JP2009507733A - Container with locking and releasing mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

  The container (100) includes an improved locking and release mechanism for securing the superstructure (S1) to the base structure (S2). The base structure (S2) and the upper structure (S1) have a protrusion (156) extending from the front wall (130) and a groove (158) disposed in the flexible part (158) of the front wall (140). 164) are releasably secured together when engaged with each other. The container (100) further includes a protrusion (152) and a recess (150) to align the upper and base structures (S1, S2), and on the sliding surface of the upper and base structures (S1, S2). The relative movement of each other is constrained, so that the locking and releasing mechanism is not inadvertently released. The flexible portion (158) of the front wall (140) can be moved to disengage the locking elements (156, 164).

Description

[Cross-reference of related applications]
This application claims priority from US Provisional Application No. 60 / 716,677, filed Sep. 13, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

  The present invention relates generally to containers, and more particularly to containers that include locking and releasing mechanisms.

  Containers that include locking and releasing mechanisms are desired in many applications. The locking and release mechanism continues to lock the container in the closed state unless the release mechanism is actuated to open the container. This allows the container to provide safety for the child or otherwise be inadvertently opened and not accessible to the product contained therein.

  Many of the previous locking and unlocking mechanisms are very complex and thus require a large number of parts and / or difficult manufacturing processes. The additional costs associated with such locking and unlocking mechanisms can be substantial for mass production. In addition, some previous locking and release mechanisms can be operated to open the container without the release mechanism operating correctly.

  Therefore, there is an unmet need in the industry to solve the deficiencies and deficiencies described above. What is needed is a container that includes an effective locking and release mechanism that is simple to use and easy to manufacture.

  Various embodiments of the present invention overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a container with an improved locking and release mechanism. The locking and releasing mechanism includes locking elements for engaging each other, so that the base structure and the superstructure of the container can be releasably secured to each other. The locking and releasing mechanism further comprises a flexible wall that is movable to disengage the locking elements from one another and open the container. The flexible part of the wall and the locking element are easily formed of plastic or another material and integrated into the top and base structures.

  In an exemplary embodiment, the container includes a first structure with a first wall and a first locking element. The container also includes a second structure including a second wall and a second locking element. The second wall has a flexible part that can be moved. The free edge of the flexible portion of the second wall is partially shaped by a slot separating the flexible portion of the second wall from the second structure. The first structure can be releasably secured to the second structure, wherein the first wall is disposed adjacent to the second wall, and the first locking element engages the second locking element. Close the container. The first and second walls are substantially coplanar or, in another situation, aligned with a predetermined first plane.

  To open the container, the flexible portion of the second wall moves to disengage the engaged locking element and release the first and second structures from each other. For example, the second locking element can be disposed in the flexible portion of the second wall, and the locking element moves with the flexible portion of the second wall. The locking element can be any one that can engage each other when the first wall of the first structure is precisely aligned with the second wall of the second structure and is adjacent to the second wall of the second structure. There can be two elements. Combinations of locking elements include indentations, grooves, openings, sockets, slots, and the like that receive detents, protrusions, ledges, ridges, extensions, and the like. Furthermore, two or more protrusions can engage each other.

  In an exemplary embodiment, a groove is formed in the flexible portion of the second wall, the groove being arranged and dimensioned to receive a protrusion extending from the first wall. Yes. However, in alternative embodiments, the flexible portion of the second wall may include a protrusion that is arranged and dimensioned to be received in a groove formed in the first wall. In an exemplary embodiment, the second wall includes a concave portion that forms a shelf-like portion, so that, in the closed position, the end of the first wall abuts the shelf-like portion, and the first wall Of the second wall is in planar contact with the outer surface of the concave portion of the second wall. This arrangement facilitates positioning the locking elements relative to each other. However, the ends of the first wall and the second wall can also contact each other. In either embodiment, the locking element is not limited to being formed in the first and second walls, but rather extends from or is attached to the wall. it can.

  In an exemplary embodiment, the top and base structures of the container are connected by a hinge. Specifically, the upper and base structures are hinged and connected to both ends of the hinge panel. In certain embodiments, the hinge allows the upper and base structures to move relative to each other when the container is in a closed state. Thus, the top and base structures need not be accurately aligned so that the locking elements engage each other. In such an embodiment, the means for positioning the first structure with respect to the second structure accurately aligns the first wall with respect to the second wall so that the locking elements engage each other. It is provided so that it may be positioned. The means for positioning the first structure relative to the second structure is a movement of the first structure relative to the second structure, eg, substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by the aligned first and second walls. Constrain movement in the plane. Thus, the container cannot be manipulated to access the contents of the container, or in other situations the locking and release mechanism cannot be inadvertently released.

  The foregoing has outlined rather broadly several aspects and features of the present invention, which are to be construed as merely an example of the various potential uses of the present invention. Another beneficial result can be obtained by applying the information disclosed in different ways or by a combination of various aspects, in addition to the scope of the invention as defined by the claims A more comprehensive understanding of the present invention can be obtained by reference to the detailed description of the representative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

  As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are merely representative of the invention, and it should be understood that the invention can be implemented in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the term “representative” is used broadly to refer to a description, illustration, sample, or exemplary embodiment. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Accordingly, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be construed as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and teachings to those skilled in the art using the present invention in various ways. Should be interpreted as the basis to express for.

  Referring to the drawings that illustrate like elements with like numerals across several aspects, the drawings illustrate some of the various aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a container that includes an improved locking and releasing mechanism. Show. Typically, the container includes a base structure and a superstructure that are releasably secured together when the respective locking elements of the superstructure and base structure engage each other. The container further includes a flexible portion of the wall that can be moved to disengage the locking element.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of the container 100 includes an upper tray 110 and a base tray 112 that are attached to an outer cover 114. In the exemplary embodiment, the outer cover 114 is formed of paperboard and each of the trays 110, 112 is thermoformed or molded from plastic. However, in alternative embodiments, the outer cover 114 and the trays 110, 112 can be formed from any suitable material, such as cardboard, plastic, metal, paperboard, any combination thereof, and the like Including but not limited to species. Furthermore, the outer cover 114 and the trays 110 and 112 can be bonded together or integrated.

  The outer cover 114 includes upper and base panels 116 and 118, respectively, which are hingedly connected to the hinge panel 120 along the folds 122 and 124, respectively. The top and base trays 110, 112 are attached to the top and base panels 116, 118, respectively, and as shown in FIG. 1, the base tray 112 is further described below with the container 100 closed. Aligned with the upper tray 110 as described. Therefore, the upper tray 110 and the upper panel 116 form the upper structure S1, the base tray 112 and the base panel 118 form the base structure S2, and the upper and base structures S1 and S2 are connected by the hinge panel 120. It will be appreciated that the trays 110, 112 can be attached to the outer cover 114 by any suitable means for attachment, which includes glue or another adhesive, Velcro®, mechanical fasteners, This includes, but is not limited to, chemical binders, welds, any combination thereof, and the like.

  In the exemplary embodiment, each of the trays 110, 112 has a wall that is arranged to form a generally rectangular shape that corresponds to the rectangular shape of the panels 116, 118. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the top tray 110 includes side walls 126, 128, a front wall 130, and a rear wall 132, which side walls 126, 128, the front wall 130, and the rear wall 132 are at the bottom. Extending substantially vertically from the wall 134. The side walls 126 and 128 are substantially perpendicular to the walls 130 and 132. The base tray 112 includes side walls 136, 138, a front wall 140, and a rear wall 142, which side walls 136, 138, front wall 140, and rear wall 142 extend substantially vertically from the bottom wall 144. ing. The side walls 136 and 138 are substantially perpendicular to the walls 140 and 142.

  One skilled in the art will appreciate that the tray can have a different number of walls and different geometries, and can remain within the scope of the present invention, as compared to the above. In alternative embodiments, the tray can include any number of walls, and these walls can have a variety of geometric shapes, including circular, triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, and the like. Or may be configured to form a plurality of side surfaces. In such embodiments, the top and base panels can have the same shape as the top and base trays, or can have a different shape than the tray.

  The side walls 136 and 138 and the front wall 140 of the base tray 112 are stepped to receive the side walls 126 and 128 and the front wall 130 of the upper tray 110. Thus, the upper structure S1 and the base structure S2 fit into each other or otherwise accept each other when the container 100 is closed. More specifically, the walls 136, 138, 140 of the base tray 112 have at least partially concave portions that form the shelf 148. When the container 100 is in the closed position, the walls 126, 128, and 130 of the upper tray 110 extend to the shelf portion 148 and abut against the shelf portion 148. Further, the inner surface of each of the walls 126, 128, 130 of the upper tray 110 is in surface contact arrangement with the outer surface of the recessed portion of each of the walls 136, 138, 140 of the base tray 112, respectively. Surrounding contents (not shown).

  In the exemplary embodiment, each side wall 136, 138 of base tray 112 includes a recess 150 that receives a respective extension 152 that extends to each side of upper tray 110. Projecting from the inner surface of the walls 126, 128, the trays 110, 112 are fixed and aligned. As described in further detail below, the recess 150 and extension 152 position the upper and base structures S1, S2 relative to each other and constrain the relative movement of the upper and base structures S1, S2 relative to each other. Provides a means to do this.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the base tray 112 includes an array of receptacles 154 that are sized and arranged to contain and subdivide the contents of the container 100 (not shown). ing. The contents may be anything including, but not limited to, cosmetics, jewelry, jars, medicines, and photographs that can be placed in the container 154. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the size, shape, and configuration of the receptacle 154 is a design choice that depends on the use and contents. In an alternative embodiment, the receptacle 154 can be replaced or filled by means for receiving and / or holding an item or product, the item or product being a clip, knot, lock, cover, and This includes, but is not limited to, elements contained within a molded tray for receiving unique objects such as syringes or compact discs. In addition, other features such as mirrors, images, figures, and the like may be attached to the container 100, printed, or otherwise included to provide aesthetic or functional value.

  The trays 110, 112 include locking and release mechanism elements for the container 100, as best shown in FIGS. In the exemplary embodiment, the front wall 130 of the upper tray 110 includes a hooked end or protrusion 156 that is formed in the front wall 140 of the base tray 112. Sized and arranged to be received in the groove 164. The protrusion 156 extends from the inner surface of the front wall 130 inwardly or otherwise in a direction substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the front wall 130. The groove 164 is formed in the flexible portion 158 of the front wall 140.

  With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the flexible portion 158 of the front wall 140 is formed by a slot 160 extending through the base tray 112. The slot 160 forms the upper edge of the flexible portion 158 of the front wall 140 and separates the upper edge of the flexible portion 158 of the front wall 140 from the base tray 112, thus enabling the front wall 140. The flexure 158 can move. In the exemplary embodiment, the flexible portion 158 of the front wall 140 includes a push button 162 to facilitate movement of the flexible portion 158 of the front wall 140. The push button 162 extends from the outer surface of the flexible portion 158 of the front wall 140.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the groove 164 receives the protrusion 156 and releasably secures the upper structure S1 to the base structure S2, maintaining the container 100 in a closed position. In the closed position, the extension 152 is received in the recess 150 and thus forms the upper structure S1 relative to the base structure S2 and is formed by the aligned front walls 130,140. The movement of the base structure S2 and the upper structure S1 relative to the sliding surface substantially perpendicular to the formed plane is restricted. In the exemplary embodiment, the sliding surface is generally parallel to the panels 116, 118 when the container 100 is in a closed state. Thus, the extension 152 and the recess 150 provide a means for positioning the upper structure S1 relative to the base structure S2 and constraining the movement of the upper structure S1 relative to the base structure S2, thus providing a groove 164 and a protrusion. 156 is not inadvertently removed. In an alternative embodiment, different combinations of elements, included in what will be described below, can provide a means for positioning, the elements being provided on the side walls of each upper and base structure S1, S2. There is no need to be placed inside. Rather, for example, the opposing front walls 130, 140 can each include an opening and a protrusion, the opening and protrusion engaging each other to secure the upper structure S1 relative to the base structure S2. Means can be provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 100 is opened by depressing the push button 162 in the A direction, moving the flexible portion 158 of the front wall 140, and thus releasing the protrusion 156 from the groove 164. Thus, the upper structure S1 can be rotated in the B direction from the base structure S2. Specifically, when the push button 162 is pressed, the flexible portion 158 is bent inward, and the upper edge of the groove 164 is disengaged from the upper edge of the protrusion 156.

  In alternative embodiments, the elements of the locking and release mechanism are disposed in the corresponding side walls of the container 100, or extend from the corresponding side walls of the container 100, or the container's alternative It should be understood that it can be placed in any wall or walls of the embodiments. In another embodiment, the position of the elements of the locking and releasing mechanism can be changed. For example, the positions of the groove 164 and the protrusion 156 can be interchanged, the groove 164 being disposed in the inner surface of the front wall 130, and the protrusion 156 extending from the flexible portion 158 of the front wall 140.

  Further, those skilled in the art can substitute any suitable combination of corresponding locking elements for the protrusion 156 and / or the groove 164, which combination is a recess, groove, opening, socket, slot. It will be understood that, including, but not limited to, detents, protrusions, ledges, ridges, and extensions.

  Explaining and teaching all possible embodiments of the claims does not require law and is economically restrictive. Accordingly, the above-described embodiments are merely representative examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations, changes, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by this disclosure and the claims.

1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in an opened state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cross section of the container of FIG. 1 in an opened state. It is sectional drawing of the container of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

100 container 110 upper tray 112 base tray 114 outer cover 116 upper panel 118 base panel 120 hinge panel 122 fold 124 fold 126 side wall 128 side wall 130 front wall 132 rear wall 134 bottom wall 136 side wall 138 side wall 140 Front wall 142 Rear wall 144 Bottom wall 148 Shelf-shaped portion 150 Recessed portion 152 Extension portion 154 Housing portion 156 Protrusion 158 Flexible portion 160 Slot 162 Push button 164 Groove

Claims (4)

A first structure (S1) comprising a first wall (130) comprising a first locking element (156);
A second wall (140) having a substantially flexible outer portion (158) and a substantially rigid inner portion spaced apart from each other, the outer portion comprising a second locking element (164). A second structure (S2) comprising a second wall (140) comprising
With
When the first wall (130) is disposed adjacent to the second wall (140) and the first locking element (156) engages the second locking element (164), the The first structure (S1) can be releasably fixed to the second structure (S2),
The first locking element (156) can be removed from the second locking element (164) by moving the flexible outer portion (158) of the second wall (140). Container (100).   The container (100) of claim 1, wherein a hinge (120) connects the first structure (S1) to the second structure (S2).   The container (100) of claim 1, further comprising means for positioning the first structure (S1) relative to the second structure (S2).   A container (4) according to claim 3, characterized in that the positioning means aligns the first wall (130) with a predetermined first plane relative to the second wall (140). 100).

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