GB2539276A

GB2539276A - Improvements in containers

Info

Publication number: GB2539276A
Application number: GB1510360.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Whitehurst Dane; Parker Lucy
Original assignee: Duff Design Ltd
Current assignee: Duff Design Ltd
Priority date: 2015-06-12
Filing date: 2015-06-12
Publication date: 2016-12-14
Also published as: GB201510360D0

Abstract

A container 10 including a housing 14 having an internal volume and defining an inner wall of the container. A passage 16 exists between the inner wall and an outer wall of the container opposite the inner wall, such that the inner wall divides the passage from the internal volume and extends beyond an end of the outer wall. An end portion of the inner wall beyond the outer wall defines a presentation platform (49, fig 3). An insert 20 including a major portion 22 and minor grip portion 24 is slidable within the passage, between a retracted and extended position. In the retracted position the major portion is housed inside the passage and the grip portion is presented to the user, whilst in the extended position at least some of the major portion is outside the passage. The extended position is achieved by moving the grip portion around a hinge (58, fig 5c) and pulling the grip portion away from the passage.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN CONTAINERS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to containers, and in particular to containers having a housing for receiving goods and a passage for receiving an insert. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to containers for pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Containers for items such as pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals (which term incorporates products derived from food sources that provide health benefit, such as dietary supplements) must typically display information regarding the products inside the container. The information includes, for example, ingredients, dosage regimes, side effects, and other information that is typically required by food and drug regulations in the country concerned.

Such information can be printed on the back face of the container. However, the back face of a container is of a limited size, and it is usually impossible to fit all the required information on the back face in a readable format. For this reason, the back face of the container is typically reserved for a small amount of key information, and the full information regarding the contents of the container is typically provided in an additional information leaflet. The information leaflet generally takes the form of a folded sheet that is inserted into the container along with the product.

To view the information, the user must extract the leaflet from the container and unfold the sheet. If the leaflet is to be retained for future consultation, the user must then re-fold the sheet and replace it in the container so that it can be viewed again. In practice, the cumbersome process of removing and unfolding the sheet means that users frequently omit to view the information it contains, despite its importance. Even if a user does view the information, the process of re-folding the sheet and returning it to the container is even more cumbersome, and a user will often discard the information leaflet rather than returning it to the container, meaning that the information is not available at a later date if required. This can be particularly problematic, for example if a user experiences side effects but cannot consult the information because it has been discarded.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved means of providing information relating to the contents of a package.

As good packaging is known to increase sales of products and to reinforce their quality, there is a demand for containers that are stylish, ingenious and easy to use. There is also a demand for containers that are functionally effective, being easy to assemble and inexpensive to make and yet also robust and secure enough for use in retail display.

It is against this background that the present invention has been devised. STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION The invention resides in a container comprising: a housing defining an internal volume and having a wall that defines an inner wall of the container; a passage defined between the inner wall and an outer wall of the container opposite the inner wall such that the inner wall divides the passage from the internal volume, the inner wall extending beyond an end of the outer wall such that an end portion of the inner wall beyond the outer wall defines a presentation platform; and an insert comprising a major portion and a minor grip portion, the insert being slidable within the passage between a retracted position in which the major portion is housed inside the passage and the minor grip portion is presented to a user over the presentation platform, and an extended position in which at least a part of the major portion is disposed outside the passage.

Because the minor grip portion is presented to the user on a presentation platform the minor grip portion is attractively and enticingly presented to the user. The attractive presentation is such that the user's attention is drawn to the minor grip portion and the user is enticed into withdrawing the insert to view the information printed on it.

Furthermore, because he presentation platfor is defined by the portion of the inner wall that extends beyond the end of the outer wall the minor grip portion does not need to extend beyond the housing in order to be accessible to the user. Thus there are no parts of the insert that need to protrude beyond the housing, which would otherwise extend the effective length of the container without increasing the storage capacity of the container 10, and which would also leave the protruding part vulnerable to wear and tear, to the detriment to the appearance and durability of the container. Thus, the design of the container remains neat and compact while still providing an easily-accessible insert.

For compactness, an end of the inner wall may be at an end of the container. In this case, the end of the outer wall may be suitably inset from the end of the container.

The end of the outer wall may be substantially straight.

The container may comprise at least one side wall that extends between the inner wall and the outer wall, and the side wall may comprise a cut-out aligned with the presentation platform. Providing a cut-out in this way facilitates access to the minor grip portion and avoids protruding parts that would otherwise interfere with the withdrawal of the insert and be subject to wear-and tear, thereby allowing a wider minor grip portion that would be possible in the absence of such cut-outs.

The cut-out may extend along substantially the entire length of the presentation platform in a direction substantially parallel to a withdrawal direction of the insert. The cut-out may extend cross the side wall between the outer wall and the inner wall to meet the inner wall.

To make it easier for a user to withdraw the insert, the insert may comprise a grip feature configured to facilitate gripping of the minor grip portion.

The insert may comprise a hinge between the major portion and the minor grip portion, such that the minor grip portion is movable relative to the major portion to lift the minor grip portion away from the inner wall when the insert is in the retracted position. In this way, the user can lift the minor grip portion away from the presentation platform and insert a finger between the presentation platform and the minor grip portion to grip the minor grip portion easily.

For simplicity of design, the hinge may be defined by a score, crease or perforation between the major portion of the insert and the minor grip portion.

To provide a large area for gripping, the minor grip portion may extend across a full width of the insert in a direction transverse to a withdrawal direction of the insert.

For compactness of design, at least a part of an edge of the minor grip portion may lie substantially flush with an end of the inner wall.

At least a part of an edge of the minor grip portion may lie substantially flush with the end of the container. In this way, a user can engage the edge of minor grip portion by, for example, running a finger or thumb against the edge of the container. The minor grip portion may comprise a convex-curved edge that lies above the presentation platform when the insert is in the retracted position.

The insert may be substantially planar. A planar insert provides a particularly compact design since the insert takes up only a small volume of space, and the passage that houses the insert can therefore be particularly shallow, reducing the overall volume of the container. The insert may be arranged in sliding contact with the inner wall and the outer wall.

For compactness, when the insert is in the retracted position, the minor grip portion may lie against the presentation platform.

The container may be substantially cuboidal in shape.

The passage may be shallower than the housing in a direction transverse to the inner wall.

The major portion of the insert may support textual or graphical information relating to goods to be received in the housing and/or relating to advertising promotions. Alternatively or additionally, the major portion may support a label or booklet having textual or graphical information thereon.

For safe-keeping of the contents, the container may comprise a movable closure for selectively closing a first end of the housing adjacent to the presentation platform.

The container may comprise a movable closure for selectively closing a second end of the housing from the presentation platform and/or a movable closure for selectively closing a second end of the passage remote from the presentation platform. The internal volume and the housing may be closed by the same movable closure.

The container may comprise a withdrawal stop structure for limiting movement of the insert in a direction from the retracted position towards the extended position. The withdrawal stop structure prevents the insert being pulled all the way out of the passage, and therefore guards against separation of the insert and the container, so that the insert cannot easily be lost.

The withdrawal stop structure may comprise cooperating formations on the insert and in the passage. The withdrawal stop structure may comprise opposed abutment surfaces on the insert and on an internal surface of the passage.

At least one of the opposed abutment surfaces may be defined by a latch member movable into a latch position with respect to the insert or the passage.

At least one of the other opposed abutment surfaces may surround a cut-out on the insert or on an internal surface of the passage.

The latch member may be movable with the insert and an internal surface of the passage may prevent the latch member moving into the latch position. For simplicity of design, the latch member may be a flap on the insert, and may be integral with the insert. In particular, the flap may be at or near an end of the insert remote from the minor grip portion.

The abutment surface on the internal surface of the passage may be provided on an internal surface defined by the inner wall of the container. Alternatively, the abutment surface on the internal surface of the passage may be provided on an internal surface defined by the outer wall of the container.

The abutment surface on the internal surface of the passage may be defined by a latch member standing proud of the internal surface of the passage. The latch member may be a flap that protrudes into the passage.

In embodiments where an abutment surface is provided on a flap, the flap may comprise a first portion at a free end of the flap and a second portion at a root end of the flap, wherein the width of the first portion in a direction transverse to the direction of withdrawal of the insert is less than the width of the second portion.

The major portion of the insert may be provided with a hinge. The hinge allows the major portion of the insert to be lifted about the hinge so that a user can view the underside of the insert.

The hinge on the major portion may be positioned such that, when movement of the insert has been arrested by the withdrawal stop, the hinge is located above the presentation platform to allow movement of the major portion about the hinge.

The inner wall may be a single-layered wall.

The invention also extends to a method of withdrawing an insert from a passage of a container, the insert comprising a major portion and a minor grip portion and being slidable within the passage between a retracted position in which the major portion is housed inside the passage and the minor grip portion protrudes form the passage, and an extended position in which at least a part of the major portion is disposed outside the, the method comprising: lifting at least a part of the minor grip portion away from a wall of the container by moving the minor grip portion about a hinge; gripping at least a part of the minor grip portion; and pulling the minor grip portion away from the passage so as to slide the major portion out of the passage.

To facilitate gripping, the method may comprise inserting at least a part of a digit between the minor grip potion and the presentation platform to grip the minor grip portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container according to an embodiment of the invention in a retracted position; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 in an extended position; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a sleeve forming a part of the container of Figure 1; Figures 4a and 4b are perspective views from above and below respectively of an insert forming a part of the container of Figure 1; Figures 5a to 5c are side views of the container of Figure 1 showing different stages in the process of moving the container from the retracted position to the extended position, Figure 6 is a plan view of a blank for forming the sleeve of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a plan view of a blank for forming the insert of Figures 4a and 4b; Figures 8a and 8b are perspective and plan views respectively of the container of Figure 1 in the retracted position, with internal features shown in dashed lines; Figures 9a, 9b and 9c are perspective, plan and partial side views respectively of the container of Figure 1 in the extended position, with internal features shown in dashed lines; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a sleeve forming a part of a container according to another embodiment of the invention; Figures 11a and 11b are perspective views from above and below respectively of an insert for use with the sleeve of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a plan view of a blank for forming the sleeve of Figure 10; Figure 13 is a plan view of a blank for forming the insert of Figures 11a and 11b; Figures 14a and 14b are perspective and plan views respectively of the container formed by the combination of the sleeve of Figure 10 and the insert of Figure 11 in the retracted position, with internal features shown in dashed lines; Figures 15a, 15b and 15c are perspective, plan and partial side views respectively of the container of Figures 14a and 14b in the extended position, with internal features shown in dashed lines; Figure 16 is a perspective view of a container according to another embodiment of the invention in the extended state; and Figure 17a is a plan view of a blank for forming an insert forming part of a container according to another embodiment of the invention, and Figure 17b is a perspective view from below of an insert made using the blanks of Figure 17a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a container 10 for containing goods. The container comprises a sleeve 12 that defines a housing 14 and a passage 16. The housing 14 defines an internal volume for holding the goods (not visible in Figure 1 and 3), and the passage 16 receives a slidable insert 20. The insert 20 comprises a major portion 22 and a minor grip portion 24, and is slidable within the passage 16 between a retracted position, show in Figure 1, in which the major portion 22 is concealed in the passage 16 while the minor grip portion 24 protrudes out of the passage 16, and an extended position, shown in Figure 2, in which both the major portion 22 and the minor grip portion 24 are outside the passage 16.

Referring now to Figure 3, the sleeve 12 is of substantially cuboidal shape. The housing 14 forms a major portion of the sleeve 12, and the passage 16 forms a minor portion of the sleeve 12, the passage 16 being substantially shallower than the housing 14.

The housing 14 is defined by a lower wall 26 (not visible in Figure 3), left and right side walls 28, 30 and an upper wall 32. The lower wall 26 defines a lower outer wall of the container 10, and the upper wall 32 defines an inner wall of the container. At a first end 34 of the container 10, a movable closure 36 in the form of a lid closes the bottom of the housing.

The passage is enclosed by a lower wall 38, left and right side walls 40, 42 and an outer wall 44. The lower wall 38 also acts as the upper wall 32 of the housing. In this way, the housing 14 and the passage 16 have a common wall 46 that defines both the upper wall 32 of the housing and the lower wall 38 of the passage 16 to provide the inner wall of the container 10. This inner wall 46 acts as a divider that separates the internal volume of the housing 14 from the passage 16.

The outer wall 44 of the passage that lies opposite the inner wall 46 is printed on its upper surface with information to be viewed by a user. At the first end 34 of the container 10, the passage 16 is open. At a second end 35 of the container 10 opposite the first end 34 a further closure 37 (not visible in Figure 3 but visible in Figure 5) in the form of a lid closes the top of both the housing 14 and the passage 16.

The left and right side walls 40, 42 of the passage 16 are contiguous with the left and right side walls 28, 30 of the housing 14, such that together the side walls 40, 42 of the passage 16 and the side walls 28, 30 of the housing 14 define side walls 41, 43 of the container.

At the first end 34 of the container 10, the inner wall 46 extends beyond an end 48 of the outer wall 44 of the passage 16. In use, the portion of the inner wall 46 that lies beyond the outer wall 44 acts as a presentation platform 49, as will be further discussed below. In this example, the end 48 of the upper wall 44 of the passage 16 is substantially straight, such that the presentation platform 49 extends across the full width of the inner wall 46 at the first end 34 of the container 10.

The side walls 41, 43 of the container 10 comprise cut-outs 50, 52. The cut-outs extend along the entire length of the presentation platform 49 from the end 48 of the upper wall 44 to an end of the inner wall 46. The cut-outs 50, 52 also extend down the entire height of the passage 16, to meet the housing 14. In this way, an entire end portion of the passage 16 is effectively cut away at the first end 34 of the container 10, such the housing 14 effectively overhangs the passage 16, with the inner wall 46 exposed at the overhang.

Referring to Figure 4a and 4b, the insert 20 is planar and comprises a substantially flat substrate 54 that defines the major portion 22 and the minor grip portion 24. The substrate 54 is rigid enough to resist deflection and remain flat under its own weight, but displays a flexibility due to its thinness. The substrate 54 may be made of cardboard, plastic or any other suitable material. The substrate 54 may be between 0.2 mm and 5 mm thick, and is preferably between 0.3 and 0.7 mm thick.

An upper surface 55 of the insert 20 is printed, for example, with information relating to the goods to be contained inside the container. An undersurface 56 of the insert 20 may also be printed if required.

The major portion 22 of the insert 20 is substantially rectangular, and defines the majority of the insert 20. The minor grip portion 24 is located outboard of the major portion 22 at the first end 34 of the container and extends across the width of the insert 20. In the embodiment described, the minor grip portion 24 comprises a curved edge that defines an edge 57 of the insert 20 at the first end 34 of the container 10.

The insert 20 is configured such that the minor grip portion 24 is movable relative to the major portion 22 in a direction out of the plane of the insert 20.

To facilitate the relative movement of the minor grip portion 24, the insert comprises a hinge 58 between the minor grip portion 24 and the major portion 22. The hinge 58 is defined by a perforation, crease or score in the substrate 54, or by any other suitable means.

Towards the second end 35 of the container 10, the major portion 22 of the insert 20 comprises a further hinge 59. The further hinge 59 allows movement of a major part 60 of the major portion 22 relative to a minor part 62 of the major portion 22, the minor part 62 being disposed towards the second end 35 of the container 10. The further hinge 59 is also defined by a perforation, crease or score in the substrate 54, or by any other suitable means At the second end 35 of the container 10, the insert 20 is provided with a flap 64. The flap 64 is joined to the insert 20 at an edge of the major portion 22. In use, the flap 64 acts as a latch member that cooperates with a corresponding feature on the passage 16 to act as a withdrawal stop that limits movement of the insert 20 out of the passage 16. The flap 64 is folded underneath the insert 20, such that the flap lies beneath the undersurface 56 of the insert 20 when the insert is arranged inside the container as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figures 5a to 5c show the arrangement of the insert 20 during use of the container 10.

When the insert 20 is in the retracted state as shown in Figure 5a, the minor grip portion 24 of the insert 20 lies over the presentation platform 49 defined by the portion 49 of the inner wall 46 that protrudes beyond the outer wall 44. In this example, the minor grip portion 24 is biased to lie substantially against the presentation platform 49. An edge 57 of the minor grip portion 24 lies substantially flush with an end of the inner wall 46. Because the inner wall 46 extends all the way to the end of the container 10, the edge 57 of the minor grip portion 24 lies substantially flush with an end of the container 10.

As is best seen in Figure 1, in this retracted state, the minor grip portion 24 is presented to the user for withdrawal. The outer wall 44 of the passage 16 may be printed with instructions to withdraw the insert 20, or with a visual indication towards the insert 20, such as an arrow. Alternatively, the minor grip portion 22 may itself be printed with instructions or a visual indication.

To withdraw the insert 20, a user first grips the minor grip portion 24. This may be done, for example, by grasping the minor grip portion 24 between thumb and forefinger, or it may be done by placing one or more fingers over the minor grip portion 24 and allowing friction between the fingers and the minor grip portion 24 to grip the insert 20. In some cases, a combination of both motions may be used.

If the user effects withdrawal by grasping the minor grip portion 24 between thumb and forefinger, the user first lifts the minor grip portion 24 about the hinge 58 to lift the minor grip portion 24 away from the presentation platform 49, as shown in Figure 5b. With the minor grip portion 24 lifted away, the user can insert a digit between the minor grip portion 24 and the presentation platform 49 to facilitate gripping of the minor grip portion 24. The user then pulls the minor grip portion 24 to withdraw the insert 20 out of the passage 16 and into the extended position as shown in Figure 5c.

If the user effects withdrawal by placing one or more fingers over the minor grip portion 24 and allowing friction between the fingers and the minor grip portion 24 to grip the insert 20, the width of the minor grip portion 24 allows sufficient room for the user to place multiple fingers on the minor grip portion 24 to increase the frictional forces between the minor grip portion 24 and the user's fingers, thereby increasing the pulling force exerted by the user, and facilitating withdrawal of the insert 20. The cut-outs 50, 52 in the side walls 40, 42 facilitate side access to the minor grip portion 24, and prevent the side walls 40, 42 obstructing or hindering access.

Once the insert 20 has been withdrawn by a small amount using this method, the user may then choose to grip the minor grip portion 24 between thumb and forefinger to effect the rest of the withdrawal.

Referring back to Figure 2, once the insert 20 has been withdrawn from the passage 16 and is in the extended state, the further hinge 59 is now located above the presentation platform 49. The user can lift the major portion 22 about the further hinge 59 to view the undersurface 56 of the major portion 22, back to the configuration shown in Figure 5a.

When the user has viewed the information on the insert 20, the user pushes against the minor grip portion 24 in a direction towards the passage 16 to slide the insert 20 back into the container 10.

Thus, the insert 20 can be quickly and easily withdrawn from the passage 16 so that a user can read the information provided on the insert 20. When the information has been read, the user can quickly and easily return the insert 20 to the passage 16, where it is safely stored for later consultation.

Because the minor grip portion 24 is presented to the user on the presentation platform 49 defined by the portion of the inner wall 46 that extends beyond the end of the outer wall 44, the minor grip portion 24 is attractively and enticingly presented to the user. The attractive presentation is such that the user's attention is drawn to the minor grip portion 24 and the user is enticed into withdrawing the insert 20 to view the information printed on it.

Providing the presentation platform 49 on the inner wall 46 defined by a wall of the housing 14 means that the minor grip portion 24 does not need to extend beyond the housing 14 in order to be accessible to the user. Thus there are no parts of the insert 20 that need to protrude beyond the housing, which would otherwise extend the effective length of the container 10 without increasing the storage capacity of the container 10. Thus, the design of the container 10 remains compact while still providing an easily-accessible insert 20.

Furthermore, if any parts of the insert 20 were to protrude beyond the housing 14, the protruding parts would be subject to frequent wear-and-tear which would decrease the aesthetic appeal of the container 10. This is particularly important when the container 10 is stored at the point of sale. Containers 10 are often stored in such a way that allows customers to handle the containers 10 before purchase, and frequent handling can lead to undesirable wear of the container 10. If the containers appear worn, customers will tend to assume that the contents are defective, and reject the worn container in favour of a neater container, which can lead to wastage of worn containers. Avoiding such protruding parts means that the insert 20 is less vulnerable to such wear-and-tear, and the container 10 can be kept in better condition more easily, thereby reducing such wastage.

Figure 6 shows the sleeve 12 in its unfolded state, such that the unfolded sleeve 12 defines a sleeve blank 13. The sleeve blank 13 comprises a series of seven panels 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82 arranged side-by-side that will form walls of the housing 14 and the passage 16 in the assembled container 10.

Moving left to right, the sleeve blank 13 comprises a first panel 70 that will define a left side wall 41 of the container 10, a second panel 72 that will define the outer wall 44 of the passage 16, a third panel 74 that will define a right side wall 43 of the container 10, a fourth panel 76 that will define a lower wall 26 of the housing 14, a fifth panel 78 that will define a left internal wall of the housing 14, a sixth panel 80 that will define the inner wall 46, and a seventh panel 82 that will define a right internal wall of the housing 14.

At the first end 34 of the sleeve blank 13, a flap 36 that will define the movable lid at the first end 34 of the container 10 is attached to and contiguous with the fourth panel 76, and flanges 84 are attached to and contiguous with the third and fifth panels 74, 78. In use, the flanges 84 are folded into the first end 34 of the container 10 and act to retain the lid 36 in a closed state when required, to close the internal volume defined by the housing 14.

At the second end 35 of the sleeve blank 13, a flap 37 that will define the movable lid at the second end 35 of the container 10 is attached to and contiguous with the second panel 72, and flanges 86 are attached to and contiguous with the third and fifth panels 74, 78. In use, the flanges 86 are folded into the second end 35 of the container 10 and retain the lid 37 in a closed state when required to close both the passage 16 and the internal volume defined by the housing 14.

The sixth panel 80 that will define the inner wall 46 comprises a cut-out 88 that is disposed towards the first end 34 of the container 10. The cut-out 88 is substantially rectangular, and has a width that is slightly greater than the width of the flap 64 on the insert 20. In use, the cut-out 88 cooperates with the flap 64 on the insert 20 to provide the withdrawal stop feature of the container 10 as will be later explained.

To assemble the sleeve blank 13 into the finished sleeve 12, the panels of the sleeve blank are folded over one another in a rolling motion until each panel is at 90 degrees to its neighbours. An exterior surface of the seventh panel 82 is glued to an interior surface of the third panel 74, and an exterior surface the fifth panel 78 is glued to an interior surface of the first panel 72 in order to secure the sleeve 12 in the assembled state.

Figure 7 shows an insert blank 21 for making the insert 20. The insert blank 21 comprises a single panel that defines the substrate 54 and that comprises the major portion 22, the minor grip portion 24 at the first end 34 of the substrate 54 and the flap 64 at the second end 35 of the substrate 54.

To assemble the insert blank 21 into the finished insert 20, the flap 64 is folded underneath the major portion 22 to define a crease 90 between the flap 64 and the major portion 22. Once folded, the flap 64 lies underneath the undersurface of the insert 20.

To assemble the container 10 from the sleeve 12 and the insert 20, the movable lid 37 at the second end 35 of the container 10 is kept open, and the first end 34 of the insert 20 is pushed through the second end 35 of the passage 16 until the minor grip portion 22 has passed through the passage 16 to protrude from the first end 34 of the passage 16 as shown in Figure 1. The goods to be packaged in the container 10 are then inserted into the internal volume of the housing 14, and the container 10 is ready for use.

Figures 8a and 8b and 9a, 9b and 9c, show the internal workings of the container 10 during use, and in particular of the withdrawal stop defined by the cooperating features of the flap 64 on the insert 20 and the cut-out 88 on the inner wall 46.

As shown in Figures 8a and 8b, when the insert 20 is in the retracted position, the flap 64 on the insert 20 is located towards the second end 35 of the container 10, and the cut-out 88 on the inner wall 46 is located towards the first end 34 of the container 10. As the insert 20 is withdrawn from the container 10, the flap 64 on the insert 20 moves towards the first end 34 of the container 10, and hence moves towards the cut-out 88. As the insert 20 moves, the outer wall 44 of the passage 16 pushes the insert against the inner wall 46, keeping the flap 64 folded against the insert 20 in a latching position, such that the flap 64 is ready to engage with the cut-out 88 on the inner wall 46.

As the insert 20 moves towards the extended position, the flap 64 is eventually located over the cut-out 88. The action of the outer wall 44 of the passage 16 pushing against the insert 20 pushes the flap 64 into the cut-out 88, as best seen in Figure 9c. As the insert 20 is pulled further, the flap 64 penetrates further into the cut-out 88, and extends into the internal volume of the housing 14.

Eventually, the crease 90 between the flap 64 and the major portion 22 of the insert 20 abuts against a perimeter 92 of the cut out. The insert 20 can move no further and is now in the extended position.

In this way, the crease 90 and the perimeter 92 of the cut-out 88 define abutment surfaces that act as a withdrawal stop that arrests movement of the insert 20 out of the container 10.

When the insert 20 is pushed back into the container 10, the flap 64 is pushed out of the cutout 88 and back into the passage 16, ready for further use.

Figures 10 and 11a and 11b, 12, 13, 14a and 14b, 15a and 15b, and 16a and 16b illustrate a container 110 according to another embodiment of the invention. The container 110 is similar to the container 10 described above, except for the withdrawal stop structure. For conciseness, only the withdrawal stop structure of the container 110 will be described. All other features of the container 110 are the same as the features of the container 10 described above.

Referring to Figure 10, which shows the sleeve 112 of the container 110, the withdrawal stop structure on the passage 116 is provided in the form of a flap 194. The flap 194 is provided on the upper wall 144 of the passage 116, and in particular is provided at the end 148 of the upper wall 144. A crease 196 is defined where the end 148 of the upper wall 144 meets the flap 194, and the flap 194 is bent to extend inwardly into the passage 116.

Referring to Figures 11a and 11 b, the insert 120 comprises a flap 164 at the second end 135 of the insert 120. In this case, the flap 164 is folded over the insert 120 to define a crease 190 between the flap 164 and the insert 120, and the flap 164 lies against an upper surface 155 of the insert 120.

Figure 12 shows the sleeve blank 113 that makes the sleeve 112 of the container 110. The sleeve blank 113 is similar to the sleeve blank 13 described above, except that the cut-out in the inner wall 146 is not present and is replaced with the flap 194. The flap 194 is provided at the first end 134 of the second panel 172. Before the sleeve blank 113 is assembled into the sleeve 112, the flap 194 is folded below the second panel 172 so as to lie against an undersurface of the second panel. In this way, when the sleeve 112 is assembled the flap 194 will be folded in the required direction and the flap 194 will extended into the passage 116. The flap 194 is biased into a generally open position to define a mouth 197 (see Figure 15c).

Figure 13 shows the insert blank 121 that makes the insert 120 of the container 110. The insert blank 121 is substantially the same as the insert blank 21 described above, though it is assembled in a different manner. To assemble the insert blank into the insert 120 the flap 164 is folded over the major portion 122 to define a crease 190 between the flap 164 and the major portion 122. Once folded, the flap 164 lies over the upper surface of the insert 120. The flap 164 is biased into a generally open position to define a mouth 167 (see Figure 15c).

Figures 14a and 14b and 15a, 15b and 15c, show the internal workings of the container 110 during use, and in particular of the withdrawal stop defined by the cooperating features of the flap 164 on the insert 20 and the flap 194 on the upper wall 144.

As shown in Figures 14a and 14b, when the insert 120 is in the retracted position, the flap 164 on the insert 120 is located towards the second end 135 of the container 110, and the flap 194 on the upper wall 144 is located towards the first end 134 of the container 110. As the insert 120 is withdrawn from the container 110 the flap 164 on the insert 120 moves towards the first end 134 of the container 110, and hence moves towards the flap 194 on the upper wall 144.

As the insert 120 moves towards the extended position, the flap 164 is eventually located below the flap 194 on the upper wall 144. As best seen in Figure 15c, both flaps 194, 164 are biased into an open position by virtue of the creases 196, 190 to define open mouths 197, 167. As the flaps 194, 164 approach one another, an edge of each flap 194, 164 moves into the open mouth 197, 167 of the opposite flap 194, 164.

As the insert 120 is pulled further, an end of each flap 194, 164 penetrates further into the open mouth 197, 167 of the opposite flap 194, 164 until the end of a flap 194, 164 reaches the crease 196, 190 defined by the opposite flap 194, 164. At this point the end of the flap 194, 164 abuts against the crease 196, 190, and the insert 120 can move no further. The insert 120 is now in the extended position.

In this way, the creases 194, 190 and the ends of the flaps 194, 164 define the abutment surfaces that act as the withdrawal stop structure to arrest movement of the insert 120 out of the container 110.

Figure 16 illustrates another embodiment of the container 210. In this embodiment, the insert 220 is provided with a label or booklet 298 that is adhered to an upper surface of the insert 220. The label or booklet 298 is printed with information relating to goods contained inside the internal volume, or information relating to, for example, advertising or promotions.

Figure 17a and 17b show an insert 320 according to another embodiment. The insert 320 is substantially the same as the insert 20 described above, except for the flap 364.

The flap 364 comprises two parts: a first part 364a at the root end of the flap 364 is closer to the major portion 322 of the insert 320 and is comparatively wide. In particular, the first part 364a is wider than the cut-out 88 in the inner wall 46 of the sleeve 12. A second part 364b of the flap 364 at the free end of the flap 364 is furthest from the major portion 322 and is narrower than the first part 364a. In particular, the second part 364b is narrower than the cutout 88 in the inner wall 46 of the sleeve 12. In this way, a shoulder 365 is defined where the wider first part 364a meets the narrower second part 365.

When the insert 320 is in use with the sleeve 12 of Figure 3 and the user withdraws the insert 320 from the passage 16, the flap 364 enters the cut-out 88. The narrower second part 364b of the flap 364 enters the cut-out 88 first. As withdrawal of the insert 320 continues, the first part 364a of the flap 364 approaches the cut-out 88. Because the first part 364a is wider than the cut-out 88, the first part 364a cannot enter the cut-out 88, Instead, the shoulders 345 abut against a perimeter of the cut-out 88 to prevent further withdrawal of the insert 320. Thus, the shoulders 345 and the perimeter of the cut-out 88 act as cooperating abutment surfaces that define the withdrawal stop feature of the container.

The shoulders 365 also help to prevent the flap 364 from penetrating too far into the cut-out 88. This is advantageous because if the flap 364 penetrates all the way into the cut-out 88, such that the crease between the flap 364 and the major portion contacts the perimeter of the cut-out 88, continued pulling on the insert 320 may cause the flap 364 to unfold itself as such that the flap is no longer in the latching position and the locking mechanism may be vulnerable to failure.

This two-part flap design may be applied to the flaps of any embodiment of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention are also envisaged in which the cut-out on the inner wall is replaced by a flap on the inner wall that lies inside the passage and that faces the opposite way to the flap on the insert. The flap on the inner wall may be defined by a cut that borders the flap at the top and sides, and a crease that borders the flap along the bottom edge, closest to the presentation platform. In such embodiments, the flap on the insert cooperates with the flap on the inner wall to provide the withdrawal stop structure.

Embodiments are also envisaged in which the flap on the insert is replaced by a cut-out on the insert, and a flap is provided on either the inner wall or the outer wall as already described above. In such embodiments, the cut-out on the insert cooperates with the flap on the inner wall or the outer wall to provide the withdrawal stop structure.

The insert may be of any suitable shape, and may be printed with any desired information, images or visual indication. The further hinge on the major portion of the insert may be omitted, such that the major portion cannot be lifted away from the presentation platform.

Although in the embodiments described the edge of the grip portion is curved, this need not be the case, and the edge may be any suitable shape. The curve may also be shallower or steeper than that illustrated.

The grip portion need not extend across the entire width of the container, but may instead be narrower than the container. The hinge need not extends across the entire width of the grip portion. Embodiments are also envisaged in which the hinge is omitted. In this case the minor grip portion may be provided with an alternative grip feature, for example a raised button, or a region of the surface that comprises a high-friction material.

Other variations and modifications will also be apparent to the skilled person without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A container comprising: a housing defining an internal volume and having a wall that defines an inner wall of the container; a passage defined between the inner wall and an outer wall of the container opposite the inner wall such that the inner wall divides the passage from the internal volume, the inner wall extending beyond an end of the outer wall such that an end portion of the inner wall beyond the outer wall defines a presentation platform; and an insert comprising a major portion and a minor grip portion, the insert being slidable within the passage between a retracted position in which the major portion is housed inside the passage and the minor grip portion is presented to a user over the presentation platform, and an extended position in which at least a part of the major portion is disposed outside the passage.
2. The container of Claim 1, wherein an end of the inner wall is at an end of the container.
3. The container of Claim 2, wherein the end of the outer wall is inset from the end of the container.
4. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the end of the outer wall is substantially straight.
5. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises at least one side wall that extends between the inner wall and the outer wall, the side wall comprising a cut-out in aligned with the presentation platform.
6. The container of Claim 5, wherein the cut-out extends along substantially the entire length of the presentation platform in a direction substantially parallel to a withdrawal direction of the insert.
7. The container of Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the cut-out extends across the side wall between the outer wall and the inner wall to meet the inner wall.
8. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the insert comprises a grip feature configured to facilitate gripping of the minor grip portion.
9. The container of any preceding claim, further comprising a hinge between the major portion and the minor grip portion, such that the minor grip portion is movable relative to the major portion to lift the minor grip portion away from the presentation platform when the insert is in the retracted position.
10. The container of Claim 9, wherein the hinge is defined by a score, crease or perforation between the major portion and the minor grip portion.
11. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the minor grip portion extends across a full width of the insert in a direction transverse to a withdrawal direction of the insert.
12. The container of any preceding claim, wherein at least a part of an edge of the minor grip portion lies substantially flush with an end of the inner wall.
13. The container of Claim 12 when dependent on Claim 3, wherein at least a part of an edge of the minor grip portion lies substantially flush with the end of the container.
14. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the minor grip portion comprises a convex-curved edge that lies above the presentation platform when the insert is in the retracted position.
15. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the insert is substantially planar.
16. The container of Claim 15, wherein the insert is arranged in sliding contact with the inner wall and the outer wall.
17. The container of any preceding claim, wherein, when the insert is in the retracted position, the minor grip portion lies against the presentation platform.
18. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the container is substantially cuboidal in shape.
19. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the passage is shallower than the housing in a direction transverse to the inner wall.
20. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the major portion of the insert supports textual or graphical information, for example relating to goods to be received in the housing and/or relating to advertising or promotions.
21. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the major portion supports a label or booklet having textual or graphical information thereon.
22. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises a movable closure for selectively closing a first end of the housing adjacent to the presentation platform.
23. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises a movable closure for selectively closing a second end of the housing remote from the presentation platform.
24. The container of Claim 23, wherein movable closure closes a second end of the passage remote from the presentation platform.
25. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises a withdrawal stop structure for limiting movement of the insert in a direction from the retracted position towards the extended position.
26. The container of Claim 25, wherein the withdrawal stop structure comprises cooperating formations on the insert and in the passage.
27. The container of Claim 26, wherein the withdrawal stop structure comprises opposed abutment surfaces on the insert and on an internal surface of the passage.
28. The container of Claim 27, wherein at least one of the opposed abutment surfaces is defined by a latch member movable into a latch position with respect to the insert or the passage.
29. The container of Claim 28, wherein at least one other of the opposed abutment surface surrounds a cut-out on the insert or on an internal surface of the passage.
30. The container of Claim 27 or Claim 28, wherein the latch member is movable with the insert and an internal surface of the passage prevents the latch member moving into the latch position.
31. The container of Claim 30, wherein the latch member is a flap on the insert.
32. The container of Claim 31, wherein the flap is at or near an end of the insert remote from the minor grip portion.
33. The container of any of Claims 26 to 32, wherein the abutment surface on the internal surface of the passage is provided on an internal surface defined by the inner wall of the container.
34. The container of any of Claims 26 to 32, wherein the abutment surface on the internal surface of the passage is provided on an internal surface defined by the outer wall of the container.
35. The container of Claim 33 or Claim 34, wherein the abutment surface on the internal surface of the passage is defined by a latch member standing proud of the internal surface of the passage.
36. The container of Claim 35, wherein the latch member is a flap that protrudes into the passage.
37. The container of Claim 31, Claim 32, Claim 35 or Claim 36, wherein the flap comprises a first portion at a free end of the flap and a second portion at a root end of the flap, wherein the width of the first portion in a direction transverse to the direction of withdrawal of the insert is less than the width of the second portion.
38. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the major portion of the insert is provided with a further hinge.
39. The container of Claim 38 when dependent on any of Claims 25 to 37, wherein the hinge on the major portion is positioned such that, when movement of the insert has been arrested by the withdrawal stop structure, the hinge is located over the presentation platform to allow movement of the major portion about the hinge.
40. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the inner wall is a single-layered wall.
41. A method of withdrawing an insert from a passage of a container, the insert comprising a major portion and a minor grip portion and being slidable within the passage between a retracted position in which the major portion is housed inside the passage and the minor grip portion protrudes form the passage, and an extended position in which at least a part of the major portion is disposed outside the, the method comprising: lifting at least a part of the minor grip portion away from a wall of the container by moving the minor grip portion about a hinge; gripping at least a part of the minor grip portion; and pulling the minor grip portion away from the passage so as to slide the major portion out of the passage.
42. The method of Claim 41, wherein the method comprises inserting at least a part of a digit between the minor grip portion and the presentation platform to grip the minor grip portion.
43. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1, 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 5c, 6, 7, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, or 9c, of the accompanying drawings.
44. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 10, 11a, 11b, 12, 13, 7, 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, or 15c, of the accompanying drawings.