Quick release package

• US 5,842,567 A
• Filed: 11/12/1997
• Issued: 12/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Alcon Laboratories Incorporated (Alcon Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rowe, T. Scott, Meritt-Powell, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUI, LUAN KIM
• Application Number:
  US08/969,092
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 206/363-365, 206/368, 206/369, 206/63.5, 206/63.3, 206/438, 206/461, 206/464, 206/465, 206/470, 206/471, 220/4.21-4.23, 220/260, 220/262, 220/263, 220/264, 220/281, 220/284, 220/285, 53/492
• US Class Current: 206/364
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0083 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/3001 for sharps

Abstract

A package having two halves that are connected by a hinge. The hinge allows the halves to be folded against each other about a device and held in this position by snap/indentation pairs. A folded tab on one half rests against a detent on the other half. Pushing down on the folded tab causes the tab to straighten out and thereby push against the detent, eventually overcoming the frictional force of the snap/indentation pair closest to the tab and pushing the halves apart an amount sufficient to remove the device.

Claims

1. A package, comprising:

a) a first half having a detent;

b) a second half having a foldable tab;

(c) the first and second halves having a first snap/indentation pair and a second snap/indentation pair, the first snap/indentation pair having a release force less than the second snap/indentation pair; and

(d) a hinge pivotally connecting the first half and the second half so that when the tab is folded, a free end of the tab rests against the detent.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein the first half, the second half, the tab and the hinge are integrally molded from a thermoformed plastic.

3. The package of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of cavities formed in the first half and the second half.

4. A method of opening a package, the package having a first half with a detent, a second half with a foldable tab, a first snap/indentation pair, a second snap/indentation pair and a hinge pivotally connecting the first half and the second half so that when the tab is folded, a free end of the tab rests against the detent, the first snap is frictionally engaged in the first indentation and the second snap is frictionally engaged in the second indentation, the method comprising:

depressing the folded tab with sufficient force so as to overcome the friction force holding the first snap/indentation pair together without overcoming the frictional force holding the second snap/indentation pair together, thereby pivoting the first half and the second half apart about the hinge an amount sufficient to allow removal of a device.