Lidded container with tear-away opening strip and lid deflection take-up means

Abstract

A package according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body portion defined by a bottom wall and one or more upstanding sidewalls. The sidewalls cooperate to define an open top of the main body portion of the package. A lid is provided and is defined by a top wall and one or more downwardly-depending sidewalls. The lid is sized to fit over the open top of the main body portion of the package. At least one sidewall of the lid is secured to at least one sidewall of the main body portion. At least one sidewall of the lid includes a take-up strip positioned between the top wall and a distal edge of the at least one lid sidewall. The take-up strip permits movement of the lid relative to the main body portion without separating the at least one lid sidewall from the main body portion sidewall to which it is secured.

1 . A package, comprising: 
 a main body portion defined by a bottom wall and one or more upstanding sidewalls, said sidewalls cooperating to define an open top of said main body portion;    a lid defined by a top wall and one or more downwardly-depending sidewalls, said lid being sized to fit over said open top of said main body portion;    wherein at least one sidewall of said lid is secured to at least one sidewall of said main body portion;    wherein at least one sidewall of said lid includes a take-up strip positioned between said top wall and a distal edge of said at least one said lid sidewall, said take-up strip permitting movement of said lid relative to said main body portion without separating said at least one lid sidewall from the main body portion sidewall to which it is secured.    
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said main body portion sidewalls includes first and second opposed sidewall panels and first and second opposed endwall panels, wherein said lid sidewalls includes first and second opposed sidewall panels and first and second opposed endwall panels, wherein said first sidewall panel of said main body portion is secured to said first sidewall panel of said lid, wherein said second sidewall panel of said main body portion is secured to said second sidewall panel of said lid and wherein said take-up strip is provided in said first sidewall panel of said lid.  
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein said first endwall panel of said main body portion is secured to said first endwall panel of said lid and wherein said second endwall panel of said main body portion is secured to said second endwall panel of said lid.  
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 2 , further comprising a second take-up strip provided in said second sidewall panel of said lid.  
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein said first and second sidewall panels of said main body portion each includes first and second endwall wings extending therefrom, wherein said first endwall wings of said first and second sidewall panels each are foldable to lie against at least a portion of said first endwall panel of said main body portion, and wherein said second endwall wings of said first and second sidewall panels each are foldable to lie against at least a portion of said second endwall panel of said main body portion.  
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein said first and second sidewall panels of said main body portion extend from said bottom wall by a first distance, wherein said first and second endwall panels of said main body portion extend from said bottom wall by a second distance, and wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance.  
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein said first and second sidewall panels of said lid each includes first and second endwall wings extending therefrom, wherein said first endwall wings of said first and second sidewall panels each are foldable to lie against at least a portion of said first endwall panel of said lid, and wherein said second endwall wings of said first and second sidewall panels each are foldable to lie against at least a portion of said second endwall panel of said lid.  
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein said first and second sidewall panels of said lid extend from said bottom wall by a first distance, wherein said first and second endwall panels of said lid extend from said bottom wall by a second distance, and wherein said second distance is less than said first distance.  
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising a tear strip provided in at least one of said sidewalls of said lid.  
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein said tear strip is positioned between said take-up strip and said top wall of said lid.  
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein said tear strip is defined by at least two perforation lines that permit removal of said tear strip from said sidewall of said lid.  
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein said lid is at least part-ways removable from said main body portion when said tear strip is removed from said sidewall of said lid.  
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein said sidewall of said lid includes a leave-on portion that remains secured to the sidewall of the main body portion after said tear strip is removed from said sidewall of said lid.  
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising a second take-up strip provided in another sidewall of said lid.  
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said take-up strip is defined by at least two perforation lines, said take-up strip being removable from said sidewall of said lid.  
   
   
       16 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said take-up strip is defined by one or more foldlines extending at least partially along said take-up strip.  
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 16 , wherein said one or more foldlines cooperate to define a substantially zig-zag cross-section of said take-up strip.  
   
   
       18 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one sidewall of said lid is secured to said at least one sidewall of said main body portion by a strip of adhesive.  
   
   
       19 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one sidewall of said lid is secured to said at least one sidewall of said main body portion by a strip of adhesive tape.  
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein one or more perforated regions are provided in at least one sidewall of said main body portion, said at least one sidewall of said lid at least partially covering said perforated region and being secured thereto.