Spring Biased Box Clip

Abstract

Described herein is a packaging clip for releasably securing overlapping packaging panels to one another. The packaging clip includes a biasing element that helps restrain relative movement of the panels in a first configuration, and in a second configuration encourages their release and indicates such to a user. In an implementation, the biasing element is associated with a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a rigid portion that is engageable with each overlapping panel for limiting their relative movement in the first configuration. The locking mechanism is turnable or otherwise manipulateable to release the first and second panels. The biasing element can exert a biasing force that encourages exit of the locking structure, allowing the locking structure to protrude from the panels and provide a visual indication of the released state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A packaging system, comprising:
 a packaging including an inner box and an outer box; and   a packaging clip integrated with each of the inner and outer boxes, the packaging clip configured to:
 in a first mode, secure the inner and outer boxes to one another in a closed configuration; and 
 in a second mode, release the inner and outer boxes from the closed configuration using a biasing structure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the packaging clip comprises a locking mechanism including the biasing structure, the locking mechanism being manipulatable to transition the packaging clip from the first mode to the second mode. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the locking mechanism further includes a turnable locking structure engaged with the biasing structure, the turnable locking structure configured to rotate from a first position to a second position; and   a rotation of the turnable locking structure to the second position transitions the packaging clip to the second mode.   
     
     
         4 . The packaging system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 in the first mode, the turnable locking structure is generally arranged at the first position and the biasing structure is compressed, having potential energy; and   in the second mode, the turnable locking structure is generally arranged at the second position and the biasing structure is substantially uncompressed, the potential energy being released and the turnable locking structure arranged proud with respect to an exterior-facing surface of the outer box, providing a visual indication of release of the inner box from the outer box.   
     
     
         5 . The packaging system of  claim 4 , wherein the second position of the turnable locking structure is a rotational quarter turn from the first position. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the inner or outer boxes is formed from a corrugated material. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging system of  claim 6 , wherein the corrugated material is configured to structurally support an appliance for shipment, the appliance comprising a beverage machine. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the packaging clip attached to the packaging is formed from a plastic material. 
     
     
         9 . A packaging clip, comprising:
 a first panel attachment mechanism configured for attachment to a first packaging panel;   a second panel attachment mechanism configured for attachment to a second packaging panel; and   a locking mechanism engaged with the first and second attachment mechanisms for releasable coupling of the first and second packaging panels and comprising a biasing structure configured to bias the locking mechanism proud from the first panel attachment mechanism, indicating release of the first and second packaging panels from a secured configuration.   
     
     
         10 . The packaging clip of  claim 9 , wherein the first panel attachment mechanism comprises a first panel fastener base and a first panel fastener top, the first panel fastener base and the first panel fastener top are configured to attach to opposing sides of the first packaging panel. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging clip of  claim 10 , wherein:
 each of the first panel fastener base and the first panel fastener top define an opening configured to receive the locking mechanism therethough; and   the locking mechanism comprises a rim configured to engage one or both of the first panel fastener base and the first panel fastener top at the opening.   
     
     
         12 . The packaging clip of  claim 11 , wherein the biasing structure comprises a spring arranged substantially between the first panel fastener base and the rim of the locking mechanism and configured to bias the rim of the locking mechanism toward the first panel fastener top. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging clip of  claim 9 , wherein the second panel attachment mechanism comprises a second panel fastener base and a second panel fastener top, the second panel fastener base and the second panel fastener top configured to attach to opposing sides of the second packaging panel. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging clip of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the locking mechanism comprises a turnable locking structure having an engagement portion configured to be received by at least one of the second panel fastener base or the second panel fastener top; and   the turnable locking structure is turnable relative to the second panel attachment mechanism in order to restrain movement of the locking mechanism away from the second panel attachment mechanism.   
     
     
         15 . The packaging clip of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the turnable locking structure is further turnable relative to the second panel attachment mechanism in order to allow movement of the locking mechanism away from the second panel attachment mechanism; and   the biasing structure comprises a spring engaged with the turnable locking structure to bias the turnable locking structure to a proud position relative to an exterior of the first and second packaging panels.   
     
     
         16 . The packaging clip of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the second panel fastener top defines an elongated through portion;   the engagement portion of the turnable locking structure comprises a radial tongue arranged substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the turnable locking structure and configured to extend fully through the elongated through portion when aligned with the elongated through portion; and   when the radial tongue is positioned fully through the elongated through portion, and when the turnable locking structure is rotated to misalign the radial tongue with the elongated through portion, movement of the turnable locking structure away from the second panel fastener top is restricted.   
     
     
         17 . The packaging clip of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first packaging panel is a panel of an outer box; and   the second packaging panel is a panel of an inner box, the inner box arranged substantially within the outer box.   
     
     
         18 . The packaging clip of  claim 17 , wherein one or both of the first packaging panel or the second packaging panel is formed from a corrugated material. 
     
     
         19 . A method for releasably securing a product packaging using a packaging clip, comprising:
 attaching a first panel attachment structure to a first packaging panel;   attaching a second panel attachment structure to a second packaging panel, the second packaging panel arranged substantially adjacent the first packaging panel; and   securing the first and second packaging panels to one another using a locking mechanism comprising a biasing structure configured to bias the locking mechanism proud from the first panel attachment structure for indication of a release of the first and second packaging panels from a secured configuration.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the operation of securing further comprises inserting a radial tongue of an engagement portion of the locking mechanism at least partially into the second panel attachment structure and compressing the biasing structure. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the operation of securing further comprises inserting the radial tongue into an elongated opening of the second panel attachment structure and misaligning the radial tongue with respect to the elongated opening when the radial tongue is inserted through the elongated opening. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising rotating the locking mechanism a quarter turn, thereby aligning the radial tongue for the release of the first and second packaging panels from the secured configuration. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the operation of rotation further comprises generating a tactile output in response to a release of the first and second packaging panels.