Single piece container for securing an insert card

Abstract

Disclosed is a single-piece container adapted to receive and secure an insert card. The container is a generally rectangular, relatively flat structure having an interior chamber defined by a top surface, a bottom surface, one open end, and one closed end. The container is formed from a blow molding process and adapted to receive an insert card. The container further comprises locking elements that work in cooperation with the insert card to secure the insert card within the interior chamber such that it can not be removed without manipulation of the locking elements. The material comprising the container can be a clear plastic such that optical scan codes present on an insert card contained within the container can be read through the container.

1 . A single-piece container adapted to receive and secure one or more insert cards, the container comprising:
 a generally rectangular, relatively flat structure having an interior chamber defined by a top, a bottom, one open end, and one closed end formed from a blow molding process and adapted to receive one or more insert cards   wherein the container further comprises one or more locking elements that work in cooperation with the one or more insert cards to secure the one or more insert cards within the interior chamber such that the one or more insert cards can not be removed without manipulation of the one or more locking elements.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more locking elements comprise:
   one or more locking stop elements generally positioned near the closed end of the container; at least one locking guide that indents from external surface of the top of the container into the interior chamber;     an indented support platform that indents from the external surface of the bottom of the container into the interior chamber; and   a locking release button positioned lengthwise between the locking stop element and the closed end of the container wherein downward force applied to the locking release button will cause the deflection of the at least one locking guide further into the interior chamber of the container.   
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 at least one retaining element that slopes inward and rearward from the internal surface of the top of the container into the interior chamber and then vertically back to the internal surface of the top of the container, the retaining element being generally positioned near the open end of the container and against one side with respect to the width of the container.   
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a polyvinylchloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), re-processed polyethylene terephthalate (RPET), and glycolised polyethylene terephthalate (PETG). 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is formed of a clear plastic such that optical scan codes present on the one or more insert cards can be read through the container. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more locking elements comprise:
 one or more locking stop elements generally positioned near the closed end of the container;   at least one locking guide that indents from an external surface of the top of the container into the interior chamber;   an indented support platform that indents from an external surface of the bottom of the container into the interior chamber; and   one or more locking release buttons positioned on the top of the container wherein inward force applied to the one or more locking release buttons will cause the deflection of the container above an insert card flap of the one or more insert cards.   
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the top and bottom are attached together using shrink wrap. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the internal surface of the top mirrors the external surface of the top. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the internal surface of the bottom mirrors the external surface of the bottom. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising an insert card adapted to be received and secured into said container, the insert card comprising:
 one or more product cavities;   one or more retention elements;   wherein the one or more retention elements have a ramped edge and a straight edge and further wherein the ramped edge is located near a back edge of the insert card and the straight edge is located on the side closer to the product cavities.   
     
     
         11 . A container for receiving and securing one or more insert cards, the container comprising:
 a top portion having an internal surface and an external surface; and   a bottom portion having an internal surface and an external surface, the top and bottom portions being attached together such that the top and bottom portions together form a sleeve structure having a closed end, an open end, and a cavity for holding one or more insert cards;   wherein the container further comprises at least one locking element, at least one releasing element located proximate to the at least one locking element, and at least one retention element proximate to the open end; and   further wherein the top and/or bottom portion is formed from translucent material.   
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the top and bottom portions are formed from blow molded plastic material. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 11  further comprises a shrink wrap film disposed along the exterior surfaces of the top and bottom portions to attach the top and bottom portions together. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the internal surface of the top portion mirrors the external surface of the top portion. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the internal surface of the bottom portion mirrors the external surface of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         16 . A container adapted to receive and secure one or more insert card(s), the container comprising:
 a top portion having an internal surface and an external surface; and   a bottom portion having an internal surface and an external surface, the top and bottom portion being attached together to form a closed end, an open end, and a cavity for holding one or more insert card(s);   wherein the container further comprises at least one locking element, at least one releasing element located proximate to the at least one locking element, and at least one retention element;   wherein the top portion is attached to the bottom portion using shrink wrap material.   
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16  wherein the internal surface of the top portion mirrors the external surface of the top portion. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 16  wherein the internal surface of the bottom portion mirrors the external surface of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 16  wherein the internal and external surfaces of the top portion are proportionally offset by a wall thickness of the top portion substantially entirely along the external surface of the top portion, and wherein the internal and external surfaces of the bottom portion are proportionally offset by a wall thickness of the bottom portion substantially entirely along the external surface of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 16  wherein each of the at least one locking element, the at least one releasing element and the at least one retention element is of a hollow structure having a wall thickness generally equal to a wall thickness of at least one of the top and bottom portions.