Plastic container including plastic hinge assembly

Abstract

A container that is preferably formed entirely of molded plastic materials includes a container body and a lid secured to the container body via a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes a hinge pin having a head and a shaft, where the hinge pin head has a maximum diameter substantially matching a maximum diameter of the shaft. With this construction, the container assembly can be easily and cost-effectively automated.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a container body including side walls; and    at least one lid pivotably attached to a corresponding at least one of the side walls via a hinge assembly including a hinge pin having a head and a shaft,    wherein the hinge pin is formed of a plastic material, and wherein the hinge pin head has a maximum diameter substantially matching a maximum diameter of the shaft.    
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container body, the at least one lid, and the hinge assembly are formed of a plastic material.  
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 2 , wherein the container body, the at least one lid, and the hinge assembly are formed of molded plastic materials.  
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 2 , wherein the hinge pin is constructed to be tamper-evident.  
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 2 , wherein the hinge pin is formed of a plastic material that is differently colored from the plastic material of the hinge assembly.  
     
     
         6 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side wall comprises a first hinge pin receiving channel, and wherein the at least one lid comprises a second hinge pin receiving channel, the first and second hinge pin receiving channels being aligned to receive the hinge pin when the lid is attached to the side wall.  
     
     
         7 . A container according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one side wall comprises a pair of spaced first hinge pin receiving channels, the second hinge pin receiving channel being fit between the first hinge pin receiving channels when the lid is attached to the side wall.  
     
     
         8 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the hinge assembly receives the hinge pin in a snap fit.  
     
     
         9 . A container according to  claim 8 , wherein the hinge pin shaft has a reduced diameter adjacent the hinge pin head.  
     
     
         10 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the hinge pin head tapers inward toward a head tip.  
     
     
         11 . A container formed entirely of molded plastic materials, the container comprising a container body and a lid secured to the container body via a hinge assembly, wherein the hinge assembly includes a hinge pin having a head and a shaft, and wherein the hinge pin head has a maximum diameter substantially matching a maximum diameter of the shaft.  
     
     
         12 . A container according to  claim 11 , wherein the hinge pin is constructed to be tamper-evident.  
     
     
         13 . A container according to  claim 11 , wherein the hinge pin is formed of a plastic material that is differently colored from the plastic material of the hinge assembly.  
     
     
         14 . A container according to  claim 11 , wherein the hinge assembly receives the hinge pin in a snap fit.  
     
     
         15 . A container according to  claim 14 , wherein the hinge pin shaft has a reduced diameter adjacent the hinge pin head.  
     
     
         16 . A container according to  claim 10 , wherein the hinge pin head tapers inward toward a head tip.  
     
     
         17 . A method of assembling the container of  claim 11  in an automated two-step process, the steps comprising (1) using a clamping device for an initial attachment of the lid to the container body, and (2) inserting the hinge pin into the hinge assembly.  
     
     
         18 . A plastic hinge assembly for pivotably attaching a first member to a second member, the hinge assembly comprising: 
 a first hinge pin receiving channel on the first member;    a second hinge pin receiving channel on the second member, wherein the first and second hinge pin receiving channels are aligned when the first member is attached to the second member; and    a hinge pin having a head and a shaft is insertable through the aligned first and second hinge pin receiving channels, wherein the head has a maximum diameter substantially matching a maximum diameter of the shaft.    
     
     
         19 . A plastic hinge assembly according to  claim 18 , comprising a pair of spaced first hinge pin receiving channels, the second hinge pin receiving channel being fit between the first hinge pin receiving channels when the first member is attached to the second member.  
     
     
         20 . A plastic hinge assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the hinge assembly receives the hinge pin in a snap fit.  
     
     
         21 . A plastic hinge assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein the hinge pin shaft has a reduced diameter adjacent the hinge pin head.  
     
     
         22 . A plastic hinge assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the hinge pin head tapers inward toward a head tip.