Container with push-and-slide locking mechanism

Abstract

A container according to at least one example embodiment includes a base and a lid configured to be moved between a closed and locked configuration and an open configuration. The lid includes a top wall and a flexible tab projecting from the top wall. The flexible tab is configured to move from a relaxed position to a flexed position in response to a force in a direction and return to the relaxed position absent the force. In the closed and locked configuration, the flexible tab is in the relaxed position, at least partially in the receptacle, and configured to engage the base to retain the lid in the closed and locked configuration. The lid is configured to be moved from the closed and locked configuration to the open configuration by moving the lid in a second direction perpendicular to the direction with the flexible tab in the flexed position.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a base including,
 a bottom wall, 
 a peripheral wall perpendicular to the bottom wall, the peripheral wall and the bottom wall defining a storage area, and the peripheral wall at least partially defining a receptacle; and 
   a lid configured to be moved between a closed and locked configuration and an open configuration, the lid including,
 a top wall, and 
 a flexible tab projecting from the top wall, the flexible tab including a fixed end adjacent to the top wall and a free end opposite the fixed end, the flexible tab configured to move from a relaxed position to a flexed position in response to a force in a first direction and return to the relaxed position absent the force, wherein 
   in the closed and locked configuration, the flexible tab is in the relaxed position, at least partially in the receptacle, and configured to engage the base to retain the lid in the closed and locked configuration, and   the lid is configured to be moved from the closed and locked configuration to the open configuration by moving the lid in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with the flexible tab in the flexed position.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base further includes a receptacle wall cooperating with the peripheral wall to at least partially define the receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle wall is spaced from the peripheral wall in the first direction. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle wall is centered along a transverse axis perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral wall defines a recess in communication with the receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible tab includes a projection configured to be at least partially in the recess in the closed and locked configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the projection is recessed with respect to the peripheral wall in the closed and locked configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the projection is configured to engage the peripheral wall to retain the container in the closed and locked configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein
 the projection extends between a proximal end and a distal end, and   the proximal end includes a proximal end surface configured to engage the peripheral wall to retain the lid in the closed and locked configuration.   
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the projection includes a plurality of parallel ribs. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of parallel ribs includes a respective plurality of distal ends defining a curved profile. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the curved profile is convex with respect to the free end of the flexible tab. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the each of the plurality of parallel ribs is tapered along at least a portion of a rib length. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the free end of the flexible tab is configured to be aligned or recessed with respect to the bottom wall in the closed and locked configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible tab is configured to pivot through an angle ranging from 4° to 8° between the relaxed position and the flexed position. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed end of the flexible tab defines a thickness ranging from 1 mm to 1.5 mm parallel to the first direction. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the free end of the flexible tab is tapered along at least a portion of a length of the flexible tab. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein
 the fixed end of the flexible tab defines a first width perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and   the free end of the flexible tab defines a second width perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the second width less than the first width.   
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the base. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a living hinge coupling the lid to the base.   
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container defines a rectangular profile. 
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein the peripheral wall includes,
 a pair of opposing side walls defining a first length, and   a pair of opposing end walls having a second length less than the first length.   
     
     
         23 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein one of the pair of opposing end walls at least partially defines the receptacle. 
     
     
         24 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base and the lid comprise polypropylene. 
     
     
         25 . The container of  claim 24 , wherein the base and the lid further comprise talc. 
     
     
         26 . The container of  claim 25 , wherein the base and the lid further comprise a colorant.