JP2008030859A - Closure lid for use in open container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a closure lid which is unique in structure and usage for use in a container. <P>SOLUTION: The closure lid 10 capable of fitting into the open container has an upper panel 20 and a lower panel 18. The lower panel 18 has a flexible flange seal 30 which is upwardly formed on the periphery. Furthermore, the upper panel 20 is formed so as to be upwardly convex, and selectively bends downwardly toward the lower panel 18 so that its peripheral border 50 can move outwardly and can butt the flange seal 30 by cooperation of positioning columns 34 formed on the lower panel 18, and by a facilitatory effect of support reaction of the upper panel 20 about supporting point 24 extending upwardly from the lower panel 18 at an close interval on the inner side of the flange seal 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a closure lid for a food container or the like having an open mouth.

  Such lids are known in the prior art and generally include means for operating the lid on the container to ensure that the lid is in intimate contact with the container. This usually involves manipulating the lid components selected one after another in a manner that is not readily apparent and easily performed. In addition, in many cases, the open area of the mouth of the container must itself be configured in a unique manner to accept a dedicated closure lid to produce a positive seal.

  The intent of the present invention is to provide a closure lid that is unique in both construction and use. The lid that engages the inner surface of the container inside the open mouth of the container serves both as a closure that is easily inserted into and removed from the container and a lid that is in close contact with the container wall. The nature of the contents of the container will determine how the closure lid is used. Regardless of how it is used, the closure lid takes the same position in the container while seated on a shallow inner shoulder formed as part of the container wall.

  It is important that the insertion of the closure lid into the container eliminates the need for manipulation of the lid components relative to one another. Rather, the lid is simply inserted into the container and placed on the positioning shoulder. For a secure seal, the user usually uses a central knob on the upper panel or member to simply deflect the upper dome-shaped upper panel or member downward to create an integral perimeter with the lower panel or member. All that is required is to engage the seal and press it outward. The upper panel is automatically locked in its downwardly deflected seal forming position and held in this position until it is manually released by simple finger pressure. Upon release, the upper seal, due to its elastic memory, deflects or moves upward to its normal or resting upper dome-like position, thus releasing the seal pressure.

  Structurally described, the closure lid of the present invention is formed simply and economically with only two components, preferably molded from a suitable synthetic resin material. The components have an upper panel and a lower panel that engage each other in a unique manner so that they can be used as a unitary assembly, and are easily disassembled for cleaning or related purposes, if desired.

  The lower panel has an outer peripheral region with an upwardly projecting rib and an upwardly extending sealing flange spaced outwardly from the rib around the end of the lower panel. The lower panel is pushed down or forms a groove below the height position of the central region of the lower panel between the rib and the edge flange, which are generally parallel to each other, the rib and the flange as a whole Extends to the same height higher than the central region. The sealing flange, as will be described later, has a high elastic flexibility with respect to the rest of the lower panel including the ribs so that it bends outward and engages the container wall.

  The lower panel includes a pair of positioning posts provided at the center and extending upward with a distance therebetween. These posts can flex elastically toward each other upon application of physical pressure, and upon release of such pressure, they return to their original position due to their inherent elastic memory properties.

  The upper panel has a greater degree of elasticity or elastic flexibility than the lower panel, and the upper panel selectively deflects downward toward the lower panel when downward pressure is applied to the upper panel. It is dome-shaped or convex upward. The upper panel returns to its upper convex position when released due to its inherent elastic memory.

  The two positioning posts provided on the lower panel are received upward through a central opening provided in the upper panel. The upper panel opening has or includes locking edges located on opposite sides of the upper panel, and these locking edges are provided on positioning posts located on opposite sides in the upper or non-deflection position of the upper panel. Engage under the outwardly projecting upper projection. The outer peripheral edge portion of the upper panel engages the lower panel rib with the outer peripheral edge at the end of the upper panel positioned adjacent to the flange seal of the lower panel under the retaining lip provided on the flange. Thus, the upper panel and the lower panel are assembled to form the closure lid of the present invention.

  In order to achieve and maintain the desired sealing action, the positioning posts have a pair of lower locking projections, one below each, spaced below the upper projection. When downward pressure is applied to the upper panel, the locking edge moves under the lower protrusion due to the snap action, the locking edge locks under the lower protrusion, and the upper panel deflects downward relative to the lower panel. Hold in a sealed position. This downward movement of the upper panel correspondingly causes fulcrum movement of the outer edge of the upper panel around the ribs of the lower panel and is associated with a slight upward shift of the peripheral edge of the upper panel relative to the retaining lip. The peripheral edge of the panel spreads outward and hits the flange seal, thereby causing the desired outward deflection of the flange seal to engage it with the container wall. When it is desired to release the sealing effect, the posts need only be moved inward and laterally toward each other to release the lower locking projection, and due to the shape memory of the upper panel, the upper panel moves upward and its initial A convex shape is obtained, and correspondingly the sealing pressure on the flange seal is removed. The upper and lower panels remain in the assembled state because the upper panel lock edge hits under the upper post protrusion.

  To facilitate handling of the lid and operation of the upper panel, an upwardly directed knob is formed around a central opening in the upper panel and around an upwardly protruding post received in this opening. . The peripheral wall of the knob is opposite to one another aligned with the lock edge of the upper panel so that the post protrusion can be moved and the post protrusion can be accessed in an inserted state when the post protrusion cooperates with the panel lock edge. Has an access opening. The knob further has a downwardly open chamber aligned with each knob wall opening to accommodate two posts. These chambers help align the post and upper panel knobs and locking edges when the panel is assembled, and also prevent excessive inward lateral distortion or movement of the post when manipulating the post. Has an inner wall.

  As will be appreciated, in a preferred embodiment, the lid and container inner wall are circular, and the use of the features of the invention in other forms is also feasible and within the creativity of one skilled in the art. it is conceivable that.

  Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention.

  Referring now specifically to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a closure lid 10 and an associated container 12 located below it. As noted, the container 12 has an open mouth, and the container has an inward circumferential support shoulder 14 provided on its inner wall surface. The shoulder 14 is spaced downwardly from the upper edge 16 of the container wall so that the lid 10 is nested within the container and can be engaged, for example, as supported by the shoulder 14 as shown in FIGS. Is provided.

  As noted, in the illustrated preferred embodiment, the closure lid 10 is circular and can fit within a corresponding cylindrical container 12. Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 2 and the various cross-sectional details, the lid 10 needs to be composed of only two members: a lower seal panel 18 and an upper operating panel 20, each panel being It is molded from a suitable synthetic resin material.

  The lower panel 18 has a central portion 22 that is slightly upwardly convex, and ribs 24 that are continuous to the periphery are provided around the outer periphery of the central portion. The lower panel 18 extends beyond the rib 24 and as a part of the outer side of the rib 24 downward and slightly outwardly below the overall height position of the central region 22, and then on the side The base 28 is configured to change its direction outward, and this base is seated on the container shoulder 14. A vertically extending peripheral sealing flange 30 formed integrally with the outer edge of the peripheral base 28 extends to a slightly lower height than the upper end of the rib 24 and terminates in a laterally inwardly facing lip or bead 32. ing.

  The sealing flange 30 of the lower panel has a large degree of flexible resiliency so that it can flex laterally outwards and engage the container wall when pressure is applied to the flange as will be described later. The flange also has a considerable degree of elastic memory so that it returns to its original position when pressure is removed. As shown, such increased flexibility can be achieved by molding a flange that is less thick than the rest of the relatively rigid lower panel.

  The lower panel 18 further includes a pair of laterally spaced upright positioning posts 34 provided in the center of the panel. Each post 34 has a holding protrusion 36 protruding outward on the upper side, and a locking protrusion 38 protruding outward from the holding protrusion 36 and spaced downward therefrom. The upper protrusion 36 includes a lower holding shelf 40. Similarly, a downward holding shelf 42 is provided on the lower protrusion 38. The lower protrusion 38 further has a cam action surface 44 inclined upward.

  The posts 34 allow the inward retraction of the protrusions and laterally toward each other so that removing the pressure on the posts allows the posts and protrusions to automatically return outward to their original positions. It has the flexibility and the elastic memory property of the degree that it can be bent. This elastic flexibility can be promoted by reducing the width of the post, for example at 46, between the panel body itself and the lower locking projection 38 positioned above. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, stiffening ribs 48 may be provided on the upper surface of the central region 22 of the lower panel 18 along the arcs between the sides of the post 34 and up to these sides.

  Turning now to the upper panel 20, this panel is dome-shaped or convex upward to a relatively greater degree than the central region of the lower panel 18, and this panel has a seal biasing or pressure outer periphery 50. Have. A central opening 52 is provided through the top panel 20 that accepts the positioning post 34 of the lower panel in an upwardly inserted state when the posts are deflected slightly inward toward each other. Of size. Edges 54 located on opposite sides of the opening 52 are aligned with the positioning posts 34 and are selectively engaged under the positioning and holding projections 36, 38 provided thereon. These edges 54 of the opening constitute a locking edge, which surrounds the opening 52 formed in the top panel 20 and slightly outwardly on the top panel 20 and this opening. It is stiffened by a reinforcing rib 56 positioned below and integrally suspended from a lock edge portion 54 constituted by

  A handling knob 58 integral with the top panel 20 surrounds the top panel opening 52 and extends upwardly therefrom. The peripheral wall 60 of the knob 58 is interrupted at the lock edge 54 so that the positioning post is exposed to the outside in the inserted state. The knob top 62 is also slightly recessed, for example at 64, in alignment with the wall opening so that the positioning post can be freely accessed by hand. In addition, the knob 58 of the upper panel 20 is formed with a pair of chambers 66 that are opened downward inward of the opening of the wall 60. Each chamber has opposing side walls 68 and an inner wall 70. The chambers 66 receive the positioning posts, stabilize the posts with respect to the upper panel 20, and ensure proper alignment between the posts and the lock edge 54.

  With particular attention to FIG. 5, during assembly of the two components of the lid 10, the upper panel 20 is positioned to receive the positioning post 34 through the opening 52. This is accomplished by flexing the posts slightly inwardly relative to each other to pass the upper positioning projection 34 through the opening and removing the inward pressure on the positioning post, immediately following the opposing lock It may be necessary to engage the edge 54. At the same time or thereafter, the peripheral edge 50 of the upper panel is circumferentially engaged with the inner face of the lower panel sealing flange 30 under the upper retaining lip 32 provided on the lower panel sealing flange 30 or the inner face. Position closely adjacent to. In this assembly position, the arcuate portion of the upper panel 20 is such that it sits on a rib 24 that is provided on the lower panel and protrudes upward and constitutes a fulcrum. The closure lid thus assembled is free to enter the open mouth of the container and sits on the container shoulder 14 in an unsealed relationship as a whole, so that an effective closure in this case is provided. A positive seal is not necessary. This unsealed relationship will be understood in the enlarged detail view of FIG.

  If it is desired to obtain a sealing relationship, the top panel 20 is deflected downward at its central region, preferably by applying pressure directly to the knob 58 projecting upwards into the sealed position. This causes the locking edge of the top panel opening to move along the upper camming surface 44 of the lower protrusion 38, correspondingly causing a slight inward deflection of the positioning post, and eventually the locking edge 54. Snap fit under the lower protrusion 38. The posts 34 then move outward due to their elastic memory properties to hold the lock edges in their lowest positions. The actual movement of the locking edge 54 below the lower retaining projection 38, if so desired, is slightly inward by hand into the positioning projection 36 of the positioning post when downward pressure is applied to the knob. This can be done by applying pressure to the direction. The closure position of the closure lid can be seen in FIGS.

  With continued reference to these figures and the detailed view of FIG. 8, when the center of the upper panel 20 is bent downward and locked in place, the outer edge of the upper panel 20 extends outward and is around the fulcrum formed by the ribs 24. The upper panel edge 50 is held against the flange seal by the upper retaining lip 32 of the flange seal 30, thereby tending to deflect the upper portion of the peripheral flange seal 30 outward. It will be understood. Providing the rib 24 as a fulcrum allows for a reliable and controlled outward movement of the pressure rim 50 of the upper panel, thereby providing a unique single action of the upper panel below the lower panel. The operation ensures a reliable sealing action.

  When attempting to release the lid seal, the positioning posts 34 are directed toward each other by pushing the relatively wide and thick upper protrusions 36 toward each other until the locking edge 54 of the upper panel is released from the lower protrusion 38. Just move it inward physically. Then, due to the elastic memory property of the upper panel 20, the central portion of the upper panel and the lock edge portion provided on the upper panel automatically move upward, and finally the edge portion is in a non-deflection state and the deep upper positioning protrusion 36 is engaged under. Simultaneously with this movement, the pressure rim 50 of the upper panel is pulled inwardly from the flange seal 32 and the seal is released from the peripheral wall of the container so that the lid can be freely removed from the container.

  The above description is considered illustrative of the principles of the invention. Modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is not desired to limit the invention to the construction and usage itself illustrated and described. On the contrary, all suitable modifications and equivalents are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an open mouth container and a closure lid of the present invention receptively aligned therein. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of two components of a closure lid and a container located below it. It is a bottom side perspective view of the upper panel of a closure lid. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a closure lid received in a container and in a lock sealed position within the container. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a lid received in a container prior to engagement of a perimeter seal. FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view of the region shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 with the lid in its locked position. FIG. 8 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view of the region shown in FIG. 7. It is an expanded sectional view which further shows the lock position of the lid in a container.

Explanation of symbols

10 Closure lid 12 Container 14 Shoulder 16 Upper edge 18 Lower seal panel 20 Upper operation panel 24, 48 Rib 30 Sealing flange 32 Lip or bead 34 Post 36, 38 Projection 50 Sealing peripheral edge 58 Knob 66 Chamber

Claims (20)

A container lid whose periphery engages and seals with the inner surface of the container wall,
A lower seal panel;
An upper operation panel,
The lower panel has a continuous upward peripheral seal, and the upper panel is convex upward and includes a peripheral pressure edge located just inward of the seal and substantially coextensive with the seal. The pressure edge of the upper panel is selectively moved outward to engage the seal, the seal is moved outward to seal engagement with the container wall,
The convex upper panel can bend downward with respect to the lower panel between an upper position where the engagement of the pressure edge and the seal is minimum and a lower bending sealing position, In the flex seal position, the pressure edge is moved outward to move the seal outward, which is sealingly engaged with the container wall,
Means for releasably locking the upper panel in the sealed position;
Container lid.   The container lid of claim 1, wherein the seal includes a seal flange having a lower edge joined to the lower panel and an upper edge spaced vertically above the lower edge.   The lower panel has an upward fulcrum located generally inward of the peripheral seal and generally parallel to the peripheral seal in a closely spaced manner relative to the peripheral seal; By applying a downward force inward of the fulcrum at the center of the convex upper panel located on the fulcrum, the upward movement of the pressure edge causes the pressure edge of the pressure edge to move against the seal flange. The container lid according to claim 2, wherein the container lid occurs in association with an outward movement.   The seal flange has a retaining lip oriented laterally inward along its upper edge, and the pressure edge of the upper panel engages the sealing flange under the retaining lip, and The container lid according to claim 3, wherein the holding lip holds the pressure edge in engagement with the seal flange.   5. A container lid according to claim 4, wherein the upper panel is generally seated on the fulcrum in its upper position with the sealing edge positioned generally adjacent and below the retaining lip of the flange.   The lower panel and the flange seal are of an integrally formed structure, the flange seal can be elastically bent, and the lower panel is connected to the flange seal inside the flange seal. The container lid according to claim 5, which has high rigidity as a whole in comparison.   The means for releasably locking the upper panel in the sealing position is provided at the center of the lower panel as a whole and is provided with post means extending upward from the center, and provided on the upper panel and inserted through the post means. The upper panel is vertically adjustable on the post means toward the lower panel when the upper panel is deflected downward, and the upper panel is adjustable in the vertical direction. The device for releasably locking in a sealed position is provided on the post means and the upper panel and cooperates to releasably hold the upper panel bent downwardly toward the lower panel 7. A container lid according to claim 6, further comprising possible latch means.   8. The container lid according to claim 7, wherein the post means extends above the upper panel, and the post means includes means for holding the lower panel of the upper panel in an upper non-deflection position of the upper panel. .   The post means comprises a pair of laterally spaced posts that are elastically deflected laterally toward each other from a non-deflection position when an inward physical force is applied to the post. The container lid according to claim 8, wherein the post has a shape memory property and returns to a non-deflection position of the post when the physical force is released.   The latching means is provided on each post and has a latching projection extending outwardly from each post at an intermediate position on each post, the latching means being on opposite sides defined by the upper panel opening. The lock edge further includes a lock edge engaged under the latching protrusion when the upper panel is bent downward and the post is bent inwardly, and the lock edge is under the latching protrusion. The container lid of claim 9, wherein the container lid is aligned with the post to allow movement of the part.   The means for holding the upper panel in a non-deflection position includes an outwardly protruding holding protrusion provided on the positioning post in an upwardly spaced relationship with the latching protrusion. 10. The container lid according to 10.   A handling knob extending upwardly from the upper panel, the handling knob having a peripheral wall around the upper panel opening and the post received in the opening; 12. An access opening located on opposite sides in alignment with the locking edge of the upper panel and the post to provide physical access to the post for manipulation. Container lid.   The knob has a downwardly open chamber for receiving each post, each chamber having an inner wall, the inner wall corresponding to the corresponding opening for receiving the corresponding post between the inner walls. The container lid according to claim 12, which is located in parallel with each other.   The means for releasably locking the upper panel in the sealing position is provided at the center of the lower panel as a whole and is provided with post means extending upward from the center, and provided on the upper panel and inserted through the post means. The upper panel is vertically adjustable on the post means toward the lower panel when the upper panel is deflected downward, and the upper panel is adjustable in the vertical direction. The device for releasably locking in a sealed position is provided on the post means and the upper panel and cooperates to releasably hold the upper panel bent downwardly toward the lower panel 4. A container lid according to claim 3, further comprising possible latch means.   The post means comprises a pair of laterally spaced posts that are elastically deflected laterally toward each other from a non-deflection position when an inward physical force is applied to the post. The container lid according to claim 14, wherein the post has shape memory and returns to a non-deflection position of the post upon release of the physical force.   The latching means is provided on each post and has a latching projection extending outwardly from each post at an intermediate position on each post, the latching means being on opposite sides defined by the upper panel opening. The lock edge further includes a lock edge engaged under the latching protrusion when the upper panel is bent downward and the post is bent inwardly, and the lock edge is under the latching protrusion. The container lid of claim 15, wherein the container lid is aligned with the post to allow movement of the part.   A handling knob extending upwardly from the upper panel, the handling knob having a peripheral wall around the upper panel opening and the post received in the opening; Proximity openings are provided that are opposite to each other in alignment with the locking edge of the upper panel and the post so as to be physically accessible to the post for operation, and the knob includes each post. Receiving downwardly open chambers, each chamber having an inner wall, the inner wall being generally parallel to the corresponding access opening to accommodate the corresponding post between the inner walls The container lid according to claim 16. A container lid,
A lower panel,
An upper panel,
The lower panel has an upward continuous peripheral flange seal configured at its periphery; the upper panel is upwardly convex and includes a peripheral pressure edge just inward of the flange seal;
An upward fulcrum provided on the lower panel in an inwardly spaced relationship to the flange seal;
The upper panel is located on the fulcrum inward of the flange seal;
The center panel's downward deflection inward of the fulcrum creates an upper outward bias of the pressure edge of the upper panel against the flange seal, causing an outward sealing movement of the pressure edge. ,
Container lid.   Means for releasably locking the upper panel in the sealed position, the means being provided at the center of the lower panel as a whole and post means extending upward therefrom, and provided at the upper panel; An alignment opening for receiving the post means in an inserted state, and the upper panel is vertically adjustable on the post means toward the lower panel when the upper panel is bent downward, The device for releasably locking to the sealing position of the upper panel is provided in the post means and the upper panel, and is freely releasable in a state where the upper panel is bent downward toward the lower panel. 19. A container lid as claimed in claim 18 further comprising cooperable latch means for holding onto the container lid.   The latching means is provided on each post and has a latching projection extending outwardly from each post at an intermediate position on each post, the latching means being on opposite sides defined by the upper panel opening. The lock edge further includes a lock edge engaged under the latching protrusion when the upper panel is bent downward and the post is bent inwardly, and the lock edge is under the latching protrusion. Means for aligning with the post to allow movement of the part and holding the upper panel on the post means upon release of the latch means, spaced upwardly relative to the latching protrusion. 20. A container lid according to claim 19, comprising an outwardly projecting protrusion provided on the post means and selectively engaging a locking edge of the upper panel.

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