Easy-opening package with slide

Abstract

A package or container that includes a frame that defines an access aperture and an opening mechanism associated with a pliable sheet, which forms at least part of a cover for the access aperture. The opening mechanism includes a set of spaced-apart tabs that slideably engages with opposing edges or flanges of the frame. As a user moves the opening mechanism along the frame, the opening mechanism draws the pliable sheet over upon itself, and displaces the sheet relative to the aperture to either open or close the package.

1 . A packaging article comprising: a rigid or semi-rigid frame defining an aperture with an edge flange; an opening mechanism having spaced-apart first and second tabs that are adapted to engage with either a track, a rail, a groove, a bead, or a keyway or said edge flange of said frame and adapted to slide along said edge flange; a first pliable sheet of material adapted to cover or enclose said aperture, attached to said frame with a fastening mechanism or adhesive, and having a part or end of said pliable sheet associated with said opening mechanism, such that when said opening mechanism is movable back and forth along said frame edge flange, said pliable sheet extends and retracts over said aperture of said frame. 
   
   
       2 . The packaging article according to  claim 1 , wherein said edge flanges are rectilinear with respect to each other. 
   
   
       3 . The packaging article according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame has substantially parallel edge flanges that oppose one another. 
   
   
       4 . The packaging article according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame has sides or edges in either a V-shape, curved, arced, or elliptical conformation. 
   
   
       5 . The packaging article according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame forms part of a rigid encasement. 
   
   
       6 . The packaging article according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second pliable sheet or envelope of material opposing said first pliable sheet with said frame situated between said first and second pliable sheets or envelope. 
   
   
       7 . The packaging article according to  claim 1 , wherein said opening mechanism includes a first and second platen situated between said first and second tabs. 
   
   
       8 . The packaging article according to  claim 5 ; wherein said first platen is adapted to engage against said second platen, securing said pliable sheet therein between. 
   
   
       9 . The packaging article according to  claim 1 , wherein said opening mechanism has a slot adapted to receive and secure a part of said pliable sheet. 
   
   
       10 . The packaging article according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second tabs have either a substantially C-like-shape or L-like-shape configuration that engages with said frame edge. 
   
   
       11 . The packaging article according to  claim 1 , wherein said spaced-apart first and second tabs are either joined together and move together, or are operated independently of each other. 
   
   
       12 . The packaging article according to  claim 1 , wherein said spaced-apart first and second tabs each has a manual grip area. 
   
   
       13 . The packaging article according to  claim 12 , wherein said first and second tabs have a number of raised ridges or ribs. 
   
   
       14 . The packaging article according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame further comprises a track or guide for engaging said opening mechanism, and said guide includes a keyway, a recessed groove, or a raised bead that runs either continuously or discontinuously along said frame. 
   
   
       15 . A package comprising: a container; a frame defining an opening of said container, said frame having opposing rectilinear, substantially parallel sides; and an opening mechanism that engages slideably with said substantially parallel sides, and said opening mechanism has an associated pliable sheet of material that covers said opening in said frame. 
   
   
       16 . The package according to  claim 15 , wherein said pliable sheet of material is associated with said opening mechanism, such that when said opening mechanism is movable back and forth along said frame, said pliable sheet opens and closes said container. 
   
   
       17 . The package according to  claim 15 , wherein said pliable sheet forms a seal against at least part of said frame. 
   
   
       18 . The package according to  claim 15 , wherein said frame has a guide for engaging with said opening mechanism. 
   
   
       19 . The package according to  claim 15 , wherein said guide includes a keyway, a recessed groove or a raised bead that runs along said frame. 
   
   
       20 . The package according to  claim 15 , wherein said opening mechanism is manually operable. 
   
   
       21 . The package according to  claim 15 , wherein said container is formed of either a rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible material. 
   
   
       22 . The package according to  claim 15 , wherein said frame and container are made as a unitary piece. 
   
   
       23 . The package according to  claim 15 , wherein said container is a thermoformed piece. 
   
   
       24 . The package according to  claim 15 , wherein said frame has an overhanging flange that partially covers an edge of said pliable sheet. 
   
   
       25 . An article of manufacture or product contained within a package, the package comprising: a container; a frame defining an opening, said frame having opposing sides; and an opening mechanism that engages slideably with said opposing sides, and said opening mechanism has an associated pliable sheet of material that covers said opening in said frame. 
   
   
       26 . A container comprising a receptacle part and a lid part, said receptacle part having a cavity for receiving stored contents in said container, said receptacle part and lid part include respective opposing portions adapted to slideably engage with one another corresponding portions to permit relative slideable movement of said lid and receptacle parts between open and closed positions, and a displaceable flap forming a cover over an aperture in said lid part, and which displaces with said slideable movement. 
   
   
       27 . The container according to  claim 26 , wherein said opposing portions one of which is in the form of a groove and another of which is in the form of an edge portion slideably engaged in said groove. 
   
   
       28 . The container according to  claim 26 , wherein said displaceable flap is secured with a sliding opening mechanism forming part of said lid part. 
   
   
       29 . The container according to  claim 26 , wherein said container has a major longitudinal axis and displaceable flap is oriented substantially inline with said major longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       30 . A packaging assembly comprising: a rigid or semi-rigid frame having two substantially parallel lateral sides or edges, an opening mechanism that slideably engages with each lateral side or edge, said opening mechanism is associated with a pliable sheet material with a seal along an interface of one side of said sheet material against a surface of a flange of said frame, and said frame forms an opening to part of a rigid cavity adapted for receiving a product article. 
   
   
       31 . The packaging assembly according to  claim 30 , wherein said product article stored within said packaging article is a sealant device for use in medical procedures. 
   
   
       32 . The package assembly according to  claim 30 , wherein said frame is substantially rectilinear. 
   
   
       33 . The package assembly according to  claim 30 , wherein said interface between said pliable sheet material and said surface of a flange is sealable along a bead pattern that includes a pointed feature, which concentrates shearing forces at an initial opening site. 
   
   
       34 . A method for opening a package article, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing a package article having a rigid or semi-rigid frame that defines an opening, an opener device that has at least two spaced-apart tabs that slideably engage with a track on either a face or an edge flange of said frame, said spaced-apart tabs are secured to a pliable sheet material which forms a part of a cover lid attached to said frame; b) moving said spaced-apart tabs along said track on said frame from one end to an opposing end of said frame; and c) retracting said pliable sheet material from an interface with said frame. 
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein said method further includes the step of reclosing or resealing said package article by performing steps b) and c) in reverse. 
   
   
       36 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein said method further includes providing instruction to a user about how to either open or close said packaging article. 
   
   
       37 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein said steps b) and c) are performed manually.