# US 2019/0168960 A1 · Device for opening and closing container lids

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- Number: US 2019/0168960 A1
- Document ID: US20190168960A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/171,257
- Filed: 2018-10-25
- Published: 2019-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 2017-12-01
- Assignees: Grifols Worldwide Operations Limited
- Applicants: Grifols Worldwide Operations Limited
- Inventors: Joan Oriols Gaja
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168960A1

## CPC

- B65D 90/10: Manholes; Inspection openings; Covers therefor
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES

## Abstract

A device for opening and closing container lids is configured for controlling the movement of a lid during the opening and closing of the lid. The device includes a fixed plate, which is connected to the container, a spring, which generates a force on the lid, the magnitude of which varies according to the relative position of the lid, and a common rotary shaft that hinges the lid to the fixed plate. The lid receives force of the spring at a point that is remote from the common rotary shaft such that the force exerted by the spring compensates for the weight of the lid.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for opening and closing container lids in order to control the movement of a lid during opening or closing thereof, wherein the device comprises:
a) a fixed plate which is connected to the container;
b) a spring, which generates a force on the lid, the magnitude of which varies according to the relative position of the lid; and
c) a common rotary shaft that hinges the lid to the fixed plate;
wherein the lid is configured to receive the force of the spring at a point that is remote from the common rotary shaft such that the force exerted by the spring compensates for the weight of the lid.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the spring is connected to the fixed plate by a hinge.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the spring is connected to the lid by a hinge.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, further comprising a movable structure which is connected to the lid and hinged to the fixed plate by the common rotary shaft.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device according to claim 4, further comprising a bar that is hinged with respect to the movable structure and with respect to the fixed plate, the longitudinal axis of the bar coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the spring.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The device according to claim 4, wherein the spring is arranged between the fixed plate and a retaining nut, such that when the lid makes an opening or closing movement, wherein the movable structure is configured to rotate about the common rotary shaft causing a change in the length of the spring.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The device according to claim 4, wherein the common rotary shaft is a first bolt that hinges the movable structure and the fixed plate, whereas the hinge between the movable structure and the bar is a second bolt.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, further comprising a recess in the fixed plate, wherein the recess has a shape that matches the travel of the second bolt, thus allowing said bolt to be received, such that when the lid has reached the open position, one end of the second bolt contacts a wall of the recess.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein one end of the fixed plate is at a substantially lower height than the position of an upper corner of the recess in the fixed plate, such that said end acts as a stop against the lid in the open position.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, further comprising a handle, the longitudinal axis thereof coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the spring.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the handle connects at the top to the bar by at least one fixing sleeve and at the bottom to the upper portion of the spring, such that the force exerted by the spring is received by the upper portion of the handle, transferring said force in turn to the bar, which in turn transfers said force to the movable structure via the second bolt.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the spring is a spring that is always tensioned, apart from when the lid is at 90°.

### Claim 13 (depends on 4)

The device according to claim 4, wherein the device comprises two movable structures and two fixed plates.

### Claim 14 (depends on 4)

The device according to claim 4, wherein the movable structures and the fixed plates have the shape of a rigid, planar plate.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

A container system comprising a container, a lid and the lid-opening device of claim 1 for controlling the movement of the lid.