Thermoformed blister package having quick disconnect locking cover mechanism

• US 5,311,990 A
• Filed: 02/19/1992
• Issued: 05/17/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Kalinski, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Foster, Jimmy G.
• Application Number:
  US07/837,384
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 206/363-370, 206/461, 206/467, 206/470, 206/570-572, 220/4.01, 220/4.21, 220/324, 220/326
• US Class Current: 206/370
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/1025 Integral locking elements penetrating in an opening, e.g. a flap through a slit, a hook in an opening
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/04 Partitions
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00194 square or rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00296 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00527 NO contact
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00537 on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00574 secured locally, i.e. a lot less than half the periphery
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00648 Flange or lip
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00694 Segments
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00777 Hole
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00805 Segments
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00842 outside of the lid
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0212 only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth B65D43/0206 takes precedence

Abstract

A thermoformed plastic package is disclosed. The package comprises a lower tray for receiving an article and a top cover. The top cover has flaps foldably connected along fold lines. The lower tray has female tabs molded into the lower trays. Inner male tabs and outer tabs are cut into in the flaps. The male tabs are engaged by the female tabs and the cover is thereby locked into place to form the assembled package. The cover is released by pulling on outer male tabs located in the flaps. The package is easily re-locked. The package optionally comprises at least one inner tray nested in the lower tray.

Claims

1. A thermoformed plastic package comprising,

a lower tray, said tray having a floor, upwardly extending sides and a flange extending outwardly from the sides, wherein the flange is substantially planar and has a top surface and a bottom surface;

a cover having at least one fold line along at least side,

at least one substantially flat flap foldably connected to the cover at the fold line; and

,

locking means, such that when said cover is placed on top of said tray, and the locking means are engaged, the cover is securely locked into place, and the cover may be quickly disconnected for easy access to the contents of the package;

wherein said locking means comprises

at least one substantially flat male tab in each flap and a flap slot in the flap adjacent to the tab;

at least one female tab molded into the flange of the lower tray, the female tab having a cavity and an opening extending through the top surface of the flange in communication with said cavity, the female cavity having a pair of opposed ends; and

,

a slot in the flange of the lower tray adjacent to each end of each female tab,

such that when the cover is place on top of the tray with the male and female tabs in substantial alignment, and the male tab is engaged by said cavity of the female tab and the female tab is contained within the flap slot, the cover is secured and locked to the tray.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein each molded female tab comprises a semi-cylindrical member having said cavity therein.

3. The package of claim 1 further comprising at least one intermediate tray nested into the lower tray.

4. The package of claim 3 further comprising cavities molded into the intermediate tray.

5. The package of claim 1 further comprising at least one outer tab member on the outer edge of each flap for manipulating the male tab.

6. The package of claim 1 wherein the cover comprises at least two flaps and at least two fold lines.

7. The package of claim 1 wherein the fold line comprises a perforated score line.

8. The package of claim 1 wherein the cover additionally comprises molded cavities.

9. The package of claim 1 wherein the lower tray additionally comprises cavities molded therein.

10. The package of claim 1 further comprising medical devices contained therein.