WO2019141897A1

WO2019141897A1 - A package

Info

Publication number: WO2019141897A1
Application number: PCT/FI2019/050007
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Andersson
Original assignee: A & R Carton Oy
Priority date: 2018-01-22
Filing date: 2019-01-07
Publication date: 2019-07-25
Also published as: FI20185057A1; EP3743341B1; FI128129B; EP3743341A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a package (1), which comprises an outer casing (2) and an inner casing (3) accommodated slidably within the outer casing and capable of motion between a closed position and an open position. The package comprises a locking mechanism for preventing immediate opening of the package from the closed position to the open position. The locking mechanism comprises - a locking part (24) arranged inside the outer casing, - a flap (8) of the inner casing comprising at least two distinct parts, namely a first end part (8a) comprising the first end (9) of the flap and a second end part (8b) comprising the second end (10) of the flap, whereby an end of the flap (8) is arranged against the locking part (24) of the outer casing in the closed position, - a first opening flap (12) in the outer casing, arranged at least partly overlapping with the first end (9) of the flap (8) of the inner casing when the package is in closed position, and - a second opening flap (13) in the outer casing, arranged at least partly overlapping with the second end (10) of the flap (8) of the inner casing when the package is in closed position.

Description

A PACKAGE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a package according to the preambles of the independent claims presented below.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Publications EP 2097328 A1 and EP 3042857 A1 each present a package, which comprises an inner casing accommodated slidably within an outer casing, wherein the package further comprises a locking mechanism for preventing immediate opening of the package.

When the package contains items that should not be easily accessible for children, for instance medicine, it is known to use packages with a child resistant locking mechanism. However, there is a need for a package made of a carton board, which also comprise a child resistant lock. The requirements for the carton package are that it is difficult for a child to open and at the same time has a simple construction. Also, package must be re- closable for several times.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a package that is considered to meet the requirements for a package to be child resistant. An object of the present invention is to obtain an entirely novel solution for a child resistant package, which has a simple construction, and which is made from carton board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve, among others, the objects presented above, the invention is characterized by what is presented in the enclosed independent claim.

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in the other claims. A typical package of the present invention comprises an outer casing and an inner casing accommodated slidably within the outer casing and capable of motion between a closed position and an open position.

A typical sheet-like package blank, from which the package of the present invention is formed, comprises

- parallel first and second side edges, defining a length direction of the blank,

- parallel first and second face sides perpendicular to the side edges, defining a width direction of the blank,

- a flap, which has a first end and a second end in the width direction of the blank, and

- a first and a second opening flap, said flaps are arranged in a same line with the first and the second end of the flap in the length direction of the blank.

A typical package of the present invention also comprises a locking mechanism for preventing immediate opening of the package from the closed position to the open position, said locking mechanism comprises

- a locking part arranged inside the outer casing,

- a flap of the inner casing having a first end and a second end, an end of the flap is arranged against the locking part of the outer casing in the closed position, and

- a first and a second opening flap arranged in the outer casing, the first opening flap of the outer casing and the first end of the flap of the inner casing are arranged at least partly overlapping when the package is in closed position, and the second opening flap of the outer casing and the second end of the flap of the inner casing are arranged at least partly overlapping when the package is in closed position.

The present invention is based on a package blank, which is made from one sheet and a locking mechanism constructed to an outer casing and an inner casing of the package. The locking mechanism of the package prevents immediate opening of the package from the closed position to the open position. The locking mechanism comprises a locking part of the outer casing, a flap of the inner casing, and a first and a second opening flap of the outer casing. All parts of the locking mechanism are constructed to the package blank so that the package can be formed from one sheet. According to the invention, the flap of the inner casing comprises at least two distinct parts, namely

- a first end part comprising the first end of the flap and

- a second end part comprising the second end of the flap.

This way when using the locking mechanism the two distinct parts can be moved independently, or at least relatively or substantially or even totally independently from each other. This enhances the functioning of the locking mechanism and makes it more reliable. It becomes less possible that pressing only one of the opening flaps of the outer casing opens the locking.

In an embodiment the package comprises a fold area, which is foldable between an end of the flap and the side edge of the blank. A locking part of the outer casing of the package may be formed by folding the fold area of the blank inside to the outer casing of the package, so that the formed fold is arranged between the second opening flap and the outer edge of the package in a folded state. The locking part is in the end of the outer casing which is open, and in which end the inner casing is pushed within the outer casing. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the locking part of the outer casing comprises a fold, which is folded twice to make it thicker.

In an embodiment the locking part of the outer casing is formed by an edge of a flap which is folded inside the outer casing. In closed position, the second end of the flap of the inner casing is against the edge, thereby preventing the inner casing from moving relative to the outer casing. In an embodiment the folded flap is fastened to the inside face of the outer casing, so that the flap remains mainly parallel with the inside face during normal use of the package. The folded flap may be glued to the inside face of the outer casing.

A flap of the inner casing comprises a first long side and a second long side in a width direction of the blank, said first long side is formed by creasing and said second long side is formed by cutting so that it comprises contacting points. Thus, the flap of the inner casing has a hinged structure in a folded package, wherein the flap is in connection with the inner casing by its side which is formed by creasing. When a package blank is folded to the form of the package, an inner casing and an outer casing around the inner casing of the package are formed. The inner casing is in connection with the outer casing until the package is opened first time. The inner and outer casings are in connection with each other via the contacting points formed on one long side edge of the flap of the inner casing. The flap of the inner casing splits the package into two different casings. Thus, the flap is typically arranged in the central part of the blank in the length direction of the blank, and thus the package of the invention is possible to make from one sheet. In an embodiment the first and second end parts or all distinct parts comprise contacting points.

The flap of the inner casing is divided into the at least two distinct parts with at least one cut line between the first long side and the second long side of the flap. A cut line makes the at least two distinct parts independent from each others movement. It is possible to arrange more than one such cut line in the flap of the inner casing. The flap may be divided into three or more distinct parts to further enhance the operation of the invention. E.g. with two cut lines through the flap a third part can be formed between the first and second end parts. Such a third part may be useless for the operation of the locking mechanism. It may be cut from all sides, whereby when removed, its place forms an opening between the first and second end parts. This way it becomes possible to arrange the end parts of the flap of the inner casing to function very independently from each other.

In an embodiment

- in the closed position the whole inner casing is arranged inside the outer casing, and

- in the open position a part of the inner casing is arranged outside the outer casing.

In an embodiment, in order to prevent the inner casing from totally moving out from the outer casing, in the open position an edge of the first flap part is arranged to contact the locking part, thereby stopping the movement.

In an embodiment an opening is formed in the inner casing in such a location that it is hidden under the outer casing in the closed position, but in the open position the opening is visible This way a product stored inside the inner casing can be removed through the opening in the open position. A flap of the inner casing having a first end and a second end in the width direction of the package blank, an end of the flap is arranged against the locking part of the outer casing in the closed position of the package. Thus, the length of the flap of the inner casing is smaller than the length of the face side of the package blank in order that the locking part of the outer casing has a required space between the end of the flap and the outer edge of the casing. The first opening flap of the outer casing and a first end of the flap of the inner casing are arranged at least partly overlapping when the package is in closed position, and the second opening flap of the outer casing and a second end of the flap of the inner casing are arranged at least partly overlapping when the package is in closed position. Preferably, the first opening flap of the outer casing and a first end of the flap of the inner casing are arranged in a same line in the length direction of the blank, and respectively the second opening flap of the outer casing and a second end of the flap of the inner casing are arranged in a same line in the length direction of the blank. This arrangement ensures that the locking mechanism of the package function as a child resistant package, and also the package can be re-closable several times.

A first and a second opening flap of the outer casing have a hinged structure. At least one side of the first and the second opening flap comprises contacting points, the first and the second opening flap are connected to package with connecting points before the package is opened first time. Thus, it is possible to find out whether or not a package has been previously opened. This only works once but for certain applications it is useful for security reasons to have this function.

The function of the first opening flap is to open contacting points between the inner casing and outer casing, i.e. contacting points in the long side of the flap of the inner casing, when the package is opened first time. Since the first opening flap is in a position corresponding to the position of the first end of the flap of the inner casing when the package is in closed position, the pushing of the first opening flap inwards is also pushed the flap of the inner casing inwards, when the contacting points are broken and the inner casing is detached from the outer casing.

The function of the second opening flap is to open a locking mechanism of the package. When the second opening flap is pushed inwards, the second end of the flap of the inner casing is pushed against the surface of the inner casing and so the inner casing can slide by the locking part formed on the inner surface of the outer casing. If the second opening flap is not pushed inwards, the end of the flap of the inner casing touches the locking part of the outer casing, and the package cannot be opened.

A locking mechanism of the present package will last at least 10 openings due to strong material and the shape of the flap of the inner casing and the fold of the outer casing.

A package blank comprises required creasing lines in the width direction of the blank in order that the package can be formed by folding. The creasing line is typically extended from a first side edge to a second side edge of the blank. In the present application the crease/creasing line refers to a depression or a corresponding structure formed to the material of the package blank, which makes possible to fold or to bend the material without that the material is damaged. The crease does not damage the surface layer of the material, or does not form any holes or slits to the material.

A first and a second side edge of the package blank comprise flaps or appendages in order that the ends of the package can be formed. A flap or an appendage is typically formed between two adjacent creases.

Typically, the blank of the invention is made from carton board with a weight between 200 g/m² and 600 g/m². In an embodiment of the invention, the carton board is covered at least on one side with polymer having a thickness between 10 pm and 150 pm, more preferably between 25 pm and 75 pm. In a preferred embodiment the carton board is covered on both sides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGU RES

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to appended drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a package blank according to a prior art embodiment in an unfolded state,

Figure 2 shows a package according to one embodiment in a folded state, and.

Figure 3 shows a package blank according to a second embodiment in an unfolded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES OF THE FIGURES

For the sake of clarity, same reference numbers are used for corresponding parts in different embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a package 1 according to one embodiment of the invention in an unfolded state, i.e. a package blank. The package 1 comprises an outer casing 2 and an inner casing 3. The package blank has parallel first and second side edges 4, 5, defining a length direction of the blank, and parallel first and second face sides 6, 7 perpendicular to the side edges, defining a width direction of the blank. The side edges 4, 5 comprise necessary flaps or appendages in order that the ends of the package can be constructed by folding.

The inner casing further comprises a flap 8 having a first end 9 and a second end 10. The flap 8 comprises a first long side 14 and a second long side 15 in a width direction of the blank, said first long side 14 is formed by creasing and said second long side 15 is formed by cutting so that it comprises contacting points. The inner casing 3 and the outer casing 2 are connected to each other with these contacting points of the second long side 15 of the flap 8, when the package is in the unfolded state. The outer casing 3 comprises a fold area 11 , which is foldable between an end of the flap 8 of the inner casing and the side edge of the blank for forming a locking part inside the outer casing. The outer casing 3 further comprises a first opening flap 12 and a second opening flap 13. The first opening flap 12 is arranged in a same line with the first end 9 of the flap 8 in the length direction of the blank, and respectively the second opening flap 13 is arranged in a same line with the second end 10 of the flap 8 in the length direction of the blank. The flap 8 is typically arranged in the central part of the blank in the width direction of the blank. The length and the width of the flap 8 can be varied but it is essential that there is a space between the both ends of the flap 8 and the side edges of the blank. The flap 8 splits the package blank into two casings.

Figure 2 shows a package 1 according to one embodiment of the invention in a folded state. The outer casing 2 has been folded around the inner casing 3. The opening flaps 12, 13 are in a side part of the package. One end of the outer casing 2 is open in order that the inner casing 3 can be push inside the outer casing, respectively the one end of the inner casing is open and one end is closed by folding the flaps of the blank. The package 1 of Figure 3 functions mainly similarly to the package of Figures 1 and 2. So much so, that a folded package made of the blank 1 of Figure 3 would look very similar to the folded package of Figure 2, save that the dimensions and scale of different parts of the packages are different in the embodiments.

In the package blank of Figure 3, the flap 8 comprises a number of distinct parts, namely a first end part 8a comprising the first end 9 of the flap, a second end part 8b comprising the second end 10 of the flap 8 and a third part 8c between the first and second end parts. Division between the distinct parts is made with two cut lines 20a and 20b extending between the first long side 14 and the second long side 15 of the flap 8. The third part may be cut from all sides whereby when removed, its place forms an opening between the first and second end parts 8a and 8b. Similarly to Figures 1 and 2, when using the package of Figure 3 for the first time, when the first opening flap 12 is pushed inwards also the first end 9 and the first end part 8a of flap 8 of the inner casing 3 are pushed inwards. When the second opening flap 13 of Figure 3 is pushed inwards, also the second end 10 and the second end part 8b of flap 8 of the inner casing 3 are pushed inwards. Thus, the contacting points between the inner and outer casing are broken and the inner casing is detached from the outer casing. Now the inner casing 3 can be slid outwards from the outer casing 2. The side edge 4 is at the end of the package towards and partly out of which the inner casing can be pulled when the package is used. An end flap 21 is formed in the package blank, at the side edge 4 of the outer casing 2. When folding the package blank 1 into a package in folded state, the end flap 21 is folded inside the outer casing 2. A locking part is formed inside the outer casing 2 by the outer edge 24 of the flap 21.

The location of the locking part, i.e. the outer edge 24 when folded is shown with a broken line in Figure 3. In use, when inner casing 3 is fully inside the outer casing 2, the second end 10 of the flap 8 situated on the second flap part 2b is against the edge 24, thereby preventing the inner casing from moving relative to the outer casing. If now the second opening flap 13 is pushed inwards, the second end part 8b and its second end 10 are pushed inwards, thereby releasing the inner casing 2 from the hold of the edge 24. Now the inner casing 3 can be moved towards open position.

Opening 23, which in this embodiment is almost a circle, is formed at the side edge 4, partly on the end flap 21. When the end flap 21 is folded inside the outer casing, the opening 23 foms a semi-circle. On the other side of the outer casing an opening 23b is formed, readily in the form of a semi-circle. When the package 1 used, a user may grab the inner casing 3 through these openings 23 and 23b with her fingers. When the inner casing 3 is pulled outwards from the outer casing, an opening 25 formed in the inner casing becomes visible. Thereby, the product stored inside the inner casing 3 can now be removed through the opening 25.

The movement of the inner casing 3 out from the outer casing 2 is stopped when the edge of the first flap part 2a, which is formed by the cut line 20a, reaches the locking part, i.e. the edge 24. Thus, the distance that the inner casing 3 can be moved out from the outer casing 2 is equal to the distance between the folded edge 24 and the edge 20a. The invention is not restricted to the examples of the above description, but it can be modified within the scope of the inventive idea presented in the claims.

Claims

1. A package, which comprises an outer casing (2) and an inner casing (3) accommodated slidably within the outer casing and capable of motion between a closed position and an open position, wherein the package further comprises a locking mechanism for preventing immediate opening of the package from the closed position to the open position, said locking mechanism comprises

- a locking part arranged inside the outer casing,

- a flap (8) of the inner casing having a first end (9) and a second end (10), an end of the flap (8) is arranged against the locking part of the outer casing in the closed position, and

- a first opening flap (12) arranged in the outer casing, the first opening flap

(12) of the outer casing and the first end (9) of the flap (8) of the inner casing are arranged at least partly overlapping when the package is in closed position, and

- a second opening flap (13) arranged in the outer casing, whereby the second opening flap (13) of the outer casing and the second end (10) of the flap (8) of the inner casing are arranged at least partly overlapping when the package is in closed position,

characterized in that the flap (8) of the inner casing comprises a first long side (14) and a second long side (15), said first long side (14) is formed by creasing and said second long side (15) is formed by cutting so that it comprises contacting points, wherein the flap (8) is in connection with the inner casing by its side which is formed by creasing, and the flap (8) of the inner casing is divided to at least two distinct parts, namely

- a first end part (8a) comprising the first end (9) of the flap and

- a second end part (8b) comprising the second end (10) of the flap, with at least one cut line (20a, 20b) between the first long side (14) and the second long side (15) of the flap (8).

2. The package according to claim 1 , characterized in that the package is formed from a blank, which comprises

- parallel first and second side edges (4, 5), defining a length direction of the blank,

- parallel first and second face sides (6, 7) perpendicular to the side edges, defining a width direction of the blank, - the flap (8) of the inner casing, which has a first end (9) and a second end (10) in the width direction of the blank,

- a fold area (1 1 ), which is foldable between an end of the flap (8) of the inner casing and the side edge of the blank, and

- the first and the second opening flap (12, 13), said flaps are arranged in a same line with the first and the second end of the flap (8) of the inner casing in the length direction of the blank.

3. The package according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking part of the outer casing (2) is formed by folding the fold area (1 1 ) of the blank inside to the outer casing (2) of the package, so that the formed fold is between the second opening flap (13) and the outer edge of the package.

4. The package according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking part of the outer casing (2) comprises a fold, which is folded twice.

5. The package according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking part of the outer casing (2) is formed by an edge (24) of a flap (21 ), folded inside the outer casing (2).

6. The package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the second opening flap (12, 13) have a hinged structure.

7. The package according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one side of the first and the second opening flap (12, 13) comprises contacting points.

8. The package according any of the preceding claims, characterized in that

- in the closed position the whole inner casing (3) is arranged inside the outer casing (2), and

- in the open position a part of the inner casing (3) is arranged outside the outer casing (2).

9. The package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the open position the movement of the inner casing (3) out from the outer casing (2) is arranged to be stopped by arranging an edge (20a) of the first end part (8a) of the flap to contact the locking part (24).

10. The package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that an opening (25) is formed in the inner casing (3) in such a location that it is hidden under the outer casing (2) in the closed position, but in the open position the opening (25) is visible, whereby in the open position a product stored inside the inner casing (3) can be removed through the opening (25).

11. The package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner casing (3) and the outer casing (2) is made from one sheet. 12. The package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the package is made from carton board with a weight between 200 g/m² and 600 g/m².

13. The package according to claim 12, characterized in that the carton board is covered at least on one side with polymer having a thickness between 10 pm and 150 pm.