Lockable media storage container

Abstract

A lockable media storage container includes a lock disposed within the lock reception cavity defined by the container. The lock may be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position while remaining disposed within the lock reception cavity. In one embodiment, the lock that locks itself in the unlocked position so that it cannot accidently move back into the locked position. The invention also provides a method for protecting and selling items of recorded media with lockable media storage containers wherein the item of recorded media is locked within the lockable media storage container in the retail establishment. The retail clerk unlocks the lock without removing the lock from the container or removing the lock from under the shrink wrap layer. The retail customer then takes the unlocked container home, removes the shrink wrap, and discards the lock.

1 . A lockable media storage container system comprising: 
 a media storage container having a base and a lid;    the lid movable between open and closed positions;    the media storage container defining a lock reception cavity;    a lock adapted to fit within the lock reception cavity; the lock movable between locked and unlocked positions;    the lock locking the lid closed with the lock is in the locked position; and    the lock being movable from the locked position to the unlocked position while the lock is disposed within the lock reception cavity.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lock includes a lock finger that locks the lock in the unlocked position.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lock includes a lock base and a lock slide; the lock slide movable with respect to the lock base.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the lock slide includes at least first and second lock fingers that lock the lock to the container when the lock is in the locked position; the first lock finger engaging the lid and the second lock finger engaging the base.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the base and lid of the container define an opening for each lock finger; each opening being defined by a locking ledge and an unlocking ramp; the lock finger engaging the locking ledge when the lock is in the locked position.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein each lock finger is aligned with an unlocking ramp when the lock is moved to the unlocked position so that the lock may be removed from the lock reception cavity.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the lock includes an indicator that is visible when the lock is in the unlocked position.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the lock includes a handle that may be pivoted outwardly from the lock to allow the lock to be pulled from the lock reception cavity.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the lock carries an EAS tag.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a thin layer of plastic disposed around the container and the lock; the lock being movable from the locked position to the unlocked position while being surrounded by the thin layer of plastic.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lock reception cavity has a length; the lock having a length; the length of the lock being substantially the same as the length of the lock reception cavity.  
     
     
         12 . A lockable media storage container system comprising: 
 a media storage container having a base and a lid;    the lid movable between open and closed positions;    the media storage container defining a lock reception cavity;    a lock adapted to fit within the lock reception cavity; the lock movable between locked and unlocked positions;    the lock including first and second locking fingers; the first locking finger disposed in an opening defined by the lid and the second locking finger disposed in an opening defined by the base to lock the lid in the closed position; and    each of the openings defined by the lid and the base being at least partially defined by a locking ledge and an unlocking ramp; the lock finger engaging the locking ledge when the lock is in the locked position.    
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the lock reception cavity has a length; the lock having a length; the length of the lock being substantially the same as the length of the lock reception cavity.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the lock includes a lock base and a lock slide; the lock base having a length substantially the same as the length of the lock reception cavity; the lock slide selectively sliding on the lock base between locked and unlocked positions.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a lock finger that locks the lock slide in the unlocked position.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the base and lid have an overlapping walls that at least partially define the openings that receive the first and second locking fingers.  
     
     
         17 . A method for protecting and selling an item of recorded media comprising the steps of: 
 displaying an item of recorded media at a store in a lockable media storage container having a storage container that holds the item of recorded media and a lock that moves between locked and unlocked positions; the locked position of the lock preventing the storage container from being opened;    moving the lock to the unlocked position without removing the lock from the container when a consumer purchases the item of recorded media; and    allowing the consumer to depart the store with the lockable media storage container with the lock in the unlocked position.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of: 
 shrink wrapping the lockable media storage container with the lock in the locked position; and    unlocking the lock without removing the shrink wrap layer.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of locking the lock in the unlocked position.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of exposing an indicator when the lock is moved to the unlocked position.