Patent ID: 8636168

Claim:
A container comprising: a. a first integrally formed shell member made of a fibrous plant material and comprising a first base having a top and bottom; a first continuous side wall having inside and outside surfaces and extending between a first end contiguous with the first base and a second end; and a first mating member comprising a continuous ledge extending between an inner edge proximate the second end of the side wall and an outer edge terminating in a lip extending from the outer edge of the ledge such that a portion of the side wall, the ledge and the lip form a first channel; and b. a second integrally formed shell member made of a fibrous plant material and comprising a second base having a top and bottom; a second contiguous side wall having inside and outside surfaces and extending between a first end contiguous with the second base and a second end; and a second mating member comprising a second continuous channel, said second channel defined at least in part by a first flange extending outwardly proximate the second end of the second contiguous side wall, a second flange extending from the first flange and a plurality of latching members extending between living hinges joining the latching members to the rest of the second mating member and engagement surfaces, wherein the latching members are pivotable about the living hinges between first and second positions, and wherein when the latching members are in their first position, the first mating member is insertable into and removable from the second channel of the second mating member such that when the first mating member is insertable into the second channel of the second mating member the first shell member and a second shell member form an enclosure, and wherein with the first mating member inserted into the second channel of the second mating member, pivoting the latching members from their first position to their second position causes the engagement surfaces of the latching members to enter the first channel, and, upon reaching the second position, be in over-center engagement with the outside surface of the side wall of the first shell member at a location within the first channel thereby latching the first shell member to the second shell member.