GB2330868A

GB2330868A - Hinge for a stackable/nestable container

Info

Publication number: GB2330868A
Application number: GB9824071A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Boucher-Giles
Original assignee: Woodall Plastic Products Ltd
Current assignee: Woodall Plastic Products Ltd
Priority date: 1997-11-04
Filing date: 1998-11-04
Publication date: 1999-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2018-11-04
Also published as: GB2330868B; GB9824071D0

Abstract

A hinge intended for stackable/nestable containers such as those used to store bread with a first part (12) comprising a plurality of mounting members (18a,b,c,d) each with an aperture (20) sunk into said member along the hinge axis. The second part (14) of the hinge comprises a plurality of hinge members (24a,b,c,d) each with an integral pin (25) to engage the apertures (20) in said corresponding mounting members (18a,b,c,d). This is achieved by movement of the second leaf relative to the first in a first direction and movement back from the engaged position is prevented by a securing member (40 in figure 3) removably attached to the first part (12). The second part of the hinge is used as a support member for further containers and as such has a first position where it extends partially across the open top and a second position in which it lies clear of the open top. The second part provides an engagement means in the first position to secure a further container when several units are stacked. The container is also provided with an aperture shaped to provide a carry handle.

Description

Title: Stackable/Nestable Container and Hinge Mechanism Therefor Description of Invention This invention relates to a stackable/nestable container of the type having a base, a pair of opposing side walls upstanding fi-om the base, an upper part of each side wall of the pair being provided with a support member movable between a first position in which it extends part-way across an open top of the container, to provide support for a similar container, and a second position, in which the support member lies generally clear of the open top, to allow containers to adopt a nested condition.

The invention also relates to a hinge mechanism by which the support member is attached to the respective side wall.

This type of container is widely used for the tlanspolt and storage of food products, especially bread, with the support members typically comprising a flap or so-called bail aim, which in its first position lies generally horizontally, and hence parallel to the base, but in its second position is orientated generally vertically.

It will be appreciated that a variety of constlaillts exist insofar as the design of such containers is concenied, not least because tlie containers must combine robustness with a relatively light weight construction, in view of the manual handling of the containers which occurs during their lifetime.

Additionally, the container must be configured so as to be able to be handled mechanically, for example at a source bail, but also handled (and hence picked up) easily by a person.

It is an object of the present inventioli to provide an itnproved container of the type generally described above. A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved hinge mechanism for use with such containers.

According to onk aspect of this invention, there is provided a hinge mechanism comprising a first palt comprising a plurality of mounting members each provided with an aperture lying on a horizontal axis, and a second part comprising a plurality of hinge members each providing a hinge pin lying generally on a longitudinal axis, said hinge pins being engageable in said apertures by movement of the second part relative to the first part in a first direction, means being provided which is operative to restrain movement of said second part in the opposite direction, said means comprising a separate member operative between said first and second parts.

Preferably, said member is mounted on the hinge mechanism subsequent to the mounting of the second part on toe first part, and is preferably snap-fitted or otherwise retained captive on the hinge mechanism.

Particularly conveniently, where the hinge mechanism comprises plastics material, said separate member is held captive by resilient deformation, conveniently effected while the plastics material is in a semi-pliable state by virtue of its temperature.

Altematively or in addition, said separate member may be retained captive on the hinge mechanism by virtue of its engagement with the first and second parts.

Preferably, said separate member is mounted on the first part and is engaged by the second part to prevent substaiotial movement of the second part in said opposite direction. Thus, on assembly, preferably the second part is moved into engagement with the first part, and the second part is moved in said first direction to cause the second part to enter into a hinging engagement with the first part, whereupon said separate member is mounted on the hinge mechanism so that the second palt is retailed in hinging engagement with the first part.

The invention above defined is palticularly useful in relation to containers such as trays of the kind utilised to cany l) bread, in which the first part is provided by or on an end wall of the tray, and the second part is provided on or by a bail aim of the flay.

Such containers are described in the opening paragraph of the present application, and, for convenience, shall henceforth be refined to as containers "of the kind specified".

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container of the kind specified, comprising a hinge mechanism of the kind described in one or more of the preceding paragraphs on each of two side walls of the container, the first part of each hinge mechanism being mounted on or provided by a side wall of the container, the second part of each hinge mechanism being provided on or by a bail arm moveable on the container between a first, operative, position, and a second, inoperative, position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge mechanism comprising a first part comprising a plurality of mounting members each provided with an aperture lying on a longitudinal axis, and a second part comprising a plurality of hinge members each providing a hinge pin lying generally on a longitudinal axis, a plurality of said hinge pins extending in a first direction and at least one hinge pin extending in a second, opposite, direction, the construction and allangement being such that one or both of said first and second parts is deform able to to peimit said one hinge pin to be inserted into the aperture of one of the support members by relative movement between the said parts in a first direction, and subsequently said plurality of hinge pins may be inserted into the apertures of the other support members by movement between said parts in a second opposite direction, restraining means, preferably detachable, being provided to limit subsequent movement of said parts in said first direction.

The present invention in its third aspect is particularly useful in relation to containers and flays of the kind specified, in vvihicll said first part is provided by or on an end wall of the tray, and said second part is provided on or by a bail arm of the tray.

Most conveniently, the bail aim is capable of limited flexing movement, particularly during an initial stage subsequent to the production thereof by a moulding process, enabling said one hinge pin to be inserted into the aperture of one of the support members. Subsequent to such inseltion, by removal of the forces on the bail arm said other hinge pins may be inserted into the other apertures, particularly by movement in said second direction.

Thereafter, the restraining means, such as a plug, may be inserted at an appropriate location, conveniently in the apetture in which I said one hinge pin is located, to restrain lateral movement of the bail aim to an extent such that the hinge pins become removed from the apertures in which they are mounted.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container of the kind specified comprising a hinge mechanism of the kind described in relation to the third aspect of the invention on each of two side walls of the container, the first part of each hinge mechanism being mounted on or provided by one of the side walls of the container, tlie second part of each hinge mechanism being provided on or by a bail ann moveable on the tray between a first, operative, position and a second, inopelative, position.

According to a fifth aspect of the present ii0vention. there is provided an open-topped container having a base and a pair of opposed side walls upstanding from the base, an upper part of each side stall of the pair being provided with a support member moveable between a first position in which it extends palt-way across an open top of the container and a second position in which it lies clear of the open top, at least one of the support members being provided with an aperture or recess by which l a person may pick up the container when the support member is in its second position.

Preferably, the first position of the support member corresponds to a generally horizontal orientation, with the second position preferably corresponding to a generally veltically orientation.

The support member preferably comprises a flap or so-called bail arm, being generally elongate and planar in nature, being hinged or otherwise pivotally mounted to the upper part of the respective side walls.

The support member, in its first position, may provide an upwardly extending channel to facilitate secure engagement with a further container stacked thereupon, so that relative sideways movement of containers in a stack is restricted.

Preferably, in its second position, the support member provides a generally flat outwardly facing surface.

Preferably, each support member is provided with an aperture or recess as described above.

Conveniently, the aperture or recess extends inwardly from an edge of the support member which is remote from the side at which it is pivotally mounted to the side wall, henceforth referred to as tloe 'free edge".

The apeiture or recess may be configured so as to inter-fit closely or approximately with at least part of a person's land, so that the person may pick up the container comfortably and easily.

The side walls to wloicli said support members are mounted may also be provided with an aperture or recess therein, by which a person may pick up the container.

Preferably, said aperture or recess enables the container to be picked up by a person regardless of the orientation of tile support Inelnber.

Conveniently, the aperture or recess provided in said side wall is disposed at an upper part of said side wall.

Conveniently, the free edge is disposed, when the support member is in its second position, at a distance frown tulle base which is greater than the distance from the base to a lower part of the side wall aperture/recess, but which is less than the distance fi-om the base to an upper part of the side wall aperture/recess.

Conveniently, with the support member in its second position, the free edge is disposed approximately mid-way between the upper and lower parts of the side wall aperture/recess.

Conveniently, the aperture/recess provided in the support member corresponds closely or approximately in shape to at least part of the aperture/recess provided in said side wall.

In this way, with the support member in its second position, a person may pick up the container by introduction of his/ller hand through both the aperture/recess in the support member, and at least part of the aperture/recess in said side wall.

The provision of a support member having an aperture/recess as described above enables the container to be handled manually with considerably greater ease than has hitherto been the case, in addition to providing an aesthetically pleasing aspect to the overall design.

The support members may be hinged to the upper parts of said side walls using a hinge mechanism exactly or generally as described in relation to the first and third aspects of the present invention Desirably, however, the support members are hinged to the upper parts of said side walls using a hinge mechanism exactly or generally as described in relation to the first aspect of the present invention Conveniently, the first part of the hinge mechanism is integral with or attached to the upper part of said side walls, and the second part of the hinge mechanism is integral with or attached to tlle support Inembeis.

Preferably, the separate member is mounted on the hinge mechanism subsequent to the mounting of the support member on the side wall, and is preferably snap-fitted or otloerwise retained captive on the hinge mechanism.

The separate m mber may be held captive by resilient deformation, conveniently effected whilst the plastics material from which the container is preferably foimed, is in a semi-pliable state by virtue of its temperature.

Preferably, at least some of the hinge pins are tapered towards their remote ends, to facilitate entry thereof into said mounting member apertures.

The separate retaining member may also be tapered or otherwise suitably configured so as to reduce distortion of the mounting members upon introduction of the separate members thereto, thus reducing the possibility of component failure, and the subsequent release of the support member.

Preferably, the separate member is attached to the mounting member by introduction thereto generally from above.

The various aspects of the present invention will now be described in greater detail, but by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of palt of a container having a hinge mechanism generally in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention; FIGURES 2 and 3 are views showing stages in tlie mounting of the bail arm of FIGURE 1 on the container; FIGURE 4 is a plan view based on FIGURE, tal-en in tloe direction of allow A of FIGURE 3; FIGURE 5 is a view of a securing member utilised iii the performance of the first and second aspects of the present invention; FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a container provided with a hinge mechanism generally in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention; FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 are views illustrating stages in the assembly of bail aims of the type shown in FIGURE 6, on end walls of the coitainer; FIGURE 10 is an enlarged view of the parts sloowii in FIGURE 9; FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a container in accordance with the fifth aspect of the present invention; FIGURE 12 is a close up view of one side wall of the container of FIGURE 11, with a flapZbail aim in a first position; FIGURE 13 is a similar view to that shown in FIGURE 12, but wherein the flap/bail aim is in a second position; FIGURE 14 shows in detail the construction of the hinges of FIGURES 11 to 13; FIGURE 15 shows a modified version of the container shown in FIGURE 11; and FIGURE 16 is a close up of one side wall of the container of FIGURE 15, with a flap/bail ann in a second, ilooperative, position.

A container having a hinge mechaiiism in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 5, and comprises a body 6 having opposite side walls 8 and end walls 10, only one of which is shown, the side walls canying at upper ends thereof a first part 12 of a hinge mechanism in accordance witch the first aspect of the present invention, on which a second part 14 may be pivotally mounted, said second part 14 being provided by or secured to a bail ann 16 of the tray.

Provided at an upper part of each of tulle side walls 8 of the tray are a plurality of support members l8a 18b 18c and 18d the support members extending across the width of the wall 8 (see Figure 4), the support member 18 being of hollow construction as is shown in Figure 1, each being provided on one side tllereof with a hinge bore 20.

The second part 14 of tlle hinge mechanism comprises a plurality of hinge members 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d, each comprising a hinge pin 25, lying on a longitudinal axis. By presentation of the bail ann to the side wall 8, the hinge members may be located in the gaps between the support members 18, and by movement of toe bail ann in a first directioii, specifically, to the light as shown in Figure 1, the hinge pins 25 may be entered into the hinge bores 20, to bring the bail aim into a condition of pivotal mounting on the side wall, as shown in Figure 3.

One of the hinge members 24b is also provided with a hinge pin 26 extending in the opposite direction, said hinge pin 26 teiminating a short distance from the adjacent hinge pin 25, as is shown in Figure 1 On movement of the bail arm 16 into initial engagement with the side wall 8, that is, into the position shown in Figure 2, said hinge pin 26 is located in an opening 19a of the support member 18a, allowing the hinge pins 25 to be aligned with the apertures 20, as hereinbefore described.

Subsequent to movement of the bail aim in said first direction, to the position shown in Figure 3, a separate securing member 40 (see Figure 5) is positioned in the hollow interior of the support member 18a. The securing member 40 is of H-shape in cross-section, and on movement of the securing member into an operative position, as is shown in Figure 3, a central web 42 thereof passes between the hinge pin 25 and the hinge pin 26, preventing movement of the hinge pin 26, and thus of the bail ann 16 as a whole, in the opposite, left hand, direction. Similarly, engagement of a base wall 43 of the securing member with the two hinge pins prevents movement of the securing member in an outward direction, whilst engagement of the securing member with ramp portions 46 of the wall prevents movement of the securing member in the inward direction.

Conveniently, the bail aims are mounted on the side walls 8, and the securing member 40 located in its operative position shortly after the completion of tlae moulding of the basket, whilst the plastics material thereof is still in a semi-pliable state, allowing the insert member to move across the ramp members 46 into the position shown in Figure 3, relatively easily.

In this manner the two bail aims 16 may be mounted onto side walls 8 of the bread tray comparatively easily, and will be retained securely thereon throughout the life of the bread tray.

Referring next to Figures 6 to 10, preferred embodiments of the third and fourth aspects of the present invention are shown.

Referring first to Figure 6, a preferred container is shown, comprising side walls 108, 110, end walls 112 and 114, and a base 116, any or all of which may be of open construction The tray which is the prefened embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present invention comprises two support alms 120, conveniently termed "bail aims", mounted on the end walls 112 and 114 for movement between inoperative positions, in which the am1s lie generally flat against the outside of the end walls, and operative positions, in which the bail ann 120b is shown, in which the bail aim extends over the top of the tray, allowing a similar tray to be mounted thereon.

A hinge mechanism 122 for each of the bail aims comprises a first part 124 provided by the end walls of the bread tray, in the fonn of a plurality of support members 1 26, each provided with an aperture in tlle form of a hinge bore 129 lying on a longitudinal axis. A second part 128 of the hinge mechanism comprises a plurality of hinge members 130 each comprising a hinge pin 131, similarly lying on a longitudinal axis.

However, whilst one of tlle hinge pins 131a extends fi-om the hinge member 130a in a first direction, the remaining pins 131k extend from their respective hinge members 130b in a second, opposite, direction However, one of the hinge members 130c, being that which is adjacent to the hinge member 130a in the direction X, is not provided with a hinge pin.

The construction and arrangement of the hinge mechanism, in particular the dimensions of the support members 126, and the hinge members 130, together with the length of the hinge pins 131 and tulle distance between the support members 126, is such that by causing the bail aim 120 to "bow" slightly at its central position, the hinge pin 131a may be entered into an appropriate bore 129a by movement of the bail aim generally in a first direction X (see Figure 7).

On completion of ently of the hinge pin loll, the bail aim may be relaxed, and the hinge members 130 and their associated hinge pins 131b may be located in the spaces between adjacent support members 126 (see Figure 8).

From this position, the bail ann may be moved in a second direction Y, causing the hinge pins 1314 to enter into the bores 129, into the position shown in Figure 9. In this position, the hinge pin 13 lea is retained within its bore 129a.

To prevent movement of the bail ann in the direction X back to the position shown in Figure 8, in which the hinge pins 131b are not in hinging contact with the support members 126, a restlaining means, in the form of a plug 140, is inserted into the bore 129a, in tlie direction Y, to limit movement of the hinge pin 131a in the direction X. This ensures that the second part of the hinge member is retained approximately in the position shown in Figure 9, in which the bail aim is retained securely hinged on the side wall of the bread tray. The plug 140 is most conveniently located in the bore 129a prior to relaxation of the bail aim, and location of the hinge members 130 between the support members 126.

It will be appreciated that defollnation of the bail ann 120, to permit location of the hinge pins in the bores, may most conveniently be effected whilst the bail ann 120 is in a relatively softened condition, such as immediately or shortly after tlie support arm has been moulded. In such circumstances, the support arm may be deformed as illustrated in Figure 7, to permit the hinge pins to be appropriately inserted, and subsequently as the material of the support aim cools, defoniiation as would be llecessal to reverse the process is made more difficult.

Notwithstanding this, should one of the bail anns become damaged and need replacement, it is possible to remove the bail aim and install a new bail arm, conveniently by heating the damaged bail aim to such an extent as will allow the required degree of defonnation.

Referring next to Figure 11, a container substantially in accordance with the fifth aspect of the present invention is shown. The container 210 has a base 211 and a pair of opposed side walls 212 and 213, which extend upwardly, and slightly away from, the base 211.

An upper part of each side wall is provided with a plurality of mounting members 214, each of which are provided with at least one aperture 215, into which hinge pins 216 of flaps 217 may be introduced.

In this way, flaps 217 may be pivotally mounted to the upper parts of each side wall.

As can be seen frown Figure 11, the flaps are moveable between a first position, shown by flap 217a, in which the flap extends part-way across an open top of the container, and a second position, shown by flap 217b, in which the flap extends generally parallel to its corresponding side wall, and therefore does not project across the open top of the container.

In this way, a plurality of similar crates may selectively be stacked one upon the other or nested one within the other, depending on the position of the flaps.

Each side wall to which a flap is pivotally mounted is provided with an aperture 218 through which a person's hand may be introduced in order to pick up the crate.

It will be seen tliat with a flap 217 in a first position (shown by flap 217a) the flap lies above the aperture 218, aid therefore does not impede a person from picking up the container using tulle aperture 218.

Moreover, with a flap in its second position, shown by flap 2l7b it will be seen that an aperture, in the foim of a cut-out portion 219 provided in the flap, enables access to be obtained to the side wall aperture 218, thus enabling the container to be picked up manually with the flaps in either position.

It will be appreciated that the precise configuration of the side wall aperture 218 or cut-out portion 219 is not important, although in a preferred embodiment, an upper part of the side wall aperture 218, and the cut-out portion 219, are generally rounded, so as to provide a comfortable and secure grip.

If desired, the cut-out portion 219 and/or aperture 218 may be configured so as to confoim generally to the shape of a person's fingers, thus further improving the grip and comfort afforded thereby.

Whilst in the drawings, tlie cut-out potion 219 is shown as extending from a free edge 220 of the flap, it will be appreciated that an aperture could alternatively be provided in the body of the flap, and which does not therefore extend from a side edge thereof.

Referring next to Figure 12, a close-up view of the flap and hinge construction of Figure 11 is shown, with the flap being shown in its first position.

As can be seen, the flap is provided with a plurality of hinge members 221, each of which have at least one hinge pin 216 associated therewith. At least two of the hinge members, however, identified for convenience by reference numerals 22la and 221b, are each provided with two hinge pins 216a and 216b extending in opposite directions away fioin tulle respective hinge member.

In order for the flap to be maintained securely connected to the side wall, separate plugs 226 are intloduced, generally fi-om above. into a gap 227 in t'vo of the mounting members 214.

The plugs 226, whicl are similar in construction aiid perfoimance to the securing members 40 of Figures 1 to 5, comprise a celltlal leg 228, having a pair of barbs 229 extending from sides thereof which enable the plug to be maintained in the mounting member in a snap-fitted manner - see Figure 14.

Conveniently, the plugs are introduced into the mounting members in a heated state, so that defoimation thereof is more easily obtained. Alternatively, or in addition, the container itself may be heated.

An upper surface 230 of the plug 226 is generally tapered, to reduce outward deformation of side parts 23 1 and 232 of the respective mounting member 214, thus reducing the possibility of failure of the mounting member 214, and in particular of a central web 233 extending between the side parts 23 1 and 232, which could result in dislocation of the flap from the side wall.

It will be seen that with the flap in its first position, a relatively narrow strip 234 of material is presented to a person wishing to pick up the crate, thus enabling the person to pick up the crate with considerable ease and comfort.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that in the absence of a cut-out portion 219, application of upward pressure on an underside 235 of the flap by a person's fingers could cause the flap to pivot upwardly, thus making it difficult to pick up the container in a satisfactoiy manner.

By referring to Figure 13, it will be apparent tliat the ease of picking up the container is not affected in any way by movement of the flap to its second position, and that 2 similarly narrow, and hence convenierit, strip 236 of material is presented.

Referring next to Figure 15, a container and hinge assembly largely similar to those shown in Figures 11 to 14 are illustrated, but in which a modification to the side walls has been made to facilitate picking up the container.

Specifically, the side walls 312 aiid 313 are provided with a cut-away section 314, obtained by removal of an L-shaped (in cross-section) piece of material from the side wall, which provides an aperture through which a person's fingers may be introduced, froin below, to assist in picking up the crate.

In this way, as is shown in Figure 16, the crate may be picked up by a person placing his/her hand beneath the horizontally extending flange 315, and curling his/her fingers up through the cut-away section 314, to obtain a secure grip on the container.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that with l a plurality of containers in a nested condition, picking up the stack is considerably facilitated, as protrusion of the person's fingers into the open space defined by the side walls does not occur.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for peifonning the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS I. A hinge mechanism comprising a first part comprising a plurality of mounting members each provided with an aperture lying on a horizontal axis, and a second part comprising a plurality of hinge members each providing a hinge pin lying generally on a longitudinal axis, said hinge pins being engageable in said apertures by movement of the second part relative to the first part in a first direction, means being provided which is operative to restrain movement of said second palt in the opposite direction, said means comprising a separate member operative between said first and second parts.
2. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 1 wherein the separate member is mounted on the hinge mechanism subsequent to the mounting of the second part on said first part.
3. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the separate member is snap-fitted on the hinge mechanism.
4 A hinge mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said separate member is mounted on the first part and is engaged by the second part to prevellt substantial movement of the second part in said opposite direction.
5 A container of the kiiid specified, comprising a hinge mechanism in accordance with any one of tlue preceding claims on each of two side walls of the container, the first part of each hint, e mechanism being mounted on or provided by a side wall of tlie container, the second part of each hinge mechanism being provided on or by a bail arm moveable on the container between a first, operative, position, and a second, inopelative, position
6. A hinge mechanism comprising a first part comprising a plurality of mounting members each provided with an aperture lying on a longitudinal axis, and a second part comprising a plurality of hinge members each providing a hinge pin lying generally on a longitudinal axis, a plurality of said hinge pins extending in a first direction and at least one hinge pin extending in a second, opposite, direction, the construction and arrangement being such that one or both of said first and second parts is deformable to pennit said one hinge pin to be inserted into the aperture of one of the support members by relative movement between the said parts in a first direction, and subsequently said plurality of hinge pins may be inserted into the apertures of the other support members by movement between said parts in a second, opposite direction, restraining means, preferably detachable, being provided to limit subsequent movement of said parts in said first direction.
7. A container of the kind specified comprising a hinge mechanism according to Claim 6 on each of two side walls of the container, the first part of each hinge mechanism being mounted on or provided by one of the side walls of the container, the second part of each hinge mechanism being provided on or by a bail aim moveable on the tray between a first, operative, position and a second, inoperative, position.
8. An open-topped coi0tail0ei- having a base and a pair of opposed side walls upstanding from the base, an upper part of each side wall of the pair being provided with a support member moveable between a first position in which it extends palt-way across an open top of the container and a second position in which it lies clear of the open top, at least one of the support members being provided with an aperture or recess by which a person may pick up the container when the support member is in its second position.
9. A container according to Claim 8 wherein the support member provides an upwardly extending channel to facilitate secure engagement with a further container stacked thereupon.
10. A container according to Claim 8 or Claim 9 wherein the aperture or recess extends inwardly from a free edge of the support member.
11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the aperture is configured so as to inter-fit closely or approximately with at least part of a person's hand.
12 A container according to Claim 10 or Claim 11 when dependent on Claim 10 wherein the free edge is disposed, when the support member is in its second position, at a position which is between lower and upper parts of an apelture/recess provided in the side wall to which the support member is pivotally mounted.
13 A container according to Claim 12 wherein tulle upper part of the side wail aperture/recess corresponds closely or approximately in shape to the apelture/recess provided in tulle support member.
14 A container according to any one of Claims 8 to 13 having a hinge mechanism in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 4, or Claim 6.
15 A hiilge meclanisin substantially as hereinbefore described and/or shown in Figures 1 to 4 of tlie accompanying drawings.
16. A hinge mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described and/or shown in Figures 6 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.
17. A container substantially as hereinbefore described and/or shown in Figure 6, or Figure 11 or Figure 15 of the accompanying drawings.
18. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.