Reclosable container with easily openable closure

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, an easily openable container includes an elastic member that is connected to the container when the closure is in an open condition. Thus, the elastic member is at rest when the cover closure is open and spring-biases the closure to an open condition. When the closure is closed against the spring-biasing of the elastic material, the elastic member is stretched and held stretched when the closure in the front of the closure is engaged, such as by a snap closure or any other releasable connection. When the locking mechanism is released, the closure pops open by contraction of the elastic member.

1 . A reclosable container, comprising: 
 a main housing having a first edge and defining at least one compartment therein;    a lid, having a second edge; the second edge of the lid being hingedly connected to the first edge of the main housing; the lid being hingedly connected to the main housing about a pivot axis and movable between an open and closed position;    an elastic member, having a first end and a second end; the first end of the elastic member being connected to the first edge of the main housing and the second end of the elastic member being connected to the second edge of the lid; the pivot axis residing between the elastic member and the first edge and the second edge; the elastic member being at rest when the lid is in an open position and stretched when the lid is in a closed position; the elastic member thereby spring-biasing the lid into an open position; and    a means for retaining the lid the in a closed position.    
   
   
       2 . The reclosable container of  claim 1 , wherein the means for retaining the lid in a closed position is a latch.  
   
   
       3 . The reclosable container of  claim 1 , wherein the means for retaining the lid in a closed position is a friction-fit snap closure.  
   
   
       4 . The reclosable container of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic member is made of rubber.  
   
   
       5 . The reclosable container of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of main housings with a plurality of lids respectively hingedly connected thereto; and    a plurality of elastic members respectively connected to the plurality of lids thereby independently spring-biasing each of the lids into an open position.    
   
   
       6 . The reclosable container of  claim 1 , wherein the main housing is made of plastic.  
   
   
       7 . The reclosable container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one compartment is configured to receive and house pills therein.  
   
   
       8 . An easily openable closure, comprising: 
 a main housing;    a lid, having a second edge; the second edge of the lid being hingedly connected to the first edge of the main housing; the lid being hingedly connected to the main housing about a pivot axis and movable between an open and closed position;    an elastic member, having a first end and a second end; the first end of the elastic member being connected to the first edge of the main housing and the second end of the elastic member being connected to the second edge of the lid; the pivot axis residing between the elastic member and the first edge and the second edge; the elastic member being at rest when the lid is in an open position and stretched when the lid is in a closed position; the elastic member thereby spring-biasing the lid into an open position;    a means for retaining the lid the in a closed position;    
   
   
       9 . The reclosable container of  claim 8 , wherein the means for retaining the lid in a closed position is a latch.  
   
   
       10 . The reclosable container of  claim 8 , wherein the means for retaining the lid in a closed position is a friction-fit snap closure.  
   
   
       11 . The reclosable container of  claim 8 , wherein the elastic member is made of rubber.  
   
   
       12 . The reclosable container of  claim 8 , wherein the main housing is made of plastic.  
   
   
       13 . A method of manufacturing a reclosable container, comprising the steps of: 
 forming a main housing having a first edge and defining at least one compartment therein;    forming a lid, having a second edge; the second edge of the lid being hingedly connected to the first edge of the main housing; the lid being hingedly connected to the main housing about a pivot axis and movable between an open and closed position;    providing an elastic member having a first end and a second end;    connecting the first end of the elastic member to the first edge of the main housing when the lid is in an open position; and    connecting the second end of the elastic member to the second edge of lid when the lid is in an open position with the pivot axis residing between the elastic member and the first edge and the second edge.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of forming a main housing is injection molding a housing.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of forming a lid is injection molding a lid.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of connecting the first end of the elastic member to the first edge of the main housing is carried out by insert molding.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of connecting the second end of the elastic member to the second edge of lid when the lid is in an open position is carried out by insert molding.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing a means for retaining the lid in a closed position.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the means for retaining is a latch.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the means for retaining is a friction-fit snap closure.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the elastic member is made of rubber.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the main housing is made of plastic.