Abstract:
A storage container including a lid having a rectangular shape with sides and ends defining therebetween a recessed interior, the lid including at least one resistively inter-fitting portion associated with a forward extending lip edge. A base corresponds generally in outline with the lid and includes at least one mating portion defined in an overlapping forward lip edge and which is arrayed in opposing and communicable fashion with the lid inter-fitting portion. The interfitting portions established between the lid and base are positioned opposite a rear hinged edge and provide tactile snap shut engagement of the lid and base.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/530,764 filed on Sep. 11, 2006 and entitled Two Piece Container Incorporating Nesting Characteristics and Including Interengageable Hinge Supports for Upwardly Supporting a Lid upon a Base. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to what is conventionally known as a hat box design. More specifically, the present invention discloses a plasticized container having a base and hingedly connected lid and which incorporates novel improvements in an interlocking arrangement established therebetween to permit the lid to be converted between an upwardly displaced and open configuration and, upon being rotated to a closed position, establishing a tactile and snap-shut configuration in order to provide secure carry-ability of its interiorly held contents. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The prior art is well documented with examples of either hat box or other article holding/supporting containers. In one application, it is desirable to be able to interlock together in a stacking arrangement a plurality of item holdable containers. 
         [0004]    First examples of such assemblies are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,772 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,350, both issued to LaMarche et al., and which teach an assembly of interconnected containers, each exhibiting an upper portion permanently connected to a lower portion by a hinge or hinges, and with the upper portion having a pair of elongated generally parallel upwardly open channels. The container also has a pair of generally parallel downwardly projecting flanges structured to engage an upwardly open channel of an adjacent container and adjacent containers having either at least one of the channels engaged by a flange of an adjacent container or at least one of its flanges engaged in a channel of an adjacent container or both. The channels preferably communicate with at least one open end so as to permit relative sliding removal and insertion of the containers from and into the assembly. The channels are disposed closer to each other than are the flanges. In one embodiment, the upper portion has the upper sidewalls diverging downwardly therefrom and the lower wall has a pair of lower sidewalls diverging upwardly therefrom. The containers may be transparent and molded as a unit with integrally formed hinges. Support structure may be provided within the container to support one or more articles disposed therein. Individual containers for use in such an assembly are disclosed. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,351,270, issued to Hohnjec, teaches a two part box including, in relevant part, a lid part with a strap and a bottom part connected to the lid part at one rim by the strap acting as a hinge and including closure elements cooperating with each other to produce transverse locking of the two box parts. Handles are provided with recess fittings into each other for carrying the box and locking elements including two projecting cylindrical pins, each having an undercut and both arranged on both sides of said handle recesses, and on the opposite rim, at two cylindrical lugs each provided with a circular-shaped sharp-edged aperture to receive said pins at their undercut locations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention discloses a storage container, such as in particular for a hat box, and which is an improvement over other prior art designs in that it provides for improved tactile locking engagement of a hingedly secured lid relative to an opposing and volume defining base. The lid exhibits a substantially rectangular shape, with interconnecting sides and ends defining therebetween a recessed interior. In addition to the hinged engagement with the base along a rear edge, the lid further includes a perimeter extending planar lip along the sides and interconnecting forward edge. 
         [0007]    The base corresponds generally in outline with the lid and likewise includes a three-sided planar extending lip. A recessed interior associated with the base defines, upon downward rotation of the lid to the closed position, a volume holding enclosure. Each of the lid and base further including an integrally formed handle subset portion associated with the forward selected edges opposite those associated with the hinged support, the subset portions mating upon rotating the lid to the closed position to define a carrying handle. 
         [0008]    In a first configuration, an outer radiused edge of the base handle lip is configured to overlap an opposingly engaging lip edge, and in order to create a resistant snap shut engagement. In a second configuration, first and second button projections and mating recess pockets portions are defined at opposing locations associated with the extending and overlapping forward lip edges of the base and lid handles and in order to establish a tactile/snap shut configuration associated with the lid and base. 
         [0009]    Pairs of lengthwise extending and mating grooves and recesses are established in opposing fashion along the planar and sides of the lid and base. The grooves project from a first selected one of the base and lid and can include a “U” shape, “V” shape or other cross-section configured shape. Opposing lengthwise recesses establish seating of the grooves, upon closing the lid with the base, and in order to provide additional displacement preventing support of the hingedly connected lid and base. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a container according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating the tactile-snap shut arrangement of the first and second handles; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the container shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective illustration of the container and better illustrating the tactile snap shut engagement of the base and hingedly secured lid; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of portion  4 - 4  of the interengaging handles in  FIG. 3  and illustrating the base handle lip being configured with a larger radius than the corresponding and opposingly engaging lip in order to create resistant snap shut engagement; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a sectional perspective of the container base; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of portion  5 - 5  of the base handle in  FIG. 5  and, when viewed in combination with  FIG. 4 , illustrating the tactile engaging profile configuration of the base handle portion; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a cutaway view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 1  and showing the tactile and resistive fitting interengagement established between the inwardly projecting lip handle edge and corresponding larger dimensioned base handle; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an illustration similar to  FIG. 1  of a container according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating first and second button projections and mating recess pocket portions defined at first and second forward extending and overlapping lip edges associated with the base and lid handles and in order to establish a tactile/snap shut configuration associated with the lid and base; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the container shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective illustration of the container of  FIG. 8  and better illustrating the tactile snap shut engagement of the base and hingedly secured lid; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged illustration taken along portion  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10  and illustrating a selected button-shaped pocket configuration associated with the base; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a cutaway illustration of the resistive fit engagement established between a selected and downwardly projecting button portion of the lid and resistive inter-fitting base configured pocket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , a series of top plan, front plant and perspective view are shown of a container  10  according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention and which, as previously described, illustrates a tactile-snap shut arrangement of first and second associated handles. The assembled top/front plan and perspective views, each illustrated at  10 , are of a hinged item holding container assembly, typically a hat box configuration, and which in particular discloses a generally rectangular shaped lid  12  and a similarly configured and hingedly secured base  14 . Each of the lid and base are, in one variant, constructed of a plasticized material produced from such as a vacuum forming or, potentially, an injection molding process, although it is further contemplated that other material constructions can be employed and which exhibit the necessary properties of tactile ductility, strength and durability. 
         [0024]    In a preferred embodiment, each of the lid  12  and base  14  exhibit a rectangular configuration (although it is contemplated that any suitable and polygonal shaped article is contemplated) with four interconnecting sides and ends which bound a recessed and volume defining interior. In particular, the lid  12  includes sides  16  and  18  and interconnecting ends  20  and  22 . Concurrently, the base  14  includes sides  24  and  26  (see as best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) and interconnecting ends  28  and  30 . 
         [0025]    A rear hinged connection  32  is established between the lid  12  and base  14  and, in practice, establishes such as a living hinge in order to provide repeated opening and closing cycles without material deformation or failure of the hinge. It is also envisioned that lid and base can be provided as first and second assembleable halves and which incorporate any suitable hinge or interlocking closure arrangement. 
         [0026]    The lid  12  further includes a recessed interior surface  34  and the base  14  likewise includes a corresponding surface  36 . Each of the sides and ends of the lid  12  further include outer perimeter defining and planar/flattened lips, these being referenced along opposite sides  38  and  40  and interconnecting forward edge  42 . The sides and forward end of the base  14  concurrently include outer perimeter defining and flattened edges, as respectively shown at sides  44  and  46  and forward edge  48 , these opposing the corresponding edges  38 ,  40  and  42  of the lid in the closed and slid/snap shut configuration as will be subsequently described. 
         [0027]    A first handle  50  is configured into the forward extending edge  42  of the lid  12 , whereas a mating handle  52  (best shown in  FIGS. 5-7 ) is integrally configured in the forward extending edge  48  of the base  14 .  FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged view of portion  4 - 4  of the interengaging handles in  FIG. 3  and, as will be further discussed, illustrates the tactile and snap shut configuration of the handles  50  and  52  upon being biasingly engaged together. 
         [0028]    As will be best described in reference to succeeding illustrations  FIGS. 5-7 , the base handle  52  projects upwardly from the associated forward planar edge  48  and defines an inner perimeter extending hand bold profile  54 , as well as an opposite outer perimeter extending profile  56 . As best shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the outer profile  56  exhibits an annular extending protuberance and which is dimensioned with a radius edge slightly overlapping (greater than) a corresponding inner annular extending lip  58  (again  FIG. 7 ) associated with the outwardly overlapping handle  50 . Upon rotating the lid  12  to a substantially overlaying and closed position relative to the base  14 , an additional degree of downward pressure applied to the lid  12  causes its inner annular extending handle lip edge  58  to biasingly depress against the opposing outer protuberant surface of the base handle profile  56  and, following the lip edge  58  depressingly seating over the opposing outer profile protuberant surface  56 , to seat in resistive fashion against a lowermost recessed pocket  60  (again  FIG. 7 ) associated with the base handle  52 , thereby creating the resistant snap shut engagement. 
         [0029]    Pairs of lengthwise extending and mating grooves and recesses are established in opposing fashion along the planar and sides of the lid and base. Although easily reversible, the grooves  62  and  64  are illustrated projecting from the lid  12  and can include a “U” shape, “V” shape or other cross-section configured shape. 
         [0030]    Opposing lengthwise recesses  66  and  68  defined in the upwardly facing surfaces of the base portion planar sides  44  and  46  establish seating of the grooves  62  and  64  and, upon closing the lid with the base, provide additional displacement preventing support of the hingedly connected lid and base. As best further illustrated in each of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one or more lengthwise extending and recessed channels, see at  70 ,  72 ,  74 , et seq., are defined in the base surface  34  of the lid  12  and which constitute a plurality of parallel, spaced apart and lengthwise interengaging portions between individual container assemblies. 
         [0031]    Corresponding lengthwise extending and recessed exterior surfaces, see at  76  and  78  in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , are associated with the underside base surface  36 . The location and configuration of the lid recess channels and base recessed exterior surfaces and such that, upon providing a plurality of individual containers, each pair of base defined surface  76  and  78  are typically provided as a pair of outermost and lengthwise interengaging portions which are selectively seatable within selected ones of the recessed lid surfaces  70 ,  72 ,  74 , further such that a lid of a first selected container may support thereupon a base of a second selected container. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 8-13  collectively illustrate a container according to a second preferred embodiment  80  of the present invention and illustrating first and second button projections  82  and  84  and mating recess pocket portions  86  and  88  defined at first and second forward extending and overlapping planar edge  42  and  44  locations associated with the lid  12  and base  14 , respectively, and in order to establish a tactile/snap shut configuration associated with the lid and base. The container configuration of  FIG. 8  is substantially identical to that shown in  FIG. 1 , with the exception that the tactile/snap shut interengaging portions associated with the handles in the first embodiment are substituted by a pair of identically configured and opposing edge mating handles  50 ′ and  52 ′, the handles being separate from a pair of laterally offset and arranged button and recess pockets defined between the lid and base lip edges and establishing the desired tactile/snap shut engagement. It is also understood that a preferred variant can incorporate both the tactile handle engagement profile of  FIG. 1 , in combination with the button and recess pocket of  FIG. 8  and as will be subsequently described. Accordingly, identical features in the embodiment of  FIGS. 8-13  (aside from the modified handle portions  50 ′ and  52 ′) are identically enumerated in comparison to those shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7 . 
         [0033]    As best shown in the enlarged illustration of  FIG. 11 , taken along portion  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 , as well as the cutaway partial view of  FIG. 12 , illustrated is a selected lid  12  extending button-shaped projection  82  in its tactile snap shut engagement with a corresponding recessed pocket  86  configuration associated with the base  14 . As best shown in the exploded illustration of  FIG. 13  (and by which the rear portions defining the living hinge  32  are separated), the button shaped projections  82  and  84  are integrally formed within the forward lip  42  of the lid  12  and project downwardly. The button projections  82  and  84  are further illustrated as substantially rectangular in shape with rounded interconnecting edges (see also  FIG. 11 ) although it is further understood that the button projections can adopt some other cross sectional profile within the scope of the invention. 
         [0034]    Referring again to  FIG. 12 , the downward displacement of the illustrated button projection  82  causes at least one biasing overlap, at zone  89 , with its opposing recessed pocket  86 . The pockets  86  and  88  each exhibit a similar recessed and four-sided pocket in comparison to the opposing configuration of the projections  82  and  84 . Similar to the biasing nature of the handle  50  and  52  in  FIG. 1 , downward displacement of the lid  12  against the base  14  results in this zone of overlap causing the button projections  82  and  84  to biasingly displace against and resistively inter-fit with the recess pockets  86  and  88  and, by virtue of a reverse angled taper established between the overlapping walls  90  and  92  ( FIG. 12 ) along the contact zone  89  established between the button and pocket, and in order to resistively interengage in a tactile and snap-shut fashion. 
         [0035]    Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which is pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.