Container and locking sleeve and method for locking a sleeve relative to a container

Abstract

A sleeve including a locking tab and a method for locking the sleeve on a container having a tab window are disclosed. The locking tab can be integral with or fastened to the sleeve. The sleeve encircles a portion of one or more largely conventional containers. The tab moves between a biased position where it doesn't prevent movement of the sleeve relative to the container and an extended position where it extends into a tab window on the container. When the tab registers with the tab window, it moves from the biased position to the extended position in which a portion of the tab extends into the tab window of the container. Engagement between the tab and one or more edges that define the tab window will prevent or restrict further movement of the sleeve relative to the container.

1 . A sleeve for a container including a tab window, said sleeve comprising 
 at least three panels,    a tab, and    a hinge connection between said tab and one of said panels    wherein said tab is moveable about said hinge connection between a biased position and a locking position and wherein, when said tab is in the biased position and it aligns with the tab window in the container, said tab moves from the biased position into a locking position in which it engages at least one edge of the tab window in the container.    
   
   
       2 . A sleeve as claimed in  claim 1  which has a central cavity in which the container is longitudinally slidable relative to the sleeve between a position in which said tab is outside the cavity and a position in which said tab is inside the cavity and is aligned with the tab window, and wherein, when said tab is in the biased position, the container can be caused to slide, relative to said sleeve, inside said sleeve to the position in which said tab is aligned with the tab window, said tab being sufficiently resilient that, when it is aligned with the tab window, it moves to the locked position.  
   
   
       3 . A sleeve as claimed in  claim 2  wherein an exterior surface of the container is operable to keep said tab in the biased position as the container slides relative to said sleeve until the position is reached in which said tab is aligned with the tab window.