Container having a lid that is openable upon application of a downward force

Abstract

A container having a base and a single-hinged lid. The base has one or more walls that define an interior volume and an opening that permits access to the interior volume. The single-hinged lid is movably attached to the base and the lid at least partially covers the opening in a closed state and permits a user access to the opening in an open state. The lid is transitionable from the closed state to an open state upon the user applying a net downward force to the lid that covers the opening.

1 . A container comprising:
 (i) a base comprising one or more walls that define an interior volume and an opening that permits access to the interior volume; and   (ii) a lid having one hinge;
 wherein the lid is movably attached to the base; 
 wherein the lid at least partially covers the opening in a closed state and permits a user access to the opening in an open state; 
 wherein the lid is transitionable from the closed state to an open state upon the user applying a net downward force to the lid. 
   
   
   
       2 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the base further comprises one or more slots; and wherein the one or more slots extend around the hinge. 
   
   
       3 . A container according to  claim 2  wherein the one or more slots have a slide surface area and wherein the hinge has a slide surface area; wherein the slide surface area of the hinge. 
   
   
       4 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the lid further comprises a sealing member. 
   
   
       5 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the lid is a unitary element. 
   
   
       6 . A container comprising:
 (i) a base comprising one or more walls that define an interior volume and an opening that permits access to the interior volume; and   (ii) a lid;
 wherein the lid is movably attached to the base; 
 wherein the lid at least partially covers the opening in a closed state and permits a user access to the opening in an open state; 
 wherein the lid is transitionable from the closed state to an open state upon the user applying a net downward force to a portion of the lid that covers the opening. 
   
   
   
       7 . A container according to  claim 6  wherein the lid further comprises a hinge. 
   
   
       8 . A container according to  claim 7  wherein the lid further comprises one or more slots; and wherein the one or more slots extend around the hinge. 
   
   
       9 . A container according to  claim 8  wherein the one or more slots have a slide surface area and wherein the hinge has a slide surface area; wherein the slide surface area of the hinge. 
   
   
       10 . A container according to  claim 6  wherein the lid further comprises a sealing member. 
   
   
       11 . A container according to  claim 6  wherein the lid is a unitary element. 
   
   
       12 . A container according to  claim 8  wherein the net downward force is non-twisting. 
   
   
       13 . A container comprising:
 (i) a base comprising a closed bottom, an open top, a body having an enclosed perimeter between the bottom and the top, a first locking mechanism, and one or more slots in the body, wherein each of the one or more slots has a slide surface area;
 wherein the bottom, top, and body together define an interior volume; and 
   (ii) a lid comprising a second locking mechanism and a hinge wherein the hinge has a slide surface area;   wherein the one or more slots extend around the hinge;   wherein the slide surface area of the slots is greater than the slide surface area of the hinge; and   wherein the first locking mechanism and second locking mechanism are engageable.   
   
   
       14 . The container according to  claim 15  wherein the hinge is movable relative to the one or more slots. 
   
   
       15 . The container according to  claim 13  wherein the base further comprises an elastic member, wherein the elastic member extends from a first point in the body to a second point in the body and wherein the elastic member is capable of providing a resistive force to the lid. 
   
   
       16 . The container according to  claim 13  wherein the slot is juxtaposed at an angle α and wherein the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism are juxtaposed at an angle β wherein α is about greater than or equal to β. 
   
   
       17 . The container according to  claim 13  wherein the first locking mechanism the second locking mechanism are slideably engageable. 
   
   
       18 . The container according to  claim 13  wherein the container is transitionable from a closed state to an open state upon application of a force on the lid. 
   
   
       19 . The container according to  claim 13  wherein at least one of the one or more slots further comprises a locking nub. 
   
   
       20 . The container according to  claim 13  wherein the slot is provided such that the hinge is slideable for a distance that is greater than the length by which the locking mechanisms engage.