Insert and package formed of an insert in a sleeve

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an insert adapted to be slidably received in a sleeve. The insert comprises a base portion, a first flap portion adapted to be refolded about a first fold line, a second flap portion adapted to be refolded about a second fold line, wherein the second fold line extends essentially in parallel with the first fold line, and wherein the first flap portion is refolded in relation to the base portion such that it extends backwardly over a first surface of the base portion, and the second flap portion is refolded in relation to the base portion such that it extends backwardly over a second surface, opposite the first surface, of the base portion. The disclosure also relates to a sleeve adapted to slidably receive such an insert and the thus formed package.

Claims

1. Insert adapted to be slidably received in a sleeve, the insert comprising a base portion, a first flap portion adapted to be refolded about a first fold line, a second flap portion adapted to be refolded about a second fold line, wherein the second fold line extends essentially in parallel with the first fold line, wherein the first and second fold lines extend essentially along a single geometrical line, wherein the base portion comprises two portions refolded against each other about a fold line extending essentially along the direction in which the insert is adapted to be slidable when received in the sleeve, and wherein the first flap portion is refolded in relation to the folded base portion such that it extends backwardly over a first surface of the base portion, and the second flap portion is refolded in relation to the base portion such that it extends backwardly over a second surface, opposite the first surface, of the folded base portion.

2. Insert according to claim 1, wherein the first and second fold lines extend essentially perpendicular to the direction in which the insert is adapted to be slidable when received in a sleeve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which shows a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a flat-laid insert.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a folded insert.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a portion of a flat-laid blank of a sleeve.

(5) FIG. 4 shows in cross-section a portion of an insert inside a sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) With reference to FIG. 1, the insert 10 comprises a base portion 11 formed of two portions 11a-b foldable towards each other along a fold line 12. The fold line 12 extends in the longitudinal direction; in the direction along which the insert 10 is slidable when received in a sleeve. The two portions 11a-b are in turn each formed of two portions 11a, 11a and 11b, 11b foldable along a set of fold lines 19 defining a small panel 11a, 11b between the different portions of the base portion 11. The two portions 11a-b forming the base portion 11 may be provided with numerous blisters (not shown) containing unit dose products, such as medicine or the like. The insert 10 is further provided with two flap portions 14a-b foldably connected to the two portions 11a-b forming the base portion 11, respectively, via two fold lines 15a-b. The two flap portions 14a-b extend in the imaginary extension of respective portion 11a-b forming the base portion 11. The two fold lines 15a-b extend perpendicularly to the direction in which the insert 10 is slidable when the insert is received in a sleeve. The two fold lines 15a-b is perpendicular to the fold line 12. The two fold lines 15a-b are parallel to each other and extends along a single geometrical line when the insert 10 is flat-laid. When the base portion 11 of the insert 10 is refolded the two fold lines 15a-b will essentially coincide and the two flap portions 14a-b will as shown in FIG. 2 be refoldable to extend backwardly along the two major surfaces of the insert 10, one along the first major surface and the other along the second major surface of the insert 10.

(7) The insert 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may further be provided with an additional locking flap (not shown). This locking flap may be foldable about a fold line extending essentially along the direction in which the insert 10 is adapted to be slidable when received in a sleeve. It will thereby be maneuverable by folding it more or less into the compartment formed by the sleeve.

(8) With reference to FIG. 3, the sleeve 20 is formed by folding a blank comprising a first major panel 20a and a second major panel 20b connected to each other by side panels 20c-d. One of the side panels 20d is formed of two portions 20d and 20d glued to each other when the sleeve is formed. The blank 20 further comprises a reinforcing panel 20e adapted to be refolded and at least partly be glued to the inside of the second major panel 20b. In FIG. 3, the reinforcing panel 20e has been folded on top of the second major panel 20b. When the sleeve 20 is folded the inside of the first major panel 20a and the inside of the reinforcing panel 20e will together with the insides of the side panels 20c-d form a compartment adapted to receive the insert 10. The compartment is basically rectangular in shape and has a height H (as shown in FIG. 4). The compartment has an opening in one end through which the insert 10 may be at least partly removed from the sleeve 20.

(9) In the imaginary extension of the first major panel 20a, the sleeve 20 is further provided with a flap 21a foldable about fold line 22a. The fold line 22a is provided with a centrally located slit or opening 23a. In FIG. 3 the flap 21a has been folded on top of the first major panel 20a. The flap 21a has a length L1 in the imaginary extension (being refolded into the compartment) exceeding the height H of the compartment.

(10) The reinforcing panel 20e is provided with a through-going opening 24 through which one of the flap portions 14a-b of the insert 10 is adapted to extend when the insert 10 is almost completely removed from the sleeve 20. The through-going opening 24 is arranged in the vicinity of the opening in the compartment formed by the sleeve 20.

(11) The flap portions 14a-b has a total length L2 exceeding the height H of the compartment formed by the sleeve. Preferably each flap portion 14a, 14b has a total length L2 exceeding the height H of the compartment formed by the sleeve. The length of the flap portions 14a-b is measured in the direction perpendicular to the fold line 15a-b. In the design in the drawings this direction will be in the same direction as fold line 12. With two flaps 21a extending from either side of the opening of the compartment, the total length of the flaps 21a may exceed the height H of the compartment, but preferably each flap 21a has a length exceeding the height H. By providing the flaps 21a of the sleeve 20 and the flap portions 14a-b of the insert 10 with this excess length each flap 14a-b, 21a is prevented from being pivoted from the refolded position without being buckled or otherwise deformed.

(12) At the outer end of each and one of the flap portions 14a-b a tongue 18a-b is provided. The tongue 18a is adapted to enter the slit 23a. The tongue 18a may be coloured to indicate to the user that the insert 10 cannot be removed any further from the sleeve 20 without damaging the package.

(13) The insert 10 and/or the sleeve 20 may be formed from a paper-based laminate, such as one or more paper layers laminated with one or more layers of polymer, varnish, metal foils, or the like. The insert 10 and/or the sleeve 20 may alternatively be formed from a polymer based material. Other materials with the desired spring-back properties are also contemplated, such as textiles or non-woven materials laminated with polymer layer(s).

(14) The functionality of the retaining means is in detailed shown in FIG. 4. The two flap portions 14a-b of the insert 10 are refolded as indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 2 and will, when the insert 10 is pulled out of the sleeve 20 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4, enter into the corner formed of the refolded retaining flap 21a and into the opening 24 formed in the reinforcing panel 20e, respectively.

(15) It is contemplated that there are numerous modifications of the embodiments described herein, which are still within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

(16) The reinforcing panel 20e may for instance be replaced by a refolded flap extending from the second major panel 20b corresponding to the flap 21a extending from the first major panel 20a.

(17) Alternatively, the reinforcing panel 20e may be provided with a through-going opening 24 closely to the end of the compartment opposite the opening of the compartment. One of the flap portions 14a-b of the insert 10 may be adapted to releasably extend through the opening 24 when the insert 10 is almost completely inside from the sleeve 20. This will provide an initial locking mechanism that need to be released before the insert 10 is to be slid out of sleeve 20 at all.