Packaging unit with lockable inner carrier element for products

Abstract

A packaging unit includes an outer box including a floor area, two side areas, two end faces, and two pairs of folding tabs. One pair of folding tabs is disposed at each of the two end faces. Each folding tab comprises two contact edges abutting a recess. A carrier element is disposed in the outer box to releasably hold at least one elongated product and comprises two end face ends, two longitudinal edges, a floor section, a roof section comprising two roof areas disposed at an angle to one another and projecting away from the floor section, and two pairs of locking tabs disposed one pair at each of the end face ends. Each of the locking tabs is engaged with the contact edges of a corresponding one of the folding tabs such that the carrier element is releasably secured to the outer box.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A packaging unit comprising:
 an outer box comprising a floor area, two side areas, two end faces, and two pairs of folding tabs, wherein one pair of folding tabs is disposed at each of said two end faces, and wherein each folding tab comprises two contact edges abutting a recess; and   a carrier element disposed in said outer box and configured to releasably hold at least one elongated product and comprising two end face ends, two longitudinal edges, a floor section, a roof section comprising two roof areas disposed at an angle to one another and projecting away from said floor section, and two pairs of locking tabs disposed one pair at each of said end face ends, wherein each of said locking tabs is engaged with said contact edges of a corresponding one of said folding tabs such that said carrier element is releasably secured to said outer box.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein opposing contact edges, one on each folding tab of each of said pair of folding tabs, are disposed at an angle to another such that the distance therebetween increases towards said floor area of said outer box. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said folding tabs comprises four of said contact edges arranged in pairs opposing each other and surrounding said recess. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein opposing pairs of said contact edges, two on each folding tab of each of said pair of folding tabs, are disposed at an angle to another such that the distance therebetween increases towards said floor area of said outer box. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein each pair of said locking tabs is connected to a corresponding one of said roof areas. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein each pair of said locking tabs is connected to said floor section. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein each pair of said locking tabs is connected to a corresponding one of said roof areas and to said floor section. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said folding tabs is connected to a corresponding one of said side areas in a foldable manner and rests with its back at least partially flat on said end face. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said folding tabs is connected to a corresponding one of said end faces in a foldable manner and rests with its back at least partially flat on said side area. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said locking tabs is attached to a corresponding one of said roof areas. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said locking tabs is attached to a corresponding one of said floor sections. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said roof areas are foldably connected together along the length thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said carrier element further comprises a pair of clamping and positioning sections foldably connected to said floor section on opposite sides of said roof section, wherein when pivoted flat each of said clamping and positioning sections projects beyond a corresponding one of said longitudinal edges. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging unit according to  claim 7 , wherein said clamping and positioning sections are pivoted upwards at an angle away from said floor section. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said floor section comprises two floor section portions, one each connected to each of said roof areas, wherein each of said floor section portions has an inner floor section protruding transversely inwards toward one another and cut out from said roof areas, such that a space is provided under said roof areas to receive a product end and provide a gripping space to permit a user to remove a product. 
     
     
         16 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said packaging unit has at least two carrier elements stacked above each other. 
     
     
         17 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said locking tabs are bent upwards in the inserted position of said carrier element in said outer box. 
     
     
         18 . The packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said folding tabs comprises four of said contact edges arranged in pairs opposing each other and surrounding said recess;   opposing pairs of said contact edges, two on each folding tab of each of said pair of folding tabs, are disposed at an angle to another such that the distance therebetween increases towards said floor area of said outer box;   each of said folding tabs is connected to a corresponding one of said side areas in a foldable manner and rests with its back at least partially flat on said end face;   each of said locking tabs is attached to a corresponding one of said roof areas;   said roof areas are foldably connected together along the length thereof;   said carrier element further comprises a pair of clamping and positioning sections foldably connected to said floor section on opposite sides of said roof section, wherein when pivoted flat each of said clamping and positioning sections projects beyond a corresponding one of said longitudinal edges;   said clamping and positioning sections are pivoted upwards at an angle away from said floor section;   said floor section comprises two floor section portions, one each connected to each of said roof areas, wherein each of said floor section portions has an inner floor section protruding transversely inwards toward one another and cut out from said roof areas, such that a space is provided under said roof areas to receive a product end and provide a gripping space to permit a user to remove a product; and   said locking tabs are bent upwards in the inserted position of said carrier element in said outer box.   
     
     
         19 . The packaging unit according to  claim 18 , wherein said packaging unit comprises at least two carrier elements stacked above each other.