Unit dose packaging system with molded locking feature

1. A unit dose package comprising

a) a foldable portion formed as a series of continuous panels and comprising:

(i) a top panel having an extension foldable in relation to the top panel; the extension having included thereon one or more blisters for holding unit dose materials; and the top panel and extension panel each having one or more slots near one edge thereof:

(ii) a bottom panel foldably connected to the top panel and having a depression means located therein;

(iii) a side panel foldably connected to the top panel and the bottom panel; and

b) a molded locking element disposed on said foldable portion.

2. A unit dose package according to claim 1 further comprising a unit dose containing element disposed in or on said package.

3. A unit dose package according to claim 1 wherein the molded plastic locking element comprises:

a) a pair of side panels and a pair of end panels forming a rigid rectangular package frame;

b) a frame base positioned parallel to and against the bottom panel of the paperboard portion to form a rigid tray;

c) a slidable locking tongue within the tray; said locking tongue having located at one end a trigger mechanism, and having located at the other end a curved dowel; and

d) a locking flap attached to one end panel of the package frame; said locking flap comprising a dependent tab protruding downward and perpendicularly therefrom and engageable with the curved dowel;

wherein the depression means of the paperboard portion corresponds with the trigger mechanism of the molded plastic locking element;

and the slots in the top panel and the extension panel of the paperboard portion cooperate to form a slot for passthrough of the dependent tab.

4. The unit dose package of claim 3 wherein the curved dowel comprises a lateral tab protruding perpendicularly therefrom, and the dependent tab of the locking flap further comprises a slot within said tab for engagement of the lateral tab.

5. The unit dose package of claim 3 wherein the depression means is a button, notch, tab or cutout.

6. The unit dose package of claim 3 wherein the trigger mechanism is a pull ring.

7. A unit dose package according to claim 1 , wherein the foldable portion is manufactured from paperboard or a foldable plastic material.

8. A unit dose package according to claim 2 , wherein the unit dose containing element is selected from the group consisting of blisters, pouches and foil inserts.

9. A unit dose package according to claim 2 , wherein one or more blisters are mounted on said foldable portion.

10. A unit dose package according to claim 2 wherein the unit dose containing element is attached to said foldable portion.

11. A unit dose package according to claim 10 wherein the unit dose containing element is mounted on one or more extensions of said top panel.

12. A unit dose package according to claim 2 wherein the unit dose containing element is inserted into the package as a separate element when the package is in a folded and closed configuration.

13. A unit dose package according to claim 1 wherein the molded locking element comprises:

(a) a lock element including a frame, a slidable locking tongue and a locking flap: and

(b) a lock release element.

14. A unit dose package according to claim 13 wherein the frame comprises panels forming a polygonal package frame, and a frame base that is defined to accommodate the locking tongue.

15. A unit dose package according to claim 13 wherein the frame includes two side panels and two end panels connected to form a rectangular frame, the end panels being of lesser height and length in relation to the side panels; and wherein one of said end panels provides a point of attachment for the locking flap.

16. A unit dose package according to claim 13 wherein the locking tongue is terminated at one end by a pull ring.

17. A unit dose package according to claim 1 wherein the molded locking element is formed from a rigid plastic material and a flexible plastic material.

18. The unit dose package of claim 7 wherein the paperboard is formed from C 1 S or C 2 S bleached or unbleached paperboard.

19. The unit dose package of claim 7 wherein the paperboard is laminated with a polymeric material.