Receptacles – Closures – Having means for securing or retaining closure in its closed...
Patent
1995-01-31
1998-03-24
Shoap, Allan N.
Receptacles
Closures
Having means for securing or retaining closure in its closed...
16225, 220283, 220337, 220339, B65D 4306
Patent
active
057303100
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a lid opening mechanism which enables the lid or opening member of various cases or apparatuses to be opened with one hand and which is applicable not only to various cases or containers made of plastic or metal but also to paper boxes for packing cigarettes, caramels, etc.
Further, this invention relates to a lid opening mechanism applicable to cases formed in one piece of plastic, etc., such as spectacle cases, cosmetic compacts, and cases for various storage media like floppy disks, or to detergent-container caps or the like.
Furthermore, the mechanism of this invention can also be utilized as an opening mechanism or opening member in various articles of furniture or various machines or instruments for office or industrial uses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various cases or containers composed of a body and lid formed in one piece of plastic material like polyethylene. There are also cases whose lid and body are respectively provided with male and female hooks that can be engaged with each other to close the lid.
To enable such cases or containers to be opened with one hand while being held in the same hand, a method has been adopted according to which a strong push is given to the body-side hook from outside with the thumb, etc. so as to distort the hook, thereby releasing the lid-side hook from the engagement.
A problem of this conventional method is that the lid cannot be opened unless the finger is strong enough. Nevertheless, this type of opening mechanism is widely adopted in spectacle cases, cases for writing implement, toys, food containers, etc., which is rather inconvenient for elderly, female, or very young users.
Furthermore, although it is true that the engagement between the body-side and lid-side hooks can be cancelled by strongly pushing the body-side hook, it is not possible to open the lid wide without using both hands or providing a spring mechanism or the like in the hinge section, etc. (See, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 55-151210 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-30120).
Some cosmetic compacts, etc. can be opened or closed by a slight push of a finger while being held with one hand (See, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-113243 and Japanese Utility Model Publications No. 4-3974 and 4-40566). However, the opening/closing mechanism of such cases requires hooks and hook releasing members, and further, pins, springs, etc. for the hinge section. This necessitates equipment, technique and processes for machining as well as molds for producing such parts, which inevitably leads to a high production cost, with the result that the range of uses for this opening mechanism is restricted to certain fields, for example, luxury goods.
Some of the caps of containers for bath agents, shampoos, etc. have slits similar to those of the present invention (See, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-45266). However, these slits in such caps are completely different from those of the present invention in terms of purpose, structure, operating method and effect. The section which is separated from the hinge by these slits serves as a spring member when the lid is opened or closed. When the lid is opened, this separated section protrudes outwardly from the cap. When the lid is closed, the hinge section protrudes sharp to the exterior. That is, the structure is completely different from that of the present invention, in which a pushing operating section is pushed inwardly.
Structures having a lid or opening member which can be opened are generally adopted in industrial apparatuses, office equipment, household goods, etc., or in various types of bags, cases or the like. However, due to their complicated structure, etc., they are made up of a large number of parts which are to be prepared and assembled through a number of processes, resulting in a lot of time being required for their manufacture. Among them is a home TV remote control having a battery accommodating section, whose lid is rathe
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Hylton Robin A.
Shoap Allan N.
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