Clamshell Case for Holding Blister Pack

Abstract

A case with a top portion and a bottom portion connected by a hinge at one end and arranged to be coupled together and released by a clasp at the other end. The bottom carries structure that is constructed and arranged to hold a blister pack between opposing sides and a stop.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A case with an interior and an exterior, the case comprising:
 a top portion and an opposing bottom portion, each comprising;
 two opposing sides; 
 a hinge end; and 
 an opening end opposing the hinge end; 
   a hinge connecting the top and bottom portions at each hinge end;   a closure system that releasably connects the opening ends of the top and bottom portions;   at least one overhanging ledge between the two opposing sides of the bottom portion, the at least one overhanging ledge having a lower side; and   a generally flat surface in the bottom portion;   wherein the at least one overhanging ledge is spaced from the generally flat surface defining a slot with a height, through which edges of a blister pack may slide so the blister pack is held between the at least one overhanging ledge and the generally flat surface.   
     
     
         2 . The case of  claim 1 , the closure system comprising:
 a clasp;   a catch; and   at least two tabs;   wherein the clasp is on either the top portion or the bottom portion and the catch and tabs are on the opposing portion;   wherein the closure system is opened by applying increasing force upon the clasp toward the tabs, and against the tabs toward the clasp, until the clasp is released from the catch, allowing the case to open; and   wherein the closure system is closed by applying an increasing force upon the top portion toward the bottom portion, and upon the bottom portion toward the top portion, until the clasp is pushed beyond, and retained by the catch, creating a volume in the interior in which a blister pack may be stored.   
     
     
         3 . The case of  claim 2 , further comprising a stop that is proximate the hinge end of the bottom portion, the stop extending to at least the height of the slot from the generally flat surface, such that a blister pack may be held in place by generally flat surface, the at least one overhanging ledge, and the stop. 
     
     
         4 . The case of  claim 3 , wherein the hinge is a living hinge. 
     
     
         5 . The case of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of protrusions on the exterior of the case to allow a user to easily grasp the case. 
     
     
         6 . The case of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are on the two opposing sides of the top and bottom portions proximate the opening end. 
     
     
         7 . The case of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one side face in the interior of the case, wherein the at least one side face is generally perpendicular to the lower side of the at least one overhanging ledge. 
     
     
         8 . A case with an interior and an exterior, the case comprising:
 a top portion and an opposing bottom portion, each comprising;
 two opposing sides; 
 a hinge end; and 
 an opening end opposing the hinge end; 
   a hinge connecting the top and bottom portions at each hinge end;   a closure system that releasably connects the opening ends of the top and bottom portions;   at least two rails extending from the bottom portion, each rail having an upper surface, the upper surfaces defining a slide plane;   at least one overhanging ledge between the two opposing sides, the at least one overhanging ledge having a lower side, the lower side defining a retention plane;   wherein the retention plane is spaced from the slide plane, allowing edges of a blister pack to slide between the slide plane and the retention plane.   
     
     
         9 . The case of  claim 8 , further comprising a stop that is proximate the hinge end of the bottom portion, the stop intersecting the slide plane and the retention plane, such that a blister pack may be held in place by the rails, the at least one overhanging ledge, and the stop. 
     
     
         10 . The case of  claim 9 , wherein the closure system further comprising:
 a clasp;   a catch; and   at least two tabs;   wherein the clasp is on either the top portion or the bottom portion and the catch and tabs are on the opposing portion;   wherein the closure system is opened by applying increasing force upon the clasp toward the tabs, and against the tabs toward the clasp, until the clasp is released from the catch, allowing the case to open; and   wherein the closure system is closed by applying an increasing force upon the top portion toward the bottom portion, and upon the bottom portion toward the top portion, until the clasp is pushed beyond, and retained by the catch, creating a volume in the interior in which a blister pack may be stored.   
     
     
         11 . The case of  claim 10 , wherein the hinge is a living hinge. 
     
     
         12 . The case of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of protrusions on the exterior of the case to allow a user to easily grasp the case. 
     
     
         13 . The case of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are on the two opposing sides of the top and bottom portions proximate the opening end. 
     
     
         14 . The case of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one side face in the interior of the case, wherein the at least one side face is generally perpendicular to the lower side of the at least one overhanging ledge. 
     
     
         15 . A case with an interior and an exterior, the case comprising:
 a top portion and a bottom portion, each comprising;
 two opposing sides; 
 a hinge end; and 
 an opening end opposing the hinge end; 
   a living hinge connecting the top and bottom portions at each hinge end;   a closure system, comprising:
 a clasp; 
 a catch; and 
 at least two tabs; 
   at least one overhanging ledge between the two opposing sides, the at least one overhanging ledge having a lower side, the lower side defining a retention plane;   at least two rails extending from the bottom portion, each rail having an upper surface, the upper surfaces defining a slide plane;   a stop that is proximate the hinge end of the bottom portion;   a plurality of protrusions on the exterior of the case, on the two opposing sides of the top and bottom portions proximate the opening end, to allow a user to easily grasp the case; and   at least one side face in the interior of the case;   wherein the clasp is on either the top portion or the bottom portion and the catch and tabs are on the opposing portion;   wherein the closure system is opened by applying an increasing force upon the clasp toward the tabs, and against the tabs toward the clasp, until the clasp is released from the catch, allowing the case to open;   wherein the closure system is closed by applying an increasing force upon the top portion toward the bottom portion, and upon the bottom portion toward the top portion, until the clasp is pushed beyond, and retained by the catch, creating an interior volume within the case in which a blister pack may be stored;   wherein the slide plane is spaced from the retention plane, allowing edges of a blister pack to slide between the slide plane and the retention plane;   wherein the at least one side face is generally perpendicular to the lower side of the at least one overhanging ledge; and   wherein the stop is intersected by the slide plane and the retention plane, such that a blister pack may be held in place by the rails, the at least one overhanging ledge, the at least one side face, and the stop.