MXPA97001936A - Metal container that has an interface ring elast - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a low profile container comprising: two embossed metal container halves being identical in size and shape, each container half having a closed end, vertical walls and an edge formed at an open end, said formed edge and the vertical walls of each container half being intergrally formed as a single unit piece with non-mechanical connections, and a ring formed from elastic material base for joining the container halves at their respective formed edges to produce an operable closed container the ring having first and second channels dimensioned to engage the formed edges of the halves of the container and to receive the formed edges, the channels being opposed to each other and separated by a common base so that when the edges formed of the halves of the container are clutched in the respective channels the height of the closed container is determined substance By the summed height of the respective walls, the respective channels have non-identical fastening characteristics for the formed edges of the associated container halves in such a way that the ring is clamped to the edge formed of one of the container halves in a more sure that the other edge forms

Description

METALLIC CONTAINER HAVING ELASTIC INTERFACE RING FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to containers, and more particularly to thin-walled metal containers with movable / replaceable covers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thin-walled metal containers having movable lids are popular for packaging certain articles, where the packaging is intended to have a degree of permanence. There are advantages in that they provide protection for the contents, and provide the opportunity to permanently print attractive designs on the containers themselves. In this way, the containers can be used for long periods of time, or, in cases where the contents are consumed after a short time, the containers are sometimes stored for other storage purposes. Metallic containers also provide the opportunity to form containers in an unusual or complex way, further increasing the attractiveness of packaging, and consumer demand. The metal containers are typically inlaid and formed (such as when wrapping the edges to avoid exposing rough metal edges), and the stamping and equipment holders of the machine with the necessary tooling to make a particular container can involve significant expense . This expense can be justified when the production lots are relatively long. It is not straight or cheap to change the stamper or equipment of the machine with the necessary tooling to change from one container size to another. In this way, when a packaging application has a requirement for the possibility of changing sizes over the life of the product, it is often more convenient or cheaper to use other more conventional types of packaging. The metallic containers have the additional aspect that the upper and lower parts are not identical, because they are intended to fit together. Typically, the bottom has an edge that is rolled in or hemmed to prevent exposure of rough metal edges and sometimes has a rim formed at the top to serve as a receiving / stopping area for the lid. Typically, the lid or cover has a rolled or hemmed edge to also avoid exposing raw metal edges, and that edge is typically rolled out to leave the inside wall of the lid available to fit the bottom of the container.

Conventionally, the underparts are much higher than the tops, the tops typically being in the range of about one-half to one inch in height, and the underparts ranging from one inch to much greater depths, depending on the nature of the container and the nature of the contents. When it is desired to form a deeper container, it is necessary to alter the stuffing and the shaping of the apparatus for at least the lower parts, and as noted above, can be expensive. Although conceptually a deep container can be made by using two lids, since the lids are identical, they can not fit together and therefore will not form a container. In this way, in order to provide a container with a shorter profile, it will be necessary to use a different machine equipment and probably a different tooling for at least one of the parts each time the depth of the container changes. That can present an emission of expense that is not easily surmountable when using metal containers, and can direct the application to other more conventional forms of packaging. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, a general object of the present invention is to effectively combine two identical container components, such as two container covers, to form a container of adequate size. More specifically, an object of the present invention is to use container parts produced by existing tools to form containers of a suitable profile in order to avoid expensive re-tooling. An object of the invention is to provide an economical mechanism for combining two container components in order to form a closed container that can be configured to provide controlled opening characteristics for the container. Another related object of the present invention is to provide such means for combining two container components in order to form a closed container that is simple in structure, reliable in operation, and inexpensive to produce so that the formation of containers by combination of existing container components with such means is a viable alternative to the expensive reherramental. According to a particular aspect of the invention, an object is to exploit the characteristics of the interface mechanism used to join two container halves, by using the interface mechanism to add internal or external characteristics to the container. According to these and other objects of the present invention, a metal container made of two container halves joined by an elastic ring is provided. Each container half is a recessed part having a closed end and vertical walls ending in a formed edge. The formed edges of the respective container halves are substantially identical and define a peripheral container shape. The elastic ring conforms to the peripheral container shape and has contact surfaces, upper and lower, which share a common base. The contact surfaces, upper and lower, engage facing portions of the formed edges of the respective container halves, and each contact surface has at least one vertical wall that extends around the ring and comprises means for fixing the formed edge of the ring. one half of container when it sits on it. The respective contact surfaces have non-identical fastening characteristics for the associated container half in such a way that the holding force for removal of a seated container half is different between the two contact surfaces. As such, one half is always released before the other. In the preferred form, both contact surfaces comprise channels having two vertical walls that share a common base, so that the vertical walls hold the respective formed edges. In certain applications, one of the contact surfaces requires only a single vertical wall that frictionally engages with the associated container half. In a particular and currently preferred implementation, the invention provides a low profile container comprising two container halves joined by an elastic ring to form a closed container. Each of the embossed metal container halves has a closed end, vertical walls and a formed edge, preferably flanged. The ring has channels, upper and lower, digested to match the formed edges of the container halves and adapted to slidably receive the formed edges. The channels are opposite one another and are separated by a thin box so that when the container halves are placed in the respective channels the height of the closed container is determined substantially by the summed height of the respective walls. The respective channels have non-identical holding characteristics for the associated container halves in such a way that the ring is reliably held to one of the container halves more securely than the other. The ring can thus define one of the identical container halves as the upper part and the other as the lower part. A feature of the present invention is to use a ring of elastic material as an interface to combine two container halves, which normally do not fit due to the identical shape and size of their formed edges, to form a container of a suitable low profile. In this way, two container covers can be joined by such a ring to form a low profile container. In this way, the need to go through an expensive re-tooling to produce a lower part of a short container is avoided. The ring is preferably formed of injection molded plastic, which is relatively inexpensive to produce. Thus, according to a feature of the invention, it is an advantage to obtain high production quantities useful for the justification of metal containers by forming two parts each container, but where the parts are identical and use an interface ring to join the identical parts in order to form a two-part container. Other objects and advantages will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a low profile container with two container halves joined by a ring of elastic material; Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the formed edges of the container halves received in the respective channels in the ring and taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Figure 5 is a sectional view, partly broken away, illustrating fastening means placed in the channels of the ring and taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4; Fig. 6 is a partial plan view showing a corner of the ring illustrating two spacer lugs in the upper channel of the ring; Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the container with a corner of the upper part of the container pressed down to pivot an opposite section of the upper part outside the ring; Figure 9 is a sectional, transverse, partial, enlarged view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view showing another alternative embodiment including a stabilizing box connecting two opposite sections of the ring; Figure 11 is a plan view showing a container of complex non-rectangular shape; Figure 12 is a sectional elevational view of a further embodiment of the invention illustrating the use of shaped edges turned inward, in this particular case, flanged edges; Figure 13 is a sectional, partial view illustrating the use of a container with hemmed edges; Fig. 14 is a sectional, partial view like Fig. 13, and illustrates the use of edges formed in teardrop shape; Figure 15 is a schematic elevation illustrating the use of underlying support mechanisms as an external feature on an interface ring; Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15 showing an example of a suspension support as an external feature of an interface ring; Figure 17 is a perspective view showing an example of the invention using decorative external features on an interface ring; and Figure 18 is a perspective view showing a portion of yet another embodiment of the invention, illustrating an alternative form of ventilation means. Although the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. However, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms set forth, but rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the attached claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY Turning now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a low profile metal container 20 constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, and Figure 2 shows the container 20 in an enlarged perspective view. The container 20 comprises two container halves 21 and 26 joined by an elastic ring 40 to form a closed container. As best seen in Figure 2, each of the container halves 21 and 26 comprises a thin metal body, which is typically formed by sausage. The metal body of the container half 26 has a closed end 29, vertical walls 28, and a formed edge 27. Similarly, the body of the container half 21 has a closed end 24, vertical walls 23, and an edge formed 22. Edges 22 and 27 are formed to remove any edge of the raw exposed metal sheet when making the container halves. The formed edges also tend to stiffen the container by providing a structure similar to a channel at the open end. When used in the present, the term "formed edge", unless otherwise indicated in the context, attempts to encompass the various metal forming techniques that may be used to shape the edge of the container. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the formed edge is typically referred to as a flanged or rolled edge. As will be described in more detail below, the invention also has application on a hem or teardrop edge, both being broadly encompassed within the term formed edge. In addition, the preferred embodiment of the invention shows the edge formed as if it were an edge beaded outwards. It will also be more apparent, that the edge formed, be it beaded or teardrop or edged, can also be formed inward in many cases.

Returning to the sample of Figure 1, the formed edges 22 and 27 of the container halves are substantially identical, and define a peripheral container shape. Because the two formed edges have the same size and shape, the container halves 21 and 26 do not fit and therefore can not be directly coupled to form a closed container. In accordance with a feature of the present invention, an elastic ring 40 is provided as a cheap interface between the container halves 21 and 26 so that they can be joined to form a unitary container. The ring 40 is configured to engage the peripheral shape of the container halves 21 and 26 to join the container halves at their respective formed edges 22 and 27. For this purpose, the ring 40 has an upper contact surface 50 and a lower contact surface 60 for engaging facing portions of the edges 22 and 27 of the respective container halves. The upper and lower contact surfaces 50 and 60 are positioned opposite one another and share a common base 41 (Figure 4). Each of the contact surfaces 50 and 60 has at least one vertical wall that extends around the ring and comprises means for holding the formed edge of a container half when the edge is inserted into the contact surface. By using different types of fastening means, the fit between the contact surfaces 50 and 60 and the formed edges 22 and 27 of the container halves can be rigidly fastened, fitted snugly, loosely fit, or any combination thereof, depending on the end use requirements for the container. In the illustrated embodiment, the container halves 21 and 26 are two identical container covers, which are typically significantly shorter in height than the regular container bottoms designed to be coupled to them. By joining the two covers 21 and 26 together with the ring 40 a container with a low profile is thus formed. However, it will be appreciated that a container can also be formed by joining container halves of different heights with a ring as long as they have edges formed substantially identical. Because the formed edges 22 and 27 of the container halves 21 and 26 are substantially identical, they can be inserted into either of the upper and lower contacting surfaces 50 and 60, and either halftone can be designated as the upper or lower part. of the container. However, it is often preferred to configure the container so that the ring 40 remains subject to a preselected one of the container halves when a user opens the container. The container half that is removed to open the container can be designated as, for example, the upper part of the container and the other half would be the lower part of the container. According to the teaching of the present invention, the contact surfaces, upper and lower, are configured to have different fastening characteristics so that the holding force for removal of a container half from one of the contact surfaces be greater than the holding force for the other contact surface. In this way, the fastening characteristics of the contact surfaces define which container half is the upper part of the container and which is the lower part. More specifically, if the lower contact surface is secured to the ring more securely to a container half than the upper contact surface, then the container half attached to the lower contact surface can be designated as the lower part of the container, and the other half the upper part of the container. Of course, such designation can be reversed, depending on the final purpose of the container. Furthermore, in certain applications it may be preferred that no such distinction be made between the container halves. In that case, the two contact surfaces can be configured identically to provide the same fastening characteristics. In the present embodiment, each of the upper and lower contact surfaces 50 and 60 of the ring 40 is in the shape of a channel. As can best be seen in the sectional view of the container in Figure 4, the upper channel 53 is defined by the vertical walls 51 and 52 and the base 41. Similarly, the lower channel is defined by the vertical walls 61 and 62 and the base 41. The upper and lower channels 53 and 63 are opposite one from the other and are separated by the base 41 which, in this embodiment, is in the form of a box joining the vertical walls. Due to the relative thickness of the base 41, when the two container halves are placed in the respective channels 53 and 63, the height of the closed container is determined substantially by the summed height of the respective walls 23 and 28 of the container halves. The upper and lower channels 53 and 63 are sized to be large enough to engage the formed edges 22 and 27 of the container halves 21 and 26 so as to slidably receive the formed edges. As shown in Figure 4, the channels 53 and 63 are substantially of the same size, so that the identical edges of the container halves can fit into the channels. In order to hold the container halves 21 and 26 together to form a closed container, each of the upper and lower channels 53 and 63 is provided with means for holding the formed edge of a container half when it is inserted therein. As used, "fastening" is widely proposed, to be extended from a relatively secure spring fit as will be discussed below for a very loose sliding fit for the covers that are proposed for easy removal. As described above, it is preferred that the fastening means in the lower and upper channels be configured differently so that the channels have non-identical fastening characteristics. In the present embodiment, the lower channel 63 is configured to provide a holding force greater than that of the upper channel 53, and the container half 26 attached to the lower channel is defined as the lower part of the container, and the container half 21 the upper part of the container. In this way, when a user pulls the two container halves 21 and 26 to open the container, the upper channel will be released before the lower channel. The ring 40 is injection molded of elastic plastic material, preferably a polyolefin. Such a molded plastic ring can be easily configured to provide the desired fastening characteristics, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. In the present embodiment, the fastening means used in the lower channel 63 includes a plurality of stopping protrusions and "collision" protrusions. The stopping protrusions are used to hold the ring 40 in a relatively rigid manner to the container half 26. As illustrated in FIG. 4, preferably, the stopping protrusions are in the form of tips 65 protruding from spaced apart locations. the vertical wall 62 in the lower channel 63. The tips are located at a predetermined height from the base 41 such that they close at a stroke and capture the edge 27 of the container half 26 when inserted therein To securely hold the edge formed in the lower channel 63. With this arrangement, the parts fit together with a noticeable click or click as long as the tip, which flexes over the formed edge, returns to its position in a blow as the lower edge parts formed in the channel. Instead of using a series of tips 65 placed at selected locations, it is also possible to use a continuous tip on the wall 62 which extends around the ring 40 to capture the formed edge.

However, if an exact sliding fit is desired without stopping, then the tips 65 can be removed to use only the collision projections 64 to hold the flange 27. The collision projections 64 project from the vertical wall 61 towards the lower channel and extend generally perpendicular to the base 41. When the edge 27 of the container half 26 is inserted into the lower channel 63, the collision projections 64 are clutched and bent by the inner surface of the vertical wall 28 of the container half 26 adjacent the edge 27 to provide an exact fit between the channel and the container half. It will be appreciated that fastening means such as collision projections or stop tips can also be used in the upper channel 53, and that other types of fastening means can also be employed in any channel to provide the desired fastening characteristics. As an auxiliary feature of the present invention, the upper channel 63 is provided with ventilation means to prevent the formation of a vacuum, which would resist removal of the cover. It is well known that during the removal of a lid from the container, the expansion of the volume in the container due to the displacement of the lid can cause the pressure in the container to be lower than the external pressure. Such pressure difference, or vacuum construction, can resist removal of the container lid. In the present embodiment, the venting means avoids the vacuum construction and includes a plurality of L-shaped projections 71 transversely positioned in the upper channel 53. As illustrated in Figure 4, each of the L-shaped projections 71 has a vertical portion 72 projecting from the vertical wall 51, and a horizontal portion 73 extending through the base 41, which forms the lower part of the channel 53. The L-shaped projections 71 serve as spacers for to avoid the formation of an airtight seal between the formed edge 22 and the upper channel 53, thereby avoiding the vacuum construction when the container half 21 is separated from the upper channel. The vertical portions 72 of the L-shaped projections further serve the function of the collision projections 64. As shown in Figure 4, the vertical portions 72 of the L-shaped projections 71 are clutched and flexed by the surface of the vertical wall 23 adjacent the formed edge 22 to provide an exact fit between the upper channel 53 and the container half 21. In FIG. 5 a cross-sectional, partially exploded view of the ring 40 is provided showing a collision shoulder 64 and an L-shaped projection 71.

It will be appreciated that a variety of ventilation means may be used to prevent vacuum formation without deviating from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, Figure 18 shows an alternative embodiment of a ring 340 that uses grooves 354 on the walls 351 and 352 of the upper channel 353 as the ventilation means. In the illustrated embodiment, the slots 354 divide the vertical walls 351 and 352 into segments, and the upper channel 353 is thus interrupted instead of being continuous along the annulus. These grooves 354 allow air to flow inside a container formed with the ring 340, thereby preventing the formation of a container vacuum when a user opens it. This embodiment also illustrates those portions of the ring, such that one or more of the vertical walls forming the channels can be segmented, as desired in order to suit the requirements of a particular container application. Referring now to Figures 6-8, as another auxiliary feature of the present invention, the ring 40 is configured in such a way that the container 20 can be opened by compressing a press-to-open section 32 of the container. Conveniently, the press-to-open configuration is placed in one or more corners of the container, although, when desired, it may be placed along an edge or in a preferred portion of a complex shape. In practice, the push-to-open configuration is implemented by providing two spacer lugs 81 in the upper channel 53 at locations adjacent to the open-to-open section 32. In the present embodiment, the separate lugs 81 are located in the form of L-shaped projections 71 described above in conjunction with Figure 4. When used for ventilation, the height separating the projections from the base may be relatively small. However, when used in the press-to-open configuration, the spacer projections 81 need to be sufficiently high to allow a portion of the upper container to curve toward the channel portion encompassed by the projections in an amount sufficient to allow that the opposite end of the lid of the container rises. More particularly, as can be seen in the sectional view of Figure 7, the separating projections 81 form a recess between the base 41 and the formed edge 22 (shown in dotted lines) when the container is closed. When the press-to-open corner section 32 of the container half 21 is depressed, the formed edge 22 of the container half 21 opposite the press-to-open section 32 is pivoted up and out of the container. upper channel 53 of the ring 40. The opening configuration illustrated in Figure 8 shows the corner 32 being compressed so that the corner section fits into the channel made by the projections 81, causing the opposite corner 33 to be elevate In this way, the container is opened by shot by simply pressing on a corner. Turning now to FIG. 9, a further embodiment of the invention is shown, in which the opposing contact surfaces for the container halves are configured differently. In this embodiment, the upper contact surface 150 has only one vertical wall 151, for holding the formed edge 22, shown as a flanged edge. As the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the present embodiment of the ring 140 is also provided with stop tips 165 and collision projections 164 in the lower channel 160 to securely hold the flanged edge 27 of the container half 26. upper contact surface 150 includes L-shaped projections 171, which clutch the vertical wall 23 to provide a reasonably accurate and controlled fit between the ring 140 and the container half 21. According to a special benefit of the invention, it is possible to make even more complete use of the elastic interface ring when molding the ring to include special purpose internal and external configurations. Thus, in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the ring can be injection molded with special features such as stabilizer box 241 shown integral with ring 240 in Figure 10. Box 243 is integral with the vertical wall inside the ring, and in this example it is placed entirely inside the container. Examples of other special features, both internal and external, will be given below. However, referring to Figure 10, because the ring of the present invention is formed of elastic material such as plastic, the ring may become somewhat flexible when the ring size is large enough, and therefore may not rigidly retain its shape when it is being handled, which increases the effort required to assemble the ring on an associated container half. The stabilizing box 241, which connects two opposite sections of the ring, maintains the shape of the ring, thereby facilitating the installation of the ring. To avoid obstruction of the interior space of the container, box 241 is designed to lie exactly along the inner periphery of the lower part of the container. As shown in Fig. 10, the frame 241 has a generally U-shaped body that includes two descendingly extending portions 242 and a horizontal portion 243. The frame 241 is dimensioned in such a way that when the ring 240 is attached to the container half 26, the two portions 242 extend along the vertical walls 27, and the horizontal portion 243 extends through the closed end 28. The invention has been described above in connection with a rectangular container with object to simplify the drawings and to allow the description to focus on the important aspects of the invention. It will now be recognized that the invention is particularly suitable for containers of complex or unusual shape. Assuming that appropriate quantities are required, the sausage and forming equipment can be configured and set up to provide a large number of identical container halves. Due to the use of identical lower tops, the amount of restrictions is decreased, since each container requires two metal parts that are stuffed and formed in an identical manner. Figure 11 of the drawings shows a container having a configuration for forming an embodiment of the present invention that is currently preferred. It is preferred that, at least in the sense of an unusual irregular shape of the container, combined with a relatively low profile (of the order of 0.75 inches by half) a commercially attractive package be provided. However, except in the form, the embodiment of Figure 11 is similar to that illustrated and described in connection with the previous drawings. More particularly, it will be noted that the container 340 of Figure 11 includes a lower part of the container 341, an upper part of the container 342 joined by an elastic injection molded plastic ring 343. Although not completely illustrated in the drawings, the ring 343 is similar to that illustrated in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1, except that the peripheral shape of the ring conforms to the peripheral shape of the container halves. The importance of using formed metal edges has been described in detail above. Briefly, the formed metal mold hardens the container, protects the raw metal edge, and provides a container characteristic to which the interface ring can be easily adapted. The formed metal edges that have been illustrated in the above embodiments have typically been flanged metal edges, with the flange turned outwardly. Figure 12 is a partial view showing the application of the invention in a container that also has flanged metal edges, but in which the edges are turned inward instead of outwardly. In this manner, a container upper part 250 and a lower container part 251 are shown each having formed edges 252, 253, respectively, joined by an interface ring 254. The edges are inwardly crimped to provide an outer wall. substantially flat 255 and a flanged inner wall 256. In view of the foregoing discussion, it will be apparent how to configure the ring to the interface with such formed edge configuration interface. Figure 13 illustrates the application of the invention to a container 260 in which the formed edges 261, 262 are folded, and the hemmed edges are joined by an interface ring 263. The hemmed edges have a much flatter profile, in the which the formation of the edges folds and then compresses the edging of the edge. Figure 4 shows still a further embodiment in which a container 270 having formed edges 271, 272, formed as tears, are joined by an interface ring 273. The teardrop edges have a configuration where the vertical walls of the channels are both in contact with curved portions of the formed edges, in contrast to the previous embodiments, where one wall of the channel would be in contact with a curved edge, and the other wall of the channel would be in contact with a substantially flat portion of the edge. It was also observed in connection with Figure 10 that the injection molded interface ring would be taken advantage of in forming the ring to include internal or external configurations of special purpose. Figure 10 shows the incorporation of a stabilizer box 243. The stabilizer box 243 also represents the possibility of using an internal configuration, such as box 243 to aid in the packaging of the contents. Thus, for example, if the container were proposed as a two-tier candy container, the inner box 243 could be formed in a continuous or semi-continuous manner, and provide a base surface for holding a top layer of candy. In a similar manner, the injection-molded ring can have a special purpose central configuration in the form of a serrated circle having a rosette in the center thereof, the shape and configuration being adapted to retain the conventional compact disc. In this way, very short container halves of a size adapted to hold a compact disc can be used with such a special purpose interface ring to provide a commercially attractive compact disc package. Figures 15 and 16 show the use of external annular configurations of special purpose adapted as support for the container joined by the interface ring. Figure 15, for example, shows a container 280 having an interface abutment 281 having two special purpose supports 282, 283 integrally molded with the ring 281 on the lower part thereof, so that the supports 282 , 283 can be used so that the container 280 can stand on the end of any flat surface 284. Figure 16 shows a container 290 having an elastic interface ring 291 molded with a special configuration arrow 292 in a portion thereof, adapting arrow 292 to hold the container in a suspended condition for retail deployment. Figure 17 shows yet another implementation, in which an oval-shaped container 300 has an interface ring 301 formed with external features in the nature of extravagant decorations proposed for compliance with the printed design (not shown) typically carried out in the surface of the container. In the embodiment of Fig. 17, the container 300 is in small form and the similarly small interface ring 371 has molded thereon a set of extravagant features including small man's feet 302, 303 and arms and feet of small man 304, 305. It is not possible to be exhaustive at this point, since it will be seen that the possibilities presented by the present invention are really very broad. However, it will be apparent, that the invention provides the opportunity to form highly decorative and special purpose containers, in which an interface ring is used to join components that could not be previously attached, and in special applications can also provide other features utilitarian or decorative.

Claims (32)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present. invention is considered as a novelty and therefore the property described in the following claims is claimed as property. 1. A container comprises the combination of: two embossed metal container halves, each having a closed end and vertical walls ending in a formed edge, the edges being formed of substantially identical container halves and defining a shape of peripheral container, and an elastic ring formed to engage the peripheral container shape to join the container halves at their respective formed edges to produce a closed container capable of being opened, the ring having contact surfaces, upper and lower, opposite that share a common base for engaging the facing portions of the formed edges of the respective container halves, each contact surface having at least one vertical wall extending around the ring and comprising means for holding the formed edge of a container half when it sits on it in order to provide a holding force r resistent to the removal thereof, the respective contact surfaces having non-identical fastening characteristics for the formed edges of the associated container halves in such a way that the holding force for removal of the formed edge of a seated container half is different between the two contact surfaces to allow a predetermined of the two contact surfaces to be released before the other. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower contact surface includes two vertical walls defining a channel of sufficient amplitude to allow the insertion of the formed edge of a container half and provide the retaining force resistant to removal thereof. . A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper contact surface includes two vertical walls defining a channel of sufficient amplitude to allow the insertion of the formed edge of a container half and provide the retaining force resistant to removal thereof. . A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper contact surface includes only a vertical wall that is dimensioned to fit exactly one side of the edge formed of a container half. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the vertical walls is segmented and the other of the vertical walls is continuous around the periphery of the ring. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower contact surface includes toothed tips protruding at separate locations from one of the two vertical walls to securely capture the edge formed of a container half when inserted into the container. the same. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the common base is a box separating the upper and lower contact surfaces. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the container halves are of a complex non-rectangular peripheral container shape, the ring being a unitary injection molded plastic member for coupling to the complex peripheral container shape. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a low profile, wherein the height of the closed container is determined substantially by the summed height of the respective walls. A container according to claim 9, characterized in that the container half to which the ring is more securely fastened is defined as a lower container part, and the other container half is defined as an upper container part. 11. A container according to claim 9, characterized in that the ring is made of an elastic plastic material. 12. A container according to claim 11, characterized in that the ring is a polyolefin molded by injection. A container according to claim 9, characterized in that the first channel includes stopping protrusions for securely holding the ring to the edge formed of a container half when inserted therein so that the container half attached to the first The channel is held more firmly than the container half attached to the second channel. A container according to claim 13, characterized in that the stopping protrusions include tips placed in separate places in the first channel, which close at a stroke on the edge formed of a container half when the formed edge is inserted into the container. first channel. A container according to claim 14, characterized in that the first channel includes collision protrusions protruding from a channel wall of the first channel for engaging an inner surface of the vertical wall of a container half adjacent the formed edge when the The formed edge is inserted into the first channel to achieve an exact fit between the first channel and the container half. A container according to claim 13, characterized in that the second channel includes ventilation means to prevent the formation of a vacuum in the container during the removal of the container half attached to the second channel. A container according to claim 16, characterized in that the ventilation means includes L-shaped projections transversely placed in the second channel to prevent the formation of an air-tight seal between the formed edge of said container half and the second channel . A container according to claim 16, characterized in that the ventilation means includes grooves that segment the walls of the second channel and interrupt the second channel. A container according to claim 13, characterized in that the container includes a press-to-open area, including the press-to-open area, two separating projections on the second channel that frame a recess between them on which it receives an adjacent portion of the edge formed from the container half attached to the second channel when said container half is depressed, to thereby pivot a section of said container half opposite the press-to-open area outside the second channel. A container according to claim 13, characterized in that the ring includes a U-shaped stabilizing box extending towards the container half attached to the first channel, the box having two descending portions extending along the vertical walls of said container half and a horizontal portion extending through the closed end of said container half. A container according to claim 9, characterized in that the container halves are of a complex non-rectangular peripheral shape, the ring being a unitary injection molded plastic member for coupling to the complex peripheral container form. 22. A container according to claim 9, characterized in that the formed edges are formed in the configuration taken from the class including beading, teardrop and hemming. 23. A container according to claim 22, characterized in that the formed edges are formed internally towards the interior of the container half. 24. A container according to claim 22, characterized in that the formed edges are formed externally to the outside of the container half. 25. A container according to claim 9, characterized in that the ring includes an internal configuration molded unitarily with the ring and positioned to be placed entirely within the container. 26. A container according to claim 9, characterized in that the ring is formed with at least one integral external configuration that extends unitarily from the outside of the ring. 27. A container according to claim 26, characterized in that the external configuration is formed and positioned to provide support to the container. 28. A plastic interface ring for use with two container covers having edges formed of identical size and shape so that the container covers do not snap together, the interface ring adapting to join said container covers to form a closed container, the interface ring comprising: a ring having a size and shape that fit the size and shape of the formed edges; opposite channels, upper and lower, in the ring separated by a connection box, the channels being sufficiently wide to allow the insertion of the formed edge of a container lid and provide a retention force that resists the withdrawal thereof, being the total size of the channels substantially equal to the identical formed edges of two lids which can fit into the channels in end-to-end placement relationship separated by the box, the channels being formed so that the holding force for the separation of the channels an inserted lid is different between channels to allow one channel to be released before the other channel. 29. A plastic interface ring according to claim 28, characterized in that the ring is made of an injection molded material. 30. A plastic interface ring according to claim 28, characterized in that the lower channel includes stop points sized to capture an edge formed of a container lid when the container lid is inserted in the lower channel. 31. A plastic interface ring according to claim 28, characterized in that the ring is formed with at least one integral external configuration extending unitarily from the outside of the ring. 32. A plastic interface ring according to claim 28, characterized in that the ring includes an internal configuration molded unitarily with the ring.