Package and a slide for such a package

Abstract

A package comprises a housing and a slide. The slide is slidably accommodated in the housing in a sliding direction. The slide comprises a bottom wall, side walls connected to the bottom wall as well as at least one flange-shaped upper edge spaced from the bottom wall, which is connected to the side walls. The flange-shaped upper edge comprises two parts that extend parallel to the sliding direction. Each part is provided with at least one hook-shaped element. The housing comprises two side walls. Each side wall is provided with at least one recess in which one of the hook-shaped elements connected to the slide can be positioned for at least locking the slide in position in the housing The hook-shaped elements can be moved out of the recesses against spring force, after which the slide can be moved in the sliding direction in the housing. The slide is provided with a box being connected to the bottom wall of the slide. The box comprises walls located at a distance from the side walls of the slide. The walls of the box bound an opening being sealable by means of a foil.

Claims

1. A package comprising: a housing and a slide which is slidably accommodated in the housing in a sliding direction, which slide comprises: a bottom wall, side walls connected to the bottom wall as well as at least one flange-shaped upper edge spaced from the bottom wall, which is connected to the side walls, wherein the flange-shaped upper edge comprises two parts that extend parallel to the sliding direction, wherein each part is provided with at least one hook-shaped element, whilst the housing comprises two side walls, wherein each side wall is provided with at least one recess in which one of the hook-shaped elements connected to the slide can be positioned for at least locking the slide in position in the housing, which hook-shaped elements are movable out of the recesses against spring force, and when the hook-shaped elements are moved out of the recesses, the slide is movable in the sliding direction in the housing, wherein the slide is provided with a box being connected to the bottom wall of the slide, which box comprises walls located at a distance from the side walls of the slide, which walls of the box bound an opening being sealable by means of a foil, and wherein: the bottom wall of the slide is connected to intermediate walls, which intermediate walls are connected at a side spaced from the bottom wall via a flange to the walls of the box, the walls of the box at a side spaced from the flange are connected to a box bottom wall, and the flange is located closer to the bottom wall of the slide than the flange-shaped upper edge.

2. A package according to claim 1, wherein the foil covering the opening is sealed to the flange connecting the intermediate walls to the walls of the box.

3. A package according to claim 1, wherein a cover for closing the opening of the box is pivotably connected to the flange-shaped upper edge.

4. A package according to claim 1, wherein one side wall of the slide extending perpendicular to the sliding direction is provided with a pivotable flap, whilst the housing comprises a housing wall, which housing wall is provided with a pivotable part on a side extending perpendicular to the sliding direction, whereby in a position in which the slide is partly slit out of the housing in the sliding direction, the flap of the slide is located between the housing wall and the pivotable part of the housing wall of the housing, preventing the slide to slide fully out of the housing.

5. A package according to claim 4, wherein seen in the sliding direction, the pivotable part of the housing wall of the housing is located at a front side of the housing, whilst the flap of the slide is located at a rear side of the slide.

6. A package according to claim 4, wherein the pivotable flap is connected to the slide at an opposite side of the slide as the pivotable cover.

7. A package according to claim 1, wherein a recess and a hook-shaped element located at a first side wall are staggered, seen in the sliding direction, relative to a recess and a hook-shaped element located at a second side wall, wherein the hook-shaped elements of the flange-shaped upper edge can be moved out of the recesses against the spring force of the flange-shaped upper edge.

8. A package according to claim 7, wherein a diagonal line between the staggered recesses in the two side walls includes an angle of at most 60 degrees with the side wall.

9. A package according to claim 7, wherein the staggered recesses in the two side walls are spaced a distance of at least 60 mm apart, seen in a direction parallel to the side wall.

10. A package according claim 1, wherein each of the hook-shaped elements has a barb-like configuration.

11. A package according to claim 1, wherein the hook-shaped element lies in the same plane as the part of the flange-shaped upper edge that extends parallel to the sliding direction.

12. A package according to claim 1, wherein the slide is made of plastic material, using a thermoforming process.

13. A package according claim 1, wherein no foil is connected to the flange-shaped upper edge.

14. A slide suitable for a package according to claim 1, said slide comprises: a bottom wall, side walls connected to the bottom wall as well as at least one flange-shaped upper edge spaced from the bottom wall, which is connected to the side walls, wherein the flange-shaped upper edge comprises two parts that extend parallel to the sliding direction, wherein each part is provided with at least one hook-shaped element, which hook-shaped elements are movable against spring force, wherein the slide is provided with a box being connected to the bottom wall of the slide, which box comprises walls located at a distance from the side walls of the slide, which walls of the box bound an opening being sealable by means of a foil, and wherein: the bottom wall of the slide is connected to intermediate walls, which intermediate walls are connected at a side spaced from the bottom wall via a flange to the walls of the box, the walls of the box at a side spaced from the flange are connected to a box bottom wall, and the flange is located closer to the bottom wall of the slide than the flange-shaped upper edge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The package according to the invention will further be explained with reference to the drawings, wherein,

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a package according to the invention,

(3) FIGS. 2A and 2B are is a perspective view and a perspective cross section of a slide of the package as shown in FIG. 1, with an open position of a cover and with a sealed foil in FIG. 2A and with a remove foil in FIG. 2B,

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a slide of the package as shown in FIG. 1, with an intermediate position of the cover and with the sealed foil,

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a slide of the package as shown in FIG. 1, with a closed position of the cover, with the sealed foil and with a flap in an initial position,

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a slide of the package as shown in FIG. 1, with a closed position of the cover, with the sealed foil and with the flap in its operational position,

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic cross section of the package as shown in FIG. 1 in a position wherein the slide is slit out of the housing as far as possible.

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a package according to the invention,

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective cross section of a slide of the package as shown in FIG. 7 with a remove foil,

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a slide of the package as shown in FIG. 7 with a sealed foil.

(11) In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) FIGS. 1-6 show different views of a first embodiment of a package 1 according to the invention. The package 1 comprises a cardboard housing 2 and a stray shaped slide 3 of plastic material, which is slidably accommodated, in and opposite to the direction indicated by arrow P1, in the housing 2. The housing 2 comprises a bottom side 4, side walls 5, 6 extending transversely to the bottom side, a rear wall 7 extending transversely to the bottom side 4 and the side walls 5, 6, an upper wall 8 extending parallel to the bottom side 4, and a flap 10 which is pivotally connected about a pivot line 9 to the bottom side. The flap 10 is provided with a flap portion 12 which is pivotable about a pivot line 11, which flap portion 12 can be positioned to abut against the upper wall 8 on an inner side thereof. Such a rectangular housing 2 is known per se and will not be discussed in more detail herein, therefore.

(13) The housing 2 is provided with a pair of recesses 14, 15, which extend through the side of the side walls 5, 6 that faces the upper wall 8 and the sides of the upper wall 8 that face the side walls 5, 6. The part of the recesses 14, 15 that is provided in the side walls 5, 6 is rectangular in shape. The part of the recesses 14, 15 that is provided in the upper wall 8 is arcuate in shape. The recess 14 in side wall 5 is located closer to the rear wall 7 than recess 15 in side wall 6, so that the recess 14, of the first side wall 5 is staggered relative to the recess 15 of the second side wall 6 in the sliding direction indicated by the arrow P1.

(14) The slide 3 comprises a bottom wall 17 and side walls 18, 19, 20, 21 extending along the circumference of the bottom wall 17, which each include an angle slightly greater than 90 degrees with the bottom wall 17. The slide 3 further comprises a flange-shaped, endless upper edge 22, spaced from the bottom wall 17, which is connected to the side walls 18, 19, 20, 21. The upper edge 22 comprises two parts 23, 24 extending parallel to the sliding direction indicated by the arrow P1, as well as two parts 25, 26 extending transversely to the sliding direction indicated by the arrow P1. The part 25 is wider than the part 26. The parts 23, 24 have a width W1 of a few millimetres. The parts 23, 24 each comprise a hook-shaped element 27, spaced from the wider part 25.

(15) The hook-shaped elements 27 are staggered in the sliding direction indicated by the arrow P1, similarly to the recesses 14, 15 of the housing 2. In a direction transversely to the bottom wall 17, the hook-shaped element 27 has the same thickness as the upper edge 22. The hook-shaped elements 27 lie in the same plane as the part 23, 24 of the flange-shaped upper edge 22 that extends parallel to the sliding direction P1.

(16) As is clearly shown in FIG. 4, the hook-shaped element 27 comprises a wall portion 28 extending transversely to the sliding direction indicated by the arrow P1 and a curved wall portion 29 connecting thereto, providing the hook-shaped element with a barb-like configuration. The wall portion 28 is located on a side of the hook-shaped element 27 that faces the wider part 25. The hook-shaped element 27 and the recesses 14, 15 are dimensioned so that the hook-shaped element 27 fits in the recesses 14, 15, with the wall portion 28 abutting against an edge of the side wall 5, 6 that bounds the recess 14, 15.

(17) The slide as described above is known from EP3016883B1.

(18) The slide 3 according to the invention also comprises a box 30 being connected to the bottom wall 17 of the slide 3.

(19) The box 30 comprises intermediate walls 31, 32, 33, 34 connected to the bottom wall 17 of the slide 3 and spaced apart from the side walls 18, 19, 20, 21. At a side remote of the bottom wall 17, the intermediate walls 31, 32, 33, 34 are connected via a circumferential flange 36 to walls 37, 38, 39, 40 of the box 30. The flange 36 has a width W2 being larger than the width W1 of the parts 23, 24. The width W2 is for example 5-7 millimetres.

(20) The walls 37, 38, 39, 40 of the box 30 are connected to a box bottom wall 41 at a side spaced from the flange 36. Spaces between the side walls 18, 19, 20, 21 and the intermediate walls 31, 32, 33, 34 as well as the spaces between the intermediate walls 31, 32, 33, 34 and the walls 37, 38, 39, 40 of the box 30 are V-shaped so that the slide 3 comprising the box 30 can easily be made by thermoforming, for example.

(21) At a side remote of the box bottom wall 41, the walls 37, 38, 39, 40 bound an opening 43 providing access to the box 30. The opening 43 can be closed by sealing a foil 44 to the flange 36.

(22) The flange 36 is located closer to the bottom wall 17 of the slide 3 than the flange-shaped upper edge 22.

(23) The slide 3 is also provided with a cover 45 for closing the opening 43 of the box 30 after removal of the foil 42. The cover 45 is pivotably connected along pivot line 46 to part 25 of the flange-shaped upper edge 22 and can be pivoted in and opposite the direction as indicated by arrow P2, from an open position (see FIG. 1), via an intermediate position (see FIG. 3) to a closed position (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and vice versa.

(24) The cover 45 comprises a flat part 47 and a raised part 48, which raised part 48 is dimensioned to fit between the ridge 35 and onto the flange 36.

(25) At a rear side the slide 3 is provided with a flap 49 being pivotably connected along pivot line 50 to part 26 of the flange-shaped upper edge 22 and can be pivoted in and opposite the direction as indicated by arrow P3, from an initial position (see FIGS. 3 and 4) to an operational position (see FIG. 5), and vice versa. The pivotable flap 49 is connected to the slide 3 at an opposite side of the slide 3 as the pivotable cover 45.

(26) As can be seen in FIG. 6, the upper wall 8 of the housing 2 is provided with a pivotable part 51 being pivotably connected along pivot line 52 to the upper part 8. The pivot line 52 extends perpendicular to the sliding direction P1. In a position in which the slide 3 is partly slit out of the housing 2 in the sliding direction P1, the flap 49 of the slide 3 is located between the upper wall 8 of the housing wall 2 and the pivotable part 51 of the housing 2, preventing the slide 3 to slide fully out of the housing 2.

(27) The operation of the package 1 is as follows.

(28) In a closed position of the package 1, the slide 3 is fully enclosed within the housing 2, and the flap 10 is in the closed position. The slide 3 is now hidden from view and access to the products present therein, such as loose medicines, is not possible. In the closed position, the hook-shaped elements 27 of the slide 3 are positioned in the recesses 14, 15 of the housing 2.

(29) When a user wishes to take products from the slide 3, the flap portion 12 is first pivoted about the pivot line 9. Then the user presses on the hook-shaped elements 27 positioned in the staggered recesses 14, 15 in the directions indicated by the arrows P4, P5 with two fingers, for example the thumb and the index finger. The directions indicated by the arrows P4, P5 extend transversely to the sliding direction indicated by the arrow P1. The fingers are thus positioned in the arcuate parts of the recesses 14, 15 in the upper wall 8. The staggered hook-shaped elements are moved out of the recesses 14, 15 in the directions indicated by the arrows P4, P5, against spring force and under elastic deformation of the side walls 18, 20 and the parts 23, 24, with the wall portions 28 moving clear of the side walls 5, 6 in question. Using his other hand, the user then takes hold of the wider part 25 of the upper edge 22 and/or part 47 of the cover 45, which are freely accessible, whereupon the user moves the slide 3 out of the housing 2, in the direction indicated by the arrow P1, to the position shown in FIG. 1. The user may then pivot the cover 45 in a direction opposite to arrow P2 to the open position as shown in FIG. 1. Next, the foil 44 can be removed to gain access through the opening 43 to the inside of the box 30. The products (not shown) present in the box 30 can now be removed from the box 30.

(30) If a relatively young child undesirably attempts to open the package 1, it will presumably be able to open the flap 10. The child will then pull at the wider part 25 of the upper edge 22, which is freely accessible through the opening of the housing 2. However, because the wall portions 28 of the hook-shaped elements 27 abut against the edge 30 of the side walls 5, 6 moving the slide 3 out of the housing 2 is prevented in a simple manner.

(31) A diagonal line 53 is drawn between the staggered recesses 14, 15. Said line is not present on the actual package 1 but is only shown by way of illustration of the invention. The diagonal line 53 between the staggered recesses 14, 15 in the two side walls 5, 6 includes an angle A at most 60 degrees and at least 20 degrees with the side wall 5, 6. The staggered recesses 14, 15 are spaced apart by a distance K of at least 60 mm and at most 120 mm in a direction parallel to the side walls 5, 6. When such dimensions are used, the width B of the package 1 will range between 35 mm and 120 mm, and the length of the diagonal line 53 will range between 70 mm and 140 mm.

(32) It is also possible to use different materials for the slide and the housing, such as plastics suitable for thermoforming or injection-moulding, cardboard, especially tear-resistant cardboard, or a metal such as aluminium.

(33) FIGS. 7-9 show different views of a second embodiment of a package 1 according to the invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that a different slide 60 is being used. For ease of the description the same words like “bottom wall”, “upper wall” etcetera are being used as with reference to slide 3. However, by the slide 60 the orientation in use is reversed.

(34) The slide 60 comprises a bottom wall 61 and two pair of side walls 62, 63 extending along the circumference of the bottom wall 61, which each include an angle slightly greater than 90 degrees with the bottom wall 61. The slide 60 further comprises a flange-shaped, endless upper edge 64, spaced from the bottom wall 61, which is connected to the side walls 62, 63. The upper edge 64 comprises two parts 65 extending parallel to the sliding direction indicated by the arrow P1, as well as two parts 66 extending transversely to the sliding direction indicated by the arrow P1. The parts 66 are wider than the parts 65. The parts 65 having a width W3 of a few millimetres.

(35) Each part 65 comprises a hook-shaped element 27, spaced from the wider part 66. The hook-shaped elements 27 are staggered in the sliding direction indicated by the arrow P1, similarly to the recesses 14, 15 of the housing 2. In a direction transversely to the bottom wall 61, the hook-shaped element 27 has the same thickness as the upper edge 64. The hook-shaped elements 27 lie in the same plane as the flange-shaped upper edge 64 that extends parallel to the sliding direction P1.

(36) The slide 3 is provided with a box 67 comprising walls 68 extending along the circumference of an opening 69 in the bottom wall 61. The walls 68 of the box 67 are connected on one side to the bottom wall 61 of the slide 60 and at a side spaced from the bottom wall 61 to a box bottom wall 70. Spaces between the side walls 62, 63 and the walls 68 of the box 67 are V-shaped so that the slide 60 comprising the box 67 can easily be made by thermoforming, for example.

(37) The opening 69 in the bottom wall 61 can be sealed by a foil 71 being connected to the bottom wall 61 of the slide 60.

(38) In use, the slide 60 will be used with the bottom wall 61 directed upwards and the flange-shaped, endless upper edge 64 located below the bottom wall 61, as shown in the FIGS. 7-9. Also the housing 2 will be used upside down compared with the first embodiment, whereby the recesses 14, 15 will be located in the lower wall instead of in the upper wall. The hook-shaped elements 27 will cooperate with the recesses 14, 15 in said lower wall. A user will need to put his hand under the package to be able to press both hook-shaped elements 27 at the same time into the housing 2. Subsequently be can pull at the part 66, remove the foil 71 and gain access to the inside of the box 67 through opening 69.

(39) The slide 3, 60 is preferably made of a plastic material, such as PVC, ABS, PE, PET, PS and PP, to be deformed by means of a thermoforming process. After thermoforming of the slide 3 has taken place, the hook-shaped elements 27 are punched into the upper edge 22, 64, with the desired dimensions of the parts 23, 24, 25, 26, 65, 66 being obtained by said the punching operation. The bottom wall 17, 61, the side walls 18, 19, 20, 21, 62, 63 and the upper edge 22, 64 are relatively thin, so that the parts 23, 24, 65 of the upper edge 22, 64 that are provided with the hook-shaped elements 27 can be moved toward each other against the spring force of the material of the slide 3, 60. If desired the walls of the box 30, 67 can be thicker.

(40) The dimensions of the cardboard housing 2 can vary from, for example, a width of 21 to 151 mm, a height of 51 to 101 mm and a length of 51 to 301 mm. The wall thickness of the housing 2 can vary from 400 to 1000 micron, for example.

(41) The dimensions of the slide 3, 60 can vary from, for example, a width of 20 to 150 mm, a height of 50 to 100 mm and a length of 50 to 300 mm. The wall thickness of the slide 3, 60 can vary from 200 to 1000 micron, for example.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(42) 1 package 2 housing 3 slide 4 bottom wall 5 side wall 6 side wall 7 rear wall 8 upper wall 9 pivot line 10 flap 11 pivot line 12 flap portion 14 recess 15 recess 17 bottom wall 18 side wall 19 side wall 20 side wall 21 side wall 22 upper edge 23 part 24 part 25 part 26 part 27 hook-shaped element 28 wall portion 29 wall portion 30 box 31 intermediate wall 32 intermediate wall 33 intermediate wall 34 intermediate wall 35 ridge 36 flange 37 wall 38 wall 39 wall 40 wall 41 box bottom wall 43 opening 44 foil 45 cover 46 pivot line 47 flat part 48 raised part 49 flap 50 pivot line 51 pivotable part 52 pivot line 53 diagonal line 60 slide 61 bottom wall 62 side wall 63 side wall 64 upper edge 65 part 66 part 67 box 68 wall 69 opening 70 bottom wall 71 foil P1 arrow P2 arrow P3 arrow P4 arrow P5 arrow W1 width W2 width W3 width A angle K distance B width