CA2037496C - Plastic snap hinge with a flexible element generating the snap action - Google Patents

Plastic snap hinge with a flexible element generating the snap action Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2037496C
CA2037496C CA002037496A CA2037496A CA2037496C CA 2037496 C CA2037496 C CA 2037496C CA 002037496 A CA002037496 A CA 002037496A CA 2037496 A CA2037496 A CA 2037496A CA 2037496 C CA2037496 C CA 2037496C
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CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
flexible element
closure
cap
circumferential wall
closed position
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
CA002037496A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2037496A1 (en
Inventor
Werner Fritz Dubach
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Medisize Schweiz AG
Original Assignee
Createchnic AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Createchnic AG filed Critical Createchnic AG
Publication of CA2037496A1 publication Critical patent/CA2037496A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2037496C publication Critical patent/CA2037496C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D47/00Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/04Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
    • B65D47/06Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
    • B65D47/08Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures
    • B65D47/0804Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage
    • B65D47/0809Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage and elastically biased towards both the open and the closed positions
    • B65D47/0814Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage and elastically biased towards both the open and the closed positions by at least three hinge sections, at least one having a length different from the others

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Mechanical Pencils And Projecting And Retracting Systems Therefor, And Multi-System Writing Instruments (AREA)
  • Pens And Brushes (AREA)
  • Hinge Accessories (AREA)
  • Closing And Opening Devices For Wings, And Checks For Wings (AREA)
  • Supports Or Holders For Household Use (AREA)
  • Clips For Writing Implements (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

A plastic snap hinge having a lower part and a cap connected to each other by a single or multi-part main hinge and a flexible element which generates a snap action.
The flexible element i.s connected to the lower part and the cap by film hinges integral with the lower part and the cap. The flexible element has a shape which is folded repeatedly and which is such that a straight line penetrating the flexible element intersects the flexible element at least at three points. The construction allows the design of plastic tops with a flat cap having an extremely large angle of opening and a strong snap action.

Description

Plastic Snap Binge With A Flexible Element Generating The Snap Action This invention relates to a single piece plastic closure with a snap hinge having two parts connected by at least one hinge, and a flexible element generating the snap action, which is hingedl.y connected to the two parts of the closure.
Plastic snap hinges for closures can be roughly classified into two types, namely those where the snap effect is generated by a. tension element and those where it is generated by an elastically flexible element. This invention relates to a closure with a plastic snap hinge of the second type.
Conventional elastically flexible elements have a shape in the form of a letter "U" or "L", as, for example, is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,324 or U.S. Pat. No.
2,630,239. The size of the elements is essentially determined by the spring path and the desired spring force.
However, particularly .in connection with the use of plastic tops, other marginal conditions which greatly affect the geometry of a plastic snap hinge are opposed to this.
Conventional flexible elements cannot be used, particularly when employing tops with relatively large pouring spouts and a relatively f:Lat lid. In the case of an L-shaped flexible element, -the leg extending through the cover of the lid cannot be made sufficiently long, because otherwise it would extend in~~o the sealing area of the pouring spout.

A U-shaped flexib:Le element cannot be made sufficiently large, because the low :height of the lid does not provide enough space to accept the flexible element.
Such a hinge has its most relaxed position when the corrugated hinge strips are at least curved. This condition occurs in a position between opened and closed.
Another solution is taught by U.S. Pat. No. 3,629,901 where the elastically f:Lexible element is parted in two sections of U-shape form as corrugated hinge strips, while an intermediate inflexible section remains.
It is one object of this invention to provide a flexible element which can be used in connection with plastic hinges which is fully integrated into the form of a single piece plastic closure having a flat top cover part and a lower part with a circumferential wall being vertical to the flat top cover in the area of the hinge.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a single-piece plastic snap-hinge closure comprising a lower part, a cap, and a flexible element. The lower part forms a pouring spout opening and has a circumferential wall.
The cap comprises a flat top surface part. The lower part and the cap are connected to each other by film hinge means defining a pivoting axis of the closure. The film hinge means is situated on a line defined by an intersection of an outer surface of the circumferential wall and the flat top surface part of the cap when the closure is in a closed position. The fle:Kible element generates a snap action.
The flexible element is connected to the lower part by a first flexible element film hinge integral with the outer surface of the circumfe:rential wall, and connected to the cap by a second flexible element film hinge integral with the flat top surface part of the cap. The flexible element comprises a plurality of partial sections forming a shape of an "S". The "S"-shaped flexible element having two outermost legs equal in size to each other and interconnected by a central portion. The legs of the "S"-shaped flexible element are one of perpendicular and parallel to the outer surface of the circumferential wall in an open position of t:he closure and are the other of perpendicular and parallel to the outer surface of the circumferential wall in the closed position of the closure.
The flexible element in the open position of the closure is disposed as much outside a shape defined by the circumferential wall and. the flat top surface of the cap as it is inside the shape in the closed position of the closure.
A significant benefit of the hinge construction in accordance with this invention is that it provides better flexibility than known hinge constructions thus permitting closures with thinner walls to save plastic material and reduce costs.
Further embodiments in accordance with the invention and their purpose will be explained in the description below.
Two preferred embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in the following description, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plastic top and the snap hinge in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the flexible element of the top, as shown in FIG. 1, in a closed position;
FIG. 3 is a view of= the flexible element shown in FIG.
2, in a half-opened position;
FIG. 4 is a view of the flexible element shown in FIG.
2, in a fully open position;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, crosswise to the previously illustrated sectional planes of the top in accordance with FIG. 1, placed on a container;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, of another embodiment of the :plastic top with a differently positioned flexible element, in a closed position; and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view in accordance with FIG. 6, with the f:Lexible element in a completely open position.
A plastic top is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, which is suitable for use with a plastic container 30 having only a small pouring spout. 31. Such containers are particularly used in connection with cosmetics which are applied directly to the skin, such as suntan lotions or body lotions. This requires that a cap 2 of the top can be rotated about at :Least 180°, with respect to a closed position of the top.
The top comprises a lower part 1 and the cap 2, which are pivotally connected with each other with two film hinges 3 positioned in a straight line. A flexible element 4 is positioned between the two film hinges 3 and generates a spring force nec:essar:y for the snap action.
The lower pant 1 comprises an annular, circumferential wall 10 having a c:onica:Lly tapering collar 11. The pouring spout 31 of the containE~r 30 is disposed within the lower part 1 of the clo:>ure. A gap 12 remains between the cap 2 and the lower part: 1, even in the closed position. This is required so as to make it possible to injection-mold the top in the closed position. The collar 11 of the lower part 1 is depressed in an area opposite the film hinge 3 to form a recess 13 which makes it possible to push the cap 2 upwards with a thumb, beyond the unstable equilibrium position, after which the cap snaps into a completely opened position, as shown in FIG. 4.
Sealing the cap 2 with the pouring spout 31 of the container 30 is accomplished with a sealing tang 21, injection-molded to the underside of the cover 20. To enhance the seal and i:n particular the closing strength, the tang 21 may have at least one circular seal ring 22.
For reasons of appearance as well as for increasing the stiffness, the cover 20 in accordance with this embodiment of the invention is formed upwardly concave in this case.
A plurality of support cams 23 may be provided on the underside of the cover 20, for defining the relative position of the cap 2 with respect to the container 30. In the assembled stage of 'the top and closed position of the cap 2, the support: tangs 23 rest on the container 30.
In this embodiment, the flexible element 4 can also be ejected from a mo:_d in the closed position of the top. In cross section, the flexible element 4 has the shape of the letter "U" and of a fal:Lowing, upside-down letter "L". The opening 40 of the U-shaped part extends exactly in the extraction direction of the mold tool. The flexible element 4 is connected with the cap 2 and the lower part 1 with two flexible element hinges 41 and 42 integral with circumferential wall 10 of lower part 1 and the flat top of cap 2. The hinge 41 forms the connection between the circumferential well 10 and the flexible element 4 and is located approximately at: the level of the upper edge of the container 30, on ~rhich t:he top has been mounted.
The hinge 42 connects the cap 2 to the flexible element 4. As shown mo~~t distinctly in FIG. 4, the two flexible element hinges 41 and 42 are at the same distance from the fixed film hinge 3. In such arrangement, the minimal distance between the two flexible element hinges 41 and 42 is a~~, if the distance from each hinge 41, 42 to the film hinge 3 is equal to "a". In the unstable equilibrium position, such as shown in FIG. 3, the maximum distance between the two hinges 41 and 42 is attained and is exactly 2~a. This is. the case when the two hinges 41, 42 are located vertically on top of each other.
A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and has .a second top. It essentially has the same characteristics as the previously described top illustrated in FIGS. l.to 5. However, the top of FIGS. 6 and 7 is suited for use with a container 30', shown in dashed lines, with a container neck 32. Accordingly, the lower part 1 must be designed in such a way that it can enclose the contaner neck 32. For this purpose, the side wall 10 of the lower part 1 abutting against the container 30' has a cover 14 with a vertically downward directed annular wall 15, which surrounds and seals the container neck 32 of the container 30'. A spout 16 has been formed in the cover 14 of the :Lower part 1 within the area defined by the annular waJ_1 15. It is closed by a tang 21 formed on the cover 20 of. the cap 2. In this case, the seal is not made between t:he container and the cap 2 but, as is customary with plastic i:ops, between the lower part 1 and the cap 2. Of course, l.he cover 14 of the lower part 1 does not permit a unifiE~d manufacture of the top. It is injection-molded i.n the completely open position, as shown in FIG. 7. This i.s pos;~ible because the flexible element 4 can be positioned in such a way that it can be ejected from a mold even in they completely open position of the top.
The opening 40, visible from the outside in the closed position of the top, is now located in the side wall 10 of the lower part 1. However, in the completely open position of the top the flexible element 4 is flipped outward by 90°
around the hinge 91. Now the opening 40 extends vertically downward and thus parallel to the side wall 10 and in the extraction direct_Lon of the injection mold.
In this embodiment, too, the same geometry of the flexible element has been used, as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. Although only one general shape, and most likely the one used mast often, has been illustrated, such important aspect of this invention can be expressed more generally, and it is of course obvious, that the partial sections of the flexible element 4 need not necessarily extend parallel. Thus, instead of a U-shaped part there can be a V-shaped part. Also, the partial sections which in this case are ~>traight, can be arched. In principle, it is only necessary that l.he flexible element 4 be designed accordion-like, so that it is always possible to extend a straight section which penetrates the flexible element at three different points. Only those flexible elements which meet this geometric definition provides an accordion-like shape, which allows great expansion in a small space and provides a large force f=or the snap effect.

Claims (5)

1. A single-piece plastic snap-hinge closure comprising:
a lower part forming a pouring-spout opening and having a circumferential wall;
a cap comprising a flat top surface part, said lower part and said cap being connected to each other by film hinge means defining a pivoting axis of said closure, said film hinge means situated on a line defined by an intersection of an outer surface of the circumferential wall and said flat top surface part of the cap when the closure is in a closed position; and a flexible element generating a snap action, said flexible element connected to said lower part by a first flexible element film hinge integral with said outer surface of the circumferential wall, and connected to said cap by a second flexible element film hinge integral with said flat top surface part of said cap;
wherein said flexible element comprises a plurality of partial sections forming a shape of an "S", said "S"-shaped flexible element having two outermost legs being equal in size to each other and interconnected by a central portion, said legs of said "S"-shaped flexible element being one of perpendicular and parallel to said outer surface of said circumferential wall in an open position of said closure and being the other of perpendicular and parallel to said outer surface of said circumferential wall in said closed position of said closure; and wherein said flexible element in the open position of said closure is disposed as much outside a shape defined by said circumferential wall and said flat top surface of said cap as it is inside said shape in the closed position of said closure.
2. The single-piece plastic closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein an upper leg of said "S"-shaped flexible element is flush with said flat cover of said cap in a completely closed position of the closure.
3. The single-piece plastic closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein one leg of said "S"-shaped flexible element is flush with said circumferential wall of said lower part in a completely closed position of the closure.
4. The single-piece plastic closure in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said film hinge means comprises two film, hinges; and wherein said flexible element is symmetrically arranged between the two film hinges.
5. The single-piece plastic closure in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said film hinge means and said flexible element film hinges are all parallel to each other.
CA002037496A 1990-03-12 1991-03-04 Plastic snap hinge with a flexible element generating the snap action Expired - Lifetime CA2037496C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH00785/90 1990-03-12
CH785/90A CH680430A5 (en) 1990-03-12 1990-03-12

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2037496A1 CA2037496A1 (en) 1991-09-13
CA2037496C true CA2037496C (en) 2000-08-29

Family

ID=4195133

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002037496A Expired - Lifetime CA2037496C (en) 1990-03-12 1991-03-04 Plastic snap hinge with a flexible element generating the snap action

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0447357B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3048662B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE109099T1 (en)
AU (1) AU636963B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2037496C (en)
CH (1) CH680430A5 (en)
DE (1) DE59102305D1 (en)
HU (1) HUT56783A (en)
ZA (1) ZA911675B (en)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH683253A5 (en) * 1990-12-13 1994-02-15 Feichtinger Ernst Expan Closure.
CH683092A5 (en) * 1991-02-12 1994-01-14 Createchnic Ag Plastic snap hinge closure.
EP0555624B1 (en) * 1992-02-10 1995-06-28 "EXPAN" Dipl. Kfm. Ing. Ernst Feichtinger-Chemische Fabrik und Plastikwerk Closure with a snap hinge
CH687253A5 (en) * 1993-03-30 1996-10-31 Createchnic Ag Plastic closure.
US6152320A (en) * 1998-06-08 2000-11-28 Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation Closure with articulated lid
FR2802182A1 (en) * 1999-12-10 2001-06-15 Crown Cork & Seal Tech Corp Stopper for drinks bottle has pouring spout and hinged cap which fits over it, with first hinge attached to stopper and second hinge attached to cap which has two surfaces which abut when hinge is open
US6578744B2 (en) 2001-03-22 2003-06-17 Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation Watertight tube closure
DE102014107828B4 (en) 2014-06-04 2024-04-11 Albrecht Jung Gmbh & Co. Kg Hinged lid
FR3055531B1 (en) 2016-09-08 2018-08-31 L'oreal CLOSURE CAPSULE

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE571119A (en) *
DE1759430A1 (en) * 1968-04-30 1972-03-09 Lenox Werk Emil Liebke & Co One-piece hinge-like joint made of plastic
US4414705A (en) * 1981-07-17 1983-11-15 Ethyl Products Company Overcenter hinge
DE8703760U1 (en) * 1987-03-13 1988-07-14 Schulte, Wolfgang, 58507 Lüdenscheid Cap for a bottle
US5199618A (en) * 1989-12-02 1993-04-06 Tetra Alfa Holdings S.A. Pouring device for container for flowable material

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH680430A5 (en) 1992-08-31
EP0447357B1 (en) 1994-07-27
CA2037496A1 (en) 1991-09-13
JP3048662B2 (en) 2000-06-05
JPH05118176A (en) 1993-05-14
EP0447357A2 (en) 1991-09-18
HUT56783A (en) 1991-10-28
HU910760D0 (en) 1991-09-30
AU636963B2 (en) 1993-05-13
AU7274091A (en) 1991-09-12
ATE109099T1 (en) 1994-08-15
EP0447357A3 (en) 1992-03-11
ZA911675B (en) 1991-12-24
DE59102305D1 (en) 1994-09-01

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