US3443712A

US3443712A - Resilient container opening means

Info

Publication number: US3443712A
Application number: US724094A
Authority: US
Inventors: Willis D Hauser
Original assignee: WILLIS D HAUSER
Current assignee: WILLIS D HAUSER
Priority date: 1968-04-25
Filing date: 1968-04-25
Publication date: 1969-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 1986-05-13

Description

y 39 w. D. HAU$ER 3,443,712

RESILIENT CONTAINER OPENING MEANS Filed April 25, 1968 Sheet INVENTOR. Wmus fl. M40552 may 13, W69

w. D. HAUSER 3,443,712

RESILIENT CONTAINER OPENING MEANS Filed April 25, 1968 a INVENTIOR. Ways 0. 544056? y 3, 1969 w. b. HAUSER 3,443,712

RESILIENT CONTAINER OPENING MEANS Filed April 25, 1968 Sheet 3 of 3 NVENTOR. W/LL/S 0 H4055? United States Patent U.S. Cl. 215-9 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A friction type closure for a container constructed of resilient material, which closure includes a sealing cap adapted to be pressed into the open upper end of the container, and at least one ejection lobe projecting inwardly from the internal wall of the container beneath the sealing cap and positioned for undergoing an upwardly pivotal movement to eject the sealing cap when the wall of the container is pressed inwardly from the outside of the container. One form of the invention also includes a latch block which extends inwardly from the internal wall of the container across the path of pivotal movement of the ejection lobes, and which is secured to a finger depression in the container wall which permits finger pressure to be employed to move the latch block out of its position of interference with the ejecting movement of the ejection lobes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to closures for containers, and more particularly, relates to the type of container lids or closures which are retained in position and sealed by frictional engagement.

Brief description of the prior art There are myriad cap lids and closures for containers of various types, and within this subject matter, a great number of friction type closures which, in use, are either pressed into or over the top of a container and remain in position until suflicient force is applied to them to overcome the frictional engagement. Closure devices of this type have the advantage of being relatively simple in operation, and provide quick and easy access to the contents of the container without the necessity of unsnapping or unscrewing the closure member from the container. Friction type closures, however, though requiring the use of two hands to remove them from the container (that is, one hand to grip the container and one hand to grip the friction type closure), are nevertheless generally more easily removed from the container by children than are closures which threadedly engage the container, or are snapped thereon.

Brief description of the present invention The present invention provides an improved and highly novel friction closure which is employed with the type of containers made of a resilient or relatively elastic material. Containers of the latter type are gaining rapidly in popularity with both consumers and container manufacturers, and many such containers made of various synthetic resins appear on the market today. The friction closure of the present invention has a number of advantages which derive from its novel construction. Broadly described, the container closure of the invention necessarily is constructed in combination with the walls of the container per se, and may be briefly described as including a container having side walls constructed of a relatively resilient material, a sealing cap adapted to be frictionally engaged with the open, upper end of the "ice container for retention on said open, upper end in sealing engagement therewith. Projecting inwardly from the internal wall of the container, and preferably formed integrally therewith, is at least one, and preferably two, ejection lobes. The ejection lobes are disposed immediately below the sealing cap, and are constructed and positioned for undergoing an upward pivotal movement to disengage the sealing cap from the open, upper end of the container when the wall of the container is pressed inwardly from the outside thereof. A preferred form of the invention further includes a latch block which extends inwardly from the internal wall of the container across the path of pivotal movement of the ejection lobes, and which is secured to a finger depression in the container wall which permits finger pressure to be employed to move the latch block out of its position of interference with the ejecting movement of the ejection lobes.

Finally, in yet a more sophisticated alternate embodiment of the invention, cooperating locking pins and slots are formed in the latch block and ejection lobes so that a particular pattern of movement must be imparted to these elements in order to disengage the pins and slots from each other, and permit the latch block to be moved out of its interfering position with respect to the ejection lobes.

The sealing cap which is utilized preferably is pressed into the open, upper end of the resilient walls of the container so that it is flush with the top of the container, and therefore cannot be easily gripped to facilitate its removal from the container. This feature permits an important objective of the invention to be attained, i.e., the container is extremely difficult to open in the conventional manner of pulling the sealing cap outwardly, and thus, the assembly provides a safer container for storing materials which should be inaccessible to small children.

An additional object achieved by the invention is that of providing a friction type closure for a container, which closure may be easily opened and closed with one hand.

Another object of the invention is to provide a friction type closure which cannot be lost or displaced from the container when the container is opened by disengagement of the closure from the container.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved friction closure for use on containers constructed of a resilient material, such as synthetic resin, which closure can be removed or opened and closed in one continuous movement using only a single hand.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple closure structure which yet possesses the advantages and features hereinbefore described.

In addition to the foregoing described objects and advantages, additional objects and advantages will become apparent as the following detailed description of the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a container and closure constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view in elevation of the container and closure as they appear when the closure is in its closing or sealing position, and the container is viewed from one side thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a container and closure arrangement illustrating a different embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 6 is a view in elevation similar to FIGURE 3 2, but illustrating in elevation the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 10 is a view in elevation of the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGURE 9, as such embodiment appears when viewed from one side of the container with the closure member shown in its closing position.

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along line 1111 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken along line 1212 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view similar to the sectional view depicted in FIGURE 7 but illustrating yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 14 is a plan view of a detail of the structure depicted in FIGURE 13, with portions of the locking mechanism used in this embodiment of the container closure being illustrated in section and other portions being illustrated in elevation.

FIGURE 15 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of a container closure constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 16 is a sectional view taken along line 16--16 of FIGURE 15 and showing the closure of the invention in its closed position.

FIGURE 17 is a view similar to FIGURE 16 but illustrating the closure of this embodiment of the invention in its open positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Embodiment of FIGURES 1-4 Referring initially to the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGURES 1-4 of the drawings, the container closure assembly of the invention includes a container designated generally by reference numeral 10, and having a vertically extending side wall 12 constructed of a resilient or elastic material, such as polyethylene or a similar synthetic resin. Located at the upper end of the container 10 is a restricted neck portion 14 of the container 10. A small, annular retainer lip 19 extends around the inside of the base of the neck portion 14 and prevents the closure member 18 from being extended too far into the container. The hemispherical closure member or cap 18 fits in the restricted neck portion 14 of the container 10 so that its upper surface is flush with the upper edge of the neck portion, as best illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4. Thus, as will be hereinafter explained in greater detail, it is diflicult to remove the hemispherical closure member by the application of external forces, since no portion of the closure member protrudes upwardly from the neck portion of the container to afford an opportunity to grip the closure member. The closure member or cap 18 is secured to the restricted neck portion by a hinge portion 16 which is constructed of a resilient material.

Positioned within the container 10 at a point below the restricted neck portion 14 are a pair of ejection lobes 20 which are secured to the walls 12 of the container 10 and are shaped in the manner depicted in FIGURES 3 and 4. Thus, each of the ejection lobes 20 includes a relatively pointed upper end portion 20a, a hinge connection 29b, and a lower lobe portion 20c. It will be noted that the upper end portion 20a of each lobe bears against the rounded lower side of the hemispherical closure member 18 when the closure member 18 is pressed into the restricted neck portion to close and seal the container 10.

Operation of the FIGURES 1-4 Embodiment To close and seal the container 10, the hemispherical closure member 18 is pressed downwardly into the re- 4 stricted neck portion 14 until the upper surface of the closure member is flush or even with the upper edge of the neck portion. This will entail some tensioning of the closure member hinge 16 which is connected between the closure member and the upper edge of the restricted neck portion 14. When the closure member 18 is pressed into its closing and sealing position, as illustrated in the drawings, the ejection lobes 20* are pivoted downwardly to the positions illustrated in FIGURE 3. With the container 10 closed and sealed in this manner, it is difficult for small children to open the container and gain access to the contents thereof, since there is no portion of the hemispherical closure member which can be gripped to exert any extracting force thereon. It may be pointed out at this point that, if desired, the closure member hinge 16 can be omitted from the structure and, in some instances, this is desirable in order to make the container and closure member even more safe from misuse by small children.

At such time as it may be desired to open the container 10 by removing the hemispherical closure member 18 therefrom; a knowledgeable adult or older child may effect such opening by pressing on the wall 12 of the con tainer 10 at locations spaced downwardly from the restricted neck portion 14 a short distance, but just above the straight, substantially vertical portions of the side wall 12. By pressing inwardly on the flexible material constituting the wall 12 of the container 10 at this point, the ejection lobes 20 are caused to pivot upwardly about the hinge connections 20b to cause the upper end portions 20a to bear against the bottom side of the hemispherical closure member 18.'This necessarily forces the closure member 18 upwardly out of the restricted neck portion 14 of the container 10 to open the container.

Embodiment of FIGURES 5-8 A modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGURES 5-8, and since some of the structure utilized in this embodiment is substantially identical or quite similar to that utilized in the embodiment depicted in FIG- URES l-4, identical reference numerals will be utilized to identify identical structures where they appear. Thus,

the container 10 here also has a side wall 12 constructed of a flexible resilient material, and the closure 22 for the container includes a closure member hinge 16 which is secured to the upper edge of a restricted neck portion 14. A frusto-spherical closure member or cap 22 is secured to the closure member hinge 16 and is pressed into the restricted neck portion 14 to seal and close the container.

As shown in FIGURE 7, the embodiment of the invention under discussion includes a pair of ejection lobes 24 which are generally similar to the ejection lobes 20 utilized in the FIGURE 1-4 embodiment. The ejection lobes 24, however, while having the upper end portion 24a, the hinge connections 24b, and the lower lobe portion 240, are further each provided with relieved portions or notches 26 which provide flat surfaces 26a functioning in a manner hereinafter described.

Projecting inwardly from the side wall 12 of the container 10 at a location which is spaced downwardly in the container from the restricted neck portion 14, and in a direction which is substantially normal to the general plane containing the ejection lobes 24 is a latch block 30. The latch block 30 is in the form of a plate or block which is substantially rectangular in both vertical and horizontal cross-section, and which is afiixed or secured in any suitable manner to the internal end of a finger depression designated generally by reference numeral 32. The finger depression 32 extends transversely inwardly in the container 10 from the wall 12 thereof. The finger depression 32 is such that the index finger of an adult can be extended into the finger depression through the side wall 12 of the container 10, and the finger depression can then be pressed downwardly to carry with it the latch block 30. It will be observed that the thickness of the resilient elastic material which defines the finger depression 32 is less than the average thickness of the wall 12 of the container. This facilitates the distortion of the finger depression 32 by the finger pressure of a person for the purpose of operating the container closure in the manner hereinafter described.

Operation of FIGURES 5-8 embodiment The embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG- URES 5-8 is closed and sealed in substantially the same manner as has been hereinbefore described in referring to FIGURES 1-4. As the frusto-spherical closure member or cap 22 is placed into the constricted neck portion 14 of the container, the ejection lobes 24 are biased downwardly about their respective hinges 24b to the position illustrated in FIGURE 7. As they are biased downwardly in this fashion, the latch block 30 can move upwardly between the ejection lobes 24 until it bears against the surfaces 26a of the reliefs or notches 26, and thus prevents upward pivotal movement of the ejection lobes 24. With the closure assembly in this status, the ejection lobes 24 cannot be pressed inwardly by pressing on the side wall 12 of the container just below the neck portion 14 in order to eject the frusto-spherical closure member 22 from the restricted neck portion or open upper end of the container 10. In order to open the container 10 by removal of the closure member 22, a user must insert the index finger in the finger depression 32 and press downwardly so that the latch block 30 is removed from between the ejection lobes 24. The thumb and remaining fingers of the hand may then be pressed against the resilient side wall 12 of the container 10 at the location of the ejection lobes 24 to bias the lobes upwardly and outwardly on their hinges 24b. Upward pivotal movement of the ejection lobes will cause the frusto-spherical closure member 22 to be ejected from the restricted neck portion 14 of the container. It will be readily apparent that the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGURES 4-8 presents the advantage of being less easily opened by small children than is the container 10 and the closure member utilized in the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGURES 1-4.

Emobdiment of FIGURES 9-12 The embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG- URES 9-12 is similar in some respects to those embodiments hereinbefore described, and therefore identical reference numerals are utilized to identify structural elements which are identical to elements hereinbefore described. Thus, the container 10 has a side wall 12 constructed of a flexible resilient material, and further includes a restricted neck portion 14 located at the upper end of the side wall. The restricted neck portion 14 has an opening formed therethrough to permit the contents of the container to be discharged.

A spherical closure member 36 is diametrically dimensioned to fit into and frictionally engage the restricted neck portion 14 of the container 10 for the purpose of closing and sealing the container. A pair of ejection lobes 40, having the same general configuration as those which have been hereinbefore described in referring to FIG- URES 1-8 are positioned inside the container 10 and spaced downwardly from the neck portion 14. Each ejection lobe 40 includes an upper end portion 40a and a lower end portion 40b. Positioned between the

end portions

40a and 40b, each of the ejection lobes 40 includes a relief or notch 42 which defines the normal extending surfaces 42a and 42b. Each of the ejection lobes 40 is secured to the side wall 12 of the container 10 through a web portion 400, and the side wall of the container is built up at positions opposite the web portions 400 and on the outside of the container, so that a pair of ejection ears 43 protrude outwardly from the container.

It will be noted in referring to FIGURES l1 and 12 of the drawings that each of the ejection lobes 40 includes a pair of parallel faces which extend radially inwardly into the container 10 from the side Wall 12 thereof, so that each ejection lobe is substantially rectangular in cross-section in planes taken parallel to the section line 1212 of FIGURE 9. Into each of the described parallel faces of each of the ejection lobes 40, a locking channel 44 is formed. Each locking channel 44 has a groove extended into each lobe from the respective one of the parallel faces, with such groove being, in each case, located a relatively short distance from the relief or notch 42 toward the side wall 12 of the container 10. Each of the locking channels 44 will be perceived, in referring to FIGURES 11 and 13, to include a vertically extending first course 44a which opens at the lower side of each of the respective ejection lobe and extends vertically upwardly therein parallel to the surface 42a defined by the relief 42, a first intermediate course 4412 which extends normal to the opening course and in horizontal direction in each lobe 40, a second intermediate course 440 which extends normal to and vertically from the first intermediate course, and a final course 44d which extends normal to the second intermediate course and in horizontal direction toward the surface 42a defined by the relief 42 of the respective lobe 40. The locking channels 44 are thus each perceived to be in the general configuration of a question mark. It may also be observed at this point that the two locking channels 44 formed in the opposite parallel faces of each of the ejection lobes 40 are aligned with each other or superimposed, and that the depth of the two locking channels in each lobe is not such that they communicate with each other.

Extending radially inwardly from the side wall 12 toward the ejection lobes 40 is a finger depression 46 which is secured to, or formed integrally with, a latch block 48 positioned at its inner end. The latch block 48 extends in a radial direction between the ejection lobes 40 in the space defined by the reliefs or notches 42. The central portion of the latch block 48 which passes between the ejection lobes 40 is cut away so that this central portion of the latch block can be accommodated by the space existing between the surfaces 42a defined by the reliefs 42. Cutting away of the latch block 48 in this manner also forms thereon, two pairs of opposed or facing

shoulders

50 and 52, and 54 and 56, as best depicted in FIGURE 14. The two pairs of opposed shoulders 50, S2, 54 and 56 located on opposite sides of the latch block 48 are so formed that one pair of the shoulders extends on the opposite sides of each of the ejection lobes 40 at about the location of the locking channels 44 therein. Each of the shoulders 50-56 is provided with a locking or latch pin 58 which projects toward the adjacent surface of the ejection lobe 40, and is dimensioned to extend into and be received by the adjacent locking channel 44.

Operation of the embodiment of FIGURES 9-12 In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 9-12, the closure member 36 is shown closing the container in these figures of the drawing. In this position, the locking pins 58 extend into the final courses 44d of the respective locking channels 44. The latch block 48 is positioned between the ejection lobes 40. In order to remove the spherical closure member 36 from the container 10, one must initially insert the pointer finger into the finger depression 46 and, at the same time, position the hand so that the thumb and index finger bear against the ejection ears 43. Then, a person knowledgeable of the manner in which the interlock arrangement between the locking pins 58 and the locking channels 44 functions, will first press inwardly on the ejection cars 43 to cause the ejection lobes 40 inside the container to move inwardly in the container. This causes the locking pins 58 to move along the final course 44d until its intersection with the second intermediate course 44c is reached.

The person opening the container will then press the finger depression 46 downwardly so as to move the latch block 48 downwardly. This carries the locking pins 58 downwardly in the second intermediate course 44c until the intersection of this course with the first intermediate course 4412 is reached. The person opening the container will then permit the ejection cars 43 to resiliently spring outwardly, carrying with them the ejection lobes 40. This will cause the locking pins 58 to move in the first intermediate course 4411 until they reach the intersection of this course with the vertically extending first course 44a. At this point, the finger depression 46 is further depressed and the latch block 48 can be pivoted down without restriction in its movement until the latch block complete ly clears the ejection lobes 40. At this time, the ejection ears 43 can be pressed inwardly a substantial distance to cause the upper portions 40a of the ejection lobes 40 to .bear against the underside of the closure member 36 and force this closure member from the open upper end of the neck portion 14 of the container 10. To restore the container to its closed and locked status, the described movements are reversed.

It will be perceived that the interlocking arrangement provided in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 9-13 makes it extremely diificult for small children to open the container, and renders the safety with which it can be stored in households considerably greater.

Embodiment of FIGURES 15-17 In FIGURES 1517, yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated. This embodiment includes certain parts identical to the parts already discussed in referring to FIGURES l-l4 and these parts are labeled with identical reference numerals. Thus, the container 10 is provided with a side wall 12 and a restricted neck portion 14 in the manner hereinbefore described. The container 10 also encloses ejection lobes which are quite similar or identical to the ejection lobes 24 illustrated in FIGURE 7, and thus have been identically labeled. Finally, the container has formed in one side thereof, a finger depression 32 substantially identical to the finger depression shown in FIGURE 8, which finger depression has extending radially inwardly from the inner end thereof, a latch block 30.

In the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG- URES 17, a novel arrangement is provided in association with a hemispherical closure member 60 which functions to permit pills or other articles to be counted as they are removed in consecutive sequence from the container. The counting structure includes a small synthetic resin ratchet plate or wheel, designated generally by reference numeral 62, which is pivotally secured to the center of the fiat upper surface of the hemispherical closure member 60 by a suitable pivot pin or post 64. The ratchet wheel 62 is provided at its periphery with a plurality of saw tooth type ratchet teeth 66 which are formed to permit advancement of the ratchet wheel in a counterclockwise direction as the same is viewed in FIGURE 15. As will be further noted in referring to FIGURE 15, the ratchet wheel 62 has a plurality of numerical indicia located adjacent the periphery of the ratchet wheel, and indicative of the number of pills or tablets dispensed from the container 10.

A closure member hinge 68 extends between the upper peripheral edge of the hemispherical closure member 60 and the free upper edge of the restricted neck portion 14. Thus, as the closure member 60 is opened and closed, it is carried by, and pivoted on, the hinge 68. There is further provided, a resilient pusher rod or dog 70 which is secured at one of its ends in the neck portion 14 of the container 10, and which has an elongated portion 70a extending from the portion secured in the neck portion through an angulated slot 72 formed in the hinge 68 and into one of the teeth 66 of the ratchet wheel 62. The material of construction of the pusher rod 70 is such that it can be bent relatively easily.

8 Operation of embodiment of FIGURES 1517 In using the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGURES 1517, the manner of closing and sealing the container, and of ejecting the closure member 60 therefrom, is substantially the same as has been described in referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 5-8. A further advantage is obtained, however, in the provision in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 1517 of structure which permits a count of the number of pills or tablets dispensed from the container to be maintained, assuming that only one such pill is removed during each opening and closure of the container. As the closure member 60 is opened from its position shown in FIGURE 16 to its position shown in FIGURE 17, the etfect of the opening movement is to cause a sliding movement of the hinge 68 outwardly on the elongated portion 70a of the pusher rod 70. This, in etfect, then causes movement of the closure member 60 and the ratchet wheel 62 which it carries away from the free outer end of the pusher rod 70, and disengages this latter member from the teeth of the ratchet wheel 62. Stated differently, the pusher rod 70 is caused to slide in the slot 72 in a direction such that its free outer end is disengaged from the teeth 66 of the ratchet wheel 62. This permits the free outer end of the pusher rod 70 to spring back in a clockwise direction to a position in which it is aligned with, but yet disengaged from, the next such successive tooth 66 of the ratchet wheel 62 in a clockwise direction from that tooth from which it has become disengaged by the opening movement of the closure member 60.

At such time as the closure member 60 is biased on its hinge 68 to reinsert it in a sealing position in the open upper end of the restricted neck portion 14, the elongated portion 70a of the pusher rod 70 is again caused to reciprocate through the slot 72, and to come into engagement with the teeth 66 of the ratchet wheel 62. Upon such closing movement, however, the elongated portion 70a of the pusher rod 70 enters the next adjacent tooth 66 to that which it previously engaged and, as it moves outwardly in the slot 72, is caused to bear against this tooth in a manner which forces the ratchet wheel 62 to be moved in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot post 64. The amount by which the ratchet wheel is advanced is exactly one tooth increment. Thus, by providing a suitable indicia adjacent the teeth 66 of the ratchet wheel 62, the user of the contents of the container 10 can be appraised of the number of times the container has been opened and closed, and therefore the number of pills which have been removed therefrom, assuming removal of one pill at each opening and closing.

From the foregoing description of the invention, it will have become apparent that the present invention provides an improved closure member which is safer to use in households where small children may wish to obtain access to the contents of such containers than are containers of the type hereinbefore provided. The container and closure assembly are relatively rugged in construction, and can be used over and over an separate occasions, if desired.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have been herein disclosed in order to provide an example of the manner in which the invention should be practiced, it is to be understood that certain modifications and changes can be made in the described and depicted structure without departure from the basic principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A container closure assembly comprising a container having a resilient side wall and a restricted neck portion having an opening therethrough;

a closure member dimensioned to frictionally engage said neck portion and close the opening therethrough; and

at least one ejection lobe positioned inside said container adjacent said neck portion, said ejection lobes each having a hinge portion pivotally securing it to the inside of said container for pivotation in an ejecting movement to disengage said closure member when the resilient side wall of the container is biased inwardly.

2. A container closure assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said assembly includes a pair of said lobes positioned on opposite sides of the container, and said assembly is further characterized in including a latch block secured to the inside of said container and projecting radially inwardly between said ejection lobes to interfere with the pivotal movement of said ejection lobes.

3. A container assembly as defined in claim 2' and further characterized to include a resilient finger depression extending inwardly from the side wall of said container and secured at its inner end to said latch block.

4. A container closure assembly as defined in claim 2 and further characterized to include latching means detachably interconnecting said latch block and ejection lobes and limiting pivotal movement of said ejection lobes until predetermined motions are imparted to both said latch block and ejection lobes.

5. A container closure assembly as defined in claim 1 and further characterized to include a closure member hinge connected between said neck portion and said closure member;

a ratchet plate rotatably mounted on said closure member for rotation about a rotational axis extending through said closure member; and

means connected to said neck portion and cooperating with said closure member hinge for incrementally rotating said ratchet plate each time said closure member frictionally engages said restricted neck portion to close the opening therethrough.

6. A container closure member as defined in claim 4 wherein said latching means comprises:

latching channel means in at least one of said lobes defining a latching channel extending in a plurality of directions in said lobe; and

a locking pin extending from said latch block into said latching channel.

7. A container closure assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said ejection lobes is a plate having two parallel faces and having a curved side joining said faces and defining a relatively pointed upper end portion positioned adjacent said closure member, a lower lobe portion disposed below said hinge portion and adjacent said side wall, and a relief on the radially inner side of said lobe, the reliefs in said lobes being positioned adjacent said latch block.

8. A container closure assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said closure member is a solid frusto-spherical member, and

wherein said closure member hinge is connected at one of its ends to one edge of the fiat surface of said frusto-spherical member and at its other end to the upper edge of said restricted neck portion; and

wherein said ratchet plate flatly abuts the flat surface of said frusto-s-pherical member and is disposed in the center thereof.

9. A container closure assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said closure member hinge is bent through a semicircular arc when said closure member is closed, and said means cooperating with said closure member hinge to rotate said ratchet plate comprises an elongated, flexible dog secured at one of its ends to said restricted neck portion, extending through a slot in said closure member hinge, and having its other end positioned adjacent the tooth-carrying peripheral edge of said ratchet plate, said flexible dog :being dimensioned and positioned on said container for incrementally advancing said ratchet plate each time said closure member is closed after being opened.

10. A container closure assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein each of said reliefs is formed by two surfaces extending at a right angle to each other, and wherein said latch block is of rectangular vertical and horizontal crosssection, and has exterior surfaces extending parallel to the surfaces of said reliefs.

11. A container closure assembly as defined in claim 10 and further characterized to include latching means detachably interconnecting said latch block and ejection lobes and limiting pivotal movement of said ejection lobes until predetermined motions are imparted to both said latch block and ejection lobes by pressure exerted on the outside of said container.

12. A container closure assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said latching means comprises:

latching channel means in each of said lobes defining latching channels in each lobe, each of said latching channels extending in a plurality of directions in its respective lobe; and

locking pins extending from said latch blocks into said latching channels.

13. A container closure assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein said latch block is further characterized in having two pairs of shoulders disposed on opposite sides of said latch block with the shoulders in each of said pair disposed on opposite sides of one of said ejection lobes and extending parallel to said two parallel faces of said one lobe, said locking pins extending from said shoulders into said latching channels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,101,856 8/1963 Whiteman 215-9 3,398,848 8/1968 Donovan 215-9 GEORGE T. HALL, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.