Tamper evident package

Abstract

A tamper evident package includes an inner component having at least one product receiving pocket and at least one locking point and an outer component in which the inner component is slidingly received at least in part so that the inner component is removable from the outer component. The outer component has at least one tamper resistant tab in engagement with the at least one locking point such that the inner component is locked in the outer component. The at least one tamper resistant tab is removably connected to the outer component such that removal of the at least one tamper resistant tab allows the inner component to be removed from the outer component.

1 . A tamper evident package comprising:
 an inner component having at least one product receiving pocket and at least one locking point; and   an outer component in which the inner component is slidingly received at least in part so that the inner component is removable from the outer component,   wherein the outer component has at least one tamper resistant tab in engagement with the at least one locking point such that the inner component is locked in the outer component, the at least one tamper resistant tab being removably connected to the outer component such that removal of the at least one tamper resistant tab allows the inner component to be removed from the outer component.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the outer component includes a sleeve structure having at least one open end, and the inner component provides a closure for closing the at least one open end of the outer component. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve structure comprises a plurality of side walls, and the at least one tamper resistant tab is detachably connected to at least one of the side walls along at least one severance line. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the inner component comprises a tray which includes a bottom and a plurality of side panels, and wherein the at least one locking point is provided by at least one of the side panels of the inner component. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve structure comprises a closed end opposite to the open end. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the tray has a top opposing the bottom, and the top has at least one product receiving pocket for receiving at least one article. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the top of the tray comprises at least one product holding flap, and the at least one pocket comprises at least one opening defined in the at least one product holding flap. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one tamper resistant tab comprises a side portion detachably connected to the sleeve structure along at least one severance line and a ledge portion hingedly connected to the side portion, the ledge portion being folded inwardly of the sleeve structure to a position adjacent to an inside surface of the side portion to engage the at least one locking point of the inner component. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one severance line comprises a pair of substantially parallel severance lines, each of the severance lines extending from the at least one open end of the sleeve structure and terminates at an access area for facilitating access to the side portion, the access area being located next to an upper end of the side portion. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking point comprises an indented area which provides a locking edge for engaging the at least one tamper resistant tab. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the indented area comprises an indent provider defined in the inner component, the indent provider comprises an area in a portion of the inner component formed from sheet material, from which part of the sheet material has been removed to create the locking edge. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the indent provider comprises one selected from the group consisting of an opening, an aperture, a cutout, a notch, and a recess. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one locking point further comprises a backing panel which closes at least in part the indent provider, the backing panel being secured to an inside surface of the portion of the inner component. 
     
     
         14 . The package  claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking point comprises a raised area comprising an element on the inner component. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein the element comprises a hinged tab struck from the inner component and hingedly connected to the inner component, the hinged tab being secured to an outside surface of the inner component. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein the hinged tab is folded to a position adjacent to the outer surface of the inner component to allow a free end edge of the hinged tab to serve as a locking edge for engaging the at least one tamper resistant tab. 
     
     
         17 . An outer component for receiving an inner component to provide a composite package, the outer component comprising a sleeve structure and at least one tamper resistant tab for locking engagement with the inner component, the at least one tamper resistant tab being removably connected to the outer component such that removal of the at least one tamper resistant tab allows the inner component to become removable from the outer component, the at least one tamper resistant tab comprising a side portion detachably connected to the sleeve structure along at least one severance line and a ledge portion hingedly connected to the side portion, the ledge portion being folded inwardly of the sleeve structure to a position adjacent to an inside surface of the side portion. 
     
     
         18 . The outer component of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one severance line comprises a pair of substantially parallel severance lines, each of the severance lines extending from an open end of the sleeve structure and terminates at an access area for facilitating access to the side portion, the access area being located next to an end of the side portion. 
     
     
         19 . An inner component for placement into an outer component to provide a composite package, the inner component comprises a tray and at least one locking point, the at least one locking point comprising an indented area for providing a locking edge for engaging the outer component, the indented area comprising an indent provider defined in the inner component, the indent provider comprising one selected from the group consisting of an opening, an aperture, a cutout, a notch, and a recess. 
     
     
         20 . The inner component of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one locking point further comprises a backing panel which closes at least in part the indent provider, the backing panel being secured to the inner component.