Locking mechanisms for egg cartons

Claim 1

A packaging carton comprising a bottom section having a front wall and a rear wall; a cover section having a front wall and a rear wall; laterally extending flanges on the upper and lower edges of the walls of the bottom and cover sections, respectively, said flanges being in substantial abutting engagement with one another when the sections are in closed position; interlocking means on the front walls of the cover and bottom sections for releasably holding the carton closed, said interlocking means comprising: a. a protruding longitudinal locking lip integral with and extending along at least a portion of the length of the top of the bottom section''s front wall; b. a locking flange integral with and extending inwardly from and along a portion of the length of the bottom of the cover section''s front wall adjacent the locking lip, the locking flange engaging the underside of the locking lip when the carton is closed to hold the sections together; c. a depending flange integral with and extending downwardly and outwardly from the inner edge of the locking flange, whereby the depending flange engages the locking lip as the sections are moved into a closed position to flex the locking flange over the lip and into locking position; and d. wherein said packaging carton further comprises a resilient hinged connection between the cover and bottom section''s rear walls for urging the sections apart so that the locking flange snaps tightly into engagement with the underside of the locking lip when the sections are moved into closed position.