Container apparatus and method for using the same

Abstract

A container apparatus is disclosed that can utilize a “buffer zone” between a highly moveable lid and a substantially stationary body. A collection of score lines substantially surrounding a plate can mediate between the mobile lid and stationary body. Flaps and accompanying side score lines can act collectively with the plate to facilitate the opening and closing of the lid. Opening and closing the lid can involve the folding of the various score lines in the buffer to various degrees.

1 . A container, comprising:
 a plurality of score lines, said plurality of score lines including a plurality of foldable score lines, said plurality of foldable score lines comprising a body hinge, a plate hinge, a plurality of side score lines, and a plurality of flap bottom score lines, said plurality of side score lines including a first side score line and a second side score line, said plurality of flap bottom score lines including a first flap bottom score line and a second flap bottom score line; and   a plurality of surfaces, said plurality of surfaces including a body, a plate, a lid, and a plurality of flaps, said plurality of flaps including a first flap and a second flap;   wherein said plate is substantially encircled by said body hinge, said plate hinge, and said plurality of side score lines;   wherein said plate hinge connects said plate to said lid;   wherein said body hinge connects said body to said plate;   wherein said plurality of side flaps connect said plurality of flaps to said plate; and   wherein said plurality of flap bottom score lines connect said flaps to said body.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of dimples, wherein said plurality of dimples are positioned on said body. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of dimples are two-sided dimples. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said body is curved, wherein said lid is curved, said container further comprising a loop, said loop including inner groove and said body hinge. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , said lid including an insulation layer comprised of a heat laminated foam. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , where said plate also includes said insulation layer of said heat laminated foam. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said container is comprised of paperboard. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said plate is a doubled layered plate created by bonding a lid blank that includes a reinforcement member to a sidewall blank that includes said plate. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein said reinforcement member includes a ventilation gap. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , said plurality of score lines further including a plurality of non-foldable score lines, said plurality of non-foldable score lines including a first non-foldable score line on said body, a second non-foldable score line on said plate, and a third non-foldable score line on said lid. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of non-foldable score lines includes at least one non-foldable score line that is substantially vertically oriented and at least one non-foldable score line that is substantially horizontally oriented. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said plate and said lid form a continuous circular arc when said lid is in a closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said plate hinge is not straight and wherein said plate hinge includes a hinge break. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , said body including a rim that is positioned vertically above: (a) said body hinge; (b) said plate hinge; and (c) said lid when said lid is in a closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said body is curved and wherein said lid is curved. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said body hinge is folded and unfolded to a greater degree than said plate hinge in the opening and closing of said lid to a substantially greater magnitude than said plate hinge in the opening and closing of said container. 
     
     
         17 . A container, comprising:
 a plate substantially surrounded by a plurality of foldable score lines, said plurality of foldable score lines including a body hinge, a plate hinge, and a plurality of side score lines, said plurality of side score lines including a first side score line and a second side score line;   a lid connected to said plate by said plate hinge, said lid including a curved edge;   an insulation layer positioned underneath said lid and said plate;   a body connected to said plate by said body hinge, said body including an inner groove for securing said curved edge of said lid when said lid is in a closed position, said body further including a plurality of dimples; and   a plurality of flaps connected to said body, said plurality of flaps including a first flap connected to said plate by said first side score line and a second flap connected to said plate by said second side score line;   a plurality of flap bottom score lines connecting said body to said flaps, said plurality of flap bottom score lines including a first bottom score line connecting said first flap to said body and a second bottom score line connecting said second flap to said body.   
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein said body is curved, wherein said lid includes a curved edge, said body including a curved rim and a curved inner groove, wherein said curved rim is above said curved inner groove, and wherein said curved rim is parallel to said curved inner groove. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein said rim is a triple-curled rim, and wherein said plate is part of a side wall blank that is mated to a reinforcement member of a lid blank, wherein the dimensions of said reinforcement member are substantially identical to the dimensions of said plate, and wherein said reinforcement member is positioned below said plate and above said insulation layer when said lid is in a closed position. 
     
     
         20 . A method for opening a curved container, comprising:
 pulling on a tab attached to a lid on the container; and   folding a plurality of foldable score lines in opening the lid, said plurality of foldable score lines including a plurality of hinges positioned between the lid and body of the container.