PUSH-TAB HINGE FOR A CONTAINER CLOSURE APPARATUS

Abstract: A package closure apparatus is disclosed which has a push-tab connected to a base (12) via a landing (32) which extends into a central opening (30) in said closure and a spring face (38) which extends from said push-tab to connect with the landing (32). The connection between the landing (32) and spring face (38) forms a first junction (40) about which the hinge acts. The connection between the spring face (38) and the push-tab forms a second junction (42) about which the hinge may act.

Description: PUSH-TAB HINGE FOR A CONTAINER CLOSURE APPARATUS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to containers useful for products that may be poured from the container and, more particularly, to improved closures secured to said containers. For example, paperboard cartons are generally well known. A familiar type is the milk carton which has a gabled top. Also, becoming ever more popular are rectangular shaped cartons, some of aseptic quality, for containing beverages, powdered goods, and practically any other pourable substance. To prevent waste and provide for ease of pouring, improved pour-through closure apparatus for securing openings in said containers are needed. Practically any container to be used to hold pourable contents may benefit from the improved closure ofthe present invention. Push-tabs have been used in combination with container closure apparatus, which are designed to be depressed into the material ofthe container or package. The push-tabs serve to open a partially pre-cut area on the surface ofthe package below the closure. The push-tab separates the material ofthe package and may serve to hold the material apart to maintain the opening during pouring. Previous closure push-tabs have been hinged directly to an inner wall that defined a central opening in the closure apparatus. The present invention recognizes a need for improved force distribution through the hinge, when the push-tab is depressed by a user ofthe container. By improving the push-tab hinge design, stress distribution through the hinge is improved. As a result of the hinge design improvements, the closure apparatus may be manufactured from a broader range of materials, some ofwhich may be less expensive. The present invention provides a push-tab hinge which distributes stresses more effectively than previous hinge designs. In particular, the present invention provides a landing which extends from the closure central opening to a spring face which depends from the push- tab. The junction between the landing and the spring face provides a first flexible joint through which the hinge acts. The junction between the spring face and the push-tab provides a second flexible joint through which the hinge acts. Furthermore, the spring face may be flexible through its entire length, thereby providing additional means by which the hinge may flex as the push-tab is depressed. The entire apparatus may be made as a one-piece injection molded plastic unit, having movable parts. Reference is made to U.S. Patent No. 5,101,999, which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present apphcation. These and other advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, drawings, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The various features and advantages of the present invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherem like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment ofthe closure apparatus ofthe present invention attached to the top of a package or container; Figure 2 is a plan view ofthe closure apparatus of Figure 1 with a cover rotated to its open position; Figure 3 is an enlarged section view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cut away, side elevational view showmg the push-tab in its open position and t material ofthe package top broken into the package; k Figure 5 is a plan view showmg the bottom surface of a preferred embodiment of the 5 closure apparatus ofthe present invention; and Figure 6 is a detail view ofthe hinge of Figure 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTfS) Referring to Figure 1, a closure apparatus 10 for opening and resealing a package 12 is shown. The package 12 may be made from a penetrable material, and may contain a 10 dispensable fluid, powder, particulate sohd substance, or any other pourable contents. As shown in Figure 2, the closure apparatus 10 may have a base 13 having a forward portion 14 and a rearward portion 16. The bottom surface 18 of the base 12 (as shown in Figure 5) may be attached to the package top 20 by any suitable means, such as an adhesive 22 apphed to the bottom surface 18. The closure apparatus is shown secured to the package 12 15 in Figure 3. On a top surface 24 ofthe base 12 there may be a formed pour wall 26. Interiorally of the pour wall 26 there may be formed an inner side wall 28 that defines a central opening 30. In the preferred embodiment, a landing 32 extends from the rear portion 34 ofthe inner side wall 28. It is to be recognized that the landing 32 may extend from elsewhere, such as from 20 pour wall 26, on the apparatus 10 and remain within the scope ofthe present invention. The present invention may also be accomplished without a landing. A push-tab 36 is formed to initially reside within the inner side wall 28 directly over the central opening 30. The push-tab 36 has a spring face (best shown in Figure 3) extending from the push-tab 36. The spring face 38 is also integrally connected with the landing 32. The junction 40 between the spring face 38 and the landing 32 forms a first flexible joint. The junction 42 between the spring face 38 and the push-tab 36 forms a second flexible joint. Both flexible joints 40, 42 may be seen best in Figure 6. The spring plate 38 and the first and second junctions 40 and 42 in combination with the landing 32 provides a robust hinge which distributes stress more effectively than previous designs. The spring face 38 may, in another embodiment of the present invention, extend directly from the inner side wall 28. In this case, the first junction 40 would reside at the location where the side wall 28 and the spring face 38 meet. Referring to Figure 4, the push-tab 36 is shown in its depressed position, having broken through the material 46 ofthe package 12. As the push-tab 36 is depressed, junctions 40 and 42 are placed in flexion, as is spring face 38. The closure apparatus 10 may be provided with a vent hole 60 to allow air to enter and exit the package when the contents are poured from the package 12. The vent hole 60 allows for a more even flow rate ofthe contents out ofthe package. Vent hole 60 may be provided in several places, including spring plate 38, in landing 32, or the vent hole 60 may straddle the jimction 40. Referring to Figure 2, if the vent hole 60 is supphed where shown, in the center of junction 40, it effectively divides the jimction into two halves. The two halves 61, 62 act as hinge straps. The dual hinge strap embodiment results in practically having two hinges (61 and 62) in place of one continuous junction hinge 40. The present invention has been described in the form of preferred embodiments, but it is to be recognized that several modifications and variations to the invention could be made and fall within the scope ofthe subjoined claims.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A package closure apparatus secured to a package for opening the package, said apparatus comprising: a base having a central opening defined by an inner side wall formed integrally of said base; a landing extending from said base into said central opening; a spring face having a first end pivotally connected to said landing thereby forming a first junction; a push-tab pivotally connected to a second end of said spring face, thereby forming a second junction; said push-tab depressable into said package to create an opening, said push-tab depressable through a hinge formed by said first and second junctions. 2. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the entire apparatus is made from one integral piece of material. 3. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said first junction includes a vent hole which divides said first junction into two hinge straps. 4. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said package contains pourable contents. 5. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said package is a multi-layer aseptic package. 6. The apparatus of Claim 1, further comprising a cover pivotally connected to said base, said cover adapted to fit over said central opening. 7. A package closure apparatus for a package housing pourable contents, comprising: a base adapted to be secured to said package; a side wall formed in said base, said side wall defining a central opening in said base; a spring face having first and second ends, said first end in association with said side wall, such that said spring face is pivotable in relation to said side wall; and, a push-tab connected to said second end of said spring face and pivotable thereabout. 8. The apparatus of Claim 7, wherein said spring face is made from flexible material. 9. The apparatus of Claim 7, wherein said push-tab is adapted to be depressed into said package. 10. A push-tab opening device for use on a package having pourable contents comprising: a base having a central opening; a push-tab in association with said base, such that said push-tab is depressable into said package creating an opening in said package directly beneath said central opening, said push¬ tab operable through a first flexible joint, a spring face, and a second flexible joint, together forming a hinge enabling said push-tab to pivot about said base. 11. The push-tab device of Claim 10, wherein said push-tab is formed from one- piece of material integral with said base. 12. A hinge, comprising: a landing portion of a base component; a flexible spring face adjoining said landing at a first junction, said first junction forming a first flexible joint; a member adjoining said spring face at a second junction, said second junction forming a second flexible joint; said first flexible joint, said spring face, and said second flexible joint cooperating to enable said member to move relative to said base component.

Inventors: MILLER C DANIEL, ROBICHAUD ARTHUR W, TOKARSKI MICHAEL G, MILLER, C., DANIEL, ROBICHAUD, ARTHUR, W., TOKARSKI, MICHAEL, G.
Applicants: COMBIBLOC INC, COMBIBLOC, INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B65D5
IPC codes: B65D5