Abstract: A reclosable dispenser package of thin flexible thermoformed plastic material and method of manufacture is disclosed, the package including a base with peripheral edges and a cover thermoformed from a sheet of plastic which includes a cover wall with a dispensing opening therein defined by an inner margin, peripheral edges which are joined to the peripheral edges of the base so that the cover is closed upon and substantially covers the base, and a tubular lid integrally hinged to the cover at a hinge line forming a portion of the inner margin. The tubular lid includes an upper lid wall, a lower wall, and a forward surface. The cover wall further includes an arresting platform on which the tubular lid rests when in its closed position. The tubular lid pivots around the hinge line to open and close the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A reclosable plastic container is formed having a cover hingedly attached to a base and having an interlocking structure such that the cover is held on the base when the container is closed. Release tabs are formed on each of the cover and base adjacent one another and having camming surfaces on each tab which extend therefrom toward the other tab. The camming surfaces on the tabs intersect in a fulcrum such that when the user presses the tabs together, the tabs rotate about the fulcrum to pull the cover and base apart. The camming surface on each tab may be formed as a ridge formed integrally with the tab. Reinforcing ridges, extending away from the plane of the tab in a direction opposite to that of the camming surfaces, are also preferably formed in the tab to provide structural rigidity so that the tabs do not substantially bend or flex when they are pressed by the user. The tabs allow a securely closed container to be easily opened by one hand of the user.

Abstract: A reclosable container formed from thin, flexible thermoformed plastic material. The container has a base and a domed lid joined together by an integral hinge. The relatively flexible container base is stiffened and made rigid only when the lid is inserted into the container base. The lid and the engaged base are strengthened by rims which are provided about the periphery of the lid. Portions of the lid are flared to engage the sides of the base. When the container is closed, the base and the flared portions of the lid provide an essentially non-protruding and smooth label bridge to which a label may be applied without creating a significant gap between the label and the closed container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for holding and feeding a continuous sheet (12) of plastic in an operation such as thermoforming. Articulations (13), such as alternating waveforms, are formed on the edges of the plastic sheet (12) by heating and pressing the edges, producing inwardly facing abutment surface at the edges of the sheet. The sheet is then passed into slots (34) in guide rails (32) with the inside surfaces (35) of the guide rails (32) engaging the abutment surfaces on the plastic sheet (12) to prevent the sheet from slipping out of the guide rails. The plastic sheet is thereby held firmly so that it can be passed through such thermoforming operations as heating in an oven (14), forming with a mold at a forming station (40), and cutting the formed articles away from the remainder of the sheet by a trim press (53).

Abstract: A unitary nestable reclosable container is formed from a thin-walled clear flexible plastic or the like and includes a box-like base forming a receptacle for screws, bolts, etc. A lid is integrally joined to the base by a hinge and includes a peripheral groove having walls releasably engaging substantially planar side walls of the base for providing a sturdy closure. The peripheral groove further provides a wall which releasably locks with an upper portion of the base end wall providing a specially designed reversed taper spaced from a lower end wall portion by a restraining shelf. Each side juncture between the lid and base is substantially within a plane provided by the side wall while a label placed across such juncture forms a reliable seal.