Packaging container having a secure closure and retention elements

A thermoformed packaging container includes a base section having a bottom surface, first and second inner and outer base side walls, and first and second inner and outer base end walls forming a chamber, with at least one outer base one side wall having a plurality of base indentations and protrusions formed therein. A cover section having a top surface, first and second cover side walls, and first and second cover end walls, the cover section adapted to cover the base section when in a closed state, with at least one of the cover side walls having a plurality of cover indentations and protrusions formed therein for engaging with the plurality of base indentations and protrusions. The container also includes a closure mechanism for securing the container in a closed position, wherein the closure mechanism is formed within at least one end wall of the base section and a corresponding end wall of the cover section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to thermoformed packaging containers, more specifically, to packaging containers having a secure closure and retention elements for retaining an object within the container.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A thermoformed packaging container includes a base section having a bottom surface, first and second inner and outer base side walls, and first and second inner and outer base end walls forming a chamber, with at least one outer base one side wall having a plurality of base indentations and protrusions formed therein; a cover section having a top surface, first and second cover side walls, and first and second cover end walls, the cover section adapted to cover the base section when in a closed state, with at least one of the cover side walls having a plurality of cover indentations and protrusions formed therein for engaging with the plurality of base indentations and protrusions; and a closure mechanism for securing the container in a closed position, wherein the closure mechanism is formed within at least one end wall of the base section and a corresponding end wall of the cover section. Each of the first and second outer base side walls, and first and second outer base end walls has a deformable flange extending therefrom, and the closure mechanism includes at least one outer aperture formed within at least one of the outer base end walls and at least one inner aperture formed within at least one inner base end wall aligned with the at least one outer aperture, at least one projection extending inwardly from at least one cover end wall for engaging the at least one outer aperture and being adapted to engage the at least one inner aperture of the base section, the closure and release mechanism retaining the cover section over the base section and securing the packaging container in a closed position and wherein the at least one projection is released from the at least one inner aperture and the at least one inner aperture by depressing the deformable flange, thereby opening the packaging container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the present embodiments of a packaging container,FIG.1illustrates a side view of a packaging container10, in which container10is opened to accommodate desired contents.FIG.2is a top view of container10in an open configuration. Further.FIG.3is a side view of container andFIG.4is a top view of container10in a closed configuration.FIG.5is a cross-sectional view of container10. Further,FIG.6is an end view of container10andFIG.7is a cross-sectional end view.

With reference toFIGS.1and2, packaging container10includes a base section20having a bottom surface31, first and second inner and outer base side walls,28and29, and first and second inner and outer base end walls.35and36, forming a chamber25. Outer base side walls29and outer base end walls36are spaced apart from inner base side walls28and inner base end walls37and extend only a portion of the height of inner base side walls28and inner base end walls37. Outer base side walls29and outer base end walls36may include a plurality of indentations32and protrusions33.

Packaging container10also includes a cover section50pivotally coupled to base section20. Cover section50is configured to pivot about hinge52between an open state and a closed state. In particular, cover section50includes a top surface51having a recessed channel77, first and second side walls55, and first and second end walls57. Cover section50fits over base section20. Cover section50also includes a plurality of indentions62and protrusions63formed therein for engaging with indentions and protrusions32and33of base section20.

When a hinge52is activated in order to close lid50onto base section20, indentations and protrusions62,63of cover section50meet with indentations and protrusions32,33of base section20. Each indentation62of cover50fits into a corresponding protrusion33on base section50and each protrusion63of cover50fits into a corresponding indentation22of base section20. Thus, when cover50is closed onto base section20, protrusions32and62and indentations33and63form a zippered relationship between base section20and cover50. As shown inFIG.3, cover indentations and protrusions62,63and base indentations and protrusions32,33have actuate side walls, as indicated at66, when positioned closer to ends36(36is not shown inFIG.3) and57to allow for a smooth closure of container10. The degree of curvature is greater closer to outer base end walls36(not shown inFIG.3) and cover end walls57, as can be seen in at leastFIGS.1and3.

The zippered relationship of indentations and protrusions32,33and62,63not only aids in maintaining cover50securely fastened onto base section20, it contributes to the overall strength of container10. That is, upon applying lateral pressure to one or more of outer base side walls29, lid50is not released and container10is not easily opened due to the function of the indentations and protrusions. Thus, the zippered relationship between base section20and cover50contributes to the overall tamper-proof qualities of container10.

A closure and release mechanism is also included in packaging container10to work in conjunction with the indentations and protrusions. As shown inFIG.5, a post67projects inwardly from cover end wall57. In one embodiment, post67includes an angled edge and a top edge. Post67is adapted to engage corresponding inner and outer apertures68and69of base section20. A peripheral flange70extends horizontally from a perimeter of cover section50such that, when packaging container10is in a closed position, peripheral flange70abuts a flange45of base section20. Peripheral flange70includes a cut out area71, as shown inFIG.4, to allow access for opening container10.

Laterally extending flange45is deformable such that when flange45is depressed adjacent to cut out area71, outer base end wall36and inner base end wall35move inwardly away from cover end wall57, thereby releasing post67from apertures68and69and opening packaging container10. Cut out area71provides unobstructed access for depressing deformable flange45for opening packaging container10.

As shown inFIGS.4,5and7, container10includes a recessed channel77formed in cover50for providing structural support to container10. Alternatively, top surface51of cover50may be recessed to provide structural support. Lettering (not shown) on top surface51may also provide additional structural support. Recessed channel77functions to prevent outer base side walls28and inner base side walls29from being pushed inward away from cover side wall55, thereby preventing a deflection of the side walls and release of the indentations and protrusions. Further, in some embodiments, recessed channel77may extend to a depth that prevents deflection of outer base end wall36and inner base end wall37. The recessed channel77would function as an obstructive member that would prevent the container from opening via depression of flange45and deflection of walls36and37. This would essentially result in a container that must be destroyed in order to be opened. That is, if recessed channel77extends adjacent to aperture69of inner base end wall37, movement of inner base end wall37is hindered by recessed channel77. Therefore, post67is not released from apertures68and69and cover section50remains secured in a closed position over base section20.

As illustrated inFIGS.8and9, base section20is adapted to retain an object52such as a trapping mechanism for the trapping of rodents or other pests. Object52is retained against bottom surface31of base section20via a snap-in mechanism including a plurality of detents, each of which is indicated at53, and formed within the chamber25of base section20. Detents53are formed along inner base side walls28and inner base end walls35. The snap-in mechanism of base section20also includes a retaining rib73formed in bottom wall31of base section20. The snap-in mechanism including retaining detents53and retaining rib73is configured to prevent movement of object52within base section40.

Container10may also comprise one or more cut-out portions75formed on one or more of inner base side walls28, which may provide an entrance point for pests such as rodents. Cut-out portions75may be of any known shape including circular, rectangular, square, or the like. Base section20may also contain bait to lure rodents or other pests into container10by way of cut-out portions75.

Further embodiments may include fewer or more indentations and protrusions, such as packaging container110, as shown inFIGS.10-11. Packaging container110includes elements corresponding to those described with respect to container10and will not be repeated herein. However, packaging container110includes base120with outer base side walls136having a pair of indentations122and a single protrusion123. Similarly, cover section150includes protrusions163and a corresponding indentation162formed in cover side walls155for engaging with indentations and protrusions122and123of base120.

As discussed above, with respect to container10, when hinge152is activated in order to close lid150onto base section120, indentations and protrusions162,163of cover section150meet with indentations and protrusions132,133of base section120. Each indentation162of cover150fits into a corresponding protrusion133on base section150and each protrusion163of cover150fits into a corresponding indentation122of base section120. Thus, when cover150is closed onto base section120, protrusions132and162and indentations133and163form a zippered relationship between base section120and cover150when container110is in a closed state. Cover indentations and protrusions162,163and base indentations and protrusions132,133may have actuate side walls, but may also have straight walls. The degree of curvature is greater closer to outer base end walls136and cover end walls157(not shown inFIG.10or11). It should be understood that greater or fewer indentations and protrusions may be used.

The zippered relationship of indentations and protrusions132,133and162,163not only aids in maintaining cover150securely fastened onto base section120, it contributes to the overall strength of container110. That is, upon applying lateral pressure to section130b(not shown inFIG.10or11) of base section120, container110is not easily opened due to the function of the indentations and protrusions. Thus, the zippered relationship between base section120and cover150contributes to the overall tamper-proof qualities of container110.

An additional embodiment is shown inFIGS.12-17, wherein a packaging container210includes a base portion220and a separate cover portion250. Base section220includes a bottom surface231, first and second inner and outer base side walls.228and229, and first and second inner and outer base end walls.235and236, forming a chamber225. Outer base side walls229and outer base end walls236are spaced apart from inner base side walls228and inner base end walls237and extend only a portion of the height of inner base side walls228and inner base end walls237. Outer base side walls229and outer base end walls236may include a plurality of indentations232and protrusions233.

Packaging container210also includes a cover section250pivotally coupled to base section220. In particular, cover section250includes a top surface251having a recessed channel277, first and second side walls255, and first and second end walls257. Cover section250fits over base section220. Cover section250also includes a plurality of indentions262and protrusions263formed therein for engaging with indentions and protrusions232and233of base section220.

When cover section250is placed over base section220, indentations and protrusions262,263of cover section250meet with indentations and protrusions232,233of base section220. Each indentation262of cover250fits into a corresponding protrusion233on base section220and each protrusion263of cover250fits into a corresponding indentation222of base section220. Thus, when cover250is closed onto base section220, protrusions232and262and indentations233and263form a zippered relationship between base section220and cover250.

The zippered relationship of indentations and protrusions232,233and262,263not only aids in maintaining cover250securely fastened onto base section220, it contributes to the overall strength of container210. That is, upon applying lateral pressure to one or more of outer base side walls229, lid250is not released and container210is not easily opened due to the function of the zipper. Thus, the zippered relationship between base section220and cover250contributes to the overall tamper-proof qualities of container210.

A pair of closure and release mechanisms is also included in packaging container210. For the sake of brevity, only one closure and release mechanism will be discussed. As shown inFIGS.14and15, post267projects inwardly from cover end wall257. In one embodiment, post267includes an angled edge and a top edge. Post267is adapted to engage corresponding inner and outer apertures268and269of base section220. A peripheral flange270extends horizontally from a perimeter of cover section250such that, when packaging container210is in a closed position, peripheral flange270abuts a flange245of base section220. Peripheral flange270includes a cut out area271(not shown inFIG.14or15) to allow access for opening container210.

Laterally extending flange245is deformable such that when flange245is depressed adjacent to cut out area271, outer base end walls236and inner base end walls235move inwardly away from cover end wall257, thereby releasing post267from the apertures and opening packaging container210. Cut out area271provides unobstructed access for depressing deformable flange245for opening packaging container210.

As shown inFIGS.15and17, container210includes a recessed channel277for providing structural support to container210. Alternatively, top surface251may be recessed to provide structural support. Lettering (not shown) on top surface251may also provide additional structural support. Recessed channel277functions to prevent outer base side walls228and inner base side walls229from being pushed inward away from cover side wall255, thereby preventing a deflection of the side walls and release of the zipper. Further, in some embodiments, recessed channel277may extend to a depth that prevents deflection of outer base end wall236(not shown inFIG.16) and inner base end wall237(not shown inFIG.16). The recessed channel277would function as an obstructive member that would prevent the container from opening via depression of flange245and deflection of walls236and237. This would essentially result in a container that must be destroyed in order to be opened. That is, if recessed channel277extends adjacent to aperture269of inner base end wall237, movement of inner base end wall237is hindered by recessed channel277. Therefore, post267(not shown inFIG.16or17) is not released from apertures268and269(not shown inFIG.16or17) and cover section250remains secured in a closed position over base section220.

Although not shown, container210may be adapted to retain an object similar to container10. Corresponding detents and ribs may be included, as well as openings for pests.

Further embodiments may include fewer or more indentations and protrusions, such as packaging container310, as shown inFIGS.18-19. Packaging container310includes elements corresponding to those described with respect to container210and will not be repeated herein. However, packaging container310includes base320with outer base side walls336(not shown inFIG.18or19), having a pair of indentations322and a single protrusion323. Similarly, cover section350includes protrusions363and a corresponding indentation362formed in cover side walls355for engaging with indentations and protrusions322and323of base320.

As discussed above, with respect to container210, when cover350is placed onto base section320, indentations and protrusions362,363of cover section350meet with indentations and protrusions332,333of base section320. Each indentation362of cover350fits into a corresponding protrusion333on base section350and each protrusion363of cover350fits into a corresponding indentation322of base section320. Thus, when cover350is closed onto base section320, protrusions332and362and indentations333and363form a zippered relationship between base section320and cover350when container310is in a closed state. Cover indentations and protrusions362,363and base indentations and protrusions332,333may have actuate side walls, but may also have straight walls. It should be understood that greater or fewer indentations and protrusions may be used.

The zippered relationship of indentations and protrusions332,333and362,363not only aids in maintaining cover350securely fastened onto base section320, it contributes to the overall strength of container310. That is, upon applying lateral pressure to outer base side wall229, container310is not easily opened due to the function of the zipper. Thus, the zippered relationship between base section320and cover350contributes to the overall tamper-proof qualities of container310.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings, it is not limited to the embodiments and the drawings. It should be understood that various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the accompanying claims.