Hinged Container

Abstract

This invention relates to a container, having a cavity which is surrounded on all sides, comprising a hood-like top the walls of which end in outwardly projecting flanges and a base plate to the upper surface of which the top is fastened with the underside of said flanges, the container in the closed condition having end walls and partial side walls extending downwardly from said top and terminating in said outwardly projecting flanges, the pair of partial side walls bordering on the lateral edges of the same end wall extending parallel to each other in the same direction so that the pairs of partial side walls issuing from different end walls meet upon each other, each pair of partial side walls extending in the same plane having a common pivot point and open edges which form an angle with the upper edges of these partial side walls between about 90.degree. and 160.degree., and the base plate including two flat sections and having an overlapping zone formed by an overlapping arrangement of said two sections, the overlapping edge of the upper section extending vertically beneath a folding line in the top of the container.

Description

The present invent relates to a container having a cavity which is surrounded on all sides and can be made accessible, for filling with goods, by flipping the container open, and can be re-closed on hinges after the container has been filled or the goods removed.

The container according to the invention can be repeatedly opened and reclosed as often as desired.

In particular, the present invention relates to a container of the type mentioned in which a molded hollow body forming the container is composed of two components, viz. a molded top and a flat base plate. The top is in the form of a hood and the sides thereof end in outwardly projecting flanges surrounding it; the top is provided with a hinge. The molded hollow body, and thus the container, is formed by fastening the flanges of the hood-like top to the surface of the base plate in such a manner that a cavity is formed.

Containers formed by joining a hood-like molded top with flanges to a flat base plate are known under the designations "blister packs," "bubble packs," and "hood packs." In most cases, the hood-like component of the container consists of a plastic material and the flat base plate is normally made of cardboard provided on one surface thereof with a heat-sealable layer of polymer material.

For removal of the goods contained in known containers of this type, the hood is separated from the base plate by destroying the sealing bond between the base plate and the flanges of the hood. This means that the container is destroyed and cannot be used again.

Another known container of this type is opened by piercing a perforation in the base plate, so that part of the base plate can be removed. This container, too, cannot be closed again once it has been opened.

Further, a re-closable hood pack is known in which the hood and the base plate can be easily detached and joined again, because the base plate is in the form of a slide. However, with this known pack, two or three side walls of the hood must be bent around in such a manner that they form rails for holding and guiding the slide plate. Further, this container has the disadvantage that its mechanical strength decreases with increasing size of the container and/or increasing weight of the goods contained therein.

In the case of known containers of this type, special machines are required to join the two components of the container firmly to one another after the goods filled in have been placed upon the base plate thereof, so that the goods are surrounded on all sides by the two components of the container.

The present invention provides a container having a cavity which is surrounded on all sides and comprising a hood-like top whose sides end in outwardly projecting flanges and a base plate to the upper surface of which the top is fastened with the underside of its flanges. The top has a flat undivided upper surface or ceiling area from the circumference of which the end walls and the partial side walls extend downwardly and end in outwardly projecting flanges. The pair of partial side walls bordering on the lateral edges of the same end wall extend parallel to each other in the same direction, so that the partial side walls issuing from different end walls meet, each pair of partial side walls extending in the same plane having a common pivot point and open edges which form an angle between 90.degree. and 160.degree. with the upper edges of the partial side walls. In a preferred embodiment, two parallel partial side walls have open edges which form an angle of 90.degree. with their upper edges, whereas the other two partial side walls have open edges which form obtuse angles with their upper edges, preferably angles between 90.degree. and 140.degree.. In this embodiment, the folding line in the top and the overlapping edge of the overlapping section of the base plate extend parallel to and vertically above each other, and the overlapping section is attached to the flanges of those partial side walls the open edges of which form right angles with the upper edges of the top.

The base plate consists of two flat sections and has an overlapping zone formed by the overlapping arrangement of the two sections, the overlapping edge of the upper section extending vertically beneath the folding line in the top of the container.

The base plate is a substantially flat surface whose size is determined by the outer edges of the flange of the top. It comprises two planar sections of suitable material which are arranged in such a manner that a narrow overlapping zone is formed.

The planar sections forming the base plate of the container advantageously comprise cardboard provided on one surface with a heat-sealable layer, or of a thermoplastic film having at least one heat-sealable surface. In the latter case, it is of particular advantage to also produce the hood from a thermoplastic film.

The sides of the top comprise two opposed end walls of identical dimensions and four partial side walls, whose height is substantially the same and corresponds to that of the end walls. Each partial side wall adjoins the lateral edge of one of the end walls and forms an angle with the end wall. The two partial side walls adjoining the lateral edges of the same end wall preferably extend parallel to each other and the pairs of partial side walls issuing from opposed end walls meet each other. When the container is closed, the pairs of partial side walls thus extending in opposite directions join to form a continuous side wall of the top. The top of the container has two such continuous side walls which preferably extend parallel to each other at a distance which is determined by the width of the end walls. End walls and partial side walls of the container end in flanges which project horizontally outwardly.

All partial side walls form the same, preferably right, angle with the plane of the ceiling area. The lower edges of the end walls and the partial side walls are on the same level.

An end wall is that wall of the hood-like top which is bounded by two lateral edges. The upper and lower boundaries of the end wall are its upper and lower edges. An end wall has no open edge.

The upper edge of a side of the hood-like top is the line in which the ceiling area adjoins either one of the end walls or a partial side wall of the hood.

Similarly, the lower edge of a side of the hood-like top is the line in which either an end wall of a partial side wall border on the zone of the flange.

A partial side wall is bounded by its upper and lower edges, by an open edge, and by a lateral edge of an end wall.

The open edge of a partial side wall is that edge in which the side wall ends without bordering on another surface of the top.

The angle formed by the open edge of a partial side wall and its upper edge is in the range of 90.degree. to 160.degree.. In a preferred embodiment, two parallel partial side walls have open edges which form an angle of 90.degree. with their upper edges, whereas the other two partial side walls have open edges which form obtuse angles with their upper edges, preferably angles between 90.degree. and 140.degree.. Advantageously, each pair of partial side walls, i.e., those issuing from the same end wall, form the same angle.

The point of the hood-like top in which the open edge and the upper edge of a partial side wall meet will be designated as the pivot point. According to the invention, two partial side walls extending in the same plane have a common pivot point. Consequently, the top has two pivot points. The connecting line between these two pivot points is called the folding line; it extends parallel to the upper edges of the end walls.

The lower edges of the partial side walls of the top extending in the same plane may be as long as the corresponding upper edges of the same partial side walls. In this case, the open edges of the partial side walls are flush with each other. In a preferred embodiment of the hood-like top, however, the lower edges of a pair of parallel partial side walls opposite one another are longer than the upper edges appertaining to the same partial side walls. Further, an embodiment of the top is possible in which all partial side walls are shaped in this manner. When the upper and lower edges of a partial side wall are of different length, the open edge of this side wall extends obliquely downward from the upper edge and forms an obtuse angle with the upper edge. In this case, the open edge ends above the level of the flanges. The open edge of the thus prolonged partial side wall, the vertical line from the pivot point upon the flange, and that edge of the partial side wall which extends from the end of the open edge to the base of the vertical line, define an area which is designated as the overlapping area.

Advantageously, the lower boundary edge of the overlapping area describes a line which corresponds to an arc. The overlapping zone is thus in the shape of a circular sector whose radius corresponds to the vertical line from the pivot point to the level of the flange and whose center lies in the pivot point.

With the partial side walls of the hood-like top formed in the manner described, the inner surface of the overlapping area of one partial side wall is substantially in contact with the outer surface of the other partial side wall extending in the same plane, and when the latter partial side wall is also provided with an overlapping area, the outer surface of this overlapping area is substantially in contact with the inner surface of the first-mentioned partial side wall. Advantageously, the overlapping areas of the partial side walls are of such shape that their lower edges describe an arcuate line. This is necessary to facilitate opening and closing of the container.

Instead of an arcuate line, the overlapping area also may end in a straight lower edge. In this case, the overlapping area is in the shape of an isosceles triangle whose legs are the vertical line issuing from the pivot point and the open edge of the partial side wall. Consequently, the angle between the vertical line from the pivot point and the straight-lined lower edge must be the smaller, the greater the angle between the open edge of the overlapping area and the upper edge of the side wall.

The hood-like top may comprise any material that is of sufficient inherent stability, resiliency and flexibility; most advantageously, it consists of plastic material. Preferably, the hood-like top consists of a thermoplastic film of the above-mentioned characteristics and is manufactured by the thermoforming method. Thermoplastic films of modified polystyrene, of polyolefins, and in particular of polyvinyl chloride are preferred. Particularly advantageous for the manufacture of the top is a transparent, tough film based on polyvinyl chloride. A "tough film" is one which possesses at least the toughness of a film based on emulsion polyvinyl chloride.

The sections forming the base plate of the container are attached to the underside of the flanges of the top. In this arrangement, they enclose the cavity. The two sections forming the base plate of the container overlap in such a manner that the overlapping edge of the overlapping section extends vertically below the folding line or folding notch in the top, so that a rectangular overlapping zone is formed.

The ceiling area is advantageously provided with a straight-lined, notch-like depression extending along the folding line, so that bending of the ceiling area along said line, which acts as the folding axis, is facilitated.

The container according to the invention is formed by fastening the hood-like top to the base plate, i.e., the top is placed with its flange upon the upper surface of the base plate and is sufficiently firmly and permanently joined with it. The two parts may be combined in known manner, e.g., by stitching, sewing, or cementing. When the top consists of plastic material, in particular thermoplastic material, and the base plate consists of cardboard with a heat-sealable layer thereon or of the same plastic film as the top, it is of advantage for the parts to be firmly combined by heat-sealing or welding.

The flange of the overlapping area of the top is not fastened to the surface of the base plate. Therefore, this flange, which necessarily forms during the manufacture of the top from a planar film section by the thermoforming process, can be cut off.

The two sections forming the base plate are of such dimensions and are arranged in such a manner that opening and closing of the container is not impeded or prevented. In a preferred embodiment of the container, the two sections of the base plate are formed in such a manner that the section which is covered when the container is closed, ends in a tongue, and that the overlapping section of the base plate is provided with slots for receiving this tongue. By inserting the tongue into these slots, the two sections of the base plate are held together, so that unintentional opening of the container is avoided.

With the two sections of the base plate arranged as described, the straight folding line extending between the pivot points of the top is at right angles to the edges of the ceiling area. This folding line is also designated as the folding axis. In a preferred embodiment of the molded top, this folding line consists of a continuous or interrupted, notch- or groove-like depression in the film. This impressed line serves the purpose of facilitating opening and closing of the container, particularly when the top consists of relatively thick-walled material.

For filling the container or for removal of goods from the interior thereof, the hinged part of the container is flipped around the folding axis in the ceiling of the molded top in such a manner that the outer surfaces of the resulting partial ceiling areas approach each other. By this movement, a slot-like opening is formed between the overlapping edges of the two sections which form the base plate, the width of the opening depending upon how far the two connected sections of the ceiling area approach. Through the resulting opening, the goods may be filled into the filling space of the container or removed therefrom.

For reclosure of the container, the partial ceiling areas of the top which are at an angle to each other are pulled apart until a flat ceiling area is formed again. Of course, the container is also closed by folding it around the folding line or axis. For closing the container, the two pairs of partial side walls running parallel to each other at a distance corresponding to the width of the end walls must be approached until, as already described, the partial ceiling areas are in one plane again. This results in the above-described overlapping of the partial side walls.

In order to diminish the risk of an unintentional opening of the container, the two sections of the base plate may be fastened in the area of the overlapping zone by known means, such as adhesive tape.

The accompanying drawing shows one embodiment of the container according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of the container in the closed condition.

FIG. 2 shows a detail of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the container in the open condition.

Referring to FIG. 1, 1 designates the hood-like top of the container as a whole. 2 is the substantially flat base plate of the container, and 2a and 2b are overlapping flat sections of the base plate. Numerals 3a and 3b designate the end walls of the top. Numerals 4a and 4b designate two pairs of partial side walls, each of which is in one common plane and forms a continuous side wall of the molded top. Numerals 5a and 5b designate the upper edges of the partial side walls 4a and 4b. The partial side walls 4a and 4b are of the same height and are as high as the end walls 3a and 3b. Numeral 6 designates the lower edge of the partial side wall 4a, and 7 is the lower edge of the partial side wall 4b. The lower edges 6 and 7 border on the outwardly projecting flanges 8 and 9 of the partial side walls 4a and 4b. Numeral 10 designates the outwardly projecting flange of the end wall 3b. Numeral 11 designates the overlapping area of the partial side wall 4b. Numeral 12 designates the outwardly projecting flange of an arcuate lower edge of this overlapping area. Numeral 13 designates the open edge of the partial side wall 4b, and 14 is the open edge of the partial side wall 4a. Numeral 15 designates the end point of the open edge of the partial side wall 4b. Numeral 16 designates the area in which the overlapping area 11 of the partial side wall 4b overlaps the partial side wall 4a in such a manner that, within this area, the inner surface of the overlapping area 11 faces the outer surface of the partial side wall 4a and extends substantially parallel to and in close contact therewith. "Close contact" in this connection means either that the two surfaces touch each other over their entire surfaces, or that there is only a very narrow gap between them. Numeral 17 designates the undivided, flat ceiling area of the hood-like top. Numeral 17a designates a section of the undivided ceiling area, whose length is determined by the length of the upper edge 5a, and 17b is a section of the ceiling area whose length is determined by the length of the upper edge 5b. Numeral 18 designates the pivot points and 19 a folding line extending between the pivot points 18 in the ceiling area of the top and acting as folding axis. Numeral 20 designates the overlapping zone of sections 2a and 2b of the base plate, and 21 is the edge of the overlapping part of section 2a.

The intersection of the lower edge 7 with the vertical line extending from the pivot point 18 to said lower edge, is that point from which flange 9 is fastened to section 2b of the base plate. Beyond an imaginary line extending vertically below folding line 19, section 2b extends in the direction of the end wall by a distance which corresponds to the overlapping zone 20 of the two sections of the base plate.

In FIG. 2, the numerals 2 to 9, 11 to 16, and 18 to 21 have the same meaning as in FIG. 1, and 24 is the edge of the partial side wall 4a.

In FIG. 3, numeral 22 designates a tongue attached to section 2b of the base plate, and 23 is a slot in section 2a of the base plate designed to receive the tongue 22. The other numerals appearing in FIG. 3 have the same meaning as in FIG. 1.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a container having a cavity surrounded on all sides, and comprising a hood-like top portion having a planar upper surface, two end walls, and two continuous side walls formed by pairs of partial side walls, said side walls having common pivot points, each partial side wall bordering on the lateral edges of an end wall and each partial side wall having an open edge, the partial side walls and end wall ending in outwardly projecting flanges,

the improvement which comprises two partial side walls forming each of the continuous side walls of the hood, one of said partial side walls having an open edge forming an angle of 90.degree. with the upper edge of said partial side wall, and the open edge of the other partial side wall forming an obtuse angle with the upper edge of said partial side wall, the flanges of the end walls and of the partial side walls being attached to a base portion, said base portion including two flat sections and having an overlapping zone formed by an overlapping arrangement of said two sections.

2. A container according to claim 1, in which the open edges of one pair of partial side walls form an angle of 90.degree. with the upper edges of these side walls, and the open edges of the other pair of partial side walls form an angle between 90.degree. and 140.degree. with the upper edges of these latter side walls.

3. A container according to claim 1, in which the overlapping zones are without flanges.

4. A container according to claim 1, in which the overlapped section of the base plate is in the form of aa tongue within the area of its overlapping zone, and the overlapping section of the base plate is provided with corresponding slots in the area of its overlapping zone.

5. A container according to claim 1, in which the base plate consists of transparent, flexible, thermoplastic material.

6. A container according to claim 1, in which the top consists of transparent, flexible, polyvinyl chloride film.

7. A container according to claim 1, in which the two sections of the base plate consist of cardboard having a heat-sealable layer on the upper surfaces thereof.