Egg carton having spring-release opening mechanism

Abstract

An egg carton is fabricated of a single sheet of resilient material such as foam plastic or the like to define a multi-celled bottom tray coupled to a correspondingly shaped tray cover by a resilient hinge. The forward portion of the bottom tray further defines a latch flap secured to the bottom tray by a resilient hinge. The latch flap defines a pair of projections which are received within a corresponding pair of apertures formed in the tray cover. A notch is formed in the tray cover which exposes a portion of the latch flap allowing the user to force the latch flap inwardly and release the cover latch. With the latch released, the resilience of the tray cover hinge causes the cover to spring open exposing the carton contents.

1 . An egg carton comprising: 
 a bottom tray defining a plurality of egg cells and an upper edge;    a tray cover formed to generally coincide with said upper edge;    a tray cover hinge pivotally coupling said tray cover to said bottom tray such that said tray cover is pivotable between a closed position and an open position, said tray cover hinge providing a resilient spring force urging said tray cover toward open position;    a latch flap;    a flap hinge pivotally coupling said latch flap to said upper edge, said flap hinge providing a resilient spring force urging said latch flap toward said tray cover;    a releasable latch carried by said tray cover and said latch flap for securably restraining said tray cover in said closed position; and    a notch formed in said tray cover exposing a portion of said latch flap allowing an inward force against said latch flap through said notch to release said latch allowing said tray cover to spring toward said open position.    
   
   
       2 . The egg carton set forth in  claim 1  wherein said releasable latch includes: 
 at least one aperture formed in said tray cover; and    at least one projection formed on said latch flap in alignment with said at least one aperture.    
   
   
       3 . The egg carton set forth in  claim 2  wherein said at least one aperture is a pair of apertures and wherein at least one projection is a pair of projections.  
   
   
       4 . The egg carton set forth in  claim 3  wherein said exposed portion of said latch flap includes a grip projection exposed through said notch.  
   
   
       5 . The egg carton set forth in  claim 4  wherein said bottom tray, said tray cover, said latch flap, said tray cover hinge and said flap hinge are integrally formed.  
   
   
       6 . The egg carton set forth in  claim 1  wherein said exposed portion of said latch flap includes a grip projection exposed through said notch.  
   
   
       7 . The egg carton set forth in  claim 1  wherein said bottom tray, said tray cover, said latch flap, said tray cover hinge and said flap hinge are integrally formed.