Container trim configuration

A plastic thermoformed hinged container comprising:

• a thermoformed plastic sheet having a trim edge and comprising a lid and a base formed from a thermoformable plastic material;
• the thermoformed sheet including a hinge connection comprising a foldable axial hinge line between adjoining edges of the lid and base for pivoting of the lid with respect to the base along the hinge line thus allowing the lid and base to be repeatedly moved between open and closed positions;
• the lid and base each having a generally rectangular perimeter with rounded base corners and having peripheral lid and base flanges that mate in planar engagement in the closed position forming a generally rectangular perimeter of the closed container with the hinge line forming one edge of the rectangular container perimeter;
• the hinge connection further comprising:
• abutting planar wall portions of the peripheral lid and base flanges adjacent either side of the hinge line lying in a common hinge reference plane (HRP) when the lid and base are in the open position, the HRP being parallel to a base reference plane (BRP) in which the base rests,
• the abutting planar wall portions being disposed one atop the other in mating planar engagement while the hinge line is folded to form the one edge of the rectangular container perimeter when the lid and base are in the closed position;
• wherein, the hinge line and abutting planar wall portions in the closed position comprise:
• first and second sharp trim edges disposed at opposing ends of the hinge line and recessed inwardly from the rectangular container perimeter in the closed position;
• and
• first and second protective flaps extending from the rectangular lid perimeter and spaced respectively from the first and second sharp trim edges by first and second rounded trim edge inlets in the lid perimeter, wherein the protective flaps extend beyond the hinge line and form hinge guards restricting access to the first and second sharp trim edges at opposing ends of the hinge line in the closed position.