WO2006018493A1

WO2006018493A1 - Single-use cap

Info

Publication number: WO2006018493A1
Application number: PCT/FR2005/001798
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bertrand Barre; Xavier Gibert; Francis Lepage
Original assignee: The Zebra Company
Priority date: 2004-07-20
Filing date: 2005-07-12
Publication date: 2006-02-23
Also published as: ES2281042T3; DE602005000466D1; EP1619134B1; EP1619134A1; DE602005000466T2

Abstract

The invention relates to a cap (1) for mounting on a recipient (2), said cap comprising a base (3), a cover (6) provided with closing means (7), means for connecting the cover to the base in an articulated manner in the form of a hinge (10), means for locking (8) the cover to the base (3), and means for unlocking (9) the same. According to the invention, the cover (6) is arranged in such a way as to resist all relative displacement between the cover and the base and to store the mechanical energy by plastic deformation of the cover and/or the base, and locking means (9) are arranged in the form of a lever enabling the stored mechanical energy to be released, projecting the cover (6) towards the open position thereof.

Description

Single-use stopper

The present invention relates to the closure of a container, in particular single-use or disposable, whose internal volume may contain a content or charge, including a load likely to flow, for example a liquid, fluid or pasty.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a cap to be mounted on a container as previously defined, particularly in a sealed manner vis-à-vis the contents of the container. The invention also relates to a container comprising or integrating such a cap, empty or full, that is to say in the latter case filled with or containing a content as defined above.

The present invention relates more particularly to plugs allowing concomitantly, and a gripping of the container with which it is associated, with one hand, and the complete opening of the plug, with a finger of the same hand, for example the thumb, in particular for access directly with the mouth of the user to the neck of the container.

According to the document FR-A-2 855 815, such a cap has been described and proposed, comprising: a base including means for mounting on the container, in particular its neck,

a lid comprising closure means, in particular impervious to liquids and / or gases, either of an outlet orifice possibly present on the base or of the neck of the receptacle; means of articulation of the lid relative to at the base, having for example the form of a hinge, between an open position and a folded position, said hinge means defining an axis of rotation about which the lid can rotate, at least in the direction of the opening plug, lid locking means relative to the base, in its folded position, which either take the form of clamping means by interlocking closure means of the cover in the outlet orifice provided the case appropriate on the base, or in the neck of the container, are clipping means provided for this purpose between the cover or the base, or combine or combine the two previous means, - Unlocking means of the lid relative to the base, antagonists to the locking means defined above, arranged to be manually actuated, in a race to a final position in which the aforementioned locking means are released; these unlocking means comprise for example:

+ at least one ramp belonging to the lid or to the base,

+ a flap belonging to the base or cover, movable continuously against the ramp to a final position in which the locking means are released, and having a free end intended to come into contact with the ramp, + the ramp being arranged in relationship with the free end of the movable flap, to determine the stroke of the flap to its final position.

- A means for resiliently revolving means of articulation, in the open position of the cap, constrained in the folded and locked position of the latter, constituting a thin web of elastomeric plastic material, extending between the cover and the 'base.

Such a plug can be subject to the following two methods of execution.

In a first case, and as represented in the drawings of document FR-A-2 855 815:

the base is mounted in a sealed manner, with respect to the contents of the container, on a neck of the container, and comprises a discharge duct arranged with an outlet orifice for evacuating said contents, the lid comprises means shut-off devices arranged to close the outlet orifice of the base, in a sealed manner vis-à-vis the contents of the container,

and in the open position of the cover, the outlet orifice of the base is disengaged, and in the folded position of said cover, the outlet orifice is closed by the closure means. In a second case, not shown in the drawings of FR-A-2 855 815:

the base comprises an opening for the passage of a neck of the receptacle; the lid comprises closure means arranged to close the neck of the receptacle, in a sealed manner with respect to the contents of said receptacle;

in the open position of the lid, the neck of the container is disengaged; and in the folded position of said lid, the neck of the container is closed by the closure means.

The production of such a cap requires the shaping, for example by injection, of at least two plastics materials, the first thermoplastic constituting the structure of the plug, and the second elastomer, constituting the elastic return means. For some applications, this bi-injection can be a drawback, especially in terms of cost.

According to the document EP-A-0547978, there is described, in particular with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, a plug comprising: a base comprising means for mounting on a receptacle, comprising a discharge conduit with an outlet orifice; ,

a cover in the form of a tab, comprising means for closing off the outlet orifice on the base,

- Hinge means of the cover relative to the base, consisting of a hinge (or thin web) of plastic, between an open position and a folded position, defining an axis of rotation, around which the lid can rotate, and in the direction of opening, and in the closing direction of the plug,

- Locking means of the cover relative to the base, in its folded position, consisting of a detent groove provided on the discharge duct of the base, and a snap-fitting bead provided outside the shutter means in the form of a tubular element,

- Unlocking means, antagonistic to the locking means, also arranged to actuate and move the lid to its open position, all under the effect of a movement of the thumb of the hand holding the container.

These unique means for unlocking and actuating comprise: a pusher hinged to the base comprising a plate having two branches forming between them a U-shaped slot;

- two outwardly projecting surfaces on the base to cooperate in sliding contact with respectively the two branches of the pusher, so that a thrust exerted on the latter tilts the plate upwards, and releases the lid lock (See Figure 7),

two flanges protruding inwardly on the cover, situated in the extension of the two bearing surfaces, to cooperate in sliding contact with the two branches of the pusher respectively, so that the continuation of the thrust exerted on the latter pushes the cover rotation to its open position; (See Figure 8),

In practice, it appears difficult, if not impossible, to close the cover, from its open position, obtained under the effect of the pusher, because the friction of the branches against the flanges, then the bearing surfaces, generates, in the return direction in rotation of the lid to the folded position, jamming or breakage, permanently damaging the plug so that it can remain permanently open after its first opening.

Similarly to EP-A-0547978, the document EP-A-1129959 proposes, as shown in particular in FIG. 2, a plug comprising:

a base comprising mounting means (not shown) on a container, comprising a discharge duct with an outlet orifice,

a cover, comprising means for closing the outlet orifice on the base,

means for hinging the lid with respect to the base, consisting of an articulated plastic element, - Locking means of the lid relative to the base, in its folded position, consisting, on the one hand, in the latching resilient means respectively provided for this purpose, between the cover and an actuating element of the pusher and on the other hand in the jamming required for the sealing of the closure means in the outlet orifice of the base,

- Unlocking means, antagonistic to the locking means, also arranged to actuate the lid to its open position, all under the effect of a movement of the thumb of the hand holding the container.

With reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, these unique means for unlocking and actuating include:

a pusher having in section a partially cylindrical shape, articulated along its two edges, thanks to a thinned portion,

an actuating element articulated on the upper part of the pusher, movable flat on the base, comprising, on either side of an orifice allowing the passage of the sealing means, a first ramp allowing, in a first part of the flat displacement of the actuating element, releasing the locking means, and a second ramp in the direction opposite to the first ramp, allowing, in a second part of the flat displacement of the actuating element , release the jamming in the outlet of the base, and finally act against inwardly extending surfaces in the cover, causing the latter to tilt in its open position.

This solution has disadvantages of the same nature as those stated in EP-A-0547978.

The present invention relates to a cap for automatically bringing the lid in the open position, by simply pushing on a pusher, from the release of the locking means in the folded position of said cover, and on the one hand completely reversible manner , that is to say by being able to close and lock the lid as many times as the latter is opened automatically, and secondly without elastic means of return rotation to the open position, inserted or reported in the cap. According to the present invention, the general structure or construction of the plug is retained according to FR-A-2 855 815, and the following modifications or additions are made in combination or cooperation:

- Firstly, the hinge means are arranged to allow freely, that is to say, the rotational resistance near said means, the projection in rotation of the cover towards its open position,

- Secondly, the cover and / or the base are arranged to resist, in their locked position, elastically to any relative displacement in rotation between the cover and the base, and correlatively store a mechanical energy by elastic or plastic deformation of all or part, or all of said plug, the mechanical energy thus stored, or return, being in practice sufficient to rotate the cover towards its open position,

- and thirdly, the locking means are arranged in the form of a trigger, having the function, according to the stroke towards the final position of release of the locking means, to relatively move the cover relative to the base, against the elastic resistance opposed by the plug, the mechanical energy thus stored, or return, being released in said final position, to rotate the cover to its open position.

The physical and / or mechanical principles, underlying the previously mentioned technical characteristics, will be illustrated hereinafter with reference to the diagram according to FIG. 19, once an embodiment completely described according to FIGS. 1 to 9. In accordance with the present invention, it must be understood that:

the hinge means according to the invention consequently do not comprise any elastic return means in rotation towards the open position of the lid, for example no element made of viscoelastic material, constrained in rotation in the folded position of the lid, and / or the hinge means are not arranged, for example as to the choice of their constituent material and / or their shape, to generate a substantial torque of elastic return in rotation towards the open position of the lid, for example by being constrained in rotation in the folded position of the lid. The present invention also comprises the following variants:

the stopper is arranged to locate the elastic deformation in at least one of the following elements, namely the base, the cover, the locking means, and the articulation means, by construction, the stored mechanical energy , or return, is greater than the energy required to release the locking of the cover relative to the base, plus the energy required to overcome or go beyond the intrinsic resistance in rotation of the articulation means,

- Always by construction of the cap, the stored mechanical energy is sufficient to project the cover in rotation in an open position, at least 100 ° relative to the folded position, relative to the axis of rotation of the articulation means ,

preferably, the stopper is arranged or constructed to specifically locate the elastic deformation in all or part of the locking means,

- In turn, the sealing means are arranged for sealing the opening provided on the base or in the container neck, requiring an antagonistic energy to be released and break the seal; in such a case, these sealed sealing means can serve as locking means of the cover relative to the base, in its folded position; in this case, in any case, the stored mechanical energy is greater, by construction of the plug, the energy required to release the closure means and / or the locking of the cover relative to the base, plus the energy required to overcome the intrinsic resistance in rotation of the articulation means.

In all, the present invention results in a particularly simple plug for manufacturing or industrial production, for example by injection of a single plastic material, and if appropriate in a monobloc manner, the opening of this plug not being in particular tributary creep phenomena of the plastic material implemented, for example at the hinge means or the hinge between the base and the cover.

Two preferred embodiments of the invention are considered, the first shown and described with reference to the drawing in the appendix, and the second not shown. According to the first embodiment:

- The base is sealingly mounted vis-à-vis the contents of the container on the neck of the latter, and comprises a discharge duct arranged to evacuate the contents of the container, having an outlet port; the closure means for closing the lid are arranged to close the outlet orifice of the base, in a sealed manner with respect to the contents of the container,

in the open position of the lid, the outlet orifice of the base is disengaged, and in the folded position of the lid, the outlet orifice is closed.

According to the second embodiment, not shown:

the base comprises an opening for the passage of the neck of the container;

- The closure means of the lid are arranged to close the neck of the container, in a sealed manner vis-à-vis the contents of said container;

- In the open position of the lid, the neck of the container is released, and in the folded position of said lid, the neck of the container is closed.

By way of example, not shown, the hinge comprises at least one element connecting the base and the cover, for example a thin web, integral with the cover and the base, arranged, for example sufficiently thin, to allow the rotational movement of the lid from its folded position to its open position, with intrinsic resistance in limited rotation. The present invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

- Figures 1 and 2 show, in perspective, a first embodiment of a plug according to the invention, respectively in the open position and in the folded or closed position; - Figure 3 shows an axial sectional view of the cap according to Figures 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 represents, on an enlarged scale and in section, two details of the plug according to FIGS. 1 to 3, relating to the locking and unlocking means, the latter being in an intermediate position between their original position shown in FIG. 3, and their final position in which the cap locking means are released; - Figures 5 to 7 show three phases respectively leading to the complete opening of the plug, from its folded or closed position, shown in Figure 3;

- Figures 8 and 9 show, respectively in perspective and in exploded view and in axial section, the hinge means between the base and the cover;

- Like Figures 1 and 2, Figures 10 and 11 show a second embodiment of a plug according to the invention, respectively in the open position and in the folded or closed position; - Figure 12 shows an axial sectional view of the plug shown in Figures 10 and 11;

- Figures 13 to 15 show, from the folded or closed position of Figure 12, three phases respectively leading to the complete opening of the plug according to Figures 10 to 12; - Figures 16 and 17 show, respectively in perspective and in exploded view, and in axial section, the hinge means belonging to the plug shown in Figures 10 to 12.

- Figure 18 shows, in perspective and partially broken away, a cap according to a third embodiment of the invention, shown in position mounted on the neck of a container.

FIG. 19 represents a diagram of design and / or explanation of a plug according to the present invention, respectively in three relative configurations, the first in the folded and locked position, the second being opened, and the third in fully open position.

According to Figures 1 to 3, a plug according to the invention is intended to be mounted (see Figure 3) on a container 2, the internal volume may contain a flowable content, for example liquid.

Basically, such a cap comprises: a base 3 comprising mounting means 4 on the container 2, in particular its neck 2a,

a cover 6 comprising closure means 7,

- Hinge of the cover means 6 relative to the base 3, between an open position (see Figure 7) and a folded position (see Figure 2 and 3); these articulation means comprise a hinge 10 defining, actually or fictitiously, an axis 11, around which the cover 6 can rotate or tilt freely, subject to friction or other intrinsic resistance, especially in rotation, at least in the sense of opening the cap.

The base 3 is mounted in a sealed manner with respect to the liquids and / or gases, vis-à-vis the contents of the container 2, on the neck 2a of the latter, and comprises a discharge conduit 5 arranged to evacuate the contents above, and having an outlet port 5a. The closure means 7 of the cover 6 are arranged to close the outlet orifice 5a of the base 3 in a sealed manner with respect to the contents of the container 2. In the open position of the cover 6 (see FIG. 7), the outlet orifice 5a of the base 3 is completely disengaged, for example to allow its access to the mouth, and in the folded or closed position of the cover 6 (see FIG. 5a is closed.

The lid 6 and the base 3 are two separate parts, connected to each other, freely in rotation, by the hinge hinge means 10.

As shown more particularly in Figures 8 and 9, the hinge 10 is composed, on the one hand by at least two female members 13, arranged along the axis of rotation 11 of the hinge 10, respectively belonging to the lid 6 or the 3, and on the other hand by at least two complementary male elements 14, mounted freely in rotation in the two aforementioned female elements respectively, arranged in turn along the axis of rotation 11, respectively belonging to the base 3 The two male elements 14 and / or the two female elements 13 of the hinge 10 comprise or are associated with means enabling them to be locked (see Figure 8), by simply pushing or shifting the lid 6 with respect to the base 3, the cover 6 and the base 3 being arranged parallel to one above the other. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, on one side the lid 6 comprises a barrel 15 provided with two studs 14 opposite along its axis, corresponding to the axis of rotation 11 of the hinge 10, forming the two male elements of FIG. the latter; and on the other side, the base 3 comprises, on the one hand, a cradle 16 for free reception in rotation of the barrel 15, and on the other hand, on either side of said cradle, two lugs 17 comprising two housings. 13 of free reception in rotation of the two pins 14 respectively, these housings 13 forming the two female elements of the hinge 10. The two pins 14 and / or the two lugs 17 comprise means, for example cut sides or flats, allowing their respective latching, for example by simply pushing the lid 6 on the base 3 (see Figure 8).

As a result of the articulation means 10 described above, there is certainly an intrinsic resistance to the rotation of the cover 6, and to the open position and to the folded position, resulting in particular from the friction of the hinge; but the energy required to tilt the lid 6 from its folded position to its open position remains reasonable, and can be easily determined.

As shown more particularly in Figure 4, the locking means 8 between the base 3 and the cover 6 comprise two bearing surfaces 26 and 27, bearing sliding on one another, respectively belonging to the base 3 and the cover 6. The curved profile of these two bearing surfaces respectively is determined to allow, when relative movement from one to the other to a final position, first if necessary a relative and limited displacement of the cover 6 relative to the ratio at the base 3, but without releasing the locking means 8, with correlatively a resistance opposed by an elastic deformation of the plug 1, and in particular of the base 3 and / or the cover 6, and more specifically in this case a plastic deformation of the exhaust duct 5 at its outlet orifice 5a, and / or a pin constituting the bearing 26 belonging to the cover 6, and finally, in the relative final position of the bearing surfaces 26 and 27, a release comprising and suddenly the cover 6 relative to the base 3, the base and / or the cover, in this case the discharge duct 5 at its outlet orifice 5a, and the pin constituting the bearing 26 resuming then their respective initial forms.

The locking means 8 of the cover 6 on the base 3, are snap-fit in the folded position of the cover 6, and arranged between the cover and the base, opposite the hinge 10 relative to the axis of rotation 11 of the latter.

As a result of the locking means 8 described above, and choices made by construction to locate the elastic deformation of the plug 1 in parts of the latter, on the one hand the energy or effort given below on the unlocking means 9 described below will have to overcome the resistance opposed by the locking means 8 and Ie evacuation duct 5, and secondly, this effort greater than this resistance will lead to storing the mechanical energy in these parts (pin 26 and leads 5), because of their deformation.

The unlocking means 9, which are antagonistic with respect to the locking means 8, are also arranged between the cover 6 and the base 3, and comprise:

at least one ramp 22 belonging respectively to the cover 6 or to the base 3,

a flap 23 belonging respectively to the base 3 or to the lid 6, which can be moved continuously, for example in a rotational or articulated stroke, towards a final position in which the locking means 8 are themselves in their final position and released; for this purpose, the flap 23 has a free end 23a intended to come into contact with the ramp 22,

- The ramp 22 is arranged in relation to the free end 23a of the movable flap 23, to determine the stroke of said flap 23 to the aforementioned end position.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ramp 22 belongs to the cover 6, and the shutter 23 to the base 3.

By molding or injection of a single plastic material, the shutter 23 is integral with the base 3, and the ramp 22 is integral with the cover 6, and is oriented, in the folded position of the cover 6, outward and opposite the base 3 (see Figure 3).

As best shown in Figure 1, the base 3 comprises two outer wings 24 substantially parallel, obliquely extending between them a protected volume within which the flap 23 is likely to tilt around its end 23b secured to the base 3, and opposite to the free end 23a.

As a result of the unlocking means 9 described above, it is the latter that are driving, and impart, by the application of the force developed by the thumb of the user over the entire length of the stroke of the flap 23 on the ramp 22 , energy or effort required, first to overcome the resistance of the plug 1 at the opening, because of the resistance opposed by the locking means 8 and optionally other parts of the plug, such as the evacuation duct 5 in relation to the closure means 7, then to store the mechanical energy, or the booster, required to project the moment, in rotation the cover 6 to its open position, by the elastic deformation of all or part of said plug.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention: - on the one hand the cover 6 is arranged, for example at the locking means 8, that is to say in an area of said cover 6 in contact with the base 3, to resiliently withstand any relative displacement between the cover and the base, and to store mechanical energy by deformation of the cover and / or the base; See previous description of the locking means 8, with reference to FIG. 4; in practice the mechanical energy thus stored is sufficient to project the lid 6 in rotation towards its open position (see Figure 7), by exceeding the rotational resistance of the hinge hinge means 10, for example by friction or the fact that their intrinsic stiffness, - and on the other hand, the unlocking means 9 previously described, (for example, see Figure 3) are arranged in the form of a trigger, having the function under the manual action of a user's finger, and in a stroke (see Figure 4) to the final position in which the locking means 8 are released: • first, if necessary, relatively move the cover 6 relative to the base 3, by storing mechanical energy because of elastic or plastic deformation, for example locking means 8,

• then, in the final position of the unlocking means 9, to release the cover 6 relative to the base 3, the mechanical energy released at the locking means 8, for projecting and rotating in practice the cover 6 to its open position (see Figures 5 to 7).

Preferably, the open position of the lid 6 relative to the base 3 is at least 100 °, for example 180 ° or 190 °, the folded or closed position (see Figure 2) relative to the axis of rotation 11 of the hinge 10.

According to the present invention, it should be understood that the spring or return effect, making it possible to constitute and store the mechanical energy for rotating the cover 6 in relation to the base 3, can be obtained in any which zone or in several zones of the plug 1, in particular of said cover in contact with the base 3, since the elastic deformation of said zones, in practice of the cover and / or of the base, under the effect of the actuation of the unlocking means 9, is able to store a mechanical energy, instantly releasable, in the final position of said unlocking means, to project the cover 6 in rotation to its open position, and without further mechanical or manual stress of the latter.

In some cases, for example when the cap allows drinking directly into the container 2, means 18 for stopping or braking the return rotation of the cover 6 from its open position to its folded or closed position, are formed between the base 3 and the cover 6. As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, these stop or brake means 18 comprise:

- On the side of the base 3 or the cover 6, a detent 19, and in correspondence, on the side of the cover 6 or the base 3, a ring gear 20 about the axis 11 of rotation of the hinge 10, whose teeth 21 escape the detent 19 in the direction of the opening of the cover 6 from its folded position, and whose teeth 21 mesh flexibly with the detent 19 in the direction of return lid from its open position to its folded position.

The flexible gearing allows anyway by an additional effort to disengage the teeth 21 from the notch 19 and fold down the lid 6.

Ultimately, the design and operation of a plug according to the present invention can be modeled as described below, with reference to FIG. 19.

In a general manner, according to the invention, on one side the "motor" means constituted by the unlocking means 9 generate an energy (E), approximately equal to the force applied on the flap 23, multiplied by the length of the stroke of the flap against the ramp 22, to the final position in which the locking means 8 are released.

On the other side, relative to the axis of the hinge means 10, there is a resistor, and therefore a power required to release this resistance, namely (E1) to release the locking means 8 or 26/27 , and / or (E2) to release the closure means 7 with respect to the outlet orifice 5a. As indicated, by design and / or construction, the plug 1, that is to say all or part of the latter, for example the cover 6 and / or the base 3, are arranged to be able to deform elastically, in the folded and locked position of the lid 6, and thus closed the plug 1, and correlatively absorb by deformation at least the energy (E) developed at the pusher.

Given the freedom in rotation of the cover 6 relative to the base 3, around the hinge means 10, to friction in rotation, it is necessary to apply a kinetic energy (E3) to rotate the lid 6 towards its open position.

According to the present invention, the energy (E) is at least equal to (E1) + (E2) + (E3). This energy is stored, in the same locked position of the cover, in all or part of the plug 1 elastically deformed, and released upon release of the locking means 8, and / or the closure means 7. The energy thus released then allows to project the lid 6 in the open position, automatically to the rear.

The second embodiment of the invention, shown with reference to FIGS. 10 to 18, by a difference in the first embodiment, also has the following characteristics: with respect to hinge articulation means 10, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, on one side the lid 6 comprises a barrel 15 provided with at least two housings 13 arranged along its axis, forming the two female elements of the hinge, and on the other side, the base 3 comprises at least two lugs 17 having two lugs 14 freely rotating in the two housings 13, respectively, forming the two male elements of the hinge 10. As shown more particularly in Figure 16, the two nipples 14 and / or the two ends of the barrel 15 comprise means, for example cut sides or flats, allowing the latching of the two pins in the two housings respectively, by simply pushing the cover 6 on the base 3.

In addition, the evacuation duct 5 is closed by a cup 50 which, in the center of the duct 5, has an opening 50a with a straight edge (see FIGS. 13, 14, 15) co-operating sealed, in the folded position of the lid 6, with the closure means 7, which consist of a cylindrical finger 7. This arrangement has the advantage of reconciling, on one side the support of the lips on the base of the cap in the cup 50, to promote a return of air to the container 2, and the other side a good seal, notwithstanding the internal pressure exerted on the base 3, from the container 2.

According to FIG. 18, the third embodiment of the invention differs from the first embodiment or from the second embodiment, in that:

- The base 3 comprises, on the side of its edge 3a, a ring 60 of tamper evident with hooks 61 engaging with the neck 2a of the container, in the direction of unscrewing the plug relative to the container 2, and escaping audit neck in the direction of the introduction, for example by pushing the plug on said neck, said ring being connected to the rest of the base by breakable bridges 62 in the direction of unscrewing the plug.

the tamperproof ring 60 extends circumferentially along half of the circumference of the base,

- The two hooks 62 are respectively arranged at the two ends respectively of the ring 60 for implementation under a flange 2b formed on the neck 2a of the container 2.

Claims

1. Stopper (1) intended to be mounted on a container (2), whose internal volume may contain a content or charge, for example a liquid content, said stopper comprising:

a base (3) comprising mounting means (4) on the container (2), in particular its neck (2a),

- a cover (6) - hinge means (10) of the cover (6) relative to the base (3), between an open position and a folded position, defining an axis of rotation (11), around which the lid (6) is rotatable, at least in the direction of opening the plug,

- locking means (8) of the cover (6) relative to the base (3) in its folded position,

- Unlocking means (9) of the cover (6) relative to the base (3), antagonistic to said locking means (8), arranged to be actuated manually, in a race towards a final position in which the means of locking (8) are released, characterized in that, in combination, firstly the hinge means (10) are arranged to freely allow, beyond their rotational resistance, the rotation projection of the lid (6) towards its open position, secondly, the cover (6) and / or the base (3) are arranged to resiliently withstand in their locked position any relative displacement in rotation between the cover and the base, and correlatively store a mechanical energy by elastic or plastic deformation of said plug, the stored mechanical energy being in practice sufficient to rotate the cover (6) in rotation to its open position, and thirdly, the means of unlocking means (9) are arranged in the form of a detent, the function of which, depending on the stroke towards the final release position of the locking means (8), is to relatively move the cover (6) relatively to the base (3), the stored mechanical energy being released in said final position, for rotating the cover (6) to its open position.

2. Stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that the hinge means (10) comprise no elastic return means in rotation towards the open position of the cover (6), for example no element of visco-elastic material, constrained rotating in the folded position of the lid.

3. Stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that the hinge means (10) are not arranged, for example as to their constituent material and / or their shape, to generate an elastic return torque in rotation to the position open lid (6), for example by being constrained in rotation in the folded position of the lid.

4. Stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that it is arranged by construction to locate the elastic deformation in at least one of the following elements, namely the base (3), the cover (6), the means locking (8), and the hinge means (10).

5. Stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that the stored mechanical energy is greater, by construction of the plug, the energy required to release the locking of the lid (6) relative to the base (3), plus the energy required to overcome the rotational resistance of the articulation means (10).

6. Stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that the stored mechanical energy is sufficient, by construction of the plug, to project the lid (6) in rotation in a folded position relative to the axis of rotation (1 1 ) articulation means (10).

7. Stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that the unlocking means (9) comprise:

at least one ramp (22) belonging to the cover (6) or to the base (3),

- a flap (23) belonging to the base (3) or the cover (6), continuously movable against the ramp (22) to a final position in which the locking means (8) are released, and having a free end (23a) intended to come into contact with the ramp (22),

- The ramp (22) being arranged in relation to the free end (23a) of the movable flap (23), to determine the stroke of the flap (23) to its final position.

8. Stopper according to claim 7, characterized in that the ramp (22) belongs to the cover (6), and the flap (23) to the base (3).

9. Stopper according to claim 8, characterized in that the flap

(23) is integral with the base (3), and the ramp (22) is integral with the cover (6), and is oriented, in the folded position of the cover, to the outside and to the opposite of the base (3).

10. Stopper according to claim 8, characterized in that the base (3) comprises two outer wings (24) substantially parallel, of oblique extension, between them a protected volume within which the flap (23) is susceptible to swing around an end (23b) integral with the base (3), and opposite the free end (23a).

11. Stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means (8) of the cover (6) on the base (3), in the folded position, are snap-fitted, and arranged between the cover (6) and the base (3).

12. Stopper according to claim 11, characterized in that it is arranged to locate the elastic deformation in the locking means (8).

13. Stopper according to claim 12, characterized in that the locking means (8) comprise two bearing surfaces (26, 27) sliding on one another, respectively belonging to the base (3) and the cover. (6), whose respective profile is determined to allow, during their relative movement to a final relative position, first an elastically constrained displacement, not free, of the cover relative to the base, and finally in the final position a release of the cover relative to the base, the base and / or said cover then taking their respective initial forms.

14. Stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the base (3) is mounted sealingly, vis-à-vis the contents of the container, on a neck (2a) of the container (2), and comprises an evacuation duct (5) arranged with an outlet orifice for evacuating said contents,

the lid (6) comprises closure means (7) arranged to close the outlet orifice (5a) of the base (3), in a sealed manner with respect to the contents of said container,

in the open position of the lid (6), the outlet orifice of the base (3) is disengaged, and in the folded position of said lid (6), said outlet orifice (5a) is closed by means of shutter (7).

15. Stopper according to claim 1 characterized in that:

- The base (3) has an opening for the passage of a neck (2a) of the container (2), - the lid (6) comprises closure means (7) arranged to close the neck (2a) of the container, in a sealed manner vis-à-vis the contents of said container,

in the open position of the lid (6), the neck (2a) of the container (1) is disengaged, and in the folded position of said lid (6), the neck (2a) of the container (2) is closed by the means shutter (7).

16. Stopper according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the closure means (7) are arranged for sealing, requiring an antagonistic energy to be released.

17. Stopper according to claim 16, characterized in that the closure means (7) serve as locking means of the cover (6) relative to the base (3) in its folded position.

18. Stopper according to claim 16, characterized by the mechanical energy stored is greater, by construction of the plug, the energy required to release the closure means (7) and / or locking the cover (6) relative to the firing (3), plus the energy required to overcome the rotational resistance of the hinge means (10).

19. Stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that means (18) for stopping or braking the return stroke in rotation of the cover (6) from its open position to its folded position, are formed between the base ( 3) and said lid (6).

20. Stopper according to claim 19, characterized in that the means (18) for stopping or braking comprises, on the side of the base (3) or the cover (6), a detent (19), and in correspondence, on the side of the cover (6) or the base (3), a ring gear (20) around the axis of rotation of the hinge (10), whose teeth (21) escape the notch of stopping (19) in the direction of opening the lid from its folded position, and whose teeth (21) mesh flexibly with the detent (19) in the direction of the return of the cover from its open position towards its folded position.

21. Stopper according to claim 1 characterized in that the hinge (10) comprises at least one element connecting the base (3) and the cover (6), integral with the cover (6) and the base (3). ), arranged, for example sufficiently thin, to allow a rotational movement of the cover (6) from its folded position to its open position, with a limited intrinsic resistance in rotation.

22. Stopper according to claim 1 characterized in that the cover (6) and the base (3) are two separate parts, connected to each other freely in rotation, by the hinge means (10).

23. Stopper according to claim 22, characterized in that the hinge (10) is composed, on the one hand by at least two female elements (13), arranged along the axis of rotation (11), belonging to the cover (6). ) or on the base (3), and on the other hand by at least two complementary male elements (14) freely mounted in rotation in the two elements females respectively, arranged along the axis of rotation belonging to the base (3) or the cover (6).

24. Stopper according to claim 23, characterized in that the two male elements (14) and / or the two female elements (13) of the hinge (10) comprise or are associated with means allowing their isolation by simple push or translation the cover (6) relative to the base (3), the cover (6) and the base (3) being arranged parallel to one above the other.

25. Stopper according to claim 23, characterized in that, on one side the cover (6) comprises a cylinder (15) provided with two pins (14) opposite along its axis, forming the two male elements of the hinge, and on the other side, the base (3) comprises, on the one hand a cradle (16) for free reception in rotation of the barrel, and on the other hand, on both sides of the cradle, two ears (17). ) having two housings (13) for free reception in rotation of the two pins (14) respectively, forming the two female elements of the hinge (10).

26. Stopper according to claims 24 and 25, characterized in that the two pins (14) and / or the two lugs (17) comprise means, for example cut sides or flats, allowing their respective latching, by simply pushing the cover (6) on the base (3).

27. Stopper according to claim 23, characterized in that, on one side, the lid comprises a cylinder (15) provided with at least two housings (13) arranged along its axis, forming the two female elements of the hinge ( 10), and on the other side, the base (3) comprises at least two lugs (17) having two pins (14) freely rotating in the two housings (13) respectively, forming the two male elements of the hinge (10).

28. Stopper according to claims 24 and 27, characterized in that the two pins (14) and / or both ends of the barrel (15) comprise means, for example cut sides or flats, for snapping two nipples in the two housing respectively, by simply pushing the cover (6) on the base (3).

29. Container (2) comprising or integrating a cap according to any one of claims 1 to 28, said cap being for example disposed on the neck (2a) of said container.

30. The container of claim 29, wherein the internal volume is filled with a flowable content, for example a liquid.