SINGLE-USE CHILD RESISTANT PACKAGE

Abstract

A child resistant package comprises first and second oppositely disposed sides, and third and fourth oppositely disposed sides. The third side connects the first and second sides along a first edge, and the fourth side connects the first and second sides along a second edge. A tear strip is disposed along the first, third, and fourth sides, and has a free end exposed on the third side. An opaque film is disposed on the third side over the free end.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a single-use child resistant package. In particular, the present invention relates to a single-use child resistant package having a tear strip disposed on the package, wherein the tear strip has a free end that is covered by an opaque film.

BACKGROUND

Multi-use child resistant packaging is known in the art. In fact, the box packaging category is exclusively made up of multi-use child resistant boxes. However, many states allow for certain products to be sold in packaging that has only single-use child resistance. A need therefore exists for a single-use child resistant package, and such a package has been developed. The package has a structure that provides a single-use child resistance and meets the requirements to be certified as child resistant in the United States and Canada.

The benefits of a single-use child resistant package over a multi-use child resistant package include reduction in manufacturing complexity, material, and cost. The single-use child resistant package also has a sustainability benefit as it uses approximately 60% less material than a multi-use child resistant package. A single-use child resistant package costs around ¼ of the cost of a multi-use child resistant package and is also suitable for high speed automation.

In an embodiment, the noted advantages of a single-use child resistant package are achieved through the use of a peel off film or sticker that is used to hide the free end or starting tab of a tear strip. This film or sticker visually hides the free end or starting point of the tear strip. When tested with children, the children did not peel off the film or sticker to expose the free end or starting point of the tear strip. Once the film or sticker has been removed and the tear strip torn around the package, the package is opened; however, the presence of the film or sticker disposed over the free end or starting point of the tear strip provides a single-use child resistance for the package.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a child resistant package comprises first and second oppositely disposed sides, and third and fourth oppositely disposed sides, wherein the third side connects the first and second sides each along a first edge, and the fourth side connects the first and second sides each along a second edge. A tear strip is disposed along the first, third, and fourth sides, and has a free end exposed on the third side. An opaque film is disposed on the third side over the free end.

In another aspect of the invention, a child resistant package comprises first and second oppositely disposed sides, and third and fourth oppositely disposed sides, wherein the third side connects the first and second sides each along a first edge, and the fourth side connects the first and second sides each along a second edge. A distance between the first and second sides is less than a distance between the third and fourth sides. A tear strip is disposed along the first, third, and fourth sides, and has a free end exposed on the third side. An opaque film is disposed on the third side over the free end via an adhesive.

In a further aspect of the invention, a child resistant opening feature for a package comprises a tear strip disposed along first, second, and third adjacent sides of the package, wherein the second side is disposed between the first and third sides, and wherein the tear strip has a free end exposed on the first side. An opaque film is disposed on the first side over the free end, wherein the opaque film is configured to have an appearance that makes it indistinguishable from the first side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary single-use child resistant package in an unopened state according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the single-use child resistant package of FIG. 1 illustrating a tear strip having an exposed free end.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the single-use child resistant package of FIG. 1 illustrating the tear strip torn around two sides of the package.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the single-use child resistant package of FIG. 1 in an opened state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed embodiments presented herein are for illustrative purposes. That is, these detailed embodiments are intended to be exemplary of the present invention for the purposes of providing and aiding a person skilled in the pertinent art to readily understand how to make and use of the present invention. While certain shapes and materials are used in some embodiments, they are by no means an intention of restriction.

FIGS. 1-4 and the associated description provided therefor herein are applicable to a first embodiment of a single-use child resistant package (hereinafter a “SUCRP”) 100. In an embodiment the SUCRP 100 includes first and second oppositely disposed sides 110, 120, and third and fourth oppositely disposed sides 130, 140. In the perspective views of FIGS. 1-4, the first side 110 is the wider visible vertical panel facing out of the page toward the right, and the third side 130 is the narrower visible vertical panel facing out of the page toward the left. In the perspective views of FIGS. 1-4, the second side 120 is the wide vertical panel facing into the page toward the left and not visible, and the fourth side 140 is the narrow vertical panel facing into the page toward the right and also not visible. The second and fourth sides are indicated by arrows 120 and 140 that respectively point toward their surfaces.

Referring to FIG. 1, in an embodiment the third side 130 connects the first and second sides 110, 120 each along a first edge 112, 122, and the fourth side 140 connects the first and second sides 110, 120 each along a second edge 114, 124. In FIG. 1 the second edge 124 is at the back corner of the SUCRP 100, and only a top corner end of the second edge 124 is visible as identified by the arrow 124 pointing toward it.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, in an embodiment a tear strip 150 is disposed along the first 110, third 130, and fourth 140 sides. In an embodiment the tear strip 150 has a free end 160 exposed on the third side 130. In an embodiment an opaque film 170 is disposed on the third side 130 over the free end 160. The opaque film 170 blocks the free end 160 from view and also from being pulled to tear open the SUCRP 100. By blocking the free end 160 from being seen or accessed, the opaque film 170 provides a single-use child resistance to the SUCRP 100.

Referring to FIG. 1, in an embodiment the opaque film 170 can be a label or can have writing on it, for example without limitation, identifying it as a “peel off” film, identifying the contents of the SUCRP 100, or even including instructions for opening the SUCRP 100. In other embodiments, the opaque film 170 has no writing at all, and in further embodiments the opaque film 170 is configured to have an appearance that makes it indistinguishable from the third side 130. For example, in an embodiment the opaque film 170 can be provided with the exact same color or pattern (or both) to match that of the third side 130, thus making it indistinguishable from the third side 130.

In an embodiment the opaque film 170 is disposed over the free end 160 via an adhesive. In an embodiment an edge portion 180 of the opaque film 170 lacks the adhesive. In an embodiment the edge portion 180, for example as illustrated in FIG. 1, extends between the first 110 and second 120 sides. Such an edge portion 180 having no adhesive and extending between the first 110 and second 120 sides can make it easier to grab an edge of the opaque film 170 to peel it off, for example, upwardly in FIG. 1. In an embodiment a distance between the first 110 and second 120 sides is less than a distance between the third 130 and fourth 140 sides.

In an embodiment the SUCRP 100 is made from paper or cardboard or another material suitable for boxes or packaging. In an embodiment the tear strip 150 is made from the same material as the rest of the SUCRP 100. In an embodiment the tear strip 150 is made from a different material than the first 110, second 120, third 130, and fourth 140 sides. In an embodiment the tear strip 150 can be a strip of material as shown in FIGS. 1-4, wherein lines of weakness or grooves are provided along both edges of the tear strip 150 to facilitate it being torn open from the SUCRP 100. In an embodiment the tear strip 150 can further include a thread or wire that is adapted to tear through the material of the SUCRP 100 with or without any lines of weakness.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in an embodiment pulling the tear strip 150 across the first 110, third 130, and fourth 140 sides separates an end portion 190 of the SUCRP 100, wherein the separated end portion 190 is configured to rotate open along a living hinge 200 disposed in the second side 120.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-4 but using a somewhat different identification scheme for the sides of the SUCRP 100, in an embodiment, a tear strip 150 is disposed along first, second, and third adjacent sides 210, 220, 230 of the SUCRP 100, wherein the second side 220 is disposed between the first 210 and third 230 sides, and wherein the tear strip 150 has a free end 160 exposed on the first side 210 (see FIG. 2). Using this description of the sides of the SUCRP 100, an opaque film 170 is disposed on the first side 210 over the free end 160, wherein in an embodiment the opaque film 170 is configured to have an appearance that makes it indistinguishable from the first side 210.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A single-use child resistant package (SUCRP) is presented. The SUCRP provides single-use child resistance at less complexity and cost than existing multi-use child resistant packages, and thereby provides a good solution for situations wherein only single-use child resistance is sufficient. The SUCRP can be manufactured in industry for use in packaging for consumers.

Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. It is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved. All patents, patent publications and applications, and other references cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Claims

1. A child resistant package, comprising: a first side;a second side disposed opposite the first side;a third side that connects the first side and the second side along a first edge;a fourth side disposed opposite the third side, the fourth side connecting the first side and the second side along a second edge;a tear strip disposed along the first side, the third side, and the fourth side, the tear strip having a free end exposed on the third side; andan opaque film disposed on the third side over the free end.

2. The child resistant package of claim 1, wherein the opaque film is configured to have an appearance that makes it indistinguishable from the third side.

3. The child resistant package of claim 1, wherein the opaque film is disposed over the free end via an adhesive.

4. The child resistant package of claim 3, wherein an edge portion of the opaque film lacks the adhesive.

5. The child resistant package of claim 4, wherein the edge portion extends between the first side and the second side.

6. The child resistant package of claim 1, wherein a distance between the first side and the second side is less than a distance between the third side and the fourth side.

7. The child resistant package of claim 1, wherein the opaque film is a label.

8. The child resistant package of claim 1, wherein the tear strip is made from a different material than the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side.

9. The child resistant package of claim 1, wherein pulling the tear strip across the first side, the third side, and the fourth side separates an end portion of the package, wherein the separated end portion is configured to rotate open along a living hinge disposed in the second side.

10. A child resistant package, comprising: a first side;a second side disposed opposite the first side;a third side that connects the first side and the second side along a first edge;a fourth side disposed opposite the third side, wherein the fourth side connects the first side and the second side along a second edge, wherein a distance between the first side and the second side is less than a distance between the third side and the fourth side;a tear strip disposed along the first side, the third side, and the fourth side, and having a free end exposed on the third side; andan opaque film disposed on the third side over the free end via an adhesive.

11. The child resistant package of claim 10, wherein the opaque film is configured to have an appearance that makes it indistinguishable from the third side.

12. The child resistant package of claim 11, wherein an edge portion of the opaque film extending between the first side and the second side lacks the adhesive.

13. The child resistant package of claim 11, wherein the opaque film is a label and comprises instructions for opening the package.

14. The child resistant package of claim 10, wherein the tear strip is made from a different material than the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side.

15. The child resistant package of claim 10, wherein pulling the tear strip across the first side, the third side, and the fourth side separates an end portion of the child resistant package, and wherein the separated end portion is configured to rotate open along a living hinge disposed in the second side.

16. A child resistant opening feature for a package, comprising: a tear strip disposed along a first side, a second side, and a third side of the package, wherein the first side, the second side, and the third side are adjacent, and wherein the second side is disposed between the first side and the third side, and wherein the tear strip has a free end exposed on the first side; andan opaque film disposed on the first side over the free end, wherein the opaque film is configured to have an appearance that makes it indistinguishable from the first side.

17. The child resistant opening feature of claim 16, wherein an edge portion of the opaque film lacks the adhesive.

18. The child resistant opening feature of claim 16, wherein the opaque film is a label and comprises instructions for opening the package.

19. The child resistant opening feature of claim 16, wherein the tear strip is made from a different material than the first side, the second side, and the third side.

20. The child resistant opening feature of claim 16, wherein pulling the tear strip across the first side, the second side, and the third side separates an end portion of the package, and wherein the separated end portion is configured to rotate open along a living hinge disposed in a fourth side opposite the second side.