Abstract:
A container for packaging associated articles includes coupling members fashioned on one or more sides of the container for interconnecting a plurality of containers together. The coupling members may be integrally fashioned with the containers and may comprise raised ribs and recessed channels for press fitting the adjacently placed containers together.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention pertains to containers for packaging articles, which may be sterile articles used in the medical industry, and more particularly, to similar or substantially identical containers that can be connected together and disconnected without the use of additional fasteners. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The medical industry extensively utilizes plastic molded articles, such as syringes for example, for various medical procedures and treatments. It is crucial that these articles be manufactured and packaged in a sterile environment to ensure safe and effective treatment for the patient. Accordingly, molded articles like the syringe may be placed in a tray and sealed until needed for use at the appropriate time. 
     A power injector is one example of a device that uses sterile syringes to inject fluids into a patient at controlled rate and/or pressure. A motor-driven ram advances the syringe plunger in a controlled manner. These types of injectors are often loaded with sterile empty syringes and are filled by drawing fluid into the syringe from a supply via the plunger assembly. In some circumstances, the power injector is loaded with pre-filled syringes. In either case, the syringes used are disposed of after use. 
     During certain procedures, it is often necessary to use multiple syringes when different fluids are being injected into the patient. The syringes may be of the same size and type. It would be advantageous to have pre-packaged syringes that could be used in any quantity without breaking the sterile field of the unused syringes. The embodiments of the present invention obviate the aforementioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of subject invention includes a tray for storing associated articles comprising a base having first and second tray wall portions terminating at the base of the tray. The tray may further comprise a first coupling member extending from the first tray wall portion and a second matching coupling member extending from the second tray wall portion, where the first coupling member is configured to match the second coupling member. 
     In one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention the first and second tray wall portions terminate at distal ends of the tray base. The base and the first and second tray wall portions may be rigid or semi-rigid. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention contemplates first and second tray wall portions that terminate at proximal ends of the tray base. 
     In another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention the first coupling member of the tray includes an interlocking recess and the second coupling member includes a matching interlocking protrusion. The interlocking recess and protrusion may be extended from and/or integrally formed with the wall portions of the tray. 
     In yet another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention the tray is a unitary tray constructed of a moldable polymer like plastic. By unitary it is meant that the tray is not constructed or assembled from multiple components but may be molded, by thermoforming for example, as a singular component. 
     In another embodiment a container for storing associated articles includes a container base, at least first and second container walls extending from the container base, a first interlocking recess extending from the first container wall and a second interlocking protrusion extending from the at least a second container wall where the first interlocking recess is contoured to match the second interlocking protrusion for connecting to another associated container having similar interlocking components. The container also includes a cover for enclosing associated articles within the container. 
     In one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, the container base and the first and second container walls define a container opening where the cover may be affixed to the container opening for sealing the associated articles. 
     Another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention includes first and second container walls that extend from distal ends of the container base. 
     In yet another aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, the first and second container walls are tapered with respect to the container opening. The first interlocking recess and the interlocking protrusion may be offset from a centerline of the container. The first interlocking recess may be offset a distance D in a first direction and the second interlocking protrusion may be substantially offset a distance D in a second direction. 
     In still another aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, the container may include a third and at least a fourth coupling member, which may be positioned on opposite sides of the container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first side of a container according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1   a  is a planar cutaway view of a protrusion extending from the container according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second side of a container according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a planar cutaway view of a channel fashioned in the container according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cutaway view of two containers connected together according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is schematic representation of two containers connected together according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is flow chart of the method of packaging trays according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a container for storing an associated article depicted generally at  1 . The container  1  may be constructed to match the shape of the associated article stored therein. In one embodiment, the container  1  may manufactured to receive, for example, a medical device such as a syringe. In this example, the interior surface of the container  1  may be fashioned having a narrow region at one end for cradling the syringe tip. Similarly, the distal end may be disk shaped for receiving the syringe plunger handle. However, it will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art that the interior of the container  1  may be contoured in any manner for packaging any type and/or shape of article as chosen with sound judgment. Accordingly, the container  1  may include a base  7  or base portion  7  positioned generally at the bottom of the container  1 . Walls  10  or wall portions  10  may extend upward from the base  7  and terminate at a container rim  13 . The container rim  13  or rim  13  may comprise a ledge  15  projecting outwardly at an acute angle with respect to the walls  10 , the periphery of which may define an open end  17 ′ of the container  1  through which the packaged article may be inserted and/or removed. A cover  20  may extend across the opening  17  of the container  1  to seal the components within the container  1  from exposure to ambient conditions and/or contamination. The container  1  may be generally rectangular in configuration having longer walls  10 ′ spaced apart by shorter walls  10 ″ each terminating at the base  7 . Other geometric configurations are also contemplated including but not limited to square, circular or oval configurations. Additionally, asymmetrical configurations are also contemplated by the embodiments of the present invention. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the container  1  may therefore include a tray  2 , comprising contoured walls  10  and the base  7 , and a cover  20  extending around the ledge  15  thereby covering the tray opening  17 . The tray  2  may be constructed of a polymer material like HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene), PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), Polypropylene or Polyethylene or other material including but not limited to PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). It is contemplated that other types of material may also be used like, for example, metal and more specifically stainless steel. However, any material, polymer or otherwise, may be utilized for constructing the tray  2  as is appropriate for use with the various articles stored within the container  1 . One method of forming the tray  2  may be accomplished by the process of thermoforming. This process utilizes a mold having a mold cavity fashioned in a particular shape, for example like that described above for the syringe. The thermoforming process heats sheet plastic and forms it into and/or over the mold. The process may utilize vacuum, air pressure and/or mechanical forming assists to move the softened plastic in contact with the shape of the forming mold. Another method of forming the trays may include plastic injection molding. Still other methods may include metal forming and/or metal fabricating techniques. However, any process may be used to construct the tray  2  as chosen with sound engineering judgment. After insertion of the article into the tray  2 , which may be a syringe, the cover  20  may placed onto the ledge  15  thereby spanning the container opening  17 . The cover  20  may be applied or affixed to the ledge  15 . Securing the cover  20  to the ledge  15  may include the use of a substance that holds the cover  20  in place, which may be an adhesive. Fasteners may also be used to hold the cover  20  in place. Although, any material and/or process of securing the cover in place may be utilized as chosen with sound engineering judgment. The cover  20  may be substantially transparent or translucent and may be generally flexible. The cover material may be strong, and in particular, difficult to tear allowing vapor, but not liquid, to permeate the surface thereof. One type of cover material, for example, that may be used is Tyvek® manufactured by the Dupont® Company. However, the cover may be constructed from any material as is appropriate for use with the embodiments of the present invention. It is noted here that the process of forming the tray  2 , inserting the article and applying the cover  20  may be conducted in a clean environment, which may be a room filtered from air born material, other contaminants, humidity and the like. The tray  2  may be placed in a chamber and enveloped by a sterilizing gas or vapor for sterilizing the tray  2  and its contents. In this manner, when the article is needed, the operator may separate the container  1  from an adjacent container, as will be discussed further in a subsequent paragraph, and remove the cover  20  thereby exposing a sterile article for use by the operator. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  and now to  FIG. 3 , the wall portions  10  may further include coupling members  30  for connecting the tray  2  to another object. In one embodiment, the coupling members  30  may be used to connect the tray  2  to another similar or substantially identical tray  2  which, in one embodiment, may have corresponding or matching coupling members  30 . That is to say that the coupling members  30  of the tray  2  may be used to connect two of more of the same kind of tray  2  together. This is especially helpful in a situation where an end user, which may be a medical technician, over time utilizes numerous articles of the kind stored in the containers  1  but may only require one article for a specific procedure. Accordingly, the medical technician may detach the number of individually packaged syringes required for the procedure leaving the remaining the syringes grouped together without breaking the sterile field. While the present embodiment discusses connecting similar or substantially identical containers  2  together, it is contemplated in an alternative embodiment that the coupling members  30  may be used to connect trays  2  of substantially different configurations, which may include trays having different shapes. As long as the coupling members  30  of the differently configured trays  2  match, any type and/or quantity of containers  1 , similar or dissimilar, may be connected together. Still, the coupling members  30  may be used to connect the tray  2  to any object chosen with sound judgment as is appropriate for use with the embodiments of the present invention. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , in one embodiment the coupling members  30  may be integrally fashioned into the wall portions  10  of the tray  2 . By integrally fashioned into the wall portions  10  it is meant that the coupling members are not distinct objects affixed to the wall portions  10  but rather the coupling members  30  and the wall portions  10  are fashioned together as a singular unit. The coupling members  30  may extend from the face  33  of the wall portions  10 , either outwardly or inwardly. In the embodiment where the tray is thermoformed or injected molded, the mold may include contoured cavities that define the shape of the wall portions  10  and coupling members  30 . In this way, the coupling member  30  is formed integrally with and at the same time as the wall portions  10  of the tray  2 . Other embodiments are contemplated where separately constructed coupling members  30  are attached to faces of the wall portions  10 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1   a  and  2   a  and also to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , different configurations of coupling members  30  may be included with the tray  2 . More specifically, a first coupling member, which may be a male coupling member  30   a , may be fashioned within one wall portion  10  and a second coupling member, which may be a matching female coupling member  30   b , may be fashioned in another wall portion  10 . It will be readily seen that the male coupling member  30   a  of one tray  2  may be interconnected with the female coupling member  30   b  of another associated tray  2  thereby facilitating the connecting of numerous containers  1 . In one embodiment, the first coupling member may include an interlocking protrusion  42 . Likewise, the second coupling member may include an interlocking recess  46 . The interlocking protrusion  42  may include a first edge portion  43  that engages a lip  47  of the interlocking recess  46 . It follows that as the material of the tray  2  may be constructed from an elastically deformable material, the first and second coupling members of separate containers  1  may be interconnected via an interference fit. In other words, the first coupling member of a first container  1  may be pressed together or snapped into engagement with the second coupling member of another container  1 . 
     Multiple coupling members  30  may be fashioned on the exterior of the wall portions  10 . In one embodiment, the coupling members  30  may include multiple individual interlocking protrusions  42  and interlocking recesses  46  positioned with respect to a centerline axis of the tray  2 . The centerline axis C may be a longitudinal or a transverse centerline axis. However, any axis may be chosen from which to position the coupling members as chosen with sound judgment. The interlocking protrusions  42  may be positioned a distance D away from the centerline in a first direction. Similarly, the interlocking recesses  46  may be positioned distance D away from the centerline a second opposite direction. In this manner, individual coupling members  30  may correspondingly be staggered on the same side or on opposite sides of the tray  2  so that when two trays  2  are juxtaposed the interlocking protrusions  42  of one tray  2  will align with the interlocking recesses  46  on the other tray  2 . It is noted that any quantity of individual coupling members  30  may be positioned at any distance or distances with respect to a centerline axis as is appropriate for use with the embodiments of the subject invention. 
     With reference again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the coupling members  30  may be contiguously formed along the exterior of the tray  2 . In particular, the interlocking protrusion  42  may comprise a raised rib  44  extending along a distance of the wall portion  10  on the exterior of the tray  2 . Similarly, the interlocking recess  46  may form a channel  49  also extending through a distance along the wall portion  10 . It is noted here that any length, width or height of the rib  44  and/or channel  49  may be chosen as is appropriate for use with various configurations of the tray  2 . In connecting the trays  2  together, the packager may invert one tray  2  with respect to another, as will be discussed in detail in a subsequent paragraph, align the raised ribs  44  and channels  49  and press fit the trays  2  together whereby the edge portions  43  snap into the lips  47  in an interference fit. While the raised ribs  44  and channels  49  are depicted in the figures to traverse the tray  2  with respect to its longitudinal axis, it is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that longitudinally fashioned ribs  44  and channels  49  may be incorporated into the tray  2 . However, any configuration of the coupling members  30  may be used to interconnect the trays  2 . 
     With reference again to  FIG. 3 , as discussed above the walls  10  or wall portions  10  may terminate as distal ends of base  7 . In one embodiment, the walls portions  10  may be tapered at the base  7  of the tray  2 . That is to say that the wall portions  10  may extend progressively outward as the wall portions  10  proceed upwardly toward the rim  13  forming a generally trapezoidal cross-section. In order to efficiently store the tapered trays  2 , the coupling members  30  may be configured so that the interlocking protrusions  42  align with the interlocking recesses  46  when one tray  2  is inverted with respect to another tray  2 . This maximizes storage space as the trays  2  are placed into a packaging container by minimizing and/or eliminating wasted space between the trays  2 . In this manner, more trays  2  can be packaged into the same size container. It will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art that other cross sectional configurations may be chosen without departing from the intended scope of coverage of the embodiments of the present invention. 
     With reference to all of the FIGURES, packaging of the trays  2  will now be discussed. Once multiple trays  2  have been formed, the associated article for which the tray  2  is fashioned may be inserted into the tray  2  and the tray  2  enclosed by the cover  20  thus forming a container  1  for storing or packaging associated articles. The containers  1  may then placed onto a packaging surface and snapped together wherein the coupling members  30  of one container  1  fit together with the coupling members of an adjacent container  1 . In one embodiment, the each subsequent container  1  may be inverted with respect to the previous container  1 . The containers  1  may then be delivered to the end user for detaching only the quantity of the articles needed for a particular activity or procedure. 
     The invention has been described herein with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alternations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalence thereof.