Resilient interface ring for metal container
AssigneeJ. L. Clark, Inc.
InventorPhilip M. Baerenwald
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A metal container which includes two drawn container halves joined by an injection molded plastic ring. The container halves can be identical and of low profile, with upstanding walls terminating in formed edges of substantially the same size and shape. The ring includes a pair of opposed channels sharing a common base, and the formed edges of the respective container halves fit into the opposed channels of the ring. The channels and formed edges are adapted to provide tailored fitting and retention characteristics, so that one of the container half is gripped more securely by the ring, and the other container half is more readily removable.
Claims23
An interface ring formed of resilient material for use with two container lids having formed edges of identical size and shape so that the container lids do not interfit, the interface ring being adapted to releasably grip said container lids to form a closed container, the interface ring comprising:
- opposed upper and lower channels separated by a connecting web, the channels having a size and shape which matches the size and shape of the formed edges, the channels being sufficiently wide to allow insertion of and gripping the formed edge of a container lid to provide a retention force resisting removal thereof,
- the overall size of the channels being substantially the same so that the identical formed edges of two lids can fit within the channels in butting relationship separated by the web, the channels being formed so that the retention force for withdrawal of an inserted lid is different between the channels to allow one channel to release before the other channel.
An interface ring formed of resilient material for use with two container halves having formed edges of identical size and shape so that the container halves do not interfit, the interface ring being adapted to releasably secure said container halves to form an openable closed container, the interface ring comprising:
- opposed upper and lower seats having a size and shape which matches the size and shape of the formed edges, the seats sharing a common base for engaging facing portions of the formed edges of the respective container halves, each seat having at least one upstanding wall extending around the ring and comprising means for gripping the formed edge of a container half when seated therein to provide a retention force resisting removal thereof, the respective seats having non-identical gripping characteristics for the formed edges of the associated container halves such that the retention force for removal of the formed edge of a seated container half is different between the two seats to allow a predetermined one of the seats to release before the other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.