Abstract:
A storage container for holding a tape cassette which container is adapted for molding in a unitary structure of a thermoplastic material. The container includes an improved single latching arrangement incorporating integrally molded leaf springs. Also locking tabs are molded with the top or bottom wall which are adapted to engage corresponding apertures provided at each end of the spine of the container such that when opened the container does not open to a completely flat configuration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of containers and more particularly to an improved storage container for magnetic tape cassettes. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     As the use of cassettes to house reels of magnetic tape; (e.g. audio, video and computer), has expanded, a variety of containers have been developed to protect cassettes in storage transportation and handling. Typical of such prior art containers is that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,594 which issued to Bruce A. Hehn on Jan. 22, 1980. That container as well as others of the prior art exhibit several common deficiencies which are undesirable and make them cumbersome to use. 
     Generally the prior art containers include either fixed or moveable hubs for engaging the cassette reels and locating the cassette within the container. Such containers are also configured such that when opened, the outer surface is substantially flat. While such a configuration may be desirable for ease of molding, the containers are difficult for the user to handle when open. Prior containers also generally rely upon either a friction fit between the top and bottom or on cumbersome latching arrangements to hold the container closed. The user is thus required to use two hands to open and close the container. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     From the preceding discussion it will be understood that among the various objectives of the present invention are included the following: 
     the provision of a new and improved cassette storage container; 
     the provision of a container of the above-described character which is adapted to be molded as a unitary structure; 
     the provision of a container of the above-described character which eliminates the need for locating reel hubs; 
     the provision of a container of the above-described character which does not open to a flat configuration; and 
     the provision of a container of the above-described character having an improved latching arrangement. 
     These and other objectives of the present invention are efficiently achieved by providing an integrally molded structure having a first surface with opposed end walls and a side wall extending along one edge between said end walls. A hinged spine extending along the edge of the first surface opposite the side wall is hinged at its opposite edge to a second surface. A latch with integrally molded leaf springs is formed at the edge of the second surface opposite the spine. The latch is provided with stop tabs and the edge of the second surface opposite the spine has spring engaging means such that the latch may be rotated with respect to the second surface and locked into position with respect thereto and engages an aperture in the side wall of the first surface when the container is closed. 
     The foregoing as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the various views of the appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a container in accordance with the principles of the present invention as molded in a unitary structure; 
     FIG. 2 is an end view of the container shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a more detailed view of the container latch in its operating position; and 
     FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the container. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now to FIG. 1 there is shown in plan view a cassette storage container as it would appear upon removal from a mold. The entire container is adapted to be molded in a single piece of a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene or a copolymer. The view of FIG. 1 is of what in use will be the interior of the container. 
     A first substantially flat surface 10 is provided with opposed end walls 12 and 14 and a side wall 16. The wall depth corresponds to the thickness of the type of cassette the container is intended to accommodate. The wall 16 is provided with first and second locating tabs 68 and 70 as well as a strength rib 67 which is tied to the interior of wall 16 by ribs 69. This construction provides added structural rigidity to wall 16. 
     A spine 18 is molded to the edge of surface 10 opposite wall 16 and has tabs 20 and 22 molded at the ends. Each tab 20 and 22 is provided with an aperture 24 and 26 respectively. The spine 18 is connected to the edge of surface 10 by a so-called &#34;living hinge&#34; 25. 
     A second surface 28 is molded to the opposite edge of spine 18 also by a &#34;living hinge&#34; 29 and is provided with a lip 30 proximate its outer edges. The second surface 28 is of substantially the same overall dimensions as the first surface 10 and the lip 30 is dimensioned such as to fit within the walls 12, 14 and 16 on the first surface 10 when the container is closed. The lip 30 is in alignment with the tabs 20 and 22 on the spine 18 and has molded at the ends thereof upwardly extending members 32 and 34 each having an outwardly extending locking tab 36 and 38 respectively. Thus, when the second surface 28 is rotated about the living hinge 29 the locking tabs 36 and 38 engage the apertures 24 and 26 and retain the spine 18 at substantially a right angle with respect to the second surface 28. 
     A latch 40 is molded to the edge of second surface 28 via living hinge 42 and includes a touch plate 44 having first and second leaf springs 46 and 48 and stop tabs 50 and 52 molded at the ends thereof. A locking tab 54 is molded at the outer edge of touch plate 44. 
     The lip 30 is provided with first and second inwardly extending &#34;j&#34; shaped retainers 56 and 58 such that when the touch plate 44 is rotated inwardly about the living hinge 42 the leaf springs 46 and 48 engage the retainers 56 and 58 respectively and thus place outward pressure on the touch plate 44. The stop tabs 50 and 52 rest against the inner surface of lip 30 and serve to restrict the maximum outward movement of the touch plate 44. The retainers 56 and 58 are joined by a strength rib 57 to provide added rigidity. 
     The lip 30 is further provided with a plurality of locator tabs 60 to prevent a cassette or any exposed tape, from engaging the retainers 56 and 58. A plurality of locator cushions 62 may also be molded on the inner surface of lip 30. Particularly in the implementation of the present invention as a storage container for video cassettes, additional cassette locator tabs 64 may be molded on the second surface 28 to correspond to the smaller of the two popular size cassettes currently in production. To use the container for the larger size cassette the locator tabs 64 may be eliminated simply by placing inserts in the mold during fabrication. Thus a single molded container may be used to store either size cassette. 
     With reference to FIG. 2 there is shown an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 wherein like elements are identified by like reference characters. Additional features not shown in FIG. 1 are an aperture 66 disposed through wall 16 such that when the container is closed, the locking tab 54 snaps into engagement with the aperture 66 under the loading of leaf springs 46 and 48. Locating tabs 68 and 70 may be molded on the inner surface of wall 16 such as to engage the lip 30 when the container is closed. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a variation of the end tab 20 on spine 18. The tabs 20 may be formed slightly oversize at the end adjacent the living hinge 25 such that when the container is folded to the closed position it will tend to spring open when the latch is released. The container thus may be held in one hand while the touch-plate 44 is depressed and is self-opening. It will be noted, however, that due to the engagement of locking tab 26 with aperture 24 the spine 18 will not open from the surface 28. In this manner an edge is maintained making handling of the container while open easier than containers of the prior art which open to a fully flat configuration. 
     FIG. 3 is a more detailed view of the improved latch of the present invention in its operating position. As described hereinabove with respect to FIG. 1 the integrally molded leaf springs 46 and 48 engage the retainers 56 and 58 respectively and exert an outward pressure on the touch plate 44. Outward movement by the touch-plate 44 is restricted by the stop tabs 50 and 52 resting against the interior of lip 30. By depressing the touch plate 44 against the outward pressure of leaf springs 46 and 48 the locking tab 54 (FIG. 4) is caused to disengage the aperture 66 in wall 16 to open the container. When closed the outward pressure of the leaf springs 46 and 48 provides a secure engagement of the locking tab 54 with the aperture 66 thus preventing accidental opening of the container. 
     FIG. 4 is an edge elevation view of the container which more clearly illustrates the aperture 66 in wall 16 as well as the locating tabs 68 and 70, which are joined by a molded strength rib 67 tied to wall 16 by additional ribs 69. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the container of the present invention folded into its operating configuration and wherein previously described elements are identified by like reference characters. 
     From the foregoing description it will be understood that the applicants have provided a new and improved cassette storage container whereby the objectives set forth hereinabove are efficiently achieved. Since certain changes and modifications of the above-described invention will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the scope of the invention it is intended that all matter contained in the preceding description or shown in the appended drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense.