Latching structure for food container
AssigneeMobil Oil Corporation
InventorRichard T. Warburton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Latching structure for thermoformed plastic containers for food and the like wherein the lid and base of the containers are each provided with mating male and female elongated elements where the locking takes place at the end of the elongated elements rather than along the sides of these elements.
Claims12
A container for food or other articles comprising:
- a lid having a horizontal flange extending around the periphery thereof,
- a base having a horizontal flange extending around the periphery thereof and adapted for engagement with the horizontal flange of said lid when said container is in closed condition,
- means for latching said lid to said base, said latching means including:
- at least one substantially rectangular male rib depending from said horizontal flange of said lid, the opposite ends of said rib having outwardly extending shoulder structure, the sides of said rib being substantially straight,
- at least one substantially rectangular female recess in said flange of said base dimensioned to receive a cooperating said male rib in said lid, the opposite ends of said female recess having inwardly extending shoulder structure adapted to mate with said outwardly extending shoulder structure of said male rib in said lid, said sides of said female recess being substantially straight, said ends of said male rib and said ends of said female recess being constructed and arranged to deflect with respect to each other so that when said male rib is pressed into said female recess said shoulder structure on said male rib will snap into position beneath said shoulder structure in said female recess and interlock therewith to latch said lid to said base.
In a thermoformed plastic container for food or other articles including a lid having a horizontal flange on the periphery thereof and a base having a horizontal flange on the periphery thereof and adapted for engagement with the horizontal flange of the lid when the container is in closed condition, the improvement comprising means for latching said lid to said base, said latching means including:
- at least one elongated male rib depending from said horizontal flange of said lid, the opposite ends of said rib having outwardly extending shoulder structure, said rib having at least one substantially straight side,
- at least one elongated female recess in said flange of said base dimensioned to receive a cooperating male rib in said lid, the opposite ends of said female recess having inwardly extending shoulder structure adapted to mate with said outwardly extending shoulder structure of said male rib in said lid, said female recess having at least one substantially straight side, said ends of said male rib and said ends of said female recess being constructed and arranged to deflect with respect to each other so that when said male rib is pressed into said female recess said shoulder structure on said male rib will snap into position beneath said shoulder structure in said female recess and interlock therewith to latch said lid to said base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.