Container

Abstract

A container comprising a base ( 4 ), a case ( 2 ) having a closed end that is pivoted to the base ( 4 ) and an open end, and a lid hinged ( 3 ) to the open end of the case ( 2 ) and having a closed end connected to the base ( 4 ) pivotally by lugs ( 7 ) slidable in slots ( 8 ) in the base ( 4 ) such that the container can be held in one hand and simultaneously opened using only that hand. For this purpose, the base ( 4 ) has a cut-through through which a finger can push the case ( 2 ) from the underside of the base ( 4 ) to open the container. The base ( 4 ) has trimming to hide mechanical features of the container and latching means ( 5, 6 ) to hold the container closed.

1 . A container comprising a case, a lid and a support, in which there are first means to effect a rotary connection of the case to the lid, and second and third means to effect a rotary connection of the case and lid respectively to the support, the first 5 means being intermediate between the second and third means, at least one of the said means being adapted to effect also a shift connection.  
   
   
       2 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said one means is adapted to effect a rotary and slidable connection.  
   
   
       3 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said third means comprises  10  a shift connection means.  
   
   
       4 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which two of said first, second and third means comprise a shift connection means.  
   
   
       5 . A container as claimed  claim 1 , in which the case has a closed end that is rotarily connected by said second means to the support and has an open end, and the lid has an open end at which it is rotarily connected by said first means to the open end of the case and has a closed end rotarily connected by said third means to the support.  
   
   
       6 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which at least one of said rotary connection means comprises a pin-and-socket rotary connection.  
   
   
       7 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which at least one of said rotary connection means comprises a bending member rotary connection.  
   
   
       8 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which at least one of said rotary connection means comprises an elastic rotary connection.  
   
   
       9 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which at least one said shift connection means comprises a pin-and-guide connection.  
   
   
       10 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which at least one said shift connection means comprises a double pivot connection.  
   
   
       11 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which at least one said shift connection means comprises an elastic connection.  
   
   
       12 . A container as claimed in any one of claims  1 , in which the support has a gap through which an actuator can open the container.  
   
   
       13 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the support has the form of a tray in which the case and lid can rest when the container is closed.  
   
   
       14 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the support has the form of a frame.  
   
   
       15 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the support has opposite side walls which can be gripped to grip the container.  
   
   
       16 . A container as claimed in  claim 15 , in which the opposite side walls each have an upward gap and below this a gripping region.  
   
   
       17 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , which has latching means to hold the container closed.  
   
   
       18 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which there are relief means to facilitate the action of the latching means.  
   
   
       19 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the latching means comprise lugs on either side of the container.  
   
   
       20 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the latching means comprise magnetic means to have a latching effect to maintain the container closed.  
   
   
       21 . A container comprising a base, a case pivoted to the base, and a lid pivoted to the case and pivotally slidably connected to the base, the container being such that it can be held in one hand and simultaneously opened using only that hand, the lid-to-case pivot being intermediate between the case-to-base pivot and the lid-to-base connection.  
   
   
       22 . A container as claimed in  claim 21 , in which the case has a closed end that is pivoted to the base and has an open end, and the lid has a hinge at which it is pivoted to the open end of the case and has a closed end pivotally slidably connected to the base.  
   
   
       23 . A container as claimed in  claim 22 , in which the base is provided with slots and the lid has lugs which slide pivotally in the slots.  
   
   
       24 . A container as claimed in  claim 22 , in which the closed end of the case is mounted to the base by means of a pair of cylindrical pivot lugs assembled co-axially within corresponding circular holes in the base, the open end of the case has a boss parallel to the edge of the case with a concentric, cylindrical hole, the lid has a corresponding cylindrical pin assembled co-axially with the hole in the boss, thereby providing a hinge interconnecting the case and lid and providing a second pivot point, the closed end of the lid is mounted by means of a pair of cylindrical lugs inserted into a corresponding pair of slots in the base, these lugs being free to slide within the slot length.  
   
   
       25 . A container as claimed in  claim 21 , in which the base has a cut-through through which a finger can push the case from the underside of the base to open the container.  
   
   
       26 . A container as claimed in  claim 25 , in which the base has trimming to hide mechanical features of the container.  
   
   
       27 . A container as claimed in  claim 21 , comprising latching means to hold the container closed.  
   
   
       28 . A container as claimed in  claim 27 , in which the latching means comprise two protruding lugs one on each side of the case which, when the container is closed, have a latching effect to maintain the container closed.  
   
   
       29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . (canceled)