Abstract:
A method for using a lockable storage container includes the steps of moving the lock from a locked position to an unlocked position while the lock is carried by the container. An indicator is used to indicate the status of the lock to the user. The lock is held in the unlocked position so that it cannot accidently move back into the locked position. A magnetic key is used to unlock the lock and move the lock slide to the unlocked position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/036,774 filed Jan. 14, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,320,235 which is a continuation-in-part application claiming priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/310,263 filed Dec. 5, 2002, now abandoned which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/337,368 filed Dec. 5, 2001; the disclosures of each are incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention generally relates to media storage containers and, more particularly, to lockable media storage containers. Specifically, the present invention relates to a lockable media storage container wherein the lock is disposed in the opening defined by the front walls of the lid and base. 
   2. Background Information 
   Renting and purchasing items of recorded media such as video cassettes and video games has become immensely popular in recent times given the ever increasing number of items available for home viewing and use as well as the decrease in price of the machines that play the media. Retail stores display the items of recorded media in the storage containers delivered from the manufacturer. Typical rental stores display the items available for rental in storage boxes that protect the items from dust, ultraviolet light, and damage from impact if accidentally dropped. Stores protect themselves against theft by placing one or more EAS tags on or inside the item of recorded media. An EAS tag is adapted to activate an alarm when passed through a sensing device that may be disposed around the exit of the store. It is generally desirable to place the EAS tags in places where they cannot be easily removed by a shoplifter. 
   A rental establishment typically places older rental stock out for sale when it no longer needs the item for rental. When items are put out for sale, the EAS tags are removed from the items and reused on items that are being rented. The EAS tags are removed from the items of recorded media prior to sale so that the purchaser will not activate the alarm systems in other stores with the EAS tags. Without the EAS tags in the items themselves, a rental store must protect itself against shoplifting by placing an EAS tag on the storage container holding the item for sale. It is desirable that the EAS tag be placed on the storage container in a way that allows a sales clerk to quickly and easily remove the tag after the sale is made but also in a manner that prevents a shoplifter from easily removing the tag. Placement of the EAS tag in such a position is, however, difficult because a storage container provides few, if any, areas where the EAS tag may be hidden. If the EAS tag is placed on the storage container in a fashion such that it can be easily removed, a shoplifter may simply remove the tag and steal the item without activating the alarm. It is thus desired in the art to provide a storage container suitable for holding and displaying an item of recorded media during display for rental that has locking holes that can later accept a lock containing an EAS tag when the container is used to sell an item. 
   Such a storage box and lock combination must be configured to prevent the thief from simply breaking the lock off the storage box with a small pry bar. Although the storage box and lock must be relatively strong, the cost of manufacturing the lock and storage box must not be prohibitive. It is thus also desired in the art to provide a relatively inexpensive storage box and lock and key combination that securely locks the storage box while preventing a pry bar from being inserted between the lock and the storage box. 
   Retail stores desire the lock and EAS tag to be delivered to the store from the manufacturer. Retail stores also desire that the containers have the same footprint as containers without locks. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention provides a lockable media storage container wherein the lock for the container is disposed within the lock reception cavity defined by the container. The lock may be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position while remaining disposed within the lock reception cavity. This configuration allows a clerk to unlock the lock and sell the unlocked lock and container to the customer who removes the lock after it is removed from the retail establishment. 
   In one embodiment, the invention provides a lock that locks itself in the unlocked position so that it cannot accidentally move back into the locked position. 
   In one embodiment, the invention provides a lockable media storage container system having a media storage container that defines a lock reception cavity with a lock adapted to fit within the lock reception cavity; the lock movable between locked and unlocked positions. The lockable media storage container system includes a media storage container having a base and a lid that is movable between open and closed positions. The lock is movable from the locked position to the unlocked position while the lock is disposed within the lock reception cavity. The lock includes a plurality of lock hooks extending from a common lock frame. The lock also includes a lock finger that locks the lock in the locked position with the lock finger extending from the common lock frame. The common lock frame is movable between the locked and unlocked positions of the lock. 
   In another embodiment, the invention provides a lockable media storage container system that includes a media storage container having a base and a lid and a lock connectable to the container; the lock movable between locked and unlocked positions. The lock includes a lock base and a slide with the lock base being fixed with respect to the container when the lock is in the locked position. The lock includes plurality of lock hooks extending from the slide. The slide is movable with respect to the base between the locked and unlocked positions of the lock. The hooks engage the container when the lock is in the locked position to lock the lid in the closed position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the lockable media storage container of the present invention in an open configuration. 
       FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  with a disc disposed on the hub of the media storage container. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the lock of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the first embodiment of the lock of the present invention in an assembled and locked position. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the lock shown from the rear. 
       FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment of the lock in the locked position. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the lockable media storage container and the first embodiment of the lock showing the media storage container closed and the lock being aligned with the opening of the media storage container. 
       FIG. 8  is a section view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a section view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the lock installed in the lock reception cavity of the media storage container with the lock in the locked position. 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of the front portion of the lid of the locked media storage container of  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 12  is a section view taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 10  showing the media storage container wrapped in a thin layer of plastic. 
       FIG. 14  is a section view taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 15  is a front view of the media storage container showing the lock in the locked position disposed within the opening of the media storage container and covered by the thin layer of plastic. 
       FIG. 16  is a section view taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 17  is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 18  is a view similar to  FIG. 16  showing a magnet being positioned adjacent the lock to move the magnetic lock fingers from a locked position to an unlocked position. 
       FIG. 19  is enlarged view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 18 . 
       FIG. 20  is a view similar to  FIG. 16  showing the lock being moved to the unlocked position. 
       FIG. 21  is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 20 . 
       FIG. 22  is a view similar to  FIG. 16  showing the lock in the unlocked position with the magnet removed. 
       FIG. 23  is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 22 . 
       FIG. 24  is a view similar to  FIG. 11  showing the lock in the unlocked position. 
       FIG. 25  is a section view taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24 . 
       FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the media storage container with the thin layer of plastic removed and the handle of the lock being pulled out so that the handle may be used to remove the lock from the storage container. 
       FIG. 27  is a section view taken along line  27 - 27  of  FIG. 26 . 
       FIG. 28  is a section view showing an alternative locking finger arrangement that may be used to hold the lock in the unlocked position. 
       FIG. 29  is a view similar to  FIG. 28  showing the alternative locking arrangement holding the lock in the unlocked position. 
       FIG. 30  is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a lockable media storage container. 
       FIG. 31  is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the lock of the present invention. 
       FIG. 32  is a front perspective view of the second embodiment of the lock of the present invention in an assembled and locked position. 
       FIG. 33  is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the lock shown from the rear. 
       FIG. 34  is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment of the lock in the locked position. 
       FIG. 35  is a perspective view of the lockable media storage container and the second embodiment of the lock showing the media storage container closed and the lock being aligned with the opening of the media storage container. 
       FIG. 36  is a section view taken along line  36 - 36  of  FIG. 35 . 
       FIG. 37  is a perspective view showing the lock installed in the lock reception cavity of the media storage container with the lock in the locked position. 
       FIG. 38  is a top view of the front portion of the lid of the locked media storage container of  FIG. 37 . 
       FIG. 39  is a section view taken along line  39 - 39  of  FIG. 37 . 
       FIG. 40  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 37  showing the media storage container wrapped in a thin layer of plastic. 
       FIG. 41  is a section view taken along line  41 - 41  of  FIG. 40 . 
       FIG. 42  is a front view of the media storage container showing the lock in the locked position disposed within the opening of the media storage container and covered by the thin layer of plastic. 
       FIG. 43  is a section view taken along line  43 - 43  of  FIG. 42 . 
       FIG. 44  is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 43 . 
       FIG. 45  is a view similar to  FIG. 43  showing a magnet being positioned adjacent the lock to move the magnetic lock fingers from a locked position to an unlocked position. 
       FIG. 46  is enlarged view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 45 . 
       FIG. 47  is a view similar to  FIG. 43  showing the lock being moved to the unlocked position. 
       FIG. 48  is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 47 . 
       FIG. 49  is a view similar to  FIG. 43  showing the lock in the unlocked position with the magnet removed. 
       FIG. 50  is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 49 . 
       FIG. 51  is a view similar to  FIG. 38  showing the lock in the unlocked position. 
       FIG. 52  is a section view taken along line  52 - 52  of  FIG. 51 . 
       FIG. 53  is a perspective view of the media storage container with the thin layer of plastic removed and the handle of the lock being pulled out so that the handle may be used to remove the lock from the storage container. 
       FIG. 54  is a section view taken along line  54 - 54  of  FIG. 53 . 
       FIG. 55  is a top plan view of an alternative lockable media storage container of the present invention in an open configuration. 
       FIG. 56  is an exploded view of a third embodiment of the lock of the present invention. 
       FIG. 57  is a front perspective view of the third embodiment of the lock of the present invention. 
       FIG. 58  is an exploded view of the third embodiment of the lock shown from the rear. 
       FIG. 59  is a rear perspective view of the third embodiment of the lock. 
       FIG. 60  is a perspective view of the lockable media storage container and the third embodiment of the lock showing the media storage container closed and the lock being aligned with the opening of the media storage container. 
       FIG. 61  is a section view taken through the lock and container of  FIG. 60 . 
       FIG. 62  is a perspective view showing the lock installed in the lock reception cavity of the media storage container with the lock in the unlocked position. 
       FIG. 63  is a top view of the front portion of the locked media storage container of  FIG. 62  with the lid removed to show the unlocked position of the lock. 
       FIG. 64  is a section view taken along line  64 - 64  of  FIG. 62 . 
       FIG. 65  is a top view of the front portion of the locked media storage container of  FIG. 62  with the lid removed to show the locked position of the lock. 
       FIG. 66  is a perspective view showing the lock installed in the lock reception cavity of the media storage container with the lock in the locked position. 
       FIG. 67  is a section view taken through the lock and container. 
       FIG. 68  is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 67 . 
       FIG. 69  is a view similar to  FIG. 67  showing a magnet being positioned adjacent the lock to move the magnetic lock finger from a locked position to an unlocked position. 
       FIG. 70  is enlarged view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 69 . 
       FIG. 71  is a view similar to  FIG. 69  showing the lock being moved to the unlocked position. 
       FIG. 72  is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 71 . 
       FIG. 73  is a view similar to  FIG. 63  showing the lock being removed from the container. 
   

   Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The first embodiment of the lockable media storage container system of the invention is indicated by the numeral  8  and includes container  10  and lock  50 . The lockable media storage container of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral  10  in the accompanying drawings. Media storage container  10  generally includes a base  12  that is connected to a lid  14  by an appropriate hinge. In the exemplary embodiment, the hinge includes a pair of living hinges  16  that are separated by hinge wall  18 . Base  12  generally includes a bottom wall  20  with a pair of opposed sidewalls  22  projecting out from bottom wall  20 . A front wall  24  extends across the edge of bottom wall  20  between the ends of sidewalls  22  opposite the hinge. Similarly, lid  14  includes a top wall  30  and a pair of opposed sidewalls  32  that project from top wall  30 . A front wall  34  extends along the edge of top wall  30  between the ends of sidewalls  32  opposite the hinge. Sidewalls  32  are designed to slide within sidewalls  22  when lid  14  is closed so that container  10  has a double wall thickness when it is closed. Front walls  24  and  34  may also form a double thick front wall of container  10  if the double wall thickness is desired. In some embodiments, front walls  24  and  34  simply abut each other to define a single-thickness front wall. A tab  36  projects outwardly from hinge wall  18  so that it will cover a portion of the item of recorded media  40  when lid  14  is closed as depicted in  FIG. 8 . This helps prevent item  40  from falling off of hub  42  when container  10  is shaken or dropped. 
   A lock  50  is used to lock container  10  in a closed and locked configuration. Lock  50  generally includes a lock base  52 , a lock slide  54 , and at least one lock finger  56 . In the exemplary embodiment, lock  50  includes a pair of lock fingers  56  that resiliently project from a common lock frame  58 . In the exemplary embodiment, lock fingers  56  are fabricated from a magnetically attractable material so that lock fingers  56  may be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position with the influence of a magnetic field. 
   Before explaining and describing all of the structural elements of container  10  and lock  50 , the Applicants will describe how lock  50  is used with container  10 . In  FIG. 1 , container  10  is open and item of recorded media  40  has not yet been placed in container  10 . Container  10  may be on the initial portion of an automated assembly line that loads container  10 . In  FIG. 2 , item  40  has been placed on retaining hub  42 . At this time, printed literature may also be loaded into lid  14 . The user then closes lid  14  and aligns lock  50  with the concave opening or lock reception cavity  60  defined by the front of container  10 . Lock  50  is then inserted into lock reception cavity  60  as depicted in  FIG. 10 . In  FIG. 10 , lock  50  is in the locked position and is securely holding lid  14  to base  12  such that container  10  cannot be opened until lock  50  is moved to the unlocked position and removed from container  10 . Container  10  and lock  50  may then be wrapped by a thin plastic layer  62  as depicted in  FIG. 13 . Such a layer is commonly referred to as a shrink wrapped layer in the art. 
   Container  10  and lock  50  may then be shipped to a retail establishment for display and sale to a consumer. The consumer may view the front and rear panel of container  10  without an interference from lock  50 . Lock  50  further does not interfere with the spine (the outer surface of hinge panel  18 ) when lock  50  is locking container  10 . A shoplifter cannot readily access item  40  without severely damaging container  10  and drawing attention to himself in the process. 
   The consumer who wishes to purchase container  10  takes lock container  10  to the retail establishment clerk who charges the consumer the appropriate amount of money for container  10  and item  40 . Without removing the shrink wrap, the clerk unlocks lock  50  and gives container  10  and lock  50  back to the purchaser. The clerk can unlock lock  50  without damaging the shrink wrap by placing a magnet in the appropriate location next to lock  50  and moving lock slide  54  to the unlocked position. An appropriate mechanism holds lock slide  54  in the unlocked position so that it cannot accidentally return to the locked position as shown in  FIG. 23 . 
   The consumer then leaves the retail establishment with lock  50  in the unlocked position under the layer of shrink wrap. The consumer may then remove the shrink wrap and pull lock  50  from container  10  as shown in  FIG. 26 . To facilitate the removal of lock  50 , a handle  70  is provided in lock  50 . Handle  70  may be pivoted outwardly as depicted in  FIG. 26  to provide a grip for the user&#39;s finger and thumb. The user pulls on handle  70  until lock  50  is removed from container  10 . The user then discards lock  50  and enjoys item of recorded media  40 . The concepts of the present invention may also be used without shrink wrap layer  62 . Having now described the concepts of the invention and the methods in which lock  50  and container  10  are used, the Applicant will now describe the structural features shown in the accompanying drawings. 
   As described above, lock  50  generally includes a lock base  52  and a lock slide  54  that are depicted in  FIGS. 3-6 . Lock slide  54  is selectively moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. Locking finger  56  prevents lock slide  54  from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position when lock finger  56  is in the locked position. In its locked position, lock finger  56  engages both lock slide  54  and lock base  52  to prevent the two items from moving relative to one another. Protrusions  80  extend from the inner surface of lock slide  54  to engage common frame  58  to prevent frame  58  from moving longitudinally and laterally with respect to lock slide  54 . Some of protrusions  80  may extend into a central portion of frame  58  while others of protrusions  80  may engage the end surface of frame  58 .  FIG. 3  shows the locking ledges  82  on which fingers  56  engage when fingers  56  are in the locked position. Ledges  82  may also be seen in  FIG. 16 . 
   Base  52  further defines a secondary locking ledge  84  that is disposed in the opposite direction of ledges  82 . Ledge  84  is engaged by a holding member  86  that may be in the form of a resilient locking finger similar to locking fingers  56 . Holding finger  86  may project from common frame  58  as depicted in  FIG. 5 . Holding finger  86  is used to hold lock slide  54  in the unlocked position by engaging ledge  84  as depicted in  FIGS. 22 and 23 . 
   Lock slide  54  is connected to lock base  52  by appropriate connectors  90  that allow lock slide  54  to move between the locked position of  FIG. 18  and the unlocked position of  FIG. 20 . Members  90  may be received in a one-way snap fit connection by ledges  92  defined by the body of lock base  52  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 . An opening  94  may provide access to each ledge  92  so that members  90  may engage ledges  92 . Base  52  and slide  54  cooperate to define an EAS tag-reception cavity  96  that is sized to receive an EAS tag  98 . Slide  54  may define a indicator opening  100  that aligns with an indicator  102 . Indicator  102  is colored substantially different from the color of lock slide  54  so that its color can be viewed through opening  100  when lock slide  54  is in the locked position. When lock slide  54  is moved to the unlocked position, indicator  102  is no longer visible through opening  100  thus providing an indication that lock  50  is unlocked. A different color indicator  104  may be provided if desired. For example, indicator  102  may be red and indicator  104  may be white with lock slide  54  being black. When red is visible through opening  100 , the user will understand that lock  50  is in the locked position. When white is visible through opening  100 , the user will understand that lock  50  is in the unlocked position. In some embodiments, opening  100  may also be used to force lock slide  54  from the locked position to the unlocked position when locking fingers  56  are in their unlocked position. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, lock slide  54  is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by using the magnetic force that moves lock fingers  56  from their locked position to their unlocked position. 
   Lock slide  54  includes container locking fingers  110 . Container locking fingers  110  are adapted to hold lock  50  on container  10  in a secure manner that prevents lock  50  from being removed from container  10  until lock slide  54  is in the unlocked position. Container  10  thus defines finger openings  112  as shown in  FIG. 10 . In the exemplary embodiment, lock  50  includes six container locking fingers  110  that are received in three openings  112  defined by top wall  30  and three openings  112  defined by bottom wall  20 .  FIG. 7  shows the front portion of openings  112  wherein each opening  112  is defined by a locking ledge  114  and an unlocking ramp  116 . Ledges  114  and  116  are adjacent bottom wall  20  and top wall  30  and are disposed adjacent lock reception cavity  60 . Ledges  114  are positioned to engage container locking fingers  110  when lock  50  is in the locked configuration depicted in  FIG. 7 . Each container locking finger  110  includes a resilient locking finger that engages ledge  114  in a one-way snap fit connection when lock  50  is moved into lock reception cavity  60  as depicted in  FIG. 10 . When lock slide  54  is moved to the unlocked position, fingers  110  are moved over to be aligned with unlocking ramp  116 . Ramps  116  allow fingers  110  to move back out of container  10  thus allowing lock  50  to be removed from container  10 . These two positions are depicted in  FIGS. 11 and 24 . 
     FIGS. 28 and 29  show an alternative mechanism for holding lock slide  54  in the unlocked position. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 28 and 29 , resilient barbs  87  are connected to one of lock slide  54  and lock base  52  with the other of lock slide  54  and lock base  52  defining openings  89  that receive barbs  87  when lock slide  54  is moved to the unlocked position. Barbs  87  prevent lock slide  54  from moving back to the locked position. 
   The second embodiment of the lockable media storage container system of the invention is indicated by the numeral  200  and includes container  202  and lock  250 . The second embodiment of the lockable media storage container of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral  202  in the accompanying drawings. The elements of media storage container  202  are similar to container  10  and the same reference numbers are used to identify these elements. 
   A lock  250  is used to lock container  202  in a closed and locked configuration. Lock  250  generally includes a lock base  252 , a lock slide  254 , and at least one lock finger  256 . In the exemplary embodiment, lock  250  includes a single lock finger  256  that resiliently projects from a lock frame  258 . In the exemplary embodiment, lock finger  256  is fabricated from a magnetically attractable material so that lock finger  256  may be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position with the influence of a magnetic field. 
   Before explaining and describing all of the structural elements of container  202  and lock  250 , the Applicant will describe how lock  250  is used with container  202 . In  FIG. 35 , container  202  is open and item of recorded media  40  has been placed in container  202 . The user (or automated equipment) then closes lid  14  and aligns lock  250  with lock reception cavity  60  defined by the front of container  202 . Lock  250  is then inserted into lock reception cavity  60  as depicted in  FIG. 37 . In  FIG. 37 , lock  250  is in the locked position and is securely holding lid  14  to base  12  such that container  202  cannot be opened until lock  250  is moved to the unlocked position and removed from container  202 . Container  202  and lock  250  may then be wrapped by a thin plastic layer  62  as depicted in  FIG. 41 . Such a layer is commonly referred to as a shrink wrapped layer in the art. 
   Container  202  and lock  250  may then be shipped to a retail establishment for display and sale to a consumer. The consumer may view the front and rear panel of container  202  without an interference from lock  250 . Lock  250  further does not interfere with the spine (the outer surface of hinge panel  18 ) when lock  250  is locking container  202 . A shoplifter cannot readily access item  40  without severely damaging container  202  and drawing attention to himself in the process. 
   The consumer who wishes to purchase container  202  takes lock container  202  to the retail establishment clerk who charges the consumer the appropriate amount of money for container  202  and item  40 . Without removing the shrink wrap, the clerk unlocks lock  250  and gives container  202  and lock  250  back to the purchaser. The clerk can unlock lock  250  without damaging the shrink wrap by placing a magnet in the appropriate location next to lock  250  and moving lock slide  54  to the unlocked position. An appropriate mechanism holds lock slide  54  in the unlocked position so that it cannot accidentally return to the locked position as shown in  FIG. 23 . 
   The consumer then leaves the retail establishment with lock  250  in the unlocked position under the layer of shrink wrap. The consumer may then remove the shrink wrap and pull lock  250  from container  202  as shown in  FIG. 53 . To facilitate the removal of lock  250 , a handle  70  is provided in lock  250 . Handle  70  may be pivoted outwardly as depicted in  FIG. 26  to provide a grip for the user&#39;s finger and thumb. The user pulls on handle  70  until lock  250  is removed from container  202 . The user then discards lock  250  and enjoys item of recorded media  40 . The concepts of the present invention may also be used without shrink wrap layer  62 . Having now described the concepts of the invention and the methods in which lock  250  and container  202  are used, the Applicant will now describe the structural features shown in the accompanying drawings. 
   As described above, lock  250  generally includes a lock base  252  and a lock slide  254  that are depicted in  FIGS. 31-34 . Lock slide  254  is selectively moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. Locking finger  256  prevents lock slide  254  from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position when lock finger  256  is in the locked position. In its locked position, lock finger  256  engages both lock slide  254  and lock base  252  to prevent the two items from moving relative to one another. Protrusions  280  extend from the inner surface of lock slide  254  to engage frame  258  to prevent frame  258  from moving longitudinally and laterally with respect to lock slide  254 . Some of protrusions  280  may extend into a central portion of frame  258  while others of protrusions  280  may engage the end surface of frame  258 .  FIG. 31  shows the locking ledge  282  on which finger  256  engages when finger  256  is in the locked position. Ledge  282  may also be seen in  FIG. 16 . 
   Base  252  further defines a secondary locking ledge  284  that is disposed in the opposite direction of ledge  282 . Ledge  284  is engaged by a holding member  286  that may be in the form of a resilient locking finger similar to locking finger  256 . Holding finger  286  may project from common frame  258  as depicted in  FIG. 31 . Holding finger  286  is used to hold lock slide  254  in the unlocked position by engaging ledge  284  as depicted in  FIGS. 49 and 50 . 
   Lock slide  254  is connected to lock base  252  by appropriate connectors  290  that allow lock slide  254  to move between the locked position of  FIG. 43  and the unlocked position of  FIG. 49 . Members  290  may be received in a one-way snap fit connection by ledges  292  defined by the body of lock base  252  as shown in  FIGS. 31 and 33 . 
   An opening  294  may provide access to each ledge  292  so that members  290  may engage ledges  292 . Base  252  and slide  254  cooperate to define an EAS tag-reception cavity  296  that is sized to receive an EAS tag  98 . 
   Base  252  may include an indicator  298  disposed at the end of base  252 . Indicator  298  may be provided in a bright color or a color that contrasts with the color of base  252  and slide  254 . When lock  250  is moved to the unlocked position, indicator  298  is visible as shown in  FIG. 53 . 
   Slide  254  includes a ledge  300  that extends from the front of slide  254 . Ledge  300  allows slide  254  to be pushed from the locked position to the unlocked position as shown in  FIGS. 45-48 . Ledge  300  is positioned at one end of the position of lock frame  258  so that the key that unlocks lock  250  may engage ledge  300  to push slide  254  to the unlocked position. 
   Lock slide  254  includes container locking fingers  310 . Container locking fingers  310  are adapted to hold lock  250  on container  202  in a secure manner that prevents lock  250  from being removed from container  202  until lock slide  254  is in the unlocked position. Container  202  thus defines finger openings  312  as shown in  FIG. 35 . In the exemplary embodiment, lock  250  includes six container locking fingers  310  that are received in three openings  312  defined by top wall  30  and three openings  312  defined by bottom wall  20 .  FIG. 38  shows the front portion of openings  312  wherein each opening  312  is defined by a locking ledge  314  and an unlocking ramp  316 . Ledges  314  and  316  are adjacent bottom wall  20  and top wall  30  and are disposed adjacent lock reception cavity  60 . Ledges  314  are positioned to engage container locking fingers  310  when lock  250  is in the locked configuration depicted in  FIG. 39 . Each container locking finger  310  includes a resilient locking finger that engages ledge  314  in a one-way snap fit connection when lock  250  is moved into lock reception cavity  60  as depicted in  FIG. 37 . When lock slide  254  is moved to the unlocked position, fingers  310  are moved over to be aligned with unlocking ramp  316 . Ramps  316  allow fingers  310  to move back out of container  202  thus allowing lock  250  to be removed from container  202 . This position is depicted in  FIGS. 51 and 52 . 
   Locks  50  and  250  are configured to have a length that is substantially the same as the length of lock reception cavity  60  so that either lock  50  or  250  will substantially fill cavity  60  as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 43 . 
   The third embodiment of the lockable media storage container system of the invention is indicated by the numeral  320  and includes container  322  and lock  350 . System  320  is used in the manners described above with respect to the other embodiments of the invention. Media storage container  322  generally includes a base  12  that is connected to a lid  14  by an appropriate hinge. In the exemplary embodiment, the hinge includes a pair of living hinges  16  that are separated by hinge wall  18 . Base  12  generally includes a bottom wall  20  with a pair of opposed sidewalls  22  projecting out from bottom wall  20 . A front wall  24  extends across the edge of bottom wall  20  between the ends of sidewalls  22  opposite the hinge. Similarly, lid  14  includes a top wall  30  and a pair of opposed sidewalls  32  that project from top wall  30 . A front wall  34  extends along the edge of top wall  30  between the ends of sidewalls  32  opposite the hinge. Sidewalls  32  are designed to slide within sidewalls  22  when lid  14  is closed so that container  10  has a double wall thickness when it is closed. Front walls  24  and  34  may also form a double thick front wall of container  10  if the double wall thickness is desired. In some embodiments, front walls  24  and  34  simply abut each other to define a single-thickness front wall. A tab  36  projects outwardly from hinge wall  18  so that it will cover a portion of the item of recorded media when lid  14  is closed in a manner similar to that depicted in  FIG. 8 . This helps prevent the item of recorded media from falling off of hub  42  when container  10  is shaken or dropped. 
   A lock  350  is used to lock container  322  in a closed and locked configuration. Lock  350  generally includes a lock base  352 , a lock slide  354 , and at least one lock finger  356  as shown in  FIGS. 56-59 . In the exemplary embodiment, lock  350  includes a lock finger  356  that resiliently projects from a common lock frame  358 . In the exemplary embodiment, lock finger  356  is fabricated from a magnetically attractable material so that lock finger  356  may be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position with a magnetic field. 
   Lock slide  354  is selectively moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. Locking finger  356  prevents lock slide  354  from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position when lock finger  356  is in the locked position. In its locked position, lock finger  356  engages lock base  352  to prevent lock base  352  and common lock frame  358  from moving relative to one another. The ends  380  of the sidewalls  381  of lock slide  354  engage common lock frame  358  causing common lock frame  358  to move with lock slide  354 . Ends  380  engage the hooks  383  in the exemplary embodiment of the invention. In other embodiments of the invention, common lock frame  358  may be connected to lock slide  354  in other manners known to those skilled in the art include various types of interference fits, lock fingers, and fasteners. Lock finger  356  is disposed in a pocket defined by lock base  352  when finger  356  is in the locked position.  FIG. 56  shows the locking ledge  382  on which finger  356  engages when finger  356  is in the locked position. Ledge  382  may also be seen in  FIG. 68 . Frame  358  and hooks  383  may be integrally formed from a single piece of metal that is attractable with a magnet. The magnetic key  385  will thus attract frame  358  and help move it to between the locked and unlocked positions. 
   Base  352  may define a secondary locking ledge that is disposed in the opposite direction of ledge  382 . The secondary locking ledge may be designed to cooperate with a holding member that holds common lock frame  358  in the unlocked position. The holding member may be a magnetically-actuatable lock finger similar (but disposed in the opposite direction) to lock finger  356 . 
   Lock slide  354  is connected to lock base  352  by appropriate connectors  390  that allow lock slide  354  to move between the locked position of  FIG. 69  and the unlocked position of  FIG. 63 . Members  390  may be received in a one-way snap fit connection by ledges  392  defined by the body of lock base  352  as shown in  FIGS. 56 ,  58 , and  61 . An opening  394  provides access to each ledge  392  so that members  390  may snap fit against ledges  392 . Base  352  and slide  354  cooperate to define an EAS tag-reception cavity  396  that is sized to receive an EAS tag  398 . 
   Lock base  352  includes first  401  and second  403  indicator ends that are alternatively visible when lock slide  354  is in the unlocked and locked positions. Ends  401  and  403  may be colored substantially different from the color of lock slide  354  so that their color can be viewed by a person viewing system  320 . When lock slide  354  is moved to the unlocked position, indicator end  401  is visible providing an indication that lock  350  is unlocked. 
   As introduced above, common lock frame  358  includes container locking hooks  383 . Container locking hooks  383  are adapted to hold lock  350  on container  322  in a secure manner that prevents lock  350  from being removed from container  322  until lock slide  354  is in the unlocked position. Container  322  thus defines hook openings  412  as shown in  FIGS. 55 ,  61  and  73 . In the exemplary embodiment, lock  350  includes four container locking hooks  383  that are received in four openings  412  defined by front walls  24  and  34 . Hooks  383  hold lock  350  in place as shown in  FIG. 65  and may be inserted/removed as shown in  FIGS. 63 and 73 . 
   Slide  354  includes a ledge  400  that extends from the front of slide  354 . Ledge  400  allows slide  354  to be pushed from the locked position to the unlocked position as shown in  FIGS. 69-73 . When ledge  400  is not used, the magnetic force of the key is used to move lock  350  between the locked and unlocked positions. 
   In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
   Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.