CA1239763A

CA1239763A - Two part snap hinge

Info

Publication number: CA1239763A
Application number: CA000471068A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Michael Joyce
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-01-06
Filing date: 1984-12-27
Publication date: 1988-08-02
Also published as: DE3500174A1; DK166315C; FR2559196A1; GB8432301D0; US4503991A; FR2559196B1; DK166315B; ES295639U; ATA2085A; ES293044Y; ZA8585B; IT1209611B; SE8406465D0; GB2152579A; CH663771A5; AT397951B; ES293044U; ES295639Y; IT8519023A0; JPS60183357A

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A snap-action hinge includes a swingable portion having a first thickness, a reference portion having a second thickness, at least one of these portions being substantially planar, and a substantially linear connecting portion having a reduced thickness substantially less than the first and second thicknesses. The connecting portion is integral with the swingable and reference portions and extends continuously between first and second points in a manner such that the connecting portion follows a bowed path which is displaced from a straight line connecting the first and second points, whereby upon swinging the swingable portion about the connecting portion the swingable portion swings through an intermediate unstable position such that the planar portion has a first bowed configuration on one side of the intermediate position and a second bowed configuration on the other side of the intermediate position. The bowed configurations comprising stable positions relative to the intermediate unstable position whereby the planar portion is urged by stress created therein into one of the stable positions when displaced therefrom.

Description

~3~33 TWO PART SNAP HINGE
'this invention relates to an improved biasing or snap hinge preferably made of two thermoplastic parts connected together by an integral reduced portion.
One of the most significant design innovations made 5 possible by the introduction of plastic materials was the concept of the integral hinge, sometimes referred to as the living hinge or film hinge The integral hinge has been molded into a wide variety of products ranging from small bottle caps and jewelry boxes to large complex closures and housings Hinges with one 10 part biased toward either of two positions are also well known in the art. However, all of these biased hinges require a spring to achieve the snap or biasing action in addition to the two hinge members themselves.
'rho oil can principle is common in mechanic ' s oil 15 cans wherein the oil can bottom is domed or bowed outward at its center. To dispense oil, the mechanic presses the bow with his thumb forcing it through a flat configuration to a reverse bowed position and thus reducing the volume of the oil can forcing the oil out. When the thumb pressure is released, the 20 pressure is released, the internal forces stored in the distorted can bottom spring it back to its arched position.
In accordance with the present invention it has now been discovered that such a snap hinge can be provided which indirectly incorporates this oil can principle, and which includes 25 a singable portion, a reference portion, and a reduced connected portion there between, with the reduced connecting portion being integral with both the singable and reference portions, and extending continuously between a first point and a second point so that the reduced connecting portion follows a 30 path which is displaced from a straight line connecting the first and second points, so that upon swinging the singable portion about the reduced connecting portion, it swings through an immediate position, such that on either side of the intermediate position forces are created in the singable portion which tend 35 to urge it in a predetermined direction.
.

I

Fig. 1 is a side, cross-sectional view of a hinge according to the invention used in combination with a two piece closure;
Fig. 2 is a top view of the hinge and closure as 5 shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a side view of the closure shown in Fig. 1, with the lid closed;
Fig. 4 is a top view of the closure of Fig. 1, with the lid partially open;
Fig. 5 is a side view of the closure shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a front, cross-sectional view of the closure of Fig. 5, taken on line 6-6 thereof;
Fig. 7 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the hinge of the present invention in combination with a closure;
Fig. 8 is a top view of the hinge and closure shown in Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is an isometric view of the closure shown in Fig. 6, with the second hinge portion in an open position;
Fig. 10 is an isometric view of the closure shown in 20 Fib. 6, with both lid members closed;
Fig. 11 is a side, cross-sectional vie of the closure of Fig. 9, taken on line 11-11 thereof;
Fig. 12 is a top view of another embodiment of the hinge of the present invention, in combination with a container;
Fig. 13 is a front, isometric view of the hinge and container shown in Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is a side view of the hinge and container shown in Fig. 12;
Fig. 15 is a side, isometric view of another 30 embodiment of the hinge of the present invention;
Fig. 16 is a front, isometric view of the hinge shown in Figure 15;
Fig. 17 is a side, isometric view of the hinge shown in Fig. 15, in molding position;
Fig. 18 is a side, isometric view of the hinge shown in Fig. 15 with one hinge portion swung 180 from the position shown in Fig. 17;
`

7~9~9 Fig. 19 is a top view of another embodiment of the hinge of the present invention in combination with a container;
Fig . 20 is an isometric view of the ` hinge and container shown in Fig. 19, with the second hinge portion swung to a position 180 from the position shown in Fig. 19;
Fig. 21 is a side view of the hinge and container shown in Fig 19, showing in phantom view the second hinge portion swung 90 and 180 from the position shown in Fig. 20;
Fig. 22 is a side view of another embodiment of the 10 hinge of the present invention in combination with a container;
Fig. 23 is a side view of the hinge and container of Fig. 22, showing the cover in its intermediate position;
Fig. 24 is a top view of the hinge and container of Fig. 22;
Fig. 25 is an end view of the hinge and container of Fig. 22, with the cover swung 180 from the position shown in Fig. 22;
Fig. 26 is a front view of another embodiment of the hinge of the present invention, in combination with a closure;
Fig. 27 is a side view of the hinge and closure shown in Fig. 25, with the lid member and closure shown in molding position;
Fig. 28 is a top view of the hinge and closure shown in Fig. 27;
Fig. 29 is a side view of the hinge and closure shown in Fig. 22, with the lid in the closed position;
Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge and closure of Fig. 22, taken along line 30-30 of Fig. 29;
Fig. 31 is a top, isometric view of another 30 embodiment of the hinge of the present invention in combination with a container;
Fig. 32 is a side cross-sectional view of the hinge of Fig. 31, taken along lines 32-32 thereof;
Fig. 33 is a partial, top, elevation Al view of a 35 portion of the hinge and container of Fig. 31, shown with the lid open;

. .

~3~37~

Fig. 34 is a top, elevation Al view of the hinge and closure of Fig. 31, with the lid in the closed position;
Fig 35 is a partial, elevation Al view ` of another embodiment of the hinge of the present invention in combination 5 with a container;
Fig. 36 is a front, isometric view of another embodiment of the hinge of the present invention in combination with a container;
Fig. 37 is a side, elevation Al view of the hinge and 10 container of Fig. 36;
Fig. 38 is a top, elevation Al view of another embodiment of the hinge of the present invention in combination with a container;
Fig. 39 is a top, elevation Al view of the hinge and 15 container of Fig. 38, with the lid partially closed;
Fig. 40 is a top, elevation Al view of another embodiment of the hinge of the present invention in combination with a closure, with the lid open;
Fig. 41 is a top, elevation Al view of the hinge and 20 closure of Fig. 40, with the lid closed;
Fig. 42 is a top, isometric view of another embodiment of the hinge of the present invention in combination with a container, and Fig. 43 is a top, isometric view of the hinge and 25 closure shown in Fig. 42, with the lid partially closed.
Now with more particular reference to the various embodiments of the invention, several examples of the application and function of the two part snap hinge according to this invention will be discussed.
In reviewing these embodiments, however, it should be realized that in each case the applicant has created a novel snap hinge by providing a deformation in one of the hinge members so as to change its shape in a manner such that, in use of the hinge, energy can be transferred to the other hinge 35 member, and these hinge members are thus biased by that released energy in the direction of one of two stable positions on ."

I 33~

either side of a central, unstable position. In this manner, the internal stresses set up in the hinge itself function in the manner of a spring, biasing the hinge members to one or the other of these two stable positions. The hinges of the present 5 invention can be made from any resilient thermoplastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene or similar polymers, while on the other hand it can also be made of flexible thermosetting materials such as urethanes or flexible thermosetting elastomers such as rubber.
referring to the Figures, in which like numerals refer to like portions thereof, in Figures 1 through 6, a closure 15 is shown having a cylindrical side wall and a top 28 with a flat top surface. Iris type of closure could, for example, be internally threaded to be applied to the threaded neck of a 15 bottle. The top has a dispensing opening 21 and a ponytail receiving opening lo.
rho lid 10 of the closure 15 has a ponytail 26 integrally formed thereon, with a head 20. The lid lo is hinged to the closure at hinge 25, and the lid lo itself includes a 20 hinge 13 integrally created between two hinge elements 11 and 12, which in this case also constitutes the entire lid lo When the first hinge portion 11 is swung to the closed position shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6, the ponytail 26 enters the opening 19 and the head 20 is forced through the opening, and being made of a resilient material the head returns to its original size after passing through the opening lo to hold -the ponytail 26, preventing ;; the ponytail from withdrawal. The ponytail 26 is sufficiently short that when it is pushed through the opening 19 to move the head 20 below the bottom of the top 28, the lid member and 30 hinge portion if is bowed downward to conform generally to a portion of a cylinder, as is shown in Figure 6. The hinge member 11 has a peripheral flange 17 which rests on the top 28 of the closure 15 when the first hinge portion is swung into the position shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6. The head 20 will underlie 35 the top 28 and hold the first hinge member 11 in this bowed or distorted configuration, bowed about a radius that is ` ...--, perpendicular to the top surface of the hinge portion 11. The first hinge member 11 is singable attached to the closure 15 by integral hinge 25, while the second hinge portion 12 its hinged to the first hinge portion 11 by the integral reduced connecting 5 position 13. The edge of the second hinge portion 12 attached to reduced connecting portion 13 will be bowed or distorted due to the force exerted on it by a force transferred to the first hinge portion 11 when it is in the bowed configuration shown in Figure 6. The forces exerted on the second hinge portion 12 by 10 first hinge portion 11 in this configuration will distort and bias it toward the position shown in Figure 3. Should the hinge portion 12 then be moved manually further from the position shown in Figure 3, the distortion then created in the first hinge portion 11 will tend to be straightened as the second hinge 15 portion 12 is moved toward the position shown in Figures 4 through 6. In the position shown in Figures 4 through 6 the second hinge portion 12 will be disposed generally at right angles to the first hinge portion 11, and the beam action of the hinge portion 12 will tend to straighten the hinge portion 11, and at the same time warp hinge portion 12, thereby exerting a balanced force which will not tend to bias the hinge portion 12.
It should also be understood that while in this embodiment the intermediate, unstable condition is created when the two hinge portions are disposed generally at right angles with respect to each other, this does not necessarily have to be the case in all situations. Different angles could thus exist at which this intermediate, unstable condition is created. in any event, in this particular case, the stresses on the hinge portion 12 will distort it or warp it somewhat into the shape of the 30 configuration shown in Figure 4 when viewed from above. This is what has been referred to as its unstable or intermediate configuration. When the hinge portion 12 is then swung further toward the open position; i.e. with the second hinge portion 12 in contact with the first hinge portion 11, the biasing force 35 tending to straighten the warped shape of the hinge portion 12 will exert a biasing force which will tend to swing the hinge portion 12 into that open position .
.:, .

:

Therefore, the second hinge portion or lid member 12 will be biased toward the closed position shown in Figure 3 when it is moved beyond the position shown in Figure 4 or 5 toward the closed position, in which the pin 22 blocks the dispensing opening 21. On the other hand, the second hinge portion or lid portion 12 will be biased toward a partially open position when it is moved to the left in the configuration shown in Figures 4 and 5, to an open position in which the two hinge portions if and 12 are in parallel abutment with each other. In this manner it can be seen that the overall hinge made up of hinge portions 11 and 12 and reduced connecting portion 13, when operated in this manner, can be described as including a reference portion 11 which remains stationary and a singable portion 12 which swings between closed and open positions through an intermediate, unstable position there between.
When it is thus desired to dispense material through the opening 21, lid member 12 will be swung beyond the position shown in Figure 5, and it will be biased toward the fully open position 180 from the position shown in Figure 3 by the internal I forces stored in the resilient material making up the hinge portions 11 and 12, and in the position 180 from the position shown in Figure 3, the hinge portion 11 will have a reverse curvature to the curvature it has when in the position shown in Figure 6.
This closure can be molded in a two piece mold in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. The necessary bow to create the bias in the hinge will then be formed when lid member 11 is closed to the position shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6.
In that position ponytail 26 will hold lid member 11 in the shape of a portion of a cylinder.
Reference is next made to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7 through 11. In this case a hinge according to this invention is applied to a lid 110 of a closure 116. Closure 116 has a generally flat top 124 with a I dispensing opening 122 and a ponytail receiving opening 119 in it.
The closure 116 may also be internally threaded. The first lid ,. .

, ` ' I I

portion 111 is singable connected to the closure 116 by means of an integral hinge 125. The lid 110 is itself made up of a first portion 111 and a second portion 112. Each of these lid portions 111 and 112 has a peripheral downwardly extending flange, and the lid members are concave, as best shown in Figure 10. When the first portion 111 is swung into the position shown in Figure 10, the ponytail I is received in the hole 119, and it will hold the first lid portion 111 in the position shown in Figures 9-11. When portion 112 is in the position shown in Figures 9 and 11, a stress will be introduced between -the lid portions 111 and 112, due to the distortion of lid portion 111, thus biasing the lid portion 111 toward the open position shown in Figures 9 and 11. Ponytail 126 will thus bias the lid portion 111, which would, in turn, create a curvature in member 112, and therefore the bias function will be like that of the hinge of Figures 1 through 6.
If the lid portion 112 is swung from the position shown in Figure 9 -toward the position shown in Figure 10, when it passes the intermediate or vertical position it will be distorted by the lid portion 111, which will then bias the lid portion 112 toward the closed position shown in Figure 10.
A suitable latch 130 can also be provided for the lid portion 111, of a type familiar to those skilled in the art, to hold it in the fully closed position shown in Figure 10.
Furthermore, the closure shown in Figures 7 and 8 can be molded in one piece, in the position shown therein, in a two piece mold. The lid can thus have a concave top with a curved hinge line or reduced connecting portion 113 as shown.
Reference is next made to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 12, 13 and 14. In this embodiment the hinge 210 includes a first or reference hinge portion 211, a second or singable hinge portion 212, and an integral reduced connecting portion 213, whereby the singable portion 212 can swing from position A through the intermediate position B, to position C, as shown in Figure 14. In this embodiment the distortion in the reduced connecting portion and in the reference , ,, ,~, . -' portion 211 is not created by the use of the ponytail type arrangement discussed above, but in a more preferred embodiment is actual lye created by molding these portions in that distorted configuration. The plate-like hinge members are thus molded in S the distorted configuration which is shown in Figure 13 as being a concave surface in the form of a part of a sphere having a radius perpendicular to hinge member 211, which in turn causes the reduced connecting portion 213 to follow the curved path shown therein. The operation of hinge portions 212 and 211 is 10 now similar to operation of the corresponding parts in Figures 1 through 6. When hinge portion 212 is in the molding position of Figure 12, there will be no added stress in the hinge portion, i.e. the curvature of hinge portion 212 follows or corresponds to that of hinge portion 211. When portion 212 is then swung into 15 position I shown in full lines in Figure 14, the hinge portion 212 will be forced into the form of a curve reversed to that shown in Figure 12. Thus, the stresses introduced in the two hinge portions during this swinging movement will be analogous to those introduced in the hinge portions in the first 20 two described embodiments of the invention, and hinge portion 212 will be biased from the intermediate or unstable position B toward the position C or toward the position A, depending on which side of the intermediate position B it happens to be on at a particular time.
Reference is next made to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 15 through 18. These Figures show a hinge 510 made up of a first or reference hinge portion 511, a second or singable hinge potion 5l2, and a reduced, integral connecting portion 513 there between. The reduced connecting 30 portion connecting the edges of the two hinge portions 511 and 512 is molded so that the hinge is bowed into the arc of a circle having its radius parallel to portion 511. Thus, the reduced connecting portion is distorted so that it follows a path which is displaced from the straight line connecting its two ends. The 35 hinge 510 is shown in Figure 17 in a shape in which it has second hinge portion 512 in the form of a part of a cylinder -I

having a radius perpendicular to its surface. When the hinge 510 is now swung into the position shown in Figures 15 and 16, as it swings through an intermediate or unstable position, which in this case is at an angle of about 45, or between the 90 displaced positions in Figures 17 and 16, it is distorted, and then snaps into the stable position shown in Figure 16.
Furthermore, this hinge could be molded in the position shown in Figure 17, but it would be far more preferable to mold it in the position shown in Figure 16. In any event, when the hinge portion 512 is swung further, toward the position shown in Figure 18, it now swings through a second intermediate or unstable position, in this case at an angle of about 135 or between the 90 displaced positions in Figures 16 and 18, in which case it is again distorted, and then snaps into the stable position shown in Figure 18. This hinge shown in Figures 15 through 18 can thus be used in a variety of applications where a biased hinge is required, including as a lid for various closures and containers. ivory, while its principal may be employed in a wide variety of such applications, distinct differences in its mode of operation will arise in many such cases, particularly where the reference portion 511, for example, is affixed to stationary walls of containers, for example, and where the transfer of energy discussed above is not permitted to occur in that manner, or does not occur at all. in each such case, however, the basic structure and principals of operation of the hinge shown in Figures 15-18 are employed therein.
Reference is next made to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 19 through 21. These Figures show a hinge 310 along with a portion of a container including downwardly extending flanges 316 and 317 supported on a base 318. The plate-like hinge portions 311 and 312 may in this case be molded flat and portion 311 can then be bowed downward toward the base 318 by means of a screw 319, thereby bowing the top surface of plate-like hinge portion 311 into substantially the shape of a part of a cylinder having a radius of curvature perpendicular to the hinge portion 311. It will be ..

noted in Figure 19 that the second hinge portion 312 is forced by portion 311 into a bow that is conformed to the surface of the hinge portion 311 when in the molding position .
join the hinge portion 3l2 then swings through the 5 intermediate position b' shown in Figure 21 to the right hand position a ', in the intermediate position hinge portion 312 will be distorted to a warped shape again much like that of Figure 4. As the portion 312 is swung toward the position of Figure 20 (i.e. c' ) the portion 312 will be curved in the 10 opposite direction from the radius of the curve the hinge portion 312 has in position a'. Thus, when the hinge portion 312 swings from positions a' to c' shown in Figure 19, the hinge portion 3] 2 will be biased toward the position on either side of the intermediate position b ' . That is, the hinge will be biased 15 to swing open and to swing closed, depending on the side of the neutral position b ' that it is on at any particular time .
Reference is next made to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 22-25. In this embodiment a combined hinge and container 610 utilizing same is shown, with the hinge 20 including a first hinge portion 611, which in this case is molded with its upper end bowed about a radius of curvature parallel to the surface of the second hinge portion 612, which can thus be molded in the shape of a portion of a cylinder. The hinge line or reduced connecting portion is curved due to the curved 25 top of hinge portion 611. The container shown in conjunction with this hinge has a bottom 614, a top 612 comprising a second hinge portion, which again is molded in the bowed shape of a partial cylinder in the molding position shown in Figure 22, a flat front 616, and a back comprising the first hinge portion 611 30 having a curved top. The top edge of the hinge portion 611 is curved or bowed about a radius extending generally parallel to the plate-like hinge portion 611. The bowed top or hinge portion 612 has a straight edge attached to the curved top edge of the hinge portion 611, as is best shown in Figure 25, which 35 thus creates the reduced connecting portion 613, which thus singable, integrally connects the first hinge portion or , ., I., , :, back 6] 1 to second hinge portion or top 612. When the container is in the open position shown in Figure 22, it is in molding position, and introduces no added stress into the portion 612.
When the second hinge portion 612 is swung toward the position shown in Figure 25, a stress will be introduced between the hinge members by the straight end of hinge portion 612 swinging on the curved end of portion 611. This stress will tend to bias top 612 toward the open position. When the second hinge portion 612 then reaches the intermediate position shown in Figures 23 and 24, the stresses introduced in the hinge portions distorts them as indicated in Figure 24, which tends to bias the top 612 either toward the open position shown in Figure 22 or the closed position shown in Figure 25, depending on which side of the intermediate position shown in Figures 23 and 24 the member 612 is in at any particular time. Thus, the top will be biased to swing open or to swing dosed. Once again, this bow can be molded in a two piece motel in the position shown in Fig u no 22.
Reference is next made to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 26 through 30. In this case, the hinge is shown in conjunction with a closure 415, which could, for example, be a cap for a bottle internally threaded therefore.
The cap has a generally cylindrical side wall, and a top 416 with a dispensing hole 422. The lid 410 is made up of a first hinge portion 411, a second hinge portion 412, and an integral reduced connecting hinge portion 413 there between. It will be noted that the top 416 includes slot 426 which is undercut, as best shown in Figure 26, and the first hinge portion 411 is wider than the slot 426. The hinge portion 411 will thus be bowed downward in the shape of an inverted cylinder, as shown in Figure 30, when contained in slot 426, and it will therefore transmit a force through the integral hinge portion 413, and thus a distortion is created in the second hinge portion 412.
This distortion will be in the form of a bow having its radius of curvature perpendicular to the bottom of slot 426. The hinge portion 412 will thus be biased toward either the open or closed Tao position, like the hinge in the embodiment of Figures 1 through 6. When the hinge portions are thus swung to the closed position shown in Figures 26 and 29, from the open molding position shown in Figures 27 and 28, the first hinge portion 411 will 5 then be biased toward the closed position as shown in Figures 29 and 30. Then a distortion in the form of a curved hinge line 413 can be developed in the hinge members, which will bias the second hinge member 412 either to an open position or to a closed position. The closure and lid can be molded as one 10 integral piece in a two piece mold in the position shown in Figures 27 and 28. The portions 411 and 412 will thus be molded flat, and member 411 will be bowed when closed and forced into slot 426, as shown in Figure 30.
Referring next to the embodiment of the invention 15 shown in Figures 31-34, in this embodiment a container 710 is shown, including a base 714 upstanding side walls 717 and upstandirlg front wall 716. The hinge of the present invention thus includes the first hinge portion 711, which comprises the back wall of the container 710, the second hinge portion 712, 20 which comprises the cover of the container, and the integral, reduced connecting hinge portion 713 there between. In this embodiment, the distortion in the reduced connecting portion of the hinge 713 is created in a different manner. Thus, during the molding process the first hinge portion 711 is molded in a 25 manner such that at the seams 718 between the side walls 717 and the first hinge portion 711 forming the back wall of the closure, at the lower terminus aye thereof the actual seam between the ends of the first hinge portion 711, that is between points aye on either end thereof, forms a substantially straight I line connection. However, the first connecting portion 711 is molded in a distorted manner, so that at the upper end 718b of these seams 718, the integral, reduced connecting hinge portion 713 is bowed outwardly, and displaced from a straight line connecting points 718b from each other when the container is 35 in the as-molded or open lid position shown in Figures 31 and 33. thus, when viewing the cross-section of the first hinge portion 711, as shown in Figure 32, from its lower to its upper end ( representing the reduced connecting portion 713), that rear face is bowed outwardly to varying degrees, between the seam ends aye and 718b. In this manner, the second hinge 5 portion 712 ( representing the lid of the container ), is urged into this open position, as shown in Figure 31, and a force has to be exerted on this lid to close it. As the lid is moved towards the closed position by lifting the second hinge portion 712 and singable rotating it about the reduced connecting portion 713, 10 it approaches an intermediate position in which it is substantially parallel to the first hinge portion 711. In this distorted, unstable position it corresponds, for example, to the distortions shown in Figures 4 and 24 hereof. As the second hinge portion 712 is moved further towards the closed position, 15 as shown in Figure 34, the distortions in the first hinge portion are translated through the reduced connecting portion 713, which now flips over -to the other side of the straight line connecting points 718b, into the configuration shown in Figure 34. The second hinge portion or lid 712 is now urged into the closed 20 position and force is required to open the lid or rotate it in a clockwise direction as shown in Figure 34. Again, it is thus seen that on either side of this intermediate position the second hinge portion 712 is urged away from that position, alternately into the open position of Figure 31 and the closed position of 25 Figure 34.
Referring next to the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 35, this embodiment essentially corresponds to the embodiment discussed above and shown in Figures 31-34. The only difference in this case is that in the 30 open position as shown in Figure 35, instead of the first hinge portion 711 ' in this case being distorted in a gradual manner in the shape of an arc between points 718b ', in this case the first hinge portion representing the back face of the container 71l ' is molded so that between points 718b' when the container is in the 35 open position shown in Figure 35, the reduced connecting hinge portion 713' is distorted in a series of straight lines, creating aye the equivalent of the bowed effect shown in Figures 31 and 33.
Nevertheless, the reduced connecting portion 713' is still displaced from the straight line connecting points` 718b' from each other in the same general manner as was the case in the 5 embodiment shown in Figures 31-34.
Referring next to the embodiment of -the present invention shown in Figures 36 and 37, a cap 810 is shown, including a substantially cylindrical side wall 817, and a top portion 814 including an aperture 815 thereon. A portion of the 10 circular wall 817 comprises the first hinge portion 811, and has a substantially planar surface thus forming a chord with respect to the overall cylindrical shape of the wall 817. The second hinge portion 812 comprises a portion of the lid 817.
furthermore, the first and second hinge portions 8] 1 and 812 are 15 connected by an integral, reduced connecting hinge portion 8L3 there between. The two ends of the reduced connecting portion 813 are designated as points aye in Figure 37. In the molding operation the connection between these points is distorted so as to create a curved surface 813 there between, again displaced 20 from the straight line connecting these two points. In comparison to the embodiments discussed above, it can thus again be seen that the swinging of cap 817 from the open position shown in Figure 36 to the closed position, will create distortions in a similar manner to that discussed above in connection with other 25 such embodiments. In this case, however, in view of the fact that the first hinge portion 811 forms a portion of the overall surface of circular wall 817, forces created in first hinge portion 11 will be transmitted elsewhere, i . e . it will be ray then difficult to distort the first hinge portion 811. These forces will 30 thus be transmitted through the reduced connecting portion 813 into the second hinge portion 812. Therefore, in this case the second hinge portion 812 comprises only a portion of the overall lid 817, and is segregated therefrom by a further reduced integral portion 819, which is shown as having a basically 35 parabolic shape in Figures 36 and 37. In this manner, distortions in the second hinge portion 812 are segregated from ~3~7~

the remaining portion of the cap 817, and are basically retained within the second hinge portion 812. Indeed, in the embodiment shown in Figures 36 and 37 the thickness of the overall second hinge portion 812 is reduced as compared to the thickness of the remaining portion of cap 8179 again to accept these distortions created by the swinging movement of the cap portion 817 around the reduced connecting portion 813. Therefore, once again the cap 817 is urged to an open and closed position on either side of its intermediate position in which the first and second hinge portions 811 and 812 are basically parallel or in a common plane with respect to each other.
Referring to the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 38 and 39, the principle of the present invention is applied to a container as shown therein. The container 910 shown in Figures 38 and 39 includes a base 914, upstanding side walls 917, and upstanding front wall 916 In this case the first hinge portion go 1 again basically comprises the rear wall of the container 910, but in this case the second hinge portion 912 comprises only a portion of the overall lid 919 thereof. The first and second hinge portions 911 and 912 are again integral with a reduced connecting portion 913, which is bowed so as to be displaced from a straight line connecting the end points thereof. In this manner, the relationship between the first and second hinge portions 911 and 912 is the same as that of the first and second hinge portions 711 and 712 for the container shown in Figure 31, for example. However, in this easel in actual use the hinge represented by portions 911 and 912 need not ever operate in order to employ the present invention Its mere existence, however, effects the operation of the remaining portion of lid 919 which is connected to the second hinge portion 912 by reduced connecting portion 920. That is, when the second hinge portion 912 is in the closed position as shown in Figure 39, since it must follow the curvature of the reduced connecting portion 913, it will be concave downwardly, with its central portion lower than its ends. Because this second hinge portion 912 is integral with the remaining portion 919 of I

the cover through interconnecting hinge portion 920, a corresponding concave curvature is created in portion 919.
However, the degree of such curvature will be dissipated as one extends outwardly from reduced connecting portion 913, so that at the outer ends of portion 919, there will be very little such concavity produced. The concave shape created in portion 919 by the hinge of this invention thus creates a downward force which tends to close portion glue, again as shown in Figure 39. These forces are transmitted to portion 919 irrespective of the degree to which it is opened with respect to hinge 920 and the base portion of container 910. Furthermore even if the second hinge portion 912 is permanently sealed in the closed position, as shown in Figure 39, and thus never swings about reduced connecting portion 913, it nevertheless is considered to comprise the "singable" hinge portion of this invention, since its configuration creates the necessary forces in portion 9L9 and interconnecting hinge 920 Jo take advantage of those Forces in the finished product in question. Also, in the fully opened position as shown in Figure 38, in which this container 910 could be molded, the second hinge portion 912 is again concave downwardly as shown therein, again creating a similar curvature in portion 919.
Reference is next made to the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 40 and 41. In this embodiment, a container 1010 is shown, including a base 1014, a pair of upstanding side walls 1017, and an upstanding front wall 1016. A first hinge portion 1011, comprising -the rear wall of the container, is again provided much like the construction shown in Figure 31. However, the first hinge portion 1011 in this case extends upwardly only a portion of the overall height of the upstanding side walls 1016 and 1017 of the remaining portion of the container. The second hinge portion 1012 is then connected to the first hinge portion 1011 through the integral, reduced connecting portion 1013, which is again bowed so as to follow a path displaced from a straight line connecting the ends thereof.
To this extent the relationship between the first and second ~3~6~

hinge portions 1011 and 1012 is the same as that as discussed above in connection with Figure 31. Also in this case, the second hinge portion 1012 comprises only a portion of ` the lid for closure 1010. The remaining portion of the lid 1019 is hingedly 5 attached to the end of second hinge portion 1012 by reduced connecting hinge portion 1020. Thus, the remaining upper portion of the lid 1019 comprises a substantial portion of the entire lid.
However, the snap action created between first and second hinge portions 1011 and 1012 in this case causes the remaining portion 10 of the lid 1019 to extend in an open position as shown in Figure 40 and to completely cover the container in the manner shown in Figure 41.
Referring next to the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 42 and 43, a container 1020 is shown 15 therein. 'this container again includes a base 1024, upstanding side walls 1027 and an upstanding front wall 1026. This container 1020 also includes a rear wall 1025 of a conventional design, which, however, is not the full height of the front wall 1026. The rear and side walls 1025 and 1027, respectively, 20 are thus connected by a short sloping portion 1028 which thus forms a portion of the upper surface of the side wall 1027. 'rho first hinge portion 1021 is thus itself connected to the rear wall 1025 by means of an integral hinge 1029, which is of a conventional nature. Furthermore, the first hinge portion 1021 25 can include two upstanding pin members 1030, while the sloping portions 1023 can include two corresponding apertures 1031, so that when the first hinge portion 1021 is rotated about hinge 1029 the pins 1030 can enter apertures 1031 -to closable secure same. Second hinge portion 1022 comprises the remaining 30 portion of the lid of the container 1020, and the first and second hinge portions 1021 and 1022 are again integral with a reduced connecting hinge portion 1023 there between. Reduced connecting hinge portion 1023 again has the bowed configuration discussed above, so that its path is displaced from the straight 35 line connecting the ends thereof, again as shown in Figure 42.
thus, the snap action of the present invention is translated to . .

I

the second hinge portion 1022. In this manner, as is shown in Figure 43, when the first hinge portion 1021 is in a closed position as shown in Figure 43, with the pins 1()30 in the apertures 1031, etc., the second hinge portion 1022 can either be S in an open position in which it is substantially vertical, or it can swing around the bowed hinge portion 1023 to be in a fully closed position in abutment with the front and side walls 1026 and 1027 respectively.
It will be understood that the embodiments described 10 herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as cIefined in the appended claims.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A snap-action hinge including a swingable portion having a first thickness, a reference portion having a second thickness, at least one of said swingable portion and said reference portion being substantially planar, a substantially linear connecting portion having a reduced thickness substantially less than said first and second thicknesses, said connecting portion being integral with said swingable portion and said reference portion and extending continuously between a first point and a second point in a manner such that said connecting portion follows a bowed path which is displaced from a straight line connecting said first and second points, whereby upon swinging said swingable portion about said connecting portion said swingable portion swings through an intermediate unstable position such that said at least one of said swingable portion and said reference portion has a first bowed configuration on one side of said intermediate position and a second bowed configuration on the other side of said intermediate position, said first and second bowed configurations comprising stable positions relative to said intermediate unstable position whereby said at least one of said swingable portion and said reference portion is urged by stress created therein into one of said stable positions when displaced therefrom.

2. A snap-action hinge according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate unstable position comprises said swingable portion and said reference portion being coplanar, and wherein said linear connecting portion is bowed in the common plane of said swingable portion and said reference portion.

3. A snap-action hinge according to claim 1, wherein both said swingable portion and said reference portion are substantially planar, and said connecting portion lies in a plane which is substantially per-pendicular to the common plane of said swingable portion and said reference portion.

4. A snap-action hinge according to claim 1, wherein both said swingable portion and said reference portion are substantially planar, and when said swingable portion and said reference portion are in said intermediate unstable position they lie in a common plane, and wherein said connecting portion is bowed in that common plane.

5. A snap-action hinge according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said swingable portion, said reference portion, and said connecting portion comprise molded plastic.

6. A snap-action hinge according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said swingable portion comprises a closeable portion for a container and said reference portion comprises at least a portion of one wall of said container.

7. A snap-action hinge according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said reference portion includes a first end corresponding to said connecting portion and a second end displaced from said connecting portion, wherein said reference portion comprises a plurality of paths between said first and second ends having a degree of curvature which is substantially continuously reduced as compared to that of said path of said connecting portion.

8. A snap-action hinge according to claim 1, wherein said swingable portion, said reference portion, and said reduced connecting portion comprise thermoplastic material.

9. A snap-action hinge according to claim 1, wherein said swingable portion, said reference portion, and said reduced connecting portion comprise thermosetting material.

10. A snap-action hinge according to claim 1, including a reduced portion having a predetermined shape abutting said connecting portion and being integral with said swingable portion, said reduced portion having a reduced thickness as compared to said first thickness.

11. A snap-action hinge according to claim 1, further including a reference hinge member attached to said reference portion whereby said reference portion may be caused to swing about said reference hinge member between first and second reference portion positions.

12. A snap-action hinge according to claim 11, wherein said reference hinge member is integral with said reference portion.

13. A snap-action hinge according to claim 11, wherein said swingable portion, said reference portion, and said connecting portion form the lid for a container.

14. A snap-action hinge according to claim 1, wherein said singable portion comprises a portion of a lid for a container.

15. A snap-action hinge according to claim 14, wherein said singable portion is thinner than said remaining portion of said lid.

16. A snap-action hinge according to claim 1, wherein said reference portion and said singable portion comprise a lid for a container.

17. A snap-action hinge according to claim 16, wherein said reference portion is connected to a wall of said container by means of a linear hinge member.

18. A snap-action hinge according to claim 17, wherein said reference portion includes locking means for locking said reference portion to the wall of a container.