Apparatus and Method for Holding and Protecting Drug Delivery Devices

Abstract

Taught herein is a package for holding and storing articles such as drug delivery devices. An inner slide card with tray ( 12, 100 ) is loaded with drug delivery devices and inserted into an outer sleeve ( 200 ). Receiving slots ( 34, 114 ) and apertures ( 36, 38, 118 ) secure the drug delivery devices in a tray. Elements such as catches ( 40, 42 ) associated with the slide card or tray cooperatively engage elements such as catches ( 240 ) associated with the outer sleeve ( 200 ). The cooperative engagement of the respective catches provides a child-resistant feature and a spill-resistant feature. A release button ( 224 ) disengages the child-resistant feature. In addition, the horizontal orientation of the injectables provides easy access for a user who has limited dexterity as well as sufficient area to apply graphics.

1 . A package for holding articles, comprising:
 a slide card ( 102 ) comprising:
 a base panel ( 104 ) configured to mount an article receiving tray; and 
 a first tab ( 122 ) hingedly connected to the base panel or tray, and configured to engage a catch associated with an outer sleeve; 
   an article receiving tray ( 110 ) mounted on the base panel;   an outer sleeve ( 200 ) comprising:
 a first panel ( 204 ); 
 a second panel ( 206 ) opposite the first panel; 
 opposite sidewall panels ( 210 ) connected to the first and second panels; and 
 an end wall ( 216 ,  218 ) connected to the panels or the sidewalls; 
   wherein the panels and walls define a void that includes a catch ( 222 ) configured to receive and releaseably engage the slide card and tray.   
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the outer sleeve further includes a release ( 224 ) configured to disengage the catch. 
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the tray further comprises at least one article securing element ( 114 ,  118 ). 
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising a spine panel ( 106 ) hingedly connected to the base panel or the tray. 
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 4 , further comprising a top cover ( 108 ) hingedly connected to the spine cover and configured to cover at least a portion of the tray. 
   
   
       6 . A blank for forming an integrated slide card and tray, comprising:
 a base panel ( 14 );   a first extension panel ( 25 ) hingedly connected to the base panel along a first side;   a second extension panel ( 25 ) hingedly connected to the base panel along a second side; and   a first tab ( 40 ) hingedly connected to the base panel along a third side;   wherein the extension panels are folded and connected to form the sidewalls of a slidable tray configured to insert within an outer sleeve ( 200 ), and the first tab is configured to engage a catch ( 222 ) associated with the outer sleeve.   
   
   
       7 . The blank of  claim 6 , further comprising a spine panel ( 16 ) hingedly connected to the base panel and to a first cover panel ( 18 ). 
   
   
       8 . The blank of  claim 7 , wherein the first cover panel is hingedly connected to a second cover panel ( 20 ) that comprises a spine support panel ( 22 ). 
   
   
       9 . The blank of  claim 6 , where each extension panel further comprises:
 an outside sidewall panel ( 26 );   a top panel ( 28 );   an inside sidewall panel ( 30 ); and   a securing panel ( 32 );   wherein the top and sidewall panels are folded and the securing panel is secured to the base panel to form an open-channel sidewall.   
   
   
       10 . The blank of  claim 9 , wherein the open-channel sidewall further includes at least one article receiving element ( 36 ,  38 ). 
   
   
       11 . The blank of  claim 9 , wherein the open-channel sidewall further comprises a second tab ( 42 ) configured to engage a catch associated with the outer sleeve. 
   
   
       12 . A carton blank for forming an outer sleeve, comprising:
 a first sleeve panel ( 204 ), including a release ( 224 ) at a first location, hingedly connected to a first sidewall panel ( 210 );   a second sleeve ( 206 ) hingedly connected to the first sidewall panel and a second sidewall panel ( 210 );   a third sleeve panel ( 208 ), including a cutout section ( 222 ) that extends to include the first location, hingedly connected to the second sidewall; and,   at least one end wall panel ( 216 , 218 ) hingedly connected to one of the sleeve panels;   wherein the panels are folded and connected to form the outer sleeve ( 200 ) having a top side, an opposite bottom side, opposite sidewall panels, an end wall that defines a void, and a catch ( 240 ) defined by the cutout section, all configured to receive and releasably engage a slide card and tray ( 12 ,  100 ).   
   
   
       13 . The carton blank of  claim 12  wherein at least one of the sidewall panels include a tab ( 220 ), hingedly connected to the end opposite the end wall. 
   
   
       14 . The carton blank of  claim 13  wherein the tab is positioned within the void to form a catch that engages with either the slide card or tray. 
   
   
       15 . The carton blank of  claim 12  wherein at least one of the sleeve panels include an extension panel ( 220 ), hingedly connected to the end opposite the end wall. 
   
   
       16 . The carton blank of  claim 15 , wherein the extension panel is positioned within the void to form a catch that engages with either the slide card or tray.