​​the locking tabs 7a, 7b and the insert can be pulled out of the sleeve by a grip between the thumb and index finger on the cutouts grips 5 (described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2) with the user's other hand.

In an alternative embodiment, each of the outer openings may be covered with a cover which is connected to the side wall by perforation. It is then possible, after the cover has been fully or partially removed, to see if the package is broken or if an attempt has been made to get into its contents.

In another alternative embodiment, the package may be constructed without flaps on the openings for maneuvering the locking portions on the insert.

The width of the package is preferably adapted such that persons with small hands, for example children, cannot grasp the package crosswise between their thumb and forefinger in order to maneuver the locking with the locking edges 9a, 9b. Therefore, opening the package requires the use of two hands, the size of a normal adult.

The design of the portions to be locked in the longitudinal side portions of the liner results in a strong structure with a large amount of material behind the locking edge and thus reduced risk of the liner being pulled out by force, for example by a child. However, as an alternative, it is also possible to use special locking tabs which are folded upwards from the lower part 3a of the insert 3 or other part of the insert and, by contact with the stop tabs 7a, 7b, prevent the insert from being pulled out of the sleeve 2.

PL 201 702 B1

A package with two locking systems each having its own locking edge and a stop tab has been described above. Alternatively, the package may be provided with only one locking edge and one stop tab.

Fig. 9 shows a sleeve blank 2 'for a packaging sleeve according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. The sleeve blank comprises a first portion 2a 'intended to form a top wall 2a of the sleeve (see Fig. 4) and a second portion 2b' intended to form a bottom wall 2b of the sleeve. The third portion 2c 'and the fourth portion 2c "are intended to form a first side wall 2c of the sleeve, the fourth portion 2c" being intended to be placed inside the third portion 2c'. Correspondingly, the fifth portion 2d and the sixth portion 2d "are intended to form a second side wall 2d of the sleeve.

The seventh part 7a 'and the eighth part 7b' are intended to form a first stop tab 7a and a second stop tab 7b, respectively, which function to lock the insert 3 in the sleeve 2, as will be described in more detail below. As can be seen in fig. 3, the parts 7a ', 7b' which are to form the stop tabs are approximately triangular in shape with one of the vertices of the triangle being on the respective line 23, 24 around which the fourth part 2c "and the part 2c, respectively, are to be folded. sixth 2d ”. On each of the seventh 7a 'and eighth 7b' parts, the sleeve blank 2) is provided with through cuts 25, 26. When the fourth portion 2c "and the sixth portion 2d" are folded, the seventh portion 7a 'and the eighth portion 7b' are folded around lines 27, 28 in the opposite direction so that when the sleeve is folded and glued together, corresponding stop tabs are formed that fold are made of two planes located at the junction of the upper wall with the relevant side walls.

Fig. 10 shows a cut portion of the finished sleeve 2 and one stop tab 7b according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. Fig. 11 shows how, due to the pressure of a user's finger, the side parts 3b, 3c of the sleeve (in Fig. 11 only the second side part 3c is shown) are, at least in the area of ​​the locking edges, deformed elastically so that they are inclined inwards. in sleeve 2. As a result, the locking edges 9a, 9b are spaced apart from the side walls 2c, 2d of the sleeve. In this way, the locking edges 9a, 9b lie, as seen in the sliding direction S of the insert 3, outside the extent area of ​​the stop tabs 7a, 7b, and the insert can be pulled out of the sleeve with the user's second hand thanks to the grip between the thumb and index finger behind the gripping cutouts 5 ( described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2).

In a particular embodiment, the stop tabs extend from the side walls of the sleeve towards the bottom wall. Parts located on the insert for locking the insert into the sleeve are then positioned on the lower part of the insert, for example in the form of locking edges on the free edge of the insert near the bottom wall of the sleeve.