Tin box 1843832 194922536 2008-02-29T16:55:38Z Think outside the box 1925307 reword -> intro [[Image:Altoidstins1.jpg|thumb|200px|A variety of tins used for [[Altoids]] breath mints.]] A '''tin box''', or tin for short, is a metal container with a re-closeable lid. Despite its name, a tin box seldom involves more [[tin]] than a thin [[plating|plate]]d layer whose purpose is to inhibit [[corrosion]]. ==Construction== The lid, which sometimes is [[hinge]]d to the rest of the box, is often held in place when closed by friction. In other cases, two protruding parts can pass each other only when the lid and the rest of the box are deformed slightly: pressure from the user's hands is sufficient to produce this deformation, while the parts resist this somewhat, and are flexible enough to recover their normal shape when released. ==Usage== Modern tin boxes have been used to hold items such as [[breath mint]]s, [[throat lozenge]]s, [[instant coffee]], [[cocoa]] and even [[CD-ROM]]s for an [[internet service provider]]. In the past even more products were stored in tins, many highly decorated. Businesses tried to encourage the re-use of tins they provided, with the effect of the tins advertising them. One common use of the tin was as a [[children's lunchbox]] and in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] as [[biscuit tin]]s. Highly decorated "holiday tins", usually containing [[cookie]]s, [[candy]], or [[popcorn]], are sold during the holiday season and are popular gifts. Similar festive containers are used in [[Europe]] for [[sweets]], [[biscuit]]s, [[cake]]s and [[chocolate]]s, mainly at [[Christmas]], rather than in the summer holidays and in countries with [[United Kingdom|British]] associations, they are usually called biscuit tins. [[Category:Containers]] [[Category:Packaging]]