Dual insertion plastic shell container

Abstract

Disclosed is a container having an interior chamber and partial openings ( 40,50 ) on either end. The container is characterized by top and bottom components ( 10,20 ) each having opposing ends, one open and one closed, and opposing sides. The top and bottom components further include locking posts ( 24 ), cut out slit areas, and tab receptacles adapted to secure an insert attachment component ( 30 ). The top component ( 10 ), the bottom component ( 20 ) and the insert attachment component are attached to one another to form a container having an interior chamber with an open portion on either end each capable of accepting a separate insert card ( 60 ) in a lockable manner.

1 . A container having an interior chamber and partial openings on either end, each opening adapted to receive and secure a relatively flat insert card having a cut out area adapted to hook over a catch mechanism, the container comprising:
 a top component, the top component having opposing ends, one open and one closed, and opposing sides, the top component further comprising:   at least one locking post protruding away from the inner surface of the top component and positioned near the closed end of the top component and at least one unlocking mechanism positioned near the closed end of the top component;   a bottom component, the bottom component having opposing ends, one open and one closed, and opposing sides, the bottom component further comprising:   at least one locking post protruding away from the inner surface of the bottom component and positioned near the closed end of the bottom component; and at least one unlocking mechanism positioned near the closed end of the bottom component   and an insert attachment component wherein the top component, the bottom component, and the insert attachment component are attached to one another to form a container having an interior chamber with an open portion on the top and the bottom capable of accepting a separate insert card in a lockable manner.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the open portion of the top aligns with the closed end of the bottom. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the insert attachment comprises two or more securing tabs. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the insert attachment further comprises two or more lock release posts. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the top component and the bottom component are snap fit to one another wherein the top component further comprises a plurality of snap fit tabs and the bottom component further comprises a corresponding plurality of snap fit receptacles adapted to receive the snap fit tabs. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the top component and the bottom component are adhered to one another using an adhesive material. 
     
     
         7 . A container having an interior chamber and partial openings on either end, each opening adapted to receive and secure a relatively flat insert card having a cut out area adapted to hook over a catch mechanism, the container comprising:
 a top component made from a plastic material, the top component having opposing ends, one open and one closed, and opposing sides, the top component further comprising:
 an angled locking post protruding away from the inner surface of the top component and positioned near the closed end of the top component; 
 a cut out slit area positioned on the surface of the top component between the location of the angled locking post and the closed end; and 
 a tab receptacle positioned on the closed end of the top component, 
   a bottom component made from a plastic material, the bottom component having opposing ends, one open and one closed, and opposing sides, the bottom component further comprising:
 an angled locking post protruding away from the inner surface of the bottom component and positioned near the closed end of the bottom component; and 
 a cut out slit area positioned on the surface of the bottom component between the location of the angled locking post and the closed end; and 
 a tab receptacle positioned on the closed end of the bottom component, 
   an insert attachment component comprising:
 a relatively thin base platform having an upper and lower surface that extends the length of the top and bottom components; 
 a first sloped guide rib protruding away from the upper surface of the base platform; 
 a second sloped guide rib protruding away from the lower surface of the base platform; 
 a first securing tab extending away from the upper surface of the base platform positioned at an end of the base platform; 
 a second securing tab extending away from the lower surface of the base platform positioned at the opposite end of the base platform relative to the location of the first securing tab; 
 a first lock release post extending away from the upper surface of the base platform positioned between the first guide rib and the first securing tab; and 
 a second lock release post extending away from the lower surface of the base platform positioned between the second guide rib and the second securing tab, 
   wherein the top component, the bottom component, and the insert attachment component are attached to one another to form a container having an interior chamber with an open portion on either end each capable of accepting a separate insert card in a lockable manner.   
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the insert attachment component further comprises a plurality of retention daggers on opposite ends and opposite sides of the insert attachment component, the retention daggers adapted to catch an insert card via the insert card hole so as to prevent the insert card from being completely withdrawn from the container. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the top component further comprises a finger indent feature along an edge of the top component that is furthest from the cut out slit. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the bottom component further comprises a finger indent feature along an edge of the bottom component that is furthest from the cut out slit. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the top component and the bottom component are snap fit to one another wherein the top component further comprises a plurality of snap fit tabs and the bottom component further comprises a corresponding plurality of snap fit receptacles adapted to receive the snap fit tabs. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the top component and the bottom component are adhered to one another using an adhesive material.