Locking assembly for use in lockable containers

Abstract

A lockable container includes a sleeve, a locking assembly, and a slideable platform. The slideable platform can be stored in the sleeve. The locking assembly and the slideable platform can each have one or more of an engaging mechanism and a receiving mechanism, with reciprocal engaging mechanisms and/or receiving mechanisms being included at the other element. A release button can be included in the locking assembly to disengage the engaging mechanism from the receiving mechanism.

1 . A container comprising:
 a sleeve comprising a plurality of walls connected to form a void for slideably receiving a slideable platform and a locking assembly;   the locking assembly comprising:
 a top portion connected to a base portion, and a first engaging element extending from the top portion; and 
   the sliding platform comprising a second engaging element for engaging the first engaging element.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes an open end through which the slideable platform and the locking assembly can be translated, the sleeve further having at least one flap defined at the open end thereof, the at least one flap defining an interface slot, the locking assembly being oriented for operation by the engagement of the base portion thereof with the interface slot. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement element is a locking post, the second engaging element being an aperture, the locking post being configured for selectably engaging with the aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the locking post defines a sloped surface for promoting displacement of the slideable platform toward the base portion when the slideable platform is first substantially inserted into the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the locking assembly further includes a release button, the release button being pivotably displaceable toward the base portion, the release button being configured for displacing the sliding platform toward the base portion. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the release button further defines a rib extension for contacting the sliding platform. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the sleeve defines a release button cutout for providing access to the release button. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion includes at least one biasing element extending therefrom, each biasing member being configured for urging at least a portion of the sliding platform toward the top portion of the locking assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion further includes a sleeve-interface portion distal from the portion thereof connected to the top portion. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve includes an open end through which the slideable platform and the locking assembly can be translated, the sleeve further having at least one flap defined at the open end thereof, the at least one flap defining an interface slot, the locking assembly being oriented for operation by the engagement of the sleeve-interface portion with the interface slot. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve-interface portion has a retainer extending therefrom that is dimensioned and positioned to allow the slideable platform to slide freely into the sleeve and to engage the second engagement element as the slideable platform is removed from the sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the sleeve-interface portion is retained in the sleeve by the at least one flap, the retainer extending through the interference slot. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein slideable platform is a blister card. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the locking assembly is at least one of recyclable, disposable, and reusable. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is formed from a blank.