Food tray with lockable lid
US4576330A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 1985 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 11, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T24/45995
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention embodies an upright cylindrical element or peg on the horizontal flange of a tray which is received in snap, reversible locking engagement within the closed bore of a cylindrical female element provided in a corresponding location on the horizontal flange on a lid so that the lid and tray can be firmly and securely locked together. The male and female elements are formed during the thermoforming process used to form the lid and tray wherein the peg or male snap part is provided with an enlarged diameter portion at its closed top end or head which is received in snap engagement past a smaller diameter annular rim formed in the opening to the bore of the female cylindrical element. The female element also includes a side wall which is tapered from bottom to top for receiving the head of the peg or mating cylindrical male element which snaps over and past the annular rim. The head of the peg is guided by the tapered side wall into secure engagement with the interior end surface of the bore of the female element.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.