EP2125549B1 - Cap for spray device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cap comprising a base with means for fixing it to a container, a top fixed to the base by a hinge, closure means consisting of a first closure means and a second closure means, one on the base and the other on the top, the closure means working together to keep the top in a first position in which it is closed against the base, release means for moving apart from each other the first closure means and the second closure means and means for lifting the top. In accordance with the invention, the means for lifting the top consist of at least one leaf spring, one of whose ends is fixed to the base and the other of whose ends is able to slide on the bowl of the top, the leaf spring being under tension when the top is closed, and being relaxed or partially relaxed when the top is in the fully open position. This cap is particularly intended for use as a spray head for a spray device.

Description

The invention relates to a cap according to the preamble of claim 1. This cap is particularly intended to serve as a spray head for a spray.

The diffusers generally consist of a bottle provided with an aerosol valve and a cap provided with a push button for actuating the valve of the bottle. In order to prevent the push button from being actuated inadvertently, it is common to provide means for blocking the push button. Another solution is to make it accessible only at the time of use. For this, a cap is provided on the base of the cap to hide the spray head. This cap is attached to the base by a hinge. Means are provided to keep the cap folded against the base, thus making the push button inaccessible. A cap provided on the cap, opposite the hinge, allows by exerting pressure upwards to open the cap.

If the means for retaining the cap are too flexible, it may open too easily, even when this is not desirable. If on the contrary they are too rigid, the user may have difficulty lifting the cap with the cap and may damage the nails.

The cap as unlocking means has the disadvantage of exceeding the envelope of the base. It may be hooked during storage or transport, for example in a toilet bag or in a purse, and the cap may inadvertently open into the bag at the risk of seeing the contents of the bottle s to spread there.

Document is known JP 2004352307 A a cap comprising a base and a cap attached to the base by a hinge. The cap may be retained in the closed position by hooks on the base and cooperating with recesses made in the cap. The base is provided with a nozzle and the cap of a sealing cylinder intended to cover the nozzle when the cap is folded down. To facilitate the opening of the cap when the closing means are unlocked, there is provided a flexible blade whose one end is fixed to the nozzle and the other end bears against the cylinder of nozzle cover. This flexible blade has many disadvantages. For example, if the cap is too folded in the open position, the end of the blade which bears against the sealing cylinder may deviate from it and not return to its place during the closure of the cap. To avoid this problem, it would be possible to give the blade a sufficient length so that it always remains in contact with this cylinder, but in this case, it may not be able to fold correctly in the closed space between the base and the cap closed. Another disadvantage comes from the fact that in the closed position, this blade is almost completely folded on itself. Such a blade could not be used for a pressurized bottle, because it could press the push button when the cap is closed and thus keep the valve open during the entire closure of the cap, which of course is the opposite of the desired effect. Finally, here again, the unlocking means protrude from the envelope of the cap and may be actuated accidentally during storage.

The document JP 2003054601 discloses a device to be placed on a drink can. The upper part, to be fixed on the face of the bobbin provided with the opening, is provided with a base, a cap connected to the base by a hinge and means for holding the cap in the closed position. To facilitate the opening of the cap when the unlocking means are actuated, there is provided a straw mounted spring. One end of the straw plunges into the bobbin while the other end bears against a curved insert fixed in the center of the cap when the latter is in the closed position. These means for lifting the cap are particularly complicated and involve many parts. They are far too expensive to be used on a single-use vial. In addition, this spring straw is supported on the front face of the base. This device for lifting the cap could therefore not be used with a spray cap. Indeed, this straw would be supported on the push button and trigger the spraying as the cap is closed, which is contrary to the desired effect. Another disadvantage lies in the fact that the end of the straw that must enter the mouth of the user, and which therefore keeps leftover drinks and saliva, bears against the bottom of the cap. Finally, here again, the unlocking means protrude from the envelope of the base and may therefore be actuated inadvertently during transport or storage.

Document is known JP 09142511 a cap provided with a base, a cap and means for holding the cap in the closed position. In addition, two Vertical spring blades on the base near the hinge and on the other hand two ribs inside the cap in front of the spring blades. When the cap is folded on the base, the ribs come to rest on the flat spring blades and bend. However, it is seen on one of the sections that these blades spring form a single piece with the cap and are made of the same material as the rest of said cap. In other words, these blades are made of the same material as the base, usually polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). In all cases, these materials have no shape memory and irreversibly deform if they undergo such bending. As a result, the means for lifting the cap proposed by this document can not work more than once or twice, the blades do not return to their initial vertical position after being kept bent. In addition, because of the use of the ribs, the spring blades have a necessarily reduced length which greatly limits their effectiveness. Finally, here again, the unlocking means protrude completely from the base and may therefore be actuated inadvertently.

Another type of cap is also known from the document US 5699912 .

The object of the invention is to facilitate the opening of the cap using means to lift that do not have the disadvantages mentioned above. Another object of the invention is to provide unlocking means which can not be operated inadvertently during transport or storage.

This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by virtue of the features of claim 1. The second end of the leaf spring sliding on the bottom of the cap, the blade can be relatively long and therefore does not need to be so arched than in the state of the art.

It is particularly advantageous for the spring leaf (s) to be made of a material other than the base, the base being preferably made of polypropylene (PP) or of high or low density polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE) and the leaf or blades preferably in a good shape memory plastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide (PA) or polypropylene terephthalate (PPT). Thus, one will choose a first material for the base and the cap which will be relatively rigid (to obtain or ensure a secure connection between said part and the bottle or housing aerosol) whose mechanical properties will be adapted for the realization of the hinge. For blades, on the contrary, we will choose a softer material with a good shape memory.

In practice, the leaf spring or blades can be overmolded on the base. It is also possible that the spring or blades is separate parts of the base on which they are fixed by mechanical anchoring means. It may be for example undercuts or seals.

In order to further lengthen the spring blade (s), the spring blade (s) are fixed in the lower part of the base opposite to the cap, slots can be made in the front surface of the base when it is provided with such a front surface to let the leaf or blades spring. Concretely, the first end is fixed on the base below the front surface of the base, the blade passes through the slot and comes to rest on the bottom of the cap when it is folded. The length of the slots is chosen so that the blade can bend freely without being obstructed by the slot. The longer the blade, the better the spring effect and the lower the tension to which it is subjected when closing the cap. In addition, the longer the blade, the longer the contact between the latter and the cap, which improves the guiding of the latter. It is also possible that the spring blades pass on both sides of the front surface of the base.

It is preferable to place the unlocking means in the base or in the cap so as not to exceed the envelope thereof. Envelope means the virtual geometric surface defined by the outer wall of the base or the cap respecting the general geometry thereof. The unlocking means are placed so that it does not exceed the location that would have the base or the cap if they had not been present.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first and the second closure means consist of a first shoulder and a second shoulder, at least one of the shoulders being placed on a support having a certain elasticity so that when of the flap movement of the cap, the flexible support deviates perpendicular to the approach movement of the two shoulders to allow the passage of the other shoulder until the two shoulders are embedded one behind the other allowing the support to return at least partially to its initial position.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the unlocking means are constituted by means for spacing parallel to the wall of the base or the cap of one another the first and the second closure means.

It is preferable that the means for spacing parallel to the wall of the base or cap the closure means are constituted by a plate on which is fixed the first or the second closure means, said plate being movable relative to the base or the cap in a parallel movement to the wall thereof between a first position in which the two closure means cooperate to keep folded the cap when it is folded and a second position in which the two closure means no longer cooperate when the cap is folded down, a spring being preferably provided to automatically bring the plate, in the absence of external forces, in the first position.

A practical solution is to design the plate in the form of a ring of which at least a section is placed on at least part of the circumference of the base, outside the area covered by the cap when it is folded, the ring being slidable against the base, a part of the ring being able to fulfill the function of return spring.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the unlocking means are constituted by means for spacing the first and second closure means perpendicularly to the base or to the cap.

For this, it is advantageous that the perpendicular spacing means are constituted by means for exerting pressure on the elastic blade from outside the cap.

It is according to the invention to place the unlocking means on an insert placed on the base or on the cap.

In a first version of this second embodiment, the closing means and the unlocking means are placed opposite the hinge.

In a second version of this second embodiment, the cap is provided with two sets of closure means and unlocking means placed symmetrically on either side of the median plane passing through the center of the hinge.

The cap according to the invention is particularly well suited to a pressurized bottle. In this case, it is provided with a push button placed on a base in the area that can be covered by the cap when it is folded down, the push button being able to be provided with means for actuating a valve located on the container on which the cap may be placed, the base may further comprise a channel for transmitting the product exiting the valve of the container when actuated by the actuating means of the push button.

Figure 1 :

vue en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation, la calotte étant en position ouverte ;

Figure 2 :

vue de face du capuchon de la figure 1, la calotte étant en position ouverte ;

Figure 3 :

vue de face du capuchon de la figure 1, la calotte étant fermée ;

Figure 4 :

vue en coupe médiane selon la coupe E-E de la figure 2, la calotte étant ouverte ;

Figure 5 :

vue en coupe médiane selon la coupe A-A de la figure 3, la calotte étant fermée ;

Figure 6 :

vue de dos du capuchon de la figure 1, la calotte étant en position ouverte ;

Figure 7 :

vue de dos du capuchon de la figure 1, la calotte étant fermée ;

Figure 8 :

vue en perspective d'un second mode de réalisation, la calotte étant en position ouverte ;

Figure 9 :

vue de dessus du capuchon de la figure 8 ;

Figure 10 :

vue en coupe selon la coupe C-C de la figure 9, la calotte étant fermée ;

Figure 11 :

agrandissement E de la figure 10 ;

Figure 12 :

vue en perspective d'un troisième mode de réalisation, la calotte étant ouverte ;

Figure 13 :

vue en perspective de la base, de la bague et les lames ressort du capuchon de la figure 12, la calotte étant enlevée ;

Figure 14 :

vue de dessus du capuchon de la figure 12, la calotte étant enlevée ;

Figure 15 :

vue de face du capuchon de la figure 12, la calotte étant fermée ;

Figure 16 :

vue en coupe médiane selon la coupe AA de la figure 15, la calotte étant fermée ;

Figure 17 :

vue en coupe selon la coupe BB de la figure 15, la calotte étant fermée ;

Figure 18 :

vue en coupe médiane selon la coupe AA de la figure 15, la calotte étant ouverte ;

Figure 19 :

vue en coupe médiane selon la coupe BB de la figure 15, la calotte étant ouverte ;

Figure 20 :

agrandissement E de la figure 16.

The invention is described in more detail by means of two examples of embodiments presented in the following figures:

Figure 1 :

perspective view of a first embodiment, the cap being in the open position;

Figure 2:

front view of the hood of the figure 1 with the cap in the open position;

Figure 3:

front view of the hood of the figure 1 the cap being closed;

Figure 4:

cross-sectional view according to section EE of the figure 2 with the cap open;

Figure 5:

cross-sectional view according to section AA of the figure 3 the cap being closed;

Figure 6:

view from the back of the hood of the figure 1 with the cap in the open position;

Figure 7:

view from the back of the hood of the figure 1 the cap being closed;

Figure 8:

perspective view of a second embodiment, the cap being in the open position;

Figure 9:

top view of the hood of the figure 8 ;

Figure 10:

sectional view according to section CC of the figure 9 the cap being closed;

Figure 11:

enlargement E of the figure 10 ;

Figure 12:

perspective view of a third embodiment, the cap being open;

Figure 13:

perspective view of the base, the ring and the spring blades of the cap of the figure 12 , the cap being removed;

Figure 14:

top view of the hood of the figure 12 , the cap being removed;

Figure 15:

front view of the hood of the figure 12 the cap being closed;

Figure 16:

cross-sectional view according to section AA of the figure 15 the cap being closed;

Figure 17:

sectional view according to section BB of the figure 15 the cap being closed;

Figure 18:

cross-sectional view according to section AA of the figure 15 with the cap open;

Figure 19:

cross-sectional view according to section BB of the figure 15 with the cap open;

Figure 20:

enlargement E of the figure 16 .

The Figures 1 to 11 present two variants of the same embodiment. These two variants are very similar: the first is provided with a single set of closing means and unlocking means, disposed substantially opposite the hinge, while the second is provided with two sets arranged symmetrically by ratio to the median plane passing through the hinge. The Figures 12 to 20 present a second embodiment.

The cap (10, 110, 210) is composed of a base (20, 120, 220) and a cap (30, 130, 230) attached to the base (20, 120, 220) by a hinge.

The cap is intended to be placed on the top of a pressure vessel provided with an aerosol valve (not shown). For this, fixing means (29, 129, 229) are provided on the base (20, 120, 220).

The base (20, 120, 220) essentially comprises a substantially cylindrical portion (21, 121, 221) closed at the top by a push button (22, 122, 222) forming the front face. The push button is provided with means (23, 123, 223) for actuating the aerosol valve of the container on which the cap will be mounted. These actuating means (23, 123, 223) are continued by a channel and a spray nozzle (24, 124, 224). The push button (22, 122, 222) is connected to the rest of the base (20, 120, 220) only by the tongue (25, 125, 225) located on the nozzle side (24, 124, 224) so that it is possible by exerting pressure on it to move down the actuating means (23, 123, 223) and thus to actuate the valve.

The cap (30, 130, 230) is connected to the base (20, 120, 220) by a hinge, which allows it to move between a fully folded position on the base (20, 120, 220), thereby retracting the push button (22, 122, 222), and a wide open position in which the user can access this push button (22, 122, 222). This hinge can be designed so that it itself has a small spring effect so that as soon as a certain opening angle is reached, it tends to move the cap in a wide open position.

The base (20, 120, 220) and the cap (30, 130, 230) are made for example in polypropylene (PP) or high or low density polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE).

To ensure an automatic opening of the cap (30, 130, 230) as soon as the unlocking means are actuated, two spring blades (32, 132, 232) are provided whose one end is fixed on the cylindrical part ( 21, 121, 221) of the base and the other end can slide on the inner face of the cap (30, 130, 230). The spring blades (32, 132, 232) pass on both sides of the tongue (25, 125, 225) connecting the push button (22, 122, 222) to the base (20, 120, 220). These spring blades (32, 132, 232) are in the extended position when the cap (30, 130, 230) is folded over the base (20, 120, 220) and in the relaxed position or at least less tensioned when the cap (20, 120, 220) 30, 130, 230) is in the wide open position. By placing the first end of the spring blades below the front surface (22, 122, 222), in the lower part of the base, the length of the blade can be increased so that the latter is even more effective while being subject to lesser stresses. Through the slots (26, 126), the push button (22, 122) covers substantially the entire cross section of the base (20, 120). The slots (26, 126) are dimensioned so that the blades (32, 132) have great freedom to flex under the effect of the cap which folds.

The blades (32, 132, 232) are preferably made of a good shape memory material, such as polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide (PA) or polypropylene terephthalate (PPT). They can be overmolded on the base by using mechanical anchoring (against stripping or anchoring joint) when the material used for the base and that used for the blades are not compatible. It is also possible that these blades are separate parts, separate from the base, and they are fixed on it by appropriate means.

The blades slide on the bottom of the cap, they do not risk losing contact with a particular fulcrum as in the document JP 2004352307 . Even if they lose contact with the bottom of the cap when it is wide open, they will find the contact to the point that they left when the cap will be folded. Moreover, if they ever deform a little with time, they would continue to come into contact with the bottom of the cap at a point slightly displaced from the initial point of contact.

Closing means are provided on the cap (30, 130, 230) and on the base (20, 120, 220). They are constituted by a first shoulder (31, 131, 231) located on the inner face of the cap (30, 130, 231) and by a second shoulder (41, 141, 241) located at the cylindrical portion (21 , 121, 221) of the base (20, 120, 220).

In a first embodiment, this second shoulder (41, 141) is placed on a blade (40, 140) of a certain elasticity, slightly inclined relative to the relative movement of the first shoulder (31, 131) during closure of the cap (30, 130). In addition, the first shoulder (s) (31, 131) are preceded by an inclined surface which further facilitates the contacting of the portion of the cap carrying the first shoulder (31, 131) with the portion of the blade ( 40, 140) carrying the second shoulder (41, 141). Thus, when the cap (30, 130) is folded over the base (20, 120), the inclined face preceding the first shoulder (31, 131) comes into contact with the blade (40, 140), slides against it by pulling it slightly inwardly of the cap (10, 110) until the first shoulder (31, 131) passes behind the second shoulder (41, 141), allowing the blade (40, 140) to return to its original position, or at least not close. In this position, it is no longer possible to open the cap, the two shoulders (31/41, 131/141) cooperating together. The elasticity of the blade (40, 140) is chosen to ensure an automatic closure of the cap (30, 130) when it is folded on the base, without offering too much resistance. It goes without saying that the inclined surface can be placed in front of the first shoulder and / or in front of the second shoulder.

In its opposite portion to the shoulder (41, 141), the blade (40, 140) is attached to the cylindrical portion (21, 121) of the base (20, 120). It is therefore sufficient to release the two shoulders (31/41, 131/141) to press the blade to spread the second shoulder (41, 141) of the first shoulder (31, 131) by applying a substantially perpendicular movement at the base, towards the center of the cap. In the examples presented here, the blades are inserts inset into the base (20, 120). It is also conceivable that they are only one piece with the portion of the cylindrical portion (21, 121) of the base being made either in the same material or in another material by overmolding. In a particular embodiment of the invention, these blades (40, 140) are made of a flexible material with good shape memory, such as polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide (PA) or polypropylene terephthalate (PPT) .

In the first variant, the cap is provided with only one blade (40) and a single set of shoulders (31, 41). This blade (40) is located opposite the hinge of the cap (30).

In the second variant, the cap is provided with two blades (140) each carrying a shoulder (141), the cap (130) having two corresponding shoulders (131) on its inner face. These two blades (140) and the corresponding shoulders (131) are located symmetrically with respect to the median plane of the cap passing through the center of the hinge. For stability reasons, the cylindrical portion (121) of the base (120) partially overlaps the blades (140).

As can be seen, the closing means (41, 141) and the unlocking means (40, 140) resume their initial position as soon as the pressure exerted on the unlocking means constituted by the blade or blades (40, 140) ceases. .

As soon as pressure is exerted on the blade (s) (40, 140), the two shoulders stop cooperating and the two spring blades (32, 132) separate the cap (30, 130) of the base (20, 120). to the wide open position in which it is held by the spring blades (32, 132). When the user folds the cap (30, 130) on the base against the spring effect of the spring blade or blades (32, 132), the shoulders (31/41, 131/141) engage and retain the cap (30, 130) in the folded position.

In a second embodiment (210), the one or the second shoulders (241) are placed not on a flexible blade, but on a plate (240) displaceable tangentially to the base and parallel to the shoulders (231, 241). until they can no longer cooperate together. In the example presented here, this plate consists of a ring (240) partially surrounding the base (220) of the cap (210) in below the cap (230) when in the folded position. Viewed from above, this ring (240) has an annular shape, a large portion (242) is supported on a portion of the circumference of the base (220) and is still accessible by the user. The other portion (243, 244) is substantially perpendicular to the median plane of the base passing through the middle of the hinge and is within the cap. The center (243) of this inner portion is wedged in a groove while its ends (244) are unobstructed and form a flexion zone allowing a small circular movement of the ring (240) around its central stable position. Thus, when the user slides against the base (220) the outer portion (242) of the ring (240) to the right or to the left in a movement tangential to the base (220) and parallel to the shoulders (231, 241), it causes the shoulders to slide on one another. With spring blades (232), the cap (230) rises as soon as the two shoulders (231, 241) are no longer aligned. After the user has released the ring (240), the ring automatically returns to its central equilibrium position under the spring effect of the outer zones (244) of the ring (240). To allow an automatic closing of the cap (230) when the user flap against the base (220), it is expected that the portion of the cap (230) which carries the first shoulder (231) is sufficiently flexible to s' move slightly apart when the first shoulder (231) slides against the appendage of the ring (240) carrying the second shoulder (241), until it protrudes beyond the latter and the two shoulders cooperate again . Unlike previous embodiments, it is not the support of the second shoulder that gives way to let the first, but the support of the first shoulder that gives way to allow the sliding of the two shoulders towards one another. Indeed, in this embodiment, the ring bears against the base, which was not the case of the end of the blades (40, 140) of the previous examples.

In both embodiments, the unlocking means, constituted by the flexible blade or blades (40, 140) or by the ring (240), are always in the extension of the outer wall of the base so that they do not go beyond it. There is no discontinuity in the geometric shape of the base when passing the flexible blades or the ring. This is particularly evident in the perspective views of Figures 1 and 8 and on the cuts of figures 11 , 16 and 20 . These unlocking means are less likely to be operated inadvertently during transport or storage of the product. They are not likely to cling to a projecting object.

Although the examples presented or discussed here provide for putting the unlocking means (40, 140, 240) on the base, it is quite possible to put them on the cap. One could also provide any other spring system.

List of references:

^1st embodiment ^2nd embodiment Room 1 ^st variation 2 ^nd variant 10 110 210 Cap 20 120 220 Based 21 121 221 Cylindrical part 22 122 222 Pushbutton 23 123 223 Means of actuation 24 124 224 Exit nozzle 25 125 225 Tongue 26 126 slots 29 129 229 Means of fixation 30 130 230 Cap 31 131 231 First shoulder 32 132 232 Spring blades 40 140 Blade 41 141 Second shoulder 42 142 tappet 240 Ring 241 Second shoulder 242 Outside part 243 Inner part blocked 244 Flexible inner part

Claims (18)

1. Cap (10, 110, 210) comprising

   • a base (20, 120, 220) comprising a substantially cylindrical part (21, 121, 221) closed at the top by a front face (22, 122, 222), the base being provided with means (29, 129, 229) for fixing it to a receptacle,

   • a lid (30, 130, 230) fixed to the base (20, 120, 220) by a hinge,

   • closure means consisting of a first closure means (31, 131, 231) and a second closure means (41, 141, 241), one situated on the base (20, 120, 220) and the other on the lid (30, 130, 230), the closure means cooperating together to hold the cap (30, 130, 230) in a first position folded on the base (20, 120, 220),

   • release means (40, 140, 240) for moving the first closure means (31, 131, 231) and the second closure means (41, 141, 241) away from each other, and

   • means (32, 132, 232) for lifting the lid,

   • the release means (41, 141, 241) and the means (32, 132, 232) for lifting the lid (30, 130, 230) being distinct from each other,

   • the means for lifting the lid (30, 130, 230) consisting of at least one spring blade (32, 132, 232), one of the ends of which is fixed to the base (20, 120, 220) and the other end of which can slide on the bottom of the lid (30, 130, 230), the spring blade (32, 132, 232) being in a tensioned position when the lid (30, 130, 230) is folded down and in an expanded or partially expanded position when the lid is in the wide-open position,
   characterised in that the front face (22, 122, 222) is connected to the rest of the base (20, 120, 220) solely by a tongue (25, 125, 225) and in that the spring blade or blades (32, 132, 232) are fixed to the substantially cylindrical part of the base below the front face (22, 122,222).
2. Cap (10, 110, 210) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises two spring blades (32, 132, 232) that pass on either side of the tongue (25, 125, 225) connecting the front face (22, 122, 222) to the base (20, 120, 220).
3. Cap (10, 110, 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spring blades (32, 132, 232) slide on the bottom of the lid during the opening or closing of the lid.
4. Cap (10, 110, 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that slots (26, 126) are produced in the front face (22, 122) of the base (20, 120) in order to allow the spring blade or blades (32, 132) to pass.
5. Cap (10, 110, 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spring blade or blades (32, 132, 232) are produced from a different material from the base, the base preferably being produced from polypropylene (PP) or high- or low-density polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE) and the spring blade or blades preferably from a plastics material with a good shape memory such as polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide (PA) or polypropylene terephthalate (PPT).
6. Cap (10, 110, 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spring blade or blades (32, 132, 232) are moulded onto the base (20, 120, 220).
7. Cap (10, 110, 210) according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterised in that the spring blade or blades (32, 132, 232) are pieces distinct from the base (20, 120, 220), to which they are fixed by mechanical anchoring means.
8. Cap (10, 110, 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the release means are placed in the base (20, 120, 220) or the lid so as not to project beyond the envelope of the said base or of the said lid.
9. Cap (10, 110, 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and second closure means consist of a first shoulder (31, 131, 231) and a second shoulder (41, 141, 241), one of the shoulders (41, 141, 241) at least being placed on a support (40, 140, 240) having a certain elasticity so that, during the folding movement of the lid (30, 130, 230), the flexible support moves away perpendicular to the approach movement of the two shoulders to enable the other shoulder (31, 131, 231) to pass until the two shoulders fit one behind the other, enabling the support to return at least partially to its initial position.
10. Cap (210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the release means are formed by means (240) for separating the first (231) and second (241) closure means from each other parallel to the wall of the base or of the lid.
11. Cap (210) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the means for separating the closure means (231, 241) parallel to the wall of the base or of the cap are formed by a plate (240) to which the first or second (241) closure means is fixed, the said plate (240) being able to be moved with respect to the base (220) or lid (230) in a movement parallel to the wall of the latter between a first position in which the two closure means (231, 241) cooperate in order to keep the lid (230) folded down when the latter is folded down and a second position in which the two closure means (231, 241) no longer cooperate when the lid (230) is folded down, a spring (244) preferably being provided to automatically return the plate (240), in the absence of external forces, to the first position.
12. Cap (210) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the plate is formed by a ring (240) at least one section (242) of which is placed on at least part of the circumference of the base (220), outside the area covered by the lid (230) when the latter is folded down, the ring (240) being able to slide against the base (220), a part (243, 244) of the ring (240) being able to fulfil the function of return spring.
13. Cap (10, 110) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the release means (40, 140) are formed by means for separating the first (31, 131) and second (41, 141) closure means perpendicular to the base or to the lid.
14. Cap (10, 110) according to claim 13, characterised in that the perpendicular separation means are formed by means (42, 142) for exerting a pressure on the elastic blade (40, 140) from the outside of the cap (30, 130).
15. Cap (10, 110) according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the release means (40, 140) are placed on an attached piece placed on the base (20, 120) or on the lid (30, 130).
16. Cap (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closure means (31, 41) and the release means (40) are placed opposite the hinge.
17. Cap (110) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that it is provided with two sets of closure means (131, 141) and release means (140) placed symmetrically on either side of the mid-plane passing through the centre of the hinge.
18. Cap (10, 110, 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is provided with a push button (22, 122, 222) placed on the base (20, 120, 220) in the area that may be covered by the lid (30, 130, 230) when it is folded down, the push button (22, 122, 222) being able to be provided with means (23, 123, 223) for actuating a valve situated on the receptacle on which the cap may be placed, the base (20, 120, 220) also being able to comprise a channel terminating in a nozzle (24, 124, 224) for transmitting the product emerging from the valve of the receptacle when it is actuated by the actuation means (23, 123, 223) of the push button (22, 122, 222).

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