Patent Application
20100012544
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a plurality of panels separated from each other by fold lines, with a first panel having a plurality of perforated apertures defined therein and which are opposite corresponding apertures defined in neighboring second and third panels that are ultimately folded over the first panel. When forming the package, the second and third panels are folded over each other to retain a blister package therein before being folded over the first panel to form a multi-layered package.
2. Description of Related Art
It is common practice to use blister packages to package small solid articles or products which may be dispensed from the package by applying pressure to the blister to force the article or product from an individual blister or capsule through a rupturable membrane. Since this type of packaging is typically used for marketing medicines, the invention will be referred to herein with respect to a package particularly suitable for such use, but it should be understood that the package may be used for other products as well, such as food products, like candy, etc., or non-consumable articles, like batteries for hearing aides and the like. Recently, a substantial effort has been directed toward providing packaging that contains sufficient impediments to prevent children from easily opening the package and gaining access to the package articles or products while still providing adults with easy access to the articles or products contained therein.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,202 to Mellon discloses a paperboard blank used for constructing a self-contained, re-closeable package (2) that includes a center panel (6) with a side panel (4) extending from one side and side panels (8), (10) and (12) in series, extending from the opposing side. Upper and lower flaps (36 and 28) extend from the center panel (6). See
However, Mellon does not appear to teach an internal interface between two non-blister carrying panels that obstruct the exit path of the product being retained by the blisters (28) and (34) but rather only appear to teach a single non-blister carrying panel obstructing the exit path, thereby being susceptible to children compromising the integrity of the package to access the contents of the blisters (28) and (34).
U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,282 to Jones discloses a package substrate (100) with two main panels (12) secured to each other by a hinge panel (13). Each main panel (12) has a flap (7) and (8) extending from left and right sides, respectively, and connected thereto by a hinge panel (13). Each main panel (12) also has a flap (6) extending from the remaining side by another hinge panel (13). The main panels (12) also have a number of gates (4), each with two doors (41, 42) defined therein. When the two doors (41, 42) are opened or separated, a product or article contained in a package cell (3) can be pushed through the gate (4). Each flap (8) contains apertures (5) dimensioned to fit snugly around the package cells (3) of a package tray (200). The flaps (7) include glue tabs (10) and peel-away tabs (9) formed therein.
When assembling the product, a package tray (200) is secured to the package substrate (100), and flaps (7) and (8) are folded over the package tray (200) so that the package cells (3) and gates (4) of the main panel (12) are aligned with the apertures (5) of the flaps (8) and with the peel away tabs (9) of the flaps (7). Once the product is partially assembled, the flaps (6) are folded over the flaps (7) and (8).
However, Jones does not appear to disclose the two panels (7) and (8) that are folded over the central panel (12) being on the same side relative to the central panel (12). Rather, the panels (7) and (8) that are folded over the central panel (12) are on opposing sides relative to the central panel (12). Moreover, the doors (41, 42) of the gates (4) of the main panel (12) in combination with the peel away tabs (9) of the flaps (7) are susceptible to children compromising the integrity of the package by simply pressing on the blister of the tray (200) as the doors (41, 42) and peel away tabs (9) do not sufficiently obstruct eh exit path of the product being held by the blister.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,768 to Morita et al. (Morita) discloses a press through package (PTP) (2) having a sheet member (1) with a plurality of accommodation holes (4) defined therein for accommodating pills. A second sheet member (9) extends from the first sheet member (1) via a fold line (10) located therebetween and has a take-out hole forming section with take-out holes (11) for removing the pills (3) from the PTP (2). The take-out holes (11) face the accommodation holes (4) of the first sheet member (1). A blocking sheet member (18) extends from a first end of the second sheet member (9) via a fold line (19) located therebetween and is located between the second sheet member (9) and the PTP (2) when folded over the fold line (19). The blocking sheet (18) has holes (23) defined therein that match the configuration of the accommodation holes (4) defined in the sheet member (1). However, the blocking sheet holes (23) are positioned so as not to be aligned with the accommodation holes (4) and the take-out holes (11) defined in the second sheet member (9) when the blocking sheet member (18) is folded onto the second sheet member (9), thus blocking the take-out holes (11).
However, Morita does not appear to disclose the first sheet member (1) and the blocking sheet member (18) that are folded over the second sheet member (9) being on the same side relative to the second sheet member (9). Rather, the first sheet member (1) and the blocking sheet member (18) are both folded over the second sheet member (9) and are on neighboring sides relative to the second sheet member (9). Moreover, the holes (23) of the blocking sheet (18) and the take-out holes (11) of the second sheet (9) are not aligned, thereby requiring a rather costly and complicated mechanism, i.e., the corrugated sheet (22) of the blocking panel (18) and the cuts (7) and cover (8) in the elongated hole (6) of the first sheet member (1), to manipulate the blocking sheet (18) so that the contents of the package can be accessed that would appear to be difficult for senior citizens to access.
United States Patent Application Publication Number 2005/0173291 to Specker et al. (Specker) discloses a package having a rectangular base (2) connected to an insert cover (4) by wall section (3) on one side and first and second panels (20) and (21) connected to the base (2) section (20) on the other side by side wall section (12). See
To access the contents of the blister, the panels (20) and (21) are folded out of the packaging, the guarantee section (26) is torn away, and then the contents are forced from the blister by applying pressure thereto. As such, there is only a single panel obstructing the exit path of the blister contents.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,960 to Price discloses a package (10) formed from a blank (23) having panels (A, B, and C) separated from each other by score lines (26 and 27). The package (10) includes a bubble chamber (12) bonded to a rupturable barrier (19) to hold a product or tablet (13) therein. A blister pack (37) containing at least one bubble chamber (12) is placed on top of the center panel (B) wherein the bubble chamber (12) extends through oval slots (36) formed in the panel (B). Panel (C) is then folded over score line (27) onto the center panel (B) and in direct contact with a backing layer (62) of the rupturable barrier (19), and then panel (A) is folded over score line (26) directly onto the panel (C) to complete assembly of the package (10). Panel (C) is heat sealed to the rupturable barrier (19) and the panel (A) is heat sealed to panel (C).
The panel (A) includes score lines (18) that define an access panel (17) aligned over the bubble chamber (12) and that may be peeled away along the score lines (18). The panel (C) includes score lines (48) that define a bendable breakaway panel (21) that is also aligned with the bubble chamber (12). When the access panel (17) is peeled up and away from the panel (A), an access opening is defined exposing the breakaway panel (21), which remains in an intact state. By pushing against the bubble chamber (12), the tablet (13) is forced against the rupturable barrier (19) until the rupturable barrier (19) ruptures and the breakaway panel (21) breaks away to expose the table (13) through the access opening.
Although the panel (C) is heat sealed to the rupturable barrier (19) and the panel (A) is then heat sealed to the panel (C), the access panel (17) is defined by score lines (18) that originate along an edge of the package (10) defined by the score line (27). Moreover, the opposing and parallel top and bottom edges of the package (10) that are not defined by the score lines (26, 27) are, like the remainder of the package (10), heat sealed together. Accordingly, the score lines (18) and top and bottom edges of the package (10) are susceptible to picking whereby children can easily gain access to the tablet (13) held in the bubble chamber (12).
It is an aspect of this invention to at least overcome the above-discussed drawbacks of the conventional child-resistant packages and dispensers.
Another aspect of this invention provides a unique child-resistant blister package that is child resistant and senior citizen friendly.
Yet another aspect of this invention provides a multi-layered child resistant blister package that positions the score lines which define the exit path of the blister package contents remote from the outer perimeter of the package and includes flaps that define smooth top and bottom edges that deter attempts to pick apart the outer edges of the package.
According to another aspect of this invention, the package includes at least three overlapping panels separated from each other by two fold lines. The package can be manufactured from a material selected from any one of paperboard, plastic and a combination of both, wherein the material may also be tear-resistant.
A cover may also be provided that contains indicia that would be ornamental and/or informative in nature.
Other objects and features of this invention will be better understood from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring to
The package 1 includes a first panel 20 separated from a second panel 30 by a fold line 40. The fold line 40 enables the second panel 30 to be folded over the first panel 20 as will be explained in further detail below. Fold line 41 delimits a first flap 50 of the first panel 20 while fold line 42 delimits a second flap 60 of the first panel. Fold lines 41 and 42 enable the first and second flaps 50 and 60, respectively, to be folded over the first panel 20 as will be explained in further detail below. It should be noted that the first and second flaps 50 and 60, respectively, are optional and that it is within the scope of the present invention for the first panel 20 to be formed without the fold lines 41 and 42, or the first and second flaps 50 and 60, respectively.
A plurality of exit apertures 22 are formed in the first panel 20, the exit apertures 22 being defined by non-continuous cut lines 23. Although two rows of four exit apertures 22 are shown being positioned relatively in the center of the first panel 20, it is within the scope of this invention to place any number of exit apertures 22, anywhere on the first panel 20 so long as the location is remote from the outer perimeter of the first panel 20, i.e., not bordering any portion of the perimeter of the first panel 20 and in as many rows, e.g., three or more, or little, i.e., only one row, as necessary. For example only, there could be one row, or three or more rows of any number of exit apertures 22 provided on the first panel 20.
The second panel 30 is configured to coincide and overlap the first panel 20. The second panel 30 also includes a plurality of blister pocket receiving apertures 32 that may correspond (i.e., equal) to the number of exit apertures 22 in the first panel 20. However, it is within the scope of the invention to have a number of exit apertures 22 that may be less than a number of the blister pocket receiving apertures 32 such that multiple, i.e., at least two, articles may be removed from the package 1 from a single exit aperture 22. The blister pocket receiving apertures 32 typically will contain blister packaging (not shown) that is well known in the art and is made from such materials as, for example only, clear plastic, foil, or the like. It should be noted that blister packaging is well known in the art and includes a backing that may include, but does not require, a rupturable membrane through which each article must pass when being removed from the package 1.
The third panel 70 is separated from the second panel 30 by fold line 43 and is configured to coincide and overlap the second panel 20 by being folded over the fold line 43. A plurality of intermediate apertures 72 are formed in the third panel 70, the intermediate apertures 72 being defined by non-continuous cut lines 73. The third panel 30 includes a number of intermediate apertures 72 that may correspond to the number of exit apertures 22 in the first panel 20 and blister pocket receiving apertures 32 in the second panel 30. However, it is within the scope of the invention to have a number of intermediate apertures 72 that may be less than a number of the blister pocket receiving apertures 32 such that multiple, i.e., at least two, articles may pass through a single intermediate aperture 72.
A blister package (not shown) is affixed to the second panel 30 such that each blister or pocket passes through a corresponding blister pocket receiving aperture 32. The third panel 70 is then folded over the fold line 43 and onto a back surface of the blister package such that the intermediate apertures 72 of the third panel 70 align with a corresponding blister pocket receiving aperture 32. The second and third panel assembly is then folded over fold line 40 such that the blister pocket receiving apertures 32 and intermediate apertures 72 align over corresponding exit apertures 22. When view from the side, the intermediate apertures 72 are located between the blister pocket receiving and exit apertures 32 and 22, respectively.
Formation of the package 31 will be described below, but it should be understood that it is within the scope of the invention to provide the package 1 without the flaps 50 and 60, as well as without the fourth panel 80, the intermediate panel 85 and/or the fifth panel 90. That is, the package 1 can be formed only with the first panel 20, the second panel 30 and the third panel 70.
As shown in
Turning to
Looking at
Furthermore, while it is preferable that a surface of the third panel 70 is attached or otherwise sealingly adhered to an opposing surface of the second panel 30, the surface of the third panel 70 does not have to be attached or adhered to the opposing surface of the second panel 30. Similarly, while it is preferable that the other surface of the third panel 70 is attached or otherwise sealingly adhered to an opposing surface of the first panel 20, the other surface of the third panel 70 does not have to be attached or adhered to the opposing surface of the first panel 20. However, it is within the scope of the invention for the opposing surface of the third panel 70 to be sealingly attached to the opposing surface of the second panel 30, as well as the other surface of the third panel 70 to be sealingly attached to the opposing surface of the first panel 20 during assembly of the package 1, 21, or 31 using an adhesive, supersonic welding, or any other now-known or later discovered technique that is suitable of otherwise appropriate to join the opposing surfaces of the panels 20, 30 and 70 together.
The sealed nature of the surfaces of the panels 20, 30 and 70, as well as the flaps 50 and 60 sealingly closing the open ends of the overlapped panels 20, 30 and 70, deter or otherwise prevent access to the articles contained in the blister packaging, as a child would need to pick or break through the sealed ends formed by the flaps 50 and 60 or through the multiple layers formed by the overlapped panels 20, 30 and 70, before encountering the foil or rupturable membrane of the blister package. To access an article held within a particular blister pocket, a user would apply pressure to the blister pocket protruding through the blister pocket receiving aperture 32. The article would then first pass or break through the intermediate aperture 72 of the third panel 70 before passing or breaking through the exit aperture 22 of the first panel 20.
Formation of the package 81 is similar to that of package 31 in that the fifth panel 90 is folded over fold line 46 onto the fourth panel 80, as shown in
As shown in
Turning to
It should be noted that the apertures 22, 32 and 72 are aligned with respect to each other in the package 81 as in the packages 1, 21, and 31 of the previously described embodiments.
Also, the intermediate panel 85 is folded over fold line 44 and the fourth and fifth panel assembly 90/80 is folded over fold line 45 to provide the package 81 with a book or wallet type design.
It should be noted that it is within the scope of this invention for the apertures 22, 32 and 72 to be any geometric shape that will facilitate passage of the articles therethrough. For example only, although not illustrated but well known in the art, the apertures can be oblong, rectangular, square, trapezoidal, triangular, and the like.
Furthermore, the apertures 22′ of the first panel 20′ and the apertures 72′ of the third panel 70′ may alternatively be configured as shown in
Then, the article will apply a force against the portion of the panels 70′ and 20′ having the apertures 72′ and 22′, respectively, whereby the perforated, non-continuous, or nicked lines 73′ and 23′ will tear and the cut-lines 77 and 27, respectively, will bend, thereby permitting the portions of the panels 70′ and 20′ defined by the perforated, non-continuous, or nicked lines 73′ and 23′ and cut-lines 77 and 27 to behave like a tear away or break-away panel and permit the article to pass through the apertures 72′ and 22′, respectively. It should be noted that it is within the scope of the invention to provide access holes 27a and 77a, respectively, adjacent to the cut-lines 27 and 77, respectively. The access holes 27a and 77a will permit a person to tear away the panel defined by aperture 72′ and 22′ formed by the non-continuous cut-lines 23′ and 73′, and cut-lines 27 and 77, respectively.
The above described structural configurations of the packages 1, 21, 31 and 81 provide a package that is easy to use by adults yet prevents unwanted access to the articles therein by children.
Many modifications may be made to adapt the teachings of the package of this invention to particular situations or materials without departing from the scope thereof. For example, as shown in
