[0001] The present invention relates to a container particularly but not exclusively for
cosmetics.
[0002] Containers formed by two half-shells of plastic material or the like are normally
used in this field of application; said half-shells define a lid and a base arranged
mutually opposite and pivoted proximate to their rear edges.
[0003] A known container of this kind has a closure device which comprises, proximate to
the front edge of one of the half-shells, a first closure element adapted to elastically
couple by snapping with a second closure element provided on the other of said half-shells.
[0004] Opposite coupling portions are provided for the engagement of said closure elements
and extend respectively towards the front edge of the container and towards the rear
edge thereof, along directions which are substantially perpendicular to the pivoting
axis and are parallel to the plane of contact of the half-shells.
[0005] In this known container the force required to couple and uncouple the closure elements
therefore depends on the relative distance between said closure elements in the direction
along which their coupling portions extend, and may vary between a minimum value,
producing a loose coupling or none at all, and a maximum value, leading to a forced
or impossible coupling due to absolute interference.
[0006] In view of the fact that the closure elements are provided on the front edges of
the half-shells, the effectiveness of the coupling of the closure elements is a function
of their relative position, which largely depends on the precision of the pivoting
of the half-shells and on the different shrinkage of the materials employed.
[0007] In practice it has been observed that even small errors in positioning the seats
for the hubs or the pivoting pins can give rise to severely incorrect couplings between
the closure elements.
[0008] In order to improve this aspect, a solution could be to reduce production tolerances
as to the seats for the pivoting pins, but this would lead to unacceptable increases
in production costs.
[0009] The aim of the present invention is to obviate the above described disadvantages
by providing a container which can be easily closed and opened.
[0010] Within the scope of the above described aim, a particular object of the present invention
is to provide a container with a closure device the functionality whereof is substantially
independent from the precision of the pivoting means of the lid with respect to the
base.
[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a container which can be
opened with one hand.
[0012] Not least object of the present invention is to provide a container which is relatively
easy and economically advantageous to manufacture.
[0013] This aim, the mentioned objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter
are achieved by a container, particularly for cosmetics or the like, comprising a
pair of mutually opposite half-shells which define a base and a lid which are mutually
pivoted proximate to one of their rear edges, characterized in that it comprises,
proximate to the front edge of one of said half-shells, a first closure element which
can be elastically snap coupled to a second closure element provided on the other
of said half-shells, said closure elements having mutually opposite mutual coupling
portions which extend along directions which are substantially parallel to the pivoting
axis of said half-shells.
[0014] Further characteristics and advantages will become apparent from the description
of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a container for cosmetics and the
like, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
figures 1 and 2 are sectional front views of a detail of the container according to
the invention in a first embodiment, respectively in closed and in open position;
figures 3 and 4 are sectional side views of the detail illustrated in figures 1 and
2, taken along the lines III-III and IV-IV;
figure 5 is a general schematic top view of the container according to the invention;
figure 6 is an enlarged top view of a detail of the closure device illustrated in
figures 1 to 4;
figure 7 is an enlarged front view of a second embodiment of the container according
to the invention, with the closure device in engaged position;
figures 8 and 9 are sectional side views of a detail of the container according to
the invention, in a third embodiment, respectively in closed and in open position;
figure 10 is a top view of the detail of figure 8, taken along the line X-X;
figures 11 and 12 are sectional front views of the details of figures 8 and 9, taken
respectively along the lines XI-XI and XII-XII;
figure 13 is a sectional front view of a detail of the container according to the
invention, in a fourth embodiment, in its closed position;
figure 14 is a sectional view of a container for cosmetics with the closure element
provided on the insert, in closed position;
figure 15 is a sectional view of a container with the closure element provided on
the insert, in its open position;
figure 16 is a schematic perspective view of the button with the closure element;
figure 17 is a schematic top plan view of the button in closed position;
figure 18 is a schematic top plan view of the button in open position;
figure 19 is a sectional view taken along the line XIX-XIX of figure 17.
[0015] With reference to the above described figures, in particular to figures 1 to 6, a
container is shown which comprises two half-shells which define a lid 1 and a base
2 which are mutually pivoted along the axis 3 proximate to the rear edge 4. The container
has a closure device proximate to its front edge 5; said closure device comprises
a first closure element, generally indicated by the reference numeral 6, proximate
to the front edge of the lid 1, which is adapted to elastically snap with a second
closure element 7 provided proximate to the front edge of the base 2.
[0016] According to the invention, the closure elements 6, 7 have mutually opposite coupling
portions which extend along directions which are substantially parallel to the pivoting
axis 3.
[0017] According to the invention, the first closure element 6 conveniently comprises at
least one tab 8 which extends in a direction which is substantially perpendicular
to the coupling plane of the half-shells and has a hook-like coupling portion 9 adapted
to elastically snap with a corresponding coupling counter-hook portion 10 defined
on a wall 11 of the second closure element.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the first closure element 6 comprises a pair of said tabs
8 which are spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another; said tabs together
define a fork which extends in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the
contact plane of the half-shells and is parallel to the pivoting axis 3. The coupling
portions 9 are provided on the outer walls of the fork, on opposite sides with respect
to the center distance line of the tabs 8.
[0019] In this preferred embodiment, the second closure element comprises a pair of said
side walls 11 which are substantially mutually parallel and together define said coupling
counter fork portions 10 which are arranged mutually facing each other.
[0020] Figure 1 illustrates the opening device with the closure elements 6, 7 engaged, before
opening. By exerting separation forces along the directions indicated by the arrows
Fl and F2 on the two half-shells, by virtue of the inclined surfaces 9a, 10a of portions
9, 10, the coupling portions 10 of the closure element 7 induce reaction forces on
the coupling portions 9 of the closure element 6 along the directions indicated by
the arrows F3; said forces tend to move the tabs 8 of the closure element 7 closer
to one another.
[0021] Figure 2 illustrates the closure elements 6, 7 after their disengagement.
[0022] It can be seen that the configuration of the coupling portions 9, 10, with inclined
surfaces 9b, 10b, combined with the elasticity of the tabs 8 and of the walls 11,
provide a self-centering coupling between the closure elements 6 and 7 when they are
engaged by moving them mutually closer.
[0023] Advantageously, according to the invention, the width of the coupling portion of
one of the closure elements, in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to
the pivoting axis and parallel to the contact plane of the half-shells, is greater
than the width of the coupling portion of the other of said closure elements.
[0024] More particularly, as is better illustrated in figures 3 and 4, the width of the
coupling portion 10 defined in the closure element 7 is greater than the thickness
of the tabs 8 and consequently than the coupling portion 9 of the closure element
6.
[0025] A peculiar characteristic of the present invention resides in the fact that the width
of the contact surface between the coupling portions, considered along a direction
which is substantially perpendicular to the pivoting axis and parallel to the contact
plane of the half-shells, is substantially constant and equal to the smallest width
of the inclined faces 9a, 10a of said coupling portions (in this case to width of
face 9a), as the mutual position of the closure elements varies in said direction.
[0026] In detail, it can be seen, again from figures 3 and 4, that a mutual movement of
the closure elements 6, 7 due to a possible misalignment of the half-shells caused
by manufacture errors in the hinges causes no substantial variation in the extent
of the contact surfaces of the coupling portions 9, 10 within certain limits. The
maximum extent of this misalignment can be considered approximately equal to the difference
between the widths of the coupling portions 9, 10.
[0027] Figure 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the closure element 6, comprising a monolithical
portion 8a instead of two spaced and elastic tabs, imparting greater rigidity to the
closure element 6.
[0028] According to the invention, controllable release means are conveniently provided
and interact with the closure elements 6, 7 to exert thereon releasing forces along
a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the coupling plane of the half-shells.
[0029] According to the invention and as shown in figures 8 to 12, the release means preferably
comprise a button 12 slidably mounted around the side walls 11 of the counter-fork
defining the closure element 7. Said button has an actuation portion protruding from
the base 2 and an opposite active portion extending between the side walls 11. The
active portion defines an inclined surface 13 adapted to interact with the end portions
14 of the fork defined by the tabs 8 which constitute the closure element 6. By exerting
a force along the direction indicated by the arrow F4 on the button 12, as indicated
in figures 8 and 9, its inclined surface 13 induces on the lid 1 a lifting force in
the direction indicated by the arrows F5, as indicated in figures 9 and 11. As a consequence
of said lifting force in the direction indicated by the arrow F5, the tabs 8 of the
element 6 are pushed against each other in the direction indicated by the arrows F6,
as indicated in figure 11, releasing the coupling portions 9, 10 of said tabs 8. The
button is preferably formed as a tab which protrudes from the front edge of the base
1 of an insert 15 which is removably accommodated inside the base 2 or is fixed to
its bottom.
[0030] In order to allow the elastic movement of the button 12 with respect to the insert
15 and the base 2, said button 12 is joined to the insert 15 by means of an elastic
coupling portion 16 with a weakened cross section.
[0031] Figure 13 illustrates a further embodiment of the closure device, including a first
closure element 6 which is formed monolithically instead of with two separate elastic
tabs, according to the embodiment of figure 7, and is associable with a second closure
element 7 provided with a release button 12 equal to the one shown in figures 8 to
12.
[0032] As shown in figures 14 to 19, one of said closure elements may be defined by the
insert which is again indicated by the reference numeral 15.
[0033] In this embodiment, the closure element 7 comprises a pair of opposite teeth 30 which
are provided in a recess 31 defined on the button, which is now indicated at 32.
[0034] Laterally to the teeth 30, which define a snap coupling with the first closure element,
again indicated at 6 and formed on the upper half-shell 1, an inclined surface 33
is formed at the inner edge of button 12, said inclined surface 33 allowing opening
of the lid 1 by acting on a corresponding inclined surface 34a formed by a projecting
portion 34 rigid with the lid, when the closure element 6 is disengaged from the teeth
30 when the button 32 moves elastically toward the interior of the container.
[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the button 32 is advantageously connected to
the insert 15 by means of a weakening line 35 defined in the lower coupling portion
of wings 37 which extend from the button 32 and are connected to the front portion
of the insert 15.
[0036] Conceptually, the elastic movement of the button 32, instead of being obtained by
means of a rotation about the weakening line 35, may be obtained by a translatory
motion caused by the elastic resilience of a weakened front portion of the insert
15.
[0037] With this kind of arrangement, when the container is closed the first closure element
6 and the teeth 30 snap together; while the container is opened by virtue of the disengagement
between teeth 30 and element 6 caused by the movement of the button 32, which causes
the inclined surface 33 to act on portion 34 of the first closure element 6, consequently
causing lifting of lid 1.
[0038] From what has been described it can thus be seen that the invention achieves the
intended aims and in particular that it provides a container which is easy to open
and close.
[0039] The container according to the invention furthermore has a closure device the functionality
whereof is substantially independent from the precision of the pivoting means between
the lid and the base.
[0040] Furthermore, when the push-button 12 is provided, the container may be opened with
only one hand, and in all its embodiments the container according to the invention
has a relatively simple and economically advantageous manufacture.
[0041] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations,
all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.
[0042] All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
[0043] In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions and the contingent
shapes, may be any according to the requirements.
[0044] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs,
those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility
of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect
on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
1. A container, particularly for cosmetics, characterized in that it comprises a pair
of mutually opposite half-shells defining a base, a lid and a contact plane and being
mutually pivoted at a rear edge thereof along a pivoting axis, a first closure element
formed at a front edge of a first of said half-shells, said first closure element
being elastically associable in a snap-together manner with a second closure element
formed on another of said half-shells, said closure elements having mutually opposite
coupling portions which extend along directions which are substantially parallel to
said pivoting axis of said half-shells.
2. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the width of the coupling
portion of said first closure element in a width direction which is substantially
perpendicular to said pivoting axis and parallel to said contact plane of said half-shells
is greater than the width of the coupling portion of said another closure element
along said width direction.
3. A container according to claim 2, characterized in that the width of a contact
surface between said coupling portions, along said width direction, is substantially
constant and equal to said smaller width in said width direction, as a mutual position
of said closure elements varies.
4. A container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in
that said first closure element comprises at least one tab extending in a direction
which is substantially perpendicular to said contact plane of said half-shells and
defining a hook-like coupling portion and said second closure element comprises a
corresponding counter-hook coupling portion, said hook-like coupling portion and said
corresponding counter-hook coupling portion being elastically snap engageable when
said closure elements approach to each other and elastically snap disengageable when
said closure elements are moved mutually apart.
5. A container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in
that said first closure element comprises a pair of spaced apart, substantially parallel
tabs defining together a fork which extends in a plane which is substantially perpendicular
to said contact plane and parallel to said pivoting axis between said half-shells,
said fork defining hook-like facing apart coupling portions for engagement with said
coupling portions of said second closure element.
6. A container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in
that said second closure element comprises a pair of substantially parallel side walls
defining together a complementary fork which has counter-hook shaped mutually facing
coupling portions, said counter-hook shaped coupling portions being associable with
said hook-like coupling portions of said fork for closing said half-shells.
7. A container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in
that it comprises controllable release means interacting with said closure elements
to exert thereon forces for spacing apart said closure elements along an opening direction
which is substantially perpendicular to said contact plane of said half-shells.
8. A container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in
that release means include a button slidably mounted between said side walls of said
complementary fork, said button having a front actuation portion and an opposite active
portion defining an inclined surface interacting with facing end portions of said
fork and of said complementary fork to cause a mutual release of said coupling portions
upon pushing said button, thereby opening said half-shells.
9. A container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in
that said button is joined to an insert accommodated on a bottom of one of said half-shells
through elastic connecting portions having weakened cross sections.
10. A container, particularly for cosmetics, comprising a pair of mutually opposite
half-shells defining a base and a lid pivoted to each other at a rear edge thereof
along a pivoting axis, an insert accommodated in a first of said half-shells and defining
an opening button, characterized in that it comprises a first closure element formed
at a front edge of another of said half-shells and being elastically snap associable
with a second closure element formed on said insert, said closure elements having
mutually opposite coupling portions which extend along directions which are substantially
parallel to said pivoting axis of said half-shells.
11. A container according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said insert
defines, laterally to said second closure element, an inclined portion acting on said
another half-shell for disengaging the closure elements of said half-shells upon an
elastic release movement of said button.
12. A container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in
that said second closure element is defined in an opening formed in said button and
defining said inclined portion.
13. A container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in
that said button is associated with said insert by means of a weakening portion allowing
an elastic movement of said button with respect to said half-shells.