Packaging system with lockable easy load inner sleeve

Abstract

An inner sleeve having an interior chamber comprised of a bottom panel ( 12 ), a top panel ( 14 ), a pair of side panels ( 16,18 ) and a sealed front end formed by a pair of front closure panels ( 28, 30 ) and a pair of front closure flaps ( 32, 34 ). A locking flap ( 36 ) extends from the opposite end of the bottom panel and can be folded back over the bottom panel such that it will catch when inserted into an outer sleeve. An internal glue flap forms a barrier preventing contents inserted into the inner sleeve from inadvertently slipping out the rear end. A retaining flap ( 26 ) extends from the opposite end of the top panel and can be folded inward to create a one way gate that allows a blister pack to be inserted into the interior chamber without allowing it to be withdrawn.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . An inner sleeve having an interior chamber comprised of:
 a bottom panel, a top panel, and a pair of side panels that define the body of the inner sleeve;   a first front closure panel extending from one end of the bottom panel and a second front closure panel extending from one end of the top panel;   first and second front closure flaps extending from the side panels such that a sealed front end is formed when the first and second front closure panels and the first and second front closure flaps are folded inward and adhered together;   a locking flap extending from the opposite end of the bottom panel, the locking flap folded back over the bottom panel such that it will catch when inserted into an outer sleeve; and   a retaining flap extending from the opposite end of the top panel, the retaining flap folded inward to create a one way gate that allows a blister pack to be inserted into the interior chamber without allowing it to be withdrawn.   
     
     
         5 . The inner sleeve of  claim 4  wherein the top panel further includes a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         6 . The inner sleeve of  claim 4  wherein the bottom panel further includes a plurality of closed loop perforations. 
     
     
         7 . A paperboard blank for forming a lockable inner sleeve for housing a blister pack comprising:
 a bottom panel including a bottom panel locking flap extending from one end of the bottom panel;   a top panel including a plurality of crease lines that define a pair of side panels, a pair of side glue flaps, a rear panel, a front panel, a front panel glue flap, a top panel glue flap, and a top panel locking flap.   
     
     
         8 . The paperboard blank of  claim 7  wherein the top panel further includes a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         9 . The paperboard blank of  claim 7  wherein the bottom panel further includes a plurality of closed loop perforations. 
     
     
         10 . An inner sleeve having an interior chamber comprised of:
 a bottom panel including a bottom panel locking flap extending from one end of the bottom panel;   a top panel including a plurality of crease lines that define a pair of side panels, a pair of side glue flaps, a rear panel, a front panel, a front panel glue flap, a top panel glue flap, and a top panel locking flap, wherein   the top panel is folded along the crease lines such that the side panels, front panel, and rear panel extend downward approximately ninety degrees with respect to the top panel and the top glue flap, side glue flaps, and rear glue flap extend outward approximately ninety degrees with respect to the respective side panels, front panel, and rear panel such that the top glue flap, side glue flaps, and rear glue flap are parallel to the top panel, and   wherein the folded top panel is adhered to the bottom panel such that the front end is sealed and the rear end and top and bottom locking flaps remain unsealed such that a blister pack can be inserted into the interior chamber of the inner sleeve before sealing the rear end and top and bottom locking flaps,   the sealed locking flaps are capable of being folded back over the inner sleeve such that it will catch when inserted into an outer sleeve.   
     
     
         11 . The inner sleeve of  claim 10  wherein the top panel further includes a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         12 . The inner sleeve of  claim 10  wherein the bottom panel further includes a plurality of closed loop perforations. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An inner sleeve having an interior chamber comprised of:
 a bottom panel, a top panel, a pair of side panels, and a side panel glue flap that define the body of the inner sleeve;   a first front closure panel extending from one end of the bottom panel and a second front closure panel extending from one end of the top panel;   a locking flap extending from the opposite end of the bottom panel; and   an internal glue flap that forms a barrier preventing contents inserted into the inner sleeve from inadvertently slipping out the rear end.   
     
     
         17 . The inner sleeve of  claim 16  wherein the top panel further includes a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         18 . The inner sleeve of  claim 16  wherein the bottom panel further includes a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         19 . The inner sleeve of  claim 16  wherein the first and second front closure flaps extend from the side panels such that a sealed front end is formed when the first and second front closure panels and the first and second front closure flaps are folded inward and adhered together. 
     
     
         20 . The inner sleeve of  claim 16  wherein the locking flap is folded back over the bottom panel such that it will catch when inserted into an outer sleeve. 
     
     
         21 . The paperboard blank of  claim 7  wherein the bottom panel further comprises a first front closure panel extending from one end of the bottom panel and a locking flap extending from the opposite end of the bottom panel. 
     
     
         22 . The paperboard blank of  claim 7  wherein the top panel further includes a second front closure panel extending from one end of the top panel and a retaining flap extending from the opposite end of the top panel. 
     
     
         23 . the paperboard blank of  claim 7  further comprising a pair of side panels each including a front closure flap extending from one end, one of the side panels connected to and situated between the top and bottom panels and a glue flap attached to the side panel that is not situated between the top and bottom panels.