TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to product packaging. More specifically,
the present disclosure relates to child-resistant packaging for storing regulated
products therein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Regulated products are generally required to be sold and stored in child-resistant
packaging so that children cannot access the contents therein.
[0003] For example, cannabis is becoming legal for recreational and medicinal use in an
increasing number of countries around the world. In these countries, cannabis is commonly
commercially available in the form of pre-rolled joints (or "pre-rolls"), similar
in form to cigarettes. Pre-rolls are convenient in that a user does not need to roll
their own joint in order to smoke cannabis.
[0004] Pre-rolls are generally sold individually or in groups of two to ten. Individually
sold pre-rolls are typically packaged in plastic tubes having a child-resistant lid,
similar to those used for prescription pill bottles. Groups of pre-rolls, however,
are typically sold in packaging similar to that used for cigarettes - i.e. a pack
in which a plurality of pre-rolls may be stored.
[0005] As a result, the child-resistant features used for the pre-roll packages are considerably
different from those used for the individually sold pre-rolls. For example, the pre-roll
packages may be outfitted with child-resistant features that are single-use in that,
once the packaging is opened, the child-resistant feature will no longer function
(e.g. the package may be perforated such that the top may be torn off). Alternatively,
some pre-roll packages include a plastic insert having tabs that extend out of apertures
formed in the package that may be depressed in order to allow the plastic insert to
be removed. However, such configurations complicate manufacturing, as multiple types
of materials are required to produce a single package. Further, after multiple uses,
the plastic insert may become permanently deformed, making it difficult even for adults
to remove the insert from the package.
[0006] Thus, there exists a need for child-resistant packaging for regulated products that
is easy to manufacture and capable of being opened multiple times without affecting
the usability thereof.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present disclosure recognizes that there are problems with existing child-resistant
packaging for regulated products, including those for containing cannabis products.
[0008] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a child-resistant package for a
regulated product, the package comprising: a housing having an open end, a plurality
of release tabs formed in a wall thereof, and a locking edge defined on an inside
surface thereof; and an insert for containing the regulated product slidably received
through the open end of the housing, the insert having: an openable end for accessing
the regulated product, the openable end openable when the insert is at least partially
removed from the housing; and a locking tab positioned on an outside surface of the
insert having a plurality of ends that are each aligned with one of the plurality
of release tabs, the locking tab biased such that each of the plurality of ends contact
the locking edge when sliding the insert out of the housing without depressing the
plurality of release tabs.
[0009] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to use of the child-resistant package
described herein for storing a regulated product. The regulated product may comprise
one or more cannabis products.
[0010] Other aspects and features of the methods of the present disclosure will become apparent
to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of
specific embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent in the
following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings.
The appended drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the present disclosure
by way of example only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a closed child-resistant package according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 shows a back perspective view of the child-resistant package shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a plan view of an inside of a housing of a child-resistant package according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 shows a back perspective view of an insert of a child-resistant package according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 shows a front perspective view of an open child-resistant package according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a housing blank for a child-resistant package according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 shows a plan view of an insert blank for a child-resistant package according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8 shows a plan view of an insert blank for a child-resistant package according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a housing blank for a child-resistant package according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The present disclosure generally relates to child-resistant packaging and, in particular,
to child-resistant packaging for a regulated product. The child-resistant packages
of the present disclosure afford a number of advantages over conventional packages.
For example, the child-resistant packages may be used multiple times without affecting
their usability. As described above, some conventional child-resistant packages, such
as those having a plastic insert defining deformable tabs, may become permanently
deformed after multiple uses, which may make it more difficult to access the regulated
product contained therein or, in some cases, may make it so that a child can easily
slide the insert out of the package.
[0013] Another advantage of the child-resistant packages of the present disclosure is that
they may be manufactured with relative ease. In more detail, the child-resistant packages
may be formed of a simple two-piece construction. As well, each piece of the two-piece
construction may advantageously be formed of the same material. Such configurations
significantly simplify the manufacturing process, which may greatly reduce the costs
associated with the production of the child-resistant packages. As well, due to the
simplicity of production, the manufacturing processes may be readily upscaled to industrially
relevant levels, meaning that the child-resistant packages of the present disclosure
are not limited to smaller-scale applications (e.g. craft cannabis products). In contrast,
as described above, conventional child-resistant packaging for regulated products
may comprise multiple pieces that are each formed of a different material, which complicates
the manufacturing process significantly.
[0014] Yet another advantage of child-resistant packages of the present disclosure is that
they may be biodegradable. As discussed above, conventional child-resistant packaging
may include one or more plastic components. Unfortunately, in the same manner as cigarette
packs, product packaging for regulated products such as cannabis products is often
not disposed of properly. Thus, a package that is biodegradable may be particularly
advantageous, as, in the event that it is not properly disposed of, it will at least
degrade over time without having any potentially environmentally harmful components
such as plastics, metals, and the like remain.
[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure,
wherein numerals refer to like components, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings that further show exemplary embodiments, without limitation.
[0016] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a child-resistant package
for a regulated product, the package comprising: a housing having an open end, a plurality
of release tabs formed in a wall thereof, and a locking edge defined on an inside
surface thereof; and an insert for containing the regulated product slidably received
through the open end of the housing, the insert having: an openable end for accessing
the regulated product, the openable end openable when the insert is at least partially
removed from the housing; and a locking tab positioned on an outside surface of the
insert having a plurality of ends that are each aligned with one of the plurality
of release tabs, the locking tab biased such that each of the plurality of ends contact
the locking edge when sliding the insert out of the housing without depressing the
plurality of release tabs.
[0017] As used herein, "regulated product" refers to a consumer product that is regulated
in some capacity by a government agency. Examples of regulated products include tobacco
products, cannabis products, pharmaceuticals, and the like.
[0018] As used herein, "child-resistant package" or "child-resistant packaging" means a
packaging product that is configured to be difficult for children to open but readily
openable by adults to reduce the likelihood that children may access the contents
contained therein.
[0019] As used herein, "housing" refers to a component of the child-resistant package that
slidably receives the insert therein. The housing has a body with at least one open
end, through which the insert is slidably received. The body of the housing may be
any suitable shape such as, for example, a rectangular prism. In such configurations,
the body may have a front wall and a back wall that are larger than the sidewalls
thereof.
[0020] The housing also has a locking edge defined on an inside surface of its body. As
used herein, "locking edge" refers to a feature of the housing used to prevent the
insert from being removed once received therein. The locking edge extends from the
inside surface of the housing such that the locking tab of the insert can contact
it when a user attempts to remove the insert from the housing, thereby stopping the
insert from moving any further. As will be discussed below, the locking edge may be
formed using a number of configurations.
[0021] The housing also has a plurality of release tabs formed in a wall thereof. As used
herein, "release tabs" refer to portions of the body of the housing that may be depressed
to, in turn, depress the ends of a locking tab of the insert to thereby allow the
insert to be removed from the housing (e.g. by pulling the insert out of the housing).
The release tabs may be formed by cutting the tabs into the body of the housing, for
example. Alternatively, the release tabs may be formed in the wall of the housing
by marking them thereon. The release tabs are aligned with the ends of the locking
tab of the insert such that depressing the release tabs depresses the ends of the
locking tab, as will be described below. The release tabs are also positioned close
enough to the locking edge that the locking tab cannot return to its initial position
before passing the locking edge when a user attempts to remove the insert from the
housing while depressing the release tabs.
[0022] As used herein, "insert" refers to a component of the child-resistant package that
is configured to contain therein the regulated product and to be slidably received
within the housing. The insert has a body with an openable end for accessing the regulated
product contained therein when the insert is at least partially removed from the housing.
That is, the openable end is not openable when it is positioned within the housing.
The body of the insert is generally the same shape as the housing so that it may be
readily received therein and so that the locking tab of the insert may be easily aligned
with the release tabs of the housing.
[0023] In some embodiments, the insert also has a locking tab positioned on an outside surface
thereof. As described above, the locking tab has a plurality of ends and is biased
such that its ends will abut the locking edge when attempting to pull the insert out
of the housing without depressing the release tabs, thus preventing the insert from
being removed. The ends of the locking tab are aligned with the release tabs of the
housing such that depressing the release tabs also depresses the ends of the locking
tab. Because of the bias, after the locking tab has been moved away from the release
tabs (e.g. while removing the insert from the housing) or after the release tabs are
no longer depressed, it will return to its initial position. Further, as will be discussed
below, the locking tab is generally arranged such that is does not prevent the insert
from being slid into the housing.
[0024] Thus, in operation, depressing the release tabs of the housing depresses the ends
of the locking tab such that they do not contact the locking edge when pulling the
insert out of the housing, thereby allowing the insert to be removed. The insert may
then be slid back into the housing, at which point the locking tab will return to
its initial position to render the package child-resistant.
[0025] Referring now to
FIG. 1, there is shown an example of a child-resistant package
10 for a regulated product according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The
child-resistant package
10 comprises a housing
20 and an insert
30 slidably received within the housing
20.
[0026] The housing
20 has an open end though which the insert
30 is slidably received. The open end of the housing
20 may have cut-outs
29 formed therein to facilitate the removal of the insert
30 from the housing
20 by exposing a portion of the insert
30 for a user to grip while pulling the insert
30 out of the housing 20. The cut-outs
29 may be formed in the sidewalls of the housing
20, as shown in
FIG. 1. In another embodiment, the cut-outs
29 may be formed in the front and back walls of the housing
20. In some embodiments, the cut-outs
29 may be formed in a combination of front, back, or sidewalls of the housing
20. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the cut-outs
29 are curvilinear, but other shapes are possible and are contemplated. For example,
in some embodiments, the cut-outs
29 may be generally square-shaped.
[0027] As shown in
FIG. 2, the housing
20 also has a plurality of release tabs
22 formed in a wall thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of release
tabs
22 comprises two tabs; however, other numbers of release tabs
22 may be used if so desired. For example, in some embodiments, the housing
20 may comprise one or more additional release tabs (not shown) in another side thereof,
such as a sidewall. As described above, the plurality of release tabs
22 may be formed by cutting them into the housing
20, as shown in
FIG. 2. In such embodiments, the cut portion of the housing
20 that defines the release tabs
22 is depressible into the housing
20, while the uncut portions provide a slight bias away from the insert
30 so that the release tabs do not remain depressed after use. Alternatively, as described
above, the release tabs
22 may otherwise be marked on the housing
20 but not cut into the housing
20. The marked release tabs
22 indicate the portions of the housing
20 for a user to depress.
[0028] The release tabs
22 may be shaped in order to facilitate their pressing by the fingers of a user. That
is, the release tabs
22 may be dimensioned large enough so that they are easy to depress by adult fingers.
For example, in some embodiments, the release tabs
22 may have a width of about 7.5 mm to about 15 mm. In some embodiments, the release
tabs
22 have a length of about 5.0 mm to about 10 mm. Further, it is noted that, while the
release tabs
22 are a generally rounded shape in the illustrated embodiment, other shapes are possible
and are contemplated. In some embodiments, the release tabs
22 may be generally squared.
[0029] Further, in the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 2, the release tabs
22 are generally horizontally aligned. However, other arrangements are possible and
are contemplated. For example, in some embodiments, the release tabs
22 may be aligned generally vertically, diagonally, etc.
[0030] The housing
20 also comprises a locking edge
24, as shown in
FIG. 3. As described above, the locking edge
24 provides a surface for a locking tab
32 of the insert
30 (see
FIG. 4) to abut in order to prevent the insert
30 from being removed from the housing
20. In some embodiments, the locking edge
24 may be a piece of material adhered to the inside surface of the housing
20. In another embodiment, the locking edge
24 may be formed by cutting a section of housing
20 and bending the section downwardly into the housing
20 such that it may abut the locking tab
32 of the insert
30 when attempting to slide the insert out of the housing
20. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking edge
24 is defined by an inner panel
26. In some embodiments, the inner panel
26 is a separate piece of material adhered to the housing
20. In a particular embodiment, the inner panel
26 is a portion of the housing
20 folded and adhered to an inside surface thereof.
[0031] In some embodiments, the inner panel
26 has a recess
28 formed therein that defines an additional locking edge
24a. The additional locking edge
24a may prevent the insert
30 from being completely removable from the housing
20. In more detail, in operation, when the insert
30 is being slid out of the housing
20, the locking tab
32 will return to its initial position as it moves away from the depressed release tabs
22, at which point the locking tab
32 is capable of contacting the additional locking edge
24a. As shown in
FIG. 3, the locking edge
24a is positioned above the locking edge
24. Thus, after the locking tab
32 returns to its initial position, the locking tab
32 will then abut the additional locking edge
24a, thereby preventing the insert
30 from being further removed from the housing
20. As will be discussed below, due to the arrangement of the locking tab
32, it may be slid back out of the recess
28 without abutting another edge thereof, thereby allowing the insert
30 to be easily pushed back into the housing
20. Such embodiments may be beneficial, as a user is prevented from completely removing
and subsequently losing the insert
30, which may affect the child-resistance of the package
10.
[0032] It is noted that, while in the illustrated embodiment the recess
28 has a generally rectangular shape, any shape is possible so long as the recess
28 still defines the additional locking edge
24a.
[0033] In general, the locking edge
24 and, if present, the locking edge
24a have a height that allows the locking tab
32 to contact them when not depressed by the release tabs
22. In some embodiments, the locking edges
24, 24a may have about a height of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm. As well, it is noted that,
while the illustrated embodiment shows the locking edges
24, 24a extending across a majority of width of the housing
20, such a configuration is not required. Rather, the locking edges
24, 24a may be functional as long as they extend along enough of the width of the housing
20 that they are contactable by each end of the locking tab
32.
[0034] Further, as discussed above, in some embodiments, the locking edge
24 is positioned close enough to the release tabs
22 that the locking tab
32 cannot return to its initial position before passing thereover when a user attempts
to remove the insert
30 while depressing the release tabs
22. In some embodiments, the locking edge
24 is positioned about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm away from the release tabs
22.
[0035] Referring now to
FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective back view of the insert
30 completely removed from the housing
20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The insert
30 has an openable end
36 for accessing the regulated product contained therein. As discussed above, the openable
end
36 is only openable when the insert
30 is at least partially removed from the housing
20, as shown in
FIG. 5. The openable end
36 may be hingedly openable, as in the illustrated embodiment, in which the openable
end
36 hinges away from the body of the insert
30 to allow access to the contents thereof. In such embodiments, if the insert
30 is not at least partially removed from the housing
20, the openable end
36 cannot open, as a portion of the openable end
36 abuts an inside surface of the housing
20, thereby preventing it from hinging open.
[0036] As discussed above, the insert
30 also has the locking tab
32 positioned on an outside surface thereof. The locking tab
32, if not depressed via the release tabs
22, prevents the insert
30 from being slidably removed from the housing
20. In more detail, the locking tab
32 comprises a plurality of ends
34 and is biased such that, when not depressed by the release tabs
22, the plurality of ends
34 will contact the locking edge
24 when attempting to slide the insert
30 out of the housing
20, thereby preventing the insert
30 from being removed from the housing
20. As shown in
FIG. 4, the biasing of the locking tab
32 may result in the locking tab
32 being angled towards the top of the insert
30 such that it forms an acute angle with the wall of the insert
30. Such configurations may be beneficial, as the insert
30 may be easily slid back into the housing
20 without the locking tab
32 abutting features of the housing
20 such as the recess
28 to prevent the receiving of the insert
30.
[0037] The number of ends
34 of the locking tab
32 may correspond to the number of release tabs
22. In more detail, in some embodiments, in use, each release tab
22 depresses an end
34 so that the locking tab
32 may pass below the locking edge
24 when the insert is being slid out of the housing
20. However, in other embodiments, one release tab
22 may be configured to depress more than one end
34 of the locking tab
32. Thus, it follows that the locking tab
32 is positioned on the insert
30 such that each end
34 thereof is aligned with a release tab
22 so that they may be depressed thereby.
[0038] In some embodiments, the locking tab
32 is formed of a separate piece of material that is adhered to the insert
30. In another embodiment, the locking tab
32 is formed from the same piece of material as the insert
30 (e.g. cut into the insert
30 in the same manner as the release tabs
22 and the housing
20 described above) and folded upwards towards the top of the insert
30 so that the locking tab
32 is biased to abut the locking edge
24 when the insert
30 is being removed from the housing
20. Such a configuration is used in the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 4 and beneficially allows the insert
30 to be formed of only a single piece of material.
[0039] Further, as shown in
FIG. 4, the ends
34 of the locking tab
32 may be spaced away from each other. Such configurations may be beneficial, as depressing
only one of the ends
34 will not result in the entire locking tab
32 being depressed, which may increase the child-resistance of the package
10. Further, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 4, the ends
34 of the locking tab
32 may be generally square with a curvilinear edge bridging the two ends
34. However, the ends
34 may be any other suitable shape, so long as they have sufficient surface area to
be depressed by the release tabs
22.
[0040] In a further embodiment, the insert
30 may define two or more internal compartments
38 for containing multiple regulated products separately therein, as shown in
FIG. 5. The compartments
38 may be defined by a separate piece of material positioned in the insert
30. Alternatively, the compartments
38 may be defined by a portion of the insert
30 folded into itself. Such configurations may be beneficial, as the compartments
38 and insert
30 may be formed using only a single piece of material. Further, it is noted that, while
the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 4 has two internal compartments
38 defined within the insert
30, there may be 3, 4, 5, 6, or more internal compartments
38 defined within the insert
30, if so desired.
[0041] In some embodiments, each of the housing
20 and the insert
30 may each be independently formed of a paperboard material. In some embodiments, each
of the housing
20 and the insert
30 may be coated with a cellophane. Thus, as previously described herein, the housing
20 and the insert
30, and, as a result, the package
10, may be biodegradable.
[0042] In another embodiment, the housing
20, the insert
30, or a combination thereof may be reinforced with a reinforcement material such as
a foil, a plastic, or the like. In such embodiments, the reinforcement material may
be a biodegradable plastic. Suitable biodegradable plastics include polylactic acids
(PLAs), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), complexed starches, and the like.
[0043] Further, as previously described herein, the housing
20 and the insert
30 may be formed of a single piece of material such that the resulting package
10 has a simple two-piece construction. In some embodiments, each of the housing
20 and the insert
30 may be formed of a single piece of paperboard material that has been folded to form
the components thereof.
FIG. 6 and
FIG. 7 show, respectively, examples of non-constructed paperboard blanks of the housing
20 and the insert
30. As used herein, "blanks" refer to pieces of material that have been cut such that
they can be subsequently folded into a selected component. The blanks may be cut into
appropriate shapes using any suitable industrial equipment, such as a die. In
FIG. 6 and
FIG. 7, the blanks may be folded along the dashed lines to form the housing
20 and the insert
30. Folded portions may be adjoined using any suitable industrial adhesive such as a
hot-melt glue or a cold glue. It is noted that features such as the release tabs
22 and the locking tab
32 that may be cut into the housing
20 or insert
30 may be marked on the blanks and cut into the respective components after folding
or, alternatively, may be cut into the blanks prior to folding.
[0044] FIG. 7 also illustrates an optional inner frame
40. The inner frame
40 may be a separate piece that is adherable into the insert
30 to provide additional structural support thereto. In some embodiments, the inner
frame
40 may also define one or more of the internal compartments
38. Further, the inner frame
40 may comprise one or more tabs
42 for maintaining the openable end
36 in a closed position after pulling the insert
30 out of the housing
20. In more detail, the one or more tabs
42 may be formed in the inner frame
40 along portions that are to be folded to define the edges thereof, as shown in
FIG. 7. After folding, the one or more tabs
42 will extend out beyond the now-defined edge such that they capable of contacting
an inner portion of the openable end
36 when in a closed position to thereby maintain the openable end
36 in the closed position via a friction fit.
[0045] It is noted that while
FIG. 6 and
FIG. 7 each show only one example of blanks for forming the housing
20 and insert
30, other configurations of blanks are possible and are contemplated. For example,
FIG. 8 shows another example of a blank for forming the insert
30 and
FIG. 9 shows another example of a blank for forming the housing
20. As described above, the blanks may be folded along the dashed lines to form the housing
20 and the insert
30. Folded portions may be then adjoined using any suitable industrial adhesive. Further,
it is noted that, in the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 8, there is no separate inner frame
40. Rather, the features of the inner frame
40 may be integrated into the blank, as evidenced by the one or more tabs
42.
[0046] In the present disclosure, all terms referred to in singular form are meant to encompass
plural forms of the same. Likewise, all terms referred to in plural form are meant
to encompass singular forms of the same. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and
scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.
[0047] As used herein, the term "about" refers to an approximately +/-10 % variation from
a given value. It is to be understood that such a variation is always included in
any given value provided herein, whether or not it is specifically referred to.
[0048] It should be understood that the compositions and methods are described in terms
of "comprising," "containing," or "including" various components or steps, the compositions
and methods can also "consist essentially of or "consist of the various components
and steps. Moreover, the indefinite articles "a" or "an," as used in the claims, are
defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that it introduces.
[0049] For the sake of brevity, only certain ranges are explicitly disclosed herein. However,
ranges from any lower limit may be combined with any upper limit to recite a range
not explicitly recited, as well as, ranges from any lower limit may be combined with
any other lower limit to recite a range not explicitly recited, in the same way, ranges
from any upper limit may be combined with any other upper limit to recite a range
not explicitly recited. Additionally, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit
and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within
the range are specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the
form, "from about a to about b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a to b," or,
equivalently, "from approximately a-b") disclosed herein is to be understood to set
forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values even if
not explicitly recited. Thus, every point or individual value may serve as its own
lower or upper limit combined with any other point or individual value or any other
lower or upper limit, to recite a range not explicitly recited.
[0050] Therefore, the present disclosure is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages
mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed
above are illustrative only, as the present disclosure may be modified and practiced
in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the
benefit of the teachings herein. Although individual embodiments are discussed, the
disclosure covers all combinations of all those embodiments. Furthermore, no limitations
are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as
described in the claims below. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary
meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. It is therefore
evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered
or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of
the present disclosure. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in
this specification and one or more patent(s) or other documents that may be incorporated
herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should
be adopted.
[0051] Many obvious variations of the embodiments set out herein will suggest themselves
to those skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure. Such obvious variations
are within the full intended scope of the appended claims.