US5257708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plastic snap hinge closure
Assignee: Medisize Schweiz AG
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Filing: 1993-03-18
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Granted: 1993-11-02
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Expires: 2013-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A plastic snap hinge closure having tension elements disposed on a plastic closure including a lower part and an upper part which are connected with each other via a main hinge A desired snap effect is achieved by means of lengths of the tension elements which can be changed by the action of a pull. The tension elements extend in planes between the attachment points. Each tension element has partial sections which cause the change in length. The partial sections are either C-shaped, U-shaped, or O-shaped. The tension elements permit a maximum percentage change of length of each tension element of approximately 10% to 50%.
Inventors
- 👤 Werner F. Dubach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:36
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D47/00; B65D47/04; B65D47/06; B65D47/08; B65D47/0804; B65D47/0809; B65D47/0814
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
In a plastic snap hinge closure having at least one first film hinge connecting a lower part and an upper part, and at least one tension element having two opposite end portions each attached to a corresponding closure wall of each of said lower part and said upper part, the improvement comprising: said at least one tension element comprising a plurality of adjacent partial sections forming a continuously elastic strap in a closed position of said hinge closure, a second film hinge and a third film hinge per each said at least one tension element, said second film hinge formed between said upper part and each said at least one tension element, said third film hinge formed between said lower part and each said at least one tension element, each said continuously elastic strap lying within an approximate plane defined between said second film hinge and said third film hinge in said closed position, said adjacent partial sections meandering through a plurality of curved turns within said approximate plane, and during a pivotal movement of said upper part with respect to said lower part about an axis of rotation of said at least one first film hinge each said partial section elastically deforms to cause a change in a length of each said partial section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
In a plastic snap hinge closure having at least one first film hinge connecting a lower part and an upper part, and at least one tension element having two opposite end portions each attached to a corresponding closure wall of each of said lower part and said upper part, the improvement comprising: said at least one tension element comprising a plurality of adjacent partial sections forming a continuously elastic strap in a closed position of said hinge closure, a second film hinge and a third film hinge per each said at least one tension element, said second film hinge formed between said upper part and each said at least one tension element, said third film hinge formed between said lower part and each said at least one tension element, each said continuously elastic strap lying within an approximate plane defined between said second film hinge and said third film hinge in said closed position, said adjacent partial sections meandering through a plurality of curved turns within said approximate plane, and during a pivotal movement of said upper part with respect to said lower part about an axis of rotation of said at least one first film hinge each said partial section elastically deforms to cause a change in a length of each said partial section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
In a closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said at least one first film hinge is positioned on a console protruding outward with respect to said corresponding closure wall of each of said lower part and said upper part.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second film hinge and said third film hinge of said at least one tension element are aligned with said closure walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second film hinge and said third film hinge of said at least one tension element are positioned parallel to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second film hinge and said third film hinge of said at least one tension element are positioned at an angle with respect to each other within said approximate plane in said closed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a closure in accordance with claim 5, wherein there are two of said at least one tension element which are symmetrically positioned on both sides of said at least one first film hinge which hingedly connects said lower part and said upper part.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
In a closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein each partial section of said at least one tension element extends arcuately in said plane between said second film hinge and said third film hinge in said closed position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a closure in accordance with claim 7, wherein said partial sections arcuately verge into each other and form said continuously elastic strap which meanders in said approximate plane between said second film hinge and said third film hinge in said closed position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
In a closure in accordance with claim 7, wherein each said partial section is C-shaped.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
In a closure in accordance with claim 7, wherein each said partial section is U-shaped.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
In a closure in accordance with claim 7, wherein each said partial section is O-shaped.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
In a closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said partial sections of said at least one tension element are positioned so that they meander in a serpentine fashion in said approximate plane between said second film hinge and said third film hinge in said closed position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein there are two of said at least one first film hinge and one of said at least one tension element, said one tension element positioned between said two first film hinges wherein said two first film hinges hingedly connect said lower part to said upper part.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
In a closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein there is one of said at least one first film hinge and two of said at least one tension element, each said tension element is positioned on opposite sides of said one first film hinge which hingedly connects said lower part and said upper part.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
In a closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein a material thickness of said partial sections is significantly less than a wall thickness of said closure walls in an area of said second film hinge and said third film hinge.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one tension element is elastically deformable between 2% and 25% of an at rest length of said one tension element.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-01 | 1997-05-03 | 1997-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-01 | 2001-05-03 | 2001-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-01 | 2005-05-03 | 2005-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |