Butterfly closure for plastic container

Abstract

A plastic box includes at least one joint between adjacent panels that is held together by a butterfly element on one panel engaging an opening in the other panel.

1 . A plastic container, comprising: 
 at least one male element integral to at least a first panel of a plastic substrate and protruding away from an edge thereof, the male element including: 
 a stalk having a first end connected to the first panel, the stalk defining sides extending from the edge to a second end;  
 opposed ears integral to the stalk and juxtaposed with the second end of the stalk, the ears protruding away from respective sides of the stalk, the ears being biased to a spread configuration, the ears being foldable substantially about the edges of the stalk to a folded configuration; and  
   at least one opening integral to at least a second panel of the substrate and configured for receiving the ears therethrough when the male element is in the folded configuration, the ears not fitting through the opening when the male element is in the spread configuration.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is a half-slotted container.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the panels define a junction therebetween when the male element is engaged with the opening, the junction being a manufacturing joint.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3 , comprising one and only one male element.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is a design style tray.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 6 , comprising four male elements and respective openings.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the ears extend away from the stalk substantially in opposite directions to each other when in the spread configuration.  
   
   
       8 . A substrate for a container, comprising: 
 at least first and second panels, 
 the first panel being formed with at least one opening defining a width;  
 the second panel being formed with at least one butterfly element biased to a spread configuration, wherein the butterfly element defines a width greater than the width of the opening such that the butterfly element does not fit through the opening, the butterfly element being movable to a folded configuration, wherein the butterfly element defines a width less than the width of the opening such that the butterfly element can fit through the opening.  
   
   
   
       9 . The substrate of  claim 8 , wherein the butterfly element comprises: 
 a stalk having a first end connected to the first panel, the stalk defining sides extending from the edge to a second end; and    opposed ears integral to the stalk and juxtaposed with the second end of the stalk, the ears protruding away from respective sides of the stalk, the ears being biased to the spread configuration, the ears being foldable substantially about the edges of the stalk to the folded configuration.    
   
   
       10 . The substrate of  claim 8 , wherein the substrate can be rendered into a half-slotted container.  
   
   
       11 . The substrate of  claim 10 , wherein the panels define a junction therebetween when the butterfly element is engaged with the opening, the junction being a manufacturing joint.  
   
   
       12 . The substrate of  claim 11 , comprising one and only one butterfly element.  
   
   
       13 . The substrate of  claim 8 , wherein the container is a design style tray.  
   
   
       14 . The substrate of  claim 13 , comprising four butterfly elements and respective openings.  
   
   
       15 . The substrate of  claim 9 , wherein the ears extend away from the stalk substantially in opposite directions to each other when in the spread configuration.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein in the folded configuration the male element is generally U-shaped, and the opening is generally U-shaped.  
   
   
       17 . The substrate of  claim 8 , wherein in the folded configuration the butterfly element is generally U-shaped, and the opening is generally U-shaped.  
   
   
       18 . The substrate of  claim 8 , wherein the substrate is plastic.  
   
   
       19 . A closure for a plastic container having first and second panels, comprising: 
 at least one U-shaped opening in the first panel; and    butterfly means formed on the second panel and movable to pass through the opening and releasable to remain engaged with the opening for holding the panels together.