Abstract:
An insert package includes an insert and a container. The container is formed by assembling an upper housing member and a lower housing member, thereby creating a void bound by side walls and a closed end. The container includes rails or channels, and an open end with an engageable cover. When the cover is open, the open end provides access to the void. An insert can be passed into container through the open end. The insert is a package for storing and dispensing items, such as a blister card. The insert includes wings and the wings can include lugs or detents. The wings are designed to interface with the rails, to align the insert with the container during storage and dispensing of the items. A retainer in the container, and a retainer receiver on the insert (or vice versa) can selectively immobilize the insert. A release can disengage the insert and allow slideable movement of the insert into and out of the container.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/912,849, filed Apr. 19, 2007, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to packaging. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a package having a card-type insert that can be at least partially withdrawn from a lockable enclosure. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Child-resistant or lockable containers, wherein multiple or complex movements are required to open the container, have many uses. One use for a child-resistant or lockable container is to control the dispensing of items. Child resistant or lockable containers are often used to store and/or dispense pharmaceutical products, including medicine and medicaments in the form of pills and tablets. One well known example of such child-resistant or lockable containers is the inclusion of a locking cap on a medicine bottle. Locking caps typically require coordinated and complex movements. For example, some locking cap mechanisms require a coordinated alignment and tipping, axial pressure, or inward radial squeezing while turning the cap, to enable a consumer to remove the locking cap it from its container in order to access the medicaments. 
         [0004]    Some products, such as medicines, are packaged in convenient flat boxes, which are often more difficult to secure with child-resistant features. One such method of packaging is the well known blister pack. Many medicaments in the form of tablets or caplets are sold in blister packs—blisters formed on a sheet sealed by a barrier that is punctured when extracting a tablet from a blister. When a typical cardboard flat box holding one or more blister packs is opened the entire contents of the package is exposed, making all of the tablets immediately available. The dangers posed by children with access to a large quantity of tablets not intended for their consumption is self evident. 
         [0005]    One method commonly used to address this danger is to increase the gauge of the materials used to form the package, thereby increasing the force required to remove an item from a blister. One problem with this approach is that pharmaceuticals are often fragile, and the increased force can cause breakage of the product. Another problem is that many users of pharmaceuticals are elderly and many have diminished physical ability and dexterity, particularly in the hands. The increased force required may be too great for such consumers to exert to access the products. 
         [0006]    Another method for creating child resistance features on a blister pack is the inclusion of complex movements that are not intuitive. Directions included with such packages instruct a consumer how to properly manipulate the package so as to gain access to the items contained therein. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    An insert package includes an insert and a container. The container is formed by assembling an upper housing member and a lower housing member. The assembled container includes a void, which is bound by side walls and a closed end. The container also includes an open end with an engageable cover, for example, a door or a deflectable tab. When the door is open, the open end provides access to the void. An insert can be passed into container through the open end. When the door is closed, the opening is blocked off to prevent access to the container, or to prevent removal of the insert from within the container. 
         [0008]    The container includes internal rails that are defined by internal walls and optionally external walls of the container. These rails, or channels, are included to guide an insert while being translated from a storage position to a dispensing position, and vice versa. The container can also include one or more springs, posts, hooks, latches, lips, magnetic or metallic members, adhesives, detents, VELCRO® fasteners, combinations thereof, or any other suitable engagement mechanisms, extending from one or more of the housing members. 
         [0009]    An insert includes a package for storing and dispensing items. Exemplary packages include, but are not limited to, a card, a blister pack, a tray, or a compartmentalized drawer for holding items. The insert includes wings and the wings can optionally include lugs or detents. The wings are designed to interface with the rails, or channels, to align the insert with the container during storage and dispensing of the items. The lugs can include material projecting from the wings and can be shaped according to desired characteristics or needs. For example, the lugs can be wedge-shaped or hemispherical to allow the lugs to slide along the rails with fairly little friction. The lugs can engage the rails, the side walls, locking apertures along the rails or side walls, a retaining surface near the container opening, combinations thereof, or the like. 
         [0010]    The insert can also include one or more apertures, hooks, lips, latches, magnetic or metallic members, adhesives, VELCRO® fasteners, combinations thereof, or any other suitable receiving mechanisms. The receiving mechanism can interface with the engagement mechanism to lock the insert in a storage position within the container. For example, if the engagement mechanism is a post, then the receiving mechanism can be, for example, an aperture that engages the post. 
         [0011]    The container can also include a release mechanism, for example, a release button. The release button can be used to disengage the insert from the container by disengaging the receiving mechanism from the engagement mechanism. The release button can be proximate or adjacent the engagement mechanism, the receiving mechanism, or both. A release button can be used to disengage the aperture from the post, or vice versa, to allow translation and/or removal of the insert. 
         [0012]    Accordingly, a package can include an insert with an anterior region, a posterior region, and opposing wings and an enclosure adapted for housing the insert. The enclosure can include opposing interior channels extending within the enclosure. The channels can be configured to slideably receive the wings of the insert. The insert can be disposed within the enclosure with the wings disposed for motion within the channels. 
         [0013]    According to an aspect of the disclosure, at least one lug extends from at least one wing. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, at least one lug extends from each wing. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, the lugs are shaped to facilitate movement of the wings within the opposing channels. 
         [0016]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, each of the opposing channels can be formed by an outer channel wall with a first length, a first posterior terminal end, and a spaced apart inner channel wall with a second length less than the first length, and a second posterior terminal end offset from the first posterior terminal end so as to provide an opening into the channel for a the wing of the insert. 
         [0017]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, the channels extend from an inner wall of the enclosure. Each of the wings is substantially aligned within the opening in the channels. Additionally, the insert is adapted for the wings to displace when a force is exerted to the posterior region of the insert. 
         [0018]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, the package further includes a deflectable tab formed in a wall of the enclosure. The deflectable tab is disposed and adapted for receipt and transference of the force to the posterior region. 
         [0019]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, the package further includes a selectively releasable locking mechanism for inhibiting the insert from being withdrawn from the enclosure. 
         [0020]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, the selectively releasable locking mechanism is achieved by including at least one lock aperture in the posterior region of the insert, at least one locking pin extending from a wall of the enclosures corresponding to and adapted for engagement of the lock aperture, and, a biasing element for urging the insert to maintain the at least one locking pin inserted within the at least one lock aperture. 
         [0021]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, the deflectable tab is configured to disengage the at least one locking pin from the at least one lock aperture, and to transversely displace the wings. 
         [0022]    According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a package includes an insert with an anterior region, a posterior region, and at least one wing extending therefrom. The package also includes an enclosure for housing the insert. The enclosure includes at least one interior channel extending within the enclosure. The at least one interior channel can be configured to slideably receive the wing. The insert can be adapted to be disposed within the enclosure with the wing disposed for motion within the channel. 
         [0023]    According to an aspect of the disclosure, the posterior region of the insert includes a second extending wing. The enclosure includes a second interior channel that can slideably receive the second extended wing of the insert. 
         [0024]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, the at least one wing includes a lug extending therefrom. 
         [0025]    According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a package insert includes a first planar surface for holding items, at least one lock aperture located within the planar surface, at least one edge adjacent to the surface, and at least one wing extending from the at least one edge. The surface can be configured to be at least partially housed within an enclosure, and the at least one wing can be configured to slideably engage at least one channel located within the enclosure. 
         [0026]    According to an aspect of the disclosure, the package insert can include a second edge and a second wing extending therefrom. 
         [0027]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, the second wing can be configured to slideably engage a second channel located within the enclosure. 
         [0028]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, the at least one wing includes at least one releasable locking element configured to engage the enclosure. 
         [0029]    According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a package enclosure includes a first housing member, a second housing member attached to the first housing member, and an interior space defined by the attached housing members. An insert can be at least partially received in the space. At least one locking pin can be located within the space. The at least one locking pin can be configured to engage the insert. At least one release element can be located on one of the housing members. The at least one release element can be configured to selectively disengage the insert. At least one channel can be located within the space. The at least one channel can be configured to slideably engage a wing extending from the insert. 
         [0030]    According to an aspect of the disclosure, the package enclosure can include releasable locking elements configured to engage the insert wing to at least one of the members. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an insert package, according to the present disclosure. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the assembled exemplary insert package of  FIG. 1 , according to the present disclosure. 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the lower housing member of an exemplary embodiment of an insert package, including the insert, according to the present disclosure. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the exemplary insert package of  FIG. 2  taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is similar to  FIG. 4 , showing a force applied to unlock the insert of the exemplary package, according to the present disclosure. 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the lower housing member of an exemplary embodiment of an insert package, showing the insert withdrawn to the anterior end of the enclosure, according to the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure. 
         [0038]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments. 
         [0039]    As an overview, the disclosure teaches an insert package having the primary elements of an insert that is housed within an enclosure. The insert may be inserted into a fully-formed enclosure, locked in a fully-inserted position, and then selectively unlocked for withdrawal. Upon the insert being unlocked, insert wings are fully positioned within a channel within which the wings are translatable. The insert and enclosure may be formed to inhibit full withdrawal of the insert. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of an insert package  10  according to the present disclosure, shows the primary elements of the disclosure, namely, an insert  30  and an enclosure  20 . The enclosure is formed of two primary elements, namely, an upper housing member  40  and a lower housing member  50 . Although the disclosure contemplates enclosures  20  of many different geometric configurations, including but not limited to squares and non-rectilinear geometric shapes, the illustrated embodiments are directed to a structure that in general facilitates straight-line movement of the insert  30 . 
         [0041]    The upper housing member  40  has an elongated centrally disposed upper housing wall  42 . A lock-release mechanism  44  in the form of a deflectable tab is integrally formed in a posterior region of the upper housing wall  42 . Additional elements contained in the interior of the upper housing member  40  will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0042]    The lower housing member  50  has an elongated central disposed lower housing wall  52 . A biasing element  54  in the form of a leaf-type spring extends upwardly from the lower housing wall  52 , at a posterior region thereof. Channels  60   a ,  60   b  are formed along the side edges of the lower central housing portion  50  by a substantially parallel pair of outer channel walls  62   a ,  62   b  and inner channel walls  64   a ,  64   b . In each channel  60   a ,  60   b , the outer channel walls  62   a ,  62   b  terminate in the posterior region of the lower housing wall  52 . The inner channel walls  64   a ,  64   b  also terminate in the posterior region of the lower housing wall  52 , but are offset from the terminating ends of the outer housing walls  62   a ,  62   b . A hinged door  70  is affixed at an anterior end of the lower housing wall  52  to cover an opening  72  (best shown in  FIG. 2 ) formed at the anterior end of the assembled enclosure  20 . 
         [0043]    The insert  30  has a substantially planar, elongated central insert piece  32 . The posterior end of the central insert piece  32  includes opposing wings  34   a ,  34   b  extending from the central piece  32 . Lugs or detents  36   a ,  36   b  (“lugs” respectively extend outwardly of each wing  34   a ,  34   b . Here, each lug  36   a ,  36   b  is illustrated as having a wedge shape. At least one lock aperture  38   a ,  38   b  is formed at a posterior end of the central insert piece  32 . A pair of opposing lock apertures  38   a ,  38   b  is used in the exemplary embodiment of the package  10 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary embodiment of the insert package  10  is shown, in a see-through illustration, showing ribs  46  extending inwardly of the upper housing wall  42 . The lock-release mechanism  44  can have a protruding lip  45  for helping to engage and release the insert  30 , as explained below. One or more lock members  48   a ,  48   b,  shown here as pins, extend inwardly from the upper housing wall  42  for engagement with the corresponding lock apertures  38   a ,  38   b  of the insert  30 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the lower housing member  50  with the insert  30  fully inserted into the lower housing member  50 . In this view the general alignment of the wings  34   a ,  34   b  and lugs  36   a ,  36   b  of the insert  30  with respect to the channels  60   a ,  60   b  is shown. 
         [0046]      FIG. 4  is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the insert package  10 , taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  just inside the posterior end of the enclosure  20  looking toward the anterior end. The alignment of various elements can be seen in this view. The insert  30  is sandwiched between the upper housing member  40  and lower housing member  50  that have been joined to form the enclosure  20 . The wings  34   a ,  34   b  and lugs  36   a ,  36   b  of the insert are substantially aligned for passage along the respective channels  60   a ,  60   b  respectively formed by the outer channel walls  62   a ,  62   b  and the inner channel walls  64   a ,  64   b.    
         [0047]    Locking members  48   a ,  48   b , for example, posts, pins, lips, springs, or the like (“locking pins”), extend through the lock apertures  38   a ,  38   b  of the fully inserted insert  30 . The biasing element (spring)  54  biases, or urges, the insert  30  upwardly against the ribs  46  of the upper housing member  40  thereby maintaining the insert  30  captured between the locking pins  48   a ,  48   b  and biasing element  54  until selectively removed therefrom. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown the operation of the lock-release mechanism  44  when a force F is applied to counter the biasing member  54  and urge the central insert piece  32  inwardly, wherein the central insert piece  32  deforms at least slightly, bowing, or deflecting, inwardly away from the locking members  48   a ,  48   b . This bowing/deflecting action also causes the wings  34   a ,  34   b  to splay or extend at least slightly transversely outwardly into a position fully aligned in the channels  60   a ,  60   b . Full application of the force F frees the insert  30  from the locking pins  48   a ,  48   b , thereby unlocking the insert  30  while, at the same time, aligning the wings  34   a ,  34   b  and lugs  36   a ,  36   b  for movement within the channels  60   a ,  60   b.    
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-6 , an exemplary embodiment of a mode of constructing a package  10  will be described. The enclosure  20  is formed by assembling the upper housing member  40  and lower housing member  50 . Although the insert  30  may be placed within the enclosure  20  during assembly thereof, the disclosure also teaches that the insert  30  may be inserted into the enclosure  20  through the anterior opening  72 . Although the lugs  36   a ,  36   b  may have alternative configurations, the wedge shape provides an inclined surface that together with the flexibility of the substantially planar insert  30  enables the insert  30  to slide along the inner surface of the inner channel walls  64   a ,  64   b  until seated at the posterior end of the enclosure  20 . 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the insert wings  34   a ,  34   b  generally fit within the space defined by the offset between the posterior termination points of the outer channel walls  62   a ,  62   b  and the inner channel walls  64   a ,  64   b . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the wings  34   a ,  34   b  may at least slightly overlap the end of the inner channel walls  64   a ,  64   b  to provide an additional locking effect for retaining the insert  30  within the enclosure  20  until released, as described above. The illustrated locking pins  48   a ,  48   b  include a beveled anterior portion that facilitates passage of the posterior end of the insert  30  over the pins  48   a ,  48   b  for easier engagement of the lock apertures  38   a ,  38   b . It should be understood, however, that the locking pins  48   a ,  48   b  can have alternative configurations. 
         [0051]    Although the package  10  may be constructed to allow full withdrawal of the insert  30 , the exemplary embodiments illustrate the design option of each channel  60   a ,  60   b  terminating at an anterior wall portion of the lower housing member  50  that obstructs travel of the wings  34   a ,  34   b  beyond the anterior end of the enclosure  20 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the insert  30  fully extended, as is possible with this design option. Although not illustrated in the figures, a user can form a fully enclosed, locked package  10  by closing the door  70 . 
         [0052]    Another contemplated embodiment of a lockable package includes an enclosure  20  and an insert  30 , substantially similar to the embodiments described above, however, the insert  30  and the enclosure  20  can be made without respective locking mechanisms  38   a ,  38   b , and  48   a ,  48   b , and without the release  44 . Instead, the door  70  can be used to hold the insert  30  in the enclosure  20 . Additional locking features can be included on the door  70 , if desired. Other features, such as the wings  34   a ,  34   b  and the channels  60   a ,  60   b , are included substantially as illustrated above, such that this alternative package otherwise functions in much the same way as the package  10  described above. 
         [0053]    The package  10  can be made of a variety of materials having the requisite characteristics to provide points of flexibility described herein. Although materials such as light-weight metals and substantially rigid but flexible paperboard may be used, the disclosure may be suitably practiced using a plastic material. In addition, the enclosure  20  and insert  30  may be made of different materials or even different thicknesses or weights of the same material without departing from the scope and teachings hereof. 
         [0054]    The disclosure has been illustrated and described in the context of a so-called blister package that is typically used to store and dispense individual (or unit) doses of a medication on a blister card housed in an enclosure  20 . However, the disclosure is more broadly applicable to a substantially planar insert  30  that can hold and store all types of portable items, whether held with blisters, attached to a tray, or otherwise secured to a surface that can be received by an enclosure  20 . An advantage of the present disclosure is that it permits full and efficient use of the planar insert  30 , which can translate in and out of the enclosure  20  without interference from internal features other than the intended lock pins  48   a ,  48   b.    
         [0055]    The exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in an orientation that designates an upper housing member  40  and a lower housing member  50 . However, the package  10  may be inverted, or turned upside down, thereby reversing the orientation and designations without departing from the teachings of the disclosure. 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, during assembly the insert card  30  is placed so that the wings  34   a ,  34   b  or lugs  36   a ,  36   b  are inserted directly into the rails or channels  64   a ,  64   b . The housing members  40 ,  50  are then assembled to form the enclosure  10 . In other embodiments the wings  34   a ,  34   b  or lugs  36   a ,  36   b  are directed into the rails or channels  60   a ,  60   b  when the release  44  is activated, as described above. 
         [0057]    Referring again to  FIG. 4 , it can be appreciated that if the enclosure  20  is substantially completely assembled prior to placing the insert  30  in position, the insert  30  may not fit through the illustrated opening  72 . It may be particularly difficult to fit the insert  30  through the opening  72  if the distance across the outer edges of the wings  34   a ,  34   b  exceeds the dimension of across the opening  72 , as is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Therefore, the flexibility of the insert  30  can help allow insertion of the insert  30  into the package  10  after the enclosure  20  has been assembled. The insert  30  can be flexed by compressing the wings  34   a ,  34   b  toward the center of the insert  30 , substantially as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . By compressing the wings  34   a ,  34   b , the distance across the outer edges of the wings  34   a ,  34   b  can be reduced, and the insert  30  can then be easier to insert into the enclosure  30 . The insert  30  can travel into the enclosure  20  with the wings  34   a ,  34   b , or more particularly, the lugs  36   a ,  36   b , if included, sliding across the face of the inner channel walls  64   a ,  64   b . Once the insert  30  is substantially completely inserted, the wings  34   a ,  34   b  can spring out of the compressed configuration described above, thereby returning to a position at which the wings  34   a ,  34   b  can travel through the channels  60   a ,  60   b , substantially as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The package  10  can then be used as described above. 
         [0058]    Although the following feature is not illustrated, it is contemplated that in some embodiments, the wings  34   a ,  34   b  or lugs  36   a ,  36   b  can releasably engage locking elements such as apertures positioned along the edges of the enclosure  20 . In other words, it is contemplated that the wings  34   a ,  34   b  or lugs  36   a ,  36   b  include engaging elements that releaseably engage the side walls of the enclosure  20  or one of the housing members  40 ,  50 . Alternatively, the engaging elements can releaseably engage the rails or channels  60   a ,  60   b . The advantage of the additional locking elements is to provide for indexing or incremental extending of the insert  30 . Such locking elements further increase the child-resistant features of the package  10 . 
         [0059]    In some embodiments the rails or channels  60   a ,  60   b  are formed by walls integral to the housing members  40 ,  50 . In other embodiments additional walls or rails proximate the integral side walls form the rails  60   a ,  60   b . 
         [0060]    The law does not require and it is economically prohibitive to illustrate and teach every possible embodiment of the present claims. Hence, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.