Package with opposing locking mechanisms

Abstract

The package includes a base, a primary lid connected to the base via a first hinge, the primary lid and the base defining a primary storage area when the primary lid is in a closed position, a first locking mechanism, and a second locking mechanism. The first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism each include a flexible member including a first and second segment connected by an elbow, the first segment being connected to the primary lid, a distal end of the second segment including a contact structure, the second segment including a first engaging structure, a second engaging structure on an interior wall of the base, the flexible member being in a first position when the primary lid is in the closed position, the second engaging structure being retained by the first engaging structure to lock the primary lid onto the base in the closed position.

1 . A package, comprising:
 a base;   a primary lid connected to an upper portion of the base via a first hinge, the primary lid and the base collectively defining a primary storage area when the primary lid is in a closed position; and   a first locking mechanism on a first side of the package; and   a second locking mechanism on a second side of the package,   the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism each including
 a flexible member including a first segment and a second segment that are connected by an elbow, the first segment being connected to the primary lid, a distal end of the second segment including a contact structure, the second segment including a first engaging structure between the contact structure and the elbow, 
 a second engaging structure on an interior wall of the base, 
   the flexible member being in a first position when the primary lid is in the closed position, the second engaging structure being retained by the first engaging structure to lock the primary lid onto the base in the closed position,   the flexible member being configured to be moved from the first position to a second position when a first force is applied in a first direction on a side surface of the contact structure to articulate the second segment toward the first segment and disengage the first engaging structure from the second engaging structure.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the second segment extends in an outward direction, away from the first segment due to a spring force from the elbow, such that the flexible member is in a third position when the primary lid is in an opened position. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the first position is a first flexed position of the flexible member, the second position is a second flexed position of the flexible member, and the third position is a relaxed position. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the elbow is made from a resilient material, the elbow providing a spring force that causes the second segment to extend away from the first segment. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment is a first sheet of material and the second segment is a second sheet of material. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein the first sheet of material and the second sheet of material oppose each other, and the second sheet of material flexes away from the first sheet of material due to a spring force provided by the elbow. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the second segment includes an opening traversing through an outer surface and an inner surface of the second segment, an exposed surface of the second segment that is exposed by the opening serves as the first engagement structure, and the second engaging structure engages the exposed surface of the second segment with a portion of the second engaging structure extending into the opening when the primary lid is in the closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the second engaging structure includes a catch, the catch defining a step, the step being configured to engage the first engaging structure and retain the catch when the primary lid is in the closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein the catch faces toward an interior of the primary storage area. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the primary lid is configured to be moved to an open position from the closed position in response to a second force applied to the primary lid in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction while the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism are both in the second position. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the side surface of the contact structure is flush with an outer side surface of the package when the primary lid is in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein an upper surface of the contact structure is flush with an exterior surface of the primary lid when the primary lid is in the closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the base and an exterior surface of the primary lid are flush when the primary lid is in the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein
 at least one first step is defined along an interior upper portion of the base, and   a lower portion of the primary lid defines at least one second step, the at least one first step mating with the at least one second step when the primary lid is in the closed position.   
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a seal along the interior upper portion of the base, the seal at least partially defining the at least one first step.   
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the primary lid has at least three points of contact with the base when the primary lid is in the closed position, the three points of contact being provided by the first locking mechanism, the second locking mechanism and the first hinge. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes
 a frame, the frame including outer walls, and   an insert, the insert including a floor, the insert and the frame being connected such that the outer walls and the floor combine to at least partially form an outer surface of the package.   
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism directly oppose each other, on the first side and the second side of the package, respectively. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a secondary lid connected to a lower portion of the base via a second hinge, the secondary lid and the base collectively defining a secondary storage area when the secondary lid is closed.   
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein a guard at least partially encloses the flexible member and the second engaging structure within the primary storage area when the primary lid is in the closed position. 
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first hinge is a living hinge. 
     
     
         22 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one rib extends across at least a portion of an interior surface of the primary lid.