Container With Removable Base

Abstract

A container ( 10 ) for holding at least one article ( 32, 132 ) includes a sleeve ( 12, 112 ), a top ( 16, 116 ) located at one end of the sleeve ( 12, 112 ), and a base ( 14, 114, 214 ) located at an opposite end of the sleeve ( 12, 112 ). The container ( 10 ) includes a locking mechanism ( 54, 56, 154, 156, 158, 254, 256, 258 ) that provides means for releasably securing the sleeve ( 12, 112 ) to the base ( 14, 114, 214 ). A support structure ( 28, 128, 228 ) is positioned on the base ( 14, 114, 214 ) and includes a recess ( 44, 144, 244 ) for receiving an article ( 32, 132 ) and an arm ( 46, 246 ) that is proximate to the recess ( 44, 144, 244 ) and configured to contact the article ( 32, 132 ).

1 . An apparatus ( 10 ) for holding at least one article, comprising:
 a sleeve ( 12 ,  112 );   a top ( 16 ,  116 ) located at one end of said sleeve ( 12 ,  112 );   a base ( 14 ,  114 ,  214 ) located at an opposite end of said sleeve ( 12 ,  112 );   a locking mechanism ( 54 ,  56 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 ,  254 ,  256 ,  258 ) that releaseably engages said sleeve ( 12 ,  112 ) to said base ( 14 ,  114 ,  214 ); and,   a first support structure ( 28 ,  128 ,  228 ) positioned on said base ( 14 ,  114 ,  214 ) comprising at least one article receiving recess ( 44 ,  144 ,  244 ).   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , said first support structure ( 28 ,  128 ,  228 ) further comprising an arm ( 46 ,  246 ) proximate to said at least one recess ( 44 ,  144 ,  244 ) and configured to contact an article at a first location. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , further comprising a second support structure ( 62 ) extending from at least one of said top ( 16 ,  116 ) and said sleeve ( 12 ,  112 ), configured to contact an article at a second location. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said top ( 16 ,  116 ) is releaseably attached to said sleeve ( 12 ,  112 ). 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve ( 12 ,  112 ) further comprises an aperture ( 25 ,  125 ) that engages said locking mechanism ( 54 ,  56 ,  145 ,  156 ,  158 ,  254 ,  256 ,  258 ). 
     
     
         6 . A package ( 10 ), comprising:
 a sleeve ( 12 ,  112 ) having a closed end ( 16 ,  116 ) and an open end (O 1 );   a base ( 14 ,  114 ,  214 ) located at said open end (O 1 );   a locking mechanism ( 54 ,  56 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 ,  254 ,  256 ,  258 ) that releaseably engages said sleeve ( 12 ,  112 ) to said base ( 14 ,  114 ,  214 );   a first support structure ( 28 ,  128 ,  228 ) positioned on said base ( 14 ,  114 ,  214 ), comprising at least one article receiving recess ( 44 ,  144 ,  244 ); and,   an article ( 32 ,  132 ) at least partially positioned within said receiving recess ( 44 ,  144 ,  244 ).   
     
     
         7 . The package ( 10 ) of  claim 6 , said first support structure ( 28 ,  128 ,  228 ) further comprising an arm ( 46 ,  146 ,  246 ) proximate to said at least one recess ( 44 ,  144 ,  244 ) configured to contact said article ( 32 ,  132 ) at a first location. 
     
     
         8 . The package ( 10 ) of  claim 6 , further comprising a second support structure ( 62 ) extending from said sleeve ( 12 ,  112 ) and configured to contact said article ( 32 ,  132 ) at a second location. 
     
     
         9 . The package ( 10 ) of  claim 6 , wherein said closed end comprises a top ( 16 ,  116 ). 
     
     
         10 . The package ( 10 ) of  claim 9 , wherein said top ( 16 ,  116 ) further comprises a second support structure ( 62 ). 
     
     
         11 . The package ( 10 ) of  claim 6 , wherein said top ( 16 ,  116 ) is releaseably attached to said sleeve ( 12 ,  112 ). 
     
     
         12 . A system ( 10 ) for holding at least one article, comprising:
 a sleeve ( 12 ,  112 ) having a first end and a second end;   means for supporting an article ( 14 ,  114 ,  214 ,  16 ,  116 ) positioned at each of said ends;   means for releaseably securing ( 54 ,  56 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 ,  254 ,  256 ,  258 ) a first end to said means for supporting ( 14 ,  114 ,  214 ,  16 ,  116 ); and,   means for retaining ( 46 ,  146 ,  246 ) an article positioned on said means for supporting ( 14 ,  114 ,  214 ,  16 ,  116 ).   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising means for releaseably securing ( 54 ,  56 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 ,  254 ,  256 ,  258 ) a second end to said means for supporting ( 14 ,  114 ,  214 ,  16 ,  116 ).