Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6394298
-
Patent Number
6,394,298
-
Date Filed
Monday, May 8, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 28, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Nath & Associates PLLC
- Nath; Gary M.
- Berkowitz; Marvin C.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 220 254
- 220 259
- 220 281
- 220 283
- 220 827
- 220 838
- 220 837
- 220 847
- 206 233
- 206 494
- 221 63
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A dispensing cover for a container accommodating an article to be dispensed, such as a wet towel. The surface of the cover has an opening therein providing access to the article, and a hinged lid of deformable, elastic material swingable from an erect, open position to expose the opening to a position overlying and closing the opening, the lid having at its front end a locking element. Cooperating with the lid is a locking member coupled to the surface of the cover, the member having a locking edge which when the lid is closed, then engages the locking element to maintain the lid in a closed state. To open the lid, the locking member is depressed to deform the lid to an extent effecting disengagement of the locking element from the locking edge to permit the lid to spring up as a result of the elastic energy it gained when being deformed.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally in the field of container covers and more specifically it is concerned with a dispensing cover fitted with a re-closable lid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is often required to provide a container with a cover fitted with an opening having restricted dimensions for withdrawal of items contained within the container. Such covers are collectively referred to as “dispensing covers”. However, it is to be understood that such covers are often suitable also for inserting items into the container.
It is advantageous to have a cover fitted with an opening, the latter being covered by a lid which may be manually or automatically opened. Automatically operated lids are operated, for example, by electric motors or by mechanical mechanisms (e.g. spring biased or such comprising links and levers, etc.).
Manually operated lids are at times inconvenient in use where both hands of the user are required to open the lid or cover, in particular when the operator has one hand occupied.
One such typical example refers to withdrawing cotton-wool or a wet disposable towel from a container, while a person's hands are greasy or while attending to a baby, etc. Furthermore, in many cases there is provided a lid-biasing member which require manufacturing and assembling into the cover. Such a biasing member loses its resiliency after a while and may fall and get lost.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a cover for a container, the cover being fitted with an opening closable by a lid, wherein for opening the lid only one hand is required. By one preferred embodiment, opening the lid is carried out by depressing a locking member, and whereby the lid springs into an open position and remains in this position, whereby the opening is accessible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a cover for a container which cover is suitable for wise either as a dispensing cover or for inserting items into the container.
According to a first embodiment of the invention there is provided a dispensing cover for a container, the cover comprising an opening communicating with an interior space of the container, and a lid having a rear end and a front end, the lid being swingably articulated at or adjacent its rear end to the cover and being displaceable between a first, open position in which it is essentially erect with respect to a surface of the cover, and a second, closed position in which it rests over the opening; the lid is formed at a front side edge thereof with a laterally projecting tab, wherein depressing the tab entails elastic deformation of the lid whereby instantaneously releasing the tab causes the lid to spring into its first position.
It is an important characterizing feature of the invention that the lid is not spring biased, but rather displaces into its first, erected position by the elastic energy gained while it is deformed. This arrangement avoids that use of an additional biasing member, typically a leaf-like elastic member.
In accordance a second preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the cover is characterized in that:
the lid is formed at a front side edge thereof with a laterally locking element,
the cover is fitted at a front portion thereof with a locking member having a locking edge at a rear edge thereof; the locking member is displaceable between a first position in which the locking edge is engaged with the locking element of the lid when the latter is in its second position, and a second, depressed position:
wherein depressing the locking member into the second position entails elastic deformation of the lid whereby the locking element disengages from the locking edge and the lid and springs into its first position.
In order to prevent spontaneous opening of the lid, the locking member is restrained from upward displacement from its first position.
By still a modification, the locking element is a laterally extending rib or recess and the locking edge is formed with a corresponding lateral rib or recess engageable with the rib or recess of the lid. Preferably, the locking member is formed as an internal portion of the cover which is as such deformable upon depression thereof. By a modification, the locking member is articulated to the cover.
By a preferred embodiment of the cover of the present invention, while in the second position, at least the lid is essentially lush with a top surface of the cover. Still preferably, the locking member is also essentially flush with the top surface of the cover.
In accordance with one embodiment, the lid and the locking member are received within corresponding portions of the cover which are depressed or removed.
The term “removed” refers to portions of the cover which are absent.
By one application of the invention, portions of the cover extending below a front portion of the lid and below at least a rear portion of the locking member are depressed or removed so as to allow downward displacement of a front portion of the lid and a rear portion of the locking member.
By another application, at least a front portion of the lid and a rear portion of the locking member are thinner than other portions thereof, so as to allow downward displacement of a front portion of the lid and a rear portion of the locking member.
By one preferred design, the portion of the cover below the lid is formed with an opening suitable for dispensing tissue towels and preferably for dispensing moistured tissue towels, one at a time. By other designs, the opening is suitable for dispensing other goods, as may be required, e.g. cotton-wool etc,.
At times it is desirable that the contents of the container be kept in sealed conditions, e.g. in case of wet tissue towels. Thus, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, when the lid is in its second position it sealingly rests over the opening of the cover. For improving the sealing engagement, suitable ribs or other sealing arrangements may be provided as known per se.
By one specific embodiment, either or both of the lid and corresponding portions of the cover are formed with abutments for supporting the lid in its second position. Typically, such abutments are provided at a rear portion so as to enable displacement of the front portion of the lid, while in its second position.
By one preferred embodiment, either or both the lid and the locking member are integrally formed with the cover whereby the respective integral member is pivotable about an integral hinge. Alternatively, either or both of the lid and locking member are pivotally hinged to the cover via an axle.
The lid is typically made of a polymeric material wherein the strain caused by displacement of the lid by the locking member is within the elastic zone, i.e. the lid does not plastically deform.
By one specific design, the lid comprises reinforcing ribs at least at a rear portion thereof.
Preferably, the container is rigid and by one specific design the container is adapted for refilling whereby the cover is refittable over the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, some preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:
FIG. 1A
is a perspective view of a cover in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, with a lid of the cover in a closed position;
FIG. 1B
is a sectional view through line I—I in
FIG. 1A
;
FIG. 2A
is an isometric representation illustrating how the lid of the cover seen in
FIG. 1A
is being opened;
FIG. 2B
is a sectional view along line II—II in
FIG. 2A
;
FIG. 3
is an isometric view of the cover of
FIGS. 1 and 2
in its open position;
FIG. 4A
is an isometric view of a cover in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, with a lid formed in the cover, the lid in its closed state;
FIG. 4B
is a sectional view along line IV—IV in
FIG. 4A
;
FIG. 5A
is an isometric representation illustrating how the lid of the cover seen in
FIG. 4A
is being opened;
FIG. 5B
is a section view alone line V—V in
FIG. 5A
;
FIG. 6
is an isometric view of the cover of
FIGS. 4 and 5
in its open position;
FIG. 7A
is an isometric view of a cover fitted with sealing means, the cover in its open position;
FIG. 7B
is a sectional view of the cover of
FIG. 7A
, in its closed position;
FIG. 8A
is an isometric view of a cover according to another embodiment of the invention, the lid in its closed position; and
FIG. 8B
is an isometric view of the cover of
FIG. 8A
, in its open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Attention is first directed to
FIG. 1A
providing a general view of the cover which is generally designated
10
. The cover is mounted over a rectangular container
14
, which for the sake of simplicity will not be illustrated in the following drawings. However, it will be noted that the container
14
is of known design and may be removably attached to the cover
10
for refilling, as may be required. It is also appreciated that the cover may be integral with the container or mounted thereon, fixedly or removably.
The cover
10
has an overall rectangular shape and comprises a lid
18
and a locking member
20
which, as will become apparent hereinafter, are both integrally formed with the cover
10
, and made of a suitable polymeric material.
The skilled person will realize however, that other suitable materials may be used as well. Furthermore, the lid and the locking member may also be not integrally with the cover, as will become apparent hereinafter.
in
FIGS. 1A and 1B
, the lid
18
is in a so-called closed position with both the lid
18
and locking member
20
being flush with the top surface
24
of the cover
10
.
As can be seen and understood from
FIGS. 1-3
, the lid
18
and the locking member
20
are integrally formed with the cover
10
and are both pivotal about an integral hinge
22
and
24
, respectively (the former seen only in
FIGS. 1B and 2B
, the latter seen also in
FIGS. 1A
,
2
A and
3
).
Both the lid
18
and the locking member
20
are received within suitable depressions formed in the cover
10
whereby the lid and the locking member are flush with the top surface
24
of the cover. Depression
30
corresponds with the shape of the lid
18
and comprises an opening
32
which is adapted to allow withdrawal of wet tissue towels, e.g. towels which are arranged in a continuous, perforated roll or, towels arranged in a so-called pop-up package. However, other forms of opening are available, at manufacturer's choice, depending also on the goods to be contained in the container.
As can be seen in
FIGS. 1B
,
2
B and
3
, the lid
18
is formed at its bottom surface
36
with a plurality of reinforcing ribs collectively referred to as
38
. The depression
30
is formed with two abutting projections
40
which extend upwards so as to engage with the reinforcing ribs
38
and retain the lid
18
in its closed position, flush with the surface
24
of the cover
10
.
It is noted that lid
18
comprises also a circular rib portion
42
which is adapted both for reinforcing the lid and for encircling the aperture
32
. The artisan will no doubt be able to design sealing arrangements of the opening which all fall within the scope of the present invention. Detailed description of sealing arrangements are seen in FIG.
7
.
At a front side edge
46
of lid
18
there is formed a laterally projecting locking rib
50
(see
FIGS. 1B
,
2
B and
3
) and the locking member
20
is formed with a locking edge
56
(see
FIGS. 1B and 2B
) which in the closed position of the lid overrides the locking rib
50
, thus preventing upward displacement of the lid
18
.
The arrangement is such that the locking member
20
is restrained from upward displacement by means of laterally extending projections
60
seen in dashed lines in
FIGS. 1A and 2A
. This arrangement ensures that while the locking edge
56
of locking member
20
overrides the locking rib
50
of lid
18
, the lid
18
is in its closed position, prevented from spontaneously opening into an erected position.
Depression
30
of cover
10
, as clearly seen in
FIGS. 1B and 2B
, is inclined in a manner that its portion extending below a front portion of the lid
18
is deeper depressed than a rear portion thereof. Similarly, depression
66
accommodating locking member
20
is inclined in a reverse direction and coincides with depression
30
, the arrangement being such that the rear portion of the depression
66
is deeper than its front portion. A skilled person will appreciate that the bottom surfaces of the depression may also be otherwise formed, namely smooth etc.
In the closed position of lid
18
, seen in
FIGS. 1A and 1B
, the lid is at rest over the opening
32
, with essentially no mechanical stress. When, however, it is desired to open the lid
18
, locking member
20
is depressed by the user's finger
68
(
FIG. 2
) displacing the locking member downward against the elasticity of lid
18
, whereby the lid
18
deforms as can best be seen in
FIG. 2B
, whereby the locking edge
56
slides upon the locking rib
50
of lid
18
, eventually disengaging therefrom whereby lid
18
springs open into its erected position seen in
FIG. 3
, releasing the mechanical stress imparted to the lid while deformation.
It is pointed out that the deformation of lid
18
by depression of locking member
20
is within the allowed mechanical elastic zone, i.e. ensuring that the lid
18
retains its flat original shape upon seizing of the force applied onto the locking member
20
.
The hinging arrangement is such that the lid
18
springs into its open position to an angle which is greater than 90°, whereby the lid remains in its open position until it is manually closed again by merely depressing the lid
18
, whereby the locking rib
50
snapingly slides over the locking edge
56
of locking member
20
into the locking position as explained hereinbefore with reference to FIG.
1
. Other arrangements for retaining the lid in open position are available to.
The embodiment seen in
FIGS. 4-6
is principally similar to the previous embodiment and accordingly, like elements have been given like reference numerals shifted by 100, and the reader is directed to those paragraphs referring to the description of
FIGS. 1-3
for more details.
As noted, the cover
110
comprises a lid
118
and a locking member
120
. Lid
118
rather than being integrally hinged with the cover
110
is pivotally hanged at axle
70
to the cover and as seen in particular in
FIGS. 4B and 5B
. According to this embodiment, at least the lid
118
is made of a suitable polymeric material.
There exists a gap
72
between the rear edge
74
of lid
118
and the edge
76
of the depression
130
accommodating the lid. This arrangement ensures that when the lid
118
erects into its open position (seen in
FIG. 6
) it remains in this position as it displaces beyond a 90° position.
Apart from this difference, the features of
FIGS. 4-6
are principally similar with those of the previous embodiment depicted in
FIGS. 1-3
and the manner of operation is similar as well.
Referring now to
FIGS. 7A and 7B
the lid
170
is formed at its bottom surface
172
with a circumferential sealing rib
174
and the cover is formed at the depression
178
with an upwardly extending circumferential rib
182
having an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the rib
174
and encircling the opening
184
of the cover. The arrangement is such that in the closed position (
FIG. 7B
) rib
182
sealingly fits within the rib
174
of the lid
170
.
Whilst in the embodiments illustrated and ascribed so far the locking member
20
constitutes an integral part of the cover
24
and is particulatedly hinged to the cover at
24
, there exists further options. For example, the locking member may be continuous with the cover
24
and may then be formed as a weakened zone formed with a recess engageable by locking rib (
50
in
FIG. 1B
) whereupon depression thereof entails its deformation forcing together the lid
18
into its second, depressed position whereupon further depression results in release of the locking rib allowing spontaneous displacement of the lid into its open position.
In
FIG. 8
of the drawings there is illustrated another embodiment of the invention wherein the cover generally designated
190
is formed with a depression
192
having an opening
194
communicating with an interior space of the container (not shown). The cover is also formed with two upwardly projecting abutting projections
196
and a finger portion
198
depressed at a front portion of the cover. There is further provided a lid
202
, which in the present example is integrally formed with the cover and is swingable thereabout. The lid
202
displaceable between a first, open position in which it is essentially erect (FIG.
8
B), and a second, closed position in which it rests over the opening (FIG.
8
A).
The lid
202
is formed at its front side edge with a laterally projecting tab
206
, wherein depressing the tab entails elastic deformation of the lid
202
whereby instantaneously releasing the tab causes the lid to spring into its first position.
It will be appreciated to a person versed in the art that the design and structure of the cover in accordance with the present invention may be different than the specific design illustrated hereinbefore. For example, the shape of each of the components may differ so as to suit different containers and different requirements.
Claims
- 1. A dispensing cover for a container having an interior space to accommodate an article to be dispensed, said cover comprising:A. a surface having an opening therein providing access to the article; B. a lid formed of elastic, deformable material having a rear end and a front end, said lid being swingably articulated from the rear end thereof so that it can swing from an erect, open position to expose the opening to a closed position at which it overlies the opening; C. a locking element formed at the front end of the lid; and D. a locking member cooperating with the lid coupled to the surface of the cover and provided with a locking edge adjacent the locking element of the lid, said locking member being displaceable from a first position at which the locking edge engages the locking element to maintain the lid in a closed state, to a second position at which the locking member is depressed to deform the lid an extent effecting disengagement to permit the lid to spring up as a result of elastic energy it gained when being deformed.
- 2. A dispensing cover according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is an integral position of the cover which is a zone defromable upon depression.
- 3. A dispensing cover according to claim 2, wherein at the second position, the lid is essentially flush with a top surface of cover.
- 4. A dispensing cover according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is articulated to the cover.
- 5. A dispensing cover according to claim 1, wherein at least a front portion of the lid and a rear portion of the locking member are thinner than other portions thereof, so as to allow downward displacement of said front portion of the lid and said rear portion of the locking member.
- 6. A dispensing cover according to claim 1, wherein the locking element is in a laterally extending rib and the locking edge is formed with a corresponding lateral rib engageable with the rib of the lid.
- 7. A dispensing cover according to claim 1, wherein the lid in the closed state sealingly rests over the opening formed in the cover.
- 8. A dispensing cover according to claim 1, wherein either or both the lid and the locking member are pivotable about the cover by internal hinges.
- 9. A dispensing cover according to claim 1, wherein either or both the lid and the locking member are pivotally hinged to the cover via an axle.
- 10. A dispensing cover according to claim 1, wherein the lid is made of polymeric material and wherein strain caused by deformation of the lid by the locking member is within an elastic zone.
- 11. A dispensing cover according to claim 1, wherein the lid comprises reinforcing ribs at a rear portion thereof.
- 12. A dispensing cover according to claim 1, wherein both the lid and the locking member are integrally formed with the cover.
- 13. A dispensing cover according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is restrained from upward displacement from its first position.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
129856 |
May 1999 |
IL |
|
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EP |
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EP |
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Mar 1998 |
JP |
11-49210 |
Feb 1999 |
JP |
11-79214 |
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