Compact Construction

Abstract

The invention contemplates a basic container structure in which a closure lid is caused to unlock and popup, in response to relative movement between a drawer and a frame; the container comprises essentially these three parts. The interconnection between moving parts is such that positive control is retained over lid positioning, and there is no rattling or play between parts. In the closed position of the lid, positive locking is achieved at widely spaced locations, assuring a clamped peripheral seal against loss of cosmetic or the like contents (e.g., powder) when not in use. Customizing effects for particular customers' unique appearance requirements are achieved by incorporation of a separate head for the drawer, through locking engagement to the basic construction; mold costs may thus be shared by a large number of customers, all except for the variations involved in particular head designs.

Description

COMPACT CONSTRUCTION

This invention relates to a container construction particularly adapted for use as a ladies' compact.

In the cosmetic-container business, the customers are cosmetic houses, and it is important to be able to supply to each customer a container construction which that customer can regard as unique, primarily with regard to external appearance, so that the customer's product or product line can be readily identified and recognized by the ultimate consuming public. The trend has been to use of injection-molded plastic parts, and there exists a demand for incorporation of mechanical features of sophistication in such containers. Both these factors, namely, (a) demand for mechanical features and (b) large variety of customer-design requirements, are inconsistent with mold costs that may be tolerably amortized in a given production run.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved construction of the character indicated, lending itself to use of a minimum number of injection-molded plastic parts and at the same time tolerably meeting the requirements for customer-design variety and mechanical sophistication.

Another object is to provide a basic container construction which incorporates the mechanical sophistication to complement the deluxe cosmetic products of a number of different customers and which at the same time lends itself to simple adaptation, for customized appearance purposes, to satisfy each customer that he is getting a different design container, unique to his own design or appearance requirements.

A specific object is to meet the above objects with a ladies' compact construction which is essentially all plastic.

Another specific object is to incorporate improved locking means to retain a compact in closed position.

It is a further specific object to provide a novel compact construction incorporating a mirror in unit-handling relation therewith.

It is also a specific object to provide a novel popup lid and mirror in a container of the character indicated.

It is a general object to meet the foregoing objects with mechanism which is free of slack or play between parts and which is simple and essentially foolproof in operation.

Other objects and various further features of novelty and invention will be pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In said drawings, which show, for illustrative purposes only, preferred forms of the invention:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are similar perspective views of a container of the invention, shown respectively in closed and in open condition;

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are similar views in side elevation, to respectively illustrate the closed-and-locked, the closed-and-unlocked, and the fully open relations of parts, a portion of the outer case being broken away and sectioned in order to reveal internal detail and coaction;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a basic drawer part of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the drawer of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are similar perspective views of different drawer heads to illustrate selective provision of a variety of custom appearance characterizing features in the final product;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternative case construction employing the drawer-assembly technique of FIGS. 6 and 8, shown just prior to full assembly;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further alternative drawer construction;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are alternative drawer heads for the construction of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the structure of FIG. 13.

Briefly stated, the invention contemplates a basic container structure in which a closure lid is caused to unlock and popup, in response to relative movement between a drawer and a frame; the container comprises essentially these three parts. The interconnection between moving parts is such that positive control is retained over lid positioning, and there is not rattling or play between parts. In the closed position of the lid, positive locking is achieved at widely spaced locations, assuring a clamped peripheral seal against loss of cosmetic or the like contents (e.g., powder) when not in use. Customizing effects for particular customers' unique appearance requirements are achieved by incorporation of a separate head for the drawer, through locking engagement to the basic construction; mold costs may thus be shared by a large number of customers, all except for the variations involved in particular head designs.

The invention is shown in application to a cosmetic compact, shown closed in FIG. 1 and open in FIG. 2. This container comprises essentially three parts, which may be injection-molded of high-impact polystyrene, namely a body or case frame 10, a drawer 11, and a closure lid 12. Inserted pins, as at 13, pivotally relate the lid 12 to the case 10 on a hinge axis 14 near the top surface and at the back end of the container. Suitably bored bosses 15 integral with the underside of lid 12 provide substantial body anchorage for press-fit permanent reception of the hinge pins, which are journaled in the respective sidewalls 16--17 of the case frame 10.

The case frame 10 integrally includes the sidewalls 16--17, a base or floor 18, and a backwall 19. The lid 12 integrally includes spaced depending brackets or arms 20--21 carrying cam elements (to be described) and providing stabilized location of the lid 12 on the hinge axis. At a location (22) offset from the hinge axis, the side edge of the lid 12 projects outwardly of brackets 20--21, for interference with the upper rear edges of sidewalls 16--17, to determine the limiting open position of lid 12. The swing of lid 12 to this open position is preferably substantially an obtuse angle, in the order of 100.degree., as shown. In lid-closed position, the side edges of the lid overstand the upper edges of the case sidewalls 16--17, which are shown reduced at an offset 23 which matches the lid offset 22. In FIG. 3, the back edge of the lid 12 is seen to be beveled at 24 for clean close fit with a similar undercut formation 24' (FIG. 5) at the adjacent edge of backwall 19; thus, when in lid-closed position the top surface of the lid may be flush with the adjacent top surface of the backwall 19, and the lid side edges may be flush with the sidewalls 16--17, as shown in FIG. 1. A mirror 25 may be secured by snap-fit, press-fit, adhesive or otherwise within an inwardly projecting frame or wall 26, also integrally formed with the underside of the lid 12.

The drawer element 11 comprises a bottom or floor 27 with integral upstanding walls 28-29-30-31 defining a cavity for the containment of cosmetic or like substance, with dauber, puff or other applicator as desired (not shown). The drawer is received within the volume between sidewalls 16--17 and may extend upwardly to an extent short of the top edges of walls 16--17, as shown. In lid-closed position, the mirror frame 26 registers with clearance, with the interior space of the drawer cavity and it may project slightly into this cavity to apply retaining pressure to a dauber or the like.

The drawer 11 and the adjacent surfaces of sidewalls 16--17 include elongated coacting guide means to limit drawer movement in a longitudinal alignment, between the closed and open positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Such guide means could comprise opposed upper ledges or rims on sidewalls 16--17 to define upper limits of guide grooves and to engage the top edges of drawer walls 28--30, relaying upon the base or floor 18 as the lower guiding limit of the grooves; in the preferred from shown, however, the elongated drawer-guide grooves, as at 32, are entirely formed in sidewalls 16--17, and they extend the full length to the backwall 19. Drawer stability is achieved by laterally piloting the back outer side surfaces of walls 28--30 on the inner surfaces of lid brackets 20--21; longitudinally removed from this location, like outwardly projecting blocks, as at 33 on wall 30, pilot on the adjacent surface of sidewalls 16--17. Further guide projections (34) integral with these blocks (33) extend within the adjacent guide groove 32. At the back end of the drawer, short brackets 35 carry laterally outwardly projecting studs 36 (FIG. 7) which also extend into guided relation with their adjacent guide grooves 32. The relative outward projection of these parts is delineated in FIG. 7, wherein the dimension D is seen to characterize the extent which achieves engagement in groove 32 in sidewall 17, and wherein the lesser dimension D' characterizes the offset which corresponds to the thickness of bracket 21 and which provides the surface of block 33 to pilot on the inner surface of sidewall 17.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, the projections 36 which track the guide grooves 32, for stabilizing the rear end of the drawer, also serve a cam follower function in connection with a cam formation, such as a slot, in the adjacent lid bracket 20--21. The cam is seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 to be characterized by a first or lid-actuating portion 37, extending generally radially with respect to the pivot axis 14, and by a second or lid-locking portion 38, extending generally parallel to the top surface of the lid; for simplified assembly, the slot 37--38 is open ended. The cam 37--38 may be termed double-acting, in the sense that linked coordination of lid and drawer elements is maintained for the substantial extent of their respective movements.

The coaction between parts will be better understood from a described cycle of operation, in connection with Beginning with 3, 4, and 5. Beginning with the closed container of FIG. 3, the follower 36 will be observed in the cam portion 38, wherein the fully closed position of the drawer serves (via follower 36) to gently force bracket 21 upwardly, to assure a lid-closing moment about pin 13 and a firm closure of the back edge fit at 24-24'. Initial drawer removal (to the FIG. 4 relationship) is achieved by grasping the head 39 at the forward exposed end of the drawer. The longitudinal displacement carries follower 36 along cam portion 38 to its juncture with the lid-actuating portion 37. This displacement may be termed a lost-motion phase, in the sense that there is no actuation of the lid, but in the course of this displacement the locking moment is relieved from brackets 20--21. This same displacement is also sufficient to clear the interlocked and sealed relation between a projecting bevel 40 along the outer lid edge and a similarly formed undercut edge or projection 41 on the head 39. Further displacement, by further withdrawing the drawer head 39, brings follower 36 along cam portion 37 to elevate lid 12 to the full-open position of FIG. 5, wherein the described interference occurs at offset 22. In the full-open position, the container may be held in the hand or may be placed on a table surface, for convenient mirror viewing; also the drawer contents have been conveniently brought forward, ahead of the lid, for ready access and use. To close the container, the head 39 is merely pressed inwardly, first to cam the lid 12 closed, and then to lock and seal the lid to the case, all in one easy and continuous operation.

To assure firm, easy and rattle-free operation, elongated friction ridges 42 are provided along the inner surfaces of sidewalls 16--17, beneath the grooves 32. These ridges establish light frictional interference with the brackets 20--21, particularly for lid-elevated positions; they provide similar coaction with the stabilizing blocks 33 of the drawer, particularly in the final-closure phase of drawer movement. Preferably, the offset of ridges 42 with respect to axis 14 is such that brackets 20--21 substantially ride off these ridges at the fully closed position, so that final cam action for locking may be substantially unimpaired by torsional drag at 42 about axis 14.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the head 39 may be formed as a separately molded piece, designed for a particular customer's unique external appearance requirements. This separate piece is selected from a variety of ornamental designs, including the head 39 (shown separately in FIG. 8) and the head 39' (shown separately in FIG. 9). Each of the heads 39-39' is integrally formed with the undercut locking edge which is ultimately to lock the outer edge of the lid 12 in closed position. Heads 39-39' are designed for locked assembly to the basic drawer shape, shown best in FIG. 6, wherein parts already described will be recognized. In the form shown, locked assembly is achieved at two spaced dovetail engagements, involving projecting dovetails 43--44 integral with the basic front wall of drawer 11. Dovetails 43--44 enter dovetail grooves or sockets 43--44' in the selected head 39 (or 39'). Final assembly involves inserting movement transverse to the axis of drawer movement and may be securely retained by suitable adhesive or by snap-action, as when detent projections (45) enter the corresponding detent sockets (45'). It is desired that no part of the basic drawer 11 (FIG. 6) be externally visible when the container is closed; for this reason, the inner bottom edge of the head 39 is stepped, notched or recessed at 46, to the extent of the depth of the dovetail sockets 43'--44', to mate with a corresponding projection 47 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 5) of the base 18 of the container case, as will be understood.

It will be seen that we have described an improved container meeting the stated objects and providing simple, positive and smooth action, fully securing the open and closed relationships. The container is readily assembled by (a) selecting a desired drawer head (39, 39') and preassembling the same to a basic drawer (FIG. 6), (b) selecting a lid 12 and entering followers 36 in the slots 37--38 before folding the lid flat over the drawer, (c) inserting the preassembled lid and drawer into the case 10 to align the pivot axis, and (d) driving the pins 3 to home position. Once assembled, the container may not be disassembled without its destruction.

If desired, optional decorative provision may be made at the backwall 19 in the manner described in connection with preassembly of a selected head 39 to the front drawer wall 31. Such assembly, as of a back head 49 to a basic case backwall 49, is illustrated in FIG. 10, at the instant just prior to achievement of the final position of the dovetail engagement; the assembly may involve a duplicate of the selected drawer head (39 or 39') to complete the unity of the customer's unique design requirements. It is noted that the same ledge 41 on head 39 which seals and secures the front edge of the closed lid 12 may similarly fit the back closed edge 24 of the lid when the head 39 is applied (as the back head 48) to the backwall 49.

FIG. 11 illustrates a still further alternative formation of the front wall 31' of the drawer 18' whereby the projection 50, for accommodating a selected one of a variety of decorative drawer-pull heads, is itself of such functional and decorative nature as to be attractively marketable without receiving a separate head. The front wall 31' overlaps all exposed adjacent edges of the body 16 and is shown integrally to include the undercut edge or projection 41' which is relied upon to overlap and retain the adjacent edge or lip 40' of the lid 12', when closed against the case body 16. The front wall 31' also includes an elongated pull element or projection 50 which extends substantially the full width dimension of the container, between lateral sides thereof. Decorative effects such as plural spaced intaglio panels 51 may be embodied in the front face of projection 50, shown slabbed off and flat. For plastic-molding purposes, and for another purpose which will be later explained, the height (or width) dimension W is preferably slightly tapered from a lesser width W.sub.1 at one lateral side to a greater width W.sub.2 at the opposite lateral side; this taper may be in the order of 0.004 inch/inch of length of projection 50, to achieve desired functional purposes without exhibiting noticeable appearance degradation due to departure from parallelism with respect to such rectilineal features as may otherwise characterize the drawer or container design.

FIG. 12 shows a first illustrative separate drawer head 52 suitable for assembly to the projection 50 of FIG. 11, to achieve a given customer's desired decorative effect for a container of the invention. The view of FIG. 12 is such as to directly reveal the elongated dovetail socket 53 which is formed upon molding the head 52. Socket 53 has the same taper as described for projection 51, resulting in the width W.sub.2 at the larger end, for firm continuous mated interlock upon assembly to projection 51. Such assembly is of course longitudinally telescoping, by inserting the small end (W.sub.1) of projection 51 into the large end (W.sub.2) of socket 53. The assembled parts may be permanently secured by a driving fit, or by the use of detents (as at 54) suitably registering with raised or less recessed parts (as at 55) of the outer face of dovetail 50, or by the use of a suitable adhesive at the interface between parts 50--52.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a further optional drawer-head or the like attachment having a prismatic body 56 formed along one face with a socket 53', which meets the description given for socket 53 of FIG. 12. The body 56 is provided with a bore 57 extending generally parallel to the dovetail axis and therefore transverse to the direction of drawer action; preferably, bore 57 terminates short of one end of body 56 so that body 56 may serve as a closure cap for an insert appliance such as a mascara or like applicator 58. Applicator 58 may be of the propel-repel-type, having a base operating handle 59 and an outer tubular sheath 60 to be grasped and relatively rotated, for selectively positioning cosmetic substance at and out the open end (left end, in the sense of FIG. 14) of applicator 58. For the particular configuration shown, the handle end 59 is cubic or rectangularly prismatic, and body 56 is similarly recessed at walls 61--62, so that when applicator 58 is returned to closed position, with shell 60 received in bore 57, the prismatic exterior of handle 59 complements and completes the overall appearance of the container design. To secure the applicator when not in use, the sheath 60 may be formed with small friction fingers or lugs or ribs projecting into interference-fit relation with the bore 57, but in the form shown we illustrate our preference for integrally providing wedging ridges 63--64 located on opposite sides of the horizontal plane through the axis of bore 57. Upon inserted assembly of applicator 58 to body 56, a flat side of handle 59 rides upon both ribs 63--64 at the same time, against reaction of sheath 60 sliding against the remote side of bore 57. It will be appreciated that the greatest retaining friction results upon full insertion, with retaining forces developed essentially at the plane of surface 61 and with a stabilized support (due to spaced footing at 63--64), which assures a clearance 65 of uniform appearance along the top, bottom and lateral side of the assembled applicator 58 and body 56. For the cubic handle 59 shown, this neat uniform appearance results upon assembly, regardless of the flat handle side which happens to engage ridges 63--64.

By orienting the slight taper of projection 50 in the manner described in FIG. 11 (i.e., small end at the right), consistent with the described direction of closure of applicator 58, the direction of closure force as retaining friction develops is the same as the direction of telescoping interlock at 50--53, thus assuring more secure retention of all assembled parts and minimizing the likelihood of inadvertent disassembly of body 56 from its drawer projection 50.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the preferred forms shown, it will be understood that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. In a container of the character indicated, a drawer element capacitated to contain cosmetic or the like material, a case frame comprising spaced connected parallel sidewalls spanning corresponding sides of said drawer element, guide means coacting between the adjacent corresponding sides of said drawer element and said sidewalls and determining telescoping movement therebetween, said case frame being open between said sidewalls in the region above said drawer element when in drawer-closed position, a lid element hinged to said case frame and sized to cover the material contained by said drawer element when said lid and drawer element are in closed position, said lid element being movable to an open position at substantially an obtuse angle with respect to the lid-closed position, and connecting means offset from the hinge axis and linking said lid element and said drawer element for coordinated drawer and lid motion.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein said lid element includes a mirror on the inner surface thereof.

3. The container of claim 2, in which friction means coacting between said case frame and said lid element is operative to retain the open position of said lid element and therefore the viewing angle of the mirror.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein said guide means includes an elongated groove on the inner surface of one of said sidewalls and a stud carried by said drawer element and projecting laterally into said groove, the alignment of said groove being offset from the hinge axis, said linking means comprising double-acting cam means carried by said lid element and coacting with said stud.

5. In a container of the character indicated, a plastic case frame comprising a base integrally connecting two spaced elongated upstanding sidewalls, and an upstanding backwall integrally connected to said base and to the back ends of said sidewalls; a plastic drawer with a bottom and surrounding upstanding walls defining a cavity for cosmetic substance, said drawer being receivable within the case frame volume defined by and between said sidewalls; guide means coacting between said drawer and said sidewalls for the guided selective longitudinal positioning of said drawer between a closed position substantially fully contained within said case frame and an open position displaced from said closed position; a lid element pivotally carried by said sidewalls near the upper edges of and near the back end of said sidewalls, said lid element being movable between a closed position over the drawer cavity and an open position at substantially an obtuse angle removed from closed position; the inner surfaces of the sidewalls of said case frame having like opposed elongated guide grooves offset below the pivot axis, the integral structure of said drawer including at the back end thereof like oppositely directed guide studs projecting into said grooves, and said sidewalls being in clearance relation with the adjacent drawer walls; and cam means including like flat slotted brackets carried by said lid element in the region of but offset from the pivot axis, the slots of said brackets engaging said studs in the said clearances between said drawer and said sidewalls.

6. The container of claim 5, in which at least one of said sidewalls includes an integral elongated fraction ridge in interference relation with the adjacent one of said brackets near the open position of said lid element.

7. The container of claim 5, in which at least one of said sidewalls includes an elongated friction ridge in interference relation with an adjacent part of said drawer near the closed position of said drawer.

8. The container of claim 7, in which said adjacent part of said drawer is an integral guide block spaced from said stud and locally substantially closing the said clearance, said block including a projecting guide element extending into the adjacent sidewall groove.

9. The container of claim 5, in which said lid element includes like outward projections overstanding said sidewalls at a location offset from the hinge axis and having interference with said sidewalls to determine the open position of said lid element.

10. The container of claim 5, in which said lid element and said drawer and said case frame are each integral plastic parts, and in which pin means pivotally connects the lid element and case frame.

11. The container of claim 9, in which said outward projections are side edges of said lid element extending continuously from said interference location to the radially outer limit of said lid element, said continuous side edges being contiguous to the adjacent upper edges of said sidewalls when in lid-closed position.

12. The container of claim 5, in which said cam means includes a lost-motion relation with said studs at the lid-closed position, said drawer being short of its fully closed position upon onset of said lost-motion relation, and locking means interengaging an outer part of said lid with a part of said drawer driving the closing movement of said drawer when in said lost-motion relation.

13. The container of claim 12, in which said interengaging locking means comprises (1) an undercut recess in the outer end of the drawer at the plane of said lid element when in closed position and (2) a mating projecting ledge on the outer edge of said lid element.

14. The container of claim 13, in which said interengaging locking means includes beveled surfaces extending substantially the container width.

15. The container of claim 5, in which the inner surface of said lid element includes an integral mirror frame, and a mirror carried within said frame.

16. The container of claim 12, in which the innner surface of said lid element includes an integral mirror frame, and a mirror carried within said frame, said mirror frame projecting from the undersurface of said lid element, and the positioning and dimensions of said frame being such as to extend within the drawer cavity with a longitudinal clearance with respect to the front wall of the drawer such that the mirror frame will not impair drawer operation throughout the lost-motion relation, whereby full closure of said drawer locks the lid-closed position with the mirror and its frame projected into the drawer cavity to retain a dauber or the like over the cosmetic substance in the drawer cavity.

17. The container of claim 5, in which said drawer additionally comprises a separate pull head for the front wall of said drawer, and interlocking means coacting between said head and said front wall for selectively assembling to said drawer a head of desired decorative configuration.

18. The container of claim 17, in which said interlocking means comprises two laterally spaced dovetails aligned for interlocking assembly of said drawer and head upon relative motion transverse to guided drawer displacement.

19. The container of claim 18, in which detent means coacting between said head and drawer retain the assembled dovetail engagement.

20. The container of claim 14, in which said drawer additionally comprises a separate pull head for the front wall of said drawer, and interlocking means coacting between said head and said front wall for selectively assembling to said drawer a head of desired decorative configuration, the part of said interengaging locking means which is carried by said drawer being formed as part of said head, whereby said head may be the only externally exposed part of the drawer in closed position.

21. The container of claim 20, in which said interlocking means comprises a single elongated dovetail and socket aligned for interlocking assembly of said drawer and head upon relative motion in the direction of the width dimension, between lateral sides of said drawer.

22. The container of claim 24, in which said dovetail and socket are characterized by a gradually tapering wedge interfit.

23. The container of claim 22, in which said pull head has an elongated bore generally parallel to the dovetail and socket alignment and open at one lateral side of said head, the open side of said bore facing away from the direction of movement for assembly of said interlocking means, whereby said bore is oriented to receive an insert appliance such that insertion to home position in the bore reacts on said head and container in the wedging direction of said interlocking means.

24. In a container of the character indicated, a drawer element capacitated to contain cosmetic or the like material, a case frame comprising spaced connected parallel sidewalls spanning corresponding sides of said drawer element, guide means coacting between adjacent corresponding sides of said drawer element and said sidewalls and determining telescoping movement therebetween, said case frame being open between said sidewalls in the region above said drawer element when in drawer-closed position, a lid element hinged to said case frame and sized to cover the material contained by said drawer element when said lid and drawer element are in closed position, and connecting means offset from the hinge axis and linking said lid element and said drawer element for coordinated drawer and lid motion, said connecting means comprising interengaging stud and slotted-arm means respectively carried by said elements, the slotted extent of said arm means including a motion-coordinating portion and a lid-locking portion contiguous thereto, said lid-locking portion extending substantially parallel to said lid when said lid is in closed position; whereby in a closing movement of said drawer element, said lid element is first returned from opened to closed position and is then locked in closed position by entry of said stud means into the lid-locking portion of said arm means.

25. A container according to claim 24, in which said slotted-arm means is carried by said lid element and said stud means is carried by said drawer element.

26. In a container of the character indicated, a drawer element capacitated to contain cosmetic or the like material, a case frame comprising spaced connected parallel sides of said drawer element, guide means coacting between adjacent corresponding sides of said drawer element and said sidewalls and determining telescoping movement therebetween, said case frame being open between said sidewalls in the region above said drawer element when in drawer-closed position, a lid element hinged to said case frame and sized to cover the material contained by said drawer element when said lid and drawer element are in closed position, and connecting means offset from the hinge axis and linking said lid element and said drawer element for coordinated drawer and lid motion, said connecting means comprising interengaging stud and slotted-arm means respectively carried by said members, the slotted extent of said arm means including a motion-coordinating portion and a lost-motion portion contiguous thereto and operative at the lid-closed position and prior to achievement of drawer closure, said lid and drawer having interengaging edges which align upon lid closure but prior to complete drawer closure, said lost-motion being of extent permitting said edges to interengage upon subsequent drawer actuation to full-closure position, whereby lid closure is retained by said edges.

27. A container according to claim 4, wherein said double-acting cam means includes a straight motion-determining portion that is generally radially extending with respect to the hinge axis, said straight portion being inclined to one side of a normal to the direction of drawer movement when in closed position and being inclined on the opposed side thereof when in open position, whereby cam action is at greater radius with respect to the hinge axis upon start and finish of lid movement and at lesser radius between start and finish of lid movement, thereby minimizing acceleration forces for coordinated lid and drawer operation.