Container for consumer article

Abstract

A pocket-sized container for use with consumer products includes a frame forming a storage portion which includes a storage compartment and a front access opening for the compartment. A lid is attached to the storage portion for respectively opening and closing the access opening. A manually openable latch structure releasably holds the lid in the closed state. The lid can be pivotably attached to the storage portion by a living hinge and can be opened by being pried open at one end thereof, or by applying inward pressing forces to opposite sides of the container or applying inward pressure to the front of the container.

1 . A pocket-sized container for use with consumer products, comprising a frame forming: 
 a storage portion including a storage compartment and a front portion forming an access opening for the compartment,    a lid attached to the storage portion by a living hinge to be pivotable between open and closed states for respectively opening and closing the access opening, and    a manually openable latch structure for releasably holding the lid in the closed state.    
   
   
       2 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein the lid includes a pin engageable in a recess formed in a front of the frame, the recess formed by a pair of fingers disposed on opposite sides of the recess; the fingers being elastically displaceable away from one another in response to the application of pressure to the front to enable the pin to exit the recess.  
   
   
       3 . The container according to  claim 1  further including a pair of latch-release mechanisms disposed on opposite sides of the container at a location between the hinge and the latch structure, the latch release mechanisms being responsive to inward pressure applied to the sides in a direction parallel to a pivot axis defined by the hinge, to push the lid upwardly in a manner releasing the latch.  
   
   
       4 . The container according to  claim 3  wherein the hinge axis is located adjacent one end of the container.  
   
   
       5 . The container according to  claim 3  wherein the hinge axis is located adjacent a midpoint of the container as measured perpendicular to the hinge axis.  
   
   
       6 . A pocket-sized container for use with consumer products, comprising: 
 first and second sections interconnected by a living hinge, each of the first and second sections including a side wall structure, the side wall structures being brought into superimposed relationship in response to pivoting of the first and second sections about an axis defined by the living hinge, wherein there is formed a storage compartment having an access opening in a front portion of the container; and    a pair of check members formed of a softer material than the first and second sections and being inserted onto respective sides of the folded-over first and second sides to hold the first and second sections in the folded-over state.