CONTAINER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/734,405, filed Dec. 16, 2024 and U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/874,885, filed Sep. 3, 2025, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as part of the present disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to a container, and more particularly to a one-piece container or box that can be releasably sealed and can be opened by applying a force to a fastening mechanism(s) and a two-piece container that can be releasably sealed and can be opened by applying a force to a fastening mechanism(s).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to a container, which is a one-piece injection molded element, that includes a main body, a cover, a living hinge that connects the main body and the cover to each other and a locking system. The main body and the cover each include a gasket that interact with each other to form an air-tight seal. The locking mechanism includes a button that extends from the main body to open the box as desired.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a container that includes a main body, a cover, a living hinge that connects the main body and the cover to each other and a locking system. The main body and the cover are configured to interact with each other to form an air-tight seal, when desired.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a container, which can be comprised of a main body and a cover that are separate elements of each other such that the main body and the cover are not connected to each other and a locking system. The main body and the cover are configured to interact with each other to form an air-tight seal, when desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another front view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along B-B of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detail view (Detail B) of the container of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a detail view (Detail C) of the container of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a detail view (Detail D) of the container of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a first side view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a second side view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the container of FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 12 is a front view of the container of FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in a closed position;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in a closed position;

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 16 is a first perspective view of a container in an open state according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a second perspective view of the container of FIG. 16 in an open state;

FIG. 18 is a front view of the container of FIG. 16 in an open state;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are rear views of the container of FIG. 16 in an open state;

FIGS. 20A-20C are side views of the container of FIG. 16 in an open state;

FIGS. 21A and 21B are front views of the container of FIG. 16 in an open state;

FIG. 22 is a rear view of the container of FIG. 16 in an open state;

FIG. 23 is a first perspective view of the container of FIG. 16 in a closed state;

FIG. 24 is a second perspective view of the container of FIG. 16 in a closed state;

FIG. 25 is a front view of the container of FIG. 16 in a closed state;

FIG. 26 is a rear view of the container of FIG. 16 in a closed state;

FIG. 27 is a first perspective view of a container in an open state according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a second perspective view of a container of FIG. 27 in an open state;

FIGS. 29A and 29B are top views of the container of FIG. 27 in an open state;

FIG. 30 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 27 in an open state;

FIGS. 31A-31C are side views of the container of FIG. 27 in an open state;

FIG. 31D is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 27 taken along A-A of FIG. 14B;

FIG. 32E is a detail view (Detail B) of FIG. 32D;

FIG. 33 is a front view of the container of FIG. 27 in a closed state;

FIG. 34 is a rear view of the container of FIG. 27 in a closed state;

FIG. 35 is a first perspective view of the container of FIG. 27 in a closed state;

FIG. 36 is a second perspective view of the container of FIG. 27 in a closed state;

FIG. 37 is a front view of the container of FIG. 27 in a closed state;

FIG. 38 is a rear view of the container of FIG. 27 in a closed state;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of another container in an open state according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 40-43 are side views of the container of FIG. 40 in an open state;

FIG. 44 is a top view of the container of FIG. 40 in an open state;

FIG. 45 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 40 in an open state;

FIGS. 46-47 are a first perspective views of the container of FIG. 40 in a closed state;

FIG. 48 is a second perspective view of the container of FIG. 40 in a closed state;

FIGS. 49-54 are side views of the container of FIG. 40 in a closed state;

FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 53 taken along A-A of FIG. 51;

FIGS. 56-57 are top view of the container of FIG. 40 in a closed state; and

FIGS. 58-59 are bottom view of the container of FIG. 40 in a closed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-59, embodiments of a container embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described.

FIGS. 1-15 depict various views of a container 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The container 10, which is a one-piece injection molded element, includes a main body 12, a cover 14, a hinge 16 that connects the main body 12 and the cover 14 to each other and a locking system 18.

The main body 12 includes a base 20 and a plurality of sidewalls that extend contiguous to each other from the base in a same direction including a first sidewall 22, a second sidewall 24, a third sidewall 26 and a fourth sidewall 28, to define a cavity 30 within the main body 12. The sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 each include an external surface 32, 34, 26, 38, respectively, and an internal surface 40, 42, 44, 46, respectively. Between the external surface 32, 34, 26, 38 and the internal surface 40, 42, 44, 46, a first channel or first gasket 48 extends from a distal end each of the sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 toward the base 20.

A plurality of projections 50 that are equally spaced from each other, extend from within the base 20. The projections 50 are configured to be dividers to separate contents housed within the container 10.

The main body 12 is connected to the cover 14 by the hinge 16. As shown the hinge 16 is a living hinge that includes a first hinge portion 17 and a second hinge portion 19 that are spaced from each other.

The cover 14 includes a base wall 52 with reinforcing projections 53 extending therefrom and a plurality of sidewalls that extend from the base wall 52 in a same direction including a first sidewall 54, a second sidewall 56, a third sidewall 58 and a fourth sidewall 60. The sidewalls 54, 56, 58, 60 of the cover 14 each include an external surface 62, 64, 66, 68, respectively, and an internal surface 70, 72, 74, 76, respectively. Between the external surface 62, 64, 66, 68 of the sidewalls 54, 56, 58, 60 of the cover 14 and the internal surface 70, 72, 74, 76 of the sidewalls 54, 56, 58, 60 of the cover 14, a second channel or second gasket 78 extends from a distal end of each of the sidewalls 54, 56, 58, 60 toward the base wall 52 of the cover 12.

The second channel 78 of the cover 12 is offset from the first channel 48 of the main body 12 to create an air-tight seal when the container 10 is closed.

The locking system 18 (see FIG. 6) includes a button 80 that extends directly from a first sidewall 22 at the front of the main body 12 and a hook 82 that includes a first arm 84 that extends from distal end of the first sidewall 22 and a second arm 86 that extends at an angle from the first arm 84. To operate the locking system 18, a force is applied to the button 80 which causes the hook 82 to elastically deform temporarily to release the latching connection with the cover 14 and allow the cover 14 to be opened. In an embodiment, the opening and closing of the container 10 can be achieved with a single hand by applying a 100 N load to the button 80 and an index finger can be used to open the cover 14.

FIGS. 16-26 depict various views of a container 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The container 100, which can, for example, be a one-piece injection molded element, includes a main body 102, a cover 104, one or more hinges 106 that connect the main body 102 and the cover 104 to each other and locking system 108.

The main body 102 includes a base 110 and a plurality of sidewalls that extend contiguous to each other from the base in a same direction including a first sidewall 112, a second sidewall 114, a third sidewall 116 and a fourth sidewall 118, to define a cavity 120 within the main body 102. The sidewalls 112, 114, 116, 118 each include an external surface 122, 124, 126, 128, respectively, and an internal surface 130, 132, 134, 136, respectively. Between the external surface 122, 124, 126, 128 and the internal surface 130, 132, 134, 136, a first channel 138 extends from a distal end each of the sidewalls 112, 114, 116, 118 toward the base 110.

The main body 102 is connected to the cover 104 by one or more hinges 106. As shown, there are two hinges 106, which are each a living hinge that are spaced apart from each other.

The cover 104 includes a base wall 140 that has reinforcing projections 142 extending therefrom and a plurality of sidewalls that extend from the base wall 140 in a same direction including a first sidewall 144, a second sidewall 146, a third sidewall 148 and a fourth sidewall 150. The sidewalls 144, 146, 148, 150 of the cover 104 each include an external surface 152, 154, 156, 158, respectively, and an internal surface 160, 162, 164, 166, respectively.

Between the external surface 152, 154, 156, 158 of the sidewalls 144, 146, 148, 150 of the cover 104 and the internal surface 160, 162, 164, 166 of the sidewalls 144, 146, 148, 150 of the cover 104, a second channel 168 extends from a distal end of each of the sidewalls 144, 146, 148, 150 toward the base wall 140 of the cover 104. The second channel 168 of the cover 104 is offset from the first channel 138 of the main body 102 to create an air-tight seal when the container 100 is closed.

The locking system 108 includes three releasable locking mechanisms 109, 111, 113.

The first locking mechanism 109 includes a first button 170 that extends from the first sidewall 112 at the front of the main body 102, a hook 172 that includes a first arm 174 that extends from distal end of the first sidewall 112 and a second arm 176 that extends at an angle from the first arm 174, and a recess 178 that extends into the internal surface 160 of the first sidewall 144 of the cover 104.

The second locking mechanism 111 includes a second button 180 that extends from the second sidewall 114 of the main body 102, a hook 182 that includes a first arm 184 that extends from distal end of the second sidewall 114 and a second arm 186 that extends at an angle from the first arm 184, and a recess 188 that extends into the internal surface 162 of the second sidewall 146 of the cover 104.

The third locking mechanism 113 includes a third button 190 that extends from the third sidewall 116 of the main body 102, a hook 192 that includes a first arm 194 that extends from distal end of the fourth sidewall 118 and a second arm 196 that extends at an angle from the first arm 194, and a recess 198 that extends into the internal surface 162 of the fourth sidewall 150 of the cover 104.

To operate the locking system 108, a force is applied to the buttons 170, 180, 190, which causes the hooks 172, 182, 192 to elastically deform temporarily to release the latching connection with the cover 104 and base 102 and allow the container 100 to be opened.

FIGS. 27-38 depict various views of a container 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The container 200, which can, for example, be a one-piece injection molded element, includes a main body 202, a cover 204, one or more hinges 206 that connect the main body 202 and the cover 204 to each other and locking system 208.

The main body 202 includes a base 210 and a plurality of sidewalls that extend contiguous to each other from the base in a same direction including a first sidewall 212, a second sidewall 214, a third sidewall 216 and a fourth sidewall 218, to define a cavity 220 within the main body 202. The sidewalls 212, 214, 216, 218 each include an external surface 222, 224, 226, 228, respectively, and an internal surface 230, 232, 234, 236, respectively. Between the external surface 222, 224, 226, 228 and the internal surface 230, 232, 234, 236, a first channel 238 extends from a distal end each of the sidewalls 212, 214, 216, 218 toward the base 210.

The main body 202 is connected to the cover 204 by one or more hinges 206. As shown, there are two hinges 206, which are each a living hinge that are spaced apart from each other.

The cover 204 includes a base wall 240 that has reinforcing projections 242 extending therefrom and a plurality of sidewalls that extend from the base wall 240 in a same direction including a first sidewall 244, a second sidewall 246, a third sidewall 248 and a fourth sidewall 250. The sidewalls 244, 246, 248, 250 of the cover 204 each include an external surface 252, 254, 256, 258, respectively, and an internal surface 260, 262, 264, 266, respectively.

Between the external surface 252, 254, 256, 258 of the sidewalls 244, 246, 248, 250 of the cover 204 and the internal surface 260, 262, 264, 266 of the sidewalls 244, 246, 248, 250 of the cover 204, a second channel 268 extends from a distal end of each of the sidewalls 244, 246, 248, 250 toward the base wall 240 of the cover 204. The second channel 268 of the cover 204 is offset from the first channel 238 of the main body 202 to create an air-tight seal when the container 200 is closed.

The locking system 208 includes three releasable locking mechanisms 209, 211, 213.

The first locking mechanism 209 includes a button 270 that extends from the first sidewall 212 at the front of the main body 202, a hook 272 that includes a first arm 274 that extends from distal end of the first sidewall 212 and a second arm 276 that extends at an angle from the first arm 274, and a recess 278 that extends into the internal surface 260 of the first sidewall 244 of the cover 204.

The second locking mechanism 211 includes a recess 280 that extends into the second sidewall 214 of the main body 202 and a projection 288 that extends from the internal surface 262 of the second sidewall 246 of the cover 204. Alternatively, a projection can extend from the second sidewall 214 of the main body 202 and a recess could extend into the internal surface 262 of the second sidewall 246 of the cover 204.

The third locking mechanism 213 includes a recess 290 that extends from into the third sidewall 216 of the main body 202 and a projection 298 that extends from the internal surface 262 of the fourth sidewall 250 of the cover 204. Alternatively, a projection can extend from the third sidewall 216 of the main body 202 and a recess could extend into the internal surface 262 of the fourth sidewall 250 of the cover 204.

To operate the locking system 208, a force is applied to the button 270, which causes the hook 272 to elastically deform temporarily to release the latching connection with the cover 204 and base 202 and the projection/recess interaction of the second and third locking mechanism 211, 213 are spaced from each other to allow the container 200 to be opened.

FIGS. 39-59 depict various views of a container 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The container 300 is a two-piece element that generally includes a main body 302, a cover 304 and a locking system 306 configured to releasable fix the main body 302 and the cover 304 to each other. In an embodiment, the container 300 can be injection molded. Alternatively, the container 300 can be comprised of a metal, alloy or other material.

The main body 302 includes a base 308, a first sidewall 310 that extends from the outer periphery of base 308 and second sidewall 312 that extends beyond the first sidewall 310 and is offset from an external surface 314 of the first sidewall 310. The first sidewall 310 and the second sidewall 312 extend integral to each other from the base 308 forming an internal surface 316 that defines a main body cavity 318.

The first sidewall 310 and the second sidewall 312 of the main body 302 each, respectively, include a first side 320, 321, a first corner 322, 323 that extends at a first end contiguous from a first end of the first side 320, 321, a second side 324, 325 that extends contiguous from a second end of the first corner 322, 323 a second corner 326, 327 that extends at a first end thereof contiguous from the second side 324, 325, a third side 328, 329 that is spaced from and parallel to the first side 320, 321 and that extends at a first end thereof contiguous from a second end of the second corner 326, 327, a third corner 330, 331 that extends at a first end thereof from a second end of the third side 328, 329, a fourth side 332, 333 that is spaced from and extends parallel to the second side 324, 325 and at a first end thereof extends contiguous from the second end of the third corner 330, 331 and a fourth corner 334, 335 that extends contiguous to and between a second end of the fourth side 332, 333 and a second end of the first side 320, 321.

Extending from a top surface 336 of the first sidewall 310 and offset from the second sidewall 312 and is a first projection 338 and a second projection 340. The first projection 338 extends along the top surface 336 of the first side 320 of the main body 302 and at angles along the top surface 336 substantially the length of the first corners 322, 323 and the fourth corners 334, 335. The second projection 340 extends along the top surface 336 of the third side 328 of the main body 302 and at angles along the top surface 336 substantially the length of the second corners 326, 327 and the third corner 330, 331.

The second side 324 and the fourth side 332 each include a pair of circular projections 342 spaced from each other that extend from the top surface 336.

As shown, for example, in FIGS. 39-44, the locking system 306 includes a first latch 344 and a second latch 354.

The first latch 344 extends from the top surface 336 of the main body 302 along the second side 324 of the main body 302 and a first button 346 extends from the second side 324 of the main body 302. As shown, the first latch 344 includes a first arm 348 and a first hook 350 that extends from the first arm 348 with the first hook 350 facing the outer surface 314 of the main body 302. A second side cavity 352 extends within the first sidewall 310, behind the first latch 344. The second side cavity 352 provides clearance when a force is applied to the first button 346 to cause the second side 324 to flex and in turn the first latch 344 to unlock or become spaced from the cover 304.

The second latch 354 extends from the top surface 336 of the main body 302 along the fourth side 332 of the main body 302 and a second button 356 extends from the fourth side 332 of the main body 302. As shown, the second latch 354 includes a second arm 358 and a second hook 360 that extends from the second arm 358 with the second hook 360 facing the outer surface 314 of the main body 302. A fourth side cavity 362 extends within the first sidewall 310, behind the second latch 354. The fourth side cavity 362 provides clearance when a force is applied to the second button 356 to cause the fourth side 332 to flex and in turn cause the second latch 354 to unlock to become spaced from the cover 304.

The cover 304 includes a base 364 that has an outer surface 366 and an inner surface 368. A sidewall 370 extends from and about the outer periphery of the base 364 of the cover 304 forming a cavity 372 extending from the sidewall 370 toward the base 364 of the cover 306.

The exterior width and exterior length of the sidewall 370 of the cover 304 is configured to be substantially flush with the exterior width and exterior length of the first sidewall 310 of the main body 302 when the cover 304 extends over the main body 302 as seen, for example, in FIGS. 46-59.

The sidewall 370 of the cover 304 includes a first side 374, a first corner 376 that extends at a first end contiguous from a first end of the first side 374, a second side 378 that extends contiguous from a second end of the first corner 376 a second corner 379 that extends at a first end thereof contiguous from the second side 378, a third side 380 that is spaced from and parallel to the first side 374 and that extends at a first end thereof contiguous from a second end of the second corner 379, a third corner 382 that extends at a first end thereof from a second end of the third side 380, a fourth side 384 that is spaced from and extends parallel to the second side 378 and at a first end thereof extends contiguous from the second end of the third corner 382 and a fourth corner 386 that extends contiguous to and between a second end of the fourth side 384 and a second end of the first side 374.

Extending from the inner surface of the second side 378 of the sidewall 370 is a first projection 388 that is configured to interact with the first latch 344, and extending from the inner surface of the fourth side 384 of the sidewall 370 is a second projection 390 that is configured to interact with the second latch 354.

A pair of protrusions 392, which are offset from the second side 378 of the sidewall 370 and a pair of protrusions 394, which are offset from the fourth side 384 of the sidewall 370 are configured to interact with the pairs of circular projections 342 that are spaced from each other that extend from the top surface 336 of the main body 302.

The sidewall 370 of the cover 304 includes an external surface 396 and an internal surface 398. Spaced from the internal surface 398 of the sidewall 370 of the cover 304 is a first cover projection 399 and a second cover projection 401 that form a first channel 400 and a third cover projection 403 and a second cover projection 405 that form a second channel 402. The first cover projection 399, the second cover projection 401 and first channel 400 extend along the first side 374 of the cover 304 and at an angle substantially the length of the first corner 376 and the fourth corner 386. The third cover projection 403, the fourth cover projection 405 and second channel 402 extend along the third side 380 of the of the cover 304 and at an angle substantially the length of the second corner 378 and the third corner 382.

The cover 304 includes a plurality of projections 406 extending from the inner surface 364 that can add support and rigidity.

As shown, for example, in FIGS. 48 and 55, the first sidewall 310 of the main body 302 includes a first internal sidewall 311 and a first external sidewall 313 that is spaced from the first internal sidewall 311 by a gap 408 with a plurality of supports or fins 410 spaced from each other and extending between the first internal sidewall 311 and the first external sidewall 313. The supports or fins 410 provide structural rigidity to the container 300.

In a closed state, the first projection 338 is arranged within the first channel 400 and the second projection 340 is arranged within the second channel 402. The first latch 344 interacts with the first projection 388 that extends from the inner surface of the second side 378 of the sidewall 370 and the second latch 354 interacts with the second projection 390 that extends from the inner surface of the fourth side 384 of the sidewall 370 to aid in creating an air-tight seal in the closed state.

To open the container 300, a force is applied to the first button 346 releasing the first latch 344 from the first projection 388 that extends from the inner surface of the second side 378 of the sidewall 370 and a force is applied to the second button 356 releasing the second latch 354 that extends from the inner surface of the fourth side 384 of the sidewall 370.

In an embodiment, the opening and closing of the container 300 can be achieved with a single hand by applying a force to the buttons 346, 348.

Although the description above and accompanying drawings contains much specificity, the details provided should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments, but merely as describing some of the features of the embodiments. The description and figures should not to be taken as restrictive and are understood as broad and general teachings in accordance with the present invention. While the embodiments have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that modifications and variations to such embodiments, including, but not limited to, the substitutions of equivalent features and terminology may be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.