Molded fiber clamshell

Abstract

An enclosure includes a first section, a second section, a first tab, and a second tab. The first section includes a first body with a first cavity. The second section is movably connected to the first section. The second section includes a second body with a second cavity. A first tab is connected to the first body. The first tab includes a first cutout. The second tab is connected to the second body. The second tab includes a second cutout. The second section is movable relative to the first section between an open position where the first cavity and the second cavity are exposed and a closed position where first cavity is aligned with the second cavity to form an enclosed volume. The first tab and the second tab can be oriented to expose the first cutout and the second cutout.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An enclosure for holding an item, the enclosure comprising: 
 a first section including a first body with a first cavity;   a second section movably connected to the first section, the second section including a second body with a second cavity;   a first tab connected to the first body, the first tab including a first cutout; and   a second tab connected to the second body, the second tab including a second cutout;   
       wherein the second section is movable relative to the first section between an open position where the first cavity and the second cavity are exposed and a closed position where first cavity is aligned with the second cavity to form an enclosed volume; and 
       wherein the first tab and the second tab are configured to be oriented to expose the first cutout and the second cutout. 
     
     
         2 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the first body and the second body are integrally formed. 
     
     
         3 . The enclosure of  claim 2 , wherein the first body and the second body are constructed from a molded fiber. 
     
     
         4 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the first cutout and the second cutout have a semi-circular shape. 
     
     
         5 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the first tab is connected to an upper end of the first body and the second tab is connected to an upper end of the second body, the enclosure further comprising: 
 a third tab connected to a lower end of the first body, the third tab including a third cutout; and   a fourth tab connected to the lower end of the second body, the fourth tab including a fourth cutout.   
     
     
         6 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein  
       the first tab is movable relative to the first body between a first position parallel to the first body and a second position perpendicular to the first body; and  
       the second tab is movable relative to the second body a third position parallel to the second body and a fourth position perpendicular to the second body. 
     
     
         7 . The enclosure of  claim 6 , wherein: 
 first tab is coplanar with the second tab when the first tab is in the second position and the second tab is in the fourth position; and   the first cutout and the second cutout are disposed opposite one another when the first tab is in the second position and the second tab is in the fourth position.   
     
     
         8 . The enclosure of  claim 6 , wherein: 
 the first tab is biased to a first initial position having a greater than 90 degree angle relative to the first body by a first joint; and    the second tab is biased to a second initial position having a greater than 90 degree angle relative to the second body by a second joint.   
     
     
         9 . A method for using an enclosure, the method comprising: 
 opening a body of the enclosure to expose a first cavity half and a second cavity half, wherein the first cavity half and the second cavity half are configured to receive an item;   closing the body of the enclosure to form a bounded volume defined by the first cavity half and the second cavity half, wherein the bounded volume is configured to retain the item;   moving a first tab from a position parallel to the body to a position perpendicular to the body, the first tab including a first cutout;   moving a second tab from a position parallel to the body to a position perpendicular to the body, the second tab including a second cutout.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the body is formed from molded fiber. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first cutout and the second cutout are semi-circular in shape. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
  moving a third tab from a position parallel to the body to a position perpendicular to the body, the third tab including a third cutout; and   moving a fourth tab from a position parallel to the body to a position perpendicular to the body, the fourth tab including a fourth cutout.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising inserting the body into an outer box when the first tab and the second tab are perpendicular to the body. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first cutout and the second cutout are oriented proximate to an opening of the outer box and are configured to be grasped. 
     
     
         15 . An enclosure for holding an item, the enclosure comprising: 
 a body having a cavity configured to house an item;   a first tab having a first edge connected to an upper edge of the body and a second edge opposite to the first edge, the first tab being movably connected to the upper edge the body, the second edge including a first cutout; and   a second tab having a third edge connected to the upper edge of the body and a fourth edge opposite to the third edge, the second tab being movably connected to the upper edge the body, the fourth edge including a second cutout;   
       wherein the first tab is movable between a first position parallel to a surface of the body and a second position perpendicular to the surface of the body; and 
       wherein the second tab is movable between a third position parallel to the surface of the body and a fourth position perpendicular to the surface of the body. 
     
     
         16 . The enclosure of  claim 15 , wherein the second edge and the fourth edge are configured to be 180 degrees apart when the first tab is in the second position and the second tab is in the fourth position. 
     
     
         17 . The enclosure of  claim 15 , wherein the body ais constructed from a molded fiber. 
     
     
         18 . The enclosure of  claim 15 , wherein the first cutout and the second cutout have a semi-circular shape. 
     
     
         19 . The enclosure of  claim 15 , wherein the body includes a first section and a second section movable relative to the first section between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the cavity includes a bounded volume in the closed position. 
     
     
         20 . The enclosure of  claim 19 , wherein the first tab is connected to the first section and the second tab is connected to the second section, and wherein the first section and the second section are integrally formed.