Package with multi-sleeve structure

Abstract

The multi-sleeve structure ( 12, 500, 700, 900, 1100 ) includes a plurality of tubular structures (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ) for receiving slide cards ( 150 ). Each of the tubular structures (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ) is defined by a plurality of walls and includes elements of a lock and release mechanism for releasably locking a slide card ( 150 ) within the tubular structure (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ).

1 . A multi-sleeve structure ( 12 ,  500 ,  700 ,  900 ,  1100 ), comprising:
 a plurality of tubular structures (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ), each tubular structure (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ) for receiving a slide card and each tubular structure (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ) being defined by a plurality of walls, at least one of the tubular structures (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ) comprising elements of a lock and release mechanism ( 54 ,  58 ,  62 ,  66 ) for releasably locking a slide card within the at least one tubular structure (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ).   
   
   
       2 . The multi-sleeve structure ( 12 ,  500 ,  700 ,  900 ,  1100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tubular structure (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ) includes a composite wall comprising an inner panel ( 28 ,  32 ,  428 ,  628 ,  828 ,  832 ,  1028 ,  1032 ,  1033 ) and an outer panel ( 20 ,  24 ,  420 ,  620 ,  820 ,  824 ,  1020 ,  1024 ) wherein the inner panel ( 28 ,  32 ,  428 ,  628 ,  828 ,  832 ,  1028 ,  1032 ,  1033 ) includes a locking aperture ( 54 ,  58 ) and the outer panel ( 20 ,  24 ,  420 ,  620 ,  820 ,  824 ,  1020 ,  1024 ) includes a release tab ( 62 ,  66 ), wherein the locking aperture ( 54 ,  58 ) and the release tab ( 62 ,  66 ) functionally align. 
   
   
       3 . The multi-sleeve structure ( 12 ,  500 ,  700 ,  900 ,  1100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein a first one of the tubular structures (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ) is hingedly connected to a second one of the tubular structures (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ). 
   
   
       4 . The multi-sleeve structure ( 12 ,  500 ,  700 ,  900 ,  1100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein adjacent tubular structures (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ) share a divider wall ( 130 ,  830 ,  1030 ,  1031 ). 
   
   
       5 . The multi-sleeve structure ( 12 ,  500 ,  700 ,  900 ,  1100 ) of  claim 3 , wherein a wall ( 520   a ,  520   b ,  624   a ,  624   b ) of the first one of the tubular structures (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ) can be disposed in flat face contact with a wall ( 520   a ,  520   b ,  624   a ,  624   b ) of the second one of the tubular structures (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ). 
   
   
       6 . The multi-sleeve structure ( 12 ,  500 ,  700 ,  900 ,  1100 ) of  claim 5 , wherein the lock and release elements ( 54 ,  58 ,  62 ,  66 ) are disposed in at least one of the walls ( 520   a ,  520   b ,  624   a ,  624   b ) of the tubular structures (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ). 
   
   
       7 . A blank ( 10 ,  400 ,  600 ,  800 ,  1000 ) for forming a multi-sleeve structure that includes a plurality of tubular structures, the blank ( 10 ,  400 ,  600 ,  800 ,  1000 ) comprising a plurality of panels for forming the walls of the tubular structures, wherein certain of the panels include a plurality of sets of elements ( 54 ,  58 ,  62 ,  66 ), wherein each set of elements ( 54 ,  58 ,  62 ,  66 ) is arranged to provide a lock and release mechanism for one of the tubular structures. 
   
   
       8 . The blank of  claim 7 , wherein the blank ( 10 ,  400 ,  600 ,  800 ,  1000 ) includes at least first inner and outer panels (P 2 , P 1 ) that can be arranged to define a composite wall of a first one of the tubular structures. 
   
   
       9 . The blank ( 10 ,  400 ,  600 ,  800 ,  1000 ) of  claim 8 , wherein the first inner and outer panels (P 2 , P 1 ) include a first set of lock and release elements ( 54 ,  58 ,  62 ,  66 ) that functionally align as the composite wall is formed. 
   
   
       10 . The blank ( 10 ,  400 ,  600 ,  800 ,  1000 ) of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of panels comprises:
 a first set of panels (S 1 ) for forming a first tubular structure, the first set of panels (S 1 ) comprising a first outer panel (P 1 ) and a first inner panel (P 2 ) that define a composite wall of the first tubular structure; and   a second set of panels (S 2 ) for forming a second tubular structure, the second set of panels comprising a second outer panel (P 1 ) and a second inner panel (P 2 ) that define a composite wall of the second tubular structure.   
   
   
       11 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein one of the panels of the first set of panels (S 1 ) is hingedly connected to one of the panels of the second set of panels (S 2 ). 
   
   
       12 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein one of the panels of each of the first and second sets (S 1 , S 2 ) is hingedly connected to a spine panel ( 643 ). 
   
   
       13 . The blank of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of panels comprises:
 a plurality of outer panels (P 1 ) for forming the outer walls of the multi-sleeve structure;   a plurality of inner panels ( 28 ,  32 ) that define composite portions of the outer walls, two of said inner panels being hingedly connected to a divider panel ( 30 ), wherein the divider panel extends between the outer walls as the multi-sleeve structure is erected.   
   
   
       14 . A package comprising:
 at least one slide card ( 150 ) for holding articles; and   A multi sleeve structure ( 12 ,  500 ,  700 ,  900 ,  1100 ) comprising a plurality of tubular structures (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ), each tubular structure (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ) for receiving a slide card ( 150 ) and each tubular structure (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ) being defined by a plurality of walls, at least one of the tubular structures (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ) comprising elements of a lock and release mechanism for releasably locking a slide card ( 150 ) within the at least one tubular structure (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ).   
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein said slide card further comprises a blister pack. 
   
   
       16 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein said slide card further comprises means for receiving items.