Package with snap-lock lid

Abstract

A clear plastic package has a generally rectangular lid and bottom, the lid having a major planar surface, and a generally vertical wall having an inverted V-shape extending along the perimeter of the major surface, and a female connecting portion extends along the outer edge of the perimeter wall, the female connecting portion providing an inverted concave groove, and a skirt portion extends downwardly from the outer edge of the female portion. The package bottom includes a major generally flat surface bounded by a perimeter wall having a U-shape, and a male connecting portion along the outer edge of the perimeter wall is shaped to be snapped into latching engagement with the female portion of the lid. When the lid is engaged with the bottom, the respective planar surfaces lies in close proximity to each other, and there are shaped cavities in these surfaces for receiving small articles of commerce.

1 . A plastic package for securing and displaying small articles of commerce, said package including: 
 (a) a lid having a generally flat cover wall; a generally vertical bifurcated sidewall bounding said cover wall; a first shaped connecting portion extending along the outer perimeter of said vertical sidewall; a skirt portion extending downwardly along the outer edge of said first connecting portion; and an indent extending along the upper part of said skirt portion; and    (b) a bottom having a main horizontal wall; a generally vertical bifurcated sidewall bounding said main wall; a second shaped connecting portion extending along the outer perimeter of said bottom sidewall and shaped to mate with said first connecting portion, and an outwardly projecting locking edge along the outer part of said second connecting portion, whereby said locking edge is adapted to snap into locking engagement with said indent to secure said lid to said bottom and to hold said first and second connecting portions in mating relationship.    
   
   
       2 . A package as defined in  claim 1  wherein said locking edge includes a plurality of spaced apart tabs and said indent includes slots for receiving said tabs.  
   
   
       3 . A package as defined in  claim 1  wherein said lid sidewall has an inverted V shape, and said bottom sidewall has an upright V shape.  
   
   
       4 . A package as defined in  claim 2  wherein said lid sidewall has an inverted V shape, and said bottom sidewall has an upright V shape.  
   
   
       5 . A package as defined in  claim 2  wherein said first shaped connecting portion comprises a groove and said second shaped portion comprises a tongue.  
   
   
       6 . A package as defined in  claim 1  wherein said bottom main wall has at least one shaped cavity for receiving an article of commerce.  
   
   
       7 . A package as defined in  claim 6  wherein said lid cover wall has at least one shaped cavity.  
   
   
       8 . A package as defined in  claim 1  wherein said cover wall lies flush against said bottom main wall when said lid is secured to said bottom.  
   
   
       9 . A package as defined in  claim 5  wherein said cover wall lies flush against said bottom main wall when said lid is secured to said bottom.  
   
   
       10 . A package as defined in  claim 1  wherein said lid and bottom are generally rectangular.  
   
   
       11 . A package as defined in  claim 1  wherein said lid and bottom are circular.  
   
   
       12 . A package as defined in  claim 2  wherein said lid and bottom are circular.