Closure system

Abstract

A latching mechanism for containers includes a catch member having a tongue on a container lid, for engaging an aligned nub on a container. The catch member includes a relaxation area, formed of an opening, proximate to the tongue. The relaxation area allows the catch member to retain its original shape, inhibiting it from softening or wearing out, and proving it with long life, such that the catch member is able to maintain the frictional engagement over numerous uses and for long time periods.

1 . A container apparatus comprising: 
 a body including at least one compartment and oppositely disposed first and second ends;    a closure lid for the at least one compartment, for moving between closed and open positions, the closure lid including oppositely disposed first and second ends, the first end being hingedly attached to the first end of the body, and the second end including a flange extending from the second end of the closure lid, and a tongue protruding from the flange, the flange including at least one opening intermediate the tongue and the second end of the closure lid; and    a nub extending from second end of the body, the nub for frictionally contacting the tongue when the closure lid is being moved to the closed position and for frictionally engaging and retaining the tongue when at least a portion of the tongue has moved beyond the nub, such that the closure lid is in the closed position.    
   
   
       2 . The container apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at the tongue protrudes from the flange, such that at least a portion of the tongue is at least substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the flange.  
   
   
       3 . The container apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the opening extends at least along the width of the tongue.  
   
   
       4 . The container apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the tongue includes a curved portion for frictionally engaging and retaining the tongue when the tongue has moved beyond the nub, such that the closure lid is in the closed position.  
   
   
       5 . The container apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the nub includes a portion of a rounded cross-section.  
   
   
       6 . The container apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the tongue and the nub are aligned such that the tongue extends along at least substantially all of the nub.  
   
   
       7 . The container apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the body and closure lid are of a resilient material.  
   
   
       8 . The container apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening includes one opening and the opening is rectangular in shape.  
   
   
       9 . The container apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body, closure lid and nub are an integral member.  
   
   
       10 . A closure for a container comprising: 
 a catch member for attachment to a first support, the catch member including an outwardly extending flange having oppositely disposed first and second ends, the flange including an opening extending from an edge of the first end toward the second end, and, a tongue protruding from the second end beyond the opening; and,    a nub for receiving the catch member by engaging the tongue in a frictional engagement, the nub for attachment to a second support.    
   
   
       11 . The closure of  claim 10 , wherein the tongue protrudes from the flange, such that at least a portion of the tongue is at least substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the flange.  
   
   
       12 . The closure of  claim 11 , wherein the opening extends at least along the width of the tongue.  
   
   
       13 . The closure of  claim 12 , wherein the tongue includes a curved portion for frictionally engaging and retaining the tongue when the tongue has moved beyond the nub.  
   
   
       14 . The closure of  claim 13 , wherein the nub includes a portion of a rounded cross-section.  
   
   
       15 . The closure of  claim 14 , wherein the tongue and the nub are aligned such that the tongue extends along at least substantially all of the nub.  
   
   
       16 . The closure of  claim 15 , wherein the catch member is of a resilient material.  
   
   
       17 . The closure of  claim 10 , wherein the open area includes one opening and the opening is rectangular in shape.  
   
   
       18 . A method for storing an item in a container comprising: 
 providing a container apparatus comprising: 
 a body including at least one compartment and oppositely disposed first and second ends;  
 a closure lid for the at least one compartment, for moving between closed and open positions, the closure lid including oppositely disposed first and second ends, the first end being hingedly attached to the first end of the body, and the second end including a flange extending from the second end of the closure lid, and a tongue protruding from the flange, the flange including at least one opening intermediate the tongue and the second end of the closure lid; and  
 a nub extending from second end of the body, the nub for frictionally contacting the tongue when the closure lid is being moved to the closed position and for frictionally engaging and retaining the tongue when at least a portion of the tongue has moved beyond the nub, such that the closure lid is in the closed position;  
 moving the closure lid to the open position;  
 placing at least one object into the compartment with the closure lid in the open position; and,  
 moving the closure lid into the closed position, such that at least a portion of the tongue has moved beyond the nub.