MXPA99008121A - Metal container having resilient hinged connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A unitary hinged connector (40) connects a metal container lid (32) and a metal container bottom (34) to form a hinged container (30). The metal lid (32) and bottom (34) have matching formed edges (46, 52) which may be identical in shape or interfitting. The hinged connector (40) is formed of molded thermoplastic and includes a ring member (54), a swingable partial segment (56), and an integrally formed hinge (58) joining the ring member (54) and the partial segment (56). The ring member (54), which is substantially continuous about the periphery, is normally attached to the formed edge of the container bottom (52), and has an upper seat (62) for engaging less than all sides of the formed edge (46) of the lid (32) when the container is closed, leaving the hinge side of the formed edge free. The swingable partial segment securely grips at least the hinge side of the formed edge of the lid. The hinge is positioned to close the container in a normal condition and allow the container lid to pivot about the hinge to open the container.

Description

~ "~ METAL CONTAINER WITH RESILIENT CONNECTOR - ARTICULATED FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates, in a general manner, to containers and, more specifically, to thin-walled metal containers with formed edges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thin-walled metal containers are popular for the packaging of certain articles, where the packaging is intended to have a degree of permanence. These containers are advantageous as they provide good protection for the contents and provide the opportunity to permanently print attractive designs on the containers themselves. The containers can, in this way, be used for long periods of time or in cases where the contents are consumed after a short time, frequently, the containers are conserved for other storage purposes. Thin walled metal containers are usually made of thin metal sheets by deep drawing. Some of these containers have covers and separable bottoms, while others, including many containers of P1523 / 9SMX lower quality, they have articulated lids that are not separable from the bottoms. _ Both articulated and non-articulated metal containers share the appearance that the covers are not identical to the bottoms, because they are intended to fit together. Thus, "usually two different sets of tools are required to form a container, one to make the lid of the container, another for the bottom, Typically, the bottom has an edge that is rolled up towards the inside or edged to prevent exposure of the container. the edges of rough metal, and sometimes has a ledge formed on the top to serve as a reception / stop area for the lid.The lid or cover usually has a rolled or edged edge to also avoid exposing the edges of rough metal and that edge is normally rolled out to leave the inside wall of the lid available to fit the bottom of the container In the case of an articulated container, the lid also has an articulated half that fits with a articulated half attached to the bottom of the container The articulated connection between the lid and the bottom "of the articulated container facilitates the repeated opening and closing of the container edor and also eliminates the possibility of the lid of the container being misplaced. However, articulated containers are generally more expensive to manufacture than P1523 / 99MX non-articulated containers with separable container halves, due to the costs included in the formation of the joints. For example, the articulation in a metal container of little * - * profile that is usually formed entirely of metal tongues that extend from the sides of the container halves. To form such a joint, the smooth segment of rolled metal from which a container half is formed has to be processed to form the tabs, and the tabs are then rolled or otherwise procced to form an articulated half. Although the exact configurations of joints in articulated metal containers may differ, the formation of the joints generally requires extra stages of metal processing and more complicated tool sets than those required for non-articulated metal containers are required. The sets of tools and the equipment of the machinery to manufacture a metal container in particular can include a very significant expense. This expense can be justified when the production runs are relatively large, so that l < The same sets of tools can be used to produce a large number of container components. It is not easy or economical to change the games of P1523 / 99MX tools or equipment of machines to change from one container size to another. For example, when it is desired to form a shallower container or a higher container, it is necessary to alter the sausage and forming tools which, as indicated above, can be expensive. This problem is even more significant in the case of articulated containers, due to the relatively more expensive tool sets and the more complicated equipment required to manufacture them. In this way, when a packaging application has a requirement for the possibility of size changes during the life of the product, the increased manufacturing costs of metal containers can lead a customer to consider the use of other more conventional types of packaging. and less expensive formed of plastic or paper. While a container can be manufactured conceptually using two identical container halves produced using the same equipment to reduce costs, the identical mitas can not fit together to form a container in general, and can not easily be combined to form an articulated container in particular.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION - In view of the foregoing, it is an object P1523 / 99MX General of the present invention to provide a metal container with an articulated lid that can be produced at a relatively low cost avoiding the need for additional steps of working the metal or complicated and expensive tool sets to form the joint. It is an object resulting from the present invention to provide a cost-effective articulation mechanism that can be used to hingedly connect two container halves to form a container, without having to form articulated components separately in the container halves. It is a related object of the invention to provide an articulation mechanism that can be used to combine two identical container components, such as two container covers, to form an articulated metal container of lower quality, so that only one container is required. set of tools to form the metal container, thereby reducing the cost of manufacturing the container. It is another related object of the invention to provide an articulation mechanism that can be used to convert a conventional, non-articulated container into an articulated container. It is a related additional object of the P1523 / 99MX present invention, providing an articulation mechanism that is simple in structure, reliable in operation and economical to manufacture. It is an object in accordance with a particular aspect of the invention, to exploit the characteristics of the mechanism used to join two container halves to form an articulated container using the mechanism to add internal and external characteristics. In accordance with these and other objects of the present invention, a resilient hinged connector is provided for attaching a metal container lid and a metal container bottom to form an articulated container. The lid and the bottom of the container are normally formed of embedded metal sheet and each has an end and a vertical wall terminated in a formed edge. The formed edges of the lid and the bottom of the container define a peripheral container shape. The articulated connector is generally shaped to be coupled with the peripheral shape of the container or with a portion thereof and comprises a ring member a partial segment and an integrally formed joint joining the ring member and the partial segment. The ring member is preferably substantially continuous at its periphery and has a seat facing down to hold the formed edge of the bottom of the container, and P1523 / 99MX an upright seat to hold almost all sides of the formed edge of the container lid, leaving at least one side of the formed edge of the container lid free. The integrally formed hinge is positioned to close the container in a normal condition and to allow the container lid to pivot relative to the hinge to open the container. The articulated connector is preferably formed of injection molded thermoplastic, which is relatively inexpensive to produce. t * It is a characteristic of this Tm -t invention to use a resilient connector with a *** joint formed integrally to join two halves of 'container to form an articulated container. In this way, the lid and the bottom have simple formed edges and the need to form separate articulated components in the "container" halves is avoided, resulting in a substantial reduction in the cost of the articulated container.It is another feature of the present invention that , by means of the connector, the container halves do not have to fit together and may be of identical size and shape. In the presently preferred implementation, two identical, identical container covers with simple formed edges are joined by means of an articulated connector P1.523 / 99MX to form a low profile articulated container.

** The use of identical container halves also reduces the cost of the container, since both container halves can be formed using the same tools. , * It is another feature of the present invention that the articulated connector can be advantageously used to join the lid and the bottom of a conventional non-articulated container to form an articulated container. In this way, non-articulated metal containers can be easily converted into articulated containers. ~~ Other objects and advantages will be apparent by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container with two container halves joined by means of a resilient connector having an articulation formed integrally; Figure 2 is a top view of the articulated connector in a fully open position; Figure 3 is a bottom view of the articulated connector in the fully position P1? 23 / 99MX open; Figure 4A is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the hinge portion of the articulated connector when the connector is in the fully open position; Figure 4B is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the hinged portion when the connector is in a closed position; Figure 5 is a front elevation of the container in a closed position; Figure 6 is a fragmentary, elongated cross-sectional view of the container along line 6-6 of Figure 5; ** Figure 7 is a fragmentary, elongated cross-sectional view of the container along line 7-7 of Figure 5; Figure 8 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of an articulated connector; Figure 9 is a fragmentary, elongated cross-sectional view of the articulated connector of Figure 8, along line 9-9; Figure 10 is a front view of a container formed with the container of Figure 8; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 10, along line 11-11; P1523 / 99MX Figure 12 is similar to Figure 11 but illustrates the operation of a latch mechanism to release the lid of the connector housing; Figure 13 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of an articulated connector having a clip and a pendant tablet; Figure 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the articulated connector of Figure 13 joining two connector halves; Figure 15 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to Figure 14 but with the clip of the articulated connector in a locked position; Figure 16 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing another alternative embodiment of the invention; Ü Figure 17 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the use of a container with shaped edges bent inwards; Figure 18 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the use of a container with edges formed in the shape of a drop; Figure 19 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the use of edged edges; - Figure 20 is a side elevation of a container that uses an articulated connector that P1523 / 99MX has two oscillating sections; Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of Figure 20, taken along line 21-21, showing features Internal X of the connector; Figure 22 is a perspective view of an example of the invention, having exterior decorative features in an articulated connector; Figure 23 is a perspective view of a fantasy-shaped, non-rectangular container; Figure 24 is a perspective view of an articulated container converted from a conventional non-articulated container; Figure 25 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, on an elongated scale, of the container of Figure 24; "Figure 26 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, similar to Figure 25 showing another alternative embodiment of the invention, attaching a container lid to a container bottom having an inwardly curved edge; is a fragmentary, elongated cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 25 showing a further embodiment of the invention, while the invention is susceptible to various modations and constructions.

P1523 / 99MX to the documents, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to specific forms set forth, but on the contrary, the invention covers all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY Turning now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a container 30 constructed in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. A front view of the closed container is shown in Figure 5. The container has a container lid 32 and a container bottom Í34 joined by means of a resilient articulated connector 40, to form an articulated container. Each of the container lid 32 and the bottom 34, ~ has a thin metal body which is normally formed by deep drawing. The container lid has a closed end 42, a vertical wall 44, and a formed edge 46. Similarly, the bottom of the container has a closed end 48, a vertical wall 50 and a formed edge 52 (Figure 6). The formed edge 46 of the container lid engages the formed edge 52 of the container bottom. The term "docks" P1523 / 99MX used in this way, is intended to indicate that the two edges formed either fit together, or are of substantially identical peripheral shape and size. In the latter case, the two edges do not need to be formed identically. For example, the edge of the lid may be an outwardly curved edge, while the bottom edge may be a rimmed edge. The formed edges define a general peripheral container shape. Since none of the container halves 32, 34 has any articulated component formed directly thereon, the container halves "can not be combined directly to form an articulated container." In accordance with one feature of the present invention, the connector is provided. articulated resilient 40 as an economical and still effective interface between the container lid 32 and the bottom 34 so that they can be joined in articulated form to form a closed container.The connector 40 is shaped to engage the peripheral shape of container and has seats to fit the shaped edges of the container halves As illustrated in Figure 1, the connector 40 comprises a ring member 54 which is normally attached to the container bottom 34, and an oscillating partial segment 56 which is attached securely the container lid 32. The ring member 54 and the partial segment 56 are P1523 / 99MX connected by a joint 58 which is formed integrally with the partial segment and the ring member. Due to the articulation 58, the container lid 32 can be pivoted relative to the articulated side of the container bottom 34. Because the joint 58 is an integral part of the connector 40, there is no need to form separate articulation components directly in the container halves. Thus, the container halves have formed simple edges that are relatively inexpensive to form. The connector 40 is preferably made of molded thermoplastic material which is "preferably polypropylene." Since the molded plastic connector is quite inexpensive to be produced, the articulated container 30 using the articulated con- cector 40 can be substantially less expensive than the articulated con- tactor 40. conventional fully metal articulated containers Figure 2 shows a top view of the articulated connector 40 with the connector in a "fully open" position In this apposition, the partial segment 56 is oscillated approximately 180 degrees away from its closed position in where it is bent over the ring member 54. A bottom view of the connector 40 is shown in the fully open position in Figure 3. Both the ring member 54 and the partial segment 56 are sized and shaped P1523 / 99MX for coupling the peripheral shape of container defined by the formed edges of the < s container halves. The ring member 54 has a lower seat 60 face down to receive the edge formed from the container bottom, and a top seat 62 face up to receive almost all sides of the edge, formed from the container lid, leaving at least one free a formed edge side. The oscillating partial segment 56 has a seat 64 that faces upwards when the partial segment 56 is in the closed position, although it appears to be facing downwards in the fully open position shown in Figure 3. the seat 64 is sized to hold secure at least the free side (the side not received by the upper seat of the ring member) from the formed edge of the container lid. The integrally formed joint 58 is positioned so that the formed edge of the container lid d is received by both the upper seat 62 and the seat 64 of the partial segment when the container is closed. When the container is open, the formed edge 46 of the container lid 32 can be uncoupled from the upper seat 62, but is still contained by the seat 64 of the partial segment to allow the container lid to pivot relative to the articulation 58 In the present modality, the member of P1523 / 99MX ring 54 has a continuous body corresponding to the entire periphery of the container halves. It will be appreciated, however, that the ring member 54 need not be a continuous piece, and may comprise separate segments. In this case, the total shape of the ring member 54 will be maintained by the edge 52 formed of the container bottom 34. In the present embodiment, all three seats 60, 62, 64 in the ring member 54 and the partial segment 56 are in the form of channels. As illustrated, the ring member 54 has an upper channel 70 and a lower channel 72 separated by a base 76 (see also Figure 6) that has the shape of a network. The ring member 54 includes a peripheral inner wall 78 and a peripheral outer wall 80 which are connected by the base 76 to form the upper and lower channels 70, 72. The partial segment 56 similarly has a base 82 and a channel 84 extending upward from the base 82. As illustrated in Figure 2, the upper side of the base 76 of the ring member 54 a, along the hinge is open to receive the base 82 of the partial segment 56. As can best be seen in the cross-sectional view of Figure 4A, the base 82 of the oscillating segment is connected to the base 76 of the ring member by means of the link 58. The link 58 is in the form of a thin network, P1523 / 99MX flexible, which allows the partial segment 56 to pivot with respect to the articulation. As illustrated in Figure 4B, when the partial segment 56 is pivoted to the closed position, its base 82 overlies the open section of the base 76 of the ring member 54. In this position, the channel 84 of the partial segment cooperates with the upper channel 70 of the ring member to receive the formed edge 46 of the container lid 32. When the container is open, it is intended that the ring member 54 remain fixed on the bottom 34 of the container, and the segment The partial portion remains attached to the container lid 32 ^, as illustrated in Fig. 1. For this purpose, it is often preferred to configure the channels so that they have different holding characteristics so that the lower channel 72 and the channel 84 of the partial segment are able to contain the respective formed edges of the container more firmly than the manner in which the upper channel 70 contains the edge formed of the cover. In this form, the upper channel 70 will release the container lid 32 before other channels release the associated formed edges when a user attempts to open the container. Used in this manner, the "clamping" is widely intended to extend from a secure press fit as will be discussed below, to a sliding fit.

P1523 / 99MX Relatively loose. Turning now to Figure 6, in the present embodiment, the lower channel 72 has fastening means for firmly capturing the formed edge 52 of the container bottom when it is inserted therein. The fastening means in the lower channel 72 includes a plurality of stop projections and "shock" ribs. Stop projections are used to join relatively rigidly to the ring member 54 with the formed edge 52 of the container bottom fe. As illustrated, the stop projections in the lower channel include tips 86 projecting from the locations separated in the wall 80 within the channel 72. The tips 86 are relocate to a predetermined height from the base 76 so as to press and capture the formed edge 52 of the container bottom 34, when inserted therein. Instead of using a series of tips 86 arranged at selected locations, it is possible to use a continuous tip on the wall 80 which extends around the lower channel to capture the formed edge of the container bottom. The fastening means illustrated in the lower channel 72 also includes a plurality of impact ribs 90 located at selected locations around the lower channel. The impact ribs 90 project from the wall 80 towards the lower channel. When the edge formed P1523 / 99MX 52 of the container bottom is inserted into the lower channel, the impact ribs engage and press on the inner surface of the vertical wall 50 of the container bottom adjacent the formed edge 52. The impact ribs 90 they thus firmly contain the formed edge 52 towards the stopping points 86 so that the formed edge is captured securely by the tips. As illustrated in Figure 4A, similar tips 83 and shock ribs 82 can be formed in channel 84 on oscillating segment 56 so that the channel is capable of firmly grasping the formed edge of cap 32. If If you want a frictional abutment adjustment without detent, then the tips can be removed to "use only the impact ribs to hold the formed edge." For example, in the present embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 6, the upper channel is provided. with impact ribs 92 to provide a frictional fit with the edge 46 of the container lid 32. It will be appreciated that other types of fastening means may also be employed in the channels to provide the desired attachment characteristics. and an important application of the invention, in the present embodiment, the formed edges 46, 52 of the cover 32 and of the container bottom 34, are practically P1523 / 99MX identical. The lid 32 and the bottom 34 therefore, normally do not fit together and can not be combined directly to form a closed container. In this way, the articulated connector is advantageously used to join the container halves to form an articulated, closed container. Although the edges formed can be identical, the lid and the bottom of the container do not need to be identical. For example, two regular container covers with identical peripheral shapes and edges formed identically but of different heights can be combined by means of the connector 40 to form a low profile container.

It is currently preferred, however, to use two identical container halves, such as two regular container covers, to form an articulated container to "take advantage of the reduced fixed cost due to the use of the same tools to produce both container halves. As a secondary feature of the present invention, the connector 40 has a wedge formed integrally to facilitate opening the container Referring again to Figure 2, the wedge 94 is supported on a U-shaped net 96 formed so integral with the ring member 54 and disposed transverse to the ring member from the joint 58. The P1523 / 99MX Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the closed container 30, of Figure 5. As illustrated therein, the upper portion of the outer wall 80 is released between the two legs of the U-shaped net 96. , so that the formed edge 46 of the container lid 32 is exposed. The wedge 94 is supported in the U-shaped net 96 so that the tip of the wedge points towards the space between the formed edge 46 of the container lid 32 and the base 76. A user attempting to open the container simply pushes on the net 96 as indicated by the arrow 98 towards the ring member 54, and the wedge 94 is inserted between the formed edge 46 and the base 76 to lever the cover 32 out of the upper channel 70, thereby opening, the container. Figure 8 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the articulated connector.

As with the embodiment described above, the connector 100 has a ring member 102 and a partial segment 104 joined by an articulation network 106 formed integrally. In this embodiment, the ring member 102 has a bolt section 108 located transverse to the ring from the articulation network 106. As shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 9, the outer wall 112 of the ring member in the The bolt section has a release tab 118, P1523 / 99MX hanging down, integrally molded, on the outside, and a stopping tip 116 on the inside protruding into the upper channel 130 to capture the formed edge of a container lid. Figure 10 shows a front view of a container 120 formed by the union of two identical container halves 121, 122 with the articulated connector 100. Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the closed container 120, along the line 11-11 of Figure 10. As illustrated, the formed edge 128 of the container lid 121 is received in the upper channel 130 of the container. ring member, and sensing tip 116 in the bolt section attached to the edge formed to resist removal of the edge formed from the top channel, thereby holding the lid of the container in the closed position. The operation of the bolt section 108 ******** allows the container to open easily, as illustrated in Figure 12. When a user ^ a W * attempts to open the container by pushing on the release tab 118, the outer wall 112 is twisted so that the upper portion of the outer wall moves towards the outside sufficient for the stop tip 116 to be uncoupling the formed edge 128 of the container lid. In this way, the stopping point 116 will not obstruct the P1523 / 99MX removing the formed edge 128 of the container lid from the upper channel 130 of the ring member. The container lid 121 can then be easily removed from the upper channel 130 to open the container. Figures 13 to 15 show another alternative embodiment of an articulated connector 300. As illustrated in Figure 13, the connector 300, like the two embodiments described in the foregoing, includes a ring member 302 and a partial segment 304. joined by an articulation network 306 integrally formed. As a feature of this embodiment, the connector 300 has a clip 308 integrally formed in the ring member 302 to contain the formed edge of a container lid in the upper channel 310 of the ring member. The connector 300 is also provided with a hanging tab 312 integrally formed on the ring member 302. The hanging tab 312 has a hole formed therein which can be used to hang the container formed with the connector 300 on a hanger or the like, for deployment or storage purposes. Figure 14 shows a cross-sectional view of a container formed with the articulated connector 300. As illustrated, the ring member 302 has an interior wall 312 and a wall P1523 / 99MX exterior 318 connected by means of a base network 320 to form an upper channel 310 to receive the formed edge 324 of the container lid 325 and a lower channel 326 to receive the formed edge 328 from the container bottom 329. The loop 308 and the hanging tongue 312 are preferably integrally molded on the outer periphery of the ring member 302. In the illustrated embodiment, the clip 308 is pivotally connected to the lower end of the outer wall 318 of the ring member by means of a thin network 330. The free end of the clip 308 is formed within a bolt head 332. The outer wall 318 of the ring member is provided with two detent tabs 334 which are arranged to provide a snap fit with the handle clip 308 which they contain. the clip sealingly when the clip moves in a locked position by abutting the outer wall 318 of the ring member. The hanging tongue 312 (Figure 13) is pivotally connected to the outer wall 318 of the ring member so that it can be bent against the outer wall 318 when it is not in use. stopping 336 on the outer wall to hold the hanging tongue 312 in a folded position, as can best be seen in Figure 15, P1523 / 99MX when the clip 308 is in the illustrated locked position, the bolt head 332 extends over the upper channel 310 of the ring member 302. In this position, the bolt head 332 prevents the formed edge 324 of the lid from forming. The container is disengaged from the upper channel 310 of the ring member, thereby locking the container lid in the closed position. ~ Figure 16 shows an alternative embodiment of an articulated connector 131. In Figure 16, only the section of the ring member 132 on the opposite side of the joint is illustrated. In this mode, the upper seat 134 in the ring member has only vertical wall 136 instead of two walls forming a channel. The shock ribs 138 are formed in the wall to provide a frictional shoulder adjustment between the wall 136 and the container lid wall 139 adjacent the formed edge 137. The adjustment allows the container cover 139 to be released from the container. 134 upper seat with relative ease. In contrast, the lower seat 141 in the ring member is in the form of a channel with fastening means such as, for example, shock ribs 143 and tips 145 so that the ring member 132 securely attaches to the formed edge 144. of the container bottom 142. In different applications, depending on the use of the P1523 / 99MX container, it may be desirable that both the upper seat and the lower seat, or even the seat in the partial segment, be formed to have only one vertical wall. The seats can also be formed for different shapes to channel or to a vertical wall to provide the desired fastening characteristics. In the embodiments described above, the edges of the containers are formed to remove any exposed raw edge of the laminated metal forming the container halves. The formed edges also stiffen the container halves by providing a structure similar to a channel at the open end. The edges also provide a container feature to which the connector can adapt quickly. When used herein, the term "shaped edge", unless otherwise indicated by the context, is intended to encompass the various metal forming techniques that can be used to shape the container edge. For purposes of illustration, the formed edges of the containers described in the above are in the form of curved edges turned upwards. It will be appreciated, however, *** that the invention also has applicability to other types of formed edges, such as for example "drop" or "edged" edges, both edges being broadly encompassed within the term "edge" P1523 / 99MX forming. In addition, the edges can also, in many cases, be formed inwards. For example, Figure 17 is a partial view showing the application of the present invention to a container having metal edges curved inward rather than outwardly. Thus, a container lid 150 and url container bottom 152 are shown having formed edges 154, 156 joined by a connector 158. The edges 154, 156 are curved inward to provide a substantially flat outer wall and a curved inner wall. In view of the previous discussion, the way to configure the articulated connector to interface with the formed edges will be evident. Figure 18 illustrates the application of the invention to a container wherein the edges 160, 162 are formed to have a droplet-shaped cross section and are joined by means of a connector 164. The drop-shaped edges have a configuration in wherein the vertical walls of the channels are both in contact with the contoured portions of the formed edges, in contrast to the previous embodiments wherein one wall of the channel would be in contact with a curved edge, and the other wall would remain in contact with a practically flat portion of the edge. Figure 19 still shows an additional modality where the P1523 / 99MX formed edges 166, 168 are edged, and the edged edges are joined by a connector 170. The edged edges 166, 168 have a much flatter profile, in which the formation of the edges is folded and then compressed the union of the edge. The articulated connector of the present invention not only serves the function of joining two container halves to form an articulated container, but also presents the opportunity to add additional features to the container. The advantages of the injection molded connector could be obtained by forming the connector to include internal or external characteristics for a variety of special purposes. "*" An example of a container using a connector with features, internal is illustrated in Figure 20. The container 180 in this embodiment has two container halves 182, 184, virtually identical, with a generally square peripheral shape. The connector 186 has two oscillating segments 188, 190 connected to a ring member 192 by means of articulation networks t 194, 196. Each partial segment is securely attached to a container half holding the formed edge of the container half . In this way, each * container half ^ is articulated in connector 186, and the container can be opened from P1523 / 99MX either side. Figure 21 shows a cross-sectional view of the ring member 192 illustrating the internal characteristic of the connector. The internal feature comprises a substantially square base plate 200 and two rosettes 202, 204, one at the center of each side of the base plate 200. "The width of the base plate 200 is preferably slightly larger than the base plate 200. The diameter of the conventional compact disks, and the rosettes 202, s 204 are preferably formed to provide an interference fit with the central hole of a compact disc.Thus, the metal container 180 formed with the plastic connector 186 provides a commercially attractive low profile compact disc packaging that can be used to hold two compact discs Figure 22 illustrates the use of special purpose exterior features in a connector 206 for the support of the formed container 208 that uses the connector In this example, the connector 206 has two special purpose holders 210 molded integrally with the connector 206 on the side-of the member and ring ^ 212, so that the supports can be used to hold the container on the end ^ on a silver surface. Other types of functional or ornamental external features can be formed, of course, in the P1523 / 99MX connector. The invention, in this way, has been described in relation to rectangular or square containers to simplify the drawings and allow the description to focus on important aspects of the invention. It will be recognized that the invention is also suitable for containers of complex or unusual shape. For example, Figure 23 shows a container 214 that is formed to resemble the shape of a seashell. Different in conformation, the modality of Figure 23 is like that illustrated and described in relation to the previous drawings. More particularly, it will be noted that the container 214 includes two container halves 216, 218 joined by means of a resilient hinged connector 220 having a ring member 222 and a partial segment 224 joined by a hinge 226. ring 222 as partial segment 224 are shaped to couple the peripheral shape of the container. The ring member has a top channel 228 for receiving almost all sides of the formed edge 217 of the container lid 216, leaving the articulated side free to join the partial segment 224. It will be appreciated that the invention is especially advantageous for forming containers with "irregular, fantasy forms, which tend to be P1523 / 99MX more expensive in their manufacture, than containers with conventional simple shapes. This is because identical container halves can be used to form a container. In this way, the embossing and forming equipment can be configured and installed to embed a large number of identical container halves, thereby reducing the fixed cost of the container.The description thus has focused rather on the advantageous use of the container. present invention, which allows two container halves with simple formed edges, which normally do not fit together and have no reserve for articulated connection, to join together to form an articulated container. It will be appreciated, however, that the identity of the formed edges is not a requirement of the present invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that another important application of the present invention is in the conversion of a conventional non-articulated container with container halves that fit together into an articulated container. An example of this application is illustrated in Figure 24. As illustrated, container 230 includes a container lid 236 that attaches the lid and bottom to form an articulated container. Similar to the embodiments described in the foregoing, the articulated connector t has a ring member 238 attached to the container bottom, a partial segment P1523 / 99MX oscillating 240 holding the container lid, and a connection 242 formed integrally joining the ring member and the partial segment. As shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 25, the ring member 238 has a lower channel 246 for receiving the formed edge 248 from the bottom, and an upper channel 250 for receiving the formed edge 252 of the cover 232. partial segment 240 also has a channel 254 for holding the formed edge of the container lid. The main difference between this modality and the previously described modalities is that the container halves in this case, do not fit together they can form a non-articulated, closed container, without the aid of the connector 236. Because the container halves fit between yes, the formed edges 252, 248 of the container lid 232 and the bottom 234 are necessarily different, and the ring member 238 and the partial segment 240 are adapted to receive the respective portions of the two formed edges that are not identical . In the present embodiment, the upper container part 232 has a curved edge 252 turned outwardly, and the container fleece 234 has a rimmed edge 248 bent inwardly, as is typical in conventional, non-articulated containers. Of this mache, the upper channel 250 of the ring member 238 and the channel 254 of the P1523 / 99MX partial segment 240 are ^ configured to receive the curved edge 252 of the lid, and the lower channel 246 of the ring member is configured to receive the trimmed edge 248 from the bottom 234. To firmly join the partial segment 240 with the container lid 232, the channel 254 of the partial segment is provided with tips 256 and shock ribs 258 for holding the formed edge of the lid. Similarly, the lower channel 246 of the ring member is provided with tips 260 to securely attach to the rim edge 248 of the container bottom. In contrast, the upper channel 250 has impact ribs 262 formed therein to "provide a frictional shoulder adjustment to the wall of the container lid adjacent the formed edge 252 of the cap." Along with the combination of a curved edge rotated outwardly on the lid and a border edged at the bottom, the articulated connector may be adapted to join other combinations of shaped edges that fit together For example, Figure 26 shows another embodiment using a container bottom 264 with a curved edge 266 turned inward, which adjusts with each other with the edge 268 turned outwardly, of the lid 270. The lower channel 272 of the ring member 274 is configured accordingly, to receive the edge j = 266 curved inwardly , From the bottom.

P1523 / 99MX Figure 27 shows a further embodiment of an articulated connector 276 for attaching two container halves 278, 280 that fit together, which are similar to those of Figure 25. In this embodiment, the upper seat 282 of the control member ring 284 has only one vertical wall 288, instead of two walls forming a channel. The wall 288 has crash ribs 290 to provide a shoulder adjustment to the flat inner side of the edge 292 turned outwardly of the container lid 278. It is not possible to be exhaustive at this point, since the possibilities presented by means of the present invention will be observed, in fact, that they are very broad. it will be appreciated, however, that what has been provided is a resilient articulated connector that can be advantageously used to connect metal container halves that do not normally fit together, with simple formed edges, to form an articulated container. The articulated connector can also be advantageously used to convert conventional non-articulated containers into articulated containers. The use of the articulated connector eliminates the need to form articulation components directly in the metal container halves, resulting in much simpler metal processing, required to form the P1523 / 99MX container halves. The articulated container can be shaped to "couple irregular and complex peripheral container shapes to form containers of fancy and commercially attractive designs." The connector also provides the opportunity to form containers with special purposes with ornamental or functional characteristics, interior or exterior.

P1523 / 99MX

Claims (29)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property. 5 CLAIMS t 1. A metal container comprising the combination of: a container lid and a container bottom, each having a closed end and a 10 side wall terminated in a formed edge, the fc formed edges of the lid and_of the container bottom define a peripheral container shape; and a resilient connector shaped to engage the peripheral container shape and having seats sized to fit the formed edges of the lid and container bottom to form a closed container, the connector has a ring member, a partial segment and an integrally formed hinge, which joins the ring member and the partial segment, the ring member is substantially continuous around the periphery and has an upside down seat for engagement with the formed edge of the container bottom, and an upright seat for coupling with almost all sides of the formed edge of the container lid, leaving at least one side of the formed edge of the container lid, free, P1523 / 99MX the partial segment has a seat facing up to securely hold at least the free side of the formed edge of the container lid, the joint is positioned to close the container in a normal condition and to allow the container lid move to pivot with respect to the articulation, to open the container. A metal container according to claim 1, wherein the formed edges of the lid "and of the container bottom are formed identically 3. A metal container according to claim 2, wherein the container lid and the container The container bottom is substantially identical. A metal container according to claim 1, wherein the formed edges of the lid and the container bottom are not identical 5. A metal container according to claim 1, wherein the connector is of molded thermoplastic 6. A metal container according to claim 2, wherein the thermoplastic forming the connector is polypropylene 7. A metal container according to claim 1, wherein the upper channels and The bottom part of the lower channel has fastening characteristics that are not identical, so that the lower channel joins the container bottom more firmly than the bottom. P1523 / 99MX upper channel to container lid. 8. A metal container according to claim 1, wherein the lower seat includes a channel having fastening means for securely holding the formed edge of the container bottom when inserted therein. A metal container according to claim 1, wherein the seat of the partial segment includes a channel having holding means for securely holding the formed edge of the container lid when inserted therein. 10. A metal container according to claim 1, wherein the joint of the connector is in the form of a thin flexible net. 11. A metal container according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes a wedge formed integrally supported on the ring member to lever the formed edges of the closed container to open the container. metal container according to claim 1, wherein the resilient connector further includes a loop formed integrally, pivotally connected to an outer periphery of the ring member, the clip can be moved to a locked position to prevent the edge P1523 / 99MX formed from the container lid is uncoupled from the seat face up of the ring member. A metal container according to claim 1, further including a hanging lug formed integrally, attached to an outer periphery of the ring member. A metal container according to claim 1, wherein the ring member includes an inner peripheral wall and an outer peripheral wall joined by means of a base network to form an upper channel that serves as the **** i * upper seat to receive the formed edge of the container lid, and a lower channel that serves as the lower seat to receive the formed edge of the container bottom. 15. A metal container according to claim 14, wherein the ring member includes a bolt section having an integrally formed release tab, which is dependent on the outer peripheral wall and a stopping point protruding from the outer peripheral wall to the interior of the upper channel for capturing the formed edge of the container lid, and wherein the outer peripheral wall is twisted or uncoupled from the stopping point from the formed edge of the container lid when the release tab is pushed to facilitate the opening of the container. P1523 / 99MX 16. A metal container according to claim 1, wherein the lid and the container bottom are non-rectangular peripheral in shape, the articulated connector is an injection molded plastic member, for coupling with the non-rectangular peripheral shape. A metal container according to claim 1, wherein the formed edges are shapes in the shape taken from the class including curved edges formed outwardly, shaped in a drop shape and edged. A metal container according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes at least one internal feature molded unitarily with the articulated connector and positioned to be completely disposed within the container. 19. A metal container according to claim 1, wherein the connector is formed with at least one integral external feature, which extends unitarily from the connector to be disposed outside the container. 20. A metal container comprising the combination of: a container lid and a container bottom formed of embossed metal, each having a closed end and a vertical wall ending in a formed edge, the formed edges of the lid and the container background are virtually identical and P1523 / 99MX define a peripheral shape of container; and a unitary articulated connector formed of molded thermoplastic flk for attaching the lid and the bottom of the container at their respective formed edges 5 to produce a closed container, the articulated connector includes a fixed annulus and an oscillating segment formed to engage the peripheral shape of the container. container to receive the formed edges, and a joint network that joins the ring 10 fixed and the oscillating segment, the articulation network is flexible to allow the pivoting movement of the oscillating segment in relation to the fixed ring, the fixed ring has: a fixed base that separates a lower seat 15 face down to receive the formed edge of the container bottom and a top seat face up to receive almost all sides of the formed edge of the container lid, leaving one side of the formed edge of the container lid, the base free fixed 20 has a section open face up to receive the oscillating segment, the oscillating segment has an oscillating base that overlies the open section of the fixed base when the oscillating segment pivots 25 towards a closed position, and a seat facing up on the swinging base to securely hold the free side of the formed edge of the container lid, so that when the segment P1523 / 99MX oscillating is in the closed position, the seat therein cooperates with the upper seat in the ring member to receive the formed edge of the container lid. 21. A metal container according to claim 20, wherein the upper and lower seats in the fixed ring have identical clamping characteristics so that the lower seat is attached to the container bottom more firmly than the upper channel to the container lid, 22. One container. of metal according to claim 20, where the container lid and the container bottom are practically identical. 23. A metal container according to claim 20, wherein the articulated connector includes a wedge formed integrally, supported on the fixed ring to lever the formed edge of the container lid out of the upper seat. A metal container according to claim 20, wherein the articulated connector includes a loop formed integrally connected pivotally to the fixed ring, the clip can be moved to a closed position to prevent the formed edge of the container lid from becoming uncoupling from the upper seat of the fixed ring. _ £ _ 25. A metal container according to claim 20, wherein _ the fixed ring includes P1S23 / 99MX a peripheral inner wall and a peripheral outer wall joined by the fixed base to form an upper channel and a lower channel serving respectively as the upper and lower seats. A metal container according to claim 25, wherein the fixed ring has a bolt section that includes an integrally formed release tab that depends on the outer peripheral wall and a stop tip protruding from the outer peripheral wall. into the upper channel to capture the formed edge of the container lid, and wherein the outer peripheral wall is twisted to uncouple the stopping point from the formed edge of the container lid when the release tab is pushed to facilitate operation of the container. 27. A molded thermoplastic connector for attaching a metal container lid and a metal container bottom to form an articulated container, the container lid has an edge formed of a first proportioned size and shape, the container bottom has an edge formed of a second size and shape provided, which is coupled with ß to the formed edge of the container lid, the formed edges define a peripheral shape of container, the articulated connector comprises: a ring member and a partial segment P1523 / 99MX joined by means of an integrally formed joint, the ring member and the partial segment are shaped to engage the peripheral shape of the container, the ring member has a lower seat face down to receive a formed edge of the second size and shape, and a top-up seat to receive a rim formed of the first size and shape provided, the top seat extends along almost all sides of the ring member, leaving at least one articulation side of the leg member. ring, free; the partial segment is joined to the articulation side of the ring member by means of the joint and has an upright seat for securely holding a formed edge of the first Z * A, size and shape provided, the hinge member is flexible to allow the partial segment to pivot to a closed position where the partial segment overlies the hinge side of the ring member so that the segment seat The partial and the upper seat of the ring member cooperate to receive corresponding portions of an edge formed of the first size and shape provided. : i f * 28. An articulated connector according to claim 27, wherein the first size and shape are practically identical to the second size and P1523 / 99MX form. 29. An articulated connector according to claim 27, wherein an edge formed of the first size and shape fits together with an edge formed of the second size and shape. P1523 / 99MX