Container apparatus, methods for opening containers and zipper member for a container apparatus

A zipper member for a container apparatus, the container apparatus comprising a bag having a first end portion and a second end portion, the bag being structured to move between a FIRST position corresponding to the first end portion being interlocked with the second end portion, and a SECOND position corresponding to the first end portion being spaced from the second end portion, the zipper member comprising:

• a body structured to be coupled to the first end portion and the second end portion;
• a pair of opposing arms extending from the body, the pair of opposing arms being structured to move between a THIRD position corresponding to disengagement with the first end portion and the second end portion, and a FOURTH position corresponding to engagement with the first end portion and the second end portion;
• and
• a hood extending from the body, the hood being structured to move between a FIFTH position corresponding to disengagement with the pair of opposing arms, and a SIXTH position corresponding to engagement with the pair of opposing arms,
• wherein, when the hood is in the SIXTH position, the hood extends between the pair of opposing arms in order to maintain the pair of opposing arms in the THIRD position.

A container apparatus comprising:

• a body having a base and a sidewall extending therefrom, the body defining an interior comprising a product space configured for housing at least one product, the body further having an opening leading to the interior;
• a lid configured to be attached to the sidewall via a hinge;
• and
• a trigger member connected to or integral with the hinge, the trigger member having a distal portion disposed opposite the hinge and external with respect to the interior,
• wherein the container apparatus is structured to move between a CLOSED position corresponding to the lid covering the opening, and an OPENED position wherein the lid does not cover the opening, and
• wherein, when the container apparatus moves from the CLOSED position toward the OPENED position, the distal portion initially moves toward the interior.

A method of opening a container comprising the steps of:

• providing the container with a body and a lid, the body having a base and a sidewall extending therefrom, the body defining an interior comprising a product space configured for housing at least one product, the body further having an opening leading to the interior, the lid being configured to be attached to the sidewall via a hinge;
• providing the sidewall with a top portion and a number of latching members extending therefrom;
• providing the lid with a body portion and a number of latching members extending therefrom, each of the latching members of the lid being interlocked with a corresponding one of the latching members of the sidewall, the body portion of the lid having a number of thru holes each proximate a corresponding one of the latching members of the lid;
• providing a tool comprising a gripping portion and a number of protrusions extending therefrom;
• inserting each of the number of protrusions of the tool through a corresponding one of the thru holes in order to release the latching members of the lid from the latching members of the sidewall;
• and
• pivoting the tool about the hinge in order to open the container.

A container apparatus comprising:

• a body having a base and a sidewall extending therefrom, the body defining an interior comprising a product space configured for housing at least one product, the body further having an opening leading to the interior;
• a lid configured to be attached to the sidewall via a hinge, the lid being structured to move between a CLOSED position corresponding to the lid covering the opening and an OPENED position wherein the lid does not cover the opening;
• and
• a member comprising a coupling portion and a securing portion connected to the coupling potion, the coupling portion being coupled to the sidewall, the member being structured to move between a FIRST position corresponding to the securing portion engaging the lid in order to maintain the lid in the CLOSED position, and a SECOND position wherein the securing portion does not engage the lid,
• wherein, when the member moves from the FIRST position toward the SECOND position, the securing portion revolves around a top portion of the sidewall in order to allow the lid to move from the CLOSED position to the OPENED position.