Abstract:
The invention is directed to a hinged container for packaging a variety of products. There is a base section having a plurality of side walls and a base. Hingedly attached to an upper surface of one sidewall is an upper section having a cross section similar to the cross section of the base section. An over lid is placed over the upper section. As the over lid is raised a portion of the interior of the over lid contacts at least one side wall of the upper section causing the upper section to open about the hinged connection with the base section.

Description:
[0001]    This is a conversion of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/367,739 filed Mar. 27, 2002. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention is directed to improvements in the field of containers and in particular lidded containers for packaging a large variety of products. The containers of the present invention may be used to package loose product, i.e., individual product items or it may be used as a second or outer package or shell for a package already containing product or intended to contain product.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    There are many types of packaging that are currently available. Depending on the product and other considerations such as shipping, advertising and promotion and other factors the packaging may be made of a flexible material or have a more rigid construction. The flexible material may be made of one or more flexible sheets that are selected for their properties. These properties may include oxygen or water vapor barriers and other considerations. More rigid containers may be used where the product needs to be protected such as during shipping, use or display. Rigid containers may be made of a variety of materials depending on cost, aesthetics and other factors.  
           [0004]    There are many products today that are delicate that require a container that will protect the contents from damage. This damage can arise during shipment, during display at a store or during use. One example of a product that is frequently packaged in a protective container is cigarettes and other tobacco products. There are traditionally two types of cigarette packaging. The first is soft and the product contained therein can be subject to crushing. This structure has a foil material which may have a paper backing that is positioned in proximity to the product to be packaged. Over the foil layer is usually a paper containing layer that is provided with product information such as the product&#39;s logo and other pertinent information. Finally there may be a plastic layer over the paper layer to protect the paper layer. The plastic layer is preferably a polypropylene film. As noted above, one of the problems with the packaging of this type is the inability of the packaging material to protect the product from damage.  
           [0005]    Another type of package that is frequently used in cigarette packaging is made from a paperboard material and is advertised as crush proof. This package will usually be provided with a foil containing layer adjacent the product. Over the container is placed the plastic sheet that is usually a polypropylene. The container is provided with a flip top lid that may be raised to access the product contained therein.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention is directed to an improved container that is preferably rigid. In one embodiment, the package is a container having generally rigid side walls. The term rigid as used herein is intended to distinguish the container from a bag or sack having flexible sides that do not readily retain their shape. The wall of the rigid container, however, may be flexible, i.e., bendable. Although there are many configurations possible for the packages of the present invention, the container will preferably have a base portion and one or more sidewalls extending from the base, usually upwardly. The container is provided with an opening for using or dispensing the product. The present invention is for an improved package or shell for protecting product. In addition, the present invention is directed to a package having generally rigid side walls that has a unique lid raising mechanism. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a view of the container of the present invention in its unassembled form.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a view of the lid of the present invention in its unassembled form.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective isometric view of the body and lid of a representative example of the container of the present invention where the lid and container are separated from each other, i.e., in un assembled form.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 is a perspective isometric view of the body and lid of a representative example of the container of the present invention where the tabs of the container and lid of FIG. 1 are folded for assembly as a unitary structure.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 is a perspective isometric view of the body and lid of a representative example of the container of the present invention where the lid and the container are assembled and the lid is in a closed position over the container.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 6 is a perspective isometric view of the body and lid of a representative example of the container of the present invention where the lid is slid upwardly to a slightly raised position over the container for opening.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 7 is a perspective isometric view of the body and lid of a representative example of the container of the present invention where the lid is hingedly open off the container.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 8 is a perspective isometric view of an alternative construction for the lid and container of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 9 is an alternate embodiment of the lid of FIG. 2.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 10 is an alternate embodiment of the base of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 shows a representative blank  10  that may be formed into the container of the present invention. This blank may be made of any suitable rigid material and may preferably be a paperboard sheet, a plastic sheet or a composite of the two. In one embodiment, the blank may be made up of a plurality of flexible sheets that have been laminated together to form a rigid sheet. The flexible sheets may include a barrier layer of polyvinylidene chloride an ethylene vinyl alcohol or other suitable barrier material as are well known in the art. The barrier layer usually has one or more additional layers on either side of the barrier layer. These layers may be made of a thermoplastic material such as a polyethylene or other material that may be extruded with the barrier material. There may also be an adhesive layer between the barrier layer and the thermoplastic layer. The thermoplastic layer is usually present because it is made of a material that may be heat sealed to itself or a similar material.  
         [0018]    As seen in FIG. 1, the container of the present invention has a blank  10  that has a first wall  11  and a second wall  12  as well as a first side wall  13  and a second side wall  14 . While the walls of the container are shown as rectangles, it will be appreciated that other shapes are possible. The blank is a sheet material usually a paper or plastic or combinations thereof of sufficient thickness so that it can be used, for example as a package or storage for products.  
         [0019]    First wall  11  is separated from first side wall  13  by score line  15 . Similarly, first wall  11  is separated from second side wall  14  by score line  16 . Score line  17  separates second wall  12  from second side wall  14 . Score line  18  separates second wall  12  from connection tab  19 . In forming the container of the present invention connection tab  19  is adhered to a surface of the first side wall  13  forming a four sided, generally rectangular container. The bottom of the container  10  may be formed from first bottom tab  20  and second bottom tab  21 . First bottom tab  20  is separated from first wall  11  by score line  22 . Second bottom tab  21  is separated from second wall  12  by score line  23 . One bottom tab is folded over onto the other bottom tab and secured together by a suitable means to form the bottom of the container. If desired wings may extend from the sides  20 A and  20 B of the bottom tab  20 . Alternatively, the wings may extend from the sides  21 A and  21 B of bottom tab  21 . The wings may be used to form a better seal at the bottom of the container if desired.  
         [0020]    Extending from the second wall  12  is first lid connecting tab  25 . First lid connecting tab  25  is separated from the second wall  12  by score line  24 . On the side of the first lid connecting tab  25  opposite score line  24  is score line  26  that connects first lid connecting tab  25  to second lid connecting tab  27 . Second lid connecting tab  27  has a first wing  28  and a second wing  29  opposite the first wing  28 . The first wing  28  is separated from the second lid connecting tab  27  by score line  30 . The second wing  29  is separated from the second lid connecting tab  27  by score line  31 .  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 depicts a representative blank that may be used for forming the lid of the present invention. The blank is a sheet material usually a paper or plastic. The blank may be made from the same material as blank  10  or from a different material. The lid  101  has a first lid face  102  and a second lid face  103 . The first and second lid faces are separated by a lid sidewall  104 . Between first lid face  102  and lid side wall  104  is score line  105 . Score line  106  separates second lid face  103  from lid side wall  104 . Extending from the first lid face  102  on the side opposite side wall  104  is tab  107 . Tab  107  and first lid face  102  are separated by score line  108 . Extending from the second lid face  103  on the side opposite side wall  104  is tab  109 . Tab  109  and second lid face  103  are separated by score line  110 .  
         [0022]    The top of the lid may be formed by first top tab  111  and second top tab  112 . The first top tab  111  extends from the first lid face  102 . Separating first lid face  102  and first top tab  111  is score line  113 . The second top tab  112  extends from the second lid face  103 . Separating second lid face  103  and second top tab  112  is score line  114 . On the side of the second lid face  103  opposite from the second top tab  112  is wing  115 . Wing  155  and the second lid face  103  are separated by score line  116 .  
         [0023]    The blanks  10  and  101  may be folded to form the container and the lid as seen in FIG. 3. The container of FIG. 3 has a base  20 , a front wall  11 , a rear wall  12  and a pair of side walls  13  and  14 . The side of the container opposite the base is open to permit placement of product or other items to be packaged in the container. Extending upwardly from the rear wall is a first lid connecting tab  25  and a second lid connecting tab  27 . The lid has a top surface, a front lid wall and a rear lid wall. The front and rear lid walls are separated by a pair of side walls. Extending from the front lid wall is a tab  115 .  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 depicts the container of FIG. 3 where the first lid connecting tab is generally an extension of the rear wall of the container. The second lid connecting tab is transverse to the first lid connecting tab and generally parallel to the base  20  of the container. The first wing  28  and the second wing  29  may be folded so that they are in generally the same plane as the side walls  13  and  14  of the container. Thus, an opening is formed by an edge of the first and second wings, an edge of the second lid connecting tab  27  and the top edge of the front wall of the container. In the lid as shown in FIG. 4 the top of the lid is formed by first top tab  111  and second top tab  112 . The first top tab  111  extends from the first lid face  102 . Separating first lid face  102  and first top tab  111  is score line  113 . The second top tab  112  extends from the second lid face  103 . Separating second lid face  103  and second top tab  112  is score line  114 . On the side of the second lid face  103  opposite from the second top tab  112  is wing  115  which is folded inwardly of the second lid face  103 .  
         [0025]    In FIG. 5, the lid is positioned over the container opening so that the container is in a closed configuration. As seen in FIG. 6, the lid is still in position over the container and has been raised in preparation for opening the container. In opening the container, the tab  115  contacts the second connecting tab  27 . As the lid is raised and moved upwardly off of the container, this contact of the tab  115  with the second connecting tab  27  lifts the second connecting tab  27  so that the tab  115  lifts the second connecting tab as the second connecting tab  27  rotates upwardly about first connecting tab  25 . Similarly, as the second connecting tab  27  rotates, the first connecting tab  25  rotates about score line  24 . This rotation of the first and second connecting tabs causes the lid to be lifted rearwardly from the container thus opening the container for use.  
         [0026]    Although the container and lid have been shown generally rectangular in shape, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any configuration can be used. These alternative configurations can include square containers, round containers, and other polygonal shapes as desired. In another embodiment, there can be a third connecting tab extending from the second connecting tab  27  (not shown).  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 8 shows a preferred embodiment of the container of the present invention which is particularly adapted for use as a container for cigarettes having a flip top lid.  
         [0028]    The present invention is particularly applicable as an over case for a flip top cigarette package. The cigarette package may be placed in the container and the lid of the case of the invention is positioned over the top of the cigarette package. Flap  115  is folded under the front face of the top of the cigarette case so that as the top of the case of the present invention is lifted, the top of the cigarette package is raised thus providing access to the contents of the package. One of the advantages of the present invention is that as the lid must be lifted upwardly first before the lid may be rotated about the score line.  
         [0029]    An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 shows a representative blank that may be used for forming the lid of the present invention. The blank is a sheet material usually a paper or plastic. The lid  201  has a first lid face  202  and a second lid face  103 . The first and second lid faces are separated by a lid sidewall  204 . Between first lid face  202  and lid side wall  204  is score line  205 . Score line  206  separates second lid face  203  from lid side wall  204 . Extending from the first lid face  202  on the side opposite side wall  204  is tab  207 . Tab  207  and first lid face  202  are separated by score line  208 . Extending from the second lid face  203  on the side opposite side wall  204  is tab  209 . Tab  209  and second lid face  203  are separated by score line  210 . Tabs  209  and  207  contact each other and form a surface for applying an adhering means to form a four sided figure, usually rectangular in configuration.  
         [0030]    The top of the lid may be formed by first top tab  211  and second top tab  212 . The first top tab  211  extends from the first lid face  202 . Separating first lid face  102  and first top tab  211  is score line  213 . The second top tab  212  extends from the top tab  211 . The first top tab folds about score line  213  to form a cover for the four sided lid. The second top tab is optional and may be used to better secure the first top tab in position and the second top tab folds about score line  214  and contacts the second lid face  203  in the area of edge  224 . On lid side wall  204  there is a tab  225  that extends from the lid side wall at score line  218 . Similarly, a second tab  226  extends from tab  207 . When the lid is formed into a four sided structure with a top, the tabs  225  and  226  are folded inwardly about their score lines  218  and  219 .  
         [0031]    As seen in FIG. 10, the container of the present invention has a blank  40  that has a first wall  41  and a second wall  42  as well as a first side wall  43  and a second side wall  44 . While the walls of the container are shown as rectangles, it will be appreciated that other shapes are possible. The blank is a sheet material usually a paper or plastic or combinations thereof of sufficient thickness so that it can be used, for example as a package or storage for products.  
         [0032]    First wall  41  is separated from first side wall  43  by score line  45 . Similarly, first wall  41  is separated from second side wall  44  by score line  46 . Score line  77  separates second wall  42  from second side wall  44 . Score line  48  separates second wall  42  from connection tab  49 . In forming the container of the present invention connection tab  49  is adhered to a surface of the first side wall  43  forming a four sided, generally rectangular container. The bottom of the container  40  may be formed from first bottom tab  50  and second bottom tab  51 . First bottom tab  50  is separated from first wall  41  by score line  52 . Second bottom tab  51  is separated from second wall  42  by score line  53 . One bottom tab is folded over onto the other bottom tab and secured together by a suitable means to form the bottom of the container. If desired wings may extend from the sides  50 A and  50 B of the bottom tab  50 . Alternatively, the wings may extend from the sides  51 A and  51 B of bottom tab  51 . The wings may be used to form a better seal at the bottom of the container if desired.  
         [0033]    Extending from the second wall  42  is first lid connecting tab  55 . First lid connecting tab  55  is separated from the second wall  42  by score line  54 . On the side of the first lid connecting tab  55  opposite score line  54  is score line  56  that connects first lid connecting tab  55  to second lid connecting tab  57 . Second lid connecting tab  57  has a wing  58  extending from the second lid connecting tab  57 . The wing  58  is separated from the second lid connecting tab  27  by score line  60 .  
         [0034]    Extending from connecting tab  55  is a first sidewall  61  and a second sidewall  62 . Sidewall  61  is separated from connecting tab  55  by a score line  63 . Sidewall  62  is separated from connecting tab  55  by score line  64 . Both sidewall  61  and sidewall  62  are provided with a arcuate tab  65  and  66 . These tabs are cut into the stock of the substrate but the material is not removed. Extending from sidewall  62  is connecting tab  67 . This connecting tab is only secured to the substrate by score line  68 . There is no connection between the connecting tab  67  and the first wall  41 . Similarly, there is no connection between the sidewall  62  and the wall  44  and the sidewall  61  and the wall  49 . Joining tab  68  extends from connecting tab  67  and is joined by score line  69 .  
         [0035]    The blank of FIG. 10 is formed by forming a generally rectangular base section by securing tabs  43  and  49 . The bottom of the base section may be formed by either one or both of bottom tabs  51  or  52 . Where either bottom tab  51  is used as the bottom of the base section, the tab  51  or  52  has a longer length and a tuck section or wing not shown to permit the tab to be removably secured to the base section. Tab sections  55  and  67  form a upper hinged rectangular portion over the base section. Tab  57  forms, a cover over the upper hinged rectangular portion. The lid is placed over the upper hinged rectangular portion so that tabs  65  and  66  interlock with tabs  225  and  226  so that the lid is retained on the upper hinged rectangular portion. In operation, the lid is raised so that the tabs  225  and  226  contact tabs  65  and  66 . As the lid is raised further, the upper hinged rectangular portion raises to permit access to the interior of the package.