Display Package with Plastic Sleeve and Interlocking Insert Tray

Abstract

A tamper-resistant plastic package having a plastic sleeve with at least one open end into which a product carrier tray, also made of plastic, can be inserted into sliding and interlocking engagement with the sleeve. The sleeve desirably comprises a continuous side wall having sufficient length and cross-sectional area to receive the product carrier tray into sliding engagement therewith. The product carrier tray is preferably thermoformed from another plastic sheet made of the same or a different plastic material. The plastic sheets used to make the sleeve and product carrier tray each preferably further comprise one or more structural elements, as described in greater detail below, that cooperate to provide a mechanical interlock when the product carrier tray is fully inserted into the sleeve.

1 . A tamper-resistant plastic display package comprising a sleeve having at least one open end, a product carrier tray slidably insertable into the at least one open end, the sleeve having a first interlocking structure, the product carrier tray having a second interlocking structure, and the first and second interlocking structures cooperating to retain the product carrier tray inside the sleeve when the product carrier tray is inserted into and fully seated inside the sleeve. 
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is made of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactic acid (PLA), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and high density polyethylene (HDPE). 
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the product carrier tray is made of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactic acid (PLA), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and high density polyethylene (HDPE). 
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve comprises a substantially continuous sidewall formed from a die-cut sheet of rigid plastic. 
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the product carrier tray is formed from a die-cut sheet of rigid plastic. 
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve comprises two open ends. 
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve comprises a weakened tear strip. 
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 7  wherein the weakened tear strip is formed by scoring a portion of the sleeve. 
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 4  wherein the sleeve further comprises a flap disposed inwardly of the sidewall. 
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 9  wherein the flap is engageable with at least one projection on the product carrier tray. 
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 9  wherein the flap is engageable between two cooperating projections on the product carrier tray. 
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the two cooperating projections are outwardly projecting end portions of the product carrier tray. 
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 9  wherein the flap comprises an opening that is engageable with a projection on the product carrier tray. 
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 13  wherein the opening is a window. 
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the product carrier tray further comprises at least one end structure that substantially occludes the at least one open end of the sleeve when the product carrier tray is fully seated inside the sleeve. 
   
   
       16 . The package of  claim 6  wherein the product carrier tray comprises two end structures that substantially occlude the two open ends of the sleeve when the product carrier tray is fully seated inside the sleeve. 
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 16  wherein at least part of at least one of the end structures is connected by a hinge to the remainder of the product carrier tray. 
   
   
       18 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the product carrier tray comprises a cavity into which at least a portion of a product is receivable. 
   
   
       19 . The package of  claim 18  wherein the product carrier tray is thermoformed. 
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 10  wherein the opening is a slot and wherein the projection is a tab. 
   
   
       21 . The package of  claim 5  wherein the product carrier tray comprises first and second portions that are foldable around a hinge.