Latchable package

Abstract

A latchable package comprises: a structure; and a support for supporting one or more items, the support being movable in an opening direction between a first position in which the structure blocks access to the one or more items and a second position in which the one or more items are accessibly clear of the structure. The structure and support comprise complementary latch members configured to engage when the support is arranged in the first position to prevent movement of the support in the opening direction. The latch member of the support is moveable in a latching direction transverse to the opening direction to engage with the latch member of the structure. The support comprises a latch region having a latch wall, the latch wall being subject to a biasing force that biases the wall outwardly in the latching direction, wherein a first portion of the latch wall is constrained against the biasing force, and wherein a second portion of the latch wall comprises a discontinuity configured to release the constraint in the second portion of the wall to allow the second portion to flare outwardly in the latching direction under the biasing force to act as the latch member on the support.

1 . A latchable package comprising:
 a structure; and   a support for supporting one or more items, the support being movable in an opening direction between a first position in which the structure blocks access to the one or more items and a second position in which the one or more items are accessibly clear of the structure;   the structure and support comprising complementary latch members configured to engage when the support is arranged in the first position to prevent movement of the support in the opening direction, the latch member of the support being moveable in a latching direction transverse to the opening direction to engage with the latch member of the structure;   wherein the support comprises a latch region having a latch wall, the latch wall being subject to a biasing force that biases the wall outwardly in the latching direction, wherein a first portion of the latch wall is constrained against the biasing force, and wherein a second portion of the latch wall comprises a discontinuity configured to release the constraint in the second portion of the wall to allow the second portion to flare outwardly in the latching direction under the biasing force to act as the latch member on the support.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the latch wall comprises a free edge that defines an abutment surface. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing force is a tensile force. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the latch region comprises a fold arranged to subject the latch wall to the biasing force, the fold optionally extending substantially parallel to the opening direction. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the latch region comprises a pair of folds, the latch wall extending between the folds. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the discontinuity is arranged to divide the second portion into two latch members, one provided at each side of the discontinuity. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the discontinuity is elongate and extends substantially along the opening direction. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the discontinuity is an opening, such as a slit, cut, or aperture in the wall of the support. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein the latch region comprises a further opening that extends in a direction transverse to the first opening, optionally wherein the opening and the further opening together define a T-shape. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein the latch wall is provided with at least one termination aperture located adjacent to the opening, the termination aperture having at least one dimension that is greater than a corresponding dimension of the opening. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the latch region is integral with a main body of the support, such that a wall of the main body defines the latch wall, optionally wherein the latch region is defined on a side wall or base wall of the support, such that the respective side wall or base wall of the support defines the latch wall. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the latch region is provided on a latch element that is couplable to a main body of the support, such that the latch region overlies a portion of the main body of the support. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the support comprises a band that encircles the main body of the support and the latch region is provided on the band; or wherein the support comprises an insert that is couplable to an external wall of the main body of the support and the latch region is provided on the insert. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the latch region of the support comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, and wherein the at least one opening is provided in the outer wall. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a withdrawal stop structure for limiting movement of the support in the opening direction, optionally wherein the withdrawal stop structure on the support is defined by a further latch region arranged rearward of the latch region in the opening direction. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises an access feature arranged to permit access to the support when the support is in the first position. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises an unlatching region arranged to overlie the latch region of the support when the support is arranged in the first position, the unlatching region being configured to allow the latch member of the support to be moved in an unlatching direction via the unlatching region of the support. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the unlatching region comprises a slit, cut or opening in a wall of the structure, that allows a portion of the wall adjacent the slit or cut or opening to be depressed to depress the latch member of the support, or wherein the unlatching region comprises an aperture through which the latch region of the support can be accessed. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the latch member of the structure comprises a flap extending rearwardly from a wall of the structure with respect to the opening direction. 
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the latch wall is constrained to define a plane, and the latching direction is substantially perpendicular to the plane. 
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the latch wall is arranged rearwardly of the second portion with respect to the opening direction, optionally wherein the discontinuity is arranged forwardly of the first portion with respect to the opening direction. 
     
     
         22 . A support for use in the latchable package of any preceding claim, the package comprising a structure and a support for supporting one or more items, the support being movable in an opening direction between a first position in which the structure blocks access to the one or more items and a second position in which the one or more items are accessibly clear of the structure, and the structure and support comprising complementary latch members configured to engage when the support is arranged in the first position to prevent movement of the support in the opening direction, the latch member of the support being moveable in a latching direction transverse to the opening direction to engage with the latch member of the structure, and the support comprising a latch region having a latch wall, the latch wall being subject to a biasing force that biases the wall outwardly in the latching direction, wherein a first portion of the latch wall is constrained against the biasing force, and wherein a second portion of the latch wall comprises a discontinuity configured to release the constraint in the second portion of the wall to allow the second portion to flare outwardly in the latching direction under the biasing force to act as the latch member on the support. 
     
     
         23 . A latch element for use in a latchable package, the package comprising a structure and a support for supporting one or more items, the support being movable in an opening direction between a first position in which the structure blocks access to the one or more items and a second position in which the one or more items are accessibly clear of the structure, and the structure and support comprising complementary latch members configured to engage when the support is arranged in the first position to prevent movement of the support in the opening direction, the latch member of the support being moveable in a latching direction transverse to the opening direction to engage with the latch member of the structure; wherein the latch element comprises a latch region having a latch wall, the latch wall being subject to a biasing force that biases the wall outwardly in the latching direction, wherein a first portion of the latch wall is constrained against the biasing force, and wherein a second portion of the latch wall comprises a discontinuity configured to release the constraint in the second portion of the wall to allow the second portion to flare outwardly in the latching direction under the biasing force to act as a latch member; and wherein the latch element is couplable to a support or to a structure of the package to define a latch member of the support or structure, respectively.