CONTAINER WITH SELF-ALIGNING LID
A novel and unique container of a general clamshell configuration with a self-aligning lid is provided. The hinge of the container provides a hinged connection between the lid and the base of the container. The hinge includes pins that extend into corresponding receiving slots on the base that align the lid in the X and Y directions over the open top end of the base as the lid is pivoted closed. With the lid aligned on the base, downward pressure in the Z direction results in better and more reliable frictional engagement of the lid to the base. As a result, the container with self-aligning lid is particularly well-suited for use in automatic machinery for filling and closing such containers.
1 . A container, comprising:
a base having a bottom with at least one upstanding side wall with a top peripheral edge defining an open top end;
a lid, having a peripheral edge, hingedly connected to the base and configured to substantially enclose the top open end when positioned proximal to the top peripheral edge;
a hinge member hingedly connecting the lid to the base; the hinge member including a bottom edge, a top edge and a middle portion;
at least one alignment member extending from the hinge; and
at least one slot formed on the base proximal to the top peripheral edge and respectively corresponding to the at least one pin;
whereby moving the lid from an open condition to the closed condition causes the at least one alignment member to move into a respective at least one slot thereby aligning the lid over the open top end of the base in the X and Y directions in preparation for downward pressure in the Z direction to frictionally secure the lid to the container.
2 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the base, lid and hinge are made of plastic.
3 . The container of claim 2 , wherein the base, lid and hinge are made of thermoplastic.
4 . The container of claim 3 , wherein the thermoplastic is PETE.
5 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the middle portion of the hinge member includes a pair of pins for alignment members and a corresponding pair of slots on the base.
6 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot is tapered.
7 . The container of claim 6 , wherein the at least one slot is U-shaped.
8 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the at least one alignment member is tapered.
9 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the at least one alignment member is conical in shape.
10 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the lid is removable from the base.
11 . A thermoformed container, comprising:
a base having a bottom with at least one upstanding side wall with a top peripheral edge defining an open top end;
a lid, having a peripheral edge, hingedly connected to the base and configured to substantially enclose the top open end when positioned proximal to the top peripheral edge;
a hinge member hingedly connecting the lid to the base; the hinge member including a bottom edge, a top edge and a middle portion;
at least one pin extending from the middle portion of the hinge; and
at least one slot formed on the base proximal to the top peripheral edge and respectively corresponding to the at least one pin;
wherein the base, lid, and hinge member are integrally formed from a thermoplastic;
whereby moving the lid from an open condition to the closed condition causes the at least one pin to move into a respective at least one tapered slot thereby aligning the lid over the open top end of the base in the X and Y directions in preparation for downward pressure in the Z direction to frictionally secure the lid to the container.
12 . The container of claim 11 , wherein the middle portion of the hinge member includes a pair of pins and a corresponding pair of tapered slots on the base.
13 . The container of claim 11 , wherein the at least one slot is U-shaped.
14 . The container of claim 11 , wherein the at least one pin is conical in shape.
15 . The container of claim 11 , wherein the lid is removable from the base.
16 . A thermoformed container, comprising:
a base having a bottom with at least one upstanding side wall with a top peripheral edge defining an open top end;
a lid, having a peripheral edge, hingedly connected to the base and configured to substantially enclose the top open end when positioned proximal to the top peripheral edge;
a hinge member hingedly connecting the lid to the base; the hinge member including a bottom edge, a top edge and a middle portion;
a pair of spaced-apart pins extending from the middle portion of the hinge, said pins having a conical shape; and
a pair of spaced-apart slots formed on the base proximal to the top peripheral edge and respectively corresponding to the pair of pins, said slots being tapered;
wherein the base, lid, and hinge member are integrally formed from a thermoplastic;
whereby moving the lid from an open condition to the closed condition causes the at least one pin to move into a respective at least one slot thereby aligning the lid over the open top end of the base in the X and Y directions in preparation for downward pressure in the Z direction to frictionally secure the lid to the container.
17 . The container of claim 15 , wherein the lid is removable from the base.