KR100218612B1 - Container cap including a primary cap and a secondary cap joined by a hinge - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a container cap integrally molded from a synthetic resin material, the container cap being adapted to fit on an opening of the container and provided with an outlet opening in its upper wall and a first cap by a reversible hinge. And a second cap coupled to the cap and provided with a plug member adapted to fit into the outlet opening of the first cap. According to one aspect of the invention, the reversible hinge engages between the upper wall 3 of the first cap and the inner surface of the second cap in an area located radially inward of the flexible thin hinge portion to improve its appearance. Elastic piece.

According to another aspect of the invention, the sliding member is integrally attached to the first cap to reduce the force required to open the second cap without increasing the number of parts and complicating the assembly process.

Description

Receptacle cap including hinged first and second caps

1 is a plan view of a molded state as a first embodiment of the container cap according to the present invention.

2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the molding state of the container cap of FIG.

3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the container cap with the second cap closed.

4 is a plan view of a molded state as a second embodiment of the container cap according to the present invention.

5 is a bottom view of the molded state of the container cap of FIG.

6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the molding state of the container cap of FIG.

7 is a perspective view of the container cap in the assembled state of FIG.

8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the container cap of FIG. 4 with the second cap closed.

9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the container cap of FIG. 4 with the second cap open.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

1, 21: cap 2, 22: first cap

3, 23: upper wall 4, 24: exit opening

5, 25: plug member 6, 26: second cap

7, 10: hinge portion 8: elastic piece or elastic strip

11: niche

The present invention relates to a cap suitable for fitting to an opening in a container for food, medicine and cosmetics, in particular a first cap via a reversible hinge which reverses the elastic force from the opening direction to the closing direction and vice versa depending on the angular position of the cap A cap having a second cap hinged to the cap.

Caps made of synthetic resin material are fitted in the openings of containers for food, medicine and cosmetics. The cap consists of a first cap having an outlet opening at its upper wall and a second cap closing the outlet opening.

For example, Kokai Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 1-66355 discloses a pair of flexible hinges of reduced thickness so as to reverse the direction of the biasing force of the elastic piece according to the angular position of the second cap. A container cap is described that includes a first cap 1 and a second cap 2 joined together by a strip 3a and an elastic piece 3b. The publication describes a plate member 4 slidably guided on the upper surface of the first cap and provided with an inclined surface 5 which pushes the second cap together with the inclined surface. The second cap can be opened in one operation by pushing the inner surface of the elastic piece 3b together with the free end 6 to push the plate member.

However, according to this prior art, the thin hinge portion is exposed to the outside in two positions, and the elastic piece protrudes outward when the second cap is opened, thereby significantly deteriorating the appearance. This conventional cap has the advantage of opening the second cap in a single operation, but the manufacturing and assembly steps are increased and the management of parts is increased because the sliding members are made of individual members, individually molded and assembled to the first cap. It gets complicated.

In connection with this problem of the prior art, the main object of the present invention is to provide a container cap comprising a first cap and a second cap joined by a reversible hinge with a minimum of the hinge portion appearing out of the container and without a distinct external protrusion. It is.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a container cap comprising a first cap and a second cap coupled by a reversible hinge that can be opened in a single operation and can be manufactured with a low number of parts.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide a container cap comprising a combined first and second cap that is easy to use and manufacture.

These and other objects of the present invention are adapted to fit on the opening of the container and are provided in the upper wall with an outlet opening, attached to the first cap by hinge means and attached to the first cap. A second cap provided with a plug member adapted to fit closely within the outlet opening, said hinge means comprising a thin strip integrally formed with the upper end of the first cap and the lower end of the second cap, and slightly inward of the thin strip. And in each case integrally molded with one of the first and second caps and attached to the other of the first and second caps, the elastic pieces having a particular critical opening angle of the second cap. Is achieved by a container cap integrally molded from a synthetic resin material formed as a reversible hinge that reverses the direction of the pressing force at.

Thus, since the hinge means consist of a single integrally formed thin strip for joining the first cap to the second cap and the elastic piece is covered inside the thin strip, the outer exposed portion of the hinge means is minimized and the elastic piece is Can be completely concealed. In particular, since the shape of the elastic piece is somewhat complicated and relatively large elastic movement, it is more effective in improving the appearance of the hinge means of the elastic piece. The molding step is easy because only one end of the elastic piece is integrally molded with the cap. The free end of the elastic piece is easily coupled to the first cap or the second cap by snap fit into a gap formed in the associated part.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first cap is cylindrical and the thin strip joins the upper axial end of the side of the first cap and the associated lower outer periphery of the second cap. Preferably, the elastic piece is provided with a pair of thin portions provided adjacent to the first cap and the second cap, respectively. In order to facilitate the operation of the container, the second cap is provided with a finger ring on the side wall diagonally opposite to the hinge means.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a first cap suitable for being fitted over an opening of a container and provided with an outlet opening in its upper wall, attached to the first cap by first hinge means, and A second cap provided with a plug member adapted to closely fit within the outlet opening of the one cap, a slide member attached to the first cap by second hinge means in a direction opposite to the diagonal of the second cap, and Guide means for slidingly guiding the sliding member along the upper surface of the first cap, the sliding member provided in the second cap to convert the sliding motion of the sliding member into an upward movement of the second cap. Slope means cooperating with the means of the associated slope are provided, wherein the first hinge means is formed as a reversible hinge that reverses the direction of the pressing force at a particular critical opening angle of the second cap. It is achieved by an integrally-molded container cap to support the material.

According to this structure, the first cap, the second cap, the pressure member and the sliding member can all be integrally molded from the synthetic resin material. Moreover, the second cap can be opened in a single operation, and the entire cap assembly can be manufactured in fewer parts or in a single part.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second hinge means is provided in the lower portion of the first cap, and the sliding member is provided adjacent to the second hinge means and extends along the sidewall of the first cap. The sliding motion of the sliding member may further be performed by compressing the compression member toward the side wall of the first cap. In order to achieve a good appearance, the surrounding portion and the compression member of the first cap are formed to form a continuous contour.

It is also advantageous that the sliding member overlaps with the outlet opening and that a groove exposed in the outlet opening is provided. Preferably, the sliding member is received in an auxiliary recess provided in the upper surface of the first cap. The slide member needs to be guided during use without raising the auxiliary recess, which means that the guide means are provided with a pair of lateral protrusions provided on one side of the slide member, and the auxiliary recess for receiving the lateral protrusions. Achieved by a structure comprising a guide groove provided in the side wall.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second cap is raised by moving the slide member for activating the slope means, and further pushes the first hinge means to exert a force on the second cap in the open direction. The slope means comprise a pair of protrusions provided on the upper surface of the sliding member on one side of the groove exposed to the outlet opening and forming a slope surface, the associated slope means having a second cap forming an additional slope surface; And a pair of protrusions provided on the inner surface of and adapted to cooperate with the associated surface of the slope surface, respectively.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a container cap according to the invention. The cap 1 is injection molded in the expanded or unfolded state as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is generally cylindrical and cap-shaped and fits over the opening of the container main body (not shown). A second cap (2) having a first cap (2) suitable for the purpose and a plug member (5) protruding from its inner surface to close the outlet opening (4) provided in the upper wall (3) of the first cap (2) A cap 6. The cap 1 is integrally molded from a high elastic synthetic resin material such as polypropylene. In particular, these two caps 2, 6 are joined together by a thin flexible hinge 7 at the axial end of the circumferential wall.

A portion of the inner surface of the second cap 6 radially adjacent to the plug member 5 is integrally provided with an elastic piece 8 for generating a reversible elastic force. The elastic piece 8 is provided with one end coupled to the inner surface of the upper wall 9 of the second cap 6 via the thin hinge portion 10 and a thin hinge portion 12 so as to be flexible. And fitting into the gap 11 provided in the portion of the second cap 2 radially inwardly adjacent to the hinge portion 7 to form an engagement portion 13 suitable for engagement with the first cap 2. The other end is provided.

The assembly and operating mode of the container cap will now be described. First, the unfolded second cap 6 is raised to about 90 ° and the tip of the engaging portion 13 fits into the gap 11. Since the tip of the engaging portion 13 is somewhat expanded, once the engaging portion 13 is fully fitted into the gap 11, the tip of the engaging portion 13 is snapped and held by the inner edge of the gap . In this state, the first cap 2 is fitted onto the opening of the container main body.

The elastic strip 8 is slightly bent in its natural state and deforms into a U shape when the second cap 6 rotates in the closing direction. Thus, when the elastic strip 8 is deflected, the elastic strip 8 generates an elastic force which tries to restore to a straight state, and reverses the direction of the pressing force in the opening direction from the specific critical angle (third degree) closing direction and vice versa. You can.

When the second cap 6 is closed and the tip of the plug member 5 protruding from the inner surface of the second cap 6 is fitted in the outlet opening 4 of the first cap 2, the outlet opening The plug member 5 held in engagement with (4) is maintained in a liquid tight state by its elasticity because the tip of the plug member 5 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the outlet opening 4. . Moreover, the outlet opening 4 is formed by a highly elastic annular lip, with the inner bore extending from the inner side and the outer side.

The second cap 6 can be opened by pushing up the finger portion 14 protruding from its open end. Once the second cap 6 is opened and the plug member 5 is removed from the outlet opening 4, the second cap 6 is formed by a reversible hinge formed by the elastic piece 8 and the hinge portion 7. Open at an angle suitable for dispensing liquid from the outlet opening 4.

Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the hinge portion exposed to the outside is minimized, and the outer protrusion is entirely removed. In addition, the operation and appearance of this type of cap are improved. Moreover, these advantages are provided without increasing the number of components or complicating the structure.

4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the container cap according to the invention. The cap 21 is injection molded in a deployed or unfolded state as shown in the drawing, and is generally cylindrical and cup-shaped and suitable for fitting onto the opening of the container main body (not shown). 22 and a second cap 26 having a plug member 25 for closing the outlet opening 24 provided in the upper wall 23 of the first cap 23. The cap 21 is integrally molded from a high elastic synthetic resin material such as polypropylene.

The first cap 22 and the second cap 26 are a pair of flexible hinges 27 so that the second cap 26 can be reversed in the closing direction from the closing direction to the opening direction and vice versa at a particular critical opening angle. ) And L-shaped elastic pieces 28 are coupled to each other via a reversible hinge 29.

The first cap 22 is a compression member 33 coupled to the lower portion of the side wall 31 of the first cap 22 via the hinge portion 32, and a compression member (via the hinge 34) ( It is molded integrally with a push opener 30 consisting of a sliding member 35 coupled to the free end of 33. The sliding member 35 is provided with a groove 36 fitted on the annular projection of the outlet opening 24 at its intermediate portion, and an inclined surface 37 on the upper surface thereof, respectively arranged on one side of the groove 36. A pair of projections 38 are provided, and a contact portion 39 extending from the free end of the sliding member 35.

The inner surface of the second cap 26 protrudes from the cap and is adapted to fit within the outlet opening 24 of the first cap 22, as described above, of the sliding member 55. A pair of triangular protrusions 40 are provided that can engage the inclined surface 37 of the protrusion 38.

The pair of lateral protrusions 41 are provided on one side of the sliding member 35 and provided on the inner side of the auxiliary sliding member receiving recess 42 formed in the upper wall of the first cap 22. 43). The operation of this embodiment will now be described. First, in the unfolded state, the compression member 33 is bent at the hinge portion 32 and is positioned toward the side wall 31 of the first cap 22. Next, the sliding member 35 is bent at the hinge portion 34 and positioned toward the upper wall 23 of the first cap 22. By pushing the lateral protrusion 41 provided on the lateral side of the slide member 35 into the groove 43 provided on the inner side of the auxiliary slide member receiving recess 42, the slide member 35 is raised. Is prevented (see Fig. 7). In this state, the first cap 22 is advanced and fitted onto the opening of the container main body.

The second cap 26 is rotated about the reversible hinge 29 and the tip of the plug member 25 on the inner side of the second cap 26 fits into the outlet opening 24 of the first cap 22. Fit. The tip of the plug member 25 is slightly larger than the outlet opening 24 and is held in engagement with the outlet opening 24 by its elasticity in the liquid tight state (Fig. 8). The outlet opening 24 is also provided with an annular lip that contributes to the elastic force fit of the plug member 25 in the outlet opening 24. When the second cap 26 is fully closed as shown in FIG. 8, the reversible hinge 29 generates an elastic pressing force that closes the second cap 26.

When the compression member 33 is compressed, the sliding member 35 makes a sliding motion, and the inclined surface 37 of the projection 38 of the sliding member 35 is the projection 40 on the inner surface of the second cap 26. The second cap 26 is pushed up by engaging the corresponding inclined surface of " As a result, the plug member 25 is separated from the outlet opening 24. In this state, the reversible hinge 29 generates an elastic pressing force that further seals the second cap 26.

When the compression member 33 is pressed further, the protruding portion 39 of the free end of the sliding member 35 pushes the inner surface of the reversible hinge 29, in particular the inner surface of the elastic piece 28, the second cap Open 26. When the second cap 26 is fully open, the reversible hinge 29 generates an elastic pressing force to hold the second cap 26 open, whereby the second cap 26 is shown in FIG. It remains open as shown. When the compression member 33 stops compressing, the slide member 35 and the compression member 33 are automatically returned to their original positions by the restoring force of the respective hinge portions 32 and 34.

When attempting to close the second cap 26, the second cap 26 is rotated with the fingers and the tip of the plug member 25 fits into the outlet opening 24 of the first cap 22.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the container cap is integrally molded with a synthetic resin material, and the operation of the cap can be significantly improved without opening up the required number of parts, and can be opened in a single operation.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is possible to modify and modify the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the outlet opening of the first cap is closed by the plug member protruding from the inner surface of the second cap in the above embodiment, but may be replaced with another equivalent structure. For example, the inner surface of the second cap may be provided with a cup-shaped closure member instead of a plug member, which member fits on an annular boss surrounding the outlet opening of the first cap.

Claims (12)

A container cap integrally molded from a synthetic resin material, said container cap being adapted to fit over an opening of a container and provided with an outlet opening at an upper wall thereof, attached to said first cap by hinge means, and A second cap provided with a plug member adapted to fit snugly within the outlet opening of the first cap; The hinge means comprises a thin strip integrally formed at the upper end of the first cap and the lower end of the second cap, and at least one of the first cap and the second cap in each case at a position slightly inward of the thin strip. An elastic piece molded integrally and attached to the other of said first cap and said second cap, said elastic piece being formed with a reversible hinge that reverses the direction of pressing force at a particular critical opening angle of said second cap. A container cap integrally molded with a synthetic resin material. The synthetic resin material of claim 1, wherein the first cap is generally cylindrical and the thin strip joins the upper axial end of the sidewall of the first cap and the associated lower outer periphery of the second cap. Container cap integrally molded with The container cap of claim 1, wherein the elastic piece is coupled to one of the first cap and the second cap and snaps into a gap formed therein. The container cap of claim 1, wherein the elastic piece is provided with a pair of thin portions provided adjacent to the first cap and the second cap, respectively. 2. The container cap of claim 1, wherein the second cap is provided with a finger catch on a diagonally opposite sidewall of the hinge means. A container cap integrally molded from a synthetic resin material, the container cap being adapted to fit on an opening of the container and attached to the first cap by a first hinge means, the first cap being provided with an outlet opening in the upper wall thereof; And a second cap provided with a plug member adapted to closely fit in the outlet opening of the first cap, and a slide attached to the first cap diagonally opposite to the second cap by second hinge means. A member and guide means for slidably guiding said sliding member over an upper surface of said first cap; The sliding member is provided with slope means for cooperating the sliding movement of the sliding member with the associated slope means provided in the second cap to convert the upward movement of the second cap, wherein the first hinge means is provided with the second cap. A container cap integrally molded with a synthetic resin material, characterized in that it is formed as a reversible hinge for reversing the direction of the pressing force at a particular critical opening angle of. 7. The compression member of claim 6 wherein the second hinge means is provided in a lower portion of the first cap and the sliding member is provided adjacent to the second hinge means and extends along the sidewall of the first cap. And wherein the sliding movement of the sliding member can be performed by compressing the compression member toward the sidewall of the first cap. 8. The container cap integrally formed of a synthetic resin material according to claim 7, wherein the portion surrounding the first cap and the compression member are configured to form a continuous contour line. 7. The synthetic resin material of claim 6, wherein the sliding member further comprises a contact piece provided at the free end of the sliding member for pushing the first hinge means to press the second cap in the opening direction. Molded container cap. 7. The container cap of claim 6, wherein the sliding portion generally overlaps the outlet opening and is provided with a groove exposed at the outlet opening. 7. The sliding element according to claim 6, wherein the sliding member is received in an auxiliary recess provided in the upper surface of the first cap, and the guide means receives the pair of lateral projections provided on one side of the sliding member and the lateral projections. And a guide groove provided in the side wall of the auxiliary recess for forming a container cap integrally formed from a synthetic resin material. 7. The slope means according to claim 6, wherein the slope means comprise a pair of protrusions provided on an upper surface of the sliding member on one side of the groove exposed to the outlet opening and each forming a slope surface; Is a container cap integrally formed of a synthetic resin material, characterized in that it comprises a pair of projections provided on an inner surface of the second cap that form an additional slope surface and each adapted to cooperate with an associated surface of the slope surface. .