Abstract:
Disclosed is a container having an interior chamber and partial openings ( 40,50 ) on either end. The container is characterized by top and bottom components ( 10,20 ) each having opposing ends, one open and one closed, and opposing sides. The top and bottom components further include locking posts ( 24 ), cut out slit areas, and tab receptacles adapted to secure an insert attachment component ( 30 ). The top component ( 10 ), the bottom component ( 20 ) and the insert attachment component are attached to one another to form a container having an interior chamber with an open portion on either end each capable of accepting a separate insert card ( 60 ) in a lockable manner.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Child-resistant plastic shell package containers for blister package inserts (or the like) are made almost entirely from molded plastic. The child-resistant aspect generally results from a catch mechanism integrated into the top and/or bottom pieces of the plastic shell. The catch mechanism is adapted to cooperate with a cut out area on the blister pack to ‘lock’ the blister pack in place within the plastic shell container. Releasing the blister package from the catch mechanism usually involves applying a force to a tab portion of the plastic shell that is positioned above (or below) the catch mechanism. The tab portion is deflectable to the interior of the plastic shell where it contacts and causes the blister pack cut out area to become disengaged from the catch mechanism. The user can then slide the blister pack out of the plastic shell exposing its contents. 
         [0002]    The typical plastic shell configuration also has a single open end for inserting and retrieving inserts such as blister packs. The depth plastic shell container can often accommodate more than one insert. However, the inserts are all accessed from the same end. What is needed is a novel way to allow for access to inserts from either end of the plastic shell container. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Disclosed is a container having an interior chamber and partial openings on either end. The container is characterized by top and bottom components each having opposing ends, one open and one closed, and opposing sides. The top and bottom components further include angled locking posts, cut out slit areas, and tab receptacles adapted to secure an insert attachment component. The insert attachment component comprises a relatively thin base platform having an upper and lower surface that extends the length of the top and bottom components, first and second sloped guide ribs protruding away from the upper and lower surfaces, first and second securing tabs extending away from the upper and lower surfaces positioned at each end of the base platform, and first and second lock release posts extending away from the upper and lower surfaces. The top component, the bottom component, and the insert attachment component are attached to one another to form a container having an interior chamber with an open portion on either end each capable of accepting a separate insert card in a lockable manner. 
         [0004]    The insert attachment component can optionally include a plurality of retention daggers on opposite ends and opposite sides of the insert attachment component. The retention daggers are adapted to catch an insert card via the insert card hole so as to prevent the insert card from being completely withdrawn from the container. 
         [0005]    The top and bottom components can also optionally include finger indent features along an edge of the top and bottom components that are furthest from the cut out slit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a plastic shell container according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an assembled plastic shell container according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is another perspective view of an assembled plastic shell container according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the top piece (inverted) and insert attachment component of the plastic shell container shown receiving a pair of inserts according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a substantially rectangular plastic shell container according to an embodiment of the invention. The plastic shell container is generally comprised of three plastic components that snap-fit together to form an assembled plastic shell container having an interior chamber. The components include at least one top component  10 , at least one bottom component  20  and at least one insert card attachment component  30 . It is to be understood these components could be combined in another manner than snap fitting and that the component number could be adjusted based on manufacturing preferences. The top and bottom components  10 ,  20  are generally rectangular in shape and include a main surface with edge portions that extend substantially perpendicularly from the main surface on the two long edges and on one of the short edges of the components  10 ,  20 . The depth of the edge portions define the sides of and an overall depth of the plastic shell container once assembled. Once assembled, the plastic shell container resembles a rectangular box having partially open ends opposite one another that allow access to the interior chamber. The openings on the opposing ends are at different heights along the depth of the structure. One opening provides access to an upper half of the interior chamber while the other opening provides access to a lower half of the interior chamber. 
         [0011]    The top and bottom components  10 ,  20  are generally identical mirror images of one another in that each of the components and features present on one is also present on the other, just in a reverse location from a left-to-right-perspective. This applies to all the components except the snap fit components because there must necessarily be male and female components to have a working connection. Thus, only the top component  10  has snap-fit tabs  12  while the bottom component  20  has snap fit receptacles  22 . The choice to put the snap fit tabs on the top component and the snap fit receptacles on the bottom component is merely a design choice. The tabs and receptacles can be easily swapped to the other component. Moreover, it is also possible to have two tabs and two receptacles on each component so long as a tab and a receptacle mate with one another during assembly. 
         [0012]    While the figures and description herein describe the components as being snap-fit together, one of ordinary skill in the art could readily adapt the components to be fastened in an alternative manner. For instance, the components can be attached via an adhesive material such as glue or the components may be riveted or screwed together using suitable hardware. Thus, the invention should not be considered as exclusively limited to being assembled using snap fit components. 
         [0013]    In addition, the figures and description herein describe the plastic shell container as generally rectangular. One of ordinary skill in the art, however, could vary the geometry of the plastic shell container without altering the functional aspects of the components. Thus, the invention should not be considered as limited to a substantially rectangular structure. 
         [0014]    With respect to  FIG. 1 , the top component  10  is seen from its outer perspective and the features of the top component  10  visible from this perspective are described. The top component  10  is further comprised of a plurality of snap-fit tabs  12  generally positioned near each corner of the substantially rectangular top component and extend beyond the depth of the side edge portions. At one edge there is defined a finger indent  14  that is a curved disruption along the short edge of the main surface that does not have an edge portion extending down. The curve provides a recess in the surface area that a user can use to access and grasp an insert. Near the other end of the main surface of the top component  10  is a cut out slit  16  that is designed to allow a portion of the surface area of the top component  10  to be deflected inward. This cut out slit  14  defines a release button that is used in unlocking or disengaging an insert that has been locked within the plastic shell container. 
         [0015]    With respect to  FIG. 1 , the bottom component  20  is seen from its inner perspective and the features of the bottom component  20  visible from this perspective are described. The bottom component  20  is further comprised of a plurality of snap fit receptacles  22  that are positioned and adapted to receive the snap fit tabs  12  of the top component  10 . An angled locking post  24  is shown near the end of the main surface area that is opposite the open end. The angle locking post  24  is generally centered from side to side and is adapted to receive and hook onto an insert card that has a strategically sized and positioned hole. A finger indent  14  for the bottom component  20  is also shown and is the same as described above. There is also shown an insert attachment tab receptacle  26  that receives and secures an insert attachment tab  32  that is part of the insert card attachment component  30 . A similar insert attachment tab receptacle  26  exists on the underside of the top component  10 . 
         [0016]    The insert card attachment component  30  is a narrow rib-like structure that extends the length of the top and bottom components  10 ,  20 . It is adapted to fit down the middle of the chamber defined by the top and bottom components  10 ,  20  when assembled. It creates a barrier of sorts that separates the interior chamber into upper and lower sections. 
         [0017]    The insert card attachment component  30  is further comprised of a base platform  31  (top and bottom surface) that has multiple features extending perpendicularly from both the top and bottom surfaces of the base platform. These features include the aforesaid insert attachment tab  32  on each end, an angled lock release post  34 , a retention dagger  36 , and a guide rib  38 . Each of these features extends from both the top and bottom surfaces of the base platform  31  and are oriented in a mirror image from left-to-right. The angled lock release post  34  is adapted to guide the leading edge of an insert downward upon pressure being applied to the surface area defined by the cut out slit  16  such that the strategically placed hole on the insert can be unhooked from the angled locking post  24 . The retention dagger  36  is positioned near the edge of the open end of the top (and bottom) components  10 ,  20  and is designed to hook the strategically placed hole on the insert to prevent the insert from being completely removed from the plastic shell container. When assembled, each guide rib  38  extends toward the inner surface of both the top and bottom components  10 ,  20  leaving just enough room for a relatively flat insert to slide along the top of the guide rib  38  keeping the surface of the insert very close to the inner surface of the top and bottom components  10 ,  20 . The guide ribs  38  are angled at each end to facilitate causing the insert to ride up on the top of the guide rib  38 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an assembled plastic shell container according to an embodiment of the invention. In this view, the top and bottom components  10 ,  20  have been snap fit together to form the plastic shell container having an interior chamber. On left or near end of the plastic shell container there is a defined opening  40  on the lower half of the left end. The finger indent  14  for the bottom component  20  is viewable as is the cut out slit  16  on the top component. On the opposite end, the finger indent  14  for the top component  10  can be seen. While not visible, the insert card attachment component  30  is strategically secured within the chamber of the plastic shell container. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is another perspective view of an assembled plastic shell container according to an embodiment of the invention. From this perspective, an opening  50  on the upper half of the right hand side of the plastic shell container is visible. The finger indent  14  for the top component  10  is viewable as is the cut out slit  16  on the top component. The insert card attachment component  30  is strategically secured within the chamber of the plastic shell container. 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the top component  10  (inverted) and insert card attachment component  30  of the plastic shell container shown receiving a pair of insert cards  60  according to an embodiment of the invention. This view highlights one of the advantages of the invention. Namely, the ability to independently load and access an insert card  60  in either end of the plastic shell container. The top component  10  is shown inverted since the snap fit tabs  12  are shown extending upward. The insert cards  60  shown are of the blister pack type and include a strategically sized and located hole  62  near one end of the surface and in the middle of the surface relative to the sides. The hole  62  is sized to be larger then the angled locking post  24  such that it can hook onto said post  24 . It is positioned such that it will encounter the angled locking post when fully inserted within the chamber of the plastic shell container. The cooperative relationship between the insert cards  60  and the plastic shell container will be described in more detail below. 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates the system in which the insert cards  60  are either just being inserted or have been fully withdrawn since neither insert card  60  substantially extends the length of the top component  10 . 
         [0022]    Referring to the left side of  FIG. 4 , the leading edge of a first insert card  60  and its insert card hole  62  are visible. Looking through the insert card hole  62  affords a partial view of a retention dagger  36  that is a feature of the insert card attachment component  30 . Also partially visible is a lock release post  34  extending downward from the insert card attachment component  30 . 
         [0023]    Referring to the right side of  FIG. 4 , the leading edge of a second insert card  60  and its insert card hole  62  are visible. Looking through the insert card hole  62  affords a partial view of a retention dagger  36  that is a feature of the insert card attachment component  30 . Also visible is a lock release post  34  extending upward from the insert card attachment component  30  and an insert attachment tab  32 . 
         [0024]    The insert attachment component base platform  31  is seen generally extending the length of the top component  10 . Also partially visible are the guide ribs  38 , one extending upward from the top surface of base platform  31  and one extending downward from the bottom surface of base platform  31 . 
         [0025]    The insert cards  60  can comprise a blister pack type card package that is generally comprised of a plurality of individual bubble-like containers seated on a relatively thin substrate surface. The embodiments described herein are adapted to accept a blister pack type insert card. However, the embodiments described herein may also accept other insert card types that feature a relatively thin substrate surface. 
         [0026]    In operation, an insert card  60  can be insert into each of the openings  40 ,  50  at each end of the plastic shell container and advance substantially the length of the plastic shell container. The insert card  60  includes at least one flat surface that will face toward the interior surface of the top component  10  if insert into the upper half of the interior chamber and toward the interior surface of the bottom component  20  if insert into the lower half of the interior chamber. This will allow the guide ribs to lift the insert card toward the surface while leaving clearance for features like individual blisters to be housed within the chamber of the plastic shell container. The insert cards  60  will eventually hook onto an angled locking post  24  within the plastic shell container and become locked within the interior of the plastic shell container. The cut out slit(s)  16  on the surface of the top and bottom components  10 ,  20  act as a release mechanism in conjunction with the lock release post(s)  34 . 
         [0027]    To insert and lock an insert card  60  within an assembled plastic shell container, a user inserts the leading edge of an insert card  60  into the opening on one of the ends of the plastic shell container. The leading edge of the insert card  60  is the edge which is closest to the insert card hole  62 . Since there is an opening on either end, the following description shall apply to inserting an insert card into the upper half of the interior chamber. The description can be equally applied to inserting an insert card into the lower half of the interior chamber from the opposite end of the plastic shell container. All of the features of the top and bottom components  10 ,  20  as well as the insert card attachment component  30  are present and apply equally regardless of whether the insert card is inserted from the left end or the right end of the plastic shell container. 
         [0028]    For instance, as the insert card  60  enters the upper half of the interior chamber it first encounters the sloped insert attachment component guide rib  28  that protrudes up from the insert card attachment base platform  31 . The slope of the guide rib  28  will urge the insert card  60  upward toward the inner surface of the top component  10  as it continues to move toward the other end of the plastic shell container. The depth or height of the blister package guide rib  28  leaves sufficient room remaining for the relatively flat insert card  60  to slide comfortably. 
         [0029]    The insert card  60  continues until its leading edge encounters the angled portion of the angled locking post  24  that protrudes downward from the inner surface of the top component  10 . The depth or height of the angled locking post  24  is such that it extends past the top line of the guide rib  28 . The insert card  60  leading edge rides down along the angled locking post  24  until it clears. 
         [0030]    The insert card hole  62  is oriented along the same line as the blister package angled locking post  24 . Thus, when the insert card hole  62  clears the angled locking post  24 , the entire insert card  60  hooks onto the angled locking post  24 . The insert card  60  can not be removed from the plastic shell  10  without un-hooking it from the angled locking post  24 . 
         [0031]    To release a locked insert card  60 , the user grasps, in one hand, the trailing edge of the insert card  60  which is accessible using the finger indent  14 . In the other hand, the user applies pressure (typically with the thumb) to the cut out slit  16  on the surface of the top or bottom component  10 ,  20 . The pressure forces a portion of the surface of the top or bottom component  10 ,  20  into the chamber and in contact with the insert card  60  forcing it inward in the same direction as the external force applied. The insert card contacts and slides along the angled release post  34  until the insert card hole  62  clears the angled locking post. While the user maintains this pressure on the cut out slit  16 , he/she can simultaneously pull the insert card  60  out of the interior chamber with the other hand. Once the insert card hole  60  is completely clear of the angled locking post  24 , the user can release the pressure to the cut out slit  16 . The insert card generally slides across the guide rib  38  and out of an open end  40 ,  50 . 
         [0032]    An optional feature is the retention dagger  36  which is positioned on the inner surface of the top and bottom components  10 ,  20  near the open end. The retention dagger  36  protrudes inward and backward and is adapted to hook the insert card hole  62  to prevent the insert card  60  from being fully withdrawn. 
         [0033]    It is to be understood that variations to this design may be possible, including a hinged book-like shell that folds and locks into place. A paperboard outer shell may be used as well with one or more paperboard insert card attachment component ( 30 ) that may be either formed from plastic or paperboard. It is to be understood that the use of paperboard materials may require different manufacturing techniques, such as the use of adhesive to connect the components, strengthened board in one or more areas to withstand tearing or support fold-lines, modified child-resistant means or other such variations. 
         [0034]    It is believed that the present invention includes many other embodiments that may not be herein described in detail, but would nonetheless be appreciated by those skilled in the art from the disclosures made. Accordingly, this disclosure should not be read as being limited only to the foregoing examples or only to the designated embodiments.