CN1284925A

CN1284925A - Dispensing closure with integral locking switch and tamper evidency structure

Info

Publication number: CN1284925A
Application number: CN98813704A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 鲁本·E·奥德
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Ltd
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Ltd; Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 1998-01-20
Filing date: 1998-01-20
Publication date: 2001-02-21
Also published as: WO1999036328A1; CA2318545A1; EP1071616A1; JP2002509058A

Abstract

Disclosed is a dispensing closure for product packaging, haivng a closure body that attaches to a container, and a toggle dispensing lid with an integral locking switch attached to the closure body. An integral frangible tab, which must be fractured before the closure can be used to dispense product, may be included for tamper evidence. The integral locking switch has at least two living hinges so that it may be moved between locked and unlocked positions, thereby permitting movement of the dispensing lid between closed and product dispensing positions.

Description

Configuration cover with integral locking switch and damage certification structure

Technical field

Usually about the container of configuring product, especially about a kind of improved configuration cover, it has the global switch that prevents that cover from opening in the present invention, and has the feature that single-piece damages proof.

Background of invention

In prior art, the assembly of configuration liquid state or solid product (as pill, hair shampoo, liquid soap, washer solvent and analogue) is known.Usually in this class design, the configuration lid with product allocation position and off position is hinged on the cover body.The cover body can have helicitic texture, goes up or similar neck in order to the mouth that is engaged on the product storage vessel, thereby makes storage chamber and configuration lid carry out products in circulation.

Although available configurator of past their function with regard to design goal is fine, also there is shortcoming.For example, in transportation, storage and when disposing, the configuration lid can move on to allocation position by accident, product is spilt or effusion that other is unnecessary.This spill product be can not be sold, the environment around polluting and/or make troubles for disposal and use in the future.In addition, the structure of some prior arts also can have purpose to open container and pollution product wherein during transportation and collection under the ignorant situation of end user.Under this and other situation, just be necessary to provide a kind of configurator, it has and prevents to dispose that lid is accidental moves and provide the catch gear that damages certification structure, and this mechanism is easy to use and make, can be to the too big cost of container increase.

Some prevent to dispose the prior art that lid moves to its allocation position and comprise the U.S. Patent No. 5,284,264 of authorizing Gross, and it discloses a kind of lid with independent slide-and-lock assembly.This latch assembly meshes an abutment face when locked position, prevent that therefore lid from forwarding its allocation position to.When latch assembly forwards it to not during locked position, it will cross abutment face, therefore can make lid forward its allocation position to.

Another example sees also the U.S. Patent No. 5,205,424 of authorizing Gaspar, and its describes a kind of anti-children's that a lid is arranged cover and container assemblies, and lid has the spring that latching device and Jiang Gai are pressed onto off position.When this configurator was upright, ball-bearing casing had hindered and contacting of covering, thereby prevents that it from moving on to open position.Angle if configurator tilts, ball-bearing casing shifts out, and does not hinder and contacting of covering, thereby makes lid move on to its allocation position.Another embodiment discloses a kind of slidably bar, it and lid engagement, thus prevent that it from forwarding allocation position to.

Though each all provides these configurators and physically prevent to cover the accidental device that moves on to allocation position, their require to have the assembly of a plurality of parts, cause more complicated and packing cost height.Therefore, need provide a kind of locking mechanism, it and lid and/or cover body are made integral body, thus designs simplification and be easy to make, its Elementary Function is the lock that can be used as in the transportation, later repeatably function is a lock for the passengers.It also has an advantage is that this structure can be prevented child and very easy processing concerning the adult.In addition, also require to have one and damage certification structure (for example outward appearance sealing and/or indicating device), in order to indicate whether being moved to allocation position at transportation, collection or disposal process middle cover.If should damage certification structure same and lid and/or cover body monolithic molding, be favourable with being easy to make to simplified structure.The invention provides a kind of improved configuration cover, its receivability has the design of above-mentioned simplified structure and multi-functional advantage and feature, can make simultaneously container can prevent child not increasing under the big condition of cost, and the adult uses easily.

Summary of the invention

A kind of configuration cover is provided, is used for from having a kind of product of container configuration of product storage chamber.This configuration cover comprises a cover body, the configuration lid with hd top face and integral locking switch.The cover body has the skirt section that band dangles down, a passage, and attaching structure, and this attaching structure is used for body is installed to container, thereby container and passage product are communicated with.This configuration cover also has mounting structure, hinge preferably, be used for attach configuration lid movably, make lid can be selectively close and allocation position between move, this configuration lid also has discharge side, it is positioned to when the configuration lid is positioned at its allocation position, and discharge side is communicated with the passage product of cover body.

This configuration cover preferably also has integrally formed locking switch, and locking switch has predetermined locked position, has the first stable shape in this position, thereby lid stopped to contact with block piece and prevented to cover the allocation position that moves on to it this moment.Locking switch also has the predetermined not position of locking, has the second stable shape in this position, and this moment, lid was not stopped by block piece substantially, thereby made it can move on to its allocation position.This block piece can comprise that near rib or the skirt section the skirt section cut away the feather edge of part.This rib also can have the lock pin that prevents that locking switch from moving accidentally.

In a preferred embodiment, locking switch has one first hinges and second hinges, and they all form with configuration lid or cover body integral body.Be preferably in and place a flexible piece between the hinges.In a preferred embodiment, locking switch comprises one the 3rd hinges, first switch member and a second switch spare.First switch member is placed between the first and the 3rd hinges and is in aggregates with them, and second switch spare is placed between the second and the 3rd hinges and is in aggregates with them.

At last, locking switch and/or cover body can have as the frangible thin slice of single-piece that damages proof, and this frangible thin slice can be placed between an extension and the cap surface or between a pair of wing member.

Summary of drawings

To particularly point out and to distinguish claim of the present invention, can believe that by description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention may be better understood at this specification sheets as when finishing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the transparent view of configuration cover of the present invention,

Fig. 2 is the section drawing along the configuration cover of 2-2 line among Fig. 1, and it has shown the configuration lid in the off position,

Fig. 2 A is the local amplification sectional view of the circle configuration cover partly of Fig. 2,

Fig. 3 is the section drawing along the 2-2 line of Fig. 1, and its expression is in the configuration lid of allocation position,

Fig. 4 is the transparent view of the cover body of configuration cover as shown in Figure 1, and for clarity sake it does not have the configuration lid,

Fig. 5 is the transparent view of the configuration lid of Fig. 1 cover, and wherein locking switch comprises three hinges and crispy chip,

Fig. 6 is the top view that Fig. 5 disposes lid, and expression is in the locking switch of initial locked position,

Fig. 7 is the top view that Fig. 5 disposes lid, and expression is in the not locking switch of locked position,

Fig. 8 is the plan view of the amplification of the locking switch of configuration lid among Fig. 5,

Fig. 9 is the transparent view of the configuration cover made according to the present invention, wherein locking switch and cover body monolithic molding, and locking switch is in its locked position simultaneously,

Figure 10 is the transparent view of the configuration cover of Fig. 9, and wherein locking switch is in its position of not locking,

Figure 11 is the transparent view that the present invention disposes lid, and wherein locking switch has two hinges and a crispy chip,

Figure 12 is the top view that Figure 11 disposes lid, and its expression locking switch is in its initial locked position,

Figure 13 is the top view that Fig. 1 disposes lid, and its expression locking switch is in its not locked position.

Detailed description of preferred embodiment

Now with the preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in the detailed description, the part that wherein same numeral is identical.Fig. 1 is the transparent view of configuration cover 20 of the present invention, and it comprises that a cover body 22 and a configuration cover 24, and lid 24 has a single-piece locking switch 26 that comprises at least two hinges.Terminology used here " single-piece " and " integrally " typically refer to a structure, and it and other structure form integral body and as the part of other structure.Term " hinges " is commonly referred to as an integral structure, it with compare cross-sectional area with minimizing around structure, like this, this structure can be rotated crooked and the globality of structure not had big infringement (can repeated flex and can not ftracture or express tired sign).

Cover body 22 preferably has end face 28 and skirt section 30, dangles downwards from the periphery of end face 28 usually in the skirt section.Skirt section 30 can comprise single continuous bending or circular portion, also can form by the interconnection of the wall of a plurality of different shapes (as straight, protruding, recessed, part circular, part is oval-shaped or the combination of any this class shape), thereby unique beautiful profile is provided.

Shown in Fig. 2 and 3, configuration cover 20 can be attached on the neck 32 that extends up of bottle with product collection chamber 36 or similar containers.Neck 32 has the opening that is communicated with collection chamber 36 products.Can provide screw thread thereon, thereby configuration cover 20 can be attached on the container 34, also can adopt other attaching structure well known in the prior art certainly, as should be with the fastening that connects two members, rotating welding interface or similar approach.

Configuration opening 38 passes the following neck 40 of cover body 22, and is arranged to make it to be communicated with product collection chamber 36 products.Cover plug 42 cover 24 inside from configuration and extends downwards, and when lid 24 was in its off position (Fig. 2), it meshed hermetically and disposes opening 38 like this.And when the configuration lid forwarded its open position (Fig. 3) to, plug 42 rose, and left configuration opening 38, so configurable product.

Now referring to Fig. 4, determined a cavity by cover plate 40 and the cover plate wall 44a and the 44b that relatively extend up from closing disk 40, this cavity covers 24 for configuration the installation site is provided.Though cover plate wall 44a and 44b are curved in the drawings, they also can have any other profile (as straight, protruding, recessed, oval or their combination).The front and rear wall in chamber can partly be determined by skirt section 30 at least.Preferably being positioned on the side in chamber of skirt 30 than lower part, thus help user's approach locking switch 26, should determine by lower edge 46 than lower part.In addition, lower edge 46 and/or rib 48 (Fig. 2 A) can be determined the block piece of a locking switch, and its purposes will be discussed in more detail below.

The size in chamber must admit configuration to cover 24, and covering 24 (for example by hinged) like this can move between off position (Fig. 2) and allocation position (Fig. 3).Cover plate wall 44a and 44b preferably include hinged recess 50a and 50b or similar mounting structure, and they cooperate with the plush copper 52a and the 52b (Fig. 5) that cover on 24.When they mesh, hinged recess 50a and 50b and plush copper 52a and 52b with usually and lid 24 be horizontal axle (as the axle A among Fig. 5) and aim at, lid 24 is around this axle rotation.

As shown in Figure 5,24 tegmental walls 56 that have single-piece locking switch 26, a hd top face 54 and hang down from hd top face usually covers in configuration all around.Configuration is covered 24 and is also comprised a passage or discharge side 58, and it is communicated with opening 38, and when opening or be in allocation position, it allows the user to configure product from the configuration cover.

Configuration is covered 24 and can be had the plush copper of lid 60a and 60b (Fig. 5), they can mesh with lid depression 62a and 62b (Fig. 4), thereby prevent to cover 24 accidental its allocation positions that are opened to, lid plush copper 60a and 60b only are engaged among lid depression 62a and the 62b slightly, thereby make the user just can open engagement at an easy rate, will dispose and cover 24 and move on to allocation position with a power.

Locking switch 26 of the present invention can have various forms and structure, and it can be made configuration and covers the part of a part of 24, cover body 22 or make both parts.Locking switch 26 preferably can contact with the block piece of rib 48 in Fig. 2 A with stopping, prevents to cover 24 at locked position and moved on to allocation position before start switch 26.For example, shown in Fig. 2 A, locking switch 26 under edge 46 can contact with rib 48 with stopping, shown in Fig. 2 A, must leave rib 48 for lid being moved on to allocation position edge 64.In addition, locking switch 26 can have the structure (not shown) that extends backwards, and it can contact with edge 46 when locking switch 26 is in its locked position with stopping, in the case, can not have rib 48.When switch 26 moves on to its position of not locking, block piece must leave edge 46, cover 24 and can move on to its allocation position thereby make.

Shown in Fig. 6 and 7, a preferred embodiment of graphic locking switch 26 has three

hinges

66a, 66b and 66c.Locking switch 26 preferably has respectively and locking and not corresponding stable first shape (Fig. 6) of locked position and stable second shape (Fig. 7), the shape when first shape is supply, and second shape is the shape of deliberately doing.Here used phrase " stable shape " is meant 26 retainable states of locking switch when not adding any external force.Can believe that concerning those skilled in the art the effect of bistable locking switch 26 will be understandable, for the purpose of complete sum is clear, will provide the general description of the bistable operation of illustrated embodiment below.

As shown in Figure 8, hinges is the zone along thickness " T " minimizing of switch 26.Switch 26 parts between the hinge have effective length L1 and L2 as shown in the figure.Length L 3 is about the distance between hinges 66a and the 66c.Hinges also has hinge radius " R ".L1 adds the length of L2 must be greater than L3.The difference of this length must be at switch 26 when locked position moves on to not locked position, can be not greatly to making switch 26 be subjected to permanent damage, yet this difference in length must be enough greatly, thereby when it discharged added power, switch remained on not locked position the user.

When pull switch forward, L1 and L2 aim at and form straight line switch 26 and enter pressured state.This moment, the aptitude of material was that it wants to bounce back into releasing device, when the added power of user is removed, discharged the pressure in the material.During the start certain a bit before, the release position will be its original position (as shown in Figure 8), surpassed during the start certain a bit after, the release position will be position as shown in Figure 7.In the position of Fig. 7, the outside face 68 of switch 26 is pressurized, and inside face 70 is tension, however the main pressure in the Switch main body will discharge, therefore switch will be remained on this position.Locking switch 26 will remain on this position, up to adding a rightabout power, when making the locked position of switch being in when supplying with again till.

In another preferably designed, locking switch 26 can have single-piece and damage certification structure, and in order to give the alarm to the user, promptly whether the configuration lid in this configuration cover 20 26 has moved on to allocation position in the process of transporting, collecting or handling.Crispy chip 72 (Fig. 8) preferably is contained between flank member 74a and the 74b and forms whole with them, crispy chip has zone (or the configuration of stress concentration that sectional area reduces, as perforate or analogous shape), like this, when power at first is added on the switch 26, therefore thin slice 72 makes locking switch 26 move on to not locked position from locked position with destroyed.Thin slice 72 preferably is broken to and makes it not hinder locking switch 26 to turn back to its locked position.As shown in Figure 11, crispy chip 72 can also be whole attached between locking switch 26 and the surface 54, like this, damages it earlier by pressure when pull switch.In case thin slice 72 breaks, just, promptly damage sealing member and break from a fact physically and visually is provided.Crispy chip 72 also can be with other damage certification structure cooperating as glued membrane sealing member or analogue.In addition, crispy chip 72 can by a kind of when being damaged stress the material of change color make, as making with dying dark coloured plastics.This feature is helpful for damaging the proof function.

Just as shown in Figures 9 and 10, provide another embodiment here, wherein locking switch 26 forms with cover body 22 integral body, rather than covers whole formation with configuration.In this design, the first stable shape of the locked position when switch 26 has as shown in Figure 9 supply.Plush copper 76a and 76b play 24 effects that move on to the block piece of allocation position of covering that stop.When switch 26 is pulled out, it will arrive a point, and it remains on not locked position aforesaid, as shown in figure 10 at that point.Plush copper 76a and 76b leave and cover 24 inside face (Figure 10) on this position, and configuration is covered 24 and can be forwarded its allocation position to like this.Available crispy chip similar to the above provides damages proof.

Shown in Figure 11～13, another embodiment of the present invention is provided, wherein locking switch 26 only comprises two hinges.The service condition of this switch as mentioned above, just Switch main body does not have flank structure shown in Figure 8, keeps bigger flexibility, still keeps not locked position opening under the situation that needn't have the 3rd hinges.

Shown in Figure 11～13, between hd top face 54 and extension 78, can wholely form crispy chip 72, switch just can not move from locked position under crispy chip 72 unbroken situations like this, extension 78 and switch 26 Unitarily molded shapings, and be placed to locking switch 26 from locked position move on to locked position not or reverse when mobile it all can by and can not run into the upper and lower sides of a lid face 54.Crispy chip 72 like this can be destroyed when being subjected to by locking switch 26 added pressure preferably with extension 78 and hd top face 54 monolithic moldings.

Cover body 22, the configuration cover 24 and locking switch 26 preferably make by plastic materials.From angle economic and that be easy to make, their the most handy injection moulding manufacturings, the method that adopt other method certainly, connects independent member as plasticity welding, splicing or mechanical connection also is suitable.Locking switch also can resemble repeated usage the travel lock, like this handle or the travelling process in can reduce and cover the danger that 24 chances move on to its allocation position.

For purposes of illustration, the front has been described preferred embodiment.But this is not exclusive or only limit the invention to disclosed precise forms.Concerning those skilled in the art, can carry out various modifications with reference to above-mentioned instruction, embodiment selected and that describe is for principle of the present invention and its practical application are described, therefore the present invention can be used for various embodiment, and can carry out various modifications in actual applications, scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. configuration cover is used for selectively from a container configuring product with product storage chamber, and above-mentioned cover comprises:

A cover body, it has the top, the skirt section of dangling downwards from the top, one is passed passage and the attaching structure that extend at the top, and this attaching structure is used for the cover body is attached to container, and passage is communicated with the product storage chamber product of container;

A configuration lid, it has the discharge side that is communicated with the passage product of cover body, and the configuration lid is attached on the cover body configurablely, thereby the allocation position of closing of configuration lid is provided;

It is characterized in that: a locking switch is integrally formed on the configuration cover, and locking switch has predetermined locked position, can prevent that in this position lid from moving on to its allocation position; Also have a not locked position, can move on to its allocation position at this position configuration lid.

2. according to the configuration cover of claim 1, wherein locking switch also comprises at least two hinges.

3. according to the configuration cover of claim 1 or 2, wherein locking switch forms with the configuration lid is whole.

4. according to the configuration cover of claim 1 or 2, wherein locking switch and cover body are whole forms.

5. according to any one configuration cover of front claim, also comprise integrally formed with locking switch, as to prevent locking switch start crispy chip.

6. according to any one configuration cover of front claim, wherein the configuration lid is attached on the cover body rotationally.

7. according to any one configuration cover of front claim, wherein locking switch has first stable shapedly, and this moment, locking switch was in locked position.

8. according to the configuration cover of claim 7, wherein locking switch has second stable shapedly, and this moment, locking switch was in not locked position.