Container closure

Abstract

A hasp, preferably constructed from plastic, is mounted to a container and to a container lid. The hasp includes a bracket which is preferably mounted to the inside of the container and which includes a plate which extends outwardly from the container. A tongue is attached to the container lid and includes an extended portion which passes through an opening in the bracket plate. A lock may be fastened through an opening in the extended portion to prevent lifting of the lid.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container and hasp comprising: 
 a container having a base and a lid, the container having an opening and the lid being movable between a closed position in which access to the contents of the base is prohibited and an open position allowing access to the base;    a hasp including a bracket and a tongue, at least a portion of the bracket or tongue being attached to an inner surface of the container base and the other of the bracket or tongue being attached to the lid.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket is L-shaped and one leg thereof is attached to an inner surface of the container base and the other leg extends outside of the container base.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the bracket is attached to the container base by fasteners.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket includes an opening and the tongue includes an extended portion sized to pass through the opening, the bracket and tongue being arranged so that the extended portion of the tongue passes through the bracket opening when the lid is moved to its closed position.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the extended position includes a free end and an opening adjacent its free end.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the opening is generally circular and is adapted to receive a lock.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container base includes a recess in its top and a bracket leg is attached to the inner surface of the base and the other leg extends through the recess to the outside of the base.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a wall having an inner and an outer surface and the lid in its closed position extends beyond the outer surface.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the tongue is attached to the lid portion which extends beyond the outer surface.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the lid includes a skirt.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket and the tongue are made from injection molded polyethylene.  
     
     
         12 . A container having at least one side wall and having an inner surface and an outer surface, a lid coupled to the container for movement between an open position and a closed position, a hasp including a bracket and a tongue, at least a portion of one of the bracket and the tongue being attached to the inner surface of the side wall.  
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the lid is hinged to the container and includes a portion which extends beyond the outer surface of the side wall.  
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 12 , having a top edge for the side wall, a recess in the top edge and a portion of the bracket or tongue located in the recess.  
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the bracket is L-shaped having first and second perpendicular legs, one leg being attached to the inside surface of the side wall and the other leg extending through the recess.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the bracket includes an opening and the tongue includes an extended portion sized to pass through the opening, the bracket and tongue being arranged so that the extended portion of the tongue passes through the bracket opening when the lid is moved to its closed position.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the extended portion includes a free end and an opening adjacent its free end.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the opening is generally circular and is adapted to receive a lock.  
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the bracket and tongue are made of plastic.