US4351630A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pivoting hinge exercising mechanism
Assignee: Global Precision Inc
•
Filing: 1980-12-31
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Granted: 1982-09-28
•
Expires: 2000-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A device for exercising a living hinge of an article and/or closing a lid of a cap while the article or cap is in a mold for forming the article or cap. The device includes a finger which slides between the mold sections, and, in the process, engages a portion of the article or the lid, rotates the portion or lid about the hinge, and in the case of the cap, snaps the lid shut. In an alternate preferred embodiment, when the finger reaches predetermined point it pivots toward the female mold section to snap the lid tightly shut.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S. Hayberg
- 👤 Eugene L. Foltuz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:24
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C33/00; B29C33/44; B29C33/442; B29C37/00; B29C37/0003; B29C37/0014; B29C45/00; B29C45/0053; B29C45/006; B29C65/00; B29C65/66; B29C65/665; B29C66/00; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/54; B29C66/549; B29C66/80; B29C66/82; B29C66/822; B29C66/8221; B29C66/8227; B29C66/824; B29C66/8242; B29C66/83; B29C66/832; B29C66/8324; B29C66/836; B29C66/8362; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/56; B29L2031/565; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S425/00; Y10S425/003; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/49876
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for exercising a living hinge of an article while in a mold for forming said article, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said article; means for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide in a first direction transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position and enabling said finger to move in a second direction having a component normal to said first direction after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage a portion of said article and rotate said article portion about said hinge as said finger moves in said first and second directions; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for exercising a living hinge of an article while in a mold for forming said article, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said article; means for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide in a first direction transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position and enabling said finger to move in a second direction having a component normal to said first direction after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage a portion of said article and rotate said article portion about said hinge as said finger moves in said first and second directions; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a mold for forming an article having a living hinge, a device for exercising said hinge while said article is in said mold, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said article; means for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide in a first direction transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position and enabling said finger to move in a second direction having a component normal to said first direction after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage a portion of said article and rotate said article portion about said hinge as said finger moves in said first and second directions; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a mold for forming an article having a living hinge, a device for exercising said hinge while said article is in said mold, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said article; means for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide in a first direction transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position and enabling said finger to move in a second direction having a component normal to said first direction after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage a portion of said article and rotate said article portion about said hinge as said finger moves in said first and second directions; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
137 words
A device for closing a lid of a cap while in a mold for forming said cap, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said cap; means for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide in a first direction transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position and enabling said finger to move in a second direction having a component normal to said first direction after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage said lid and rotate said lid about said hinge as said finger moves in said first and second directions; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
137 words
A device for closing a lid of a cap while in a mold for forming said cap, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said cap; means for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide in a first direction transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position and enabling said finger to move in a second direction having a component normal to said first direction after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage said lid and rotate said lid about said hinge as said finger moves in said first and second directions; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a mold for forming a cap having a lid, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, a device for closing said lid while said cap is in said mold, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said cap; means for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide in a first direction transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position and enabling said finger to move in a second direction having a component normal to said first direction after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage said lid and rotate said lid about said hinge as said finger moves in said first and second directions; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a mold for forming a cap having a lid, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, a device for closing said lid while said cap is in said mold, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said cap; means for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide in a first direction transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position and enabling said finger to move in a second direction having a component normal to said first direction after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage said lid and rotate said lid about said hinge as said finger moves in said first and second directions; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
113 words
A device for exercising a living hinge of an article while in a mold for forming said article, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said article; means, pivotably connected to said finger, for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position, and to pivot after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage a portion of said article and rotate said article portion about said hinge as said finger slides and pivots; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
113 words
A device for exercising a living hinge of an article while in a mold for forming said article, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said article; means, pivotably connected to said finger, for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position, and to pivot after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage a portion of said article and rotate said article portion about said hinge as said finger slides and pivots; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 1 or 5 wherein said finger includes a plurality of portions, each adapted for engagement with one said article, respectively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as in claim 1 or 5 further comprising an air piston disposed within said mold and having a shaft for pushing said article portion out of the mold.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a mold for forming an article having a living hinge, a device for exercising said hinge while said article is in said mold, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said article; means, pivotably connected to said finger, for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position, and to pivot after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage a portion of said article and rotate said article portion about said hinge as said finger slides and pivots; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a mold for forming an article having a living hinge, a device for exercising said hinge while said article is in said mold, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said article; means, pivotably connected to said finger, for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position, and to pivot after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage a portion of said article and rotate said article portion about said hinge as said finger slides and pivots; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
120 words
A device for closing a lid of a cap while in a mold section for forming said cap, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted, for engagement with said cap; means, pivotably connected to said finger, for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position, and to pivot after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage said lid and rotate said lid about said hinge as said finger slides and pivots; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
120 words
A device for closing a lid of a cap while in a mold section for forming said cap, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted, for engagement with said cap; means, pivotably connected to said finger, for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position, and to pivot after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage said lid and rotate said lid about said hinge as said finger slides and pivots; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as in claim 1, 3, 5, or 9 wherein one of said mold and connecting means has slots and the other of said mold and said connecting means slides in said slots.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a mold for forming a cap having a lid, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, a device for closing said lid while said cap is in said mold, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said cap; means, pivotably connected to said finger, for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position, and to pivot after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage said lid and rotate said lid about said hinge as said finger slides and pivots; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a mold for forming a cap having a lid, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, a device for closing said lid while said cap is in said mold, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said cap; means, pivotably connected to said finger, for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position, and to pivot after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said finger to engage said lid and rotate said lid about said hinge as said finger slides and pivots; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for exercising a living hinge of an article while in a mold for forming said article, said device comprising: a finger including a roller adapted for engagement with said article; means for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide in a first direction transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position and enabling said finger to move in a second direction having a component normal to said first direction after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said roller to engage a portion of said article and rotate said article portion about said hinge as said finger moves in said first and second direction; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for exercising a living hinge of an article while in a mold for forming said article, said device comprising: a finger including a roller adapted for engagement with said article; means for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide in a first direction transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position and enabling said finger to move in a second direction having a component normal to said first direction after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said roller to engage a portion of said article and rotate said article portion about said hinge as said finger moves in said first and second direction; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
119 words
A device for closing a lid of a cap while in a mold for forming said cap, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, said device comprising: a finger including a roller adapted for engagement with said lid; means, pivotably connected to said finger, for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position, and to pivot after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said roller to engage said lid and rotate said lid about said hinge as said finger slides and pivots; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
119 words
A device for closing a lid of a cap while in a mold for forming said cap, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, said device comprising: a finger including a roller adapted for engagement with said lid; means, pivotably connected to said finger, for slidably connecting said finger to said mold, said connecting means enabling said finger to slide transverse to said hinge from a first position to a second position, and to pivot after said finger has reached said second position, said connecting means being oriented to enable said roller to engage said lid and rotate said lid about said hinge as said finger slides and pivots; and means for driving said finger.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
133 words
A device for exercising a living hinge of an article while in a mold for forming said article, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said article; a slide assembly slidably connected to said mold section to slide transverse to the axis of said hinge from a first position to a second position; means for pivotably connecting said finger to said slide assembly; said finger including means for limiting the pivoting of said finger beyond a third position in a first direction; means for biasing said finger in said first direction; means for causing said finger to pivot in a second direction opposite said first direction after said slide assembly reaches said second position; and means for driving said finger from said first position to said second position.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
133 words
A device for exercising a living hinge of an article while in a mold for forming said article, said device comprising: a finger including a portion adapted for engagement with said article; a slide assembly slidably connected to said mold section to slide transverse to the axis of said hinge from a first position to a second position; means for pivotably connecting said finger to said slide assembly; said finger including means for limiting the pivoting of said finger beyond a third position in a first direction; means for biasing said finger in said first direction; means for causing said finger to pivot in a second direction opposite said first direction after said slide assembly reaches said second position; and means for driving said finger from said first position to said second position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as in claim 1, 3, 5, 9, or 14 wherein said finger portion includes a roller.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 1, 3, 5, 9 or 14 wherein said finger portion has a curved surface.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
142 words
A device for closing a lid of a cap while in a mold section for forming said cap, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, said device comprising: a finger having a portion adapted for engagement with said lid; a slide assembly slidably connected to said mold section to slide transverse to the axis of said hinge from a first position to a second position; means for pivotably connecting said finger to said slide assembly; said finger including means for limiting the pivoting of said finger beyond a third position in a first direction; means for biasing said finger in said first direction; means for pivoting said finger in a second direction opposite said first direction after said slide assembly reaches said second position; and means for driving said finger from said first position to said second position.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
142 words
A device for closing a lid of a cap while in a mold section for forming said cap, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, said device comprising: a finger having a portion adapted for engagement with said lid; a slide assembly slidably connected to said mold section to slide transverse to the axis of said hinge from a first position to a second position; means for pivotably connecting said finger to said slide assembly; said finger including means for limiting the pivoting of said finger beyond a third position in a first direction; means for biasing said finger in said first direction; means for pivoting said finger in a second direction opposite said first direction after said slide assembly reaches said second position; and means for driving said finger from said first position to said second position.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
142 words
A device for closing a lid of a cap while in a mold section for forming said cap, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, said device comprising: a finger having a roller adapted for engagement with said lid; a slide assembly slidably connected to said mold section to slide transverse to the axis of said hinge from a first position to a second position; means for pivotably connecting said finger to said slide assembly; said finger including means for limiting the pivoting of said finger beyond a third position in a first direction; means for biasing said finger in said first direction; means for pivoting said finger in a second direction opposite said first direction after said slide assembly reaches said second position; and means for driving said finger from said first position to said second position.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
142 words
A device for closing a lid of a cap while in a mold section for forming said cap, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, said device comprising: a finger having a roller adapted for engagement with said lid; a slide assembly slidably connected to said mold section to slide transverse to the axis of said hinge from a first position to a second position; means for pivotably connecting said finger to said slide assembly; said finger including means for limiting the pivoting of said finger beyond a third position in a first direction; means for biasing said finger in said first direction; means for pivoting said finger in a second direction opposite said first direction after said slide assembly reaches said second position; and means for driving said finger from said first position to said second position.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
190 words
A device for closing a lid of a cap while in a mold section for forming said cap, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, said device comprising: a finger having a roller adapted for engagement with said lid; a slide assembly slidably connected to said mold section to slide transverse to the axis of said hinge and parallel to a surface of said mold section from a first position to a second position; means for pivotably connecting said finger to said slide assembly; said finger including means for limiting the pivoting of said finger beyond a third position in a first direction; a spring disposed between said finger and said slide assembly for biasing said finger in said first direction; a protrusion disposed on said finger below said connecting means; a stop disposed on said mold, said protrusion and stop being disposed so that as said slide assembly approaches said second position, said protrusion engages said stop to cause said finger to rotate in a second direction opposite said first direction; and means for driving said finger from said first position to said second position.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
190 words
A device for closing a lid of a cap while in a mold section for forming said cap, said lid being pivotably connected to said cap by a hinge, said device comprising: a finger having a roller adapted for engagement with said lid; a slide assembly slidably connected to said mold section to slide transverse to the axis of said hinge and parallel to a surface of said mold section from a first position to a second position; means for pivotably connecting said finger to said slide assembly; said finger including means for limiting the pivoting of said finger beyond a third position in a first direction; a spring disposed between said finger and said slide assembly for biasing said finger in said first direction; a protrusion disposed on said finger below said connecting means; a stop disposed on said mold, said protrusion and stop being disposed so that as said slide assembly approaches said second position, said protrusion engages said stop to cause said finger to rotate in a second direction opposite said first direction; and means for driving said finger from said first position to said second position.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as in claim 19 wherein one of said mold section and said slide assembly has slots and the other of said mold section and said slide assembly slides in said slots.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 1, 3, 5, 9, or 19 wherein said driving means includes an air piston.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
29 words
A device as in claims 3, 9 or 19 wherein said finger includes a plurality of rollers, each of said rollers adapted for engagement with one said lid, respectively.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as in claim 3, 9, or 19 further comprising an air piston disposed within said mold and including a shaft for pushing said lid out of the mold.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-09-27 | 1986-03-29 | 1986-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-27 | 1990-03-29 | 1990-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-27 | 1994-03-29 | 1994-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |