WO1997033803A1

WO1997033803A1 - Catch, hinge, lid assembly and container incorporating

Info

Publication number: WO1997033803A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1997/000027
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter John Tasker
Original assignee: Peter John Tasker
Priority date: 1996-03-11
Filing date: 1997-03-11
Publication date: 1997-09-18
Also published as: AU1949097A; CA2248677A1

Abstract

A plastic container having a lid assembly connectable to an open topped box. The lid assembly has an open brim member (15) engageable to the rim of the box (11) and a lid (30) connected to the brim member (15) by a hinge. A torsion spring (45) extending through the axis of the hinge biases the lid (30) into an open position. A catch has an integrally moulded release member (23) connected to the brim member (15) at at least three discrete points. The release member (23) is engageable with a detent on the container lid (30) to hold the lid (30) shut.

Description

"CATCH, HINGE, LID ASSEMBLY AND CONTAINER INCORPORATING"

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to open topped containers such as for carrying or storing food items, to closures or lids for such containers and to catches and hinges for such closures, lids or containers. BACKGROUND ART

Plastics containers with press seal lids are well known, particularly for storage of food. However, there is a need for containers of this type which have a hinged sealable lid which is convenient to open and close. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a container or a lid assembly for a container or a hinge or a catch for such a container or lid assembly that will go some way to meeting the abovementioned desideratum or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

In one aspect the invention consists in a sealable container comprising, a bucket having a rigid brim around the open side rim thereof, and at one side thereof a first hinge member, and a lid formed to cover said open face of said bucket, said lid having an enclosing central portion, a peripheral sealing portion, said peripheral portion adapted to sit on said brim and to seal there against, and a second hinge member at one side of said peripheral portion, said first and second hinge members engaged to form a hingable link between said brim and said lid. In a further aspect the invention consists in a lid for an open topped box type container comprising, an annular brim member, open in the middle, configured to fit over the rim of the opening of a container, said brim member including connecting means on its lower face which engage with the rim in use, an annular sealing surface on its upper face and a first hinge portion on the outer edge of one side, a lid, having a sealing edge portion surrounding a cover portion, said sealing edge portion configured to fit above said sealing surface of said annular brim member, said lid including on one side thereof a second hinge portion, said first and second hinge portions forming in cooperation a hinge means between said brim and said lid, and an annular flexible seal, fitted to the underside of said sealing edge portion of said lid, said seal engaging with said annular sealing surface with said lid closed. In a still further aspect the invention consists in a container comprising an open topped box, the rim of said open topped box including a securing lip, with a lid as described above fixed to said securing lip.

In a still further aspect the invention consists in a catch for releasably connecting two aligned members against relative movement in a given direction in the region of said catch, said catch comprising: a detent portion on a first said aligned member said detent portion including a first catch surface, a release member, a force application surface on said release member, a second catch surface on said release member engageable against said first catch surface when said release member is in a first position, and a multi-point connection between said release member and the second said aligned member having at least three isolated connections between said release member and said second member, each said connection selected from: 1 ) a first connection laterally in the region of said second catch surface, connecting to said second aligned member at a vertically displaced position from said second catch surface,

2) a second connection laterally outside the region of said second catch surface, connecting to said second aligned member at a vertical position between the vertical position of said second catch surface and the said vertically displaced position of at least one said first connection, there being at least one said first and one said second connection, said first and second catch surfaces, said connections, said release member and said force application surface formed such that with said release member in said first position, force applied to separate said aligned members in said given direction does not encourage the disengagement of said catch surfaces, that said release member is biased towards said first position, and that force applied to said force application surface encourages movement of said release member toward a second position wherein said first and second surfaces are disengaged. In a still further aspect the invention consists in a spring biased hinge between a first and a second part, said hinge including: at least one socket means on said first part, said socket means having a bore portion open at both ends, said bore portion substantially aligned with the hinging axis between said first and second parts, at least one pin means on said second part, said pin means at least partially extending inside said socket means and rotatable through at least a substantial arc therein, said pin means having a bore there through substantially parallel to said hinging axis, said bore being open at both ends, a spring member passing through said bore, said spring member including a torsional portion substantially aligned with said hinge axis, said torsional portion disposed at least partially within said bore, a first lever portion connected to said torsional portion on one side of said bore, and a second lever portion connected to said torsional portion on the other side of said bore, said first lever portion being associated with one said part and said second lever portion being associated with the other said part, said lever portions being restrained with respect to their respective part such that said spring member biases the hinged position of said parts towards the neutral position of said spring.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 is an exploded view of the container and lid assembly of the preferred embodiment,

Figure 2 is an exploded view from behind of the container and lid assembly of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a side view in cross section of the container and lid assembly of Figure 1, with the lid in a closed position, Figure 4 is a side view in cross section of the container and lid assembly of Figure

1, with the lid in an open position,

Figure 5 is a side view in cross section of the rim and clip area of the container and lid assembly of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a side view in cross section of the rim and hinge area of the container and lid assembly of Figure 1,

Figure 7 is a rear view of the container and lid assembly of Figure 1 , with lid closed, and hidden detail of the spring mechanism revealed,

Figure 8 is a perspective view, from above, of the clip area of the brim of the lid assembly of Figure 1, Figure 9 is a perspective view, from below, of the clip area of the brim of the lid assembly of Figure 1, and Figure 10 is a side elevation of the front portion of the brim of the lid assembly of Figure 1. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures an open topped box container is shown generally referenced 1. The open topped box container 1 has side walls 3-6 connected by corners 7 and base 2. A rim portion 8 surmounts the side walls and surrounds the open side of the box. The rim portion 8 includes an upwardly projecting lip 9 and an exterior flange 10, with a valley 1 1 included there between. The rim portion is of substantially constant cross section around the box. The open topped box container is of a standard type generally used for storing items such as food stuffs. Such containers are often made from plastic materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene and are generally formed by injection moulding.

A removable brim member is shown generally referenced 15. A lid generally referenced 30 is secured to the brim member by a hinge. A seal generally referenced 60 is provided integral with the lid to allow the underside of the lid to seal against the upper surface of the brim member. A spring generally referenced 45 passes through the hinge and biases the lid into an open position. The brim 15, lid 30, seal 60 and spring 45 together form an integral lid assembly that may be secured to the rim of the open topped box 1.

To ensure accurate clearance between the underside of the lid 30 and the upper surface of the brim member 15 it is preferred that these components are formed from a relatively rigid material. Plastic materials having high rigidity such as polycarbonate, ABS, or other styrene based plastics have been found suitable.

The removable brim member is adapted to sit on and secure to the rim 8 of the open topped box 1. The brim member has connecting means on its lower surface to provide for connection to the lip of the box. In the preferred form of the invention the connecting means comprise an inner 17 and an outer 18 downwardly extending annular member, which together grasp the lip 9, however the configuration of the connecting means is primarily dependent on the box for which the lid assembly is intended. With particular reference to Figure 5, in the present instance the lip 9 of the box rim 8 tapers from the top 12 thereof to the bottom 13 thereof, being thereby narrower at its base. The downwardly extending annular members 17, 18 are correspondingly configured, with the opposed faces thereof, 19, 20, approaching closer at their lower portion than at their upper, to match the taper in the lip. In the fitting of the brim to the box the downwardly extending member 18 passes along the outside of the lip 9, the end of the member 18 finishing in the valley 11 between the lip 9 and exterior flange 10. The inner member 17 passes along the inner side of the lip 9, with either or both of the inner and outer members of the brim deforming elastically as necessary to fit over the lip 9. The end 21 of the inner member 17 finishes overlapping the base of the valley 11 and contacts the inside of the wall 5. The inner member 17 is preferably formed to blend to the wall 5, so that the passage of articles into or out of the container is largely unhindered by the presence of the brim. The magnitude of downward extension of the inner member 17 may be varied depending on the desired rigidity of the brim member 15. In the preferred form of the invention much of the rigidity of the brim member is provided by the box rim to which it is attached.

The brim 15 further includes an outer flashing 22 extending around the outside of the brim from the base of downwardly depending outer member 18. The flashing extends outwardly, forming a flat section of top surface of the brim, and then extends downwardly to abut against the flat top surface 14 of the exterior flange 10 of the box 1.

The lid 30 is secured to the brim 15 by a hinge. The lid 30 has an inner covering portion 32, generally substantially planar, and a sealing peripheral portion 31 surrounding the covering portion. In the present instance the sealing peripheral portion 31 is formed as a part circular cross section, raised border surrounding the planar covering portion 32. The raised peripheral portion adds to the rigidity of the lid 30, and in conjunction with the base 2 of the open topped box container, which is dimensioned to fit within the area of the covering portion 32, aids in the stackability of the containers.

The sealing peripheral portion 31 of the lid 30 is adapted to be retained against and seal against the top surface 16 of the brim 15. The sealing peripheral portion also includes provision for the hinged attachment to the brim and for the retaining catch to hold the lid in a closed position.

The sealing peripheral portion 31 includes an inner downwardly extending annular member 34, which extends to substantially overlap the brim 15 on the inside thereof. The inner member 34 of the lid is configured to project closely to the inner member 17 of the brim 15. The magnitude of downward extension of the lid inner member 34 may be varied depending on the desired rigidity of the lid 30. The configuration shown lends the lid 30 significant rigidity. An annular seal 60 is located on the underside of the sealing peripheral portion 31 around the inner member 34, and with the lid in a closed position seals against the sealing surface 16 of the brim 15. The annular seal 60 may be initially fully formed, or more conveniently an extruded length forming the annular seal 60 when fitted to the lid 30.

The annular seal is retained in position against the inner member 31 by an annular retaining member 35 projecting downwardly from the peripheral portion 31 along the opposite side of the seal 60, and additionally by a further positioning member 36. The seal 60 includes an outer annular leg 65 and an inner annular leg 64, the outer leg being disposed between the retaining member 35 and the positioning member 36, and the inner leg being disposed between the positioning member 36 and the surface of inner member 34 where the part circular form approaches an acute angle to the positioning member 36. The manner of fixation of the annular seal 60 to the underside of lid 30 may be the subject of some variation, but it is preferable that the seal be easily fitted, for example not requiring bonding or gluing. The seal 60, to improve its sealing performance includes an enclosed annular chamber 62. The chamber 62 is enclosed on the sealing side thereof by a thin flexible wall 63. The thin flexible wall 63 deforms readily when contacted against the sealing surface 16 of brim 15, and thereby ensures an easy and efficient seal.

Annular seals as described above may be difficult to fit in a manual labour environment. In this regard the underside of the lid member may alternatively be formed without the downwardly extending positioning member 36. Rather than the relatively complex seal 60, a more simplistic tubular seal may instead be fitted and retained within the space between the retaining member 35 and the outside surface of inner member 34. Such a tubular seal may be fitted for example by simple pressing into the abovementioned space. An outer flashing 37, being a part of the part-circular peripheral portion 31 , extends outwardly from the base of the retaining member 35, the flashing curving downwardly to end adjacent the top surface of flashing 22 of brim 15. The outer flashing of the lid accommodates portions of the hinge and catch associated with the lid.

The lid 30 is connected to the brim 15 at the back of the box by a hinge. The outer flashing 22 of the brim 15 includes a first hinge portion comprising a raised portion 24 along a substantial portion of the length of the side. This portion is raised substantially above the level of the sealing surface 16, and is generally raised approximately the amount of the width of the flashing 22. The raised portion is hollow underneath, the flashing maintaining a substantially constant wall thickness. The raised portion therefor has two short vertical ends. These ends are left substantially open, with holes 25 disposed therein.

The outer flashing 37 of the lid 30 includes a second hinge portion at the rearward edge thereof. The second hinge portion comprises a recess 41 along the rearward edge of the lid, the recess being formed to accommodate the raised portion of the flashing 22 of the brim 15 with the lid resting on the brim. The recess 41 has at each end thereof a pin support 43, the pin supports being themselves supported by and integrally formed in the flashing 37. The pin supports have extending therefrom hinge pins 42, which extend along the axis of the recess. The hinge pins 42 are configured to be retained in the holes 25 disposed at the ends of the raised portion 24 of the brim 15. The hinge pins are short, and are preferably integrally formed with the lid 30. For reasons apparent later at least one of the hinge pins and its respective pin support have a bore 44 there through. In the embodiment depicted, both pins and pin supports have a bore 44 there through, however this is not essential unless two springs are contemplated as will be described later. Fitting of the hinge pins into the holes 25 of the raised brim member 24 is a simple matter involving small deformation of either the brim or the lid. With the brim connected to the rim of the box however the deformation of the brim becomes more difficult in this area and the hinge will reasonably maintain its integrity. As previously mentioned a spring 45 is included to bias the lid 30 into a substantially open position. The spring 45 is a torsion spring, which has a torsion portion 46 disposed substantially in line with the axis of the hinge. Lever portions 47 and 48 are connected to the torsion portion 46 of the spring by curved portions 49 and 50. The corner portions 49 and 50 are configured to be disposed around the curved corners of the lid and brim.

As demonstrated in Figure 7 the spring 45 passes through the hinge between the lid and the brim. The spring has its end 48 disposed in the channel present under the lid flashing 37, and acts against the undersurface of the lid flashing. The torsion portion of the spring passes through the bore 44 of one of the hinge pins, and into the hollow space under the raised portion 24 of brim 15. The angle of the spring takes it below the other hinge pin, so that lever portion 47 and corner 49 are disposed in the channel under the outer flashing 22 of brim 15. The lever portion 47 of the spring acts against the top surface 14 of the exterior flange of box 1. For the sake of convenient transport of the lid assembly it is desirable to retain the lever portion 47 within the confines of the flashing 22 of brim 15. In such case a stirrup (not shown) in the outer flashing which captures the lever portion 47 is appropriate.

In a box configuration which has a bore 44 through each of the pins and their respective pin supports two springs may be provided to increase the opening force against the lid if desired. In such instance, the springs would be provided in a crossed configuration with one spring passing through each of the bores 44.

The spring may be pre-bent so as to be biased in a desired direction. This biasing is arbitrary, but as mentioned previously is preferably for the lid to be in an open position. It should be noted that minor modifications such as the abovementioned stirrup would be required to retain the spring against the lower surface of the lid flashing channel if the lid were to be biased to the closed position.

It will be appreciated that each of the hinge portions, above described with the protruding hinge portion 24 disposed on the brim member 15, could also be disposed in the opposite configuration. There is little material difference in the two configurations except that in moulding the parts from plastic materials the illustrated configuration is more convenient and allows cleaner external appearance of the container.

With particular reference to Figures 5, 6 and 8 to 10, a catch is provided between the lid and the box. The catch is useful to retain the lid in a closed position. If the spring member is used to bias the lid to an open position a catch is a practical necessity. Lid 30 includes on the outer edge of the flashing 37, substantially opposite the hinge, a detent with a substantially horizontal engaging surface 39. Shown in the drawings the detent comprises a small outward protrusion 38 which has a substantially horizontally upper engaging surface 39. The brim 15 includes on the front edge thereof a release member 23 having a horizontal engaging surface 26 thereon which engages against surface 39 with the lid closed. The release member 23 depends from the brim by pivot members 29, and by connections 70 at the lateral extremities 71 of the release member.

The release member 23 is preferably elongate in a lateral direction and tapers towards the ends 71 thereof, where it is connected by connections 70 to the brim member 15. The horizontal engaging surface 26 of the release member 23 is centrally located on the release member 23 on the underside of the forward edge 73, adjacent the brim member 15, thereof. Pressure is generally intended to be applied to the upper surface 28 of the release member in an approximately central position thereon and to that extent grip- assisting ridges may be provided thereon as illustrated in the Figures.

The release member 23 is formed with a substantially constant thickness and is shaped so that the forward edge 73 close to the brim member 15 is disposed in a vertical plane and is curved, with the apex of the curve coinciding with the middle of the release member 23. In this configuration the connection 70 may be substantially horizontal, and the catch surface 26 is vertically displaced above the level of the brim member 15. The rearward edge 74 of the release member, disposed away from the brim member 15, is substantially disposed in a horizontal plane and is curved with the apex of the curve in the middle thereof, and being away from the brim member 15. This gives the release member its tapered shape, tapering toward the lateral extremities thereof. Pivot members 29 connect between the underside of the release member 23 adjacent the forward edge 73 thereof to a point 27 on the brim member 15 below the vertical level of the horizontal connections 70 connecting the lateral extremities of the release member 23 to the brim member 15. The pivot members 29 have a substantially vertical extension of most of their body but include a curved lower portion adjacent their connection to the brim member 15. The pivot members 29 are preferably of substantially constant cross-section, and have significantly greater width than depth, allowing them to flex or bend toward and away from the brim member when force is applied to the force application surface 28. For simplicity of moulding, a pivot member is provided at either side of the catch surface 26 and the release member 23, as close as practical thereto. It will be readily appreciated that in some forms of construction it might be appropriate instead to provide the pivot members 29 or indeed a single pivot member 29 fully in line with the catch surface 26. In use, the release member 23 is retained in a neutral position as shown in the drawings by the connections 70 and 29 and by its own shape. It should be noted that in the preferred form the release member and connections are moulded integrally with the brim member 15. Upon application of force to the force application surface 28 in a substantially downward direction, bending of the connections 70, flexing or bending of the pivot members 29 and some amount of flexing or bending of the extreme tapered portions of the release member 23 cause the movement of the catch surface 26 in a direction away from the brim member 15. It will be appreciated that the catch surface 26 and complementary catch surface 39 on the lid, have relatively slight horizontal extension and consequently only small horizontal movements are required to cause disengagement of these surfaces. As such and due to the vertical displacement of the catch surface above both the connections 70 and the connecting points 27 of the pivot members 29 to the brim member 15, movement of the catch surface 26, at least in the crucial zone in which it is engaged or partially engaged with the surface 39 is caused to be in a substantially horizontal direction. As such force to separate the lid and brim members without applying pressure to the pressure application surface 28, or applying too little pressure to the surface 28 does not encourage separation of the catch surfaces 26 and 39 as there is no relative angle therebetween and their position of application of force on the release member 23 would provide little leverage about any potential pivot points thereof around the brim member 15.

The elastic properties of the plastic material are sufficient to bring the release member 23 back into its neutral, engaged, position through the reaction in the abovementioned connections 70, pivot members 29 and lateral extremities of the release member itself. It should furthermore be noted that the relative geometry of these components not only encourages and allows the activation of the catch in a reliable manner, it also ensures that no one aspect of the release mechanism is subjected to excessive deformation which might lead to part failure. For example the connections 70 stop the central portion of the release member from excessive movement away from the brim member 15 which might lead to excessive bending in the pivot members 29, while the pivot members 29 act against excessive bending of the release member on connections 70.

The detent on the lid member preferably has an undersurface which slopes upwardly and outwardly, and when the lid member is moved towards a closed position this upward and outward surface impinges against the forward edge of the release member and causes the release member to move outwardly from the brim member 15. Once the lid member is sufficiently closed, the detent no longer interferes with the release member and the release member returns to its closed position with the engageable surfaces of the release member and of the detent overlapping.

As with the hinge, it will be appreciated that the parts of the catch might be provided in opposite configuration to that above described. That is with the engaging means on the brim member 15 and the further catch member 23 on the lid 30. This however is not preferred, as operation of a lid borne catch member would inhibit free operation of the sprung hinge mechanism.

It will also be appreciated that the catch member 23, which if integrally formed with the brim member 15 may necessitate a relatively complex moulding, could be formed separately and joined during assembly to its respective part. The illustrated embodiment however is suitable for integral moulding.

While the above catch and hinge assemblies have been described with particular reference to the box container arrangement as disclosed herein, it is thought that this catch mechanism and the hinge mechanism also described could be equally applicable in other fields. In particular the hinge mechanism offers advantages of simplicity, compact and elegant construction with a concealed means for biasing the hinge in an open or closed position as desired. While it is particularly suited to work with plastics materials, its field of application at least in its broadest aspect is not so limited. Other aspects of the hinge mechanism as described herein show particular applicability in its use with moulded plastic items and provides specific advantages therefor. The catch mechanism as described is particularly suited to plastic materials, disclosing a catch and in particular a release member which is an integral form and makes use of the deformations occurring in all areas of the release member to provide its releasability, its ability to spring back accurately and repeatedly and its robustness. Each of the components of the lid assembly is intended to be moulded from a polymer material, but this is by no means essential. It is advantageous in the present invention if the components are moulded from different polymer materials, and in particular that the materials vary in their rigidity. In particular it is preferable that the lid be formed from more rigid material than the brim which should be formed from more rigid material than the box which in turn should be more rigid than the seal. In practice forming the lid and brim from the same material will suffice. Examples of appropriate materials for the lid and brim are polycarbonate ABS or other styrene based plastics. Suitable materials for the box portion of the container include polyethylene and polypropylene. Rubber or synthetic rubber materials are suitable for the seal. The spring member is preferably constructed from material having substantial elastic properties. An example of an appropriate material is spring steel. In an alternative less preferred embodiment of the container and lid assembly, not explicitly illustrated, the brim of the lid assembly may be wholly incorporated into the rim of the box.

The present invention in its preferred form is a retrofittable lid assembly that can be made separately and later assembled with a complementary container. Such an assembly could also be sold as a unit to be retrofitted to existing open topped box containers. The lid assembly has an easy to open/close lid with an efficient and effective seal. The lid assembly provides a convenient alternative to existing lids for such containers.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A sealable container comprising, a bucket having a rigid brim around the open side rim thereof, and at one side thereof a first hinge member, and a lid formed to cover said open face of said bucket, said lid having an enclosing central portion, a peripheral sealing portion, said peripheral portion adapted to sit on said brim and to seal there against, and a second hinge member at one side of said peripheral portion, said first and second hinge members engaged to form a hingable link between said brim and said lid.

2. A sealable container as claimed in claim 1 including a detent portion on said lid, said detent portion including a first catch surface, a release member, a force application surface on said release member, a second catch surface on said release member engageable against said first catch surface when said release member is in a first position, and a multi-point connection between said release member and said bucket having at least three isolated connections between said release member and said bucket, each said connection selected from;

(1) a first connection laterally in the region of said second catch surface, connecting to said bucket at a vertically displaced position from said second catch surface,

(2) a second connection laterally outside the region of said second catch surface connecting to said bucket at a vertical position between the vertical position of said second catch surface and the said vertically displaced position of at least one said first connection, there being at least one said first and one said second connection, said first and second catch surfaces, said connections, said release member and said force application surface being formed such that with said release member in said first position, a force applied to open said lid does not encourage the disengagement of said catch surfaces, that said release member is biased towards said first position, and that a force applied to said force application surface encourages movement of said release member toward a second position wherein said first and second catch surfaces are disengaged.

3. A sealable container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second catch surface is laterally centrally located on said release member, there being a said first connection laterally in the region of said second catch surface, and two said second connections at the opposite lateral extremities of said release member.

4. A sealable container as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first connection connects to said bucket at a vertical position below the vertical position of said second catch surface.

5. A sealable container as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first connection comprises at least one pivot member connecting between said bucket and said release member, connecting to said release member at a vertical level close to the vertical level of said second catch surface.

6. A sealable container as claimed in claim 5 wherein each said pivot member has a cross-sectional profile which over at least a substantial portion of the length thereof has greater width than depth.

7. A sealable container as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein said release member tapers toward its lateral ends, being deeper in the region of said first connection than in the regions of said second connections.

8. A sealable container as claimed in claim 7 wherein said release member has a substantially constant thickness, with a forward edge adjacent said container, said forward edge presenting a curve, upwardly bowed in the middle thereof, and a rearward edge away from said container, said rearward edge presenting a curve bowed outwardly from said container in the middle thereof.

9. A sealable container as claimed in claim 8 wherein said catch surface forms part of the lower base of said release member adjacent said leading edge.

10. A sealable container as claimed in either claim 8 or claim 9 wherein each said second connection extends horizontally between said forward edge of said release member and said bucket at a lateral extremity of said release member.

11. A sealable container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said container includes biasing means connected between said brim and said lid to bias said lid to an open position.

12. A sealable container as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein said biasing means includes a torsional spring member acting substantially along the line of action of said first and second hinge portions.

13. A sealable container as claimed in claim 11 wherein said first and second hinge members comprise at least one socket means, said socket means having a bore portion open at both ends, said bore portion substantially aligned with the hinging axis between said bucket and said lid and at least one said pin means, said pin means at least partially extending inside said socket means and rotatable through at least a substantial arc therein, at least one said pin means having a bore therethrough substantially parallel to said hinging axis, said bore being open at both ends, and said biasing means comprises a spring member passing through said bore, said spring member including a torsional portion substantially aligned with said hinge axis, said torsional portion disposed at least partially within said bore, a first lever portion connected to said torsional portion on one side of said bore, and a second lever portion connected to said torsional portion on the other side of said bore, said first lever portion being associated with said lid and said second lever portion being associated with said bucket, said lever portions being restrained with respect to the respective lid or bucket, said spring member retained at a substantial angular displacement from its neutral position with said lid closed.

14. A sealable container as claimed in claim 13 wherein said socket means comprises an elevation in the surface of said rigid brim, said elevation having similar height and width and a length larger than said height and width, said elevation having at least one open end, said bore portion of said socket means comprising said open end of said elevation.

15. A sealable container as claimed in claim 14 wherein said elevation is open at both ends thereof, each said end providing a said socket means.

16. A sealable container as claimed in either claim 14 or claim 15 wherein said peripheral sealing portion of said lid includes an indentation along an edge thereof complementary to said elevation on said rigid brim of said bucket, said indentation being open along the edge side thereof, said pin means protruding from an end face of said indentation substantially along the axis of said indentation, said pin means being narrower than said indentation such that it is based from the wall thereof, said lid and bucket disposed with said elevation in said indentation and said pin means engaged in the open end of said elevation.

17. A sealable container as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein said rigid brim of said bucket includes an overhanging lip portion around the periphery, said second lever portion being disposed below said overhanging lip portion of said rigid brim and being retained there by a retaining means, and said first lever portion is located under the peripheral sealing portion of said lid.

18. A sealable container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein said lid includes a flexible sealing strip located along said peripheral portion thereof, said sealing strip sandwiched between said sealing edge portion of said lid and said brim when said lid is retained in a closed position.

19. A lid for an open topped box type container comprising, an annular brim member, open in the middle, configured to fit over the rim of the opening of a container, said brim member including connecting means on its lower face which engage with the rim in use, an annular sealing surface on its upper face and a first hinge portion on the outer edge of one side, a lid member, having a sealing edge portion surrounding a cover portion, said sealing edge portion configured to fit above said sealing surface of said annular brim member, said lid member including on one side thereof a second hinge portion, said first and second hinge portions forming in cooperation a hinge means between said brim and said lid member, and an annular flexible seal, fitted to the underside of said sealing edge portion of said lid member, said seal engaging with said annular sealing surface with said lid member closed.

20. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 19 including a detent portion on said lid member, said detent portion including a first catch surface, a release member, a force application surface on said release member, a second catch surface on said release member engageable against said first catch surface when said release member is in a first position, and a multi-point connection between said release member and said brim member having at least three isolated connections between said release member and said brim member, each said connection selected from;

1) a first connection laterally in the region of said second catch surface, connecting to said brim member at a vertically displaced position from said second catch surface,

2) a second connection laterally outside the region of said second catch surface connecting to said brim member at a vertical position between the vertical position of said second catch surface and the said vertically displaced position of at least one said first connection, there being at least one said first and one said second connection, said first and second catch surfaces, said connections, said release member and said force application surface being formed such that with said release member in said first position, a force applied to open said lid member does not encourage the disengagement of said catch surfaces, that said release member is biased towards said first position, and that force applied to said force application surface encourages movement of said release member toward a second position wherein said first and second catch surfaces are disengaged.

21. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein said second catch surface is laterally centrally located on said release member, there being a said first connection laterally in the region of said second catch surface, and two said second connections at the opposite lateral extremities of said release member.

22. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said first connection connects to said brim member at a vertical position below the vertical position of said second catch surface.

23. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein said first connection comprises at least one pivot member connecting between said brim member and said release member, connecting to said release member at a vertical level close to the vertical level of said second catch surface.

24. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 23 wherein each said pivot member has a cross- sectional profile which over at least a substantial portion of the length thereof has greater width than depth.

25. A lid assembly as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein said release member tapers toward its lateral ends, being deeper in the region of said first connection than in the regions of said second connections.

26. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 25 wherein said release member has a substantially constant thickness, with a forward edge adjacent said brim member, said forward edge presenting a curve, upwardly bowed in the middle thereof, and a rearward edge away from said brim member, said rearward edge presenting a curve bowed outwardly from said brim member in the middle thereof.

27. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 26 wherein said catch surface forms part of the lower base of said release member adjacent said leading edge.

28. A lid assembly as claimed in either claim 26 or claim 27 wherein each said second connection extends horizontally between said forward edge of said release member and said brim member at a lateral extremity of said release member.

29. A lid assembly as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 28 wherein said lid includes biasing means connected between said brim member and said lid member to bias said lid member to an open position.

30. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 29 wherein said biasing means includes a torsional spring member acting substantially along the line of action of said first and second hinge portions.

31. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 29 wherein said first and second hinge portions comprise at least one socket means, said socket means having a bore portion open at both ends, said bore portion substantially aligned with the hinging axis between said brim and said lid, and at least one said pin means, said pin means at least partially extending inside said socket means and rotatable through at least a substantial arc therein, at least one said pin means having a bore therethrough substantially parallel to said hinging axis, said bore being open at both ends, and said biasing means comprises a spring member passing through said bore, said spring member including a torsional portion substantially aligned with said hinge axis, said torsional portion disposed at least partially within said bore, a first lever portion connected to said torsional portion on one side of said bore, and a second lever portion connected to said torsional portion on the other side of said bore, said first lever portion being associated with said lid member and said second lever portion being associated with said brim member, said lever portions being restrained with respect to the respective lid and brim members, said spring member retained at a substantial angular displacement from its neutral position with said lid closed.

32. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 31 wherein said socket means comprises an elevation in the surface of said brim member, said elevation having similar height and width and a length larger than said height and width, said elevation having at least one open end, said bore portion of said socket means comprising said open end of said elevation.

33. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 32 wherein said elevation is open at both ends thereof, each said end providing a said socket means.

34. A lid assembly as claimed in either claim 32 or claim 33 wherein said peripheral sealing portion of said lid member includes an indentation along an edge thereof complementary to said elevation on said brim member, said indentation being open along the edge side thereof, said pin means protruding from an end face of said indentation substantially along the axis of said indentation, said pin means being narrower than said indentation such that it is based from the wall thereof, said lid member and brim member disposed with said elevation in said indentation and said pin means engaged in the open end of said elevation.

35. A lid assembly as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 34 wherein said brim member includes an overhanging lip portion around the periphery, said second lever portion being disposed below said overhanging lip portion of said brim member and being retained there by a retaining means, and said first lever portion is located under the peripheral sealing portion of said lid member.

36. A lid assembly as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 35 wherein a lip of said rim extends upwardly and said connecting means of said brim member includes an inner and an outer downwardly extending annular member, said members configured to be disposed on the inner and outer sides of said upwardly projecting lip respectively and to clasp said lip there between.

37. A lid assembly as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 36 wherein said lid sealing edge portion includes on the underside thereof a first downwardly projecting annular member at the inner edge of said edge portion, said member, with said lid in a closed position, projecting downward adjacent the inner edge of said brim, a second downwardly projecting annular member spaced outwardly from said first member, said annular flexible seal located between said first and second members.

38. A catch for releasably connecting two aligned members against relative movement in a given direction in the region of said catch, said catch comprising: a detent portion on a first said aligned member said detent portion including a first catch surface, a release member, a force application surface on said release member, a second catch surface on said release member engageable against said first catch surface when said release member is in a first position, and a multi-point connection between said release member and the second said aligned member having at least three isolated connections between said release member and said second member, each said connection selected from:

1) a first connection laterally in the region of said second catch surface, connecting to said second aligned member at a vertically displaced position from said second catch surface,

2) a second connection laterally outside the region of said second catch surface, connecting to said second aligned member at a vertical position between the vertical position of said second catch surface and the said vertically displaced position of at least one said first connection, there being at least one said first and one said second connection, said first and second catch surfaces, said connections, said release member and said force application surface formed such that with said release member in said first position, a force applied to separate said aligned members in said given direction does not encourage the disengagement of said catch surfaces, that said release member is biased towards said first position, and that a force applied to said force application surface encourages movement of said release member toward a second position wherein said first and second surfaces are disengaged.

39. A catch as claimed in claim 38 wherein said second catch surface is laterally centrally located on said release member, there being a said first connection laterally in the region of said second catch surface, and two said second connections at the opposite lateral extremities of said release member.

40. A catch as claimed in claim 39 wherein said first connection connects to said second aligned member at a vertical position below the vertical position of said second catch surface.

41. A catch as claimed in claim 40 wherein said first connection comprises at least one pivot member connecting between said second aligned member and said release member, connecting to said release member at a vertical level close to the vertical level of said second catch surface.

42. A catch as claimed in claim 41 wherein each said pivot member has a cross- sectional profile which over at least a substantial portion of the length thereof has greater width than depth.

43. A catch as claimed in any one of claims 40 to 42 wherein said release member tapers toward its lateral ends, being deeper in the region of said first connection than in the regions of said second connections.

44. A catch as claimed in claim 43 wherein said release member has a substantially constant thickness, with a forward edge adjacent said aligned members, said forward edge presenting a curve, upwardly bowed in the middle thereof, and a rearward edge away from said container, said rearward edge presenting a curve bowed outwardly from said aligned members in the middle thereof.

45. A catch as claimed in claim 44 wherein said catch surface forms part of the lower base of said release member adjacent said leading edge.

46. A catch as claimed in either claim 44 or claim 45 wherein each said second connection extends horizontally between said forward edge of said release member and said second aligned member at a lateral extremity of said release member.

47. A hinge between a first and a second part, said hinge including: at least one socket means on said first part, said socket means having a bore portion open at both ends, said bore portion substantially aligned with the hinging axis between said first and second parts, at least one pin means on said second part, said pin means at least partially extending inside said socket means and rotatable through at least a substantial arc therein, at least one said pin means having a bore there through substantially parallel to said hinging axis, said bore being open at both ends, a spring member passing through said bore, said spring member including a torsional portion substantially aligned with said hinge axis, said torsional portion disposed at least partially within said bore, a first lever portion connected to said torsional portion on one side of said bore, and a second lever portion connected to said torsional portion on the other side of said bore, said first lever portion being associated with one said part and said second lever portion being associated with the other said part, said lever portions being restrained with respect to their respective part such that said spring member biases the hinged position of said parts towards the neutral position of said spring.

48. A hinge as claimed in claim 47 wherein said socket means comprises an elevation in the surface of said first part, said elevation having similar height and width and a length larger than said height and width, said elevation having at least one open end, said bore portion of said socket means comprising said open end of said elevation.

49. A hinge as claimed in claim 48 wherein said elevation is open at both ends thereof, each said end providing a said socket means.

50. A hinge as claimed in either claim 48 or claim 49 wherein said second part includes an indentation along an edge thereof complementary to said elevation on said first part, said indentation being open along the edge side thereof, said pin means protruding from an end face of said indentation substantially along the axis of said indentation, said pin means being narrower than said indentation such that it is based from the wall thereof, said first and second parts disposed with said elevation in said indentation and said pin means engaged in the open end of said elevation.

51. A container comprising an open topped box, the rim of said box opening including a securing lip, and a lid assembly as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 37.

52. A sealable container substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

53. A lid assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

54. A catch substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

55. A hinge substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.