U.S. patent application number 11/632856 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-01 for single-use cap.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE ZEBRA COMPANY. Invention is credited to Bertrand Barre, Xavier Gibert, Francis Lepage.
Application Number | 20070251949 11/632856 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38647386 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070251949 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barre; Bertrand ; et
al. |
November 1, 2007 |
Single-Use Cap
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.
Inventors: |
Barre; Bertrand;
(Lapeyrouse, FR) ; Gibert; Xavier; (Chassieu,
FR) ; Lepage; Francis; (Lyon, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
THE ZEBRA COMPANY
260 ALLEE DES CYPRES CHATEAU DE SANS SOUCI
Limonest
FR
69760
|
Family ID: |
38647386 |
Appl. No.: |
11/632856 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
July 12, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR05/01798 |
371 Date: |
March 26, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60589005 |
Jul 20, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/890 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/0871 20130101;
B65D 2251/1058 20130101; B65D 2251/1008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/890 |
International
Class: |
B65D 90/00 20060101
B65D090/00 |
Claims
1. A cap intended to be mounted on a container the internal volume
of which may contain contents or filling, for example liquid
contents, said cap comprising: a base comprising means for mounting
on the container, particularly its neck, lid, means of articulating
the lid with respect to the base, between an open position and a
folded-down position, defining an axis of rotation about which the
lid can rotate, at least in the direction for opening the cap,
locking means for locking the lid with respect to the base in its
folded-down position, unlocking means for unlocking the lid with
respect to the base, which are antagonist to said locking means,
arranged to be actuated manually, in a travel toward a final
position in which the locking means are released, wherein, in
combination, firstly, the articulation means are arranged to allow
the lid to be propelled in rotation freely beyond their resistance
in rotation toward an open position, secondly, the lid and/or the
base are arranged to, in their locked position, at first, when
actuating the unlocking means, elastically resist any relative
rotational movement between the lid and the base, and
correspondingly store mechanical energy through elastic or plastic
deformation of said cap, the mechanical energy stored in practice
being enough to propel the lid Fin rotation toward an open
position, once the unlocking means arrived in their final position,
and, thirdly, the unlocking means (are arranged in the form of a
detent, having the function, according to the travel toward the
final position in which the locking means are released, to
elastically or plastically deform the cap, without release of the
locking means, and store enough mechanical energy to propel the lid
in rotation toward its open position.
2. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the articulation means
comprise no means of elastically returning the lid in rotation
toward the open position, for example no element made of
viscoelastic material which is stressed in rotation when the lid is
in the folded-down position.
3. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the articulation means
are not arranged, for example in terms of the material of which
they are made and/or in terms of their shape, to generate an
elastic return torque rotating the lid toward the open position,
for example by being stressed in terms of rotation when the lid is
in the folded-down position.
4. The cap as claimed in claim 1 and which is arranged by
construction to localize the elastic deformation to at least one of
the following elements, namely the base, the lid, the locking means
and the articulation means4t3.
5. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stored mechanical
energy is greater, through the construction of the cap, than the
energy required to release the locking of the lid with respect to
the base plus the energy required to overcome the resistance to
rotation of the articulation means.
6. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stored mechanical
energy is sufficient, through the construction of the cap, to
propel the lid in rotation into a folded-down position with respect
to the axis of rotation of the articulation means.
7. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the unlocking means
comprise: at least one ramp belonging to the lid or to the base, a
flap (belonging to the base or to the lid, able to move
continuously against the ramp toward a final position in which the
locking means are released, and comprising a free end intended to
come into contact with the ramp, the ramp being arranged in
relation with the free end of the moving flap in such a way as to
determine the travel of the flap toward its final position.
8. The cap as claimed in claim 7, wherein the ramp belongs to the
lid and the flap to the base.
9. The cap as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flap is formed
integrally with the base, and the ramp is formed integrally with
the lid and is directed, when the lid is in the folded-down
position, toward the outside and away from the base.
10. The cap as claimed in claim 8, wherein the base comprises two
more or less parallel external wings extending obliquely, forming
between them a protected volume within which the flap is able to
pivot about an end secured to the base, the opposite end to the
free end.
11. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking means of
locking the lid on the base, in the folded-down position, are of
the clip-fastening type and are arranged between the lid and the
base.
12. The cap as claimed in claim 11 and which is arranged to
localize the elastic deformation to the locking means.
13. The cap as claimed in claim 12, wherein the locking means
comprise two bearing surfaces in gliding contact with one another,
these belonging respectively one to the base and one to the lid,
the respective profiles of which are determined to allow, during
their relative movement toward a final relative position, firstly a
non-free elastically constrained movement of the lid with respect
to the base and finally, in the final position, release of the lid
with respect to the base, the base and/or said lid then resuming
their initial respective shapes.
14. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein: 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 discharging the said contents, the lid
comprises stoppering means arranged to close off the outlet orifice
of the base, in a sealed manner with respect to the contents of
said container, when the lid is in the open position, the outlet
orifice of the base is uncovered and, when said lid is in the
folded-down position, said outlet orifice is closed by the
stoppering means.
15. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the base comprises an
opening for the passage of a neck of the container, the lid
comprises stoppering means arranged to close off the neck of the
container, in a sealed manner with respect to the contents of said
container, when the lid is in the open position, the neck of the
container is uncovered, and when said lid is in the folded-down
position, the neck of the container is closed by the stoppering
means.
16. The cap as claimed in claim 14, wherein the stoppering means
are arranged for sealed closure, requiring antagonist energy in
order to release them.
17. The cap as claimed in claim 16, wherein the stoppering means
serve as means for locking the lid with respect to the base in its
folded-down position.
18. The cap as claimed in claim 16, wherein the stored mechanical
energy is greater, through the construction of the cap, than the
energy required to release the stoppering means and/or the means of
locking the lid with respect to the base, plus the energy required
to overcome the resistance to rotation of the articulation
means.
19. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein means of halting or
slowing the rotational return travel of the lid from its open
position to its folded-down position are formed between the base
and said lid.
20. The cap as claimed in claim 19, wherein the halting or slowing
means comprise, on the side of the base or of the lid, a stop tooth
and, in register with it, on the side of the lid or of the base, a
serrated annulus about the axis of rotation of the hing, the
serrations of which escape from the stop tooth in the direction of
opening of the lid from its folded-down position, and the
serrations of which mesh flexibly with the stop tooth in the
direction of the return of the lid from its open position to its
folded-down position.
21. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises at
least one element connecting the base and the lid, formed
integrally with the lid and the base, arranged, for example
sufficiently thin, to allow a rotational movement of the lid from
its folded-down position to its open position, with a limited
intrinsic resistance to rotation.
22. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid and the base are
two separate parts, connected to one another freely in rotation by
the articulation means.
23. The cap as claimed in claim 22, wherein the hinge is composed,
on the one hand, of at least two female elements arranged along the
axis of rotation, belonging to the lid or to the base and, on the
other hand, of at least two complementary male elements, mounted to
rotate freely in the two female elements respectively, arranged
along the axis of rotation, belonging to the base or to the
lid.
24. The cap as claimed in claim 23, wherein the two male elements
and/or the two female elements of the hinge comprise or are
associated with means allowing them to be wedged in by simple
pressure or translational movement of the lid with respect to the
base, the lid and the base being arranged parallel one above the
other.
25. The cap as claimed in claim 23, wherein on one side, the lid
comprises a barrel provided with two pegs opposed along its axis,
forming the two male elements of the hinge and, on the other side,
the base comprises, on the one hand, a cradle for accepting the
barrel such that it can rotate freely and, on the other hand, on
each side of the cradle, two lugs comprising two housings for
accepting the two pegs respectively such that they can rotate
freely, this forming the two female elements of the hinged.
26. The cap as claimed in claim 24, wherein the two pegs and/or the
two lugs comprise means, for example cut facets or flats, allowing
their respective clip-fastening by simple pressure of the lid on
the base.
27. The cap as claimed in claim 23, wherein, on the one side, the
lid comprises a barrel provided with at least two housings,
arranged along its axis, forming the two female elements of the
hinge and, on the other side, the base comprises at least two lugs
comprising two pegs fitting with freedom to rotate into the two
housings respectively, forming the two male elements of the
hinge.
28. The cap as claimed in claim 24, wherein the two pegs and/or the
two ends of the barrel comprise means, for example cut facets or
flats, allowing the two pegs to be clip-fastened into the two
housings respectively, by simple pressure of the lid on the
base.
29. A container comprising or incorporating the cap as claimed in
any one of claim 1, said cap being, for example, arranged on the
neck of said container.
30. The container as claimed in claim 29, the internal volume of
which is filled with contents capable of flowing, for example a
liquid.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to the capping of a container,
particularly of the one-use or disposable type, the internal volume
of which may contain contents or a filling, particularly a filling
capable of flowing, for example liquid, fluid or pasty
contents.
[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a cap
intended to be mounted on a container as previously defined,
particularly in a sealed manner with respect to the contents of the
container.
[0003] The invention also relates to a container comprising or
incorporating such a cap, empty or full, that is to say in the
latter case filled with or containing contents as defined
previously.
[0004] The present invention relates most specifically to caps
allowing concomitantly, both the grasping of the container with
which it is associated, using one hand, and the complete opening of
the cap, using a digit of the same hand, for example the thumb,
specifically to gain direct access for the user's mouth to the neck
of the container.
[0005] Document FR-A-2 855 815 describes and proposes such a cap,
comprising: [0006] a base comprising means for mounting on the
container, particularly its neck, [0007] a lid comprising
stoppering means, particularly ones sealed against liquids and/or
gases, for stoppering either an outlet orifice that may be present
on the base, or the neck of the container, [0008] means of
articulating the lid with respect to the base having, for example,
the form of a hinge, between an open position and a folded-down
position, said articulation means defining an axis of rotation
about which the lid can rotate, at least in the direction of
opening the cap, [0009] locking means for locking the lid with
respect to the base in its folded-down position which either adopt
the form of means of clamping the stoppering means of the lid by
nesting in the outlet orifice that might be present on the base, or
in the neck of the container, or are clip-fastening means provided
for that purpose to clip-fasten the lid or the base, or
alternatively combine or associate the above two means, [0010]
unlocking means for unlocking the lid with respect to the base,
which are antagonist to the locking means defined previously,
arranged to be actuated manually, in a travel toward a final
position in which the aforementioned locking means are released;
these unlocking means comprising for example: [0011] at least one
ramp belonging to the lid or to the base, [0012] a flap belonging
to the base or to the lid, able to move continuously against the
ramp toward a final position in which the locking means are
released, and comprising a free end intended to come into contact
with the ramp, [0013] the ramp being arranged in relation with the
free end of the moving flap to determine the travel of the flap
toward its final position, [0014] a means for the rotational
elastic return of the articulation means, to the cap-open position,
constrained when the latter is in the folded-down and locked
position, consisting of a thin web of elastomeric plastic extending
between the lid and the base.
[0015] Such a cap may be embodied in the following two ways.
[0016] In a first scenario, and as depicted in the drawings of
document FR-A-2 855 815: [0017] 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 to discharge said contents, [0018] the lid comprises
stoppering means arranged to close off the outlet orifice of the
base, in a sealed manner with respect to the contents of the
container, [0019] and when the lid is in the open position, the
outlet orifice of the base is uncovered, and when said lid is in
the folded-down position, the outlet orifice is closed by the
stoppering means.
[0020] In a second scenario, not depicted in the drawings of FR-A-2
855 815: [0021] the base has an opening for the passage of a neck
of the container, [0022] the lid comprises stoppering means
arranged to close the neck of the container, in a sealed manner
with respect to the contents of said container, [0023] when the lid
is in the open position, the neck of the container is uncovered;
and when said lid is in the folded-down position, the neck of the
container is closed by the stoppering means.
[0024] Embodying such a cap requires the shaping, for example by
injection molding, of at least two plastics, the first,
thermoplastic, that makes up the structure of the cap, and the
second, elastomeric plastic, that constitutes the elastic return
means. For certain applications, this two-shot injection molding
may constitute a disadvantage, particularly in terms of cost.
[0025] Document EP-A-0547978 describes in particular with reference
to FIGS. 6 to 8, a cap comprising: [0026] a base comprising means
of mounting on a container, comprising a discharge duct and an
outlet orifice, [0027] a lid having the shape of a tab, comprising
means for stoppering the outlet orifice on the base, [0028] means
of articulating the lid with respect to the base, consisting of a
hinge (or thin web) of plastic, between an open position and a
folded-down position, defining an axis of rotation about which the
lid can turn, both in the direction of opening and in the direction
of closing of the cap, [0029] means of locking the lid with respect
to the base, in its folded-down position, consisting of a
clip-fastening groove provided on the discharge duct of the base,
and a clip-fastening bulge provided on the outside of the
stoppering means which are in the form of a tubular element, [0030]
unlocking means, antagonist to the locking means, arranged also to
actuate and move the lid toward its open position, all of this
under the effect of a movement of the thumb on the hand holding the
container.
[0031] These single means for unlocking and actuating comprise:
[0032] a push-button articulated on the base comprising a pad
having two branches forming a U-shaped slot between them, [0033]
two outwardly projecting bearing surfaces on the base to
collaborate in gliding contact with the respective two branches of
the push-button so that pressure exerted on the latter causes the
pad to pivot upward and releases the locking of the lid (cf. FIG.
7), [0034] two flanges projecting toward the inside of the lid,
situated in the continuation of the two bearing surfaces, to
collaborate in gliding contact with the two respective branches of
the push-button so that continuing to exert pressure on the latter
pushes the lid back in rotation toward its open position; (cf. FIG.
8).
[0035] In practice, it seems difficult, if not, impossible, to
close the lid again, from its open position obtained under the
effect of the push-button, because the friction of the branches
against the flanges, then the bearing surfaces, generates, in the
direction of rotationally returning the lid to the folded-down
position, jammings or even breakages definitively damaging the cap
so that the latter may remain permanently open after it has first
been opened.
[0036] In a similar way to document EP-A-0547978, document
EP-A-1129959 proposes, as shown in particular by its FIG. 2, a cap
comprising: [0037] a base comprising means (not depicted) of
mounting on a container, comprising a discharge duct with an outlet
orifice, [0038] a lid, comprising means of stoppering the outlet
orifice on the base, [0039] means of articulating the lid with
respect to the base, consisting of an articulated element made of
plastic, [0040] means of locking the lid with respect to the base,
in its folded-down position, consisting, on the one hand, of the
clip-fastening of elastic means provided respectively for that
purpose between the lid and a push-button actuating element and, on
the other hand, of the wedging required for the sealing of the
stoppering means in the outlet orifice of the base, [0041]
unlocking means, antagonist to the locking means, arranged also to
actuate the lid toward its open position, all this under the effect
of a movement of the thumb of the hand holding the container.
[0042] With reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, these single means for
unlocking and actuating comprise: [0043] a push-button having a
partially cylindrical shape in cross section, articulated along its
two edges, by virtue of a thinner part, [0044] an actuating element
articulated to the upper part of the push-button, able to move flat
on the base, comprising, on each side of an orifice allowing the
passage of the stoppering means, a first ramp making it possible,
in a first part of the flat movement of the actuating element, to
release the locking means and a second ramp in the opposite
direction to the first ramp making it possible, in a second part of
the flat movement of the actuating element, to free the wedging in
the outlet orifice of the base, and finally to act against bearing
surfaces extending toward the inside of the lid, thus causing the
latter to pivot into its open position.
[0045] This solution exhibits disadvantages of the same kind as
those set out with regard to EP-A-0547978.
[0046] The subject of the present invention is a cap allowing the
lid to be brought automatically into an open position by simple
pressure on a push-button as soon as the locking means have been
released when said lid is in the folded-down position, and for this
to be done, on the one hand, entirely reversibly, that is to say
with the possibility of closing and, locking the lid again as many
times as this lid has been opened automatically and, on the other
hand, without any elastic means of rotational return to the open
position, inserted or added into the cap.
[0047] According to the present invention, the overall structure or
construction of the cap according to FR-A-2 855 815 is retained,
and the following modifications or additions are made to it, in
combination or in collaboration: [0048] firstly, the articulation
means are arranged to allow the lid to be propelled in rotation
freely, that is to say give or take the resistance to rotation of
said means, toward its open position, [0049] secondly, the lid
and/or the base are arranged to, in their locked position,
elastically resist any relative rotational movement between the lid
and the base, and correspondingly store mechanical energy through
elastic or plastic deformation of all or part or of the entirety of
said cap, the mechanical energy thus stored, or return energy, in
practice being enough to propel the lid in rotation toward its open
position, [0050] and thirdly, the locking means are arranged in the
form of a detent, having the function, according to the travel
toward the final position of release of the locking means, of
moving the lid relative to the base against the elastic resistance
put up by the cap, the mechanical energy thus stored, or return
energy, being released in said final position so as to propel the
lid in rotation toward its open position.
[0051] The physical and/or mechanical principles supporting the
technical features listed hereinabove will be illustrated
hereinafter with reference to the diagram according to FIG. 19,
once an exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 9 has been
fully described.
[0052] According to the present invention it must be understood
that: [0053] the articulation means according to the invention
therefore comprise no means of elastically returning the lid in
rotation toward the open position, for example no element made of
viscoelastic material which is stressed in rotation when the lid is
in the folded-down position, [0054] and/or the articulation means
are not arranged, for example in terms of the material of which
they are made and/or in terms of their shape, to generate a
substantial elastic return torque rotating the lid toward the open
position, for example by being stressed in terms of rotation when
the lid is in the folded-down position.
[0055] The present invention also comprises the following variants:
[0056] the cap is arranged to localize the elastic deformation to
at least one of the following elements, namely the base, the lid,
the locking means and the articulation means, [0057] the stored
mechanical energy, or return energy, is greater, through the
construction, than the energy required to release the locking of
the lid with respect to the base plus the energy required to
overcome or exceed the intrinsic resistance to rotation of the
articulation means, [0058] still through the construction of the
cap, the stored mechanical energy is sufficient to propel the lid
in rotation into an open position, at least at 100.degree. with
respect to the folded-down position, with respect to the axis of
rotation of the articulation means, [0059] as a preference, the cap
is arranged or constructed to specifically localize the elastic
deformation into a1l or part of the locking means, [0060]
alternatively, the stoppering means are arranged for sealed closure
of the opening made in the base or in the neck of the container,
requiring antagonist energy in order to release them and break the
seal; in such a case, these sealed stoppering means may serve as
means for locking the lid with respect to the base in its
folded-down position; in such a case, in any event, the stored
mechanical energy is greater, through the construction of the cap,
than the energy required to release the stoppering means and/or the
locking of the lid with respect to the base, plus the energy
required to overcome the intrinsic resistance to rotation of the
articulation means.
[0061] In total, the present invention culminates in a cap which is
particularly simple to produce or obtain industrially, for example
by injection molding a single plastic, and this can be done as
appropriate in a one-piece style, the opening of this cap in
particular not being dependent on the phenomena of creep of the
plastic employed, for example at the articulation means or the
hinge between the base and the lid.
[0062] Two preferred embodiments of the invention are considered,
the first depicted and described with reference to the attached
drawing, and the second not depicted.
[0063] According to the first embodiment: [0064] the base is
mounted in a sealed manner, with respect to the contents of the
container, on the neck of the latter and comprises a discharge duct
arranged to discharge the contents of the container, comprising an
outlet orifice; [0065] the stoppering means of the lid are arranged
to close off the outlet orifice of the base, in a sealed manner
with respect to the contents of the container, [0066] when the lid
is in the open position, the outlet orifice of the base is
uncovered, and when the lid is in the folded-down position, the
outlet orifice is closed.
[0067] According to the second embodiment, not depicted: [0068] the
base comprises an opening for the passage of the neck of the
container; [0069] the stoppering means of the lid are arranged to
close off the neck of the container, in a sealed manner with
respect to the contents of said container; [0070] when the lid is
in the open position, the neck of the container is uncovered, and
when said lid is in the folded-down position, the neck of the
container is closed.
[0071] By way of example, not depicted, the hinge comprises at
least one element connecting the base and the lid, for example a
thin web, formed integrally with the lid and the base, arranged,
for example sufficiently thin, to allow the rotational movement of
the lid from its folded-down position to its open position, with a
limited intrinsic resistance to rotation.
[0072] The present invention is now described with reference to the
attached drawing, in which:
[0073] FIGS. 1 and 2 depict, in perspective, a first embodiment of
a cap according to the invention, in the open position and in the
folded-down or closed position, respectively;
[0074] FIG. 3 depicts a view in axial section of the cap according
to FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0075] FIG. 4 depicts, on a larger scale and in section, two
details of the cap according to FIGS. 1 to 3, relating to the
locking and unlocking means, the latter being in an intermediate
position between their original position depicted in FIG. 3 and
their final position in which the locking means of the cap are
released;
[0076] FIGS. 5 to 7 depict three phases respectively leading to the
complete opening of the cap, from its folded-down or closed
position shown in FIG. 3;
[0077] FIGS. 8 and 9 depict, respectively in perspective and in an
exploded view and in axial. section, the means of articulation
between the base and the lid;
[0078] just like FIGS. 1 and 2, FIGS. 10 and 11 depict a second
embodiment of a cap according to the invention, in the open
position and in the folded-down or closed position,
respectively;
[0079] FIG. 12 depicts a view in axial section of the cap depicted
in FIGS. 10 and 11;
[0080] FIGS. 13 to 15 depict, starting from the folded-down or
closed position of FIG. 12, three phases respectively leading to
the complete opening of the cap according to FIGS. 10 to 12;
[0081] FIGS. 16 and 17 depict, respectively in perspective and in
an exploded view, and in axial section, the articulation means
belonging to the cap depicted according to FIGS. 10 to 12,
[0082] FIG. 18 depicts, in perspective and with partial cutaway, a
cap according to a third embodiment of the invention, shown in a
position mounted on the neck of a container,
[0083] FIG. 19 depicts a conceptional and/or explanatory diagram of
a cap according to the present invention, respectively in three
relative configurations, the first in the folded-down and locked
position, the second in the process of being opened, and the third
in the completely open position.
[0084] According to FIGS. 1 to 3, a cap according to the invention
is intended to be mounted (cf. FIG. 3) on a container 2, the
internal volume of which may contain contents able to flow, for
example liquid.
[0085] Basically, such a cap comprises: [0086] a base 3 comprising
means 4 for mounting on the container 2, particularly its neck 2a,
[0087] a lid 6 comprising stoppering means 7, [0088] means of
articulating the lid 6 with respect to the base 3, between an open
position (cf. FIG. 7) and a folded-down position (cf. FIGS. 2 and
3); these articulation means comprise a hinge 10 defining an actual
or imaginary axis 11, about which the lid 6 can rotate or pivot
freely, subject to friction or other intrinsic resistance, in
particular resistance to rotation, at least in the direction for
opening the cap.
[0089] The base 3 is mounted in a sealed manner with respect to the
liquids and/or gases with respect to the contents of the container
2, on the neck 2a of the latter, and comprises a discharge duct 5
arranged to discharge the aforementioned contents, and comprising
an outlet orifice 5a. The stoppering means 7 of the lid 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. When the
lid 6 is in the open position (cf. FIG. 7), the outlet orifice 5a
of the base 3 is completely uncovered, for example to allow it to
access the mouth, and when the lid 6 is in the folded-down or
closed position (cf. FIG. 3), the outlet orifice 5a is closed.
[0090] The lid 6 and the base 3 are two separate parts connected to
one another, freely in rotation, by the articulation means with
hinge 10.
[0091] As shown more particularly by FIGS. 8 and 9, the hinge 10 is
composed, on the one hand, of at least two female elements 13,
arranged along the axis of rotation 11 of the hinge 10, belonging
respectively to the lid 6 or to the base 3 and, on the other hand,
of at least two complementary male elements 14, mounted to rotate
freely in the two aforementioned female elements respectively, for
their part arranged along the axis of rotation 11, belonging
respectively to the base 3 or to the lid 6.
[0092] The two male elements 14 and/or the two female elements 13
of the hinge 10 comprise or are associated with means allowing them
to be wedged in (cf. FIG. 8) by simple pressure or translational
movement of the lid 6 with respect to the base 3, the lid 6 and the
base 3 being arranged parallel one above the other.
[0093] More specifically, as shown by FIG. 8, on one side, the lid
6 comprises a barrel 15 provided with two pegs 14 opposed along its
axis, corresponding to the axis of rotation 11 of the hinge 10,
forming the two male elements thereof; and, on the other side, the
base 3 comprises, on the one hand, a cradle 16 for accepting the
barrel 15 such that it can rotate freely and, on the other hand, on
each side of said cradle, two lugs 17 comprising two housings 13
for accepting the two pegs 14 respectively such that they can
rotate freely, these housings 13 forming the two female elements of
the hinge 10. The two pegs 14 and/or the two lugs 17 comprise
means, for example cut facets or flats, allowing their respective
clip-fastening, for example by simple pressure of the lid 6 on the
base 3 (cf. FIG. 8).
[0094] As a consequence of the articulation means 10 described
hereinabove, there is admittedly some intrinsic resistance to
rotation of the lid 6, both toward the open position and toward the
folded-down position, as a result in particular of friction of the
hinge; however, the energy required to pivot the lid 6 from its
folded-down position into its open position remains reasonable, and
can easily be determined.
[0095] As shown more particularly in FIG. 4, the locking means 8
between the base 3 and the lid 6 comprise two bearing surfaces 26
and 27 in gliding contact with one another, these belonging
respectively to the base 3 and to the lid 6. The curved profile of
these two bearing surfaces respectively is determined to allow,
during the relative movement of one over the other toward a final
position, firstly, as appropriate, a relative and limited movement
of the lid 6 with respect to the base 3, but without releasing the
locking means 8, with, correspondingly, resistance offered by
elastic deformation of the cap 1 and, in particular, of the base 3
and/or of the lid 6 and more specifically in this case plastic
deformation of the discharge duct 5 at its outlet orifice 5a and/or
of a pip constituting the bearing surface 26 belonging to the lid 6
and finally, in the final relative position of the bearing surfaces
26 and 27, complete and abrupt release of the lid 6 with respect to
the base 3, the base and/or the lid, in this instance the discharge
duct 5 at its outlet orifice 5a, and the pip constituting the
bearing surface 26, then resuming their initial respective
shapes.
[0096] The means 8 of locking the lid 6 on the base 3 are therefore
of the clip-fastening type, when the lid 6 is in the folded-down
position, and are arranged between the lid and-the base at the
opposite side to the hinge 10 with respect to the axis of rotation
11 thereof.
[0097] Because of the locking means 8 described hereinabove and the
choices made by construction to localize the elastic deformation of
the cap 1 to certain parts thereof, on the one hand, the energy or
force imparted hereinafter to the unlocking means 9 described
hereinafter will need to overcome the resistance offered by the
locking means 8 and the discharge duct 5 and, on the other hand,
this force, greater than this resistance, will lead to the storage
of the mechanical energy in these parts (pip 26 and duct 5) because
of their deformation.
[0098] The unlocking means 9, antagonist to the locking means 8,
are also arranged between the lid 6 and the base 3 and comprise:
[0099] at least one ramp 22 belonging respectively to the lid 6 or
to the base 3, [0100] a flap 23, belonging respectively to the base
3 or to the lid 6, able to move continuously, for example in a
rotational or articulated travel, toward a final position in which
the locking means 8 are themselves in their final position and
released; for this purpose, the flap 23 comprises a free end 23a
intended to come into contact with the ramp 22, [0101] the ramp 22
being arranged in relation with the free end 23a of the moving flap
23 in such a way as to determine the travel of said flap 23 toward
the aforementioned final position.
[0102] As depicted in FIG. 3, the ramp 22 belongs to the lid 6 and
the flap 23 to the base 3.
[0103] By molding or injection molding a single same plastic, the
flap 23 is formed integrally with the base 3, and the ramp 22 is
formed integrally with the lid 6 and is directed, when the lid 6 is
in the folded-down position, toward the outside and away from the
base 3 (cf. FIG. 3).
[0104] As best depicted in FIG. 1, the base 3 comprises two more or
less parallel external wings 24 extending obliquely, forming
between them a protected volume within which the flap 23 is able to
pivot about its end 23b secured to the base 3, the opposite end to
the free end 23a.
[0105] Because of the unlocking means 9 described hereinabove, it
is the latter which are driving and, by applying the force
developed by the user's thumb over the entire length of the travel
of the flap 23 along the ramp 22 impart the energy or force
required firstly to overcome the resistance of the cap 1 to
opening, because of the resistance put up by the locking means 8
and, as appropriate, other parts of the cap such as the discharge
duct 5 in relation to the stoppering means 7, then to store the
mechanical or return energy required for, when the time comes,
propelling the lid 6 in rotation toward its open position through
elastic deformation of all or part of said cap.
[0106] According to the first embodiment of the present invention:
[0107] on the one hand, the lid 6 is arranged, for example at the
locking means 8, that is to say in a region of said lid 6 in
contact with the base 3, to elastically resist any relative
movement between the lid and the base, and in return store
mechanical energy through deformation of the lid and/or of the
base; cf. preceding description of the locking means 8, with
reference to FIG. 4; in practice, the mechanical energy thus stored
is enough to propel the lid 6 in rotation toward its open position
(cf. FIG. 7), by exceeding the resistance to rotation of the
articulation means with hinge 10, for example by friction or
because of their intrinsic stiffness, [0108] and, on the other
hand, the unlocking means 9 previously described (for example, cf.
FIG. 3), are arranged in the form of a detent having the function
under the manual action of a digit of the user, and according to a
travel (cf. FIG. 4) toward the final position in which the locking
means 8 are released: [0109] first of all, as appropriate, of
moving the lid 6 relative to the base 3, storing up mechanical
energy because of the elastic or plastic deformation, for example,
of the locking means 8, [0110] and then, when the unlocking means 9
are in the final position, of releasing the lid 6 relative to the
base 3, the mechanical energy released at the locking means 8
allowing the lid 6 to be propelled and, in practice propelling it,
in rotation toward its open position (cf. FIGS. 5 to 7).
[0111] As a preference, the open position of the lid 6 with respect
to the base 3 is at least at 100.degree., for example at
180.degree. or a 190.degree., from the folded-down or closed
position (cf. FIG. 2) with respect to the axis of rotation 11 of
the hinge 10.
[0112] According to the present invention, it must be understood
that the spring or return effect allowing the mechanical energy to
be formed and stored for propelling the lid 6 in rotation with
respect to the base 3 may be obtained in any region whatsoever or
in several regions of the cap 1, particularly of said lid in
contact with the base 3, provided that the elastic deformation of
said regions, in practice of the lid and/or of the base, under the
effect of the actuation of the unlocking means 9, is able to store
mechanical energy that is instantly releasable when said unlocking
means are in the final position to propel the lid 6 in rotation
toward its open position, and to do so without any other mechanical
or manual influence on this lid.
[0113] In certain cases, for example when the cap allows the
container 2 to be drunk from directly, means 18 of halting or
slowing the rotational return of the lid 6 from its open position
to its folded-down or closed position are formed between the base 3
and the lid 6. As best shown by FIGS. 8 and 9, these halting or
slowing means 18 comprise: [0114] on the side of the base 3 or of
the lid 6, a stop tooth 19 and, in register with it, on the side of
the lid 6 or of the base 3, a serrated annulus 20 about the axis 11
of rotation of the hinge 10, the serrations 21 of which escape from
the stop tooth 19 in the direction of opening of the lid 6 from its
folded-down position, and the serrations 21 of which mesh flexibly
with the stop tooth 19 in the direction of the return of the lid
from its open position to its folded-down position.
[0115] The flexible meshing in any event makes it possible, via an
additional force, to disengage the serrations 21 from the tooth 19
and fold the lid 6 down.
[0116] Definitively speaking, the design and operation of a cap
according to the present invention can be modeled as described
hereinafter with reference to FIG. 19.
[0117] In general, according to the invention, on one side, the
"drive" means that the unlocking means 9 constitute generate energy
(E) more or less equal to the force applied to the flap 23
multiplied by the length of the travel of the flap against the ramp
22, as far as the final position in which the locking means 8 are
released.
[0118] On the other side, with respect to the axis of the
articulation means 10, there is resistance, and therefore energy
required to release this resistance, namely (E1) to release the
locking means 8 or 26/27 and/or (E2) to release the stoppering
means 7 with respect to the outlet orifice 5a.
[0119] As mentioned, through design and/or construction, the cap 1,
that is to say all or part thereof, for example the lid 6 and/or
the base 3, are arranged to be able to deform elastically, when the
lid 6 is in the folded-down and locked position and the cap 1 is
therefore closed, and correspondingly by deformation absorb at
least the energy (E) developed at the push-button.
[0120] Bearing in mind the freedom of the lid 6 to rotate with
respect to the base 3 about the articulation means 10, give or take
the rotational friction, kinetic energy (E3) needs to be applied in
order to propel the lid 6 in rotation toward its open position.
[0121] According to the present invention, the energy (E) is at
least equal to (E1)+(E2)+(E3). This energy is stored, when the lid
is in the same locked position, in all or part of the elastically
deformed cap 1 and released as soon as the locking means 8 and/or
the stoppering means 7 is/are released. The energy thus released
then allows the lid 6 to be propelled into the open position,
automatically rearward.
[0122] The second embodiment of the invention, depicted with
reference to FIGS. 10 to 18, unlike the first embodiment, also has
the following characteristics: [0123] in terms of the means of
articulation with hinge 10, as shown by 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 comprising two pegs 14 fitting with freedom to
rotate into the two housings 13 respectively, forming the two male
elements of the hinge 10. As shown more particularly in FIG. 16,
the two pegs 14 and/or the two ends of the barrel 15 comprise
means, for example cut facets or flats, allowing the two pegs to be
clip-fastened into the two housings respectively, by simple
pressure of the lid 6 on the base 3.
[0124] Furthermore, the discharge duct 5 is closed by a cup 50
forming, at its center, along the axis of the discharge duct 5, a
straight-edged opening 50a (see FIGS. 13, 14, 15) collaborating in
a sealed manner, when the lid 6 is in the folded-down position,
with the stoppering means 7 which consist of a cylindrical finger
7. This arrangement has the advantage of combining, on the one
side, the bearing of the lips against the base of the cap in the
cup 50, to encourage air to return into the container 2 and, on the
other side, good sealing, notwithstanding the internal pressure
exerted on the base 3 from the container 2.
[0125] According to FIG. 18, the third embodiment of the invention
differs from the first embodiment or from the second embodiment in
that: [0126] the base 3 comprises, on the side of its edging 3a, a
tamperproofing ring 60 comprising hooks 61 engaging with the neck
2a of the container, in the direction of the unscrewing of the cap
with respect to the container 2, and escaping from said neck in the
direction of fitting, for example by pushing, of the cap on said
neck, said ring being connected to the remainder of the base by
frangible bridges 62 which rupture in the direction of the
unscrewing of the cap. [0127] the tamperproofing ring 60 extends
circumferentially over half the circumference of the base, [0128]
the hooks 62, of which there are two, are arranged respectively at
the two respective ends of the ring 60 so as to fit under a collar
2b formed on the neck 2a of the container 2.
* * * * *