DE60116310T2 - LOCKING ASSEMBLY FOR LID - Google Patents

Abstract

A closing arrangement for and method of closing a lid (4, 44) that is normally in closed position, which lid (4, 44) is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis (5), the arrangement comprising a spring device (16, 56) acting between the lid (4, 44) and a container (1) on which the lid (4, 44) is fitted, which spring device (16, 56) is arranged to be tensioned when the lid (4, 44) is opened and to commence closing the lid (4, 44) from an open position at least as far as a position in which the lid continues the closing action on its own due to the force of gravity, a damper (8, 57) being arranged to dampen the movement of the lid (4, 44) at least during a part of the lid's (4, 44) movement from open position to closed position.

Description

Territory of technology

The The present invention relates to an automatic closure assembly for one Lid, preferably for use in containers, boxes, storage containers or Shelves for Foods such as a self-service container for sweets.

background of the technique

chests and freeze counters, often completely or partially transparent, which for cooled or Frozen foods are provided and for self-service on sweets in kiosks and shops are constructed, often have transparent, hinged lid on that in a permanently open Position can be arranged. In such an open Position the food is exposed to the environment to a greater extent as in the closed position of the lid. Therefore, it is out of sight hygiene or temperature desired, that these lids are kept closed when no goods from the containers be removed.

automatic closing lid are already known in the form of double-walled constructions, in which a liquid flows between different spaces to the center of gravity of the Change lids, whereby an automatic closing is achieved. Such Construction is extremely expensive when installing in large numbers be carried out by nationally and / or internationally widely used containers should. The one with a liquid filled Lid impaired In addition, the transparency and thus the view on the food. liquid in the lid will over it Beyond unhygienic as a leak could occur.

SE 510,429 also shows an arrangement for automatically closing a hinged lid. In the open position, this lid compresses an elastically deformable air bubble, which is secured in the front wall of the container near the open lid, the air bladder then tends to expand back to the starting position, thus pushing the lid back over its unstable equilibrium position , whereupon the lid closes with a bang. A disadvantage of such an arrangement is that the front wall of the container has this arrangement, instead of showing the food in it as well as possible. Further, the loud popping sounds when closing the lid are extremely troublesome to both customers and employees in the shop, especially if the number of containers in a given area can be up to 200 pieces. Each customer who opens the lid must also deform the assembly if it is to function as desired, which customers find disturbing.

US 5,388,281 describes an automatic closing mechanism for a toilet seat, which uses a shock absorber or air cushion together with a coil spring to bring the seat from an elevated position to a lower position by the fact that the coil spring is supported by gravity when the seat is in focus Has exceeded the direction of a damping force of the damper or the air cushion.

US 4,550,470 describes a combined rotary damper device having a storage energy mechanism and a cover brake mechanism. When the cover is opened or closed, the braking force of the damping device and the elastic force of the coil spring cooperate to generate a braking force.

Task of invention

The Object of the present invention is the above to solve problems and a closing arrangement for one Cover to provide an automatic closing of a upwards openable lid a container, predominantly for food, provides, wherein the closing arrangement however, also to other types of containers, e.g. for pharmaceutical Products, health products and the like is applicable, around the contents of the container protect from the ambient air, by keeping the lid closed.

A second object of the present invention is a hygienic Viewpoint as previously seen in the provision of an automatic closing the lid of such a container.

A Another object is to enable a closing operation of a lid, which in an initial phase in which the lid influenced by a closing force will, and in a closing phase is divided, in which the lid with the help of its own weight is closed and the force turns into a mitigation or Slowing effect changes.

The object of the present invention is further to provide a cost-effective solution to the above-mentioned problems, the solution also providing improved closure performance th of the lid for a container leads.

The Task is also the noise level when closing the Significantly reduce lids.

Summary the invention

The present fulfilled according to definition in the independent ones claims 1 and 10 the above objects, with the mentioned disadvantages eliminated. Suitable designs The invention are defined in the subclaims.

Of the Cover according to the invention has a closing arrangement on, which includes a spring device and a damper. These components can as separate units can be constructed or they can be made up of just one unit consist in which both the spring function and the damper function combined have been. The spring device is arranged so that it has a closing movement of the lid from an open one Position sets in motion and the damper is arranged so that it moves the lid either continuously or at least during a part of the movement in both directions or only during opening and Closing dampens. The Spring device also has a slowing down effect on the movement the lid immediately before its closure to avoid noise. The spring force is When opening the lid at an angle of 20 ° to 40 ° upward from the horizontal plane from zero. When the lid is opened further, the spring becomes strained and when the lid is released, then causes the Spring an instant immediate closing. If the opening angle is less than 20 ° -40 ° the spring in the other direction stretched to the weight of the lid so attenuate and make up for closing gently. Throughout the movement the damper acts on the lid, which preferably works with silicone grease, as a component for the compensation and controlling the speed of movement. The damper will chosen so that within a temperature range of 18 ° -25 ° C for goods at room temperature works and within a temperature range of -8 ° to 0 ° C at counters for refrigerated and frozen products.

The Number of springs is one to several, the springs are different Properties for every damper exhibit. The dampers are preferably composed of standard components, e.g. Silicon Damper from the company ITW Produx, with the spring (s) selected and with the damper dependent is selected from the weight of the lid.

applications of the present invention include closure arrangements for lids in the food industry, in particular for containers for sweets or other self-service products, such as. those used in the embodiments described below be illustrated. Different phases for closing Cover for Different uses can be done with great time accuracy determined according to the invention with the help of the selection of the composite parts become.

In The embodiments illustrated below include the balancing device to achieve a gentle closing of the lid torsion springs which are stretched in opposite directions, taking it in the springs but also leaf springs, balancing or counterweights or another device may act.

Summary the drawings

The Invention will now be more detailed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It demonstrate:

1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention;

2 an exploded view of a lid with a spring device and a damper according to the embodiment of 1 ;

3 a section through the axis of rotation, wherein both sides of the lid, a spring device and a damper as shown in FIG 2 exhibit;

4 a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention;

5 a representation in exploded details of a lid with a closing arrangement as shown in the embodiment of 4 ; and

6 an exploded view of a closure assembly with a damper and a spring device as shown in the embodiment of 5 ,

description the invention

1 shows a transparent container 1 for sweets, which has a vertical refill section 2 as well as a section 3 for self-service, which extends from the refill section to the outside. The self-service section 3 is upwards either whole or part wise by a flat transparent lid 4 bounded around a substantially horizontal axis 5 , which are near the refill section 2 is arranged, is pivotally mounted in a journal bearing. The refill section 2 also has a lid, not shown. As can be seen from the drawing, the distance between the axis and the vertical refill section 2 in that the lid in the fully unfolded state has such an angle that it is kept open by its own weight until it is influenced by other forces apart from its own weight. In the embodiment shown, the lid in the closed state at an angle which is inclined at an angle to the Nachfüllabschnitt. The movement angle α between a fully opened and fully closed position is 90-170 °. The travel angle α is divided into three sections, α _I , α _II , α _III , where α _I denotes an initial phase extending from a fully open (unfolded) position to a position where the dead weight of the cover continues the closing operation takes over. α _II denotes a first closing phase, which extends from the position in which the dead weight of the lid takes over to an imaginary horizontal plane HP through the axis 5 extends and α _III denotes the angle between the horizontal plane and a position in which the lid is completely closed. All these positions are shown in dashed lines in the figure. The angle α _III is in the range of 20 ° -40 °. A closing arrangement 6 is on each side of the lid between the lid 4 and the self-service section 3 arranged. The closure assembly is mounted in cavities in the rear lid rim with the cavities inwardly toward the center of the lid along the lid axis 5 extend.

2 shows a disassembled, opaque lid 4 with the cavities 7 for the closing arrangement 6 in the back of the lid. At the lower end of the cavity is a groove in which the end of the cooperating or co-acting end of the outer housing 9 a damper 8th is arranged for its introduction, to prevent the outer housing 9 relative to the lid 4 rotates. The other end of the damper 8th has a rotating body 10 on that in the outer casing 9 and having guide surfaces (not shown) constructed to convey silicone grease within the damper when the rotary body is in operation 10 relative to the outer housing 9 is turned. The end of the rotating body 10 also has a square hole 11 in which a square-shaped pin acting in the same direction 12 is introduced. The pen is on a bearing plate 13 attached, on its opposite side a mounting pin arrangement 14 to engage in a corresponding recess in the side wall of the container during assembly. The bearing plate is also attached to the container and with the help of an edge 15 , which cooperates with the container, rotation is prevented.

A spring device 16 in the form of a cylindrical torsion spring is also attached to the outer casing of the damper at its outer end, wherein one end of the spring means 16 in the bearing plate 13 is clamped while her other end in the lid 4 or in the cavity 7 the lid is clamped.

The spring device 16 is thus clamped between the lid and the container so that it is unloaded at an opening angle of 20 ° -40 ° upward from the horizontal plane HP when the lid is fixed.

3 shows the lid and its closing arrangement in section through the axis 5 , where the damper 8th in the two cavities 7 in the lid 4 are attached. The dampers 8th are here to prevent rotation between the lid 4 and the bearing plates 13 clamped. The figure also shows how the spring device 16 is arranged when the lid is attached. The figure also shows, as with the help of the marginal edge 15 prevents the bearing plates 13 relative to the container 1 rotate.

4 shows a second embodiment of the invention, in which a closing arrangement 46 arranged so that they are between the lid 44 and the container 1 acts. The closing arrangement 46 has a quill or a short tube 47 on that in a well 48 in the lid 44 is attached.

5 shows that the quill with a groove 49 is provided to prevent the quill 47 relative to the lid 44 rotates. The closing arrangement 46 also has an active body 50 on, in the quill 47 either pressed or glued.

6 shows for detecting a spring device 56 and two damper halves 57a . 57b in a damper 57 the active body 50 out 5 in disassembled condition. This embodiment of the closing arrangement also shows the surfaces already mentioned above 58 which is part of the damper 57 form. A swivel device 59 has a pivot 60 on one side and a drive device 61 on the other side. The drive device 61 is with a half 57a the damper engaged, which together with the pivoting device 59 is rotated, so that a relative movement between the two halves of the damper is generated. A tail 62 with locking devices 63 is arranged so that this up the damper housing 65 with overhangs 64 locks. The spring device 56 in the form of a cylindrical torsion spring is around the damper halves 57a . 57b arranged. One end of the spring is in the pivoting device 59 attached and its other end is in the damper housing 65 attached. The spring thus becomes dependent on the rotation of the pivot 60 curious, which in turn depends on the position of the lid in the 1 shown embodiment is dependent.

The function of the lid closure assembly according to the illustrated embodiments in connection with its use in a candy dispenser is as follows:
Normally, the lid is closed, ie it is in the folded down position. If a customer sweets from the self-service section 3 of the container 1 He / she can cover the lid 4 bring to a fully open position, ie the lid is fully folded up until it reaches the refill section 2 of the container abuts, ie the in 1 position shown with dashed lines. When the customer releases the lid, the spring device causes 6 in that the cover returns to its normal position, ie the spring means slowly rotates the cover beyond an upper dead position during the initial phase α _I , which is timed with a suitable value in the time interval of 20-30 seconds, eg 20 seconds that the customer has enough time to take out the desired amount of sweets. Then, the lid continues its downward movement due to gravity faster up to its normal position during the closing phase α _II , wherein the movement by means of the damper 8th . 57 is dampened. The time required for this closing phase is considerably shorter than the initial phase. A suitable duration for the closing phase is about 2 seconds. In particular immediately before closing the lid 4 the damper works in conjunction with the spring device, which is tensioned in the opposite direction to avoid a disturbing noise when the lid is closed.

Within Within the scope of the invention, it is also possible to use the spring devices in terms of both nature and position. For example can be a cylindrical tension spring at a tangent to the perimeter of the damper be attached. The dampers can also according to the type of lid currently used selected or adapted.

Claims (9)

Closing arrangement for a lid ( 4 . 44 ) which is mountable on a self-service container, wherein the lid normally has a closed position and pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis ( 5 ), the arrangement being one between the lid ( 4 . 44 ) and a container ( 1 ), on which the cover is attached, acting spring device ( 16 . 56 ) which is arranged so that when opening the lid ( 4 . 44 ), and wherein the arrangement also has a damper ( 8th . 57 ), characterized in that the spring device ( 16 . 56 ) with the closing of the lid ( 4 . 44 ) from an open position to a position in which the lid automatically continues the closing operation by gravity, and that the damper ( 8th . 57 ) is arranged such that it detects the movement of the lid ( 4 . 44 ) only during a portion of the movement of the lid ( 4 . 44 ) from an open position to a closed position. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that in addition a compensation device is arranged, which can be actuated before the lid ( 4 . 44 ) is closed to obtain a damping or braking force when the lid ( 4 . 44 ) is closed. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the compensating device of the spring device ( 16 . 56 ) which is arranged so that it is in the opposite direction to the unused weight of the lid ( 4 . 44 ), when it is closed, is curious. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spring device ( 16 . 56 ) in the unloaded state between the lid ( 4 . 44 ) and the container ( 1 ) at an angle of the lid ( 4 . 44 ) within the range of 20 ° to 40 ° upward from a horizontal plane (HP) through the axis ( 5 ) is clamped. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spring device ( 16 . 56 ) and the damper ( 8th . 57 ) on or in direct connection with the axis ( 5 ) are attached. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the spring device ( 16 . 56 ) on one side of the axis ( 5 ) and the damper ( 8th . 57 ) on the other side of the axis ( 5 ) is attached. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the spring device ( 16 . 56 ) is formed of a cylindrical spiral spring which surrounds the damper ( 8th . 57 ) is formed, which is formed of a cylindrical torsion damper, wherein the spring device ( 16 . 56 ) and the damper ( 8th . 57 ) at the same end of the axis ( 5 ) are attached. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the time at which the spring device ( 16 . 56 ) with the closing of the lid ( 4 . 44 ) is from 2 to 30 seconds from a fully open position to a position where gravity takes over the further closing. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the spring device ( 16 . 56 ) is arranged so that it immediately with the closing of the lid ( 4 . 44 ) starts when it is released from its open position.