BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to a container, such as a tubular container, an extruded container,
etc.
Related Art
[0002] Heretofore, it is known that a container of this type has a threaded or a coupling
type cap.
[0003] In this case, its cap is troublesome to be attached to or detached from the container,
and it is inconvenient that the removed cap is separated unintentionally.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, it is one object of this invention to provide a container with an elastically
reversible hinge which can eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of a conventional
container.
[0005] In order to achieve the above and other objects, there is provided according to the
present invention a container with an elastically reversible hinge comprising a container
body 1 having a neck 12 which has a port 11, a cover 2 engagable with the port 11
for opening or closing the port 11 of the container body 1 and an elastically reversible
hinge 3 formed on a part of a peripheral edge of the cover 2.
[0006] Since the container is constructed as described above, the cover 2 is opened or closed
by the elastically reversible hinge 3, and the hinge 3 can hold the cover 2 in the
opened or closed state as it is.
[0007] The foregoing object and other objects as well as the characteristic features of
the invention will become more fully apparent and more readily understandable by the
following description and the appended claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008]
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a first embodiment of a container
with an elastically reversible hinge of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an perspective view of the first embodiment disengaging the cover;
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a second embodiment of a container
with an elastically reversible hinge of the invention; and
Fig. 4 is an perspective view of the second embodiment disengaging the cover.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] Embodiments of a container with an elastically reversible hinge according to the
present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 and 2
show a first embodiment of the invention.
[0010] A container is formed of a synthetic resin, and comprises a container body 1 having
a neck 12, a cover 2 and an elastically reversible hinge 3. A reduced-diameter port
11 is formed at a top of the neck 12 of the container body 1. An engaging recess 13
is formed on a part of an upper peripheral wall edge of the neck 12 from an upper
surface of the neck 12. A peripheral step 14 is formed at an upper peripheral wall
edge of the neck 12. A pawl engaging recess 16 for disengaging the cover 2 is formed
from the upper surface of the neck 12 at radially opposite position to the engaging
recess 13.
[0011] The cover 2 has a peripheral edge to be detachably engaged with the peripheral step
14 of the neck 12 on an inner surface of the cover 2. A plug cylinder 21 to be engaged
with the port 11 of the neck 12 is projected from the inner surface of the cover 2.
The cover 2 is molded with an elastic material.
[0012] The elastically reversible hinge 3 is formed at a part of the peripheral edge of
the cover 2. A hinge attaching base 31 of the hinge 3 is inserted fixedly into the
engaging recess 13.
[0013] The elastically reversible hinge 3 comprises the hinge attaching base 31 of tongue
piece with a pawl, integral hinges 32 and an elastic piece 33 of substantially L shape,
and integrally molded with the cover 2. An upper end of the attaching base 3 connects
to the peripheral edge of the cover 2 by means of the integral hinges 32, 32. The
elastic piece 33 is provided between the integral hinges 32 and 32 at a position 34
near the center of the top surface of the cover 2 from an upper attachment 35 of the
integral hinges 32, 32 and a position 37 of the base 31 below the integral hinges
32, 32. The cover 2 is pivotally rotated at the integral hinges 32, 32 as a rotating
axis to be opened or closed from the container body. In other words, the integral
hinges 32, 32 act as a first hinge. Ends 34, 37 of the elastic piece 33 act as a second
hinge and third hinge, respectively. The elastically reversible hinge 3 is so formed
that the elastic piece 33 is elongated to the maximum when the end 37, the integral
hinges 32, 32 and the end 34 are disposed along a rectilinear line. An elastic reversion
is generated on the elastically reversible hinge 3 when the end 37, the integral hinges
32, 32 and the end 34 are aligned along the rectilinear line on the way of pivotally
rotating the cover 2.
[0014] Figs. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of a container with an elastically reversible
hinge of the invention. A lower portion of the engaging recess 13 is cut out to be
opened to form a cutout portion 17. The cutout portion 17 communicates with the engaging
recess 13. The pawl of the hinge attaching base 31 is engaged with an upper edge 15
of the cutout portion 17.
[0015] According to the present invention as described above, the cover 2 of the container
can be opened or closed by one-touch actuation. Since the elastically reversible hinge
3 is employed, the opening and closing states of the cover of the container can be
held to be very convenient for use.
[0016] Consequently, the drawbacks of the conventional container can be eliminated, and
the container with the elastically reversibly hinge can be provided inexpensively.
1. A container with an elastically reversible hinge comprising:
a container body (1) having a neck (12), the neck (12) having a port (11);
a cover (2) engagable with the port (11) for opening or closing the port (11)
of the container body (1); and
an elastically reversible hinge (3) formed on a part of a peripheral edge of
the cover (2).
2. The container according to claim 1, wherein
the elastically reversible hinge (3) comprises a hinge attaching base (31) of
tongue piece with a pawl, integral hinges (32, 32) and an elastic piece (33) of substantially
L shape and is integrally molded with the cover (2).
3. The container according to claim 2, wherein
an engaging recess (13) is formed on a part of an upper peripheral wall edge
of the neck (12) from an upper surface of the neck (12) and the hinge attaching base
(31) is inserted fixedly into the engaging recess (13).
4. The container according to claim 2, wherein
the cover (2) is molded with an elastic material.
5. The container according to claim 1, wherein
a cutout portion (17) which communicates with the engaging recess (13) is formed
at a lower portion of the engaging recess (13) and a pawl of the hinge attaching base
(31) is engaged with a upper edge (15) of the cutout portion (17).