Abstract:
A childproof and senior friendly packaging container having a housing that defines a chamber for removably receiving a blister card or sheet. The blister card includes a blister or node on its end that is designed to engage a pair of slots within the sleeve of the housing to retain the blister card within the housing in a stored position and an extended position. The node may include a sloped rear surface to allow the blister card to be returned to a stored position. Squeezing the sides of the housing about the interior slot biases both the top panel of the housing and the panels defining the slot to release the node from the slot to allow the blister card to be withdrawn.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to packaging containers and, more particularly, to packaging containers that are child-resistant and senior friendly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The number of available consumer pharmaceuticals continues to grow for use in the diagnosis, cure, treatment and/or prevention of diseases or injuries. In fact, the use of pharmaceuticals is so prevalent that there are very few households where they are not present. Due to the chemical nature of many of these medicines, any unintended uses or overdoses may have very damaging or lethal consequences. This is especially true with children who do not understand or appreciate the dangers involved. Accordingly, there has been a need to make the packaging childproof. However, because many people who use pharmaceuticals are elderly and may have lost some of their physical strength and/or coordination, it is also important that any such packaging also be readily usable by senior citizens. 
     Therefore, there is a need to produce a packaging container that allows senior citizens and other intended users, but not children, to access the contents of the packaging. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an improvement over the prior product packaging in the way that the packaging container secures the contents to prevent access from children, while still permitting a senior citizen to access the contents. In particular, the packaging container securely retains a slidable blister card or sheet within a housing that does not allow access to the contents until multiple steps are performed. 
     In one embodiment, the packaging container includes a housing and a blister card or sheet. The housing of the packaging container may be formed from a blank that is integrally formed and, when assembled, defines a housing that includes an interior sleeve or chamber for receiving the blister card or sheet. The housing may comprise a paper-based material, although it is appreciated that other materials may be used and not depart from the scope of the present invention. 
     The blank may include a bottom panel, a top panel, side panels, end panels, an interior panel, a sleeve top panel, reinforcing panels and node retaining panels. In order to form the housing, the reinforcing members are folded over the bottom panel and the sleeve top panel. The node retaining panels, which are located adjacent one end of the interior panel and have an opening defining a slot, may then be folded over themselves and the interior panel. The sleeve top panel, which includes slots or openings proximate both ends, may then be folded over the interior panel, thereby creating retaining slots in the interior sleeve proximate both ends of the housing. The interior panel can then be folded over the reinforcing panel and bottom panel, and the top panel may be folded over and attached to the back of the interior panel to create the housing. 
     A blister sheet or card having a blister or node proximate its back end may then be inserted into the housing until the node engages the slot on the sleeve top panel and the node retaining panels. In order to release the blister card, a user squeezes the sides of the housing about the slot, which acts to bow the top of the housing and the interior and node retaining panels in opposite directions to free the node from the slot. While the sides are squeezed, the blister card may then be grabbed at its front end to begin withdrawing the blister card from the sleeve of the housing. The blister card may be withdrawn until the node engages the slot at the opposite end of the sleeve top panel, thereby preventing the blister card from being removed from the housing. Once done with the blister card (e.g., the medicine has been removed from its blisters for consumption), the blister card can be pushed into the sleeve of the housing to return to the stored position. In order to assist in returning the blister card to the stored position, the node may include a sloped rear side. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new packaging container that is child-resistant and senior-friendly. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new packaging container that is better for the environment than conventional packaging containers. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new packaging container that is safer to open. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging container that inhibits theft and the inadvertent opening of the packaging. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the packaging container of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the packaging container shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top prospective view of the packaging container of  FIG. 1  with a blister card extending outwardly therefrom. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a blank for the housing of the packaging container shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5A  is a top plan view of the blank for the housing of the packaging container shown in  FIG. 4  with the reinforcing panel folded onto the housing bottom panel and the sleeve reinforcing panel folded over the sleeve top panel, and the node retaining panels folded over upon themselves. 
         FIG. 5B  is a top plan view of the blank for the housing of the packaging container shown in  FIG. 4  with the node retaining panels folded over the interior panel. 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the blank for the housing of the packaging container shown in  FIG. 4  with the sleeve top panel folded over the interior panel and the node retaining panels. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are partial views taken along the lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 1  showing the biasing of the housing, interior panel and retaining panels upon a squeezing action. 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of a blister card for use with the housing shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the packaging container of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a blank for the housing of the packaging container shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11A  is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the blank for the housing of the packaging container shown in  FIG. 10  with the reinforcing panel folded onto the housing bottom panel and the sleeve reinforcing panel folded over the sleeve top panel, and the node retaining panels folded over upon themselves. 
         FIG. 11B  is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the blank for the housing of the packaging container shown in  FIG. 10  with the node retaining panels folded over the interior panel. 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the blank for the housing of the packaging container shown in  FIG. 10  with the sleeve top panel folded over the interior panel and the node retaining panels. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered merely an exemplification of the principles of the invention and the application is limited only to the appended claims. 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , one embodiment of the improved product packaging container of the present invention, generally designated by the numeral  100 , is shown having a housing  102  and a blister card or sheet  104  having a plurality of blisters or chambers  106  for storing the product  108  to be dispensed. 
     In order to prevent access to the pills or other products  108  to be dispensed when within the housing from children, the housing  102  is preferably made from a material that is tear-resistant. One example of a material that may be used is a SBS board coated with a laminated material having directional grains that, when criss-crossed, adds strength to the housing and protects against tearing or tampering in two directions. A suitable coating is manufactured under the trademark VALERON™ by Valeron Strength Films. While VALERON is made from a polyethylene material, other such coatings such as, but not limited to, polypropylene or polyester may be used. The material used also is preferably printable to allow for advertising, promotional or other information to be displayed on the housing. While a SBS board with a cross-laminated coating is preferred, it is appreciated that other tear-resistant materials including, but not limited to, cloth films, cloth and plastic films, heat sealable boards and other coatings, also may be used and not depart from the scope of the present invention. Examples of cloth films and cloth and plastic films include those films sold under the names SCRIM and CLAF. A corrugate stock also may be used to achieve a more rigid finished packaging product. 
     The packaging container is adapted to be childproof by permitting the blister sheet or card  104  to be securely retained in a stored position within the housing  102  and only releasable upon the execution of a particular series of steps that are not likely to be figured out be a child. The packaging container is also adapted to inhibit the complete removal of the blister card  104  from the housing  102  by limiting the axial movement of the blister card  104 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 through 6 , the housing may be formed from an integral blank  200 . The blank includes a top panel  202 , a bottom panel  204 , an interior panel  206  and a sleeve top panel  208 . A side panel  220  joins the top panel  202  and the bottom panel  204  along fold lines  222  and  224 . Another side panel  226  joins the bottom panel  204  and interior panel  206  along fold lines  228  and  230 . End panels  240 ,  242 ,  244  and  245  may be folded about fold lines  246 ,  248 ,  250  and  252  and joined together through adhesives or other known means to form an end to the housing. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the blank  200   a  may include an additional end panel  243  hingedly attached to end panel  242  that may be folded over and attached to the top panel  202 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     An overlapping or reinforcing panel  260  may be joined to the bottom panel  204  along fold line  262 . The reinforcing panel  260  may also have side walls  264 ,  265  that align with side panels  220 ,  226  and are formed by folding the reinforcing panel  260  along fold lines  266  and  268 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , open slots  267  may be formed along fold lines  266  and  268  to facilitate folding over of sidewalls  264 ,  265 . The reinforcing panel may be used to add strength to the packaging. In operation, the reinforcing panel  260  may be attached to the bottom panel  204  through adhesives  269  or other known means. 
     A semi-circular slot  270  may be formed in the end of the bottom panel  204  and the reinforcing panel  260  to create an opening in the end of the packaging container  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , to permit fingers or the like to extend into the housing  102  and grab the blister card  104  to assist in its removal from the housing  102  to dispense the pills or other contents  108 . 
     The sleeve top panel  208  is joined to the interior panel  206  along fold line  280 . One end of the sleeve top panel  208  includes a pair of leg members  282  that define an open space  284 . While a large open space is shown, it is appreciated that it may be an enclosed space such as, but not limited to, a rectangle, and not depart from the scope of the invention. A rectangular slot  290  extends transverse to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve top panel  208  at the other end proximate fold line  280 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , sleeve top panel may include an end member  292  having a wall  294  that extends partially into the slot  290  when flat and extends angularly upwardly from the plane defined by the slot  290  when folded along fold line  296 . 
     Sleeve overlapping or reinforcing panel  300  may be folded over sleeve top panel  208  about fold line  302  and open slot  304  and attached to the sleeve top panel  208  by adhesive  306  or other known means. Slot  310  is located on the sleeve reinforcing panel  300  such that it at least partially overlaps with slot  290  on the sleeve top panel  208  when the panels  208 ,  300  are connected together. The end of the sleeve reinforcing panel  300  may include an end member  320  having a wall  322  that extends partially into the slot  310  when flat and extends angularly upwardly from the plane defined by the slot  310  when folded along fold line  324 . However, it is appreciated that end members  292 ,  320  may not include a wall as shown in  FIG. 10 . It is further appreciated that end members  292 , 320  may be larger (as shown in  FIG. 10 ) to position the panels and slot at a higher position within the sleeve for engaging the blister or node  400  of blister card  104 . While slots  290 ,  310  are shown as being substantially rectangular in shape, it is appreciated that they may be of a variety of sizes and shapes for receiving a corresponding node  400  therein. For example, referring to  FIG. 10 , slots  290   a  and  310   a  may include a rectangular base and a domed or curved top section. 
     Node retaining panels  340 ,  342 ,  344  and  346  may be attached to interior panel  206  along fold line  350 , which in  FIG. 5A , is shown as connecting panel  340  and the interior panel  206 . Panels  342  and  344  include slots  360  and  362  that are arranged to overlap when the panels are folded over one another along fold line  366 . While slots  360 ,  362  are shown as being substantially rectangular in shape, it is appreciated that they may be of a variety of sizes and shapes for receiving a corresponding node  400  therein. The panels also include fold line  368  and slot  370  to permit the panels  342  and  344  to be folded over panels  340  and  346 . Fold line  368  may also be perforated or missing between panels  344  and  346 . The panels may be connected together using adhesives  372  or other known means. 
     The housing  102  may be formed in the following manner. While the various parts may be attached using adhesive, it is appreciated that they may be connected and held together by using any known means. As shown in  FIG. 5A , reinforcing panel  260  is folded over bottom panel  204  about fold line  262  and attached thereto, while reinforcing panel  300  is folded over sleeve top panel  208  about fold line  302  and slot  304  and attached thereto such that slot  290  and slot  310  overlap and ends of wall  294 ,  322  extend into the openings of the slots  290 ,  310 . Referring again to  FIG. 5A , node retaining panels  344 ,  346  may be folded over panels  340 ,  342  about fold line  366  and attached thereto such that slots  360 ,  362  at least partially overlap to define a slot. 
     The node retaining panels  340 ,  342 ,  344 ,  346  may be further folded about fold line  368 , fold line  269  and slot  370 , and over interior panel  206  about fold line  350  to form a box-like structure that positions slots  360 ,  362  at an elevated position within the sleeve to engage the blister or node  400  of the blister card  104 . Sleeve top panel  208  and sleeve reinforcing panel  300  are folded over interior panel  206  and the node retaining panels  340 ,  342 ,  344 ,  346  and may be attached to the node retaining panels. When folded, fold lines  296 ,  324  permit end members  292 ,  320  to be folded such that the walls  294 ,  322  of end members  292 ,  320  extend into and through the slots  290 ,  310 . The opening  284  at least partially overlaps with slots  360 ,  362  to form a retaining slot towards the back of the sleeve defined by the housing  102 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10-11 , it is appreciated that node retaining panels  340   a ,  342   a ,  344   a ,  346   a  may be attached to the end of interior panel  206  along fold line  352 . Referring to  FIG. 11A , panels  340   a ,  342   a  are folded over panels  344   a  and  346   a  about fold line  360   a  and attached using adhesives or other known means, if desired. The panels may then be folded about fold line  352  (see  FIG. 11B ), wherein panels  342   a ,  344   a  may then be folded back over panels  340   a ,  346   a  about fold lines  368   a  and  369   a  to form a box-like structure that positions slots  360   a ,  362   a  at an elevated position within the sleeve to engage the blister or node  400  of the blister card  104 . 
     The interior panel  206  with the sleeve top panel  208 , sleeve reinforcing panel  300  and node retaining panels  340 ,  342 ,  344 ,  346  are then folded over bottom panel  204  and reinforcing panel  260 , with side panels  226  and  264  forming one side wall for the housing  102 . Top panel  202  may then be folded about fold line  222  and attached to the back side of the interior panel  206  through adhesives  210  or other known means, wherein side panel  226  and side panel  264  form the other side to the housing  102 . End panels  240 ,  242 ,  244  and  245  are folded about folding lines  246 ,  248 ,  250  and  252  and attached together to form a back end of the housing  102 . Blister card  104  may then be inserted such that node  400  enters into the sleeve defined by the housing  102  and is moved until the node  400  engages slots  284 ,  360  and  362 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , top panel  202  and interior panel  206  may include notches  380 , 382  that help to further define the regions on the housing for, and to facilitate the, squeezing of the sides of the housing to release the blister card  104 . 
     It is further appreciated that the packaging container may also contain an electronic security device such as, but not limited to, a product sensor/transmitter that will set off an alarm to indicate that a consumer or customer may be passing a security sensor and thereby leaving the store with an unpurchased product. Such a sensor would be deactivated upon payment for the product at the point of purchase. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , one embodiment of a blister card  104  for use with the present invention is shown. The blister sheet or card  104  is made from a substantially rigid material such as, but not limited to, aluminum or plastic. The blisters  106 , which are preferably transparent to permit the contents  108  to be viewed, include a chamber that extends outwardly and a rim about the bottom of the chamber that interacts with the blister card to secure the blister in place. While the blister pack is shown as having substantially thirty round blisters  106 , it is appreciated that the blister pack may have any number of blisters of varying sized and shapes and not depart from the scope of the present invention. A plurality of dispensing slots are formed on the bottom of the blister card  104  and are covered with a thin film or foil sheet  110  so that the pills  108  contained in blisters can be pushed through. 
     One end of the blister card  104  includes a blister or node  400  that is sized and shaped to fit within slots and openings  284 ,  290 ,  310 ,  360  and  362  in the housing to retain the blister card  104  in a closed or stored position and an extended position. Referring again to  FIG. 8 , the node  400  may be rectangular in shape with a substantially flat or vertical front wall or side  402  and an angled back wall or side  404 . The blister card  104  may have a blister  410  or other raised or textured surfaces or features at the other end to facilitate grasping of the blister card for removing it from the sleeve. It is appreciated that node  400  may be of a variety of sizes and shapes to fit within respective slots and not depart from the scope of the present invention. 
     In operation, the blister card  104  is inserted into the opening at the end of the housing  102  and slid until the node  400  is biased into engagement with the slots  284 ,  342  and  344  of the sleeve top panel  204  and node retaining panels  342 ,  344 , thereby limiting further axial movement of the blister card  104  relative to the housing  102 . To release the blister card  104 , a user squeezes the outer sides of the housing  102  about the slots  284 ,  342  and  344 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the housing  102  may include indicia or other indicators  232  to designate the proper area on the housing to be squeezed. As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , squeezing the sides acts to bias or bow the sleeve top panel  208  and node retaining panels  342 ,  344  downward (and the top panel  202  upward) such that the node  400  disengages or is released from containment by the slots  284 ,  342  and  344 . The exposed end of the blister card  104  may then be grasped through semi-circular slot  270  about the open end of the housing  102  to withdraw the blister card  104  from the housing  102 . The blister card  104  may then be slid and withdrawn from the housing until node  400  engages the slots  290 ,  310  on the sleeve top panel  208  and sleeve reinforcing panel  300 , along with walls  294 ,  322 , to prevent further withdrawal. Once the pill  108  is removed, the angled side  404  of the node  400  permits the node  400  to be pushed out of engagement with the slots  290 ,  310  when blister card  104  is pushed back into the packaging housing  102 . The blister card  104  may be pushed until the node  400  engages the slots  284 ,  360 ,  362  so as to lock the blister card  104  in place. 
     It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention, but it is understood that this application is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.