WO2009028960A1

WO2009028960A1 - One piece moulded container with click-fit hd

Info

Publication number: WO2009028960A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2008/000005
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brendan Jon Lindsay
Original assignee: Sistema Plastics Limited
Priority date: 2007-08-30
Filing date: 2008-01-22
Publication date: 2009-03-05
Also published as: AU2008293130A1; NZ561066A

Abstract

A one piece lidded container having the lid downwardly skirted so that the integral hinging from the upstanding rear wall is higher than wall to skirt butting without any substantial overlap to the fore regions of the sides yet there is some interiorly guided lapping of a latch from the lid to the exterior of the front wall.

Description

ONE PIECE MOULDED CONTAINER WITH CLICK-FIT HD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to containers.

BACKGROUND ART

Many forms of storage, lunch or other containers are known.

The present invention relates to a one piece moulded container having a liddable base.

The present invention, as will be apparent hereafter, has as an object the provision of a one piece moulded container which embodies features different from those currently available. One such feature is a specific click fit lid closure arrangement. Another is a minimal overlap of the periphery of the lid with the base. Still another is the locus of mating by way of an abutment between the base and the hinged Hd. Still another is the provision of a guiding arrangement between the Hd and the interior of the base to better enhance a cHck fit engagement between lapping regions of the Hd and the base wall. Another is the provision of a recess on the front or distal wall of the base of a one piece moulded Hddable container, preferably below a latching region that outstands more, available for displaying a label, sticker, indicia, or the Hke (and preferably an in-mould placed label).

It is to any one or more of such options that the present invention is directed.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In an aspect the invention consists in a closable one piece moulded container comprising or including a base portion having peripheral upwardly extending wall(s) peripherally thereof, and a Hd hinged to be able to close onto the said wall(s) thereby to effect closure of the container, wherein the Hd carries (A) one or more forms to act as a runner, cam, guide or the Hke ("guide") internally of and from said wall(s) during closure (ie, thereby to ensure proper closing) and (B) a region to lap over said wall(s) to provide a dick-fit exteriorly of said walls.

The cHck fit in conjunction with the affect of the guide is to provide a latched closure. Preferably the dip-fit lapping occurs on the front wall ie, that distaUy of the hinging of the

Hd from the rear wall.

Preferably the Hd does not lap said wall(s) otherwise than over a part thereof distaUy of the hinge axis (provided by said hinging of the Hd from said base portion).

Preferably the base portion and Hd mate with complementary flanges or other top and bottom edge features. Preferably said mating is not on a single plane but rather is either on two planes with a transition therebetween. A preferred transition is a curve or curves.

Preferably the effect of said guide is to ensure the lap is pulled tightly onto the exterior of the wall(s) thereby to effect and/or retain the click-fit between a formation or formations of the lap of the lid and/or the exterior region of said front or distal wall.

Preferably said base has a square or rectangular base panel (whether truncated, curved or otherwise at the corner regions) and preferably said walls are essentially four peripheral walls with transitions therebetween or corners therebetween.

Preferably said Hd itself defines a concavity provided at least in part by downwardly depending wall features. Preferably the flanks of the lid have wall features but there is otherwise a general curvature (with some variation) of the Ud on its distal region.

Preferably the features of the container are substantially as hereinafter described. In a further aspect the invention consists in a one piece moulded container able to have its lid closed onto its base, or vice versa, wherein there is a lapping of one member exteriorly of the other and a click-fit engagement there between, the click-fit engagement being encouraged by ' an internal interaction of a formation or formations of the lid against an interior surface of said base.

In a further aspect the invention consists in a click-fit and guide arrangement substantially as hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of die accompanying drawings.

In a further aspect the invention consists in a closable one piece moulded container comprising or including a base portion of a substantially square or rectangular base panel and four peripheral upwardly extending wall panels peripherally thereof, and a lid hinged from the base portion and able to close onto the upper region(s) of at least three of said wall panels thereby to effect closure of the container, wherein the distal region of the lid has an extension to lap over and has at least one feature to click-fit engage a formation or formations ("formations") (male and/or female or shouldered) exteriorly of a panel of the base portion. Preferably the lid carries one or more forms to act as a runner, cam, guide or the like

("guide(s)") internally of said distal wall panel during closure thereby to ensure close.

Preferably beneath the engagement formation^) of said front panel of said base portion there is a relieved profile.

Preferably an in-mould label or other feature is positioned in said relief profile .feature of said panel. _

•Preferably the base portion and Hd includes flanges or mating extremities which have a - locus of mating during closure which has, substantially at the same height as the rear wall panel, the regions of the side wall panels proximate to the rear panel and has, substantially at a lower same height, such mating over at least part of said front panel and the fore regions of each side panel. Preferably there is an inclined and/or curved region of mating transitioning between said regions of mating of different levels of said sides.

Preferably the flange of said front wall panel is interrupted preferably to accommodate the lid's lap feature and/or at least to substantially coincide with the extent of said relief feature across the outer face of said front wall panel. Preferably the base panel is bevelled or rounded in its periphery at or adjacent each corner region.

Preferably said lid defines small downwardly extending wall panels at each side (but which conform in a complementary manner to the upper extremities of the base wall panels and/or their flanges). Preferably the distal region of said lid has not so much a downwardly depending wall panel but a general arcuate cross section through to the lap.

Preferably said side wall panels and/or the upper flanges thereof (preferably at least in the fore regions) has a complement for a tongue in groove or groove in tongue ϊnter-relationship with mating features of said Hd. In another aspect the invention consists in the provision of a container with a latching mechanism substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In still another aspect the present invention consists in a container, or features of a container, substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a one piece moulded lidded container where the interface between the face and the Hd as a result of hinging is higher near the hinge than is the case away from the hinge or is substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. Preferably such an arrangement has lapping only at the latching region of the distal wall of the base and distaHy of the Hd.

In still a further aspect the invention consists in the provision of a one piece moulded liddable container where there is in mould appHcation of some indicia, information, or the like below the latching mechanism of a front distal or distal waU of the base below a region of Hd lapping required for the latching mechanism. ^ _

As used herein "click-fit" includes to a latching capability.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein the term "(s)" following a noun includes, as might be appropriate, the singular or plural forms of that noun. 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

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawings in which

Figure 1 through 16 show a first embodiment typical of a range of containers that can be provided to nest one within the other if desired,

Figure 17 and 18 shows a second embodiment, and

Figure 19 to 21 shows a third embodiment where an extra Hd can be provided as a secondary lid to a recess provided in the lid.

Turning to the embodiment of Figures 1 through 16 there can be seen a base 1 with its upstanding walls having a hinge 2 for the integrally moulded lid 3 with its latching lap 4 overlapping an upper part only of the distal wall 5 of the peripherally walled base. Positioned below the lapping tongue for the quick fit arrangement 4 is a profiled recess 6 in which an in- mould label feature can be provided.

Preferably to reinforce the lid at or about its distal region which carries the only lap with the base 1, the lid is provided with an upstanding zone 7 which rigidifies the region above the tongue 4.

As can be seen in Figure 3, which is a section at AA with respect to Figure 2, the click-fit latching mechanism involving the lapping region 4 has an abutment shoulder 5. This wedges over the outer protuberance 8 from a frontal region 9 of the distal or front wall 9. This region 6 of course is to preferably have an in-mould provided labelling or other indicia feature therein and protected to some extent by the recess.

In addition, if desired and as a safeguard, the recess 6 and its scalloping back preferably into the base acts as a locator for any security band of elastic or rubber that a user may wish to provide around, for example, a lunch box if it is to be handled roughly. As it is however, the camming arrangement of the protuberance 8 of the region 9 of the front wall 5 allows the inwardly protuberant abutment feature 5 to be slid over into its engaging condition, shoulder to shoulder, as shown in Figure 6 and is the case in each of Figures 1 through 8. To keep the member latched and preferably without any security banding, preferably a runner or guide formation or formations (preferably a spaced pair) 10 run down on the inside surface of the region 9 of the distal wall 5. These features 10 can, apart from being shown in some detail in Figure 3, be seen in the opened form of the container as depicted in Figures 9 through 16. It can be seen that formations (both male or both protuberant shoulders) of each of the outer face of the distal wall of the base and the inner surface of the lap of the distal region of the lid provides for an effective click-fit. As used herein the term "click-fit" refers to any inter- engagement along the kind contemplated that results in a pushing of one member over another to an engagement form irrespective of whether or not there is any sound.

The present invention provides security with the co-action of the inner features of the latching mechanism with those of the outer features.

Another feature of the present invention is the minimal lapping of the container lid with the container base save for the latching mechanism requirement. Instead there is, preferably with respect to the side walls, a locus of abutment of flanges or lips or exaggerated extremities that involves a first plane substantially parallel with the bottom surface of the base of the container which is set up at the level of the hinge axis of the rear wall. This first and rear mating of the side walls is shown as feature 11 in Figure 7. The corresponding mating occurs to the fore between the Hd and the same side walls 12. This fore mating is at 13. The transitional mating is over an inclined or curved or both region 14. There is some similar mating at the same level as 13 on the front or distal wall to lid abutment as will be apparent. In order to ensure accurate location of the minimal side walls of the lid (dependent downwardly) and the contoured side walls, preferably flanges 14 of the side walls and front wall of the base are adapted to contact flanges 15 of the lid. Also provided is a female feature 16 at each side of the Hd which is to fit in a "groove onto tongue" manner to a male protuberant region 17 of the side walls and their flange 14. Figure 14 shows in section the interengagement of the female arrangement of the Hd onto the male or tongue formation 17 of the base.

Persons skilled in the art will see how the front flange 14 is interrupted at the zone 18 shown in Figure 10 and elsewhere. ■ Figure 17 and 18 shows a more elongate form of container but one otherwise having all of the features of an embodiment as shown in Figures 1 through 16. Such a form of container as shown in Figures 17 and 18 can be useful for cutlery, pencils or the Eke.

Figures 19 through 21 show a two part or single part moulding having two lids. Moulded as a single part is at least a base 19 and a main or primary lid 20 with all of the features previously described with respect to the other embodiments. There can however be moulded a reservoir depression 21 to be closed by a separately moulded or integrally moulded secondary lid 22.

If the Hd 22 is part of a single part moulded doubly lidded container then more complex moulded tools are required than is otherwise the case. It would be moulded with both the lids 20 and 22 fully open if it is to remain as a single one piece product.

Preferably the hinging axis 23 of such a secondary lid 22 is parallel to the hinging axis 24 ofthe lid 20.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate how preferably food grade flexible plastics are to be used in the moulding process. A preferred material is polypropylene (or polypropylene in conjunction with some other material).

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, registered designs other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A closable one piece moulded container comprising or including a base portion having peripheral upwardly extending wall(s) peripherally thereof, and a Hd hinged to be able to close onto the said wall(s) thereby to effect closure of the container, wherein the lid carries (A) one or more forms to act as a runner, cam, guide or the like ("guide") internally of and from said wall(s) during closure thereby to ensure close and (B) a region to lap over said wall(s) to provide a click-fit exteriorly of said walls. .

2. A container of claim 1 the clip-fit lapping occurs on the front wall i.e. that distally of the hinging of the lid from the rear wall.

3. A container of claim 1 or 2 the Hd does not lap said wall(s) otherwise than over a part thereof distally of the hinge axis provided by the hinging of the lid from said base portion.

4. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein the base portion and Hd mate with complementary flanges or other top and bottom edge features.

5. A container of claim 4 wherein said mating is not on a single plane but rather is either on two planes with a transition therebetween.

6. A container of claim 5 wherein said transition is a curve or curves.

7. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein the effect of said guide is to ensure the lap is pulled tightly onto the exterior of the wall(s) thereby to effect and/ or retain the dick-fit between a formation or formations of the lap of the Hd and/ or the exterior region of said front or distal wall.

8. A container of any one of the preceding claims wherein said base has a square or rectangular base panel (whether truncated, curved or otherwise at the corner regions).

9. A container of claim 8 wherein said walls are essentially four peripheral walls with transitions therebetween or corners therebetween.

10. A container of claim 8 or 9 wherein said Hd itself defines a concavity provided, at least in part, by downwardly depending skirts defining wall features.

11. A container of claim 10 wherein the flanks of the Hd have, as a skirt, wall features but there is otherwise a general curvature (with some variation) of "the Hd on its distal region.

12. A container of any one of the preceding claims substantially as herein described with or without reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings,

13. A one piece moulded container able to have its Hd closed onto its base, or vice versa, wherein there is a lapping of one member exteriorly of the other and a cHck-fit engagement there between, the cHck-fit engagement being encouraged by an internal interaction of a formation or formations of the Hd against an interior surface of said base. - o —

14. A click-fit and guide arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

15. A closable one piece moulded container comprising or including a base portion of a substantially square or rectangular base panel and four peripheral upwardly extending wall panels peripherally thereof, and a lid hinged from the base portion and able to close onto the upper region(s) of at least three of said wall panels thereby to effect closure of the container, wherein the distal region of the lid has an extension to lap over and has at least one feature to click-fit engage a formation or formations ("formations") (male and/or female or shouldered) exteriorly of a panel of the base portion.

16. A container of claim 15 wherein the lid carries one or more forms to act as a runner, cam, guide or the like ("guide(s)") internally of said distal wall panel during closure thereby to ensure close.

17. A container of claim 15 or 16 wherein beneath the engagement formation(s) of said front panel of said base portion there is a relieved profile.

18. A container of claim 17 wherein an in-mould label or other feature is positioned in said relief profile feature of said panel.

19. A container of any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein the base portion and lid includes flanges or mating extremities which have a locus of mating during closure which has, substantially at the same height as the rear wall panel, the regions of the side wall panels proximate to the rear panel and has, substantially at a lower same height, such mating over at least part of said front panel and the fore regions of each side panel.

20. A container of claim 19 wherein there is an inclined and/or curved region of mating transitioning between said regions of mating of different levels of said sides.

21. A container of any one of claims 15 to 20 wherein the flange of said front wall panel is interrupted to accommodate the lid's lap feature and/or at least to substantially coincide with the extent of said relief feature across the outer face of said front wall panel.

22. A container of any one of claims 15 to 21 wherein the base panel is bevelled or rounded in its periphery at or adjacent each corner region.

23. A container of any one of claims 15 to 22 wherein said lid defines small downwardly extending skirts as wall panels at each side (but which conform in a complementary manner to the upper extremities of the base wall panels and/or their flanges).

24. A container of any one of claims 15 to 23. wherein the distal region of said lid has not so much a downwardly depending skirt, as a wall panel, but a general arcuate cross section through to the lap.

25. A^' container of any one of claims 15 to 24 wherein said side wall panels and/or the upper flanges thereof has a complement for a tongue in groove or groove in tongue inter-relationship

^* with mating features of said lid.

26. The provision of a container with a latching mechanism substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

27. A container, of features of a container, substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

28. A one piece moulded lidded container where the interface between the face and the lid as a result of hinging is higher near the hinge than is the case away from the hinge or is substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

29. A once piece moulded lidded container of claim 28 wherein such an arrangement has lapping only at the latching region of the distal wall of the base and distally of the lid.

30. The provision of a one piece moulded liddable container where there is in mould application of some indicia, information, or the like below the latching mechanism of a front distal or distal wall of the base below a region of lid lapping required for the latching mechanism.