Containers with inserts

Abstract

A container assembly for storing one or more arrays of flat elongate articles is provided. The assembly includes a container body having a base, a sidewall extending vertically from the base, a dispensing opening and an interior space. The container further includes a lid optionally linked to the container body by a hinge. The lid is configured to seat on the container body and cover the dispensing opening when the lid is closed. The assembly further includes an insert disposed within the interior space of the container body. The insert is adapted to hold at least one array of flat elongate articles in a generally vertical and optionally slightly slanted storage position. The insert includes a platform adapted to hold a first flat elongate article in an array higher than an adjacent second flat elongate article in the same array.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A moisture tight container assembly for storing one or more arrays of flat elongate articles, the assembly comprising:
 a container body having a base, a sidewall extending vertically from the base, a dispensing opening and an interior space;   a lid linked to the container body by a hinge, the lid configured to seat on the container body and cover the dispensing opening when the lid is closed, wherein the lid and container body comprise complementary sealing surfaces which, when the lid is closed, provide a moisture tight seal; and   an insert disposed within the interior space of the container body, the insert being configured to hold at least one array of flat elongate articles in a generally vertical storage position, the insert comprising a platform adapted to hold a first flat elongate article in an array higher than an adjacent second flat elongate article in the same array.   
     
     
         2 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , the insert comprising at least one array of flat elongate articles held in a storage position. 
     
     
         3 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flat elongate articles are blood glucose test strips. 
     
     
         4 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , the platform comprising a surface geometry selected from the group consisting of: v-shaped, convex, concave, stepped and slanted. 
     
     
         5 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lid has a vaulted underside. 
     
     
         6 . The container assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the ends of the array of articles protrude above the dispensing opening when in storage position and into the vaulted space in the underside of the lid when the lid is closed. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the platform is in a first position to hold at least one array of articles in a storage position when the lid is closed, the platform being vertically moveable to a higher second position when the lid is opened to hold the at least one array of articles in a retrieval position. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a desiccant material communicating with the interior space. 
     
     
         11 . A moisture tight container assembly for storing one or more arrays of flat elongate articles, the assembly comprising:
 a container body having a base, a sidewall extending vertically from the base, a dispensing opening and an interior space;   a lid linked to the container body by a hinge, the lid configured to seat on the container body and cover the dispensing opening when the lid is closed, wherein the lid and container body comprise complementary sealing surfaces which, when the lid is closed, provide a moisture tight seal; and   an insert disposed within the interior space of the container body, the insert being configured to hold and stagger at least three arrays of flat elongate articles in a generally vertical storage position at three different respective heights.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The container assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the storage position is slightly slanted. 
     
     
         14 . The container assembly of  claim 11 , the insert comprising at least three arrays of flat elongate articles, wherein the at least three arrays are held in a generally vertical storage position at three different respective heights relative to one another. 
     
     
         15 . The container assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the storage position is slightly slanted. 
     
     
         16 . The container assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the flat elongate articles are blood glucose test strips. 
     
     
         17 . The container assembly of  claim 14 , the insert comprising a platform supporting each array of flat elongate articles, the platform comprising a surface geometry selected from the group consisting of: v-shaped, convex, concave, stepped and slanted. 
     
     
         18 . The container assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the lid has a vaulted underside and wherein the ends of the arrays of articles protrude above the dispensing opening when in storage position and into the vaulted space in the underside of the lid when the lid is closed.