WO2021001643A1 - Emballage verrouillable - Google Patents

Emballage verrouillable Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2021001643A1
WO2021001643A1 PCT/GB2020/051461 GB2020051461W WO2021001643A1 WO 2021001643 A1 WO2021001643 A1 WO 2021001643A1 GB 2020051461 W GB2020051461 W GB 2020051461W WO 2021001643 A1 WO2021001643 A1 WO 2021001643A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
latch
support
wall
package
opening
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2020/051461
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Dane WHITEHURST
Original Assignee
Duallok Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Duallok Limited filed Critical Duallok Limited
Priority to EP20756937.7A priority Critical patent/EP3983303A1/fr
Priority to US17/596,736 priority patent/US20220315272A1/en
Publication of WO2021001643A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021001643A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/38—Drawer-and-shell type containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/72—Contents-dispensing means
    • B65D5/728—Contents-dispensing means for drawer-and-shell-type containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2215/00—Child-proof means
    • B65D2215/02—Child-proof means requiring the combination of simultaneous actions

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a latchable package such as a box, which may be used in the packaging of items.
  • the invention relates to a child- resistant package for storing potentially hazardous materials such as, for example, pharmaceuticals, which must be kept safe from children or irresponsible adults.
  • CRC designs have been suggested in the past. However, such CRC designs are often complicated in structure and expensive to manufacture. In particular, assembly processes are typically longer and more complex for child-resistant packages, which results in a costlier manufacturing process. Since the cost of packaging is generally passed on to consumers, this leads consumers to buy products in non-resistant packaging where available, thereby increasing the risk of accidental poisonings and the like. Minimising complexity of a CRC design and its manufacturing process, and hence minimising its cost, is therefore crucial in providing a successful CRC.
  • a latchable package comprising a structure and a support for supporting one or more items, the support being movable in an opening direction between a first position in which the structure blocks access to the one or more items and a second position in which the one or more items are accessibly clear of the structure, the structure and support comprising complementary latch members configured to engage when the support is arranged in the first position to prevent movement of the support in the opening direction, the latch member of the support being moveable in a latching direction transverse to the opening direction to engage with the latch member of the structure.
  • the support comprises a latch region having a latch wall, the latch wall being subject to a biasing force that biases the wall outwardly in the latching direction, wherein a first portion of the latch wall is constrained against the biasing force, and wherein a second portion of the latch wall comprises a discontinuity configured to release the constraint in the second portion of the wall to allow the second portion to flare outwardly in the latching direction under the biasing force to act as the latch member on the support.
  • the biasing force may be a tensile force.
  • the tensile force may be an inherent force in the latch wall, for example as a result of material properties of the wall.
  • the inherent tensile force may be molded into the wall.
  • the biasing force may be present as a result of the structure of the latch region and/or support.
  • the latch region may comprise a fold arranged to subject the latch wall to the biasing force.
  • the fold may extend substantially parallel to the opening direction.
  • the fold may define an edge of the latch wall.
  • the latch region may be provided as part of a folded sheet.
  • the folded sheet may define the support.
  • the extent of flare of the second region may increase moving from the fold to the discontinuity.
  • the extent of flare may be substantially zero immediately adjacent to the fold.
  • the extent of flare may be between 0.5 and 5 mm immediately adjacent to the discontinuity.
  • the latch region may comprise a pair of folds.
  • the latch wall may extend between the folds.
  • the first portion of the latch wall may be constrained by means of adhesion between panels of the folded sheet.
  • the first portion of the latch wall may be adhered directly to another portion of the latch region to constrain the first portion of the latch wall.
  • the discontinuity may be arranged to divide the second portion into two latch members where one latch member is provided at each side of the discontinuity.
  • the discontinuity may be an opening, such as a slit, cut, or aperture in the wall of the support.
  • the latch region may comprise a further opening that extends in a direction transverse to the first opening. Both openings together may define a T-shape.
  • the termination aperture may be provided at a base of the opening, at a position rearward of the opening with respect to the opening direction.
  • the termination opening may be substantially circular.
  • the latch region may be provided on a latch element that is coupleable to a main body of the support, such that the latch region overlies a portion of the main body of the support.
  • the support may comprise a band that encircles the main body of the support and the latch region may be provided on the band.
  • the support may comprise an insert that is coupleable to an external wall of the main body of the support and the latch region may be provided on the insert.
  • the latch region of the support may comprise an inner wall and an outer wall. At least one opening may be provided in the outer wall.
  • the inner wall may form a base for supporting the one or more items.
  • the package may comprise a withdrawal stop structure for limiting movement of the support in the opening direction.
  • the withdrawal stop structure on the support may be defined by a further latch region which is arranges rearward if the latch region in the opening direction.
  • the structure may comprise and unlatching region arranged to overlie the latch region of the support when the support is arranged in the first position.
  • the unlatching region may be configured to allow the latch member of the support to be moved in an unlatching direction via the unlatching region of the support.
  • the unlatching region may comprise a slit, cut or opening in a wall of the structure that allows a portion of the wall adjacent to the slit or cut or opening to be depressed to depress the latch member of the support.
  • the unlatching region may comprise an aperture through which the latch region of the support can be accessed.
  • the latch member of the structure may comprise a flap extending rearwardly from a wall of the structure with respect to the opening direction.
  • a rearward facing edge of the flap defines an abutment surface against which the latch member of the support can abut if a user attempts to move the support in the opening direction without moving the latch member in the unlatching direction.
  • the flap may be provided on a base wall of the structure.
  • the flap may be provided on a corresponding side wall of the structure.
  • the first portion of the latch wall may be constrained to define a plane and the latching direction may be substantially perpendicular to the plane.
  • the invention also extends to a support for use in the latchable package of any preceding claim, the package comprising a structure and a support for supporting one or more items, the support being movable in an opening direction between a first position in which the structure blocks access to the one or more items and a second position in which the one or more items are accessibly clear of the structure, and the structure and support comprising complementary latch members configured to engage when the support is arranged in the first position to prevent movement of the support in the opening direction, the latch member of the support being moveable in a latching direction transverse to the opening direction to engage with the latch member of the structure, and the support comprising a latch region having a latch wall, the latch wall being subject to a biasing force that biases the wall outwardly in the latching direction, wherein a first portion of the latch wall is constrained against the biasing force, and wherein a second portion of the latch wall comprises a discontinuity configured to release the constraint in the second portion of the wall to allow the second portion to flare outwardly in the latch
  • the support comprises a latch region having a latch wall, the latch wall comprising: a first portion that is constrained in the latching direction; a second portion arranged forwardly of the first portion in the opening direction, the second portion comprising a free edge defining the latch member on the support; and an opening arranged forward of the first portion in the opening direction and adjacent to the second portion to permit movement of the second portion relative to the first portion in the latching direction.
  • the second portion is biased to flare outwardly in the latching direction so as to bias the free edge into engagement with the latch member on the structure when the support is in the first position.
  • the latch element comprises a latch region having a latch wall, the latch wall being subject to a biasing force that biases the wall outwardly in the latching direction, wherein a first portion of the latch wall is constrained against the biasing force, and wherein a second portion of the latch wall comprises a discontinuity configured to release the constraint in the second portion of the wall to allow the second portion to flare outwardly in the latching direction under the biasing force to act as a latch member.
  • the latch element is couplable to a support or to a structure of the package to define a latch member of the support or structure, respectively.
  • the latch element may comprise a coupling feature to facilitate coupling to the support or structure.
  • the coupling feature may be an adherable surface.
  • the coupling feature may comprise a tab for engagement with an opening in the support to couple the latch element to the support or structure.
  • the coupling feature may comprise an opening into which a part of the support or structure can be inserted to couple the latch element to the support or structure.
  • the latch element may comprise a band that may encircle the support or structure.
  • the invention extends further to a latchable package comprising a structure; and a support for supporting one or more items, the support being movable in an opening direction between a first position in which the structure blocks access to the one or more items and a second position in which the one or more items are accessibly clear of the structure, the structure and support comprising complementary latch members configured to engage when the support is arranged in the first position to prevent movement of the support in the opening direction, the latch member of the support being moveable in a latching direction transverse to the opening direction to engage with the latch member of the structure.
  • the support comprises a latch region having a latch wall, the latch wall comprising: a fold extending parallel to the opening direction, the fold providing a biasing force that biases the wall outwardly in a latching direction; a constraining feature configured to constrain a first portion of the latch wall against the biasing force of the fold; an opening in a second portion of the wall configured to allow the biasing force to act on the second portion to cause the second portion to flare outwardly in the latching direction, such that the second portion acts as the latch member on the support.
  • the invention also extends to a latchable package comprising a structure and a support for supporting one or more items, the support being movable in an opening direction between a first position in which the structure blocks access to the one or more items and a second position in which the one or more items are accessibly clear of the structure, the structure and support comprising complementary latch members configured to engage when the support is arranged in the first position to prevent movement of the support in the opening direction, the latch member of the support or structure being moveable in a latching direction transverse to the opening direction to engage with the corresponding latch member of the structure or support.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a latchable package according to an embodiment of the invention in a first or secured configuration
  • Figures 3a and 3b are perspective views of the latchable package of Figure 1 in the first or secured configuration, showing the underside of the package, where Figure 3b shows internal features of the package;
  • Figure 3c is a perspective view of the latchable package of Figure 1 in a second or access configuration, showing the underside of the package and internal features of the package;
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of a support forming part of the package of Figure
  • Figure 5 is a plan view of a blank that can be folded to form the support of Figure
  • Figure 6a is a perspective view of the support of Figure 4, showing the underside of the support;
  • Figure 6b is a partial enlarged view of a latch formation forming part of the support of Figure 5a;
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a structure forming a part of the package of Figure 1 , showing the underside of the structure;
  • Figure 13 is a perspective view of a latchable package according to another embodiment of the invention in a first or secured configuration
  • Figure 14 is a perspective view of the latchable package of Figure 13 in a second or access configuration
  • Figure 15 is a perspective view of the latchable package of Figure 13 in the first or secured configuration, showing internal features of the package;
  • Figures 18a and 18b are partial cross-sectional and perspective views respectively showing a close up of a latch region of the support of the package of Figure 13;
  • Figure 19c is a perspective view of a latch element forming part of a support on an alternative embodiment of a package
  • Figure 20 is a perspective view of an alternative support, comprising a main body and a latch element couplable to the main body;
  • Figures 22a to 22d are perspective views of alternative embodiments of a sleeve
  • Figures 23a and 23b are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of a latch region of a support, in which the latch region is defined by a different opening arrangement;
  • a child resistant package 100 comprises a support 200 for storing hazardous materials (not shown), and a structure, in the form of a sleeve 300 for blocking access to the hazardous materials.
  • the package 100 comprises a rear end 102, a front end 104, a left side 106, a right side 108, an upper side 110, and a lower side 112 (visible in Figures 3a and 3b).
  • the package 100 is moveable by a user in an opening direction X between a fully-closed or secured position, shown in Figure 1 , in which access to the hazardous materials is blocked by the sleeve 300, and a fully-open or access position, shown in Figure 2, in which access to the hazardous materials is permitted.
  • the sleeve 300 and the support 200 comprise co-operating latch members or features, indicated generally at 120 in Figure 3b.
  • the latch members 120 are configured to engage when the support 200 and the sleeve 300 are arranged in the secured position.
  • the support 200 comprises a main body that defines a tray 202.
  • the tray 202 comprises a rear end 204, a front end 206, a left side 208, a right side 210, and a base 212.
  • the base 212 of the tray 202 is defined by a generally planar base wall 214.
  • Left and right side walls 216, 218 are upstanding from the base wall 214 at respective left and right sides 208, 210 of the tray 202.
  • the front end 206 of the tray 202 is provided with a front blocking means 220 that defines a front wall 222 of the tray and a front blocking surface 224 that lies perpendicular to the front wall 222 and that extends a short distance from the front wall 222 into the tray 202.
  • the rear end 204 of the tray 202 is provided with a similar rear blocking means 226 that defines a rear wall 228 of the tray 202 and a rear blocking surface 230 that lies perpendicular to the rear wall 228 and that extends a short distance from the rear wall 228 into the tray 202.
  • the support 200 is provided with a withdrawal stop formation in the form of a withdrawal stop latch 236.
  • the withdrawal stop latch 236 is a flap that is cut into the rear blocking surface 230 and extends forwardly from an upper rear edge of the tray 202.
  • the withdrawal stop latch 236 comprises a fold or crease 238 where the flap 236 meets the edge of the tray 202, and a front edge 240 opposite the crease 238.
  • the support 200 is made of cardboard, and is formed by folding a flat blank in the configuration shown.
  • the support 200 may be formed from any suitable material and by any suitable method.
  • the support 200 may be formed from a plastics material such as impact styrene by vacuum forming or injection moulding.
  • Figure 5 shows the flat blank 200a that is folded to form the support 200.
  • the flat blank 200a comprises a plurality of panels 202a joined by a plurality of folds or creases 201.
  • Figure 5 together with Figure 6a, which shows the underside of the support 200, reveals that the base 212 of the support 200 is defined by a double base wall, comprised of two panels lying one on top of the other.
  • the support 200 comprises a first or outer base wall 214a, which defines the external-facing base wall of the support 200, and a second or internal base wall 214b, which defines an internal-facing base wall of the support 200.
  • each left or right side wall 216, 218 is defined by a double wall, comprised of two panels lying next to other, and to this end, the support 200 comprises a first or outer side wall 216a, 218a which defines the external-facing side wall of the support 200, and a second or internal side wall 216b, 218b which defines an internal facing side wall of the support 200.
  • the external and internal side walls 216a, 218a, 216b, 218b are joined by folds 217.
  • the external facing base wall 214a is joined to external left and right side walls 216a, 218a by creases or folds 215a, 215b.
  • the external base wall 214a is bounded by a fold 215a, 215b at its left and right sides
  • each external side wall 216a, 218a is bounded by a fold 217, 215a, 217, 215b at its upper and lower sides.
  • the latch region 250 of the support 200 comprises a latch wall 252 that in this case is defined by the external base wall 214a of the support 200.
  • the latch wall 252 defines an external-facing wall of the support 200.
  • a part of the latch wall 252 defines a latch formation 254 of the support 220.
  • the latch formation 254 is biased to flare or protrude in a latching direction L that is transverse to the opening direction X (transverse meaning a direction that is not parallel to the opening direction X). In this way, the latch formation 254 protrudes away from the base 212 of the support 202 in the latching direction L.
  • the latch is shown in a latched or engaged configuration, with the latch formation 254 biased outwardly in the latching direction L.
  • a user can move the latch formation 254 in an unlatching direction, opposite to the latching direction L, into an unlatched or disengaged configuration, by applying an inward force to the latch formation 254.
  • the latch formation 254 will move in the latching direction L as a result of the biasing force acting upon it, and hence will automatically move back into the latching configuration of Figure 6a.
  • the latch formation 254 is defined in the latch wall 252 by features that are configured to induce a biasing force in the wall 252, constrain the wall against the biasing force in a first portion 252a of the latch wall 252, and release the constraint in a second portion 252b of the latch wall 252 by virtue of a discontinuity 253 in the wall 252, as will now be described in detail.
  • the latch wall 252 is subject to a biasing force by virtue of biasing features present in the latch region 250.
  • the biasing features are constituted by the two folds 215a, 215b arranged at left and right sides of the wall 252.
  • the folds 215a, 215b act to bend the sheet out of that plane, the folds 215a, 215b create an elastic biasing force in the wall 252.
  • a central portion of the wall between the folds 215a, 215b is subject to a force that tends to bias the wall outwardly in the latching direction.
  • the latch wall 252 is continuous between the folds 215a, 215b. Because at least some of the panels of the support are fixed to one another (for example by an adhesive), the latch wall 252 is constrained between the folds 215a, 215b, against the biasing force, so that the wall 252 cannot be displaced in the latching direction, but instead lies substantially flat against the inner baser wall 214b of the support 200. Thus the first portion 252a is constrained to lie substantially in the plane of the base 212.
  • the first portion 252a is constrained by the corners defined by folds 215a, 215b that join the first portion 252a of the base wall 214a to the side walls 216a, 218a at the left and right sides of the support 200.
  • a first portion 252a of the latch wall 252 that lies between the folds 215a, 215b is constrained within the plane of the base 212, such that the first portion 252a cannot project in the latching direction L.
  • the folds 215a, 215b act as constraining features.
  • the slit of the second opening 258 separates the latch region 252 from a remainder 214c of the base wall 214a.
  • the third opening 260 takes the form of a hole or aperture: in this case a circular hole.
  • the first opening 256 releases constraints on the latch wall 252 in the portion between the folds 215a, 215b. With the constraint at least partially released, the inherent biasing stress in the latch wall 252 can act on the latch wall 252 to cause a resulting strain. In this case, the inherent biasing stress will tend to cause the wall 252 to flare outwardly, in the latching direction L, such that the latch formations 254a, 254b are correspondingly biased to flare outwardly in the latching direction.
  • the region of greatest flare is the region in the immediate vicinity of the junction 257 between the first and second openings 256, 258.
  • the third opening 260 at the rear of the first opening 256 serves two functions. Firstly, the third opening 260 acts as a relaxation opening that aids the release of constraint and hence flaring of the latch member 254. Secondly, the third opening 260 acts as a blunting opening, that blunts the end of the slit of the second opening 256. Blunting the slit in this way makes it more difficult to propagate the slit into a tear by pulling the latch member 254, and thus improves the tear-resistant properties and durability of the package.
  • each latch formation 254a, 254b At the front of each latch formation 254a, 254b, adjacent to the second opening 258, and hence adjacent to the remainder 214c of the base wall 214a, each latch formation 254a, 254b comprises a free edge 262 that faces generally forwardly in the opening direction X.
  • the free edges 262 flare upwardly to an increasing extent moving from the respective fold 215a, 215b towards the first opening 256. At the junction 257 the free edges 262 flare to their greatest extent, protruding upwardly in the latching direction L above the first portion 252a of the latch wall 252, and above the remainder 214c of the base wall 214a. In this way, the free edges 262 can act as abutment edges that can abut a corresponding abutment edge on a latch feature of the structure to perform a latching function, as will be described later.
  • the latch formation 254 is naturally and resiliently biased outwardly in a first, engaged position in which the free edge 262 is raised above the level of the first portion 252a of the latch wall 252, and above the level of the remainder 214c of the base wall 214a.
  • the latch formation 254 can be resiliently moved in the unlatching direction to a second, disengaged position, in which the free edge 262 of the latch formation 254 lies substantially flush with the first portion 252a of the latch wall 252, and the remainder 214c of the base wall 214a.
  • the latch formation 254 returns to the first, engaged position once more.
  • the sleeve 300 comprises a main body 302 in the form of a shell that defines an interior space 303.
  • the sleeve has a rear end 304, a front end 306, a left side 308, a right side 310, a base 312 and a top 314.
  • the base 312 and top 314 of the sleeve 300 are defined respectively by a generally planar base wall 316 and a generally planar upper wall 318.
  • the front end 306 of the sleeve 300 is open.
  • the base wall 316 is provided with a latch member 120 in the form of a flap 324.
  • the flap 324 extends rearwardly from a front edge 326 of the base wall 316 into the interior space 303. In use in the assembled package 100, the flap 324 lies against and parallel to the base wall 316, though in Figure 7 the flap is shown for illustration purposes as projecting at an acute angle to the base wall 316.
  • the flap 324 comprises a crease 325 where the flap 324 meets the front edge 326 of the base wall 316, and a rear edge 327 opposite the crease 325.
  • the rear edge 327 defines an abutment edge that abuts against the corresponding abutment edge 262 on the latch formation 254 of the support 200, thereby preventing movement of the support 200.
  • the sleeve also comprises an access formation 340 that facilitates access to the support 200 in the assembled package 100.
  • the access formation 340 is provided at the front end 306 of the sleeve 300 and takes the form of a cut away.
  • the top wall 318 of the sleeve 300 extends further forward than the base wall 316 of the sleeve 300, such that the top wall 318 overhangs the base wall 316.
  • the top wall 318 and base wall 316 are joined by front edges 321 , 323 of the side walls. To accommodate the overhang, the front edges 321 ,
  • the rear end 304 of the sleeve 300 is at least partially closed by a rear end wall (not visible in Figure 7).
  • the base wall 316 is provided with an unlatching region 330 in the form of an aperture 331.
  • the aperture 331 is located in a position that, when the flap 324 lies flush against the base wall 316, is immediately rearward of a rear edge 327 of the flap 324. In this way, when the support 200 is arranged in the sleeve 300, the aperture 331 generally aligns with the region of greatest flare of the latch formation 254 of the support 200, as best shown in Figure 3b.
  • the unlatching region 330 facilitates depression of the latch formation 254 of the support 200 through the structure 300: in this case, by providing direct access to the latch formation 254 through the aperture 331.
  • a peripheral edge 332 of the base wall 316 surrounding the aperture 331 may act as an abutment edge instead of, or as well as, the abutment edge defined by the rear edge 327 of the flap 324.
  • the sleeve 300 is made of cardboard, and is formed by folding a flat blank in the configuration shown.
  • the sleeve 300 may be formed from any suitable material and by any suitable method.
  • the sleeve 300 may be formed from a plastics material such as impact styrene by vacuum forming or injection moulding.
  • the blocking means 220, 226 on the tray 202 of the support act to block the ends of the package 100 to make it difficult for a child to access the contents of the tray 200 when the package is secured.
  • the front wall 222 blocks the open end at the front of the package 100
  • the blocking surfaces 224, 230 lie flush against the upper wall 318 of the sleeve 300 to prevent a child accessing the tray by working a finger over the front or rear wall 222, 228.
  • the user To move the support 200 in the opening direction X, and hence move the package 100 into the access configuration of Figure 3c, the user must first move the latch formations 254a, 254b into an unlatched configuration. To do this, the user must apply an unlatching force in an unlatching direction substantially opposite to the latching direction L. With the package 100 oriented for use, as shown in Figure 8b, the latch formations 254a, 254b are arranged on the base 214 of the support 200, and thus the unlatching direction is a substantially upward direction.
  • the flap 324 on the sleeve 300 and the withdrawal stop latch 236 on the support 200 act to limit movement of the support 200 in the opening direction, so that the support 200 cannot be easily removed from the sleeve 300.
  • the withdrawal stop latch 236 of the support 200 could take a different form in other embodiments.
  • the withdrawal stop latch 236 could simply comprise a small protrusion from the base wall 214 or the rear wall 228 of the support 200, that extends generally perpendicularly with respect to the base wall 214.
  • the protrusion functions in a similar manner to the latch 236, by engaging with the rear edge 327 of the flap 324 on the sleeve 300 to limit movement of the support 200 in the opening direction.
  • one or more protrusions may extend from one or more of the side walls 216, 218 of the support 200, and engage with complementary withdrawal stop features of the sleeve 300 in a similar manner to that already described.
  • the user simply pushes the support 200 back into the sleeve 300.
  • the flap 324 of the sleeve 300 initially pushes the latch formation 254 of the support 200 into the disengaged state.
  • the latch formation 254 on the support 200 moves past the flap 324 on the sleeve 300, they are unconstrained by the wall of the flap 324 and hence are biased into the engaged state.
  • the latch formation 254 is visible through, and protrudes into, the aperture 331 on the sleeve 300. In this secured state, the package 100 can be stored safely.
  • Embodiments of the package 100 are envisaged in which the unlatching region 330 takes different forms other than an aperture 331.
  • the unlatching region 330 need not provide direct access to the latch members 120 of the support 200, but may instead allow for depression of the latch members 120 of the support 200 by indirect application of a force.
  • the unlatching region 330 may be defined by a feature on the sleeve 300 that increases flexibility of the sleeve wall in the region of the latch member 120 of the support 200.
  • the unlatching region 330 may be defined by a discontinuity 353 in the sleeve wall.
  • Figures 10a and 10b illustrate an embodiment in which the unlatching region 330 comprises a slit 350 in the base wall 316 of the sleeve 300 in the region of the latch feature.
  • the slit 350 extends transverse to the opening direction X, and in this particular case is perpendicular to the opening direction X.
  • the slit 350 is arranged so as to lie above the rear edge of the flap 324 that defines the latch member 120 of the sleeve 300.
  • the base wall 316 of the sleeve 300 can be easily depressed in the region of the latch formation 254, thereby allowing a user to apply a localised force above the latch formation 254 that enables movement of the latch formation 254 in the unlatching direction.
  • the slit 350 extends a short distance left-to-right, having a length that corresponds to less than half a width of the sleeve 300.
  • the embodiment of Figures 11a and 11 b is similar to the embodiment of Figures 10a and 10b, except that the slit 352 extends across the entire width of the package 100, from left to right.
  • the discontinuity 353 takes the form of a slot or elongate aperture 354. Similar to the slit 350 of the embodiment of Figures 10a and 10b, the slot 354 extends transverse to the opening direction X, and in this particular case is perpendicular to the opening direction X.
  • Figures 13 to 18 illustrate another embodiment of a package 1100, in which the latch features of the support 1200 and sleeve 1300 are located on the left and right sides of the package 1100, rather than the base wall of the package 1100.
  • the package 1100 comprises a support 1200 and a sleeve 1300, and is moveable by a user in an opening direction X between a fully-closed or secured position, shown in Figure 13, in which access to the hazardous materials is blocked by the sleeve 1300, and a fully-open or access position, shown in Figure 14, in which access to the hazardous materials is permitted.
  • the aperture 7330 of the sleeve 7300 of Figure 22d has the same shape as the aperture 330 of the sleeve 300 of Figures 1 to 9, but in this case is provided in a side wall 7320 of the sleeve 7300 rather than in the base of the sleeve.
  • the sleeve 7300 of Figure 22d is for use in a package 7100 having latch members provided on the or each of the left and right sides.
  • the latch element 9280 is provided in or on the main body 9202 such that the upper wall 9284 of the latch element 9280 forms a cover for a portion of the tray 9202 defined by the main body 9202.
  • the left and right side walls 9288, 9290 of the latch element 9280 are positioned to overlie outer surfaces of the left and right side walls of the main body 9280, such that the outer side walls 9288a, 9290a of the latch element 9280 form external-facing walls of the support 9200.
  • the left and right internal side walls 9288b, 9290b are attached or adhered to the left and right outer surfaces, respectively, of the side walls of the main body 9202.
  • the latch element 9280 is dimensioned such that its length is a fraction of the length of the main body 9202, such that articles supported in the main body 9202 can be accessed without removal of the latch element 9280.
  • a support comprising the latch element 9280 of Figure 24 may be used in combination with any suitable sleeve having suitable unlatching regions. Operation of a package 9100 including a support 9200 comprising the latch element 9280 of Figure 24 is identical to operation of a package comprising a support having integral latch members, such as has already been described.
  • FIG 25 illustrates an embodiment of the support 10200 that includes a hinged lid 10280 that carries a latch region 10250.
  • the hinged lid 10280 comprises an upper wall 10284 and a side flap 10288.
  • the upper wall 10284 joins to a right side wall 10218 of the main body 10202 at an edge of fold 10215b.
  • the upper wall 10284 forms a lid or cover for at least a portion of the main body 10202, that blocks access to articles stored in the main body 10202 when the lid 10280 is in a closed position as shown in Figure 25.
  • the side flap 10288 comprises a latch region 10250 having a latch wall 10252.
  • the latch wall 10252 comprises an arrangement of openings 10255 that define an at least partially unconstrained portion 10252b of the wall 10252, these openings having the same general form as those of the latch region of the embodiment of Figure 24.
  • the support 10200 of Figure 25 may be used with any suitable sleeve 10300 having suitable unlatching regions, and the operation of a package 10100 including the support 10200 of Figure 25 is essentially the same as the operation of the packages already described in the preceding embodiments.
  • the openings may be arranged to define a generally U-shaped opening 255a such as those shown in Figure 26a and 26b, or a generally V-shaped opening 255b such as those shown in Figures 26c-e.
  • the openings may include a cut-out portion of the wall 255c in combination with an elongate slit 255d.
  • a single sleeve comprises multiple supports.
  • the supports may for example be stacked one-on-top-of-another, in which case the sleeve may be provided with multiple latch members, with each latch member on the sleeve being arranged to co-operate with a different latch member of the set of supports.
  • the support may be arranged side-by-side in succession in the opening direction.
  • a single set of latch members on the sleeve may be arranged to co-operate with latch members of different supports in turn, as different supports are brought into the vicinity of the latch region on the sleeve.
  • the described embodiments of the package envisage access of articles stored in the support from the top of the support, it would be possible in other embodiments for the support to be configured such that articles stored within can be accessed from different directions, for example from the side of the support.
  • the support may include, for example, an access opening in one or more side of the support, which may take the form of a fully open side of the support.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cartons (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un emballage verrouillable qui comprend : une structure ; et un support pour supporter un ou plusieurs articles, le support étant mobile dans une direction d'ouverture entre une première position, dans laquelle la structure bloque l'accès à un ou plusieurs articles, et une seconde position dans laquelle le ou les articles sont dégagés de manière accessible par rapport à la structure. La structure et le support comprennent des éléments de verrouillage complémentaires configurés pour venir en prise lorsque le support est placé dans la première position afin d'empêcher un mouvement du support dans la direction d'ouverture. L'élément de verrouillage du support est mobile dans une direction de verrouillage transversale à la direction d'ouverture afin d'être en prise avec l'élément de verrouillage de la structure. Le support comprend une région de verrouillage ayant une paroi de verrouillage, la paroi de verrouillage étant soumise à une force de sollicitation qui sollicite la paroi vers l'extérieur dans la direction de verrouillage, une première partie de la paroi de verrouillage étant contrainte contre la force de sollicitation, et une seconde partie de la paroi de verrouillage ayant une discontinuité configurée pour relâcher la contrainte dans la seconde partie de la paroi afin de permettre à la seconde partie de s'évaser vers l'extérieur dans la direction de verrouillage sous l'effet de la force de sollicitation pour agir comme élément de verrouillage sur le support.
PCT/GB2020/051461 2019-06-17 2020-06-17 Emballage verrouillable WO2021001643A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20756937.7A EP3983303A1 (fr) 2019-06-17 2020-06-17 Emballage verrouillable
US17/596,736 US20220315272A1 (en) 2019-06-17 2020-06-17 Latchable package

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1908664.4A GB2584859A (en) 2019-06-17 2019-06-17 Latchable package
GB1908664.4 2019-06-17
US201962911784P 2019-10-07 2019-10-07
US62/911,784 2019-10-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2021001643A1 true WO2021001643A1 (fr) 2021-01-07

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2020/051461 WO2021001643A1 (fr) 2019-06-17 2020-06-17 Emballage verrouillable

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20220315272A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP3983303A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA3057927A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2584859A (fr)
WO (1) WO2021001643A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4013687B1 (fr) * 2019-08-16 2023-10-04 Philip Morris Products S.A. Récipient doté d'un boîtier et d'un manchon avec mécanisme de verrouillage

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US20060131205A1 (en) * 2004-12-21 2006-06-22 Stora Enso Ab Package and blank
GB2540100A (en) * 2016-01-28 2017-01-04 Duff Design Ltd Latchable package
US20180257827A1 (en) * 2017-03-07 2018-09-13 JohnsByrne Company Child resistant packaging

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US20040099565A1 (en) * 2001-11-09 2004-05-27 Stora Enso Oyj. Child resistant carton package
US6726054B2 (en) * 2002-03-29 2004-04-27 Tapemark Dispenser package arrangement and methods
US20070068843A1 (en) * 2005-09-28 2007-03-29 Hession Christopher J Packaging system with an improved lock and release mechanism
GB0716146D0 (en) * 2006-12-19 2007-09-26 Duff Design Ltd Improvements relating to packaging
US20090184022A1 (en) * 2008-01-18 2009-07-23 One World Design And Manufacturing Group, Ltd. Child resistant container for housing a blister card
ITBO20100368A1 (it) * 2010-06-11 2011-12-12 Gd Spa Confezione di articoli da fumo con apertura a scorrimento.
US9981788B2 (en) * 2014-07-01 2018-05-29 Ingersoll Paper Box Co., Limited Child-resistant package
IT201900002001A1 (it) * 2019-02-12 2020-08-12 Gd Spa Pacchetto rigido di articoli da fumo provvisto di un coperchio incernierato

Patent Citations (3)

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US20060131205A1 (en) * 2004-12-21 2006-06-22 Stora Enso Ab Package and blank
GB2540100A (en) * 2016-01-28 2017-01-04 Duff Design Ltd Latchable package
US20180257827A1 (en) * 2017-03-07 2018-09-13 JohnsByrne Company Child resistant packaging

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2584859A (en) 2020-12-23
GB201908664D0 (en) 2019-07-31
EP3983303A1 (fr) 2022-04-20
US20220315272A1 (en) 2022-10-06
CA3057927A1 (fr) 2020-12-17

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