Multi-Layer Tray Dispenser Package

A box of cardboard or heavy paper or other suitable cellulosic or non-cellulosic material, preferably highly calendared, is designed to receive a plurality of trays of the same material in vertically superimposed relationship and so dimensioned that they have a length and width substantially the same as the interior size of the box. The number of trays may vary depending on the height of the box and each tray, except for the lowermost tray, is provided with upstanding side portions extending the length of the tray and between which is a corrugated-like element for the reception in a transverse direction of a succession of sealed glass ampoules, each of which contains a predetermined amount of a physiological saline solution or other pharmaceutical preparation. Due to the side members, the tray slides easily out of the box as hereinafter described, and the lowermost tray has an inturned portion on which the tray just above can slide. One end of the box is provided with lines of weakening which make it possible to form an opening through which a tray at that level can slide outwardly. Means is provided for releasably holding the box closed.

The dispenser package of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein

FIG. 1 is a disassembled view in perspective of a box and trays;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation at about the mid point of the box of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken at line 3,3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the lefthand end of the box of FIG. 1 showing the manner in which a tray is slid out of the box;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in plan showing details of the construction; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic detail view showing the manner in which the trays are arranged in the box and the removal of a tray from the box.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral 10 designates a box of calendared cardboard or other suitable material having any desired length, width and depth and made up of a bottom panel 11, end panels 12, side panels 13 and flaps 14 at the upper end of the end panels 12. Side panel 13 has a cover member 15 adapted to act as a closure for the box and the cover member 15 has a longitudinal extension 16 which, when the box is closed, is adapted to fit snugly just inside the upper edge of the side panel 13. There is a slit 17 at the juncture of members 15 and 16 about midway of the length thereof and when the box is closed, the tongue 18 cut out of the central top portion of side panel 13 fits into slit 17 to hold the box in fully closed condition for storage, shipment, etc., but the box may be readily opened when it is desired to refill the same with additional trays of ampoules. The box is suitably cut out of a blank and has a flap 19 which is secured as by adhesive or other means on the inner surface of the adjoining end panel 12.

It will also be observed from FIGS. 1 and 4 in particular that one end panel 12 is provided with lines of weakening 20 extending across the entire end panel at a level equal to the position of a second tray on a lowermost tray and these lines of weakening extend around into the adjoining side panels 13 terminating in convex ends 21. The numeral 22 designates a fold line so that the weakened portion of the end panel can be moved to a horizontal or higher position, as particularly shown in FIG. 4, whereupon the tray may be slid out of the opening thereby formed.

The trays are of any suitable number as desired and each is made up of a bottom member 23 having upstanding longitudinal side portions 24 between which a corrugated-like element 25 is disposed with the corrugations transversely arranged with respect to the length of the tray and each semicircular space is adapted to receive therein an ampoule 26 which, for the sake of example, is a conventional sealed ampoule of glass containing a predetermined quantity of physiological saline solution although it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited to glass ampoules or to physiological saline solution since other fragile containers of medicaments or other substances may be substituted. Each of the trays is constructed and arranged as shown at the upper portion of FIG. 1 and there may be 2, 3, 4 or more such trays depending on the depth of the box and the particular package desired. This results in a multi-layer tray dispenser package particularly adapted for containers of pharmaceutical preparations, and the relative arrangement of the superimposed trays will be apparent from FIG. 2. The lowermost tray, however, designated 23', while otherwise constructed the same as each already described tray 23, is provided with an inturned flat extension 27 extending the full length of the lowermost tray along one side only, as it has been found to be unnecessary to provide such flat extension at both sides of the lowermost tray since the provision of the inturned flat extension 27 serves as an adequate support on which the next upper tray may easily slide. As will be observed from FIG. 4, when the weakened portion in one of the end panels 12 is pushed out or projected away from the end panel along lines of weakening 20 and 22, it can be raised to horizontal or higher level whereupon the tray resting on the lowermost tray can be readily slid outwardly to make the ampoules or pharmaceutical containers available for removal and use. The tray can be pulled out part at a time if desired or the entire tray may be removed from the box in which latter event the trays above the tray thus removed drop down into the box a vertical distance equal to the height of the removed tray and so on with respect to additional trays, the important consideration being that the tray to be removed from the box is at the level of the opening which has been formed by the movement of the weakened portion and, of course, if desired the box could be opened and additional trays inserted so as in effect to provide a continuous supply of trays and ampoules. It will be seen, however, that this does not apply to the lowermost tray which is blocked from removal by the unprojected lowermost part of end panel 20. When it is desired to remove such tray, then the unprojected panel portion is manually moved to a horizontal position level with the bottom of the box so that the bottom tray can be removed. This is optional, however, and if desired the lowermost tray may remain more or less permanently in place or may be filled with dummy or mock ampoules or vials or other containers or simulated containers. Eventually the box may be discarded if and when desired after serving its intended purpose.