Releasable locking mechanism for packaging articles

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides a novel packaging article, which includes a cover and a base having non-edge localized connecting structures, such as, a protrusion and a receptacle cavity. The cover and the base may have different thermal expansion coefficients such that, when subject to heating (e.g., microwave heating) or cooling (e.g., refrigerate storage), the cover and the base do not expand or shrink to the same degree. Furthermore, the cover and/or the base may comprise a biodegradable or edible material, such as, without limitation, starch.

1 . A packaging article comprising:
 a cover comprising a first structure; and   a base comprising a second structure,   
     wherein connecting the first structure and the second structure links the cover and the base to form an assembled packaging article, wherein the first structure is not localized on an edge of the cover, and wherein the second structure is not localized on an edge of the base. 
   
   
       2 . The packing article of  claim 1 , wherein the first structure is a protrusion and the second structure is a receptacle cavity. 
   
   
       3 . The packing article of  claim 1 , wherein the first structure is a receptacle cavity and the second structure is a protrusion. 
   
   
       4 . The packing article of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first structure and the second structure comprises a locking structure. 
   
   
       5 . The packing article of  claim 1 , wherein the cover has a different thermal expansion coefficient from that of the base. 
   
   
       6 . The packing article of  claim 5 , wherein the cover has a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than that of the base. 
   
   
       7 . The packing article of  claim 1 , wherein the cover expands or contracts differently from the base with a change of moisture content. 
   
   
       8 . The packing article of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the cover and the base comprises a biodegradable or edible material. 
   
   
       9 . The packing article of  claim 7 , wherein the biodegradable or edible material comprises starch. 
   
   
       10 . A packaging article comprising:
 a cover comprising a first connecting structure in an inner section of the cover; and   a base comprising a second connecting structure in an inner section of the base,   
     wherein connecting the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure links the cover and the base. 
   
   
       11 . The packaging article of  claim 10 , wherein the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure together form a snap fit for releasably linking the cover and the base. 
   
   
       12 . The packaging article of  claim 11 , wherein the snap fit is an annular snap fit. 
   
   
       13 . The packaging article of  claim 11 , wherein the snap fit is an cantilever snap fit. 
   
   
       14 . The packaging article of  claim 10 , wherein the cover and the base comprise different materials. 
   
   
       15 . The packaging article of  claim 10 , wherein the cover and the base comprise the same material. 
   
   
       16 . The packaging article of  claim 10 , wherein the cover and base expand or contract differently in response to environmental conditions. 
   
   
       17 . The packaging article of  claim 10 , wherein the cover and base expand or contract the same in response to environmental conditions. 
   
   
       18 . The packaging article of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the cover and base comprises a starch-based material. 
   
   
       19 . The packaging article of  claim 18 , wherein the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure together form a snap fit for releasably linking the cover and the base. 
   
   
       20 . The packaging article of  claim 19 , wherein the snap fit is an annular snap fit. 
   
   
       21 . The packaging article of  claim 19 , wherein the snap fit is an cantilever snap fit. 
   
   
       22 . The packaging article of  claim 10 , wherein both the cover and base comprise a starch-based material. 
   
   
       23 . The packaging article of  claim 22 , wherein the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure together form a snap fit for releasably linking the cover and the base. 
   
   
       24 . The packaging article of  claim 23 , wherein the snap fit is an annular snap fit. 
   
   
       25 . The packaging article of  claim 23 , wherein the snap fit is an cantilever snap fit. 
   
   
       26 . A packaging article comprising:
 a cover comprising a first connecting structure in an inner section of the cover; and   a base comprising a second connecting structure in an inner section of the base,   
     wherein connecting the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure links the cover and the base, and wherein at least one of the cover and the base comprises a starch-based material. 
   
   
       27 . The packaging article of  claim 26 , wherein both the cover and base comprise a starch-based material. 
   
   
       28 . The packaging article of  claim 27 , wherein the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure together form a snap fit for releasably linking the cover and the base. 
   
   
       29 . The packaging article of  claim 28 , wherein the snap fit is an annular snap fit. 
   
   
       30 . The packaging article of  claim 28 , wherein the snap fit is an cantilever snap fit.