EP0590325B1 - Closure Cap with Snap Hinge - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing cap (1) with a snap-in hinge (4) and proposes, to achieve a solution which is favourable in terms of construction and in use, that the hinge flap (6) merges via a thin point (10) into a web (8). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a closure cap a lock housing and a snap hinge connected cap, in which a Hinge tab on at least one side on a free-standing Bridge attacks.

A closure cap is known from DE-A-3 150 493, in which the closure lid next to a center hinge still over hinge tabs on both sides is connected. The latter form in their direction of action switchable energy accumulator, the cover after exceeding a dead center position in the Strain extreme positions, i.e. close, open.

In such one-piece molded caps it comes from overstretching of the material sections involved to so-called whitening. That will be especially with attractive containers as at least visually disturbing felt. Depending on the coloring of the plastic material there is even a blatantly protruding coloring.

A cap of the generic type is by EP-A-0 291 457 known. The hinge tab there is constant diameter. It is rooted in one corresponding free-standing bridge as a cross-section of the same Part of the hinge bracket at one end in the wall of the cover and one end in the wall of the Lock housing, here in a niche-shaped bay lying. The connection on the cover side lies in Face of a cut-back wall section.

From US-A-4 457 458 it is known the hinge plate via a thin point in the from the subsequent Section of the cover and the corresponding Section of the breech formed web to let pass

The object of the present invention is to remedy this to create and a generic cap at even improved spring behavior to train.

This problem is solved by the one specified in claim 1 Invention.

The subsequent claims are advantageous Training.

As a result of such a configuration is a generic one Closing cap improved otically and functionally. The annoying white coloring practically no longer occurs. This is mainly because when you close the Hinged flaps (immediately after spraying) can no longer be stretched as much. This is so proceeded that the hinge tab over a thin point into the footbridge, which is in a step-shaped Recess of a wall of the cover or Closure housing is arranged free-standing. Leading to an extremely flexible, the free-standing bridge even including a stock of exercise. The deforming The burden is no longer directly Surrounding the hinge tab over with the result of the described disadvantage. This is a mental aid an elastic whip stick comparable with subsequent highly elastic cord. The one in each Find component rooted, free-standing bars not in the folding direction of the cover only a way out, but also one inward avoidance zone. That leads to one large movement bridge with increased resistance to bending forces in the root area of the web itself and a greater willingness to move in the subsequent Section of the hinge tab. Anything Exceed in the sense of plastic deformation not applicable. The spring characteristic becomes more even overall. This also leads to the desired uniform Spring action. Above all springing back into the old, i.e. Basic demolding is almost complete reached. This is usually 180 °, so Closure cover next to the closure housing in parallel axiality their center lines. A further education measure is that the thin section is about half to a third the thickness of the hinge tab. The leads to a particularly smooth movement transition. It also proves advantageous that the hinge bracket is about half to a third of the Has thickness of a web.

There is also an advantageous feature of even standalone Significance in that the freedom of the or the recess providing the webs to the periphery of the Closure cover and / or the closure housing over a cuticle is closed. The creation of such The screen is technically manageable, by simply facing the core forming the recess the nominal surface area of the closure cover and / or closure housing something is cut back. The one here remaining between the hinge bracket and the jacket wall Material bridge even increases the spring force of the hinge bracket, it also supports the spring force in the changing directions. The thickness of such a cuticle is about 0.2 mm and practically has one film-like mobility. The cuticle also avoids Dirt nests. An additional beneficial means of structure-friendly training is that the opposite hinge tab thickened in a thin area their width up to the closest distance between the Hinge parts (viewed when opened) continuously decreased while maintaining essentially the difference in thickness. That concentrates the training a geometric axis no longer on one certain narrow area; rather, the difference in thickness brings there a partial stiffening that coming from of those that form the actual spring elements Hinge tabs, right into the middle hinge continues. The consequence here is a distribution of the Folding zones of the hinge. That even brings one more beneficial "floating", vigorously practical self-regulating hinge point, the partial maximum loads avoids. In doing so, even present ones unfavorable tolerance pairings or low injection molding Deviations optimally compensated. It arises practically no committee at all in this regard. Advantageous it is further that the hinge tabs at least an approximately triangular shape in the area of the closest distance Have cross-section. This the hinge tab seated, triangular cross-section stiffening rib poses no problem at all in terms of injection technology Their exposed position disappears in the already existing one Cavities of the cap by finally the triangle tip when the cap is closed points to the inside of it.

The object of the invention is based on eight below Exemplified examples of drawings explained in more detail.

The graphic representations also show that the type of hinge-free hinge found is applicable even for the center hinge by here however, one more tailored to the hinge function Design is chosen.

Fig. 1

die erfindungsgemäße Verschlußkappe in partieller Wiedergabe gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel, und zwar gegen das Schnappscharnier gesehen, außen gefedert, mit offener Aussparung, bei in Schließstellung befindlichem Verschlußdeckel,

Fig. 2

die Draufsicht auf diese Verschlußkappe bei in 180° aufgeklappter Stellung des Verschlußdeckels, die Aussparung als U-förmige Nuten verdeutlichend,

Fig. 3

den Schnitt gemäß Linie III-III in Fig. 2, stark vergrößert,

Fig. 4

den Schnitt gemäß Linie IV-IV in Fig. 8, ebenfalls deutlich vergrößert,

Fig. 5

die erfindungsgemäße Verschlußkappe gemäß dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel in Darstellung wie Fig. 1, jedoch bei durch ein Häutchen verschlossener Aussparung,

Fig. 6

die Draufsicht hierzu in der Stellung mit Stellung wie Fig. 2,

Fig. 7

die erfindungsgemäße Verschlußkappe gemäß drittem Ausführungsbeispiel in Darstellung wie Fig. 1, jedoch mittig gefedert und bei offener Aussparung,

Fig. 8

die Draufsicht hierzu, wiederum in Darstellung wie Fig. 2,

Fig. 9

die erfindungsgemäße Verschlußkappe gemäß dem vierten Ausführungsbeispiel, in Darstellung wie Fig. 1, und zwar eine Weiterbildung des dritten Ausführungsbeispieles dergestalt, daß bei dieser Version die Aussparungen durch ein Häutchen verschlossen sind,

Fig. 10

die Draufsicht hierzu,

Fig. 11

die erfindungsgemäße Verschlußkappe gemäß dem fünften Ausführungsbeispiel in Darstellung wie Fig. 1, wobei außer dem Mittenscharnier auch die beiden seitlich angeordneten Scharnierlaschen federn; es ist also eine durchgehende Aussparung realisiert, die jedoch nicht geschlossen ist,

Fig. 12

die diesen Sachverhalt noch besser wiedergebende Draufsicht hierzu,

Fig. 13

die erfindungsgemäße Verschlußkappe gemäß sechstem Ausführungsbeispiel, in einer Darstellung wie Fig. 1, außen, also im Bereich der Scharnierlaschen gefedert, aber in einer geraden Anbindung und nicht in der butterfly-artigen, wie bei den voraufgegangenen Ausführungsbeispielen und bei offener Aussparung,

Fig. 14

die Draufsicht hierzu,

Fig. 15

die erfindungsgemäße Verschlußkappe gemäß siebtem Ausführungsbeispiel, in Darstellungsart wie Fig. 1, mit Mittenscharnier-Federung und seitlicher Außenanbindung wiederum über gerade Scharnierlaschen,

Fig. 16

die Draufsicht hierzu,

Fig. 17

die erfindungsgemäße Verschlußkappe gemäß achtem Ausführungsbeispiel, in Darstellung wie Figur 1, mit Mittenscharnier, Federung und seitlicher Anbindung über Scharnierlaschen, stark vergrößert,

Fig 18

die weiter vergrößerte Draufsicht hierzu, jedoch in Öffnungsstellung der Verschlußkappe,

Fig. 19

eine Ansicht in Richtung A in Figur 18,

Fig. 20

den Schnitt gemäß Linie XX-XX in Figur 18 und

Fig. 21

diesen Schnitt in weiterer Vergrößerung.

It shows

Fig. 1

the closure cap according to the invention in partial representation according to the first embodiment, namely against the snap hinge, spring-loaded on the outside, with an open recess, with the closure lid in the closed position,

Fig. 2

the top view of this closure cap when the closure cover is opened in 180 °, illustrating the recess as U-shaped grooves,

Fig. 3

the section along line III-III in Fig. 2, greatly enlarged,

Fig. 4

the section along line IV-IV in Fig. 8, also significantly enlarged,

Fig. 5

the closure cap according to the invention according to the second embodiment in a representation as in FIG. 1, but with a recess closed by a cuticle,

Fig. 6

the top view of this in the position with position as Fig. 2,

Fig. 7

the closure cap according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but sprung in the middle and with an open recess,

Fig. 8

the top view of this, again as shown in FIG. 2,

Fig. 9

the closure cap according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, namely a further development of the third embodiment such that the cutouts are closed by a skin in this version,

Fig. 10

the top view of this,

Fig. 11

the closure cap according to the fifth embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG 1, wherein in addition to the center hinge also the two laterally arranged hinge tabs spring; a continuous cutout is therefore realized, which is however not closed,

Fig. 12

the top view of this state of affairs,

Fig. 13

the closure cap according to the sixth embodiment, in a representation like FIG. 1, spring-loaded on the outside, i.e. in the area of the hinge tabs, but in a straight connection and not in the butterfly-like manner as in the previous embodiments and with an open recess,

Fig. 14

the top view of this,

Fig. 15

the closure cap according to the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, with central hinge suspension and lateral external connection again via straight hinge tabs,

Fig. 16

the top view of this,

Fig. 17

the closure cap according to the eighth embodiment, shown as in FIG. 1, with a central hinge, suspension and lateral connection via hinge tabs, greatly enlarged,

Fig. 18

the further enlarged top view of this, but in the open position of the closure cap,

Fig. 19

18 shows a view in the direction A in FIG. 18,

Fig. 20

the section along line XX-XX in Figure 18 and

Fig. 21

this cut in further enlargement.

The closure cap that can be assigned to a container, not shown 1 is made of plastic, preferably PP. The assignment can be of a screw type; also a Bounce or a direct molding of the container is conceivable.

Components of the closure cap 1 are essentially one cylindrical closure housing 2 with one piece molded cover 3, preferably circular outline. The cover 3 has Pot-shaped shape and can be central or decentralized wear lying plug element, which is a congruent opening of an outlet spout in the ceiling of the Closure housing 2 seals (not shown).

The snap hinge 4 realized as a film hinge lies in the area of a tangent of the two the closure cap 1 forming components.

The snap hinge 4 is composed of a so-called Central hinge 5 and two outer tension bands on the side, referred to as hinge tabs 6 together. Center hinge 5 and hinge tabs 6 thus form the gusset-shaped gap 7 between the two connected Cross-material bridges. For example, it will referred to Figs. 2 to 4. The in Fig. 4 material bridge shown is relatively short, nevertheless significantly wider than that measured in the vertical plane Thickness is. So there remains a certain ability to self-organize for the "hinge axis formation" of these lobe-like bridge zone. It forms the geometric Hinge axis x-x. In the area of the hinge tabs 6 this bridge is much longer, as shown in FIG. 3 emerges and also from the top views like e.g. Figure 2 becomes clear.

Both the material bridge of the center hinge 5 and also the material bridge forming the hinge tabs 6 assume free-standing webs 8. The latter extend parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the rotationally symmetrical Components, ie lock housing 2 and Closure cover 3. The webs 8 are small in cross section and mostly weak in the circumferential direction curved. Their length is several millimeters.

All of the webs 8 are rooted in a step-shaped recess 9. The recess 9 is mainly in the radial direction of such width 9 that the free-standing webs 8th when applied by the hinge forces like a whip can move flexibly. Added to this is the even larger one Flexibility of the bridge-forming or the film hinge co-forming sections on the center hinge 5 and that of the hinge plates 6. This has the consequence that practical No so-called whitening occurs at all. The cap keeps its fresh from production Appearance. The overall vessel remains attractive.

The free-standing webs 8 form a flexible Resistance to the folding forces of the snap hinge 4. They have the step-shaped in the root area Recess 9 their greatest stability, but the increasingly passes into a flexible end zone, at which then attach the hinge plates 6 like a whip. So complementary forces occur across the step-shaped Recess 9 on, they flow into the entire bending stock a what is an effective avoidance of overstretching the bendable hinge tabs 6 brings.

The hinge tabs 6 have a thickness that one Fraction of the thickness of the web 8 corresponds. The hinge tab 6 is about half the thickness of the one associated webs 8. The hinge tab 8 closes at least on a web 8.

Either way, in any case, it turns out to be beneficial that the hinge tabs 6 are interposed Thin point 10 in the web or webs 8 pass over. This thin point 10 arises particularly clearly from Fig. 3. The thin point 10 has about one Fraction of the thickness of the hinge tab 6. At the The illustrated embodiment is the thin point 10 about half as thick as the one that forms the material bridge, the external suspension of such snap hinges 4 embodying Hinge tabs 6.

The thin point 10 runs in the one shown in FIG. 3 Deformed position of the molding arched. The one in Area of the bisector between the horizontal there extending hinge bracket 6 and the vertical arranged web 8 lying radius point bears the reference symbol 11. Inner parting and outer parting of the run clearly curved thin section 10 parallel. While the outer arch in the upper front edge of the web 8 runs in relatively steep, the other goes End of this curve to the top of the hinge bracket 6 flank 12 avoiding a notch effect. The Inclination of this flank 12 is 45 ° to the horizontal Extension of the hinge bracket 6.

The recess 9 of both the webs 8 of the center hinge 5 and the hinge tabs 6 are each U-shaped Grooves formed by the top edge of each Part of going out. The groove width corresponds continuously, also in the area of their U-legs, the Thickness of the webs 8 and the thickness of the wall 13 of the closure housing 2 and cover 3. The wall 13 takes therefore an offset in the area of the recess 9. Of the Offset is inward so that the cylindrical Mantle wall of both parts, that is, the closure housing 2 and the cover 3 can remain cylindrical. The wall 13 of the closure housing 2 is how special 17, somewhat thicker than that of the cover 2. Figure 17 can also can be seen that the wall edges are more convenient for demoulding Have rounding off and rounding off. It also has the bottom of the recesses 9 like all other corners and Edge.

The one adapted to the curvature of the wall of the said parts Web 8 of the recess 9 extends in the first and second embodiment behind the side suspension hinge tabs 6, at third embodiment, however, they are behind the webs 8 forming the central hinge 5. The central suspension works here.

In contrast, the fifth embodiment shows one Mixed form, d. H. the recess 9 extends continuously both behind the webs 8 of the center hinge 5 as well as behind the webs 8 of the side Hinge tabs 6. Thus, the snap hinge has 4 a total of six resilient legs, formed by the webs 8, three per part.

The sixth and seventh embodiments differ only in that the recesses there 9 and webs 8 not in the sense of the curvature of the cylindrical Wall is oriented butterfly-like, but the shortest way to cross the gap to the two parts via parallel folds bring to axis x-x. So they lie straight parallel to each other Connections or straight hinge tabs 6 in front.

The reference numbers are used here mutatis mutandis.

In the seventh embodiment lies with respect to the center hinge 5, however, the same direction described above Curvature of the recess 9 and the webs 8 before. Only the external recesses 9 open in parallel to the folding plane y-y of the closure cap 1.

In order to use one with certain coloring of the plastic to eliminate the associated unsightlyness of the recess 9, can the recesses 9 outwards, so to the outer wall of the cap 1, closed be. This is the case with some of the illustrated exemplary embodiments realized, but can also in relation to all Solutions take hold. In concrete terms, the procedure was such that the described free state of the web (s) 8 Providing recess 9 to the periphery, that is, lateral surface of the cover 3 and / or the closure housing 2 out, are closed by a cuticle 14. Its thickness is approximately 0.2 mm. It closes the outside facing ends of the U-legs of the U-shaped Recess 9 forming an aperture. Such a cladding wall Material bridge is highly flexible. she has a positive effect in the sense of the desired suspension With. An opening 15 separates the rest of the Hinge tabs 6 material bridges from which the Center hinge 5 forming material bridge.

The high resilience achieved by the suspension bringing agent brings one of the 180 ° demolding position Appropriate springback of the closure cover 3 in this position. Because of the dead center position, the effect is high the spring forces on the other hand in the sense of Closed position of the cap 1.

Also the eighth shown in Figures 17 to 21 The embodiment embodies that described in detail above Basic principle. The reference numbers are therefore applied analogously, sometimes without repeated text For this. The main educational feature of this solution here is that the opposite of the thin spots 10 thickened hinge tabs 6 in their width now up to the closest distance z between the hinge parts 6 (compare unfolded position in FIG 18) decrease continuously. They keep the in the vertical difference in thickness compared to the thickness of said thin spots 10 essentially at.

As a result, the geometrical hinge axis is formed Partial material bridge, i.e. in the middle area stiffened. This leads to two folding centers in the said Thin points 10. These folding centers have the reference symbol 16 and lie (in the open position horizontally) in the the closest neighborhood practically forms double axles in the center of gravity of the convexly curved upwards Thin spots 10. When closing, there are competing or balancing forces, the spring behavior support, on the other hand, however, gently absorbed will. The closing lid feels practically in the right seat. At folding part account for 10 90 ° of each thin section a total of 180 ° folding angle. This protects the structure and increases the lifespan.

Since the center hinge 5 also corresponds to the mentioned butterfly-like design of the snap hinge 4 together with the hinge tabs 6 in one clear curvature is also created here contributing, cheapest usable restoring forces. Of the The course of the curvature is particularly clear from FIG. 19 recognizable, here from the bulging side that rises on the visible side seen here (view towards A). The Top zone of the thickening of the hinge plate 16, which in the open position on the hinge 4 or more precisely said reached its highest point on center hinge 5, closes with the edge forming the joint Walls 13 of the closure housing 2 and the closure cover 3 equal in height.

Also in this eighth embodiment lies between the center hinge 5, which is at the top of the incoming described webs 8 connected via the thin points 10 is, and the outside, spring elements forming hinge tabs 6 the opening described 15.

On the hinge tabs 6 the top view 18 appears compared to the thin spots 10 made thickening as trapezoidal, in the direction of the folding plane y-y continuously tapering plateau. This trapezoidal The plateau then closes at the ends of the center hinge 5 corresponding to, but then under further reduction of the plateau triangular area tapering towards y-y 17 into a common tip 18 one to run out triangular rib 19 in cross section. The triangular rib 19 can be equilateral. This means, that one side in the bulging upwards, flat outer parts facing each other of the thin spots 10 is rooted. The other triangle sides are the extensions of the cross-sectional trapezoidal shape leading edges 12.

In the closed state of the cap 1, the free triangle tip 18 to the inside of the cap there. It comes there in an existing space, formed by the recesses 9 under. When closed it is on the outside the cap 1 practically nothing of the hinge mechanism etc. recognizable. Here are not even those U-leg sections of the recesses 9 visible, because at this eighth embodiment which closes it Cuticles 14 are taken into account.

Instead of the eighth embodiment, only the center hinge 5 bringing material bridge to the vertical Tying webs 8 to enrich the way could also, like understandable from the previous exemplary embodiments, the hinge tabs 6 of such freestanding Go out webs 8, the background of which is described Has recess 9.

The entire hinge zone extends over a jacket or circumferential length of the cylindrical closure cap 1, which corresponds approximately to the radius R of the same. Here corresponds to the radius R 'of the butterfly-like structure counter concave arches, defined by the thin spots 10, also about the radius R. Das folding hinge shown can also a non-circular, or oval cross-section.

Claims (7)

1. Closure cap (1) having a closure housing (2) and a closure cover (3) connected via a snap hinge (4), in which a hinge strap (6) attaches on at least one side to a free-standing arm (8), characterized in that via a thin portion (10) the hinge strap (6) passes into the arm (8) which is free-standingly arranged in a step-form recess (9) of a wall (13) of the closure cover (3) or of the closure housing (2) and which can be bent outwards in order to avoid an overstretching of the hinge strap.
2. Closure cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the thin portion (10) is approximately half to one third of the thickness of the hinge strap (6).
3. Closure cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the hinge strap (6) is approximately half to one third of the thickness of the arm (8).
4. Closure cap according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (9) producing the free-standing of the arm or arms (8) is closed in the direction of the periphery of the closure cover (3) and/or the closure housing (2) by means of a membrane (14).
5. Closure cap according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width of the hinge strap (6) thickened as compared to a thin portion (10) decreases continuously to a narrowest distance (z) between the hinge parts while essentially retaining the difference in thickness.
6. Closure cap according to claim 5, characterized in that the hinge straps (6) have an approximately triangular cross-section (rib 19) at least in the area of the narrowest distance (z).
7. Closure cap according to claim 6, characterized in that the triangular point (18) points to the interior of the closure cap (1) when the latter is closed.

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