U.S. patent application number 11/706374 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-06 for closure cap and a receptacle fitted therewith.
This patent application is currently assigned to L'OREAL. Invention is credited to Jean-Francois Delage.
Application Number | 20070205177 11/706374 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46327299 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070205177 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Delage; Jean-Francois |
September 6, 2007 |
Closure cap and a receptacle fitted therewith
Abstract
A closure cap includes a lid provided with a closure pin
comprising a portion in relief, a base portion onto which the lid
is hinged, and a hinge connecting the lid to the base portion. The
base portion includes: a dispenser orifice configured to be closed
by the closure pin when the lid is closed and the closure pin is in
a closed position, the pin bearing in leak tight manner against an
annular surface of the dispenser orifice in the closed position,
and a fastener portion extending downward along the annular surface
and configured to snap-fasten on a portion in relief of the closure
pin when the pin is in the closed position.
Inventors: |
Delage; Jean-Francois;
(Clamart, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
L'OREAL
Paris
FR
75008
|
Family ID: |
46327299 |
Appl. No.: |
11/706374 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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|
11429163 |
May 8, 2006 |
|
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|
11706374 |
Feb 15, 2007 |
|
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60690886 |
Jun 16, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
215/305 ;
215/235; 222/556 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2251/1066 20130101;
B65D 2251/1041 20130101; B65D 47/0814 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/305 ;
215/235; 222/556 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/00 20060101
B65D041/00; B65D 39/00 20060101 B65D039/00; B65D 47/00 20060101
B65D047/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 9, 2005 |
FR |
05 04619 |
Claims
1. A closure cap comprising: lid provided with a closure pin
including a portion in relief; a base portion onto which the lid is
hinged; and a hinge connecting the lid to the base portion, the
base portion comprising a dispenser orifice configured to be closed
by the closure pin when the lid is closed and the closure pin is in
a closed position, the pin bearing in leaktight manner against an
annular surface of the dispenser orifice in the closed position;
and a fastener portion extending from the annular surface and
configured to snap-fasten on a portion in relief of the closure pin
when the pin is in the closed position.
2. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the portion in
relief comprises an annular groove.
3. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the fastener portion
comprises at least one elastically-deformable tab.
4. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the fastener portion
comprises a plurality of elastically-deformable tabs.
5. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the hinge, the lid
and the base portion are molded in a single piece.
6. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the fastener portion
comprises exactly three elastically deformable tabs configured to
snap fasten on the portion in relief.
7. A closure cap according to claim 6, wherein a first one of the
three elastically deformable tabs extends on a side of the
dispenser orifice opposite to the hinge, and the two other
elastically deformable tabs extend opposite each other, a line
passing through median planes of the two other elastically
deformable tabs being parallel to a pivot axis of the hinge.
8. A closure cap according to claim 3, wherein the at least one
elastically deformable tab comprises a tooth configured to
snap-fasten on the portion in relief.
9. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the base portion
comprises a skirt configured for mounting on a neck of a
receptacle.
10. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the annular surface
is extended by a plurality of tabs that are arranged to snap-fasten
on the closure pin other than on a side of the dispenser orifice
adjacent the hinge.
11. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the closure pin is
hollow.
12. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the fastener
portion extends around only a portion of the periphery of the
dispenser orifice.
13. A closure cap according to claim 12, wherein the fastener
portion extends around 180.degree. to 270.degree. of the
periphery.
14. A receptacle comprising a body and a closure cap, as defined in
claim 1, mounted on the body.
15. A closure cap according to claim 8, wherein the tooth is
provided on a side opposite the hinge.
16. A closure cap according to claim 12, wherein a side of the
annular surface nearest the hinge is not extended by the fastener
portion.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of application
Ser. No. 11/429,163 filed May 8, 2006, the entire contents of which
are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0002] The present invention relates to a closure cap comprising a
base portion provided with at least one dispenser orifice and a lid
that pivots relative to the base portion to close the dispenser
orifice.
BACKGROUND
[0003] U.S. 2005/0173366 discloses a closure cap, the base portion
including a dispenser orifice. The lid includes a closure pin
arranged to be engaged-in the dispenser orifice when the lid is
closed. The closure pin comprises at least one portion in relief
arranged to snap-fasten in the base portion.
[0004] FR 2 771 386, GB 2 166 123 A and DE GM 78 23 284 disclose
other closure caps comprising a lid with a closure pin.
[0005] Japanese patent application JP 1-66355 discloses a closure
cap including a base portion including an internally-threaded skirt
for screwing onto the neck of the receptacle, and that is
surrounded by an outer covering skirt. A lid is hinged onto the
base portion by means of a hinge including a spring-forming tongue
that assists the opening movement of the lid. An opening control
element can slide over the base portion in order to act on the lid
and on the hinge.
[0006] European patent application EP 0 699 591 discloses a cap
including an outer covering skirt that is interrupted on the side
remote from the hinge, so as to receive the opening control element
which comprises a presser hinged onto the base portion and a
presser member that is suitable for sliding in a recess of the base
portion. The presser member comprises ramps for co-operating with
portions in relief of the lid so as to cause said lid to rise, and
an end for acting on the spring-forming tongue of the hinge. The
presser member includes an oblong cutout in which a dispenser end
piece is engaged.
[0007] French patent application FR 2 685 294 discloses a closure
cap that functions in a fairly similar way.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,769 describes a receptacle including a
closure cap in which the opening control element slides inside the
base portion. On the side remote from the hinge, the opening
control element includes a projecting portion on which the user
must press in order to open the lid.
[0009] European patent application EP 1 281 628 describes a closure
cap that is made in a similar way.
SUMMARY
[0010] A need exists to benefit from a closure cap that can open
easily while providing satisfactory closing.
[0011] Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a closure cap
comprising:
[0012] a lid provided with a closure pin comprising a portion in
relief;
[0013] a base portion onto which the lid is hinged, a hinge
connecting the lid to the base portion, the base portion
comprising: [0014] a dispenser orifice configured to be closed by
the closure pin when the lid is closed and the closure pin is in a
closed position, the pin bearing in leaktight manner against an
annular surface of the dispenser orifice in the closed position:
[0015] a fastener portion extending from the annular surface and
configured to snap-fasten on the portion in relief of the closure
pin when the pin is in the closed position.
[0016] The portion in relief may comprise an annular groove.
[0017] The fastener portion may comprise at least one
elastically-deformable tab, preferably a plurality of
elastically-deformable tabs.
[0018] The at least one elastically-deformable tab may extend from
the annular surface substantially below the annular surface inside
the base portion.
[0019] The fastener portion need not extend all around an axis of
the dispenser orifice, and may extend for example only within a
perimeter excluding a portion of the dispenser orifice adjacent the
hinge. This may range for example between 180.degree. and
270.degree. of the perimeter.
[0020] The hinge, the lid and the base portion may be molded in a
single piece.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the fastener portion comprises
at least one and preferably exactly three elastically deformable
tabs configured to snap fasten on the portion in relief.
[0022] A first one of the three elastically deformable tabs may
extend on a side of the dispenser orifice opposite to the hinge,
and the two other elastically deformable tabs may extend opposite
each other. A line passing through median planes of these two other
elastically deformable tabs may be parallel to a pivot axis of the
hinge.
[0023] The at least one elastically deformable tab may comprise at
least one arcuate tooth configured to snap fasten on the portion in
relief.
[0024] The base portion may comprise a skirt configured for
mounting on a neck of a receptacle. The skirt may comprise
projections configured to snap fasten on the neck.
[0025] In some exemplary embodiments, the lid is lifted into the
open position manually by the user.
[0026] In some other exemplary embodiments, the lid moves toward
the open position subsequent an action of the ser on an opening
control element.
[0027] The opening control element may comprise a skirt that
surrounds at least a portion of the base portion, and that is
connected to the base portion via at least one
elastically-deformable connection element.
[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the dispenser orifice is defined
by an annular surface that is extended downwards by at least one
elastically-deformable tab that is arranged to snap-fasten on a
closure pin carried by the lid.
[0029] The annular surface need not have an extension that
co-operates with the closure pin on the side remote from the face
of the opening control element on which the user presses in order
to open the lid.
[0030] The annular surface may be extended by a plurality of tabs
that are arranged to snap-fasten on the closure pin other than on
the side adjacent the hinge or the side which is remote from the
face of the control element on which the user presses in order to
cause the lid to open.
[0031] This facilitates opening the lid without being hindered too
much. The lid is not hindered by the pin catching on the base
portion, which catching effect would tend to get worse the more the
user presses.
[0032] The skirt of the opening control element may act as a
presser, so as to enable the user to control opening, while
concealing the top portion of the receptacle body onto which the
cap is mounted. The skirt may provide the user with a relatively
large presser surface, thereby increasing comfort in use.
[0033] In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the
elastically-deformable connection element(s) may act as resilient
return means for returning the skirt into its initial position
after it has been actuated by the user.
[0034] In exemplary embodiments, the cap may be made in such a
manner as to reduce the risk of dirt accumulating, e.g., as a
result of the absence of a cutout surrounding the outside of the
dispenser orifice, and as a result of it being possible for there
to be no external recess, similar to prior art recesses, for
guiding the opening control element.
[0035] In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the entire cap is
molded as a single part as a result of the presence of the
elastically-deformable connection element(s). The deformable
connection element(s) enable(s) various portions of the cap to be
disposed in a configuration that makes them easy to mold, and said
element(s) can then deform while the cap is being mounted on the
receptacle body, so as to take up their final configuration.
[0036] In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the opening
control element is not made integrally with the base portion.
[0037] The opening control element and the base portion may be made
separately, and then assembled. The base portion and the opening
control element may be made in a single mold, in such a manner as
to enable them to be assembled together while the cap is being
removed from the mold.
[0038] The neck of the receptacle may include at least one portion
in relief for angularly positioning the base portion of the cap
relative to the body of the receptacle. By way of example, the
portion in relief may be in the form of a spline that extends, at
least in part, along the neck, e.g., substantially symmetrically
relative to a mid-plane that is perpendicular to the pivot axis of
the lid. By way of example, the base portion of the cap may include
at least one notch in which the above-mentioned spline can be
engaged while the base portion is being mounted on the receptacle
body.
[0039] The base portion may be fastened onto the receptacle body by
snap-fastening, in an embodiment of the invention. On its inside
surface, the base portion may include at least one portion in
relief for snap-fastening on a corresponding portion in relief
formed on the neck in the proximity of its base, for example.
[0040] The base portion may include an annular sealing lip for
bearing against the inside surface of the neck.
[0041] The skirt of the opening control element may be extended, in
particular at its top portion, by an inwardly-directed rim.
[0042] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the
connection elements are molded in such a manner as to be capable of
being brought to snap-fasten on the base portion while the cap is
being removed from the mold.
[0043] The lid may be molded with the base portion or it may be
fitted thereon.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment in which the base portion and the
opening control element are molded as a single part, the lid may be
molded with the base portion or it may be fitted on the base
portion and fastened thereon, e.g., by snap-fastening.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment in which the control element is
assembled with the base portion, e.g., after molding, the lid may
be molded integrally with the base portion.
[0046] The hinge connecting together the lid and the base portion
may advantageously include at least one spring-forming tongue that
assists the opening movement of the lid. The tongue may be bent,
and it may pass through a maximum stress state when the lid is in
an intermediate position between the closed position and the open
position.
[0047] The opening control element may when present be arranged to
act on the spring-forming tongue, when actuated by the user, so as
to push said tongue to the point of triggering the spring
effect.
[0048] On the hinge side, the opening control element may include
when present a tab for pressing on the spring-forming tongue. The
tab may present a bracket shape, so as to make it possible to press
on the spring-forming tongue at a location that is higher than the
pivot axis of the lid.
[0049] The opening control element may also advantageously be
arranged when present to act directly on the lid, when actuated by
the user, so as to make it easier to disengage a closure pin,
carried by the lid, of the dispenser orifice of the base
portion.
[0050] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the opening
control element may be arranged to act on a portion in relief that
is carried by the lid in a region of said lid that is situated
substantially remote from the hinge. By way of example, the lid may
include a tooth on its bottom face in the proximity of its edge
remote from the hinge, and the plate of the base portion may
include an opening enabling the tooth to co-operate with the
opening control element when the user presses on said opening
control element, so as to displace it towards the hinge. By way of
example, the above-mentioned rim of the opening control element may
include a notch in which the tooth of the lid is engaged, and the
bottom wall of the notch may come to bear against a sloping face of
the tooth when the opening control element is first displaced, so
as to cause the lid to start pivoting.
[0051] In the closed position and when the opening control element
is at rest, the lid may be arranged in such a manner as to extend
set back from the opening control element on the side remote from
the hinge, or, in contrast, it may project in front of the opening
control element.
[0052] In order to reduce the risk of uncontrolled opening, the
opening control element may be configured in such a manner as to be
capable of being displaced through a non-zero stroke before acting
on the lid. With this configuration, the edge of the lid may
project in front of the opening control element before said opening
control element starts to act on the lid.
[0053] The invention also provides a receptacle comprising a body
and, fastened onto the body, a closure cap as defined above.
[0054] In some embodiments, the receptacle body may be arranged to
present a shouldered top wall, so as to guide the opening control
element in displacement.
[0055] In another of its aspects, the invention also provides a
receptacle comprising a closure cap, and a body onto which the
closure cap is fastened, the closure cap comprising:
[0056] a lid provided with a closure pin comprising a portion in
relief; and
[0057] a base portion onto which the lid is hinged, a hinge
connecting the lid to the base portion, the base portion
comprising: [0058] a dispenser orifice configured to be closed by
the closure pin when the lid is closed and the closure pin is in a
closed position, the pin bearing in leaktight manner against the
annular surface of the dispenser orifice in the closed position;
and [0059] a fastener portion extending downward along the annular
surface and configured to snap-fasten on the portion in relief of
the closure pin when the pin is in the closed position.
[0060] In another of its aspects, and independently or in
combination with the above, the invention also provides a method of
manufacturing an article comprising first and second
assembled-together parts, and in which:
[0061] the two parts are molded in a single mold that is provided
with at least one extraction pusher, the second part being disposed
in the mold relative to the first, in such a manner that, after
molding, displacement of the extraction pusher is accompanied by
displacement of the second part relative to the first, and by the
parts being fastened together, e.g., snap-fastened.
[0062] By way of example, the first part is the base portion of the
above-defined closure cap, and the second part is the opening
control element.
[0063] The first part may be molded in a first material, and the
second part in a second material that is different from the first,
e.g., of different color.
[0064] The base portion may be molded integrally with the lid.
[0065] At least one slider may be provided in the mold, defining,
at least in part, the cavities that are used to mold the two parts.
The slider may be displaced, so as to enable the extraction pusher
to act.
[0066] The above-mentioned surface may be extended by one or more
elastically-deformable tabs that are arranged to snap-fasten in an
annular groove formed in the closure pin.
[0067] The surface need not have an extension that co-operates with
the closure pin on the side remote from the face of the opening
control element on which the user presses in order to open the lid.
Thus, opening the lid is not hindered by the pin catching on the
base portion, which catching effect would tend to get worse the
more the user presses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0068] The invention can be better understood on reading the
following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof,
and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0069] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing an example of a
receptacle made in accordance with the invention, the closure cap
being shown closed and open respectively;
[0070] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section of the closure cap and
receptacle;
[0071] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a fastener portion of the
base portion, FIGS. 4B to 4D are views similar to FIG. 4A of
variant embodiments,
[0072] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a receptacle
constituting another embodiment of the invention;
[0073] FIG. 6 shows the closure cap in place on the receptacle
body, the closure cap being in its closed position;
[0074] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, the closure cap being in
its open position;
[0075] FIG. 8 is a perspective view from above showing the opening
control element and the lid in isolation;
[0076] FIG. 9 is a perspective view from below showing the lid and
the base portion in isolation;
[0077] FIG. 10 is a perspective view from below showing the opening
control element in isolation;
[0078] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary longitudinal
section of the receptacle, the closure cap being closed;
[0079] FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary longitudinal
section of the receptacle in a section plane that is perpendicular
to the FIG. 11 section plane;
[0080] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 11, the closure cap being
open;
[0081] FIGS. 14 and 15 show the deformation of the arms of the
opening control element when the user presses on the opening
control element;
[0082] FIGS. 16 to 27 shows a method of manufacturing the closure
cap of FIGS. 5 to 15;
[0083] FIGS. 28 to 30 are diagrammatic and fragmentary sections
showing a variant embodiment;
[0084] FIG. 31 shows a detail of FIG. 29; and
[0085] FIG. 32 is a diagrammatic perspective view from below the
base portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0086] The receptacle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a body 2
onto which there is fastened a closure cap 3.
[0087] The body 2 is for example in the form of a flexible
tube.
[0088] In the embodiment shown, the apparent top portion of the
body 2 presents a substantially circular cross-section.
[0089] The closure cap 3 comprises a base portion 5 having a
tubular skirt 5a and a top wall 5b provided with a dispenser
orifice 6 and a lid 7 that is hinged onto the base portion 5 about
an axis Y.
[0090] The receptacle 1 comprises a neck 2a shown in FIG. 3 on
which the base portion 5 is fastened, for example
snap-fastened.
[0091] The base portion may comprise a mounting skirt 5e to
snap-fasten on the neck 2a.
[0092] The mounting skirt 5e may be continuously tubular or may
comprise longitudinal slots.
[0093] The base portion 5 comprises a sealing lip 5f that contacts
the internal surface of the neck 2a.
[0094] In variant embodiments, the base portion and the neck are
fastened as disclosed in U.S. 2005/0173366 A1, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0095] In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the skirt 5a presents a
substantially circular cross-section.
[0096] The lid 7 is connected to the base portion by a film hinge
10 comprising two portions that are disposed on either side of a
spring-forming tongue, sometimes referred to as a toggle. The hinge
portions pass through a maximum stress state in an intermediate
position between the closed position and the open position, in such
a manner as to assist the opening movement of the lid 7 and ensure
that, once open, said lid maintains its position.
[0097] The lid 7 includes a pin 14 for closing the orifice 6, said
pin being provided as shown in FIG. 3 with at least one portion in
relief 15 that is configured to snap-fasten on a fastener portion
16 of the base portion 5 when the lid 7 is closed.
[0098] The dispenser orifice 6 may be defined by an annular surface
180, e.g. cylindrical, that is extended downwards by tabs 181 that
include teeth 182 for snap-fastening in the corresponding groove
183 of the closure pin 14.
[0099] The annular surface 180 may be extended by four tabs 181,
each provided with a corresponding tooth 182, as shown in FIG.
4A.
[0100] Each tooth 182 of the corresponding tab 181 may have as
shown a chamfered end defining a surface 181a that tapers inwardly
and upwardly on FIG. 3.
[0101] The end of the pin 14 is defined in the shown embodiment by
a wall 14a that is thinner than a wall 14b above the groove
183.
[0102] The contact between the wall 14b and the annular surface 180
provides a tight seal in the closed position of the lid, as shown
in FIG. 3.
[0103] The pin 14 has, in the shown embodiment, a shape symmetrical
about its longitudinal axis.
[0104] The pin 14 is hollow in the described embodiment but may in
a variant (not shown) not be hollow.
[0105] The lid 7 may be held in the closed position only by the
snap-fastening of the pin 14 in the dispenser orifice 6.
[0106] In a variant (not shown), the lid 7 comprises a latch member
that snap-fastens on a corresponding relief of the base
portion.
[0107] On the hinge side of the lid, the surface 180 need not be
extended by a tab 181 provided with a tooth 182, so as to make it
easier to open the lid, as shown in the variant of FIG. 4B.
[0108] In the example of FIG. 4B, the pin 14 comprises a tab 181
that is opposite to the hinge 10 and two other tabs 181 that are
facing each other. A line M joining the centers of these two tabs
may extend parallel to the pivot axis Y of the hinge.
[0109] In the variant of FIG. 4C, the fastener portion 16 comprises
only two tabs 181 provided each with a corresponding tooth and
facing each other. These two tabs 181 correspond to the two tabs
facing each other of the embodiment of FIG. 4B.
[0110] In the embodiment of FIG. 4D, the fastener portion comprises
only one tab 181 provided with a tooth 182, on the side of the
dispenser orifice opposite to the hinge 10.
[0111] The skirt may be provided in a variant (not shown) with a
recess on the side opposite to the hinge to make it easier to the
user to lift the lid by a thumb.
[0112] A variant embodiment of the receptacle is described as shown
below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 15.
[0113] In this embodiment, the base portion 5 may include firstly a
plate 20 that is elongate along a major axis W, and on the top face
of which the orifice 6 opens out, and secondly a portion 22 that
extends below the plate 20, and that is used for fastening onto a
neck 24 of the receptacle, visible in FIG. 12.
[0114] In the embodiment under consideration, the portion 22 is in
the form of a tubular mounting skirt of axis K, configured for
snap-fastening on a corresponding flange 26 of the neck 24, as
shown in FIGS. 9 and 12.
[0115] In the embodiment under consideration, the portion 22
further includes two notches 28 (FIG. 32) that are arranged to
receive splines of the neck 24, in such a manner that the major
axis W of the plate 20 is substantially parallel to a major axis of
the body 2.
[0116] An annular sealing lip 33 for bearing against the inside
surface of the neck 24 is connected to the bottom face of the plate
20.
[0117] The closure cap comprises an opening control element 8
including a tubular skirt 40 extending around the entire neck 24.
In the embodiment under consideration, the tubular skirt 40
presents a cross-sectional shape that is substantially
geometrically similar to the shape of the body 2, as can be seen in
FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0118] The skirt 40 is extended at its top portion by an
inwardly-directed rim 41. The rim 41 is covered in part by the
plate 20 when the cap 3 is fastened onto the neck of the receptacle
2, as can be seen in FIG. 7.
[0119] In the shown embodiment, the opening control element 8 is
connected to the base portion 5 by arms 110, each extending between
two opposite regions 111 and 112 of the inside edge of the rim 41,
as can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 10.
[0120] While the user is not exerting any pressure on the opening
control element 8, each arm 110 presents a curved portion 114 that
is adapted to match substantially the shape of the portion 22 of
the base portion that is used for fastening said base portion on
the neck 24 of the receptacle.
[0121] The curved portions 114 are connected to the edge 111 via
portions 120 that are parallel to each other, and that are both
perpendicular to the major axis W. The curved portions 114 are
connected to the edge 112 via rectilinear portions 122 that diverge
a little towards the edge 112.
[0122] When the opening control element 8 is in place on the base
portion 5, the arms 110 are snap-fastened between the plate 20 and
portions in relief 148 carried by the portion 22, as can be seen in
FIGS. 12 and 14.
[0123] When the user presses on the skirt 40 in order to cause the
lid to open, the arms 110 deform elastically, as shown in FIG.
15.
[0124] At the end of the displacement of the skirt 40, each bend
126, formed at the junction between the curved and rectilinear
portions 114 and 122, remains on the same side of the half plane
containing the axis of the dispenser orifice 6 and the major axis
W, such that when the user releases the opening control element 8,
the arms 110 tend to return said opening control element into its
initial position, shown in FIG. 14.
[0125] The body 2 of the receptacle may include a recess 140, as
shown in FIG. 5, and the skirt 40 may present, on the side where
the user presses, an extension 141 that matches the shape of the
recess 140, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0126] The final clearance between the plate 20 and the rim 41 may
lie in the range of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, for example.
[0127] On the side remote from the surface on which the user
presses in order to control opening, the opening control element 8
includes a tab 60 for acting on the spring-forming tongue 12, so as
to push said tongue to its trigger point, thereby causing the lid
to open.
[0128] The opening control element 8 may also be arranged to act on
a portion in relief 63 of the lid 7, so as to cause the lid to
start rising, and in particular cause the closure pin 14 to
disengage.
[0129] In the embodiment under consideration, the portion in relief
63 is in the form of a tooth formed in the proximity of the edge of
the lid that is remote from the hinge 10.
[0130] On its edge remote from the hinge 10, the plate 20 includes
an opening 66 through which the tooth 63 passes. The rim 41 may
come to bear against a sloping face of the tooth 63, in such a
manner as to cause the lid to rise while the skirt 40 is being
displaced.
[0131] In the embodiment shown, the tab 60 presents a bracket
shape, and its free end 72 is situated just above the pivot axis Y
of the lid when the closure cap 3 is in place on the
receptacle.
[0132] When the user presses on the opening control member 8 in the
direction of arrow O of FIG. 6, the bracket-shaped tab 60 presses,
via its end 72, on the spring-forming tongue 12 until said tongue
passes through its maximum stress state, the opening movement of
the lid being completed by the energy that has accumulated in the
spring-forming tongue 12 being restored.
[0133] The closure cap 3 may be manufactured in a single mold, as
described below with reference to FIGS. 16 to 27.
[0134] A mold 200 that is used may comprise a first portion 201 and
a second portion 202 that define a first cavity 203 for molding the
base portion and the lid, and a second cavity 204, that does not
need to be in communication with the cavity 203, for molding the
opening control element 8.
[0135] In the embodiment under consideration, the material is
injected into the cavities 203 and 204 via respective injection
channels 205 and 206.
[0136] The cavity 203 is defined between firstly parts 210 and 218
belonging to the second portion 202 of the mold, and secondly
lateral sliders 211 and 212 and parts 213 and 215 belonging to the
first portion 201 of the mold.
[0137] The cavity 204 is defined between firstly the part 210, and
secondly the part 215, the sliders 211 and 212, a part 220, and an
extraction pusher 219.
[0138] Once the mold has been closed, the cavities 203 and 204 can
be filled.
[0139] This can be done using the same thermoplastic material with
different colors and/or using chemically different materials.
[0140] Injection into the cavities 204 and 203 can take place
simultaneously, as shown in FIG. 18.
[0141] After injection, the second portion of the mold 202 is
separated from the first, as shown in FIG. 20 . The sliders 211 and
212 can be removed, as shown in FIG. 22.
[0142] Then, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the pusher 219 can be
raised, so as to cause the arms 110 to snap-fasten behind the teeth
148 of the portion 22 of the base portion 5.
[0143] The closure cap can then be completely extracted by
extending the upwards stroke of the pusher 219, as shown in FIGS.
26 and 27.
[0144] Regardless of how the opening control element 8 is connected
to the base portion 5, the skirt 28 of the opening control element
8 can, as shown in FIG. 28, be made in such a manner that its
depression stroke before the tooth 63 comes to bear against the
edge of the rim 41 takes place over a distance M that is greater
than the distance m over which the skirt 40 might project forward
relative to the free edge 170 of the lid 7.
[0145] The edge 170 can thus impede the skirt 40 being pressed in
accidentally while the receptacle is being transported for example,
by coming into register with the skirt 40 before said skirt bears,
via the rim 41, against the tooth 63, as shown in FIGS. 29 and
30.
[0146] The cap can be fastened onto the neck other than by
snap-fastening, e.g., by clamping.
[0147] The receptacle body and the opening control member may also
co-operate in some other way, with portions in relief other than
the shoulders being formed on the top transverse wall of the
receptacle.
[0148] Although the present invention is described above with
reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that
those embodiments are purely illustrative of the principles and
applications of the present invention. It should therefore be
understood that numerous modifications could be applied to those
illustrative embodiments, and that other embodiments could be
envisaged without going beyond the spirit and the ambit of the
present invention.
[0149] The expression "comprising a" should be understood as being
synonymous with "comprising at least one", unless specified to the
contrary.
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