Push-Release Locking Mechanism for a Package With a Pivoting Tray

Abstract

A package comprising an outer sleeve with an inner void having a push-release locking mechanism positioned therein, and a tray for receiving articles that is pivotally connected to the outer sleeve, in which the push-release locking mechanism includes a means for locking and a means for spring loading, each located between the tray and the outer sleeve; and a method for releasing the tray from the outer sleeve, are described herein.

1 . A package, comprising:
 An outer sleeve comprising an inner void; and   A tray for receiving articles that is pivotally connected to said outer sleeve; and   A push-release locking mechanism positioned in the inner void of said outer sleeve, comprising:
 A means for locking located between said tray and said outer sleeve; and 
 A means for spring loading located between said tray and said outer sleeve; 
   
   
   
       2 . A method for releasing said tray from said outer sleeve of the package of  claim 1  , comprising:
 Pushing said tray into said outer sleeve to disengage said means for locking and to load said means for spring loading; and   Releasing said tray to allow said means for spring loading to rotate said tray such that said means for locking is not reengaged.   
   
   
       3 . A package comprising:
 a) an outer sleeve defining an inner void;   b) a tray for storing a product which is pivotally connected to the outer sleeve and adapted for movement between a first locked configuration wherein the tray is restrained within the inner void of the sleeve and a second configuration wherein the tray is exposed such that product stored by the tray can be accessed; and   c) a push-release locking mechanism that includes:
 i) means for locking the tray in the first position; and 
 ii) means for spring loading the tray and biasing the tray toward the second position; wherein the means for locking the tray in the first position is released by pushing the tray further into the void of the sleeve. 
   
   
   
       4 . The package as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the tray further includes at least one receptacle for receiving a product. 
   
   
       5 . The package as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the means for locking the tray in the first position includes an arm extending from the tray which releasably engages with a locking arm associated with the outer sleeve. 
   
   
       6 . The package as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the means for spring loading the tray and biasing the tray into the second position includes a spring, wherein when the tray is in the first position, the spring engages with the arm extending from the tray. 
   
   
       7 . The package as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the locking arm is integrally formed with the outer sleeve. 
   
   
       8 . The package as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the locking arm is attached to the outer sleeve through a pin connection and wherein a spring is used to control lateral deflection of the locking arm. 
   
   
       9 . The package as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the locking arm includes an edge for receiving a tip of the arm associated with the tray. 
   
   
       10 . The package as recited in  claim 3 , wherein when the tray is pushed further into the void in order to release the locking means it contacts and deflects the locking arm and releases the locking means. 
   
   
       11 . The package as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the the means for locking the tray in the first position includes a locking arm extending from the outer sleeve which releasably engages with a bump formed on the tray. 
   
   
       12 . The package as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the means for spring loading the tray and biasing the tray into the second position includes an elastic leg extending from the tray and a stationary surface associated with the outer sleeve. 
   
   
       13 . The package as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the locking arm is integrally formed with the outer sleeve. 
   
   
       14 . The package as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the locking arm is attached to the outer sleeve through a pin connection and wherein a spring is used to control lateral deflection of the locking arm.