Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PRODUCT PACKAGING WITH TEAR STRIP
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/760,721 filed January 20, 2006 and is continuation in part
of U.S.
Patent Application No. 10/521,349 filed January 13, 2005, which claims
priority to
International Application No. PCT/US2003/022528 filed July 17, 2003, vi+hich
claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/396,504 filed July 17,
2002, each of
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of product
packaging,
and in particular to product packages that have a locking end cap that is
released by partial
destruction of the package using a tear strip.
2. Background of the Related Art
[0003] Product packaging serves a number of different functions, including:
protecting the packaged product from accidental damage, attractively
displaying the
packaged product and preventing theft or tampering. In addition, it is
desirable for a
package to be as inexpensive to manufacture as possible. Assignee's co-pending
application, U.S. Patent Application No. 10/164,477 (filed on June 6, 2002),
the entirety of
which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses one such improved design.
[0004] However, there is an ongoing need in the packaging industry for new
package designs which can be more readily manufactured and require less
material than
conventional packaging and also provide tamper resistant features.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Disclosed is a product package which includes a sleeve and at least
one,
rigid end cap. The sleeve has longitudinally opposed first and second ends,
the first end of
the sleeve defining an opening and having at least two locking tabs extending
therefrom.
The first end of the sleeve also includes a tear strip positioned adjacent to
the opening
which has been formed using known techniques, such as, microperforation. Each
locking
tab includes a locking edge and is folded inwards into the opening. A rigid
end cap is
dimensioned to fit closely within the sleeve opening, the end cap including a
rim that,
when the end cap is inserted into the opening, engages the first end of the
sleeve and
prevents the end cap from being inserted further into the opening. The end cap
also
includes at least one channel for receiving the pair of locking tabs, the at
least one channel
having a ledge that engages the locking edge of each locking tab to prevent
the end cap
from being removed from the sleeve opening. The tear strip formed in the
sleeve is
adapted and configured such that pulling the tear strip allows the rigid end
cap to be
removed from the sleeve opening_ The tear strip can also include a finger tab
that is
accessible to a user.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the end cap can
include
a cavity shaped to receive an end of a product to be packaged. It is also
contemplated that
the end cap can include a plurality of cavities shaped to receive a product to
be packaged.
[0007] In another aspect in further accordance with the invention, the locking
tabs
of the first end of the sleeve can be dimensioned and configured to releasably
engage an
exterior surface of the peripheral wall of the first end cap. It is also
contemplated that the
locking tabs of the first end of the sleeve can be adapted and configured for
folding into
the sleeve to releasably engage the peripheral wall of the first end cap.
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[0008] Tn accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the sleeve and
locking
tabs can have a strength and resilience that combines with the dimensioning
and angling of
the ledges to produce a firm locking action when the locking tabs are engaged
by the
ledges. Each of the locking tabs and the channels can be shaped such that the
end cap is
twistable to a position in which the locking tabs are clear of the ledges,
thereby releasing
the end cap from the sleeve. Each of the locking tabs can be trapezoidal and
have an acute
vertex that rides up a side edge of the channel when the end cap is twisted
relative to the
sleeve, such that the end cap is released from the sleeve. It is also
contemplated that the
channel can have at least one ramped side edge, such that when the end cap is
twisted
relative to the sleeve, the locking tab rides up the ramped side edge, such
that the end cap
is released from the sleeve.
[0009] In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the channels
and
locking tabs can be shaped such that the end cap is prevented from twisting
and releasing
the end cap from the sleeve. The locking tabs and channels can be rectangular
to prevent
the locking tabs from riding up a side edge of the channel when the end cap is
urged to
twist relative to the sleeve, such that the end cap is prevented from being
twisted and
released from the sleeve.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the sleeve can
include a
second end defining a second opening, and the package can further include a
second
locking tab and a second end cap. The second locking tab can extend from the
second end
and can be folded inward into the second opening, the second locking tab
having a locking
edge. The second end cap can have a substantially continuous outer surface
dimensioned
to fit closely within the second opening. The second end cap can further
include a rim
overhanging the outer surface such that, when the second end cap is inserted
into the
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second opening, the rim engages the second sleeve end and prevents the second
end cap
from being inserted further into the second opening. The second end cap can
further
include a channel for receiving the second locking tab, the channel having a
ledge that
engages the locking edge of the second locking tab to prevent the second end
cap from
being removed from the second sleeve opening. It is also contemplated that the
first and
second end caps can each include a cavity shaped to receive an opposite end of
a product
to be packaged.
[0011] In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the sleeve
can be
defined by opposed first and second curved panels. The first and second curved
panels
,,_.
can be connected to one another along lateral edges of the sleeve. The first
and second
curved panels can be integrally joined to one another along a first lateral
edge of the
sleeve. The first and second curved panels can also be affixed to one another
along a
second lateral edge of the sleeve.
[0012] The invention also includes a package having a sleeve, a first rigid
end cap,
and a second rigid end cap. The sleeve has longitudinally opposed first and
second ends,
the first and second ends of the sleeve each defining an opening and having at
least two
locking tabs extending therefrom. The first end of the sleeve further includes
a tear strip
positioned adjacent to the opening. Each locking tab includes a locking edge
and can be
folded inwards into the opening. The first rigid end cap is dimensioned to fit
closely
within the sleeve opening. The first end cap includes a rim that, when the
first end cap is
inserted into the first sleeve opening, engages the first end of the sleeve
and prevents the
first end cap from being inserted further into the first sleeve opening. The
first end cap
further includes at least one channel for receiving the pair of locking tabs
in the first end of
the sleeve, the at least one channel having a ledge that engages the locking
edge of each
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locking tab to prevent the end first cap from being removed from the first
sleeve opening.
The second rigid end cap is dimensioned to fit closely within the second
sleeve opening
and can including a rim that, when the second end cap is inserted into the
second sleeve
opening, engages the second end of the sleeve and prevents the second end cap
from being
inserted further into the second sleeve opening. The second end cap also
includes at least
one channel for receiving the pair of locking tabs in the second end of the
sleeve, the at
least one channel having a ledge that engages the locking edge of each locking
tab of the
second end cap to prevent the second end cap from being removed from the
second sleeve
opening. The tear strip is adapted and configured such that pulling the tear
strip allows the
rigid end cap to be removed from the sleeve opening. It is also contemplated
that each of
the locking tabs of the first end of the sleeve and the channels of the first
end cap can be
shaped such that the first end cap is twistable to a position in which the
locking tabs are
clear of the ledges, thereby releasing the first end cap from the sleeve.
[0013] The invention also includes a method for fabricating a package. The
method includes the steps of cutting and scoring a sleeve blank to create
first and second
panels, a glue flap extending from the first panel, locking tabs extending
from each of the
panels, and a tear strip proximate to one of the locking tabs. The method
further includes
folding the second panel over the first panel, folding the glue flap and
affixing it to the
second panel so the first and second panels form a sleeve, folding the locking
tabs inward
into the sleeve, and inserting a rigid end cap into a first end of the sleeve,
the end cap
including at least one channel having a ledge that engages a locking edge of
each locking
tab extending from the first end of the sleeve. The method also includes steps
of loading a
product into the sleeve and inserting a second rigid end cap into a second end
of the
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sleeve, the second end cap including at least one channel having a ledge that
engages a
locking edge of each locking tab extending from a second end of the sleeve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The presently disclosed embodiments will be further explained with
reference to the attached drawings, wherein like structures are referred to by
like numerals
throughout the several views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, the
emphasis
having instead been generally placed upon illustrating the principles of the
presently
disclosed embodiments.
[0015] FIG. I shows a perspective view of a product package constructed in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIGS. 2 and 3 show front and rear views of the package shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIGS. 4 and 5 show left and right side views of the package shown in
FIG.
1;
[0018] FIGS. 6 and 7 show top and bottom views of the package shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIGS. S and 9 show, respectively, elevational views of an upper and
lower
end cap according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a blank for fabricating a sleeve according
to
an aspect of the invention;
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[0021] FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the blank shown in FIG. 10, partially
fabricated into a sleeve;
[0022] FIG. 12A shows a plan view of the blank shown in FIG. 10, fully
assembled into a sleeve;
[0023] FIG. 12B shows a side view of the blank shown in FIG. 12A;
[0024] FIGS. 13A-D show a series of diagrams illustrating the operation of a
locking mechanism according to an aspect of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 14 shows a cutaway view of a sleeve and end cap illustrating the
operation of a locking mechanism according to an aspect of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 15 shows a cutaway view of a sleeve and upper and lower end caps
illustrating the operation of a locking mechanism according to an aspect of
the invention;
[0027] FIGS. 16A-D and 17A-D are a series of diagrams illustrating the
operation
of a release mechanism according to an aspect of the invention;
[0028] FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the
release
mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 16A-D and 17A-D;
[0029] FIGS. 19A-D and 20A-D are a series of diagrams illustrating the
operation
of a release mechanism according to a further aspect of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of a package according to another
aspect
of the invention;
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[0039] FIGS. 22 and 23 show front and rear views of the package shown in FIG.
21;
[0032] FIGS. 24 and 25 show left and rear side views of the package shown in
FIG. 21;
[0033] FIGS. 26 and 27 show top and bottom views of the package shown in FIG.
21;
[0034] FIG. 28 shows a perspective view of a package according to another
aspect
of the invention;
[0035] FIGS. 29 and 30 show front and rear views of the package shown in FIG.
28;
[0036] FIGS. 31 and 32 show left and right side views of the package shown in
FIG. 28; and
[0037] FIG. 33 shows a top view of the package shown in FIG. 28.
[0038] While the above-identified drawings set forth presently disclosed
embodiments, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the
discussion. This
disclosure presents illustrative embodiments by way of representation and not
limitation.
Numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled
in the art
which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of the presently
disclosed
embodiments.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] The presently disclosed embodiments are directed towards product
packaging that includes, inter alia, a sleeve that has at least one end that
is closed by
inserting an end cap. In addition, the sleeve comprises a tear strip which
allows a user to
disengage the end cap from the sleeve. The tear strip is in communication with
a tab
wherein the tab is accessible to a user. Once the tear strip has been removed,
a user may
remove the end cap.
[0040] Depending upon the use for the package, the sleeve may be closed with
two
non-releasable locking caps, two releasable locking caps, or one non-
releasable locking
cap and one releasable locking cap. In addition, the sleeve may comprise a
single tear
strip located at a first opening or a first tear strip at a first opening and
a second tear strip
at a second opening.
[0041] The use of at least one tear strip may be desirable for a number of
reasons.
First, use of a tear strip allows for increased theft prevention. Use of the
tear strip requires
damage to the sleeve which is easier to detect by store personnel as opposed
to the use of a
twist off end cap. In addition, a customer may find a twist off end cap to be
cumbersome
if the product is too large As such, removal of the tear strip provides a
helpful alternative
to a twist off releasable cap.
[0042] FIG. I shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the presently
disclosed product package 10. The package 10 includes a sleeve 12 having an
upper
opening at an upper end and a lower opening at a lower end. The sleeve
comprises a tear
strip 52 engaged to a tab 50. The tear strip 52 is a perforated section of the
sleeve which
facilitates tearing of the sleeve along the perforated section. The tear strip
52 is located in
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a position such that tearing along the perforation will allow for the release
of the end cap.
The mechanics of the end cap 14 will be discussed in detail below.
[0043] The tab 50 is accessible to a user so that the user may grab the tab 50
and
exert a tearing force along the tear strip 52. Once the user has tom the tear
strip 52 along
substantially a desired length of the tear strip, the end cap 14 may be easily
removed by a
user. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any shape tab is within the
spirit and
scope of the present invention.
[0044] The sleeve 12 may suitably be fabricated from a sheet of see-through
plastic material, such as PVC, APET, PETG, polylith, PLA or the like. The
thickness of
the sheet is selected based on a number of factors, including price and
strength. The sheet
should be thick enough to provide structural support, but thin enough to allow
the sheet to
be flexed and folded, as described herein.
[0045] As will be discussed in detail below, the sleeve 12 comprises a pair of
locking tabs 18 adjacent to the upper opening. As the end cap 14 is pushed
into the upper
opening of the sleeve 12, the locking tabs 18 are secured in a channel 22 of
the end cap 14.
Depending on the length, position and number of locking tabs 18 relative to
the channel
22, the end cap 14 may be a releasable locking mechanism or a non-releasable
locking
mechanism (will be discussed below). If a releasable locking mechanism, the
end cap 14
may be released by applying a twisting motion to the end cap 14. Presently
disclosed
embodiments are directed towards the use of the tear strip 52 with either a
releasable end
cap or an unreleasable end cap. Tearing the tear strip 52 along the perforated
edge allows
for the user to remove an end cap 14 (either releasable or non-releasable)
because once the
tear strip has been ripped the user may easily disengage the locking tabs 18
from the
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channe122 of the end cap 14. The tear strip 52 may be used in conjunction with
a
releasable end cap if the container 10 is too cumbersome to apply a twisting
motion.
[0046] As stated, the sleeve 12 includes an upper pair of locking tabs 18 that
are
folded inwards into the interior of the sleeve 12 for securing the upper end
cap 14, and a
lower pair of locking tabs 20 that are folded inwards into the interior of the
sleeve 12 for
securing the lower end cap 16. As further described below, the upper end cap
14 includes
a pair of channels 22 corresponding in position to the pair of upper locking
tabs 18. The
lower end cap 16 includes a single continuous channel 24 encircling the
perimeter of the
lower end cap 16.
[0047] As described below, different channel arrangements are used to create,
respectively, a releasable locking mechanism and a non-releasable locking
mechanism.
FIG. I shows an embodiment wherein the upper end cap 14 is secured with a
releasable
locking mechanism in association with a tear strip 52 and the lower end cap 16
is secured
with a non-releasable locking mechanism. In this embodiment, the upper end cap
14 may
be released by twisting the upper end cap 14 within the sleeve 12. If a user
finds the
container too cumbersome too twist, the user may tear the tear strip 52 along
the
perforated edge in order to disengage the locking tabs 18 from the channel 22
and remove
the end cap. In another embodiment, the upper end cap is a non-releasable end
cap and the
user must tear the tear strip along the perforated edge to remove the end cap.
As shown in
FIG. 1, the lower end cap 16 is not releasable, and cannot be removed without
causing
damage to the package 10. In an embodiment, the lower end cap may also be
associated
with an additional tear strip.
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[0048] As further shown in FIG. 1, the top and bottom end caps 14 and 16 are
provided with molded cavities 26 and 28 that are shaped to receive an item to
be held in
the package 10. It will be appreciated that cavities 26 and 28 may be freely
modified to
accommodate differently shaped items.
[0049] FIGS. 2 through 7 show additional views of the package 10 shown in FIG.
1. FIGS. 2 and 3 show, respectively, front and rear views of the package.
FIGS. 4 and 5
show left and right side views of the package 10. FIGS. 6 and 7 show top and
bottom
views of the package 10.
[0050] FIGS. 8 and 9 show elevation views of the upper and lower end caps 14
and 16. Each end cap 14 and 16 is a rigid body that may suitably be
fabricated, for
example, using an injection molding technique. Suitable materials for the end
caps
include PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene.
[0051] The upper end cap 14 shown in FIG. 8, as mentioned above, provides a
releasable locking mechanism for securing the end cap 14 to the sleeve. The
releasable
locking mechanism includes a pair of rectangular channels 22 on opposite sides
of the end
cap 14. The pair of channels 22 is positioned to receive a corresponding pair
of locking
tabs 18 extending from the sleeve 12. The upper side of each channel 22 is
defined by a
rim 30 that is dimensioned to be slightly larger than the upper opening of the
sleeve 12,
and to engage the upper sleeve end to prevent the end cap 14 from being
inserted too far
into the sleeve opening. The lower side of each channel 22 is defined by a
]edge 34,
which provides a surface for engaging a locking edge of each upper locking tab
18.
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[0052] The lower end cap 16 shown in FIG. 9 provides a non-releasable locking
mechanism for securing the lower end cap 16 in the lower opening of the sleeve
12. The
non-releasable locking mechanism includes a single channel 24 encircling the
end cap 16.
The lower side of the channe124 is defined by a rim 32 that is dimensioned to
be larger
than the bottom sleeve opening. The upper side of the channel 24 is defined by
a ledge 36
that provides a surface for engaging a locked edge of each lower locking tab
20 extending
from the sleeve 12.
[0053] The operation of the locking and release mechanisms is now described
with
respect to an exemplary container and exemplary fabrication technique. It will
be
apparent that the described container and fabrication technique may be
modified without
departing from the, spirit of the invention. FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a
blank 100 for
forming a sleeve according to an aspect of the invention. The blank 100 is die
cut from a
sheet of suitable material, such as PVC, APET, or PETG. If desired, textaal or
graphic
matter may be printed directly onto the blank using a high-speed printing
process.
[0054] A series of score lines 102 is fabricated into the blank 100 to divide
the
blank into a number of panels and tabs. The blank 100 includes a first panel
104 and a
second panel 106 that are folded towards each other to form the body of the
finished
sleeve. A glue flap 108 extends upward from the first panel 104, opposite the
second
panel 106, and is used to attach the outside edges of the first and second
panels 104 and
106 to each other. As shown, the tear strip 52 and tab 50 are manufactured on
the first
panel 104.
[0055] Extending from the right side of each of the first and second panels
104 and
106 is a releasable locking tab 110 and 112. According to an aspect of the
invention, the
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releasable locking tabs 110 and 112 are trapezoidal in shape. As discussed
below, other
shapes may be used for the releasable locking tabs 110 and 112.
[0056] Non-releasable locking tabs 114 and 116 extend from the left side of
the
first and second panels 104 and 106. According to an aspect of the invention,
the non-
releasable locking tabs 114 and 116 are rectangular in shape. Each of the
locking tabs 110
includes a respective locking edge 120, 122, 124 and 126 that, as described
below,
engages a ledge in an end cap, such as ledge 156 in end cap 150 illustrated in
FIGS. 13A-
D and described below, to lock the end caps in position in the sleeve ends.
[0057] It will be seen that when the second panel 106 is folded over the first
panel
104, locking tabs 112 and 116 will Iine up with locking tabs 110 and 114.
However, other
orientations for the locking tabs 110, 112, 114 and 116 may also be used
without departing
from the spirit of the invention.
[0058] In fabricating a finished sleeve from the blank 100, the second panel
106 is
folded over the first panel 104. The partially folded blank 100 is shown in
FIG. 11. The
glue flap 108 is then folded over the second panel 106, and a suitable
technique is
employed to cause the glue flap 108 to adhere to the second panel 106 at the
cross-hatched
regions 128 and 130. It will be seen that the bonding of the glue flap 108 to
the second
panel 106 creates a tube with openings at the left and right of the blank 100.
[0059] Prior to the attachment of the end caps, the locking tabs 110, 112, 114
and
116 are folded inward towards the interior of the sleeve. FIG. 12A shows a
plan view of
the finished sleeve 100, and FIG. 12B, not drawn to scale, shows a right side
view of the
sleeve 100. The sleeve 100 may be readily popped opened for insertion of the
end caps by
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applying gentle pressure to the sleeve in the direction of the arrows 132
shown in FIG.
12B.
[0060] Depending on the dimensions of the finished sleeve 100, it would be
possible for a worker to hold the sleeve 100 in one hand, using the thumb and
fingers to
apply pressure to the side edges of the sleeve 100. The worker could then pop
the sleeve
100 open, and use the other hand to install an end cap into one of the two
sleeve openings.
Once the first end cap has been installed, the package is relatively stable,
and can be stood
on end, with the installed end cap acting as a base. Product can then be
loaded through the
other opening. If necessary, further pressure can be applied to the side edges
of the sleeve
to opeti the other opening for loading of the product and installation of the
second end cap.
The above described manual operations may also be perfonned by machine.
[0061] Once the package has been loaded and closed, it would still be possible
to
adjust or rework the contents of the package by using the twist-offre[ease
mechanism
described below to remove the releasable end cap without damaging the sleeve.
[0062] As mentioned above, it would also be possible to use releasable end
caps at
both openings of the sleeve, or non-releasable end caps at both openings.
Also, in a
container having one releasable end cap and one non-releasable end cap, it
would be
possible to use the releasable cap as the top cap or the bottom cap, as
desired.
[0063] FIGS. 13A-D are cross section diagrams of an exemplary end cap 150 and
sleeve end 170 illustrating the operation of a locking mechanism according to
an aspect of
the invention. The drawing of sleeve end 170 includes a broken line 172, which
represents
the perimeter of the sleeve opening.
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[0064] As described above, the sleeve end 170 includes a pair of locking tabs
174.
The locking tabs 174 extend upward from the sleeve 176. Prior to the
installation of the
end ca.p 150, the locking tabs 174 are folded into the sleeve opening, towards
the inner
surface of the sleeve 176. However, because of the resilience of the material
used to
fabricate the sleeve 176 and locking tabs 174, the locking tabs 174 have a
tendency to
unfold slightly. The slight unfolding of the locking tabs 174 has been
exaggerated in
FIGS. 13A-D for purposes of illustration. The unfolding of the locking tabs
174 is useful
in ensuring a firm locking action.
[0065] The locking cap 150 includes a channel 152 at each side corresponding
in
position to the locking tabs 174. The channels 152 are not drawn to scale. As
discussed
above, in a non-releasable end cap, a single channel encircles the perimeter
of the end cap.
In a releasable end cap, separate channels are provided, corresponding in
position to each
of the locking tabs 174. However, in either type of end cap, the initial
locking action is
substantially similar.
[0066] The upper boundary of the channel 152 is defined by a rim 154 that,
when
the end cap 150 is seated in the sleeve end 170, overhangs the sleeve end 170
to prevent
the end cap 150 from being further inserted into the sleeve end. The channel
152 further
includes a ledge 156 that engages a locking edge of each of the locking tabs
174.
Although the channel 152 is shown as having a rectangular profile, other
channel profiles
may also be used. For example, it may be desirable for the ledge to define a
more acute
angle, or for the channel to be deeper. The ledge face 158 is dimensioned and
shaped to
fit closely within the sleeve_
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[0067] FIG. 13B shows the end cap 150 that has been partially inserted into
the
sleeve end 170. As shown in FIG. 13B, the bottom circumference of the end cap
150
urges the locking tabs 174 downward, towards the inner walls of the sleeve
176. In FIG.
13C, as the end cap 150 continues to be advanced downward, the locking tabs
174 are
pressed against the inner walls of the sleeve 176. In FIG. 13D, when the end
cap 150
reaches its final position, the locking tabs 174, because of their resiliency,
tend to unfold
slightly, causing the locking tabs 174 to open up into the channel 152. The
slight
unfolding of the locking tabs 174 causes the locking edges of the locking tabs
174 to
engage the ledge surface 156, thereby preventing the end cap from being pulled
upward
out of the sleeve opening. Where the end caps have a convexly curved outer
perimeter,
the insertion of the end cap into the sleeve causes corresponding curves to
fonn in the
sleeve 176 and locking tabs 174. This curvature tends to increase the strength
of the
locking tabs 174.
[0068] FIGS. 14 and 15 show cutaway views of a package 200 according to an
aspect of the invention. FIG. 14 shows a close-up view of a portion of the
package 200
illustrating a single locking tab 202 seated in a channel 204. FIG. 15 shows a
cutaway of
the whole package 200 illustrating a pair of lower locking tabs 202 and a pair
of upper
locking tabs 206.
[0069] FIGS. 16A-D and 17A-D illustrate the operation of a release mechanism
250 according to an aspect of the invention. FIG. 16A shows a diagram of a
releasable
locking tab 252 seated within a rectangular channel 254 in a finished package.
For the
purposes of discussion, an upper end cap is shown. As discussed above, the
upper edge of
the channel 254 is defined by the end cap rim, and the lower edge of the
channel is defined
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by a ledge. The left and right edges of the channel are defined by surfaces
256 that are
substantially continuous with the ledge face.
J0070] As described above, the releasable locking tab 252 has a trapezoidal
shape.
Thus, as the locking tab 252 is urged against a side edge 258 of the channel,
it will be seen
that an acute vertex 260 is presented to the side edge 258. The acute vertex
260 allows the
locking tab 252 to ride up the side edge 258 of the channel 254 and onto
surface 256,
starting with the point of the vertex 260. The movement of the locking tab 252
onto
surface 256 can be seen in FIGS. 17A-D.
[0071] Because the sleeve is flexible and resilient, the end cap can be freely
twisted within the sleeve opening, even when the end cap does not have a
circular
perimeter. Twisting the end cap causes a movement of the channel relative to
the tab. As
described above, this movement causes the locking tab to ride up onto a
surface next to the
channel, causing the locking tab to become disengaged from the channel and
ledge. The
disengagement of the locking mechanism is illustrated in FIGS. l 8A and I 8B.
In FIG.
I 8A, each locking tab 252 is seated in a channel 254. In FIG. 18B, after the
locking cap
262 has been twisted, the locking tabs 252 are no longer in the channels 254.
The end cap
can now be removed. The twist angle required to disengage the end cap 262 from
the
sleeve 264 can be adjusted by adjusting the dimensions of the channels 254,
the locking
tabs 252, or both.
[0072] It would be possible to create a one-way release mechanism, in which
the
end cap can be released only by twisting it in one direction. The one-way
release
mechanism could be accomplished, for example, by using a locking tab having a
first side
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with an acute vertex, and a second side with square vertices. It would be
difficult, if not
impossible, to twist the end cap off in the direction of the square vertices.
[0073] FIGS. 19A-D and FIG. 20A-D illustrate an alternative release mechanism.
According to this aspect of the invention, a rectangular locking tab 272 may
be used. As
shown in FIGS. 20A-D, one side of the channel 274 is provided with a ramp 276
leading
up to surface 278. When the end cap is twisted, the locking tab 272 rides up
the ramp 276
and onto surface 278 to disengage the locking mechanism. In this example, only
one ramp
276 is provided. Thus, the locking mechanism can only be released by twisting
the end
cap in the direction of the ramp 276. If desired, a second ramp can be added
to the other
side of the channel 274 to allow the locking mechanism to be released by
twisting the end
cap in either direction.
[0074] It should be noted that it would be possible to use other
configurations of
locking tabs and channels without departing from the spirit of the invention.
For example,
it would be possible to use more than two locking tabs per opening. Also,
different shapes
may be used for the end caps and the sleeve.
[0075] FIGS. 21 through 27 show a product package 300 according to another
aspect of the invention. In this package 300, a releasable end cap 302 is
provided at the
bottom end of sleeve 304, and a non-releasable cap 306 is provided at the top
of the
sleeve. The end caps 302 and 306 have been shaped to receive a different
product, such as
a bottle containing lotion or fragrance. FIGS. 22 and 23 show front and rear
views of the
package 300. FIGS. 24 and 25 show left and right side views. FIGS. 26 and 27
show top
and bottom views of the package 300.
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[0076] FIGS. 28 through 33 show another package 350 according to an aspect of
the invention. FIG. 28 shows a perspective view of the package 350. As shown
in FIG.
28, the channels 352 in the end caps 354 are not rectangular, but instead are
angled. FIGS.
29 and 30 show front and rear views of the package. FIGS. 31 and 32 show left
and right
side views, and FIG. 20 shows a top view.
[0077] While the foregoing description includes details which will enable
those
skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be recognized that the
description is
illustrative in nature and that many modifications and variations thereof will
be apparent to
those skilled in the art having the benefit of these teachings. It is
accordingly intended that
the invention herein be defined solely by the claims appended hereto and that
the claims
be interpreted as broadly as permitted by the prior art.
[0078] All patents, patent applications, and published references cited herein
are
hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. It will be appreciated
that various of the
above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may
be desirably
combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently
unforeseen
or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements
therein may be
subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be
encompassed
by the following claims.
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