Bottles and jars – Closures – Closure pivoted about receptacle opening
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-25
2001-07-03
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Bottles and jars
Closures
Closure pivoted about receptacle opening
C215S295000, C215S301000, C220S254800, C220S259300, C220S283000, C220S836000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253938
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a closure for a container where the closure is opened by applying an indirect force to the lid of the closure. More particularly, this invention relates to a two piece closure that has molded hinges that are preloaded to open a lid upon the application of an indirect force.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a closure for a container such as a bottle or a tube where the lid closing the dispensing opening of the closure is opened by applying a force to one surface which translates this force to a second surface which opens the lid. This is in distinction to most closures where the direct force is applied to a lid to open the lid.
Typical closures for containers are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,516,581; U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,501; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,324. Each of these closures is opened by the direct application of a force to the lid of the closure. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,516,581 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,501, there are disclosed disc closures. The disc pivots at about a midpoint. By applying a downward force opposite the end covering the dispensing opening, the lid is opened and the dispensing opening uncovered. These are sometimes described as toggle closures. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,324 there is disclosed a closure lid that is opened pushing the lid upward to rotate the lid on a set of hinges that connect the lid of the closure to the base of the closure. The lid opens upward to an angle of 90° or better.
These are two of the common closures used on tube packaging and on bottles. These also are examples of common closures where to open the closure there is a direct force applied to the closure. This direct force on a part of the lid of the closure will open the closure.
The new closure of this invention is an indirectly opening closure. A force is applied to one surface of the closure which transfers this force to another part of the closure which opens the lid. The lid is manually closed. The closure is formed in two pieces. The base portion of the lid has portion for attachment to a container and an elongated actuator section comprising an elongated rod that has one or more hinges and terminates in a section that is in a close relationship with an actuator wall. The actuator wall is attached to the dispensing opening lid by a hinge, preferably a preloaded living hinge. When a force is applied to the actuator section, the force is translated to actuator wall and thereby to open the lid.
The base portion with the actuator section preferably is molded in one piece. The lid also preferably is separately molded with the hinge of the lid being preloaded during molding. By preloaded is meant that the hinge is set so that a small force and movement of the actuator wall of the lid will cause the lid to spring open.
This type of closure has the advantage that is easy to open, requiring less force than the direct opening closures. It is very useful for persons who through age or otherwise do not have a high level of strength in their hands.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an indirectly activated closure for a container, such as a tube or a bottle. The closure is opened by applying a force to one surface of the closure, which force is transferred to a part of a lid assembly which then opens the lid. This invention also is directed to the assembly and use of this closure.
The closure has a base portion and a lid portion. The lid portion is attached to the base portion by an interfitting closure attaching section. The base portion has a section for attachment to a container, a dispensing opening and a list activation section. The lid section has an activator wall, a lid hinge, and preferably a pre-loaded living hinge, and portion closing the dispensing opening. In use a force is applied to the lid activation section which causes and activator rod to contact the activator wall to in turn cause the lid hinge to open and open the dispenser opening.
The closure is produced in two sections. The base section and the lid section. The lid section is attached to the base section and the activator section is folded into place with the actuator rod adjacent the actuator wall of the lid section. The closure then can be attached to a container.
The closure is activated by applying a force to the activator section which in turn applies the force to the activator wall of the lid section. Upon applying this force to the activator wall the lid opens. The lid is manually closed after dispensing.
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Harrity Kevin
Nimmey Alan
Zaksenberg Issac
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Eloshway Niki M.
McGreal Michael J.
Shoap Allan N.
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