Lockable packaging

Abstract

A lockable receptacle ( 20 ) comprising a main portion ( 24 ) having at least one receiving cavity ( 22 ) for holding an article and comprising a locking flap ( 40 ) hinged to the main portion, the locking flap comprising at least one locking tab ( 44 ) being outwardly projectable relative to the main portion upon folding the locking flap about an interrupted hinge connection between the locking flap and main portion. Such lockable receptacle designed to interact with a outer sleeve such that the to cause the at least one locking tab is aligned to interact with a locking engagement on the outer shell in such a manner that a user may press upon an unlocking area on the outer shell and flex the locking tab out of locking engagement with an outer shell to thereby unlock the receptacle from the outer shell to facilitate its withdrawal.

1 . A lockable receptacle for placement in an outer shell, lockable receptacle comprising a main portion having at least one receiving cavity for holding an article and comprising a locking flap hinged to the main portion, the locking flap comprising at least one locking tab being outwardly projectable relative to the main portion upon folding the locking flap about an interrupted hinge connection between the locking flap and main portion. 
     
     
         2 . The lockable receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking flap comprising at least one stopper being formed as at least one projection from the locking flap. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The lockable receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one locking tab is configured such that it is engageable with an outer shell of a package to lock the receptacle within the outer shell and/or to prevent complete withdrawal of the receptacle from the outer shell. 
     
     
         5 . The lockable receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one locking tab is defined in part by a cut line which interrupts the hinge connection between the locking flap and the main portion of the receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The lockable receptacle according to  claim 1  formed from plastics material and formed such that the locking flap has a natural tendency to stay in a folded position relative to the main portion. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The lockable receptacle according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one stopper projects from the locking flap and is disposed in close proximity to the locking tab. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The lockable receptacle according to  claim 2  wherein the locking flap comprises at least one longitudinal rib disposed adjacent to the at least one stopper. 
     
     
         11 . The lockable receptacle according to  claim 10  wherein the locking flap comprises two locking tabs each formed in part by an arcuate cut line that interrupts the hinge connection between the locking flap and the main portion and wherein the at least one stopper comprises two stoppers adjacent to each of the arcuate cut lines, a top part of each of the two stoppers having a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of the locking flap. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The lockable receptacle according to any one of  claims 2  wherein the said at least one stopper provides a bracing means such that when a force is applied to the lockable receptacle in the region of the locking flap and/or in the region of the hinge connection between the locking flap and the main portion, the at least one stopper enables the locking flap to flex or distort in the region of the at least one locking tab to cause the at least one locking tab to be brought out of locking engagement with an outer shell to thereby unlock the receptacle from the outer shell to facilitate its withdrawal. 
     
     
         14 . An outer shell for accommodating a lockable receptacle such as a blister strip, the outer shell comprising first and second inner surfaces defining at least in part an inner housing into which the lockable receptacle is positionable, the outer shell comprising first and second guide elements disposed internally on said first and second surfaces respectively, said first and second guide elements comprising ramps for guiding and positioning a lockable receptacle when the lockable receptacle is inserted into the outer shell. 
     
     
         15 . The outer shell according to  claim 14 , wherein the outer shell further comprising at least one aperture for receiving part of a lockable receptacle for locking the lockable receptacle in the outer shell. 
     
     
         16 . The outer shell according to  claim 15 , further comprising at least one depression disposed adjacent to the at least one aperture. 
     
     
         17 . The outer shell according to  claim 15 , further comprising first and second overlapping panels, wherein one of the first and second inner surfaces is provided by the first panel which comprises the at least one aperture and wherein the second panel comprises at least one detent or projection that functions to space the first and second panels apart from each other. 
     
     
         18 . The outer shell according to  claim 17 , wherein the outer shell is formed from paperboard and wherein the at least one detent or projection extends from an inner surface of the second panel and are formed as a pressed out impression or embossment pressed out from the outer surface of the second panel. 
     
     
         19 . The outer shell according to  claim 18  wherein the at least one detent or projection is formed as a series of substantially parallel lines. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A package comprising an outer shell and a blister strip, the blister strip comprising a main portion having at least one blister cavity for holding an article and comprising a locking flap hinged to the main portion, the locking flap comprising one or more locking tabs being outwardly projectable relative to the main portion upon folding the locking flap about an interrupted hinge connection between the locking flap and main portion and the locking flap comprising one or more stoppers being formed as one or more projections from the locking flap, the outer shell comprising first and second inner surfaces defining at least in part an inner housing into which the blister strip is positionable, the outer shell comprising one or more apertures for receiving the one or more locking tabs of the blister strip such that the blister strip is locked in the outer shell when the one or more locking tabs are received in the one or more apertures. 
     
     
         22 . The package according to  claim 21  wherein the locking flap is connected to the main strip such that locking flap is urged to a folded position relative to the main strip. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The package according to  claim 21  wherein the outer shell further comprises first and second guide elements disposed internally on said first and second surfaces, said first and second guide elements being formed as two or more ramps to guide and position the locking flap of the blister strip when blister strip is inserted into the outer shell, and the first and second guide elements being positioned relative to the one or more apertures such that the locking flap is properly positioned by the first and second guide elements to affect proper engagement of the one or more locking tabs within the one or more apertures.