Receptacles – Closures – Pivotable
Reexamination Certificate
2002-06-03
2003-10-28
Cronin, Stephen K. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Closures
Pivotable,
C220S847000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06637618
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a covering device for a container with a rim, in particular a drink can, a yogurt cup, a glass, or the like, with a lid adapted for pivoting about an axis, and a holder, which is used for arranging the device on the container.
DE 296 00 246 U1 discloses a covering device of the initially described type. Specifically, the known covering device is used to cover a drink glass. The drink glass includes a rim, which forms the upper end of the glass body. The lid forming a part of the covering device is adapted for pivoting about an axis. To arrange the covering device on the container, a holder is provided. The holder comprises two parallel extending legs, which receive between them a large portion of the wall of the drink glass.
However, there also are containers, which have at least in their closed state no accessible, large-surface wall, such as, for example, a drink can. Since such drink cans have in most cases a short upper edge that extends only to a small extent in the vertical direction, they do not provide a reliable securement of the known covering device.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to describe a covering device for a container with a rim, with the covering device permitting a safe arrangement with constructionally simple means on any type of container with a rim.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by the provision of a closing device which comprises a holder configured for releasable securement onto the rim of the container, and a lid pivotally mounted to the holder for pivotal movement about an axis. The holder comprises a clamping element and a counter support cooperating with the clamping element, and so that the rim can be positioned therebetween and pressed by the clamping element against the counter support.
In accordance with the invention, it has been recognized that a reliable securement of a covering device is possible exclusively on the rim of a container, without having to use large areas of the container wall. Thus, with the present invention only the rim of the container is used for securing the covering device on the container.
Consequently, the covering device of the present invention denotes a covering device, which enables with simple constructional means a reliable securement on anytype of container with a rim.
As regards a particularly reliable securement of the covering device on the container, the clamping element includes two clamping jaws that are adapted for movement within a plane defined by the rim of the container. Preferably, the plane corresponds to the plane of the rim. Contrary to the covering device known from the art, the covering device is secured in place on the container not by locking in the vertical direction, namely downwardly along the container wall, but rather in the horizontal direction, namely within the plane defined by the rim. In all cases, the counter support has the function of an abutment for the clamping effect that is exerted by the clamping element or clamping jaws.
In a particularly practical manner the clamping element or clamping jaws are adapted for movement by means of an actuation element. Concretely, the actuation element could include two levers, each acting upon a clamping jaw. By means of the levers, the clamping jaws are naturally biased in order to press upon the rim as a result of their inherent elasticity with the cooperation of the counter support. This clamping principle is however also realized without an actuation element or lever.
As regards a particularly effective lever action, it is possible to arrange the levers in the plane of the clamping jaws. This avoids bending moments in undesired directions with components perpendicular to the plane.
Furthermore, with respect to a particularly simple actuation of the levers, the levers could be spaced such that they can be gripped with the fingers of one hand, thereby realizing a one-hand operation of the covering device.
As regards a particularly reliable securement of the clamping jaws relative to each other, the clamping jaws could be interconnected via a coupling member, thereby accomplishing an optimal cooperation of the clamping jaws. Concretely, it would be possible to arrange the clamping jaws and the coupling member along a curved line. Such a line could be a portion of a circle.
To ensure a particularly large engagement surface between the rim and clamping element, the clamping element or the clamping jaws, and/or the coupling member could be adapted to the curvature of the rim, thereby ensuring in essence a surface contact.
As regards a particularly reliable securement of the covering device on the container, the clamping element or clamping jaws could be designed and constructed so as to engage below the rim. This would effectively preclude the holder or clamping element from unintentionally slipping away from the container.
During its action as an abutment, the counter support could be adapted for engaging the inner side of the rim. In other words, in this instance the clamping element presses from the outside against the rim of the container. However, it is also possible that the clamping element presses on the inner side of the rim. In this instance, the counter support is adapted for engaging the outside of the rim.
Concretely, the counter support could be formed by a plate-shaped element, which could preferably be adapted to the curvature of the rim, thereby realizing a constructionally very simple configuration.
To prevent the holder from slipping away from the rim and, with that, the entire covering device from the container, the clamping element, or clamping jaws, and/or counter support could be provided with a special section, a roughened surface, or a coating. This would permit realizing a yet more reliable engagement between the holder and the container. In this way, the clamping element, or clamping jaws, and/or the counter support could be coated as an alternative or in addition with a soft plastic or elastomer, with rubber, or a rubberlike material. As a result, it is possible to further increase the reliability of the arrangement of the covering device on the container.
In a particularly simple manner, the lid and the holder could be coupled by means of a pivot joint. In the alternative, the lid and the holder could be coupled by means of a snap action joint, which could comprise a film hinge. In this case, it would be possible to provide between the lid and holder a connection element, which is stationary, while the lid is being pivoted relative to the container. The connection element and the lid could be made integral, while yet permitting the lid to pivot toward the connection element.
As regards a comfortable pivotal movement of the lid, one could provide a stop that limits the pivotal movement of the lid. In other words, it would be possible to pivot the lid away from the rim of the container only as far as a certain position.
Depending on need, the lid could cover the container in part or also completely. In particular a full covering offers in most cases a maximal protection against insect penetration into the container.
In a further advantageous manner, the lid could include a sealing device for closing the container in a preferably leakproof and/or airtight manner. With that, one would realize not only a covering of the container, which prevents to the greatest extent, for example, insects from penetrating, but also a closure of the container for the fresh keeping of, for example, carbonated drinks. In particular in the case of a container constructed as a drink can, the sealing device could be adapted to the prestamped opening of the drink can. The sealing device would include a preferably annular rubber seal. Furthermore, the sealing device could be arranged in the covered state of the container so as to be essentially invisible below the lid.
As regards a particularly practical configuration of the covering device, the sealing device could comprise preferably circular sealing m
Alston & Bird LLP
Cronin Stephen K.
Smalley James
LandOfFree
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