DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a packaging product to be used for carrying items. Specifically, said invention relates to a packaging design with an incorporated hand disinfectant, enabling user to disinfect their hands before/while/after accessing the item placed within the packaging product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The advent of the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (or COVID-19) has been attributed to the direct and indirect physical contact of infected persons with others. This has led to reasonable apprehension among the public, that even if the content of a packaging may have been placed in a controlled and sanitary environment, there is a distinct possibility that a COVID-19 infected person may have had physical contact with the outer surface of said packaging, eventually contributing to the spread of the pathogen or contagion or any other contaminant. There is hence a need to minimize direct and indirect physical contact while handling the packaging, along with the possibility of disinfecting one’s hands before accessing and handling the contents of the said packaging.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
The object of this invention is to minimize transfer of pathogen and other contaminants from the outer surface of a packaging to end-user by way of enabling access to the contents within said packaging with minimal physical contact and exposing one’s hands to disinfectants incorporated in said packaging, before/while/after accessing its contents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is achieved by a packaging of the claim 1.

The packaging has at least two walls and optionally a base. The walls and optionally the base forms an enclosure to disallow access within the packaging. The packaging includes an opening mechanism which facilitates opening of the packaging by at least one of the following ways. In one way, the opening mechanism facilitates in either complete disintegration or partial disintegration of one or more of walls. In another way, the opening mechanism facilitates in decoupling of corresponding edges of at least one of the walls and the adjacent walls and/or the base. In yet another way, the opening mechanism facilitates to allow decoupling and moving of two corresponding edges of a first set of opposite walls, such that a maximum allowable distance between the two corresponding edges shall be more than a breadth of the base, wherein the maximum allowable distance is defined as a distance to which the two corresponding edges can move while keeping the walls intact to the adjacent walls. Even combination of any two or all the three ways is possible in certain embodiments of the packaging. Such an opening mechanism helps to minimize contact points between end consumers of the content inside the packaging, and the packaging itself.

According to one embodiment of the packaging, wherein a second set of opposite walls, which are connected to the first set of opposite walls, has concertinaed structure, so as to allow folding of these second set of opposite walls, in such a way to bring the two corresponding edges in a closing position, and allows unfolding of these second set of opposite walls to move away the two corresponding edges from each other. Such a packaging provides a wider access to inside of the packaging to easily get the content of the packaging out, without requiring further need to touch external surface of the packaging as a support to empty out the packaging.

According to another embodiment of the packaging, wherein the second set of opposite walls has corresponding central folds which extends with respect to other folds. Such extended central folds help in easily seal the packaging after placement of the contents inside the packaging.

According to yet another embodiment of the packaging, wherein at least two of the adjacent walls, or the base with at least one of the adjacent walls, can be attached together at least one of the corresponding edges using a sealing mechanism. The opening mechanism facilitates opening of the packaging at the sealing formed by the sealing mechanism. This embodiment provides one of the ways to seal and open a packaging.

According to one embodiment of the packaging, wherein the sealing mechanism uses repositionable adhesive to seal at least one of the corresponding edges of two of the adjacent walls, or the base and at least one of the adjacent walls. This embodiment provides one of the user-friendly ways for the sealing and opening of the packaging.

According to another embodiment of the packaging, wherein the opening mechanism comprises one or more series of perforations formed in a line, such that when a force is applied near to an area on the package where series of perforation are provided, the walls or the base disintegrates to provide access within the enclosure of the packaging. This embodiment provides a user-friendly way to open a packaging to access content inside the packaging.

According to yet another embodiment of the packaging, the packaging includes one or more utilities attached to the packaging or part of the packaging and are functionally coupled to the opening mechanism, such that when a force is applied to the utility than the opening mechanism is effectuated to facilitate opening of the packaging. Such utilities further helps to limit touch points of the consumer to the external surface of the packaging while opening the packaging.

According to one embodiment of the packaging, the packaging includes a sanitizing means made of puncturable material, adapted to encapsulate a sanitizer, and is attached to the utility, such that when the force is applied on to the utility to effectuate the opening mechanism, the same force is also applied onto the sanitizing means to puncture the sanitizing means. Provision of sanitizing mechanism helps to further protect the consumer from any pathogen while accessing the utilities to open the packaging.

According to another embodiment of the packaging, wherein the utilities are provided in form of handles for the packaging, and the sanitizing means is attached to the handles or housed inside the handles. Such handles further help in handling while handing over the packaging to consumer, and are also helpful to open the packaging.

According to yet another embodiment of the packaging, the packaging includes a set of first cut outs in a pair of extensions extending from the corresponding edges of the two opposite walls of the packaging, such the set of first cut outs forms the handle, and one or more second cut outs provided around one or both of the handles, such that the sanitizing means is housed in one or more of the second cut outs. This helps to provide not just easy mechanism to carry the packaging, but also provides for secure placement of sanitizing means.

According to one embodiment of the packaging, the packaging includes a frame which has the utilities and it wraps around at least the first set of the opposite walls and the base of the packaging. While carrying and handling the packaging from handles extending or stuck to the packaging, the chances increase for tearing of the packaging. Hence such external frame further helps in securing the packaging.

According to another embodiment of the packaging, the packaging includes an exposed external surface which is either part of the base of the packaging or coupled to the base of the packaging or part of the frame or coupled to the frame. The exposed external surface has one or more protrusions, such that when the packaging is placed on a placement surface, the one or more protrusions comes in contact to placement surface. This further helps to reduce touch points between the external surface and the placement surface, which further reduces transfer of pathogens between the surfaces.

According to yet another embodiment of the packaging, wherein the one or more protrusions are formed by ridges provided on the exposed external surface. This embodiment provides an effective and efficient way of providing protrusions.

According to one embodiment of the packaging, wherein the one or more protrusions are provided at the edges or corners, or both, of the exposed external surface. This limits the number of protrusions, while still allowing the packaging to balance well on the protrusions.

According to another embodiment of the packaging, wherein the packaging includes an opening through which an item is adapted to be placed inside the packaging. The packaging further includes a securing means to secure the opening of the packaging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 illustrates a packaging widely opened, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 illustrates the packaging of Fig. 1 in a closed/ sealed state.
Fig. 3 illustrates another packaging having handles.
Fig. 4 illustrates a frame which can be used along a packaging, according another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 5 illustrates a part of the frame of Fig. 4, showing sanitizing means provided inside a cut-out of the handle of the frame.
Fig. 6 illustrates pulling out of the sanitizing means shown in Fig. 5 for further usage.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

Fig. 1 shows a packaging 1 with a wide and maximum possible opening of the packaging. While Fig. 2 shows the packaging 1 in a sealed position, so as to disallow access inside of the packaging 1. The items can be further placed inside the widely opened packaging 1 and further the opening is sealed, as shown in Fig. 2. The packaging 1 consists of four walls 2, a first set of opposite walls 6, and a second set of opposite walls 7. The first set of opposite walls 6 are placed adjacent to the second set of opposite walls 7. These walls 6, 7 can be either formed by single piece of continuous sheet or can be made by sealing one or more sheets. The first set of opposite walls 6 are provided with an opening mechanism 4 which is provided in form of flanges running on to free edges 5 of the first set of opposite walls 6. In furtherance, the free edges 5 of the first set of opposite walls 6 can be sealed together by using repositionable adhesive provided onto the edges 5, as shown in Fig. 2. Once sealed, a user has to apply force onto the flanges 4 to pull apart the edges 5, so that the edges 5 can move farthest away from each other, as shown in Fig. 1 to provide a wider opening of the packaging 1, so that the user can access inside of the packaging 1 without touching external surface of the packaging 1. It is pertinent to be noted that a maximum allowable distance between the two edges 5 shall be more than a breadth of the base 3. The maximum allowable distance is defined as a distance to which the two edges 5 can move while keeping the walls 2 intact to the adjacent walls.

The outer surface of the packaging 1 is susceptible to exposure to various pathogens and contaminants during its transit to the end-user, while the inner surface is generally facing, or in touch, or in proximity to the contents inside the packaging. Hence, it is significant to avoid touching of the outer surface while opening and accessing inside of the packaging 1 as much as possible.

The structure of the packaging 1, as shown in Fig. 1, has the ability to expand the opening and also taper to seal itself, as shown in Fig. 2, in order to isolate the packaging 1 inside to save the packaging 1 from any possible contaminants present in the external environment.

The packaging 1 is constructed with a wider opening so as to make it more accessible to the end-user, and at the same time reducing the chances of the end-user coming in physical contact with the outer surface of the packaging 1, which in turn helps reduce the chances of contamination of the hands of the end-user.

As shown in Fig. 1, the second set of opposite walls 7 of the packaging 1 are made up of folded/lenticular/ concertinaed construction which help the second set of opposite walls 7 to fold for allowing edges 5 to be in closing position and to unfold the two edges 5 away from each other. The central fold 8 is slightly elongated with respect to other folds of the second set of opposite walls 7, which helps in sealing the sides more easily. The sealing flanges 5 have a pointed end which help in aligning the packaging while sealing. In one embodiment, provisions for inbuilt handles can also provided, so that to provision for comfortable carrying of the packaging.

Fig. 3 shows the packaging 1 which has inbuilt handles 9 which also works as opening mechanism 4. Additionally, the packaging 1 is shown to have a base 3 which is also one of an exposed external surface 15. The base 3 is shown have multiple ridges 16 which protrudes from the base 3. These ridges enable even distribution of the weight of the packaging 1 on the base 3 without deformation, and also reduces the contact area of the base 1 to a placement surface on which the packaging 1 is to be kept, significantly reducing the contact area and hence the probability of contamination of the base 3 of the packaging 1. In one embodiment, a flat board like structure with attached ridges/triangular ribs 16 can be attached to the base 4 of the packaging separately by way of adhesives or any other means.

Fig. 4 shows a frame 14 which is wrapped around the first set of the opposite walls 6 and the base 3. The frame 14 also has a pair of extensions 12, which is having a first set of cut outs 11 and a second set of cut outs 13. The first set of cutouts 11 work makes construction for handles 9, so that the user can put across the fingers in the first set of cut outs 11 and to hold the extensions 12. The method of attachment of the frame 14 to the packaging 1 could vary from adhesive to any other means. The second set of cut outs 13 is having a provision to attach a sanitizing mean 10 having a sanitizing agent inside it. The sanitizing means 10 can be in the form of pellet or capsule. The second set of cut outs 13 secures the sanitizing means 10 in place, and at the same time giving it enough protection to avoid any accidental damage. This sanitizing means 10 can be utilised by the end-user before/while/after handling the packaging 1 and its contents within.

The frame 14 that wraps the packaging 1 helps strengthen the packaging 1. The frame 14 can be made of materials such as paper and cardboard, but may be made out of any other material as well. The frame 14 has protrusions 16 as ridges. When the frame 14 wraps around the packaging 1, the protrusions 16 gets located below the base of the packaging 1. In alternate embodiments, the ridges 16 can be externally attached to the frame 14, or a flat board like structure with attached ridges/triangular ribs 16 can be attached to the frame 14 separately by way of adhesives or any other means.

Fig. 5 shows constructional features of the second set of cut outs 13 provided in the extension 12 of the frame 14, above the first set of cut outs 11. The sanitizing means 10 is shown to be securely placed in a provision provided in the cut outs 13. In the figure it's shown that the sanitizing means 10 has an extended ribbon which is held in its place by folding the second set of cut out 13 of the handle cavity inwards and pasting it to the handle 9 itself. Said extendable ribbon can be used to pull apart the packaging sealing, enabling end-user to open the packaging. In an alternate embodiment, the sanitizing means can be provided in any other location in the handle or in proximity to the handle. Fig. 5 shows the possible orientations for the sanitizing means 10 and the handle 9. For ease of explaining only one sanitizing means 10 is shown, however there will be two sanitizing means 10 in a packaging involving two hand operation. The consumer will be given the ability to peel off the secured sanitizing means 10 from the cut out 11, which they can use to disinfect their hands by applying recommended pressure on the sanitizing means 10, thereby exposing the palms of the hands to the sanitizing agent. The packaging 1 can then be opened along the edges 5 by pulling apart the ribbons 17 attached to the sanitizing means 10, as shown in Fig. 6. This process reduces the chance of cross-contamination. Advantage of keeping the sanitizing means 10 above the first set of cut outs 11 shall keep the sanitizing means 10 away from touching any of the contaminated surface, even after using it.

In an alternate embodiment, the constructional features of the packaging 1 are provided in such a way that the packaging 1 can be opened by completely or partially collapse/ disintegrate two or more walls of the packaging 1, or by decoupling of corresponding edges of at least one of the walls and an adjacent wall and/or the base 3.

The sanitizing agent can be alcohol-based or non-alcohol-based hand disinfectant. To use the sanitizing agent, the sanitizing means is required to be broken/punctured by way of application of pressure, to access the hand disinfectant, which can be thoroughly applied on the end-user’s hand, before/while/after accessing the contents within said packaging.

In an alternate embodiment, a packaging with non-tapered box structure can be provided, which allows better storage volume. A provision for safe handling for disposal of the packaging can be provided by enabling the end-user to fold the packaging inside-out. A handle can also provide inside at the base of said packaging for easy handling.

In one embodiment, to facilitate the opening of the packaging, To enable opening of the packaging by tab(s) can be provided, and the packaging can be opened by pulling the tab(s). The edges of the walls of the packaging can be attached using adhesives which would give sufficient strength to the walls of the packaging to remain intact while the packaging is in transit, and also opens easily when reasonable pulling force is applied on the flanges through the tab, allowing access to the contents within the packaging. Another mechanism to open the packaging would be to incorporate one or more series of perforations formed in a line, such that when a force is applied near to an area on the packaging where series of perforation are provided, the walls or the base disintegrates to provide access within the enclosure of the packaging. It is to be noted that any other user-friendly mechanism can also be provided for the opening of the packaging, such as but not limited to, providing magnetic mechanism along the seam/edges of the walls of the packaging, or hook-and-loop fasteners along the seam of the walls of the packaging, or a zipper along seam of the walls of the packaging, or any such user-friendly detachable mechanism which can enable the packaging walls to easily collapse.

In another embodiment, there can be mechanical or electro-mechanical trigger mechanism for opening a packaging, wherein an end-user may have to simply provide a signal to said trigger which would then begin the process of collapsing the walls of said packaging automatically. In yet another embodiment, the opening mechanism can be made free of any physical contact by end-user, where the signal can be utilised to trigger the mechanisms remotely from a distance, utilizing various known mechanisms such as, but not limited to, Quick Response (QR) code, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags, Barcode, and Internet of Things (IoT).

It is pertinent to note that the packaging need not necessarily have handles. Said packaging can incorporate any mechanism which many enable wide opening an edge of the packaging on application of reasonable pulling force. Furthermore, the packaging need not necessarily be in a triangular prism shape. Packaging designs can include any and all forms of platonic solids, which may consist of any or all of the features that have been mentioned in this specification.

In another embodiment, the packaging need not have triangular ridges as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, rather any other kind of geometrical protrusions or extensions from the exposed surface of the packaging can be provided, which, when placing the said packaging on an exposed external surface, will ensure that the majority bottom surface area of the packaging is not in physical contact with said exposed external surface. Said protrusions can include, but not limited to, leg like extrusions at the vertices of the base of said packaging, such that the base will not have physical contact with the exposed external surface, and a notched base such that only the base edges of the packaging are in physical contact with said exposed external surface.

The packaging can be made of materials such as, but not limited to, paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, or any composition thereof. Said packaging may also comprise of environment-friendly materials such as biodegradable and recyclable materials. Said packaging material can also be of food-grade quality adhering to relevant local and international packaging standards. Said packaging can be single layered or multi-layered comprising of one or more types of materials, which may also adhere to relevant local and international packaging standards. The alcohol based or non-alcohol-based sanitizing agent housing/ pellet/ capsule can be made of soft, crushable materials such as, but not limited to, flexible plastics.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
1. Packaging
2. Wall
3. Base
4. Opening mechanism
5. Corresponding edges
6. First set of Opposite walls
7. Second set of Opposite walls
8. Central folds
9. Utility/Handle
10. Sanitizing means
11. Set of first cut outs
12. Pair of Extensions
13. Second cut out
14. Frame
15. Exposed external surface
16. Protrusions/ Ridges
17. Ribbon
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A packaging (1) having at least two walls (2) and optionally a base (3), wherein the walls (2) and optionally the base (3), are adapted to form an enclosure to disallow access within the packaging (1), the packaging (1) comprising:
- an opening mechanism (4) is adapted to facilitate opening of the packaging by:
- either complete disintegration or partial disintegration of one or more of walls (2), or
- decoupling of corresponding edges (5) of at least one of the walls (2) and an adjacent wall and/or the base (3), or
- to allow decoupling and moving of two corresponding edges (5) of a first set of opposite walls (6), such that a maximum allowable distance between the two corresponding edges (5) shall be more than a breadth of the base (3), wherein the maximum allowable distance is defined as a distance to which the two corresponding edges (5) can move while keeping the walls (2) intact to the adjacent walls, or
combination thereof.

2. The packaging (1) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein a second set of opposite walls (7), which are connected to the first set of opposite walls (6), has concertinaed structure, so as to allow folding of these second set of opposite walls (7), in such a way to bring the two corresponding edges (6) in a closing position, and to allow unfolding of these second set of opposite walls (7) to move away the two corresponding edges (5) from each other.

3. The packaging (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second set of opposite walls (7) has corresponding central folds (8) which extends with respect to other folds.

4. The packaging (1) as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein at least two of the adjacent walls (2), or the base (3) with at least one of the adjacent walls (2), are adapted to be attached together at least one of the corresponding edges using a sealing mechanism, wherein the opening mechanism (4) is adapted to facilitate opening of the packaging (1) at the sealing formed by the sealing mechanism.

5. The packaging (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sealing mechanism uses repositionable adhesive to seal at least one of the corresponding edges (5) of two of the adjacent walls (2), or the base (3) and at least one of the adjacent walls (2).

6. The packaging (1) as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening mechanism (4) comprises one or more series of perforations formed in a line, such that when a force is applied near to an area on the packaging (1) where series of perforation are provided, the walls (2) or the base (4) disintegrates to provide access within the enclosure of the packaging (1).

7. The packaging (1) as claimed in claims 1 to 6 comprising:
- one or more utilities (9) attached to the packaging (1) or part of the packaging (1) and are functionally coupled to the opening mechanism (4), such that when a force is applied to the utility (9) than the opening mechanism (4) is effectuated to facilitate opening of the packaging (1).

8. The packaging (1) as claimed in claim 7 comprising:
- a sanitizing means (10) made of puncturable material, adapted to encapsulate a sanitizer, and is attached to the utility (9), such that when the force is applied on to the utility (9) to effectuate the opening mechanism (4), the same force is also applied onto the sanitizing means (10) to puncture the sanitizing means (10).

9. The packaging (1) as claimed in claims 7 or 8, wherein the utilities (9) are provided in form of handles for the packaging (1), and the sanitizing means (10) is attached to the handles (9) or housed inside the handles (9).

10. The packaging (1) as claimed in claim 9 comprising:
- a set of first cut outs (11) in a pair of extensions (12) extending from the corresponding edges (5) of the two opposite walls of the packaging (1), such the set of first cut outs (11) forms the handle (9), and
- one or more second cut outs (13) provided around one or both of the handles (9), such that the sanitizing means (10) is housed in one or more of the second cut outs (13).

11. The packaging (1) as claimed in the claims 1 to 10 comprising:
- a frame (14) comprising the utilities (9) and adapted to be wrapped around at least the first set of the opposite walls (6) and the base (3) of the packaging (1).

12. The packaging (1) as claimed in the claims 1 to 11 comprises an exposed external surface (15) which is either part of the base (3) of the packaging (1) or coupled to the base (3) of the packaging (1) or part of the frame (14) or coupled to the frame (14), wherein the exposed external surface (15) comprises one or more protrusions (16), such that when the packaging (1) is placed on a placement surface, the one or more protrusions (16) comes in contact to placement surface.

13. The packaging (1) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the one or more protrusions (16) are formed by ridges provided on the exposed external surface (15).

14. The packaging (1) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the one or more protrusions (16) are provided at the edges or corners, or both, of the exposed external surface (15).

15. The packaging (1) as claimed in the claims 1 to 14 comprises:
- an opening through which an item is adapted to be placed inside the packaging, and
- a securing means to secure the opening of the packaging.

Dated this 8th Day of June 2020 Signature:
Name: Raj Latha Kotni
Applicant’s Agent
Patent Agent No: IN/PA-1081