Wafer carrier box hinge

Abstract

A two part hinge for containers and boxes. The first part includes a pair parallel arms which include axially aligned opposing sockets which are configured to rotatingly receive pintle ends. The sockets are provided with radially disposed channels which extend from the sockets to exterior edges of the arms to form a slot for guiding the pintle ends into the sockets. The first hinge part also includes a dual function tab which is generally collaterally aligned with and parallel to the arms of the first part of the hinge. The tab is provided with a camming surface and a retaining surface. The camming surface engages and deflects the center portion of the pintle as it passes thereby, while the retaining surface maintains the pintle ends in the sockets by effectively blocking movement of the center portion of the pintle. The retaining surface of the tab is consistent with the arcuate surfaces of the sockets to form a smooth transition between the socket surfaces and the retaining surface of the tab. The second hinge part includes a pair parallel arms which project outwardly from the other of the container sections and which support a pintle or hinge pin, in such a fashion that the pintle ends extend beyond the lateral extent of the arms. To assemble the hinge, the pintle ends are slid into the channels toward the sockets. Assembly is essentially complete when the pintle body passes the camming portion of the tab.