U.S. patent application number 10/211067 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-25 for slide open container.
Invention is credited to Nishimura, Kenichi.
Application Number | 20040055903 10/211067 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31990288 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040055903 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nishimura, Kenichi |
March 25, 2004 |
Slide open container
Abstract
A cover portion (6) is slidable between a closed position in
which it covers a holding space defined by a drawer portion (4).
Upwardly opening slots (22) in the side walls (14) of the drawer
portion (4) extend between front shoulders (26) and rear shoulders
(24). Each slot (22) receives a stop member (54) projecting
downwardly from the cover portion (6). Engagement of the stop
members (54) with the shoulders (24, 26) limits sliding movement of
the cover portion (6). A lock projection (30) extends laterally
outwardly from each side wall (14) of the drawer portion (4) and is
received into a corresponding recess (56) on the cover portion (6)
to releasably lock the cover portion (6) in its closed position.
The lock projections is are positioned in grooves (28), and the
recesses (56) are formed in longitudinally extending tongues (58).
The cover portion (6) is resilient, and an air-tight seal is formed
between each tongue (58) and the bottom of the groove (28) into
which it is received. The front end wall (16) of the drawer portion
(4) has a ramp surface (34) to assist the removal of articles from
the holding space.
Inventors: |
Nishimura, Kenichi;
(Osaka-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Joan H. Pauly
BARNARD & PAULY, P.S.
P.O. Box 58888
Seattle
WA
98138-1888
US
|
Family ID: |
31990288 |
Appl. No.: |
10/211067 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/1.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/08 20130101;
B65D 43/20 20130101; A45C 11/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/001.5 |
International
Class: |
A45C 013/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A slide open container comprising a drawer portion defining a
holding space for articles, and a cover portion slidable between a
closed position in which said cover portion at least substantially
covers said holding space, and an open position in which said space
is accessible to a user; said drawer portion having an outer side
surface with a lock projection extending laterally outwardly
therefrom, and said cover portion having a top wall and a side wall
with an inwardly facing recess positioned to receive said lock
projection when said cover portion is in said closed position, to
releasably lock said cover portion in said closed position; said
cover portion being sufficiently flexible to cause said side wall
of said cover portion to bend laterally outwardly when a user
presses on said top wall, to move said lock projection out of said
recess.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein said drawer portion has a
bottom surface with serrations formed thereon, said serrations
being positioned to be engaged by a first finger of a hand of a
user as the user presses on said top wall with another finger of
the same hand of the user and, with said other finger, slides said
cover portion toward said open position.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein said top wall has a convex
outer surface.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein said top wall has a convex
outer surface.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein said side wall of said cover
portion includes a lower edge portion having a longitudinally
extending tongue projecting laterally inwardly therefrom, and said
outer side surface of said drawer portion has a groove extending
therealong positioned to slidably receive said tongue as said cover
portion slides between said closed position and said open position;
said lock projection being positioned in said groove, and said
recess being formed in said tongue.
6. The container of claim 2, wherein said side wall of said cover
portion includes a lower edge portion having a longitudinally
extending tongue projecting laterally inwardly therefrom, and said
outer side surface of said drawer portion has a groove extending
therealong positioned to slidably receive said tongue as said cover
portion slides between said closed position and said open position;
said lock projection being positioned in said groove, and said
recess being formed in said tongue.
7. The container of claim 3, wherein said side wall of said cover
portion includes a lower edge portion having a longitudinally
extending tongue projecting laterally inwardly therefrom, and said
outer side surface of said drawer portion has a groove extending
therealong positioned to slidably receive said tongue as said cover
portion slides between said closed position and said open position;
said lock projection being positioned in said groove, and said
recess being formed in said tongue.
8. The container of claim 4, wherein said side wall of said cover
portion includes a lower edge portion having a longitudinally
extending tongue projecting laterally inwardly therefrom, and said
outer side surface of said drawer portion has a groove extending
therealong positioned to slidably receive said tongue as said cover
portion slides between said closed position and said open position;
said lock projection being positioned in said groove, and said
recess being formed in said tongue.
9. The container of claim 1, wherein said drawer portion has a side
wall that includes said outer side surface and an upper edge
portion, said upper edge portion having an upwardly opening slot
extending therealong from a front shoulder to a rear shoulder; and
said cover portion has a stop member projecting downwardly
therefrom and slidably received into said slot, engagement of said
stop member with said rear shoulder defining a limit of sliding
movement of said cover portion as said cover portion slides into
said open position.
10. The container of claim 2, wherein said drawer portion has a
side wall that includes said outer side surface and an upper edge
portion, said upper edge portion having an upwardly opening slot
extending therealong from a front shoulder to a rear shoulder; and
said cover portion has a stop member projecting downwardly
therefrom and slidably received into said slot, engagement of said
stop member with said rear shoulder defining a limit of sliding
movement of said cover portion as said cover portion slides into
said open position.
11. The container of claim 4, wherein said drawer portion has a
side wall that includes said outer side surface and an upper edge
portion, said upper edge portion having an upwardly opening slot
extending therealong from a front shoulder to a rear shoulder; and
said cover portion has a stop member projecting downwardly
therefrom and slidably received into said slot, engagement of said
stop member with said rear shoulder defining a limit of sliding
movement of said cover portion as said cover portion slides into
said open position.
12. The container of claim 5, wherein said drawer portion has a
side wall that includes said outer side surface and an upper edge
portion, said upper edge portion having an upwardly opening slot
extending therealong from a front shoulder to a rear shoulder; and
said cover portion has a stop member projecting downwardly
therefrom and slidably received into said slot, engagement of said
stop member with said rear shoulder defining a limit of sliding
movement of said cover portion as said cover portion slides into
said open position.
13. The container of claim 1, wherein said side wall of said cover
portion has an outer side surface with serrations formed thereon
and positioned to be engaged by a finger of a user.
14. The container of claim 1, wherein said drawer portion has a
bottom wall with an inner surface, an upper edge spaced above said
inner surface, and an end wall extending between said inner surface
and said upper edge; said end wall having a ramped configuration to
guide an article in said drawer portion upwardly and outwardly when
a user engages the article with a first finger of a hand of the
user and slides the article toward and against said end wall, to
enable the user to grip the article between the first finger and
another finger of the same hand of the user.
15. The container of claim 14, wherein said end wall has a ramp
surface that curves continuously from said inner surface to said
upper edge.
16. The container of claim 5, wherein said drawer portion has a
bottom wall with an inner surface, an upper edge spaced above said
inner surface, and an end wall extending between said inner surface
and said upper edge; said end wall having a ramped configuration to
guide an article in said drawer portion upwardly and outwardly when
a user engages the article with a first finger of a hand of the
user and slides the article toward and against said end wall, to
enable the user to grip the article between the first finger and
another finger of the same hand of the user.
17. The container of claim 9, wherein said drawer portion has a
bottom wall with an inner surface, an upper edge spaced above said
inner surface, and an end wall extending between said inner surface
and said upper edge; said end wall having a ramped configuration to
guide an article in said drawer portion upwardly and outwardly when
a user engages the article with a first finger of a hand of the
user and slides the article toward and against said end wall, to
enable the user to grip the article between the first finger and
another finger of the same hand of the user.
18. A slide open container comprising a drawer portion defining a
holding space for articles, and a cover portion slidable between a
closed position in which said cover portion at least substantially
covers said holding space, and an open position in which said space
is accessible to a user; said drawer portion having a side wall
that includes an upper edge portion, said upper edge portion having
an upwardly opening slot extending therealong from a front shoulder
to a rear shoulder; and said cover portion having a stop member
projecting downwardly therefrom and slidably received into said
slot, engagement of said stop member with said rear shoulder
defining a limit of sliding movement of said cover portion as said
cover portion slides into said open position.
19. The container of claim 18, wherein said side wall of said
drawer portion has an outer side surface with a lock projection
extending laterally outwardly therefrom, and said cover portion has
a side wall with an inwardly facing recess positioned to receive
said lock projection when said cover portion is in said closed
position, to releasably lock said cover portion in said closed
position.
20. The container of claim 19, wherein said side wall of said cover
portion includes a lower edge portion having a longitudinally
extending tongue projecting laterally inwardly therefrom, and said
outer side surface of said drawer portion has a groove extending
therealong positioned to slidably receive said tongue as said cover
portion slides between said closed position and said open position;
said lock projection being positioned in said groove, and said
recess being formed in said tongue.
21. The container of claim 18, wherein said drawer portion has a
bottom wall with an inner surface, an upper edge spaced above said
inner surface, and an end wall extending between said inner surface
and said upper edge; said end wall having a ramped configuration to
guide an article in said drawer portion upwardly and outwardly when
a user engages the article with a first finger of a hand of the
user and slides the article toward and against said end wall, to
enable the user to grip the article between the first finger and
another finger of the same hand of the user.
22. The container of claim 19, wherein said drawer portion has a
bottom wall with an inner surface, an upper edge spaced above said
inner surface, and an end wall extending between said inner surface
and said upper edge; said end wall having a ramped configuration to
guide an article in said drawer portion upwardly and outwardly when
a user engages the article with a first finger of a hand of the
user and slides the article toward and against said end wall, to
enable the user to grip the article between the first finger and
another finger of the same hand of the user.
23. The container of claim 20, wherein said drawer portion has a
bottom wall with an inner surface, an upper edge spaced above said
inner surface, and an end wall extending between said inner surface
and said upper edge; said end wall having a ramped configuration to
guide an article in said drawer portion upwardly and outwardly when
a user engages the article with a first finger of a hand of the
user and slides the article toward and against said end wall, to
enable the user to grip the article between the first finger and
another finger of the same hand of the user.
24. A slide open container comprising a drawer portion defining a
holding space for articles, and a cover portion slidable between a
closed position in which said cover portion at least substantially
covers said holding space, and an open position in which said space
is accessible to a user; one of said drawer portion and said cover
portion having a slot extending therealong from a front shoulder to
a rear shoulder; and the other of said drawer portion and said
cover portion having a stop member projecting therefrom and
slidably received into said slot, engagement of said stop member
with said front shoulder and said rear shoulder defining limits of
sliding movement of said cover portion as said cover portion slides
into said closed position and said open position, respectively.
25. The container of claim 24, wherein said drawer portion includes
a side wall having an outer side surface with a lock projection
extending laterally outwardly therefrom, and said cover portion has
a side wall with an inwardly facing recess positioned to receive
said lock projection when said cover portion is in said closed
position, to releasably lock said cover portion in said closed
position.
26. The container of claim 25, wherein said side wall of said cover
portion includes a lower edge portion having a longitudinally
extending tongue projecting laterally inwardly therefrom, and said
outer side surface of said drawer portion has a groove extending
therealong positioned to slidably receive said tongue as said cover
portion slides between said closed position and said open position;
said lock projection being positioned in said groove, and said
recess being formed in said tongue.
27. The container of claim 24, wherein said drawer portion has a
bottom wall with an inner surface, an upper edge spaced above said
inner surface, and an end wall extending between said inner surface
and said upper edge; said end wall having a ramped configuration to
guide an article in said drawer portion upwardly and outwardly when
a user engages the article with a first finger of a hand of the
user and slides the article toward and against said end wall, to
enable the user to grip the article between the first finger and
another finger of the same hand of the user.
28. A slide open container comprising a drawer portion defining a
holding space for articles, and a cover portion slidable between a
closed position in which said cover portion at least substantially
covers said holding space, and an open position in which said space
is accessible to a user; said drawer portion having opposite outer
side surfaces each with a lock projection extending laterally
outwardly therefrom, and said cover portion having a top wall and
opposite side walls each with an inwardly facing recess positioned
to receive a corresponding one of said lock projections when said
cover portion is in said closed position, to releasably lock said
cover portion in said closed position; said cover portion being
sufficiently flexible to cause said side walls of said cover
portion to bend laterally outwardly when a user presses on said top
wall, to move said lock projections out of said recesses; each said
side wall of said cover portion including a lower edge portion
having a longitudinally extending tongue projecting laterally
inwardly therefrom, and each said outer side surface of said drawer
portion having a groove extending therealong positioned to slidably
receive a corresponding one of said tongues as said cover portion
slides between said closed position and said open position; on each
said outer side surface, said lock projection being positioned in
said groove; on each said side wall, said recess being formed in
said tongue; and said grooves having bottoms positioned a first
distance apart, and said tongues being positioned a second distance
apart, said second distance being less than said first distance to
cause said tongues to contact said bottoms of said grooves with
sufficient pressure to form an air-tight seal therebetween.
29. The container of claim 28, wherein said cover portion is made
of a plastic material having a higher elasticity than said drawer
portion.
30. The container of claim 29, wherein said cover portion is made
of polypropylene, and said drawer portion is made of
polystyrene.
31. The container of claim 28, wherein said top wall has a convex
outer surface.
32. A slide open container comprising a drawer portion defining a
holding space for articles, and a cover portion slidable between a
closed position in which said cover portion at least substantially
covers said holding space, and an open position in which said space
is accessible to a user; said drawer portion having opposite outer
side surfaces, said cover portion having a top wall and opposite
side walls, and said cover portion being resiliently flexible to
cause said side walls of said cover portion to bend laterally
outwardly when a user presses on said top wall; each said side wall
of said cover portion including a lower edge portion having a
longitudinally extending tongue projecting laterally inwardly
therefrom, and each said outer side surface of said drawer portion
having a groove extending therealong positioned to slidably receive
a corresponding one of said tongues as said cover portion slides
between said closed position and said open position; and said
grooves having bottoms positioned a first distance apart, and said
tongues being positioned a second distance apart, said second
distance being less than said first distance to cause said tongues
to contact said bottoms of said grooves with sufficient pressure to
form an air-tight seal therebetween.
33. The container of claim 32, wherein said cover portion is made
of a plastic material having a higher elasticity than said drawer
portion.
34. The container of claim 33, wherein said cover portion is made
of polypropylene, and said drawer portion is made of
polystyrene.
35. The container of claim 32, wherein said top wall has a convex
outer surface.
36. A slide open container comprising a drawer portion defining a
holding space for articles, and a cover portion slidable between a
closed position in which said cover portion at least substantially
covers said holding space, and an open position in which said space
is accessible to a user; said drawer portion having a bottom wall
with an inner surface, an upper edge spaced above said inner
surface, and an end wall extending between said inner surface and
said upper edge; said end wall having a ramped configuration to
guide an article in said drawer portion upwardly and outwardly when
a user engages the article with a first finger of a hand of the
user and slides the article toward and against said end wall, to
enable the user to grip the article between the first finger and
another finger of the same hand of the user.
37. The container of claim 36, wherein said end wall has a ramp
surface that curves continuously from said inner surface to said
upper edge.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a slide open container for
articles and, more particularly, to such a container that has a
drawer portion and a cover portion slidable between a closed
position and an open position, sliding movement of said cover
portion being limited by engagement of a stop member projecting
into a slot and said cover portion being releasably locked into its
closed position by engagement of a lock projection on the drawer
portion in a recess formed on a sidewall of the cover portion.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] Breath mint strips in the form of tissue-thin film are
becoming increasingly popular. Because of the physical
characteristics of such strips, containers originally designed for
use with more conventional tablet-like breath mints generally do
not maximize the ease of use of the strips. A container which
reliably protects the strips from contamination but which easily
dispenses the strips is a desirable goal.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention provides a slide open container comprising a
drawer portion defining a holding space for articles, and a cover
portion. The cover portion is slidable between a closed position in
which the cover portion at least substantially covers the holding
space, and an open position in which said space is accessible to a
user.
[0004] According to an aspect of the invention, the drawer portion
has an outer side surface with a lock projection extending
laterally outwardly therefrom. The cover portion has a top wall and
a side wall. The side wall has an inwardly facing recess positioned
to receive the lock projection when the cover portion is in its
closed position, to releasably lock the cover portion in the closed
position. The cover portion is sufficiently flexible to cause the
side wall of the cover portion to bend laterally outwardly when a
user presses on the top wall of the cover portion, to move the lock
projection out of the recess.
[0005] A preferred feature of the invention is serrations formed on
a bottom surface of the drawer portion. The serrations are
positioned to be engaged by a first finger of a hand of a user as
the user presses on the top wall of the cover portion with another
finger of the same hand and, with said other finger, slides the
cover portion toward the open position. Another preferred feature
is serrations formed on an outer side surface of the side wall of
the cover portion. The serrations are positioned to be engaged by a
finger of a user. This helps the user maintain a grip on the cover
to assist sliding the cover between its open and closed
positions.
[0006] The desired flexibility of the cover portion may be provided
in various ways. In the preferred embodiment, the top wall has a
convex outer surface.
[0007] As used herein, the term "finger" includes all five digits
of the human hand, including the thumb.
[0008] The details of the structure of the lock projection and
recess and their positioning may also be varied. Preferably, the
side wall of the cover portion includes a lower edge portion having
a longitudinally extending tongue projecting laterally inwardly
therefrom. The outer side surface of the drawer portion has a
groove extending therealong. The groove is positioned to slidably
receive the tongue as the cover portion slides between its closed
and open positions. The lock projection is positioned in the
groove, and the recess is formed in the tongue.
[0009] A feature of the invention is a side wall of the drawer
portion that includes the outer side surface and an upper edge
portion. The upper edge portion has an upwardly opening slot
extending therealong from a front shoulder to a rear shoulder. The
cover portion has a stop member projecting downwardly therefrom and
slidably received into the slot. Engagement of the stop member with
the rear shoulder defines a limit of sliding movement of the cover
portion as the cover portion slides into the open position.
[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the container
has a ramped configuration to assist a user in removing an article
from the container. Containers with this feature include a drawer
portion having a bottom wall with an inner surface, an upper edge
spaced above the inner surface, and an end wall extending between
the inner surface and the upper edge. The end wall has a ramped
configuration to guide an article in the drawer portion upwardly
and outwardly when a user engages the article with a first finger
and slides the article toward and against the end wall. This
enables the user to grip the article between the first finger and
another finger of the same hand, to quickly and easily remove the
article from the container. In the preferred embodiment, the end
wall has a ramp surface that curves continuously from the inner
surface to the upper edge. Containers having the feature of a
ramped configuration are also preferably provided with the lock
projection/recess feature described above.
[0011] According to still another aspect of the invention, one of
the drawer portion and the cover portion has a slot extending
therealong from a front shoulder to a rear shoulder. The other of
the drawer portion and the cover portion has a stop member
projecting therefrom and slidably received into the slot.
Engagement of the stop member with the rear shoulder defines a
limit of sliding movement of the cover portion as the cover portion
slides into the open position. Preferably, engagement with the
front shoulder defines a limit of sliding movement as the cover
portion slides into the closed position.
[0012] The slot may be formed on either the cover portion or the
drawer portion. However, to help maximize the simplicity and
durability of the container, the slot preferably is formed on an
upper edge portion of a side wall of the drawer portion. The stop
member projects downwardly from the cover portion into the upwardly
opening slot.
[0013] The side wall of the drawer portion of a container
constructed in accordance with the last mentioned aspect of the
invention preferably has an outer side surface with a lock
projection extending laterally outwardly therefrom. The cover
portion has a side wall with an inwardly facing recess positioned
to receive the lock projection when the cover portion is in the
closed position, to releasably lock the cover portion in the closed
position. In the preferred configuration of the lock projection and
recess, the side wall of the cover portion includes a lower edge
portion having a longitudinally extending tongue projecting
laterally inwardly therefrom. The outer side surface of the drawer
portion has a groove extending therealong positioned to slidably
receive the tongue as the cover portion slides between the open and
closed positions. The lock projection is positioned in the groove,
and the recess is formed in the tongue.
[0014] Containers constructed according to this aspect of the
invention may also include a variety of preferred features. One
such feature is the ramped configuration discussed above.
[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the container
is provided with an air-tight seal. The drawer portion has opposite
outer side surfaces, and the cover portion has a top wall and
opposite side walls. The cover portion is resiliently flexible to
cause the side walls of the cover portion to bend laterally
outwardly when a user presses on the top wall. Each side wall of
the cover portion includes a lower edge portion having a
longitudinally extending tongue projecting laterally inwardly
therefrom. Each outer side surface of the drawer portion has a
groove extending therealong positioned to slidably receive a
corresponding one of the tongues as the cover portion slides
between the closed position and the open position. The grooves have
bottoms positioned a first distance apart, and the tongues are
positioned a second distance apart. The second distance is less
than the first distance to cause the tongues to contact the bottoms
of the grooves with sufficient pressure to form a air-tight seal
therebetween.
[0016] In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, a
container with the air-tight seal feature also includes the feature
of a lock projection on the drawer portion extending into a recess
on the cover portion. As described above, engagement of the lock
projection in the recess releasably locks the cover portion in the
closed position.
[0017] The material or materials from which the container is made
may be varied. Preferably, the cover portion made of a plastic
material having a higher elasticity than the drawer portion. The
currently most preferred materials are polypropylene for the cover
portion and polystyrene for the drawer portion.
[0018] These and other features and advantages will become apparent
from the detailed description of the invention that follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] In the drawings, like element designations refer to like
parts throughout, and:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view looking toward the top, one side,
and the front of the preferred embodiment of the container, with
the cover portion in a closed position.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the container shown in
FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the container shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the container shown in
FIGS. 1-3.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the container shown in FIGS.
1-4.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the container shown in FIGS.
1-5.
[0026] FIG. 7 is like FIG. 1 except that it shows the cover in an
open position.
[0027] FIG. 8 is like FIG. 7 except that it is taken looking toward
the bottom of the container.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line
9-9 in FIG. 6.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the
line 10-10 in FIG. 9.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary pictorial view of a front end
portion of the cover of the container shown in FIGS. 1-10, looking
toward the bottom of the cover portion.
[0031] FIG. 12 is a similar view of a front end portion of the
drawer portion of the container.
[0032] FIG. 13 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a front corner
portion of the container shown in FIGS. 1-6, illustrating the
releasably locking of the cover in the closed position.
[0033] FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the preferred
embodiment, with the cover portion shown in an open position and
the drawer portion shown in elevation.
[0034] FIG. 15 is like FIG. 14 except that foreground portions of
the drawer portion are cut away and removal of a film strip from
the drawer portion is illustrated.
[0035] FIG. 16 is like FIG. 6 except that it illustrates the
positioning of the side walls of the cover portion when a user is
pressing down on the top wall of the cover portion to release the
cover portion from its locked closed position.
[0036] FIG. 17 is an enlargement of FIG. 4 shown juxtaposed to FIG.
18 for purposes of comparison.
[0037] FIG. 18 is a front elevational view illustrating a user
grasping the container and pushing down on the top wall of the
cover portion to release the closed position locking of the cover
portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] The drawings show the presently preferred embodiment of the
invention. This embodiment is constructed in accordance with the
best mode of the invention currently known to the applicant. As
illustrated in FIG. 15, the container 2 is being used for storing
and dispensing breath strips W of the tissue-thin configuration
mentioned above. It is anticipated that the container of the
invention will be used primarily in connection with such edible
thin strips. However, it is intended to be understood that the
container of the invention may also be used to advantage for
storing and dispensing other types of articles, including but not
limited to pill-shaped articles.
[0039] The container 2 is a slide open container that includes a
drawer portion 4 and a cover portion 6. The drawer portion 4
defines a holding space for articles, such as the breath strips W
illustrated in FIG. 15. The cover portion 6 is slidable between a
closed position, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, and 10, and an
open position, illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, 14, and 15. In the closed
position, the cover portion 6 at least substantially covers the
holding space. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the cover
portion continuously extends over the entire drawer portion. In the
open position, the holding space is accessible to a user to allow
the user to remove articles from the holding space.
[0040] The drawer portion 4 includes a bottom wall 10, a back wall
12, opposite side walls 14, and a front wall 16. These walls
together define the holding space. Except for a short forward
portion 18, the width of the drawer portion 4 is essentially
constant. The forward portion 18 has an enlarged width. The bottom
surface of the forward portion 18 has ridges or serrations 20
formed thereon. The serrations 20 are positioned to be engaged by a
first finger of a user's hand as the user presses on the top wall
40 of the cover portion 6 with another finger of the same hand and,
with that other finger, slides the cover portion 6 toward its open
position. An outer rearwardly facing shoulder 32 is formed on each
side of the drawer portion 4 where the width of the drawer portion
4 increases to the enlarged width of the front portion 18.
[0041] The cover portion 6 includes a top wall 40, a rear wall 42,
and opposite side walls 46. A downwardly facing slot 44 is formed
in the rear wall 42. A user may engage the back wall 12 of the
drawer portion 4 by moving a finger through the slot 44 to enable
the user to push on the back wall 12 to assist in moving the drawer
portion 4 forwardly with respect to the cover portion 6 so that the
cover portion 6 moves towards its open position. Preferably,
serrations or ridges 48 are formed on the outer side surfaces of
the side walls 46 of the cover portion 6 near the rear of the cover
portion 6. The serrations 48 are positioned to be engaged by the
fingers of a user to allow the user to obtain a better grip on the
cover portion 6. The top wall 40 of the cover portion 6 extends all
the way along the top of the container 2 to the forward edge of the
drawer portion 4. The side walls 46 of the cover portion 6
terminate rearwardly of the front edge. Each side wall 46 has a
front end surface 50 that is at least closely adjacent to the outer
shoulder 32 on the corresponding side of the drawer portion 4 when
the cover portion 6 is in its closed position. A forward end
portion 52 of the top wall 40 projects forwardly from the
interfaces between the front end surfaces 50 and the top wall
40.
[0042] An important feature of the invention is a slot/stop member
arrangement to limit sliding movement of the cover portion 6 as the
cover portion 6 slides into its closed position and its open
position. One of the container portions 4, 6 has a slot 22
extending therealong from a front shoulder 26 to a rear shoulder
24. The other portion 4,6 has a stop member 54 projecting therefrom
and slidably received into the slot 22. In the illustrated
preferred embodiment, each side wall 14 of the drawer portion 4 has
an upper edge portion with an upwardly opening slot 22 extending
therealong from a front shoulder 26 to a rear shoulder 24. A
corresponding stop member 54 projects downwardly from the inner
surface of the top wall 40 of the cover portion 6 adjacent to the
inner surface of the corresponding side wall 46 of the cover
portion 6. The stop members 54 extend into their corresponding
slots 22 to define the limits of sliding movement of the cover
portion 6. Engagement of the stop members 54 with the rear
shoulders 24 limits rearward sliding movement of the cover portion
6 and prevents the cover portion 6 from being moved rearwardly
beyond its open position. In the closed position of the cover
portion 6, the projections 54 are at least closely adjacent to the
front shoulders 26. They preferably abut the shoulders 26.
[0043] Another important feature of the invention is a lock
projection/recess arrangement. The drawer portion 4 has an outer
side surface with a lock projection 30 extending laterally
outwardly therefrom. A side wall 46 of the cover portion 6 has an
inwardly facing recess 56 positioned to receive the lock projection
30 when the cover portion 6 is in its closed position. This
releasably locks the cover portion 6 in its closed position. See
FIGS. 6 and 13. The cover portion 6 is sufficiently flexible to
cause the side wall 46 of the cover portion 6 to bend laterally
outwardly when a user presses on the top wall 40, to move the lock
projection 30 out of the recess 56. Preferably, each side wall 14
of the drawer portion 4 has a lock projection 30 extending
laterally outwardly therefrom and each side wall 46 of the cover
portion 6 has a corresponding recess. To help provide the desired
flexibility, the top wall 40 preferably has a convex outer surface
that is at least partially flattened by a user pressing down on the
outer surface of the top wall 40. See FIG. 18. The flattening of
the top wall 40 bends at least the lower edges of the sidewalls 46
of the cover portion 6 laterally outwardly, to move the lock
projections 30 out of the corresponding recesses 56. The releasing
of the locking engagement is illustrated in FIGS. 16-18. To move
the cover portion 6 toward its open position, the user presses
downwardly and rearwardly on the top wall 40 of the cover portion
6.
[0044] In the preferred embodiment, each side wall 46 of the cover
portion 6 includes a lower edge portion having a longitudinally
extending tongue 58 projecting laterally inwardly therefrom. As can
be seen in FIG. 10, the tongue 58 extends along about 70 percent of
the length of the cover portion 6. The outer side surface of the
corresponding side wall 14 of the drawer portion 4 has a groove 28
extending therealong positioned to slidably received the tongue 58
as the cover portion 6 slides between its closed position and its
open position. The tongue 58 and groove 28 can best been seen in
FIGS. 11 and 12. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, the groove 28 has a
bottom 29, and the top wall of the groove 28 is preferably beveled.
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 14, each of the lock projections 30 is
positioned in the groove 28 in the corresponding side wall 14 of
the drawer portion 4 closely adjacent to the forward end of the
groove 28. Each recess 56 is formed in the corresponding tongue
58.
[0045] Another important feature of the invention is an air-tight
seal between the drawer portion 4 and the cover portion 6. The 5
bottoms 29 of the grooves 28 are positioned a first distance D
apart. This distance D is illustrated in FIG. 16. The tongues 58
are positioned a second distance apart that is less than the first
distance. This causes the tongues 58 to contact the bottoms 29 of
the grooves 28 with sufficient pressure to form an air-tight seal
therebetween. The cover portion 6 is resiliently flexible.
Preferably the cover portion 6 is made of a plastic material having
a higher elasticity than the drawer portion 4. In the currently
preferred embodiment, the cover portion 6 is made polypropylene,
and the drawer portion 4 is is made of polystyrene.
[0046] Another advantageous feature of the invention is a ramped
configuration that assists in the removal of articles from the
drawer portion 4. The bottom wall 10 of the drawer portion 4 has an
upwardly facing inner surface. An upper edge of the forward
enlarged width portion 18 of the drawer portion 4 is spaced above
the inner surface of the bottom wall 10. The front end wall 16 of
the drawer portion 4 extends between the inner surface and the
upper edge. The inner surface of the end wall 16 is a ramp surface
34 that extends between the bottom wall inner surface and the upper
edge. As can best be seen in FIGS. 10 and 15, the ramp surface
curves continuously from the inner surface to the upper edge. It
extends forwardly and upwardly from the wall that forms the outer
shoulder 32 to the forwardmost upper edge of the drawer portion
4.
[0047] FIG. 15 illustrates the manner in which the ramp surface 34
guides an article W in the drawer portion 4 upwardly and outwardly
when a user engages the article W with a finger and slides the
article W toward and against the end wall 16. Preferably, as the
user slides the article against the ramp surface 34 of the end wall
16, the user positions another finger of the same hand to grip the
article W between the finger sliding the article and the other
finger to easily remove the article from the drawer portion 4.
[0048] Although the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described herein, it is intended to be understood
by those skilled in the art that various modifications and
omissions in form and detail may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following
claims.
* * * * *