KR20090018588A - Push button flip top with attached second container - Google Patents

Abstract

A container, and a push button flip stopper with an attached second container are provided to prevent the collision of a flip stopper with the product inside the container. A container(10) comprises a container main body(12) which has a rigid rim(22); and a flip stopper(14) for the container main body which comprises a base member(24) attached to the rigid rim, a cover member(26) connected to the rigid rim by hinge method, and a push button. The push button stands upright from the rest part of the base member, is elastically mounted to the rest part of the base member and has a second catch member.

Description

Push Button Flip Cap with Second Container {PUSH BUTTON FLIP TOP WITH ATTACHED SECOND CONTAINER}

The present invention relates to a push button flip closure with a second container and a container having the same.

Containers with flip closures for dispensing or accessing the interior product are well known. It is also known to provide a container with additional items for use with the product, in which case the additional item is provided under the flip cap and is separated from the opening. However, some of these flip plugs do not secure the item in place and 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, which extends downward into the body and opening of the container. However, space must remain in the container for the item, resulting in the item colliding with the product in the container and loosening or opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and aims to provide a flip cap having an auxiliary container which fixes an item in place, has a sufficient size, and which is not loosened or opened by collision with a product in the container. do.

According to the invention, the container comprises a main container body having a rigid rim and a flip closure for the main body. The flip plug includes a base member attached to the rigid rim of the main body, and a cover member hingedly connected to the base member and having a first catch member. The base member also includes a push button formed with the base member to be elastically 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 with respect to the base member to retain the cover member in the base member, The second catch members can be separated from each other when the push button is pressed.

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

In another embodiment, the first catch member is located on both sides of the cutout, and the second catch member of the push button is located on the lateral wings on both sides of the pushbutton extending behind the cutout on opposite sides. do. Moreover, the lower edge of each wing is located adjacent the upper edge of the base member. An elastic link is used to interconnect the base member and the push button to mount the push button upright from the base member and elastically to the base member. The elastic link causes the elastic movement of the push button when pressing the push button causes 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, such that the first catch member and the second It generates a perceptible sensation that indicates detachment 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 non-metallic peripheral wall and the rigid rim is a composite formed of rolled metal with the upper portion of the nonmetallic peripheral wall. Preferably, the peripheral wall is made of foil cardboard and is generally circular in cross section, 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 seal member that engages the flange vertically or radially when the cover member is in the closed position. Moreover, the base member includes a leg that extends below the outside of the rim, and the leg includes a shoulder captured below the outside of the rim to securely attach the base member to the rim.

Also in a preferred embodiment, the main container body contains a powdered beverage mix, preferably a dry coffee related product. The cover member comprises an auxiliary container in which the powdered auxiliary additive for use with the beverage mix is contained. The mounting means are provided for removably mounting the auxiliary container on the inner surface of the cover member. Preferably the rim comprises an inner flange and a removable membrane is attached to the flange under the auxiliary container. The mounting means comprise opposing elastic arms extending from the inner surface, between which the auxiliary container is captured and held in place.

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

According to the present invention, there is also provided a container unit comprising a main container with a dry beverage mix embedded therein and an auxiliary container with a dry additive for a beverage made from the dry beverage mix. The unit also includes a top that closes the main container and is openable to the main container, wherein the top removably mounts the auxiliary container to an inner surface of the top.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion includes opposing elastic arms extending from the inner surface of the upper portion, with the auxiliary container being captured and held in place between the elastic arms. Moreover, the upper portion includes a base member attached to the rigid rim of the main container and a cover member hingedly connected to the base member. This cover member includes a first catch member. The base member then includes a push button that is elastically mounted and includes a second catch member. The second catch member interacts with the first catch member when the cover member is in the closed position with respect to the base member to retain the cover member in the base member, and the first and second catch members separate from each other when the push button is pressed. Can be.

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

In another embodiment, the first catch member is located on both sides of the cutout, and the second catch member of the push button is located on the lateral wings on both sides of the pushbutton extending behind the cutout on opposite sides. do. Moreover, the lower edge of each wing is located adjacent the upper edge of the base member. An elastic link is used to interconnect the base member and the push button to mount the push button upright from the base member and elastically with respect to the base member. The elastic link causes the elastic movement of the push button when pressing the push button causes 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, such that the first catch portion and the second It generates a perceptible sensation that indicates detachment of the catch member.

Also 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.

In addition, in one preferred embodiment, the main body comprises a non-metallic peripheral wall. Rigid rims are composites formed of rolled metal with the upper part of the non-metallic peripheral wall. Preferably, the peripheral wall is made of foil cardboard and is generally circular in cross section, and the cover member is dome shaped.

Also in a preferred embodiment, the rigid rim includes an inwardly extending flange. The cover member includes an inner sealing member that engages the flange vertically or radially when the cover member is in the closed position. Moreover, the base member includes a leg that extends below the outside of the rim, and the leg includes a shoulder captured below the outside of the rim to securely 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, wherein the spring member biases the cover member to the open position.

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

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

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

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

Another advantage of the present invention is that a perceptible sensation is created when the push button is sufficiently pressed to indicate separation of the first and second catch members.

Other features and advantages of the invention are set forth in and become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as will be discussed in more detail below.

According to the invention there is provided a flip closure for a container with a rigid rim, a second container of sufficient dimensions can be provided with the first container, and the storage of the dry product of the first container and the different product of the second container is one It may be made of units of.

Further, according to the present invention, the flip closure is provided with an easily operated and attractive push button to release the cover member, and a perceptible sensation is created when the push button is sufficiently pressed to indicate the separation of the first and second catch members. Can be.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, a portion of a container unit 10 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1A. The container unit 10 comprises a main body or first container 12 and a flip closure 14. In general, the first container 12 is preferably a flavored creamer to be added to the coffee to make cappuccino or the like, or dry powder used to make cappuccino, coffee, tea or hot chocolate and the like with hot water or in the desired manner. It is used to contain the first dry product 16 which is 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 a peripheral side wall 18 of plastic or lining (foil) cardboard. Typically, the side walls 18 are generally cylindrical in cross section, but are not typically straight cylindrical, as are well understood by those skilled in the art for aiding gripping and / or for aesthetic reasons, but have curves, protrusions or recesses along the height. Alternatively, the first container 12 may be of other shapes, including rectangular, oval, etc. as needed, as known to those skilled in the art, and may be formed of other materials, such as plastic, as needed. The first container 12 also includes a bottom or bottom closure (not shown) and a sealed top 20.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 1B, where the sealed top 20 meets the formed top of the peripheral sidewall 18, a metal rim 22 is provided that makes this region relatively rigid (described below). As will be appreciated, other materials such as plastic may be used if the rim is not easily deformed from the circular shape and is suitable to hold the flip plug 14 thereon). In this preferred embodiment, the sealed top 20 removes a removable film, such as a foil seal 21, provided to seal the product 16 to the container 10 after manufacture and during selection and transportation to the consumer. Include. 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 reinforce the stiffness of the rim 22. As schematically shown by broken lines in FIG. 4 (first vessel 12 is not shown), flange 23 extends along the entire circumference of first vessel 12. 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 periphery of the foil seal 21 to the flange 23. The first use of the first product 16 is appropriately removable by the consumer. In the case where the foil seal 21 is attached with an adhesive, the foil seal 21 is removable through a tab (not shown) or the like. Once the removable foil seal 21 is removed, the first product 16 is easily removed from the main body 12 by carefully pouring it with a spoon or the like. As is also known in the art, the foil seal 21 preferably also includes a one-way valve 25 (only schematically shown in FIG. 4) and the like, thereby creating in the first container 12. Any pressure that may be released is released.

Preferably, the flip plug 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 the adjacent perimeter, but a straight hinge can be used as needed. 2-4 show the flip plug 14 as an integral piece, while in FIGS. 5, 6, 7A-7C and 8 the base member 24, the cover member 26 and the hinge 28 are shown. Each is shown separately. Hinge 28 has a vulnerable 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. Preferably, hinge 28 is designed such that cover member 26 moves elastically toward a fully open position away from the closed position (eg, essentially deflected). The angle and strength required for the opening of the cover member 26 may be small or large as needed and will be determined 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 where the product 16 can be easily accessed at least the first container 12, the open position being fully It does not need to be in an open position, but may be an intermediate position such as standing upright from the base member 24. If necessary, extra spring components or the like may be added to ensure that the cover member 26 is moved to a sufficiently open position. While it is anticipated that the spring member 29 is not necessary in this embodiment, for example, FIG. 2 shows a spring member 29 standing upright from the base member 24, which can be used for this purpose. When the cover member 26 is in the closed position, the spring member 29 is elastically bent (overlapping), and as a result, the spring member 29 tries to return to the unbent position, so that the spring member is 26) to elastically press the original open position.

The cover member 26 is optionally used to hold and protect the item or the second container 30 during transportation and storage by the consumer. Preferably, when the second container 30 is provided, the second container 30 is intended to be used in combination with or complementary to the first dry beverage product 16 of the first container 12. Although a dry product or additive 32 is incorporated, the second product 32 may be used differently as needed. In coffee to which a flavored cream mix product 16 is added to form a cappuccino, the second product 32 can be, for example, chocolate or cinnamon sprinkles or powder, etc., if desired, with any other flavor or supplement It may be 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 is removed from the first product of the first container 12. It serves primarily as a cover and seal that is easily pivoted for (16).

In the case where the second container 30 is provided and rectangular as shown, the cover member 26 fixedly mounts the rectangular second container 30 to the inner surface 34. This mounting is accomplished using mounting means comprising a protruding arm 36 extending inwardly from the inner surface 34 and preferably integrally formed with the inner surface 34. As shown in FIGS. 1A, 9 and 10, the arm 36 is provided with an enlarged head 38. The spacing and longitudinal range of the arm 36 is designed to elastically capture and hold the second container 30 relative to the inner surface 34. Preferably, a small raised ledge portion 40 (shown in FIG. 9) is provided on the inner face 34 on which the second vessel 30 is pressed by the head 38. In transportation and storage by the user, small protrusions 42 are formed on both sides of the second container 30 to prevent the second container 30 from moving too far to one side or the other side. And also upright.

Although not shown in detail, once the second container 30 is removed from between the arms 36, the first product 16 is added to the coffee or similar beverage and then shaken by the second container 30 thereon. It will be appreciated that the second container 30 includes a pivoted cap 44 or the like that is properly pivoted out of the closed position in order to allow some second product 32 to be dispensed. Preferably the pivoting cap 44 has a second product 22 accidentally attached to the first product 16 while the second container 30 is mounted to the inner surface 34 of the cover member 26. It will also be appreciated that it is designed to remain closed by one arm 36 when captured between the arms 36 to prevent addition. In between uses, the second container 30 is designed to be easily returned to the mounting position between the arms 36 for convenient user storage until subsequent use for another coffee is required.

Alternative mounting means for retaining the second container 30 'on the inner surface 34' of the cover member 26 'are shown in FIGS. 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 at the bottom of the enlarged head 38 'of the arcuate arm 36' (shorter than the arm 36). The second container 30 'includes a pivoting cap 44' having a protruding peg that fits into the dispensing hole 48 and closes the dispensing hole 48, the cap 44 'having an inner surface 34 It will be understood that it is kept closed by pressurizing against '). Like the second container 30, the second container 30 ′ is returned to the mounting position to the interior surface 34 ′ during use and thus stored until the second container 30 ′ is needed again. It is also designed.

As best seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 13, the periphery of the base member 24 is particularly shaped for fixedly attaching the flip cap 14 to the rim 22 of the first container 12. . In particular, the base member 24 is positioned along a short deflecting leg 50 positioned on the inner surface of the rim 22 on the flange 23, along the lower outer surface of the rim 22, and the like. And a long defending leg 52 extending down. As described above, to securely hold the base member 24 to the rigid rim 22, the rim 22 has a lower outer end 54, and the long legs 52 are directly below the outer end 54. And complementaryly positioned shoulders 56 fitted in. Thus, when base member 24 is force fit mounted on rim 22, shoulder 56 securely holds base member 24 in place on first container 12. Captured below the outer end 54. This structure of the base member 24 causes the base member to be relatively rigid so that the base member remains stationary on the rigid rim 22 once mounted.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 13, the base member 24 also includes an upright leg 58. When the cover member 26 is in the closed position, the peripheral skirt portion 60 of the cover member 26 is positioned just outside of the upright leg 58 and the upright leg 58 to provide a flat and good appearance. Is engaged with the landing portion 62 of the base member 24 provided outside of. When the cover member 26 is in the closed position (see FIG. 1A), the sealing ring 55 is suspended from the inner surface 34 such that the sealing ring 55 engages the flange 23 of the rigid rim 22. It can also be seen. Thus, the sealing ring 55 is none of the products 16 located in the first container 12 after the foil seal 21 has been removed, especially when the container unit 10 is shaken or dropped. It ensures that no leaks through the passage. In addition, the sealing ring 55 adds rigidity to the cover member 26 during manufacture (including mounting of the second vessel described below and subsequent filling of the first vessel 12 lastly performed). And it is placed on top of the first container 12 together with the base member 24 for transportation and processing. Thus, after the foil seal 21 has been 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 also if provided a second It also acts as a holder for the container 30.

1A and 1B, in order to retain the cover member 26 in the closed position on the base member 24, as shown in FIGS. 7C, 14 and 15, the retaining means 64 ) Is provided. As shown in FIG. 5, the retaining means 64 comprise a push button 66 positioned between the circumferential gaps of the upright legs 58 and extending upwards over the top of the upright legs 58. 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 in the radially inward direction. This radial movement is allowed with the use of grooves 68 in the material of the base member 24 around the push button 66 in which the push button 66 is integrally formed with the base member 24. The movement of the push button 66 relative to the remainder of the base member 24 is necessary, because otherwise the rigid rim 22 prevents the base member 24 from deflecting inward 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 remainder of the base member 24 achieves sufficient movement when the push button 66 is pressed. The catch member 70 is provided at a position as far from the groove 68 as possible. As shown in FIG. 7C, the second catch member 74 is located on the cutout 72 of the cover member 26 and is complementary to the cutout 72. As shown, both catch members 70 and 74 are curved in the longitudinal direction and follow the complementary contours of each of push button 66 and cutout 72.

As shown in Figure 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). The second catch member 74 is captured and held at the bottom thereof so as to hold the cover member 26 at the bottom thereof. Thus, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 15, the push button 66 is moved inward a short distance, and the second catch member 74 is no longer held under the first catch member 70, and thus the cover member. 26 moves freely upward due to the open deflection of hinge 28. Thus, the cover member 26 pivots upwards and opens (or can be further opened as needed) to provide access to the first product 16 of the first container 12, and cover member 26. Provides access to remove the second container 30 (if provided) from the inner surface 34 of. The movement of the push button 66 with respect to the remainder of the base member 24 is required, otherwise the rigid rim 22 may be deflected inward when another portion of the base member 24 is depressed when the push button 66 is pressed. Because of the obstruction, the position of the first catch member 70 on the remainder of the base member 24 also provides the catch member 70 in a position for sufficient movement relative to the second catch member 74.

Shown in Figures 16-20 are variations of the flip plug 80 available on a container similar to the container 12. Flip stopper 80 is very similar to flip stopper 14 so that similar elements of flip stopper 80 will be represented identically by adding a prime (') to the same reference number as the corresponding element of flip stopper 14. . Similar to flip stopper 14, flip stopper 80 is preferably formed from injection molded plastic or the like and generally includes two portions of base member 24 'and cover member 26'. Base member 24 'and cover member 26' have a simple connecting hinge 28 'having a weak line along them so that the two members 24', 26 'are pivotable relative to each other as needed. Are integrally connected together. Similar to the hinge 28, the hinge 28 'is designed (eg, essentially deflected) so that the cover member 26' moves elastically away from the closed position with the base member 24 '. In this embodiment, the cover member 26 'is sufficiently deflected to rise only slightly away from the base member 24'. If desired, extra spring components or the like can be added with the hinge 28 'in the manner described above. The cover member 26 'of this modification is optionally used to hold and protect the small item or the second container during transportation and storage by the consumer, so that any such item is any suitable mechanism, such as the arm 36'. Can be secured to the interior of the integral center reinforced cylindrical band 82, but the arm 36 'can be removed if it is not necessary to hold the second container. As shown, it will be appreciated that the integral radially reinforcing strut 84 is integrally formed with a reinforcing cylindrical band 82.

As shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 13, in order to fixedly attach the flip plug 80 to the rim of the container (not shown), the periphery of the base member 24 'is specially shaped and the base member Since it works very similarly to the periphery of (24), it will not be discussed in more detail later. However, the flange 27 'of the base member 24' of the flip cap 80 is corresponding to the flange 23 'of this container, similar to the flange 23 of the container 12 (partially shown in Figure 18). And flange 57 on base member 24. Similarly, it can be seen that the cover member 26 'has a sealing ring 55' similar to the sealing ring 55, but the sealing ring 55 'bends slightly outward at its distal end 86. As shown in FIG. As a result, as the cover member 26 'moves to the closed position, the distal end 86 moves elastically past the inner end of the flange 23' (or the circumferential edge of this embodiment) and with the inner end. Form an elastic seal between them. The base member 24 ', which is similar to the base member 24, has a peripheral skirt 60' of the cover member 26 'directly outside the upright leg 58' when the cover member 26 'is in the closed position. It also includes an upright leg 58 'that is positioned at and engages the landing portion 62' of the base member 24 'provided outside of the upright leg 58'.

As best seen in Figs. 16-20, a retaining means 64 'generally similar to the retaining means 64 is provided for retaining the cover member 26' in the closed position on the base member 24 '. do. As shown in FIG. 17, the retaining means 64 'is likewise positioned in the downward clam portion of the circumferential gap or upright leg 58' and pushes upwardly beyond the top of the upright leg 58 '. Button 66 '. The user pushes the push button 66 'to elastically move the push button 66' slightly inwardly. This radial movement is allowed with the use of the elastic link 88 at the bottom of the push button 66 'relative to the material of the base member 24' such that the push button 66 'is integral with the base member 24'. Is formed. The movement of the push button 66 'with respect to the remainder of the base member 24' is necessary, otherwise the rigid rim of the container may indicate that the base member 24 'is deflected inward when the push button 66' is pressed. It will be understood that it interferes with it.

It is the opposing wing 90 which extends laterally from the push button 66 '(in the circumferential direction in the actual embodiment in which the vessel is cylindrical). Each wing 90 includes an catch member 70 'that is embossed or extends outward. As shown in Fig. 19, the upper surface of each catch member 70 'is inclined while the lower surface is vertical. An associated second catch member 74 'is located adjacent to and is complementary to the cutout 72' of the cover member 26 ', each second catch member being shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. FIG. It 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 catch members 70 ', 74' embossed / depressed ensure that the two are positive locked together, and the inclined portion passes the edge of the upright leg 58 'and catch member 74 ') Provides for easy slide movement of the catch member 70'. The embossed / depressed 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 depressions of the wings 90 Will be reversed in addition orientation.

As shown in Fig. 19, when the cover member 26 'is in the closed position, the first catch member 70' is all in the closed position against the slight open deflection of the hinge 28 '. Each second catch member 74 'is held inside to hold 26'. Thus, as shown by the dashed line of the push button 66 'of FIG. 20, when the user's finger 89 moves the push button 66' inwards by a short distance about the elastic link 88, The second catch member 74 'is no longer held within the first catch member 70' and the cover member 26 then freely moves upwards due to the open deflection of the hinge 28 '.

As push button 66 'is pushed inwards by the user due to the position of link 88, at least one of the lower edges 92 and typically both of the lower edges is shown in dashed lines in FIG. Similarly, it will also be appreciated that the upper edge 94 of the upright leg 58 'of the base member 24' contacts or slides along the upper edge 94 and then moves separately over or apart from the upper edge. As shown in Figure 20, to ensure this contact, it will be appreciated that the upper edge 94 is widened at a position adjacent to the wing 90. The movement of the lower edge 92 past the upper edge 94 or separated at the upper edge serves to generate a perceptible sensation by the user, in which case both auditory and tactile sensations such as "click" sounds There is. This sensation is designed to generate an indication of separation of the first and second catch members 70 ', 74' such that the user releases the cover member 26 'from the base member 24' when the sensation is perceived. It will be appreciated that no further pressurization of the push button 66 'is necessary.

The vessel 12 will be provided with a bottom (metal, rolled rim) at the end of the manufacturing process and before the first product 16 is added through the still open bottom of the inverted vessel unit 10 (if necessary). It can be seen that the flip plug 14 (which includes the second container 30) is thus 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 (shown schematically in FIG. 4) covers the one-way release valve 25 so that the powder in its filling operation can be The one-way valve 25 is prevented from clogging with the first product 16. Both the release valve 25 and the filter paper 75 are attached to the foil seal 21, so that the foil seal 21 is all peeled off when initially removed by the user.

Preferably, the flip plug 14 also includes an upper outer rim 76 on the cover member 26. The rim 76 is designed to receive the lower portion of the other vessel unit 10 therein, allowing the rim 76 to promote stable stacking of the vessel 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 understand that modifications and variations can be made within the scope and spirit of the invention.

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

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the flip plug shown in the open position (taken along section line 202 in FIG. 3);

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the flip cap of the container unit shown in FIG. 2; FIG.

4 is a bottom view of the flip cap of the container unit shown in FIG.

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

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the base member of the flip plug taken along the sectional line 6-6 in Fig. 4;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the cover member of the flip plug taken along section line 7A-7A in FIG. 4, with a portion of the sealing ring cut to clarify.

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

FIG. 7C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the latch shown by broken line 7C in FIG.

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

FIG. 8B is a sectional view of the hinge taken along section line 8B-8B in 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 sectional view of a portion of the cover member taken along section line 10-10 in Fig. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a flip plug similar to that of FIG. 9 but with an alternate mount for an alternate second container;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a portion of the cover member taken along section line 12-12 in FIG.

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

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

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

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a flip plug with an alternative push button similar to the flip plug of FIGS. 1-5 but with perceptible sensory features. FIG.

FIG. 17 is a front view of a partial cross section of the base member of the flip cap 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.

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

20 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of FIG. 17 identified by dashed line 20. FIG.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: container unit

12: first container

14: flip stopper

16: first dry product

21: foil seal

22: rim

23: flange

24: base member 24

25: one-way valve

26: cover member

28: hinge

Claims (31)

Main container body having a rigid rim, A flip cap for the main container body, The flip plug is A base member attached to the rigid rim of the main container body; A cover member hingedly connected to said base member, said cover member having a first catch member and a skirt portion adjacent to said first catch member; A push button erected from the remainder of the base member and elastically mounted to the remainder of the base member, The push button includes a second catch member, The second catch member cooperates with the first catch member when the cover member is in a closed position with respect to the base member with the push button extending into the cutout to retain the cover member on the base member. Functioning, The first and second catch members can be separated from each other when the push button is pressed. The pushbutton according to claim 1, wherein the pushbutton includes opposing lateral vanes extending from the pushbutton, Each said wing comprises a respective first catch member on each said wing, The cover member includes respective second catch members on both lateral sides of the cutout. The lower edge of each wing portion is located adjacent to an upper edge of the base member, The container further comprises an elastic link interconnecting the base member and the push button to elastically mount the bush 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 to move past the upper edge of the base member when the push button is pressed. A container positioned to generate a senseable sensation 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 to ensure contact with at least one of the lower edges of the wing to aid in the generation of sensations. The container of claim 1, wherein the flip cap is an integral injection molded plastic. The method of claim 5 wherein the base member comprises an upright leg, Said skirt portion covering said base member and extending around said upright leg when said cover member is in a closed position. The method 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 nonmetallic peripheral wall. The method of claim 7, wherein the peripheral wall is made of foil cardboard, The peripheral wall is generally circular in cross section, And the cover member is dome shaped. The rigid rim of claim 1, wherein the rigid rim comprises an inwardly extending flange, And the cover member includes an inner seal member coupled to the flange when the cover member is in the closed position. The shoulder of claim 1, wherein the base member comprises a leg extending below the outer portion of the rigid rim, the leg being captured below the outer portion of the rigid rim to securely attach the base member to the rigid rim. Container comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the main container body contains a powdered beverage mix, Wherein the cover member comprises an auxiliary container with a powdered auxiliary additive for use with a beverage mix and mounting means for removably mounting the auxiliary container to 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 under the auxiliary container. The container of claim 1, further comprising a spring member biasing the cover member away from the closed position. Flip stopper attached to the container of the product, A base member fixedly attached to the container, A cover member covering the base member and including an inner surface positioned over 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, 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 allows to pivot about, Holding means for holding the cover member in a closed position, The holding means, A cutout portion in the skirt portion of the cover member, A first catch member positioned adjacent to the cutout portion, A push button extending upwardly from the base member and including a second catch member, The push button is (a) from a holding 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 extending into the cutout, (b) the first And a first stopper and a second catch member which are released so that the cover member can be resiliently moved to a release position in which the cover member can be moved to an open position. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the push button includes opposing vanes extending from the push button and positioned behind the skirt when the cover member is in the closed position, Each said wing comprises a respective first catch member on each said wing, And the skirt portion includes respective second catch members on both lateral sides of the cutout. The method of claim 15, wherein the lower edge of each wing is located immediately adjacent the upper edge of the base member, The container further comprises an elastic link interconnecting the base member and the push button to elastically 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 slide at least one of the lower edges of the wing portion away from the upper edge of the base member when the push button is pressed to separate the first catch member and the second catch member. A flip plug positioned to generate a detectable sensation indicative. 17. The flip closure of claim 16 wherein the upper edge of the base member extends inward adjacent the lower edge of the wing to ensure sliding with at least one of the lower edges of the wing to assist in the generation of a sensation. 15. The flip closure of claim 14 wherein said base member and cover member are formed from an integral injection molded plastic. 15. The base member of claim 14 wherein the base member includes a leg extending below the outer portion of the rim of the container, the leg including a shoulder captured below the outer portion of the rim to securely attach the base member to the rim. Flip plug. 15. The flip closure of claim 14 wherein the rim includes a peripheral flange extending inwardly from the rim and the cover member includes an inner seal ring coupled to the peripheral flange when the cover member is in a closed position. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the base member comprises an upright leg, And a skirt portion of the cover member extending around the upright leg when the cover member is in the closed position. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the base member and the cover member are generally cylindrical, And the hinge is provided at an opposite peripheral edge portion of the base member and the cover member. 23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the push button is generally oval and the cutout is configured to receive a portion of the push button generally therein, And the first catch member and the second catch member are mating irregularities. 15. The flip closure of claim 14 wherein the hinge biases the cover member away from the closed position. 15. The flip closure of claim 14 wherein the cover member includes an inner seal ring coupled to the first container. The method of claim 14, further comprising a second container for the product complementary to the first product of the first container, The cover member includes a height sufficient to space the inner surface from the first container so that the second container can be received between the first container and the inner surface, The flip closure further comprises mounting means for removably mounting the second container to the inner surface of the cover member, And when the cover member is in the closed position, the second container is accessible to be removed from the mounting means. 27. The flip closure of claim 26, wherein the mounting means comprises opposing elastic arms extending from the inner surface, wherein the second container is captured and held in place between the elastic arms. Main container with dry beverage mix, An auxiliary container containing a dry additive for a beverage made from the dry beverage mix; A closure that can close the main container and open to the main container, And the closure unit removably mounts the auxiliary container on an inner surface of the closure. 29. The container unit of claim 28, wherein the closure comprises opposing elastic arms extending from the inner surface of the closure, wherein the second container is captured and held in place between the elastic arms. The method of claim 28, wherein the dry beverage is a coffee mix, The dry additive is a container unit that is a product that is complementary to a beverage made of a coffee mix and that is intended to be added to a beverage made of a coffee mix. 29. The container unit of claim 28, wherein the closure comprises a base member attached to the rigid rim of the main container and a cover member hingedly connected to the base member.

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