Container

A container includes a first cover, a second cover, a rotating shaft, an acting element, and the multiple bending elastic piece. The rotating shaft is engaged between the first cover and the second cover, such that the first cover and the second cover are rotatable relative to each other. The acting element is connected to the rotating shaft. The multiple bending elastic piece includes a fixing portion and an interfering portion. The fixing portion is fixed to the first cover. The interfering portion is located between the fixing portion and the rotating shaft. While the rotating shaft is rotated relative to the first cover, the acting element changes a bending degree of the multiple bending elastic piece with the rotation of the rotating shaft, thereby enabling the interfering portion to selectively contact opposite sides of the acting portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Taiwan Application Serial Number 107133475, filed Sep. 21, 2018, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a container.

Description of Related Art

Each of various conventional containers is basically composed of an upper cover and a box. The upper cover and the box are usually produced by a plastic injection molding process or by a metal stamping process. Furthermore, the upper cover and the box can be connected by means of a hinge connection.

In addition, the upper cover and the box of the container are generally provided with plastic bumps respectively. When the upper cover is opened relative to the box, the plastic bumps resist against each other to prevent the upper cover from being overly unfolded relative to the box. Further, if the upper cover is being shaken, the upper cover tends to cover the box. Therefore, a torsion spring is often disposed between the upper cover and the box of the container to provide a torsion force to resist and prevent the upper cover from covering the box due to being shaken.

However, the plastic bumps placed on the upper cover and the box are likely to be worn out after a long term of operation, and lose their functions. Relatively, when the upper cover covers the box, the torsion spring disposed between the upper cover and the box may cause the upper cover to collide with the box due to too much force exerted thereon, thus further causing the contents in the container to be damaged by vibration.

SUMMARY

The invention provides a container.

In some embodiments, the container includes a first cover, a second cover, a rotating shaft, an acting element, and the multiple bending elastic piece. The rotating shaft is engaged between the first cover and the second cover, such that the first cover and the second cover are rotatable relative to each other. The acting element is connected to the rotating shaft. The multiple bending elastic piece includes a fixing portion and an interfering portion. The fixing portion is fixed to the first cover. The interfering portion is located between the fixing portion and the rotating shaft. While the rotating shaft is rotating relative to the first cover, the acting element changes a bending degree of the multiple bending elastic piece with the rotation of the rotating shaft, thereby enabling the interfering portion to selectively contact opposite sides of the acting portion.

In some embodiments, each of the opposite sides of the acting portion has at least two adjacent planes. The at least two planes at one of the opposite sides of the acting portion are symmetric to the at least two planes at the other of the opposite sides of the acting portion respectively.

In some embodiments, the adjacent planes intersect at an angle in a range from about 60 degrees to about 120 degrees.

In some embodiments, the interfering portion includes a first elastic segment and a second elastic segment connected to the first elastic segment. The first elastic segment extends from the fixing portion to the rotating shaft. The second elastic segment is folded away from an end of the first elastic segment near the rotating shaft and extends away from the rotating shaft.

In some embodiments, the first elastic segment and the second elastic segment form a V-shaped profile.

In some embodiments, the interfering portion further includes a turning corner connected between the first elastic segment and the second elastic segment.

In some embodiments, the container further includes a limiting plate covering the acting portion and the interfering portion.

In some embodiments, the multiple bending elastic piece includes an abutting portion connected to the interfering portion and closer to the limiting plate than the interfering portion.

In some embodiments, the container further includes a buffering layer disposed on the abutting portion and located between the abutting portion and the limiting plate.

In some embodiments, the buffering layer has an opening that exposes a part of the interfering portion.

In some embodiments, the container further includes a buffering layer disposed on the limiting plate and located between the abutting portion and the limiting plate.

In some embodiments, the container further includes a protecting layer disposed on the interfering portion and located between the interfering and the acting portion.

In some embodiments, the protecting layer has an opening that exposes a part of the interfering portion.

In the aforementioned configurations, a multiple bending elastic piece in the container is not deformed when the container is not opened. At this time, the acting portion is interposed between the first elastic segment and the second limiting plate of the multiple bending, thereby restricting rotation of a rotating shaft relative to a first cover. Hence, a second cover is positioned at a cover position with respect to the first cover.

When the acting portion rotates toward the second limiting plate, the interfering portion of the multiple bending elastic piece presses the acting portion to make the acting portion automatically rotate toward the second limiting plate, thereby driving the rotating shaft to rotate, such that the second cover connected to the rotating shaft in the container can be automatically opened relative to the first cover. Furthermore, when the second cover of the container is rotated to be opened relative to the first cover, the interfering portion presses the acting portion, such that the acting portion is sandwiched between the second elastic segment of the multiple bending elastic piece and the second limiting plate, thereby limiting the rotation of the rotating shaft relative to the first cover. Hence, the second cover connected to the rotating shaft is positioned at the open position relative to the first cover body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is made toFIG. 1AandFIG. 1B.FIG. 1Aillustrates a perspective view of a container1according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, in which the second cover12covers the first cover10.FIG. 1Bis a cross-sectional view of the container1viewed along line A-A inFIG. 1A. As shown inFIG. 1AandFIG. 1B, in some embodiments, the container1includes the first cover10, the second cover12, a rotating shaft14, an acting portion16disposed on the rotating shaft14, a multiple bending elastic piece18located in the first cover10, a first limiting plate11, and a second limiting plate13. The structures and functions of the elements and the relationship therebetween are described in detail hereinafter.

Reference is made toFIG. 1B,FIG. 2A,FIG. 2B, andFIG. 2C.FIG. 2Aillustrates a top perspective view showing the rotating shaft14, the acting portion16, and a multiple bending elastic piece18according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 2Billustrates a bottom perspective view showing the rotating shaft14, the acting portion16, and multiple bending elastic piece18according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 2Cillustrates a side view of portions of the rotating shaft14and the acting portion16according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG. 1B, the rotating shaft is connected the second cover12, and is engaged between the first cover10and the second cover12, such that the first cover10and the second cover12are rotatable relative to each other. Specifically, the first cover has an accommodating space101. The first limiting plate11is located in the accommodating space101of the first cover and below the rotating shaft14, and protrudes from an inner wall102of the first cover10. The first limiting plate11covers the acting portion16and an interfering portion182of the multiple bending elastic piece18. Furthermore, the second limiting plate13covers an opening104of the first cover10and is connected to an end surface of the104, and further covers the acting portion16and the interfering portion182of the multiple bending elastic piece18. In other words, the acting portion16and the interfering portion182of the multiple bending elastic piece18are located between the first limiting plate11and the second limiting plate13.

As shown inFIG. 1B, the acting portion16is connected to the rotating shaft14and is located in the first cover10. The acting portion16is a tapered structure, but the present is not limited thereto. As shown inFIG. 2C, a side of the acting portion16has adjacent planes160aand160c. Another side of the acting portion16has adjacent planes160band160d. The acting portion16has a turning corner160econnected between the planes160aand160b. In the embodiment, a virtual extension surface S passes through a rotation center line of the rotating shaft14and is orthogonal to the turning corner160eof the acting portion16. The planes160aand160bof the acting portion16are substantially symmetrical to the virtual extension plane S and the planes160cand160dof the acting portion16are substantially symmetrical to the virtual extension plane S.

Furthermore, the two adjacent planes160aand160cof the acting portion16form an angle A1therebetween (SeeFIG. 2C). That is, the two adjacent planes160aand160cof the acting portion16have an angle A4(SeeFIG. 2C) complementary to the angle A1. Similarly, the two adjacent planes160band160dof the acting portion16form an angle A1therebetween. Furthermore, the plane160bof the acting portion16and a plane orthogonal to the virtual extension surface S intersect at an angle A3. Similarly, the plane160aof the acting portion16and the plane orthogonal to the virtual extension surface S intersect at an angle A3. In the embodiment, the angle A3is substantially equal to the angle A4. For example, both the angle A3and the angle A4are about 45 degrees, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As shown inFIG. 2C, in a direction along the virtual extension surface S, the planes160dand160bof the acting portion16have widths W1and W2respectively. In the embodiment, the width W1of the plane160dof the acting portion16is substantially equal to the width W2of the plane160bof the acting portion16. For example, both the width W1of the plane160dand the width W2of the plane160bare about 0.7 mm, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As shown inFIG. 1B, the multiple bending elastic piece18includes a fixing portion180, a leaning portion184, an abutting portion186, the interfering portion182, and an abutting portion188. In the embodiment, the first cover further includes a supporting column106. The supporting column106of the first cover10is connected to a surface130of the second limiting plate13facing the accommodating space101. The fixing portion180of the multiple bending elastic piece18is fixed to the supporting column106of the first cover10, and is spaced apart from the second limiting plate13. In the embodiment, the fixing portion180is substantially parallel to the surface130, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As shown inFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B, the leaning portion184of the multiple bending elastic piece18is formed from an elastic piece that has been bent twice. The leaning portion184includes a first extending segment1840, an abutting segment1842, and a second extending segment1844that are sequentially connected. The first and second extending segments1840and1844extend from two opposite ends of the abutting segment1842substantially toward the same side of the abutting segment1842. The first extending segment1840of the leaning portion184is connected to the fixing portion180, and is substantially perpendicular to the fixing portion180. The second extending segment and1844of the leaning portion184is connected to the abutting portion186. The abutting segment1842of the leaning portion184is configured to movably resist the surface130of the second limiting plate13(SeeFIG. 1B). In the embodiment, the abutting segment1842of the leaning portion184is substantially a horizontal plate, and is configured to slide on the surface130of the second limiting plate13.

InFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B, the interfering portion182of the multiple bending elastic piece18is located between the fixing portion180and the rotating shaft14, and includes a first elastic segment1820, a turning corner1824, and a second elastic segment1822that are sequentially connected.

In the embodiment, the interfering portion182of the multiple bending elastic piece18extends from the fixing portion180to the rotating shaft14. The second elastic segment1822of the interfering portion182is folded away from the first elastic segment1820near an end of the rotating shaft14, and extends away from the rotating shaft14.

In other words, the first elastic segment1820and the second elastic segment1822of the interfering portion182form a V-shaped profile. An opening of the V-shaped profile faces toward the leaning portion184. The first elastic segment1820and the second elastic segment1822form an angle A2therebetween. In the embodiment, the angle is about 90 degrees, but the present disclosure is not limited. The turning corner1824of the interfering portion182is connected between the first elastic segment1820and the second elastic segment1822, and protrudes away from the leaning portion184. As shown inFIG. 1B, a height of the interfering portion182relative to the first limiting plate11is substantially the same as a height of the leaning portion184relative to the first limiting plate11. The first elastic segment1820of the interfering portion182and the second extending segment1844of the leaning portion184form an angle G1therebetween.

InFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B, the abutting portions186and188are connected to two opposite ends of the interfering portion182respectively. The abutting portion188protrudes away from the second elastic segment1822of the interfering portion182. Relatively, the abutting portion188protrudes away from the first elastic segment1820of the interfering portion182. In the embodiment, the abutting portion186is located closer to the limiting plate11than the interfering portion182(SeeFIG. 1B), and the abutting portion188is located closer to the limiting plate13than the interfering portion182(SeeFIG. 1B).

Reference is made toFIG. 1B,FIG. 3, andFIG. 4.FIG. 3andFIG. 4are cross-sectional views of the container1at different stages of operation viewed along line A-A inFIG. 1A, in which the second cover12inFIG. 3is opened relative to the first cover10at about 45 degrees, and the second cover12inFIG. 4is opened relative to the first cover10at about 90 degrees.

InFIG. 1B, when the second cover12of the container1covers the first cover10, the acting portion16is located between the first elastic segment1820and the first limiting plate11. The plane160cof the acting portion (as shown inFIG. 2C) is in contact with the first elastic segment1820of the multiple bending elastic piece18. At this time, the multiple bending elastic piece18is substantially not deformed, and the acting portion16is interposed between the first elastic segment1820of the multiple bending elastic piece18and the first limiting plate11, thereby restricting rotation of the rotating shaft14relative to the first cover10. Therefore, the second cover12connected to the rotating shaft14is positioned at a position that covers the first cover10.

InFIG. 3, during the period while the second cover12is being opened relative to the first cover10, the rotating shaft14rotates relative to the first cover10with the acting portion16. During the period while the acting portion16is rotating relative to the first cover10, the plane160c(SeeFIG. 2C) of the acting portion16resists the first elastic segment1820of the multiple bending elastic piece1and changes the degree of bending of the multiple bending elastic pieces18.

For example, when the plane160c(SeeFIG. 2C) of the acting portion16rotates toward the second limiting plate13, the plane160cwill be pushed against the first elastic segment1820, such that an angle between the first elastic segment1820of the interfering portion182and the second extending segment1844of the leaning portion184will be further bent from the angle G1to an angle G2, in which the angle G2is less than the angle G1shown inFIG. 1B.

At the same time, the abutting portion188abuts against the surface130of the second limiting plate13and moves away from the rotating shaft14. The leaning portion184can be movably resist the surface130of the second limiting plate13to increase the range of movement of the interfering portion182and to provide a recovering capability of the interfering portion182thereafter.

Hence, during the rotation of the acting portion16relative to the first cover10, the acting portion16presses the interfering portion182of the multiple bending elastic piece18, such that a distance between the interfering portion182and the rotating shaft14is increased, and thus the acting portion16can overcome interference of the multiple bending elastic piece18in structural configuration. Then, the acting portion16continues to rotate toward the second limiting plate13until the acting portion16is located at a side of the interfering portion182opposite to the first limiting plate11, such that the plane160d(SeeFIG. 2C) on the acting portion16is in contact with the second elastic segment1822of the interfering portion182.

Specifically, during the rotation of the action portion16relative to the first cover10, the planes160cand160a(SeeFIG. 2C) on the acting portion16sequentially abut against and compress the first elastic segment1820of the multiple bending elastic piece18. When the turning corner160e(SeeFIG. 2C) on the action portion16is in contact with the interfering portion182, the multiple bending elastic piece18has the greatest stress. When the acting portion16continues to rotate toward the second limiting plate13until the plane160b(SeeFIG. 2C) is in contact with the multiple bending elastic pieces18, the interfering portion182of the multiple bending elastic piece18presses the acting portion16, such that the planes160band160d(seeFIG. 2C) on the acting portion16sequentially abut against the second elastic segment1822of the multiple bending elastic piece18. Therefore, the acting portion16automatically rotates toward the second limiting plate13to rotate the rotating shaft14, such that the second cover12of the container1connected to the rotating shaft14can be automatically opened relative to the first cover10.

InFIG. 4, when the second cover12is opened relative to the first cover10, the interfering portion182presses the acting portion16until the plane160dof the acting portion16(SeeFIG. 2C) is in contact with the second elastic segment1822of the multiple bending elastic piece18. At this time, the acting portion16is interposed between the second elastic segment1822and the second limiting plate13of the multiple bending elastic piece18, thereby restricting the rotation of the rotating shaft14relative to the first cover10. Hence, the second cover12connected to the rotating shaft14is positioned in the open position relative to the first cover10.

Relatively, when the second cover12rotates relative to the first cover10to cover the first cover, the rotating shaft14connected to the second cover12can rotate relative to the first cover10and drive the driving action portion16to rotate toward the first limiting plate11. During the rotation of the acting portion16relative to the first cover10, the planes160dand160b(SeeFIG. 2C) of the acting portion16sequentially abut against the second elastic portion1822of the multiple bending elastic piece18, thereby changing the degree of bending of the multiple bending elastic pieces18, and thus a distance between the interfering portion182and the rotating shaft14can be increased. When the turning corner160eon the acting portion16is in contact with the interfering portion182, the multiple bending elastic piece18has the greatest stress.

At the same time, the abutting portion186abuts against the first limiting plate11and moves away from the rotating shaft14. The leaning portion184can movably abut against the surface130of the second limiting plate13to increase the range of movement of the interfering portion182and to provide the recovering capability of the interfering portion182thereafter.

Then, during the rotation of the acting portion16toward the first limiting plate11, the interfering portion182presses the acting portion16, such that the planes160aand160c(SeeFIG. 2C) on the acting portion16sequentially abut against the first elastic portion1820of the multiple bending elastic piece18, thereby enabling the action portion16to overcome the interference of the multiple bending elastic pieces18in the structural configuration. Therefore, the acting portion16automatically rotates toward the first limiting plate11to rotate the rotating shaft14, such that the second cover12of the container1connected to the rotating shaft14can automatically cover the first cover10.

Reference is made toFIG. 5.FIG. 5illustrates a perspective view of the multiple bending elastic piece18, the buffering layer15, and the protecting layer17according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 5, the container1further includes a buffer layer15and a protecting layer17. The buffering layer15is at least disposed on the abutting portion186and abutting portion188of the multiple bending elastic piece18, and is located between the abutting portion186and the first limiting plate11(as shown inFIG. 1B). In the embodiment, the buffering layer15covers the interfering portion182. The buffering layer15can be used to prevent the abutting portions186and188from colliding with the first and second limiting plates11and13and generating noise, thereby improving user's comfort of using the container1.

In some embodiments, the buffering layer15has an opening150. The opening150of the buffering layer15exposes portions of the first elastic segment1820, the turning corner1824, and the second elastic segment1822. The opening150of the buffering layer15can prevent the wrinkles of the buffering layer15caused by contacting the acting portion16when the acting portion16interferes with the interfering portion182, and thus the buffer effect of the buffering layer15can be maintained. In other embodiments, another protective layer may be further attached to the opening150to improve the wear out problem caused by the interference between the acting portion16and the interfering portion182, thus increasing the service life of the container1.

In some embodiments, the buffering layer15may include silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or any other suitable material. For example, the buffering layer15may include thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As shown inFIG. 5, the protecting layer17is disposed on the interfering portion182of the multiple bending elastic piece18, and is located between the interfering portion182and the acting portion16(SeeFIG. 1B). In the embodiment, the protecting layer17covers the interfering portion182, and is disposed on the buffering layer15. The protecting layer17can be used to prevent the wear out problem caused by the interference between the acting portion16and the interfering portion182, thereby increasing the service life of the container1.

In some embodiments, the protecting layer17has an opening170. The opening170of the protecting layer17communicates with the opening150of the buffering layer15, and exposes portions of the first elastic segment1820, the turning corner1824, and the second elastic segment1822. The opening170of the protecting layer17can prevent the wrinkles of the protecting layer17caused by contacting the acting portion16during the interference between the acting portion16and the interference portion182, and thus the protective effect of the protective layer17can be maintained.

In some embodiments, the protecting layer17may include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyoxymethylene (POM), or any other suitable material. For example, the buffering layer15may include mylar, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Reference is made toFIG. 6.FIG. 6illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a container4according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 6, the container4includes the first cover10, the second cover12, the rotating shaft14, the acting portion16disposed on the rotating shaft14, the multiple bending elastic piece18located in the first cover10, the first limiting plate11, and the second limiting plate13. The structures and functions of the components and their relationships are substantially the same as those of the container1shown inFIGS. 1A to 4, and the related detailed descriptions may refer to the foregoing paragraphs, and are not described again herein.

It is noted that, the difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment inFIGS. 1A to 4is that the buffering layer15and the protecting layer17are disposed on the second limiting plate13. Specifically, the buffering layer15is disposed between the protecting layer17and the second limiting plate13. The buffering plate15can be used to prevent the abutting portion188and/or the acting portion16from colliding with the second limiting plate13and generating noise. The protecting layer17can be used to prevent possible wear on the abutting portion188and/or the acting portion16when the top portion188and/or the action portion16collides with the second limit plate13.

In some embodiments, the buffering layer15and the protecting layer17can also be selectively disposed on the first limiting plate11, and the buffering layer15is further disposed between the protecting layer17and the first limiting plate11.

Reference is made toFIG. 7AandFIG. 7B.FIG. 7AandFIG. 7Billustrate cross-sectional views of a container2according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, in which the second cover12shown inFIG. 7Acovers the first cover10, and the second cover12shown inFIG. 7Bis opened relative to the first cover10. As shown inFIG. 7AandFIG. 7B, the container2includes the first cover10, the second cover12, the rotating shaft14, the acting portion16disposed on the rotating shaft14, the multiple bending elastic piece28located in the first cover10, the first limiting plate11, and the second limiting plate13. The structure and function of the components and their relationships are substantially the same as the container1shown inFIGS. 1A to 4, and the related detailed descriptions may refer to the foregoing paragraphs, and are not described again herein.

It is noted that, the difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment inFIGS. 1A to 4is that an interfering portion282of the multiple bending elastic piece28includes a first elastic segment2820, a turning corner2824, and a second elastic segment2822. An angle between the first elastic segment2820and the second elastic segment2822is less than the angle A2between the first elastic segment1820and the second elastic segment1822inFIG. 1B. Hence, the multiple bending elastic piece18shown inFIG. 1AtoFIG. 4is replaced by the multiple bending elastic piece28. In the present embodiment, the angle between the first elastic segment2820and the second elastic segment2822can be about 60 degrees, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Reference is made toFIG. 8AandFIG. 8B.FIG. 8AandFIG. 8Billustrate cross-sectional views of a container3according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, in which the second cover12shown inFIG. 8Acovers the first cover10, and the second cover12shown inFIG. 8Bis opened relative to the first cover10. As shown inFIG. 8AandFIG. 8B, the container3includes the first cover10, the second cover12, the rotating shaft14, the acting portion16disposed on the rotating shaft14, the multiple bending elastic piece38located in the first cover10, the first limiting plate11, and the second limiting plate13. The structure and function of the components and their relationships are substantially the same as the container1shown inFIGS. 1A to 4, and the related detailed descriptions may refer to the foregoing paragraphs, and are not described again herein.

It is noted that, the difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment inFIGS. 1A to 4is in that an interfering portion382of the multiple bending elastic piece38includes a first elastic segment3820, a turning corner3824, and a second elastic segment3822. An angle between the first elastic segment3820and the second elastic segment3822is greater than the angle A2between the first elastic segment1820and the second elastic segment1822inFIG. 1B. Hence, the multiple bending elastic piece18shown inFIG. 1AtoFIG. 4is replaced by the multiple bending elastic piece38. In the present embodiment, the angle between the first elastic segment3820and the second elastic segment3822can be about 120 degrees, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

According to the foregoing embodiments of the disclosure, it can be seen that, a multiple bending elastic piece in the container is not deformed when the container is not opened. At this time, the acting portion is interposed between the first elastic segment and the second limiting plate of the multiple bending, thereby restricting rotation of a rotating shaft relative to a first cover. Hence, a second cover is positioned at a cover position with respect to the first cover.

When the acting portion rotates toward the second limiting plate, a interfering portion of the multiple bending elastic piece presses the acting portion, so that the acting portion automatically rotates toward the second limiting plate, thereby driving the rotating shaft to rotate, such that the second cover connected to the rotating shaft in the container can be automatically opened relative to the first cover. Furthermore, when the second cover of the container is rotated to be opened relative to the first cover, the interfering portion presses the acting portion, so that the acting portion is sandwiched between the second elastic segment of the multiple bending elastic piece and the second limiting plate, thereby limiting the rotation of the rotating shaft relative to the first cover. Hence, the second cover connected to the rotating shaft is positioned in the open position relative to the first cover body.