Abstract:
A two piece storage container including a lid having a rectangular shape with sides and ends defining therebetween a recessed interior, the lid including a plurality of spaced apart lips extending from a selected end. A base corresponding generally in outline with the lid and including an equal plurality of upwardly projecting hinge supports which are located proximate to an associated end of the base arrayed in opposing and communicable fashion relative to the lips upon positioning of the lid over the base. The lips are angularly supported within said hinge supports in a first open rotated position and, upon being rotated to a closed position, capable of being linearly displaced against said hinge supports to lock said lid to said base.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to what is conventionally known as a hat box design. More specifically, the present invention discloses a two piece plasticized container with a lid and a base and which incorporates a novel interlocking arrangement established therebetween to permit the lid to be angularly supported upon the base in a first open configuration and, upon being rotated to a closed position, linearly displaced forwardly to establish a tactile and snap-shut configuration. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     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. 
     A first example of such an assembly is 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. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,505, issued to Jupille et al., teaches a plurality of stackable trays and methods for stacking the same. Each tray exhibits two side walls, each having a top channel along its top edge and a bottom channel along its bottom edge, each channel further having an inner and an outer channel wall, where the width of two adjacent top channel outer channel walls is less than the width of the bottom channel, whereby two such top channel walls may slide into a bottom channel of a stackable tray of like kind, and where the width of two adjacent bottom channel outer channel walls is less than the width of the top channel, whereby two such bottom channel walls may slide into a top channel of a stackable tray of like kind. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,410, issued to Fries et al., teaches a portable hat box for a brimmed hat having an upper member and a lower member. The upper member is pivotal relative to the lower member about a pivot axis and between closed and open positions. The members in the closed position completely enclose a hat chamber. Each of the members includes a platen surface. The lower member platen surface is substantially complementary in shape to the upper member platen surface. The platen surfaces are positioned adjacent to one another, having a substantially constant vertical clearance therebetween in the closed position, as well as being non-adjacent and obliquely related in the open position. 
     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,515, issued to Agostine, teaches a hat storage container wherein outer walls define a body and a bill, enclosing a space including a main body chamber and a bill-shaped container adapted to receiving a hat bill. The main body chamber is adapted to receive the main body portion of one or more corresponding billed hats. Preferably, the main body chamber is longer than the main body portions of the hats to be stored therein, whereby the main body chamber is adapted to receive a shingled array of a plurality of the hats; the bill-receiving chamber being adapted to receive the corresponding shingled array of bills. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a two piece 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 locking and upwardly arrayed support of a first volume defining 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 and further includes a plurality of spaced apart lips extending from a selected end. 
     The base corresponds generally in outline with the lid and includes an equal plurality of upwardly projecting hinge supports, these being located proximate to an associated end of the base arrayed in opposing and communicable fashion relative to the lips, upon positioning of the lid over the base. The spaced apart lips are angularly supported within the hinge supports in a first open rotated position and, upon rotating the lid to a closed position, the lips are further linearly displacing in a direction against the hinge supports, in order to lock the lid to the base. 
     Additional features include each of the lid and base further including a handle subset portion associated with further selected edges opposite those associated with the lip and hinge support, the subset portions mating upon rotating the lid to the closed position to define a carrying handle. The lips are further each configured to include an angled ramp portion, and upon which is situated an integrally formed superstructure. The base defined hinge supports each further include upwardly extending primary and succeeding secondary embossments, these overlaying a perimeter defined aperture formed upon a flat edge location, in order to both support the lid in its upwardly angled position as well as to effectuate a tactile and “snap shut” feel upon rotating the lid to the closed position and sliding inwardly against the base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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: 
         FIG. 1  is an assembled perspective view of the two piece container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the container as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the container design of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cutaway view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  and showing the respective points of engagement established between a first handle supporting end and a second hinged end; 
         FIG. 5  is a cutaway view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  and showing biasing engagement of a selected hinge location according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view illustrating, in exploded fashion, an interengagement of a hinged connection established by a lid and a base in the closed position; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial top plan view of a hinged portion associated with a lid and base in a laterally separated and pre-closing position; 
         FIG. 8  is a succeeding view to that shown in  FIG. 7  and illustrating the lid in a laterally translated, closed and locked position relative to the base; 
         FIG. 9  is a lineal cutaway view of a selected hinged arrangement established between a lid and base and illustrating a first centerline position of a lid inserting lip portion relative to a base receiving location and during upward rotation of the lid; 
         FIG. 10  is a succeeding lineal cutaway view illustrating the rearward displacement of the inserting lip centerline upon fully upward rotation of the lid to a stationary and supported upright position; and 
         FIG. 11  is a further cutaway view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 3  and illustrating the lengthwise extending and mating grooves established between the lid and base. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an assembled perspective view is illustrated at 10 of a two piece container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As previously described, the present invention discloses an improved item holding container assembly, typically a hat box configuration, and which in particular discloses an improved hinge construction (interlocking arrangement) established between a base and a separable lid, such that the lid is capable of being angularly supported upon the base in a first open configuration and, upon being rotated to a closed position, linearly displaced forwardly to establish a tactile and snap-shut configuration to permit the assembled item to be transported. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1  in combination with the exploded view of the container as shown in  FIG. 2 , the container includes a lid  12  and a 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. 
     In a preferred embodiment, each of the lid and base 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  and interconnecting ends  28  and  30 . 
     The lid  12  further includes a recessed interior surface  32  and the base  14  likewise includes a corresponding surface  34 . Each of the sides and ends of the lid  12  further include outer perimeter defining and flattened edges, these being referenced at  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42 . The sides and ends of the base  14  concurrently include outer perimeter defining and flattened edges, as respectively shown at  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50 , these opposing the corresponding edges  36 - 42  of the lid in the closed and slid/snap shut configuration as will be subsequently described. 
     The lid  12  further includes a plurality of extending lips, such as shown by end defined and spaced apart lips  52 ,  54 ,  56 , et seq. (see again  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). It is further understood that any plurality of lips can be employed ranging from two upwards, and in order to achieve the desired upward support and snap shut positions of the lid. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 6 , illustrating in partial perspective and exploded fashion, is an interengagement of a hinged connection established by a lid and a base in the closed position and which in particular illustrates additional features of selected lip  52  including an angled ramp portion  58  and upon which is situated an integrally formed superstructure  60 . The ramp portion  58  further includes a bottommost and substantially planar shaped layer  62  and an intermediate layer  64  exhibiting a progressively inwardly/downwardly angled layer formed upon the planar shaped layer  62  and in a direction away from the superstructure  60 . 
     The configuration illustrated in the partial illustration of  FIG. 6  is understood to apply to each of the other corresponding and spaced apart lips, a repetitive description of each being avoided for purposes of simplicity in the present description. As again referenced in  FIG. 6 , the lip support superstructure  60  further includes, as shown, a top, sides, and a downwardly/outwardly flared front (see in particular at  66 ) terminating in a top surface  68  of the intermediate layer  64 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the base  14  exhibits a like plurality hinge supports, see at  70 ,  72 ,  74 , et seq., each being interengageable with an associated lip  52 ,  54 ,  56 . Referencing the selected hinge support  70  referenced in the enlarged partial view of  FIG. 6 , each further includes an inwardly facing perimeter edge (hidden from view in  FIG. 6  but referenced at  76  in each of  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) defined in the corresponding flattened end edge  48 , this defining an aperture at that location. 
     Additional features corresponding to each of the hinge supports include a primary embossment  78  substantially overlaying the aperture  76  and including sloping edges connecting to the aperture defining perimeter in the flattened edge  48 , this further revealing an open and communicable edge  80  opposing and seating a selected lip. A secondary and angular embossment  82  projects upwardly from a location of the primary embossment  78  and seats a selected superstructure, e.g. that shown again at  60  for selected lip extending portion  52 , and in either the upwardly hinge supported or translated (snap-shut) configurations established between the lid  12  and base  14 . 
     Referring again to the several illustrations, including  FIG. 6 , the perimeter defined aperture  76  has a selected shape and size and defines a further widthwise projecting portion (see as shown by slot shaped portion defined by inner communicating edge  84  in  FIG. 6 ), this extending beyond the primary embossment  78  and contiguous with the open edge. A pair of lateral-most positioned primary embossments, see as best represented in  FIG. 7  at  84  for selected hinge support  70 , correspond to one corner edge location of the base end  48 , each further including a lengthened outermost edge, see at  84 . An associated planar shaped layer of an inserting lip edge, see as represented in each of  FIGS. 7 and 8  at  86 , includes a lateral tab seating within the lengthened edge  84  in the closed and linearly displaced position (see again in particular  FIG. 8 ). 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a top plan view of the assembled lid  12  and base and in particular showing a handle subset portion, see at  88  and  90  for lid  12  and base  14 , respectively, associated with further selected opposite end edges, see at  42  and  50 , opposite those associated with the interengageable lip  52 ,  54 ,  56  and hinge  70 ,  72  and  74  supports, the subset portions mating upon rotating the lid to the closed position and in order to collectively define a carrying handle. Referencing further  FIG. 4 , a cutaway view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  is shown which illustrates the respective points of engagement established between a first handle supporting end and a second hinged end. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a cutaway view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  and showing a biasing engagement of a selected hinge location, established between lip  54  and hinge support  72 , according to the present invention. In particular the seating arrangement is referenced in end cutaway and which is established between the inner surface of the primary hinge support embossment and the intermediate ramp layer of the corresponding and inserted lip. The illustration of  FIG. 5 , in cooperation with what is shown in the partial view of  FIG. 8 , illustrate the tactile and snap-shut fashion of the lid relative to the base in the overall illustration of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 9  is a lineal cutaway view of a selected hinged arrangement established between a lid and base, such as lip  52  and associated hinge  70  described in  FIG. 6 , and illustrating a first centerline position  92  of the lid inserting lip portion relative to the base receiving location, and such as during upward rotation of the lid.  FIG. 10  is a succeeding lineal cutaway view illustrating the rearward displacement of the inserting lip centerline, to location  94  upon fully upward rotation of the lid to a stationary and supported upright position. In this fashion, the lid  12  is maintained in the upright supported position relative to the base  14  and across a centerline established in crosswise extending fashion proximate the edge  48  of the base  14 . 
       FIG. 11  is a further cutaway view, taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 3 , and illustrating a lengthwise extending arrangement of mating grooves  96  and  98  established between the side edges, see for example at  36  and  44 , established between the lid  12  and base  14 . The grooves  96  and  98  can include either “U” shaped, “V” shaped or other cross-sectionally shaped mating grooves, these further defining lengthwise extending rails or recesses and which establish lengthwise extending and slidably interengaging portions associated with opposing and parallel disposed side edges of the base  14  and lid  12  and in order to facilitating sliding motion of the lid relative to the base, such as during locking thereto. 
     As best further illustrated in each of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one or more lengthwise extending and recessed exterior surfaces, see at  100 ,  102 ,  104 , et seq., are associated with the interior  32  of the lid and which constitute a plurality of parallel, spaced apart and lengthwise interengaging portions between individual container assemblies. Corresponding lengthwise extending and recessed exterior surfaces, see at  106  and in phantom at  108  in  FIG. 2 , are associated with the recessed base surface  34 , these further typically being provided as a pair of outermost and lengthwise interengaging portions which are selectively seatable within selected ones of the recessed lid surfaces  100 ,  102 ,  104 , further such that a lid of a first selected container may support thereupon a base of a second selected container. 
     An additional feature illustrated in the exploded view of  FIG. 2 , is a first pair of substantially circular and ramped embossments  110  and  112  projecting from edge surfaces of the base  14 , at locations along edge surface  50  and proximate its associated subset handle portion  90 . A second pair of substantially circular shaped recesses project from an opposing edge surface  42  of the lid  12  (only a first of which is shown at  114 , the second being hidden from view) and proximate its associated subset handle portion  90 , further such that the circular recesses seat within the opposing circular base embossments in the closed position. The circular embossments  110  and  112  and corresponding recesses (e.g. at  114 ) may be reversed in arrangement, and further are typically angled or tapered to assist in establishing the tactile snap shut arrangement of the lid when translated to the position shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Having now described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.