EP0608755B1 - Cap with resiliently reversing lid - Google Patents

Cap with resiliently reversing lid Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0608755B1
EP0608755B1 EP94100652A EP94100652A EP0608755B1 EP 0608755 B1 EP0608755 B1 EP 0608755B1 EP 94100652 A EP94100652 A EP 94100652A EP 94100652 A EP94100652 A EP 94100652A EP 0608755 B1 EP0608755 B1 EP 0608755B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cover
circumferential wall
cap
hinge
circumferential
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
EP94100652A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0608755A1 (en
Inventor
Takamitsu Nozawa
Takaharu Tasaki
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.)
Yoshino Kogyosho Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Yoshino Kogyosho Co Ltd
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 Yoshino Kogyosho Co Ltd filed Critical Yoshino Kogyosho Co Ltd
Publication of EP0608755A1 publication Critical patent/EP0608755A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0608755B1 publication Critical patent/EP0608755B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
    • B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
    • B65D47/08—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures
    • B65D47/0804—Closures 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
    • B65D47/0809—Closures 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
    • B65D47/0814—Closures 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a snap-type cap structure made of synthetic resin, according to the pre-characterizing portion of claim 1.
  • the "cap structure” used herein is meant to include a cap and a container with a cap.
  • a cap which is integrally molded of a synthetic resin and having its cap body and cover hinged at three points.
  • This cap is formed by integrally connecting a cap body and a cap opening cover into one piece by means of the three-point hinge.
  • This three-point hinge structure is composed of: first two hinges for connecting the upper end of the rear portion of the circumferential wall of the cap body and the lower end of the rear portion of the circumferential wail of the cover placed on the cap body; and second and third hinges for connecting L-shaped elastic plates between the first circumferential wall portion below those the first hinges and the front portion of the top wall of the cover at the upper end of the circumferential wall portion of the cover between the two hinges.
  • both the circumferential wall portion of the cover in front of the rising portions of the L-shaped elastic plates and the top wail portion of the cover below the horizontal portion are notched for parting the mold.
  • the notched portions of the top wall of the cover deteriorate the appearance of the cover. Still the worse, the notches makes it incomplete to shut off the mouth of the cap body with the cover.
  • the present invention contemplates to provide a cap structure which can be formed of only the individual rear portions of the circumferential walls of the cap body and the cover without notching the circumferential wall and top wall of the cover, so that the cover may have its appearance improved and may seal up the mouth of the cap body when in the closing operation.
  • EP-A-0 201 457 on which the preamble of claim 1 is based discloses a snap-type cap structure which comprises a film hinge connecting a body and a cover of the cap structure and two tightening bands or straps arranged on both sides of the film hinge.
  • the ends of the tightening bands are attached within recesses provided within the body as well as within the cover.
  • Both tightening bands have a straight shape in the closed state of the cover, from which they are forced to be extended linearly when the cover is turned from the closed state to the dead center state between the closed state and the fully-opened state.
  • GB-A-2 224 309 discloses a cover which is hingedly connected by means of a flexibly resilient elastic band to a base member of a closure a for container.
  • a shape type cap structure according to the present invention is characterized by the features as set out in the characterizing clause of claim 1.
  • each of curved elastic bands 12 is to have its cover side end 12b moved along an arc a, which has a radius of a straight distance from the body side end 12a to the cover side end 12b of the elastic band 12. Since, however, the cover 5 is turned on hinges 10, it is allowed to move along an arc b which has a radius of a straight distance from the hinges 10 to the cover side end 12b.
  • the elastic band 12 is extended till the dead center A against its elasticity and is shrunken after the dead center A by its elastic controlling force so that the cover is elastically turned over to establish the closed state.
  • the cover opening operation could be likewise understood.
  • the elastic band 12 may have its intermediate portion curved to the front in the closed state of Fig. 2.
  • each of the elastic bands 12 is curved in a letter "C" not only in the open state but also in the closed state, in which it is received in a recess 13.
  • the elastic bands can be prevented from being forcibly extended more than their limits even when they pass through the dead center A at which they are extended to their maximum strokes.
  • Fig. 1 to 3 show an embodiment.
  • Reference numeral 1 designates the body of a cap structure having a first circumferential wall 2.
  • This first circumferential wall 2 is formed into a circumferential wall to be fitted on the outer circumference of the neck of a container, in case the body 1 is a cap, and has its lower end shut out with a bottom wall in case the cap structure is a container body.
  • the first circumferential wall has its top covered with a top plate 4 having a pouring port 3, but this top plate 4 can be eliminated.
  • a cover which is molded of polyethylene of the like integrally with the aforementioned body 1. This cover 5 can be turned on a later-described hinge to open or close the top of the first circumference.
  • a second circumferential wall 7 depends from the outer circumference of a top wall 6 and can have its lower end placed on the upper end of the first circumferential wall 2.
  • the first and second circumferential walls 2 and 7 having a top plan view of a true circle are connected at their rear upper and lower ends by the hinge 10 and at the righthand and lefthand sides of the hinge 10 by a pair of C-shaped elastic bands 12 and 12. These elastic bands are fitted in the recesses 13, which are formed to extend between the upper and lower portions of the individual backs of the first and second circumferential walls 2 and 7.
  • the recesses 13 have their lower end rear edges and upper end rear edges connected to the lower and upper ends of the elastic bands 12 through second and third hinges 14 and 15.
  • the C-shaped elastic bands are fitted in the recesses 13 formed in the backs of the first and second circumferential walls of the body and the cover when in the closed state, the elastic bands will not deteriorate the appearance of the cap structure.
  • a dead centre A the point of intersection between a straight line c containing the body side end of bands 12 and hinge 10 and an arc b is designated a dead centre A.
  • Bands 12 are extended till dead center A against their elastic force so that the cover is elastically turned over to establish the closed state.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Description

Technical Field
The present invention relates to a snap-type cap structure made of synthetic resin, according to the pre-characterizing portion of claim 1. The "cap structure" used herein is meant to include a cap and a container with a cap.
Background Art
There is known a cap which is integrally molded of a synthetic resin and having its cap body and cover hinged at three points. This cap is formed by integrally connecting a cap body and a cap opening cover into one piece by means of the three-point hinge. This three-point hinge structure is composed of: first two hinges for connecting the upper end of the rear portion of the circumferential wall of the cap body and the lower end of the rear portion of the circumferential wail of the cover placed on the cap body; and second and third hinges for connecting L-shaped elastic plates between the first circumferential wall portion below those the first hinges and the front portion of the top wall of the cover at the upper end of the circumferential wall portion of the cover between the two hinges.
In order that the three-point hinged cap may be integrally molded of a synthetic resin, both the circumferential wall portion of the cover in front of the rising portions of the L-shaped elastic plates and the top wail portion of the cover below the horizontal portion are notched for parting the mold. Especially, the notched portions of the top wall of the cover deteriorate the appearance of the cover. Still the worse, the notches makes it incomplete to shut off the mouth of the cap body with the cover.
In order to eliminate the defects of the aforementioned example of the prior art, in which the horizontal plates are attached to the elastic plates and are extended to the central portion of the top wall of the cover, the present invention contemplates to provide a cap structure which can be formed of only the individual rear portions of the circumferential walls of the cap body and the cover without notching the circumferential wall and top wall of the cover, so that the cover may have its appearance improved and may seal up the mouth of the cap body when in the closing operation.
EP-A-0 201 457 on which the preamble of claim 1 is based discloses a snap-type cap structure which comprises a film hinge connecting a body and a cover of the cap structure and two tightening bands or straps arranged on both sides of the film hinge. The ends of the tightening bands are attached within recesses provided within the body as well as within the cover. Both tightening bands have a straight shape in the closed state of the cover, from which they are forced to be extended linearly when the cover is turned from the closed state to the dead center state between the closed state and the fully-opened state. For allowing such linear extension without damage to such a tightening band, especially at the ends thereof, careful attention is required with regard to the thickness of the band made from plastic material and the elastic extensity of the band. The bands are stretched in the closed position of the cover to extend substantially parallel with respect to the peripheral wall surfaces of both the cover and the container.
GB-A-2 224 309 discloses a cover which is hingedly connected by means of a flexibly resilient elastic band to a base member of a closure a for container.
A shape type cap structure according to the present invention is characterized by the features as set out in the characterizing clause of claim 1.
Disclosure of the invention
In case of an embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to 3, if a cover 5 is pushed up from the open state of Fig. 1, each of curved elastic bands 12 is to have its cover side end 12b moved along an arc a, which has a radius of a straight distance from the body side end 12a to the cover side end 12b of the elastic band 12. Since, however, the cover 5 is turned on hinges 10, it is allowed to move along an arc b which has a radius of a straight distance from the hinges 10 to the cover side end 12b. If the point of intersection between a straight line c containing the body side end 12a and the hinges 10 and the aforementioned arc b is designated at a dead center A, the elastic band 12 is extended till the dead center A against its elasticity and is shrunken after the dead center A by its elastic controlling force so that the cover is elastically turned over to establish the closed state. The cover opening operation could be likewise understood.
Incidentally, the elastic band 12 may have its intermediate portion curved to the front in the closed state of Fig. 2.
According to the invention, each of the elastic bands 12 is curved in a letter "C" not only in the open state but also in the closed state, in which it is received in a recess 13. The elastic bands can be prevented from being forcibly extended more than their limits even when they pass through the dead center A at which they are extended to their maximum strokes.
Fig. 1 to 3 show an embodiment.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the open state;
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the closed state from the back; and
  • Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation showing an essential portion.
    • Reference numeral 1 designates the body of a cap structure having a first circumferential wall 2. This first circumferential wall 2 is formed into a circumferential wall to be fitted on the outer circumference of the neck of a container, in case the body 1 is a cap, and has its lower end shut out with a bottom wall in case the cap structure is a container body. In the shown embodiment, the first circumferential wall has its top covered with a top plate 4 having a pouring port 3, but this top plate 4 can be eliminated.
    Indicated at reference numeral 5 is a cover which is molded of polyethylene of the like integrally with the aforementioned body 1. This cover 5 can be turned on a later-described hinge to open or close the top of the first circumference. In the cover 5, a second circumferential wall 7 depends from the outer circumference of a top wall 6 and can have its lower end placed on the upper end of the first circumferential wall 2.
    The first and second circumferential walls 2 and 7 having a top plan view of a true circle are connected at their rear upper and lower ends by the hinge 10 and at the righthand and lefthand sides of the hinge 10 by a pair of C-shaped elastic bands 12 and 12. These elastic bands are fitted in the recesses 13, which are formed to extend between the upper and lower portions of the individual backs of the first and second circumferential walls 2 and 7. The recesses 13 have their lower end rear edges and upper end rear edges connected to the lower and upper ends of the elastic bands 12 through second and third hinges 14 and 15.
    Since, the C-shaped elastic bands are fitted in the recesses 13 formed in the backs of the first and second circumferential walls of the body and the cover when in the closed state, the elastic bands will not deteriorate the appearance of the cap structure.
    According to Fig. 3, the point of intersection between a straight line c containing the body side end of bands 12 and hinge 10 and an arc b is designated a dead centre A. Bands 12 are extended till dead center A against their elastic force so that the cover is elastically turned over to establish the closed state.

    Claims (3)

    1. A snap-type cap structure made of synthetic resin, comprising:
      a body (1) having a first circumferential wall (2),
      a cover (5) having a second circumferential wall (7) being placable on the first circumferential wall,
      a first hinge (10) for connecting said first and second circumferential wails, a pair of elastic bands (12) which are provided on both sides of the first hinge (10) for connecting said first and second circumferential walls,
      a pair of recesses (13) for housing a said elastic band, each of said recesses being formed by a lower recess portion on the first circumferential wall and an upper recess portion of the second circumferential wall,
      each of said elastic bands (12) having a first end connected to an upper end of the recess (13) through a second hinge (15) and a second end connected to a lower end of the recess (13) through a third hinge (14), said second and third hinges (14, 15) being provided at the outer periphery of the recess (13), characterized in that each of said elastic bands (12) has a longitudinal C-shaped configuration maintained in both the closed and fully opened state of the cover (5), said elastic bands (12) being fitted into the corresponding recesses (13) in the closed state.
    2. A cap structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body (1) is adapted to be secured to an open mouth of a container.
    3. A cap structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body (1) is a container having the first circumferential wall (2) forming an open mouth.
    EP94100652A 1990-07-27 1991-01-16 Cap with resiliently reversing lid Expired - Lifetime EP0608755B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (3)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    JP80392/90U 1990-07-27
    JP1990080392U JP2532090Y2 (en) 1990-07-27 1990-07-27 Caps and containers with lids that flip elastically
    EP91902752A EP0494306B1 (en) 1990-07-27 1991-01-16 Cap with resiliently reversing lid

    Related Parent Applications (2)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP91902752.4 Division 1991-01-16
    EP91902752A Division EP0494306B1 (en) 1990-07-27 1991-01-16 Cap with resiliently reversing lid

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP0608755A1 EP0608755A1 (en) 1994-08-03
    EP0608755B1 true EP0608755B1 (en) 1998-05-20

    Family

    ID=13717019

    Family Applications (2)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP91902752A Expired - Lifetime EP0494306B1 (en) 1990-07-27 1991-01-16 Cap with resiliently reversing lid
    EP94100652A Expired - Lifetime EP0608755B1 (en) 1990-07-27 1991-01-16 Cap with resiliently reversing lid

    Family Applications Before (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP91902752A Expired - Lifetime EP0494306B1 (en) 1990-07-27 1991-01-16 Cap with resiliently reversing lid

    Country Status (6)

    Country Link
    EP (2) EP0494306B1 (en)
    JP (1) JP2532090Y2 (en)
    AU (1) AU643497B2 (en)
    CA (1) CA2065342C (en)
    DE (2) DE69129469T2 (en)
    WO (1) WO1992002431A1 (en)

    Families Citing this family (14)

    * 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.
    ATE124364T1 (en) * 1992-02-10 1995-07-15 Feichtinger Ernst Expan CLOSURE WITH SNAP HINGE.
    US5437383A (en) * 1993-06-11 1995-08-01 Stull; Gene Snap-hinge closure cap with full circumferential seal
    AT400432B (en) * 1993-07-14 1995-12-27 Feichtinger Ernst Expan ONE-PIECE HINGE
    US5489035A (en) * 1994-10-13 1996-02-06 Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. Closure with snap-type hinge cap
    CA2169486C (en) * 1995-02-15 2007-08-07 Tsutomu Kobayashi Snap-hinged cap
    CA2169699A1 (en) * 1995-12-01 1997-06-02 Osamu Tsukada Cap for medical appliance to be retained in human body
    US5875942A (en) * 1996-03-22 1999-03-02 Japan Crown Cork Co., Ltd. Hinged cap separable from bottle at the time of disposal
    FR2752818B1 (en) * 1996-08-29 1998-10-16 Oreal ARTICULATED CAPSULE WITH IMPROVED CONNECTION ELEMENT
    JPH1120848A (en) * 1997-06-30 1999-01-26 Nec Corp Opening/closing hinge structure of housing
    EP1048582A1 (en) * 1999-04-29 2000-11-02 Createchnic AG Plastic tube provided with a hinged closure and method of making the same
    ES2262449B1 (en) * 2006-05-18 2007-09-16 Seaplast, S.A. "PLUG WITH FLIP COVER FOR BOTTLES AND SIMILAR EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC LID OPENING SYSTEM".
    JP5532548B2 (en) * 2008-05-28 2014-06-25 凸版印刷株式会社 Hinge cap
    US8844746B2 (en) * 2011-09-14 2014-09-30 Runway Blue, Llc Liquid container closure with integrated over center latching assembly

    Family Cites Families (10)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US4334639A (en) * 1979-12-31 1982-06-15 Sunbeam Plastics Corporation Child-resistant dispensing closure
    NZ206374A (en) * 1983-11-23 1986-04-11 Nuon Ind Ltd Closure and cap therefor with u-shaped secondary hinge linkages
    US4638916A (en) * 1985-07-12 1987-01-27 Owens-Illinois, Inc. Closure with snap-type hinge cap
    JPS6340351U (en) * 1986-09-02 1988-03-16
    JPS63110346A (en) * 1986-10-29 1988-05-14 ナショナル住宅産業株式会社 Structure of eaves
    JPS63124496A (en) * 1986-11-13 1988-05-27 株式会社日立製作所 Method of fitting multiterminal component
    EP0345403A1 (en) * 1988-06-07 1989-12-13 ASTRA PLASTIQUE Société Anonyme Plastic cap comprising a cover articulated by a spring-type hinge
    CH672771A5 (en) * 1987-05-13 1989-12-29 Alfatechnic Ag
    FR2633590B1 (en) * 1988-07-01 1990-11-02 Astra Plastique PLUG IN SYNTHETIC MATERIAL WITH ARTICULATED CAP
    GB8825141D0 (en) * 1988-10-27 1988-11-30 Bxl Plastics Ltd Hinged devices

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    DE69105110T2 (en) 1995-03-23
    AU643497B2 (en) 1993-11-18
    EP0608755A1 (en) 1994-08-03
    JP2532090Y2 (en) 1997-04-09
    CA2065342A1 (en) 1992-01-28
    DE69105110D1 (en) 1994-12-15
    DE69129469D1 (en) 1998-06-25
    EP0494306A1 (en) 1992-07-15
    AU7056791A (en) 1992-03-02
    CA2065342C (en) 1996-04-30
    EP0494306B1 (en) 1994-11-09
    DE69129469T2 (en) 1998-09-17
    JPH0438959U (en) 1992-04-02
    WO1992002431A1 (en) 1992-02-20
    EP0494306A4 (en) 1992-12-23

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