Patent ID: 7097379

Claim:
A locking mechanism for a container or a holding device, said locking mechanism comprising: a first part that defines a recess having a holding surface and a bottom surface; a second part that cooperates with said first part in interlocking relationship, said second part defining a tongue that cooperates with the holding surface of said recess to secure said first part to said second part, said second part being releasable from said first part by deflecting said tongue toward the bottom surface of said recess; a blocking element that is located between said bottom surface of said first part and the tongue of said second part, said blocking element being severably connected to one of said tongue or the bottom surface of said recess by a connector that is severable such that said blocking element blocks the deflection of said tongue toward the bottom surface of said recess at times when said connector is unsevered and, said blocking element is secured to one of said tongue or the bottom surface of said recess, and such that said tongue is deflectable toward the bottom surface at times when said connector is severed and said blocking element is removed from between said tongue and said bottom surface; and a tool that includes a blade for severing said connector of said blocking element from the tongue of said second part or from the bottom surface of the recess of said first part, said blocking element defining sloped surfaces that cooperate with said blade to guide the blade to an area of said blocking element that is adjacent to the bottom surface of the recess of said first part.