Abstract: A tamper-indicating dispensing closure includes a closure body, and an associated flip-top lid pivotally connected to the closure body for movement between a closed position and an open position. The flip-top lid includes a tamper-indicating flange frangibly connected thereto, with the closure body including a pocket-like retention cavity within which the tamper-indicating flange is received during initial closing movement of the flip-top lid. During initial opening movement of the lid, the tamper-indicating flange is broken away from the flip-top lid, and thereafter permanently retained within the retention cavity to provide a clear, visual indication that the flip-top lid of the closure has been opened.

Abstract: A paintball canister apparatus includes a cylindrical canister body and a lid pivotally attached to the open end of the canister body. A lip extends downward from a major portion of an outer periphery of the lid, the lip extending along an outer surface of the canister body when the lid is closed. The lip and canister body are configured such that the lip engages the canister body to maintain the lid in the closed position. The canister body is made from a resilient material such that the lid may be opened by sliding a player's digit upward along the outer surface of the canister body into contact with the bottom edge of the lip and exerting a squeezing force on the canister body and an upward force on the lip to disengage the ridge from the groove and move the lid toward an open position.

Abstract: An openable and closeable media case comprising a case with grooves on its interior sides that suspend a disk stored in the case, and a rotating cylindrical closure that secures a disk within the case. The case opens and by the rotating cylindrical closure. A slot in the cylinder comprising matching grooves guides disks into the case. A locking means on the cylinder holds the cylinder in a closed position.

Abstract: A closure assembly 10 contains positive and/or vacuum pressure within a pressure vessel 16 having a neck 12. A circumferential locking member 22 supported on a door 20 locks the door to the neck, and is radially moveable between an open position and a closed position. A seal 26 between the neck and the door maintains fluid-tight integrity. A lever or other hand powered operator may be used for moving the locking member between the open position and the closed position. The locking member may include locking segments interconnected to form the circumferential locking member.

Abstract: Locking structure for thermoformed plastic containers for food and other articles wherein the lid and the base of the containers are provided with locking means, specifically a detent and a tab. The detent, which depends from the front of the lid, has rounded ends and an inwardly extending lip disposed on its outer side. The tab, which depends from the front of the base, has an upper surface, a lower surface, and two end surfaces. The upper surface is angled toward the lower surface and the end surfaces are substantially flat. The upper surface and the inwardly extending lip are constructed and arranged with respect to each other so that when the detent is pressed into the tab the inwardly extending lip will snap into position beneath the upper surface and interlock with it to lock the lid and base.

Abstract: A tamper evident hinge type closure includes, as is conventional in such closures, a body portion, a lid portion and a hinge portion. Advantageously, at least one tamper evident band is provided so as to mechanically secure the lid portion to the body portion at a position that is distal from the hinge. The tamper evident band, which is designed to break upon initial opening of the closure by a consumer, is preferably integral with both the body portion and the lid portion, so as to ensure more reliably than was possible with interlocking mechanical tamper evident structures that the closure may not be opened without defeating the tamper evident band. A process for making the improved closures is also disclosed.

Abstract: A container including a container body with a pivotally mounted top lid utilizing a single generally planar elastomeric member forming a seal section releasably mounted to the undersurface of the lid and engageable with the rim of the container body peripherally thereabout, and a spring section integral with the seal section and extending from the lid into a receiving chamber on the container body adjacent the pivotal mounting of the lid, the spring section being resiliently compressed during the positioning thereof to provide a constant opening biasing force on the lid relative to the container body. An alternately positionable handle is removably mounted, at the option of the user, to either the front wall or the rear wall of the container body.

Abstract: A damping mechanism for an opening and closing member that opens and closes an opening while changing a center of rotation has an arm with damped rotational speed to support a shaft part of the opening and closing member. A position of the shaft part with respect to the arm is changed along with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member by a guide member. The arm is urged toward an opening direction of the opening and closing member by a forcing member, and the opening and closing member is maintained in a closed state against the force of the forcing member by a locking member.

Abstract: A latching system including both apparatus and methods addresses the need for a reusable latch that is identical on either side of a container opening, thereby facilitating container manufacture. Also disclosed are apparatus and methods for assuring the quality of latchable container enclosed contents and enhancing the safety of container users by providing an unopened condition assurance element such as a tab that is removable from a reusable container latch. A novel latching system with a split insertion element on a first latch side and unitary receptor element on a second latch side is also disclosed. A preferred embodiment involves an elastically obstructed latch as used on a squeeze-openable container.

Abstract: This invention relates to a closure arrangement for closing an opening in a base component. In particular—but not exclusively—this invention relates to a closure arrangement for a container, to serve as an openable lid for the container.

Abstract: A container including a receptacle with a closed bottom, an interior space, and an open top encircled by a top receptacle edge, a lid for closing the top of the receptacle where the lid is pivotably attached at a portion of the top receptacle edge and includes a portion extending beyond the edge, and a pillow portion attached to the lid and dimensioned to rest within the interior space of the receptacle when the lid is closed.

Abstract: A leak-resistant hinged polymeric foam container comprises a base and a lid. The base comprises a bottom wall and a sidewall that encompasses and extends generally upwardly from the bottom wall. The sidewall comprises a first sealing area and a first generally upwardly projecting wall. The lid includes a second sealing area that is adapted to engage the first sealing area upon securing the lid and the base. The container forms a locking structure for securing the lid and the base. The base and the lid comprise polymeric foams. The container may include a hinge that hingedly connects the base to the lid.

Abstract: A large mouth, integrally molded, one-piece container has a generally rectangular bottom wall and front and side walls extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom to a rim with front and back sections joined to flat side handle sections. The upper central portions of the side walls deviate inwardly from the lower portions to form an undercut region under the handle sections to accommodate a user's fingers. A lid with a downwardly extending skirt overlying the container skirt in the closed position is hinged to the container back wall adjacent the rim. A latching tongue is integrally molded with the front skirt wall and includes a central section spaced outwardly from the skirt with a cooperating hook member formed on the lower end thereof.

Abstract: A closure assembly 10 contains positive and/or vacuum pressure within a pressure vessel 16 having a neck 12. A circumferential locking member 22 supported on a door 20 locks the door to the neck, and is radially moveable between an open position and a closed position. A seal 26 between the neck and the door maintains fluid-tight integrity. A lever or other hand powered operator may be used for moving the locking member between the open position and the closed position. The locking member may include locking segments interconnected to form the circumferential locking member.

Abstract: A latching system for use with a dispenser having a cover hingedly connected to a back plate for movement between open and closed positions. The cover includes a latch plate or tongue which is disposed adjacent its top or now hinged end. The latch plate has one or more through apertures therein for engagement with an engagement bar carried by the back plate with the engagement bar having one or more upwardly projecting ribs for engagement with the apertures of the latch plate when the cover is closed. The back plate also carries a movable latch bar selectively movable into contact with the latch plate to disengage the latch plate from the projecting ribs. The back plate also includes one or more projecting support ribs underlying the cover it its closed position.

Abstract: A lid opening-closing mechanism includes a main body having an opening, a lid attached to the main body for opening-closing the opening, a locking device for locking the lid at a closed position, and an urging device for urging the lid toward an open position. When the lid is released from the locking device, the urging device urges the lid to rotate toward the open position for opening the opening of the main body. The urging device includes the first spring member for urging the lid from a halfway position between the open position and the closed position, and the second spring member for urging the lid from the closed position to the halfway position.

Abstract: A container body with a lid hingedly joined thereto for movement about a pivot axis utilizing an elastomeric spring of generally ellipsoidal configuration extending transversely across the pivot axis and having opposed ends seated within the container body and lid, the spring folding centrally at the area of maximum thickness with the elastic deformation biasing the lid to its open position upon release of the closing force on the lid. The pivotal hinge assembly is enclosed by an integral transversely extending handle panel outward of the hinge assembly.

Abstract: The base part and lid part of a container closure joined by a living hinge have positioning members which engage to maintain the lid in a full open position or a partially open position short of the full open position. The positioning members flex to allow the lid part to be initially closed from an as-molded position beyond the full open position. A latch guide cams a latch into engagement to assure closure of the lid part.

Abstract: A produce packaging system incorporates a tray for receiving a plurality of produce carrying baskets. The baskets each include upper ventilation slots and lower ventilation channels. The lower ventilation channels are formed by arching the bottoms of the baskets to form transversely oriented channels in the bottoms of the baskets configured to enable bi-directional cooling airflow to pass underneath the baskets in at least two transverse directions. Bi-directional airflow is also achieved in the upper portion of the baskets through the ventilation slots. The trays are configured such that, when the baskets are loaded into the trays, the upper ventilation slots and the lower cooling channels are aligned with sets of cooling vents in the trays thereby facilitating efficient cooling of produce contained in the baskets.

Abstract: A motor vehicle box and a pickup truck having a motor vehicle box provided in the pickup truck bed are provided. The motor vehicle box includes a plurality of sidewalls and a bottom wall constructed to form a container having an opening wherein the container has an exterior side and an interior side; a lid constructed to cover the opening, wherein the lid is hingedly attached to at least one of the plurality of walls; and a latch mechanism comprising a latch member constructed and arranged to move between a first position and second position. The first position is provided for holding the lid in place covering the opening. The second position is provided for releasing the lid. The latch mechanism includes an exterior latch release mechanism and an interior latch release mechanism. The exterior latch release mechanism extends to the exterior side of the container and is constructed to move the latch member to the second position when triggered.

Abstract: A container (10) with a hinged lid comprises a container body (11), a hinged lid (23) hinged on the container body (11), and a bottom wall (12) tightly covering the open lower end of the container body (11). A rubber plate 50) is provided between the hinged lid (23) and the container body (11). The container body (11) has an upper wall (27) provided with an opening (24), and a side wall (13). The hinged lid (23) is supported on the side wall (13) of the container body (11). Since the hinged lid (23) is supported on the side wall (13), the hinged lid (23) can be formed in a large shape. The container body (11) is provided with a catching projection (33) for catching a locking projection (32) formed on the hinged lid (23).

Abstract: This invention relates to a closure arrangement for closing an opening in a base component. In particular—but not exclusively—this invention relates to a closure arrangement for a container, to serve as an openable lid for the container.

Abstract: A lid opening device includes a lid body having a pivotal support part on one end thereof pivotally supported on a main body for opening and closing a part of the main body; an engaging member provided on a perimeter around the pivotal supporting part on the lid body; a spring device for urging the engaging member toward a direction in which the lid body opens from the completely closed position; a locking device for holding the lid body in the completely closed position against a springing force of the spring forcing device; and an engaging range restricting device for restricting a range of engagement between the spring forcing device and the engaging member. The lid body urged by the springing force opens at a specific initial opening position.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a container comprises a basket and a lid. The basket has a base, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of endwalls. The base, pair of sidewalls, and pair of endwalls are integrally connected. The pair of sidewalls and the pair of endwalls integrally extend outwardly to form a first latching portion. The base forms a concave channel, a first concave region, and a second concave region. The concave channel extends along a major axis of the base. The first concave region extends from the concave channel to one of the pair of sidewalls, and the second concave region extends from the concave channel to the other of the pair of sidewalls. At least one of the sidewalls and endwall intersections forms a wall ventilation aperture. The lid is connected to the first latching portion of the base. The lid has a second latching portion corresponding to the first latching portion of the base. The first and second latching portions are adapted to retain the lid and the basket in a closed relationship.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a container with a container closure, including: the container (20); at least one foam insert (50) disposed between surfaces (30) of the container; a lid (40); and at least one tab member (60) disposed on the lid (40) and insertable through a slot (62) formed in one of the surfaces (30) into the at least one foam insert (50) such as to close the container (20).

Abstract: A container has a container base and a container encloser. The container encloser includes a base ring, a hinged cover and a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism includes a stationary catch portion and a deflectable latch portion. The deflectable latch portion is sufficiently deflectable to allow the finger of a user to deflect the deflectable latch portion away from the stationary catch portion so that the hinged cover can be moved from a closed position to an open position.

Abstract: A child safe container including a base and a cover is provided. The container includes a hinge and latch which cooperate to maintain the container in a locked position. The container is unlocked and can be opened by translating the base and the cover in a preferred direction.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to automatically latch and unlatch the lid of a container. The apparatus includes a weight pivotally mounted on the side of the container for movement between first and second positions. The weight is positively connected to a latch by a connecting rod, and as the weight pivots between first and second positions, it moves the latch between latching and unlatching positions. Tipping the container causes the weight to shift thus the container is unlatched only when it is being dumped. A method for operating the latch is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tamper evident hinge type closure includes, as is conventional in such closures, a body portion, a lid portion and a hinge portion. Advantageously, at least one tamper evident band is provided so as to mechanically secure the lid portion to the body portion at a position that is distal from the hinge. The tamper evident band, which is designed to break upon initial opening of the closure by a consumer, is preferably integral with both the body portion and the lid portion, so as to ensure more reliably than was possible with interlocking mechanical tamper evident structures that the closure may not be opened without defeating the tamper evident band. A process for making the improved closures is also disclosed.

Abstract: A container is provided having corresponding shells that mate together about a joint to create an enclosed airtight container. A valve seat is formed on the exterior of a shell adjacent the joint. The valve seat has an opening in communication with the container interior. A latch assembly is used to secure the shells in a closed position. The assembly includes a latch body which is attached to a shell by a hinge fastener close to said joint. The inside face of the latch body is provided with a valve gasket having a curved outer face that is aligned and sealingly engageable with the valve seat. When the latch is closed, the gasket will seal against the valve seat. When the latch is dislodged from its connection to the other shell, the gasket will be simultaneously removed from the valve seat and allow air to flow through the opening. This action permits equalization of any pressure differentials between ambient pressure and the pressure in the container interior.

Abstract: A box has a pair of cover halves having inner edges pivoted at hinges and outer edges each formed with a plurality of projecting tabs and a plurality of complementary seats. The cover halves are pivotal between a coplanar closed position with the tabs half fitting complementarily in the seats and an open position extending nonparallel to each other and with the outer edges spaced from each other. The cover halves have at ends of their outer edges corners that are closely juxtaposed with the side walls in the closed position. Latches at each of the corners are each formed by a tongue projecting generally radially outward relative to the respective axis from one of the cover halves and a hole open only radially of the respective axis on the other of the cover halves. Each tongue fits in the respective hole in the closed position.

Abstract: A lid includes resilient restoring element for returning the lid to an open position, and a locking mechanism actuated by a button. The locking mechanism including a locking member able to be placed at two well defined and stable positions, namely a locked position, where the locking member cooperates with the retainer element provided on the container for locking the lid in a closed position on the container, and an unlocked position where the lid is freely driven into its open position by the restoring element.

Abstract: A lid device for a minnow bucket for converting a conventional bucket into a minnow bucket. The lid device for a minnow bucket includes a panel having a top side, a bottom side and a peripheral edge. The panel has a diameter generally equal to an inner diameter of a bucket. A peripheral lip is coupled to and extends upwardly from the peripheral edge. The peripheral lip has a bottom edge having a slot extending upwardly therein and adapted for receiving a top edge of the bucket, the panel has an opening therein. A door selectively opens and closes the opening. The door has a shape generally identical to a shape of the opening. The door is hingedly, coupled to the panel such that the door may be moved between an open and a closed position. The door has a plurality of holes extending therethrough.

Abstract: A storage unit is disclosed. The storage unit includes a base having a rim, a cover movable between a closed position and an open position, and a latch configured to releasably couple the cover to the base. The latch includes a user interface configured to pivot between a first position and a second position, a post configured to be at least partially disposed in an aperture in the rim when the user interface is in the second position, and an attachment member that extends from the user interface and is configured to provide a fulcrum about which the user interface pivots.

Abstract: A container including a container body with a pivotally mounted top lid utilizing a single generally planar elastomeric member forming a seal section releasably mounted to the undersurface of the lid and engageable with the rim of the container body peripherally thereabout, and a spring section integral with the seal section and extending from the lid into a receiving chamber on the container body adjacent the pivotal mounting of the lid, the spring section being resiliently compressed during the positioning thereof to provide a constant opening biasing force on the lid relative to the container body. An alternately positionable handle is removably mounted, at the option of the user, to either the front wall or the rear wall of the container body.

Abstract: A food container comprising a polymer foam bottom compartment hingeably joined to a transparent polymer top cover.

Abstract: An ambidextrous lid assembly that allows a lid to be opened from either side of a compartment is disclosed. The lid assembly includes at least a first frame member adapted to be pivotally attached proximate the compartment opening. The first frame member has an opening that allows access therethrough to at least a portion of the interior of the compartment when the first frame member is closed against the perimeter of the compartment opening. The lid assembly includes a second frame member that is pivotally attached to the first frame member and either by itself or in cooperation with a lid cover provides a closure for the opening in the first frame member. The first frame member carries a latch for securing it about the opening, and the second frame member carries a latch for securing it to the first frame member.

Abstract: A lid assembly comprising a lid portion and a frame portion, one said portion being adapted to receive the other portion to seal a container fitted with the lid assembly wherein the receiving portion has tamper-evident means connected thereto as a frangible bridge while the other portion has a hinged tab and wherein, in the untampered state, the frangible bridge is intact and prevents rotation of the hinged tab while, on breaking the frangible bridge, the hinged tab is able to rotate about its hinge, allowing opening of the lid.

Abstract: A protective case which includes two mating case components and a liner extending between a peripheral area for mating engagement to ensure a relatively sealed relationship when the case components are closed. A latch face is a single elongated element on the front and has two spaced interlocking components to cooperate with hooks in the opposite case component.

Abstract: A child safe container including a base and a cover is provided. The container includes a hinge and latch which cooperate to maintain the container in a locked position. The container is unlocked and can be opened by translating the base and the cover in a preferred direction.

Abstract: A paintball container comprises a body 12 and a lid 14. The lid 14 is hinged to the body 12 at one side, and has a tab 42 at the other side to facilitate opening of the container. The body 12 has a guard 26 formed on it adjacent to the tab 42 on the lid. The guard is substantially U-shaped and bounds a recess 30 into which a user can insert their thumb to pull up the tab 42 to release the lid. The guard 26 prevents accidental opening of the lid, for example when the container is being removed from a harness in which it is being carried.

Abstract: An easily usable bottle cap includes a cap base, an upper cap, two press buttons, a flexible sucking tube and a straw. The cap base has a lower connect member to engage with an upper end of a bottle containing water or the like. A user only presses the two press buttons inward to compress two coil springs for disengage engage blocks from the upper cap so as to let the upper cap swung up by resilience recovery of the flexible sucking tube. Then a user can use the sucking tube to drink liquid contained in a bottle threadably combined with the cap base through the straw connected with the sucking tube. The upper cap can be kept closed on the cap base by swinging down to engage the engage blocks with hooks of the upper cap.

Abstract: A container has two tray sections that fold over each other along a living hinge. Each of the trays is defined by a recessed domes that is contained within the hinge and lip surfaces opposite and on either side of the hinge. A contoured flap containing a cavity extends from a forward edge of the front of one of the tray lips. A step is provided in the other tray's lip. When the container is closed, the flap may be folded over the step where a recess in the flap engages a detent in the step. A lip extends about the flap cavity and provides a continues tab around the step parts of which facilitate a consumer flipping the flap out of engagement with the step thereby facilitate opening of a closed container.

Abstract: A latching system including both apparatus and methods addresses the need for a reusable latch that is identical on either side of a container opening, thereby facilitating container manufacture. Also disclosed are apparatus and methods for assuring the quality of latchable container enclosed contents and enhancing the safety of container users by providing an unopened condition assurance element such as a tab that is removable from a reusable container latch. A novel latching system with a split insertion element on a first latch side and unitary receptor element on a second latch side is also disclosed. A preferred embodiment involves an elastically obstructed latch as used on a squeeze-openable container.

Abstract: A leak resistant foam hinged lid container includes a base and a lid joined by a hinge allowing the lid to be pivoted about the hinge onto the base to close the container. The lid includes a first uninterrupted sealing ring which engages a second uninterrupted sealing ring on the base when the container is closed providing an uninterrupted leak resistant seal between the first and second sealing rings.

Abstract: A packing box made up of a plastic material is disclosed. The packing box has a cover with a first rim formed around the cover. A container is integrated with the cover. The container has a second rim formed around the container. A ridge is formed between the cover and the container to connect them together. The ridge has two tapered portions formed at two distal ends thereof. Two arcuate protective borders extend from the cover and are respectively formed beside and spaced apart from the ridge. Each of gaps between the ridge and the protective borders is narrower than a normal finger.

Abstract: A packing box is composed of a cover and a container, and a ridge connecting the cover and the container. The cover has a cap formed at a top thereof. A first step is formed under the cap and with an upper surface and a wall. Two notches are respectively defined in the cap at two corners to form two pressed portions on the upper surface. A first rim is formed around the first step. Two first triangular portions are respectively formed on the first rim at the corners. The container has a second step corresponding to the first step. A second rim is formed around the second step. Two second triangular portions are respectively formed on the second rim and corresponding to the first triangular portions.

Abstract: A container with a lid (10) comprises a container body (11), a lid (23) supported for turning on the container body (11) and a rubber plate (950) provided between the container body (11) and the lid (23). The lid (23) is provided with a stopping projection (32)that engages a catching projection 33 formed in an operating member (55) provided on the container body (11). A slider (60) is supported so as to be slidable on the container body (11). A recess (51) is formed at the lower end of the operating member (55) and a protrusion (61) is formed on the slider (60). In a state where the protrusion (61) of the slider (60) and the recess (51) of the operating member (55) are dislocated from each other, the operating member (55)is restrained from downward movement. Thus the mischievous opening of the lid (23) by children can be prevented.

Abstract: A hinged container includes a basket having a base, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of endwalls. The pair of sidewalls and the pair of endwalls integrally extend outwardly to form a first latching portion. A concave channel, a first concave region, and a second concave region are all formed in the base. The concave channel extends along a major axis of the base, while the first concave region extends from the concave channel to one of the pair of sidewalls, and the second concave region extends from the concave channel to the other of the pair of sidewalls. A lid is hingedly connected to the first latching portion. The lid includes a second latching portion corresponding to the first latching portion. The first and second latching portions lock together to retain the lid and the basket in a closed relationship.

Abstract: A closure structure includes a closure body having a deck and depending sidewall, and a dispensing orifice through said deck. A closure cap has a lid part attached by a hinge to the body, and a cover part frangibly connected to the lid part, on a side of the lid part opposite the hinge. The lid part is latched to the body at lateral positions located between the hinge and the cover part. The cover part covers a lifting lip extending from the lid part. Removal of the cover part exposes the lifting lip for lifting by the user to open the lid part from the closure body.