JP4786120B2 - Container closure device - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a closure arrangement for closing an opening (17) in a base component (15). In particular - but not exclusively - this invention relates to a closure arrangement for a container, to serve as an openable lid (17) for the container. <IMAGE>

Description

[0001]
The present invention relates to a closing device for closing an opening in a basic component. In particular, the present invention relates to, but is not limited to, a closure device for a container that can be used as an openable lid for the container.
[0002]
Many household items are provided in containers having an opening for accessing the interior of the container with a lid that closes the opening. Many such containers require both hands to remove the lid, but in some products it is desirable to be able to simply open the container with one hand. For example, in the case of a wet or moist tissue container, a person who wants to use the tissue will likely have a dirty finger and will want to access the interior of the container that contains the tissue in a quick and simple manner. On the other hand, the lid of the container should substantially seal the container so as to prevent the wet tissue from drying out when closed.
[0003]
Particularly in the case of a container for wet tissue, it is beneficial if the lid can be automatically moved from its closed position to its open position when the lid is released by a simple one-touch operation with the user's finger. For example, such a container is described in European Patent No. EP-0952088-A.
[0004]
The object of the present invention is to improve some known designs of closure devices for containers, which can be operated effectively and reliably during the expected life of the container, and which is cheap and easy to manufacture, It is to provide a device that takes into account that it will probably be discarded when its contents are used up.
[0005]
Accordingly, the present invention provides a base component defining a closable opening, a closure for an opening hinged to the base component for movement between a closed position and an open position, and a hinge of the closure Protrusions provided in juxtaposition to the base component and the closure part in the region of the coupling axis, each having a receptor at or adjacent to its free end and located in the receptor of the protrusion And an elastic link extending between the receptors, wherein the projecting receptor is offset from the hinge coupling axis, and when the closure is in its closed position, the link is distorted and the link is strained. Providing a closure device that changes as the closure moves between its closed and open positions and is minimized when the closure is in its open position.
[0006]
It will be appreciated that the closure device of the present invention may be manufactured by a molding operation using a suitable plastic material, possibly excluding elastic links. Both the base component and the closure may be constructed into relatively simple items so that they can be mass-produced inexpensively and provide reliable operation during use.
[0007]
While it is possible to provide only one protrusion on the base component and only one protrusion on the closure, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a single component on either the base component or the closure. And a pair of spaced apart protrusions on the other of the base component and the closure, the single protrusion being disposed therebetween. In such a device, the elastic link can be strained between a pair of protrusions or deflected from a straight track by a single protrusion engaging the link substantially in the center. Good.
[0008]
The elastic link is preferably shaped to have an enlarged head at each of its two ends, and the head is in the form of a strip of elastomeric material that engages each protrusion during use. Preferably, the strip of elastomeric material has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. Each receptor may include a generally U-shaped recess formed in the distal portion of each protrusion, the recess having a width sufficient to receive a strip of elastomeric material, but the strip head extends from the receptor to the strip. It plays the role of preventing it from being pulled out across the plane of the protrusion.
[0009]
Preferably, the locking mechanism is provided to maintain the closure in its closed position against the movement of the distorted link. Such a locking mechanism may include a locking member hinged to the base component and a tab provided on the closing portion to engage the locking member and hold the closing portion in its closed position. Good. When the hinge connection of the locking member is released from the tab, the closing part is released, and the closing part is moved to its open position under the action of the elastic link. Such a release action is easily performed by a single finger of the user and can provide easy access to the contents of the container in conjunction with the closure device.
[0010]
In another embodiment, the strain of the elastic link increases initially when moving the closure from its closed position to its open position and then decreases to a minimum when the closure is in its open position. Thus, the protrusion part is arrange | positioned at the base component and the closure part, respectively. Such a closure device will provide an over-center sensation, but can still be easily opened with a slight lift of the closure to automatically move the closure to the open position.
[0011]
Preferably, the closure device of the present invention is used in connection with a container whose basic components form part of a lid assembly for the container. Such a container may contain a wet or moist sheet that can be removed from the container through the opening of the base component. In this case, the closure may provide a generally hermetic seal to the base component to minimize any drying of the moist or wet sheet in the container when in the closed position.
[0012]
Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 3, a first embodiment of a closure device of the present invention is shown, with a base component 15 defining an opening 16, and an open position and closure closing the opening 16. A closure 17 is shown that pivots to the base component 15 to move between closed positions (shown in FIG. 2). Both the base component 15 and the closure 17 are molded from a plastic material. The area below the base component 15 may be configured to rest on the container lid over the opening through its lid. Alternatively, the base component 15 may itself form a container lid with which the closure device is associated. Yet another possibility would be whether the base component 15 is formed integrally with the container or attached directly to the container.
[0013]
Around three sides of the opening 16, the base component 15 has an inwardly bent flange 18, with the flanges on the two sides being adjacent to the rear wall 20 of the base component 15 in a straight line 19. Have The curved wall 21 extends from the rear wall 20 into the opening 16 and curves upward to the top surface of the base component 15. The protrusion 22 protrudes upward from the curved wall 21 at the midpoint of the length of the rear wall 20, and the protrusion 22 has a U-shaped slot 23 at its upper free end.
[0014]
The closing portion 17 has a simple rectangular shape, and includes a lip 25 bent downward at the periphery thereof. For ease of understanding, the lip is omitted from the rear end 26 of the closure in FIGS. 1 and 2, but is shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, and the rear wall when the closure is open. For curved interaction. The closure 17 is dimensioned so that when in its closed position shown in FIG. 2, it fits snugly within the opening 16 of the base component 15 to provide a generally moisture-tight seal.
[0015]
From the two oppositely located lips 25 adjacent to the rear end 26 of the closing part 17, the swivel pins 27 are arranged in a straight line, and these swivel pins 27 are arranged in a straight line on the base component 15. Arranged to be received in the side-by-side holes 19, the closure 17 can pivot between the closed position shown in FIG. 2 and the open position shown in FIG. 9C. The lower surface of the closure 17 is provided with a pair of spaced projections 28, which are arranged equidistant from the side edges of the closure, each U-shaped formed at its free end. A slot 29 is provided. A link 30 made of an elastomer material (natural or synthetic rubber or the like) extends between the protrusions 28, and the link 30 is formed on each of two main ends 31 of the circular cross-sectional shape and the main portion 31. And has a head 32. As shown in FIG. 1, when the link 30 is located between the pair of protrusions 28 in the closure, it needs to be stretched lightly and the link will remain in position in the slot 29 due to tension in the link. Thereafter, when the pivot pin 27 is engaged with the hole 19, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the protruding portion 22 of the base component 15 is engaged with the central portion of the link 30, and is substantially V-shaped. It will distort that link to make
[0016]
When the closure 17 is in its closed position shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 9A, the link 30 is distorted to the maximum extent. When the closing portion 17 pivots from its closed position through an intermediate point (FIG. 9B) to its open position (FIG. 9C), the distortion of the link is reduced, and as a result, the V-shape formed by the main portion 31 of the link 30 The angle of the shape decreases as the closure moves to its open position. Thus, the closure 17 will tend to move to its open position where the tension at the link 30 is minimal.
[0017]
FIG. 3 shows two holding wall surfaces 33 arranged on the outer sides of the pair of projecting portions 28 so as to be spaced apart therefrom. These walls help to hold the link 30 in the slot 29 of the protrusion 28 by friction fitting each head 32 of the link between the wall 33 and the opposing face of the link. These walls may be omitted as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 if they are sufficiently distorted when held in the pair of protrusions 29 before the closure engages the base member. .
[0018]
In order to maintain the closure 17 in its closed position, a locking mechanism 34 is used as shown in FIG. This locking mechanism is an L-shaped locking member that pivots at 36 to the base component 15 so as to be movable between a holding position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 8 and a release position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 35. Although the closure 17 is illustrated at 37 in FIG. 8, in the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper surface 38 of the locking member 35 is substantially flush with the upper surface of the closure 17. A forward projecting tab (not shown) is on the closure 17 and below the upper surface of the closure.
[0019]
In FIG. 8, a simple pivot axis 36 for the locking member 35 is shown, but preferably the pivot axis is defined by a molded film hinge that moves the locking member to its holding position and to its released position of the locking member. Movement counteracts the force provided by the film hinge. The front end 39 of the locking member is shown in FIG. 8 so that the locking member 35 is deflected if necessary so that the closure 17 (or a tab provided thereon) controls the end 39. It is necessary to incline like this. Therefore, to hold the closure 17 in its closed position, simply push the closure to its closed position. Thereafter, the closure can be released by a simple one-touch operation of pushing on the upper surface of the locking member 35.
[0020]
4, 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention, which is generally similar to the apparatus of FIGS. As a result, like parts are given like reference numerals and are not described again herein.
[0021]
The second embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6 comprises only a single projection 40 with the closure 17 projecting downward, which projection 40 is in the middle of the closure adjacent to its rear end 26. Is different from that of FIGS. On the contrary, the basic component 15 has a pair of spaced protrusions 41 whose upper end is at the same level as the upper end of the curved wall 21. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the elastic link 30 is distorted between the protrusions 41, and the protrusion 40 of the closure part engages the central region of the main part 31 of the link, and the closure part When the is in its closed position, the link is deformed into a substantially V-shape. In other respects, the embodiment of FIGS. 4-6 operates as described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3.
[0022]
FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the foundation component 43 has a generally rounded outer shape and enhances its aesthetic appearance compared to the foundation component 15, but otherwise corresponds generally to the foundation component. However, both the basic component 43 and the closing part 17 in the present embodiment include only one of the protrusions 44 and 45, respectively, and these protrusions are similarly arranged on each side of the center line of the closing part 17. Although shorter elastic links 46 are provided than in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, this link is generally the same shape as link 30 and operates in the same manner. In other respects, the embodiment of FIG. 7 is essentially the same as the first two embodiments described above.
[0023]
From the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the pivoting axis of the closure 17 (ie, the axis of the hole 19 and pivot pin 27), as shown in FIG. 9A, of the slot in the projection of the closure and foundation component You will see that it is located slightly behind. This ensures that when the closure is in its closed position, it is distorted to its maximum range while reducing link distortion as the closure moves to its open position. The rate of change of the link force can be controlled by adjusting the position of the shaft relative to the protrusion. If the shaft moves sufficiently forward and is just in front of the link when the closure is in its closed position, it will result in an over-center (or toggle) action on the mechanism. Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. In this device, the link strain increases during the first few degrees of the opening operation of the closure, and then operates as described above, with the strain decreasing until the closure is in its open position. As a result, the closed position of the closure will be stable and the closure will automatically move to the open position with only a few lifts of the closure. This eliminates the need for the locking mechanism 34 while providing a simple and easy one-touch operation of lifting the closure part several times at its forward end.
[0024]
By way of example, certain specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an isometric rear view of a first closure device, showing a state in which the closure is separated from the basic components.
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the closure part fitted to the base component.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 generally along the hinge coupling axis of the closure.
FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment corresponding to FIG.
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment corresponding to FIG.
FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment corresponding to FIG.
FIG. 7 roughly corresponds to FIG. 2, but shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows a locking mechanism used in the first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention.
9A is a cross-sectional view in the hinge region of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. FIG.
9B is a cross-sectional view in the hinge region of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. FIG.
9C is a cross-sectional view in the hinge region of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. FIG.
FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9A, but with an alternative over-center arrangement.

Claims (8)

A base component defining a closable opening, a closure for the opening hinged to the base component for movement between a closed position and an open position, and a hinge coupling axis of the closure Projecting portions provided in juxtaposition with the basic component and the closing portion in the region of each other, each projecting portion being located at a free end or a receptor adjacent thereto, and within the receptor of the projecting portion. And an elastic link extending between the receptors, wherein the receptor of the projecting portion is offset from the hinge coupling axis, and the link is arranged to be distorted when the closing portion is in its closed position. , the link the distortion of the closure is changed as it moves between its closed and open positions, Ri Do minimum when the closure is in its open position,
A locking mechanism for holding the closing portion in its closed position, wherein the locking mechanism engages with the locking member hinged to the foundation component and the closing portion A tab provided on the closing portion so as to be held in a closed position,
The protrusions respectively disposed on the foundation component and the closure part close the closure part before strain of the elastic link is reduced to a minimum value of the closure part in its open position. A closure device that initially increases as it is moved from position to its open position .   The base component comprises a pair of protrusions similarly configured with a spacing in the direction of the hinge coupling axis of the closure, the elastic link extending between the pair of protrusions and Located in a receptor, wherein the protrusion of the closure is located between the pair of protrusions of the foundation component, and the receptor of the protrusion of the closure engages the elastic link as well. Item 2. A closure device according to item 1.   The closing portion includes a pair of protrusions similarly configured with an interval in the direction of the hinge coupling axis of the closing portion, and the elastic link extends between the pair of protrusions and a receptor thereof The projection of the foundation component is located between the pair of projections of the closure, and the receptor of the projection of the foundation component also engages the elastic link. The closure device according to 1.   4. A closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each receptor includes a generally U-shaped slot formed in a distal portion of each protrusion.   5. A closure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic link comprises a strip of elastomeric material shaped to have enlarged heads at its two ends engaging the projections. apparatus.   6. A closure device according to claim 5, wherein the strip of elastomeric material has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape.   7. A closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic component forms part of a container lid assembly.   When the container is intended to contain a wet or moist sheet that can be removed from the container through the opening in the foundation component, the moisture is approximately drained when the closure is in its closed position. 8. A container closure device according to claim 7, wherein an impermeable seal is formed against the base component.

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