Packaging system with an improved lock and release mechanism

Abstract

A package includes a slide card that can be releasably locked in an outer sleeve. The slide card includes an engaging tab that provides part of a locking mechanism that is used to lock the slide card in the outer sleeve. A support element is positioned and secured to the slide card to maintain the resilience of the slide card at a hinged connection between the engaging tab and a base panel along a fold line. The support element is dimensioned and positioned to define a minimum angle between the engaging tab and the base panel. Thereby, the resiliency of the slide card is not compromised as the engaging tab is repeatedly folded or depressed toward the base panel.

1 . A slide card that can be releasably locked in an outer sleeve, said slide card comprising: 
 a base panel;    an engaging tab hingedly connected to said base panel along a fold line;    a support element secured to one of said engaging tab and said base panel;    wherein said support element is dimensioned and positioned so as to be disposed between said base panel and said engaging tab when said slide card is folded along said fold line.    
   
   
       2 . The slide card of  claim 1 , wherein said support element is secured to said slide card by means for securing.  
   
   
       3 . The slide card of  claim 2 , wherein said slide card includes a blister pack and said support element is integral to said blister pack.  
   
   
       4 . The slide card of  claim 1 , wherein said support element provides an angle between said base panel and said engaging tab.  
   
   
       5 . The slide card of  claim 1 , wherein the slide card includes a plurality of support elements, each of said support elements being secured to one of said base panel and said engaging tab.  
   
   
       6 . The slide card of  claim 5 , wherein support elements are secured to both said base panel and said engaging tab, wherein at least one support element secured to said base panel contacts at least one support element secured to said engaging tab to provide an angle between said base panel and said engaging tab.  
   
   
       7 . A package, comprising: 
 an outer sleeve;    a slide card that can be releasably locked in said outer sleeve, said slide card comprising: 
 a base panel;  
 an engaging tab hingedly connected to said base panel along a fold line;  
 a support element being secured to one of said engaging tab and said base panel;  
   wherein said support element is dimensioned and positioned so as to be disposed between said base panel and said engaging tab when said engaging tab is folded along said fold line.    
   
   
       8 . The slide card of  claim 7 , wherein said support element is secured to said slide card by means for securing.  
   
   
       9 . The slide card of  claim 8 , wherein said slide card includes a blister pack and said support element is integral to said blister pack.  
   
   
       10 . The slide card of  claim 7 , wherein said support element provides an angle between said base panel and said engaging tab.  
   
   
       11 . The slide card of  claim 7 , wherein the slide card includes a plurality of support elements, each of said support elements being secured to one of said base panel and said engaging tab.  
   
   
       12 . The slide card of  claim 11 , wherein support elements are secured to both said base panel and said engaging tab, wherein at least one support element secured to said base panel contacts at least one support element secured to said engaging tab to define an angle between said base panel and said engaging tab.