KR101560826B1 - 2 push button flip top with attached second container - Google Patents

Abstract

The container or container unit of the present invention includes a main container having a rigid rim and a flip cap for the main container. The flip cap includes a base member attached to the rigid rim, and a cover member hingedly connected to the base member and having a first catch member. The base member includes an elastic pushbutton formed therewith. The push button includes a second catch member such that the second catch member interacts with the first catch member when the cover member is in the closed position relative to the base member to hold the cover member to the base member, 2 catch members can be separated from each other when the push button is pressed. The container unit comprises a dry beverage mix in a first container and a dry additive for a dry beverage mix in a second container attached to an inner surface of the cover member.

Main container, auxiliary container, push button, cover member, catch member, flip cap

Description

[0001] PUSH BUTTON FLIP TOP WITH ATTACHED SECOND CONTAINER WITH A SECOND CONTAINER [0002]

The present invention relates to a push button flip cap to which a second container is attached and a container having the same.

Containers having flip caps for dispensing internal products or for accessing internal products are well known. It is also known to provide a container with additional items for use with the product, in which case additional items are provided below the flip stop and separated from the opening. However, some of these flaps do not hold items in place, but are usually limited by the dimensions of the neck of the container. The other flip cap is provided with an item attached to the inside of the top so that the item extends downward into the body and opening of the container. However, space must remain in the container for the item, so that the item collides with the product in the container and loosens or opens.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a flip stopper having an auxiliary container in which the item is fixed in place, has a sufficient size, collapses with the product in the container, do.

According to the present invention, the container includes a main container body having a rigid rim and a flip cap for the main body. The flip cap includes a base member attached to a rigid rim of the main body, and a cover member hingedly connected to the base member and having a first catch member. Further, the base member includes a push button formed together with the base member to be resiliently mounted. The push button includes a second catch member such that the second catch member interacts with the first catch member when the cover member is in the closed position relative to the base member to hold the cover member to the base member, The second catch member can be separated from each other when the push button is pressed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the cover member includes a skirt portion and a cutout portion in the skirt portion, and the first catch member extends from the cutout portion. In addition, the push button of the base member extends upwardly from the proximal portion of the base member. Preferably, the flip cap is an integral injection molded plastic.

In another embodiment, the first catch member is located on both sides of the notch, and the second catch member of the push button is positioned on the lateral wing on both side portions of the push button that extends behind the notch on the opposite sides do. Moreover, the lower edge of each wing is positioned adjacent the upper edge of the base member. The resilient link is used to interconnect the pusher button with the base member to erect the push button from the base member upright and resiliently against the base member. The resilient link causes the elastic movement of the push button when pushing the push button to cause at least one of the lower edges of the wing portion to contact the upper edge of the base member and move past the upper edge of the base member, Creating a perceptible sensation indicative of separation of the catch member.

In one preferred embodiment, the base member comprises an upright leg. The skirt portion covers the base member and extends around the upright leg when the cover member is in the closed position. The main body comprises a nonmetallic peripheral wall, and the rigid rim is a composite of the rolled metal with the upper portion of the nonmetallic peripheral wall. Preferably, the peripheral wall is made of foil cardboard, the cross section is generally circular, and the cover member is dome-shaped.

In a preferred embodiment, the rigid rim includes a flange extending inwardly. The cover member then includes an inner sealing member that engages the flange vertically or radially when the cover member is in the closed position. Furthermore, the base member includes legs extending below the lateral portion of the rim, and the legs include shoulders that are trapped beneath the lateral portion of the rim to firmly attach the base member to the rim.

Also, in a preferred embodiment, the main container body accommodates a powdered drink mix, preferably a dry coffee-related product. The cover member includes a secondary container having a built-in powdered auxiliary additive for use with the drink mix. The mounting means is provided for removably mounting the auxiliary container on the inner surface of the cover member. Preferably, the rim comprises an inner flange and the removable membrane is attached to the flange below the auxiliary vessel. The mounting means includes opposing resilient arms extending from the inner surface, and an auxiliary container is captured between the resilient arms and held in place.

Also, in a preferred embodiment, a spring member is provided that deflects the cover member away from the closed position.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a container unit including a main container having a built-in dry beverage mix and an auxiliary container containing a dry additive for a beverage made of a dry beverage mix. The unit also includes an upper portion that closes the main container and is openable to the main container, and the upper portion removably mounts the auxiliary container on the inner surface of the upper portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion includes opposing resilient arms extending from the inner surface of the upper portion, and an auxiliary container is captured and held in place between the resilient arms. Furthermore, the upper portion includes a base member attached to the rigid rim of the main container, and a cover member hingably connected to the base member. The cover member includes a first catch member. The base member is then resiliently mounted and includes a push button including a second catch member. The second catch member interacts with the first catch member when the cover member is in the closed position relative to the base member to hold the cover member on the base member and the first and second catch members are separated from each other .

In one preferred embodiment, the cover member includes a skirt portion and a notch portion in the skirt portion, and the first catch member extends from the notch portion. The push button of the base member extends upwardly from the proximal portion of the base member. Preferably, the flip cap is an integral injection molded plastic.

In another embodiment, the first catch member is located on both sides of the notch, and the second catch member of the push button is positioned on the lateral wing on both side portions of the push button that extends behind the notch on the opposite sides do. Moreover, the lower edge of each wing is positioned adjacent the upper edge of the base member. The resilient link is used to interconnect the base member and the push button to erect the push button from the base member upright and resiliently against the base member. The resilient link causes the elastic movement of the push button when pushing the push button to cause at least one of the lower edges of the wing portion to contact the upper edge of the base member and move past the upper edge of the base member, Creating a perceptible sensation indicative of separation of the catch member.

Also, in a preferred embodiment, the base member comprises an upright leg. The skirt portion covers the base member and extends around the upright leg when the cover member is in the closed position.

Also, in one preferred embodiment, the main body includes a non-metallic peripheral wall. The rigid rim is a composite of metal rolled together with the upper part of the nonmetal surrounding wall. Preferably, the peripheral wall is made of foil cardboard, the cross section is generally circular, and the cover member is dome-shaped.

Also, in a preferred embodiment, the rigid rim includes a flange extending inwardly. The cover member includes an inner sealing member that engages the flange vertically or radially when the cover member is in the closed position. Furthermore, the base member includes legs extending below the lateral portion of the rim, and the legs include shoulders that are trapped beneath the lateral portion of the rim to firmly attach the base member to the rim. The rim also includes an inner flange and a removable membrane attached to the flange under the auxiliary container, the spring member biasing the cover member to the open position.

An advantage of the present invention is that a flip stopper for a container having a rigid rim is provided.

It is also an advantage of the present invention that a second container of sufficient dimensions can be provided with the first container.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the dry product of the first container and the storage of different products of the second container are made up of one unit.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the flip closure is provided with an attractive push button that is easily actuated to release the cover member.

Another advantage of the present invention is that a perceptible sensation is generated when the pushbutton is pressed sufficiently to exhibit separation of the first and second catch members.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as discussed in more detail below.

According to the present invention there is provided a flip closure for a container having a rigid rim, a second container of sufficient dimensions can be provided with the first container, and the dry product of the first container and the storage of different products of the second container Of units.

Further, according to the present invention, the flip stop is provided with an attractive push button that is easily actuated to release the cover member, and when the push button is pressed sufficiently to exhibit separation of the first and second catch members, .

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements, a portion of a container unit 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1A. The container unit (10) includes a main body or first container (12) and a flip cap (14). In general, the first container 12 is preferably a flavored creamer to be added to the coffee to make a cappuccino or the like, or a dry powder used to make cappuccino, coffee, tea or hot chocolate in hot water or in a desired manner, Is used to contain the first dry product 16 used to make the same flavored beverage. Preferably, the first container 12 has a composite composition when embedding a powder product or the like. In particular, the first container 12 is formed with peripheral sidewalls 18 of plastic or lined (foiled) cardboard. Typically, the sidewalls 18 are generally cylindrical in cross-section, but have curved portions, protrusions, or recesses along their heights, rather than a generally straight cylindrical shape, as is well understood by those skilled in the art, to aid gripping and / or aesthetic reasons. Alternatively, the first container 12 may be of other shapes, including rectangular, elliptical, etc. as required, as known to those skilled in the art, and may be formed of other materials, such as plastic, as needed. In addition, the first container 12 includes a lower or lower closure (not shown) and a sealed top 20.

1B, where the sealed top 20 meets the formed top of the peripheral sidewall 18, there is provided a metal rim 22 that makes this area relatively rigid (see below) Other materials, such as plastic, may be used if the rim is not easily deformed from the circular shape and is suitable for holding the flip closure 14 thereon. In this preferred embodiment, the sealed top 20 includes a removable membrane, such as a foil seal 21, which is provided to seal the article 16 to the container 10 after manufacture and during transport to a consumer . It will be appreciated that the foil seal 21 is attached to the inward flange 23 of the rim 22 at its periphery and thus the flange 23 serves to enhance the rigidity of the rim 22. The flange 23 extends along the entire perimeter of the first container 12, as schematically shown by the broken line in FIG. 4 (the first container 12 is not shown). As is known in the art, the foil seal 21 is torn or broken, or preferably by pulling against the weak adhesive that attaches the outer circumferential edge of the foil seal 21 to the flange 23, And is suitably removable by the consumer at the first use of the first product 16. When the foil sealing portion 21 is adhered with an adhesive, the foil sealing portion 21 is removable through a tab (not shown) or the like. When the removable foil seal 21 is removed, the first product 16 is easily removed from the main body 12 by careful pouring with a spoon or the like. As is also known in the art, preferably the foil seal 21 also includes a one-way valve 25 (shown schematically only in FIG. 4) Any pressure that may be released is released.

Preferably, the flip cap 14 is formed of injection molded plastic or the like, and generally includes two portions of the base member 24 and the cover member 26. The base member 24 and the cover member 26 are integrally connected together by a butterfly hinge 28 along an adjacent periphery, but a linear hinge may be used if necessary. Flap 14 is shown as an integral piece in Figures 2-4 and Figures 5, 6, 7A-7C, and 8 show the base member 24, cover member 26 and hinge 28 Respectively. The hinge 28 has a fragile portion 27 that allows the cover member 26 to pivot easily between the closed position shown in Fig. 1A and the fully open position shown in Figs. 2-4. Preferably, the hinge 28 is designed (e. G., Essentially biased) such that the cover member 26 moves away from the closed position and resiliently toward a fully open position. The angle and strength required for opening the cover member 26 may be as small or as large as necessary and will be judged by the size and design of the hinge 28. This angle and strength should be sufficient to facilitate the user moving the cover member 26 to an open position in which the product 16 is easily accessible to at least the first container 12, But it may be an intermediate position, such as standing upright from the base member 24. If necessary, an extra spring component or the like may be added so that the cover member 26 is reliably moved to a sufficiently opened position. Although the spring member 29 is not expected to be needed in this embodiment, for example, FIG. 2 shows the spring member 29 erected from the base member 24, which can be used for this purpose. As the cover member 26 is in the closed position, the spring member 29 elastically bends (overlaps) and thus the spring member 29 is about to return to its unbent position, 26 to the original open position.

The cover member 26 is optionally used to hold and protect the item or second container 30 during transportation and storage by the consumer. Preferably, the second container 30, when provided with a second container 30, is adapted to receive the second dry beverage product 16 of the first container 12, Dry product or additive 32, but the second product 32 may be used differently as needed. For a coffee to which a flavored cream mix product 16 has been added to form a cappuccino, the second product 32 may be, for example, chocolate or cinnamon sprinkles or powder, and may contain any other flavoring or supplement Water. After the foil seal 21 has been removed by the user for easy access to the first product 16 (as discussed below), the cover member 26 can be removed from the first product 12 of the first container 12 Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 16 < / RTI >

In the case where the second container 30 is provided and is rectangular as shown, the cover member 26 securely mounts the rectangular second container 30 to the inner surface 34. This mounting is accomplished using mounting means including inwardly extending inwardly from the inner surface 34 and preferably a protruding arm 36 integrally formed with the inner surface 34. As shown in Figs. 1A, 9 and 10, the arm 36 is provided with an enlarging head 38. The spacing and longitudinal extent of the arms 36 is designed to resiliently capture and maintain the second container 30 relative to the inner surface 34. Preferably, a small upwardly extending portion 40 (shown in FIG. 9) is provided on the inner surface 34 of the second container 30 which is urged by the head 38. Small protrusions 42 are formed on both sides of the second container 30 in order to prevent the second container 30 from moving too far to one side or the other side during transportation and storage by the user, 34).

Although not shown in detail, once the second container 30 is removed from between the arms 36, after the first product 16 is added to the coffee or similar beverage, It will be appreciated that the second container 30 includes a pivoted cap 44 or the like suitably pivoted out of the closed position to allow some second product 32 to be dispensed. Preferably the pivoted cap 44 is configured such that while the second container 30 is mounted to the inner surface 34 of the cover member 26 the second product 22 is mistakenly attached to the first product 16 It will also be appreciated that it is designed to remain closed by one arm 36 when trapped between the arms 36 to prevent it from being added. In use, the second container 30 is designed to easily return to the mounting position between the arms 36 for convenient user storage until subsequent use for other coffee is needed.

An alternative mounting means for retaining the second container 30 'on the inner surface 34' of the cover member 26 'is shown in Figures 11 and 12. [ In this preferred embodiment, the second container 30 'is generally cylindrical and comprises a circular protruding flange 46. As shown, the flange 46 is retained under the enlarged head 38 'of the arcuate arm 36' (shorter than the arm 36). The second container 30'includes a pivoted cap 44'having a protruding peg that fits into the dispensing aperture 48 and closes the dispensing aperture 48 and the cap 44'is positioned on the inner surface 34 &Apos; '). ≪ / RTI > As with the second container 30, the second container 30 'is adapted to be returned to the mounting position with the inner surface 34' after use and thus during storage until the second container 30 'is again needed It is also designed.

The periphery of the base member 24 is specifically shaped to securely attach the flip closure 14 to the rim 22 of the first container 12, as best seen in Figures IA, IB, . In particular, the base member 24 includes a short deflecting leg 50 positioned on the inner surface of the rim 22 on the flange 23, And a long deflecting leg 52 extending downward. The rim 22 has a lower outer end 54 and the long leg 52 is located directly beneath the outer end 54, as described above, to rigidly hold the base member 24 in the rigid rim 22, And a complementary positioned shoulder (56) that fits over the other. Thus, when the base member 24 is force fit mounted on the rim 22, the shoulder 56 is configured to securely retain the base member 24 in place on the first container 12 Is captured below the outer end 54. This structure of the base member 24 allows the base member to be relatively rigid so that the base member remains stationary on the rigid rim 22 once it is mounted.

As shown in Figs. 1A and 13, the base member 24 also includes upright legs 58. Fig. When the cover member 26 is in the closed position, the peripheral skirt portion 60 of the cover member 26 is positioned just outside the upright leg 58, and the upright leg 58 Of the base member 24 provided on the outside of the base member 24. Seal ring 55 is suspended from inner surface 34 such that seal ring 55 engages flange 23 of rigid rim 22 when cover member 26 is in the closed position Can also be found. The sealing ring 55 is configured such that none of the products 16 located in the first container 12 are sealed by the sealing ring 55 after the foil seal 21 has been removed, particularly when the container unit 10 is shaken or dropped. So as not to leak. In addition, the seal ring 55 may be configured to add rigidity to the cover member 26 during manufacture (including mounting of the second container described below and subsequent filling of the first container 12 to be performed last) Which is placed on top of the first container 12 with the base member 24 during transport and processing. Thus, after the foil seal 21 is removed by the user, the cover member 26 acts as a protective seal cover for the first product 16 of the first container 12 and, if provided, But also serves as a holder for the container 30.

As shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, in order to hold the cover member 26 in the closed position on the base member 24, a holding means 64 is provided, as shown in Fig. 5, the retaining means 64 includes a push button 66 positioned between the circumferential gaps of the upright legs 58 and extending upwardly beyond the top of the upright legs 58. As shown in FIG. As shown by the arrows in Fig. 15, the push button 66 has a finger pressing portion 67 that is pressed by the user to elastically move the push button 66 slightly radially inward. This radial movement is permitted by the use of the groove 68 in the material of the base member 24 around the push button 66 where the push button 66 is formed integrally with the base member 24. It is necessary to move the push button 66 relative to the rest of the base member 24 because otherwise the rigid rim 22 will interfere with the inward biasing of the base member 24 when the push button 66 is pressed Will be understood. The first catch member 70 is located at the upper end of the push button 66 and the position of the first catch member 70 on the rest of the base member 24 is such that sufficient movement is achieved when the push button 66 is pressed The catch member 70 is provided at a position far from the groove 68 as much as possible. The second catch member 74 is positioned on the cutout 72 of the cover member 26 and is complementary to the cutout 72 as shown in Fig. As shown, both catch members 70 and 74 are curved in the longitudinal direction and follow the complementary contours of push button 66 and notch 72, respectively.

15, when the cover member 26 is in the closed position, the first catch member 70 is in the closed position against the open deflection of the hinge 28 (and / or the spring 29) Captures and holds the second catch member 74 at the lower portion thereof so as to hold the cover member 26 on the first catch member 26. [ 15, the second catch member 74 is no longer held below the first catch member 70, so that when the push button 66 is moved a short distance inwardly, The member 26 moves freely upward due to the open deflection of the hinge 28. [ Thus, the cover member 26 pivots upwardly and opens (or may be more open as needed) to provide access to the first product 16 of the first container 12, and the cover member 26 (If provided) from the interior surface 34 of the first container 30 to remove the second container 30. It is necessary to move the push button 66 relative to the rest of the base member 24 so that the other portion of the base member 24 is deflected inwardly when the push button 66 is pressed, And the position of the first catch member 70 on the remaining portion of the base member 24 also provides the catch member 70 in a position for sufficient movement relative to the second catch member 74. [

16 to 20 is a modification of the flip cap 80 that can be used on a container similar to the container 12. The flip closure 80 is very similar to the flip closure 14 and thus a similar element of the flip closure 80 will be equally represented by adding a prime (') to the same reference numeral as the corresponding element of the flip closure 14 . Similar to flip closure 14, flip closure 80 is preferably formed of injection molded plastic or the like and generally includes two portions of base member 24 'and cover member 26'. The base member 24'and the cover member 26'are connected by a simple connecting hinge 28 'with a weakening line along which the two members 24'and 26'may be sufficiently resilient to allow pivoting relative to each other, ). Similar to hinge 28, hinge 28 'is designed (e.g., essentially biased) such that cover member 26' is resiliently moved away from the closed position with base member 24 ' In this embodiment, the cover member 26 'is sufficiently biased to rise only slightly away from the base member 24'. If necessary, an extra spring component or the like may be added with the hinge 28 'in the manner described above. The cover member 26 'of this variation is selectively used to hold and protect the small item or the second container during transportation and storage by the consumer so that any such item can be secured to any suitable device such as an arm 36' , But the arm 36 'can be removed if it is not necessary to maintain the second container. As shown, it will be appreciated that the integral radial reinforcing strut 84 is integrally formed with the reinforcing cylindrical band 82.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 13, in order to fixably attach the flip closure 80 to the rim of a container (not shown), the peripheral edge of the base member 24 ' Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 24, < / RTI > However, the flange 27 'of the base member 24' of the flip closure 80 has a corresponding flange 23 '(partially shown in FIG. 18) of this container similar to the flange 23 of the container 12, And the flange 57 on the base member 24. Similarly, it can be seen that the cover member 26 'has a seal ring 55' similar to the seal ring 55, but the seal ring 55 'is slightly outwardly curved at its distal end 86. As a result, as the cover member 26 'moves to the closed position, the distal end 86 is elastically moved past the inner end (or the circumferential edge of the embodiment) of the flange 23' Thereby forming an elastic seal therebetween. The base member 24 'similar to the base member 24 is configured such that the peripheral skirt portion 60'of the cover member 26'is positioned directly outside the upright leg 58'when the cover member 26'is in the closed position As well as an upright leg 58 'that is positioned in the upper leg 58' and engages with the landing portion 62 'of the base member 24' provided on the exterior of the upright leg 58 '.

16-21, there is provided a retaining means 64 'which is substantially similar to the retaining means 64, in order to retain the cover member 26' in the closed position on the base member 24 ' do. As shown in FIG. 17, the retaining means 64 'are likewise located in the circumferential gap or the downwardly closure portion of the upright leg 58' and extend upwardly beyond the top of the upright leg 58 ' Button 66 '. The user pushes the push button 66 'to move the push button 66' slightly resiliently radially inward. This radial movement is permitted by the use of the elastic link 88 at the bottom of the push button 66 'for the material of the base member 24' so that the push button 66 ' . It is necessary to move the push button 66 'relative to the rest of the base member 24', else the rigid rim of the container will not cause the base member 24 'to be deflected inward when pushing the push button 66' It is understood that it is because it interferes.

The opposite wing portion 90 extends laterally from the push button 66 '(circumferentially in the case of a cylindrical container). Each wing portion 90 includes a catch member 70 'that is embossed or extends outwardly. As shown in FIG. 19, the upper surface of each catch member 70 'is tilted, while the lower surface is vertical. The associated second catch member 74'is located adjacent to the cutout 72'of the cover member 26'and is complementary to the cutout 72, Is formed as a mating inwardly extending depression on the inner surface of the skirt portion 60 'as shown in Fig. The vertical portions of the embossed / recessed catch members 70 ', 74' ensure that the two are positively locked together, and the inclined portion passes over the edge of the upright leg 58 ' To provide easy sliding movement of the catch member 70 '. The embossed / recessed configuration of the catch members 70 ', 74' can be reversed, in which case the inclined and flat portions of the embossed catch member of the skirt portion 60 and the associated recesses Will be reversed in the additional orientation.

As shown in FIG. 19, when the cover member 26 'is in the closed position, the first catch member 70' is in the closed position against the slight opening deflection of the hinge 28 ' Retains and retains each second catch member 74 'therein to retain the second catch member 26'. Thus, as the user's finger 89 moves the push button 66 'inwardly by a short distance about the elastic link 88, as shown by the dotted line of the push button 66' The second catch member 74'is no longer held in the first catch member 70'and the cover member 26 then moves freely upward due to the open deflection of the hinge 28 '.

As the push button 66 'is pressed inwardly by the user due to the position of the link 88, both at least one of the lower edges 92 and typically the lower edge are both shown in dashed lines in FIG. 20 Similarly, it will also be appreciated that the upper edge 94 of the upright leg 58 'of the base member 24' is in contact with, or slides along, and then moves past or past the upper edge. As shown in FIG. 20, it will be understood that to ensure this contact, the upper edge 94 widens at a position adjacent to the wing 90. Movement of the lower edge 92, either past the upper edge 94 or away from the upper edge, serves to create a perceptible sensation by the user, in which case both auditory and tactile sensations . This sense is designed to generate an indication of separation of the first and second catch members 70 ', 74' so that when the user is perceived, the user releases the cover member 26 'from the base member 24' And that further pushing of the push button 66 'is not necessary.

The container 12 will be provided with a lower portion of the (metal, rolled rim) at the end of the manufacturing process, and before the first product 16 is added through the still open lower portion of the inverted container unit 10 It is expected that the flap cap 14 (including the second container 30) will be attached to the first container 12. In order to protect the release valve provided on the foil seal 21 (as described above), a filter paper 75 (schematically shown in Fig. 4) covers the unidirectional release valve 25, Thereby preventing the first product 16 from clogging the one-way valve 25. Both the release valve 25 and the filter paper 75 are attached to the foil seal 21 so that they are all peeled off when the foil seal 21 is initially removed by the user.

Preferably, the flip cap 14 also includes an upper outer rim 76 on the cover member 26. The rim 76 is designed to receive the lower portion of another container unit 10 therein so that the rim 76 promotes a stable lamination of the container unit 10 as is known in the art.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications and changes may be made within the scope and spirit of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a cylindrical container unit having a main container and a flip cap according to the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 1B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a cylindrical container unit shown in broken line 1B in FIG. 1A. FIG.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a flip stop (taken along section line 202 in Figure 3) shown in an open position.

3 is a plan view of the flip cap of the container unit shown in Fig.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the flip cap of the container unit shown in Fig. 2; Fig.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the base member of the flip stop taken from the direction of arrow 5 in Fig. 2; Fig.

6 is a cross-sectional view of the base member of the flip stop taken along section line 6-6 in Fig. 2;

7A is a cross-sectional view of a cover member of a flip cap taken along section line 7A-7A in Fig. 2, with a portion of the seal ring being cut to clarify; Fig.

7B is a cross-sectional view of the cover member of the flip cap taken along section line 7B-7B in Fig. 3;

7C is a cross-sectional view of the enlarged portion of the latch shown by broken line 7C in Fig. 2; Fig.

FIG. 8A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a hinge shown by broken line 8A in FIG. 2; FIG.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the hinge taken along section lines 8B-8B in FIG. 3; FIG.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the flip cap shown in Fig. 1 showing the mounting of the second container to the cover member; Fig.

10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a cover member taken along section line 10-10 in Fig.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a flip stop similar to the flip stop of Figure 9, but with an alternative mounting for an alternative second container.

12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cover member taken along section line 12-12 in Fig. 11;

13 is a cross-sectional view of the enlarged portion of the cover member shown by the broken line 13 in Fig. 6;

14 is a sectional view of the enlarged portion of the cover member shown by the broken line 14 in Fig.

15 is a cross-sectional view of the first catch member of the push button shown in Fig. 14 showing the relationship to the second catch member;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a flip stop with an alternative push button having a perceptible sensory feature similar to the flip stop of Figures 1-5.

Fig. 17 is a front view of a partial cross section of the base member of the flip stopper shown in Fig. 16; Fig.

Fig. 18 is a front view of a partial cross section of the cover member of the flip cap shown in Fig. 16; Fig.

19 is a cross-sectional view of the cover member shown in Fig. 18 taken along section line 19-19; Fig.

20 is an enlarged perspective view of part of FIG. 17 identified by broken line 20. FIG.

Description of the Related Art

10: container unit

12: First container

14: Flip cap

16: 1st dry product

21: foil sealing part

22: rim

23: Flange

24: base member

25: One-way valve

26:

28: Hinge

Claims (31)

A main container body having a rigid rim, And a flip cap for the main container body, The flip- A base member attached to the rigid rim of the main container body, A cover member hingedly connected to the base member, the cover member having a second catch member and a skirt portion having a cutout portion adjacent to the second catch member; And a push button that is erected from the rest of the base member and is resiliently mounted to the rest of the base member, Wherein the push button includes a first catch member, Wherein the first catch member is configured such that when the cover member is in the closed position relative to the base member with the push button extended into the cutout to retain the cover member in the base member, Acting, Wherein when the push button is pushed, the push button and the first catch member are moved radially inward so that the first catch member and the second catch member are separated from each other. 4. The push button assembly of claim 1, wherein the push button includes opposing lateral wings extending from the push button, Each said wing including a respective first catch member on each said wing, Wherein the cover member includes respective second catch members on both lateral sides of the cutout. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a lower edge of each wing portion is positioned adjacent an upper edge of the base member, Wherein the container further comprises an elastic link interconnecting the base member and the push button to resiliently mount the push button upright from the base member and to the base member, The elastic link causes the elastic movement of the push button to cause at least one of the lower edges of the wing to contact the upper edge of the base member and move past the upper edge of the base member when the push button is pressed Wherein the first catch member and the second catch member are positioned to generate a sense of sense indicative of separation of the first catch member and the second catch member. 4. The container of claim 3, wherein the upper edge of the base member extends inwardly adjacent the lower edge of the wing portion to reliably contact at least one of the lower edges of the wing to assist in generating a sensation. The container of claim 1, wherein the flip cap is an integral, injection molded plastic. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the base member comprises an upright leg, The skirt portion covering the base member and extending around the upright leg when the cover member is in the closed position. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the main container body comprises a non-metallic peripheral wall, Wherein the rigid rim is a composite formed of a rolled metal with an upper portion of the non-metallic peripheral wall. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the peripheral wall is made of foil paperboard, The peripheral wall is circular in cross section, Wherein the cover member is a dome-shaped container. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the rigid rim comprises a flange extending inwardly, Wherein the cover member includes an inner sealing member coupled to the flange when the cover member is in the closed position. 2. The rigid rim of claim 1, wherein the base member comprises a leg extending beneath the lateral portion of the rigid rim, the leg comprising a shoulder portion which is captured below the lateral portion of the rigid rim for securing the base member to the rigid rim Lt; / RTI > The method of claim 1, wherein the main container body contains a powdered beverage mix, Wherein the cover member comprises an auxiliary container containing a powdered auxiliary additive for use with the beverage mix and mounting means for removably mounting the auxiliary container on an inner surface of the cover member. 12. The container of claim 11, wherein the rigid rim comprises an inner flange and a removable membrane attached to the flange below the auxiliary container. The container of claim 1, further comprising a spring member biasing the cover member away from the closed position. A flip closure attached to a container of a product, A base member fixedly attached to the container, A cover member that covers the base member and includes an inner surface located on the base member and a skirt portion covering an outer portion of the base member; The cover member is provided between the base member and the cover member and between the closed position where the cover member covers most of the base member and the open position where the cover member does not cover most of the base member, A hinge that permits pivoting about the hinge, And holding means for holding the cover member in the closed position, The holding means, A notch in the skirt portion of the cover member, A second catch member positioned adjacent to the cutout, And a push button extending upwardly from the base member and including a first catch member, Wherein the push button comprises: (a) a retaining position in which the first catch member and the second catch member are engaged to hold the cover member in the closed position with the push button extended into the notch portion; (b) The first catch member and the second catch member are released by moving the push button and the first catch member radially inward so that the cover member is resiliently moved to the release position in which the cover member can be moved to the open position Can be a flip stopper. 15. The push button assembly of claim 14, wherein the push button includes an opposing wing portion extending from the push button and positioned rearward of the skirt portion when the cover member is in the closed position, Each said wing comprising a respective first catch member on each said wing, Wherein the skirt portion includes respective second catch members on both lateral sides of the cutout portion. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the lower edge of each wing portion is positioned immediately adjacent the upper edge of the base member, The container further includes an elastic link interconnecting the base member and the push button for resiliently mounting the push button in the base member upright and on the base member, Wherein the elastic link is configured such that when the push button is pushed, the elastic movement of the push button slides at least one of the lower edges of the wing portion away from the upper edge of the base member to separate the first catch member and the second catch member The flip stop being positioned to generate a sense of touch indicative of the sensed feeling. 17. The flip closure of claim 16, wherein the upper edge of the base member extends inwardly adjacent the lower edge of the wing portion to reliably slide with at least one of the lower edges of the wing portion to assist in the generation of a sensation. 15. The flip closure of claim 14, wherein the base member and the cover member are formed from an integral injection-molded plastic. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the base member includes a leg extending under the lateral portion of the rim of the container, the leg including a shoulder that is captured below the lateral portion of the rim for securing the base member to the rim Flip stopper. 20. The flip closure of claim 19, wherein the rim includes a peripheral flange extending inwardly from the rim, and wherein the cover member includes an inner seal ring coupled to the peripheral flange when the cover member is in the closed position. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the base member comprises an upright leg, Wherein the skirt portion of the cover member extends around the upright leg when the cover member is in the closed position. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the base member and the cover member are cylindrical, Wherein the hinge is provided at an opposite peripheral edge portion of the base member and the cover member. 23. The push button assembly of claim 22, wherein the push button is generally elliptical, the cutout generally configured to receive a portion of the push button therein, Wherein the first catch member and the second catch member are matched irregularities. 15. The flip closure of claim 14, wherein the hinge deflects the cover member away from the closed position. 15. The flip closure of claim 14, wherein the cover member comprises an inner seal ring coupled to the first container. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a second container for a product complementary to the first product of the first container, The cover member including a height sufficient to separate the interior surface from the first container such that the second container can be received between the first container and the interior surface, Wherein the flip cap further comprises mounting means for removably mounting the second container on the inner surface of the cover member, Wherein the second container is accessible for removal from the mounting means when the cover member is in the open position. 27. The flip closure of claim 26, wherein the mounting means includes opposing resilient arms extending from the interior surface, and wherein the second container is retained in place between the resilient arms. delete delete delete delete

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