Package with Primary and Ancillary Item Compartments

Abstract

The present invention is a package for retaining both a primary item and one or more ancillary items to be utilized with the primary item therein. The package includes an inner container disposed within an outer container that has first and second compartments therein within which the primary item and ancillary items can be positioned. Positioning both the primary item and ancillary items in a single inner container within the package maintains the items together while of the package is being opened, to prevent the misplacement of the ancillary items. Additionally, the primary and ancillary items are positioned on the inner container in a manner which allows for easy viewing both each item on the inner container through one or more transparent portions of the outer container, inner container and ancillary item container.

1 . A package comprising:
 a) a first container having a first compartment for retaining a primary item therein and a second compartment spaced from the first compartment; and   b) an ancillary container configured to be positioned within the second compartment.   
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the first container includes a tray member that defines the first compartment and a support member disposed at one end of the tray member that defines the second compartment. 
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 2  wherein the tray member and the support member are integrally formed. 
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 2  wherein the support member includes a rear support wall, a support panel secured to and positioned inwardly from the rear support wall, and at least one support flap extending between the rear support wall and the support panel to define the second compartment between the rear support wall and the support panel. 
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 4  wherein the at least one support flap has a length approximately equal to the width of the ancillary container, such that the second compartment has approximately the same depth as the ancillary container. 
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 4  wherein the support panel and at least one support flap are positioned on the rear support wall above the tray member and separate the first compartment from the second compartment. 
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 4  further comprising at least one locking member on the at least one support flap that is engageable with the support panel. 
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 7  wherein the at least one locking member is formed as a tab on the at least one support flap that is engageable within a slot formed in the support panel. 
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 4  further comprising a number of support flaps disposed on the rear support wall around a periphery of an aperture in the rear support wall. 
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 2  wherein the tray member and the support member are joined to one another by a pair of opposed side walls that slope upwardly from the tray member to the support member. 
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 1  further comprising a second container within which the first container and the ancillary container are positioned. 
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the second container is formed at least partially of a generally transparent material. 
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 1  further comprising a second container disposed within the first compartment of the first container. 
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the ancillary container is formed at least partially of a generally transparent material to enable ancillary items positioned therein to be viewed to determine the condition and proper orientation of the ancillary items. 
   
   
       15 . A package comprising:
 a) a first container having a first compartment for retaining a primary item therein and a second compartment spaced from the first compartment;   b) an ancillary container configured to be positioned within the second compartment; and   c) a second container within which the first container and the ancillary container are positioned, wherein the first container includes a tray member that defines the first compartment and a support member disposed at one end of the tray member that defines the second compartment.   
   
   
       16 . The package of  claim 15  wherein the support member includes a rear support wall, a support panel secured to and positioned inwardly from the rear support wall, and at least one support flap extending between the rear support wall and the support panel to define the second compartment between the rear support wall and the support panel. 
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 16  further comprising at least one locking member on the at least one support flap that is engageable with the support panel. 
   
   
       18 . The package of  claim 15  wherein the second container is formed at least partially of a generally transparent material. 
   
   
       19 . A method for forming a package containing both a primary item and a number of ancillary items, the method comprising:
 a) providing a first container having a first compartment for retaining a primary item therein and a second compartment spaced from the first compartment, the first container including a tray member that defines the first compartment and a support member disposed at one end of the tray member that defines the second compartment, and an ancillary container formed at least partially of a generally transparent material and configured to be positioned within the second compartment;   b) placing the inner container on a transport device;   c) positioning the primary item within the first compartment at a first location;   d) positioning the ancillary container within the second compartment at a second location; and   e) determining if the primary item and the ancillary container are in the proper locations within the inner container.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of placing the inner container within a second container that is formed at least partially of a generally transparent material after determining if the primary item and the ancillary container are in the proper locations.