Patent Abstract:
A package has a tray slidably mounted in a carton. The carton has a front access port and at least one catch. The tray has a pair of stops positioned to successively engage at least one catch in order to restrict outward movement of the tray. The tray can be positioned with the pair of stops located inwardly of, and locked in place by, at least one catch. The catch on the carton can be manipulated to clear one of the pair of stops and allow it to move outwardly past the catch.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/876,985 filed Oct. 7, 2015, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/598,438 filed Jan. 16, 2015, which in turns claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 61/928,578, filed Jan. 17, 2014, the contents of said three applications being hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a paper board folding carton with a plastic tray insert, which is provided as a multi-use system to deliver a product to the consumer and be reused once opened. Alternatively the arrangement may be operated multiple times before it has a structural failure 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Existing prior art solutions typically entail rigid plastics at high volumes and costly tooling, more robust outer cartons at higher costs with less esthetics regarding the finished unit, and such designs also have a higher degree of environmental impact to manufacture and dispose of during its life cycle. 
         [0006]    Packages containing certain products ought to be designed to be resistant to opening by a child. A package that requires separate manipulation by both hands is considered difficult for a child to open. 
         [0007]    See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,888,350; 4,364,488; 6,230,893; 6,412,636; 6,491,211; 7,708,142; 7,757,843; 7,810,640; 7,845,496; and 8,087,540, as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2004/0050748; and 2004/0188311. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a package including a carton having a front access port and at least one catch. The package also includes a tray slidably mounted in the carton. The tray has a pair of riders positioned to successively engage the at least one catch in order to restrict outward movement of the tray. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a packaging method is provided employing a tray slidably mounted in a carton. The carton has an access port bordered by one or more flaps. The tray has a pair of stops. The method includes the step of positioning the tray with the pair of stops located inwardly of, and locked in place by, the one or more flaps. Another step is depressing at least one of the one or more flaps to clear one of the pair of stops and allow it to move outwardly past the one or more flaps. 
         [0010]    The present arrangement provides a product package that integrates a first thermoformed tray, with an optional thermoform lid, with a second component, namely a paper board carton that transforms the package from a single use container to a multi-use system that can be opened and closed over a hundred times. 
         [0011]    One exemplary feature of the present design is the integration between the plastic articles and paper board carton. Using four flaps on one end of a standard folding carton, they are folded into the cardboard carton to generate recoil energy in the paper board to spring out engaging the inner thermoformed part, in conjunction with a number of recessed surfaces or bosses on the plastic articles. The package can be kept closed until the consumer initiates the opening the unit. 
         [0012]    Such an arrangement also maintains a similar relationship when opened, with additional surfaces keeping the plastic articles from being separated from the outer paper board carton, keeping the unit intact. 
         [0013]    Once the unit is opened, a user now has access to the product or products by removing the product from the thermoformed package or from opening the hinged lid of the inner plastic article. After use of the product the user returns the products to the container, closes the unit, and stores in the “Stiletto Pak” until they need to use again. This design uses a two piece inner plastic articles but can also be done with a single inner tray. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the disclosed package has a tray that is slidably mounted in a carton. Four flaps border a front opening in the carton (an upper flap, lower flap, and two side flaps). The tray has a receptacle for receiving a product such as an e-cigarette. The forward end of the tray has a flange-like, lower finger tab. The back end of the tray is enlarged to form stops, disclosed as aft abutments. The tray may be vacuum formed, blow molded, or injection molded and has a well that forms a front stop. 
         [0015]    With product loaded into the tray, the flaps are folded inwardly before sliding the tray into the carton. Eventually, a front stop on the tray will move inwardly past the lower flap, which flap will then lift and lock onto the front stop, thereby keeping the tray in a fully retracted position. 
         [0016]    To release the tray, a user will squeeze and slightly rotate the tray&#39;s front tab down against the lower flap, thereby allowing the front stop to clear the flap The user will then use the tray&#39;s tab to slide the tray outwardly into the dispensing position. 
         [0017]    Outward movement of the tray will be halted when rear stops on the tray engage the side and upper flaps on the front opening of the carton. The product can then be removed from the tray, used, and then returned to the tray. 
         [0018]    The tray can then be pushed back inside the carton until the tray&#39;s front stop passes the carton&#39;s lower flap to lock the tray in place again 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, the disclosed package has another type of tray slidably mounted inside a carton. Four flaps border an opening in the carton. A lid that fits onto the tray has a forward hinged section that can swing up to allow access to the product in the tray. The forward end of the lid has a finger tab The back end of the tray has a pair of ridges acting as stops (also referred to as aft abutments). 
         [0020]    The tray may be vacuum formed, blow molded, or injection molded with a floor having a forward plateau adjacent a well that forms a front stop (also referred to as a forward abutment). 
         [0021]    With product loaded into the tray, the carton&#39;s flaps are folded inwardly before sliding the tray into the carton. Eventually, the tray&#39;s front stop will move inwardly past the carton&#39;s lower flap, which flap will then lift and lock the front stop in a fully retracted position. The tray is configured to allow a user to reach the lower flap, even in the tray&#39;s fully retracted position. 
         [0022]    To release the tray, a user will depress the carton&#39;s lower flap, thereby allowing the tray&#39;s front stop to clear the lower flap. The user will then grasp the tray&#39;s tab and pull the tray into the dispensing position. Because two separate hand movements are required for this maneuver, this packaging is considered child resistant. 
         [0023]    Outward movement of the tray is halted when rear stops on the tray engage the carton&#39;s side flaps. The product can then be removed from tray by lifting the front section of the lid. 
         [0024]    Afterward the lid can be closed, and tray can then be pushed back inside the carton until the tray&#39;s front stop passes over the carton&#39;s lower flap to lock the tray in place again. 
         [0025]    Other embodiments with specific features are disclosed as well 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The above brief description as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, including the package&#39;s shape, design and operation, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a package in accordance with principles of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is an end view of the package of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 1  showing the product above the tray and the tray removed from the carton; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 3  with the product inserted into the tray and the carton flaps folded inwardly; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 1  with its tray partially deployed; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a vertical sectional view of the package of  FIG. 7  showing in detail the aft end of the tray; 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is a horizontal sectional view of the portion of the package shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a tray that is an alternate to that of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the tray of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 12  as a side view of the tray of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 13  is a front end view of the tray of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the tray of  FIG. 10  with its lid removed; 
           [0041]      FIG. 15  is a bottom view of the tray of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of the tray of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 17  is a front end view of the tray of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the lid of the tray of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 19  is a top view of the lid of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 20  is an edge view of the lid of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 21  is a front end view of the lid of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 22  is a top view of the tray of  FIG. 10  installed in a carton to form a package that is an alternate to that of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 23  is a front end view of the package of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 24  is a side view of the package of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 22  with its tray partially deployed; 
           [0053]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 26  with the front section of the lid of the tray swung upwardly; 
           [0054]      FIG. 28  is a front end view of the package of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 29A  is a sectional view taken along line  29 - 29  of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 29B  is a detailed view of the bottom front portion of the package of  FIG. 29A ; 
           [0057]      FIG. 30  is a front end view of the package of  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 31A  is a sectional view of the package of  FIG. 26  taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 31B  is a detailed view of the package of  31 A at the front of the carton; 
           [0060]      FIG. 32A  is a sectional view of the package of  FIG. 26  taken along line  32 - 32  of  FIG. 30 ; 
           [0061]      FIG. 32B  is a detailed view of the package of  FIG. 32A  showing a catch preventing tray removal; 
           [0062]      FIG. 33  is a perspective view of a tray that is an alternate to those previously illustrated; 
           [0063]      FIG. 34  is a perspective view of a carton for holding the tray of  FIG. 33  in order to form a package; 
           [0064]      FIG. 35  is a vertical sectional view showing the tray of  FIG. 33  installed in the carton of  FIG. 34 ; 
           [0065]      FIG. 36  is a vertical sectional view showing the tray of  FIG. 35  released from a front catch; 
           [0066]      FIG. 37  is a vertical sectional view showing the tray of  FIG. 35  restrained from removal by a front catch; 
           [0067]      FIG. 38  is a perspective view of a tray that is an alternate to those previously illustrated, shown with its lid removed from the lower container; 
           [0068]      FIG. 39  is a perspective view of carton for holding the tray of  FIG. 30A , shown with its two ends open; 
           [0069]      FIG. 40  is a elevational view of the tray of  FIG. 38  installed in the carton of  FIG. 39  with the carton sectioned for illustrative purposes; and 
           [0070]      FIG. 41  is an elevational view of the package of  FIG. 40  shown with the tray extended forward but restrained on a front catch, and with the front section of the lid swung upwardly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0071]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , the illustrated package is composed of a carton  12  and sliding tray  10 . In  FIG. 3 , carton  12  is shown as a rectangular box with a front opening  12 A bordered by four flaps: two side flaps  14 S, a top flap  14 T, and bottom flap  14 B. Opening  12 A is also referred to as a front access port. Each of the flaps  14 S,  14 T, and  14 B are disposed 90° from the adjacent flap. In this embodiment flap  14 T may be folded inwardly, or may be simply folded down to initially close carton  12  before purchase. Flaps  14 S and  14 B will be folded inwardly to function as catches in a manner to be described presently. 
         [0072]    Tray  10  may be a thermoformed article (e.g., vacuum formed, or blow or injection molded). Tray  10  is designed to hold product P in longitudinal socket  18 , between its end walls (e.g., end wall  10 E) and sidewalls These side walls have a pair of notches  10 C for grasping the product P during loading and removal. Product P is shown as an elongated cylindrical article, such as electronic cigarette, although other types of products may be employed as well. 
         [0073]    Tray  10  has a vertically disposed pair of aft shoulders  16  (only one visible in  FIG. 3 ) on the right and left, and along the top a horizontally disposed shoulder  17 , which is split in two by socket  18 . Shoulders  16  and  17  are abutments that are also referred to as stops or riders. 
         [0074]    In  FIG. 6 , the portion of longitudinal socket  18  in front of notch  10 C has a gutter shape that leads to a well-like feature  20  (product P shown in phantom). 
         [0075]    From underneath, feature  20  appears as a slab with a distal step that forms a forward abutment  20 A (this abutment at the front of the tray is also referred to as a rider in the form of a ridge or shoulder acting as a stop). It will be noticed that abutment  20 A is longitudinally spaced from previously mentioned abutments  16  and  17 . 
         [0076]    The front of tray  10  has a ledge  10 A ( FIGS. 1, 4, and 6 ) that is split from concave wall  10 B at slit  10 D to form a forward cantilevered tab. In  FIG. 6  cantilevered tab  10 A is shown resting against previously mentioned flap  14 B, whose distal end engages abutment  20 A and prevents outward movement of tray  10 . 
         [0077]    In  FIGS. 1, 2, and 5  tray  10  is shown completely lodged inside carton  12 , this condition being referred to as the retracted position of the tray. If cantilever tab  10 A is manually depressed, flap  14 B will be pushed below abutment  20 A to allow outward movement of tray  10 . In  FIG. 7 , tray  10  has moved outwardly from carton  12  allowing a user to grasp product P through notch  10 C. 
         [0078]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , tray  10  has a hollow rear wall  10 E behind a well-like feature  22  forming a forward abutment  22 A. (This abutment is also referred to as rider in the form of a ridge or shoulder that acts as a stop). In this Figure, tray  10  has been pulled outwardly (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) causing flaps  14 T and  14 B to engage aft abutments  17  and  22 A, respectively, which engagement prevents further outward movement of the tray. It will be noticed that flap  14 B has a dual purpose. Specifically, flap  14 B can engage abutment  22 A to prevent removal of the tray  10 , and also is able to engage abutment  20 A ( FIG. 6 ) to keep the tray in the retracted position. 
         [0079]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , tray  10  has been pulled outwardly as just described, causing flaps  14 S to engage previously mentioned abutments  16 , which engagement also prevents further outward movement of tray  10 . 
         [0080]    In ordinary use, product P is delivered to a user inside tray  10  with the tray placed inside carton  12  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The package of  FIG. 5  may be wrapped to close the open end of the carton  12 . Alternatively, top flap  14 T may be manufactured with a length and width that allows the flap to be folded down and around the opening to close the package. 
         [0081]    When the package is opened as shown in  FIG. 5 , the user may reach in and depress tab  10 A to depress flap  14 B ( FIG. 6 ). Flap  14 B will descend to a position below tray  10  allowing the passage of feature  20  and abutment  20 A. At the same time, the user can use tab  10 A to pull tray  10  outwardly to the position shown in  FIG. 7 . Tray  10  cannot be removed from carton  12  because flaps  14 B and  14 T ( FIG. 8 ) engage the forward faces of abutments  17  and  22 A, respectively, thereby limiting outward travel to a predetermined amount. Likewise, flaps  14 S ( FIG. 9 ) engage the forward faces of abutments  16 , also preventing further outward movement. 
         [0082]    With tray  10  fully deployed, the user may now grasp product P through notches  10 C, and use the product for its intended purpose. If product P has not been expended, it may be returned to socket  18 . The user may now push tray  10  back to the retracted position. Eventually, feature  20  will pass over flap  14 B, so that the flap can spring back into engagement with the forward face of abutment  20 A, as shown in  FIG. 6 . Under those circumstances, tray  10  will not inadvertently slide out of carton  12  but will remain stored and protected in the retracted position. 
         [0083]    Referring to  FIGS. 10-32B , components corresponding to those previously illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 , have the same reference numbers but increased by  20 . Tray  30  is a container that can receive on its rim a lid  31 , and both may be thermoformed articles (e.g., vacuum formed, or blow or injection molded). The front of tray  30  has a finger tab  30 F ( FIGS. 14-16 ) and lid  31  has a finger tab  31 C ( FIGS. 18-20 ). 
         [0084]    Referring to  FIGS. 18-21 , adjacent sections  31 A and  31 B of lid  31  are joined by a transverse wrinkle  31 D that acts as a hinge. Front section  31 A is substantially flat except for a gutter  31 A- 1 . Gutter  31 B- 1  surrounds a central region of rear section  31 B, which contains a horizontally disposed shoulder  37  (the shoulder is sometimes referred to as an abutment or a rider acting as a stop). 
         [0085]    Referring to  FIGS. 22-25 , the illustrated package is composed of a carton  32  and sliding tray  30 . Tray  30  is shown completely lodged inside carton  32 , this condition being referred to as the retracted position of the tray. The rear right corner of carton  32  has for practical and aesthetic reasons a rear opening that exposes the rear right corner of tray  30  and lid  31 . 
         [0086]    In  FIGS. 25, 31A, 31B, 32A, and 32B , carton  32  is shown as a rectangular box with a front opening  32 A (access port) bordered by four inwardly folded flaps: two side flaps  34 S, a top flap  34 T, and bottom flap  34 B. Each of the flaps  34 S,  34 T, and  34 B are disposed 90° from the adjacent flap. These flaps are also referred to as catches. 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIGS. 14-16 , tray  30  is designed to hold a loose product (e.g. tobacco) in interior  38 . Tray  30  has a vertically disposed pair of aft ridges  36  on the right and left. Ridges  36  are stops that are also referred to as riders or abutments. 
         [0088]    A well-like feature  40  in tray  30  has a distal step that forms a forward abutment  40 A (this abutment at the front of the tray is also referred to as a rider in the form of a shoulder acting as a stop). It will be noticed that abutment  40 A is longitudinally spaced from previously mentioned abutments  36  and  37 . 
         [0089]    In  FIGS. 29A and 29B  the distal end of flap  34 B is shown engaging abutment  40 A to prevent outward movement of tray  30  from the retracted position. In this position the lower front corner of tray  30  does not extend through the opening  32 A, leaving much of flap  34 B accessible. Accordingly, a user can manually depress flap  34 B so it descends below abutment  40 A to allow tray  30  to move outwardly from the retracted position. This can be accomplished by pressing the exposed right rear corner of tray  30  and lid  31  ( FIG. 25 ) and/or by grasping finger tabs  31 C and  30 F through notch  32 B formed in carton  32 . Since two separate hands are required for this maneuver, the package is considered child resistant. 
         [0090]    In  FIG. 26 , tray  30  has moved outwardly from carton  32  to a fully extended position, exposing lid section  31 A.  FIGS. 31A and 31B  also show this fully extended position, wherein flaps  34 S have swung inwardly to engage previously mentioned abutments  36 , which engagement prevents further outward movement of tray  30 . 
         [0091]    Also, in the fully extended position illustrated in  FIGS. 32A and 32B , flaps  34 T and  34 B engage abutments  37  and  42 A, respectively, which engagement also prevents further outward movement of the tray. It will be noticed that flap  34 B has a dual purpose. Specifically, flap  34 B can engage abutment  42 A to prevent removal of the tray  30 , and also is able to engage abutment  40 A ( FIG. 29B ) to keep the tray in the retracted position. 
         [0092]    In  FIG. 27  a user has grasped finger tabs  30 F and  31 C to lift section  31 A, which articulates around hinge joint  31 D. At this time a user will be able to obtain the product (not shown) placed inside the interior  38 . 
         [0093]    In ordinary use, product is delivered to a user inside tray  30  with lid section  31 A releasably closed on the tray, with section  31 B glued or snapped onto the tray, and with the tray placed inside carton  32  as shown in  FIG. 25 . The package of  FIG. 25  may be wrapped to close the open end  32 A of carton  32 . 
         [0094]    When the package is unwrapped as shown in  FIG. 25 , the user may reach in and depress flap  34 B. Flap  34 B ( FIG. 29B ) will descend to a position below tray  30  allowing the passage of feature  40  and abutment  40 A. At the same time, the user can use tab  30 F and  31 C to pull tray  30  and lid  31  outwardly to the position shown in  FIG. 26  The user may also press tray  30  outwardly by pushing the exposed rear right corner of tray  30 . Again the dual hand maneuvers make the package child resistant. 
         [0095]    Tray  30  cannot be removed from carton  32  because flaps  34 B and  34 T ( FIG. 32B ) will engage the forward faces of abutments  37  and  42 A, respectively, thereby limiting outward travel to a predetermined amount. Likewise, flaps  34 S ( FIG. 31B ) engage the forward faces of abutments  36 , also preventing further outward movement. 
         [0096]    With tray  30  fully deployed, the user may now use tabs  30 F and  31 C to lift section  31 A ( FIG. 27 ), obtain any desired amount of product in interior  38 , and use the product for its intended purpose. 
         [0097]    If the product has not been expended, the user may now close section  31 A, and push tray  30  back to the retracted position. Eventually, feature  40  will pass over flap  34 B, so that the flap can spring back into engagement with the forward face of abutment  40 A, as shown in  FIG. 29B . Under those circumstances, tray  30  will not inadvertently slide out of carton  32  but will remain stored and protected in the retracted position. 
         [0098]    Referring to  FIGS. 33-37 , components corresponding to those previously illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 , have the same reference numbers but increased by  40 . The illustrated package is composed of a carton  52  and sliding tray  50 . In  FIG. 34 , carton  52  is shown as a rectangular box with a front opening  52 A bordered by four flaps: two side flaps  54 S, a top flap  54 T, and bottom flap  54 B. Opening  52 A is also referred to as a front access port. Each of the flaps  54 S,  54 T, and  54 B are disposed 90° from the adjacent flap. 
         [0099]    In this embodiment flaps  54 T and  54 S will be folded inwardly to function as catches in a manner to be described presently. Flap  54 B will be folded upwardly to initially close carton  52 , but will be torn off after purchase. The back of carton  52  is closed by means of a pair of side flaps  55 S (only one visible in  FIG. 34 ) and a top flap  55 T, which has a circular rear opening  55 T- 1   
         [0100]    Tray  50  may be a thermoformed article (e.g., vacuum formed, or blow or injection molded). Tray  50  is designed to hold product P′ in longitudinal socket  58 , between its end walls (e.g., end wall  50 E) and sidewalls. These side walls have a pair of notches  50 C for grasping the product P′ during loading and removal Product P′ is shown as an elongated cylindrical article, such as electronic cigarette, although other types of products may be employed as well. 
         [0101]    Tray  50  has a vertically disposed pair of aft shoulders  56  on the right and left Tray  50  also has a horizontally disposed, front shoulder  64  rising above a concave alcove  50 B. Shoulder  64  is an abutment that is also referred to as a stop or rider. It will be noticed that shoulder  64  is longitudinally spaced from shoulders  56 . 
         [0102]    Integral tether  66  extends from a lower rear corner of tray  50  and has on its distal end a holder  66 A in the form of a longitudinally disposed cradle. Holder  66 A is designed to be pressed down into the aft end of tray  50  and rest on a pair of shelves  50 F on opposite sides of socket  58 . Tether  66  has between holder  66 A and tray  50  a bubble-like protrusion  66 B, serving a purpose to be described presently. 
         [0103]    In  FIG. 35 , tray  50  is shown completely lodged inside carton  52 , this condition being referred to as the retracted position of the tray. Holder  66 A has been snapped into tray  50  to rest on shelves  50 F ( FIG. 33 ). Under these circumstances, protrusion  66 B extends rearwardly through opening  55 T- 1 . 
         [0104]    A user will have access to upper flap  54 T through alcove  50 . If flap  54 B is pushed above shoulder  64 , tray  50  will be able to move outwardly. This outward movement can be facilitated by pushing on protrusion  66 F, and then grasping tray  50  between alcove  50 B and the underside of the tray to continue pulling the tray out. This maneuver is considered child resistant. In  FIG. 36 , tray  50  has been moved outwardly from carton  52 , traveling under flap  54 T. 
         [0105]    In  FIG. 37  tray  50  has moved outwardly to the extent that side flaps  54 S have engaged shoulders  56 , which engagement prevents further outward movement. Neither of the side flaps  54 S are directly visible in this view, but left side flap  54 S is shown in phantom and extending to reach shoulder  56  on the left side of tray  50 . Accordingly, flaps  54 S will engage both shoulders  56  and will therefore also prevent further outward movement of tray  50 . 
         [0106]    Flap  54 T is shown engaging the distal edge of tether  66  to also prevent further outward movement of tray  50 . Accordingly, tether  66  is acting as an abutment or stop (or rider). It will be noticed that flap  54 T has a dual purpose. Specifically, flap  54 B can engage tether  66  to prevent removal of the tray  50 , and also is able to engage shoulder  64  ( FIG. 35 ) to keep the tray in the retracted position. 
         [0107]    In ordinary use, product P′ is delivered to a user inside tray  50  with tether  66  folded as shown in  FIG. 35  to place holder  66 A around the product and resting on shelves  50 F ( FIG. 33 ). Holder  66 A can either loosely fit inside tray  50 , can snap inside the tray, or can be glued into position. 
         [0108]    Tray  50  is placed inside carton  52  as shown in  FIG. 35  with protrusion  66 B extending through opening  55 T- 1 . The package of  FIG. 35  may be wrapped to close the end  52 A of carton  52 . Also, bottom flap  54 B will be folded around and inserted back into opening  52 A to close the package. The package may be opened by removing any wrapping. Thereafter flap  54 B is pulled out, torn off, and discarded. 
         [0109]    Next, the user may reach in through alcove  50 B and press flap  54 T up. Flap  54 TB will rise above shoulder  64  to a position above tray  50 , allowing outward travel. At the same time, the user will push protrusion  66 B while grasping the forward end of the tray and pulling at outwardly to allow the travel shown in  FIG. 36 . This dual hand maneuver makes the package child resistant. 
         [0110]    Tray  50  cannot be removed from carton  52  because flap  54 T ( FIG. 37 ) engages the distal edge of tether  66 , thereby limiting outward travel to a predetermined amount. Likewise, flaps  54 S engage the forward faces of shoulders  56 , also preventing further outward movement. 
         [0111]    With tray  50  fully deployed, the user may now grasp product P′ through notches  50 C, and use the product for its intended purpose. If product P′ has not been expended, it may be returned to socket  58  and slipped under holder  66 A. The user may now push tray  50  back to the retracted position. Eventually, shoulder  64  will pass flap  54 T, so that the flap can spring back into engagement with the forward face of the shoulder, as shown in  FIG. 35 . Under those circumstances, tray  50  will not inadvertently slide out of carton  52  but will remain stored and protected in the retracted position. 
         [0112]    Referring to  FIGS. 38-41 , components corresponding to those previously illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 , have the same reference numbers but increased by  60  Tray  70  is a container that can receive on its rim a lid  71 , and both may be thermoformed articles (e.g., vacuum formed, or blow or injection molded) The front of lid  71  has a finger tab  71 C. 
         [0113]    Sections  71 A and  71 B of lid  71  are joined by a transverse wrinkle  71 D that acts as a hinge. Sections  71 A and  71 B each have a pan-like shape with short walls topped with flanges (except at the hinge  71 D). 
         [0114]    Tray  70  is designed to hold a loose product (e.g., tobacco). Tray  70  has a vertically disposed pair of aft shoulders  76  on the right and left. Shoulders  76  are stops that are also referred to as riders or abutments. 
         [0115]    A well-like feature  82  in tray  70  has a distal step that forms an aft abutment  82 A. Another well-like feature  80  in tray  70  has a distal step that forms a forward abutment  80 A. (Abutments  82 A and  80 A are also referred to as a rider in the form of a shoulder acting as a stop.) It will be noticed that abutment  80 A is longitudinally spaced from previously mentioned abutments  76  and  82 A. 
         [0116]    In  FIG. 39 , carton  72  is shown as a rectangular box with a front opening  72 A (access port) bordered by four flaps: two side flaps  74 S, a top flap  74 T, and bottom flap  74 B. Each of the flaps  74 S,  74 T, and  74 B are disposed 90° from the adjacent flap. Flaps  74 S and  74 B act as catches, while flap  74 T will be folded down and used to close the open end  72 A of carton  72 . The back of carton  72  is closed by means of a pair of side flaps  75 S (only one visible in  FIG. 39 ) and a top flap  75 T, which has a circular rear opening  751 - 1   
         [0117]    Referring to  FIG. 40 , the illustrated package is composed of a carton  72  and sliding tray  70 . Tray  70  is shown completely lodged inside carton  72 , this condition being referred to as the retracted position of the tray. 
         [0118]    The distal end of flap  74 B is shown engaging abutment  80 A to prevent outward movement of tray  70  from the retracted position. In this position the lower front corner of tray  70  does not extend through the opening  72 A. This fact plus the existence of alcove  70 B leaves almost all of flap  74 B accessible. Accordingly, a user can manually depress flap  74 B so it descends below abutment  80 A to allow tray  70  to move outwardly from the retracted position. This can be accomplished by simultaneously pushing on the back of tray  70  through rear opening  75 T- 1 . Also, the user can grasp tab  71 C to fully pull tray  70  and lid  71  out. These dual hand maneuvers make the package child resistant. 
         [0119]    In  FIG. 41 , tray  70  has moved outwardly from carton  72  to a fully extended position, exposing lid section  71 A, which has been swung up about hinge  71 D by lifting tab  71 C. 
         [0120]    In this fully extended position, flap  74 B has swung inwardly to engage previously mentioned abutment  82 A, which engagement prevents further outward movement of tray  70 . Also, flaps  74 S engage abutments  76 , which engagement also prevents further outward movement of the tray. Neither of the side flaps  74 S are directly visible in this view, but left side flab  74 S is shown in phantom and extending to reach shoulder  76  on the left side of tray  50 . 
         [0121]    It will be noticed that flap  74 B has a dual purpose. Specifically, flap  74 B can engage abutment  82 A to prevent removal of the tray  70 , and also is able to engage abutment  80 A ( FIG. 240 ) to keep the tray in the retracted position. 
         [0122]    In ordinary use, product is delivered to a user inside tray  70  with lid section  71 A releasably closed on the tray, section  71 B glued or snapped onto the tray, and the tray placed inside carton  72  as shown in  FIG. 40 . The package of  FIG. 40  may be wrapped to prevent tampering. 
         [0123]    When the package is unwrapped as shown in  FIG. 40 , the user may reach in and depress flap  74 B, which will descend to a position below tray  70  allowing the passage of feature  80  and abutment  80 A. At the same time, the user can push tray  70  is through opening  75 T- 1 , while using tab  71 C to pull tray  70  and lid  71  outwardly to the position shown in  FIG. 41 . 
         [0124]    Tray  70  cannot be removed from carton  72  because flap  74 B will engage the forward face of abutment  82 A, thereby limiting outward travel to a predetermined amount. Likewise, flaps  74 S engage the forward faces of abutments  76 , also preventing further outward movement. 
         [0125]    With lid section  71 A open, the user may obtain any desired amount of product in tray  70 , and use the product for its intended purpose. If the product has not been expended, the user may now close section  71 A, and push tray  70  back to the retracted position. Eventually, feature  80  will pass over flap  74 B, so that the flap can spring back into engagement with the forward face of abutment  80 A, as shown in  FIG. 40 . Under those circumstances, tray  70  will not inadvertently slide out of carton  72  but will remain stored and protected in the retracted position. 
         [0126]    While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that this application is intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1