Separable Modular Container

Abstract

Separable modular container and methods of manufacturing the same are herein disclosed. The separable modular container generally includes a plurality of packages formed from a single die-cut panel. The packages formed from the single die-cut panel are detachable from one another.

Claims

1. A separable modular container comprising: a die cut panel comprising: a plurality of packages comprising: a first terminal package; and a second terminal package, wherein each of the packages comprise: a pair of vertical edges; and a pair of horizontal edges, wherein one of the horizontal edges of each terminal package is uncoupled and the other horizontal edge of each terminal package is coupled to another package within the die cut panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1a is a die-cut panel plan illustrating how a container with a zig-zag chain can be cut.

[0027] FIG. 1b is a die-cut panel plan illustrating how a container with an offset zig-zag chain can be cut.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a container including two packages connected together.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a container including three packages connected together in a zig-zag chain.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a container including three packages connected together in an offset zig-zag chain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Introduction and Definitions

[0032] A detailed description will now be provided. Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the invention may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the invention will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims. Each of the inventions will now be described in greater detail below, including specific embodiments, versions and examples, but the inventions are not limited to these embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventions when the information in this patent is combined with available information and technology.

[0033] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition skilled persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing. Further, unless otherwise specified, all compounds described herein may be substituted or unsubstituted and the listing of compounds includes derivatives thereof.

[0034] Further, various ranges and/or numerical limitations may be expressly stated below. It should be recognized that unless stated otherwise, it is intended that endpoints are to be interchangeable. Further, any ranges include iterative ranges of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations.

[0035] Currently, pre-filled insulin syringes are provided to a pharmacy in a box of a set amount. Often, physicians will prescribe a number of syringes that are greater or less than are included in the pharmacy box. However, the pharmacy often cannot separate packages within a box. When a physician prescribes less insulin than what is provided in the sealed package, they must either open a federally mandated seal or another package or inaccurately bill the insurance provider. If the insurance provider learns of this, they will fine the pharmacy and withhold payment for the medication given. Thus, a packaging method is needed to allow the pharmacy to separate the accurate amount of pre-filled syringes.

[0036] Thus, one or more embodiments generally include separable modular containers manufactured in a manner to replace the conventional box as described above. The modular containers generally include a die-cut panel and a tear feature. Each separable modular container comprises packages used to surround a medical device that delivers a subcutaneous dose of medication. The separable modular container allows for customized dispensing of pre-filled insulin syringes and any medical device that delivers a subcutaneous dose of medication. Each package is connected to another by a tear feature on one or both ends by which each package is detachable from the others.

[0037] In one or more embodiments, the die-cut panel is used to form semi-flexible sealable packages. A die is a machine tool used to cut out a desired shape and profile within a piece of material. The die allows for the production of the same shapes with the same dimensions to be produced repeatedly. The die machine is what produces each single die-cut panel. A single die-cut panel is a long piece of material that can be folded along the cuts to create semi-flexible sealable packages. The semi-flexible sealable packages are easily formed and coupled together when created from the folding of the single die cut panel. The packages may be formed of a semi-flexible material. For example, the material may be selected from a material typically used for epi-pens packaging. For example, it may be formed from paperboard and combinations thereof. In one or more embodiments, the material of each package within a modular container is the same.

[0038] The container generally includes a first terminal package and a second terminal package. One of the horizontal edges of each terminal package is uncoupled, and the other horizontal edge is coupled to another package within the die-cut panel. In one or more embodiments, the horizontal edge is coupled to a horizontal edge of the other terminal package (e.g., the modular container includes two packages).

[0039] In one or more embodiments, the plurality of packages further includes intermediate packages. The number of intermediate packages in the modular container can be any number determined by a manufacturer. However, the number of intermediate packages may range from 1 to 100 or 2 to 50 or 3 to 25, for example.

[0040] Each package includes four-panel walls and a top and bottom closing flap that forms a rectangular prism. Each package is connected to another by a tear feature on one or both ends by which each package is detachable from the others.

[0041] The tear feature is disposed along a horizontal edge such that the tear feature provides for the separation of each package from one another. The packages can be coupled together by using the tear feature as the connecting point between each package. The coupling allows for easy storage and transportation of the semi-flexible sealable packages. The tear feature can be a score line that allows the packages to be separated into individual packages with the application of some force to the tear feature.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, each of the packages is sealable. An edge flap is connected to and pivots along the top edge of the separable modular container. The edge flaps are not restricted to any specific shape. When packages are constructed, the plane in which the edge flap resides can be oriented perpendicularly with respect to the panel walls of the package and can be sealed and held in such orientation by various methods. When such sealing is broken on the edge flap, it may then pivot freely, resulting in an opening of the package such that an item may be placed in, or removed from, the package. A secondary edge flap may be connected to and pivots along the bottom edge of the separable modular container.

[0043] With a modular package chain, the first terminal semi-flexible sealable package and the second terminal semi-flexible package create the two endpoints of a continuous chain of interconnected separable packages in a series that contains intermediate semi-flexible sealable packages located between the two terminal packages. Each package is both connected by and separable by a deposed tear feature that couples the packages together.

[0044] The intermediate semi-flexible sealable packages structurally have similar qualities as that of the terminal packages. However, the intermediate packages will possess a tear feature that is deposed along both the top edge and the bottom edge. The tear feature deposed on the top edge of the package is at a location that is offset relative to where the tear feature is deposed on the bottom edge of the package.

[0045] With reference to FIG. 1a, the embodiment shown illustrates a container including package , package , and a plurality of packages . Each package has four package panel walls 1, 2, 3, and 4, a top flap 5, a bottom flap 6, and a side edge flap 7. Package panel wall 4 top edge T possesses a tear feature 8 at the point where the adjacent package panel wall 2 bottom edge B is connected. This pattern of connecting points continues in the container for as many intermediate packages that exist. The container ends with the package that has panel wall 2 bottom edge B connected to the adjacent package panel wall 4 top edge T. When packages are formed, there is no physical connecting point between the top of panel wall 3 and the bottom of panel wall 1 between each package. Top and bottom flaps 5 and 6 perform the function of providing a closeable or openable access point to the contents inside each package. The formed packages in FIG. 1a will create a zig-zag chain once assembled.

[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a container, including package and package . Each package comprises of the same components as those mentioned in FIG. 1a above. As shown, when the packages are formed, the packages are connected and separable by a tear feature 8. This figure shows how package a panel wall 4 top edge T is connected to package panel wall 213 bottom edge B. Also shown in this illustration for package is the side panel wall 1 and the bottom flap 6. For package is the side panel wall 313 along with top flap 513 that connects to panel wall 1 top edge T, not shown.

[0047] The zig-zag chain that was represented by FIG. 1a is a series of multiple packages in which the connections between each package in the series is at the same numbered panel intersection of the packages such that when the packages are formed for storage purposes, the chain creates a zig-zag pattern replicated over and over.

[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a container with a zig-zag chain, including package , package , and package . The illustration shows package panel wall 4a top edge T connecting to package panel wall 2 bottom edge B via a tear feature 8.1. Then you have package panel wall 4 (not shown) top edge T connected to package panel 2 (not shown) bottom edge B via a tear feature 8.2. Also shown in this illustration for package is the side panel wall 1 and the bottom flap 6. For package is the side panel wall 3A along with top flap 5 that connects to panel wall 1 (not shown) top edge TA. For package are the side panel walls 3 and 4 along with bottom flap 6 that connects to panel wall 3 bottom edge B. This figure shows a three-package container, but the number of packages in a container can be any plurality connected in a similar fashion.

[0049] With reference to FIG. 1b, the embodiment shown illustrates a three-package container possessing package , *, and *. Each package has four package panel walls 1, 2, 3, and 4, a top flap 5, a bottom flap 6, and a side edge flap 7. In this figure, package panel wall 4 top edge T possesses a tear feature 8 at the point where the adjacent package * panel wall 2 bottom edge B* is connected. Package * panel wall 3 top edge T* possesses a tear feature 9 at the point where the adjacent package * panel wall 1 bottom edge B* is connected. Between packages and *, there is no physical connecting point between package panel wall 3 top edge T and package * panel wall 1 bottom edge B*. Similarly, between packages * and *, there is no physical connecting point between package * panel wall 4 top edge T* and package * panel wall 2 bottom edge B*. Top and bottom flaps 5 and 6 perform the function of providing a closeable or openable access point to the contents inside each package. The formed packages in FIG. 1b will create an offset zig-zag chain once assembled. The incongruous placement of tear feature 9 as compared to the placement of tear feature 8 between different packages establishes the offset once the packages are formed.

[0050] An offset zig-zag chain represents a series of multiple packages in which the connections between each package in the series is not at the same numbered panel wall intersection of the packages. The offset in the connection points creates a package chain that permits the ability to compress the packages into various dimensions or shapes for storage and transportation purposes.

[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a container with an offset zig-zag chain, including package , package *, and package *. Package panel wall 4 top edge T connecting to package panel wall 2* bottom edge B* via a tear feature 8. Then package * panel wall 3* top edge T* is connected to package * panel wall * bottom edge B* via a tear feature 9 which creates the offset connection. Also shown in this illustration for package is the side panel wall 1 and the bottom flap 6. For package * is the side panel wall 3* along with top flap 5* that connects to panel wall 1* (not shown) top edge T*. For package * are the side panel walls 3* and 2* along with top flap 5* that connects to side panel wall 1* (not shown) top edge T*.

[0052] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.