US4498589A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking hinge for reclosable package
Assignee: WestRock Minnesota Corp
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Filing: 1984-05-04
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Granted: 1985-02-12
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Expires: 2004-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A reclosable package comprises a body member of semi-rigid preformed plastic with a first planar marginal portion and a central portion shaped to provide a packaging chamber. A base member has a corresponding second planar marginal portion and a central panel to provide a closure for the packaging chamber. The body member and base member are permanently bonded along one pair of adjacent sides of the first and second planar marginal portions. A hinge is situated within the pair of adjacent sides, which automatically locks when the package is open and unlocks when the package is closed. The hinge may comprise a line of perforations with integral locking tabs situated in one of the sides, or in a mat interposed between the sides. Different patterns of cut configurations may be employed as the hinge as long as the hinge includes areas which protrude to hold the package open when the lid is rotated past 90 to the open position.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond G. Scott
- 👤 Sherry M. McNulty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:21
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D85/00; B65D85/70; B65D85/72; B65D43/00; B65D43/14; B65D43/16; B65D43/163; B65D75/00; B65D75/28; B65D75/30; B65D75/32; B65D75/321; B65D75/322; B65D75/36; B65D75/366; B65D2543/00; B65D2543/00009; B65D2543/00425; B65D2575/00; B65D2575/28; B65D2575/30; B65D2575/36; B65D2575/361; B65D2575/362; B65D2575/365; B65D2575/368
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
In a reclosable package having: a body member of semi-rigid preformed plastic with a first planar marginal portion and a central portion shaped to provide a packaging chamber, and a base member having a corresponding second planar marginal portion and a central panel to provide a closure for said packaging chamber, said body member and base member permanently bonded together along one pair of adjacent sides of said first and second planar marginal portions; the improvement comprising a hinge situated within said pair of adjacent sides, and locking means for automatically locking said hinge when said package is open and unlocking said hinge when said package is closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a reclosable package having: a body member of semi-rigid preformed plastic with a first planar marginal portion and a central portion shaped to provide a packaging chamber, and a base member having a corresponding second planar marginal portion and a central panel to provide a closure for said packaging chamber, said body member and base member permanently bonded together along one pair of adjacent sides of said first and second planar marginal portions; the improvement comprising a hinge situated within said pair of adjacent sides, and locking means for automatically locking said hinge when said package is open and unlocking said hinge when said package is closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The package of claim 1 wherein said hinge and locking means comprises a line of perforations with integral locking tabs in one of said sides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The package of claim 2 wherein each said locking tab is generally semi-circular in configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The package of claim 2 wherein each said locking tab is elongated with rounded end portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The package of claim 2 wherein each said locking tab is sinesoidal in configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The package of claim 2 wherein each said locking tab is generally V-shaped in configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The package of claim 2 wherein said hinge and locking means is situated in said first planar marginal portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The package of claim 2 wherein said hinge and locking means is situated in said second planar marginal portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The package of claim 2 wherein said integral locking tabs assume a locked position when said base and body member are opened to define an angle of greater than 90° about said hinge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
142 words
A reclosable package comprising: a body member of semi-rigid preformed plastic with a first planar marginal portion and a central portion shaped to provide a packaging chamber; a base member having a corresponding second planar marginal portion and a central panel to provide a closure for said packaging chamber; a mat sandwiched between said body member and said base member; means for permanently bonding said mat, along one face thereof, to one of said first or second planar marginal portions; means for permanently bonding said mat, along one side of the other face thereof, to the adjacent side of the other of said first or second planar marginal portions, thereby forming a header portion; a hinge situated along said header portion; and means for automatically locking said hinge when said package is open and unlocking said hinge when said package is closed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
142 words
A reclosable package comprising: a body member of semi-rigid preformed plastic with a first planar marginal portion and a central portion shaped to provide a packaging chamber; a base member having a corresponding second planar marginal portion and a central panel to provide a closure for said packaging chamber; a mat sandwiched between said body member and said base member; means for permanently bonding said mat, along one face thereof, to one of said first or second planar marginal portions; means for permanently bonding said mat, along one side of the other face thereof, to the adjacent side of the other of said first or second planar marginal portions, thereby forming a header portion; a hinge situated along said header portion; and means for automatically locking said hinge when said package is open and unlocking said hinge when said package is closed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The package of claim 10 wherein said hinge and locking means comprises a line of perforations with integral locking tabs situated in said mat.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The package of claim 11 wherein said integral locking tabs assume a locked position when said base and body member are opened to define an angle of greater than 90° about said hinge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The package of claim 12 wherein said mat is peelably attached along the remaining sides of the other face thereof to the remaining sides of the other of said first or second planar marginal portions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-02-12 | 1988-08-13 | 1989-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-02-12 | 1992-08-13 | 1993-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-02-12 | 1996-08-13 | 1997-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |