WITH IMPROVED PACKAGE CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S .C. § 119(e) to U.S . Provisional Patent Application No. 61/257,452, filed November 2, 2009, the entirety of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. FIELD

The present invention relates to a reclosable package and more particularly to a reclosable package having an improved package closure arrangement.

BACKGROUND

Packaging elongate articles for retail display is a challenge. In the past, returns of non-reclosable packages resulted in many prospective customers not purchasing the returned item because of an appearance of tampering; that is, it was visibly clear that the package had previously been opened. It is therefore a challenge to make a package that is reclosable so returned articles can be put back in the original package and placed back on the retail display in a state that another prospective purchaser will not realize it had been returned.

It is a challenge to produce a package that is relatively inexpensive to make, yet durable enough to withstand repeatedly being opened and re-closed without showing failing, showing the appearance of damage, or looking like it has been tampered with. It is also a challenge to produce such a reclosable package that protects the article enclosed by the package while staying closed during shipment, unpacking for display, stocking retail displays, inspection by prospective purchasers, being opened upon purchase, as well as being re-closed if returned and placed back on retail display. In the past, reclosable packages have enjoyed great commercial success but improvements nonetheless remain desirable.

What is needed is a reclosable package of economical construction that is durable, protective of the article being packaged, and can be repeatedly opened and closed without failing, showing damage or showing an appearance of tampering. What is also needed is a package having a closure arrangement that keeps the package closed. SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a reclosable package having a package base with an article retaining cavity formed in it that is interconnected by an elongate hinge to a package cover where the package includes a reclosable closure arrangement constructed in accordance with the present invention having a plurality of spaced apart elongate bar snaps that securely, positively and releasably retain the cover in a closed position against the package base holding an article packaged their between. In one embodiment, the reclosable closure arrangement includes interlocking rib-and-channel sections integrally formed along end flanges of the package base and cover that frictionally and releasably engage when the package is closed, working in concert with the elongate bar snaps to keep the package closed while allowing it to be reopened if needed.

One preferred interlocking rib-and-channel closure arrangement includes a rib formed in either the cover or the package base that seats in a recess or channel formed either the package base or the cover when the package is being closed. The interlocking rib-and- channel closure arrangement provides at least one elongate rib that extends along a portion of the hinge and parts of end flanges of one of the package base and cover that releasably and frictionally seats in a channel that extends along parts of end flanges of the other one of the package base and cover during package closure.

The channel can include a recessed seat segment or channel segment of elongate construction that extends along the hinge that releasably receives a corresponding elongate segment of the rib when the package is closed. When the package is closed, such as via relative movement between the cover and base toward one another, the elongate segment of the rib extending along one side of the rib seating in the recessed seat or channel segment of the channel that runs along the other side of the hinge stiffens and strengthens the package, especially along the hinge.

The rib includes rib segments that extend along both end flanges and that can have a first interconnecting section connecting the segment of the rib that extends along the hinge as well as a second interconnecting section connecting each end flange rib segment with another rib segment that extends generally perpendicularly thereto along a part of an outer flange. Where the rib is of continuous and uninterrupted construction, the segment of the rib extending along the hinge along with the generally J-shaped segments at each end stiffen and strengthen the package base or cover in which integrally formed. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawing figures, the rib has a generally U-shaped cross-section, is elongate and integrally formed in a substantial portion of a peripheral margin of the package base that surrounds the article retaining cavity of the package base.

The channel includes end flange channel segments that can be connected by interconnecting channel sections to the recessed rib-receiving seat or channel segment formed along the hinge. The end flange channel segments are connected by another interconnecting channel section that extends along part of an outer flange.

During package closure, each segment and section of the rib is received in a corresponding segment and section of the channel in a manner that produces frictional engagement therebetween that helps keep the package closed. If desired, one or more of the rib sections and rib segments can engage its corresponding channel sections and channel segments in a manner that produces a releasable snap-fit therebetween. In addition, the interlocking rib-and-channel construction helps stiffen the closed package along its hinge as well as along the end sections of the package cavity in which the article, e.g., wiper blade, is releasably retained.

As discussed in more detail below, as relative movement during package closure brings the cover and package base together, receipt of each rib section and segment in a corresponding channel section and segment helps align the bar snaps of a bar snap closure arrangement that extends along the outer flange of both the cover and package base so they quickly and efficiently engage to help releasably keep the package closed. In a preferred embodiment, the bar snaps of the bar snap closure arrangement are spaced apart and extend substantially the length of the outer flange of the cover and package base between opposite ends of the rib and channel. In a preferred embodiment, there are at least three spaced apart bar snaps that extend generally along a line between opposite ends of the rib and channel.

Each bar snap includes a bar integrally formed in or of the outer flange of one of the package base and cover that is releasably received and retained in a snap pocket integrally formed in or of the outer flange of the other one of the package base and cover. The bar includes an elongate transversely enlarged or widened head that is connected to the outer flange by a necked down stem that is received in a pocket defined by an elongate snap bar anchoring chamber that is sized to provide frictional engagement with the bar head when snapped into the pocket. The pocket includes a narrower or necked down mouth defined by a pair of mouth sidewalls that deform outwardly during insertion of the bar head providing a snap fit around the head when received in the chamber.

To help locate and guide the bar head into the head anchoring chamber of the pocket, the bar has inclined endwall that can slide along an adjacent corresponding endwall of the pocket. Each bar head is elongate and oblong having rounded outer sidewalls that can be interconnected by an outer leading edge that can be a flat. Each pocket is elongate and has an oblong head anchoring chamber formed by a sidewall that is rounded producing a tubular chamber of generally circular or rounded cross-section. When the elongate bar head of each one of the bar snaps is received in the elongate bar head receiving chamber of the bar snap pocket when the package is closed, each engaged bar snap forms a stiffener in the abutting outer flange portions of the closed package that also helps strengthen the package.

When the rib sections and segments are received in their corresponding channel sections and segments and each bar head releasably snapped into the bar head anchoring chamber of a corresponding bar snap pocket, a package constructed in accordance with the present invention is releasably, yet positively retained in the closed condition with the closure arrangement helping to strengthen and stiffen the package. This advantageously produces a package made of relatively thin plastic sheeting that is strong, durable, resilient and protective of an article received in the package while being of reclosable construction that permits repeated openings and closings without showing evidence of being repeatedly opened and closed.

This also advantageously produces a package that is particularly well suited for holding a beam-type wiper blade in a partially or substantially straightened condition with the interlocking rib-and-channel closure arrangement helping to accommodate and distribute stresses from a pre-curved beam-type wiper blade transferred to the package base. The interlocking rib-and-channel closure arrangement along with the bar snap closure

arrangement help keep the package closed by helping to more uniformly distribute and accommodate forces from a beam blade snapped into the article-retaining cavity in the package base in a manner that keeps the package closed while allowing it to be quickly and easily manually opened. DRAWING DESCRIPTION

One or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wiper blade package equipped with a reclosable package closure arrangement constructed in accordance with the present invention shown with the package closed;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the reclosable wiper blade package of Figure 1 in an opened condition;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the open reclosable wiper blade package of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the open reclosable wiper blade package of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged end view of the open reclosable wiper blade package of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally transversely through a bar of a bar snap arrangement constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bar shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally transversely through a bar snap pocket of the bar snap arrangement constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bar snap pocket of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally transversely through a bar snap arrangement constructed in accordance with the present invention where the bar is releasably received in the bar snap pocket;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary, longitudinally extending cross sectional view of the bar snap arrangement of Figure 10 depicting the bar releasably snapped into the bar snap pocket;

Figure 12 illustrates relative movement between the cover and package base during closure of the package bringing the bar into registry with a mouth of the bar snap pocket;

Figure 13 illustrates additional relative movement between the cover and package base causing a head of the bar to enter a narrow mouth of the bar snap pocket; Figure 14 illustrates additional relative movement between the cover and package base where deformation of the head of the bar being squeezed between the mouth of the bar snap pocket facilitates insertion of the head into a head receiving chamber formed in the bar snap pocket; and

Figure 15 illustrates the head of the bar fully seated in the head receiving chamber in the bar snap pocket positively yet releasably holding the package closed.

Before explaining one or more embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments, which can be practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1-5 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a reclosable package 20 constructed in accordance with the present invention having an article-holding base 22 connected by an elongate, longitudinally extending hinge 24 to a cover 26 that releasably engages the base 22 when the cover 26 is closed via a reclosable package closure arrangement 28 constructed in accordance with the present invention. With reference to Figure 1, the closure arrangement 28 includes a bar snap arrangement 30. With reference to Figures 2-4, the closure arrangement 28 can also include a releasably interlocking rib-and-channel arrangement 32 that also helps strength the package 20. In the preferred reclosable package embodiment shown in Figures 1-5, the reclosable package 20 includes such a bar snap arrangement 30 along with a releasably interlocking rib-and-channel arrangement 32.

The package base 22, hinge 24 and cover 26 are formed of a single sheet of material that can be substantially transparent enabling an article 34 (Figure 4), such as an elongate beam-type wiper blade 36, to be viewed by a prospective purchaser (not shown) when displayed in a retail setting, such as a store or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the package 20 is thermoformed of a single sheet of plastic, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which can be recycled or reprocessed (RPET). Such a plastic sheet is relatively thin, having a thickness of between 0.0075 inches and 0.075 inches, with a typical thickness ranging between about 0.08 and about 0.070 inches. Other plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride, a styrene, a K-resin, PETG, or the like can also be used to form a package having a reclosable package closure arrangement 28 constructed in accordance with the present invention.

The cover 26 has an outer wall 38 that is substantially flat or planar, such as depicted in Figures 1-5. The outer wall 38 of the cover 26 can be outwardly offset from a peripheral portion 40, such as a peripheral portion of the sheet from which the package 20 is formed. In the preferred embodiment of the package 20 shown in the drawing figures, the outer wall 38 of the cover 26 is outwardly offset from the peripheral portion 40 by a pair of sidewalls 42, 44 and a pair of endwalls 46, 48 defining a cavity 50, such as depicted in Figures 2-4, into which part of the article 34 held by the base 22 can extend when the cover 26 is closed. Where such a cover cavity 50 is not needed, a package constructed in accordance with the present invention may be configured differently, such as without such a cavity, e.g., by lacking sidewalls 42, 44 and endwalls 46, 48.

To help increase the structural rigidity of the cover cavity 50, at least one of the cavity-defining sidewalls 42 and 44, such as the sidewall 42 outboard of hinge 24, is equipped with a plurality of spaced apart and integrally formed channels 51 that each forms an integral sidewall stiffening rib 53 that projects into the cover cavity 50 along the width of sidewall 42. Stiffening ribs 53 strengthen sidewall 42, such as doing in a manner that resists force applied against sidewall 42 or outer wall 38 of the cover 26 from causing either to buckle and/or otherwise collapse.

The peripheral portion 40 that extends about the cover cavity 50 includes a pair of end flanges 52 and 54 and an outer flange 56 disposed outboard of the cover cavity 50 and which can be elongate. The end flanges 52 and 54 along with the outer flange 56 can be and preferably are generally flat or substantially planar. As is best shown in Figures 4 and 5, the peripheral portion 40 can also include an interconnecting section 58 that extends alongside cover cavity sidewall 44 that is connected to hinge 24. Interconnecting section 58 can also be generally flat, e.g., substantially planar, with flanges 52, 54 and If desired, part of the peripheral portion 40 between flanges 52, 54 and 56 and cover cavity walls 44, 46 and 48 can be stepped. One of the end flanges 52 has a hang hole 60 formed, e.g., punched, in it enabling the package 20 to be hung on a peg of a retail display (not shown) in a store. If desired, one of the package halves 22 or 26 can be configured to accept or otherwise carry indicia that can be imprinted on part of the package itself or on a card (not shown) that is inserted into the package 20 during packaging of the article 34. For example, as is shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sidewalls 42 and 44 as well as the endwalls 46 and 48 of the cover 26 can include a plurality of spaced apart ledges 61 disposed adjacent the outer wall 38 of the cover 26 enabling an imprinted card (not shown) to be held by the ledges 61 up against the cover outer wall 38. Typically, such a card (not shown) contains indicia indicative of the article 34 held by the package 20, including, for example, the name and type of article 34 as well as any instructions or the like relating to use and operation of the article 34.

The article -holding base 22 of the package 20 has a top wall 62 formed to include a three dimensionally contoured article- retaining cavity 64 that is configured to releasably accept and retain article 34. In the embodiment shown in the drawing figures, the article 34 is an elongate pre-curved beam- type wiper blade 36 and the article-retaining cavity 64 formed in the package base top wall 62 is constructed and arranged to receive and hold the beam blade 36 in place in a substantially straightened condition.

The article -retaining cavity 64 includes a wiper blade mount or adapter receiving recess 66 from which oppositely extending elongate blade-arm receiving channels 68, 70 extend. Each blade-arm receiving channel 68, 70 overlies and is in communication with a corresponding narrower wiping element-receiving channel 72, 74. With reference to Figure 4, each blade-arm receiving channel 68, 70 has a pair of sidewalls 76, 78 and a bottom wall 80 interrupted by corresponding wiping element-receiving channel 72, 74. With continued reference to Figure 4, each wiping element-receiving channel 72, 74 has a pair of sidewalls 82, 84 and a bottom wall 86. Each blade-arm receiving channel 68, 70 can include one or more blade removal facilitating pockets 88 where the channel widens sufficiently to permit insertion of one or more fingers to remove the blade 36 from the article-retaining cavity 64.

Each blade-arm receiving channel 68, 70 includes a plurality of spaced apart and opposed blade-engaging retention fingers 90 that each can be configured to provide an interference fit, such as a snap fit, with a part of the blade 36 with which it engages. In the embodiment of the article-retaining cavity 64 shown in the drawing figures, the blade retention fingers 90 of each blade-arm receiving channel 68, 70 are staggered such that they do not directly oppose one another. If desired, the blade retention fingers 90 can be directly opposite one another. Although the package 20 shown in the drawings is equipped with a pair of opposed retention fingers 90 on each side of the mount or adapter receiving recess 34, a package constructed in accordance with the present invention can have more than one retention finger 90 on each side. Such a package can be equipped, for example, with a plurality of such retention fingers 90 or the like on each side if desired.

Each blade retention finger 90 is an undercut formed above or in a corresponding one of the blade-arm receiving channel sidewalls 76, 78 that extends outwardly into a blade arm receiving channel 68 or 70. Each finger 90 can be configured with an inclined upper blade insertion facilitating surface 92 that is angled toward channel bottom wall 80. Although not clearly shown in the drawings, each retention finger 90 can be configured with a lower blade- engaging surface that overlies channel bottom wall 80 that can be curved to facilitate blade engagement when the blade 36 has been snapped into the blade-retaining cavity 64.

With continued reference to Figure 4, the beam-type wiper blade 36 shown in Figure 4 has portions cutaway for clarity. The wiper blade 36 is a beam- type wiper blade having a mount or adapter 94 attached to a backbone 96 that includes a pair of blade arms that respectively extend outwardly in opposite directions from the mount or adapter 94. Each wiper blade arm of the beam blade 36 has a pre-curved generally planar beam 98 which can be exteriorly encased in a cover 100, e.g., sleeve-like cover, which can be shaped to provide an airfoil when mounted to a reciprocating motorized arm of a vehicle (not shown). The blade 36 also includes a flexible wiping element 102 that can be of resilient and elastomeric construction that extends outwardly from the beam 98 that provides a squeegee action when wiping against a clear glass windshield or windscreen of a vehicle.

The package base 22 has a peripheral portion 104 (Figure 4) that extends about the periphery of the wiper blade holding cavity 64 that includes a pair of end flanges 106, 108 and an outer flange 110 that corresponds and abuts the end flanges 52, 54 and outer flange 56 of the cover 26 when the cover 26 is closed. As is best shown by Figure 5, the peripheral portion 104 can also include an interconnecting section 112 that is connected to hinge 24 and extends alongside blade holding cavity 64. In the preferred package embodiment shown in Figures 1-5, flanges 106, 108 and 110 as well as interconnecting section 112 can be generally flat and can be substantially planar as depicted. One of the end flanges 106 includes a hang hole 114 formed, e.g., punched, in it that registers with hang hole 60 when the cover 26 is closed.

In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1-5, the reclosable package closure arrangement 28 includes a releasably interlocking rib-and-channel arrangement 32. As discussed in more detail below, with reference to Figures 6-15, the reclosable package closure arrangement 28 includes a bar snap arrangement 30 that is constructed and arranged to positively engage when the cover 26 is closed over the base 22, such as when a wiper blade 36 has been snapped into blade-holding cavity 64 during packaging of the blade 36.

The releasably interlocking rib-and-channel arrangement 32 includes a rib 116 formed in part of the outer peripheral portion 40, 110 of the package cover 26 or base 22 that releasably seats in a channel 118 formed in part of the outer peripheral portion 110, 40 of the package base 22 or cover 26 when the cover 26 is closed. In the preferred embodiment of the package 20 shown in the drawing figures, the rib 116 is an upraised portion formed in part of the outer peripheral margin 110 of the package base 22 that releasably and frictionally seats in a channel 118 that is a recess formed in part of the outer peripheral margin 40 of the cover 26 when the cover 26 is closed, such as depicted in Figure 1.

With reference to the preferred package embodiment shown in Figures 1-5, rib 116 is elongate and has an elongate, generally straight rib segment 120 that extends along the hinge 24, such as in the manner depicted in Figures 4 and 5. The straight segment 120 of the rib 116 extends substantially the length of the hinge 24 helping to stiffen the package 20 along the hinge 24 when seated in an elongate, generally straight recessed seat 122 that is in communication with or is part of channel 118. The rib 116 includes end flange rib segments 124, 126 that extend from the straight rib segment 120 and that each have a curved corner interconnecting rib section 128, 130 interconnecting the respective end flange rib segment 124, 126 with straight rib segment 120. Each one of the end flange rib segments 124, 126 includes another curved corner interconnecting rib section 132, 134 that respectively interconnects with an outer flange rib segment 136, 138 formed in the outer flange 110 of the package base 22. Outer flange rib segments 136, 138 can be straight and elongate and can have an inclined end wall 133. As a result of end flange rib segments 124, 126 respectively having curved corner interconnecting rib sections 128, 130, 132 and 134, which along with outer flange rib segments 136, 138, produce a hook-shaped or J-shaped rib segment 135, 137 extending along at least a portion of hinge 24, end flanges 106 and 108 and part of outer flange 110, these rib-reinforced portions integrally formed in the flanges 106, 108 and 110 stiffen and strengthen the package base 22. When the package 20 is closed, these rib- reinforced portions advantageously stiffen and strengthen the package 20.

Channel 118 also is elongate and substantially complementary with rib 116. As previously indicated its straight rib-receiving segment 122 extends along and inboard of hinge 24 and receives the straight rib segment 120 when the cover 26 is closed over the package base 22. As previously indicated, the straight segment 122 can be a recessed seat upon which the straight rib segment 120 can rest when the cover 26 is closed or can be a generally U-shaped channel segment in which the straight rib segment 120 is received when the cover 26 is closed. When straight rib segment 120 is received in straight-rib receiving segment 122 when the package 20 is closed, the rib segment 120 is disposed alongside and inboard of hinge 24 strengthening not only the package 20 but the hinge 24 and the region in the vicinity of the hinge 24.

The channel 118 includes end flange channel segments 140, 142 that extend from the straight rib-receiving segment 122 and that each have a curved corner interconnecting channel section 144, 146 interconnecting the respective end flange channel segment 140, 142 with straight segment 122. Each one of the end flange channel segments 140, 142 includes another curved corner interconnecting channel section 148, 150 that respectively

interconnects with an outer flange channel segment 152, 154 formed in the outer flange 56 of the cover 26. Outer flange channel segments 152, 154 can be straight and elongate and can have an inclined end wall 155. As a result of end flange channel segments 140, 142 respectively having curved corner interconnecting channel sections 144, 146, 148 and 150 that along with outer flange channel segments 152, 154 produce a hook-shaped or J-shaped channel segment 156, 158 extending along at least a portion of hinge 24, end flanges 52 and 54 and part of outer flange 56, these channel-reinforced portions of the flanges 52, 54 and 56 and hence the cover 26 are stiffened and strengthened.

Hinge 24 is best shown in Figure 5 and can have a W-shaped cross section with a pair of ribs 160 and 162 facing in one direction spaced apart by an interconnecting hinge rib 164 facing in an opposite direction. When the cover 26 is closed, such as is depicted in Figure 1, ribs 160 and 162 overlie one another helping to stiffen the package 20 along substantially the entire length of the hinge 24. When the cover 26 is closed, straight rib segment 120 of the package base 22 seats in straight rib-receiving segment 122 formed in the cover 26 further helping to stiffen and strengthen the package 20 along substantially the entire length of the hinge 24.

With reference to Figure 1, the bar snap arrangement 30 includes a plurality of integrally formed bar snaps 166 constructed in accordance with the present invention that are spaced apart along at least a substantial portion of the length of the outer flanges 56 and 110 of the cover 26 and package base 22 that work in concert with the interlocking rib-and- channel arrangement 32 to keep the package 20 releasably closed when the cover 26 is closed. With additional reference to Figures 2-5, each bar snap 166 includes an elongate and oblong upraised bar 168 integrally formed in the outer flange 110 of the package base 22 that releasably snaps into a recessed elongate bar snap pocket 170 integrally formed in the outer flange 56 of the cover 26 that is oblong and has a length greater than bar 168.

Figures 6-15 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a bar snap 166 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The bar 168 includes an elongate and bulbous head 172 anchored by a narrowed or necked down stem 174 to the outer flange 110 of the package base 22. The head 172 has a pair of rounded outer snap-pocket separating sides 176 and 178 that can be interconnected by an outer wall section 180 that can be a flat, such as depicted in Figure 6. With continued reference to Figure 6, the stem 174 is formed by a pair of spaced apart stem sidewalls 182 and 184 that extend outwardly generally perpendicularly relative to the generally planar outer flange 110 of the package base 22.

As is best shown by Figure 7, the elongate bar 168 includes a pair of inclined endwalls 186 and 188 that each forms an obtuse included angle with an adjacent portion of the outer flange 110 from which the endwall 186 and 188 extends. Inclined endwalls 186 and 188 are disposed at an angle relative to one another such that they would intersect one another if extended farther outwardly from outer flange 110 as shown by imaginary or dashed lines 190 and 192 in Figure 7. The inclined endwalls 186 and 188 advantageously help locate and guide the bar 168 relative to the bar snap pocket 170 into the pocket 170 during closing of the package 20.

As is best shown in Figure 8, the bar snap pocket 170 has an elongate snap bar anchoring chamber 194 defined by a sidewall 196 of generally circular or rounded cross- section that is generally complementary to the bulbous bar head 172 that encompasses and clamps around the head 172 when the bar 168 is snapped into the pocket 170 when the cover 26 is closed. With continued reference to Figure 8, the bar anchoring chamber 194 has a circular or rounded cross-section 196 that encompasses an angular extent greater than 180° and less than 360°. In the preferred snap bar anchoring chamber 194 shown in Figure 8, the cross-section encompasses an angular extent greater than 180° and no greater than about 330°. The bar snap pocket 170 has a narrow or necked-down mouth 198 defined by a pair of spaced apart and generally parallel elongate pocket sidewalls 200 and 202.

As is shown in Figures 9 and 11, the pocket 170 is also defined by a pair of endwalls 204 and 206 that are spaced apart by a greater distance than bar endwalls 186 and 188 to facilitate engagement. As is best shown in Figure 11, pocket endwalls 204 and 206 are generally perpendicular to outer flange 56 but can also be inclined generally complementary to that of bar endwalls 186 and 188 to further facilitate guidance of the bar head 172 into the pocket 170 during closing of the package 20. As is shown in Figure 11, pocket endwalls 204 and 206 are spaced apart about twenty percent greater than the length of bar 168 to facilitate receipt of the bar 168 into pocket 170 during package closure.

Figures 12-15 illustrate the construction and operation of a bar snap 166 constructed in accordance with the present invention. With reference with Figure 12, relative movement between the package base 22 and cover 26 about hinge 24 causes the head 172 of each bar snap to be guided toward and into the mouth of the bar snap pocket 170. As depicted in Figures 13 and 14, additional relative movement toward one another cause part of the bar head 172 to deform to conform to the narrower mouth of the bar snap pocket 170. As the bar head 172 enters the mouth of the bar snap pocket, it in turn causes deformation of the pocket to occur such as by spreading apart one or both mouth-defining sidewalls 200 and 202. As the cover 26 and package base 22 are brought together into a closed condition, such as the closed condition shown in Figure 1, the bar head 172 snaps into the bar head anchoring chamber 194 with the chamber mouth sidewalls 200 and 202 snapping around or against bar stem sidewalls 182 and 184 producing an interference fit between the bar head 172 and the pocket 170 that preferably is a snap fit. As a result, each engaged elongate bar snap 166 advantageously provides greater engagement surface area as a result of having an elongate head 172 and an elongate head receiving chamber 194, thus producing stronger releasable engagement when the package 20 is closed. When the elongate bar head 172 of each one of the bar snaps 166 is received in the elongate bar head receiving chamber 194 of the bar snap pocket 170, each engaged bar snap 166 forms a stiffener in the abutting outer flange portions 56 and 110 of the closed package 20 that also helps strengthen the package 20.

During package closure, as the cover 26 and package base 22 are moved relative to one another toward each other, rib 116 seats in channel 118 thereby helping to locate the cover 26 relative to the package base 22. As a result, including as a result of engagement between the respective rib and channel segments and sections, location of the cover 26 relative to the package base 22 (and vice versa) helps locate each bar 168 of each bar snap 166 relative to its pocket 170 so it releasably but positively snaps into the pocket 170 in the manner discussed above.

Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention. It is also to be understood that, although the foregoing description and drawings describe and illustrate in detail one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention, to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates, the present disclosure will suggest many modifications and constructions, as well as widely differing embodiments and applications without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.