Packaging system with a selectable locking feature

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to a packaging sleeve ( 12 ) and a packaging sleeve blank ( 10 ). The blank ( 10 ) includes a slide card ( 110 ). The slide card ( 110 ) is configured to carry a blister card ( 300 ) and/or to be inserted into the sleeve ( 12 ). In some embodiments the sleeve ( 12 ) includes locking features for locking the slide card ( 110 ) into the sleeve ( 12 ). In some embodiments, the locking features can be selectively deactivated by an end-user. In some embodiments, the sleeve ( 12 ) includes a pocket ( 100 ). Printed information can be inserted into the pocket ( 100 ), or the surfaces of the pocket ( 100 ) can be used to provide additional surfaces for printing information, including advertising.

1 . A package, comprising:
 a tubular structure defined by a plurality of wall panels; and   a slide card detachably connected to at least one of the plurality of wall panels, wherein the slide card is configured to be slideably translated within the tubular structure.   
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising an engaging tab configured to be connected to at least a portion of the slide card. 
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 2 , further comprising an engaging panel connected to the engaging tab. 
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the engaging panel is detachably connected to at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of wall panels. 
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the engaging panel is configured to be connected to at least a portion of the slide card. 
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein the slide card further comprises an extended base panel configured to be connected to the engaging panel. 
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one locking mechanism configured to engage the slide card in a storage position. 
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 7 , further comprising a locking mechanism release button configured to selectively release the slide card from the storage position. 
   
   
       9 . A blank for forming a package, comprising:
 a plurality of panels configured to form a tubular structure;   at least one panel configured to form an engaging mechanism; and   at least one slide card panel configured to form a slide card, the at least one slide card panel being detachably connected to at least a portion of at least one of the panels.   
   
   
       10 . The blank of  claim 9 , wherein the blank further comprises a release button formed in at least one of the panels configured to form the tubular structure. 
   
   
       11 . The blank of  claim 9 , wherein the blank further comprises at least one locking feature configured to lock the slide card in a storage position. 
   
   
       12 . The blank of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one slide card panel is detachably connected to the at least one panel configured to form the tubular structure by the at least one panel configured to form the engaging mechanism. 
   
   
       13 . A blank for forming an outer sleeve, comprising:
 a plurality of panels configured to form a tubular structure; and   at least one slide card panel configured to form a slide card, the slide card comprising an extended base panel and being detachably connected to at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of panels.   
   
   
       14 . The blank of  claim 13 , further comprising an engaging tab, wherein the engaging tab is configured to be connected to the extended base panel. 
   
   
       15 . The blank of  claim 14 , further comprising an engaging panel connected to the engaging tab. 
   
   
       16 . The blank of  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the engaging panel is detachably connected to at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of panels. 
   
   
       17 . The blank of  claim 15 , wherein the engaging panel is configured to be connected to at least a portion of the slide card. 
   
   
       18 . The blank of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one locking mechanism configured to engage the locking slide card in a storage position. 
   
   
       19 . The blank of  claim 18 , further comprising a locking mechanism release button configured to selectively release the slide card from the storage position. 
   
   
       20 . The blank of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one Ellis flap configured, upon erection of the blank into an outer sleeve, to lock a pocket formed from the plurality of pocket panels in a closed position. 
   
   
       21 . A package with selectively engaging locking features, comprising:
 an outer sleeve defined by a plurality of walls, a closed end, an open end, and locking features;   a slide card comprising an extended base panel and an engaging tab configured to be connected to the extended base panel and to engage the locking features of the outer sleeve; and   a blister card positioned within the slide card.   
   
   
       22 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein the engaging tab is connected to the extended base panel by a fold line. 
   
   
       23 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein the engaging tab is connected to the extended base panel by an engaging panel. 
   
   
       24 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein the slide card is configured to be selectably positioned to a deactivation position at which the blister card is accessible without manipulation of the locking features. 
   
   
       25 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein the outer sleeve further comprises a release button disposed in at least one wall panel for selectively disengaging the locking features of the package to allow slideable translation of the slide card. 
   
   
       26 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein the outer sleeve further comprises a pocket. 
   
   
       27 . The package of  claim 26 , wherein the outer sleeve further comprises at least one Ellis flap for locking the pocket in a closed position. 
   
   
       28 . A method for forming a lockable package comprising:
 providing an outer sleeve comprising a plurality of wall panels;   providing an engagement mechanism comprising at least one engagement mechanism panel;   providing a slide card that is configured to be slideably translated within the outer sleeve, wherein the slide card is detachably connected to at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of panels; and   providing a blister card configured to be positioned in cooperative alignment with the slide card.   
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein providing an engagement mechanism comprises providing an engagement mechanism panel that is connected to at least a portion of the slide card. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein providing a slide card comprises providing a slide card that is detachably connected to at least a portion of at least one wall panel. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein providing a slide card further comprises providing a slide card that is detachably connected to at least a portion of at least one wall panel by at least one engagement mechanism panel. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising connecting at least a portion of the slide card to at least a portion of the at least one engagement mechanism panel. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein providing a blister card comprises providing a blister card that comprises a severing tool. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising providing a blister card comprising a tapered edge extending from a hinge. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising using the severing tool to sever at lease one severance line to allow movement of the slide card. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising using the severing tool to sever at lease two severance lines to allow movement of the slide card. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising placing the blister card in cooperative alignment with the slide card. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising inserting the cooperatively aligned slide card and blister card into the outer sleeve. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising inserting the cooperatively aligned slide card and blister card into the outer sleeve to a storage position. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising inserting the cooperatively aligned slide card and blister card into the outer sleeve to a locked position.