Abstract: Described is a tray-shaped packing container, particularly for containing components of a combination tool system or the like. The packing container may at the same time be used as a storage container, and may be combined with further containers of similar construction to form a packing and storage unit. To this purpose, the sidewalls and bottom of the packing container are formed of a shape-retaining material, the outer surfaces of at least two opposite sidewalls being provided with locking means for engagement with connecting elements employed for interconnecting stacked packing containers of the same type. Adjacent the sidewalls the bottom of the container is formed with a circumferentially extending recess dimensioned to receive the free upper edges of the sidewalls of a subjacent container. The packing container is finally provided with a transparent cover, so that no further packing materials are required.

Abstract: A two-shelled container, such as a case, having shell portions hinged together by a band-shaped hinge joint attached in a form-locking manner. Each shell portion is adjacent and parallel to a support edge and a rib is provided having an undercut portion on its side facing away from the support edge. The hinge joint has two spaced, parallel, projecting holding rails with side surfaces that face toward each other and define mating undercut portions engaging the undercut portions provided on the two ribs. The distance between the mating undercut portions is dimensioned such that the hinge joint forces the shell portions into close contact along their support edges.