Abstract:
An articulated structure to connect a cover to a support, which may be installed on a container or is formed from a single piece with an opening section of the container, comprising an articulated joint to guide the cover between a closed position and an open position with a pivot point situated on the outer side of the cover and/or the support, and an elastomer spring part, which grips the outer side of the cover as well as the support and is prestressed at least in the closed position of the cover under tension, characterized in that a force application point of the elastomer spring part to the cover and/or to the support at least in the closed position of the cover is displaced to the outside beyond the pivot point of the articulated joint.

Description:
This application is a National Stage filing of International Application Serial No. PCT/EP2005/009781 filed Sep. 12, 2005 which claims priority of French Patent Application Serial No. 0410503 filed Oct. 5, 2004, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to an articulated structure to connect a cover to a support, that may be installed on a container, particularly in a plastic material, or that may be formed of a single piece with an opening section of the container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An articulated structure of this type is, for example, presented in document US 2004 0016714 A1, for which the movement to open a cover is executed by a film hinge. Furthermore, the opening movement is supported by a prestressed elastomeric spring part situated adjacent to the outer side of the film hinge. The disadvantage of the known articulated structure resides in the fact that only low elastomeric spring part forces may be available for an autonomous opening of the cover. More particularly, in case of high resistance to an opening movement, this elastomeric spring part opening force does not suffice. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art, and more particularly to improve an articulated structure to connect a cover to a support in such a way that significant forces are made available for the opening movement of the cover. 
     This goal is resolved by the articulated structure to connect a cover to a support according to the invention, that may be installed on a container or may be formed from a single piece with an opening section of the container, comprising an articulated joint to guide the cover between a closed position and an open position with an pivot point situated on the outer side of the cover and/or the support, and an elastomeric spring part, that grips the outer side of the cover as well as the support and is prestressed at least in the closed position of the cover under tension, which is distinguished in that a force application point of the elastomeric spring part to the cover and/or to the support at least in a closed position of the cover is displaced to the outside beyond the pivot point of the articulated joint. 
     According to the invention, the elastomeric spring part is prestressed at least in the closed position of the cover under tension, at least one elastomeric spring part force application point to the cover and/or to the support at least in the closed position of the cover is displaced beyond the articulated joint with relation to the cover and/or to the support by exceeding the pivot point. The articulated structure according to the invention provides a structural separation of the articulated joint from the elastomeric spring part, in such a way that it is possible to generate significant driver torques to open the cover. Thanks to the displacement of a force application point from the cover and/or the support to the outside, beyond the pivot point, lifting ratios for opening the cover between the pivot point and the prestressed elastomeric spring part under tension are optimized. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the articulated structure may be formed by a pair of articulated joints with parallel pivot points, preferably aligned, that are associated to one, two or more prestressed elastomeric spring parts under tension at least in the closed position of the cover. Furthermore, the articulated structure according to the invention may be formed by a pair of elastomeric spring parts that are associated with a more particularly reinforced articulated joint. To obtain optimal opening force input, the reinforced articulated joint may be disposed in the middle between two elastomeric spring parts. 
     Thanks to the measurement according to the invention of the displacement of an elastomeric spring part force application point to the cover and/or to the support beyond the pivot point, assembly of the elastomeric spring part with the stored initial stress is obtained, at least in the closed position of the cover situated in an interval that is larger than the pivot point with relation to the cover and/or the support, which pivot point is preferably situated beyond the outer side of the cover and/or the support. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, displacement of the elastomeric part force application point, more particularly the elastomeric part force application point at the level of the cover and the support, is done in such a way that at least one projection or a part in rigid projection, preferably two parts in rigid projection, are provided to fix the elastomeric spring part to the respective cover and/or respective support. A projecting part or two projecting parts may extend to the outside, more particularly above and/or below the pivot point, by exceeding the pivot point. Preferably, the two projecting parts are parallel to each other in the closed position of the cover. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the projecting part or projecting parts are made of one piece with the respective element, cover or support, more particularly, the parts are molded from a piece in a plastic material. The elastomeric spring part is fixed to the extremities of the projecting parts. Preferably, the projecting parts are moved away from the cover at an essentially equal distance in such a way that the elastomeric spring part is vertical with relation to a plane determined by the cover in its closed position. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the elastomeric spring part force application points to the cover and to the support are displaced so far towards the outside in such a way that the elastomeric spring part assembly remains between the closed and open positions of the cover with relation to the latter still beyond the pivot point. In this way, optimal lift ratios are guaranteed for the entire opening movement to generate sufficient driver torque. 
     Preferably, the elastomeric spring part made structurally and separated from the articulated joint is made as an elastomeric band, whose force application points extend linearly and mainly parallel to the pivot point. For this purpose, the articulated joint may be made as a hinge with a pivot or swivel pin and a cylindrical housing. Preferably, the pivot is more particularly made from a single piece with the cover, in return the cylindrical housing and support are made from a single piece. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the pivot point of the articulated joint is non-curved, but is more particularly straight. An aspect of the invention that is independent, but that may also be combined with the object of the invention mentioned above, relates to an articulated structure for which the articulated joint is provided to release the cover from the support. A device to release the hinge pivot from the cylindrical housing is designed to allow separation in each working position of the cover with relation to the support, more particularly exclusively in a predefined constructive position, more particularly a closed position of the cover, in which the significant tensile forces of the elastomeric spring part dominate, which force the hinge pivot against autonomous unclamping in the cylindrical housing. The release device is functionally associated with the prestressed elastomeric spring part under tension in such a way that the initial stress in tension stored in the elastomeric spring part is aligned with relation to the direction of unclamping. Preferably, the release device is made in such a way that the cylindrical housing for the hinge articulation is openly constructed from the side of the cover. In this way, the hinge pivot may be raised in a predefined working position by the open side of the cylindrical housing by overcoming the prestressed tension of the elastomeric spring part. 
     Another aspect of the invention that is independent from the objects of the invention mentioned above, but that may be combined with those objects, resides in the fact that the articulated structure must be provided with a pivot limitation device, which limits the opening movement of the cover. The elastomeric spring part is used to make an autonomous opening movement, in return the prestressed forces of the elastomeric spring part must be overcome to close the cover. When the cover is opened, the pivot limitation device guarantees that a predefined final position is obtained in a controlled manner. 
     Preferably, the pivot limitation device is formed by an abutment integrated into the articulated joint. This abutment may be formed by at least one stud fixed to the support, which is pointed to the inside of the cylindrical housing of the articulated joint and acts on the hinge pivot by limiting rotation. Preferably, the stud must therefore prevent the hinge pivot from unclamping from the cylindrical housing, at least in the open position of the cover. 
     In an embodiment, the pivot limitation device is made in such a way that a cover pivoting opening movement is limited to approximately 90° from the closed position of the cover. 
     Furthermore, the invention relates to a closing device for a container with a cover and an articulated structure according to the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages, characteristics and properties of the invention are clearly explained by the description of preferred embodiments of the invention by using the attached drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a cover-support structure with an articulated structure according to the invention in a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a detailed perspective view of an articulated structure according to the invention, for which a cover is placed in a closed position with relation to a support; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a detailed perspective view of the articulated structure according to  FIG. 2 , in return the cover is placed in an open waiting position; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a detailed perspective view of the articulated structure according to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in return the connection of the cover with the support is separated by the articulated joint; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a transversal section view of an articulated structure according to the invention, in return the cover is closed with relation to the support; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a transversal section view of the articulated structure according to  FIG. 5 , in return the cover is in a vertical open position with relation to the support; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a cover-support structure; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment according to the invention of a cover-support structure; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates another embodiment according to the invention of a cover-support structure; 
         FIGS. 10   a - 10   c  illustrate the cover-support structure according to  FIG. 1  respectively in the main working positions—closed, open and waiting, unclamped; 
         FIGS. 11   a - 11   c  illustrate the cover-support structure according to  FIG. 9  respectively in the main working positions of the cover—closed, open and waiting, unclamped; 
         FIGS. 12   a - 12   c  illustrate the cover-support structure according to  FIG. 8  respectively in the main working positions—closed, open and waiting, unclamped; 
         FIGS. 13   a - 13   c  illustrate the cover-support structure according to  FIG. 7  respectively in the main working positions—closed, open and waiting, unclamped. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a closing device  1  for a plastic container (not represented), which, as with most elements of closing device  1 , may be molded from a plastic material. The closing device  1  comprises, as the main element, a support  3  mainly in the form of a ring, in ring form in the entirely encircled sense, a cover  5  that may flip or pivot with relation to support  3 , a locking device  7 , which maintains the cover in the closed position with relation to the support, and an articulated structure  11  according to the invention, which makes available an articulated connection between the cover  5  and the support  3  with a help system for driving the opening. 
     The support  3  may, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , be designed as a separate element or as an element in a single piece with a container, not represented. 
     The support  3  comprises, from the inner side, a sealing lip  12  in flexible elastomer acting in conjunction with the cover  5  in its closed position. The locking device  7 , which may be designed as a catch device, and which acts in conjunction in a locked manner with an element opposite from cover  5  in the closed position of the cover, is provided and is diametrically opposed to the articulated structure  11  according to the invention at the level of the outer side of closing device  1 . 
     Subsequently, details of embodiment according to the invention of an articulated structure  11  are described with relation to  FIGS. 1 to 6 . 
     The articulated structure  11  comprises a hinge articulation  13  and an elastomer band  15  which is structurally separated from the hinge articulation  13 . 
     The hinge articulation  13  comprises a hinge pivot  16 , which is maintained in such a way as to be able to pivot in a cylindrical housing  17 . The cylindrical housing  17  is open towards the top. A pair of studs extend below the cylindrical housing  17 , from the edge of support  3  in the area of the cylindrical housing. Each stud  20  comprises a stop surface  19 . 
     The hinge pivot  16  is essentially formed in half circle crosswise in the area of the cylindrical housing  17  when the cover  5  is assembled. The hinge articulation  13  defines a pivot point S, around which the cover  5  may be pivoted or flipped. 
     The elastomer band  15  is connected to the cover  5  and to the support  3  by projecting parts formed from a single piece with the respective element or offset sections  21 ,  23  which displace the force application points  25 ,  27  to the outside of the elastomer band  15  by moving them away from the support  3  and the cover  5  in such a way that the assembly of the elastomer band  15  is on the other side from the pivot point S with relation to cover  5  and to support  3 , the interval of the elastomer band  15  to support  3  or cover  5  is larger than the interval of the pivot point S to support  3  or cover  5 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the offsetting of force application points  25 ,  27  from elastomer band  15  in the open position ( FIG. 6 ) as well as in the closed position ( FIG. 5 ) of cover  5  makes large leverage a available, at the level of which the abovementioned driving torque is generated by a prestressed force F of elastomer band  15 . 
     Even during flipping of the cover  5 , the elastomer band  15  still remains on the other side of the pivot point S with relation to support  3  in such a way that the leverage acts during the opening movements, which allows strong torque to be generated to open the cover  5 . 
     In an open position of cover  5  flipped 90° with relation to support  3 , a flat side of the hinge pivot  16  hits against the stop surface  19  of stud  20  by which another flipping of cover  5  from the vertical position represented in  FIG. 6  is prevented. Thanks to the prestressed force F still acting between the projecting parts  21 ,  23 , the cover  5  is constrained and maintained in the open position represented in  FIG. 6 . 
     To maintain free access by cover  5  to an opening section  31  of support  3 , the connection of cover  5  to support  3  may be resolved by the hinge articulation  13 , while the hinge pivot  16  is retracted in the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 5  from the cylindrical housing  17  against the prestressed force F by an additional extension of the elastomer band  15 . The diameter of the hinge pivot  16  is therefore slightly less than the interval of the free extremity of the stud  20  to the opposite section of the cylindrical housing  17 . 
     In the unclamped position illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the cover  5  is coupled only by the elastomer band  15  to the level of support  3 , in return the elastomer band  15  is released. 
     Whole elements of the articulated structure  11  according to the invention as well as the support and cover may be made of polypropylene, more particularly molded polypropylene. A thermoplastic elastomer (TTE) is only utilized for elastomer band  15 , which is embedded by molding at the level of the extremities of projecting parts  21 ,  23 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , another embodiment of a cover-support structure with an articulated structure  11  according to the invention is represented, which is formed from a pair of hinge articulations  13  and a pair of elastomer bands  15  disposed in conformance with the embodiment according to  FIGS. 2 to 6 . The cover-support structure is differentiated from that according to  FIG. 1  in that the elastomer band  15  is disposed mainly without being offset laterally with relation to the opposite hinge articulation  13 . 
     The fundamental form of support  3  in the shape of a ring is characterized by two straight lateral sections  41 ,  43  that are parallel to each other, that are connected to each other by arc of circumference sections  45 ,  47 . At the level of a straight lateral section  43 , which is opposite to the section with the hinge articulation  13 , an activation zone  42  is reinforced, which extends in a curved fashion to the inside. A recess in a form complementary to the activation zone  42  is provided in cover  5  in such a way that a user (not illustrated) may grip the reinforced zone of the support by the recess. 
     The support-cover structure according to  FIG. 8  is differentiated from that according to  FIG. 7  only in that no reinforced activation zone is provided at support  3  as well as no recess in cover  5 . Furthermore, at the level of the straight lateral section  43 , mainly in the middle, a particular catch mechanism  51  having a hook is provided to lock the cover at the level of the support in such a way that an autonomous opening of cover  5  is prevented by support  3 . 
     The cover-support structure according to  FIG. 9  essentially corresponds to that of  FIG. 1 , in return a reinforced activation zone  42  disposed at the level of a support section  3  opposite from the articulated structure  11  is provided, which is formed in conformance with the embodiment according to  FIG. 7 . 
     In  FIGS. 10   a - 10   c  and  11   a - 11   c ,  12   a - 12   c  and  13   a - 13   c , one may see in which positions cover  5  may be placed on the articulated structure  11  according to the invention. In the figures provided with the letter a, cover  5  is found in an unclamped opening position, in which cover  5  may be placed in a position parallel to the opening section  31  of support  3 . In this position, free access to support  3  is made available. 
     In the figures provided with the letter b, cover  5  is placed in an open vertical waiting position with relation to support  3 , from which it may pass without additional assembly steps to the closed position. 
     In the figures provided with the letter c, the cover  5  is represented in the closed position, in which the elastomer band  15  is prestressed to the maximum and the locking device  7  prevents an autonomous flipping of cover  5 . When the locking device  7  is released, the elastomer band  15  pulls the cover  5  into an open waiting position ( FIGS. 10   b ,  11   b ,  12   b  and  13   b ). 
     By releasing the locking device  7  and raising hinge pivot  16  of cylindrical housing  17  from hinge articulation  13  at the same time against the prestressed force F, the unclamped position represented in  FIGS. 10   a ,  11   a ,  12   a  and  13   a  may be created. 
     The existing characteristics given in the description, the figures and claims may also have importance individually or according to a combination chosen to embody the invention in different arrangements. 
     LIST OF REFERENCES 
     
         
           1  Closing device 
           3  Support 
           5  Cover 
           7  Locking device 
           11  Articulated structure 
           12  Sealing lip 
           13  Hinge 
           15  Elastomer band 
           16  Hinge pivot 
           17  Cylindrical housing 
           19  Stop surface 
           20  Stud 
           21 ,  23  Projecting parts 
           25 ,  27  Force application points 
           31  Opening section 
           41 ,  43  Straight parallel lateral sections 
           42  Activation zone 
           51  Catch mechanism 
         f Prestressed force 
         s Pivot point 
         a Leverage