AU643497B2

AU643497B2 - Cap with resiliently reversing lid

Info

Publication number: AU643497B2
Application number: AU70567/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Takamitsu Nozawa; Takaharu Tasaki
Original assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co Ltd
Current assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co Ltd
Priority date: 1990-07-27
Filing date: 1991-01-16
Publication date: 1993-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-16
Also published as: EP0608755B1; EP0494306A1; JPH0438959U; DE69105110D1; DE69105110T2; CA2065342A1; CA2065342C; WO1992002431A1; EP0608755A1; EP0494306B1; DE69129469T2; DE69129469D1; AU7056791A; JP2532090Y2; EP0494306A4

Description

2- FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cap structure and in particular to a snap-type cap structure having a resiliently reversing lid. The "cap structure" used herein is meant to include a cap and a container with a cap.

BACKGROUND ART Closures for containers and the like in the form of a cap integrally molded from a synthetic resin and having a cap body portion and closure portion, the closure portion hingedly connected to the body portion at three points, is defined, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 34049/1988.

In order that the three-point hinged cap may be integrally molded of a synthetic resin, both the circumferential wall and the top wall of the closure portion are notched in order to allow parting of the mold. The notched portions of the top wall of the closure .portion, however, deteriorate the appearance of the closure portion. Additionally, the notches result in the closure portion incompletely closing the mouth of the container.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect, the present invention consists in a snap-type cap structure made of synthetic resin comprising a body portion having a first e circumferential wall, the first circumferential wall having a first end and a second end, a closure portion having a top wall and a second circumferential wall dependent from the top wall and having an end distal the top wall, the first and second circumferential walls each having a chamfered portion, each chamfered portion further having a recess extending longitudinally the height of the walls, the first end of the first circumferential wall and the distal end of the second circumferential wall being 3 interconnected via a flexible connection means such that when the cap is closed the chamfered portions and respective longitudinal recesses are vertically aligned, the flexible connection means comprising at least one hinge and at least one elastic band extending between the first and second circumferential walls.

In one embodiment of the invention, the flexible connection means comprises two hinges and one elastic band, one hinge disposed each side of the elastic band.

In another embodiment, the flexible connection means comprises one hinge and two elastic bands, one elastic band disposed each side of the hinge.

In a preferred embodiment the first end of the first circumferential wall and the distal end of the second circumferential wall proximate the longitudinal recess each have a rectangular hole into each of which the respective ends of the elastic band are secured.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the body portion is adapted to be secured to an open mouth of a container. In another embodiment of the invention the body portion is a container, the first end of the first circumferential wall forming an open mouth.

According to a second aspect, the present invention consists in a snap-type cap structure made of synthetic 25 resin comprising a body portion having a first circumferential wall, the first circumferential wall having a first end and a second end, a closure portion ,having a top wall and a second circumferential wall dependent from the top wall and having an end distal the 30 top wall, the first end of the first circumferential wall the distal end of the second circumferential wall being interconnected via a flexible connection means such that when the cap is closed the body portion and closure portion are concentrically aligned, the flexible connection means comprising a hinge and a pair of elastic 4 bands, one band disposed each side of the hinge, each elastic band being connected at each of its ends to the body portion and closure portion by a further second hinge member mounted in a recess in the first and second circumferential walls respectively, whereby when the closure portion is in a closed state and turned over into a fully open state the elastic bands have a C-shaped longitudinal section, and when in a closed state the elastic bands are further adapted to remain within the recesses in the first and second circumferential walls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Hereinafter given by way of example only, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the cap structure; Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the cap structure of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the cap structure of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged part-sectional view of the hinge of the cap structure of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an enlarged part-sectional view of the hinge of Fig. 4 illustrating its operation when the cap is 25 opened; •i Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment e of the cap structure; i:Fig. 7 is another perspective view of the cap structure of Fig. 6; 30 Fig. 8 is an enlarged part-sectional view of the hinge of the cap structure of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the cap structure; Fig. 10 is another perspective view of the cap structure of Fig. 9; and 5 Fig. 11 is an enlarged schematic view of the hinge of Fig. 9.

A body portion of a cap structure is generally shown as 1 in Fig. i. The body portion 1 has a first circumferential wall 2. In one embodiment the first circumferential wall 2 is adapted to be fitted to the neck of a container, while in another embodiment the circumferential wall 2 is so adapted to form a container body. The body portion 1 has a top plate 4 having a centrally positioned pouring port 3. The top plate 4 is, however, not an essential feature of the invention.

A closure portion of a cap structure is generally shown as 5 in Fig. 1. The closure portion 5 is polyethylene or the like and is integrally molded with the body portion 1. The closure portion 5 is comprised of a top wall 6 and a second circumferential wall 7 dependent from the top wall 6.

The first circumferential wall 2 and second S.circumferential wall 7 each have a chamfered portion 8.

Each chamfered portion 8 further has a central recess 9 extending longitudinally the height of the walls 2 and 7.

The upper or first end of the first circumferential wall 2 and lower or distal end of the second circumferential wall 7 are interconnected by curved hinges 25 10 such that when the closure portion 5 closes the body portion 1 the chamfered portions 8 and respective longitudinal recesses 9 are vertically aligned.

The upper end of the first circumferential wall 2 and the lower end of the second circumferential wall 7 each o 30 further have a hole 11 into each of which the ends of an elastic band 12 are secured.

The elastic band 12 is preliminary curved such that the body portion 1 and the closure portion 5 are integrally molded of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene, with the closure portion 5 being open with 6 respect to the body portion 1 and with the elastic band 12 being curved upward.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, if the closure portion 5 is pushed closed from the open state of Fig. 5, the curved elastic bands 12 turn in association therewith. Fig. 5 shows an arc a having a radius of a straight distance from a first end 12a of each elastic band to a second end of the same, along which arc the second end would move if the elastic band maintained its original length. Since, however, the closure portion 5 is turned on hinges 10, the second end 12b is allowed to move along an arc b which has a radius of a straight distance from the hinges 10 to the second end 12b. As a result, if a dead center A is defined by the point of intersection between an arc b and a straight line c containing the first side end 12a and the hinges 10, the elastic band 12 is extended till the dead centre A against its elasticity and is shrunken after the dead centre A by its elastic 20controlling force so that the closure portion 5 is elastically turned over to establish the closed state.

The closure portion 5 opening operation could be likewise understood.

The elastic band 12 may also have its intermediate portion curved to the front in the closed state of Figure 4.

The second embodiment of the present invention is generally depicted in Fig 6 to Fig 8. In this embodiment, the first circumferential wall 2 and second *'**circumferential wall 7 do not have the chamfer portion 8 30 of the first embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 to Fig. In contrast, in this embodiment the first circumferential wall 2 and second circumferential wall 7 are interconnected by means of a pair of triangular projections 13 each interconnected in turn by means of a hinge 7 Disposed between the projections 13 is an elastic band 12 that also interconnects the first circumferential wall 2 and second circumferential wall 7. The elastic band 12 is so adapted that its respective ends merge into the circumferential walls 2 and 7 in a rigid manner.

The third embodiment of the present invention is generally depicted in Fig. 9 to Fig. 11. In this embodiment, the first circumferential wall 2 and second circumferential wall 7 are interconnected by a hinge and a pair of C-shaped elastic bands 12, one elastic band 12 disposed each side of the hinge Each elastic band 12 is connected at each of its ends by a further hinge member 14 and 15, respectively. Hinge member 14 interconnects the elastic band 12 to the first circumferential wall 2. The hinge member 14 is positioned in a recess 13 formed in the first circumferential wall 2. The hinge member 15 interconnects the elastic band 12 *to the second circumferential wall 7.

.In this embodiment, each elastic band 12 is curved in 20 a C-shape not only when the closure portion 5 is open but also when the closure portion 5 is closed. According to this embodiment, the elastic bands 12 can be prevented from being forceably extended more than their limits even when they pass through the dead centre A at which they are 25 extended to their maximum strokes.

0 06 oeoe ••co

Claims

1. A snap-type cap structure made of synthetic resin comprising a body portion having a first circumferential wall, the first circumferential wall having a first end and a second end, a closure portion having a top wall and a second circumferential wall dependent from the top wall and having an end distal the top wall, the first and second circumferential walls each having a chamfered portion extending the height of the walls, each chamfered portion further having a recess extending longitudinally the height of the walls, the first end of the first circumferential wall and the distal end of the second circumferential wall being interconnected via a flexible connection means such that when the cap is closed the chamfered portions and respective longitudinal recesses are vertically aligned, the flexible connection means comprising at least one hinge and at least one elastic band extending between the first and second circumferential walls.

2. A cap structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible connection means comprises two hinges and one elastic band, one hinge disposed each side of the elastic .band.

3. A cap structure as defined in claim 1 or claim 2 25 wherein the first end of the first circumferential wall and the distal end of the second circumferential wall proximate the recess each have a rectangular hole into Soeach of which the respective ends of the elastic band are secured. 30

4. A cap structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible connection means comprises one hinge and two S: elastic bands, one elastic band disposed each side of the hinge.

A cap structure as defined in claim 4 wherein the 35 first end of the first circumferential wall and the distal 9 end of the second circumferential wall proximate the recess each have two rectangular holes into each of which the respective ends of the elastic bands are secured.

6. A cap structure as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the body portion is adapted to be secured to an open mouth of a container.

7. A cap structure as defined in any one of claims 1 to wherein the body portion is a container, the first end of the first circumferential wall forming an open mouth.

8. A cap structure substantially as described with reference to Figs. 1 to DATED this 25th day of August 1993 YOSHINO KOGYOSHO CO LTD Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F.B. RICE CO. .0*0 o o o o *o *e Y~l ABSTRACT Herein disclosed is a cap structure having an elastically turnover cover. The body 1 of the cap structure is closed at the top of its first circum- ferential wall 2 with the cover 5 having a second cir- cumferential wall 7 depending from the outer circum- ference of the top wall 6 by placing the lower end of the second circumferential wall 7 on the upper eaid of the first circumferential wall i. The first and sec- ond circumferential walls 2 and 7 have their individ- ual backs connected at their upper and lower ends by a hinge 10. The upper and lower portions of the backs of the Cirst and second circumferential walls are so connected through the elastic band 12 that the cover can be opened or closed on the hinge 10. The hinge is integrally molded of a synthetic resin at the back of the elastic band. The main object is to eliminate the notches as the mold parting mark, which might otherwise be left in the cover when the cap structure of this kind is to be integrally molded of a synthetic resin in accordance with the prior art.