Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02391516 2002-06-25
Docket No.: 02010 PRG 01-311
LOCKING CONTAINER
Locking containers, especially childproof locking containers, in which
multiple
movements must be applied to open the container have many uses. One use for
locking containers is medicine containers. Locking caps on medicine bottles
are
well known. The caps usually require axial pressure or inward radial squeezing
while turning the caps to remove the caps from the containers and to provide
access
to medicine therein.
Many medicines are packaged in flat boxes, which are difficult to secure with
childproof locks. Needs exist#or flat boxes which have locks which require
multiple
motions for opening. Needs exist for inexpensive locking boxes.
The invention provides a locking container. In a preferred form of the
invention the locking container is flat and has one element which provides a
form
and a lock and a second element which provides an enclosure. Preferably the
enclosure also includes a carrier for the protected contents of the container.
In one
embodiment of the invention, the container has a rigid tray and an outer
covering
which encloses the tray. A slide connected to the tray releases a lock, which
secures the coverto the tray while the slide is in the locked position. When
the
slide is moved to an unlocked position, the lock may be opened to release the
cover, so that the cover may be moved with respect to the tray. Preferably the
lock
locks one end portion of the cover. The other end portion of the cover is
hinged to
the tray. Lateral sides of the cover are held beneath the inward projections
on
upward extended sides of the tray.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the tray is rectangular and has
a central main body, rectangular opposite side walls and rectangular opposite
end
walls. Preferably, the cover is a paperboard or plastic material which is
formed in
three parts by providing two parallel creases. A base panel underlies the tray
and
is glued or otherwise connected to the bottom of the tray. A spine panel
overlies an
-1-
CA 02391516 2002-06-25
end of the tray, and a cover panel overlies the top of the tray. The cover
panel may
be folded at a free end and laminated to provide a relatively rigid cover.
Alternatively, a second layer may be laminated on the inside of the cover
panel to
provide rigidity and also to provide holders for the protected contents of the
package.
In a preferred embodiment, the tray is molded in one mold cavity to produce
three parts: a main body, a slidable lock strap and a hinged lock flap. The
main
body has a shelf portion at one end with a central opening through which a
latch
extension from the lock flap is positioned. A similar opening near the free
end of the
cover panel also receives the latch extension. The cover panel is held on top
of the
shelf by the latch extension which extends through the cover panel opening and
through the opening in the shelf at one end of the main body.
The lock flap is connected to the main body by a living hinge on an upper
outward edge of one end of the body. The lock strap is formed within a central
opening in the body and is connected to the main body by flexible straps. The
lock
strap is molded in one position and is moved into an operative position.
Extensions
from the lock strap and extensions from#he main body respectively engage
adjacent
parts of the main body and of the strap to permit sliding. The flexible straps
permit
moving the lock flap to an operative position and function as an over-the-
center
spring mechanism to urge the lock strap into the full locking position. In
that full
locking position, a lock rib on one end of the lock strap engages the latch
extension
and prevents opening of the lock fflap:
To release the latch extension, a pull ring on an opposite end of the lock
strap is moved in a direction away from the locking position. Stops prevent
excessive movement in the unlocking direction. Movement of the lock strap to
the
unlocking position releasesthe lock flap for opening. The flexible straps
return the
lock strap to the locking position when the pull ring is released.
After the lock flap has been opened, the free end of the cover panel is
lifted.
-2-
CA 02391516 2002-06-25
The cover panel is hinged about the far end of the tray. Lifting the free end
peels
lateral edges of the cover panel from beneath the inward projections on sides
of the
tray. Opening the cover panel provides access to the contents within the
container.
The cover is then returned to the closed position. Pushing downward on a
center of the cover panel resiliently bends the cover about a longitudinal
axis,
permitting edges of the cover panel to snap beneath the inward projections on
the
upward extended sides of the tray. The lock flap is then closed on the cover.
The
latch extension rib i extends through the opening in the cover and the aligned
opening in the sheif portion of the tray. The latch extension rib has a sloped
lo outward surface which engages a sloped camming surface on the top of the
lock rib,
pushing the lock rib and the lock strap away from the locking position so that
the
latch extension rib may snap beneath the lock rib. The flexible straps return
the
lock strap and the lock rib to the locking position, and the package is secure
against
unintended opening.
Opening of the package requires movement of the lock strap by sliding the
pull ring within thealigned oval openings in the tray and in the base panel of
the
cover at the same time that the lock flap is raised.
In a preferred form the lock flap is formed with parallel slits extending
perpendicularly from positions spaced from the living hinge to the opposite
free
edge of the lock flap. The slits divide the lock flap into three sections. A
central
section has an opening through which the latch extension rib is formed. Two
outer
sections have domed portions which present raised free edges of the outer
sections. The raised edges open toward the opposite end of the package.
Inserting
fingers longitudinally under the raised edges and domed portions while the
pull ring
on the other side of the container is being moved away from the locking
position
raises the outer sections of the lock flap. The sliding of the lock strap
releases the
latch extension rib and permits. raising of the central section of the lock
flap. The
raising of both outer sections of the lock flap causes the raising of the
central
-3-
CA 02391516 2006-10-24
section of the lock flap and the lifting of the latch extension away from the
position of
engagement with the lock rib. In one embodiment of the invention, lifting of
both
outer sections is required to provide sufficient torque in the areas at the
end of the
slits to lift the central section.
According to the present invention then, there is provided a locking container
comprising a tray; a sliding lock connected to the tray; a lock flap connected
to the
tray and cooperating with the sliding lock, wherein the lock flap comprises a
latch
extension extending perpendicularly therefoom, and wherein the latch extension
comprises a transverse latch rib; a cover connected to the tray, the cover
having a
free end positioned under the lock flap when the cover and lock flap are
closed, for
holding the cover closed when the lock flap is positioned over the free end of
the
cover and wherein the sliding lock cooperates with the lock flap to hold the
lock flap
closed.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a
method of locking and unlocking a container, comprising the steps of providing
a tray
having a cover and an elongated opening; hingedly connecting a lock flap to
one end
of the tray; wherein the lock flap comprises a latch extension extending
perpendicularly therefrom, and wherein the latch extension comprises a
transverse
latch rib; providing a cover on the tray; providing a sliding lock in the
elongated
opening of the tray; wherein the sliding lock has a lock rib at an end
proximate to the
lock flap for engaging the latch of the latch extension; wherein the sliding
lock is
slidable from a first position to a second position in cooperation with a
biasing means,
wherein in the first position the lock rib of the sliding lock engages the
latch rib of the
latch extension to thereby lock the container, and wherein the sliding lock is
slidable
to a second position against the force of the biasing means to allow the lock
rib to
disengage from the latch rib and unlock the container.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also
provided
a locking apparatus for a container having a cover, said locking apparatus
comprising
a lock flap pivotally connected to one end of said container, wherein the lock
flap
-4-
CA 02391516 2006-10-24
comprises a latch extension extending perpendicularly therefrom, and wherein
the
latch extension comprises a transverse latch rib; a sliding lock slidably
disposed on
said cover and cooperating with said lock flap; wherein said lock flap pivots
from a
first position engaging said sliding lock to keep said cover in a closed
position, to a
second position disengaging said sliding lock and releasing said cover to
slide to an
open position.
These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent
in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification,
with the
drawings.
Figure 1 is a top perspective drawing up of the container.
Figure 2 is a bottom perspective drawing of the container.
Figure 3 is a cross section of the container shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is a cross sectional detail of the container.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional detail of the container showing the lock strap
pulled to an unlocked position.
Figure 6 is a cross sectional detail of the lock flap being closed.
Figure 7 is a cross sectional detail of the package being locked and secured.
Figure 8 is a perspective drawing of the main body, lock flap and pull ring.
Figure 9 is a bottom view showing the molded position of the tray.
Figure 10 is a top perspective drawing showing the molded position of the
tray.
-4a-
CA 02391516 2002-06-25
Figure 11 is a perspective detail showing the lock strap as molded and the
lock flap latch extension with the lock flap in the closed position.
Figure 12 is a top perspective view of the tray with the lock strap in molded
position and the lock flap closed.
Figure 13 is a cross sectional bottom perspective detail of the lock strap and
the flexible strap spring in molded position and the lock flap closed.
Figure 14 is a bottom view showing the lock strap in forward locking position
holding the lock flap in the closed position.
Figure 15 is a bottom view detail of the tray showing the lock flap in closed
position and the lock strap in molded position.
Figure at 16 is a similar detail showing the lock strap in a forward, use,
locking position.
Figure at 17 is a top perspective view which shows the tray with the lock
strap and the lock flap in locked positions.
Figure 18 is a bottom perspective of the tray with the lock strap and lock
flap
in locked positions.
Figure 19 shows pulling of the pull ring and opening of the lock flap.
Figure 20 is a top perspective view of the tray with the flap and strap in
locked position.
Figure 21 is a perspectivecross sectional drawing of the container with the
side extension of the tray extending over the cover panel and the package
closed
-5-
CA 02391516 2005-09-08
and locked.
Figure 22 is a detail of the drawing shown in figure 21.
Referring to figure 1, a locking container for holding pills or other objects
is
generally indicated by the numeral 1. The container has a rectangular molded
plastic tray 3 with rectangular opposite lateral sides 5 and 7. Elongated
ledges 9
extend inward from upper edges of the sides 5 and 7. The ledges hold down side
edges of a cover panel 11. The cover is formed as a rigid section of a creased
and
folded plastic or paperboard sheet material enclosure 25.
A locking flap 13 holds down one end of the cover panel 11. The locking flap
is connected to an upper edge of longitudinal end 14 of the tray 3 by a living
hinge
15. The locking flap has an operative center section 17 and two side sections
19.
The center section has a latch extension. The side sections have raised curved
portions 21, under which tips of two fingers may be inserted for lifting the
entire flap
13. The center section 17 and the two side sections 19 are separated by
grooves
23. The grooves prevent raising of the center section 17 by lifting only one
of the
side sections 19. The grooves are spaced by areas 22 from the edge 24 of the
flap
13. Lifting concurrently ori both side sections 19 transmits enough force
through the
connected areas 22 to the center section 17 to rotate the center section
upward.
Once the center section 17 has been lifted, the cover panel 11 may be rotated
upward to expose the contents of the box. By controlling the lengths of slits
23 and
the areas 22 the lock flap may be designed so that an area 22 transmits
sufficient
torque to lift the center section 17 when lifting only one side section 19. In
one
embodiment as shown in figures 1 and 3, the cover panel 11 is part of a wrap-
around sheet material board 25 which surrounds and encloses the top, bottom
and
one end wall of the tray. The sheet material 25 has a fold 26 at one end of
the
cover panel 11 which provides an end spine portion 27.
As shown in the bottom perspective view of figure 2, the sheet material 25
-6-
CA 02391516 2002-06-25
has a back panel 29 which is connected to the end spineportion 27 along fold
28.
The back panel is glued, bonded or otherwise physically attached to the bottom
of
tray 3. Lateral edges of the back panel 29 are protected by downward
extensions
of the tray sides 5 and 7. The sheet material board completely covers the top
and
bottom and one longitudinal end 16 of the tray when the cover is closed.
Alternately the back panel 29 and the cover panel 11 may be made
separately. In that embodiment, the back panel 29 is mechanically attached,
glued
or bonded to the back of the tray 3. The spine portion 27 of the cover is
similarly
connected to the spine end 16 of the#ray, and the cover panel 11 is hinged to
the
spine portion 27.
An oval cutout 31 is made in the back panel 29. A pull ring 33 is mounted in
the tray and is positioned inside of the cutout. The pull ring 33 may be moved
from
one end of the cutout 31 to the other end. As shown in figure 2, the pull ring
is in
the locked position 32, which prevents flap 13 and cover panel 11 from being
opened. In use, the pull ring resides in the locked position unless
intentionally
moved to an unlocked position.
As shown in figures 3 and 4, the lock flap 13 has been raised to permit
opening of the cover panel 11. The inside of the cover 11 has multiple pill-
holding
blisters 35. When the lock flap 13 is lifted, as shown in figure 3, the cover
11 may
be lifted to provide access to the pill holders 35. The blisters 35, the
adjacent wall
or junctions are frangible to remove a pill by fracturing one of the blisters,
its edges
or an abutting area of the cover panel 11.
A cross sectional detail of the lock flap end of the container is shown in
figure
4. The lock flap 13 is connected with a living hinge 15 to the outer edge 37
of an
outward extension 39 along the upper part of end 14 of the tray 3.
As shown in figure 4, the tray 3 has a raised shelf 41 along the end 14 of the
-7-
CA 02391516 2002-06-25
tray. The shelf has an elongated, rectangular funnel-shaped opening 43 with a
sloped guide portion 45 and a narrowed throat 47.
The lock flap13 has a U-shaped latch extension 51 with side legs 53 which
extend perpendicularly from the center section 17 of the lock flap 13. The U-
shaped
latch extension 51 has a transverse latch rib 55 which extends between ends of
the
perpendicular legs 53. The latch rib 55 has a sloped surface 56. An opening 57
through which the latch extension 51 is formed is centered in the lock flap
13.
The cover panel 11 has a rectangular cutout 59 which aligns with and
overlies the opening 43 in shelf 41 to receive the latch extension 51 when the
lock
flap 13 is closed over the free end 60 of the cover panel.
To hold the lock flap closed over the free end 60 of the cover panel, the tray
3 has a slidable lock strap 61. A vertical portion 63.at one end of the lock
strap
supports a lock rib 65. The lock strap 61, its raised portion 63 and the lock
rib 65
are movable from left to right as shown in figure 4 by moving the pull ring 33
as
shown in figure 2.
Lock rib 65 locks the latch extension rib 55 when the lock strap and lock rib
are in the left position and releases the latch extension rib 55 when the lock
strap
61 and lock rib 65 are moved toward the right as shown in figure 4. In the
locked
position the lock rib 65 overlies the transverse latch rib 55 which extends
between
the two legs 53 of the latch extension 51.
As shown in figure 5, the lock strap 61 is moved to the right as shown by
arrow 66. The lock rib 65 releases the latch extension rib 55, and the lock
flap 13
may be raised.
Shelf 41 has a horizontal projection with a downward extension 67 which
stops the surface 69 of the raised portion 63 of the lock strap 61. That
prevents
-8-
CA 02391516 2002-06-25
excessive withdrawal of the lock strap 61 beyond the unlockedposition as shown
in figure 5.
Figure 5 also shows the blister 35 formed from an inner layer 71 of the cover
panel 11. The inner layer 71 of the cover panel 11 is folded over at free end
60 and
is bonded to the outer layer 73 of the cover. Figure 5 also shows one of the
inward
extending ledges 9 which overlies edges of thecover and holds the cover panel
edges downward until the cover panel is intentionally lifted at free end 60.
Lifting
the free end 60 peels the cover panel edges from under the ledges 9 as the
cover
panel is raised. When raising and lowering cover panel 11 the cover assumes a
slight curvature or bowing which peels the edges from under the ledges during
lifting and snaps edges of the cover past inward ledge extensions 9 when
closing
the cover panel.
Figure 6 shows the lock strap moved fully to the left in the direction of
arrow
68 so that the lock rib 65 is directly under the opening 43 in the shelf 41.
Initially
the cover panel 11 is closed by pressing downward on the center of the cover
panel
to position lateral edges of the cover panel beneath inward extending ledges 9
on
the opposite side walls. Then the lock flap 13 is closed by pressing in the
direction
of arrow 70 on the center section 17 of the lock flap. The sloping surface 56
of the
latch rib 55 may engage the sloping surface 45 of the rectangular opening 43
in the
shelf 41 to center the latch extension 51. Continued downward force causes the
sloping surface 56 to engage the sloping surface 71 on the lock rib 65, which
slides
the lock rib 65, the raised portion 63 and the lock strap 61 to the right in
the
direction of arrow 66. This allows the transverse latch rib 55 to snap beneath
the
lock rib 65 and allows the latch extension 51 to be fully inserted beneath the
shelf
41. As soon as the transverse latch rib 55 slides beneath the horizontal
surface 73
of the lock rib 65, the lock rib vertical portion 63 and the lock strap 61 are
moved to
the left in the direction of arrow 68 to lock the latch extension rib 55 and
the lock
flap 13 in position, securing the cover. The lock strap 61 moves until the
latch
extension rib 55 is under the lock rib 65.
-9-
CA 02391516 2002-06-25
As shown in figure 7, the lock strap 61 and the lock rib 65 are in the locked
position. Preferably the return of the lock strap 61 to the locked position is
accomplished with a spring. Preferably flexible strap leaf springs are used.
Figures 8-10 show the tray 3 in the molded position. The tray 3, the lock flap
13 and the lock strap 61 are formed from plastic in a single mold cavity with
limited
side actions.
Figure 8 is a top perspective view. The tray 3 has a main body 81 with
material saving and product lightening cutouts 83. Central body sections 85
surround the central inward facing edges 87, the elongated central opening 86
and
lo the oval opening 88. Recesses 89 in the edges 87 permit the forming of a
cross bar
91, which is integrally molded with the lock strap 61. Lateral recesses 93 in
the lock
strap side walls 95 permit sight flexure in the area of cross bar to permit
sliding in
the direction of the arrows 97 to the locked position 99 of the cross bar 91
shown
in phantom lines. Recesses 101 in the side walls 95 of the lock strap 61
permit the
forming of guides 103. Guides 103 are integrally formed with the central body
sections 85. Guides 103 extend inward from the interwalls 87 of#he body
sections.
The guides have thick rims 105 and thin portions 107. The thin portions 107
form
surfaces on which lateral areas 109 of the lock strap 61 slide.
The forward end of the lock strap 61 has integrally formed thereon the
perpendicular end member 63 with the lock rib 65. The sloped surface 71 of the
lock rib is used to facilitate assembly of the lock strap 61 into the use
position, as
well as to aid in the locking function. The perpendicular end member 63 is
connected laterally to flexible straps 111 which have ends 113 connected to
the
sides 115 of the end structure as shown in figure 9.
The shelf 41 has raised lateral sections 117 and a center section 119. Lower
end sections 121 of the tray 3 are attached to the front end wall 14. At the
opposite
end 16 two vertical walls 123 and 125 extend between side walls 5 and 7.
-10-
CA 02391516 2002-06-25
After molding the tray 3, pull ring 33 may be used to move the lock strap 61
to the right as shown in the bottom view of figure 9. The sloping surface 71
on the
lock rib 65 will push against the sloping surface 131 on the protrusion 133 of
the
central section 119 which forms shelf 41, permitting the lock rib 65 and the
vertical
section 63 to pass under the protrusion 133 on the shelf. The cooperating
surfaces
67 and 69, as shown in figure 5, prevent the return of the lock strap beyond
the
protrusion 133.
When the pull ring 33 slides the lock strap to the right into operational
position, lower surfaces 141 of the cross bar 91 slide over upper surfaces of
the
inner portions 85 of the tray body. The upper lateral surface areas 109 on the
lock
strap 61 slide under the lower surfaces 143 of the thin portions 107 of
extensions
103. The thick rims 105 provide ends 145#o prevent overtravel of the lock
strap 61
in the locking direction.
Near the end 14, the shelf portion 41 has vertical walls 147 which supportthe
shelf near the opening 43. Ends 149 may abut the flexible straps 111 and
prevent
over travel of the lock rib 65 in the locking direction. Sloped walls 151
permit the
flexible straps 111 to extend, bend or arc.
Figure 10 shows a top view of the preferred tray 3 in the molded position.
Reinforcing ribs 153 are added to the flexible straps 111, and portions 155
and 157
are thinned near the ends of the straps. The ribs 153 prevent axial warping of
the
straps, and the ribs and thinned portions 155 and 157 promote controlied
bending
with reasonable applied forces.
As shown in figures 9 and 10., the edges of the integrally#ormed tray 3, lock
flap 13 and lock strap 61 are radiused to provide additional strength, to
prevent
tearing and to provide comfort to the userwhen encountering the exposed
surfaces.
Figure 11 is an enlarged bottom view detail showing the lock flap 13 and the
-11-
CA 02391516 2002-06-25
latch extension 51 in the closed position. When the lock strap 61 is moved to
the
locked position the lock rib 65 prevents opening of the lock flap by engaging
the
cross rib 55 on the latch extension 51.
Figure 11, a bottom view, also shows in greater detail the retaining
protrusion
133 with the sloping assembly wall 131 and the retaining wall 67. Lock strap
61 has
a central recess 161 opposite cross piece 91 to reduce material and weight and
to
promote flexibility.
Figure 12 is a top view detail similar to the bottom view detail shown in
figure
11 with the lock flap 13 closed. The lock flap 13 is divided by slits 23 into
outer
sections 19 and central section 17. If either of the outer sections 19 on the
right or
the left of the center section 17 is lifted without lifting the other end
section 19, a
lifting force is not sufficiently transferred to the center section. That is
especially the
case if the lock strap has not been retracted. Slits 23 may be shortened so
that
lifting one side 15 raises the center section.
Figure 13 is a cross sectional bottom view detail similar to figure 11,
showing
the lock flap 13 closed and the latch extension 51 from the center section 17
extending through the opening 43 in the shelf portion 41 of#he tray. The lock
strap
61 has not yet been slid into operational position.
As shown in figures 11 and 13, the cross member 91 on the lock strap 81 is
recessed 161 to provide weight and material reduction while retaining the
rigidity
of cross member 91. For the same reason, the thick portions 105 are restricted
to
rims extending around the thin portions 107 of the guides 103 to maintain
rigidity of
the guides, while reducing material and weight. The legs 53 of the latch
extension
51 are relativity wide to provide rigidity and strength in the extension 51.
Side
edges 163 of legs 53 are tapered to provide strength, lightness and alignment
in
opening 43.
-12-
CA 02391516 2002-06-25
Figure 14 shows a bottom view of the tray 3, with the lock flap 13 closed and
the latch extension 51 extending through the opening 43 in the shelf 41. The
lock
strap 61 has been moved into the locking position, in which the lock rib 65
overlies
the latch rib 55 of the latch extension 51. The lower surfaces 141 of the
cross
member 91 have been slid into position 99 on top of the inner portion 85 of
the tray
body 81. The upper surfaces of the edge portions 109 of lock strap 61 have
been
slid under the thin portions 107 of the guides 103. The flexible straps 111
have
been moved over-the-center to their operative position.
Figures 15 and 16 are bottom view details of the tray with the lock flap 13
closed and the latch extension 51 extending through the opening 43. In the
detail
of figure 15, the lock strap 61 is shown in its molded position. In figure 16,
the detail
shows the lock strap 61 in the forward locking or use position.
Figures 17 and 18 respectively are top and bottom perspective views of the
tray 3 with the lock flap 13 in the closed position and the lock strap 61
moved to the
operational locking position. The flexible straps 111 hold the lock strap 61
in the
locking position and return the lock strap 61 to the locking position, when
the pull
ring 33 is released after opening the container.
Figure 19 shows the pull ring 33 moved toward the center of the oval opening
88, disengaging lock rib 65 from the latch extension 51 and releasing the
locking
flap 13, which has been raised to release a cover panel 11. When the pull ring
33
is released, the flexible straps 111 return the lock strap 61 to the locking
position.
Figure 20 is a top perceptive view of the tray 3 in which the pull ring 33 has
been released and the flexible straps 111 have moved lock strap 61 to the
locking
position. The lock flap 13 has been closed and secured.
Figure 21 is a perspective longitudinal cross-sectional view of the container,
in which the lock flap 13 has been closed on free end 60 of the cover panel
11. The
-13-
CA 02391516 2002-06-25
latch extension 51 extends through opening 59 in the cover panel and opening
43
in the shelf 41. The lock rib 65 is positioned above the cross latch rib 55 of
the latch
extension 51, preventing opening of the lock flap 13 until the pull ring 33 is
slid to
the right. Pull ring 33 is exposed through the targe oval opening 31 in the
base
panel 29 of the cover and the aligned ovai opening 88 in the tray 3. Blisters
35
contain the products which are held in the locked container.
Figure 22 is a detail of the lock flap 13 holding the cover panel 11 closed
and
the lock rib 65 preventing the opening of the lock flap. Stops 67 and 69
prevent
overtravel of the lock strap 61 in the unlo.cking direction.
The pull ring 33 may be operated and the lock flap 13 may be opened by
placing thumbs under both longitudinal ends of the container and placing
fingers on
top of the container. One thumb, for example the right thumb operates the pul#
ring
33. Index and ring fingers of the other hand, for example the left hand may be
curled with tips of those fingers under the domes 21 on the outer sections 19
of the
lock flap 13. Once the lock flap 13 has been raised, the ring 33 may be
released,
and the right hand may be used to raise the cover panel 11. Raising the cover
panel by lifting the free end 60 peels edges of the cover panel from under the
inward extensions 9. Closing the cover panel by pressing in the middle, snaps
the
edges of the cover panel beneath the side extensions9.
While the invention had been described with reference to specific
embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed
without departing from the scope of the invention.
-14-
