US2968391A

US2968391A - Tear-strip pill package

Info

Publication number: US2968391A
Application number: US743188A
Authority: US
Inventors: George C Sparks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-06-19
Filing date: 1958-06-19
Publication date: 1961-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 1978-01-17

Description

J n- 17, 19 1 G. c. SPARKS 2,968,391

TEAR-STRIP PILL PACKAGE Filed June 19, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V INVENTOR.

61901965 CZ SPARKS Jan. 17, 19 1 G. c. SPARKS 2,968,391

TEAR-STR IP PILL PACKAGE Filed June 19, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @kvfl /M\ am "a" f "Pa" Hi 7 3/ gz 7 3/ L 8 JNVENTOR.

. Q GEOFGE C. SPAR/(S film} t s Patent TEAR-STRIP'PILL PACKAGE:

George C. Sparks, Sparks Corporation, Shurs Lane and Pechin St., Philadelphia," Pa.

FiledjJune 19, 1958, Ser; No 743,188

8 Claims. (Cl. 206-42) This invention relates generally to dispensing containers or packages. of the general type disclosed" in co-p'en'ding patent application Serial Number 587,143, filed 'Mayy24, 1 956, of which this application is a continuation i'n'part.

The particular embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated in the drawings and which will be de: scribed hereinafter in. greater detail, comprises: generally an inner sheet having atleast one indentation or depression formed therein for receiving an article to be con tained, a. pair of outer sheets on opposite sides of and sandwiched about the inner sheet with one of the outer sheets overlying, and closing the article receiving recess; andmeans for operating upon one of the outersheetsto effect opening of the recess for discharge of the contained article.

It is oneobjectof the-present invention to'prjoyide a dispensing container of the type described which is exf tremely simple and inexpen'sivein construction, quickly operable without the exercise of great skill, attractive in appearance, and which enables the contents and advertising indicia to be advantageously displayed, ifldesired.

It is another object of the present invention to provide adis'pensingcontainer of the type described which" is durable and reliable in use, foolproof, in operation, and ex= tremely light in weight and small in size, being substantially flat for convenience in mailing or carrying on the person of the user.

A more particular object of the present invention resides in the provision of a container'having the advantageous characteristics. mentioned in the preceding para graphs, and which effectivleyprotects the contents against moistureand dirt, and which includes novel and advantageous opening or dispensing means not adversely affecting-the protective. character of the package.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparenfupon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of thisdisclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

Inthe drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view showing a package constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view showing the package of Figure 1;

Figure? is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partial transverse sectional view taken substanitally along the line 44 of Figure l; I Figure 5 is a partial bottom or rear view similar to Fig- 'ure 2, but illustrating the opening procedure, and showing interior structure of the package;

Figure 6 isa front or top planview-similar to Figurel,

ice

but showing a slightly modified form of package constructedin accordance" with the present invention;

Figure 7is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a partial transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9'is a partial rear or bottom plan view similar to'Figure 5, but showing the embodiment of Figures 68 in the process of being opened; and

Figure 10 is a partial sectional view taken substantially along; the line 10'10 of Figure 9;

Referringinow more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to Figures 1-5 thereof, the package illustrated thereinisgenerally designated 20'and includes a pair of substantiallycongruent, generaly rectangular outer walls, the front outer Well being designated 21, and the rear outer wall 22. The outer.

walls

21 and 22 are advantageously' fabricated of cardboard, and may be formed asan integral,,folded piece, or of separate sheets. The front sheet 21' is formed with at least one, and preferably a plurality of through holes or cutouts 23, advantageously arranged in a line, for purposes appearing presently. The cutouts 23 are located centrally of or in spaced relation within the peripheral edge of the front outer sheet 21.

The rear outer sheet 22 is formed with a weakened portion 25' defined 'within cut or score line 26. More specifically; the cuts or score lines 26 extend inward from one end edge of the outer sheet 22 to define thereof an elongate portion 25 bounded by the score lines, and thus weakened. for easy severance and" removal from the remainder ofthe rear outer sheet. The weakened rear outer'sheet portion 25vmay include a tab or extension part 27 projecting beyond one end edge of the outer sheet. In the congruent relation of the front and rear outer" sheets 21 and 22', the weakened rear outer sheet portion 25" is located to lie directly behind the cutouts 23 of the front outer sheet.

Interposed in sandwiched relation between the front and rear

outer sheets

21 and 22 is an inner sheet 30, preferably fabricatedof relatively thin, transparent plastic, and which may be of rectangular configuration similar to but substantially smaller than that of the outer sheets; The plastieinner sheet 30 is sandwiched between the

outer sheets

21 and 22 in homothetic relation with respect thereto, so as to have its peripheral edge spaced substantially inward at allpoints from the peripheral edges of the outer sheets. Formed in the plastic sheet 30, cen

trally thereof or in spacedrelation with respect to the peripheral edge thereof, is one or more indentations or depressions 31 which project forward from or 'onto' the forward side of the inner sheet and open rearward from or on the rearward side of the inner sheet. With the inner sheet 30 sandwiched between and in homothetic relation with respect to the congruent outer sheets 21' and 22, the depressions 31 are located in respective alignment with and projecting forward through the cutouts 23 of the front outer sheet; and'further, the depressions define recesses facing rearward toward the scored or weakened strip portion 25 of the rear outer sheet. .The depressions 31 are illustrated as each containing the pair of pills 3'2, being specially configured to conformably receive the pills, but of course, other articles and other quantities thereof may also lac-accommodated.

The outer'sheets 21 and 22 maybe adhesively secured in facing engagement about their peripheral portions, which portions lie beyond the peripheral edge of the inner sheet 30; and, the inner sheet will be eifectively retained in its homothetic relation with respect to the outer sheets both by frictional engagement therewith and the positive'retaining action of the depressed portions 31 in the cutouts 23.

- Afiex-ible, relatively strong tear strip, asofmetalfoil,"

plastic, or the like, is generally designated 35, and arranged on the rear face or side of the inner sheet 30 extending along the line of, across and over the openings of the depressions 31. That is, as best seen in Figure 3, the tear strip or tape 35 is disposed in facing engagement with, but unsecured to the rear side or face of the inner sheet 30, and extends along the weakened rear sheet portion 25, across and over the depressions 31, so as to be spaced from the bottom or forward, depressed wall of the depressions by the contained articles 32. The tear strip or tape 35 may be seen in outline in Figure 2 as extending the entire length of the weakened rear sheet portion 25, and therebeyond, as at 36 to the right-hand end edges of the outer sheets. The end tape portion 36 may be anchored to the outer sheets by the marginal adhesive securement of the latter. Also as seen in Figure 2, the tear tape or strip 35 projects leftward beyond the lefthand end of the outer sheets, and also beyond the projecting tab 27 of the weakened portion 25, to define a free end or pull portion 37.

A moisture barrier or liquid-impermeable sheet 40 is sandwiched between the rear face of the inner sheet 30, and the front face of the rear outer sheet 22, which sheet is advantageously fabricated of metal foil or other impermeable sheet material having the free-rupturing charac- 'teristics of metal foil. As may be observed in Figures 2, 3 and 5, the moisture barrier or foil sheet 40 is also of a rectangular-outline configuration similar to that of the

outer sheets

21 and 22, but smaller in dimensions than the outer sheets and larger in dimensions than the inner sheet 30. The moisture barrier 40 is arranged in homothetie relation with respect to the outer and inner sheets, completely overlying the inner sheet on the rear face thereof, also overlying the tear tape 35, and having its peripheral portion extending beyond the peripheral edge of the inner sheet to the marginal portion of the outer sheets, where it is adhesively secured between the latter. The moisture barrier 40 is advantageously also adhesively secured to the rear face of the inner sheet, whereby its overlying and closing relationship with the depressions 31 effectively seals the article-containing space within the depressions.

In manufacture, with articles 32 received in the recessed portions 31 of the previously formed inner sheet '30, the tear strip or tape 35 is positioned on the rear surface of the inner sheet, extending across the recessed portions 31 and on top or rearward of the contents thereof. The moisture barrier or foil sheet 40 is then arranged on the rear surface of the inner sheet, completely overlying the latter, and over the tape 35, with the peripheral mois ture-barrier portions extending beyond the peripheral edge of the inner sheet. The moisture barrier, in this position, is secured in facing engagement with the rear surface of the inner sheet. These thus-assembled elements may then be placed on the rear surface of the front outer sheet 21, with the depressed inner-sheet portions 31 received in and projecting forward through the cutouts 23 of the front outer sheet. The rear outer sheet 22 may then be superposed on the rear surface of the moisture barrier 40 and extending therebeyond in congruent relation with respect to the front outer sheet 21.. It may be observed in Figures 2, 3 and 5, that the peripheral edge of the moisture barrier 40 extends closely adjacent to but spaced inward from the peripheral edges of the front and rear

outer sheets

21 and 22; and, the outer sheets are preferably adhesively secured together about their facing peripheral margins with the peripheral margin of the moisture barrier secured therebetween.

In order to operate the instant device, his only neemsary to apply a rearward pulling force to the free end 37 of tear tape 35, which will eflFeet severance of the weakened rear outer-sheet portion 25 from the remainder of the rear outer sheet in the rightward direction, as seen in Figure 2. Simultaneously, the tape 35 effects rupture of the moisture barrier 40 along a portion 41 contiguous to the tear tape, see Figure 5. This, of course, efiects opening of a recess 31 for convenient access to the contained articles 32. The articles 32 may be discharged from the recess 31 by mere inversion of the device. As illustrated in Figure 5, the tear tape 35 may be pulled sufficiently to open a single recess 31, or any desired number of recesses, while the remaining recesses, if any, stay closed in their sealed condition.

In the embodiment of Figures 6-10, the dispensing container is there generally designated 20a, and the structure thereof is substantially the same as that of Figures 1-5, except that the tear tape or strip 35a of the device 20a, corresponding to the tear tape 35 of the device 20, is located and arranged differently with respect to the remaining parts of the device.

More specifically, as best seen in Figures 6, 7 and 8, the tear tape 35a extends along the rear surface of the inner sheet 30, successively across each of the depressed pockets or recesses 31, but interiorly of each depression along the bottom or forwardly projecting wall thereof, to lie between the contained articles 32 and the inner surfaces of the depressions. This arrangement may be obtained in assembly of the device by introducing the articles 32 into the recesses 31 after the tear tape 35a has been positioned on the rear side of the inner sheet 30 extending across the recesses. The moisture barrier 40 may then be secured in position as described hereinbefore; and, it will be noted that the articles 32 are arranged directly between the tear tape and moisture barrier.

Operation of the device 20a is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the free end 370 of tape 35a having been pulled to sever and remove a part of the weakened back or outer-sheet portion 25. Pulling of the tape to effect this opening or severance of the weakened back sheet portion necessarily causes displacement of the articles 32 out of the recess 31, the tape being in front of the articles and moving rearward to carry the articles rearward and effect their removal from the recess. However, the moisture barrier 40 is ruptured by pulling of the tape to define a severed portion or strip 41a extending along the tape. Moreover, the strip 41a formed of the moisture barrier 40 by rupture thereof is located on the rearward side of the articles 32, opposite to the tape, and combines with the latter to frictionally retain therebetween the articles upon removal of the latter from the depressions 31. This is the condition illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. Of course, the articles 32 carried between the tape 35 and strip portion 41a may be readily dislodged therefrom for use.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a dispensing container which fully accomplishes its intended objects, and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, distribution, and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A dispensing container comprising a relatively thin plastic inner sheet formed with at least one depression spaced inward from the peripheral edge of said inner sheet and defining a recess opening toward one side of said inner sheet, said depression projecting on the other side of said inner sheet and being configured to contain a predetermined quantity of articles, a tear strip on said one side of said inner sheet arranged across and of a width less than said recess and having one end extending beyond the adjacent edge portion of said inner sheet, a first coplanar cardboard outer sheet arranged in facing engagement with said one side of said inner sheet in closing relation with said recess overlying said tear strip and having its peripheral portion extending beyond the peripheral edge of said inner sheet and terminating short of said one tear-strip end, said first outer sheet having a weakened portion extending along said tear strip overlying and of a width greater than said recess, and a second substantially coplanar outer sheet arranged on the other side of said inner sheet overlying and having its peripheral portion extending beyond the peripheral edge of said inner sheet terminating short of said one tearstrip end and adhesively secured directly to and in facing engagement with the peripheral portion of said first outer sheet, whereby said one tear-strip end extends beyond said outer sheets for manual grasping and a pull exerted on said tear strip efiects severance of said weakened first outer sheet portion to completely open said recess.

2. A dispensing container according to claim 1, said inner sheet being formed with a plurality of depressions spaced inward from the peripheral edge of said inner sheet and defining a plurality of recesses opening toward said one side of said inner sheet, said tear strip extending successively across all of said recesses, and the weakened portion of said first outer sheet extending along said tear strip and overlying all of said recesses, whereby a pull exerted on said tear strip effects severance of said weakened first outer sheet portion to successively open said recesses. r

3. A dispensing container according to claim 1, said second outer sheet being cut out to receive the projection of said depression.

4. A dispensing container according to claim 1, in combination with a rupturable moisture barrier interposed between said inner and first outer sheets completely overlying said recess and tear strip said barrier being severable simultaneously with said weakened first outer sheet portion by said tear strip along a width approximately equal to said tear strip to leave barrier portions partially overlying said recess and retaining the contents therein.

5. A dispensing container according to claim 4, said moisture barrier comprising metal foil adhesively secured to said one side of said inner sheet.

6. A dispensing container comprising a relatively thin plastic inner sheet formed with at least one depression spaced inward from the peripheral edge of said inner sheet and defining a recess opening toward one side of said inner sheet, said depression projecting on the other side of said inner sheet and being configured to contain a predetermined quantity of articles, a tear strip on said one side of said inner sheet extending interiorly across said recess along the bottom thereof and therebeyond for interposition of said tear strip between an article in said recess and the bottom of said recess, a first coplanar cardboard outer sheet arranged in facing engagement with said one side of said inner sheet in closing relation with said recess overlying said tear strip and having its peripheral portion extending beyond the peripheral edge of said inner sheet, said first outer sheet having a weakened portion extending along said tear strip and overlying said recess, and a second substantially coplanar outer sheet arranged on the other side of said inner sheet overlying and having its peripheral portion extending be yond the peripheral edge of said inner sheet and adhesive- 1y secured directly to and in facing engagement with the peripheral portion of said first outer sheet, whereby a pull exerted on said tear strip effects severance of said weakened first outer sheet portion and ejection of said article from said recess.

7. A dispensing container according to claim 6, in combination with a rupturable moisture barrier interposed between said inner and first outer sheets overlying said recess and tear strip for severance by said tear strip with said weakened first outer sheet portion.

8. A dispensing container according to claim 7, said moisture barrier having the rupturing characteristics of metal foil to rupture upon said exerted pull and define of said barrier a second strip extending closely along said tear strip, said second strip and tear strip serving to retain therebetween an article removed from said recess and preventing its projection from said recess.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 881,011 Lambert Mar. 3, 1908 2,194,828 Greaves Mar. 26, 1940 2,568,625 Harvey Sept. 18, 1951 2,813,624 Phipps Nov. 19, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 643,196 France May 15, 1928