CROSS REFERENCE

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/674,914, filed May 22, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a locking packaging container and in particular to a locking packaging container having an outer sleeve with a locking aperture slot and a tray insert with a corresponding locking tab having interlocking slotted end panels.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In the field of locking packaging for a wide range of consumer goods, it is desired to provide consumers with secure packaging, particularly healthcare and medication packaging, having features to restrict or prevent access to the contents by a certain group of individuals while at the same time providing access with some degree of ease by another group of individuals.

SUMMARY

[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a locking packaging container including an insert having top, bottom, front wall, back wall and side walls, wherein at least one locking tab is composed of dual interlocking slotted end panels and a void of material at end corners of at least one of the dual interlocking slotted end panels of the insert; and an outer sleeve including top, bottom, back wall and side walls, wherein at least one wall includes at least one locking aperture slot corresponding to the at least one locking tab when in a locked position.

[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a locking mechanism, including: a locking tab having dual interlocking slotted end panels of an insert and a void of material at end corners of the dual interlocking slotted end panels, wherein the locking tab is moveable between a relaxed position and a flexed position; and a locking aperture slot of a sleeve corresponding to the locking tab, wherein a portion of the locking tab extends beyond the locking aperture slot when in a locked position. [0006] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method including moving a locking tab of an insert from a relaxed position to a flexed position by sliding an end of the insert into a sleeve; and moving the lacking tab of the insert from the flexed position to the relaxed position by sliding the insert into the sleeve until a portion of the locking tab protrudes from a locking aperture of the sleeve, thereby locking the insert within the sleeve.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes unlocking the insert from the sleeve by depressing the portion of the locking tab protruding from the locking aperture of the sleeve thereby moving the locking tab from the relaxed position to the flexed position by partially sliding the insert out of the sleeve.

[0008] These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent upon a review of the following detailed description and the claims appended thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. l is a top perspective view of the front of locking packaging container components in an assembled configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the back of locking packaging container components in an assembled configuration in accordance with an embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 3 A is a bottom perspective view of the front of the locking packaging container components in a telescoping configuration and FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of the front of the locking packaging container in a closed configuration, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 4A is a bottom perspective view of the back of the locking packaging container components in a closed configuration and FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view of the back of the locking packaging container components as the locking tab is pushed and the insert is slid out of the outer sleeve in accordance with an embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 5 A is a bottom perspective view of the back of the insert showing the insert lock in an unassembled configuration, FIG. 5B is a bottom perspective view of the back of the insert showing the insert lock in a partially assembled configuration, FIG. 5C is a bottom perspective view of the back of the insert showing the insert lock in a partially assembled configuration, and FIG. 5D is a bottom perspective view of the back of the insert showing the insert lock in an assembled configuration, in accordance with an embodiment; [0014] FIG. 6A is a bottom perspective view of the back of the insert showing the insert lock mechanism in a locked position and FIG. 6B is a bottom perspective view of the back of the insert lock mechanism in an unlocked position, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a portion of the sleeve and an insert as the insert is prevented from being completely removed from the sleeve, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates an unassembled view of the sleeve with a sealed end in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates an unassembled view of the insert in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The locking packaging container is composed of two components, an insert and an outer sleeve. When assembled together the components create a locking package. In an embodiment, the insert contains at least one reinforced locking tab that can contract and relax due to a combination of interlocking slots on major end panels and a void of material at two corners of the insert. In an embodiment, the sleeve contains at least one aperture slot corresponding to the at least one reinforced locking tab. Optionally, the insert can contain two or more locking tabs and the sleeve can contain two or more corresponding aperture slots, in various combinations and construction.

[0019] In operation, to contract light pressure is applied to the locking tab of the insert, when released the locking tab moves back to the relaxed position. When the insert is slid into the outer sleeve, the edge of a corresponding panel will cause the locking tab to contract until it engages with the corresponding aperture slot on the outer sleeve, also known as the locked position. In the locked position, a portion of the locking tab extends out of the aperture slot. To release the insert from the sleeve in the locked position, light pressure is applied to the portion of the locking tab extending beyond the aperture slot pushing it inward. As the locking tab clears the slot of the outer sleeve, the insert is simultaneously pulled out of the insert using the other hand while gripping the insert at the finger notches. To re-lock the package, the insert is slid into the outer sleeve completely until engaging the locking tab with the slot. [0020] The illustration and described features below depict an insert and an open- ended sleeve that function together and work for a variety of paperboard and plastic materials.

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the assembled insert 2 and the outer sleeve 1. The insert 2 contains a minor panel 3 located on the side of one end of the insert 2 and a minor panel 4 located on the other side of the end of the insert 2. The finger notches 7, 8 at an end of the outer sleeve 1 provide access to the insert 2 when the insert 2 is contained in the sleeve 1. The sleeve 1 contains a minor flap 5 located on the side of one end of the sleeve 1 and a minor flap 6 located on the other side of the end of the sleeve 1. The minor panels cooperate with the minor flaps to restrict the complete removal of the insert from the sleeve, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the assembled insert 2 and the outer sleeve 1. The insert 2 contains a locking tab 9. The locking tab 9 is constructed from a cutout shape along the score of a major panel on the side of the insert that is inserted into the outer sleeve 1. The cutout shape protrudes from the score forming the locking tab 9. The locking tab 9 has an interlocking slot and can be reinforced by folding over material 10 on the same end of an opposing panel also having an interlocking slot which cooperates with the interlocking slot of the locking tab 9. The outer sleeve 1 contains an aperture slot 11 that is created on the closed side of the sleeve 1. The aperture slot 11 is created by having a corresponding die cut shape of the locking tab 9 parallel to the score of the major panel.

[0023] FIG. 3 A shows the insert 2 prior to being slid into the sleeve 1 of the locking packaging container. FIG. 3B illustrates the insert 2 disposed within the sleeve 1 in a locked configuration showing a portion of the locking tab 9 extending beyond the aperture slot 11.

[0024] FIG. 4A illustrates the insert 2 disposed within the sleeve 1 in a locked configuration showing a portion of the locking tab 9 extending beyond the aperture slot 11. FIG. 4B shows the insert 2 being slid out of the sleeve 1 of the locking packaging container as the locking tab 9 is pushed in and the insert 2 is slid out of the outer sleeve 1 in accordance with an embodiment.

[0025] In an embodiment, FIG. 5 A shows the insert 2 with the locking tab 9 in an unassembled configuration. The panel has locking tab 9 with cutouts 14, 15 on either side, which provide flexibility to the locking tab 9. The opposite panel has the material overlap 10 and the interlocking slot 13 which can communicate with the interlocking slot 12 of the locking tab 9. FIG. 5B shows the locking tab 9 in a folded position. FIG. 5C shows both the locking tab 9 and the material overlap 10 in a folded position. FIG. 5D shows the locking tab 9 and the material overlap 10 in an assembled configuration with mating 16 interlocking slots 12, 13 in accordance with an embodiment.

[0026] FIGS. 6 A and 6B show the mechanics of the insert 2 locking tab 9. FIG. 6 A shows the locking tab 9 in a resting position, similar to when it is inserted in the sleeve 1 in a locking position. FIG. 6B shows the locking tab 9 moved from a resting position to an unlocking position wherein the void of material 14, 15 allows the locking tab 9 to contract when pressure is applied. When pressure is released the locking tab 9 returns to a resting position as shown in FIG. 6A.

[0027] FIG. 8 shows a blank of the sleeve 1 which can be assembled with a sealed end and an open end in accordance with an embodiment. The outer sleeve is first glued on standard gluing equipment and is folded on the working scores 31, 32. The glue flap 21 is adhered to the inside of the opposite panel 22 with adhesive. The sleeve is then moved to a seal end gluing machine where the sleeve is first erected. Then the minor flaps 19, 20 are folded in at a 90-degree angle followed by the inside major panel 17. Adhesive is adhered to this panel and then the outside major panel 18 is folded on the outside. Pressure is applied until the seal end is adhered shut.

[0028] FIG. 9 shows a blank of the insert 2 in accordance with an embodiment. The insert is first glued on standard gluing equipment. The first operation is to fold the top bottom panel/locking tab 9 in 180-degrees onto itself over the working score 35. As it is folds, adhesive is placed on the inside to glue the panels together. This reinforces the locking tab. Next the insert is folded on the main working scores 33, 34. The glue flap 27 is adhered to the inside of the opposite panel 28 with adhesive. The insert is then moved to a seal end gluing machine where the insert is first erected. Then the minor flaps 25, 26 are folded in at a 90-degree angle followed by the inside major panel 23. Adhesive is adhered to this panel and then the outside major panel 24 is folded on the outside. Pressure is applied until the seal end is adhered shut. The insert is then hand assembled, minor flaps 3,4 are folded backwards at 180- degrees. These panels form a lock with the sleeve 1. Next the top major panels 9, 10 are folded in and are interlocked together forming a slot 12, 13. This slot and subtraction of the void areas 14, 15 allow for contracting and relaxing of the insert locking tab. The locking tab lines up with the aperture slot 11 of the sleeve. When it is relaxed it locks the package.

To unlock the locking tab 9 is pressed in contracting the tab and freeing it from the aperture slot of the sleeve. Before the insert is inserted into the sleeve the inner panels 29, 30 located on the front side of the insert are folded down at a 90-degree angle to form a cavity for the product to sit in.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, a locking packaging container includes an outer sleeve and an insert or tray that slides in the outer sleeve after a sample product is placed in the cutout of the tray. The tabs on either side of the tray are folded back prior to insertion and act with inner tabs on the end of the sleeve to form a stop to prevent the tray from being fully removed after insertion. The locking tab of the sleeve is biased downward during insertion and the tip of the locking tab pops up through the aperture slot of the sleeve when fully closed. The locking tab/aperture slot combination acts as a locking mechanism for the container. To unlock a person grasps the end of the inner tray accessible through the finger notches at the end of the outer sleeve and pushes the locking tab into the aperture slot while pulling the inner tray out.

[0030] A procedure for locking in accordance with an embodiment includes the following. Place item to be stored inside the insert 2. Fold the top minor panels 3, 4 of the insert 2 back and outward into a position substantially parallel to the side panel of the insert 2, as shown in FIG. 1. Fold the top major panels 9, 10 of the insert 2 inward and interlock one slot 12 with the slot 13 on the opposite side as shown in FIGS. 5A-D. Fold minor flaps 5, 6 of outer sleeve 1 inward into a position substantially parallel to the side panel of the sleeve 1, as shown in FIG. 1. Applying light pressure to the locking tab 9, slide the insert 2 into the outer sleeve 1; continue sliding the insert 2 until the locking tab 9 engages with the aperture slot 11 of the outer sleeve 1, as shown in FIGS. 3A-B.

[0031] A procedure for unlocking / opening / re-locking in accordance with an embodiment includes the following. Apply pressure to the locking tab 9 from the bottom with one hand. Simultaneously, pull the insert 2 out using the other hand, while gripping the insert 2 at the finger notches 7, 8 of the outer sleeve 1, as shown in FIGS. 4A-B. The insert 2 will unlock and slide into a halted position with respect to the sleeve 1, as shown in FIG. 7. To re-lock, push the insert 2 back into the sleeve 1 until the locking tab 9 engages with the aperture slot 11 of the outer sleeve 1.

[0032] Although various embodiments have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims which follow.