WO1999018860A1

WO1999018860A1 - Universal storage box for dispensing a medical device

Info

Publication number: WO1999018860A1
Application number: PCT/EP1998/006289
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric William Pearson; John P. Merritt; Scott E. Pleau
Original assignee: Tyco Group S.A.R.L.
Priority date: 1997-10-15
Filing date: 1998-10-02
Publication date: 1999-04-22
Also published as: AU1149499A

Abstract

The universal storage box is capable of dispensing a plurality of packaged sutures in either a gravity-type feed or drawer-type feed modes. The universal storage box comprises an inner tray that is slidably engaged with an outer sleeve having opposing open ends. The inner tray comprises four panels and a bottom portion that form a space therein for the storage of a plurality of sutures. One of the panels has an opening that is adapted for dispensing packaged sutures therethrough while another panel forms a grip for gripping by the thumb or fingers of a user. The outer sleeve comprises four walls that form a box with opposing open ends that are adapted for receiving the inner tray. The sleeve also includes an opening formed on one of the panels for dispensing package sutures. When fully assembled, the universal storage box may be used in a gravity-type feed mode or in a drawer-type feed mode.

Description

Universal Storage Box for Dispensing a Medical Device

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to packaging for medical devices and more particularly to a storage box for storing and dispensing medical devices. Specifically, the present invention relates to a universal storage box for storing packaged sutures and dispensing the same either by drawer feed or gravity feed means .

2. Prior Art

Packaged medical devices, such as sutures, are usually stored in storage boxes that dispense the packaged sutures in only one of several available ways . One method of dispensation is by having the storage box horizontally oriented for a drawer- type feed dispensation system. Typically, the storage box comprises a tray and sleeve combination in which the user pulls the tray storing the packaged sutures out from inside the sleeve of the storage box and retrieves from the tray any number of packaged sutures for use. A prior art storage box having a drawer-type feed dispensation system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,123,125 to Andry, III which describes a drawer-type feed dispensation system having an inner tray that is slidably removable from the outer sleeve for dispensing packaged sutures and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Another method of dispensing packaged sutures is a dispensing system where the sutures are dispensed in a gravity- type feed storage box. Dispensing systems of this kind have an opening formed on one of the panels for dispensing packaged sutures in a vertically-stacked orientation. A typical storage box of this kind is found in U.S. Patent No. 5,284,293 to Alpern et al. and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. One disadvantage of the above noted dispensing systems is that dispensation may only be accomplished by one method, i.e., gravity-type feed or drawer-type feed mode, as described above. Currently, manufacturers of stored packaged sutures provide storage boxes that dispense packaged sutures in either a drawer- type feed mode or a gravity-type feed mode, but not both. A storage box configured to dispense sutures by gravity-type feed mode is not capable of dispensing the same by drawer-type feed mode. The reason is that a drawer-type feed mode lacks the proper opening required to dispense a plurality of sutures one at a time. Further, packaged sutures from one manufacturer providing one type of storage box will not usually fit in another manufacturer's usually wall-mounted display carton. This presents problems for users who wish to dispense different types of packaged sutures from different manufacturers using but one display carton.

Moreover, the current preference in the United States market for dispensing packaged sutures has been for gravity-type feed storage boxes, whereas the international market currently prefers a drawer-type feed means of dispensation. These different preferences for dispensing packaged sutures requires manufacturers to develop and manufacture different types of storage boxes having dissimilar means of dispensation. Therefore, higher expense is incurred by the manufacturer in fulfilling the specific needs and preferences of customers regarding dispensation.

Accordingly, a need exists in the art for a storage box with a universal dispensing function that dispenses packaged sutures in either a gravity-type feed or drawer- ype feed mode.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a storage box having a universal dispensing function.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a storage box capable of dispensing packaged sutures by both gravity-type feed and drawer-type feed modes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive means of manufacturing a universal storage box for dispensing a packaged suture.

These and other objects of the present invention are realized in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, described by way of example and not by way of limitation, which provides for a universal storage box capable of dispensing a suture both in a gravity-type feed mode or a drawer-type feed mode. The storage box according to the present invention for storing and dispensing medical devices, such as sutures, comprises a sleeve and tray combination. The tray is a generally rectangular-shaped box having an open top that is slidably disposed inside a similarly shaped sleeve having opposing open ends. The storage box is used in the drawer-type feed mode by having the user pull out the tray from inside the sleeve so that the open top is exposed, thereby permitting dispensation of the packaged sutures stored therein. Alternatively, the storage box can be used in the gravity-type feed mode by having the user orient the box so that aligned openings formed in the tray and the sleeve can dispense a plurality of packaged sutures one at a time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank used to make the tray component of the universal storage box according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank used to make the sleeve component of the universal storage box according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tray component of the universal storage box shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sleeve component of the universal storage box shown in FIG. 2 according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the universal storage box in a gravity-type feed dispensation according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the universal storage box in a drawer-type feed dispensation according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the universal storage box of the present invention is illustrated and generally indicated as 10 in FIGS. 5 and 6. A blank of tray 11, a component of the universal storage box 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the tray exterior surface 57. The tray 11, as illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises a generally rectangular-shaped planar side panel 13 defined by free edge 16, head edge 84, foldable base edge 15, and inner edge 17.

Head edge 84 is integrally formed with or attached to closure edge 14 of a generally rectangular-shaped closure tab 18.

Closure tab 18 is defined by right free edge 20, middle free edge

85, and left free edge 19. Foldable base edge 15 of side panel

13 is integrally formed with or attached to head edge 86 of side panel tab 21. Side panel tab 21 is defined by head edge 86, free edge 24, base edge 23, and angled edge 22 that forms a sharp point 82 with base edge 23.

Foldable inner edge 17 is integrally formed with or attached to foldable inner edge 27 of a generally rectangular-shaped planar dispensing panel 26. Dispensing panel 26 is defined by foldable inner edge 27, foldable inner edge 29, foldable base edge 28 and free edge 30. The foldable base edge 28 is integrally formed with or attached to head edge 87 of a dispensing tab 31.

The dispensing tab 31 is defined by right free edge 33, base edge 34, and left free edge 32. As shall be discussed in greater detail below, the base edge 34 of dispensing tab 31 includes a detent 35 that has two indents 36 formed thereto for interconnection with respective sharp points 82 when assembling the bottom portion 83 of tray 11.

Foldable inner edge 29 is integrally formed with or attached to foldable inner edge 88 of a generally rectangular-shaped planar grip panel 37. Grip panel 37 is defined by foldable inner edge 88, free edge 38, foldable inner edge 90, and foldable base edge 89. Free edge 38 forms a grip 39 having a V-shape adapted for gripping by the thumb or fingers . Although the preferred embodiment shows a V-shaped grip, any suitably configured grip, i.e. round, square, etc. that is adapted for gripping by a user's thumb or fingers in withdrawing the tray 11 from the sleeve 12 , is felt to fall within the scope of the present invention.

The base edge 89 is integrally formed with or attached to head edge 40 of grip tab 51 which is similarly configured as the above-noted side panel tab 21. The grip tab 51 is defined by head edge 40, free edge 41, base edge 43, and angled edge 42 that forms a sharp point 82 with base edge 43.

The foldable inner edge 90 is integrally formed with or attached to an inner edge 44 of a generally rectangular-shaped grip side panel 45. Grip side panel 45 is defined by foldable inner edge 44, free edge 49, foldable inner edge 47, and a foldable base edge 48.

The foldable inner edge 47 is integrally formed with or attached to an inner edge 92 of attachment tab 46. Attachment tab 46 is defined by right free edge 93, middle free edge 94 and left free edge 95.

Base edge 91 is integrally formed with or attached to head edge 48 of detent tab 52. Detent tab 52 is defined by head edge 48, left angled edge 53, square-shaped edge 55 and right angled edge 54. The right and left -angled edges 53,54 extend at an obtuse angle from the head edge 48 and meet the generally rectangular-shaped square-shaped edge 55 to form the free end of detent tab 52.

The inner edges 27,17 of dispensing panel 26 and dispensing side panel 13, respectively, form a pull-out portion 25 that is scored along the entire edge.

Referring to FIG. 2, the sleeve 12, a component of the universal storage box 10 is illustrated showing the sleeve exterior surface 78. The sleeve 12 comprises a generally rectangular-shaped planar attachment wall 60 defined by free edge 70, head edge 69, base edge 71 and foldable inner edge 96.

The foldable inner edge 96 is integrally formed with or attached to a foldable inner edge 72 of a generally rectangular- shaped planar sleeve wall 59. The sleeve wall 59 is defined by foldable inner edge 72, head edge 68, base edge 67 and foldable inner edge 64.

Foldable inner edge 64 is integrally formed with or attached to a foldable inner edge 97 of a generally rectangular-shaped planar dispensing wall 56. The dispensing wall 56 is defined by foldable wall 97, head edge 62, foldable inner edge 98 and a base edge 65. The head edge 62 forms an opening 63 that is adapted for dispensing packaged sutures in a gravity-type feed mode.

Foldable inner edge 98 is integrally formed with or attached to foldable inner edge 66 of a generally rectangular-shaped planar dispensing side wall 61. The dispensing side wall 61 is defined by foldable inner edge 66, head edge 73, foldable inner edge 75 and base edge 74.

The foldable inner edge 75 is integrally formed with or attached to a foldable inner edge 99 of connection tab 76. The connection tab 76 is defined by right free edge 100, middle free end 101 and left free edge 102.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the assembly of the tray 11 of the universal storage box 10 shall be discussed in greater detail. In assembling the tray 11, the panels 13,26,37,45 are folded away from the exterior surface 57 in a manner illustrated by arrows A shown in FIG. 1. The exterior surface 57 of the attachment tab 46 is then glued or otherwise suitably attached to the interior surface 58 of the dispensing side panel 13 so that the middle free edge 94 of panel 13 is properly aligned with the free edge 16 of tab 46. Once the attachment tab 46 is attached to the dispensing side panel 13, the bottom portion 83 of the tray 11 is constructed. Preferably, the bottom portion 83 is assembled by inserting the square-shaped portion 55 of detent tab 52 into and above detent 35 while concurrently inserting the opposing sharp points 82 of the grip tab 51 and dispensing side panel tab 21, respectively, above the square-shaped portion 55 and below the base edge 34. Although the preferred manner of assembling the bottom portion 83 has been disclosed, other suitable means for assembling a bottom portion of a tray known to those with ordinary skill in the art is felt to fall within the scope of the present invention.

After the bottom portion 83 is assembled, the closure tab 18 is folded away from the tray exterior surface 58 so that free edges 19,20 of tab 18 meet head edge 49 and head edge 30, respectively. The closure tab 18 provides structural reinforcement to the tray 11 when the universal storage box 10 is used in the gravity-type feed mode.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the assembly of the sleeve 12 of the universal storage box 10 shall be discussed in greater detail. In assembling the sleeve 12, panels 56,59,60,61 are folded away from the exterior surface 78 in a manner illustrated by arrows B shown in FIG. 2. The sleeve exterior surface 78 of the connection tab 76 is then glued or otherwise suitably attached to the sleeve interior surface 77 of the attachment wall 60 so that inner edge 75 is aligned with the free edge 70, thereby forming a generally rectangular-shaped box with opposing open ends 80.

As shown in FIG. 5, the universal storage box 10 is assembled by simply inserting the tray 11 into one of the opposing ends 80 of the sleeve 12 in such a manner that the pull- out portion 25 is aligned with opening 63. Once the universal storage box 10 is fully assembled, the box 10 may be used in either a gravity-type feed or a drawer-type feed system of dispensation. The gravity-type feed mode for dispensing packaged sutures from universal storage box 10 is illustrated in FIG. 5. Packaged sutures may be dispensed in a gravity-type feed mode by orienting the universal storage box 10 so that the dispensing side panel 13 faces the resting position. The scored edge of pull-out portion 25 is opened and packaged sutures may be dispensed in a gravity- type feed mode by removing the bottom most suture through the portion 25. When the bottom most suture is removed, another suture immediately replaces it so that a plurality of packaged sutures may be removed one at a time.

Referring to FIG. 6, the drawer-type feed mode for dispensing packaged sutures from the universal storage box 10 is illustrated. Packaged sutures may be dispensed in a drawer-type feed mode by orienting the universal storage box 10 so that the sleeve wall 59 is facing the resting position of box 10.

The universal storage box 10 is adapted for insertion into a dispenser rack (not shown) for storing a plurality of boxes 10 in separate storage modules . When removing packaged sutures , the user simply grabs the grip 39 with either his thumb or fingers and slides the tray 11 partially outside the sleeve 12, thereby exposing the sutures for removal. To facilitate the sliding action of the tray 11, a scored opening 50, shown in FIGS. 1 and

3, is formed along the common edge of edges 40,89 between grip tab 51 and grip panel 37. A user removes a scored section along the scored opening 50 for additional gripping by the thumb or finger when pulling out the tray 11.

Preferably, the foldable edges comprising the tray 11 and sleeve 12 according to the present invention is an integral, unitary edge that may be folded to any desired angle. However, it is within the scope of the present invention that the foldable edges may also comprise two structural elements, like a wall or panel, that are attached together by any suitable means know to those in the art .

It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is not intended that the invention be limited by the specification; instead, the scope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A storage box for storing and dispensing a plurality of sutures comprising: a tray having an open top and a space therein for storing the plurality of sutures; and a sleeve having four side walls that form a box with opposing open ends and an opening formed on one of said four walls, said sleeve being slidably engaged with said tray, wherein when the storage box is in a drawer-type feed mode said tray dispenses said plurality of sutures from said open top of said tray when said tray is slide from inside said sleeve, thereby permitting dispensation of said plurality of sutures from said open top, and wherein when the storage box is in a gravity- type feed mode said plurality of sutures are dispensed through said opening of said sleeve.

2. The storage box according to claim 1 , wherein said opening includes a deflectable area for easy removal of said plurality of sutures, whereby movement of said plurality of sutures from said tray permits easy deflection and dispensation of said plurality of sutures through said opening.

3. The storage box according to claim 1 , wherein said tray has a second opening adapted for gripping by one of the thumb or fingers of a user, wherein when said tray is in a drawer-type feed mode a user grips said second opening and pulls said tray from inside said sleeve, thereby exposing said plurality of sutures for dispensation by the user.

4. A storage box for storing and dispensing a plurality of sutures comprising: a tray having four side panels, a bottom portion and an open top, said four side panels being foldably attached to said bottom portion along an edge and forming a space therein for storing a plurality of sutures; and a sleeve having four walls forming a box having opposing open ends adapted to receive said tray, one of said four walls having an opening, wherein when the storage box is in a drawer-type feed mode said tray dispenses said plurality of sutures from said open top when said tray is slid from inside said sleeve and wherein when the storage box is in a gravity-type feed mode said plurality of sutures are dispensed through said opening of said sleeve.

5. The storage box according to claim 4 , wherein said tray has a second opening adapted for gripping by one of the thumb or fingers of a user, wherein when said tray is in a drawer-type feed mode a user grips said second opening and pulls said tray from inside said sleeve, thereby exposing said plurality of sutures for dispensation by the user.

6. The storage box according to claim 4 , wherein said sleeve and said tray include a deflectable area along said opening to allow easy removal of said plurality of sutures, whereby movement of said plurality of sutures from said opening permits deflection and dispensation of said plurality of sutures through said opening.

7. A method for dispensing a plurality of sutures from a storage box in either a drawer-type feed or gravity-type feed modes, said storage box comprising an inner tray that is slidably engaged inside an outer sleeve, said tray including four panels, a bottom portion and an open top forming a space therein for storing the plurality of sutures, one of the panels forming a grip adapted for gripping by a user, the tray and sleeve further including aligned openings adapted for dispensation of the plurality of sutures, the tray opening including a scored section over the opening, the outer sleeve comprising four walls that form a box with opposing open ends , the method includes the steps of : a) placing the storage box in the gravity-type feed mode; b) removing the scored section from the tray opening, thereby exposing the plurality of sutures for removal by a user; c) removing the plurality of sutures through the aligned tray and sleeve openings; d) placing the storage box in a drawer-type feed mode; e) gripping the grip using one of the thumb or fingers; f) sliding the tray from inside said sleeve using the grip, thereby exposing the plurality of sutures through the open top of the tray; and g) removing the plurality of sutures through the open top.