Container having a permanently attached lid

Abstract

There is disclosed a container ( 10 ) including a receptacle ( 12 ) having an opening ( 18 ) and a lid ( 11 ) for closing the opening. The container further includes a link ( 13 ) which permanently attaches the lid to the receptacle. The link is configured to enable the lid to move between a position in which the lid seals the opening and a position in which the lid is underneath the receptacle and engaged with a ridge ( 19 ) extending about the periphery of the base ( 15 ) of the receptacle.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A container including: 
 a receptacle defining a receptacle interior, the receptacle having a base with a surface facing into the interior and an opposite surface, and having an opening spaced from the base;    a lid configured to seal said opening; and    a link permanently attaching the lid to the receptacle and configured to enable the lid to move between a closure position in which the lid seals the opening and a support position in which the lid is engaged with said opposite surface of the base for supporting the receptacle.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein each of the receptacle and the lid projecting tab having a hole defined therein, the link passing through the holes.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the link is in the form of a loop.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the loop is elliptical.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base defines a base ridge and the lid defines a ridge-engagement groove which is complementary with the base ridge, for receiving the base ridge when the lid is in said support position.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid defines a lid ridge and said base defines a ridge-engagement groove which is complementary with the lid ridge, for receiving the lid ridge when the lid in said support position.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , adapted to be supported on a container supporting surface and wherein: 
 the base has at least one support-engaging face for engaging said supporting surface at first spaced positions when the lid is not in said support position; and    the lid has at least one support-engaging face for engaging said supporting surface at second spaced positions when the lid is in said support position, wherein the second spaced positions are more widely spaced than said first spaced positions, thereby more stably to support the container when the lid is in said support position.    
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes a ridge-like rim defining the opening, and the lid defines a sealing groove which is complementary with the rim for receiving the rim to seal the opening when the lid is in said closure position.