Patent Publication Number: US-2015076154-A1

Title: Releasably closable product accommodating package

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/407,385 filed on Oct. 27, 2010; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/408,091 filed on Oct. 29, 2010; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/408,112 filed on Oct. 29, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a package for accommodating and dispensing product. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dual compartment package having a releasable closure which permits repeated opening and closing of the compartments of the package. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various packaging devices exist for accommodating and dispensing consumable products. Such packages may be designed to permit repeated opening and closing to access the product contained therein. One type of reopenable package includes a package having a product accommodating compartment and a foldable flap cover. 
     An example of one such package for accommodating and dispensing sticks or slabs of gum is shown in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,159,717 where the package includes two compartments separated by a hinge where the two compartments may be foldably closed over one another to arrange the package between an open position permitting dispensing of the chewing gum slabs therefrom to a closed position. 
     In order to maintain the folded package in a closed position, the package shown in the &#39;717 patent includes a foldable flap which is folded over the two compartments and tucked into a slot. To open the package, the flap must be removed from the slot and hingedly lifted to permit opening of the package compartments. 
     Another example of a package for gum sticks or slabs is shown in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,533,773. In this embodiment, a cover overlies a packet. The cover has an openable flap which also opens the packet. As with the embodiment of the &#39;717 packet, the flap is closed by tucking the flap into a slot on the front wall of the cover. 
     Other examples of gum packages are known which use a foldable flap to cover a dispensing opening. 
     It is desirable to provide a dual compartment package for accommodating and dispensing consumable products such as chewing gum which provides a further releasable closure mechanism. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, a package assembly is provided for accommodating and dispensing a plurality of elongate consumable products. A package housing is provided for supporting the products. The package housing includes a first product accommodating compartment and a second product accommodating compartment which are separated by a hinge. Each product accommodating compartment has an open end adjacent the hinge. The product accommodating compartments are foldable about the hinge in a book-like fashion. A releasable closure is applied to each compartment and positioned to be in aligned facing relationship for mutual engagement upon closably folding the compartments about the hinge. The releasable closure is selected from the group consisting of a clip, mating hook and loop fasteners, magnetic fasteners, pressure sensitive labels, static cling film, pressure sensitive adhesives and interfitting mechanical devices. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective showing of one embodiment of a package of the present invention, for accommodating gum slabs, shown in the opened condition. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective showing of the package of  FIG. 1  in the closed condition. 
         FIGS. 3-13  show examples of releasable closures and/or releasable closure devices for packages in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention provides a releasable closure for packaging. It is contemplated that the releasable closure may be used to permit the reopenable closure of a package. In its broad aspect, the present invention employs a closure device to hold two compartments of the package closed. When these packaging components are opened, they provide access to the contents of the package. 
     As used herein throughout, the term “releasable closure” or “releasable closure device” may refer to a wide variety of mechanisms and/or materials, which when joined together form a releasable coupling. When such materials and/or mechanisms are placed on two portions or compartments of a package, it provides for the releasable coupling of those portions. Various non-limiting examples will be described hereinbelow. 
     The present invention in one aspect applies or affixes a releasable closure to a product package having two product accommodating compartments or portions mutually closable about a hinge member. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show one embodiment of the present invention. The package shown herein is a hand-held, pocket-sized package for accommodating and dispensing a plurality of consumable products. In the present embodiment, the products may include gum slabs which may have individual wrappers thereover. The package includes a pair of compartments in a book-like configuration where the package may be opened and closed about either side of a hinge member. The package is releasably maintained in the closed position by use of a releasable closure affixed or otherwise applied to the compartments on one or both sides of the hinge member. 
     Package  10  may also be provided with an overwrap (not shown) to environmentally seal the contents of the package. If desired, the overwrap may employ a tamper evident strip. 
     Package  10 , includes a package housing  11 , and is generally formed of paperboard material folded from a flat blank. While paperboard is the preferred material, other well known materials and combinations thereof may also be employed. Such materials may include paperboard, cardboard, laminates, foils and combinations thereof. The package  10  of the present invention may be formed from a single flat paperboard blank or a pair of paperboard blanks secured to one another. 
     The paperboard blank or blanks are arranged into the configuration shown in  FIG. 1  to form a pair of compartments  12  and  14 . Each of compartments  12  and  14  forms, respectively, product accommodating pockets  16  and  18 . The pockets  16  and  18  support a plurality of gum slabs  20  in a side-by-side upright array. While such an arrangement of gum slabs is shown, other arrangements of the gum slabs in the pockets are contemplated. Also, the gum slabs may be releasably retained in the pockets by a releasable adhesive or other means. An example of such a releasable adhesive is a low temperature hot melt glue which may be applied inside pockets  16  and  18 . Each of pockets  16  and  18  is defined by respective back walls  22  and  24  and respective front walls  26  and  28 . While the back walls extend fully upwards over the supported gum slabs, the front walls extend only partially upwards to provide an open end  30  and  32 , respectively, for providing dispensing access to the gum slabs  20 . End walls  32  and  34 , as well respective side walls  36 ,  38  and  40 ,  42 , bound the open ended pockets  16  and  18 . Each of the back walls  22  and  24  of the compartments  12  and  14  has an upwardly extending edge  50  and  52 . As particularly shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the edges  50  and  52  may be overlapped and secured together in the situation where the compartments are formed by separate blanks to form the assembled package housing  11 . As is shown in  FIG. 1 , in the open condition, the open ends  30  and  32  of packets  16  and  18  are preferably in facing relationship. 
     As will be described in further detail hereinbelow, the location where edges  50  and  52  overlap, forms a hinge member  55  for providing foldable closure of the package housing  11  in book-like fashion from an opened condition shown in  FIG. 1  to a closed condition shown in  FIG. 2 . The hinge member  55  is defined by a hinge spine  56  and a pair of hinge joints  57  and  58  on either side thereof. As may be appreciated from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the package housing  11  may be opened in book-like fashion about hinge member  55  to render accessible the gum slabs  20  and to dispense the gum slabs from the open pockets  16  and  18 . The package housing  11  may be moved to a foldably closed position as shown in  FIG. 2  to prevent access to the open pockets  16  and  18  and prevent removal of the gum slabs  20  therefrom. Thus, in typical use, the consumer will maintain the package housing  11  in a closed condition as shown in  FIG. 2  until such time as it is desired to remove one or more gum slabs therefrom. At that time, the consumer would open the package housing  11  about hinge member  55  to the opened condition shown in  FIG. 1 . The desired number of gum slabs  20  can be removed from pockets  16  and  18  and then the consumer can reclose the package housing  11  to a condition shown in  FIG. 3 . The package is designed to be repeatedly opened and closed as required by the needs of the consumer. 
     While the package of the present invention is opened about a hinge, other types of openable movement between these compartments are contemplated. Such other types of structure may include, for example, a slide cover. 
     In order to maintain the package housing  11  in a closed condition, the present invention employs a releasable closure applied or otherwise affixed to the compartments  12  and  14 . 
     In the present embodiment, the locations  60  and  62  on front walls  26  and  28  schematically represent the general placement of the releasable closure material. The package housing will be releasably retained in closed condition by the engagement of the locations  60  and  62 . However, this engagement is such that, while maintaining the package housing  11  in a closed condition, it can be easily released by the consumer and the package housing can be articulated from the closed condition to the open condition. This allows repeated opening and closing of the package. The closure is such that while it may be easily opened, it maintains closure under gravitational forces. 
     Non-limiting examples of releasable closures or releasable closure devices are described herein. In addition, one example of a releasable closure is shown and described in the above incorporated provisional applications and in PCT International Application No. PCT/US2011/054119, filed Sep. 30, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Each of the below embodiments are employed on packages substantially similar to that shown and described above. Therefore, similar reference numerals will be used to denote similar elements. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , one example of releasable closure device of the present invention is described. Package  110  includes a pair of product accommodating compartments  112  and  114  coupled by a hinge  155  for foldable movement between open and closed positions. In order to maintain the compartments  112  and  114  in closed position, as particularly shown in  FIG. 4 , a plastic clip  160  is employed. Plastic clip  160  includes a member  162  for adhesive securement to the back  112   a  of compartment  112 . A U-shaped clip  166  portion is connected to the member  162  at a living hinge  164 . The clip portion  166  is hingedly movable about the living hinge  164  so that the clip can be manipulated over the upper edges of the closed compartments  112  and  114  to provide releasable closure thereof. It is contemplated that the dimension of the clip portion is such that it provides a frictional engagement with the compartments. When the clip portion is positioned as shown in  FIG. 3 , the compartments can be opened. The clip portion can be moved to the position shown in  FIG. 4  to close the compartments. The clip is releasable so as to provide for repeated opening and closing of the package. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , package  210  is shown. Package  210  includes a pair of product accommodating compartments  212  and  214  separated by a hinge member  255  for foldable movement between open and closed positions. The closure shown in  FIG. 5  includes hook and loop fasteners which may be of the type sold under the trademark Velcro®. One such fastener  260  is applied to the front wall  226  of compartment  212 . A mating fastener  262  is applied to the front wall  228  of compartment  214 . The fasteners  260  and  262  are arranged to be in opposing mutual alignment. When the compartments  212  and  214  are closed about hinge  255 , the fasteners  260  and  262  engage maintaining the package  210  in releasably closed position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a package  310  is shown. Package  310  includes a pair of product accommodating compartments  312  and  314  separated by a hinge member  355  for foldable movement between open and closed positions. The closure shown in  FIG. 6  includes magnetic fasteners to effect reopenable closure of the package  310 . The magnetic fasteners may be of the type including magnets, magnetic material or magnetizable material. It is contemplated that the magnetic fasteners may include two mutually engageable magnetic materials or a magnet in combination with a magnetic attractive material. 
     One such magnetic device  360  is applied to the front wall  326  of compartment  312 . Another magnetic device  362 , which is attractive to device  360 , is applied to the front wall  328  of compartment  314 . The magnetic devices  360  and  362  are arranged to be in opposing mutual alignment. When the compartments  312  and  314  are closed about the hinge  355 , the magnetic devices  360  and  362  engage maintaining the package  310  in releasably closed position. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , package  410  is shown. Package  410  includes a pair of product accommodating compartments  412  and  414  separated by a hinge member  455  for foldable movement between open and closed positions. The closure shown in  FIG. 7  includes pressure sensitive labels. The pressure sensitive labels include pressure sensitive adhesive thereon which is of the type which is releasably co-engageable. Thus, one such label  460  is applied to the front wall  426  of compartment  412 . Another such label  462  is applied to the front wall  428  of compartment  414 . The labels are positioned and arranged to be in opposing mutual alignment. When the compartments  412  and  414  are closed about hinge  455 , the labels  460  and  462  engage maintaining the package in releasably closed position. 
       FIG. 8  shows a further embodiment of a package  510  in accordance with the present invention. Package  510  includes a pair of product accommodating compartments  512  and  514  separated by a hinge  555  for foldable movement between open and closed positions. As shown in  FIG. 8 , a closure is provided by a static cling films which are mutually engageable by static friction. One such film  560  is applied to the front wall  526  of compartment  512 . Another such film  562  is applied to the front wall  528  of compartment  514 . The static cling films  560  and  562  are arranged to be in opposing mutual alignment. When the compartments  512  and  514  are closed about hinge  555 , the static cling films  560  and  562  engage maintaining the package in releasably closed position. 
       FIG. 9  shows a package  600  constructed in accordance with the present invention. Package  600  includes a pair of product accommodating compartments  612  and  614  separated by a hinge member  655  for foldable movement between open and closed positions. The closure shown herein includes pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the package and which is releasably attachable to various surfaces. In the present illustrative embodiment, pressure sensitive adhesive is applied at locations  660  on the front wall  626  of compartment  612 . The pressure sensitive adhesive locations  660  are releasably engageable with locations  662  defined by the front wall  628  of compartment  614 . Thus, when compartment  614  is closed upon compartment  612 , the pressure sensitive adhesive locations  660  provide for releasable closure of the package  610 . The pressure sensitive adhesive location may be provided in a wide variety of configurations. 
       FIGS. 10-13  show various interfitting mechanical devices which may be employed as releasable closures. These devices typically include two components which interfit or interlock to provide removable connection therebetween. One component is placed on the front wall of one compartment while the other interfitting component is placed on the front wall of the other compartment. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a package  710  in accordance with the present invention is shown. Package  710  includes a pair of product accommodating compartments  712  and  714  separated by a hinge member  755  for foldable movement between open and closed positions. The closures shown in  FIG. 10  include a zipper-type or “zip lock” closure of generally conventional construction similar to those found on resealable bags. As is well known, the zip lock fastener includes an extending member which is insertable into a receiving member. One such zip lock member  760  is applied to the front wall  726  of compartment  712 . The mating zip lock member  762  is applied to the front wall  728  of compartment  714 . The zip lock fasteners are arranged to be in opposing mutually alignment. Thus, when the compartments  712  and  714  are closed about hinge  755 , the zip lock fasteners  760  and  762  engage maintaining the package  710  in releasably closed position. Sliding pressure along the edge of the closed package may be used to effect “locking” of the closure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a further embodiment of the present invention is shown. Package  810  includes a pair of product accommodating compartments  812  and  814  separated by a hinge member  855  for foldable movement between open and closed positions. The closure shown in  FIG. 11  is of the type described as a latch and receptacle. The closure includes a latch  862  having a protruding portion  862   a  and a receptacle  860  which receives protruding portion  862   a.  As an example, the receptacle  860  is applied to the front wall  826  of compartment  812 , the latch  862  is applied to front wall  828  of compartment  814 . The compartments  812  and  814  are closed about hinge  855 . The protruding portion  862   a  of latch  862  is inserted into receptacle  816  and frictionally retained therein in a manner which permits release therefrom. This provides for releasable closure of package  810 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , two embodiments of tab-like closures are shown. 
       FIG. 12  shows a package  910  having a pair of compartments  912  and  914  separated by a hinge member  955  for foldable movement between open and closed positions. The closure device employed herein is a tab and receptacle closure. In the embodiment in  FIG. 12 , a centrally located extending tab  962  formed from the paperboard blank forming the package  910  extends perpendicularly outward from front wall  928  of compartment  914  along the distal edge  928   a  thereof. A receiving aperture  960  is formed on the front wall  926  of compartment  912  at a location adjacent the distal edge  926   a  thereof. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , a single tab  962  is centrally located to be received in a centrally located receptacle  960 . The tab  962  is received in the receptacle  960  in frictional engagement. When the compartments  912  and  914  are closed about hinge  955 , the tab  962  enters the receptacle  960  and is held therein in releasable frictional engagement thereby maintaining the package  912  in releasably closed position. 
       FIG. 13  shows a similar embodiment to that shown in  FIG. 12  where package  900 ′ includes compartments  912 ′ and  914 ′ arranged about hinge  955 ′ for foldable movement between open and closed positions. In the embodiment in  FIG. 13 , two spaced apart tabs  962 ′ along edge  928   a ′ of compartment  914 ′ are engageable with a pair of aligned receptacles  960 ′ along edge  926   a ′ of compartment  912 ′. 
     One or more of the embodiments described above, with respect to the releasable closure and/or releasable closure devices, provide various consumer benefits. For example, the particular closures described herein may provide the consumer with the ability to operate the opening and closing of the package by one hand. The release of the closure mechanism to open the package from the closed position to the open position may be capable by the consumer using a thumb in a sliding fashion or a fingernail between the closed compartments. 
     Additionally, in certain situations and with the use of certain closure materials and closure devices, the opening and closing of the package would be noiseless. However, in other situations, it may be desirable to employ a releasable closure in accordance with the present invention which provides an audible click upon closing to indicate that the package is closed. 
     In addition, the releasable closures or closure devices of the present invention may be employed in combination with a wide variety of materials forming the package. 
     It is further contemplated that one or more of the above-described closures can be placed in various numbered arrangements and configurations on the package compartments. Also, the strength of the releasable closure can be varied depending on the particular closure, its arrangement, number and configuration. For example, the amount of adhesive and the adhesive properties of the adhesive can be adjusted. The magnetic strength of the magnetic materials employed can be adjusted. The size and location and amount of releasable closures can be provided and arranged to suit various needs. 
     Items: 
     
         
         Item 1. A package assembly for accommodating and dispensing a plurality of elongate consumable products comprising:
       a package housing for supporting said products;   said package housing including a first product accommodating compartment and a second product accommodating compartment separated by a hinge;   each said product accommodating compartment having an open end adjacent said hinge, said product accommodating compartments being foldable about said hinge in a book-like fashion; and   a releasable closure on each compartment and positioned to be in aligned facing relationship for mutual engagement upon closably folding said compartments about said hinge;   wherein said releasable closure is selected from the group consisting of: a clip, mating hook and loop fasteners, magnetic fasteners, pressure sensitive labels, static cling film, pressure sensitive adhesives and interfitting mechanical devices.   
     
         Item 2. A package assembly of item 1 wherein each said product compartment includes an open area defined by said open end and a closed area, and wherein said open area is greater than said closed area. 
         Item 3. A package assembly of item 2 wherein said closed area is defined by a front wall. 
         Item 4. A package assembly of item 3 wherein said front wall includes said releasable closure. 
         Item 5. A package assembly of items 1-4 wherein said clip is adhesively secured to one of said product accommodating compartments, said clip having a hinge and a portion removably attachable to said other product accommodating compartment for providing said releasable closing of said package housing. 
         Item 6. A package assembly of items 1-4 wherein said mating hook and loop fasteners includes said hook fastener being placed on one said compartment and said loop fastener being placed on the other said compartment. 
         Item 7. A package assembly of items 1-4 wherein said magnetic fasteners are separately applied to said compartments and are mutually attractable. 
         Item 8. A package assembly of items 1-4 wherein said pressure sensitive labels are separately applied to said compartments. 
         Item 9. A package assembly of items 1-4 wherein said static cling film is separately applied to said compartments. 
         Item 10. A package assembly of items 1-4 wherein said pressure sensitive adhesive is separately applied to said compartments. 
         Item 11. A package assembly of item 10 wherein said pressure sensitive adhesive is separately applied to selective locations on said front wall of said compartments. 
         Item 12. A package assembly of items 1-4 wherein said interfitting mechanical device includes mating zipper type locks. 
         Item 13. A package assembly of item 12 wherein said zipper type lock includes an extending member applied to one said compartment and an interfitting receiving member applied to the other said compontent. 
         Item 14. A package assembly of items 1-4 wherein said interfitting mechanical device includes a mating latch and receptacle, wherein said latch is placed on one of said compartments and said receptacle is placed on the other said compartment. 
         Item 15. A package assembly of items 1-4 wherein said interfitting mechanical device includes at least one mating tab and receptacle, wherein said tab is placed on one of said compartments and said receptacle is placed on the other said compartment. 
       
    
     Various changes to the foregoing described and shown structures would now be evident to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the particularly disclosed scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.