Clamshell Package With Snap Fit Closure And Method Of Forming Same

• US 20120055816A1
• Filed: 08/29/2011
• Published: 03/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CP Packaging LLC (Middleby Corporation)
• Original Assignee: CP Packaging LLC (Middleby Corporation)
• Inventors: Buchko, Raymond G.
• Application Number:
  US13/219,941
• Publication Number:
  US 20120055816A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/213.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 7/7457 Mixing heads without moving stirrer B29B7/7438, B29B7/76 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 7/7647 Construction of the mixing conduit module or chamber part
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 7/805 Cleaning of the mixing conduit, module or chamber part
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 7/86 for working at sub- or superatmospheric pressure B01F33/70 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/08 using ultrasonic vibrations non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/48 using adhesives , i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1312 Single flange to flange joints, the parts to be joined being rigid the parts to be joined being flexible B29C66/133
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/542 joining hollow covers or hollow bottoms to open ends of container bodies
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/163 the container and the lid being made separately B65D43/161 takes precedence

Abstract

A re-sealable package and method of making the same. The package includes a base having a cavity for receiving an article, and a hinged cover for forming a releasable snap fit closure with the base. A plurality of channels are in fluid communication between the cavity and an upper edge of the base. A volume of gas located within the cavity is removed or otherwise altered through the channels prior to sealing the cover to the base. A slot located adjacent the upper edge of the base provides a path for withdrawing or administering a volume of gas during the gaseous modification, and subsequently receives an extruded portion of the cover to form a lip for forming a releasable snap fit closure.

Claims

1. A re-sealable package, comprising:

a base having a cavity configured to receive an article therein, and a plurality of channels in fluid communication between the cavity and an upper perimeter of the base;

a cover engaging the upper perimeter of the base;

a hinge adjacent a side of the upper perimeter, the hinge pivotally coupling the base and the cover; and

a seal at the upper perimeter between the base and the cover, wherein the seal prevents fluid communication through the plurality of channels.

2. The re-sealable package of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises:

a depression operative to engage an inner surface of the upper perimeter of the base; and

a peripheral flange operative to engage the channels at the upper perimeter of the base.

3. The re-sealable package of claim 1, wherein the cavity comprises a plurality of compartments in fluid communication.

4. The re-sealable package of claim 1 wherein the hinge is located at a first side of the upper perimeter and wherein the channels are located at a second side of the upper perimeter that is opposite the first side of the upper perimeter.

5. The re-sealable package of claim 1 wherein the channels are disposed within a panel of the base.

6. The re-sealable package of claim 1 further comprising an air-tight seal between the base and cover.

7. The re-sealable package of claim 6 having a negative pressure sealed within in the cavity.

8. The re-sealable package of claim 6 having a non-reactive gas sealed within the cavity.

9. The re-sealable package of claim 1 wherein the base and cover are molded plastic.

10. The re-sealable package of claim 1, wherein the hinge is located at a first side of the upper perimeter and further comprising a lip affixed to the cover at a second side of the upper perimeter opposite the first side, the lip configured to releasably engage an edge of the base to form a snap fit closure.

11. The re-sealable package of claim 10, wherein the lip comprises a protrusion of the cover, wherein the protrusion is formed by extending a portion of the cover through a slot formed in a web of material from which the base is formed, and subsequently removing a portion of the web of material defining the slot so as to form the edge of the base with which the lip is releasably engaged.

12. A re-sealable package, comprising:

a base having a cavity configured to receive an article therein and an upper perimeter, wherein the base includes an outer edge extending along a first side of the upper perimeter of the base;

a cover engaging the upper perimeter of the base, the cover having a lip, wherein the lip engages the outer edge of the base to maintain the cover in a closed position over the cavity;

a hinge adjacent a second side of the upper perimeter, the hinge pivotally coupling the base and the cover.

13. The re-sealable package of claim 12, wherein the cavity comprises a plurality of compartments in fluid communication.

14. The re-sealable package of claim 12 wherein the first side of the upper perimeter is opposite the second side of the upper perimeter.

15. The re-sealable package of claim 12, further comprising a seal between the base and cover.

16. The re-sealable package of claim 12 wherein the lip comprises a protrusion of the cover, wherein the protrusion is formed by extending a portion of the cover through a slot formed in a web of material from which the base is formed, and subsequently removing a portion of the web of material defining the slot so as to form the outer edge of the base.

17. The re-sealable package of claim 12 further comprising a plurality of channels in fluid communication between the cavity and the upper perimeter of the base.

18. The re-sealable package of claim 17 further comprising a seal between the cover and the base that prevents fluid communication through the plurality of channels.

19. The re-sealable package of claim 12 wherein the channels are disposed within a panel of the base.

20. A method of manufacturing a re-sealable package, the method comprising:

molding a base in a first formable web, the base comprising a base cavity and an upper perimeter;

removing a portion of the first formable web to form an elongated slot at a first side of the upper perimeter of the base;

receiving a second formable web above the first formable web;

molding a cover in the second formable web for engagement with the base, wherein the cover comprises a sealing surface for engagement with the upper perimeter of the base;

forming a hinge between the first formable web and the second formable web at a second side of the upper perimeter of the base;

extruding a portion of the second formable web through the elongated slot to form a lip releasably engaging the elongated slot; and

separating the first and second formable webs about a periphery of the re-sealable package.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising forming a seal between the cover and the base.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of separating the first and second webs is carried out so as to remove a portion of the web that defines the slot so as to form an outer edge, wherein the lip cooperates with the outer edge to form a snap-fit closure.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the second side of the upper perimeter of the base is located opposite the first side the upper perimeter of the base.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein forming the cover further comprises forming a depression in cover, wherein an outer surface of the depression engages an inner surface of the upper perimeter of the base.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of separating the first and second formable webs comprises trimming the first and second formable webs at an outer edge of the hinge.

26. The method of claim 20, further comprising forming a plurality of channels in the base, the channels providing fluid communication between a base cavity and the first side of an upper perimeter of the base.

27. The method of claim 26, including forming a releasable seal engaging the upper perimeter of the base, the releasable seal preventing fluid communication through the plurality of channels.