초록 ▼

A package assembly for automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to: first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, wherein a flexure channel is defined in each of opposite sides of at least one of t

A package assembly for automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to: first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, wherein a flexure channel is defined in each of opposite sides of at least one of the first or second portions, the flexure channels cooperating to define a flexure axis extending through the pair of flexure channels. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may allow at least one of first and second portions of the package assembly to flex about the flexure axis in response to an opening force exerted on the package assembly such that the first and second portions separate in response to the opening force.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A package assembly for selectively containing and releasing a particulate aliquot, the package assembly comprising: first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, the first portion defining a pair of opposite sides and having a flexure channel defined in each of the opposite si

1. A package assembly for selectively containing and releasing a particulate aliquot, the package assembly comprising: first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, the first portion defining a pair of opposite sides and having a flexure channel defined in each of the opposite sides, wherein the flexure channels define a flexure axis extending through the flexure channels, and wherein the package assembly is configured such that upon application of an opening force to opposing sides of the second portion, the flexure axis moves away from the second portion and an end of the first portion separates from an end of the second portion, thus releasing the particulate aliquot,wherein the first and second portions define first and second flange portions, respectively, and wherein the package assembly further comprises a notch portion located on one of the first or second flange portions, the notch portion configured to allow a disengaging tool to apply a substantially normal force against the other of the first or second flanges, for encouraging the first and second portions to separate. 2. The package assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one concave portion located on a flange portion defined by at least one of the first or second portions, the concave portion defining an aperture configured to receive an opening tool for encouraging the first and second portions to separate. 3. The package assembly according to claim 2, further comprising at least one corresponding concave portion located on a second flange portion of the package assembly and adapted, upon closing the package assembly, to substantially align with the other concave portion to define an aperture configured to receive an opening tool for encouraging the first and second portions to separate. 4. The package assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second portions are held together in a closed position through an interference fit. 5. The package assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the flexure channels defines a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of: an open rectangular shape;an open oval shape;a half-circular shape;generally U-shaped;generally V-shaped; andcombinations thereof. 6. The package assembly according to claim 5, wherein one flexure channel defines a cross-sectional shape that is different than the other flexure channel. 7. The package assembly according to claim 1, wherein the package assembly is formed using a process selected from the group consisting of: thermoforming;vacuum forming;blow molding;injection molding;casting; andcombinations thereof. 8. The package assembly according to claim 1, wherein the package assembly comprises materials selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene terephthalate;polyvinyl chloride;polypropylene;polyester;polylactic acid;high-density polyethylene;low-density polyethylene; andcombinations thereof. 9. The package assembly according to claim 1, further comprising one or more stiffening features located on at least one of the first and second portions, the stiffening features configured to minimize bulging between the first and second portions or to maintain engagement of the first and second portions. 10. A package assembly for selectively containing and releasing a particulate aliquot, the package assembly comprising: a container portion defining an opening;a cover portion comprising at least two opposite sides and configured to cooperate with the container portion to selectively close the opening defined by the container portion;a reinforcing ridge portion disposed proximate a perimeter of the cover portion and configured to be capable of engaging an inner periphery of the opening, in an interference fit therewith, so as to selectively close the opening, the reinforcing ridge portion defining a flexure channel on each of the opposite sides of the cover portion, the flexure channels defining a flexure axis extending substantially perpendicularly to the opposite sides of the cover portion, the cover portion being configured such that when an opening force is applied to opposing sides of the container portion, the flexure axis moves away from the container portion and thereby disengages a portion of the reinforcing ridge portion from the inner periphery of the opening, thus releasing the particulate aliquot; anda shelf portion comprising a flange extending substantially perpendicular from an outer periphery of the opening of the container portion and a wall portion extending substantially perpendicular from the flange, wherein the reinforcing ridge is configured to operably engage the shelf portion so as to selectively close the opening defined by the container portion. 11. The package assembly according the claim 10, further comprising a hinge portion located between an edge of the cover portion and the container portion. 12. The package assembly according to claim 11, wherein the container portion, the cover portion, the reinforcing ridge portion, and the hinge portion are integrally formed as a substantially unitary assembly. 13. The package assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a beveled cover portion end disposed along an inner surface of the reinforcing ridge portion opposite the hinge portion. 14. The package assembly according to claim 10, further comprising: a first flange portion extending substantially perpendicular from an outer periphery of the opening; anda second flange portion extending substantially outward from the reinforcing ridge such that upon closing the package assembly, the cover portion closes the opening defined by the container portion and the first flange portion is substantially adjacent and parallel to the second flange portion. 15. The package assembly according to claim 14, wherein the first and second flange portions each define concave portions such that upon closing the package assembly the concave portions substantially align and define an aperture between the first and second flange portions, the aperture being configured to receive an opening tool for encouraging the cover portion to flex outwardly from the container portion about the flexure axis so that the cover portion disengages from the container portion. 16. The package assembly according to claim 15, further comprising at least one notch portion defined by the first flange portion, the at least one notch portion being adapted to allow a portion of a disengaging tool to pass therethrough for encouraging the cover portion to disengage from the container portion. 17. The package assembly according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the flexure channels defines a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of: an open rectangular shape;an open oval shape;a half-circular shape;generally U-shaped;generally V-shaped; andcombinations thereof. 18. The package assembly according to claim 17, wherein a first flexure channel defines an open rectangular cross-sectional shape and a second flexure channel defines a generally V-shaped cross-sectional shape. 19. The package assembly according to claim 10, wherein the container portion, the cover portion, the reinforcing ridge portion, and the opening defined by the container portion are substantially rectangular. 20. The package assembly according to claim 10, further comprising one or more stiffening features located on the cover portion, the stiffening features configured to minimize bulging between the cover and container portions or to maintain engagement of the cover and container portions. 21. The package assembly according to claim 20, wherein the stiffening features comprise a pair of elongate stiffening ribs disposed on the cover portion. 22. A package assembly for selectively containing and releasing a particulate aliquot, the package assembly comprising: first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, the first portion defining a pair of opposite sides and having a flexure channel defined in each of the opposite sides, wherein the flexure channels define a flexure axis extending through the flexure channels, and wherein the package assembly is configured such that upon application of an opening force to opposing sides of the second portion, the flexure axis moves away from the second portion and an end of the first portion separates from an end of the second portion, thus releasing the particulate aliquot;at least one concave portion located on a flange portion defined by the first portion of the package assembly; andat least one corresponding concave portion located on a flange portion defined by the second portion of the package assembly, wherein the at least one corresponding concave portion is adapted, upon closing the package assembly, to substantially align with the other concave portion to define an aperture configured to receive an opening tool for encouraging the first and second portions to separate. 23. A package assembly for selectively containing and releasing a particulate aliquot, the package assembly comprising: a container portion defining an opening;a cover portion comprising at least two opposite sides and configured to cooperate with the container portion to selectively close the opening defined by the container portion;a reinforcing ridge portion disposed proximate a perimeter of the cover portion and configured to be capable of engaging an inner periphery of the opening, in an interference fit therewith, so as to selectively close the opening, the reinforcing ridge portion defining a flexure channel on each of the opposite sides of the cover portion, the flexure channels defining a flexure axis extending substantially perpendicularly to the opposite sides of the cover portion, the cover portion being configured such that when an opening force is applied to opposing sides of the container portion, the flexure axis moves away from the container portion and thereby disengages a portion of the reinforcing ridge portion from the inner periphery of the opening, thus releasing the particulate aliquot;a first flange portion extending substantially perpendicular from an outer periphery of the opening; anda second flange portion extending substantially outward from the reinforcing ridge such that upon closing the package assembly, the cover portion closes the opening defined by the container portion and the first flange portion is substantially adjacent and parallel to the second flange portion.