Abstract:
A molded container and closure latch mechanism include a top portion and bottom portion which are connected by a hinge which biases the top away from the bottom unless the latch mechanism is engaged. The latch mechanism is pivotally connected to the top. It engages a molded contoured segment on the bottom to secure the container in a closed position. Anomalies on the top surface of the latch mechanism provide a convenience to the user in locating pressure points for opening and closing the container. A separator can be used internal to the container to create two separate compartments. In one adaptation the interior surface can include raised protrusions which permit contents such as a soap bar to be raised off from the surface. Other modifications too the interior can be effected to accommodate a wide variety of products. The containers can be provided in a grouping with relative dimensions suitable to store a wide variety of personal effects.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/684,705, filed May 26, 2005. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a one-piece container and closure including a specialized closure fastener which makes the container relatively easy to open and close, and a grouping of such containers having a similarly aesthetically pleasing and functionally advantageous shape. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   We are all constantly on the go. Whether it is to the office, or overnight or extended vacation, most of the time, one or more personal care items will also make the trip. We will be accompanied by one or more of the following: our eye-glasses, tooth brush, personal hygiene items, medicines, our own special soap, or the like, the assortment and quantity depending on the length of the trip away from home. 
   Various solutions exist. We may use a single pouch or overnight personal care kit into which we place the various personal items we plan to bring. This implies that our trip is at least overnight and obviously this type container is not appropriate for short, daytime trips from home. Further, individual items are oft times just placed in the carrying container with other personal care articles with minimal regard for the possible deleterious effect of one contacting another. Many times the carrying container is difficult to open or lacks a suitable closure fastener to keep it closed while in transit. 
   Various cases, containers and boxes have been developed that provide different solutions for the needs of the traveler. Representative examples are shown in the following United States Patents or published applications: 2005/0051454; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,926,135; 6,726,004; 5,351,818; 5,082,114; 5,035,319; 4,948,303; 3,709,538; 3,286,829; 2,797,015; 2,251,138; 1,358,540; and, RE 30,882. 
   It is therefore a principal object to provide a container which is molded in its entirety except for the closure mechanism which is separately molded and installed on the container. 
   It is a further object to provide an integral container which includes a top and bottom portion and plastic hinge between the two, which are molded together in one continuous piece. 
   It is still another object to provide a hinge member which is dimensioned to provide an inherent bias for urging the top portion away from the bottom portion when the closure member is released from the closed position. 
   It is yet another object of the invention to provide a means for generating an audible click when the container is opened or closed. 
   Towards the accomplishment of these and other objects and advantages which will become more apparent after a consideration of the accompanying drawings and the following description, there is disclosed a molded container which comprises a top portion having a front and rear edge and a bottom portion having a front and rear edge. The front and rear edges are coextensive with each other when the container is in a closed position. The top and bottom portions are joined by a hinge portion of predetermined thickness. The hinge portion connects together at least a portion of the coextensive rear edges of the top and bottom portions. The top and bottom portions and the hinge portion are molded together from a predetermined type of plastic to form an integral one-piece unit. A latch mechanism includes an arcuately shaped molded latch member which has a rearward portion and a front portion and includes pivot means and a latch engagement portion as molded. 
   Each of the top and bottom portions have respective partially arcuately shaped sections beginning at their respective front edge and extending back towards their respective rear edge. Each of the top and bottom portions further includes a respective molded recess area formed in their respective partially arcuately shaped section. The molded recess areas extend from the front edge of the respective top and bottom portions back towards the respective rear edges. 
   The molded recess area of the top portion includes molded complementing pivot means for providing a pivotal connection when engaged by the pivot means of the latch member. The molded recess area of the bottom portion includes a molded contoured segment of predetermined design so as to engage the latch engagement portion of the latch member when the front edge of the top portion is brought contiguous to the front edge of the bottom portion and an operator applies pressure to a portion of the latch member disposed between the pivotal connection and the front edge. 
   The latch engagement portion is disengaged from the molded contoured segment when an operator applies pressure to a second portion of the latch member disposed between the pivotal connection and the rear edge of the top portion. 
   The latch member is dimensioned and contoured to nest in the molded recess area at assembly. The latch member includes a top surface which is contoured so as to provide a continuous smooth surface with the respective partially arcuately shaped section of the top portion. 
   The top surface of the latch member can include at least one surface anomaly which typically is a depression or a raised portion. This is disposed on the top surface between the pivotal connection and the rear edge of the top portion. The surface anomaly is intended to facilitate the locating of a point on the top surface in the blind, so that the operator can apply pressure to thereby disengage the latch engagement portion from the molded contoured segment. 
   The top surface of the latch member may include a second anomaly other than the one used to open the container, which is disposed on the top surface between the pivotal connection and the front edge of the top portion so as to facilitate the locating of a point on the top surface where the operator can apply pressure to engage the latch engagement portion and the molded contoured segment when it is desired to close the container. 
   The hinge portion is dimensioned and adapted to have an inherent bias such that when the latch engagement portion is disengaged from the molded contoured segment, the inherent bias moves the top portion away from the bottom portion. 
   For certain usages the bottom portion of the container can have an interior surface which is molded to include a plurality of raised portions interior to the bottom portion which are arranged and adapted so as to support any contents, for example, a soap bar, within the container off from the interior surface. 
   Still for other uses, a separator member will be pivotally connected to a portion of the interior surface of the container. The separator member functions to provide at least two separate compartments interior to the container. The separator member typically, as molded, includes pivoting means for pivotally connecting the separator member to one or the other of the top or bottom portions to form the two separate compartments. The separator member includes means for disengaging the separator member from one or the other of the top or bottom portions to thereby permit access to contents contained in the sealed-off compartment. The respective volume of at least one of the two compartments can be subdivided into a plurality of smaller volumes by a corresponding number of partition members. 
   The rearward portion of the latch member and the molded recess area of the top portion can include complementing segments juxtaposed to each other and configured so as to result in an audible click when there is relative movement between the two as the latch mechanism is engaged during the opening and closing operations. 
   The molded containers can have varying respective lengths, heights and widths to accommodate different contents. 
   The interior of the molded containers can be modified to accommodate any number of products which may be placed therein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a grouping of containers as presently conceived, each of which embodies features of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an open one of the containers in the grouping of  FIG. 1 , shown in its application. 
       FIG. 3  depicts the embodiment of  FIG. 2  with the soap item removed. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second one of the grouping of  FIG. 1  which is useful as a tooth brush container. 
       FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , are perspective views of yet another one of the groupings of containers showing its usefulness for carrying a varied assortment of personal care items. 
       FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10  depict in respective perspective views, yet another of the grouping of personal care containers shown in  FIG. 1 , which is useful as presently contemplated as a medicine or jewelry carrier and including a further feature of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a depiction of the top cover portion of the container of the present invention with the latch member removed. 
       FIG. 12  is a front elevation view of one of the containers of  FIG. 1  showing the notched area in the top container portion as well as the latching groove in the bottom container portion, which engage the latch portion of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate the un-latching aspect of the present invention. 
       FIG. 15  depicts the latching operation to close and secure a container in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective side view of one container in accordance with the principles of the present invention, which illustrate the consequence of the living hinge feature of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 17A and 17B  are a side elevation view and top plan view respectively of one of the embodiments depicted in  FIG. 1 , shown with the latch closed. 
       FIG. 17C , is a sectional view along lines  17 C- 17 C of  FIG. 17B , depicting the relationship of the container and latch member when the latch is closed. 
       FIGS. 18   a  and  18 B are a side elevation and top plan view of the same container of  FIGS. 17A ,  17 B and  17 C, now shown when the latch portion of the invention has been opened. 
       FIG. 18C  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  18 C- 18 C of  FIG. 18B , showing the latch member of the present invention disengaged from the bottom container portion when the latch has been opened. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   In the following description, on occasion, the same reference numerals have been used to refer to an identical container or elements thereof which may appear in the various figures throughout. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , four, presently conceived adaptations of the present invention are shown. These include a soap dish,  30 , tooth brush holder,  32 , a general, personal effects container,  34 , and a pill or jewelry container,  36 . Of course, the general principles of the present invention can find application with other type containers for personal accessories as a perceived need is identified. Certainly any one of the cases identified herein can be used to house a host of different type personal care items. 
     FIGS. 2 and 3  depict the soap dish container  30  with a soap bar present or without, respectively. A container includes a top portion  38  and a bottom portion  40 . The bottom portion of the container is the area where a particular accessory, here a soap bar, is received before the case is closed. 
   Again, the following discussion is illustrative of all the cases depicted herein. The features specific to a particular application will be discussed in conjunction with that particular embodiment. 
   The bottom  40  includes a groove portion  42  defined by an upwardly extending perimeter wall  43 . This groove in the embodiment shown, extends on three sides of the bottom portion of the container and minor portions  44 A and  44 B extending partially along the edge  46  common with the top portion  38  of the container. Although depicted as extending slightly along that common edge  46 , the upwardly extending member  43  can likewise be molded to extend the full length of edge  46  so as to provide for a continuous groove,  42 , along the entire four sides of the bottom portion of the container. 
   The top portion  38 , is molded so as to include a raised portion  48  which complements the grooved portions  42 ,  44 A and  44 B of the bottom portion. Of course if groove  42  extends entirely around the four sides raised portion  48  would similarly be extended to complement the groove along the edge  46 . The raised portion  48  similarly defines a groove portion  49  which complements raised portion  43  of the bottom part of the container. The complementing segments of the top and bottom portion result in a tight and generally sealed closure between the top and bottom portions of the case. This is helpful to trap bothersome soap odors, for example, that might emanate from the case and/or liquid, such as water, that might come to be present therein during the case&#39;s usage. 
   The top portion  38  includes a molded recess  50 , more apparent in subsequent figures, to accept a latch member  52 . 
   The bottom portion  40  includes a molded recess  54 , which is configured to accept an engagement portion of the latch member  52 , again, better seen in the drawings described hereinafter. 
   Along edge  46 , the product is molded so as to include a hinge member, once again better seen in subsequent drawings, which is formed, during the molding process, with certain beneficial characteristics to be discussed hereinafter. 
   In the specific soap dish application depicted in  FIG. 3 , there are molded into the bottom portion  40  of the container raised portions  56 . These support the soap above the bottom surface of the bottom portion of the container so as to minimize the adherence of the soap bar, particularly when wet, to that bottom surface. This minimizes the accumulation of soap scum and facilitates the removal of the bar when necessary. 
   The top and bottom portions of any container are contoured to provide an aesthetic appearance, as well as to define an interior volume suitable, of course, to handle appropriately sized articles, as would typically be brought on a trip. 
     FIG. 4  depicts a tooth brush holder embodiment of the present container configuration. The tooth brush holding container  32  includes a molded recess  58  essentially identical to the recess  54  for the soap dish. Recess engaging portion  60  of the latch member  62  engages this recess  58  when the container is closed. Upwardly extending portion  64  extends around the perimeter of the lower portion  68  of the tooth brush holder to form a groove  66 . A complementing raised portion and groove in the top portion  69  of the container nests with portion  64  and groove  66  to, again, provide a relatively tight seal between the upper and lower portions of the container. 
   In  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , the personal accessory case of the proposed invention is shown with various items stored therein, including a razor  70 , eyeglasses  72  or various personal hygienic items  74 , including nail clippers, tweezers, scissors, nail file, cuticle tool, etc. This version has identical features to the earlier described embodiments except the raised portion  56  of the soap dish. 
     FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10  depict still another version of the improved case of the present invention. For purposes of discussion the case may be referred to as a pill case or a jewel case, although, obviously, these terms are not to be construed as limiting in terms of its possible applications. 
   In this adaptation of the basic case of the invention, bottom portion  76  includes a plurality of smaller compartments  78 . These compartments are defined by partition members such as  80  molded into the product so as to extend upward from the interior side (not readily seen) of the bottom portion  76 . The smaller compartments  78  are shown for illustration purposes as squarely configured. Obviously the molded shape can be as varied as desired with the compartments being identically configured or not. 
   The bottom portion  76  includes a molded recess  84  which engages portion  86  of latch member  88 . 
   Upwardly extending perimeter member  90  extends around the circumference of the bottom portion to form a groove  92 . As above, these complement corresponding perimeter and groove portions  94  and  96  in the top portion  98  of the container. 
   In this embodiment, a closure or separator member  99  is separately molded and during assembly engages the top portion  98  at pivot recesses  102  and  104 . Molded into the surface  106  is a finger recess  108  and extension  108 , configured so as to be suitable for gripping by one&#39;s fingers. This enables the user to lift the separating member  99  from its retentive engagement with the top portion  98  when it is desirable to access the compartment  111  disposed between the separating member  99  and the interior surface of the top portion of the case,  98 . The separating member  99  is also important to seal the compartments  78  so that the medicines or other items contained therein, are retained during transit. 
   Again,  FIG. 10  depicts the embodiment described in  FIGS. 8 and 9  wherein the user places various items of jewelry in the container to insure safe storage. 
   The discussion of  FIGS. 11 through 18C  although related to a particular case style, will be seen to have general application to the various case embodiments described above. The focus of the present discussion is directed to the configuration of the latch member and case and its engagement therewith; the technique with opening and closing the case, and, the formed, molded hinge which interconnects the top and bottom portions of the case. 
     FIG. 11  depicts the latch member  116  separated from the top portion  118  of the case. The top portion  118  includes a molded recess  120 , dimensionally configured to the shape and dimensions of the latch member  116 . When the latch member  116  is assembled to the top portion of the case, its top surface  117  ( FIG. 17C ) forms a smooth contour  121  ( FIG. 17A ) with the upper surface  122  of the case results when the case is latched. Recess  120  includes a pair of surface depressions  124  and  126 . These are positioned so as to engage protrusions  128  and  130  formed in the latch member  116  when the latter is molded. The latch member is joined to the top portion  118  by first inserting one of the protrusions, for example  128 , in its corresponding depression and then manipulating the latch member piece, bowing it to some extent, to allow the second protrusion, for example  130 , to engage its corresponding surface depression  126 . Depressions  124  and  126  in appearance are much like the surface depressions on a golf ball albeit, perhaps, slightly deeper. 
   In  FIG. 12 , and again in  FIG. 18C , a latch member engaging recess  132  is seen in the bottom portion  134  of the case. This recess will engage protrusion  136  of latch member  116  (best seen in  FIG. 17C ) when the case is closed. 
     FIG. 13  illustrates the procedure for opening the case when it is latched closed. The operator engages a raised portion  138  of the latch member  116  and pushes it inward. This causes the latch member  116  to pivot about points  124 ,  128  and  126 ,  130 , resulting in the disengagement of protrusion  136  from recess  132  and thus freeing the top portion  118  from the bottom portion  134 . If the operator then removes his finger from the raised portion  138 , the top portion will move away, slightly, from the bottom portion because of the bias inherent in the plastic hinge  142  formed between the top portion  118  and the bottom portion  134  during the molding process. This allows for the operator to easily open the case fully to allow access to the items within. 
   When it is time to close the case, the operator would bring the top portion  118  and the lower portion  134  together and apply finger pressure to point  144  on the latch member. Point  144  is disposed on the opposite side of the pivot  124 ,  128 ,  126 , and  130 , from the raised portion  138 . With the top and lower portions brought tightly together, by depressing the latch member at the point  144 , protrusion  136  reengages the recess  132  to once again establish a secure closure. 
   Although the protrusion  138  and location  144  are depicted as a raised and recessed segments, this only facilitates the opening of the container due to their respective locations on either side of the pivot point. This enables the user through a sense of touch alone to locate the appropriate point the operator must engage in order to get an open or close the container. It is to be understood that just applying finger pressure on either side of the pivot point in accordance with the above description, would be sufficient to open or close the case. 
   As noted above, the top portion and the bottom portion of the container are formed during an injection molding process employing polypropylene plastic material. Generally, for the various embodiments, the wall thickness of the top and bottom portions is typically in the range of 0.090 inches to 0.125 inches, although, obviously, other wall thicknesses can be employed. At the juncture between the upper portion and lower portion is the hinge member  142  which is approximately 0.01 inches at its thinnest point, furthest removed from the case, increasing in thickness to approximately 0.03 inches at its juncture with the respective upper and lower portions of the case. This thickness variation provides a bias which allows for the top portion to move away from the lower portion once the latch is opened thus providing easy access to the interior of the case. The latch member and the separator member for the pill case application are separately molded and the parts assembled to the upper case portion during the case assembly. 
   For purposes of display, the individual items can be held separately on a display rack using hang tags for each individual item. These can be secured to the individual case member by notching the upwardly extending perimeter portions such as  64  and its complementing segment in the top cover, to allow the hanging tag to be retained by the particular case when it is in its secured, closed position. Such a notch is shown at  146 A and  146 B in  FIG. 4 . 
   A further feature of the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 17C and 18C . It relies on the interaction of end  150  of latch member, for example  152 , and the indented segment  154  molded into the molded recess area  156 . 
   When the operator presses the raised portion  138 , downward, end  150  is first met with resistance from the juxtaposed portion  153  of the recess area  156 . When the end portion  150  reaches the indented segment  154 , the compression of the latch member is relieved. A similar effect, but in reverse, occurs when the recessed segment such as point  144  is pressed by the operator to reengage protrusion  136  and recess  132 . 
   Either activity results in an audible click. Apparently this is a desirable effect which enhances the marketability of the container. 
   Other embodiments and variations to the above described configurations will be apparent to those with skill in this area and the breadth of the invention is not to be construed as limited by the disclosed embodiments.