CONTAINER WITH INTEGRAL HINGED CONNECTION

Abstract

A clamshell container with a hinged connection is provided. The clamshell container includes a base portion and a cover portion that rotates about a hinge axis relative to the base portion into a closed position. The base portion and cover portion each include a sidewall, a perimeter rim and a perimeter flange. The hinged connection is located along the base perimeter rim and flange and the cover perimeter rim and flange. The hinged connection includes one or more indented first structural elements formed into the cover perimeter flange and one ore more raised second structural elements extending from the base perimeter flange. The first and second structural elements are positionally aligned so that when the cover portion is rotated into the closed position, the second structural elements are received within the first structural elements. The structural elements increase rigidity of the hinged connection and limit potential deformation and fracture.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/137,631, filed on Jan. 14, 2021, to Keegan Yang et al., entitled “Container with Integral Hinged Connection,” currently pending, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clamshell-style cartons and containers are commonly used for holding and serving food items as well as other types of contents. These cartons are often configured with a base portion and a cover portion connected together by a hinged connection that allows the cover portion to rotate between open and closed configurations relative to the base portion. The hinged connection of these cartons is typically configured as a “living hinge” formed by a thin strip of material connecting the base portion and the cover portion together. This thin strip of material is easily bendable and allows for closure between the base and cover portions.

Traditionally, such clamshell-style cartons and containers have been made of a single material consisting of expanded polystyrene or solid plastic. Additionally, such clamshell-style cartons have begun to be constructed from a molded fiber or pulp material, which is more environmentally-friendly than expanded polystyrene and plastic. However, there are operational considerations for molded fiber and pulp that generally limit the features that can be incorporated into the hinged connection as compared to the traditional expanded polystyrene or solid plastic. In particular, because molded fiber requires the use of a wet slurry of fiber material that is pressed into the shape of the carton through the use of material dies, it can be difficult to form curved portions and transition sections between different components of the carton, particularly those curved portions and transition sections having tight radiuses. As a result, cracks, fractures, and weak points can easily form along the perimeter rim and flange of the cover and base portions of the finished carton product, as well as the hinged connection that connects the cover and base portions together.

These fracture points and weak points can affect the bending of the hinged connection and prevent proper closing of the carton. When the cover portion is rotated relative to the base portion, bending can occur along the fracture points and weak points existing along the base and cover perimeter flange and cause the carton to bend and deform at regions other than the desired hinge line. As a result, the cover portion does not properly align with the base portion and can make it difficult to properly position the container in a closed configuration. This can be further impacted if the finished carton product undergoes even slight distortion or changes in shape as the molded fiber dries after being formed.

Accordingly, a need exists for an improved hinged connection and carton design that can allow the carton to be constructed from a molded fiber or pulp material while still allowing for proper bending along the hinge line of the carton.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to a clamshell-style container or carton and a hinged connection for a clamshell-style carton. The carton may include a base portion and a cover portion connected together by the hinged connection. The base portion may include a bottom wall, a base perimeter sidewall, and a base perimeter rim and a base perimeter flange extending from the base perimeter sidewall. The cover portion may similarly include a cover wall, a cover perimeter sidewall, and a cover perimeter rim and a cover perimeter flange extending from the cover perimeter sidewall. Both the base portion and the cover portion may include a rear perimeter sidewall section and corresponding perimeter rim and perimeter flange where the hinged connection is provided.

The hinged connection may be provided along the base perimeter rim and flange and the cover perimeter rim and perimeter flange located along the base and cover rear sidewall sections. The base perimeter flange and the cover perimeter flange may be connected together to form a hinge axis of the hinged connection. The hinged connection may also be configured as a living hinge to allow the cover portion to selectively rotate relative to the base portion about a hinge axis so that the carton and the cover panel may transition between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

The hinged connection may include one or more hinge tabs provided along both the base perimeter flange and the cover perimeter flange. Corresponding hinge tabs along each of the base and cover perimeter flanges may connect together at the hinge axis and form openings between the base perimeter flange and the cover perimeter flange.

The hinged connection may include a series of interlocking structural elements formed into the base portion and the cover portion along the base perimeter flange and cover perimeter flange. The structural elements may be configured as corresponding projecting elements and recessed elements that join together when the cover portion is rotated relative to the base portion. The structural elements may assist in allowing the cover portion to appropriately fit onto and remain in close engagement with the base portion. The structural elements may also function as stiffening elements to strengthen the rigidity of the hinged connection and limit deformation and fracture along the hinged connection.

The structural elements may include one or more first structural elements that are configured as channels, recesses, grooves, depressions, indentions or the like formed into the cover perimeter flange. The structural elements may further include one or more second structural elements that are configured as outward protrusions, projections, ridges or the like extending outward from the base perimeter rim toward the base perimeter flange. The second structural elements may be positionally aligned with the first structural elements so that each of the second structural elements are at least partially received within one of the first structural elements when the cover portion is rotated into the closed position.

The structural elements may additionally include one or more third structural elements that are configured as outward protrusions, projections, ridges or the like extending outward from the cover perimeter flange near the cover perimeter rim, and one or more fourth structural elements that are configured as channels, recesses, grooves, depressions, indentions or the like formed into the base perimeter rim near the base perimeter flange. Similar to the first and second structural elements, the third and fourth structural elements may be positionally aligned and configured so that each of the third structural elements are at least partially received within one of the fourth structural elements when the cover portion is rotated into the closed position.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the accompanying drawing figures

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a container in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hinged connection for a container in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the hinged connection for a container of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial top perspective view of the hinged connection for a container of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevation view of a hinged connection for a container in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the container in an open configuration;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side elevation view of the hinged connection for a container of FIG. 8, illustrating the container in a closed configuration; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the hinged connection for a container of FIG. 8 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.

The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be appreciated that some or all of the various features and structures described and shown with respect to each of the specific embodiments referenced herein may be combined to form additional or alternative embodiments having such combinations and that such combinations are within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to the figures, the present invention is directed to a clamshell-style container or carton 10 and a hinged connection 100 for a carton 10. As described in greater detail herein, hinged connection 100 may be configured as an integral hinge within a carton 10 and may include one or more interlocking structural elements defined into carton 10 to facilitate the bending of carton 10 about hinged connection 100. Carton 10 may be constructed from a molded fiber or pulp material, which may comprise fibers derived from at least or more of wood, sugarcane, bagasse, wheat, other plants, recycled paper or paperboard, or other suitable cellulosic or non-cellulosic materials. However, it will also be recognized that the carton 10 may suitably be constructed from other materials, including without limitation, paperboard, plastic or polymer-based materials, polystyrene, and the like. Carton 10 may further be designed and configured for holding various types of food items for use in the food service industry; however, carton 10 may suitably be used and configured for holding any number of different types of items or contents.

Turning to FIGS. 1-4, carton 10 may include a base portion 12 and a cover portion 14 connected together by hinged connection 100. Base portion 12 may include a bottom wall 16 and a perimeter sidewall 18 extending from the perimeter of bottom wall 16. Perimeter sidewall 18 may include a rear sidewall section 20 adjacent hinged connection 100 as best shown in FIG. 1. Base portion 12 may further include a base perimeter rim 22 formed around the upper region of perimeter sidewall 18 and a base perimeter flange 24 extending from base perimeter rim 22 and providing an outer terminal edge around the perimeter of base portion 12.

Similarly, cover portion 14 may include a top wall 26 and a perimeter sidewall 28 extending from the perimeter of top wall 26. Perimeter sidewall 28 of cover portion 14 may include a rear sidewall section 30 adjacent hinged connection 100 and opposite rear sidewall section 20 of base portion 12 as best shown in FIG. 1. Cover portion 14 may further include a cover perimeter rim 32 formed around the upper region of perimeter sidewall 28 and a cover perimeter flange 34 extending from cover perimeter rim 32 and forming an outer terminal edge around the perimeter of cover portion 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, carton 10 may optionally include one or more internal dividing walls or partitions provided within base portion 12 that separates the interior space of base portion 12 into one or more compartments. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, one or both of base portion 12 and cover portion 14 may include ribs, stiffening elements, tabs or locking components, and/or other structural elements formed into carton 10, such as those commonly utilized in known clamshell-style carton and container designs. It is recognized that such structural elements may not necessarily comprise novel features of carton 10 and may be included or omitted depending on the particular embodiment of carton 10.

Turning to FIGS. 5-10, hinged connection 100 may be incorporated into carton 10 along the upper ends of base rear sidewall section 20 and cover rear sidewall section 30 and connect base portion 12 and cover portion 14 together. In particular, as best shown in FIG. 5, hinged connection 100 may be incorporated into carton 10 along base perimeter rim 22 and flange 24 and cover perimeter rim 32 and flange 34 formed along rear sidewall sections 20 and 30 of base portion 12 and cover portion 14, respectively. Hinged connection 100 may be configured as a “living” hinge structure that connects base portion 12 and cover portion 14 together. Hinged connection 100 may further allow cover portion 14 to selectively rotate relative to base portion 12 along rear sidewall sections 20 and 30 so that carton 10 may be transitioned between an open configuration (where cover portion 14 is rotated away from base portion 12) and a closed configuration (where cover portion 14 is positioned over or on top of base portion 12). According to certain embodiments, the resiliency of hinged connection 100 may be configured to maintain carton 10 in the open configuration unless cover portion 14 is closed and latched to base portion 12.

As shown schematically in FIGS. 8-10 (and illustrated in FIG. 5), hinged connection 100 may be configured within the rim and flange portions 22, 24 and 32, 34, respectively, of base portion 12 and cover portion 14. In particular, hinged connection 100 may include the regions of base perimeter rim 22 and flange 24 and cover perimeter rim 32 and flange 34 positioned adjacent to base rear sidewall section 20 and cover rear sidewall section 30.

As best shown in FIGS. 5-7, adjacent rear sidewall section 20, base perimeter rim 22 may be configured as a raised rim formed along the upper edge of rear sidewall section 20 and base perimeter flange 24 may extend generally horizontally outward from the lower, outer end of perimeter rim 22. As further shown in FIGS. 5-7, adjacent cover rear sidewall section 30, cover perimeter rim 32 may be configured as a raised rim formed along the upper edge of sidewall 28 and cover perimeter flange 34 may extend generally away from the lower outer end of perimeter rim 32. As further shown in FIGS. 8-10, cover perimeter flange 34 may include a downwardly extending depressed region 36 extending from perimeter rim 32 and an outer, generally horizontally-extending end region 38 extending from depressed region 36. As best shown in FIG. 9, the depressed region 36 can be configured to generally conform to the shape and curvature of base perimeter rim 22 to allow cover perimeter flange 34 to engage base perimeter rim 22 when carton 10 is placed in the closed configuration. As further shown in FIG. 9, when carton 10 is placed in the closed configuration, base perimeter rim 22 may be at least partially received within depressed region 36 of cover perimeter flange 34.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the outer edges of base perimeter flange 24 and cover perimeter flange 34 may be connected together to form a hinge line or hinge axis 102 of hinged connection 100. Hinge line 102 may be configured as a line of weakness extending longitudinally along the length of hinged connection 100 and provide the axis of rotation between cover portion 14 and base portion 12.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, hinged connection 100 may include one or more hinge projections or tabs 104 and 106 provided along base perimeter flange 24 and cover perimeter flange 34, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 5-7, hinge tabs 104 may be connected to and/or extend outward from the edge of base perimeter flange 24, and hinge tabs 106 may be connected to and/or extend outward from the edge of cover perimeter flange 34. Hinge tabs 104 and 106 may also be configured as the outermost extended portions of base perimeter flange 24 and cover perimeter flange 34, respectively, and not necessarily be a separate, distinguishable component therefrom in certain embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 5-7, each hinge tab 104 of base portion 12 may be connected to a corresponding hinge tab 106 of cover portion 14 along the defined hinge line or axis 102. Collectively, hinge tabs 104 and 106 may form hinge line or axis 102 as a weakened line or folding line between base perimeter flange 24 and cover perimeter flange 34 adjacent rear sidewall sections 20 and 30. Hinge axis 102 may provide the axis of rotation about which cover portion 14 rotates relative to base portion 12 when carton 10 is transitioned between the open and closed configurations.

As best shown in FIG. 6, hinge tabs 104 and 106 may be spaced apart along the length of perimeter flanges 24 and 34 and define openings or gaps 108 along a length of the hinge axis 102 of hinged connection 100 and between adjacent hinge tabs 104/106. According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), each of base perimeter flange 24 and cover perimeter flange 34 may include a continuous hinge tab 104 and 106, respectively, that extends along all or a portion of the hinge axis 102 of hinged connection 100 without any openings or gaps 108. Additionally, carton 10 and hinged connection 100 may be configured without any hinge tabs 104 and 106, and the outer edges or base perimeter flange 24 and cover perimeter flange 34 are directly connected together to form hinge axis 102.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, hinged connection 100 may include a series of interlocking structural elements 110-116 that are formed into base portion 12 and cover portion 14 and are configured to conform and fit together when carton 10 is placed into the closed configuration and cover portion 14 is rotated about hinged connection 100 and onto base portion 12. The one or more structural elements 110-116 may be configured as corresponding projecting elements and recessed elements that join together when cover portion 14 is rotated onto base portion 12 via hinged connection 100 and assist in allowing cover portion 14 to appropriately fit onto and remain in close engagement with base portion 12. Structural elements 110-116 may also operate as stiffening elements for hinged connection 100 in order to increase the strength, resiliency, and/or rigidity of hinged connection 100 and reduce the potential for deformation and fracture of hinged connection 100 during use with carton 10.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, hinged connection 100 may include one or more first structural elements 110 provided on cover perimeter flange 34. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each first structural element 110 may be configured as a channel, recess, groove, depression, indention or the like formed into cover perimeter flange 34 along depressed region 36 and outer end region 38. As further shown, each first structural element 110 may extend into flange 34 so that the directly adjacent portions of flange 34 on each end of first structural element 110 extend upward and/or outward beyond first structural element 110 and first structural element 110 is depressed, recessed, or indented between such adjacent portions of flange 34. As best shown in FIG. 6, hinged connection 100 may include a plurality of first structural elements 110 provided along the length of hinged connection 100 in a spaced arrangement. As further shown in FIG. 6, in certain embodiments, each first structural element 110 may be positionally aligned with an opening 108 along hinge axis 102 so that each first structural element 110 is located between adjacent hinge tabs 106 along the length of cover perimeter flange 34.

As further shown in FIGS. 5-7, hinged connection 100 may include one or more second structural elements 112 provided on base perimeter rim 22 and base perimeter flange 24. Second structural elements 112 may also be configured to generally correspond to first structural elements 110. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each second structural element 112 may be configured as an outward protrusion, projection, ridge or the like that extends outward from the outer portion of base perimeter rim 22. As further shown, each second structural element 112 may be formed in base perimeter rim 22 so that each second structural element extends upward and/or outward and beyond the directly adjacent portions of rim 22 on each end of second structural element 112. As best shown in FIG. 6, hinged connection 100 may include a plurality of second structural elements 112 provided along the length of hinged connection 100 in a spaced arrangement.

As best shown in FIG. 6, second structural elements 112 may be generally aligned with the arrangement and positioning of first structural elements 110. As shown, each second structural element 112 may generally conform to a corresponding first structural element 110 that is positioned on the opposite side of hinge axis 102 so that the inward-oriented first structural element 110 may receive the outward-oriented second structural element 112 when cover portion 14 is rotated about hinge axis 102 into an overlaid arrangement with base portion 14 and carton 10 is placed into the closed configuration. As also shown in FIG. 6, in certain embodiments, each second structural element 112 may be positionally aligned with a corresponding first structural element 110 as well as an opening 108 along hinge axis 102 so that each second structural element 112 is located between adjacent hinge tabs 104 along the length of base perimeter flange 24.

As further shown in FIGS. 5-7, hinged connection 100 may include one or more third structural elements 114 provided on cover perimeter flange 34 and adjacent cover perimeter rim 32. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each third structural element 114 may be configured as a raised projection, protrusion, ridge or the like extending upward from the depressed region 36 of cover perimeter flange 34 adjacent cover perimeter rim 32. As further shown, each third structural element 114 may be formed onto cover perimeter rim 32 and flange 34 so that the third structural element 114 extends outward and/or upward from rim 32 and flange 34 and beyond the directly adjacent portions of rim 32 and flange 34 on each end of third structural element 114. As best shown in FIG. 6, hinged connection 100 may include a plurality of third structural elements 114 provided along the length of hinged connection 100 in a spaced arrangement. According to certain embodiments, third structural elements 114 may be positioned along the length of hinged connection 100 to generally align with and correspond to first structural elements 110. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each third structural element 114 may be provided adjacent a corresponding first structural element 110 so that a respective third structural element 114 is positioned on the opposite end of cover perimeter flange 34 relative to a respective first structural element 110.

As further shown in FIGS. 5-7, hinged connection 100 may include one or more fourth structural elements 116 provided on base perimeter rim 22. As shown, fourth structural elements 116 may be formed into base perimeter rim 22 and be configured as indentions, channels, grooves, depressions, recesses or the like defined into base perimeter rim 22. As further shown, each fourth structural element 116 may extend into rim 22 so that the directly adjacent portions of rim 22 on each end of fourth structural element 116 extend upward and/or outward beyond fourth structural element 116 and fourth structural element 116 is depressed, recessed, or indented between such adjacent portions of rim 22. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, hinged connection 100 may include a plurality of fourth structural elements 116 provided along the length of hinged connection 100 in a spaced arrangement. As also shown in FIG. 6, each fourth structural element 116 may be provided immediately adjacent to a second structural element 112.

As best shown in FIG. 6, fourth structural elements 116 may be generally aligned with the arrangement and positioning of third structural elements 114 so that a four structural element 116 positionally corresponds to a respective third structural element 114 relative to the hinge axis 102. As shown, each fourth structural element 116 may generally conform to a corresponding third structural element 114 that is positioned on the opposite side of hinge axis 102 so that when the inward-oriented fourth structural element 116 may receive the outward-oriented third structural element 114 when cover portion 14 is rotated about hinge axis 102 into an overlaid arrangement with base portion 14.

Structural elements 110-116 may be configured to collectively form a series of interlocking components along the length of hinged connection 100. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each second structural element 112 may be shaped and configured to generally conform to the shape of a corresponding first structural element 110 so that the second structural element 112 may be received within the first structural element 110 when carton 10 is placed into a closed configuration. Additionally, corresponding first and second structural elements 110 and 112, respectively, may be positionally aligned with respect to one another relative to hinge axis 102 and located at approximately equal distances from hinge axis 102 so that second structural element 112 may be at least partially received into first structural element 112 when carton 10 is placed into the closed configuration. Each third structural element 114 may be shaped and configured to generally conform to the shape of a corresponding fourth structural element 116 so that the third structural element may be received within the fourth structural element 116 when carton 10 is placed into the closed configuration. Similarly, corresponding third and fourth structural elements 114 and 116, respectively, may be positionally aligned with one another relative to hinge axis 102 and approximately equidistant from hinge axis 102 so that third structural element 114 may be at least partially received within fourth structural element 116 when carton 10 is placed in the closed configuration.

Collectively, structural elements 110-116 may facilitate proper rotation of cover portion 14 relative to base portion 12 and allow carton 10 to properly transition between the open configuration and the closed configuration. Structural elements 110-116 may be positioned along the length of hinged connection 100 and provide structural rigidity to base perimeter rim 22 and flange 24 and cover perimeter rim 32 and flange 34 to urge rotation of cover portion 14 about hinge axis 102 and limit deformation and deflection of base perimeter flange 24 and cover perimeter flange 34 when carton 10 transitions between the open configuration and closed configuration. Further, structural elements 110-116 may be selectively arranged along the length of hinged connection 100 to provide increased structural rigidity of carton 10 while still enabling carton 10 to be constructed from a molded fiber or pulp material. As a result, the configuration of hinged connection 100 with first and second structural elements 110 and 112, and optionally third and fourth structural elements 114 and 116, positioned along the length of hinge axis 102 increases the strength and integrity of the hinged connection 100 to reduce or limit undesired bending or buckling of the hinged connection 100 when carton 10 is transitioned between the open and closed configurations. Further, the configuration of hinged connection 100 can reduce or limit weak points or fracture points within hinged connection 100 that can affect the desired closing of carton 10.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a base portion comprising a bottom wall, a base rear perimeter sidewall extending from the bottom wall, a base perimeter rim located along an end of the base rear perimeter sidewall, and a base perimeter flange extending from the base perimeter rim;

a cover portion comprising a top wall, a cover rear perimeter sidewall extending from the top wall, a cover perimeter rim located along an end of the cover rear perimeter sidewall, and a cover perimeter flange extending from the cover perimeter rim; and

a hinged connection located between the base perimeter flange and the cover perimeter flange and configured to enable the cover portion to rotate relative to the base portion about a hinge axis extending through the hinged connection, the hinged connection comprising: a first structural element located on the cover perimeter flange, the first structural element comprising an indention, depression, channel, or recess defined into the cover perimeter flange; and a second structural element located on the base perimeter flange, the second structural element comprising a projection, protrusion, or ridge extending outward from the base perimeter flange;

wherein the second structural element is configured to be at least partially received within the first structural element when the cover portion is rotated about the hinge axis into a closed configuration relative to the base portion.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the hinged connection further comprises:

a plurality of base hinge tabs extending outward from the base perimeter flange and spaced apart along a length of the base perimeter flange; and

a plurality of cover hinge tabs extending outward from the cover perimeter flange and spaced apart along a length of the cover perimeter flange;

wherein the plurality of base hinge tabs are connected to the plurality of cover hinge tabs along the hinge axis.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the hinged connection further comprises a plurality of openings defined along a length of the hinged connection and positioned between adjacent base hinge tabs and between adjacent cover hinge tabs.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the hinged connection comprises a plurality of first structural elements spaced apart along a length of the cover perimeter flange and a plurality of second structural elements spaced apart along a length of the base perimeter flange.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of second structural elements positionally corresponds to one of the plurality of first structural elements.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of second structural elements is at least partially received within one of the plurality of first structural elements.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the hinged connection of the container further comprises:

a third structural element located along the cover perimeter rim and adjacent the first structural element, the third structural element comprising a projection, protrusion, or ridge extending outward from the cover perimeter rim; and

a fourth structural element located along the base perimeter rim and adjacent the second structural element, the fourth structural element comprising an indention, depression, channel, or recess defined into the base perimeter rim;

wherein the third structural element is configured to be at least partially received within the fourth structural element when the cover portion is rotated about the hinge axis into the closed configuration relative to the base portion.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein the hinged connection comprises a plurality of third structural elements spaced apart along a length of the cover perimeter flange and a plurality of fourth structural elements spaced apart along a length of the base perimeter flange.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of third structural elements positionally corresponds to one of the plurality of fourth structural elements.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of third structural elements is at least partially received within one of the plurality of fourth structural elements.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is formed from a molded fiber or pulp material.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the cover perimeter flange comprises a depressed region extending downwardly relative to the cover perimeter rim, and a generally horizontally-extending end region extending outwardly from the depressed region.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the depressed region of the cover perimeter flange generally conforms to the shape and curvature of the base perimeter rim and the base perimeter rim is at least partially received within the depressed region when the cover portion is rotated about the hinge axis into a closed configuration relative to the base portion.

14. A clamshell-style carton comprising:

a base portion having a base perimeter rim and a base perimeter flange extending from the base perimeter rim;

a cover portion having a cover perimeter rim and a cover perimeter flange extending from the cover perimeter rim;

a hinged connection located between the base perimeter flange and the cover perimeter flange, the hinged connection comprising: a base hinge tab extending outward from the base perimeter flange; a cover hinge tab extending outward from the cover perimeter flange, wherein the cover hinge tab is connected to the base hinge tab forming a hinge axis between the base portion and cover portion; a first structural element located on the cover perimeter flange, the first structural element comprising an indention, depression, channel, or recess defined into the cover perimeter flange; and a second structural element located on the base perimeter flange, the second structural element comprising a projection, protrusion, or ridge extending outward from the base perimeter flange;

wherein the cover portion is configured to rotate about the hinge axis into a closed position relative to the base portion;

wherein when the cover portion is rotated into the closed position, the second structural element is at least partially received within the first structural element.

15. The carton of claim 14, wherein the hinged connection comprises a plurality of the base hinge tabs spaced apart along the base perimeter flange and a plurality of the cover hinge tabs spaced apart along the cover perimeter flange, wherein each base hinge tab is connected to a corresponding cover hinge tab defining a plurality of openings between the base perimeter flange and cover perimeter flange.

16. The carton of claim 15, wherein the first structural element and the second structural element are positionally aligned with one of the plurality of openings between the base perimeter flange and cover perimeter flange.

17. The carton of claim 14, wherein the hinged connection further comprises:

a third structural element located along the cover perimeter rim and adjacent the first structural element, the third structural element comprising a projection, protrusion, or ridge extending outward from the cover perimeter rim; and

a fourth structural element located along the base perimeter rim and adjacent the second structural element, the fourth structural element comprising an indention, depression, channel, or recess defined into the base perimeter rim;

wherein the third structural element is configured to be at least partially received within the fourth structural element when the cover portion is rotated about the hinge axis into the closed position relative to the base portion.

18. A clamshell-style carton comprising:

a base portion having a base rear sidewall portion and a base perimeter rim and a base perimeter flange provided along an outer end of the base rear sidewall portion;

a cover portion having a cover rear sidewall portion and a cover perimeter rim and a cover perimeter flange provided along an outer end of the cover rear sidewall portion, wherein the cover perimeter flange and the base perimeter flange are connected together;

a hinge line provided between the base perimeter flange and the cover perimeter flange, wherein the hinge line provides a bending axis about which the cover portion rotates relative to the base portion;

a plurality of base hinge tabs extending outward from the base perimeter flange;

a plurality of cover hinge tabs extending outward from the cover perimeter flange, wherein each of the plurality of cover hinge tabs is connected to a corresponding base hinge tab of the plurality of based hinge tabs along the hinge line;

a plurality of first structural elements provided along a length of the cover perimeter flange, wherein each first structural element comprises a recessed channel defined into the cover perimeter flange;

a plurality of second structural elements provided along a length of the base perimeter flange, wherein each second structural element comprises a raised ridge extending away from the base perimeter flange;

a plurality of third structural elements provided along a length of the cover perimeter rim, wherein each third structural element comprises a raised ridge extending away from the cover perimeter rim; and

a plurality of fourth structural elements provided along a length of the base perimeter rim, wherein each fourth structural element comprises a recessed channel defined into the base perimeter rim;

wherein the plurality of second structural elements are configured to be at least partially received in the plurality of first structural elements and the plurality of third structural elements are configured to be at least partially received in the plurality of fourth structural elements when the cover portion of the carton is rotated about the hinge line to overlay the base portion of the carton.

19. The carton of claim 18, wherein the plurality of first structural elements are spaced apart along the length of the cover perimeter flange, wherein the plurality of second structural elements are spaced apart along the length of the base perimeter flange, wherein the plurality of third structural elements are spaced apart along the length of the cover perimeter rim, and wherein the plurality of fourth structural elements are spaced apart along the length of the base perimeter rim.

20. The carton of claim 19, wherein the plurality of third structural elements are aligned with the plurality of first structural elements, and wherein the plurality of second structural elements are aligned with the plurality of fourth structural elements.