Cap device and package
By incorporating a hinge design with stress concentration points and a stopper in the cap assembly, the problems of poor operability and easy damage to the cap assembly are solved, resulting in safer and more reliable operation and stable opening and holding, providing a better user experience and protection.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422850963.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-11-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing cap devices are not easy to operate during opening and closing, are prone to damage due to excessive bending, and lack an effective retention mechanism.
The hinge design with stress concentration points, combined with the cooperation of the abutment and the stop, provides increased restoring force at the stress concentration points. The abutment and the stop form a surface contact at the abutment position to keep the cap in the open position.
It provides a better operating feel, prevents damage from excessive bending of the hinge, ensures that the cap remains stably in the open position, avoids damage caused by excessive opening, and provides audible feedback to indicate the appropriate opening angle.
Smart Images
Figure CN223736674U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to a cap device, in particular to a cap device for a packaging. The present application also relates to a packaging comprising the cap device. BACKGROUND
[0002] A packaging, such as a beverage packaging, comprises an outlet member defining an outlet for pouring a content, such as a beverage, contained in the packaging. A cap device is connected to the outlet member of the packaging for closing or opening the outlet. When the cap device closes the outlet, the beverage or the like is closed in the packaging. When the outlet is opened, the beverage or the like can be poured out of the packaging. SUMMARY
[0003] According to a first aspect of the present application, a cap device for closing or opening an outlet of a packaging is provided. The cap device comprises a cap seat, a cap and a hinge. The cap is connected to the cap seat and has an open position and a closed position. The hinge connects the cap to the cap seat and is configured to enable the cap to rotate about an axis of rotation X between the open position and the closed position. The hinge comprises a hollow middle portion and a first hinge and a second hinge on opposite sides of the middle portion, wherein the first hinge and the second hinge have an area tapering from the outside to the middle portion to form a first stress concentration and a second stress concentration adjacent to the middle portion. The axis of rotation X passes through the first stress concentration and the second stress concentration. The cap device further comprises a retaining device provided at the middle portion of the hinge, the retaining device being configured to retain the cap with a retaining force when the cap is in the open position.
[0004] In the cap device, the first hinge and the second hinge each have a top edge, a bottom edge and an outside edge. The first hinge and the second hinge are connected to the cap at the respective top edge and to the cap seat at the respective bottom edge. The top edge and the bottom edge extend from the respective outside edge to the middle portion, respectively. The outside edge is spaced apart from the cap and the cap seat. The top edge extends obliquely upward from the respective first stress concentration or second stress concentration over at least a part of the length of the top edge, and the bottom edge extends obliquely downward from the respective first stress concentration or second stress concentration over at least a part of the length of the bottom edge, so that the first hinge and the second hinge have an area tapering from the outside to the middle portion.
[0005] In the cap device, the first hinge has a maximum thickness at the first stress concentration, and the second hinge has a maximum thickness at the second stress concentration.
[0006] In the cap arrangement, a top recess is formed at the top edge, and a bottom recess is formed at the bottom edge.
[0007] In the cap arrangement, the top recess extends from the respective first stress concentration or the second stress concentration toward the respective outer side edge for a partial length of the top edge, and the bottom recess extends from the respective first stress concentration or the second stress concentration toward the respective outer side edge for a partial length of the bottom edge.
[0008] In the cap arrangement, the middle portion includes a window having a window lower edge located in the cap base, the window extending from the window lower edge and terminating at the cap with a window upper edge. The retaining arrangement includes an abutment member and a stop member. The stop member overhangs at least partially in the window from the window lower edge so as to be elastically deflectable in the window. The abutment member overhangs radially outwardly from the cap. The abutment member and the stop member are configured such that, when the cap is in the open position, the abutment member is in an abutment position, abutting the stop member, to retain the cap in the open position.
[0009] In the cap arrangement, when the abutment member is in the abutment position, the first hinge and the second hinge are bent to generate a restoring force that returns the first hinge and the second hinge to an unbent state, the restoring force causing the abutment member to have a tendency to rotate toward the release position, whereby the abutment member exerts a radially outward force on the stop member, causing the abutment member to form a face contact with the stop member.
[0010] In the cap arrangement, when the cap is in the closed position, the abutment member is in a release position, disengaged from the stop member. The abutment member is rotatable following the cap to have a rotation path between the abutment position and the release position, and the stop member is located on the rotation path of the abutment member, whereby, when the abutment member rotates to contact the stop member, the abutment member is able to push the stop member to elastically deflect beyond the stop member to reach the abutment position or the release position.
[0011] In the cap arrangement, the middle portion further includes a pair of slots extending upwardly in the cap from the window upper edge opposite to each other, wherein the abutment member is located between the pair of slots.
[0012] According to a second aspect of the present application, the present application provides a package comprising a housing, an outlet member connected to the housing, and a cap arrangement according to the present application. The cap arrangement is connected to the outlet member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] In the following, example embodiments according to the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a cap device according to the present application.
[0015] FIG. 1B is a rear view of the cap device in FIG. 1A
[0016] FIG. 1C is a detail view of section C in FIG. 1B
[0017] FIG. 1D is a detail view of section D in FIG. 1B
[0018] FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A in FIG. 1B
[0019] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the cap device in FIG. 1A connected to the outlet member of a packaging, with the cap in the initial state.
[0020] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A , with the same cross-section as shown in FIG. 1E .
[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cap device in FIG. 1A connected to the outlet member of a packaging, with the cap in the operating state. FIG. 1E
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cap device in FIG. 1A connected to the outlet member of a packaging, with the cap in the open position. FIG. 1E
[0023] FIG. 5 is a partial schematic view of a packaging with a cap device 100 according to the present application connected. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] It should be understood that if the terms indicating directions, such as "front", "back", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. are used in the present application to describe various example structural parts and elements of the present application, these terms are used herein only for the purpose of convenient illustration and are determined based on the example orientation shown in the drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in the present application can be arranged in different directions, these terms indicating directions are only for illustration and should not be considered as limitation.
[0025] Various specific embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification. It should be understood that, where possible, the same or similar reference numerals are used in the present application to refer to the same or similar parts.
[0026] FIGS. 1A-1E The overall structure of the cap device 100 according to the present application is shown. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the cap device 100 according to the present application. FIG. 1B is a rear view of the cap device in FIG. 1A FIG. 1C is a front view of the cap device in FIG. 1B FIG. 1C is an enlarged view of the C part in FIG. 1D FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the D part in FIG. 1E is a sectional view along the line A-A in FIG. 1B
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B , the cap device 100 is cylindrical, having radial, axial and circumferential directions. The cap device 100 comprises a cap seat 101, a cap 102 and a dirt-proof ring 107. FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B , the cap 102 is in a closed position, in which the cap 102 closes the outlet 401 (see FIG. 4 ) of the outlet member 200 (see FIG. 2A ) of the package connected to the cap device 100. The cap 102 can be flipped to have an open position (shown in FIG. 4 ), in which the outlet 401 of the outlet member 200 of the package is exposed. And, the "open position" of the cap 102 referred to in the present application means that, when the cap 102 is in the open position, the cap 102 is stably maintained in this position by the holding device described in the present application.
[0028] The lower edge of the hat seat 101 is connected to the anti-fouling ring 107 by a weakened connection (not shown) that can be broken by a suitable means to separate the hat seat 101 from the anti-fouling ring 107. The upper edge of the hat seat 101 is connected to the hat 102. The hat 102 has an upper cover 121 and a skirt 122 extending downward around the upper cover 121. The skirt 122 includes a first region and a second region. The skirt 122 is connected to the hat seat 101 at the first region by a weakened connection structure (not shown) that can be broken by a suitable means to separate the hat 102 from the hat seat 101 at the first region. In some embodiments, the hat apparatus 100 does not include the anti-fouling ring 107, and the connection between the hat seat 101 and the hat 102 by the weakened connection structure provides the anti-fouling function. The skirt 122 is connected to the hat seat 101 at the second region by a hinge that allows the hat 102 to rotate between an open position and a closed position, and maintains the connection of the hat 102 to the hat seat 101 when the hat 102 is in the open position.
[0029] Further reference is made to FIGS. 1A-1D The configuration of the hinge 103 is described. The hinge 103 includes a first hinge 103.1, a second hinge 103.2, and a hollowed middle portion 103.3, with the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 located on two sides of the middle portion 103.3. The first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 are integrally formed with the hat seat 101 and the skirt 122 of the hat 102 by injection molding, and are flexible so as to be able to flex and deform when the hat 102 is rotated from the closed position to the open position, and return to the un-flexed state when the hat 102 is returned to the closed position. In some embodiments, the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 are configured to have a smaller thickness than the hat seat 101 and the skirt 122 of the hat 102, so as to be flexible.
[0030] The first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 have areas that taper from the outside to the middle portion 103.3, so as to form a first stress concentration portion 133.1 and a second stress concentration portion 133.2, respectively, on the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 adjacent to the middle portion 103.3. As shown in FIG. 1, the first stress concentration portion 133.1 and the second stress concentration portion 133.2 are located on the outer edges of the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2, respectively. FIG. 1BAs shown in the figures, the hinge 103 provides an axis of rotation X that passes through the first stress concentration 133.1 and the second stress concentration 133.2, and the cap 102 is rotatable about the axis of rotation X between the open position and the closed position. During the rotation of the cap 102 about the axis of rotation X from the closed position to the open position, the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 are deformed in bending, thus creating a restoring force in the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 that urges them to return to the unbent state (corresponding to the cap 102 being in the closed position), and the restoring force in the first stress concentration 133.1 and the second stress concentration 133.2 is greater. Thus, the first stress concentration 133.1 and the second stress concentration 133.2 cause the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 to provide an increased restoring force that facilitates the urging of the cap 102 to rotate back to the closed position when it is desired to close the cap 102. Also, the increased restoring force causes greater resistance to the rotation of the cap 102 from the closed position to the open position. This greater resistance provides a better feel to the operator for the operation of opening the cap 102, such that the operator has a secure and reliable feeling of the connection of the cap 102 to the cap base 101 during the opening of the cap 102. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first hinge 103.1 has a maximum thickness at the first stress concentration 133.1 and the second hinge 103.2 has a maximum thickness at the second stress concentration 133.2, which further increases the restoring force in the first stress concentration 133.1 and the second stress concentration 133.2.
[0031] As an example, the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 are shown in the figures of the present application as having the same construction and being mirror images with respect to the middle portion 103.3. For simplicity of description, the construction of the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 will be described below only with respect to the first hinge 103.1.
[0032] The first hinge 103.1 has a top edge 131, a bottom edge 132, and an outer edge 134. The first hinge 103.1 is connected to the skirt 122 of the cap 102 at the top edge 131 and is connected to the cap base 101 at the bottom edge 132, with the top edge 131 and the bottom edge 132 extending from the outer edge 134 to the middle portion 103.3. The outer edge 134 is spaced apart from the skirt 122 and the cap base 101, which causes the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 to provide a region of deformation in bending over the entire area of the hinge 103 rather than being limited to deformation only in the region through which the X axis passes, thereby preventing the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 from breaking in the region through which the X axis passes.
[0033] The top edge 131 has a straight top edge first portion extending upwardly and obliquely from the first stress concentration portion 133.1, and the bottom edge 132 has a straight bottom edge first portion extending downwardly and obliquely from the first stress concentration portion 133.1, so that the first hinge 103.1 has an area tapering from the outer side to the middle portion 103.3 to form the first stress concentration portion 133.1 adjoining the middle portion 103.3. A top groove 135 is formed at the top edge first portion, and a bottom groove 136 is formed at the bottom edge first portion. The top groove 135 and the bottom groove 136 make it convenient for the cap seat 101, the cap 102 and the first hinge 103.1 to be integrally injection molded.
[0034] The top edge 131 further has a straight top edge second portion 137 extending from the top groove 135 to the outer side edge 134, which extends parallel to the circumferential direction (horizontal direction) of the cap device 100. No groove is formed at the top edge second portion 137, so that the thickness at the top edge second portion 137 is greater than that at the top groove 135, thereby facilitating the connection strength of the first hinge 103.1 with the skirt 122. Similarly, the bottom edge 132 further has a straight bottom edge second portion 138 extending from the bottom groove 136 to the outer side edge 134, which extends parallel to the circumferential direction (horizontal direction) of the cap device 100. No groove is formed at the bottom edge second portion 138, so that the thickness at the bottom edge second portion 138 is greater than that at the bottom groove 136, thereby facilitating the connection strength of the first hinge 103.1 with the cap seat 101.
[0035] It should be understood that in other embodiments, the top edge 131 and the bottom edge 132 can be configured to continuously extend obliquely from the first stress concentration portion 133.1 to the outer side edge 134 without the portions extending parallel to the circumferential direction (horizontal direction) of the cap device 100. It should also be understood that in other embodiments, the top edge 131 and the bottom edge 132 are configured to be arcuately shaped to extend downwardly and upwardly, respectively, from the outer side edge 134 to the middle portion 103.3. It should also be understood that in other embodiments, the top edge 131 and the bottom edge 132 can be configured to be free of the top groove 135 and the bottom groove 136, and only have transitions respectively formed due to the thickness reduction of the first hinge 103.1 from the skirt 122 and the cap seat 101.
[0036] Further in combination FIGS. 1C-1EThe hollowed middle portion 103.3 of the hinge 103 and the retaining device disposed therein are described. The middle portion 103.3 includes a window 161 having a lower window edge 163 located in the cap seat 101. The window 161 extends upwardly from the lower window edge 163 and terminates at the skirt 122 of the cap 102 with an upper window edge 165. The middle portion 103.3 also includes a pair of slots 162 extending upwardly in the skirt 122 of the cap 102 from the upper window edge 165 opposite each other.
[0037] The retaining device includes an abutment 104 and a stopper 105. The abutment 104 rotates between an abutting position and a released position following the rotation of the cap 102 between the open position and the closed position. When the cap is in the open position, the abutment 104 is in the abutting position, abutting against the stopper 105, which thus holds the abutment 104 in the abutting position with a certain holding force, and the cap 102 is correspondingly held in the open position. When the cap 102 is in the closed position, the abutment 104 is in the released position, disengaged from the stopper 105. The structure of the abutment 104 and the stopper 105 are described below in further detail. FIGS. 1D-1E The structure of the abutment 104 and the stopper 105 are described.
[0038] The stopper 105 is located on the rotation path of the abutment 104, such that the abutment 104 passes the stopper 105 during its rotation between the abutting position and the released position, and exerts a radially inward or outward force on the stopper 105, causing the stopper 105 to elastically deflect radially inward or outward. The stopper 105 is at least partially located in the window 161, having a free end 151 and a connecting end 152, and the stopper 105 overhangs the portion of the window 161 from the lower window edge 163 upwardly to the free end 151 at the connecting end 152. Furthermore, the two sides of the stopper 105 along the circumference of the cap device 100 are spaced apart from the window 161. This arrangement of the stopper 105 in the window 161 allows the stopper 105 to elastically deflect radially inward or outward about the connecting end 152 when the stopper 105 is subjected to the radially inward or outward force from the abutment 104, and to return to the initial state of non-deflection when the force exerted on the stopper 105 by the abutment 104 is removed. The stopper 105 has a certain thickness and thus a certain rigidity, so that when the abutment 104 is in the abutting position and abuts against the stopper 105, the stopper 105 can hold the abutment 104 in the abutting position with a certain holding force, preventing the abutment 104 from rotating to the released position, and correspondingly holding the cap 102 in the open position, preventing the cap 102 from rotating to the closed position.
[0039] The stopper 105 has a stopper outer surface 153, a stopper inner surface 155, and a stopper upper surface 154. The stopper inner surface 155 is opposite to the stopper outer surface 153, and the stopper upper surface 154 is a horizontal surface (parallel to the circumferential direction of the cap device 100) at the free end 151 connecting the stopper outer surface 153 and the stopper inner surface 155. The stopper outer surface 153 is inclined inwardly from the connecting end 152 to the free end 151. During the rotation of the cap 102 from the closed position to the open position, the abutment member 104 is first rotated from the release position to abut the stopper outer surface 153. After the abutment member 104 abuts the stopper outer surface 153, further rotation of the abutment member 104 to the abutment position following the rotation of the cap 102 causes the abutment member 104 to apply a radially inward force to the stopper 105, which elastically deflects the stopper 105 radially inwardly. Moreover, the inclined stopper outer surface 153 guides the abutment member 104 to rotate against the stopper outer surface 153 to the abutment position. When the cap 102 is rotated to the open position, the abutment member 104 reaches the abutment position, and the stopper upper surface 154 abuts the abutment member 104 to prevent the abutment member 104 from rotating to the release position, and accordingly to prevent the cap 102 from rotating toward the closed position. Therefore, the cooperation between the abutment member 104 and the stopper 105 enables the cap 102 to be held in the open position.
[0040] The abutment member 104 extends radially outwardly from the outer surface of the skirt 122 of the cap 102 between a pair of grooves 162. The abutment member 104 is arranged on the skirt 122 of the cap 102 such that the abutment member 104 rotates between the abutment position and the release position following the rotation of the cap 102. The grooves 162 enable the skirt portion 123 of the skirt 122 between the pair of grooves 162 to have elastic deformation capability. When the abutment member 104 pushes or abuts the stopper 105, the abutment member 104 receives a reaction force from the stopper 105, which is transmitted by the abutment member 104 to the skirt portion 123. Due to the elastic deformation capability of the skirt portion 123, the skirt portion 123 is capable of elastically deforming or resetting following the generation and removal of the reaction force from the stopper 105, thereby facilitating the prevention of deformation or damage of the skirt 122 caused by the reaction force from the stopper 105. The abutment member 104 has a certain thickness and rigidity such that the abutment member 104 is capable of pushing the stopper 105 to elastically deflect when the abutment member 104 rotates past the stopper 105, and such that the abutment member 104 is capable of resisting the holding force from the stopper 105 without deforming when the abutment member 104 is in the abutment position, thereby enabling the abutment member 104 to be held in the abutment position. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the abutment member 104 is configured as a lug. In other embodiments, the abutment member 104 is configured in other forms.
[0041] The abutment 104 has opposite abutment upper and lower surfaces 141, 142. When the cap 102 is in the closed position, the abutment 104 is in the released position, the abutment 104 is separated from the stop 105, and the abutment lower surface 142 is opposite the stop 105. At this time, the abutment 104 is located above the stop 105, and extends outward beyond the stop 105. When the cap 102 is in the open position, the abutment 104 is in the abutted position, and the stop 105 abuts the abutment 104. At this time, the abutment upper surface 141 is opposite the stop 105, and abuts the stop upper surface 154.
[0042] When the abutment 104 is in the abutted position, the enhanced restoring force provided by the first and second hinges 103.1, 103.2 causes the first and second hinges 103.1, 103.2 to have a tendency to return to the un-bent state. This tendency of the first and second hinges 103.1, 103.2 to move causes the cap 102 to have a tendency to rotate to the closed position, and correspondingly, the abutment 104 to have a tendency to rotate to the released position. As a result, the abutment 104 exerts a radially outward force on the stop 105, causing the horizontal stop upper surface 154 to tilt downward from outside to inside, and form a complementary inclined surface with the abutment upper surface 141 of the abutment 104, so that the abutment upper surface 141 forms a close surface contact with the stop upper surface 154. The close surface contact between the abutment upper surface 141 and the stop upper surface 154 stably holds the abutment 104 in the abutted position, and correspondingly, stably holds the cap 102 in the open position without wobbling.
[0043] In addition, the surface contact between the abutment upper surface 141 and the stop upper surface 154 when the abutment 104 is in the abutted position causes the cap 102 to reach the maximum open angle when in the open position. Also, the surface contact between the abutment upper surface 141 and the stop upper surface 154 provides the maximum abutment area between the abutment 104 and the stop 105, which is conducive to stably holding the abutment 104 in the abutted position, and correspondingly, stably holding the cap 102 in the open position.
[0044] The inclination angle of the abutment upper surface 141 and the stop upper surface 154 relative to the horizontal plane when the abutment 104 is in the abutted position defines the maximum open angle of the cap 102. In some embodiments, the maximum open angle of the cap 102 is 135°-175°. As used herein, the "open angle" is the angle of rotation of the cap 102 from the closed position to the open position. FIG. 1E As shown in FIG. 1, the abutment upper surface 141 is an inclined surface, and the stop upper surface 154 is a horizontal surface. As shown in FIG. 2, the abutment upper surface 141 is a horizontal surface, and the stop upper surface 154 is an inclined surface. FIG. 4As shown in the figure, when the abutting member 104 reaches the abutting position, the upper surface 154 of the stopper member is downwardly inclined from outside to inside, forming a complementary inclined surface with the upper surface 141 of the abutting member. In other embodiments, the upper surface 141 of the abutting member is formed as a horizontal surface while the upper surface 154 of the stopper member is formed as an inclined surface. In yet other embodiments, both the upper surface 141 of the abutting member and the upper surface 154 of the stopper member are formed as inclined surfaces or horizontal surfaces. These variations of the upper surface 141 of the abutting member and the upper surface 154 of the stopper member allow the face contact of the upper surface 141 of the abutting member and the upper surface 154 of the stopper member to achieve the opening angle of the cap 102 of 135°-175°.
[0045] In the embodiment shown in the figure, the abutting member 104 extends inwardly beyond the inner surface 155 of the stopper member 105 when the abutting member 104 is in the abutting position (see FIG. 4 ). This allows the abutting member 104 to push the stopper member 105 to elastically deflect radially outwardly when the operator applies force to the cap 102 to rotate the cap 102 towards the closing position, and the abutting member 104 correspondingly rotates towards the releasing position, so that the abutting member 104 rotates to separate from the upper surface 154 of the stopper member 105 and returns to the releasing position. Correspondingly, the cap 102 rotates from the opening position back to the closing position. The inward extension of the abutting member 104 beyond the inner surface 155 of the stopper member 105 when the abutting member 104 is in the abutting position also allows the entire upper surface 154 of the stopper member 105 to abut against the upper surface 141 of the abutting member 104 to provide the maximum abutting area, which is beneficial for the abutting member 104 to stably maintain in the abutting position and correspondingly for the cap 102 to stably maintain in the opening position.
[0046] The abutting of the abutting member 104 against the stopper member 105 in the abutting position allows the stopper member 105 to provide a retaining force to retain the abutting member 104 in the abutting position, which is particularly advantageous for the hinge 103 of the present application. As mentioned above, the hinge 103 of the present application is provided with a stress concentration portion, so that the hinge 103 of the present application provides a greater restoring force to drive the hinge 103 back to the un-bent state when bent, and correspondingly to drive the cap 102 back to the closing position. If the abutting member 104 and the stopper member 105 are not provided, the cap 102 is immediately rotated towards the closing position by the great restoring force provided by the hinge 103 after the cap 102 reaches the opening position, which affects the user to pour the content out of the package. The present application provides the abutting member 104 and the stopper member 105, so that the cap 102 can be retained in the opening position against the great restoring force provided by the hinge 103 of the present application after the cap 102 reaches the opening position, which facilitates the user to pour the content out of the package.
[0047] The arrangement of the abutment 104 and the stop 105 also helps to prevent damage to the hinge 103 of this application. Once the abutment 104 rotates to the abutment position and abuts against the stop 105, the operator can hear a "click" sound, indicating to the operator that the cap 102 has been opened to the set opening position. The operator will therefore not rotate the cap 102 too far beyond its set opening position, thereby preventing excessive bending of the hinge 103 and damage to the hinge 103. Since the hinge 103 of this application has a stress concentration section capable of storing more force, preventing excessive bending of the hinge 103 is particularly important for preventing damage to the hinge 103.
[0048] FIGS. 2A-4 The diagram illustrates the process from closing the outlet 401 of the outlet component 200 to opening it after the aforementioned cap device 100 is connected to the outlet component 200 of the package. (In conjunction with...) FIGS. 2A-4 The description describes the changes in the positional relationship and mating relationship between the abutment 104 and the stop 105 as the cap 102 flips from the closed position to the open position.
[0049] FIGS. 2A-2B A perspective view and a cross-sectional view show the cap 102 in its initial state (factory state) after the cap assembly 100 is connected to the outlet component 200 of the package. (The cross-section is located in the same position as...) FIG. 1E (Same). In the initial state of the cap 102, the cap 102 is in the closed position, closing the outlet 401 of the outlet component 200; the cap 102 and the cap seat 101 are in a lower first position on the outlet component 200, and the weakened connection between the cap seat 101 and the cap 102 and between the cap seat 101 and the anti-fouling ring 107 has not yet broken.
[0050] FIGS. 2A-2B The housing of the package is omitted; only the outlet component 200 of the package is shown. The outlet component 200 includes a neck 201 and a base 202 that connects the neck 201 to the housing of the package. The neck 201 extends upward from the base 202 and defines an outlet 401 of the outlet component 200 (see [link to product description]). FIG. 4 ).like FIG. 2B As shown, in the initial state, the cap 102 is in the closed position. At this time, the positional relationship between the abutment 104 and the stop 105 is as shown in the diagram. FIG. 1E The same as shown in the diagram. The abutment 104 is separated from the stop 105, the lower surface 142 of the abutment faces the stop 105, and the abutment 104 extends radially outward beyond the stop 105.
[0051] FIG. 3 yes FIGS. 2A-2B The cap 102 of the cap device 100 shown is in the operating state (the position of the section is the same as...). FIG. 1E(Same). When the cap 102 is in the operating state, the cap 102 is still in the closed position, closing the outlet 401; the cap 102 and the cap seat 101 are rotated and raised to a higher second position on the neck 201, the weakened connection between the cap seat 101 and the anti-fouling ring 107 breaks during the rotation and rise of the cap seat 101, and the weakened connection between the cap seat 101 and the cap 102 has not yet broken.
[0052] like FIG. 3 As shown, in the operating state, cap 102 remains in the closed position. Therefore, FIG. 3 The positional relationship between the abutment member 104 and the stop member 105 shown is as follows: FIG. 1E As shown in Figure 2. The abutment 104 is separated from the stop 105, with the lower surface 142 of the abutment facing the stop 105, and the abutment 104 extending radially outward beyond the stop 105. Additionally, as shown in Figure 2... FIG. 3 As shown, in the operating state, the stop 105 is spaced apart from the neck 201 by a distance (shown in the figure as a distance from the thread on the neck 201), which provides space for the radially inward elastic deflection of the stop 105. It should be understood that in some embodiments, this is not provided. FIG. 2A and 2B to FIG. 3 The process.
[0053] When hat 102 is in FIG. 3 In the operating state shown, the operator can flip the cap 102 upwards to rotate it from the closed position to the open position. When the cap 102 is flipped upwards, the weakened connection between the cap 102 and the cap seat 101 breaks, the cap 102 rotates upwards, and the abutment 104 rotates counterclockwise with the cap 102. When the abutment 104 rotates to abut the outer surface 153 of the stop member, the abutment 104 applies a radially inward force to the stop member 105, thereby the counterclockwise rotation of the abutment 104 pushes the stop member 105 to radially inward elastically deflect, and the outer surface 153 of the stop member guides the abutment 104 to rotate counterclockwise upwards. After the abutment 104 rotates away from the outer surface 153 of the stop member, it reaches above the stop member 105, so that the upper surface 141 of the abutment 104 abuts against the upper surface 154 of the stop member, the abutment 104 reaches the abutment position, and the cap 102 reaches the open position. As stated above, compared to hinges without stress concentration points, the hinge 103 of this application provides greater restoring force due to the presence of stress concentration points, thereby increasing the resistance to the rotation of the cap 102 towards the open position. This resistance provides the operator with a better feel and a safer, more reliable operating experience when opening the cap 102.
[0054] FIG. 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the cap 102 of the cap device 100 shown in 2A to 2B when it reaches the open position (the position of the cross-section is the same as...). FIG. 1EIn the open position of the cap 102, the bending deformation of the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 generates a restoring force in the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2, which makes the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 have a tendency to return to the unbent state. As described above, compared with the hinge without the stress concentration part, the hinge of the present application provides a greater restoring force due to the stress concentration part, so that the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 have a greater tendency to return to the unbent state. Therefore, the restoring force provided by the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 makes the abutment 104 apply a radially outward force to the stopper 105, which makes the stopper upper surface 154 tilt downward from outside to inside, forming a complementary inclined surface with the abutment upper surface 141, so that the stopper upper surface 154 closely fits the abutment upper surface 141. In this way, the stopper 105 stably holds the abutment 104 in the abutting position, and correspondingly stably holds the cap 102 in the open position. When the abutment 104 is disengaged from the stopper 105, the restoring force provided by the first hinge 103.1 and the second hinge 103.2 helps to drive the cap 102 back to the closed position.
[0055] FIG. 5 is a partial view of a packaging 500 using the cap device 100 according to the present application. The packaging 500 comprises a housing 501, the outlet component 200 is connected to the housing 501 of the packaging 500, and the cap device 100 is connected to the outlet component 200 for opening or closing the outlet 401 of the outlet component 200.
[0056] The present application has at least the following technical effects:
[0057] 1. The stress concentration part of the hinge 103 makes the hinge 103 provide greater resistance for the opening operation of the cap 102, thereby providing better hand feeling and safer and more reliable operation feeling for the operator to open the cap 102.
[0058] 2. The cooperation of the abutment 104 and the stopper 105 makes it possible to hold the abutment 104 in the abutting position against the large restoring force provided by the hinge 103, and correspondingly hold the cap 102 in the open position.
[0059] 3. Once the abutment 104 is rotated to the abutting position and abuts against the stopper 105, the operator can hear a "click" sound, which indicates to the operator that the cap 102 has been opened to the set open position, thereby preventing the operator from damaging the hinge 103 due to excessive opening of the cap 102.
[0060] 4. The stress concentration of the hinge 103 makes the bending of the hinge 103 generate a greater restoring force, which makes the abutment 104 and the stopper 105 form a surface contact, so that the abutment 104 is stably kept in the abutting position, and accordingly the cap 102 is stably kept in the open position.
[0061] 5. The stress concentration of the hinge 103 makes the bending of the hinge 103 generate a greater restoring force, which facilitates driving the hinge 103 back to the unbent state, and accordingly facilitates driving the cap 102 back to the closed position.
[0062] 6. The surface contact of the abutment 104 and the stopper 105 can also maximize the opening angle of the cap.
[0063] 7. The maximum opening angle of the cap can be limited by the provision of the abutment 104 and the stopper 105.
[0064] Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or substantial equivalents, whether known or not, that are or can be presently contemplated, are within the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the technical effects and / or technical problems described in this specification are exemplary and not limiting; therefore, the disclosure herein can be used to solve other technical problems and have other technical effects and / or can solve other technical problems. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or substantial equivalents that are or can be presently contemplated.
Claims
1. A cap device for closing or opening an outlet of a package, characterized in that The cap device comprises: a cap seat (101); a cap (102) connected with the cap seat (101), the cap (102) having an open position and a closed position; a hinge (103) connecting the cap (102) with the cap seat (101) and configured to enable the cap (102) to rotate around a rotation axis X between the open position and the closed position; wherein the hinge (103) comprises a hollow middle part (103.3) and first and second hinges (103.1, 103.2) located on opposite sides of the middle part (103.3), wherein the first and second hinges (103.1, 103.2) each have an area tapering from the outside to the middle part (103.3) to form a first and second stress concentration part (133.1, 133.2) respectively adjoining the middle part (103.3), and wherein the rotation axis X passes through the first and second stress concentration parts (133.1, 133.2); and wherein the cap device further comprises a retaining device provided at the middle part (103.3) of the hinge (103) and configured to retain the cap (102) with a retaining force when the cap (102) is in the open position.
2. The cap device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second hinges (103.1, 103.2) each have a top edge (131), a bottom edge (132), and an outside edge (134), the first and second hinges (103.1, 103.2) being connected with the cap (102) at the respective top edge (131) and with the cap seat (101) at the respective bottom edge (132), and the top edge (131) and the bottom edge (132) extending from the respective outside edge (134) to the middle part (103.3) respectively, the outside edge (134) being spaced apart from the cap (102) and the cap seat (101); wherein the top edge (131) extends obliquely upward from the respective first or second stress concentration part (133.1, 133.2) for at least part of the length of the top edge (131), and the bottom edge (132) extends obliquely downward from the respective first or second stress concentration part (133.1, 133.2) for at least part of the length of the bottom edge (132), so that the first and second hinges (103.1, 103.2) each have an area tapering from the outside to the middle part (103.3).
3. The cap device according to claim 2, wherein The first hinge (103.1) has a maximum thickness at the first stress concentration (133.1), and the second hinge (103.2) has a maximum thickness at the second stress concentration (133.2).
4. The cap device of claim 3, wherein A top recess (135) is formed at the top edge (131), and a bottom recess (136) is formed at the bottom edge (132).
5. The cap device of claim 4, wherein The top recess (135) extends from the respective first stress concentration (133.1) or second stress concentration (133.2) toward the respective outer side edge (134) for a partial length of the top edge (131), and the bottom recess (136) extends from the respective first stress concentration (133.1) or second stress concentration (133.2) toward the respective outer side edge (134) for a partial length of the bottom edge (132).
6. The cap device of claim 5, wherein The middle portion (103.3) includes a window (161) having a lower window edge (163) located in the cap base (101), the window (161) extending from the lower window edge (163) and terminating at the cap (102) with an upper window edge (165); and The retaining device includes an abutment (104) and a stop (105), the stop (105) overhanging at least partially in the window (161) from the lower window edge (163) so as to be elastically deflectable in the window (161), and the abutment (104) overhanging radially outward from the cap (102), wherein the abutment (104) and the stop (105) are configured such that, when the cap (102) is in the open position, the abutment (104) is in an abutting position, abutting the stop (105) to retain the cap (102) in the open position.
7. The cap device of claim 6, wherein When the cap (102) is in the closed position, the abutment (104) is in a released position, disengaged from the stop (105); and When the abutment (104) is in the abutting position, the first hinge (103.1) and the second hinge (103.2) are bent to generate a restoring force that returns the first hinge (103.1) and the second hinge (103.2) to an unbent state, the restoring force causing the abutment (104) to have a tendency to rotate toward the released position, so that the abutment (104) exerts a radially outward force on the stop (105), causing the abutment (104) to form a face contact with the stop (105).
8. The cap device of claim 6, wherein when the cap (102) is in the closed position, the abutting member (104) is in a released position, disengaged from the stop member (105); wherein the abutting member (104) is capable of rotating with the cap (102) to have a rotation path between the abutting position and the released position, and the stop member (105) is located on the rotation path of the abutting member (104), so that when the abutting member (104) rotates to contact the stop member (105), the abutting member (104) can push the stop member (105) to elastically deflect to pass the stop member (105), to reach the abutting position or the released position.
9. The cap device according to claim 6, characterized in that, the middle part (103.3) further comprises a pair of slots (162) extending upwardly in the cap (102) from the window upper edge (165) opposite to each other, wherein the abutting member (104) is located between the pair of slots (162).
10. A package characterized in that, The packaging (500) comprises: a housing (501); an outlet member (200) connected to the housing (501), the outlet member (200) providing an outlet (401) of the packaging; and the cap device (100) according to any one of claims 1-9, the cap device (100) being connected to the outlet member (200).