Locking Package Container

Abstract

A locking packaging container, locking mechanism and method includes an insert including at least one locking tab of dual interlocking slotted end panels and a void of material at end corners of at least one of the dual interlocking slotted end panels of the insert and an outer sleeve including at least one locking aperture slot corresponding to the at least one locking tab when in a locked position.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A locking packaging container comprising:
 an insert comprising top, bottom, front wall, back wall and side walls, wherein at least one locking tab is comprised of dual interlocking slotted end panels and a void of material at end corners of at least one of the dual interlocking slotted end panels of the insert; and   an outer sleeve comprising top, bottom, back wall and side walls, wherein at least one wall comprises at least one locking aperture slot corresponding to the at least one locking tab when in a locked position.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises two or more locking tabs and the sleeve comprises two or more corresponding locking aperture slots. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking tab and at least one locking aperture slot are configured to lock the insert in its entirety inside the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the insert further comprises a minor panel located on the side of one end of the insert and a minor panel located on the other side of the end of the insert and the sleeve comprises a minor flap located on the side of one end of the sleeve and a minor flap located on the other side of the end of the sleeve, wherein the minor panels cooperate with the minor flaps to restrict the complete removal of the insert from the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is configured to receive an article within the insert. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the insert and sleeve comprise paperboard or plastic. 
     
     
         7 . A locking mechanism, comprising:
 a locking tab comprising dual interlocking slotted end panels of an insert and a void of material at end corners of the dual interlocking slotted end panels, wherein the locking tab is moveable between a relaxed position and a flexed position; and
 a locking aperture slot of a sleeve corresponding to the locking tab, wherein a portion of the locking tab extends beyond the locking aperture slot when in a locked position. 
   
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 moving a locking tab of an insert from a relaxed position to a flexed position by sliding an end of the insert into a sleeve; and   moving the lacking tab of the insert from the flexed position to the relaxed position by sliding the insert into the sleeve until a portion of the locking tab protrudes from a locking aperture of the sleeve, thereby locking the insert within the sleeve.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 unlocking the insert from the sleeve by depressing the portion of the locking tab protruding from the locking aperture of the sleeve thereby moving the locking tab from the relaxed position to the flexed position by partially sliding the insert out of the sleeve.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising inserting an article into the insert prior to sliding the insert into the sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 unlocking the insert from the sleeve by depressing the portion of the locking tab protruding from the locking aperture of the sleeve thereby moving the locking tab from the relaxed position to the flexed position by partially sliding the insert out of the sleeve to expose the article.