Abstract:
A clamshell package comprises a first portion comprising a first flange partially surrounding a first product receptacle. A first connecting member is connected to the first flange. The package further comprises a second portion comprising a second flange. A second connecting member is connected to and irreversibly separable from the second flange. The first connecting member irreversibly connects to the second connecting member when the first flange is disposed adjacent to the second flange.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application claims the benefit of, and incorporates by reference, provisional application Ser. No. 60/664,779, filed Mar. 24, 2005, and entitled “Memory DIMM Packaging With Enhanced Security Features.” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Computer systems and other electronic devices utilize specialized memory chips to perform basic functions. The memory chips are often consolidated onto a memory module that provides the connection between the memory chips and a computer system. The memory module allows the simultaneous installation and connection of a plurality of memory chips. Many computer systems and other electronic devices are designed so that an end user can install replacement or additional memory modules in order to increase the performance of the system or replace malfunctioning modules.  
         [0003]     Memory modules are available in a variety of configurations. Most computer systems and electronic devices are designed to operate with a specific memory module configuration that is constructed to specific manufacturer&#39;s specifications. Using memory modules that are not constructed to the manufacturer&#39;s specifications may result in inoperability of the system or significantly decreased performance. Although most computer system manufacturers provide memory modules constructed to their specifications, memory modules are also provided by a number of vendors other than the manufacturer and often constructed to lesser specifications.  
         [0004]     It is often difficult to determine the suitability of a particular memory module based solely on the visual appearance of memory module. The difficulty in easily determining suitability has led to problems with customers receiving memory modules that are not constructed to manufacturer&#39;s specifications but may visually resemble acceptable memory modules. Thus, manufacturer approved memory modules are often shipped in packaging that helps verify the suitability of the memory module.  
         [0005]     One problem with conventional packaging in which memory modules are shipped is that the packaging may allow for removal of a memory module and replacement with an inferior product without significantly disturbing the package. Therefore, a customer may inadvertently use an inferior product. Therefore, as can be appreciated, there remains a need in the art for memory module packaging that provides increased security and protection for the memory modules disposed therein.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY  
       [0006]     A clamshell package comprising a first portion comprising a first flange partially surrounding a first product receptacle. A first connecting member is connected to the first flange. The package further comprises a second portion comprising a second flange. A second connecting member is connected to and irreversibly separable from the second flange. The first connecting member irreversibly connects to the second connecting member when the first flange is disposed adjacent to the second flange. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     For a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view of an open clamshell package constructed in accordance with embodiments of the invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the open clamshell package of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  shows an end view of the clamshell package of  FIG. 1  shown in a closed position;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  shows an isometric view of the clamshell package of  FIG. 1  in a closed position; and  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  shows an isometric view of the clamshell package of  FIG. 1  with tabs removed.  
     
    
     NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE  
       [0013]     Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, computer companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other devices and connections.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]     The following discussion is directed to various embodiments of the invention. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate clamshell package  10  comprising first portion  12  and second portion  14 , which are connected by foldable hinge  16 . First portion  12  comprises a recessed product receptacle  18 , flange  20 , tabs  22 , and connecting members  24 . Second portion  14  comprises a corresponding raised product receptacle  26 , flange  28 , tabs  30 , and connecting members  32 .  
         [0016]     Tabs  22  and  30  are irreversibly separable from flanges  20  and  28 , respectively, via perforations  34 . Perforations  34  may be a series of holes, slots, cuts, or other features that provide an irreversibly separable connection between the tabs and their respective flanges. The edges of flanges  20  and  28  are radiused at the points  38  where perforations  34  intersect the edges.  
         [0017]     Product receptacles  18  and  24  may further comprise integral ridges  36  or other features sized and arranged so as to secure a product within the receptacles. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , integral ridges  36  of receptacles  18  and  24  support the insertion of two dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs). Other embodiments may comprise receptacles, internal ridges, and other features sized so as to accept any desirable memory module or other product.  
         [0018]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , clamshell package  10  is shown in a closed position where first portion  12  is adjacent to second portion  14 . Second portion  14  is rotated relative to first portion  12  about hinge  16  so that flanges  20  and  28  are positioned adjacent to each other. As flanges  20  and  28  are positioned adjacent to each other, tabs  22  on first portion  12  align with tabs  30  on second portion  14  and connecting members  24  on first portion  12  engage with connecting members  32  on second portion  14 . Raised product receptacle  26  is inserted into recessed product receptacle  18  to form a container that secures a product  40  therewithin.  
         [0019]     Once connecting members  24  and  32  are engaged, the engaged members are permanently interconnected so that they can not be separated from each other. Thus, connecting members  24  and  32  form a secure, irreversible interlock between first portion  12  and second portion  14 . Connecting members  24  and  32  are illustrated as crush points, or crush rivets, that are interconnected by plastically deforming the engaged members. In other embodiments, tabs  22  and  30  may be irreversibly connected to each other by other connecting means, such as adhesives, heat sealing, mechanical rivets, or other fasteners.  
         [0020]     As described above, receptacles  18  and  26  are aligned to form a container or other means for receiving a product. Clamshell package  10  is preferably constructed from a moldable plastic material having a stiffness that prevents removal of the product from the closed package. The moldable plastic material also provides sufficient material properties that enable the irreversible connections between connecting members  24  and  32 . Thus, products disposed within the container can not be removed without separating first portion  12  from second portion  14 .  
         [0021]     Package  10  is opened by removing tabs  22  and  30  from their respective flanges, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Once tabs  22  and  30  have been removed, first portion  12  can be separated from second portion  14 . Tabs  22  and  30  are removed from their respective flanges by tearing along perforations  34  to permanently remove the tabs from their flanges. Once removed, tabs  22  and  30  can not be reconnected to the flanges. Because the tabs are irreversibly separable, it will be easy to tell if package  10  has been opened as the tabs will be removed.  
         [0022]     In certain embodiments, only one of tabs  22  or  30  may be irreversibly separable from its flange while the other tab is permanently attached. In this embodiment, the irreversibly separable tab would separate from its flange while the permanently attached tab would remain attached to its flange.  
         [0023]     The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. For example, the tamper resistant and other security features described herein may be applied to other types of packaging systems used for other types of products. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.