Lockable packaging

Abstract

A lockable receptacle ( 97 ) is used in a package which includes an outer sleeve ( 95 ) and a two-part complementary locking mechanism for releasably locking the lockable receptacle ( 97 ) within the outer sleeve ( 95 ). The lockable receptacle provides a first part of the two-part complementary locking mechanism in the form of a locking element ( 90 ) co-operative with a second part of the two-part complementary locking mechanism that is provided by an outer sleeve. The lockable receptacle includes a main portion ( 88 a, 88 b ) for holding and/or accommodating an article. The locking element ( 90 ) is affixed to the main portion and has an engaging portion ( 98 ) shaped and arranged for engaging the second part of the two-part complementary locking mechanism.

1 . A lockable receptacle for use in a package comprising an outer sleeve and a two-part complementary locking mechanism for releasably locking the lockable receptacle within the outer sleeve, the lockable receptacle providing a first part of the two-part complementary locking mechanism in the form of a locking element co-operative with a second part of the two-part complementary locking mechanism that is provided by an outer sleeve, the lockable receptacle comprising a main portion for holding and/or accommodating an article and the locking element being affixed to the main portion and having an engaging portion shaped and arranged for engaging the second part of the two-part complementary locking mechanism. 
     
     
         2 . A lockable receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein the locking element comprises a first lap panel hinged directly to a first edge of the main portion of the lockable receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . A lockable receptacle according to  claim 2  wherein the first lap panel is hinged directly to the first edge of the main portion of the lockable receptacle at a location that is off-set from a centre point along the first edge of the main portion. 
     
     
         4 . A lockable receptacle according to  claim 3  wherein the engaging portion is provided by a cut and/or hinge edge of the locking element, which cut and/or hinge edge is inset from said first edge of the main portion of the lockable receptacle. 
     
     
         5 . A lockable receptacle according to  claim 4  wherein the locking element comprises a second lap panel hinged to the first lap panel, the second lap panel is folded and sandwiched between the first lap panel and the main portion and is affixed thereto such that the locking element is formed as a two-ply arrangement hinged to and affixed to the main portion of the lockable receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . A lockable receptacle according to  claim 5  wherein the cut and/or hinge edge comprises, in sequence, a fold line, a full-depth cut or half-depth cut and a further fold line. 
     
     
         7 . The lockable receptacle according to  claim 6  wherein the locking element is trapezoidal in shape. 
     
     
         8 . The lockable receptacle according to  claim 1  having a series of product holding blisters and comprising a false blister, wherein the false blister is located proximate to the locking element and depends from a second or opposite surface of the main portion and is provided to support the lockable receptacle in the vicinity of the locking element for ensuring that the locking element locates and properly engages the second part of the two-part complementary locking mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The lockable receptacle according to wherein the lockable receptacle accommodates two blister strips: a first blister strip sandwiched between a first main portion panel and a second main portion panel of the main portion; and a second blister strip sandwiched between a first bottom portion panel and a second bottom portion panel of a bottom portion of the lockable receptacle, and wherein a first retention flap is connected to the first bottom portion panel and a second retention flap is connected to the second bottom portion panel, a first spine panel connects the first main portion panel to the first bottom portion panel and a second spine panel connects the second main portion panel to the second bottom portion panel. 
     
     
         10 . A package comprising an outer sleeve and lockable receptacle according to  claim 1 , the outer sleeve having a tubular structure for housing the lockable receptacle defined by: a bottom wall; a composite top wall; a first side wall; and a second side wall, and having an open front end and a closed rear end, the composite top wall comprising an access aperture extending through the composite top wall such that a portion of the lockable receptacle, when held within the outer sleeve, is contactable therethrough, and the composite top wall comprising a second part of a two-part complementary locking mechanism for engaging the locking element of the lockable receptacle, said second part comprising a locking aperture formed in at least one panel forming the composite top wall. 
     
     
         11 . A package according to  claim 10  wherein the composite top wall comprises:
 an outer top panel, an intermediate top panel and an inner top panel, wherein the access aperture is formed from an outer aperture in the outer top panel; an intermediate aperture in the intermediate top panel; and an inner aperture in the inner top panel, which outer aperture, intermediate aperture and inner aperture are sized and at least partially super-positioned such that the access aperture extends through part of the composite top wall, and wherein the second part of the two-part complementary locking mechanism comprises an intermediate locking aperture in the intermediate top panel and an inner locking aperture in the inner top panel, the intermediate locking aperture and inner locking aperture being sized and super-positioned such that a cut edge of the intermediate locking aperture and inner locking aperture together form a locking edge against which the engaging portion of the locking element abuts when the lockable receptacle is locked within the outer sleeve. 
 
     
     
         12 . A package according to  claim 11  wherein the access aperture is sized and positioned to enable at least part of the lockable receptacle to be depressed or deformed to a sufficient degree to release the locking element from engagement with the locking edge and to enable the lockable receptacle to be moved out of the outer sleeve through the open end. 
     
     
         13 . A package according to  claim 12  wherein the second part of the two-part complementary locking mechanism is occluded from view by the outer top panel. 
     
     
         14 . A package according to  claim 12  wherein the intermediate access aperture and the intermediate locking aperture are connected; and the inner access aperture and the inner locking aperture are connected. 
     
     
         15 . A package according to  claim 14  wherein the intermediate locking aperture is positioned substantially to the side of the intermediate access aperture and wherein the inner locking aperture is positioned substantially to the side of the inner access aperture. 
     
     
         16 . An outer sleeve for use in the package of  claim 10 , the outer sleeve having a tubular structure for housing a lockable receptacle defined by: a bottom wall; a composite top wall; a first side wall; and a second side wall, and having an open front end and a closed rear end, the composite top wall comprising an access aperture extending through the composite top wall such that a portion of a lockable receptacle, when held within the outer sleeve, is contactable therethrough, and the composite top wall comprising a second part of a two-part complementary locking mechanism for engaging the locking element of the lockable receptacle, said second part comprising a locking aperture formed in at least one panel forming the composite top wall. 
     
     
         17 . An outer sleeve according to  claim 16  wherein the composite top wall comprises: an outer top panel, an intermediate top panel and an inner top panel, wherein the access aperture is formed from an outer aperture in the outer top panel; an intermediate aperture in the intermediate top panel; and an inner aperture in the inner top panel, which outer aperture, intermediate aperture and inner aperture are sized and at least partially super-positioned such that the access aperture extends through part of the composite top wall, and wherein the second part of the two-part complementary locking mechanism comprises an intermediate locking aperture in the intermediate top panel and an inner locking aperture in the inner top panel, the intermediate locking aperture and inner locking aperture being sized and super-positioned such that a cut edge of the intermediate locking aperture and inner locking aperture together form a locking edge against which the engaging portion of the locking element abuts when the lockable receptacle is locked within the outer sleeve.