Package

Abstract

A package for a blister incorporating a delivery system wherein the blister includes a collapsible tab extending from a plane of a bottom wall of the blister, and the package includes a bottom panel, upright side panels, and a slot in the side panels where the side panels are in contact with the bottom panel, the arrangement is such that when the blister has slid into the package in a first direction through the opening in one end and wherein the bottom wall of the blister faces the bottom panel of the box, the blister is slidable in a second direction such that the tab projects through the slot, the projecting tab being foldable against the outer surface of the side panel, and the tab being folded against the outer surface of the side panel. The blister is prevented from being removed from the package.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a package. The invention also relates to a blister comprising a cavity containing a delivery system and to a package in which the blister has been received. Background Art

[0002] It is known to provide packages having features which make access to the contents of the package more difficult, with the aim of restricting access to the contents of the package to persons of a certain age. One such package is designed for use with blisters containing delivery systems such as aerosol generating devices of the tobacco or pharmaceutical industries or components of such devices, such as consumables. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a package for blisters containing a delivery system, wherein the blister includes a foldable tab extending from the plane of the bottom wall of the blister, the package comprising a bottom panel, upright side panels and a slot in the side panels where the side panels meet the bottom panel, the arrangement being such that when the blister has been slid into the package through an opening in one end in a first direction and wherein the bottom wall of the blister faces the bottom panel of a box, the blister is able to slide in a second direction such that the tab protrudes through the slot and the blister is prevented from being removed when the protruding tab is folded against said outer surface of the side panel.

[0004] The package may be parallelepiped-shaped.

[0005] The second direction may be perpendicular to the first direction.

[0006] The tab may be attachable to the outer surface of the side panel after being folded against said outer surface.

[0007] The package may comprise a flap extending from an edge of the side panel spaced apart from and parallel to the slot, the flap being foldable over the tab when the tab has been folded against the outer surface of the side panel.

[0008] The flap may include a tongue that, when folded over the tab, seats in the slot to hold the tab against the outer surface.

[0009] The width of the bottom panel extending in the second direction may be at least equal to the width of the bottom wall of the blister plus the width of the tab extending from the bottom wall.

[0010] The package may comprise an end flap positionable to open and close the opening in said one end of the package.

[0011] The package may include a secondary package disposed about the side panel such that the side panel is substantially enclosed by the secondary package.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a blister comprising a blister cavity containing a delivery system and having a planar bottom wall, wherein a tab extends from the planar bottom wall and is separated from the planar bottom wall by a fold line to enable the tab to be folded out of the plane of the bottom wall.

[0013] According to another aspect, there is provided a package according to the invention and a blister according to the invention received in the package, wherein a tab extending from the planar bottom wall protrudes through a slot in a side panel of the package and is folded against an outer surface of the side panel.

[0014] The blister can be received in the package with the foldable tab being received through the slot and folded against the outer surface of the side wall of the package. A tongue extending from the foldable tab can be received in the slot.

[0015] The flap may be folded over a tab positioned against the outer surface of the side wall of the package. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a package according to an embodiment of the present invention, prior to removal of the blister, with the side flaps in their first position; and

[0018] Figure 2A shows an isometric view of a blister including a foldable tab in its first position; and

[0019] Figure 2B showing an isometric view of a blister including a foldable tab in its second position; and

[0020] Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the package and blister with the side flaps omitted for ease of reference; and

[0021] Figure 4A shows an isometric view of the package and blister with the foldable tab of the blister protruding through the slot of the package and in its first position; and

[0022] Figure 4B An isometric view of the package and blister is shown with the foldable tab of the blister protruding through the slot of the package and in its second position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] As used herein, the term "delivery system" is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes:

[0024] Combustible aerosol delivery systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars and pipe tobacco (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable materials) for roll-your-own or homemade cigarettes;

[0025] Non-flammable aerosol delivery systems that release compounds from an aerosol generating material without burning the aerosol generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems that use a combination of aerosol generating materials to generate an aerosol; and

[0026] Non-aerosol delivery systems that deliver the at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another manner without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to lozenges, chewing gum, patches, products including inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco including snuff or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not include nicotine.

[0027] According to the present disclosure, a "combustible" aerosol providing system is one in which the constituent aerosol generating materials of the aerosol providing system (or components thereof) are burned or incinerated during use in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0028] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a combustible aerosol providing system, such as a system selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo, and a cigar.

[0029] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to components for use in a combustible aerosol delivery system, such as filters, filter rods, filter segments, tobacco rods, paper twists, aerosol modifier release components (such as capsules, threads or beads or papers such as plug wrap, tipping paper or cigarette paper).

[0030] According to the present disclosure, a "non-flammable" aerosol providing system is a system in which constituent aerosol generating materials of the aerosol providing system (or components thereof) are not burned or incinerated in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0031] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-flammable aerosol providing system, such as a powered non-flammable aerosol providing system.

[0032] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol providing system is an electronic cigarette, also referred to as a vaping device or an electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not a requirement.

[0033] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol providing system is an aerosol generating material heating system, also referred to as a heat not burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0034] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol providing system is a hybrid system that uses a combination of aerosol generating materials to generate an aerosol, one or more of which can be heated. Each of the aerosol generating materials can be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol generating material and a solid aerosol generating material. The solid aerosol generating material can include, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products.

[0035] Typically, a non-flammable aerosol providing system may include a non-flammable aerosol providing device and consumables for use with the non-flammable aerosol providing device.

[0036] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables that include an aerosol generating material and are configured for use with a non-flammable aerosol providing device. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the present disclosure.

[0037] In some embodiments, a non-flammable aerosol providing system (such as a non-flammable aerosol providing device thereof) may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, an electrical power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source includes a carbon substrate that can be energized to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol generating material or a heat transfer material near the exothermic power source.

[0038] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol providing system may include an area for receiving a consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, an interface, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0039] In some embodiments, consumables for use with a non-flammable aerosol providing device may include an aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, a packaging material, a filter, an interface and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0040] In some embodiments, the delivery system is an aerosol-free delivery system, which delivers the at least one substance to the user orally, nasally, percutaneously or in another way without forming an aerosol, and the aerosol-free delivery system includes but is not limited to lozenges, chewing gum, patches, products including inhalable powders and oral products such as oral tobacco including snuff or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not include nicotine. In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material that is not intended to be aerosolized. Depending on the circumstances, any material may include one or more active ingredients, one or more flavoring agents, one or more aerosol-forming agent materials and / or one or more other functional materials.

[0041] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance.

[0042] As used herein, active substances may be physiologically active materials, which are materials intended to achieve or enhance physiological responses. Active substances may, for example, be selected from nutritional supplements, nootropics, psychoactive substances. Active substances may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. Active substances may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, caffeine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids or their components, derivatives or combinations thereof. Active substances may include one or more components, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another plant substance.

[0043] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B12.

[0044] As noted herein, an active substance may include one or more components, derivatives, or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.

[0045] As indicated herein, active substances may include or be derived from one or more plant substances or components, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "plant substance" includes any material derived from a plant, including but not limited to extracts, leaves, bark, fibers, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husks, shells, etc. Alternatively, the material may include active compounds naturally present in plant substances obtained by synthesis. The material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, fragments, strips, sheets, etc. Exemplary botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus, bay, liquorice (licorice), matcha, yerba mate, orange peel, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green or black tea, thyme, cloves, cinnamon, coffee, anise (anise), basil, bay leaf, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, flowers, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, holly, basil, turmeric, turmeric root, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, black currant, valerian, bell pepper, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, caraway, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theophylline, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab, or any combination thereof. The mint may be selected from the following mint species: wild mint (Mentha arventis), red mint (Mentha ac.v.), Egyptian mint (Mentha niliaca), peppermint (Mentha piperita), orange mint (Menthaapiperita citrata cv), lavender mint (Mentha piperita cv), wrinkled green mint (Menthaspicata crispa), kitchen mint leaf (Mentha cardifolia), European peppermint (Memtha longifolia), pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens variegata), lip calyx mint (Mentha pulegium), savory (Menthaspicata cv) and apple mint (Mentha suaveolens).

[0046] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanical substances or components, derivatives, or extracts thereof, and the botanical substance is tobacco.

[0047] In some embodiments, the active ingredient comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or components, derivatives or extracts thereof, and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, anise, cocoa and hemp.

[0048] In some embodiments, the active ingredient comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals, or components, derivatives or extracts thereof, and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.

[0049] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered includes a flavorant.

[0050] As used herein, the terms "flavoring agent" and "flavoring agent" refer to materials that can be used to produce a desired taste, aroma or other physical sensation in products for adult consumers, where permitted by local regulations. They can include naturally occurring flavoring materials, plant materials, extracts of plant materials, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, liquorice (licorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white-skinned magnolia leaves, chamomile, fenugreek, cloves, maple leaves, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, anise (anise), cinnamon, turmeric root, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, cranberry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, Grapes, durian, pitaya, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, durinbau, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe, cardamom, celery, balsam pear, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, arabic tea, naswal, betel nut, hookah, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cinnamon, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, horseradish, allspice, ginger, coriander, coffee , hemp, mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus, laurel, yerba mate, orange peel, rose, tea such as green or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaf, cumin, vanilla, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, basil, turmeric, cilantro, myrtle, black currant, valerian, bell pepper, mace, damiana, marjoram, olive, citron, lemon basil, chives, caraway, verbena, Tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene, flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, sodium cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol) and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plant substances or breath fresheners. They can be imitations, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They can be in any suitable form, such as liquids such as oils, solids such as powders, or gases.

[0051] In some embodiments, flavoring agents include menthol, spearmint and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, flavoring agents include flavoring agent components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruit and / or cranberry. In some embodiments, flavoring agents include eugenol. In some embodiments, flavoring agents include flavoring agent components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, flavoring agents include flavoring agent components extracted from cannabis.

[0052] In some embodiments, flavoring agents may include sensory agents intended to achieve somatosensory sensations typically chemically induced and sensed by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in lieu of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents that provide heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effects. Suitable thermal effect agents may be, but are not limited to, vanillyl alcohol ethyl ether, and suitable cooling agents may be, but are not limited to, eucolyptol, WS-3.

[0053] Aerosol generating materials are materials that are capable of generating an aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or electrified in any other way.Aerosol generating materials may for example be in the form of a solid, liquid or semi-solid (such as a gel), which may or may not contain an active substance and / or flavouring.

[0054] The aerosol generating material may include a binder and an aerosol forming agent. Optionally, an active substance and / or a filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent such as water may also be present, and one or more other components of the aerosol generating material may be soluble or insoluble in the solvent. In certain embodiments, the aerosol generating material is substantially free of plant material. In particular, in certain embodiments, the aerosol generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0055] The aerosol generating material may include an "amorphous solid" or be an "amorphous solid". An amorphous solid may be a "bulk solid". In some embodiments, an amorphous solid may be a dried gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material within which some fluid, such as a liquid, may be retained. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may, for example, include from about 50%, 60%, or 70% by weight amorphous solid to about 90%, 95%, or 100% by weight amorphous solid.

[0056] Aerosol generating material can comprise aerosol generating film or aerosol generating film.By combining such as the binding agent of gelling agent and the solvent such as water, aerosol forming agent and one or more other components such as active substance to form slurry, and then heating slurry to form aerosol generating film with at least some in the volatilization solvent, aerosol generating film can be formed.Slurry can be heated to remove at least about 60 % by weight, 70 % by weight, 80 % by weight, 85 % by weight or 90 % by weight of solvent.Aerosol generating film can be continuous film or discontinuous film, and the discrete parts of film are arranged on the support like this.Aerosol generating film can be substantially free of tobacco.

[0057] The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form shredded sheets.

[0058] The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and / or flavouring agents, one or more aerosol former materials and optionally one or more other functional materials.

[0059] The aerosol forming agent material may include one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol forming agent material may include one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, glyceryl triacetate, diacetate glyceryl mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0060] The one or more other functional materials may include one or more of a pH adjuster, a colorant, a preservative, a binder, a filler, a stabilizer, and / or an antioxidant.

[0061] The material may be present on or in a support to form a substrate. The support may, for example, be or include paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, recycled material, plastic material, ceramic material, composite material, glass, metal or metal alloy. In some embodiments, the support includes a susceptor. In some embodiments, the susceptor is embedded in the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is on one or either side of the material.

[0062] A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of an aerosol generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed by a user during use. A consumable may include one or more other components, such as an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material transfer component, an aerosol generating area, a housing, a packaging material, an interface, a filter and / or an aerosol modifier. A consumable may also include an aerosol generator such as a heater, which emits heat to cause the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol during use. For example, the heater may include a combustible material, a material capable of being heated by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

[0063] A susceptor is a material that can be heated by being penetrated with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be a conductive material, such that penetrating it with a varying magnetic field results in inductive heating of the heated material. The heated material may be a magnetic material, such that penetrating it with a varying magnetic field results in hysteresis heating of the heated material. The susceptor may be both conductive and magnetic, such that the susceptor can be heated by both heating mechanisms. In this document, a device configured to generate a varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator.

[0064] Aerosol modifiers are substances typically located downstream of an aerosol generation region that are configured to modify the generated aerosol, for example by changing the taste, flavor, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosol modifier may be provided in an aerosol modifier release component that is operable to selectively release the aerosol modifier.

[0065] The aerosol modifier may, for example, be an additive or an adsorbent. The aerosol modifier may, for example, include one or more of a flavoring agent, a colorant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol modifier may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol modifier may be in the form of a powder, a string, or a granular material. The aerosol modifier may not contain a filter material.

[0066] An aerosol generator is a device configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from an aerosol generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol generating material to thermal energy so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

[0067] Figure 1 The diagram shows an isometric view of a package 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a blister 2 is located within the package 1. The package 1 is parallelepiped-shaped and comprises a bottom panel 3, a top panel 4 and a side panel 5, which stands upright from the bottom panel 3 at an angle. Figure 1 As seen in FIG. 1 , the side panel 5 extends perpendicularly to the bottom panel 3. The package 1 also includes an opening 6 at one end of the package, which is suitable for inserting and / or removing the blister 2 into the package 1. In addition, the package 1 includes a slot 7 along the joint line 8 (at Figure 3 , Figure 4A and Figure 4B ), at the joint line 8, the bottom panel 3 is connected to the side panel 5.

[0068] The package 1 may include side flaps 9 extending from the edges of the side panels 5. Figure 1 As seen in FIG. 1 , the side flap 9 extends from a join line 10 where the top panel 4 and the side panel 5 meet. Alternatively, the side flap 9 may extend from any edge of the side panel 5 so that it is spaced apart from and parallel to the slot 6. The side flap 9 is foldable so that it can be moved from a first position (e.g., a position in which the side flap 9 lies substantially flat against the side panel 5) to a position in which the side flap 9 lies substantially flat against the side panel 5. Figure 1 folded into a second position (as seen in FIG. Figure 3 , Figure 4A and Figure 4BThe side panel 5 can be accessed by the user. The side wing piece 9 can also include a tongue 11 extending from its edge opposite the side panel 5, and when the side wing piece 9 is in its first position, the tongue 11 is located in the narrow groove 7. In addition, it is advantageous that the tongue 11 of the side wing piece 9 is frictionally or interference fit in the narrow groove 7, or it is engaged and retained in the narrow groove in some other way, so that when the side wing piece 9 is in its first position, the side wing piece 9 is pressed against the side panel 5 by the side wing piece 9.

[0069] In other embodiments, the side panels 9 may be omitted.

[0070] In addition, the package 1 may include an end flap 12 that can be positioned to open and close the opening 6. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the end flap 12 extends from the bottom of the opening 6 and can be in a first position and a second position ( Figure 1 1 and 10 ) are folded between the end flap 12 and the side panel 5, in a first position, the end flap 12 substantially covers the opening 6 to prevent the blister 2 from being removed from the package, and in a second position, the opening is exposed so that the blister 2 can be inserted into or removed from the package 2. The end flap 12 may also include a tongue 13, and the side panel 5 may also include a flap 14 extending partially over the opening 6, wherein the tongue 13 and the flap 14 are configured to help retain the end flap 12 in its first position.

[0071] In other embodiments, the end flap 12 may be omitted. Alternatively, a different form of closure may be used to close the opening 6.

[0072] Figure 2A and Figure 2B An isometric view of a blister 2 is illustrated. The blister 2 includes a bottom wall 15 and a cavity 16 projecting upwardly from the bottom wall 15, the cavity 16 being configured to contain a delivery system or a portion thereof. The blister 2 of FIG. 2 includes two cavities 16, but it should be appreciated that the presence of any number of cavities 16 in the blister is intended to be within the scope of the present invention. The blister 2 also includes a foldable tab 17 extending from the plane of the bottom wall 15 of the blister 2, the foldable tab 17 being capable of being folded from a first position (such as in a first position) in which the tab 17 is parallel to the bottom wall 15. Figure 2A ) to a second position in which the tab 17 is no longer parallel to the bottom wall 15 (as seen in Figure 2B The second position of the tab 17 may be such that the tab 17 is perpendicular to the bottom wall 15.

[0073] Figure 3An isometric view of a blister 2 positioned in package 1 is illustrated with its foldable tab 17 in its first position and the side flap 9 omitted for ease of reference. In this configuration, the blister 2 is able to slide in a first direction indicated by an arrow labeled "A", wherein the first direction "A" is defined as the direction in which the blister 2 is inserted through the opening 6 and / or removed from the package 1. When the side flap 9 is in its second position, the blister 2 is able to slide in a second direction indicated by an arrow labeled "B", wherein the second direction "B" is defined as the direction in which the blister 2 is moved to insert or remove the foldable tab 7 into or from the slot 7. Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the embodiment shown in , the first direction "A" is preferably perpendicular to the second direction "B", which provides the advantage that two separate movements in two separate directions are required to remove the blister, thus making removal of the blister 2 more challenging.

[0074] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Pictured Figure 1 An isometric view of the package 1 and blister 2 with the side flap 9 in its second position.

[0075] Figure 4A An isometric view of the package 1 and blister 2 is shown, wherein the blister 2 has been slid in the second direction "B" so that the foldable tab 17 protrudes through the slot 7. In this configuration, the interaction between the tab 17 and the slot 7 restricts movement of the blister 2 in the first direction "A", but the blister is free to move in the second direction "B".

[0076] Figure 4B The foldable tab 17 of the blister 2 is shown in its second position such that it is folded against the outer surface of the side panel 5. In this configuration, the interaction between the tab 17 and the slot 7 limits the movement of the blister 2 in the first direction "A", and the interaction between the tab 17 and the side panel 5 prevents the blister 2 from sliding in the second direction "B". In this embodiment, the side flap 9 can be folded into its second position to substantially cover the foldable tab 17, which advantageously provides an additional step required to remove the blister 2 from the package 1, and further helps to hold the foldable tab 17 against the outer surface of the side panel 5, and thus prevent the foldable tab 17 from returning to its first position so that the blister 2 can slide out of the slot 7.

[0077] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the foldable tab 17 can be attached to the outer surface of the side panel 5. This can be achieved via surface features on the side panel 5 that are configured to hold the foldable tab 17 in place. An example of such an embodiment may include a secondary slot positioned parallel to and vertically above the slot 7 along the joint line 8 for inserting the end of the foldable tab 17. Another example is an adhesive applied to the outer surface of the side panel 5 that can be overcome by the force of the user.

[0078] exist Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the embodiment shown in , the width of the bottom panel 3 in the second direction "B" is greater than the width of the bottom wall 15 of the blister 2 plus the width of the foldable tab 17 extending from the bottom wall 15. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the width of the bottom panel 3 in the second direction "B" is equal to the width of the bottom wall 15 of the blister 2 plus the width of the foldable tab 17 extending from the bottom wall 15.

[0079] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the package 1 may include secondary side panels, a secondary top panel, and a secondary bottom panel extending in an outward direction from the package 1, which together form a secondary package around the side panel 5, so that the outer surface of the side panel 5 is substantially enclosed by the secondary package. The secondary package may be integral with the package 1, or may be attached to the package 1.

[0080] Although in the figures the package 1 is parallelepiped-shaped, it will be appreciated that other shapes are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention, such as a trapezoidal shape or a shape in which the top panel 4 and the bottom panel 3 are curved.

[0081] The operation of the device will now be described. Initially the blister 2 is inserted into the package 2 in a first direction "A", and then slid in a second direction "B" so that the tab protrudes through the slot. The tab 17 is then folded to its second position, in which the tab 17 is against the outer surface of the side panel 5 to prevent the removal of the blister 2. In order to remove the blister 2 from the package 1, the foldable tab 17 is folded to its first position, the blister 2 is slid in the second direction "B", and finally slid through the opening 6 of the package 1 in the first direction "A". Such a number of steps advantageously provide difficulty in opening the package 1, and thus prevent a young age interacting with the package 1 from interacting with the delivery system.

[0082] The operation of the package 1 of the embodiment disclosed in the drawings will now be described, wherein the package 1 comprises a side flap 9 and a tongue 11. Initially, the side flap is folded to its second position and the blister 2 is inserted into the package 2 in the first direction "A". Then, the blister 2 is slid in the second direction "B" so that the tab 17 protrudes through the slot 7 and then the tab 17 is folded to its second position, in which the tab 17 is against the outer surface of the side panel 5. Next, the side flap 9 is folded to its first position on the tab 17 and the tongue 11 is inserted into the slot 7 to hold the side flap 9 in its first position and thus hold the tab 17 against the side panel 5 in its second position. In order to remove the blister 2 from the package 1, the tongue 11 of the side flap 9 is removed from the slot 7 and the side flap 9 is folded to its second position. The tab 17 is then folded to its first position and the blister 2 is slid in the second direction "B". Finally, the blister 2 is slid through the opening 6 of the package 1 in a first direction "A".

[0083] In embodiments where the blister 2 comprises more than one cavity 16, the package 1 also has the advantage that once the delivery system has been removed from one of the cavities 16, the blister 2 can be replaced into the package 1 and the foldable tab 17 can be reused to prevent the blister 2 from being removed from the package 1.

[0084] The various embodiments described herein are provided only to help understand and teach the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative samples of embodiments, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations on the scope of the invention defined by the claims or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments may be utilized and may be modified without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. In addition to those specifically described herein, the various embodiments of the present invention may appropriately include appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc., be composed of appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc., or be substantially composed of appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc. In addition, the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A package for a blister containing a delivery system, the blister comprising a foldable tab extending from the plane of the bottom wall of the blister, the package comprising a bottom panel, upright side panels and a slot in the side panels where the side panels meet the bottom panel, the arrangement being such that when the blister has been slid into the package through an opening in one end in a first direction and wherein the bottom wall of the blister faces the bottom panel of a box, the blister is able to slide in a second direction such that the tab protrudes through the slot and prevents the blister from being removed when the protruding tab is folded against the outer surface of the side panels.

2. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein: The package is parallelepiped-shaped.

3. The package according to claim 1, wherein: The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

4. The package according to claim 1, wherein: The tab is attachable to the outer surface of the side panel after being folded against the outer surface.

5. A package according to any preceding claim, comprising a flap extending from an edge of the side panel spaced apart from and parallel to the slot, the flap being foldable over the tab when the tab has been folded against the outer surface of the side panel.

6. The package according to claim 5, wherein: The flap includes a tongue that, when folded over the tab, seats in the slot to hold the tab against the outer surface.

7. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein: The width of the bottom panel extending in the second direction is at least equal to the width of the bottom wall of the blister plus the width of the tab extending from the bottom wall.

8. A package according to any preceding claim, comprising an end flap positionable to open and close the opening in the one end of the package.

9. A package according to any preceding claim, comprising a secondary package arranged around the side panel such that the side panel is substantially enclosed by the secondary package.

10. A blister comprising a blister cavity containing a delivery system and having a planar bottom wall, wherein: A tab extends from the planar bottom wall and is separated from the planar bottom wall by a fold line to enable the tab to be folded out of the plane of the bottom wall.

11. A package according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and a blister according to claim 10, received in the package with the tab extending from the planar bottom wall protruding through the slot in the side panel of the package and folded against the outer surface of the side panel.

12. The package according to claim 11, wherein The folded tab extends through the slot in the package and lies against an outer surface of the upstanding side wall of the package.

13. A package according to claim 12 when dependent on claim 6, wherein The flap is folded over the tab positioned against the outer surface of the side wall of the package, wherein the tongue is received in the slot.

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