EP0685405B1 - Container closure - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a container closure made of plastic with a pivotable Lid that has at least one hinge connection from the lid closed position in a Lid opening position pivotable on a lid holder that can be placed on the container or the container itself is articulated, in addition one on the cover on the one hand and the lid holder or the container itself on the other hand engaging spring which is with respect to the lid pivot axis defined by the hinge connection is arranged so that the cover by the bias of the spring Swiveling from its closed position into the open position after passing through one Dead center position is pushed in the opening direction.

Such container closures made of plastic, in which the actual lid via a hinge connection, which is preferably formed by at least one film hinge is pivotally articulated on a lid holder mounted on the neck of the container are, due to their inexpensive manufacture, to a large extent as a closure for - e.g. for taking up liquid detergents, household cleaners or the like. certain - Containers spread. By special design of the injection molds for these closures and special spraying techniques where the actual lid is in the plastic Injection mold is hosed in the 180 ° open position and before or when ejecting is automatically guided from the injection mold into the closed position, it succeeds even, additionally from the plastic material, which has a certain inherent elasticity the closure one integral on the cover on the one hand and on the cover holder on the other injection molded spiral spring, which in its closed position in the Prestressed closed position and then their direction of action when opening the lid reverses, so that the lid after a certain pivoting in the opening direction is pushed into its fully open position (e.g. EP 0 517 092, Fig. 17 to 21; DE-39 06 570 A1). However, the opening position is with these container closures not exactly defined, i.e. the exact angular position in which the lid due to the Spring action in the open position relative to the lid holder is not exact predictable, rather, closures can even be hosed in the same injection mold when using different batches of the plastic starting granulate due to different elastic properties or different cooling speeds etc. turn out differently. In certain applications, however exact opening position of a container closure can be very important. If that with the container to be provided automatically in large quantities in appropriate automated systems are to be filled and closed, whereby through the open Lid automatically retracted filling or removal pipettes and again must be withdrawn, it is important that the open lid is a defined one Position. This condition is particularly imperative if the containers are in the appropriate condition Plants in multiple juxtaposition and immediate succession gradually fed via automatic conveyors, then the filling or removal pipettes in inserted and withdrawn the container and then after performing a Transport step this game must be repeated automatically. It is clear that already an accidentally inadequate or too wide open lid inserting the filling or Impede the pipette into the associated or the next container and malfunction could result. Especially when the container serve as an analysis container for holding highly infectious material then, if necessary, additional reagents or the like in intermediate steps. have to be fed Before the lid is closed, the exact orientation is in the open position standing lid in a position in which a malfunction of the automatically working System is excluded with certainty, absolutely necessary because at work with such infectious material, surveillance and human intervention Staff is practically impossible. In the case of a container closure in which the lid is connected to the lid holder by a flexible flexible tab, it is known (DE-A-2 601 989) both on the lid and on the lid holder elastic to provide resilient approaches that come into contact with each other when the one closure placed in the pouring position with a liquid-filled container, d. H. With the closure opening is held down. This is to prevent that the lid swings into the pouring stream of the medium discharged from the container and so the pouring hampers. A fixation of the cover in the contact position of the approaches to each other is not given. When turning the container over, the lid falls z. B. as a result the very flexible tongue back to the fully open position.

The invention has for its object a container closure of the question here To create type, the lid by a spring arrangement when opening after exceeding a certain opening angle in a precisely defined, predetermined opening position is pivoted.

Starting from a container closure of the type mentioned above, this task solved by the features of claim 1. At least one of the approaches is preferably so elastic trained that he when the lid is closed for the first time beyond the intended Open position lying through the position with him interacting approach to the other pivotable part when approaching the Intended opening position is elastically pushed aside and after reaching the open position in its intended stop position with each other in System springs back against the thrust. This makes it possible to close the container cheap to produce by injection molding in an injection mold in which the lid the container closure is sprayed into a position open by 180 °. At the Closing the lid when ejecting from the injection mold can then with the Approaches provided stop surfaces during the closing process by elastic deformation at least one of these approaches overlap. After springing back then elastically pushed aside the lid in the specified, intended stop opening positions on the Approaches effective, i.e. the lid can only be between the fully closed position and the intended open position are pivoted, with the Design and arrangement of the spring can be ensured that it acts bistable, i.e. in the two still possible end positions, the cover in the corresponding one End position spans.

The hinge connection is preferably - as in the prior art - of at least a film hinge integrally connecting the lid and the lid holder or the container educated.

Although the use of at least one separately manufactured and assembled spring is fundamentally possible, it is provided in a further development according to the invention that the Spring at least on one of the hinged to one another via the hinge connection connected parts of the container closure is integrally attached spiral spring.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the configuration is such that at least one of the stop surfaces on the underside of a hook-shaped angling of the Approach or approaches is or are formed.

The elastically designed attachment or the attachments provided with the bend is or are then preferably provided on the lid holder or the container itself, so that then the approach provided on the lid are made stiffer can.

The approach or the approaches provided with the hook-like bend then point Appropriately on the upper side of the bend opposite the stop surface at least when closing from beyond the intended opening position with the respectively assigned approach on the other of the pivotable relative to each other Divide the area coming into contact with a rounded contour, which is the step away of the stiffer approach over the elastic with the bend Approach and its elastic bending here without any risk of damage that promotes approaches.

In this case, the approach that is not provided with the bend or the approaches in its when closing the lid from beyond the intended opening position Position with the respectively assigned approach provided with the bend in End area coming into contact with a rounded contour.

The stop surface (s) formed on the underside of the bend (s) run or then expediently run essentially at right angles to the bending plane of the associated elastically bendable approach, since this ensures that the stop surfaces on the Approaches in the open position of the pre-tensioning force of the spiral spring none Has force component, which tries to stop by elastic Deformation of the elastic approaches to disengage.

The approach protruding from the cover can do so in an alternative embodiment of the invention be shaped so that it has a high bending resistance during that of the lid holder or the projection protruding from the container itself is designed to be elastically bendable, the cooperating stop surfaces formed on the lugs being arranged in this way are that one on the lid in the sense of it over the predetermined lid opening position exercised further to be pivoted in the opening direction Force in the abutting abutment surfaces is essentially perpendicular to the Abruptly creates reaction force. Because this reaction force is normal runs to the stop surfaces, it can not bend the elastic approach cause so that even an accidental pivoting of the lid over the intended Open position is not possible.

The approach protruding from the cover is useful with at least one against it Bending stiffening rib and at its end facing away from the cover with a stop surface bearing short projection provided, the of the lid holder or the projection protruding from the container itself in the form of two spaced apart, has rod-shaped sections which can be bent transversely to their longitudinal extension, the free sections of which Ends are connected by a crossbar, on the underside of which the stop surface is formed is. The between the rod-shaped sections of the from the lid holder or the clear distance measured from the container itself is then expedient about the same or slightly larger than the width of the projection of the lid dimensioned approach above.

To the elastic bending of the protruding from the lid holder or the container itself Approach when swiveling the lid for the first time after creating it To allow injection mold in the direction of the closed position, it is recommended that the Closing the lid from a position beyond the intended opening position Opening position when approaching the specified lid opening position to each other Surface areas of the protrusion and the crossbar coming into contact with it in this way shape that a force exerted on the cover in the closing direction in these surface areas a the rod-shaped sections of the lid holder or the container bending reaction force itself is generated.

If the filling of the opened container or the introduction of manipulating the filling or cannulas or nozzles adding further reagents perpendicular to them Is carried out above, an embodiment is preferred which the one another in the open position in abutment stop surfaces are arranged so that a desired opening angle the lid is adhered to exactly. Opening angles are preferred in which the lid in relation to its fully closed position in the intended Open position at an angle between 80 ° and 100 °, preferably folded up by 90 ° stands.

To ensure that the container closure according to the invention the provided with it Absolute containers after filling and any subsequent manipulation steps tightly closed, it is recommended to use the bottom of the lid facing the container one provide plug-like approach, which in the lid-closed position in a known per se Way fitting in the opening of a through opening in the lid holder or The container engages itself and the mouth closes tightly.

The plug-like approach preferably has the shape of at least on its outer contour in a partial area slightly spherical ring wall, the through opening is formed in an annular wall in the lid holder, the clear inner diameter with respect to the outer diameter of the spherical portion of the plug-like Approach-forming ring wall of the lid is dimensioned with a slight oversize. In the closed position of the lid is thus a hermetic seal of the through opening guaranteed in the lid holder by the plug-like approach. On the other hand the spherical ring wall already closes the through opening in the lid holder then to a sufficient extent against evaporation of liquid contained in the container, if the lid is not completely closed, but only folded down onto the lid holder is. Since the lid is pressed onto the lid holder via a spring, in this way a sufficient seal against evaporation can be achieved. Using of containers provided with such tilting lid container closures in The tilting lid becomes an automatic analyzer, for example, during transport between individuals Processing stations only folded down to avoid evaporation of the container contents, the opening force required for the subsequent opening of the cover in a subsequent station keep it as low as possible.

The end section facing the cover, which is provided on the cover holder Ring wall expediently widens towards its free end for insertion the plug-like approach when closing the lid to facilitate. The clear diameter of the bracket-side ring wall or the through opening is for insertion sufficient from laboratory pipettes and / or elongated tube-like filling organs large sized. The inside diameter should be at least 8 mm, preferably be at least 10 mm.

As thermoplastics for the production of the container closure according to the invention come polyethylene, polypropylene, polyoxymethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate and styrene-butadiene copolymers in question, the current being the Use of polypropylene is preferred.

In a first embodiment, the spiral spring in the after solidification in the Associated injection mold created unstressed state the shape of an arc curved leaf spring, one end integral with the cover and the other end is integrally molded onto the lid holder or the container itself, the leaf spring extends preferably in an untensioned state over an arc of approximately 180 °.

The arc of the leaf spring is directed so that with respect to the lid pivot axis a lid pivoting movement in the lid closing direction at least in a first section the closing movement reduces the curvature of the arch. The leaf spring has then the desire to bend back into the arcuate shape, thereby the cover until the stop elements abut each other in the intended Open position is pushed.

Instead of a spiral spring, it can also be arranged in two laterally spaced spiral springs be divided, the same distance on opposite sides of a right angle to the lid pivot axis through the container closure vertical plane of symmetry are arranged.

It has been shown that a sufficiently strong spring force acting in the opening direction is obtained when, in the above embodiment, the leaf spring (s) has a medium one Radius of approximately 1.2 mm, a thickness of approximately 0.4 mm and a total width of approximately 3 mm has or have.

In an alternative embodiment, the spiral spring has the shape of an elbow of two essentially flat, along a common edge under one Angle standing integrally connected angle arms, the common integral edge opposite free edges each with a film hinge integral on Injection molded cover on the one hand or on the cover holder or the container itself on the other hand are.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälterverschlusses, dessen Deckel in die bestimmungsgemäße Öffnungsstellung hochgeschwenkt dargestellt ist;

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf den Behälterverschluß gemäß Fig. 1, bei welcher der Deckel in der in der Spritzgußform entstandenen, gegenüber der Schließstellung um 180°, d.h. über die bestimmungsgemäße Öffnungsstellung hinaus in die Öffnungsstellung verschwenkten Lage gezeigt ist;

Fig. 3

eine Schnittansicht des Behälterverschlusses, gesehen in Richtung der Pfeile 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

eine in der Schnittführung der Fig. 3 entsprechende Schnittansicht des Behälterverschlusses, in welcher der Deckel in die Schließstellung herabgeschwenkt ist;

Fig. 5

eine Schnittansicht, gesehen in Richtung der Pfeile 5-5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6a bis 6e

in der Schnittführung jeweils der Fig. 3 entsprechende Schnittansichten des Behälterverschlusses in verkleinertem Maßstab, wobei Fig. 6a der Deckel-Stellung gemäß Fig. 3 entspricht und Fig. 6e eine Deckel-Stellung kurz vor Erreichen der ganz geschlossen Deckel-Stellung (Fig. 4) veranschaulicht, während die Fig. 6b bis 6c dazwischenliegende Schwenkstellungen zeigen, wobei Fig. 6c die bestimmungsgemäße Öffnungsstellung des Deckels veranschaulicht;

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälterverschlusses, dessen Deckel in die bestimmungsgemäße Öffnungsstellung hochgeschwenkt dargestellt ist;

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Behälterverschlusses in abweichender Blickrichtung schräg von unten auf die Deckelhalterung;

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Behälterverschlusses gemäß den Figuren 7 und 8, bei welcher der Deckel in der in der Spritzgußform entstandenen, gegenüber der Schließstellung um 180°, d.h. über die bestimmungsgemäße Öffnungsstellung hinaus, in die Öffnungsstellung verschwenkte Lage gezeigt ist;

Fig. 10

eine Seitenansicht des Behälterverschlusses in der in Fig. 9 veranschaulichten Deckel-Stellung;

Fig. 11

eine Schnittansicht durch ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel mit einer der Figur 3 entsprechenden Schnittführung, wobei der Deckel in der vorbestimmten Deckel-Öffnungsstellung dargestellt ist; und

Fig. 12

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Anlenkbereichs des Deckels an der Deckelhalterung des dritten Ausführungsbeispiels, gesehen in Richtung des Pfeils 12 in Figur 11.

The invention is explained in more detail in the following description of three exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing, specifically showing or showing:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a first embodiment of a container closure according to the invention, the lid of which is shown pivoted up into the intended opening position;

Fig. 2

a plan view of the container closure of Figure 1, in which the lid in the injection mold, 180 ° relative to the closed position, ie beyond the intended open position in the open position is shown pivoted position.

Fig. 3

a sectional view of the container closure, seen in the direction of arrows 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

a sectional view corresponding to the sectional view of Figure 3 of the container closure, in which the lid is pivoted down into the closed position.

Fig. 5

a sectional view, seen in the direction of arrows 5-5 in Fig. 4;

6a to 6e

3 corresponding sectional views of the container closure on a reduced scale, FIG. 6a corresponding to the lid position according to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6e a lid position shortly before reaching the completely closed lid position (FIG. 4 ) illustrated, while FIGS. 6b to 6c show intermediate pivot positions, FIG. 6c illustrating the intended opening position of the cover;

Fig. 7

a perspective view of a second embodiment of a container closure according to the invention, the lid of which is shown pivoted up into the intended opening position;

Fig. 8

a perspective view of the container closure in a different viewing direction obliquely from below onto the lid holder;

Fig. 9

7 shows a perspective view of the container closure according to FIGS. 7 and 8, in which the lid is pivoted into the open position in the injection mold, which is 180 ° from the closed position, ie beyond the intended open position;

Fig. 10

a side view of the container closure in the lid position illustrated in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11

3 shows a sectional view through a third exemplary embodiment with a sectional guide corresponding to FIG. 3, the lid being shown in the predetermined lid opening position; and

Fig. 12

10 shows a perspective view of the articulation region of the cover on the cover holder of the third exemplary embodiment, viewed in the direction of arrow 12 in FIG. 11.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 in its entirety designated 10 of an inventive container closure is an integral injection molded part Plastic that consists of two main components, namely one on an associated container (not shown) which can be tightly fastened to a lid holder 12 and the pivotally attached to the lid holder 12 lid 14. The container closure 10 is approximately square in the illustrated case for a horizontal section limited containers are determined, which are on their top about one in their outer dimensions reduced transition section for snapping on the lid holder 12 taper bottle-like to a cylindrical mouth opening. The square in cross section Limitation of the actual container was chosen in a special case, in order to assemble the containers as space-saving and immovable as possible into larger containers or to be able to put together, with the flat system of the side and in rows of adjoining container walls also a defined distance laterally adjacent or front and rear adjoining container openings in the assembled containers is given. The special design of the container is but not the subject of the present invention, which is why on the description of Design of the container can be dispensed with in the present context.

The ones on the underside for placing on top of the diminished ones Area of an associated container open lid holder 12 has substantially vertical Side walls 16, 18, a rear wall 20 and a front wall 22 on which the top are closed by a substantially flat top wall 24. From the underside of the top wall 24 jumps in a circular shape in plan view Ring wall 26 in front, which forms a stopper open at the bottom, which during assembly the lid holder on the associated container pressed into its mouth becomes. By dimensioning the outer diameter of the ring wall with a small one Excess over the clear cross-section of the cylindrical mouth of the container and a slightly convex contour of the outer wall in longitudinal section seals the Ring wall 26 in the position mounted on the container, the lid holder in the container mouth from. From the inside of the side walls 16, 18 and the front and Back wall 20 or 22 protruding ribs chamfered at the lower end of the container 28 guide the lid holder 12 during assembly on the associated container so that the ring wall 26 is automatically aligned with the container mouth when plugged in and after assembly the lid holder 12 against horizontal displacement on the container is secured. In the lower area there are also locking projections 30 from the inside the side walls 16, 18 and the front and rear walls 22 and 20 respectively, which either Snap into corresponding recesses or into a circumferential recess in the container and secure the lid holder against unintentional removal from the container.

Another, essentially cylindrical, jumps from the top of the top wall 24 Annular wall 32 before, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the in the mouth of the container to be assembled ring wall 26. Inside the ring wall 32 is the top wall interrupted, i.e. the ring wall 32 now provides for the insertion of pipettes or Nozzles through the mouth of the container provided with the container closure 10.

In the area of the upper free edge of the ring wall 32, the rest essentially expands cylindrical inner surface of the ring wall 32 at 34 conical and so an inlet slope for a - described below from the lid 14 into the clear interior of the Ring wall 32 engaging - also formed as an annular wall 36 stopper of the Cover 14 forms.

The lid 14 has an essentially corresponding to the top wall 24 of the lid holder 12 limited flat cover wall 38, of which the side walls 16, 18 and the front wall 22 of the lid holder 12 associated edges strip-shaped Wall sections 40, 42 and 44 step towards the cover bracket, the free edges in the closed position of the cover 14 (FIGS. 4 and 5) on the cover wall 24 of the cover holder 12 sit on and thus form stop surfaces for the lid closed position. in the In the area of the front wall 22, the cover wall 38 still occurs in a central area something about the wall section 44. The protruding flap formed in this way 38a serves as a handle for opening the lid 14. When the lid is closed, it engages the annular plug 36 forming the sealing plug into the annular wall 32 of the cover holder 12 on. By appropriate dimensioning of the outer diameter of the ring wall 36 and the inner diameter of the ring wall 32 is slightly convex in its outer contour configured part of the ring wall 36 on the ring wall 32 under elastic prestress and so seals in the completely closed state of the lid 14 within the ring walls 32 and 26 of the lid holder 12 formed passage into the interior of the container hermetically sealed against leakage of the container contents from the closed container. Is the lid 14 on the other hand, only folded down on the lid holder 12, one is still the Evaporation of the liquid contained in the container sufficiently prevents the seal receive.

For the pivotable articulation of the lid 14 on the lid holder 12 are in the area the rear wall 20 between those emerging from the top wall 24 of the lid holder Approaches 46 and 48 protruding from the underside of the top wall 38 film hinges 50 formed from the plastic material of the container closure, which the Swiveling of the cover 14 from the position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, in which they arise when spraying in the injection mold, in that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 Allow closed position. About the film hinges 50, the lid 14 and Lid holder 12 thus connected to form an integral unit. There is also a further integral connection through two side hinges next to the film hinges spaced, also in the rear wall area of the lid holder 12 and the associated Injection-molded spiral springs 52 on the edge of the cover wall 38. Form in the injection mold these spiral springs 52, the wall thickness of which is significantly greater than that of the very thin film hinges 50, in the approximately semicircular arched shape shown in FIG. 3. Of the The arc and the position of the spiral springs 52 are so with respect to the position of the film hinges chosen that the spiral springs 52 when pivoting up from the position shown in Fig. 3 be bent and stretch in the process and then in an intermediate position a stretched position take in. Due to the elastic bending, the spiral springs 52 develop one Resetting force, which tries to push the lid back into the starting position. On the other hand, the arrangement of the film hinges 50 and the spiral spring 52 is also selected so that that the restoring force generated by the spiral spring when closing in the closed position the lid is minimized, or that - after swinging the lid through a Dead center position - the restoring force on a lever arm in relation to that caused by the film hinges formed cover pivot axis attacks which acts in the closing direction Moment created. The lid is then not only in the closed position Friction of the plug-like ring wall 36 in the ring wall 32, but by an additional Closing moment held.

After assembly of the container closure 10 on the associated container Lid 14 - for the reasons described at the outset - when opened in an intended Open position held, which in the illustrated embodiment in 1 and 6c shown, pivoted up to 90 ° relative to the closed position Position may be. This is achieved with the closure according to the invention in that the lid bracket 12 and the lid 14 cooperating stop elements are provided which, although the pivoting of the lid 14 from its Allow manufacturing position in the closed position when swiveling back out of the The closed position is then effective in the intended open position become. In the described embodiment, the are in the intended Open position by abutting abutment surfaces on one approximately centrally from the underside of the rear wall-associated edge of the cover wall 38 below at an angle of about 90 ° approaching approach 54 on the one hand and the underside of a hook-like bend 58 at the free end of a near the rear wall 20 of the Cover wall 24 protruding projection 56 is formed. Both approaches 54 and 56 are integral Functional parts molded from the material of the container closure, preferably at least one of the lugs 54, 56 is dimensioned such that it is elastically bendable. The the actual stop surface 60 opposite surface of the bend is such rounded that the free end of the neck 54 as on this rounded top a cam surface slides and can also bend the approach 56. Corresponding The free end of the extension 54 is also rounded. The position of the stop surface 60 and that formed on the flat side opposite the rounded portion 54 Stop surface 62 is now chosen so that the cover 14 after hosing in the mold can be swiveled up from the position shown in FIG. still before Reaching the intended opening position - on the rounded top of the Bend 58 comes to rest (Fig. 6b). When pivoting the lid further in In the direction of the closed position, the free end of the extension 54 slides on the rounded one Top of the bend 58 to the free edge of the bend, the lugs 54 and 56 are elastically bent until the intended opening position (Fig. 6c) is reached in which the free end of the neck 54 just above the free end of the bend 58 has stepped away. The elastically deformed extension 56 then snaps over it free end of the neck 54 back and the stop surfaces 60, 62 then face each other. A swiveling back into the original starting position according to FIG. 6a is then no longer possible possible, i.e. the lid 14 is in the intended open position (Fig. 6c) held. A further pivoting of the lid in the closing direction is against that 6d and 6e show, not hindered by the lugs 56, because then the stop surfaces 60 and 62 are moved away from each other.

It can be seen that even with elastically designed lugs 54 and 56 in practice there is no danger that the cover will leave its intended opening position can be pivoted further back into the starting position, because in the open position abutting abutment surfaces 60, 62 practically at right angles to the direction of movement the swivel movement. Also a high restoring force of the used Bending spring 52 cannot then attempt to disengage approaches 54, 56 Generate force component.

The second exemplary embodiment of a container closure according to the invention shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 Basically, 110 agrees with the constructive and functional structure the container closure 10 described above, so that it suffices, below to describe only the modifications and further training taken, while for the corresponding configurations to the previous description of the container closure can be referenced, especially since functionally identical components of both container closures in the drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to those in the container closure 110 is preceded by a "1".

Apart from the no longer flat on the front, but - in the top view on the top wall 124 - an arcuate front wall 122 of the lid holder 112, which is only an adaptation to another form of the associated - not shown - Containers is to be noted that the distance of the lid wall 138 of the top wall 124 in the closed position of the cover 114 is reduced so far that it abut each other or at a short distance and is accordingly the mouth 132 in the top wall 124 of the lid holder 112 is not in one of the protruding Ring wall 32 corresponding ring wall, but as flush in the top wall 124 opening formed into which the annular wall forming the plug 136 engages on the underside of the lid wall 138. At the bottom of the top wall 124 is one that surrounds the mouth 132 and projects into the interior of the container Pipe extension 137 is provided, which is thus immersed in the liquid filled in the container and thus the surface of the container filling which is exposed to the ambient air when the lid 114 is open reduced and thereby the possibility of chemical changes in the container filling reduced by oxidation or the like.

Instead of two spiral springs 52 in the container 10, there is one in the middle between the container 110 the film hinges 150 arranged bending spring 152 which instead of spiral spring 52 curved in the shape of an arc of a circle in the untensioned resulting in the injection mold State (Fig. 9 and 10) the shape of one of two at an angle to each other extending angle arms 152a, 152b composite angle piece. The free The ends of the angle arms 152a, 152b are in turn not rigid, but articulated via film hinges 152c, 152d on the lid wall 138 and the rear wall 120 of the lid holder 112 integrally connected. It has been shown that with a trained in this way Bending spring in the form of an elbow opening and closing forces are generated which can ensure that the holder of the cover 114 in the desired Closing or desired opening position is ensured.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a container closure 10 or 110 with regard to the configuration of the lid in the intended lid opening position Modified third to prevent further opening Embodiment of a container closure 210 shown, of which only the changes made are described while regarding those with those already described Embodiments matching the previous embodiment Description can be referenced, especially since functionally identical parts in the Drawing figures 11 and 12 the same reference numerals as the first embodiment are assigned, which are only preceded by a "2".

The projection 254 protruding from the cover wall 238 of the cover 214 is in this case stiffened by two injection molded ribs 254a, 254b in its edge area so that it is practically rigid. The stop surface 60 of the neck 54 of the container closure 10 corresponding stop surface is here on one facing away from the cover Boundary edge of the projection 254 protruding, reduced width projection 259 trained.

The elastic corresponding to the approach 56 of the first exemplary embodiment Bendable approach 256 here has two laterally spaced, protruding from the top wall 224 Sections 256a, 256b on their free ends connected by a crossbar 258 which thus replaces the hook-like bend 58 of the first exemplary embodiment, and on the underside of which the associated stop surface is formed.

The top sides of the projections 254 or of the crossbar opposite the stop surfaces 258 are rounded off, so that again the effect already described occurs that at the pivoting of the cover 214 from the injection mold into the closed position rounded surfaces come together and then a component of the closing force exerted on the cover 214, which is the rod-shaped sections 256a and 256b are bent so that the crosspiece dodges and the projection 259 can step over the crosspiece 258. As soon as the projection under the crossbar 258 comes, the rod-shaped sections 256a, 256b spring back and the abutment surfaces mentioned the two approaches come into contact with each other. Because these stop faces are normal to each other, can be exerted on the lid in the opening direction Do not disengage the lugs, since none of them are the elastically deformable rod-shaped ones Sections 256a, 256b bending force component arises. Security against unwanted Pulling the cover 214 into a position beyond the intended cover opening position standing position is thus compared to the above-described embodiments still significantly increased.

It can be seen that modifications and further developments are within the scope of the inventive concept of the described embodiments can be realized.

So it is basically conceivable that the construction according to the invention also without a lid holder is realized directly on a container then made of plastic.

The - preferably provided - film hinges could also be omitted if through training other articulating the lid part on a defined pivot axis on the lid holder Functional components such a defined pivot axis is created. Conceivable would be, for example, molded pivot pins on the lid or the lid holder after hosing into the corresponding pin receptacles in the other part become. Since this training, however, an additional assembly step to lock the Pins in the associated recesses required, the use of film hinges preferred, however.

Due to the described special design of the container closures according to the invention it is achieved that these closures opened both manually and mechanically without the risk of opening them automatically in analysis machines, that the lid of the respective closure is accidentally pivoted into one position which can be the automatic insertion and removal of filling nozzles or removal pipettes would be hindered.

Claims (17)

1. Container closure (10, 110, 210) made of plastic with a tiltable lid (14, 114, 214) which pivots from a closed position into an open position of the lid that can be attached to a lid support (12, 112, 212) or to the container itself via at least one hinged connection and a spring is provided (52, 152, 252) which acts on the lid (14, 114, 214), on the one hand, and on the lid support (12, 112, 212) or the container itself the other hand, said spring being arranged with respect to the swivel axis of the lid defined by the hinged connection such that when the lid is tilted from its closed position into its open position the pre-tension of the spring (52, 152, 252) pushes the lid (14, 114, 214) open after passing through a dead centre position,
   wherein
   on the tiltable lid (14, 114, 214) and the lid support (12, 112, 212) or the container itself, provision is made for at least one integrally attached stop element in the form of at least one projection (54, 56, 154, 156, 254, 256) protruding, on the one hand, from the lid (14, 114, 214) and on the other hand, of a corresponding projection protruding from the lid support (12, 112, 212) or the container itself, said projections having stop faces (62, 60, 162, 160) which come into contact with each other in a predetermined open position of the lid and are pushed together into this contact position by the spring (52, 152, 252) acting on the lid (14, 114, 214) wherein the interacting stop faces of the projections are arranged such that a force exerted on the lid that attempts to tilt it beyond the predetermined open position of the lid in the direction of opening causes a reactive force in the opposing stop faces that is essentially at right angles to the stop faces.
2. Container closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the projections is elastically configured such that when the lid (14, 114, 214) is closed for the first time from an open position which is beyond the intended open position, the said projection is elastically displaced by the projection on the other tiltable part with which it interacts when the intended open position is approached and after reaching this open position, it springs back into its intended stop position with stop faces (62, 60, 162, 160) being pressed into contact
3. Container closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinged connection consists of at least one integral hinge (50, 150, 250) integrally connecting the lid (14, 114, 214) and the lid support (12, 112, 212) or the container.
4. Container closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring (52, 152, 252) is a spiral spring which is integrally attached to at least one of the parts of the container closure (10, 110, 210) which can be pivoted by the hinge connection.
5. Container closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the stop faces is formed on the lower side of a hook-like bend (58, 158) of the projection or projections (56, 156).
6. Container closure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the stop face(s) (60) formed on the lower side of the bend(s) (58, 158) is/are essentially perpendicular to the plane of flexure of the corresponding flexible projection (56, 156).
7. Container closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projection (254) protruding from the lid (214) is provided with at least one rib (254a, 254b) reinforcing it against bending and has at its end facing away from the lid a short projection (259) carrying the stop face, and wherein the projection (256) protruding from the lid support (212) or the container itself is in the form of two spaced apart rod-like sections (256a, 256b) which can be bent transversely to their longitudinal extension, the free ends of which are connected via a cross bar (258) at the lower side of which the stop face is formed.
8. Container closure as claimed in claim 7, wherein when the lid (214) is closed from an open position beyond the intended open position, the surface areas of the projection (259) and cross bar (258) which contact each other when the predetermined open position of the lid is approached, are constructed such that a force exerted on the lid (214) in the direction of closing, generates a reactive force in these surface areas which bends the rod-like sections (256a, 256b) of the projection (256) protruding from the lid support (212) or the container itself.
9. Container closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stop faces which are kept in contact with each other in a predetermined open position of the lid, are arranged such that the lid (14, 114, 214) in its open position is exactly tilted up by an angle between 80° and 100° relative to its fully closed position.
10. Container closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein on the lower side of the lid facing the container, a stopper-like projection (36, 136, 256) is provided which, in the closed position of the lid, engages exactly in the mouth of an opening in the lid support (12, 112, 212) or the container itself and tightly seals the mouth.
11. Container closure as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least part of the outer contour of the stopper-like projection is in the form of a slightly ball-shaped annular wall (36, 236) and the opening is configured as an annular wall (32, 332) in the lid support (12, 212) the internal inside diameter of which slightly exceeds the outer diameter of the ball-shaped region of the annular wall (36, 236) of the lid (14, 114) which forms the stopper-like projection.
12. Container closure as claimed in claim 11, wherein the diameter of the end section of the annular wall (32, 232) on the lid support (12, 212) which faces the lid increases towards its free end (at position 34, 234).
13. Container closure as claimed in claim 11, wherein the internal inside diameter of the annular wall (32, 232) or the opening (132) is at least 8 mm.
14. Container closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the components of the container closure (10, 110, 210) are injection moulded from a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyoxymethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate and styrene-butadiene copolymers.
15. Container closure as claimed in claim 4, wherein in the untensioned condition formed after hardening in its die mould, the spiral spring (52, 252) has the shape of an arched leaf spring one end of which is integrally moulded onto the lid (14, 214) and the other end of which is integrally injection moulded onto the lid support (12, 212) or the container itself.
16. Container closure as claimed in one of the claims 4 or 15, wherein the spiral spring is divided into two laterally spaced apart spiral springs (52, 252) which are arranged at the same distance on opposite sides of a vertical plane of symmetry through the container closure that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the lid.
17. Container closure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the spiral spring (152) has the form of a bend consisting of two essentially planar arms (152a, 152b) which are integrally joined to each other at a certain angle and along a common edge.

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