Locking arrangement for sleeve-and-endcap package

Abstract

A locking arrangement is provided for a sleeve-and-endcap package. A packaging sleeve is provided with one or more locking tabs extending inwardly from one or more sleeve panels, at or near a sleeve opening. A rigid endcap fitting into the sleeve opening is provided with one or more locking bumps extending outwardly from the outer circumferential surface of the endcap body. The sleeve, locking tab, endcap, and locking bump are configured such that when the endcap is in its final, installed position within a sleeve end, outward movement of the endcap along the longitudinal pathway prevented by the engagement of the locking tab contact edge and the locking bump contact surface.

1 . A package, comprising:
 a sleeve, comprising one or more convexly curved side panels, wherein at least one end of the sleeve includes an opening having a rim defined by one or more side panel edges, and   an endcap having a body with an outer circumferential surface that is shaped to fit within the sleeve opening, such that the endcap is insertable into the sleeve opening and slidable along a longitudinal path to a final, installed position,   wherein the sleeve additionally comprises one or more locking tabs extending inwardly from each of one or more convexly curved side panels, wherein each of the one or more locking tabs includes a contact edge that is positioned transversely to the longitudinal path,   wherein the endcap additionally comprises one or more locking bumps extending outwardly from the outer circumferential surface of the endcap body, wherein each of the one or more locking bumps includes a contact surface that is positioned transversely to the longitudinal path, and   wherein the sleeve, one or more locking tabs, endcap, and one or more locking bumps are configured such that when the endcap is in its final, installed position within the sleeve opening, movement of the endcap in an outward direction is prevented by the engagement of each of the one or more locking tab contact edges and a corresponding locking bump contact surface.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the endcap includes a flange, and   wherein the endcap final position comprises a position along the longitudinal pathway at which the flange contacts the rim of the sleeve opening.   
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the endcap includes a cavity therein for holding an item to be packaged.   
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 ,
 wherein each of the one or more locking tabs extends from a corresponding convexly curved side panel, and is inwardly foldable to a position in which each locking tab contact edge is positioned transversely to the longitudinal pathway.   
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the locking tab is resiliently deflectable, and wherein the locking tab and the locking bump are respectively positioned,   such that when the endcap travels along the longitudinal pathway, the locking bump deflects the locking tab so as to allow the endcap to travel along the longitudinal pathway, and   such that when the endcap reaches its final, installed position, the resilience of the locking tab causes it to move to a position in which it is engageable by the locking bump contact surface.   
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the sleeve comprises a plurality of convexly curved side panels,   wherein at least one locking tab extends from each of a plurality of convexly curved sleeve panels, and   wherein the endcap includes at least one locking bump corresponding in position to each locking tab.   
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the sleeve comprises a plurality of side panels, having vertices therebetween,   wherein a locking tab extends from neighboring panels at one or more vertices, and   wherein the endcap includes a locking bump corresponding in possible to each locking tab.   
     
     
         8 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the sleeve has a profile comprising a combination of curved and flat sides.   
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the locking tab includes a cutout region that is shaped to at least partially surround the locking bump,   wherein the contact edge comprises an edge of the cutout region, and   wherein the locking tab and the locking bump are positioned such that when the endcap is in its final, installed position, the locking bump is positioned within the cutout region of the locking tab.   
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the locking tab includes one or more U-shaped cutout regions that are shaped to fit around one or more respective locking bumps.   
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the locking includes one or more holes that are shaped to fit around one or more respective locking bumps.   
     
     
         14 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the endcap and sleeve are configured such that when the endcap is installed into its final, installed position, the endcap has a first rotational orientation within the sleeve opening wherein the locking tab contact edges and the locking bump contact surfaces are engaged, and a second rotational orientation wherein the locking tab contact edges and the locking bump contact surfaces are not engaged,   whereby the endcap is releasable from the sleeve opening by twisting the endcap from the first rotational orientation into the second rotational orientation.   
     
     
         19 . A package, comprising:
 a sleeve, comprising a plurality of side panels with vertices between adjacent side panels, wherein at least one end of the sleeve includes an opening having a rim defined by edges of the plurality of side panels, and   an endcap having a body with an outer circumferential surface that is shaped to fit within the sleeve opening, such that the endcap is insertable into the sleeve opening and slidable along a longitudinal path to a final, installed position,   wherein the sleeve additionally comprises a plurality of locking tabs extending inwardly from the plurality of side panels at the vertices between adjacent side panels, wherein each locking tab includes a contact edge that is positioned transversely to the longitudinal path,   wherein the endcap additionally comprises a plurality of locking bumps corresponding to the plurality of locking tabs, wherein the plurality of locking bumps extend outwardly from the outer circumferential surface of the endcap body, each locking bump including a contact surface that is positioned transversely to the longitudinal path of a respective locking tab, and   wherein the sleeve, locking tab, endcap, and locking bump are configured such that when the endcap is in its final, installed position within the sleeve opening, movement of the endcap in an outward direction is prevented by the engagement of the locking tab contact edges and their respective locking bump contact surfaces.   
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 19 ,
 wherein one or more locking tabs straddle a corresponding one or more vertices between adjacent side panels, and   wherein each such locking tab is has a longitudinal crease therein corresponding to a respective vertex between adjacent side panels.