Claims
- 1. A container system constructed for holding and displaying product, said system comprising:A. a base member incorporating a. a support surface b. first wall means interconnected to and peripherally surrounding the support surface, and c. an upstanding ridge formed in the terminating edge of the wall means and extending substantially about the entire peripheral surface thereof; B. a cover member cooperatingly associated with the base member for forming the product container, being integrally interconnected with the base member along one edge to form a clamshell configuration, and incorporating a. a substantially flat surface b. second wall means interconnected to and peripherally surrounding the flat surface, and c. a groove member 1. formed in the terminating edge of the second wall means, 2. extending substantially about the entire peripheral surface thereof, and 3. constructed for cooperating, mating engagement with the ridge of the base member; and C. a hinge member interconnecting the base member to the cover member along said one edge and comprising a. a flange portion extending outwardly from the ridge of the base member, and b. a flexible, arcuately curved portion 1. integrally affixed on a first edge thereof to the flange portion, 2. extending from the flange portion to the groove member of the cover member, 3. integrally affixed to the groove member along a second edge thereof, and 4. constructed for providing controlled arcuate pivoting movement of the cover member relative to the base member from an open position to a closed position therewith, while causing the groove of the cover member adjacent the hinge member to automatically engage the ridge of the base member simultaneously with the arcuate closing movement, whereby a clam-shell container is achieved which enables the ridge and groove to be automatically engaged with each other without requiring a separate sealing force.
- 2. The container system defined in claim 1, wherein the flange portion and the flexible arcuately curved portion forming the hinge member are further defined as being interconnected with each other to form a substantially continuous, fully integrated member.
- 3. The container system defined in claim 2, wherein said integrated hinge member comprises a substantially flat, smooth surface throughout its entire length.
- 4. The container system defined in claim 3, wherein said integrated hinge member comprises a thickness which is less than the thickness of the base member and the cover member.
- 5. The container system defined in claim 1, wherein the ridge of the base member is further defined as comprising:1. a first surface interconnected to the terminating edge of the first wall means, 2. a second surface formed in juxtaposed, spaced, facing relationship to the first surface, and 3. a first top surface extending between and interconnecting the first surface with the second surface.
- 6. The container system defined in claim 5, wherein the groove of the cover member is further defined as comprising:1. a third surface interconnected to the terminating edge of the second wall means, 2. a fourth surface formed in juxtaposed, spaced relationship to the third surface, and 3. a second top surface extending between and interconnecting the third surface with the fourth surface.
- 7. The container system defined in claim 6, wherein the second surface and the fourth surface are further defined as comprising an outwardly extending locking rib or step portion formed therein, each positioned for cooperating, locking engagement with each other.
- 8. The container system defined in claim 6, wherein said system further comprises an outward extending step surface formed along the terminating edge of the second surface adjacent the hinge member and a first wall member affixed along a first edge thereof to the step surface and extending substantially the entire length of said step surface.
- 9. The container system defined in claim 8, wherein said first wall member is further defined as being affixed along a second edge thereof to the flange portion of the hinge member.
- 10. The container system defined in claim 9, wherein said system further comprises a second wall member affixed to the fourth surface of the groove member and positioned in juxtaposed, spaced, facing relationship therewith.
- 11. The container system defined in claim 10, wherein the flexible, arcuately curved portion of the hinge member is further defined as being affixed to the terminating edge of the second wall member.
- 12. The container system defined in claim 11, wherein said flange portion is further defined as angularly extending from the first wall member with an arcuate distance ranging between about 100° and 140°.
- 13. The container system defined in claim 12, wherein said arcuate distance is further defined as comprising between about 110° and 130°.
- 14. The container system defined in claim 11, wherein said first wall member and said second wall member are further defined as being in juxtaposed, spaced, substantially parallel relationship to each other when said container is in the open position.
- 15. The container system defined in claim 14, wherein said first wall member and said second wall member are further defined as being spaced apart, when the container is in the open position, a distance ranging between about 0.325 and 0.400 inches.
- 16. The container system defined in claim 9, wherein the first wall member is further defined as comprising a vertical height ranging between about 0.140 and 0.200 inches.
- 17. The container system defined in claim 1, wherein the base member and said cover member are further defined as being formed from transparent plastic material for providing complete visibility of any product retained therein.
- 18. The container system defined in claim 17, wherein the container is constructed by one selected from the group consisting of thermoforming and vacuum forming.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application relates to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/292,396, filed May 21, 2001 for a Hinge System for Self Locking Perimeter Sealing Container.
US Referenced Citations (47)
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60/292396 |
May 2001 |
US |