Patent Publication Number: US-11643250-B2

Title: Telescoping twist and lock package with enhanced user friendliness and reliability

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/168,841 filed Mar. 31, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention relates generally to adjustable packages for universal use with objects of different size, and more specifically to telescoping twist and lock packages that are adjustably lengthened or shortened to universally contain elongated objects of different length. 
     Packaging is known that is adjustable in size to accommodate various different elongated objects having different length. Such packaging generally includes a base piece and a cover piece. The base piece and cover piece include mating interlock features which allow the cover piece to be locked in place in a selected one of different positions relative to the base piece. The lockable cover piece is therefore selectively adjustable in position relative to the base place in order to desirably accommodate different elongated objects inside having respectively different axial lengths. The adjustable nature of the lockable cover piece relative to the base piece is sometimes referred to as a telescoping arrangement wherein fine gradations of locked positions for the cover piece are possible for optimal use of the package with a set of different elongated objects having varied axial length. Such locking telescoping packages can be universally used with different objects of different length and advantageously avoid a need to provide separate, tailor-made or customized packaging for objects of different length. Such telescoping packages can also be provided in various different width and depth dimensions to accommodate packaged objects of various different size in addition to length. 
     While existing locking telescoping packages of the type described above have been desirably adopted in the marketplace to lower packaging costs and streamline packaging processes for sets of elongated objects having a range of axial lengths compatible with the telescoping packages, certain problems and disadvantages exist. Improvements are accordingly desired. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following Figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various drawings unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG.  1    is a side elevational view of an exemplary telescoping twist and lock package assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is an assembled view of the telescoping twist and lock package shown in  FIG.  1    in a first telescoping position. 
         FIG.  3    is a sectional view of the telescoping twist and lock package shown in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective assembled view of the telescoping twist and lock package shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2    in a second telescoping position. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of an exemplary base piece for the telescoping twist and lock package illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 4   . 
         FIG.  6    is a side elevational view of the base piece shown in  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a sectional view of the base piece shown in  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  8    is a detail view of a portion of  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of an exemplary cover piece for the telescoping twist and lock package illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 4   . 
         FIG.  10    is a side elevational view of the cover piece shown in  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  11    is a sectional view of the cover piece shown in  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  12    is a detail sectional view of a portion of the cover piece shown in  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  13    is a side elevational view of the assembled telescoping twist and lock package shown in  FIG.  4    in a freely adjustable state to select a desired axial length of the telescoping twist and lock package. 
         FIG.  14    is a sectional view of the telescoping twist and lock package shown in  FIG.  13    in the freely adjustable state. 
         FIG.  15    is a detail view of a portion of  FIG.  14   . 
         FIG.  16    is a side elevational view of the assembled telescoping twist and lock package shown in  FIG.  4    in a locked state to maintain the selected axial length of the telescoping package. 
         FIG.  17    is a first sectional view of the assembled telescoping twist and lock package shown in  FIG.  16    in the locked state. 
         FIG.  18    is a second sectional view of the assembled telescoping twist and lock package shown in  FIG.  16    in the locked state. 
         FIG.  19    is a detail view of a portion of  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  20    is a first side elevational view of an exemplary telescoping twist and lock package in an unlocked state according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  21    is an assembly view of the telescoping twist and lock package assembly shown in  FIG.  20   . 
         FIG.  22    is a side elevational view of the base piece for the package shown in  FIGS.  20  and  21   . 
         FIG.  23    is a side elevational view of the cover piece for the package shown in  FIGS.  20  and  21   . 
         FIG.  24    is a sectional view of the package shown in  FIG.  21    in the unlocked state. 
         FIG.  25    is a second side elevational view of the exemplary telescoping twist and lock package shown in  FIGS.  20  and  21    in a locked state. 
         FIG.  26    is a sectional view of the package shown in  FIG.  25    in the locked state 
         FIG.  27    is a first detail view of a portion of  FIG.  26   . 
         FIG.  28    is a second detail view of a portion of  FIG.  26   . 
         FIG.  29    is a partial view of an exemplary telescoping twist and lock package according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to understand the invention to its fullest extent, some discussion of the state of the art of telescoping packages and certain problems in the art is warranted and is therefore discussed below, followed by a description of exemplary embodiments of improved product packages that beneficially overcome the problems in the art. 
     A variety of different adjustable length product packages are known and in use as a partial solution to unique product packaging needs for certain types of objects that are sold at retail points of sale. Generally speaking, existing adjustable length product packages for sets of elongated objects having respectively different axial length suffer from one or more issues that render them unsatisfactory and disadvantaged in certain aspects. 
     Firstly, some existing adjustable length product packages can be undesirably complicated from a manufacturing perspective and therefore may be manufactured at undesirably high manufacturing costs. Such complications may, for example, arise from overly complicated shapes of the base and/or cover pieces to achieve the desired adjustability and/or locking. Complicated shapes of base and cover pieces can also introduce difficulties in assembling the base and cover piece, particularly when the assembly requires intricate assembly steps and some level of dexterity to accomplish that not all end users may possess. Lower cost packages with simplified assembly are accordingly desired. 
     Secondly, some existing adjustable length product packages can be undesirably complicated to use properly. That is, the proper sequence of steps or actions needed to be taken by the end user to adjust the package length to the desired position and securely lock the cover piece in place may be non-intuitive to the end user. Specifically, exactly how to assemble the pieces and/or align the mating features of the base and cover piece to position and lock the cover piece in place may not be evident to the end user, particularly when the mating features are on the interior of the cover piece, and when the mating features on the base are partly or completely obscured to the end user. 
     For example, in some existing adjustable length packages, it may not be immediately apparent to the user how to correctly assemble the cover piece to the base piece as a general proposition. As such, the user may try to assemble the cover piece to the base piece in the wrong rotational position relative to the base piece, only to have the mating features on the interior of the cover piece interfere with the mating features of the base piece and prevent the telescoping relationship from being established. Trial and error assembly steps may ensue that negatively affect efficiency of packing processes. If a frustrated user attempts to force fit the cover piece to the base piece, damage to the mating features of the cover and base piece may result, undesirably leading to scrapping of the package pieces or reliability issues for the packaging due to damage that may not be evident to the end user when it occurs. 
     Furthermore, once the telescoping relationship of the cover piece and base piece has been established, it still may not be evident to the end user, because the mating features of the cover piece are obscured, exactly how the user is to adjust the package to achieve the desired axial positioning and locking of the cover piece for a given object to be packaged. Especially when the package is provided to the user with the cover piece pre-assembled to the base piece, the user may experience initial confusion what action is needed to achieve the desired position. For example, the user may not understand whether pushing, pulling, and twisting or rotating the base and/or cover piece in different directions is needed to lock the cover piece in place or unlock the cover piece in order to select another position. As such, some frustrating trial and error may be required by the end user to learn specifically how to adjust the package size to the most desired size and/or to most effectively lock the package in the desired size, creating further inefficiencies in packaging products with optimal sizes of the packages as well as possible damage to the package via attempts to force the cover piece to a desired position. Inefficient assembly and use of the package leads to undesirable increases in labor cost to complete packaging processes, and inadvertent damage to the package results in increase of scrap material and reliability issues. More user friendly packages that can be used with improved efficiency and reliability are therefore desired. 
     Thirdly, some existing adjustable length product packages can be subject to inadvertent locking and unlocking of the packages during actual use and handling thereof, requiring further steps to unlock or re-lock the packages and introducing further inefficiencies in the packaging of products. Especially for non-intuitive packages of the type described above wherein the locking and unlocking features may not be evident or quickly understood to the end user, the user may inadvertently apply force that changes the position of the package, either from one axial position to another or from locked to unlocked positions or vice-versa. Such inadvertent change in position, and especially an inadvertent unlocking of the package, may in some cases be difficult to correct and detect. Particularly for locking features that are not specifically designed to resist inadvertent unlocking or improper movement of the package pieces and may therefore be dislodged with low amounts of force, inadvertent repositioning of packages may occur that is not realized during handling and use of the package and therefore may result in sub-optimal use of the package. Improved locking features that are less prone to inadvertent repositioning and unlocking of the package are therefore desired. 
     Fourthly, some existing adjustable length product packages can be subject to mechanical instability in the locked position(s) which can further affect the proper use and reliability of the packages apart from the issues discussed above. In particular, certain types of adjustable length product packages are subject to mechanical play or looseness in the connection of the cover piece and base piece. Among other things, mechanical play may render the package susceptible to a rocking or tilting movement of the cover piece relative to the base piece or vice versa. Such rocking or tilting may undesirably cause an end user to question whether the package has been properly locked and therefore create a perceived quality issue in the package design, not to mention possible attempts to correct the mechanical play in a manner that will not be fruitful but will create further inefficiencies in packaging processes. Such mechanical play in the locked connections may also contribute to unintended or inadvertent unlocking of the package. 
     Of course, the problems above may be presented in combination in certain types of existing adjustable length product packages and present cascading issues from both the manufacturer and end user perspective. Combinations of the issues above may cumulatively frustrate the fulfillment of longstanding needs in the art for economic and lower cost packing from the manufacturer side while realizing a user friendly, more secure, and more stable packages realizing improved efficiencies in packaging processes to overcome the issues discussed above. 
     Exemplary embodiments of improved telescoping twist and lock packages are described below that overcome these and other issues in the state of the art. The improved telescoping tubular twist and lock package of the invention advantageously overcomes these and other problems in the art by virtue of: (1) relatively simple and lower cost tubular package pieces with improved locking features; (2) built-in intuitive visual cues to guide user assembly and operation of the packages to improve packaging efficiencies; (3) built-in visual limits for the proper assembly and locking engagement of the package pieces to ensure a full degree of locking engagement and improved locking reliability; (4) built-in visual cues that reveal the interlocking features of the cover piece relative to the base piece in a user-friendly manner; (5) built-in stops and ramps that either oppose improper operation of the package or facilitate operation of the package with relative ease to allow the user to more intuitively understand how to rotate the locking features into secure engagement; and (6) anti-rocking support features built-in to each of the base piece and cover piece to enhance the mechanical support and stability of the interlocked package at a plurality of locations in the mated cover piece and base piece. Method aspects will be in part explicitly discussed and in part apparent from the following description. 
       FIG.  1    is a side elevational view of an exemplary improved telescoping twist and lock package  100  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The package  100  includes a generally hollow base piece  102 , sometimes referred to as an inner piece, and a generally hollow cover piece  104 , sometimes referred to as an outer piece. The base piece  102  and cover piece  104  are each configured to be assembled to one another in an adjustable telescoping relationship relative to one another in a plurality of gradated positions imparting different axial length to the package  100  for optimal use to accommodate objects or items (not shown) having a range of axial lengths that may be fitted inside the package  100  at each respective gradated position. For the purposes herein, the elongated object is considered to fit optimally inside the package when the interior space of the package  100  at the selected one of the gradations positions is closest to but still slightly larger than the actual length of the object to be contained when the object is inside the package  100 . 
     In contemplated embodiments, the object to be contained in the package  100  may reside generally vertically and may therefore be aligned with a longitudinal axis  106  of the package pieces  102 ,  104  in  FIG.  1    (i.e., along a vertical axis in the plane of  FIG.  1   ). The longitudinal axis  106  corresponds to an axial centerline of the base piece  102  and cover piece  104  that respectively coincide when the package  100  is assembled, and the axial length of the object contained in the package may be aligned (i.e., may extend parallel to) or may be misaligned (i.e., may extend at an angle relative to) the longitudinal axis  106 . Either way, the package  100  is finely adjustable along the longitudinal axis  106  for use with longer and shorter objects to be contained inside, and this avoids otherwise customized packages with specific length in a one-to-one correlation with objects of different length that are to be packaged. 
     The adjustability in axial length of the telescoping package  100  along the longitudinal axis  106  beneficially accommodates a range of corresponding axial lengths of objects to be contained in a universal manner inside the package  100 . The range of axial lengths of objects to be contained corresponds to a difference between an upper limit defined by the maximum axial length position of the cover piece  104  on the base piece  102  and a lower limit of the minimal axial length of the cover piece  104  on the base piece  102 . Within the upper and lower limits of the range, the cover piece  104  may be selectively positioned on the base piece  102  in any one of a large number of intermediate steps or gradations therebetween as described further below. 
       FIG.  2    is an assembled view of the tubular twist and lock package  100  showing an end of the cover piece  104  simply sliding over an end of the base piece  102  in initial assembly of the package  100 . Respective directional alignment arrows  108  ( FIG.  1   ) are provided on the distal ends of each of the base piece  102  and cover piece  104  as a visual cue to the user to specifically align the directional arrows  108  in an intuitive manner for initial assembly of the cover piece  104  to the base piece  102 . The directional alignment arrows  108 , when aligned, indicate the rotational position of the cover piece  104  relative to the base piece  102  (or vice versa) in which the mating locking features of the base and cover piece  104 ,  102  will not interfere with one another and as such a simple and smooth sliding engagement of the pieces  104 ,  102  can easily be established. Trial and error assembly of the package  100  is therefore avoided, as well as any tendency of the user to force fit the assembly of the package pieces  102 ,  104  if the mating features of the package pieces  102 ,  104  otherwise interfere with one another when the of the package pieces  102 ,  104  are not properly aligned for initial assembly. 
     The directional alignment arrows  108  in contemplated embodiments may be raised molded features of the plastic base piece  102  and cover piece  104  that are built-in to the package design. Such built-in design ensures that alignment arrows  108  are reliably visually prominent on each piece  102  and  104  as visual cues to guide the user in the proper assembly of the package  100 . The directional alignment arrows  108  may likewise be provided via graphic indicia in the form of applied paint or color enhancement, a sticker or label, or by other means known in the art, albeit such graphic indicia that is not integrated or built-in to the molded package design is subject to wear that can reduce the visual prominence and visual cue for intuitive assembly of the package  100  over time. 
     In the position shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2    with the directional arrows  108  aligned, the cover piece  104  may freely telescope up and down along the axis  106  of the package  100  along an outer surface of the base piece  102  to adjust the relative spacing of the cover piece  104  and the base piece  102  in the axial direction along the axis  106 . When so aligned, the inner surface of the cover piece  104  smoothly telescopes over the outer surface of the base piece  102  without restriction in the position shown in  FIG.  2   . When the desired axial position of the cover piece  104  is obtained relative to the base piece  102 , the cover piece  104  may be simply rotated or twisted in a first direction relative to the base piece  102  (or vice versa) about the axis  106  to lock the cover piece  104  in place as shown in one of the gradated positions in the sectional view of  FIG.  3    and as further detailed below. 
     By rotating or twisting the cover piece  104  about the axis  106  in a second direction (opposite to the first direction) relative to the base piece  102  (or vice versa) the cover piece  104  may be unlocked from the gradated position and once again becomes free to telescope along the axis  106  to select another one of the gradated positions. In the position shown in  FIG.  2   , the cover piece  104  is near the maximum axial length position with the distal end  144  of the cover piece  104  extending at its closest possible to the distal end  128  of the base piece  102  where locking of the cover piece  104  is still possible. The maximum axial length position is sometimes referred to as a fully extended position of the telescoping package pieces  104 ,  102  and would be used for the longest of the objects to be packaged in the axial length range accommodated by the package  100 . 
       FIG.  4    is a perspective assembled view of the package  100  in a second telescoping position that is the minimum axial length position wherein the distal end  144  of the cover piece  104  is at its farthest position possible from the distal end  128  of the base piece  102 . The minimum axial length position is sometimes referred to as a fully closed or fully retracted position of the telescoping package pieces  104 ,  102  and would be used for the shortest of the objects to be packaged in the axial length range accommodated by the package  100 . The cover piece  104  is positionable in fine increments between the fully extended position and fully closed position for use with intermediate lengths of the objects to be packaged in between the longest length and the shortest length. 
       FIG.  5 - 8    are various views of the base piece  102  which includes an elongated small diameter tubular portion  110  having a generally circular or round cross section, and a truncated larger diameter polygonal or non-round portion  112  at one end of the tubular portion  110 . The polygonal portion  112  includes a number of straight of flat sides that are not round, and beneficially provide a sturdy finger grip surface via the flat sides that is simpler for the user to grip and rotate than a round outer surface, while the round outer surface of the tubular portion  110  is not polygonal and therefore provides a smooth and efficient engagement surface for telescoping and locking engagement with the cover piece  104  as further described below. A transition section  114  extends between the tubular portion  110  and the polygonal section  112 . The transition section  114  is tapered to gradually expand the round outer diameter of the tubular portion  110  to the larger diameter of the polygonal section  112  over a short axial length along the axis  106 . 
     Directional arrows and lock/unlock indicators  116  are provided in contemplated embodiments on the outer surface of the polygonal portion  112 , and in contemplated embodiments the arrows and lock/unlock indicators  116  may be molded and raised, built-in features of the plastic base piece  102  to ensure that they are reliably visually prominent on the base piece  102  for reference by the end user. The directional arrows and lock/unlock indicators  116  may likewise be provided via graphic indicia in the form of paint or color enhancement, a sticker or label, or by other means known in the art, albeit that such graphic indicia is more subject to wear that can reduce the visual prominence and visual cue for reference by the end user over time. 
     The lock and unlock indictors  116  in the illustrated example are symbolic representations of a closed padlock and an opened padlock, respectively, and therefore provide visual cues which would be intuitively understood by the user in combination with the directional arrows as instructions regarding the directional rotation needed by the user to lock or unlock the package  100  when the base piece  102  and the cover piece  104  are assembled. It is understood, however, that different lock or unlock indicators are possible, including different symbolic representations as well as simple lettering including but not limited to single letter or multiple letter abbreviations of the words “lock and unlock” (or the entire words) as desired. Likewise, symbolic indicators or abbreviations or full use of words other than “lock” and “unlock” may be adopted, such as for example only the words “open” and “close” or “on” and “off” that would also intuitively be understood by the end user as guidance regarding the proper use and operation of the package  100 . 
     In the example shown, pairs of aligned series of lock protrusions  118  are arranged as vertical columns centered respectively at 180° positions on the round outer circumference of the tubular portion  110  and therefore are located opposite to one another just above the directional arrows and lock/unlock indicators  116  in the tubular portion  110 . In the illustrated embodiments, each series of lock protrusions  118  includes a number n of lock protrusions such as twenty-three in the illustrated example, although it is understood that the number n of lock protrusions  118  in each series could be greater or smaller in further and/or alternative embodiments as desired or as needed. The lock protrusions  118  are provided in each column at consistent and uniform spacing from one another along the longitudinal axis  106  ( FIG.  1   ) from just above the transition section  114  to near the distal end  128  of the tubular portion  110  extending opposite the polygonal section  112 . The lock protrusions  118  are spaced relatively close to another to allow fine incremental spacing and adjustability of the position of the cover piece  104  to adjacent ones of the lock protrusions  118 . In the illustrated example, adjacent ones of the lock protrusions  118  are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction (i.e., parallel to and along the axis  106 ) by about 4 mm in each column as shown in the sectional view of  FIG.  7   , although larger or smaller spacing of the lock protrusions  118  are possible in further and/or alternative embodiments. Likewise, while two aligned series of lock protrusions  118  are shown and described that are arranged as vertical columns, it is recognized that more than two columns of lock protrusions  118  may be provided in a further and/or alternative embodiment at various different position and spacing relative to one another the round outer circumference of the tubular portion  110 . 
     As best seen in the partial cross-sectional detail view of  FIG.  8    showing an axial portion of the base piece  102 , each lock protrusion  118  generally includes a flat lock surface  120  extending generally radially and perpendicularly from the round outer surface of the tubular portion  110 , and a sloped surface  122  opposite to the flat lock surface  120  that extends at an oblique angle to the round outer surface of the tubular portion  110 . As such, the lock protrusions  118  have a generally triangular shape in the views of  FIGS.  7  and  8   . The lock protrusions  118  are also generally aligned along the vertical axis  106  at each of the 180° positions on the round outer circumference of the tubular portion  110 . 
     In the example shown, the flat lock surfaces  120  of each lock protrusion at each of the incremental step locations of the lock protrusions  118  are co-planar to one another, and the flat lock surfaces  120  of adjacent lock protrusions at each of the 180° positions extend generally in a spaced apart but parallel relationship to one another. In other words the flat lock surfaces  120  of adjacent lock protrusions at each of the 180° positions extend in spaced apart but parallel planes, which in turn extend normally and perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis  106  and also which extend normally and perpendicularly to the round outer surface of the tubular portion  110 . As such, the arrangement of the lock protrusions  118  with such flat and parallel lock surfaces  120  is specifically contrasted with threaded locking features having a helical pitch about the axis  106  that is known in some types of existing adjustable length packages. Avoidance of threaded locking features is beneficial as it tends to entail more complicated shapes from the manufacturing perspective, and also requires a more precise assembly of the package pieces. 
     As seen in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  5  and  6    the locking protrusions  118  also occupy a very small portion of the circumference of the round tubular portion  110  at each incremental step and elevation of the lock protrusions  118  at each of the 180° positions shown in the round tubular portion  110 . As such, the vast majority of the circumference of the round tubular portion  110  is not provided with lock protrusions  118 . This too imparts a simpler manufacture relative to existing adjustable packages having more extensive lock features that occupy a larger amount of space and/or require more intricate shapes of the base piece. The circumferential end edges of the lock protrusions  118  are also shown in these figures as having tapered ends with ramped edge surfaces  124  ( FIG.  6   ) that aid engagement with the cover piece  104  as described further below. The shape and geometry of the lock protrusions  118  as described and illustrated is exemplary only and alternative shape and geometry of lock protrusions could be adopted with similar benefits in a further and/or alternative embodiment. 
     A pair of anti-rocking protrusions  126  extends radially outwardly from the round outer surface of the tubular portion  110  near the distal end  128  of the tubular portion  110  opposite the polygonal portion  112 . The anti-rocking protrusions  126  are centered respectively at 180° positions on the tubular portion  110  and are therefore located opposite to one another on the round outer circumference of the tubular portion  110 . The 180° positions of the anti-rocking protrusions  126  further reside in between the 180° positions of the columns of lock protrusions  118 . As best seen in  FIG.  3   , the 180° positions of the columns of lock protrusions  118  are centered between the 180° positions of the anti-rocking protrusions  126 . As such, and in the view of  FIG.  3   , the lock protrusions  118  in the respective columns are centered on the 0° and 180° positions on the round outer circumference of the tubular portion  110  while the respective anti-rocking protrusions  126  are centered on the 90° and 270° positions on the round outer circumference of the tubular portion  110 . Advantageously, and because of the rotational offset locations of the lock protrusions  118  and the anti-rocking protrusions  126 , when the lock protrusions  118  and the anti-rocking protrusions  126  are engaged as described further below, structural support is provided between the base piece  102  and the cover piece at the 0°, 90°, 180° and 270° position and relative movement between the base piece  102  and cover piece  104  such as tilting or rocking movement is generally precluded, if not eliminated at the distal end  128  of the base piece  102 . 
     As seen in  FIGS.  3  and  5    anti-rocking protrusions  126  extend circumferentially on the tubular portion  110  for a greater distance than the lock protrusions  118 , and as seen in  FIGS.  3  and  5    the anti-rocking protrusions  126  are themselves rounded in their outer surface. Specifically, the outer surfaces of the anti-rocking protrusions  126  have a convex shape with a radius of curvature that is off-centered from the radius of curvature of the round tubular portion  110 . The shape and geometry of anti-rocking protrusions  126  as described and illustrated is exemplary only and alternative shape and geometry could be adopted with similar benefits in a further and/or alternative embodiment with similar benefits. Also, while only one pair of anti-rocking protrusions  126  is provided in the illustrated example near the distal end  128  of the base piece  102 , more than one pair of anti-rocking protrusions  126  could be provided. 
     As best shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , a pair of circumferential guide lines  130  are formed in the tubular portion  110  extending generally parallel to but spaced from the anti-rocking protrusions  126 . In contemplated embodiments the guide lines  130  may be molded, raised, built-in features of the plastic base piece  102  to ensure that they are reliably visually prominent on the base piece  102  as visual cues for reference by the end user. The guide lines  130  may likewise be provided via graphic indicia in the form of paint or color enhancement, a sticker or label, or by other means known in the art, albeit that such graphic indicia is more subject to wear that can reduce the visual prominence and visual cue for reference by the end user over time. 
     In the use and operation of the package  100 , the guide lines  130  may be visually referenced by the end user to identify the most reliable upper limit for the axial position of the cover piece  104  in the package  100  relative to the base piece  102 . By aligning the lower distal end of the cover piece  104  with the guide lines  130  and twisting the cover piece and/or the base piece  102  in the lock direction the cover piece  104  can be fully engaged and locked in the most secure manner. Locking of the cover piece  104  can be obtained to a lesser degree above the guide lines  130 , but this is not preferred as the cover piece  104  would only be partly engaged to the base piece  102  and therefore would be more likely to undesirably become disengaged. The guidelines  130  therefore desirably provide an intuitive reference point for the end user in identifying the most reliable upper limit of the package extension for secure use thereof. 
       FIGS.  9 - 12    are various views of the cover piece  104  that includes an elongated cylindrical tubular portion  140  having a generally circular or round cross section. The diameter of the round tubular portion  140  is a larger than the diameter of the tubular portion  110  of the base piece  102  to facilitate the sliding, telescoping engagement therewith. The tubular portion  140  includes a closed end  142  at the top in the view of  FIG.  9   , and an open distal end  144  that is inserted over the distal end  128  of the base piece  102  as shown in  FIG.  1   . The directional arrow  108  is formed in the tubular portion  140  near the open distal end  144  in a segmented manner, and in the example shown the segmented arrow includes a tip or spear section, an intermediate trapezoidal section just above the tip or spear section, and an end trapezoidal section just above the intermediate section that in combination indicate a large arrow pointing toward the distal end  144 . The segmented arrow  108  can easily and be intuitively aligned with the arrow  108  on the base piece  102  as described above in the initial assembly of the package  100 . 
     The closed end  142  is formed with a hanger portion  146  allowing it to be suspended on a hanger in a retail product display for purchase of the packaged object. The weight of the package  100  and any object(s) in the package  100  are therefore supported by the hanger portion  146  when the package  100  is vertically hung on the hanger portion  146 . While an exemplary shape and geometry of hanger portion  146  is shown in the illustrated embodiment, others are possible and may be adopted in alternative embodiments. In other embodiments, the hanger portion  146  could be considered optional and may be omitted. 
     The outer surface of the tubular portion  140  is generally smooth and cylindrical and therefore round (i.e., has a circular outer circumference in cross section), but near the distal end  144  is a pair of contoured and recessed interlock portions  148  that are clearly visible from vantage points outside of the cover piece  104 . The interlock portions  148  are provided at 180° positions on the circumference of the tubular portion  140  and are therefore located opposite to one another on the round outer surface of the tubular portion  140 . Each interlock portion  148  provides a visual cue for the mating features that exist in the cover piece  104  and visually conveys a more intuitive, transparent and readily understood appreciation of how the cover piece  104  actually mates and interlocks with the base piece  102  in use and operation of the package  100 . 
     Specifically, the recessed interlock portions  148  include a series of exterior facing column protrusions  150  that extend flush with the outer surface of the tubular portion  140  but that bear a strong visual resemblance (i.e., are similarly shaped and spaced apart from one another by about the same amount) to the series of lock protrusions  118  on the base piece  102 . As such, in the initial assembly as shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the interlock portions  148  are rotationally offset from the columns of lock protrusions  118  so the user can easily see the relative relations of each piece  102 ,  104  or both of the pieces  102 ,  104  needed to align and lock the pieces  102 ,  104  together via the locking features provided. The number of protrusions  150  in the interlock portion  148  of the illustrated example is much less than the number of protrusions  118  in the base piece  102 , and in the illustrated example four protrusions  150  are shown, although greater or lesser number of protrusions  150  can be included in other embodiments. The interlock portions  148  including the protrusions  150  can be interlocked in single step increments determined by the spacing of the lock protrusions  118  in the base piece  102 . 
     The protrusions  150  on the exterior of the round tubular portion  140  define internal recesses  152  ( FIG.  11   ) in the interior of the tubular portion  140  of the cover piece  104 . When the locking protrusions  118  of the base piece  102  are received in the recesses  152  the base piece  102  and the cover piece  104  become interlocked to one another. As shown in the detail view of  FIG.  12   , in the axial direction (i.e., along the vertical direction in  FIGS.  10 - 12   ) each external protrusion  150  and internal recess  152  in the interlock portions  148  of the cover piece  104  is shaped similarly to but is slightly larger than the lock protrusions  118  on the base piece  102 . As such, each external protrusion  150  and internal recess  152  generally includes a flat lock surface  154  extending generally radially and perpendicularly inward from the outer circumference of the round tubular portion  140 , and a sloped surface  156  opposite to the flat lock surface  154  that extends at an oblique angle to the outer circumference of the round tubular portion  140 . As such, the internal recesses  152 , like the lock protrusions  118 , have a generally triangular shape. The flat lock surfaces  154 ,  120  abut one another and stably support the weight of the package  100  when suspended on the hanger portion  146 . The abutting lock surfaces  154 ,  120  resist any tendency of the package  100  to unlock under its own weight, as well as resist and defeat any attempt by a user to pull the cover piece  104  and base piece  102  apart. As such, once the lock protrusions  118  are received in the recesses  152 , inadvertent unlocking in the axial direction (i.e., in a direction along the axis  106  of the package  100 ) is not possible. 
     As seen in  FIGS.  9 ,  14 ,  15  and  18    the recessed interlock portions  148  in the cover piece  104  further include a guide wall  158  that defines an axial channel  160  to receive the columns of lock protrusions  118  when the package  100  is assembled. The lock protrusions  118  in the base piece  102  pass through the axial channel  160  such that the base piece  102  is freely movable up and down the axis  106  relative to the cover piece  104 . The guide wall  158  is formed with a steep angle side  162  ( FIGS.  14  and  15   ) on one side of the axial channel  160  and a shallow angle side  164  on the other side of the axial channel  160 . 
     The steep angle side  162  extends nearly parallel to one of the sloped end edges  124  ( FIGS.  5  and  6   ) of the lock protrusions  118  and provides a hard stop surface to resist an attempt by the user to rotate the cover piece  104  or the base piece in the wrong direction (i.e., a direction causing the lock protrusions  118  to move in a rotational direction away from the lock recesses  152 ). In the example of  FIG.  15   , the steep angle side  162  generally prevents the lock protrusion  118  from being released from the guide channel  160  in the clockwise direction by providing a high initial resistance to movement of the lock protrusion  118 . In contrast, however, the shallow angle side  164  provides initial low resistance to movement of the lock protrusion  118  toward the lock recess  152 , allowing the user to more easily lock the cover piece  104  into a desired position on the base piece  102 . 
     As shown in the top portion of  FIG.  14   , for example, the steep angle side  162  and the shallow angle side respectively have unequal slope, and also opposite slope to one another on the opposing sides of the lock protrusion  128 . More specifically, the steep angle side  162  has negative slope while the shallow angle slide  164  has positive slope in the top portion of  FIG.  9   , and relative to one another the steep angle side  162  has a sharp incline while the shallow angle side  164  has a gentle incline. The gentle incline of the shallow angle side  164  imparts a relatively longer length along the incline to reach the outer circumference of the base piece  102 , while the sharp incline of the steep angle side  162  imparts a relatively shorter length along the incline to reach the outer circumference of the base piece  102 . The incline of the steep angle side  162  extends nearly radially to the outer circumference of the base piece  102 , while the shallow angle side  164  extends nearly tangentially in the example illustrated. 
     As shown in  FIG.  15   , by rotating the base piece  102  in a counterclockwise direction while simultaneously rotating the cover piece  104  in a clockwise direction, the shallow angle side  164  can be resiliently deflected until the lock protrusions  118  are engaged to the lock recesses  152  as shown in  FIGS.  18  and  19   . In this manner, the user may not easily rotate the base piece and cover piece  102 ,  104  in the wrong direction at all, but may easily rotate the base piece and cover piece  102 ,  104  in the right direction to intuitively lock the pieces in desired positions. Also, the user may intuitively know that the package  100  has been locked via the snap-action of the package  100  as the lock positions are reached and the locking features are fully engaged. 
     As seen in the examples of  FIGS.  18  and  19   , in the circumferential direction the angles of the lock recesses  152  match the angles of the sloped end edges  124  of the locked protrusions  118 . As such, once the protrusions  118  are locked in the recesses  152 , the matching angles will generally resist any attempt to unlock them and inadvertent unlocking in the rotational direction is largely precluded if not eliminated. In other words, as designed the matching angles of the lock protrusions  118  and recesses  152  are intended to generally resist inadvertent and unintentional applications of force that otherwise tend to cause the protrusions  118  to become unlocked. As such, once the protrusions  118  and recesses  152  are interlocked, simple efforts to rotate the pieces in either direction will be frustrated because firm and secure locking will be obtained. As such, the locking engagement is not so easily unlocked once it has been established, so care should be taken to select the correct position before the pieces  102 ,  104  are locked together. Because the user can visually align the lock protrusions  118  and  150  in each of the base piece  102  and cover piece  104  before locking them in place, accidental locking in the wrong position can be easily avoided by an attentive user. 
     If repositioning of the cover piece  104  is necessary once it has been locked to the base piece  102 , the user would have to intentionally apply a large amount of force in order to unlock the protrusions  118  to allow the cover piece  104  to be positionally readjusted to another incremental position on the lock protrusions  118  of the base piece  102  if desired. If carefully made, intentional efforts to unlock the protrusions  118  will succeed. Care should be taken to release the protrusions  118  in a manner where they return toward the axial channel  160 , however, such that the shallow angle side  164  can again facilitate the deflection of the cover piece  104  to re-lock the cover piece  104  in the desired position. Otherwise, difficulty in re-locking the pieces  102 ,  104  could be expected. 
     While exemplary matching angles of the lock recesses  152  and end edges  124  of the locked protrusions  118  are illustrated, the matching angles could be varied in other embodiments. Shallower matching angles would allow locking or unlocking with reduced amounts of force while steeper matching angles would allow locking or unlocking with increased amounts of force to achieve the locked or unlocked position of the package  100 . Likewise, the relative amount of force needed to lock or unlock the package could be varied by increasing or decreasing the height and depth of the lock protrusions  118  and lock recesses  124  to change the amount of deflection of the cover piece  104  needed to achieve the locked or unlocked position. 
     Returning back to  FIGS.  9 - 11   , a pair of anti-rocking protrusions  170  extend radially inwardly from the outer surface of the round tubular portion  140  near the distal end  144  of the cover piece  104 . The anti-rocking protrusions  170  are centered respectively at 180° positions on the tubular portion  140  and are therefore located opposite to one another on the circumference of the tubular portion  140 . The 180° positions of the anti-rocking protrusions  170  further reside in between the 180° positions of the interlocking portions  148 . The anti-rocking protrusions  170  further include a circumferential portion and an axial portion as shown. When the lock protrusions  118  and the lock recesses  152  are engaged structural support is provided in circumferential and axial locations between the base piece  102  and the cover near the distal end  144  of the cover piece  104 . Relative movement between the base piece  102  and cover piece  104  such as tilting or rocking movement is generally precluded, if not eliminated at the distal end  144  of the cover piece  104 . While an exemplary shape and geometry of anti-rocking protrusions  170  are shown and described, others are possible and may be adopted with similar effect. 
     Considering that the base piece  102  also has anti-rocking features as described above at its own distal end  128 , the assembled package  100  is doubly supported by the anti-locking features of the base piece  102  and the cover piece  104 . The sturdy locked configuration with the anti-rocking features described provides a higher quality experience for the end user as well as improved reliability of the package  100  as it is subject to further handing. 
     The base piece  102  and cover piece  104  as described and illustrated may be respectively formed and fabricated in an integral or one-piece structure having all the features shown and described from known plastic materials according to known molded processes. The base piece  102  and cover piece  104  may be fabricated from the same or different plastic materials. The plastic material of at least the cover piece  104  appropriately exhibits some resiliency to deflect to complete the locking engagement described while still realizing a stable mechanical connection with the base piece  102  with little to no mechanical play in the locked positions. The telescoping tubular twist and lock package  100  described beneficially may be manufactured at relatively low cost with efficient structure and a highly intuitive manner of use for the end user to adjust the length of the package for optimal use a particular object to be packaged inside. Highly reliable and secure locking features are provided in the improved packages  100  that resist inadvertent changes in axial position, locking or unlocking, and the improved packages  100  are mechanically stable and sturdy to avoid rocking issues and the like to improve the user experience and further improve the package reliability. 
     It is recognized that while the described features of the package  100  are shown in combination in the illustrated embodiments, in some embodiments not all the features described need be present in order for meaningful benefits to be realized. For instance, and by example, only, the anti-locking features may in certain embodiments be considered optional and need not be provided. The features described may therefore be practiced separately and in combination to provide varying degrees of the benefits and advantages described. 
       FIGS.  20  through  28    are various views of an exemplary telescoping twist and lock package  200  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The package  200  includes a base piece  202  and a cover piece  204  that are selectively adjustable in position relative to one another between maximum and minimum telescoping positions like the assembly  100  described above. Common features of the base piece  202  and the cover piece  204  with the base piece  102  and cover piece  204  are shown in  FIGS.  20 - 28    with like reference characters, and the benefits of the package  100  and  200  having such common features are similar. 
       FIG.  28    shows the cover piece  204  assembled to the base piece  204  in an unlocked state wherein the cover piece  204  is engaged to the base piece  202 , and wherein the cover piece  204  is freely slidable on the base piece  202  in an unlocked state. 
     As shown in the assembly view of  FIG.  21   , in the side elevational view of  FIG.  22   , and in the sectional view of  FIG.  24   , the base piece  202  includes two pairs of aligned series of lock protrusions  118  which are respectively arranged as vertical columns on the round outer circumference of the tubular portion  110 . The first pair of lock protrusions  118  is centered respectively at 180° positions on the outer circumference of the tubular portion  110  and therefore are located opposite to one another just above the directional arrows and lock/unlock indicators  116  in the tubular portion  110 , while the second pair of lock protrusions  118  is also centered respectively at 180° positions on the outer circumference of the tubular portion  110  but centered in between the first pair of lock protrusions  118 . In other words, the result of the two pairs of lock protrusions is that vertical columns of lock protrusions extend at 0°, 90°, 180° and 270° positions on the round outer circumference of the tubular portion  110 . In this arrangement the second pair of aligned series of lock protrusions  118  stably supports the cover piece  204  when engaged near the distal end  128  of the base piece  102  and prevents a rocking movement in the assembled pieces  202  and  204 . As such, the second pair of aligned series of lock protrusions  118  eliminates a need for the anti-rocking protrusions  126  of the base piece  102  as described above, and as such the anti-rocking protrusions  126  are omitted from the base piece  202 . 
     As shown in the side elevational view of  FIG.  23    and in the sectional view of  FIG.  24   , the cover piece  204  includes a first pair of recessed interlock portions  148  for mating engagement with the first pair of lock protrusions  118 , and as second pair of recessed interlock portions  210  for mating engagement with the second pair of locking protrusions  118 . The first pair of recessed interlock portions  148  include the exterior facing column protrusions  150  defining the internal recesses  152 . Like the cover piece  102 , the first pair of recessed interlock portions  148  include the guide wall  158  formed with a steep angle side  162  ( FIGS.  14  and  15   ) on one side of the axial channel  160  and a shallow angle side  164  on the other side of the axial channel  160 . 
     As best shown in  FIG.  24   , in the unlocked position of the package  200  each of the protrusions  118  are seated adjacent relatively steep side walls that serve as stop surfaces to prevent rotation of the pieces  204 ,  206  past the unlocked position. As such, and in the view of  FIG.  24   , the base piece is generally prevented from relative rotation in the cover piece  204  in the clockwise direction and/or the cover piece  204  is prevented from relative rotation on the base piece  202  in the counterclockwise direction. 
     In the unlocked position, however, the first pair of lock protrusions  118  are respectively freely slidable along the axis  106  of the package  200  in the channels  160 , while the second pair of lock protrusions are freely slidable in axial channels  212  defined by the recessed interlock portions  210 . As such, the user may adjust the relative axial positions of the base piece  102  and cover piece  204  to select a desired one of the gradated positions that is most optimal for the packaged object. Unlike the channels  160 , however, the channels  212  do not include a shallow side wall that is deflectable, such that when the pieces  202 ,  204  are rotated relative to one another (e.g., the piece  202  rotated counterclockwise and/or the piece  204  rotated clockwise) only the walls  164  are deflected to lock the first pair of protrusions  218  in the internal recess  252  as shown in the sectional view of  FIG.  26   . The second pair of lock protrusions  118  in the channels  212  are freely movable without deflecting any portion of the cover piece  204 . Comparing  FIGS.  24  and  26   , the second pair of lock protrusions  118  are moved between opposite edges of the channels  212  in the unlocked and locked positions, but are not positively locked in position in either of the locked or unlocked state. 
     As shown in the detailed view of  FIG.  27   , the angles on the sides of the lock protrusions  118  and in the lock recesses  152  may be different from one another to provide a higher degree of resistance to rotation in a first rotational direction that in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. This increases the degree of locking realized in the mated pieces of the package via a steeper angle that more strongly resists an unlocking of the package  200 , while the shallower angle on the opposite side facilitates locking with a relatively lesser amount of force exerted by the user. 
       FIG.  29    is a partial view of an exemplary telescoping twist and lock package  300  according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The twist and lock package  300  is an adaptation of the package  200  that includes the two pairs of locking protrusions  118 . 
     The package assembly  300  includes a combination of the recessed interlock portions  210  and an exterior facing column protrusion  150 . The protrusion  150  defines an internal locking recess  152  so that one of the second pair of locking protrusions  118  may be locked in place while the remaining of the second pair of locking protrusions  118  are not positively locked. As such, multiple ones of the first pair of locking second pair of locking protrusions  118  are positively locked as shown and described in the packages  100  and  200 , while only one of the second pair of protrusions is locked in place. As such, locking is achieved at each of the four 90° positions without significantly increasing the locking force that has to be asserted by the user. 
     The benefits and advantages of the inventive concepts herein are now believed to have been amply demonstrated in view of the exemplary embodiments disclosed. 
     An embodiment of a telescoping twist and lock package has been disclosed including a base piece and a cover piece. The base piece includes an elongated smaller diameter tubular portion having a circular cross section and a first outer surface, a first series of aligned spaced apart lock protrusions arranged as a first axial column on the first outer surface, and a second series of aligned spaced apart lock protrusions arranged as a second axial column on the first outer surface, wherein the first and second axial columns are respectively centered at 180° positions on the outer circumference. The cover piece includes an elongated larger diameter tubular portion having a circular cross section and a second outer surface, and first and second contoured and recessed interlock portions extending on the second outer surface, wherein the first and second contoured and recessed interlock portions are clearly visible from vantage points outside of the cover piece. By virtue of the first and second series of aligned spaced apart lock protrusions and the first and second contoured and recessed interlock portions the base piece and cover piece are configured to be selectively assembled to one another in an adjustable telescoping relationship relative to one another in a plurality of gradated positions imparting respectively different axial length to the assembled package. 
     Optionally, the first and second contoured and recessed interlock portions may each include a series of exterior facing column protrusions that extend flush with the second outer surface, with each of the exterior facing column protrusions defining an internal lock recess to lockingly receive selected ones of the first or second series of lock protrusions of the base piece. Each internal lock recess may be shaped similarly to but is slightly larger than one of the lock protrusions. The first and second series of aligned spaced apart lock protrusions may also include a first number of lock protrusions and wherein the series of exterior facing column protrusions includes a second number of exterior facing column protrusions, wherein the second number is much less than the first number. The first and second contoured and recessed interlock portions may also each define an axial channel adjacent the series of exterior facing column protrusions, the axial channel receiving a respective one of the first and second series of aligned spaced apart lock protrusions, and wherein the respective one of the first and second series of aligned spaced apart lock protrusions are slidable in the axial channel to selectively engage the base piece and cover piece in one of the plurality of gradated positions. 
     As further options, the first and second recessed interlock portions may define a guide wall portion extending between the series of exterior facing column protrusions and the axial channel, with the guide wall defining a shallow angle side of the axial channel. Each guide wall may be resiliently deflectable along the shallow angle side of the axial channel when the base piece and cover piece are rotated relative to one another to move the first and second series of aligned spaced apart lock protrusions in a rotatable direction toward the series of exterior facing column protrusions and the internal lock recesses. The first and second recessed interlock portions may also further define a steep angle side of the axial guide channel opposite the shallow angle side. 
     Each internal lock recess may include steep angle sides to resist an inadvertent unlocking of the package. The cover piece may include a pair of anti-rocking protrusions extending radially inwardly from the second outer surface, and the pair of anti-rocking protrusions may be respectively centered at 180° positions on the second outer surface while also residing in between the pair of recessed interlock portions. The cover piece may likewise include a hanger portion. 
     The base piece may optionally include at least one guide line extending on the first outer surface as a visual reference of a most reliable upper limit for an axial position of the cover piece relative to the base piece. The base piece may also include a pair of anti-rocking protrusions extending outwardly from the first outer surface, and the pair of anti-rocking protrusions may be respectively centered at 180° positions on the first outer surface while also residing in between the first and second series of aligned spaced apart lock protrusions. 
     The base piece may optionally include a third series of aligned spaced apart lock protrusions arranged as a third axial column on the first outer surface and a fourth series of aligned spaced apart lock protrusions arranged as a third axial column on the first outer surface, wherein the third and fourth series of aligned spaced apart lock protrusions are respectively located in between the first and second series of aligned spaced apart lock protrusions. The cover piece may also define third and fourth recessed interlock portions extending on the second outer surface, the third and fourth recessed interlock portions receiving the third and fourth series of aligned spaced apart lock protrusions. Selected ones of the third and fourth aligned spaced apart lock protrusions may be freely movable in the third fourth recessed interlock portions between locked and unlocked positions of the package without deflecting any portion of the cover piece. The third and fourth series of lock protrusions may also define at least one lock recess to lockably receive at least one of the lock protrusions in the lock protrusions. 
     The base and cover piece may optionally each be provided with at least one visual indicator for reference by a person to align the base piece and cover piece, lock the base piece and cover piece in a desired position, or unlock the base piece and cover piece. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.