Dispensing Tub with Spreader/Retainer Ribs on the Cover

Abstract

A dispensing tub with a lid/cover having a pair of spreader/retainer ribs. On the cover side, the spreader/retainer ribs increase the opening degree of the spring clip latches. The spring clip latches collide with the spreader/retainer ribs before the latches reach their default final position. As the lid hook reaches the spring clip assembly through the gap between the spreader/retainer ribs, the gap is larger than the width of lid hook for proper lid release and lid locking. The spreader/retainer ribs are located on top of spring clip assembly, when the spring clip assembly opens and move upward, the spring clip latches will collide with spreader/retainer ribs and the opening path of latches are guided by the spreader/retainer ribs. The spreader/retainer ribs force the spring clip latches to open with an opening degree that is larger than default to release lid hook.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A dispensing tub with a lid and cover having a pair of spreader/retainer ribs, the lid and cover device comprising:
 a lid;   a cover; and   a spring clip assembly,
 the spring clip assembly is inserted to a spring clip assembly holder on the cover; 
 the lid is installed to the cover and is held by the cover to form a cover-lid sub-assembly; and 
 the lid includes a lid hook while the cover includes spreader/retainer ribs and spring clip assembly holder. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the spreader/retainer ribs increase the opening degree of the spring clip latches. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the spring clip latches collide with the spreader/retainer ribs before the latches reach their default final position; and   as the lid hook reaches the spring clip assembly through the gap between the spreader/retainer ribs, the gap is larger than the width of lid hook for proper lid release and lid locking.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the gap is small enough to retain the entire spring clip assembly in the cover housing. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the spreader/retainer ribs are located on top of spring clip assembly, when the spring clip assembly opens and move upward, the spring clip latches will collide with spreader/retainer ribs and the opening path of latches are guided by the spreader/retainer ribs.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein
 the spreader/retainer ribs force the spring clip latches to open with an opening degree that is larger than default to release lid hook; and   as the spring clip assembly is larger than the gap between the pair of spreader/retainer ribs, the assembly cannot be removed from the cover housing easily.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , made out of plastic in an injection molding process. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein a post molding process assembles the parts together. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein during the assembly process, the spring clip assembly can be inserted directly into the spring clip assembly holder on the cover through the gap between spreader/retainer ribs. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising
 an activation area or area nearby on lid whereby a user can open and close the lid simply by pressing.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein
 the lid hook on lid activates the spring clip assembly;   when the spring clip assembly is activated to open, the latches will collide with spreader/retainer ribs and can function automatically.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid spreader/retaining ribs keep the assembly in the cover. 
     
     
         13 . A dispensing tub with a lid/cover having a pair of spreader/retainer ribs, the device comprising:
 a spring clip assembly;   a lid with lid hook; and   a cover with spring clip assembly holder and spreader/retainer ribs.   
     
     
         14 . A dispensing tub with a lid/cover having a pair of spreader/retainer ribs, the device comprising:
 a lid;
 the lid includes a lid hook while the cover includes spreader/retainer ribs and spring clip assembly holder; 
   a cover;
 the lid is installed to the cover and is held by the cover to form a cover-lid sub-assembly; and 
   a spring clip assembly,
 the spring clip assembly is inserted to a spring clip assembly holder on the cover; 
 the spreader/retainer ribs are located on top of spring clip assembly, when the spring clip assembly opens and move upward, the spring clip latches will collide with spreader/retainer ribs and the opening path of latches are guided by the spreader/retainer ribs; 
 the spring clip latches collide with the spreader/retainer ribs before the latches reach their default final position; and 
 as the lid hook reaches the spring clip assembly through the gap between the spreader/retainer ribs, the gap is larger than the width of lid hook for proper lid release and lid locking. 
   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the spreader/retainer ribs increase the opening degree of the spring clip latches. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the gap is small enough to retain the entire spring clip assembly in the cover housing. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein
 the spreader/retainer ribs force the spring clip latches to open with an opening degree that is larger than default to release lid hook; and   as the spring clip assembly is larger than the gap between the pair of spreader/retainer ribs, the assembly cannot be removed from the cover housing easily.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising
 an activation area or area nearby on lid whereby a user can open and close the lid simply by pressing.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein
 the lid hook on lid activates the spring clip assembly;   when the spring clip assembly is activated to open, the latches will collide with spreader/retainer ribs and can function automatically.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the rigid spreader/retaining ribs keep the assembly in the cover.