U.S. patent application number 11/531499 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-19 for container with lock and release mechanism.
Invention is credited to John A. Gelardi.
Application Number | 20070163911 11/531499 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37592446 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070163911 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gelardi; John A. |
July 19, 2007 |
Container With Lock And Release Mechanism
Abstract
A container includes an improved lock and release mechanism for
securing a top structure to a base structure. The base structure
and top structure are releasably secured together as a protrusion,
which extends from a front wall, and a groove, which is disposed in
a flexible portion of a front wall, engage one another. The
container further includes protrusions and recesses that align the
top and base structures and constrain the movement of the top and
base structures relative to one another in a sliding plane such
that the lock and release mechanism is not inadvertently released.
The flexible portion of the front wall can be displaced to
disengage the locking elements.
Inventors: |
Gelardi; John A.;
(Kennebunkport, ME) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION;ALEXANDRA B. URBAN,ESQ.
299 PARK AVENUE, 13TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10171
US
|
Family ID: |
37592446 |
Appl. No.: |
11/531499 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60716677 |
Sep 13, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/473 ;
206/486 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2251/105 20130101;
B65D 2251/1058 20130101; B65D 43/16 20130101; B65D 2251/1066
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/473 ;
206/486 |
International
Class: |
B65D 73/00 20060101
B65D073/00 |
Claims
1. A container, comprising: a first structure, comprising: a first
wall; and a first locking element; a second structure, comprising:
a second wall having a flexible portion; and a second locking
element; wherein said first structure can be releasably secured to
said second structure as said first wall is disposed to be adjacent
to said second wall and said first locking element engages said
second locking element; and wherein said first locking element can
be disengaged from said second locking element by displacing said
flexible portion of said second wall.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein a hinge connects said first
structure to said second structure.
3. The container of claim 1, further comprising means for
positioning said first structure with respect to said second
structure.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein said means for positioning
aligns said first wall with respect to said second wall in a first
plane.
5. The container of claim 4, wherein said means for positioning
constrains the movement of said first wall with respect to said
second wall in a second plane that is perpendicular to said first
plane.
6. The container of claim 3, said means for positioning comprising
an extension and a recess.
7. The container of claim 1, further comprising a push button that
facilitates displacing said flexible portion of said second
wall.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein said flexible portion of said
second wall is at least partially defined by a slot.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein said slot defines an upper
edge of said flexible portion of said second wall.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/716,677, filed Sep. 13, 2005, the entirety of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to containers, and
more specifically to containers that include a lock and release
mechanism.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A container that includes a lock and release mechanism is
desirable in many applications. The lock and release mechanism
keeps the container locked in a closed condition unless a release
mechanism is triggered to open the container. Thus, the container
provides child resistance or is otherwise not inadvertently opened
to allow access to the products contained therein.
[0004] Many of the previous lock and release mechanisms are overly
complex so as to require multiple parts and/or difficult
manufacturing processes. The additional costs associated with such
a lock and release mechanism can be substantial with respect to
high volume productions. In addition, certain of the previous lock
and release mechanisms can be manipulated to open the container
without properly triggering the release mechanism.
[0005] Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the
industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and
inadequacies. What is needed is a container that includes an
effective lock and release mechanism that is simple to use and easy
to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The various embodiments of the present invention overcome
the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a container with an
improved lock and release mechanism. The lock and release mechanism
includes locking elements for engaging one another such that a base
structure and a top structure of the container can be releasably
secured to one another. The lock and release mechanism further
includes a flexible portion of a wall that can be displaced to
disengage the locking elements from one another and open the
container. The flexible portion of the wall and the locking
elements are easily formed from plastic or other materials and are
integral to the top and base structures.
[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, a container includes a first
structure that includes a first wall and a first locking element.
The container also includes a second structure that includes a
second wall and a second locking element. The second wall has a
flexible portion that can be displaced. A free edge of the flexible
portion of the second wall is partially defined by a slot which
separates the flexible portion of the second wall from the second
structure. The first structure can be releasably secured to the
second structure to close the container as the first wall is
disposed to be adjacent to the second wall and the first locking
element engages the second locking element. The first and second
walls are substantially coplanar or otherwise aligned in a first
plane.
[0008] To open the container, the flexible portion of the second
wall is displaces to disengage the engaged locking elements and
release the first and second structures from one another. For
example, the second locking element can be disposed in the flexible
portion of the second wall so that the locking element is displaced
with the flexible portion of the second wall. The locking elements
can be any two elements that can engage one another when the first
wall of the first structure is properly aligned and adjacent to the
second wall of the second structure. Combinations of locking
elements include depressions, grooves, apertures, sockets, slots,
and the like that receive detents, protrusions, ledges, pegs,
extensions, and the like. Further, two or more protrusions can
engage one another.
[0009] In the exemplary embodiment, a groove is defined in the
flexible portion of the second wall that is positioned and
dimensioned to receive a protrusion that extends from the first
wall. However, in alternative embodiments, the flexible portion of
the second wall can include a protrusion that is positioned and
dimensioned to be received in a groove that is defined in the first
wall. In the exemplary embodiment, the second wall includes a
recessed portion that defines a ledge such that in the closed
position the end of the first wall abuts the ledge and the inside
surface of the first wall is in flat face contact with the outside
surface of the recessed portion of the second wall. This
arrangement facilitates positioning locking elements in relation to
one another. However, the ends of the first wall and the second
wall can abut one another. In either embodiment, the locking
elements are not limited to being defined in the first and second
walls but can rather extend from or be attached to the walls.
[0010] In the exemplary embodiment, the top and base structures of
the container are connected by a hinge. Specifically, the top and
base structures are hingedly connected to opposite ends of a hinge
panel. In certain embodiments, when the container is in a closed
condition, the hinge allows the top and base structures to move
relative to one another. Thereby, the top and base structures are
not necessarily properly aligned such that the locking elements
engage one another. In such embodiments, means for positioning the
first structure with respect to the second structure is provided to
properly align the first wall with respect to the second wall such
that the locking elements are positioned to engage one another.
Means for positioning the first structure with respect to the
second structure constrains the movement of the first structure
with respect to the second structure, for example, in a plane that
is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the aligned
first and second walls. Thereby, the container cannot be
manipulated to gain access to the contents of the container or
otherwise the lock and release mechanism cannot be inadvertently
released.
[0011] The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and
features of the present invention, which should be construed to be
merely illustrative of various potential applications of the
invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the
disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various
aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may
be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the
exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a
container according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in
an open condition.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a sectional perspective view of the container of
FIG. 1 in an open condition.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed
embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be
embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations
thereof. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used expansively
to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens,
models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and
some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of
particular components. In other instances, well-known components,
systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail to
avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific
structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and
as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention.
[0017] Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals
indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings
illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments
of a container that includes an improved lock and release
mechanism. Generally described, the container includes a base
structure and a top structure that are releasably secured together
as locking elements of each of the top structure and base structure
engage one another. The container further includes a flexible
portion of a wall that can be displaced to disengage the locking
elements.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of a
container 100 includes a top tray 110 and a base tray 112 that are
attached to an outer cover 114. In the exemplary embodiment, the
outer cover 114 is formed from paperboard and each of the trays
110, 112 are thermoformed or molded from plastic. However, in
alternative embodiments, the outer cover 114 and the trays 110, 112
can be formed from any suitable material to include, but not
limited to, cardboard, plastic, metal, paperboard, any combination
thereof, and the like. Further, the outer cover 114 and the trays
110, 112 can be attached or integral to one another.
[0019] The outer cover 114 includes top and base panels 116, 118
that are hingedly connected to a hinge panel 120 along fold lines,
122, 124, respectively. The top and base trays 110, 112 are
attached to the top and base panels 116, 118, respectively, such
that the base tray 112 is aligned with the top tray 110, as will be
further described below, when the container 100 is in a closed
condition, as shown in FIG. 1. Thereby, the top tray 110 and the
top panel 116 define a top structure S1, the base tray 112 and the
base panel 118 define a base structure S2, and the top and base
structures S1, S2 are connected by the hinge panel 120. It is to be
understood that the trays 110, 112 may be attached to the outer
cover 114 by any suitable means for attaching including, but not
limited to, glue or other adhesive, Velcro.RTM., mechanical
fasteners, chemical bonding, welding, any combination thereof, and
the like.
[0020] In the exemplary embodiment, each of the trays 110, 112 has
walls that are arranged to define a substantially rectangular shape
that corresponds to the rectangular shape of the panels 116, 118.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the top tray 110 includes side walls
126, 128, a front wall 130, and a back wall 132 that extend
substantially perpendicularly from a bottom wall 134. The side
walls 126, 128 are substantially perpendicular to the walls 130,
132. The base tray 112 includes side walls 136, 138, a front wall
140, and a back wall 142 that extend substantially perpendicularly
from a bottom wall 144. The side walls 136, 138 are substantially
perpendicular to walls 140, 142.
[0021] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the trays may
have a different number of walls and a different geometrical shape
than described above and remain within the scope of the invention.
In alternative embodiments, the trays can include any number of
walls that can be arranged to define the side or sides of various
geometric shapes including a circle, triangle, square, pentagon,
hexagon, and the like. In such embodiments, the top and base panels
can have the same shape as the top and base trays or can have a
shape that is different from that of the trays.
[0022] The side walls 136, 138 and the front wall 140 of the base
tray 112 are stepped to receive the side walls 126, 128 and the
front wall 130 of the top tray 110. Thereby, the top structure S1
and the base structure S2 are nested or otherwise receive one
another as the container 100 is in a closed condition. More
specifically, the walls 136, 138, 140 of the base tray 112 have an
at least partially recessed portion that defines a ledge 148. The
walls 126, 128, 130 of the top tray 110 extend to and abut the
ledge 148 when the container 100 is in a closed position. Further,
the inside surface each of the walls 126, 128, 130 of the top tray
110 is in a face contacting arrangement with the outside surface of
the recessed portion of each the walls 136, 138, 140 of the base
tray 112, respectively, to enclose contents (not shown) in the
container 100.
[0023] In the exemplary embodiment, each side wall 136, 138 of the
base tray 112 includes a recess 150 that receives a respective
extension 152, which protrudes from the inside surface of each side
wall 126, 128 of the top tray 110, to secure and align the trays
110, 112. The recesses 150 and the extensions 152 provide means for
positioning the top and base structures S1, S2 relative to one
another and constrain the movement of the top and base structures
S1, S2 relative to one another, as described in further detail
below.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the base tray 112 includes an
arrangement of receptacles 154 that are dimensioned and positioned
to contain and dispense the contents (not shown) of the container
100. The contents may be anything that can be disposed in a
receptacle 154 including, but not limited to, cosmetics, jewelry,
candy, medication, and pictures. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that the size, shape, and configuration of the
receptacles 154 are design choices that are dependent on the use
and contents. In alternative embodiments, the receptacles 154 may
be replaced or supplemented with means for receiving and/or
retaining an article or product including, but not limited to,
clips, ties, locks, covers, and elements included in molded trays
for receiving unique objects such as syringes or compact disks. In
addition, other features such as mirrors, images, graphics, and the
like can be attached to, printed on, or otherwise included with the
container 100 to provide aesthetic or functional value.
[0025] The trays 110, 112 include elements of a lock and release
mechanism for the container 100, best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In
the exemplary embodiment, the front wall 130 of the top tray 110
includes a hooked end or a protrusion 156 that is dimensioned and
positioned to be received in a groove 164 which is formed in the
front wall 140 of the base tray 112. The protrusion 156 extends
inwardly from the inside surface of the front wall 130 or otherwise
in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the inside
surface of the front wall 130. The groove 164 is defined in a
flexible portion 158 of the front wall 140.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the flexible portion 158 of the
front wall 140 is defined by a slot 160 that extends through the
base tray 112. The slot 160 defines the upper edge of the flexible
portion 158 of the front wall 140 and separates the upper edge of
the flexible portion 158 of the front wall 140 from the base tray
112 such that the flexible portion 158 of the front wall 140 can be
displaced. In the exemplary embodiment, the flexible portion 158 of
the front wall 140 includes a push button 162 to facilitate
displacing the flexible portion 158 of the front wall 140. The push
button 162 extends from the outside surface of the flexible portion
158 of the front wall 140.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the groove 164 receives the protrusion
156 to releasably secure the top structure S1 to the base structure
S2 and maintain the container 100 in a closed position. In the
closed position, the extensions 152 are received in the recesses
150 to align the top structure S1 with respect to the base
structure S2 and constrain the movement of the top structure S1
relative to the base structure S2 in a sliding plane that is
substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the aligned front
walls 130,140. In the exemplary embodiment, the sliding plane is
substantially parallel to the panels 116, 118 when the container
100 is in a closed condition. The extensions 152 and the recesses
150 thereby provide means for positioning the top structure S1 with
respect to the base structure S2 and constrain the movement of the
top structure S1 with respect to the base structure S2 such that
the groove 164 and the protrusion 156 are not inadvertently
disengaged. In alternative embodiments, a different combination of
elements, including those mentioned below, can provide means for
positioning and the elements are not necessarily located in the
side walls of each of the top and base structures S1, S2. Rather,
for example, opposing front walls, 130,140 can include an aperture
and a protrusion, respectively, that can engage one another to
provide means for securing the top structure S1 with respect to the
base structure S2.
[0028] The container 100 can be opened by pressing the push button
162 in the direction A to displace the flexible portion 158 of the
front wall 140 and thereby release protrusion 156 from the groove
164 such that the top structure S1 can rotate from the base
structure S2 in the direction B, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Specifically, as the push button 162 is pressed, the flexible
portion 158 flexes inward and the upper edge of the groove 164 is
disengaged from the upper edge of the protrusion 156.
[0029] It should be understood that, in alternative embodiments,
the elements of the lock and release mechanism can be disposed in
or extend from corresponding sidewalls of the container 100 or in
any wall or walls of an alternative embodiment of a container. In
other embodiments, the position of the elements of the lock and
release mechanism can be changed. For example, the positions of the
groove 164 and the protrusion 156 can be exchanged such that the
groove 164 is disposed in the inside surface of the front wall 130
and the protrusion 156 extends from the flexible portion 158 of the
front wall 140. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that any suitable combination of corresponding locking elements can
be substituted for the protrusion 156 and/or the groove 164
including, but not limited to, depressions, grooves, apertures,
sockets, slots, detents, protrusions, ledges, pegs, and
extensions.
[0030] The law does not require and it is economically prohibitive
to illustrate and teach every possible embodiment of the present
claims. Hence, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary
illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear
understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations,
modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described
embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All
such variations, modifications, and combinations are included
herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following
claims.
* * * * *