WO2010015638A1

WO2010015638A1 - Child resistant package

Info

Publication number: WO2010015638A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/060116
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anna Witteman
Original assignee: Organon NV
Current assignee: Organon NV
Priority date: 2008-08-04
Filing date: 2009-08-04
Publication date: 2010-02-11
Anticipated expiration: 2011-02-04

Abstract

A package is formed by a sleeve, first and second members slideably mounted within said sleeve and a connecting mechanism operatively connecting the members. On moving the first member out of the sleeve in a first direction the second member moves out of the sleeve in a second direction. In order to provide child resistance, a blocking mechanism is provided comprising inter-engaging surfaces within the package, substantially preventing movement of the first or second member. The sleeve is resilient and can be deformed to release the inter- engaging surfaces.

Description

CHILD RESISTANT PACKAGE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates generally to packages and more particularly to packages that involve the use of a sleeve and a tray that slides within the sleeve. In particular the tray can be used to house a pharmaceutical or like products.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] Many different types of boxes or packages are available in the market. One particular type comprises a tray and a pull-out tab member inside a tubular sleeve defining a through passage. The tray and tab are linked by a mechanism such that when the tab member is pulled out of the sleeve in a first direction, the tray slides out in the opposite direction. Examples of this package type are disclosed in WO98/24696, GB 304,449 and WO 00/38999 and will be henceforth referred to in this application as pop-out packages. These boxes or packages can be used to house products such as CDs, confectionary, or pharmaceuticals. The present invention is directed primarily to adaptations of such pop-out packages, particularly of the type of package disclosed in WO 00/38999.

[0003] In certain fields of use it is desirable that packages are child-resistant. Child resistance is a feature that is particularly desired for packaging pharmaceutical tablets, pills, capsules or the like. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has standardized a criteria for Child-Resistant (F=I) and Senior Friendly packages. To satisfy the F=I criterion it is required that 80% of 200 children aged 42 to 51 months, are unable to open the package after two periods of five minutes, one before and one after a silent demonstration on how to open it. In addition to child resistance, it is also desirable that the package is senior friendly so as to permit easy withdrawal of the items from the package with minimum manipulation.

[0004] Child resistant packages are already known in the prior art using e.g. blister packs, which is a typical type of packaging for pharmaceutical items or products. These may comprise, in their basic form, a blister sheet having blister pockets formed therein, each pocket normally being designed to retain a single pharmaceutical product. Secured to the back of the blister sheet is a rupturable foil layer, which is arranged to form a continuous cover over the blister pockets. An example of a child-resistant blister pack is US 2007/0221534 which comprises a reinforcing layer of a paperboard material adhered to the rupturable foil layer. Another example is disclosed in EP 0771737 Bl, which describes a pack that provides a backing sheet that cannot be ruptured. The backing sheet comprises a heat seal layer, a foil layer, a layer of polyester of other strong polymer material and an outer paper layer for printing. The backing sheet has a nearly invisible score cut as an opening feature to let the package be opened by peeling off of the backing sheet, use of the opening feature requiring the cognitive skills of an adult.

[0005] Blister packs or trays including pharmaceutical or like items are often inserted within an outer sleeve for safely storing and protecting the items therein. The outer sleeve may include child-resistant features. WO 2005/049437 discloses a package that uses a locking mechanism between the sleeve and the tray. For release of the locking mechanism the outer sleeve may have one or more holes that require the hand of an average adult for permitting release of a lock. Then the tray can be gripped and pulled out with the other hand. This design requires a sufficiently large hand i.e. an adult's hand for opening.

[0006] A container disclosed in WO 2007/123734 also includes child-resistant features. In this case, the child-resistant features require multiple coordinated motions in order to dispense a blister. To remove a blister from the dispensing container, a user, using a finger and thumb of one hand, applies pressure along first and second side panels of the container. The applied pressure forces the top panel to bow upwardly. As pressure is being applied, the user simultaneously grasps a blister using the thumb and another finger of the other hand, and pulls the blister outwards from the dispensing container. If the user does not apply pressure along the first and second side panels, the blister, which extents through a blister aperture in the panel, cannot be pulled out because the blister is captured by the aperture. Another method for disengaging the blister is to push inwardly on the face of the blister until it is below the edge of the blister aperture. The access of children to the product in the package is unrestricted in the event that they have understood the function of simultaneously applying pressure and pulling out a blister. In particular, the visibility of the product through the aperture may encourage a child to insert a finger into the aperture. [0007] The currently available child resistant and senior friendly packaging is not as elegant and convenient as pop-out packages. Furthermore, the current child resistant packaging often uses a combination of several operations or a certain amount of force needs to be applied in order to open the packaging. This not only makes the packaging difficult to open for children but also makes the packaging more difficult to open for adults, in particularly the elderly.

[0008] Attempts to adapt the pop-out package disclosed in WO 00/38999 for child resistance have been made. This child resistant version of the package is not initially child resistant when the pack is purchased. The user has to make the pack child resistant, by folding part of the carton to block the sliding mechanism. This has to be done (and undone) each time a tablet is taken out of the pack. This system does not satisfy the F=I standard of the FDA or Senior Friendly criteria. In order to acquire the F=I level the pack has to prevent a child from accessing a single tablet from the moment the medication is obtained by the user. Moreover the user can easily forget to activate the child protection after using the package.

[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide a more child resistant and senior friendly package which overcomes one or more of the above disadvantages, while keeping the same level of elegance and convenience of pop-out packages.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention addresses these problems by providing a package comprising a sleeve, first and second members slideably mounted within the sleeve, a connecting mechanism operatively connecting the members such that on moving the first member out of the sleeve in a first direction the second member moves out of the sleeve in a second direction and a blocking mechanism comprising inter-engaging surfaces within the package, substantially preventing movement of the first or second member, wherein the sleeve is resilient and can be deformed to release the inter-engaging surfaces. The package may thus only be opened by providing adequate deformation to release the inter-engaging surfaces. Such deformation may be chosen in such a manner that it may be achieved by an adult but not by a child. Furthermore, by having the inter-engaging surfaces within the package, they are less visible to a child and the mechanism of operation may be concealed. In this context, reference to the inter-engaging surfaces being within the package is intended to mean that they are not generally visible or accessible to a child's fingers in the closed condition of the package.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, this may be achieved by providing a sleeve comprising a passage having a first width, with at least one of the members having a second width smaller than the first width being mounted in the passage such that a clearance space between the member and the passage allows the sleeve to be deformed. The amount of clearance required will depend upon the extent to which deformation is required to move the surfaces apart. It will also be understood that both members may have a smaller width than that of their respective passage. Particularly in that case, it may be desirable to provide a suitable arrangement to reduce play between the members and the sleeve.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve comprises first and second passages separated by a divider for respectively receiving the first and second members. Each passage may be a through passage, or alternatively, each passage may only open in the direction that the respective member is withdrawn. It will also be understood that although reference is given to a sleeve with passages, this is not intended to be restrictive upon the shape of the package, and the passages may be completely or partially connected or substantially unconnected.

[0013] Most preferably, the sleeve has a top surface and two side surfaces and is arranged such that a laterally inwardly directed force on the side surfaces causes lifting of the top surface. Such lifting may provide space to allow the inter-engaging surfaces to be released or disengaged. In this context it is noted that side and top surfaces relates only to their designation and not to any requirement that the sleeve be held in a particular orientation.

[0014] In one embodiment, the shape of the sleeve may be a parallelogram in cross-section. Such a shape can desirably assist in reducing play between the members and the sleeve. The sleeve may be deformed into a rectangular shape in order to release the inter-engaging surfaces. In an alternative embodiment the sleeve may be a trapezium in cross-section. Such a shape may be deformed to cause the longer side to bow upwardly to release the inter-engaging surfaces.

[0015] The position of the inter-engaging surfaces may be chosen according to the particular form of packaging and its content. In one alternative, at least one of the inter-engaging surfaces is partially or completely provided on an inner surface of the passage. This may interact with another surface provided on one of the members. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the inter-engaging surfaces is partially or completely provided on one of the members. This surface may interact with another surface provided on the other member or with an inside surface of the sleeve.

[0016] In another embodiment, both members may comprise inter-engaging surfaces, acting mutually with one another, or each acting with a corresponding surface on the inside of the sleeve.

[0017] In a still further embodiment, at least one of the inter-engaging surfaces is partially or completely provided on the connecting mechanism.

[0018] Preferably, the package is arranged such that the sleeve has a width of from about 6 cm to about 10 cm. This width may be chosen in order to accurately achieve the desired child resistance. Statistical information is available relating to the average span of children's hands in the age groups for which the package must be child resistant. By ensuring that the width exceeds this value (taking into account the need to also grip the edges of the package), the package may be made substantially child resistant for a particular age group.

[0019] Most preferably, the package comprises a medication carried by the first or second member. The member carrying the medication may form the primary medication package or may be a secondary package element by which a primary medication package is carried. An example of a suitable primary medication package is a blister package which may itself be joined to the connecting mechanism e.g. during a packaging procedure or may be inserted into one of the members at a later stage.

[0020] In one possible embodiment, both the first and second member carry a product to be packaged e.g. in the form of a blister pack. Alternatively, one of the members carries the product and the other member may be left blank or may be provided with advertising, instructions or other information.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting mechanism comprises a belt which encircles a divider that extends across the passage. By attaching both members to the belt e.g. at substantially diametrically opposite positions, movement of the members into and out of the sleeve may be co-ordinated. Preferably the belt comprises a strip of sheet material joined to form a continuous loop, said sheet material being a low- friction material selected so that the belt slides easily about the divider. The skilled person will be aware of other ways in which this mechanism may be achieved using e.g. wires or threads. Alternatively, a single-acting connecting mechanism may be provided whereby the members move out of the sleeve together but must both be individually pushed back inwards. Such a mechanism is depicted in WO 98/24696.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the package may be constructed with the sleeve and divider formed from a single sheet of card- like material, which is folded and glued or otherwise joined. Such a design is appropriate for e.g. a disposable package. Alternatively, the sleeve may be formed of plastic, preferably moulded or extruded. Such a construction may be advantageous in optimizing the resilient deformation of the sleeve. It may also be advantageous for allowing incorporation of the inter-engaging surfaces which may thus be integrally formed with the sleeve.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the package, the sleeve is provided with at least one cut-out portion or recess to permit access by a user to grasp a grip portion of one of the members. It will be understood that opening of the package thus requires both of the user's hands. The first must deform the package to release the inter-engaging surfaces, while the second can grasp the grip. The grip may also extend from the package in the closed position to facilitate gripping. This can serve to encourage children to attempt to pull the grip, distracting them from the blocking mechanism.

[0024] Various alternative embodiments may be provided for the inter-engaging surfaces in order to improve their function. In particular, they may comprise friction increasing materials such as rubber, urethane and the like. Alternatively or additionally, they may comprise detent members that mechanically act or abut against one another. Such detent members may include surfaces provided with a relief or grip such as a saw-tooth or rippled surface. In the case of a blister pack, the individual blisters may form one of the inter-engaging surfaces, engaging with a protrusion on an opposing surface. In the present context, it will also be understood that reference to inter-engaging surfaces is intended to apply equally to inter-engaging elements or members. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Further features and advantages of the invention will be appreciated upon reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pop-out box as known in the prior art, with the tab and tray members omitted for clarity;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pop-out box of Fig. 1 during assembly, showing the tab and tray members;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a lengthways cross-sectional view of the pop-out box of Fig. 2 with the tray and tab members in an open position;

[0029] FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a pop-out package showing the basic principle for child resistance according to the present application;

[0030] FIG. 4b is a perspective view of the pop-out package of Fig 4a being gripped by a user;

[0031] FIG. 4c to 4e show an end view of pop-out package with parallelogram cross- section according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0032] FIG. 4f is a perspective view of the pop-out package of Fig. 4c in an open state;

[0033] FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a pop-out package with trapezium cross-section according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0034] FIG. 5b and 5c show an end view of the pop-out package of Fig. 5a

[0035] FIG. 5d is a perspective view of the package of Fig. 5a in the deformed state;

[0036] FIG. 5e is an end view of the package of Fig. 5a in the deformed state;

[0037] FIG. 6a is an end view of a pop-out package with a rectangular cross-section according to a third embodiment of the invention

[0038] FIG. 6b is a side section on line B-B of the pop-out package of Fig. 6a; [0039] FIG. 6c is a section on line C-C of the pop-out package of Fig. 6b; [0040] FIG. 6d and 6e show an end view of the pop-out package of Fig. 6a. DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0041] The following is a description of certain embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only and with reference to the drawings. With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, there is shown a pop-out box suitable for packaging a CD or other data disc as known in the prior art (WO00/038999A1). The box consists of a hollow rectangular tubular sleeve 10 or body with a divider 12 extending across the tube at an intermediate level. The sleeve 10 comprises an upper panel 20, a lower panel 21 and side walls 22, extending between a front edge 15 and a rear edge 16 of the sleeve 10.

[0042] The sleeve 10 and divider 12 can be made by folding and gluing a single flat blank manufactured by cutting and creasing from a sheet material such as plastic, cardboard or folding box board, as can be seen in Fig. 2, which shows the positions 21', 12' of the lower panel 21 and divider 12 respectively before folding. Glue panel 23 is bonded to the underside of the upper panel 20, while pleat panels 24, 25 are bonded to the upper side of lower panel 21.

[0043] The divider 12 divides the sleeve into two tubular passages, a first or upper passage 31 which contains a tab member 41 and a second or lower passage 30 which contains a tray member 40, both of which are shown in FIG. 3. The divider 12 has a belt 50 which passes around a belt path 52 defined on the divider. The belt 50 is typically a strip of plastic film such as Cellophane ™ or PTFE, the ends of which are fastened to each other to form a continuous loop. Bonded to the belt 50 along a first line 54 is the tab member 41, while the tray member 40 is bonded to the belt 50 along a second line 56.

[0044] The upper 20 and lower 21 panels have a cut-out portion 60. The cut-out portion 60 enables the user of the package to hold a grip portion 62 of the tab member 41 by grasping it on both sides and pulling the tab member in the direction of arrow X.

[0045] When the user pulls the tab member 41 in the direction of arrow X as shown in Fig. 3, the tab member 41 causes the belt 50 to turn about the divider 12 in the direction of arrow Z, since the tab member 41 is secured to the belt 50 by bond 54. The passage of the belt 50 causes the tray member 40 to move in the direction of arrow Y, since the tray member is attached to the belt 50 by bond 56. [0046] When the bonds 54, 56 reach the ends of the divider 12, the tab member 41 can be pulled no further in the direction of arrow X, and the tray member 40 is then in the fully open position. When the user pushes the tab member 41 in the direction of arrow Y, the tab member 41 causes the belt 50 to turn about the divider 12 in a direction opposite to arrow Z, so that the tray member 40 moves in the direction of arrow X. When the bonds 54, 56 reach the opposite ends of the divider 12, the tab member 41 can be pushed no further in the direction of arrow Y, and the tray member 40 is then in the fully closed position. If required the user can push the tray portion 40 in the direction of arrow X to close the tray. The effect is the same, in that both the tray portion 40 and the tab portion 41 will return to the fully closed position.

[0047] The belt 50 is restrained on its belt path 52 on the divider by a waist portion 63, formed as a cut-out in the side of the divider 12, the cut-out being slightly wider than the belt 50. If required a cut-out 63 can be formed on each side of the divider, so that the belt 50 is set back from the edges 15, 16 of the sleeve 10 and cannot be seen in normal use of the box. The distance between the opposite ends 64, 65 of the belt path 52 defines the maximum total movement of both the tab and the tray. The length of the belt path 52 must therefore be chosen such that the travel of the tray member 40 is sufficient to give access to the contents of the tray when the tray member 40 is in the fully open position.

[0048] The tab member may be printed with information, such as instructions regarding the content of the package, which is accessible when the tray and tab member are in the fully open position.

[0049] With reference to Figs 4a to 4f, there is shown a pop-out package 1 with child resistant and senior friendly features according to a preferred embodiment of the present application. Like numerals will be used to denote similar features to those of Figs 1 to 3.

[0050] Referring to Fig. 4a, the pop-out package 1 is shown comprising a sleeve 10 with upper panel 20, lower panel 21 and side walls 22. A tray member 40 and a tab member 41 are located within the sleeve 10. The sleeve 10 has a cut-out portion 60.

[0051] Fig. 4b depicts the package 1, being held by a user. The sleeve 10 has a grip distance D across its width. The blocking mechanism as described below is dimensioned so as to require the hand of an average adult for its release. Therefore, the distance D is larger than the thumb-fore finger or thumb-middle finger grip distance of children between the 42 and 51 month of age and yet adults should be able to make this grip. This distance D is about 7 cm.

[0052] In Fig. 4c a front view of the package 1 is depicted. As can be seen, the sleeve 10 has a generally parallelogram shape in cross-section. A divider 12 can be seen dividing the sleeve 10 into first 31 and second 30 passages in which tab member 41 and tray member 40 respectively are located. The connection mechanism whereby the pop-out action is achieved is not shown but is generally similar to that of Figs 1 to 3. The tab member 41 and tray member 40 are generally rectangular in cross-section and as can be seen, a clearance space 58 exists between the members 40, 41 and the side walls 22 of the sleeve 10. In the position depicted in Fig. 4c, the upper and lower panels 20, 21 tightly inter-engage with the members 40, 41. The interior surface of the upper and lower panels 20, 21 and the upper surface of the tab member are also provided with resilient gripping surfaces 57 (see Fig. 4f) that enhance the engagement and prevent movement of the members 40, 41.

[0053] To open the package 1, a user holds the sleeve 10 of the package 1 between thumb- middle finger or thumb-fore finger with one hand and applies pressure along the side walls 22 as shown in Fig. 4d. The applied pressure forces the sleeve 10 to deform to assume a more rectangular shape as shown in Fig. 4e. This deformation causes the upper and lower panels 20, 21 to move apart and form free space 59 between the inter-engaging surfaces. As a consequence, the engagement is released, and the user can pull/slide out the tab member 41 with the other hand. As the tab member 41 slides out of the sleeve 10, the tray member 40 moves outwardly in the opposite direction. Fig. 4f shows the package 1 with the tray member 40 and tab member 41 extended. The engagement or gripping surface 57 of the tab member 41 can be seen. The tab member 41 may also be printed with information or it can carry e.g. a patient information leaflet, which is accessible when the tray 40 and tab member 41 are in the fully open position. Also visible are a plurality of blisters 65 formed within the tray member 40 which may contain a medication to be dispensed.

[0054] A second embodiment of the invention is depicted in Figs 5 a to 5e in which like references are used to denote similar features to the previous embodiments. Referring to Fig. 5a, the pop-out package 1 is shown comprising a sleeve 10 with upper panel 20, lower panel 21 and side walls 22. A tray member 40 and a tab member 41 are located within the sleeve 10. The sleeve 10 has a cut-out portion 60. According to the second embodiment the cross- section of the sleeve 10 is a trapezium as can better be seen in Fig 5b which depicts a front view of the package 1. As can be seen, a divider 12 divides the sleeve 10 into first 31 and second 30 passages in which tab member 41 and tray member 40 respectively are located. The connection mechanism is again not shown. The tab member 41 and tray member 40 are generally rectangular in cross-section and in this embodiment, the tab member 41 may be slightly wider than the tray member 40 to allow for the diverging side walls 22 of the sleeve 10. A clearance space 58 exists between the tab member 41 and the upper part of the side walls 22 of the sleeve 10. It will be understood that were the tab member 41 of similar dimension to the tray member 40, still further clearance space 58 would be available. As in the first embodiment, in the position depicted in Fig. 5b, the upper and lower panels 20, 21 tightly inter-engage with the members 40, 41. The interior surface of the upper panel 20 and the upper surface of the tab member 41 are provided with resilient gripping surfaces 57 (not shown) that enhance the engagement and prevent movement of the tab member 41.

[0055] Fig. 5c depicts the package 1, being held by a user between thumb and middle finger of one hand. On applying pressure along the side walls 22 as shown by the arrows in Fig. 5c, the sleeve 10 deforms to the position as depicted by Figs 5d and 5e. The applied pressure forces the side walls 22 to assume a position generally perpendicular to the lower panel 21. This deformation causes the upper panel 20 to bow upwards and form free space 59 between the inter-engaging surfaces of the upper panel 20 and tab member 41. As a consequence, the engagement is released, and the user can pull/slide out the tab member 41 with the other hand. As the tab member 41 slides out of the sleeve 10, the tray member 40 moves outwardly in the opposite direction.

[0056] A third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs 6a to 6e in which like reference numerals are used to denote similar features. According to the Fig 6a the sleeve 10 is of a generally rectangular shape. Tray member 40 is provided as a blister package with individual blister elements 66 protruding upwardly towards the underside of the upper panel 20. The underside of the upper panel 20 is also provided with detent members 67 protruding downwardly between the blister elements 66. These can be seen more clearly in Fig 6b and Fig 6c in which it can be seen that a detent member 67 is located between adjacent rows of blister elements 66. The detent members 67 prevent sliding movement of the tray member 40 out of the sleeve 10. Clearance space 58 is formed along the edges of the tray member 40, between the blister elements 66 and the side walls 22 within the upper passage 31. In this embodiment, the tab member 41 fits generally flush within the lower passage 30.

[0057] The sleeve 10 is formed of plastics material and is sufficiently resilient to allow flexing of the side walls 22 and upper panel 20. In use, a user grips the package 1 as shown in Fig 6d and exerts pressure onto the sidewalls 22. Because of the clearance space 58, the side walls 22 can move inwards allowing the upper panel 20 to bow upwardly as shown in Fig. 6e. The sleeve 10 may be pre-stressed or otherwise formed to facilitate such bowing. As the upper panel 20 raises away from the tray member, the detent members 67 are released from between the blister elements 66. The tab member 41 may be drawn out causing the tray member 40 to slide outwardly in the opposite direction.

[0058] Thus, the invention has been described by reference to certain embodiments discussed above. It will be recognized that these embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms well known to those of skill in the art. For example, although certain cross-sectional shapes of sleeve have been depicted, it will be understood that the principle may be applied to many alternative shapes. While clearance space has been shown, it will be understood that foam or compressible material or the like may be provided instead. Furthermore, while a single tray and tab member is depicted, alternatives providing a pair of tray members, e.g. each could also be provided with blister packaging .

[0059] Further modifications in addition to those described above may be made to the structures and techniques described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, although specific embodiments have been described, these are examples only and are not limiting upon the scope of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A package comprising a sleeve, first and second members slideably mounted within said sleeve, a connecting mechanism operatively connecting the members such that on moving the first member out of the sleeve in a first direction the second member moves out of the sleeve in a second direction, , a blocking mechanism comprising inter-engaging surfaces within the package, substantially preventing movement of the first or second member, wherein the sleeve is resilient and can be deformed to release the inter-engaging surfaces.

2. A package according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a passage having a first width, at least one of the members having a second width smaller than the first width being mounted in the passage such that a clearance space between the member and the passage allows the sleeve to be deformed.

3. A package according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sleeve comprises first and second passages separated by a divider for respectively receiving the first and second members.

4. A package according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the shape of the sleeve is a parallelogram in cross-section.

5. A package according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the shape of the sleeve is a trapezium in cross-section.

6. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve has a top surface and two side surfaces and is arranged such that a laterally inwardly directed force on the side surfaces causes lifting of the top surface.

7. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the inter-engaging surfaces is partially or completely provided on an inner surface of the sleeve.

8. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the inter-engaging surfaces is partially or completely provided on one of the members.

9. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein both members comprise inter- engaging surfaces.

10. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the inter-engaging surfaces is partially or completely provided on the connecting mechanism.

11. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve has a width of from about 6 to 10 cm.

12. A package according to any preceding claim, further comprising a medication carried by the first or second member.

13. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the first or second member comprises a blister pack.

14. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the connecting mechanism comprises a belt which encircles a divider located within the sleeve.

15. A package according to claims 13, wherein the belt comprises a strip of sheet material joined to form a continuous loop, said sheet material being a low-friction material selected so that the belt slides easily about the divider.

16. A package according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the sleeve and divider are formed from a single sheet of card- like material.

17. A package according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the sleeve is formed of moulded or extruded plastic.

18. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve is provided with at least one cut-out portion or recess to permit access for a user to grasp a portion of one of the members .

19. A package according to any preceding claim wherein the inter-engaging surfaces comprise friction increasing materials.

20. A package according to any preceding claim wherein the inter-engaging surfaces comprise detent members.