Pocket-held container

Abstract

A molded plastic container with a living hinge has a first flat round side and a second domed round side which fold together to form a container having a maximum edge dimension that is less than one-half its maximum center dimension. A thumb tab facilitates opening of the container to access the articles or material contained therein. The domed side fits comfortably in the user's hand and in her/his hip pocket.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A pocket-held container comprising 
 a) a first round side with a first lateral wall that is flat with a first peripheral wall portion extending upwardly there from, said first peripheral wall portion having a first height h 1  which has a first maximum diameter d 1 ;    b) a second round side with a second lateral wall that is dome shaped with a second peripheral wall portion extending upwardly there from, said second peripheral wall portion having a second height h 2  which has a second maximum diameter d 2  equal to said first maximum diameter d 1 ;    c) a second peripheral wall portion associated with one of said first and second peripheral walls having a third height h 3  and a third maximum diameter d 3 , said third maximum diameter d 3  being less than said first and second maximum diameters (d 1  and d 2 ) and telescoping with said other of said second and first peripheral walls to seal a peripheral portion of said container;    c) a living hinge integral with a section of each of said first and second peripheral wall portions interconnecting said first round side with said second round side and permitting said first and second round sides to be folded toward one another to form a closed container that has a first maximum edge thickness t 1  that is less than half of a second maximum center thickness t 2 ; 
 whereby said closed container fits comfortably within the pocket of its owner causing significantly less bulging of the pocket's fabric.  
   
     
     
         2 . The pocket-held container of  claim 1  further comprising a first indentation in said first peripheral wall portion and a second indentation in said second peripheral wall portion which coincides with said first indentation in said first peripheral wall portion, a third indentation in said third peripheral wall portion, at least a section of each of said first and third indentations telescoping and frictionally engaging to secure said container in a closed position.  
     
     
         3 . The pocket-held container of  claim 2  further comprising a finger tab associated with one of said first and second indentations to facilitate opening of said container, said finger tab having a first lateral edge which protrudes outwardly from said first and second indentations in said first and second peripheral wall portions for manual engagement.  
     
     
         4 . The pocket-held container of  claim 3  wherein said first lateral edge protrudes a distance less than a depth of said first and second indentations.  
     
     
         5 . The pocket-held container of  claim 1  wherein said first maximum thickness t 1  is 40% of said second maximum thickness t 2 .