Packaging

Abstract

Packaging 1 for use in the transport of an item through the mail, the packaging comprising first 3 and second 5 components that can be assembled to define a storage cavity for the item to be transported and an opener 11, 13 operable to open the packaging 1 , wherein said components 3, 5 cannot be reassembled once said opener 11, 13 has been operated to open the packaging.

1 . Packaging for use in the transport of an item through the mail, the packaging comprising first and second components that can be assembled to define a storage cavity for the item to be transported and an opener that is operable to open the packaging, wherein said components cannot be reassembled once said opener has been operated to open the packaging.  
     
     
         2 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein said components are each provided with respective complementary parts of an engagement mechanism.  
     
     
         3 . Packaging according to  claim 2 , wherein said engagement mechanism is such that said components are locked together when assembled to define said cavity.  
     
     
         4 . Packaging according to  claim 3 , wherein said engagement mechanism comprises a plurality of tabs each carrying a barb that is engageable with a corresponding slot.  
     
     
         5 . Packaging according to  claim 4 , comprising a structure that is operable to prevent the barbs from being disengaged from the slots.  
     
     
         6 . Packaging according to  claim 5 , wherein said structure for preventing the barbs from being disengaged from the slots comprises a plurality of peripheral wall portions of a said component inside of which said barbs extend, said peripheral wall portions being arranged to obscure the slots on the other of said components when the barbs on the tabs are engaged therewith.  
     
     
         7 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein one of said components is configured as a freestanding base component, said base component comprising one or more stabilisers capable of supporting the base component in an upright position.  
     
     
         8 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , comprising a receptacle provided within the storage cavity, said item to be transported being storable within said receptacle.  
     
     
         9 . Packaging according to  claim 8 , wherein a peripheral wall of said receptacle is, at least in part, translucent or transparent so that at least part of said item can be viewed therethrough.  
     
     
         10 . Packaging according to  claim 9 , wherein all of said receptacle is translucent or transparent.  
     
     
         11 . Packaging according to  claim 8 , wherein said receptacle and one of said components include respective complementary parts of an engagement mechanism that is operable to couple the receptacle to that component.  
     
     
         12 . Packaging according to  claim 11 , wherein said one component is configured as a freestanding base component, said base component comprising one or more stabilisers capable of supporting the base component in an upright position, and said receptacle is capable of being coupled to said base component.  
     
     
         13 . Packaging according to  claim 12 , wherein said receptacle is arranged to form a seal with a complementary formation formed as part of said second component when said components are assembled to form said storage cavity.  
     
     
         14 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein said item to be transported comprises a sample bottle.  
     
     
         15 . Packaging according to  claim 14 , wherein said sample bottle is wrapped in an absorbent covering and received within a transparent press-sealable bag.  
     
     
         16 . Packaging according to  claim 15 , wherein said absorbent covering is arranged to exhibit a colour change in the event that the contents of said sample bottle should leak therefrom and come into contact with said covering.  
     
     
         17 . Packaging according to  claim 16 , wherein said covering is impregnated with a chemical that reacts with the leaked contents of said sample bottle to provide said colour change.  
     
     
         18 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein said opener is operable to weaken a peripheral wall of a said component, to enable said component to be broken open.  
     
     
         19 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein said opener comprises a tear strip in a peripheral wall of a said component, said tear strip being operable to remove at least a segment of the peripheral wall.  
     
     
         20 . Packaging according to  claim 19 , wherein said tear strip is operable to remove a generally rectangular segment extending about the entire circumference of the component.  
     
     
         21 . Packaging according to  claim 19 , wherein said tear strip is operable to remove a generally rectangular segment extending about only a portion of the circumference of the component, a remaining part of the peripheral wall once said segment has been removed being formed with a line of weakness to facilitate breaking open of the component.  
     
     
         22 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , comprising an adhesive label adhereable to the exterior of the packaging to cover at least said opener.  
     
     
         23 . Packaging according to  claim 22 , wherein said adhesive label is adhereable to the exterior of the packaging to cover said opener and a significant portion of those parts of the first and second components that abut against one another when assembled.  
     
     
         24 . Packaging according to  claim 23 , wherein operation of said opener causes part of said adhesive label to be removed.  
     
     
         25 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein said assembled components define packaging that is sized to fit through most of the commonly available posting box apertures.  
     
     
         26 . Packaging according to  claim 25 , wherein said packaging has a similar shape to that of a rectangular box, said box being less than 180 mm long, less than 150 mm wide, and less than 50 mm deep.  
     
     
         27 . Packaging comprising a first component and a second component that can be locked together to define a cavity, a translucent or transparent inner receptacle coupled to said first component and engageable with a formation on the inside of the second component to form a sealed compartment within said cavity, said compartment being sized to accept an item or items to be transported, a remaining portion of said cavity outside of said compartment providing another storage location for further items to be transported, wherein the lock between the first and second components is such that it cannot be opened once engaged, and wherein an opener is provided to enable one of said components to be broken open to provide access to the interior of the packaging, the arrangement being such that the first and second compartments cannot be locked together once said opener has been operated.  
     
     
         28 . An adhesive label for packaging according to  claim 1 , said adhesive label comprising: 
 a generally rectangular substrate having a first surface and a second surface,    an adhesive layer applied to at least part of said first surface, and    a removable backing paper covering said adhesive layer,    wherein the label comprises a first portion that is capable of being adhered to a first component of said packaging, a second portion that capable of being adhered to a second component of said packaging and a third portion intermediate said first and second portions that is capable of overlying an opener formed in said first component or said second component.    
     
     
         29 . An adhesive label according to  claim 28 , wherein said second surface is pre-printed with postage paid indicia.  
     
     
         30 . An adhesive label according to  claim 28 , wherein the third portion is capable of being adhered to said opener.  
     
     
         31 . An adhesive label for packaging, the packaging comprising first and second components that can be assembled to define a storage cavity for an item to be transported and an opener that is operable to open the packaging, said adhesive label comprising: 
 a generally rectangular substrate having a first surface and a second surface,    an adhesive layer applied to at least part of said first surface, and    a removable backing paper covering said adhesive layer,    wherein the label comprises a first portion arranged to be adhered to said first component in use, a second portion arranged to be adhered to said second component in use, and a third portion intermediate said first and second portions that is arranged to overly said opener in use.    
     
     
         32 . An adhesive label according to  claim 31 , wherein said second surface is pre-printed with postage paid indicia.  
     
     
         33 . An adhesive label according to  claim 31 , wherein the third portion is capable of being adhered to said opener.