DESC:TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A Packaging Unit

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The invention generally relates to packaging units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Generally, medicines like tablets, capsules etc. are dispensed in strips which are packed in rectangular packaging boxes. Most medicines that are prescribed to adults have a high strength and higher potency. Hence, if the packaging boxes are accessed by children and the medicines are accidentally consumed by the children, it may prove to be fatal.
[003] Packaging boxes referred to as child resistant packages are now available in the market which are difficult to open by a child but relatively easy to open by an adult. Child resistant packages generally fall into one of three broad categories: vials or bottles with a child resistant cap or closure; blister packs with a removable barrier and/or a frangible push-through back; and pouches with tear-resistant material and concealed tear-notches.
[004] One type of child resistant blister package uses a card which is perforated longitudinally and has a combination of polyester film and paper which resists push through access. The card is opened by first being torn in half along a lengthwise line of perforations and then using a notch, is torn transversely to the perforation line thereby releasing the drug product. However, this type of packaging not only makes it difficult for the child to open but also is complex for the adult as well.
[005] Another packaging box with a push-pull mechanism is available, wherein opening of inner tray was only possible only if pressure was applied on the opposing walls of the outer box from the outside and the inner box was simultaneously pulled outside the outer box by means of a flap on the inner box. In such packaging boxes, the flaps get torn over a period of use, resultantly making it difficult for the adult to access the medicines.
[006] In yet another attempt, a lock and key mechanism was developed, whereby a cardboard key is used to open the packaging box. However, in case the key is misplaced, it becomes even more difficult to access the medicines by the adult.
[007] In view of the above, there is a need in the art to address at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[008] In one aspect the present invention discloses a packaging unit which comprises an outer box having an open front end; a tray adaptable within the outer box, the tray movable between a locked position and an extended position through the open front end, the tray comprises a base panel; a front wall; a rear wall; and opposing side walls, the rear wall shorter than the front wall, and the opposing side walls reduce in height as the side walls extend from the front wall to the rear wall; and a sleeve disposed between the outer box and the tray and configured to receive the tray, the sleeve comprises a top panel, a bottom panel and opposing side panels, the top panel of the sleeve has a notch protruding downwards from the top panel, and the bottom panel of the sleeve has at-least one resilient member disposed adjacent to a rear end on the bottom panel, the resilient member pushes the tray upwards causing the rear wall of the tray to be positioned adjacent to the notch of the sleeve, the notch inhibits movement of the tray by blocking the rear wall of the tray to maintain the tray in the locked position until the tray is pushed down for moving to the extended position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[009] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a packaging unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows an outer-box in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a tray in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows a sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[010] The present invention is directed towards a packaging unit having a child lock feature.
[011] Figure 1 shows a packaging unit 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The packaging unit comprises of an outer box 110, a tray 120 and a sleeve 130. The tray is slidable within the outer box between a locked position and an extended position. In the locked position the tray remains locked within the box and can be moved to the extend position by a user upon unlocking the tray from the outer box.
[012] The outer box as shown in figure 2 has an open front end 112. Further the outer box has at-least one opening 114 towards its rear end. The opening can be provided on top and/or rear side of the outer box. In an embodiment, the packaging unit can be formed of flexible material such as cardboard or paperboard with or without protective coating or layers. In another embodiment, the packaging unit can be made from rigid materials.
[013] The tray as shown in figure 3, comprises of a base panel 122, a front wall 124, a rear wall 126 and opposing side walls 128. In an embodiment, the rear wall is shorter than the front wall and the side walls have a tapering profile i.e. the side walls reduce in height as the side walls extend from the front wall to the rear wall. The tray can have one or more compartment, partitions, etc. depending upon product to be stored in the packaging unit.
[014] The sleeve is adapted/ disposed between the outer-box and the tray. The sleeve as shown in figure 4 comprises a top panel 132, a bottom panel 134 and opposing side panels 136 whereby the panels of the sleeve abut the panels of the outer box. The top panel has a notch 138 protruding downwards from the top panel. The notch is positioned adjacent to the rear wall of the tray. In an embodiment, the notch is a V-shaped notch.
[015] Further, the bottom panel of the sleeve has at-least one resilient member 140 on its bottom surface positioned adjacent to the rear end of the sleeve. As shown, the resilient member is a flexible sheet of paper ply in a folded configuration, whereby the sheet is folded along the center such that the sheet overlaps. The sheet can be folded a zig-zag configuration. The one or more resilient members causes the bottom panel towards the rear end to move between a lifted position and a lowered position. The bottom panel normally remains in the lifted position until a force is applied on the bottom panel. As shown in figure 1, the sleeve is disposed between the outer box and the tray. The sleeve in the lifted position pushes the tray upwards whereby the rear wall of the tray is positioned adjacent to the notch. The notch of the sleeve inhibits movement of the tray by blocking the rear wall of the tray to maintain the tray in the locked position. To move the tray to one of the extended positions, the tray is pushed down through the opening. In this regard, the resilient member by moving to the lowered position allows the tray to be pushed down. As the rear wall of the tray moves away from the notch, the tray can be pulled out from the outer box. Accordingly, the tray can only be moved to the extended position by pushing the tray through the opening in the outer box.
[016] The tray is slidable about the outer-box in one or more extended positions, and has one locked position which is the child-lock feature of the packaging unit. In the locked position, the tray is completely received by the outer-box. While the tray is completely received, the resilient members of the sleeve push the tray upwards (this is possible as the wall/panel of the tray towards the rear end have a smaller height). As the tray moves upwards, the rear wall is positioned adjacent to the notch of the sleeve. The notch acts as a barrier to the back panel of the tray which prevents the tray from being pulled out to any of the extended positions. To remove or unlock the tray, the opening on the top/rear panel of the outer-box allows the tray to be pressed down. Upon pressing down the tray, the tray moves away from the notch which is obstructing the tray, thereby allowing the tray to be pulled out. Accordingly, when the user desires to unlock or remove the tray from the locked position, the opening in the outer box provides access to the said portion of the tray for the user to press down the tray and then pull the tray to the extended position. The above procedure to remove the tray is difficult/complex for a child. However, easy for an adult who is aware of unlocking and capable of pulling/remove the tray when it is unlocked from the box.
[017] Advantageously, the present invention provides a packaging box having a locking feature which is complex for a child but easy for an adult to access and open. The present invention is capable of being made of paperboard or cardboard, and the construction of the packaging unit prevents the packaging box from being torn over time by usage. Further, the present invention is not dependent on external key like elements which may be lost, and hence is simple to use and also cost-effective.
[018] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A packaging unit (100) comprising:
an outer box (110) having an open front end (112);
a tray (120) adaptable within the outer box (110), the tray movable between a locked position and an extended position through the open front end (112), the tray (120) comprises a base panel (122); a front wall (124); a rear wall (126); and opposing side walls (128), the rear wall (126) shorter than the front wall (124), and the opposing side walls (128) reduce in height as the side walls extend from the front wall (124) to the rear wall (126); and
a sleeve (130) disposed between the outer box (110) and the tray (120) and configured to receive the tray (120), the sleeve (130) comprises a top panel (132), a bottom panel (134) and opposing side panels (136), the top panel (132) of the sleeve (130) has a notch (138) protruding downwards from the top panel (132), and the bottom panel (134) of the sleeve (130) has at-least one resilient member (140) disposed adjacent to a rear end on the bottom panel (134), the resilient member (140) pushes the tray (120) upwards causing the rear wall of the tray to be positioned adjacent to the notch of the sleeve (130), the notch inhibits movement of the tray by blocking the rear wall of the tray to maintain the tray in the locked position until the tray is pushed down for moving to the extended position.

2. The packaging unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panels of the sleeve (130) abut against the panels of the outer box (110).

3. The packaging unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the notch (138) is a V-shaped notch.

4. The packaging unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer box (110) comprises at least one opening (114) towards its rear end, whereby the tray (120) is accessed from the opening (114) and operated to unlock from the locked position.

5. The packaging unit (100) as claimed in claim, wherein the packaging unit can be formed of flexible material.

6. The packaging unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible material is cardboard or paperboard with or without protective coating or layers.

7. The packaging unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient member is a flexible sheet of paper ply in a folded configuration.