Lockable Container with Inner Tray

Abstract

Taught herein is a package for holding and storing various types of portable items. A pre-formed tray (12, 26) is configured to receive and store portable items of any size and shape. The tray is attached to a slide card (10), loaded with the items, and inserted into an outer sleeve (100). Receiving recesses (42, 44, 46, 48) hold the items in the tray. An engaging element (22) integral to the card or tray cooperatively engages locking elements and stopping elements (108, 120) integral to the outer sleeve. The cooperative engagement of the elements provides a child-resistant feature and a spill-resistant feature. A release element 130 disengages the child-resistant feature.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional application 60 / 520,143, filed on Nov. 13, 2003. The entire disclosure of that prior filed application is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a package that houses portable items on a tray configured to be inserted into an outer sleeve. This package may have one or more internal or external locks that prevent the tray from being pulled out of the sleeve. This package provides a child-resistant, senior-friendly package that can be opened and closed numerous times to access the items held by the tray. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Conventional pharmaceutical packaging has shortcomings with regard to drug delivery devices, which create problems for both the manufacturer and end user. For example, it is known to distribute syringes, vials, inhalers, patches, test kits, or parts thereof in packaging that incorporates foam e...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Alternative embodiments include an apparatus and method for holding and storing drug delivery devices by providing an inner tray configuration that, by way of example and not limitation, protects a plunger from inadvertent activation; shields a needle from inadvertent exposure; allows easy access to a drug-filled container for removal and replacement; and collects and stores the spent devices. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and system that is able to safely ship drug delivery devices for trans-epidermal, oral, or hypodermic administration, including pre-filled syringes, needles, vials, ampoules, protective shields, patches, inhalers, and parts thereof, and like devices, safely store the unused devices, and safely store the used devices until all can be safely disposed as unit.

[0016] Embodiments according to this invention offer at least the following advantages: lightness in weight, resistance to tampering, child-resistance, ease of access, excellent durability, ease of assembly, device protection, ease of storage, ease of disposal, the ability to present devices of different and unusual shapes, and excellent economy.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional pharmaceutical packaging has shortcomings with regard to drug delivery devices, which create problems for both the manufacturer and end user.

It is also known to distribute drug delivery devices loose—or loose, but individually wrapped—in conventional boxes without any means for holding or protecting the products.

The conventional manufacturer that incorporates form or plastic elements in its packaging to protect the product carries an increased inventory and employs a more complicated manufacturing system to produce its packaging.

Further, the conventional manufacturer typically produces one kind of package to be filled by automated means and another kind to be filled by hand, which also increases inventory and the number of product lines.

Conventional manufacturers of drug delivery device packaging typically do not provide a child-resistant feature to prevent unauthorized access, or a stopping feature to prevent accidental spillage.

Where these features do exist, they exist at the expense of easy access for the end user with limited dexterity.

Neither does the known drug delivery device packaging provide ample space to place appropriately sized graphics, such as dose compliance instruction and warnings, for the end user with limited sight.

In addition, conventional manufacturers pack drug delivery devices tightly and in the most efficient manner possible—from the perspective of shipping cost savings—but, again, at the expense of the end user who has limited physical mobility, such as an end user with arthritis of the hands and fingers.

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