Abstract:
A container body has a closed bottom and a peripheral wall defining a hollow interior for receipt of desired contents. A cap for the container has a depression constructed and arranged to fit tightly over a top rim of the container body to seal the contents within the hollow interior. The cap can be pried upward to an open position to allow access to the hollow interior. An opening tab hinged to the cap normally extends downward alongside the container body when the cap is closed, but is swingable upward to a horizontal orientation. The tab and cap have cooperating abutments that limit further upward swinging of the tab relative to the cap such that the tab can be used to pry the cap open.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to containers having tight fitting lids, particularly lids that hermetically seal the interior of the container, and to such containers having flip top caps which are pried away from the container body for opening, as compared, for example, to screw caps or other types of twist caps. 
         [0002]    Known flip top containers of the general type with which the present invention is concerned are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,492, titled “Moisture-proof Resealable, Non-cylindrical Container For Consumer Packages,” and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0208274 A1, titled “Sample Collection System And Method.” In addition, processes and apparatus for making containers of this general type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,056 (“Process For Making An Aseptic Vial And Cap”); No. 4,812,116 (“Mold For Making An Aseptic Vial And Cap”); and No. 6,303,064 (“Process And Apparatus For Making A Leakproof Plastic Container By Completely Ejecting From A Mold And Transferring To A Cap Closing Station”). Reference may be had to these publications and the documents referred to therein (including references cited) for appropriate, representative manufacturing processes and materials. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0004]    The present invention provides a container with a tight fitting, flip top cap. The cap may be joined to the upper portion of the container by an integral hinge joint so as to swing between an open position in which the container body is open at the top for insertion or removal of desired contents, and a closed position in which the cap fits tightly on the container, closing and sealing the otherwise open top. An elongated opening tab can be cantilevered from the side of the cap opposite the integral hinge, and can be joined to the cap by a second integral hinge. The opening tab and cap can have cooperating abutments that limit swinging motion of the opening tab relative to the cap. For example, with the cap in the closed position, the opening tab may be swung down alongside the body of the container. From the downward-swung position the tab may swing approximately 90 degrees upward before the cooperating abutments engage to provide increased leverage to pry the tab and cap farther upward for opening the container. Cooperating locking elements and/or tamper evident components can be provided on the cantilevered tab and body of the container. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a top front perspective of a flip top container in accordance with the present invention, illustrating an open condition of the container; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a top front perspective corresponding to  FIG. 1 , but with parts in different positions, illustrating a closed condition of the container; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a vertical section of the container of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic side elevation of a prior art container in a closed condition, but ready for opening, and  FIG. 5  is a corresponding side elevation of the container of  FIG. 4  with parts in different positions; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged fragmentary section of the upper portion of the container of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ,  FIG. 7  is a corresponding section with parts in different positions, and  FIG. 8  is another corresponding section with parts in different positions; 
           [0011]      FIG. 9  is a fragmentary top perspective of an alternative embodiment of a flip top container illustrating an open condition of the container,  FIG. 10  is a corresponding fragmentary top perspective illustrating a closed condition of the container of  FIG. 9 , and  FIG. 11  is another corresponding section illustrating a reopened condition of the container; the parts being shown diagrammatically to illustrate a tamper evident feature. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    A flip top container in accordance with the present invention can be used for storing or shipping any desired contents insertable into the hollow body of the container. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such products may include liquids, solids, particulates, and so on. As described in more detail below, the container typically will have a tight fitting cap that can be swung to a position to seal the otherwise open end of the body of the container and reliably stay in the closed position until opening is desired. In accordance with the present invention, the cap is provided with a cantilevered, hinged opening tab which cooperates with the cap during reopening. 
         [0013]    The container  10  in accordance with the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  is formed from a single piece of a suitable plastic, which may be determined by the intended contents and the desired fit of the component parts of the container. In the representative embodiment illustrated, the container has a substantially cylindrical, thin walled body or vial  12  closed at the bottom  14  and having a top opening  16 . An annular peripheral flange  18  is positioned below the top opening  16  and has a flat top surface. A T-shaped latch block  20  projects down from the flange  18 . The top portion of the vial can have a slightly enlarged rim  22 . 
         [0014]    A short hinge tab  24  projects horizontally outward from the flange  18  directly opposite from the latch block  20 . A flip top cap  26  for the vial is joined to tab  24  by an integral hinge  28 . The cap has a peripheral wall defining a central depression  30  sized to receive the portion of the vial between its top and the peripheral flange  18 . The interior of the cap depression is formed with a circumferential groove  32  to tightly receive the top rimmed portion  22  of the vial when the cap is swung from the open condition shown in  FIG. 1  to the closed condition shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The cap  26  can include a bevel  34  at the opening of the depression  30  to assist in guiding the cap down over the vial as the cap is swung closed. 
         [0015]    A cantilever opening tab  36  is joined to the cap  26  by a second integral hinge  38  that extends parallel to the first hinge  28 , but at the opposite side of the cap depression  30 . The opening tab has a pair of spaced latch fingers  40  which flank an opening or aperture  42  that extends through tab  36 . The free end portion  44  of the cantilever tab  36  extends generally oppositely from the integral hinge  38 . 
         [0016]    The cap  26  can be swung through an angle of approximately  180  degrees from the open position shown in  FIG. 1  to the closed position shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The flange  18  of the vial  12  limits insertion of the cap downward over the top of the vial. With the cap closed, the tab  36  can be swung an additional  90  degrees to an upright orientation in which it extends down alongside the upright wall of the vial. In such position, the free end portion  44  is spaced outward from the adjacent wall of the vial, a substantial distance below the flange  18 . Cooperating abutments are formed on the cap  26  and tab  36 , namely, cap abutments  46  and tab abutments  48 . The cap abutments  46  can be short stubs that project from the side of the cap toward (and close to) the integral hinge  38 . Abutments  48  can be upright walls that extend along opposite sides of the tab  36  toward (and close to) the hinge  38 . The outer edges of the stubs  46  extend vertically in alignment with the upper edges of the walls  48 . 
         [0017]    As best seen in  FIG. 3 , in the closed position of the cap the top edge portions  22  of the vial fit tightly in the groove  32  of the cap.  FIG. 3  also illustrates the spacing between the upright wall of the vial  12  and the free end portion  44  of the tab  36 . In this embodiment, the latch block  20  projecting from the wall of the vial is sized to be grasped snugly between the latch fingers  40  at opposite sides of the opening  42 . 
         [0018]    As noted at the outset, the container can be used for storing or shipping any desired contents. Nevertheless, container  10  is particularly adapted for use with contents for which a hermetic seal within the container is desired. Examples are samples and/or suspension or buffer solutions, or reagents used in sample collecting systems. Representative collecting systems are those used for drug testing, medical testing, environmental sampling (for food processing, for example), and so on. In such cases, the sample or a swab used to collect a sample may be inserted into and then sealed within the container and shipped to a laboratory for analysis. Buffer solutions and/or reagents may be preloaded into the vial. To achieve the desired hermetic seal, the cap of the container must fit tightly over the top of the vial, and sometimes the reliability of the closure is enhanced by the latch fingers and tabs. The tighter the latch and the fit of the cap on the vial, the more force will be required to separate the parts during reopening. Not only can this be difficult, but jostling, spilling, or contamination can result. 
         [0019]    For example,  FIGS. 4 and 5  diagrammatically illustrate a common procedure for reopening a conventional flip top vial  100 . A latch tab  136  may be provided but typically fits close against the wall of the vial when closed. If a tight, reliable latch is used, swinging the tab  136  upward to the position of  FIG. 4  can be difficult. Thereafter, the cap  126  is pried upward from one narrow edge as represented in  FIG. 5 . If the cap fits tightly, substantial force is required, and the cap may pop open resulting in loss of some of the contents. Another possibility is contamination of the container by contact with part of the hand as the thumb is used to pry the cap open. 
         [0020]    In the present invention, however, as best seen in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8 , the opening tab  36  is designed to achieve increased leverage during opening and decreased possibility of contamination. In the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the free end portion  44  of the opening tab  36  extends down below the latch block  20 . Preferably the lower end of the opening tab  36  when closed is spaced below the block  20  a distance at least as great as the distance from the lower edge of the block to the top of the circumferential flange  18  from which it extends. In addition, the free end portion  44  of the opening tab  36  is curved outward to form a finger notch or depression  50  and to provide the increased space between end portion  44  and the adjacent side of the vial  12 . 
         [0021]    The opening tab  36  forms a first class  2  lever with the integral hinge joint  38  being the fulcrum. Consequently, increased leverage is provided for a smooth, convenient, and reliable unlatching of the opening tab even if the latch fingers  40  tightly grasp the latch block  20 . During opening the user&#39;s thumb fits in the depression  50  at a location remote from the vial  12 . 
         [0022]    When tab  36  is swung to the horizontal orientation of  FIG. 7 , the abutments  46  and  48  engage, at which point a longer class  2  lever is effectively formed, with the integral hinge joint  28  at the opposite side being the fulcrum. Increased leverage makes for easier, smoother, and more reliable opening by prying of the cap  26  upward without risk of contamination of the rim of the vial or its contents by contact with the finger as the cap is moved to the open position as shown in  FIG. 8 . The parts can be proportioned for a tighter seal without jeopardizing the integrity of the contents or requiring special tools or a special opening procedure. 
         [0023]    A container in accordance with the present invention can be modified to have a tamper-evident component, which will immediately indicate whether or not the vial has been opened or reopened. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11 , the tamper-evident component has a narrow stem  52  joined to the latch block  20 . Wings  54  are angled oppositely from the stem and will squeeze together to fit through the opening  42  of the tab  36  when it is closed to the condition of  FIG. 10 . The wings then inherently spring to the outward-swung condition in which they overlie the margins of the tab  36  adjacent to the opening  42 . The stem is engineered such that it will not withstand the force of reopening when the tab  36  is swung back up. As indicated in  FIG. 11 , the broken stem remains, providing and immediate and reliable indication that the container has been reopened. It is thus assured that the container will not be reused by mistake, and it is also indicated if the container has been purposefully or inadvertently reopened which could contaminate the contents. 
         [0024]    While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.