Container with Automatic Opening Lid

• US 20110006060A1
• Filed: 07/08/2009
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: THN Shong Industrial Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: THN Shong Industrial Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Lin, Tsong-Yow
• Granted Patent: US 8,174,216 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/201
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/26 Mechanisms for opening or closing, e.g. pedal-operated for refuse receptacles B65F1/1623
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1607 with filling openings
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1638 Electromechanically operated lids

Abstract

A lid assembly for a container includes a lid engaging device, a transmission assembly mounted on the lid engaging device, and a lid including a first pivotal section and a second pivotal section disposed opposed to each other. The first and second pivotal sections define an imaginary axis “A” extended therebetween, and the first and second pivotal sections are mounted on the lid engaging device. The first pivotal section is engaged with the transmission assembly. The lid is pivoted automatically by the transmission assembly. The lid is pivotal about the imaginary axis “A” and is moveable between an open position that enables items to be put in the container and a closed position in which the lid prevents items to be put in the container.

Claims

1. A lid assembly for a container comprising:

a lid engaging device;

a transmission assembly mounted on the lid engaging device;

a lid including a first pivotal section and a second pivotal section extending from a circumferential edge thereof and disposed opposed to each other, with the first and second pivotal sections defining an imaginary axis “

A”

extended therebetween, with the first and second pivotal sections mounted on the lid engaging device, and with the first pivotal section engaged with the transmission assembly; and

wherein the lid is pivoted automatically by the transmission assembly; and

wherein the lid is pivotal about the imaginary axis “

A” and

is moveable between an open position that enables items to be put in the container and a closed position in which the lid prevents items to be put in the container.

2. The lid assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lid includes a first portion and a second portion on two sides of the imaginary axis “

A”

, with the first portion having a first weight and the second portion having a second weight, and with the first weight equaling to the second weight.

3. The lid assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the imaginary axis “

A”

extends transversely to an imaginary axis “

B” and

crosses at an intersection, with the imaginary axis “

B”

extending between first and second points on the circumferential edge of the lid, with the intersection spaced from the first point at a first radial distance, with the intersection spaced from the second point at a second radial distance, and with the first and second radial distances equaling to each other.

4. The lid assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transmission assembly includes a circuit board, a motor connected to the circuit board, and a transmission member driven by the motor and engaged with the first pivotal section.

5. The lid assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the first pivotal section includes an engaging hole, with the transmission member including a rotatable shaft engaged in the engaging hole and rotatably moved by the motor, and with the lid pivoted under rotation of the shaft.

6. The lid assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the shaft includes a plurality of teeth, with the engaging hole including a plurality of recess engaged with the plurality of teeth respectively.

7. The lid assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the transmission assembly includes a sensor for transmitting electric signals to the circuit board so that the circuit board controls a rotational direction of the motor and a rotational direction of the lid.

8. The lid assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lid includes a protrusion formed on the second pivotal section, with the protrusion engaged with a positing-limiting member, with the positing-limiting member rotatable with the lid and including a first limiting edge and a second limiting edge extending radially in two directions respectively, with the lid engaging device including a stopper selectively engaging with the first limiting edge and the second limiting edge, with the first limiting edge engaged with the stopper as the lid is in the closed position, and with the second limiting edge engaged with the stopper as the lid is in the open position.

9. The lid assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a protection cap mounted on the lid engaging device, with the protection cap concealing the transmission assembly and including an opening having a cross sectional area greater than a cross sectional area of the lid in order to enable the lid to be moved to the open position without being interfered by the protection cap.

10. The lid assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lid engaging device includes a hole extending therethrough and a wall delimiting the hole, with the lid pivotally connected on the wall, with the wall including a first pivotal connection and a second pivotal connection opposite to the first pivotal connection, and with the first pivotal section mounted on the first pivotal connection, and with the second pivotal section mounted on the second pivotal connection.

11. The lid assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the lid engaging device includes a blocking member extending from and disposed within an outer perimeter of the wall, with the blocking member engagable with the lid in order to stop rotation of the lid, with the blocking member engaged with the lid when the lid is in the closed position, and with the blocking member disengaged from the lid when the lid is in the open position.

12. The lid assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the sensor is a heat-sensing device.

13. The lid assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the sensor is a touch-sensing device.

14. The lid assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the sensor is a movement-sensing device.