(19)
(11) EP 1 295 808 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
14.04.2004 Bulletin 2004/16

(43) Date of publication A2:
26.03.2003 Bulletin 2003/13

(21) Application number: 02256173.2

(22) Date of filing: 05.09.2002
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B65D 85/84, G21F 5/00, B01L 3/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30) Priority: 20.09.2001 US 960180

(71) Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Company
Palo Alto, CA 94304 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Gore, Makarand P.
    Corvallis, OR 97330 (US)
  • Mann, Chris L.
    Corvallis, OR 97330 (US)

(74) Representative: Jackson, Richard Eric et al
Carpmaels & Ransford, 43 Bloomsbury Square
London WC1A 2RA
London WC1A 2RA (GB)

   


(54) Protective container and associated methods


(57) The present invention provides a container (10) which has multiple protective characteristics integrated into the container (10). The protective container for containing a material (30) and protecting against adverse exposure to the material (30) includes a durable outer casing (15); an inner casing (25) in direct contact with the material, which is less durable than the outer casing(15); and at least one layer of a preventative agent (20) disposed between the inner and outer casings for disabling the material (30) upon failure of the inner casing (25). The protective container provides improved active control to prevent accidental adverse exposure to the container contents (30).






Search report