Systems and methods for containers with locking lug and recess
AssigneePactiv Corporation
InventorsWee Phan, James Gomoll, Toby Thomas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Thermoformed locking assembly comprising a first web portion including locking lug having lug undercut defining a cantilevered lug ledge having lug engaging surface, second web portion including locking recess having recess undercut defining an opposing recess ledge having recess engaging surface and a lug stop opposite the recess undercut. Locking recess configured to receive locking lug and lug stop configured to position locking lug in locking recess with the lug engaging surface in engagement with the recess engaging surface when first web portion is moved towards second web portion.
Claims31
A thermoformed locking assembly comprising:
- a first web portion thermoformed to include a locking lug having a lug undercut defining cantilevered lug ledge having a lug engaging surface, the locking lug having a generally L-shape in cross section;
- and
- a second web portion thermoformed to include a locking recess having a recess undercut defining an opposing recess ledge having a recess engaging surface and a lug stop opposite the recess undercut;
- wherein the locking recess is configured to receive the locking lug and the lug stop is configured to position the locking lug in the locking recess with the lug engaging surface in engagement with the recess engaging surface when the first web portion is moved towards the second web portion, and
- the thermoformed locking assembly is configured for a minimum closing force to be applied to move the first web portion towards the second web portion so that the lug engaging surface is in engagement with the recess engaging surface, and a minimum opening force to be applied to move the lug engaging surface out of engagement with the recess engaging surface, the minimum opening force being greater than the minimum closing force.
A thermoformed locking assembly comprising:
- a first web portion thermoformed to include a locking lug having a lug undercut defining cantilevered lug ledge having a lug engaging surface, the locking lug having a generally L-shape in cross section;
- and
- a second web portion thermoformed to include a locking recess having a recess undercut defining an opposing recess ledge having a recess engaging surface and a lug stop opposite the recess undercut;
- wherein the locking recess is configured to receive the locking lug and the lug stop is configured to position the locking lug in the locking recess with the lug engaging surface in engagement with the recess engaging surface when the first web portion is moved towards the second web portion, and
- further wherein the cantilevered lug ledge and the opposing recess ledge each has an outer edge, at least one outer edge being chamfered or rounded or chord shaped to reduce a minimum closing force applied to move the first web towards the second web so that the lug engaging surface is in engagement with the recess engaging surface.
A thermoformed locking assembly comprising:
- a first web portion thermoformed to include a locking lug having a lug undercut defining cantilevered lug ledge having a lug engaging surface, the locking lug having a generally L-shape in cross section;
- and
- a second web portion thermoformed to include a locking recess having a recess undercut defining an opposing recess ledge having a recess engaging surface and a lug stop opposite the recess undercut, the first web portion and the second web portion each having a material thickness of between 15.5 mil and 18 mil;
- wherein the locking recess is configured to receive the locking lug and the lug stop is configured to position the locking lug in the locking recess with the lug engaging surface in engagement with the recess engaging surface when the first web portion is moved towards the second web portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.