Pivoting slide closure

Abstract

A slider package is illustrated which includes a lid which can be linearly translated and selectively pivoted relative to a container. A slide assembly is provided between the lid and container which may include tracks and at least one follower such as one or more projecting cylindrical tabs which slide against and can be rotated relative to the tracks. Partition spacers may also be employed to separate and space individual units of consumable products. This feature may also be employed in a non-slider package such as a container having a lid which is permanently connected to the container by a living hinge. The packages are preferably formed through plastic molding.

1 . A package, comprising:
 a container having a base and a sidewall projecting upwardly therefrom to define an opening;   a lid adapted to cover the opening;   a slide assembly connecting the lid and the container including at least one track and at least on follower, the slide assembly including a pivot feature, wherein the lid is slideable linearly relative to the container and pivotable relative to the container.   
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall including elongated sides extending generally parallel between ends; and wherein the lid includes a cover portion and a downward depending skirt, including a pair of elongated side walls depending over an outside of the sides, the at least one track including a pair of tracks, one on each of the sides and the at least one follower includes a pair of tabs projecting inwardly from the sidewalls into engagement with the tracks. 
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the lid includes a stop wall at one end of the pair of elongated sidewalls, and a recessed gap at the other end of the pair of elongated sidewalls providing clearance to facilitate sliding movement of the lid over the container. 
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein each track includes a pair of raised rails projecting laterally outward from each of the sides to define a groove therebetween receiving one of the tabs. 
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the groove and the rails have a generally horizontally extending segment and a generally vertically extending segment connected by an arcuate segment providing at least part of the pivot feature. 
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein, the lid has a closed position covering the opening an open position when displaced from the closed position with the tabs in the horizontally extending segment, and an open and present position in which the lid is proximate the end of the generally vertically extending segment, with the lid being displaced relative to the closed position from above the container to under the container to provide an under support for the container. 
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the groove and the rails have a generally horizontally extending segment, wherein the pivot feature is integrally provided proximate one end of the horizontally extending segment, wherein the tabs can rotate within the groove along a region of the horizontally extending segment as a result of clearance between lid and container. 
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is pivotable while being retained to the container by the slide assembly from above the container to below the container wherein the container rests upon the lid. 
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein the package is a handheld package having a length of less than 4 inches, a width of less than 2 inches and a height of less than 2 inches. 
   
   
       10 . A package, comprising:
 a rectangular container having a rectangular base and an upwardly projecting sidewall defining an opening, the sidewall including elongated sides extending generally parallel between ends;   cooperating pairs of spacers projecting inwardly from each of the elongated sides, the spacers being spaced in a linear array between ends; and   a lid adapted to cover the opening.   
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 10 , container is plastic, and wherein the spacers are fins integrally molded into the plastic of the container sidewall. 
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein a plurality of consumable products are mounted in the container, and wherein the spacers individually space and separate individual units of the consumable products. 
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the spacers are evenly spaced along the sides and wherein the spacers form a single row for the consumable products. 
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the package is a handheld package having a length of less than 4 inches, a width of less than 2 inches and a height of less than 2 inches.