Lockable Container with Inner Tray

Abstract

Taught herein is a package for holding and storing various types of portable items. A pre-formed tray ( 12, 26 ) is configured to receive and store portable items of any size and shape. The tray is attached to a slide card ( 10 ), loaded with the items, and inserted into an outer sleeve ( 100 ). Receiving recesses ( 42, 44, 46, 48 ) hold the items in the tray. An engaging element ( 22 ) integral to the card or tray cooperatively engages locking elements and stopping elements ( 108, 120 ) integral to the outer sleeve. The cooperative engagement of the elements provides a child-resistant feature and a spill-resistant feature. A release element 130 disengages the child-resistant feature.

1 . An apparatus for receiving and securing an item, comprising: 
 a slide card comprising an engaging element and at least one tray receiving area;    at least one pre-formed tray, attached to said tray receiving area, configured to receive and hold at least one portable item;    an outer sleeve configured to receive said card and attached tray, comprising a locking element configured to connect with said engaging element at a locking position; and,    a release element integral to said outer sleeve, configured to disconnect said engaging element from said locking element.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said card is constructed of a first material and said tray is constructed of a second material.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said second material is plastic.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said engaging element is positioned on said tray.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said tray comprises at least one receiving recess configured to receive and hold said portable item.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said outer sleeve further comprises an interior aperture configured to connect said engaging element at a stopping position.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for receiving and holding an item, comprising: 
 a slide card constructed of a first material, comprising at least a first panel and at least one tray receiving area located on said first panel;    at least one pre-formed tray constructed of a second material and comprising at least one receiving recess, attached to said card at said tray receiving area; and,    an outer sleeve defining a void, comprising an open end configured to permit said card and attached tray to translate in and out of said void.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said slide card further comprises an engaging element connected to at least one of said first panel and said tray.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said outer sleeve further comprises a locking element configured to releasably connect to said engaging element at a locking position.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said outer sleeve further comprises a release configured to disconnect said engaging element from said locking element.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said outer sleeve further comprises a stopping element configured to connect to said engaging element at a stopping position.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for receiving and securing an item, comprising: 
 a slide card comprising means for engaging and at least one tray receiving area;    at least one pre-formed tray, attached to said tray receiving area, configured to receive and hold at least one portable item;    an outer sleeve defining a void configured to receive said card and attached tray, comprising an open end and means for locking said means for engaging; and,    means for releasing, integral to said outer sleeve, configured to disengage said means for engaging from said means for locking.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said means for engaging comprises an element positioned on at least one of said card and said tray configured to cooperatively connect with said means for locking.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said means for locking comprises an element positioned within said void configured to cooperatively connect with said means for engaging.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said means for releasing comprises a mechanism positioned along the exterior of said outer sleeve and proximate to said locking element.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a means for stopping.  
   
   
       17 . A foldable tray card formed of contiguous panels, comprising: 
 an engaging panel defined by a first edge and spaced apart hinge;    a second panel defined by said hinge and a spaced apart second edge;    a tray integral to said second panel;    at least one receiving recess located within said tray, configured to receive and hold an item; and,    a third panel hingedly attached to at least one of said second edge and said tray; configured to fold over and cover said item.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said panels and said tray are constructed using a thermo-forming process.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said panels and said tray are constructed using an injection molding process.  
   
   
       20 . A method of resisting access to an item, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a slide card comprising a base panel;    attaching a preformed tray comprising at least one receiving recess to said base panel;    providing a means for engaging associated with at least one of said card and said tray;    placing an item in said receiving recess;    providing an outer sleeve with an open end and adjacent void, said sleeve further comprising a means for locking;    aligning said card with said open end;    orienting said means for engagement with said means for locking; and    inserting said card and tray fully into said void;    causing said means for engaging and said means for locking to releasably connect.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said step of providing an outer sleeve further comprises providing an outer sleeve having a means for releasing, said means for releasing configured to disconnect said means for engaging and said means for locking.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising the step of manipulating said means for releasing to withdraw said tray at least partially from said void.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of withdrawing said item from said recess.