WO2007007094A1

WO2007007094A1 - Improvements to packaging

Info

Publication number: WO2007007094A1
Application number: PCT/GB2006/002573
Authority: WO
Inventors: Burgo Wharton; Hamish Thain
Original assignee: Duff Design Limited
Priority date: 2005-07-11
Filing date: 2006-07-11
Publication date: 2007-01-18
Also published as: GB0601300D0

Abstract

A package comprising first and second tab members (14, 16) which lie substantially on the same plane as each other, and a means for driving the movement of one of the tab members, wherein the drive means comprises belt means (42; 42, 58) with which the first and second tab members (14, 16) co-operate such that when the first tab member (14) is moved in a first direction said second tab member (16) is caused to move in a second direction opposite to said first direction, said movement of the tab members being in a plane parallel to the plane on which the tab members (14, 16) lie.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO PACKAGING

The present invention relates to packaging, such as a box, which may be used in the packaging of any item, for example in the packaging of compact discs, mini-discs, mobile telephones and associated products, chocolates, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, digital video discs, cigarettes, swatch samples, information cards and electronic components and similar products.

Compact discs are generally packaged in plastics jewel cases, in which a hinged lid must be lifted to gain access to a tray in which the compact disc lies. The case must be grasped in the correct fashion to enable the Hd to be opened. People with small hands or limited use of their hands can have great difficulty in opening a standard jewel case. Also, information concerning the data or recording on the compact disc is usually provided on an insert or booklet attached to the underside of the hinged lid. It can be awkward to remove or replace this booklet, which must be passed under a series of projections on the side walls of the lid in order to retain the booklet in place when the lid is closed.

Other methods of packaging compact discs and the like include simple cardboard sleeves or flexible plastic wallets. However such sleeves and wallets are not particularly rigid or robust and do not always hold the packaged item securely.

EPl 140639 of the Applicant, the subject matter of which is incorporated into this specification by reference, describes a box comprising a generally tubular sleeve defining a through passage, a planar divider extending across said passage, a belt extending around said divider, and a tray member extending into said passage, characterised in that the box further comprises a tab member extending into said passage, and wherein each of said tray member and said tab member are attached to said belt, such that when said tab member is moved out of said passage in a first direction said tray member moves out of said passage in a second direction opposite to said first direction, and said belt is in the form of a continuous loop such that when said tab member is moved into said passage in said second direction said tray member moves into said passage in said first direction. This box is easier to use than those of the prior art because pulling the tray member to open it will also cause the tab member to open, and vice versa. However, as the tray member and the tab member do not lie on the same plane, the box is necessarily tall as it must accommodate the thickness of the tray member plus the tab member.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved packaging which alleviates one or more of the problems stated above.

From one aspect, the invention resides in a package comprising a first tab member and a second tab member lying substantially on the same plane as each other, wherein moving the first tab member in a first direction causes the second tab member to move in a second direction opposite to said first direction. By package it is meant a box for containing items, a display device or combinations of both. The package further comprises a means for driving the movement of one of the tab members, wherein the drive means comprises belt means with which the first and second tab members co-operate such that when the first tab member is moved in the first direction the second tab member is caused to move in the second direction, said movements of the tab members being substantially in a common plane parallel to the plane on which the tab members lie.

This arrangement is easy to use because pulling one of the tab members in one direction, for example away from one side of the package to open it, will cause the other tab member to move in an opposite direction, for example away from an opposite side of the package to open it.

Advantageously, the belt means comprises a belt which extends around a divider, the first tab member being attached to the belt to a first side of the divider and the second tab member being attached to the belt to a second side of the divider. The second tab member may, for example, be attached to the belt to the second side of the divider by a tongue member which extends from the second tab member and is spaced from the second tab member. By virtue of this construction, the tab members can be moved in opposite directions to each other as the belt translates about the divider and yet the tab members can lie on substantially the same plane as each other which means that the package need only be as tall or thick as the thicker tab member. In an alternative embodiment, the belt means comprises a first belt to which the first tab member is attached, and a second belt to which the second tab member is attached. The first and second belts co-operate with each other such that when the first tab member is moved in a first direction, the second tab member moves in a second direction.

Preferably, the first belt is a continuous loop which extends around a first planar divider, and the second belt is a continuous loop which extends around a second planar divider, said dividers being substantially parallel to each other and to the plane on which the tab members lie.

The tab members can be co-planar by virtue of the first divider comprising an opening through which the second tab member co-operates with the second belt. The first belt may comprise two separate belts which are spaced apart on the first divider and located one on either side of the opening, which belts co-operate with the second belt such that when the first tab member is moved in the first direction said second tab member is caused to move in the second direction.

hi an alternative embodiment of the above aspects of the invention, the package may comprise a sleeve for housing the first and second tab members, and also a compartment between or otherwise adjacent the first and second tab members which can be accessed through an opening in the sleeve when the first and second tab members are moved away from each other. This compartment can be used to house a further item or items, such as a mobile telephone charger, or an information booklet etc., and can be accessed when one or both of the tab members are moved.

hi a yet further alternative embodiment of the above aspects of the invention, the package may include vents in the first tab member, second tab member, sleeve, first divider and/or second divider. This allows the movement of air into and out of the package to facilitate the closing and opening of the tab members. The invention also resides in box comprising at least two compartments defined by respective tray members which lie on the same plane. Preferably, moving one tray member relative to the box causes the other tray member automatically to translate relative to the box. The box may further comprise a third compartment which lies on the same plane as the tray members.

The invention extends to a drive means for driving movement of tab members of a package by causing a first tab member to move in response to a movement of a second tab member, the drive means comprising a first belt means to which the first tab member is attached, which first belt means co-operates with a second belt means to which the second tab member is attached, wherein said first and second belt means are coupled to move in different directions to each other such that moving the first tab member in a first direction causes the second tab member to move in a second direction different to said first direction.

Preferably, the belt means are arranged to move in opposing directions so that the first and second tab members are caused to move away and towards each together in opposing directions. The drive means can further comprise a first divider about which the first belt means turns, and a second divider about which the second belt means turns, said first and second dividers being arranged substantially parallel to each other. Preferably, the first divider is adjacent the first tab member and has an opening through which the second tab member co-operates with the second belt means. The first belt means can comprise a pair of belts which are spaced apart on the first divider and located one on each side of the opening, which belts co-operate with the second belt means such that when the first tab member is moved in the first direction, said second tab member is caused to move in the second direction.

The invention encompasses a package comprising tab members and the drive means as described above. Optionally, the package may comprise first and second tab members and a sleeve for housing the first and second tab members, and vent means in one or both of the tab members and/or the sleeve. The invention also resides in a package comprising first and second tab members and a sleeve for housing the first and second tab members, wherein one or both of the tab members and/or the sleeve has vent means. Preferably, the divider or the sleeve has vents which allows air to be drawn into the package when the tab members are being pulled out of the sleeve, and to be expelled out of the package when the tab members are being pushed into the sleeve.

In order that this invention may be more readily understood, currently preferred embodiments will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box, according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising first and second tab members and a sleeve;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the box of Figure 1, with the sleeve omitted for clarity;

Figure 3 (a) is an exploded view of the box of Figure 1, with the sleeve omitted for clarity, and before the tab members are attached;

Figure 3 (b) is a perspective view of the box of Figure 3 (a), showing the tab members attached;

Figure 3 (c) is a perspective view of the box of Figure 3 (b), showing the tab members in the closed position;

Figure 4 (a) is a perspective view of the sleeve of the box of Figure 1;

Figure 4 (b) is a plan view of a divider of the box of Figure 1; Figure 4 (c) is a perspective view of one of the tab members of the box of Figure 1;

Figure 5 (a) is a plan view of the box of Figure 1 with the tab members in a closed position;

Figure 5 (b) is a plan view of the box of Figure 1 with the tab members in a half open position;

Figure 6 (a) is a cross-section on line C-C of the box of Figure 5(b);

Figure 6 (b) is a cross-section on line D-D of the box of Figure 5(b);

Figures 7 (a), (b) and (c) are cross-sections on line B-B of the box of Figure 5(b) when the tab members are in the closed, half open and fully open positions respectively;

Figures 8 (a) and (b) are cross-sections on line B-B of the box of Figure 5 (b), with the tab members in the closed and open positions respectively;

Figure 9 is a plan view of a blank of the sleeve forming part of the box of Figure 1 ;

Figure 10 is a plan view of a blank of an alternative sleeve forming part of the box of Figure 1;

Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the box of the invention having first and second tab members, first and second plate members and a sleeve, with the sleeve omitted for clarity; Figure 12 (a) is a plan view of the under surface of the first plate member of the box of Figure 11;

Figure 12 (b) is a plan view of the under surface of the second plate member of the box of Figure 11;

Figure 13 (a) is a plan view of the box of Figure 11 with the tab members in a closed position;

Figure 13 (b) is a plan view of the box of Figure 11 with the tab members omitted for clarity;

Figure 13 (c) is a plan view of the box of Figure 11 with the tab members in a half open position;

Figure 14 (a) is a cross-section on line C-C of the box of Figure 13 (c);

Figure 14 (b) is a cross-section on line D-D of the box of Figure 13 (c);

Figures 15 (a), (b) and (c) are perspective views of the box of Figure 11 with the sleeve omitted for clarity when the tab members are in the closed, half open and fully open positions respectively;

Figures 16 (a) and (b) are cross-sections on line A-A of the box of Figure 13 (c), with the tab members in the closed and open positions respectively;

Figures 17 (a) and (b) are cross-sections on line B-B of the box of Figure 13 (c), with the tab members in the closed and open positions respectively; Figures 18 (a), (b), (c) and (d) are plan views of an alternative embodiment of the box of the invention having first and second tab members and a sleeve when the tab members are in the closed, partially open, half open and fully open positions respectively;

Figures 19 (a), (b), (c) and (d) are cross-sections on line F-F of the box of Figure 18 when the tab members are in the closed, partially open, half open and fully open positions respectively; and

Figures 20 (a), (b) and (c) are perspective views of a yet further embodiment of the box of the invention having first and second tab members, a sleeve and vents in the sleeve.

Referring initially to Figures 1 to 10, there is shown a box 10 suitable for packaging and/or for display purposes. The box 10 includes a hollow rectangular sleeve 12 housing a first tab member 14 and a second tab member 16. The tab members 14, 16 are movable back and forth, towards and away from one another, and are dimensioned so that when brought into contact they are accommodated wholly within the sleeve 12. As can best be seen in

Figure 4(a), the sleeve 12 has an upper wall 18, a lower wall 20, two side walls 22, 24 and two open ends 26, 28.

Housed within the sleeve 12, and extending between the open ends 26, 28 of the sleeve 12, is a divider 30. The divider 30 has upper and lower faces 34, 36, two side edges 38, 40, two ends 37, 39 and is substantially rectangular. The divider 30 has a belt or band 42, narrower than the divider 30, which passes around a belt path defined by the divider 30. The ends of the belt 42 are joined together to form a continuous loop. The belt path is defined by a waist across the two ends 37, 39 defined by cut-out portions 44 at each end 37, 39 of the divider 30 which serves to restrain the belt 42 against lateral movement with respect to the divider 30.

The belt 42 is typically a strip of a low-friction sheet material such as plastics film, e.g. Cellophane (TM) or Treofan GND (TM), or a material with a low-friction coating such as PTFE. The belt material is selected so that the belt 42 can slide easily about the divider 30.

The first tab member 14 has an upper face 200 and a lower face 202 (best seen in Figure 20) and is attached to the belt 42 by adhesive 203 between the lower face 202 and the belt 42. The attachment may also be by suitable means other than bonding.

The second tab member 16 has upper and lower faces 204, 206 (best seen in Figure 20) and includes a tongue member 208 spaced from its lower face 206. The tongue member 208 is attached to the second tab member 16 by a web 209 and is substantially parallel to the lower face 206 of the second tab member 16 so that the second tab member 16 with the tongue member 208 is 'C'-shaped in cross-section (best seen in Figures 2, 7 and 8). The tongue member 208 can be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as card or a plastics material. The tongue member 208, web 209 and second tab member 16 may be integral or separate but joined together. For example, the web 209 and the tongue member 208 may be a single piece extending directly from the second tab member 16. Alternatively, the tongue member 208 may extend directly from the second tab member 16 and may be one- piece or of two single pieces joined together.

The box 10 is constructed such that the space between the lower face 206 of the second tab member 16 and the tongue member 208 receives a portion of the divider 30. The divider 30 is disposed in parallel to the lower face 206 and the tongue member 208. hi this way, the portion of the belt 42 on the upper face 34 of the divider 30 faces the lower face 206 of the second tab member 16, and the portion of the belt 42 on the lower face 36 of the divider 30 faces the tongue member 208. The second tab member 16 is attached to the belt 42 by adhesive 205 between the tongue member 208 and the belt 42 on the lower face 36 of the divider 30.

The method of attaching the tab members 14, 16 to the belt 42 is shown in Figure 3 (a) to 3 (c). Initially, the tongue member 208 and the web 209 are arranged, in a co-planar fashion, to extend away from the second tab member 16 and be co-planar with the upper face 204 of the second tab member 16 (Figure 3 (a)). The tongue member 208 is then positioned adjacent the lower face 36 of the divider 30 and attached to the belt 42 on the lower face 36 of the divider 30 (Figure 3 (b)). The web 209 together with the second tab member 16 is turned approximately 90° about the tongue member 208, and the second tab member 16 is then turned 90° about the web 209. In the final position, the web 209 is arranged orthogonally with respect to both the divider 30 and the upper and lower faces 204, 206 of the second tab member 16, and the lower face 206 of the second tab member faces the upper face 34 of the divider 30.

By virtue of this construction, the first tab member 14 is attached to the belt 42 on the upper face 34 of the divider 30, and the second tab member 16 is attached to the belt 42 on the lower face 36 of the divider 30. Yet, both tab members 14, 16 lie on the same plane which is parallel to the divider 30 and the upper and lower walls 18, 20 of the sleeve 12.

The consequence of the tab members 14, 16 being attached to portions of the belt 42 lying on oppositely facing sides of the divider 30 is that the tab members 14, 16 are made to move in opposite directions to each other in a manner that will be described below with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

As the first tab member 14 is attached to the belt 42 on the upper face 34 of the divider 30, pulling the first tab member 14 out of one end 26 of the sleeve 12 causes the belt 42 to translate (as illustrated, move right) relative to the upper face 34 of the divider 30. The belt 42 moves in the opposite direction relative to the lower face 36 of the divider 30, thereby moving the second tab member 16 out of an opposite end 28 of the sleeve 12.

The movement of the first tab member 14 along the upper face 34 of the divider 30 is delimited at one end by the first tab member 14 abutting against the second tab member

16, and at the other end by the adhesive 205 reaching the end of the belt path at the end of the divider (Figure 8). In other words, when the first tab member 14 is pulled out of the sleeve 12, translation of the belt 42 around the divider 30 stops when the adhesive 205 reaches the end of the belt path at the end 39 of the divider 30. This is the fully open position for the first tab member 14. When the first tab member 14 is pushed back into the sleeve 12, translation of the belt 42 stops when the first tab member 14 abuts an end of the second tab member 16. The movement of the second tab member 16 towards the first tab member 14 is also delimited by the tongue member. This is the fully closed position for the first tab member 14.

As described above, movement of the second tab member 16 takes place in an opposite sense to the first tab member 14 so that the second tab member 16 moves in an opposite direction to the first tab member 14.

Each tab member 14, 16 is in the form of a tray and may be used to contain items such as items of clothing, jewellery, mobile telephones and associated accessories, cigarettes, tobacco, compact discs, digital video discs, minidiscs, electronic components, pharmaceutical products, confectionary, chocolate, cosmetics, printed matter, display matter and any other products or items which can be packaged in trays. As shown in Figure 4(c) each tab member comprises a lid 74, although this is not an essential aspect of the invention. The tab members 14, 16 and/or their lids 74 may be printed with information, such as information about CD tracks, data on a CD, mobile telephone usage instructions or information about medicine contained within the tray. Alternatively, either or both of the tab members 14, 16 may be in the form of a tab containing information or flat items only. The tab members could contain printed information or fabric swatch samples, so that the box can be used as a display device and/or promotional tool. The mechanism of the box 10 remains unchanged.

The sleeve 12 can be made by folding and gluing a single flat blank manufactured by cutting and creasing from a sheet material such as plastics, cardboard or folding box board, as can be seen in Figure 9. The blank comprises three main panels 76, 78, 80 and is scored along four lines 82, 84, 86, 88. The panel 80 is folded over and is attached to the underside of panel 76 to form the lower wall 20 of the sleeve 12. The portions between score lines 82 and 84, and 86 and 88 form the side walls 22, 24 of the sleeve 12.

By virtue of corresponding cut-outs at an end of each of the panels 76, 78, the lower wall of the sleeve 12 has a rectangular cut-out 90 portion at one end. This cut-out 90 enables the user of the box 10 to hold a portion of one of the first or second tab members 14, 16 by grasping it on both sides and pulling the tab member in the direction of arrow X. It will be appreciated that other cut-out shapes are also possible. In another embodiment of the present invention (shown in Figure 10), the upper wall 18 of the sleeve 12 has a semicircular cut-out 92 at the same end as the cut-out 90. In a yet further embodiment of the sleeve, the semi-circular cut-outs are on the ends of the portions between score lines 82 and 84, and 86 and 88. This embodiment of the sleeve is shown in Figure 20.

The sleeve can have a finish applied by foil blocking and embossing. The packaging could be provided with a wipe-clean finish by printing a varnish onto the print surface or by film laminating.

Preferably, there is no forcible locking device on the packaging, so that the product can be loaded or unloaded easily, making the package suitable for the elderly and infirm.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 11 to 17. This embodiment differs from the embodiment of Figures 1 to 10 in that housed within the sleeve 12, and extending between the open ends 26, 28 of the sleeve 12, is a first divider or plate member 30 and a second divider or plate member 32.

Referring more specifically to Figures 11 and 12 (a), the first plate member 30 has upper and lower faces 34, 36, two side edges 38, 40, two ends 37, 39 and is substantially rectangular. The first plate member 30 has a belt or band 42, narrower than the first plate member 30, which passes around a belt path defined by the first plate member 30. The ends of the belt 42 are fastened together to form a continuous loop. The belt path is defined by a waist across the two ends 37, 39 defined by cut-out portions 44 at each end 37, 39 of the first plate member 30 which serves to restrain the belt 42 against lateral movement with respect to the first plate member 30. The first plate member 30 is bonded to the sleeve 12 by means of adhesive 46 located adjacent to the side edges 38, 40 of the first plate member 30. Typically, adhesive is applied at that peripheral location between the lower face 36 of the first plate member and the inside face of the lower wall 20 of the sleeve 12.

The second plate member 32, shown most clearly in Figure 12 (b), has upper and lower faces 48, 50, two side edges 52, 54 and two ends 51, 53 and is substantially the same shape as the first plate member 30 apart from a rectangular recess 56 extending inwardly along its central longitudinal axis from one of the ends 53, equidistant from its two side edges 52, 54. The recess 56 extends from one end 53 of the second plate member 32 approximately half-way towards the other end 51, terminating in an edge 57 at its blind end. The recess is oriented such that the long edges of the recess are parallel with the side edges 52, 54 of the second plate member 32.

The second plate member 32 has two belts 58, 60, each of which is confined to a respective belt path defined by the second plate member 32. The ends of each belt 58, 60 are fastened together to form a continuous loop. The belt paths are positioned one on either side of the recess 56 so that the belts 58, 60 are spaced apart and located one on either side of the recess 56. The belt paths serve to restrain the belts 58, 60 against outward lateral movement relative to the second plate member 32. As for the first plate member 30, each of the belt paths of the second plate member 32 comprise a waist or cut-out portions 62 at the ends 51, 53 of the second plate member 32 around which the belts 58, 60 pass.

For clarity, the belt 42 passing around the first plate member will be referred to hereafter as the primary belt 42, and the two belts 58, 60 passing around the second plate member will be referred to as a first secondary belt 58 and a second secondary belt 60. The primary and secondary belts 42, 58, 60 are typically strips of a low-friction sheet material such as plastics film, e.g. Cellophane (TM), Treofan GND (TM), or a material with a low-friction coating such as PTFE. The belt material is selected so that the primary and secondary belts 42, 58, 60 slide easily against each other and about the first and second plate members 30, 32 respectively.

The second plate member 32 overlies and is attached to the first plate member 30 by means of adhesive 64 applied between the lower face 50 of the second plate member 32 and the upper face 34 of the first plate member 30, adjacent to the side edges 38, 40, 52, 54 of the plate members 30, 32. The plate members 30, 32 are attached to each other in such a way as not to interfere with the movement of the belts 42, 58, 60 so that the belts 52, 58, 60 are free to travel relative to the first and second plate members 30, 32. As the lower face 50 of the second plate member 32 faces the upper face 34 of the first plate member 30, the parts of the secondary belts 58, 60 on the lower face of the second plate member 32 lie in face-to-face contact with the part of the primary belt 42 at the upper face 34 of the first plate member 30. These contacting parts of the secondary belts 58, 60 are attached to the corresponding part of the primary belt 42 by means of adhesive 66, which can best be seen in Figures 11 and 14.

As most clearly shown in Figure 11, the first tab member 14 is attached to the primary belt 42 via the recess 56 in the second plate member 32. Typically, the attachment is by bonding by means of adhesive 68. The second tab member 16 is attached or bonded to the secondary belts 58, 60, in this embodiment by adhesive 70.

As with the first embodiment, both tab members 14, 16 of this embodiment lie on the same plane which is parallel to the first and second plate members 30, 32 and the upper and lower walls 18, 20 of the sleeve 12. As the first tab member 14 is attached to the primary belt 42, pulling the first tab member 14 out of the sleeve 12 causes the primary belt 42 to translate (as illustrated, move right) relative to the upper face 34 of the first plate member 30. Pushing the first tab member 14 into the sleeve 12 causes the primary belt 42 to translate (as illustrated, move left) relative to the upper face 34 of the first plate member 30. In other words, the primary belt 42 may be considered to turn about the belt path around the first plate member 30. As the second plate member 32 overlies the first plate member 30, the first tab member 14 moves right relative to the upper face 48 of the second plate member 32 when pulled out of the sleeve, and moves left relative to the upper face 48 of the second plate member 32 when pushed into the sleeve.

The movement of the first tab member 14 along the upper face 48 of the second plate member 32 is delimited at one end by the edge 57 of the recess 56, and at the other end by the adhesive 68 reaching the end of the belt path at the end of the first plate member 30 (Figure 17 (b)). In other words, when the first tab member is pulled out of the sleeve, translation of the primary belt 42 around the first tab member 14 stops when the adhesive 68 reaches the end of the belt path at the end 39 of the first plate member 30. This is the fully open position for the first tab member 14. When the first tab member 14 is pushed back into the sleeve 12, translation of the primary belt 42 stops when the adhesive 68 reaches the edge 57 at the blind end of the recess 56. This is the fully closed position for the first tab member 14. A strip 100 (Figure 11) may be provided at the adhesive 68 between the primary belt 42 and the first tab member 14 to further ensure that translation of the primary belt 42 does not continue beyond the end of the first plate member 30.

As the primary belt 42 is attached to the secondary belts 58, 60, movement of the primary belt 42 about the first plate member 30 also causes movement of the secondary belts 58, 60 about the second plate member 32. Those movements will take place in an opposite sense. For example, translation of the primary belt 42 to the right relative to the upper face 34 of the first plate member 30 causes the secondary belts 58, 60 to translate left relative to the upper face 48 of the second plate member 32. Therefore, the second tab member 16 moves in an opposite direction to the first tab member 14.

A more detailed illustration of the relative movement between the tab members 14, 16 and the plate members 30, 32 can be seen in Figures 15 to 17. When a user pulls the first tab member 14 in the direction of arrow X, the first tab member 14 causes the primary belt 42 to translate relative to the first plate member 30. The passage of the primary belt 42 causes the second tab member 16 to move in the direction of arrow Y. When the adhesive strips 68, 66 reach the ends of the first and second plate members 30, 32, respectively, the first tab member 14 can be pulled no further in the direction of arrow X, and the second tab member 16 is then in the fully open position.

When the user pushes the tab member 14 in the direction of arrow Y, the tab member 14 causes the primary belt 42 to translate in the opposite sense, so that the second tab member

16 moves in the direction of arrow X. The first tab member 14 can be pushed no further in the direction of arrow Y when the adhesive 68 reaches the edge 57 of the recess 56 on the second plate member 32, or when the two tab members 14, 16 abut against each other. The second tab member 16 is then in the fully closed position. If required the user can push the second tab member 16 in the direction of arrow X to the fully closed position. The effect is the same, in that both the first and second tab members 14, 16 will return to the fully closed position. The distance between opposite ends of the belt path of the first and second plate members 30, 32 to the end edge of the recess 57 defines the maximum movement of each of the first and second tab members 14, 16. The length of the belt paths must therefore be chosen such that the travel of the tab members 14, 16 is sufficient to give access to the contents of the tab members 14, 16 when in the fully open position.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 18 and 19. In this alternative embodiment, the sleeve 12 comprises a window 102, aperture or cut-out in its upper wall 18. The tab members 14, 16 of this embodiment are shorter than those of Figures 1 to 10, and 11 to 17 (which can be most clearly seen in Figure 19), and so when the tab members 14, 16 are in the closed position they do not meet or abut against each other. The space left between the tab members when the tab members are in the closed position houses walls 103 which define a compartment 104, space or area which is accessible through the window 102. The compartment 104 is suitable for housing a product, products or promotional material. To close-off or seal the window 102 when the tab members 14, 16 are in the closed position, each tab member 14, 16 includes a tab extension 106, 108 respectively, the ends of which abut against each other when the tab members 14, 16 are in the closed position to act as a lid to the compartment 104. As the tab members 14, 16 move away from each to the open position, the tab extensions 106, 108 also move or slide apart, away from each other, to provide access through the window 102. In this way, the box provides three separate compartments or areas for housing products or information. The recess 56 of this embodiment is also shorter and the distance of the edge 57 at the blind end of the recess 56 from the end of the second plate member 32 corresponds to the length of the first tab member 14.

The band mechanism of this third embodiment can accord with that of the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 10, or with that of the second embodiment of Figures 11 to 17. As these have been described above, Figure 19 refers simply to a 'band mechanism', while Figure 18 does not need to show the mechanism(s) at all. Figures 20 (a) to 20 (c) illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The box 10 of this embodiment differs from the embodiment of Figures 1 to 10 in that the panels 76, 80 of the sleeve and the divider 30 have vents 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220. The vents 210, 212 in panel 80 are each in a series of rectangular perforations. The vents 210, 212 extend along the length of the panel 80 and are parallel to, and spaced from, one other. The vents 214, 216 in panel 76 are rectangular slots which correspond in size, relative disposition and overall shape to the vents 210, 212. The vents 218, 220 are also rectangular slots located inwardly of the side edges 38, 40 of the divider 30 and outwardly of the belt 42 around the divider 30. The lower face 36 of the divider 30 is reinforced at its two ends 37, 39. The positions of the vents 210, 214 and 220 correspond with one another so that when panel 76 is laid adjacent the divider 30 and panel 80 is folded around and against panel 76, the vents 210, 214, 220 align with and overlie one another. Similarly, the positions of vents 212, 216 and 218 correspond with one another when panel 76 is laid adjacent the divider 30 and panel 80 is folded around and against panel 76.

Air trapped between the first and second tab members 14, 16 as the tab members move toward each other in use can flow out of the vents 218, 220 in the divider 30 and through the vents 210, 212, 214, 216 in the lower wall 20 of the sleeve 12. This has the advantage of decreasing the resistance of the tab members 14, 16 against being moved towards each other into the closed position. Similarly, the resistance of the tab members 14, 16 being moved apart is decreased as air can be drawn in through the vents in the sleeve 12 and divider 30.

Although not shown, the tab members may include vents instead of, or in addition to, the vents in the panels 76, 80 and the divider 30.

The packaging of the invention can be made in many shapes and sizes and of various different materials, and is not limited to the shapes shown in the Figures.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its essential attributes as defined in the appended claims and other statements of invention herein. For example, in the embodiments shown in the Figures 1 to 20, the belts need not be continuous loops but could be strips associated with the tab members and arranged to co-operate with each other such that translation of one tab member causes the other tab member to move. The sleeve may be any other type of frame.

The tab members can be of any other appropriate construction, shape or size. The dividers 30, 32 and belts 42, 58 could be arranged so that the two tab members 14, 16 move in different directions from each other which are not necessarily opposing directions. Furthermore, the two tab members need not lie on the same plane as each other in embodiments that employ vents.

Claims

1. A package comprising first and second tab members which lie substantially on the same plane as each other, and a means for driving the movement of at least one of the tab members, wherein the drive means comprises belt means with which the first and second tab members co-operate such that when the first tab member is moved in a first direction said second tab member is caused to move in a second direction opposite to said first direction, said movement of the tab members being in a plane parallel to the plane on which the tab members lie.

2. The package of Claim 1, wherein the belt means comprises a belt which extends around a divider, the first tab member being attached to the belt to a first side of the divider and the second tab member being attached to the belt to a second side of the divider.

3. The package of Claim 2, further comprising an extension extending from the second tab member to the first side of the divider and around the divider to the second side of the divider to attach the second tab member to the belt to the second side of the divider.

4. The package of Claim 3, wherein the extension means comprises a tongue member extending from and spaced from the second tab member.

5. The package of Claim 4, further comprising a web extending orthogonally from a lower face of the second tab member and connected to the tongue member.

6. The package of Claim 5, wherein the tongue member is substantially parallel to the lower face of the second tab member.

7. The package of Claim 1, wherein the belt means comprises a first belt to which the first tab member is attached and a second belt to which the second tab member is attached, said first and second belts co-operating with each other such that when the first tab member is moved in the first direction said second tab member is caused to move in the second direction.

8. The package of Claim 7, wherein the first belt is a continuous loop which extends around a first planar divider, and the second belt is a continuous loop which extends around a second planar divider, said dividers being substantially parallel to each other and to the plane on which the tab members lie.

9. The package of Claim 8, wherein the first divider comprises an opening through which the second tab member co-operates with the second belt.

10. The package of Claim 9, wherein the first belt comprises two separate belts which are spaced apart on the first divider and located one on either side of the opening and which belts co-operate with the second belt such that when the first tab member is moved in the first direction said second tab member is caused to move in the second direction.

11. The package of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a sleeve for housing the first and second tab members.

12. The package of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a compartment adjacent the first and second tab members.

13. The package of Claim 12, wherein the compartment is disposed between the first and second tab members.

14. The package of Claim 12 or Claim 13 when dependant on Claim 11, wherein the sleeve comprises an opening through which the compartment can be accessed when the first and second tab members are moved away from each other.

15. The package of Claim 14, wherein the opening in the sleeve is closed by at least one of the first and second tab members when the first and second tab members are moved towards each other.

16. The package of any preceding claim wherein the first and/or second tab member are/is a tray.

17. The package of any preceding claim, further comprising vent means in the first tab member, second tab member, sleeve, first divider and/or second divider.

18. A package comprising first and second tab members and a means for driving the movement of at least one of the tab members comprising a belt extending around a divider, wherein the first tab member is attached to the belt to a first side of the divider and the second tab member is attached to the belt to a second side of the divider, the first and second tab members being disposed on the same side of the divider as each other.

19. A drive means for driving movement of tab members of a package by causing a first tab member to move in response to a movement of a second tab member, the drive means comprising a first belt means to which the first tab member is attached, which first belt means co-operates with a second belt means to which the second tab member is attached, wherein said first and second belt means are coupled to move in different directions to each other such that moving the first tab member in a first direction causes the second tab member to move in a second direction different to said first direction.

20. The drive means of Claim 19, wherein the belt means are arranged to move in opposing directions so that the first and second tab members are caused to move away and towards each together in opposing directions.

21. The drive means of Claim 19 or Claim 20, further comprising a first divider about which the first belt means turns, and a second divider about which the second belt means turns, said first and second dividers being arranged substantially parallel to each other.

22. The drive means of Claim 21, wherein the first divider is adjacent the first tab member and has an opening through which the second tab member co-operates with the second belt means.

23. The drive means of Claim 22, wherein the first belt means comprises a pair of belts which are spaced apart on the first divider and located one on each side of the opening, which belts co-operate with the second belt means such that when the first tab member is moved in the first direction, said second tab member is caused to move in the second direction.

24. A package comprising tab members and the drive means of any of Claims 19 to 23.

25. A package comprising first and second tab members and a sleeve for housing the first and second tab members, wherein one or both of the tab members and/or the sleeve is penetrated by vent means for permitting air to flow through the tab member(s) and/or the sleeve.

26. The package of Claim 25 further comprising a belt extending around a divider, wherein one or both of the tab members co-operate with said belt and the divider includes vent means to vent air from one side of the divider to the other.

27. The package of Claim 26, wherein the vent means comprises first and second vents disposed one on either side of the belt.

28. The package of Claim 26 or Claim 27, wherein the position of the vent means on the divider corresponds with the position of the vent means on the sleeve and/or tab member(s) such that the vent means align with and overlie one another.

29. A package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as illustrated in any of Figures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

30. A package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as illustrated in any of Figures 11 to 17 of the accompanying drawings.

31. A package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as illustrated in any of Figures 18 or 19 of the accompanying drawings.

32. A package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as illustrated in Figure 20 of the accompanying drawings.

33. A drive means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as illustrated in any of Figures 11 to 17 of the accompanying drawings.