Abstract:
The disclosure relates to a package comprising a sleeve and an insert, the insert being adapted to be movably received in the sleeve, the insert is adapted to carry and receive a product, the insert is adapted to be reinserted into the sleeve after receipt of said product, the sleeve is adapted to enclose the reinserted insert such that access to said product is limited or denied and reextraction of the insert is limited or denied once the insert has been reinserted into the sleeve. The disclosure further relates to an insert adapted to form a part of a package of the above kind.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a package comprising a sleeve and an insert, the insert being adapted to be movably, and at least partly extractably, received in the sleeve, the insert is adapted to receive a product, wherein the insert is adapted to be reinserted into the sleeve after receipt of the product. 
         [0002]    The present invention also relates to an insert adapted to be movably, and at least partly extractably, received in a sleeve, the insert is adapted to receive a product, wherein the insert is adapted to be reinserted into the sleeve after receipt of the product. 
         [0003]    The present invention is especially suitable for, but not limited to, safe storage of hazardous disposable products after usage. 
       TECHNICAL BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    When packaging hazardous products, such as medicaments, syringes, needles, scalpels and razor blades it is of importance to keep the product, both before and after usage, safely stored. 
         [0005]    There are today many child resistant packages, especially child resistant pharmaceutical packages, which prevent a child from easy accessing a product. WO2006/068602 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,665 discloses two different kind of child resistant pharmaceutical packages. The design of these packages makes it very difficult for children to open it and makes it possible to safely store the product before usage. 
         [0006]    However, it is also important to safely store any remains of a used product or products no longer suitable for use, for example used needles or expired medicaments. There are today several packages or containers for safe storage of used needles, one example is disclosed in EP 1447109. 
         [0007]    EP 1447109 discloses a medical waste disposal container comprising a hollow container portion and a top cover that is securable to an upper region of said container portion by a snap-fitting arrangement. The upper region of the hollow container is provided with an opening through which waste is received and the top cover includes an inlet through which waste can be inserted for passage to the opening. 
         [0008]    The container described in EP 1447109 is adapted for storage of quite a large quantity of needles. These kinds of containers are often placed in hospitals or medical centers for safe storage of used needles. 
         [0009]    However, many patients self inject their medicament at home, for example diabetic or cancer patients. For these patients, the present available large containers for storage are impractical. Also, when the patient is traveling or at work it is not a practical solution. It would also be good if the disposable product could be sent by mail to a destination for final disposal, for example to a pharmacy. This is especially suitably for medicaments that have expired, i.e. their best-before date has passed. Instead of leaving the medicaments to a pharmacy, a user can put them in a package for safe storage and mail it to, for example a pharmacy, or other destination for final disposal. 
         [0010]    There is thus a need for a small and safe package for storage of hazardous disposable products, such as needles and medicaments, which package is suitable for domestic use. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0011]    It is an object of the invention to provide a package for safe storage of a hazardous disposable product after usage. 
         [0012]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a package for safe storage of a hazardous disposable product before usage. 
         [0000]    The above objects, as well as other advantages, have been achieved with a package comprising a sleeve and an insert, the insert is adapted to be movably, and at least partly extractably, received in the sleeve, wherein the insert is adapted to receive and carry at least one product, the insert is adapted to be reinserted into the sleeve after receipt of said product, the sleeve is adapted to enclose the reinserted insert such that access to said product is limited or denied, and the insert is adapted to be modified in such a manner that reextraction of the insert is limited or denied once the insert has been reinserted into the sleeve. 
         [0013]    The invention makes it possible to store a disposable product, preferably after usage, in a safe and small sized package. 
         [0014]    The package may be used as final disposal of expired products, such as medicaments. Thus, it is not necessary to store a product before usage in the package, the product may only be introduced once it is ready for disposal. The package containing the disposable product may be mailed to a destination for final disposal without any risk for the persons handling the mail. It also makes it more convenient to the user since there is no need to deliver the disposable product directly to, for example, a pharmacy. 
         [0015]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims. 
         [0016]    The insert of the package may be modified by folding or separating one part of the insert before receipt of the product. Preferably, the insert is modified by the user immediately prior to the receipt of the product. The modified part of the insert is preferably adapted to be separated from the insert by tearing along one or more perforation lines. In this way, the form and/or function of the insert is changed so that, once the product has been received, the insert is prevented from being reextracted from the sleeve. 
         [0017]    The insert of the package may also be provided with a grip portion being accessible to a user when the insert is received in the sleeve, wherein the insert is adapted to be modified in such a manner that the grip portion need to be separated from the insert or made inoperable before the insert may receive the product. In this way access to the insert, and thus also to the product, is limited or even denied since there is no grip portion for reextracting the insert from the sleeve. 
         [0018]    The package may also comprise at least one locking mechanism that prevents the insert from being extracted or reextracted from the sleeve. The locking mechanism may be a releasable locking mechanism adapted to control movement of the insert in relation to the sleeve. The locking mechanism may be released by a releasing mechanism. In this way access to the product is denied unless the release mechanism is activated. It is thus possible to also limit access to the insert before the insert is modified. This releasable locking mechanism can be, but is not limited to, the same locking mechanisms as described in prior art child resistant pharmaceutical packages. 
         [0019]    The locking mechanism of the package may also be activated and adapted to be unreleasable once the insert has been modified and the insert has been reinserted into the sleeve. In this way a more safely storage of the product is achieved, i.e. it is made very difficult to reextract the insert from the sleeve and access to insert and to the received product is limited or denied. 
         [0020]    The package may also comprise a second locking mechanism adapted to be unreleasable once the insert has been modified and the insert has been reinserted into the sleeve. Preferably, the package only comprises a second locking when the first locking mechanism is adapted to be releasable. Once the second locking mechanism is activated, i.e. once the insert has been modified and the insert has been reinserted into the sleeve, access to the insert will be limited or denied. Thus, the releasing of the first locking mechanism does not release the second locking mechanism once it is activated. 
         [0021]    The locking mechanism may prevent the insert from being reextracted by a first locking member adapted to be in connection with a second locking member. The releasing mechanism may release the connection between the first and second locking members. 
         [0022]    The unreleaseable locking mechanism may prevent the insert from being reextracted by a first locking member adapted to be in connection with a second locking member, which second locking member is revealed or formed after the insert has been modified. 
         [0023]    The first locking member is preferably located in the sleeve and the second locking member is preferably located in the insert. In this way, the connection of said first and second locking member will prevent the insert from being reextracted from the sleeve. For example, the insert can be modified by separating one part of the insert in such a manner that a locking member of the insert is revealed. The insert may also be modified by folding one part of the insert in such a manner that a locking member is formed, for example by refold one part of the insert so that a tounge or locking flap is formed on the insert. The revealed or formed locking member may be adapted to connect with a locking member of the sleeve, preferably a locking flap, locking arc or a cut-out, thus preventing the modified insert from being reextracted from the sleeve. 
         [0024]    The insert of the package may also be adapted so that reextraction of the insert from the sleeve only is limited or denied in case the insert has received the product before being reinserted into the sleeve. In this way it is assured that the insert has received the product before access to the insert, and thus also to the product, is limited or denied. This may be achieved by adapting the insert in such manner that receipt of the product only is possible once the insert has been modified so that a locking member is revealed or formed. Also, the received product may form or reveal a locking member. The revealed or formed locking member may connect with a locking member located in the sleeve once the insert is reinserted into the sleeve and reextraction of the insert is thus limited or denied. 
         [0025]    In this context it may be noted that the insert may be sold as a separate unit adapted to be put into a sleeve thereby forming a package of the kind disclosed above. 
         [0026]    An insert may be adapted to be used in a package as described above, wherein the insert is adapted to be movably, and at least partly extractably, received in a sleeve, wherein the insert is adapted to receive and carry at least one product, the insert is adapted to be reinserted into the sleeve after receipt of said product, the sleeve is adapted to enclose the reinserted insert such that access to said product is limited or denied, and the insert is adapted to be modified in such a manner that reextraction of the insert is limited or denied once the insert has been reinserted into the sleeve. 
         [0027]    Advantages with the insert are discussed in relation to the corresponding features of the package. 
         [0028]    The above objects of the invention has also been achieved with a package comprising a sleeve and an insert, the insert is adapted to be movably, and at least partly extractably, received in the sleeve, the insert is adapted to carry a product of which product at least one part remains after usage, wherein the product is accessible only after the insert is at least partly extracted from the sleeve, the insert is adapted to receive and carry said part of the product after usage of the product, the insert is adapted to be reinserted into the sleeve after receipt of said part of the product, the sleeve is adapted to enclose the reinserted insert such that access to said part of the product is limited or denied, and reextraction of the insert is limited or denied once the insert has been reinserted into the sleeve. 
         [0029]    The invention thus makes it possible to store a disposable product, both before and after usage, in a safe and small sized package. 
         [0030]    When the product has been used, one part of the product will remain and the remaining part can be reintroduced into the package and stored in a safe way, i.e. access to the remaining part of the product is limited or even denied. This package is especially appropriate for disposable products, which is hazardous before and/or after usage. Especially suitable products are for example syringes, needles, medicaments and sterile products, such as scalpels or razor blades. 
         [0031]    It is also possible to mail this package for the same reasons as discussed above. 
         [0032]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims. 
         [0033]    The product may be accessible only after the insert has been modified. The insert is preferably modified by folding or separating at least one part of the insert. The part of the insert may be separated from the insert by tearing along one or more perforation lines. Also, the insert is modified, i.e. the form and/or function of the insert is changed, in a manner so that reextraction of the insert is limited or denied once the insert has been reinserted into the sleeve. In this way, by removing the product, the insert will at the same time be modified in such a manner that reextraction of the insert from the sleeve is limited or denied once the insert has been reinserted. 
         [0034]    The insert of the package may also be provided with a grip portion being accessible to a user when the insert is received in the sleeve, wherein the insert is adapted to carry the product in such a manner that the grip portion needs to be separated from the insert or made inoperable before the product may be removed from the insert. In this way access to the insert, and thus also to the remaining part of the product is limited or even denied since there is no grip portion for reextracting the insert from the sleeve. 
         [0035]    The package may also comprise at least one locking mechanism that prevents the insert from being extracted or reextracted from the sleeve. The locking mechanism may be a releasable locking mechanism adapted to control movement of the insert in relation to the sleeve. The locking mechanism may also be activated and adapted to be unreleasable once the insert has been modified and the insert has been reinserted into the sleeve. The package may also comprise a second locking mechanism adapted to be unreleasable once the insert has been modified and the insert has been reinserted into the sleeve. The package only comprises a second locking when the first locking mechanism is adapted to be releasable. The locking mechanism may prevent the insert from being reextraced by a first locking member adapted to be in connection with a second locking member. The releasing mechanism may release the connection between the first and second locking members. The unreleaseable locking mechanism may prevent the insert from being reextracted by a first locking member adapted to be in connection with a second locking member, which second locking member is revealed or formed after the insert has been modified. The first locking member is preferably located in the sleeve and the second locking member is preferably located in the insert. 
         [0036]    Advantages with the different locking mechanisms are the same as discussed above for the corresponding features. 
         [0037]    The insert of the package may also be adapted so that reextraction of the insert from the sleeve only is limited or denied in case the insert has received the part of the product before being reinserted into the sleeve. In this way it is assured that the insert has received the part of the product before access to the insert, and thus also to the part of the product, is limited or denied. This may be achieved by adapting the insert in such manner that receipt of the part of the product only can be possible once the insert has been modified such that a locking member is revealed or formed. Also, the received part of the product may form or reveal a locking member. The revealed or formed locking member may connect with a locking member located in the sleeve once the insert is reinserted into the sleeve and reextraction of the insert is thus limited or denied. 
         [0038]    In this context it may be noted that the insert may be sold as a separate unit adapted to be put into a sleeve thereby forming a package of the kind disclosed above. 
         [0039]    An insert may be adapted to be used in a package as described above, wherein the insert is adapted to be movably, and at least partly extractably, received in a sleeve, the insert is adapted to carry a product of which product at least one part remains after usage, wherein the product is accessible only after the insert is at least partly extracted from said sleeve, the insert is adapted to receive and carry said part of the product after usage of the product, the insert is adapted to be reinserted into the sleeve after receipt of said part of the product and the sleeve is adapted to enclose the reinserted insert such that access to said part of the product is limited or denied, the insert is adapted such that reextraction of the insert is limited or denied once the insert has been reinserted into said sleeve. 
         [0040]    Advantages with the insert are discussed in relation to the corresponding features of the package. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0041]    The invention will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which shows a presently preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 1  shows a package where the insert has been extracted from the sleeve. 
           [0043]      FIG. 2  shows that one part of the insert has been opened. 
           [0044]      FIG. 3  shows the interaction of the locking members forming the locking mechanism of a closed package. 
           [0045]      FIG. 4  shows a closed package. 
           [0046]      FIG. 5  shows that one part of the insert has been opened. 
           [0047]      FIG. 6  shows a closed package. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-6  the package basically comprises a sleeve  10  and an insert  20 . The sleeve  10  is formed of a blank with a plurality of panels defined by a plurality of fold lines. The sleeve  10  is folded into a basically parallelepepedic hollow body in which the insert  20  is slidable received. Such a basic configuration is e.g. disclosed in WO2006/068602 A1. 
         [0049]    The insert  20  is adapted to carry a product and at least one part of the product remains after usage. The product is only available after at least one part of the insert  21  is separated. The part of the insert can be lifted and separated from the insert by tearing it along one or several perforation lines  22  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . The insert  20  may also be adapted to receive a product, which has not been kept in the insert  20  before the insert has been modified. 
         [0050]    According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the part of the insert  21  is adapted to be separated by the user gripping a cut-out  23  formed in the insert  20  and tearing this part of the insert  21  off. 
         [0051]    According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the part of the insert  21  is adapted to be separated by the user gripping a grip portion  25  and tearing this part of the insert  21  off. The grip portion  25  is a part of or in connection to the part of the insert  21  being separated from the insert  20 . 
         [0052]    The package formed of the sleeve  10  and the insert  20  (and optionally other elements) is provided with a locking mechanism that is activated once the product has been removed from the insert  20  and the insert  20  has been reinserted into the sleeve  10 . 
         [0053]    The embodiments described in  FIGS. 1-3  show a package wherein the sleeve  10  is provided with a cut-out  11 . The insert  20  is slid into the sleeve  10  to such an extent that the insert  20  is enclosed by the sleeve  10  and not accessible to the user. The insert  20  is however accessible to the user by the cut-out  11  located in the sleeve. A user may grip the insert  20  at the cut-out  11  and pull the insert  20  out from the sleeve  10 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 2-3  shows that by separating one part of the insert  21  by gripping the cut-out  23  a corresponding tongue  24  is formed on the insert  20 . The tongue  24  forms a locking member  24  that is connected with a locking member  12  located in the inner part of the sleeve  10 . One panel  13  of the sleeve  10  is preferably made of two panels, an inner and an outer panel, wherein the locking member  12  is located in the inner panel of the sleeve. The locking member  12 , preferably a cut-out, connects with the locking member  24  of the insert as is seen in  FIG. 2 . The locking member  24  of the insert  20  and the locking member  12  of the sleeve  10  connect with each other and the insert  20  is thus prevented from being reextracted from the sleeve  10 . It is also possible that the panel  13  of the sleeve  10  is a single panel and that the locking member  24  of the insert  20  will connect and extend through the cut-out  12  forming the locking member  12  of the sleeve. In this way, and the locking member  24  of the insert will be visible to the user once the package is locked. The locking mechanism of the package is unreleaseable, i.e. it is not possible to unlock the two locking members  12  and  24  once they have connected. Before the insert  20  is reinserted into the sleeve  10  the remaining part of the product must be reinserted into the insert  20 . 
         [0055]    The embodiments described in  FIGS. 4-6  show a package wherein the insert  20  is provided with or connected to a grip portion  25 . The insert is slid into the sleeve  10  to such an extent that the insert  20  is enclosed by the sleeve  10  and not accessible to the user. The grip portion  25  is however accessible to the user when the insert  20  is slid into the sleeve  10  to such extent. The insert  20  is at least party slidably extracted from the sleeve  10  by pulling the grip portion  25 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the product carried by the insert  20  is revealed by separating one part  21  of the insert  20 . The part of the insert  21  is separated by lifting the grip portion  25  and thus tearing the part of the insert  21  together with the grip portion  25  apart from the insert  20 . The insert  20  is reinserted into the sleeve  10  to such extent that the insert  20  is enclosed by the sleeve  10  and not accessible to the user, access to the insert  20  is thus limited or denied since the grip portion  25  has been separated from the insert, as is shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0056]    The package may further be provided with a releasable locking mechanism which limits access to the product before usage. The locking mechanism comprises a locking member of the insert  20 , a locking flap or locking arc inside the sleeve  10  and at least one push button  14  accessible to the user from the outside of the sleeve  10 . If the user tries to pull the insert  20  out of the sleeve  10 , without releasing the locking mechanism, movement of the insert  20  is prevented. The locking mechanism is released by pressing the push button  14  and at the same time extract the insert  20  from the sleeve  10  by pulling the grip portion  25 . 
         [0057]    The sleeve  10  is preferably made of paperbased or polymerbased laminate structure. The insert is preferably made of paperbased or polymerbased laminate structure. 
         [0058]    It is contemplated that there are numerous modifications of the embodiments described herein, which are still within the scope of the invention ad defined by the appended claims. 
         [0059]    The modification of the insert may reveal a marking, for example a panel which is of another color, which may be used to disclose to a user if the product has been used and the package should be disposed of. Furthermore, the removal of the grip portion may also be used to disclose if the product has been used and the package should be disposed of. By providing a single panel of the sleeve with a locking member, the locking member of the insert will be revealed to a user after the package is locked and it can thus be used to disclose to the user if the product has been used and the package should be disposed of. It is also possible provide the package with some kind of tamper proof marking in order for the user to see if the package has been opened. 
         [0060]    The insert may e.g. be prevented from being completely pulled out of the sleeve by making use of a panel as a refolded retaining mechanism co-operation with an opening, panel or arc formed in the sleeve.