U.S. patent application number 15/185252 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-20 for closure device for hinged-lid containers.
This patent application is currently assigned to Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. The applicant listed for this patent is Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. Invention is credited to Carsten Bertram, Ralph Butter-Jentsch, Ingomar Henning.
Application Number | 20170203889 15/185252 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51263166 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170203889 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Butter-Jentsch; Ralph ; et
al. |
July 20, 2017 |
CLOSURE DEVICE FOR HINGED-LID CONTAINERS
Abstract
A closure having a frame, a lid and a first closing means as
well as at least one second closing means, apart from the first
closing means. The closing means each have a lid portion and a
frame portion, the first closing means can be opened by the frame
portion being manipulated and the second closing means can be
opened by the lid portion being manipulated. The lid portion of the
second closing means has a pressure-exerting surface and a
counter-pressure surface, the lid portion can be fixed by the
retaining forces such that a pivoting force acting transversely to
the retaining forces can be introduced into the lid portion, via
the pressure-exerting surface and counter-pressure surface, in
order for the lid to be pivoted out of the closed position.
Inventors: |
Butter-Jentsch; Ralph;
(Langenfeld, DE) ; Bertram; Carsten; (Scottsdale,
AZ) ; Henning; Ingomar; (Koeln, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA |
Duesseldorf |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
Duesseldorf
DE
|
Family ID: |
51263166 |
Appl. No.: |
15/185252 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/DE2014/200291 |
Jul 1, 2014 |
|
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15185252 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2251/1075 20130101;
B65D 2251/1058 20130101; B65D 2251/1033 20130101; B65D 43/169
20130101; B65D 50/04 20130101; B65D 43/22 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 50/04 20060101
B65D050/04; B65D 43/16 20060101 B65D043/16; B65D 43/22 20060101
B65D043/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2013 |
DE |
10 2013 226 962.5 |
Claims
1. A closure device (10) comprising a frame (20) defining an
opening, a lid (30), which covers the opening and is pivotably
coupled to the frame (20) via a pivot axis (6) arranged on a side
of the frame, and a first closure means (40), and at least one
second closure means (50), which is distanced from the first
closure means (40), wherein the closure means (40, 50) serve to
hold the lid in a closed position and each have a lid portion (41,
51) and a frame portion (42, 52), wherein the first closure means
(40) can be opened by direct action of an opening force on the
associated frame portion (42) and the second closure means (50) can
be opened by direct action of an opening force on the associated
lid portion (51), characterized in that the lid portion (51) of the
second closure means (50) comprises a pressure surface and a
counter pressure surface, wherein the pressure surface serves as a
contact surface for the opening force or for a first retaining
force and the counter pressure surface serves as a contact surface
for a second retaining force, which is opposite the first retaining
force, wherein the lid portion (51) can be fixed by the retaining
forces in such a way that a pivot force acting substantially
transversely to the retaining forces can be introduced into the lid
portion (51) via the pressure surface and counter pressure surface
in order to pivot the lid (30) out from the closed position.
2. The closure device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in
that the lid portion (51) of the second closure means (50)
comprises a detent hook (53), which in a locking position engages
from behind with a detent undercut (58) of the frame portion (52)
of the second closure means (50).
3. The closure device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in
that the lid portion (51) of the second closure means (50)
comprises a tab (54) having a front side (59) and a rear side (60),
wherein the front side (59) forms the pressure surface and the rear
side (60) forms the counter pressure surface, and wherein the
detent hook (53) is formed integrally with the tab (54).
4. The closure device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in
that the tab (54) is connected to the lid (30) via a flexible
connection piece (56), which defines a pivot axis (57) for the
detent hook (53).
5. The closure device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in
that the detent hook (53) is arranged between the pivot axis (57)
and the detent undercut (58).
6. The closure device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in
that the first closure means (40) and the second closure means (50)
are arranged on an arrangement side (11) of the closure device
(10).
7. The closure device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in
that the arrangement side (11) is arranged opposite the pivot axis
(6).
8. The closure device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in
that a distance between the first closure means (40) and the second
closure means (50) is less than 15 cm.
9. The closure device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in
that the lid (30) and the frame (20) of the closure device (10) are
formed as a one-part component.
10. The closure device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in
that the frame (20) and the lid (30) are pivotably interconnected
by a living hinge.
11. The closure device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in
that a stable open position of the lid (30) is defined by the
living hinge.
12. A container having a closure device according to claim 1.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a closure device,
comprising a frame defining an opening, a lid, which covers the
opening in a closed position, and a first closure means, and at
least one second closure means. The closure means serve to hold the
lid in the closed position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is routine today to use active substances, for example
from the group of laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents,
pharmaceuticals, personal care products, agricultural tools,
building materials, dyes, adhesives or foods, in a flowable or
pourable form, or also as pre-measured quantities, which for
example are stored as pre-measured units in a container. In the
field of storage of commercially available quantities of these
active substances, plastic containers are known, which may be
transparent, inter alia.
[0003] These containers comprise said closure device, wherein the
frame of the closure device is secured to the container or may also
be formed integrally therewith. The container can then be closed
accordingly by the lid of the closure device.
[0004] The closure means are intended to hold the lid on the frame
in the closed position, even if external, unexpected forces are
acting on the frame or on the lid. These forces can elastically
deform the closure device and in the worst case scenario can open
the closure device, which is undesirable. Such forces may occur for
example during transport, or within the scope of a mishandling, for
example if a child attempts to open the lid in an unintended way.
In this respect there is a need on the one hand to design the
closed position of the closure device in a secure manner, and on
the other hand to not unnecessarily complicate the intended opening
of the closure device. For this purpose, the closure means must be,
inter alia, easy to operate in order to open the lid in an intended
way.
[0005] A closure device having a lid and frame is known from WO
2001/48757 A1, wherein the lid is held in a closed position by two
closure means, which each comprise a lid portion and a frame
portion. The first closure means can be opened by direct action of
an opening force on the associated frame portion, whereas the
second closure means can be opened by direct action of an opening
force on the associated lid portion. The lid in WO 2001/48757 A1 is
rectangular. On one of its four sides it is pivotably secured to
the frame. On an opposite side, the two closure means are arranged
adjacently.
[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a closure device
having a lid, frame and least two closure means, which closure
device provides a certain protection against an unintentional
opening of the lid, but at the same time can be easily handled and
can be easily opened as intended.
[0007] Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of
the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent
detailed description of the invention and the appended claims,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this
background of the invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A closure device (10) comprising a frame (20) defining an
opening, a lid (30), which covers the opening and is pivotably
coupled to the frame (20) via a pivot axis (6) arranged on a side
of the frame, and a first closure means (40), and at least one
second closure means (50), which is distanced from the first
closure means (40), wherein the closure means (40, 50) serve to
hold the lid in a closed position and each have a lid portion (41,
51) and a frame portion (42, 52), wherein the first closure means
(40) can be opened by direct action of an opening force on the
associated frame portion (42) and the second closure means (50) can
be opened by direct action of an opening force on the associated
lid portion (51), characterized in that the lid portion (51) of the
second closure means (50) has a pressure surface and a counter
pressure surface, wherein the pressure surface serves as a contact
surface for the opening force or for a first retaining force and
the counter pressure surface serves as a contact surface for a
second retaining force, which is opposite the first retaining
force, wherein the lid portion (51) can be fixed by the retaining
forces in such a way that a pivot force acting substantially
transversely to the retaining forces can be introduced into the lid
portion (51) via the pressure surface and counter pressure surface
in order to pivot the lid (30) out from the closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention will hereinafter be described in
conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like
numerals denote like elements, and
[0010] FIG. 1A shows phase 1 of the opening process with the
container closed;
[0011] FIG. 1B shows phase 2 of the opening process with the user's
left thumb on the second closure means;
[0012] FIG. 1C shows phase 3 of the opening process with the
closure means in open position;
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a first closure means;
and
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a second closure means.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The following detailed description of the invention is
merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the
invention or the application and uses of the invention.
Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory
presented in the preceding background of the invention or the
following detailed description of the invention.
[0016] The closure device according to the invention is
characterized in that the lid portion of the second closure means
has a pressure surface and a counter pressure surface, wherein the
pressure surface serves as a contact surface for the opening force
or for a first retaining force. The counter pressure surface serves
as a contact surface for a second retaining force, which is
opposite the first retaining force. The lid portion can be fixed or
clamped by the retaining forces in such a way that a pivoting force
directed substantially transversely to the retaining forces for
pivoting the lid out from the closed position can be introduced
into the lid portion via the pressure surface and the counter
pressure surface.
[0017] The closure device can only be opened properly when the
first closure means is in an open position and the second closure
means is also in an open position. In order to bring the second
closure means into the open position, the opening force is
introduced into the lid portion via the pressure surface. The
second closure means is firstly transferred into the open position,
wherein the second retaining force may be equal to zero or
relatively small. The first and the second retaining force then act
on the lid portion via the surface and the counter pressure
surface, wherein these retaining forces are of approximately the
same magnitude. The lid portion or a part of the lid portion is
clamped or fixed by the retaining forces. It is thus possible to
draw the lid portion transversely to the retaining forces in one
direction, such that the lid is pivoted from its closed
position.
[0018] Here, a surface that can be actuated using a finger of a
human hand of the user is to be understood as a pressure surface.
The pressure surface may comprise humps, hollows or other aids in
order to provide improved adhesion properties of the applied
finger. In addition, the pressure surfaces may have suitable
markings, which makes it easier to find the pressure surface. The
same is true analogously for the counter pressure surface.
[0019] It may be that at least one of the closure means comprises a
tamper-evident closure. Is also preferable for this closure means
to comprise a recessed pressure surface, such that the
tamper-evident closure is level with an outer wall region of the
frame or of the lid, preferably of the lid, i.e. is arranged in the
same plane. The tamper-evident closure is configured in such a way
that it has to be at least partially broken before the lid is
opened for the first time, and preferably has to be fully separated
from the closure device.
[0020] In one exemplary embodiment the closure means are designed
and arranged such that a simultaneous actuation of the two closure
means, generally only with both hands of a user, is possible. The
closure device in principle may comprise, besides the first and
second closure means, also further closure means. Here, the opening
forces for the first and second closure means and where applicable
for further closure means are in each case independent of one
another. It follows that the closure device cannot be easily opened
in an unintended way, for example by children.
[0021] The first closure means and/or the second closure means can
be formed as a detent connection. Accordingly, the lid portion of
the second closure means may comprise a detent hook, which in a
locking position engages from behind with a detent undercut of the
frame portion of the second closure means.
[0022] The lid portion of the second closure means may comprise a
tab having a front side and a rear side, wherein the front side
forms the pressure surface and the rear side forms the counter
pressure surface, and wherein the detent hook is formed integrally
with the tab. In order to transfer the second closure means into
its open position, the opening force acts firstly on the pressure
surface of the tab, whereby the detent hook is moved from its
locking position. Here, a certain counter force may already act on
the counter pressure surface, such that the tab is held by the
thumb and index finger of a hand of the user. By pulling the tab
using the thumb and index finger, the lid portion and therefore the
lid can then be pivoted out from the closed position.
[0023] In one exemplary embodiment the tab is connected to the rest
of the lid via a flexible connection piece, which defines a pivot
axis for the detent hook. The detent hook is preferably arranged
between the pivot axis and the detent undercut. The distance
between an upper open end of the tab and the detent hook (reference
is to the detent surface of the detent hook) may be 1 to 5 cm,
preferably 1.5 to 3 cm. If the opening force acts on the upper end,
the tab will thus be bent and the detent hook will be slid from its
locking position. This opening force may assume values between 5 to
15 N, preferably 8 to 10 N. The pivot force, i.e. the tensile
force, in order to pivot the lid portion when the detent hook is
unlocked, and therefore in order to pivot the lid from its closed
position, may assume values between 1 to 10 N, preferably 1 to 5 N.
The opening force for the first closure means may be 1 to 30 N,
preferably 3 to 8 N.
[0024] The first closure means and the second closure means can be
arranged on an arrangement side of the closure device. The
arrangement side is preferably arranged opposite the pivot axis.
The first closure means and the second closure means can also be
arranged on sides of the closure device that border the side having
the pivot axis. Is also possible for the first closure means and
the second closure means to be provided across a corner, i.e. on
two sides forming a corner.
[0025] In an exemplary embodiment a distance between the first
closure means and the second closure means is smaller than 15 cm.
The distance preferably lies in a range between 3 and 8 cm.
[0026] The lid and the frame can be formed as a one-part component.
Here, the frame and lid can be interconnected via at least one
living hinge. The closure device can thus be produced in an
injection mold as an economical plastic part. In a multi-part
embodiment the lid and frame may also be made of the same or
different plastic.
[0027] Any suitable plastics material can be used as plastic, and
plastics are preferably selected from the group of polyolefins. The
following plastics are particularly preferred from the class of
polypropylenes; polyethylenes; polypropylene-containing blends;
polyethylene-containing blends; polypropylene-containing copolymers
and/or random copolymers; polyethylene-containing copolymers.
[0028] The lid is preferably colored. If the lid and the frame are
formed in one part, it is also preferable for the lid and frame to
be produced from the same, colored plastic.
[0029] By means of the living hinge, a stable open position of the
lid can be defined. When the lid has been opened following
successful unlocking of the closure means, the lid should therefore
be prevented from easily pivoting back again unintentionally into
its closed position. By way of example, the living hinge may be
formed with a dead center kinematics, in which case a certain force
must be overcome in order to pivot the lid from the stable open
position into the closed position.
[0030] The closure device is preferably used for a container for
washing and cleaning agents. A container containing washing and
cleaning agents and having a closure device is thus disclosed,
wherein the latter may be formed in accordance with the exemplary
embodiments described here. The washing and/or cleaning agents may
be pre-portioned washing and/or cleaning agents, which in at least
one lateral dimension measure equal to or greater than 31.7 mm and
preferably do not fit in a cylinder according to ISO standard
8124-1 (second edition, dated Mar. 15, 2009), 5.2 and therefore
pass the "small parts test."
[0031] The invention will be explained in greater detail on the
basis of the exemplary embodiments presented in the drawing, in
which: [0032] FIGS. 1A-1C show a container having a closure device
according to the invention, wherein FIGS. 1A-1C shows different
phases of the opening process of the closure device; [0033] FIG. 2
shows a cross section of a first closure means; and [0034] FIG. 3
shows a cross section of a second closure means.
[0035] With the aid of FIGS. 1A-1C, the fundamental operating
principle of a closure device 10 according to the invention will be
described. FIGS. 1A-1C shows three different phases (phase 1, phase
2 and phase 3) of an opening process of the closure device 10.
[0036] The closure device 10 comprises a frame 20 and a lid 30. The
frame 20 is secured here to an upwardly open container 5. FIG. 1A
shows the lid 30 in a closed position. In this closed position the
lid 30 bears against the frame 10 and closes an opening, which is
defined by the frame. In the phase 1 shown in FIG. 1A of the
opening process, the container 5 therefore is still closed.
[0037] The closure device 10 also comprises a first closure means
40 and a second closure means 50. The closure means 40, 50 are
arranged on one side of the substantially rectangular closure
device 10. This side can be referred to as the arrangement side and
is characterized in FIG. 1A by 11. On a pivot side 12 opposite the
arrangement side 11, frames 20 and 30 are interconnected via living
hinges (not visible in FIGS. 1A-1C). The living hinges define a
pivot axis 6, about which the lid 30 can be lifted when the closure
means 40, 50 are in an open position (see FIG. 1C).
[0038] In phase 1 a user places the thumb of their right hand on
the first closure means 40. The other fingers of the right hand
engage the pivot side 12 of the closure device 10 from behind. As
will be described later in greater detail, the first closure means
40 can be opened by means of an opening force exerted by the
thumb.
[0039] In phase 2 (see FIG. 1B), the user places the thumb of their
left hand on the second closure means 50. The second closure means
can be opened by an opening force in the direction of the pivot
side 12. In phase 2 the user continues to press the thumb of the
right hand onto the first closure means 40, so that this still
retains its open position.
[0040] In phase 3 (see FIG. 1C), the user grasps a lid portion 51
of the second closure means 50 using the thumb and index finger,
wherein the thumb exerts a first retaining force and the index
finger exerts a second retaining force. The thumb and index finger
thus pinch the lid portion 51, which is connected to the lid 30, so
securely that the lid portion 51 can be drawn upwardly with the lid
30. Since the thumb of the right hand continues to hold the first
closure means 40 in the open position, the lid 30 can be fully
lifted. Here, the lid 30, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, may warp
slightly on account of certain frictional forces or clamping forces
between the frame 20 and lid 30.
[0041] It should be noted that phases 2 and 3 can also be combined
to form a joint phase. In this case the lid portion 51 of the
second closure means 50 is grasped by the thumb and index finger of
the left hand and then moved in the direction of the pivot axis 6.
As soon as the closure means 50 has been opened in this way, the
lid portion 51 can be lifted up.
[0042] As can be deduced from FIGS. 1A-1C, the first closure means
40 are arranged approximately centrally on the arrangement side 11
of the closure device 10. The second closure means 50 is provided
beside said first closure means, at a distance of approximately 6
cm.
[0043] Features or components that are similar or identical to the
features of components in FIGS. 1A-1C are provided with the same
reference signs in the following figures.
[0044] FIG. 2 shows a possible embodiment for the first closure
means 40 in section. FIG. 2 also shows the lid 30 and the frame 20.
The lid 30 has a deeper lid base 31, which rests on a support
surface 21 of the frame 20. The lid 30 has a substantially
peripheral upper edge 32, wherein a slightly inclined connection
wall 33 extends between the lid base 31 and upper edge 32.
[0045] The first closure means 40 has a lid portion 41 and a frame
portion 42. The lid portion 41 comprises a detent hook 43, which in
the position illustrated in FIG. 2 engages a detent undercut 44
from behind. The undercut 44 is formed by a web 45, which is formed
in one piece with the frame 20. If an opening force (see arrow 47)
now acts on a pressure surface designated by 46, the web 45 is thus
pushed to the left with the pressure surface 46 in the illustration
of FIG. 2. The locking between the detent hook 41 and detent
undercut 44 can thus be released. When the closure means 40 are
unlocked, the lid 30 can be lifted, provided the second closure
means 50 has also been opened. When the opening process of FIGS.
1A-1C is taken as a basis, the opening force 47 is produced by the
thumb of the right hand of the user.
[0046] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment for the second closure means 50
in section. The closure means 50 has the lid portion 51 already
mentioned above, which is formed in one part with the lid 30, and a
frame portion 52, which also can be considered as part of the frame
20. The lid portion 51 comprises a detent hook 53 and a tab 54
connected thereto. The tab 54 has an open end 55 and is connected
at an opposite end to the detent hook 53. Between the detent hook
53 and the lid base 31, there is provided a flexible connection
piece 56, which defines a pivot axis 57 for the detent hook 53. The
pivot axis 57 lies here beneath the lid base 31 and is also
arranged beneath the detent hook 53. In the position of the detent
hook 53 illustrated in FIG. 3, there is a detent connection between
detent hook 53 and a detent undercut 58.
[0047] The tab 54 has a front side 59 and a rear side 60, wherein
the front side 59 is intended to form a pressure surface and the
rear side 60 is intended to form a counter pressure surface.
Proceeding from the opening process of FIGS. 1A-1C, wherein phase 2
and phase 3 can also be carried out jointly, the thumb of the left
hand is thus placed on the front side 59 and the index finger of
the left hand is placed accordingly on the rear side 60. An opening
force (see arrow 61) can then be applied to the tab 54 by the
thumb, whereby the tab 54 and also the detent hook 53 secured
thereto are moved to the left in the illustration of FIG. 3. From a
certain point the detent hook 53 no longer engages with the detent
undercut 58 from behind, and therefore the tab 54 and thus also the
lid 30 can be drawn upwardly. Here, the thumb and index finger of
the left hand must clamp the tab 54 using a certain force. A first
retaining force (again, see arrow 61) acts accordingly on the front
side 59, and a second retaining force (see arrow 62) acts
accordingly on the rear side 60 and is directed against the first
retaining force.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0048] 5 container [0049] 6 pivot axis [0050] 10 closure device
[0051] 11 arrangement side [0052] 12 pivot side [0053] 20 frame
[0054] 21 support surface [0055] 30 lid [0056] 31 lid base [0057]
32 peripheral edge [0058] 33 connection wall [0059] 40 first
closure means [0060] 41 lid portion [0061] 42 frame portion [0062]
43 detent hook [0063] 44 detent undercut [0064] 45 web [0065] 46
pressure surface [0066] 57 arrow [0067] 50 second closure means
[0068] 51 lid portion [0069] 52 frame portion [0070] 53 detent hook
[0071] 54 tab [0072] 55 upper end [0073] 56 connection piece [0074]
57 pivot axis [0075] 58 detent undercut [0076] 59 front side [0077]
60 rear side [0078] 61 arrow
[0079] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented
in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should
be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should
also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary
embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the
scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way.
Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those
skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an
exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that
various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of
elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing
from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims
and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *