JP2002211616A - Synthetic resin cap - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a cap comprising a body fitted over a cylinder and a hinged-or threaded-type lid provided on the cylinder to have the body simply removed from a bottle mouth at recycling a container without causing a deterioration in strength of the body or removal of the cylinder. SOLUTION: A dent 20 is formed on an outer cylinder 6 of the body 2, and a tab 21 is placed on a lower part of the dent 20. The outer cylinder 6 continues circumferentially even at a portion of the dent 20. The outer cylinder 6 is formed with a weakened line 23 which has an initial end in the vicinity of a foot of the tab 21. An outward external thread 10 is formed on the outer cylinder 6. An inward external thread to be threaded with the outward external thread 10 is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 3. Since the outer cylinder 6 continues circumferentially even at the portion of the tab 21, a deterioration in strength can be suppressed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to stoppering (forced fitting).
The present invention relates to a synthetic resin cap attached to a bottle mouth (mouth of a container).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A stopper cap has a main body having a spout and a screw or hinge type lid for closing the spout.

The main body is provided with an outer cylinder which fits into the bottle mouth from the outside, and has an annular engagement on the inner periphery of the outer cylinder which fits into an annular fitting portion such as an annular projection formed on the outer periphery of the bottle mouth. A portion is formed, and the annular locking portion is elastically deformed and forcibly fitted to the annular engaging portion of the bottle mouth, thereby being attached to the bottle mouth.

In some cases, a cylinder is fitted to the main body, and a lid is integrally provided on the cylinder via a hinge, or a screw lid is screwed into the cylinder. Examples of the former include, for example, JP-A-11-130113 and JP-A-11-22.
No. 2253 or Utility Model Registration No. 3059065
Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
No. 22953.

[0005] The type in which the cylinder is fitted to the main body as described above has a well-designed design by changing the color of the main body and the cylinder, or firmly holds the main body with the cylinder to increase the mounting strength. There is an advantage that it can be improved.

By the way, a stopper-type cap is a container (bottle).
In most cases, the cap is easily removed from the container after the contents are completely consumed in order to facilitate recycling of the container.

In this case, as means for improving the recyclability of a cap in which a cylinder is fitted to the body, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-222253 discloses that the cylinder and the body are joined together by using a bottle opener. Removal is described.

On the other hand, Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3059065 has a structure in which a cylinder can be easily removed from a main body by hand, and a tab and a weakening line for cutting open the outer cylinder upward are provided on the outer cylinder of the main body. Is described.

[0009]

In order to facilitate recycling, it is preferable that a person can remove the cap with his / her hand (finger) without using any tool. On the other hand, as an essential function as a cap, it is necessary to ensure the strength of attachment to the bottle mouth.

However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-222253 discloses
Although the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-15095 can increase the strength of attachment to the bottle mouth, there is a problem in that it is not easy to remove the cap because the cap needs to be removed.

On the other hand, in the case of Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3059065, although the cap can be removed by hand without using a tool, the recyclability is excellent. Since the slits are formed in the holes, there is a problem that the mounting strength may be reduced.

An object of the present invention is to improve such a situation.

[0013]

The cap of claim 1 is
It has a main body with a spout and a lid for closing the spout, and the main body can be pinched by a finger with an outer cylinder attached to the bottle mouth from outside by forcible fitting by stoppering. In addition, a tab having a base connected to the outer cylinder is provided. By positioning the tab outside the radius of the outer cylinder, the outer cylinder has a circumferentially continuous form even at the tab.

In the outer cylinder of the main body, a weakening line for tearing the outer cylinder by pulling the tab is formed so as to extend from the vicinity of the base of the tab as a starting end.

[0015] Further, a cylindrical body is fitted to the outer cylinder of the main body so that the cylindrical body does not easily come out and can be removed by a human hand. Or, it is partially exposed, or the entire tab is covered with a cylindrical body. Further, the lid is a hinge cap provided on the cylinder so as to be openable and closable via a hinge, or a screw lid screwed into the cylinder.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a recess is formed in a part of the outer periphery of the outer cylinder of the main body, the recess being opened radially outward, and the tab is arranged at the location of the recess. Further, the main body and the cylindrical body are engaged with each other to hold the cylindrical body immovably in the axial direction of the main body. When the cylindrical body is rotated, the cylindrical body is disengaged and the cylindrical body is pulled out of the main body. There is provided an engagement means for making it detachable.

[0017]

According to the present invention, since the outer cylinder of the main body is continuous in the circumferential direction even at the location of the tab, a slit is provided in the outer cylinder as described in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3059065. The strength of the outer cylinder can be remarkably improved as compared with.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent or remarkably reduce an accident that the outer cylinder is broken at the time of tapping, and it is also possible to suppress a decrease in strength of attachment to the bottle mouth.

Further, the main body can be pulled out of the bottle opening by removing the cylindrical body from the main body and then gripping the tab and tearing the outer cylinder of the main body. Can be performed only with hands (fingers), so that recyclability can be improved.

It is possible to make the outer cylinder the same thickness over the entire circumference, but in that case, there is a problem that the outer diameter of the cylinder increases because the tab protrudes outside the outer cylinder. On the other hand, according to the structure of the second aspect, the tab can be stored in the recess of the outer cylinder, so that there is an advantage that the cylindrical body can be prevented from being enlarged.

Further, when a person grasps and removes the outer cylinder by hand, rotating (twisting) the cylinder rather than simply pulling it in the axial direction can apply an external force to the outer cylinder more strongly. With the configuration as described in 2, there is an advantage that the cylinder can be easily removed in a state where the fitting strength of the cylinder to the main body is increased.

By the way, there is a possibility that the outer cylinder of the main body is illegally torn at the distribution stage such as when the product sealed with the cap is displayed in a store.

As a countermeasure against this misconduct, by hiding that the cap is a tearable cap,
There is a concept of preventing fraudulent acts beforehand, and a concept of exposing fraudulent acts to consumers so that the fact that fraudulent acts have occurred can be visually recognized before purchase.

In this regard, in the present invention, it is possible to adopt a form in which the entire body including the tab is covered with the lid, or a form in which the tab is exposed.

[0025]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (1) First Embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, (A) is a longitudinal front view in a separated state, (B) is a front view in a separated state, (C) is a bottom view,
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional front view in a state of being attached to the bottle opening 1.

The cap comprises a main body 2 to be attached to the bottle mouth 1, a cylindrical body 3 fitted to the main body 2, and a lid 5 provided integrally with the cylindrical body 3 via a hinge 4.

[0028] Main Body The main body 2 includes an outer cylinder 6 fitted into the bottle mouth 1 from outside, an inner cylinder 7 fitted into the bottle mouth 1 from inside, and a spout 8 integrally connected to the inner cylinder 7. The upper end of the outer cylinder 6 is a shoulder 9 having a step. The outer cylinder 6 is formed with an outwardly facing external thread 10 which forms a part of the engaging means described in the claims.

The inside of the main body 2 is shielded by a shield plate 11, and a closed loop-shaped score 12 is formed on the shield plate 11, and a tab support 13 is provided at an appropriate portion of the inner periphery of the score 12.
, The pull ring 14 is provided integrally. On the outer peripheral surface of the bottle mouth 1, a flange 16 is formed which is in close or close contact with the lower end of the outer cylinder 6.

The outer cylinder 6 of the main body 2 has an inward annular groove 1 fitted into an outward annular projection 17 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bottle mouth 1.
8 are formed. The outward annular protrusion 17 is an example of an annular engagement portion, and the inward annular groove 18 is an example of an annular engagement portion. An outwardly-facing annular groove may be formed in the bottle opening 1, and an inwardly-facing annular projection may be provided on the outer cylinder 6 inwardly. Further, a plurality of annular grooves or annular protrusions may be provided.

At the lower end edge of the outer cylinder 6 in the main body 2, a ridge (flange) 19 having a radially outward shape and a rectangular cross section is formed, so that the lower end edge of the outer cylinder 6 is thick. .
Then, in the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 6, a recess 20 having an outward opening is formed by reducing the thickness of the outer cylinder 6 in a certain range extending in the circumferential direction. A band-shaped tab (knob) 20 having one end (base) connected to the ridge 19 is arranged.

The recess 20 is opened vertically (to facilitate the removal of the mold at the time of molding).
9 is separated by a recess 20.

The tab 21 has the same vertical dimension as the ridge 19 of the outer cylinder 6, and a slight gap is formed between the tab 21 and the recess 20. The tab 21 is set to a length that can be easily picked by a finger with a finger, and is connected to one end of the ridge 19 so as not to be shredded. Tab 2
The first end is connected to the inner surface of the recess 20 via a bridge 22 that can be cut apart (it may be connected to the other end of the ridge 19).

[0034] Outer Cylinder and Lid The outer cylinder 6 is formed with a thin weakened line (score) 23 to tear the outer cylinder 6 by pulling the tab 21. The weakening line 23 extends obliquely upward, away from the tab 21, starting from the base of the tab 21, and extending to the shoulder 9 in the circumferential direction.

The weakening line 23 is set to a length of about half the circumference of the outer cylinder 6. The starting end of the weakening line 23 is located at the end of the recess 20 (near the base of the tab 21) and reaches the lower end of the outer cylinder 6.

Since the weakening line 23 extends to the shoulder 9,
When the main body 2 is manufactured by the injection molding method, there is an advantage that the punching resistance can be reduced. Although not shown, the tab 21
It is preferable to provide projections or projections and recesses in order to make it easy for a person to catch the finger when picking it.

On the inner surface of the cylinder 3, an inward male screw 24 is screwed into the outward male screw 10 of the main body 2. Also,
An inward flange 25 overlapping the shoulder 9 of the main body 2 is formed on the upper portion of the cylindrical body 3. When the cylindrical body 3 is screwed and cut, the lower end thereof contacts the ridge 19 of the main body 2 and the inward flange 25 is formed. Corresponds to the shoulder 9 of the main body 2.

When the cylinder 3 is completely screwed, the tab 2
1 is exposed from the cylindrical body 3, and therefore, if there is a fraudulent act of pulling the tab 21 at the distribution stage and breaking the bridge 22, the fact can be visually recognized.

The external threads 10 and 24 are an example of the engaging means described in the claims. In the present embodiment, the external threads 10 and 24 are formed by injection molding or pressure molding in order to facilitate so-called forced removal. , 24. Of course, a combination of female threads and female threads can be used if molding conditions permit.

With the cylinder 3 screwed into the body 2,
The hinge 4 and the tab support 13 are arranged in the radial direction. This is for facilitating the pulling of the pull ring 14 with the lid 5 opened.

It is also possible to use a screw lid instead of the hinge type lid and screw it into the cylinder 3. In this case, the cap has three parts.

[0042] Action In the packaging process, after dropping the cap into the bottle opening 1,
The cap is beaten from above with a punch (ie, stoppered). Then, the inward annular groove 18 is forcibly fitted to the outward annular protrusion 16 of the bottle mouth 1 by the elastic deformation of the outer cylinder 6.

In this case, since the outer cylinder 6 is continuous in the circumferential direction even at the position of the tab 21, the strength against the tensile force in the circumferential direction is high. For this reason, the breakage accident at the time of tapping can be prevented or significantly suppressed.

Since the cylinder 3 is fitted to the main body 2, the main body 2 is reinforced with the cylinder 3, and from this point, the breakage of the main body 2 at the time of plugging is more reliably prevented. It can be prevented or suppressed.

When the consumer recycles the container (bottle) after exhausting the contents, the cylinder 3 is removed by unscrewing and then the tab 21 is pulled to remove the body 2.
Is torn along the weakening line 23, and then the main body 2 is grasped by hand and pulled out from the bottle mouth 1.

The portion near the start end of the weakening line 23 can be formed so as to extend in the axial direction of the main body 2. However, if the portion near the start end is formed in an inclined shape as in the present embodiment, it is close to the start end when plugging. Since the tensile stress per unit length of the portion can be reduced, the strength can be further improved.

(2) Second Embodiment (FIGS. 3 and 4) When the cylinder 3 is screwed into the main body 2, the cylinder 3 is gripped by a chuck (not shown) and rotated while the main body 2 is fixed. Will be.

In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, means for fixing the main body 2 in the screwing step is shown. 3 is an exploded view, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

In this embodiment, the basic structure of the cap is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the second embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that a plurality of portions (in the drawing, This is different from the first embodiment in that two (two) engagement grooves 27 are provided.

The jig 28 into which the main body 2 fits is provided with a plurality of projections 29 which fit into the engaging grooves 27.

The main body 2 is clamped by the inner cylinder 7.
Can be fixed, but if the inner cylinder 7 is clamped, there is a possibility that the score 12 may be broken or damaged by an external force at the time of screwing. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the outer cylinder 6 is clamped, the score 1
The cylindrical body 3 can be securely screwed into the outer cylinder 6 without lowering the strength of the cylindrical body 3.

(3) Third Embodiment (FIG. 5) The third embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is another example of the means for simply and non-rotatably holding the main body in the screwing step.

In the example shown in (A), the outer surface of the ridge 19 is knurled so that it can be easily gripped by the chuck. In the example shown in (B), the ridge 19 has a cylindrical portion 19a. Are knurled on the inner peripheral surface.

(4) Fourth Embodiment (FIGS. 6 and 7) FIGS. 6 and 7 show a fourth embodiment, FIG. 6 is a plan view, and FIG.
Is a front view.

This embodiment is also an example of a structure for facilitating the screwing of the cylindrical body 3. The lid 5, the cylindrical body 3, and the ridge 19 of the main body 2 are formed in a non-circular shape such as a regular hexagon. I have. For this reason, the cylindrical body 3 and the main body 2 can be firmly grasped by the chuck and the jig. Note that the internal structure of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

(5) Fifth Embodiment (FIG. 8) In a fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, an example of a stopper means for precisely regulating the screwing position of the cylinder 3 is shown.
(A) is a partial plan cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (B), and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in (A).

In this embodiment, the outer cylinder 6 in the main body 2
The stopper 30 is provided at an appropriate portion of the ridge 19 of
At the lower end of the cylindrical body 3, an inward notch 31 into which the stopper 30 is inserted by screwing the cylindrical body 3 is provided,
The screwing posture of the cylindrical body 3 is regulated by abutting one end surface 31 a of the notch 31 on the stopper 30.

(6) Sixth Embodiment (FIG. 9) FIGS. 9A and 9B also show an example of the stopper means, wherein FIG. 9A is a partial front view, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. It is. In this embodiment, the notch 31 is exposed inside and outside.

(7) Seventh Embodiment (FIGS. 10 to 12) By the way, in order to ensure the tearing of the main body 2, the tab 21 is made as thick as possible so that it is easy to pinch and does not break. Preferably, the area is large. But,
From the viewpoint of the durability of the mold, there is a problem that it is difficult to form the gap between the tab 21 and the recess 20 in an excessively narrow state.

A solution to this problem is shown in FIG.
This is shown in the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a front view of the main body 2, and FIG.
1 is a sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 10, and FIG.
It is I sectional drawing.

In this embodiment, the tab 21 extends to the upper part of the recess 20 to have a large area. Further, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 12, the tab 21 is formed in a state of being largely spaced from the inner surface of the recess 20. As shown in FIG. 11, the tab 21 bends and deforms to approach the inner surface of the recess 20.

Therefore, even if a weak thin portion is not formed in the mold, in other words, the tab 21 can be formed into a thick and wide area without impairing the durability of the mold. Cylinder 3
The upper end of the tab 21 is formed on an inclined surface 21a in order to guide the deformation of the tab 21 due to the screwing.

When this molding method is adopted, the flexibility of the position of the base of the tab 21 is increased, so that the base of the tab 21 can be provided in the middle part of the cylindrical body 3 or in the upper part.
Note that the structure and the forming method of the tab 21 disclosed in the seventh embodiment can be applied to a cap that does not include the tubular body 3 and simply screws the screw lid into the main body.

(8) Eighth Embodiment (FIGS. 13 to 15) FIGS. 13 to 15 show an eighth embodiment. FIG.
14 is a sectional view of the used state, FIG. 14 is a developed view as viewed from the direction of XIV-XIV in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway bottom view of FIG.

The eighth embodiment is a hinge type cap in which the tab 21 is located below the hinge 4 and protrudes radially outward from the ridge 19 of the main body 2. Since the hinge 4 protrudes outside the radius of the lid 5, even if the tab 21 protrudes outside the ridge 19, there is no strange feeling.

A plurality (four) outward ribs 32 are provided at appropriate intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 6 in the main body 2.

On the other hand, on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 3, each of the outward ribs 3 is fitted in a state where the cylindrical body 3 is tightly fitted into the outer cylinder 6.
2 is provided integrally with an inward rib 33 engaged from below. At the right end of the inward rib 33, a guide portion 33a extending diagonally to the upper right is provided integrally, and at the left end, a stopper portion 33b having a low height is provided integrally. These ribs 32,
33 is an example of the engagement means described in the claims.

In this embodiment, when the lid 5 and the cylinder 3 are accurately positioned and the lid 5 is pressed downward, the inward ribs of the cylinder 3 are deformed against the elasticity. The tubular body 3 is attached to the main body 2 with the 33 climbing over the outward rib 32 of the main body 2. In this state, the inward rib 33
The presence of the guide portion 33a and the stopper portion 33b allows the cylindrical body 3 to be kept in a state in which it does not easily rotate.

When the lid 5 is rotated counterclockwise with a certain amount of force, the stopper portion 33b is disengaged from the outward rib 32 due to elastic deformation. Then, as shown by the dashed line and the two-dot chain line in FIG. The 33 guide portions 33a hit the adjacent outward ribs 32 and are guided upward. For this reason, the cylinder 3 rises from the main body 2, and as a result, the cylinder 3 can be removed.

Incidentally, stopper portions 33b having a low height may be provided at both ends of the inward ribs 33. In this case, when the cylindrical body 3 is forcibly rotated in either the left or right direction to release the engagement between the inward rib 33 and the outward rib 32, the lid 5 can be removed from the main body 2.

In this embodiment, since the cylindrical body 3 can be attached to the main body 2 only by pressing the lid 5 in the axial direction, there is an advantage that the cap is efficiently assembled.

Even when the cylindrical body 3 is attached to the main body 2 by screw means, at the time of assembling the cap, the lid 5 is hit to move the cylindrical body 3 in the axial direction. Can be screwed together (the cylinder 3 is rotated only during removal).

(9) Ninth Embodiment (FIG. 16) FIG. 16 shows a ninth embodiment, in which (A) is a longitudinal sectional view and (B) is an AA view, and (B) is (A). ) Is a BB view.

In this embodiment, as the engagement means, an inclined inward rib 33 is provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical body 3, and the inward rib 33 is provided on the outer surface of the outer cylinder 6 of the main body 2 from the upside down direction. A corresponding outward rib 32 is provided. Outward rib 3
Reference numeral 2 extends vertically up and down (this is for facilitating die cutting during molding).

(10). Others This embodiment can be embodied in various ways other than the above embodiment.

For example, the weakened line is not limited to be formed in a thin shape, but may be perforated. Also, the tabs can be embodied in various shapes other than those shown.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional front view of the first embodiment in use.

FIG. 3 is an exploded front view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the seventh embodiment.

11 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG.

12 is a sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional front view of the eighth embodiment.

14 is a sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV in FIG.

15 is a sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in FIG.

FIG. 16 illustrates a ninth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bottle mouth 2 Main body 3 Cylindrical body 4 Hinge 5 Lid 6 Outer cylinder 8 Injection port 10, 24 Male screw as an example of an engagement means 19 Projection of outer cylinder 20 Depression 21 Tab 23 Weak line

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3E084 AA04 AA12 AB01 BA03 CA01 CB01 CB02 CB04 CC03 DA01 DB01 DB05 DB09 DB12 DC03 EA02 EB02 EC03 FA02 FA07 FB02 FD02 GA01 GA06 GB01 GB06 GB08 GB12 GB17 KA20 LA02 LB02 LB07 LD01

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A main body having a spout and a lid for closing the spout, the main body includes an outer cylinder attached to the bottle mouth from the outside by forcible fitting by tapping, and a human finger. The tab can be picked up at the base and the tab is connected to the outer cylinder.By positioning the tab outside the outer radius of the outer cylinder, the outer cylinder is formed in a continuous form in the circumferential direction even at the tab. In the outer cylinder, a weakening line for tearing the outer cylinder by pulling the tab is formed so as to extend starting near the base of the tab, and further, the outer cylinder of the main body includes The tubular body is fitted so that it does not easily come out and can be removed by hand, and the tab is entirely or partially exposed from below the tubular body, or And covers the entire tab, and the lid is Either a hinged cap is provided to be openable and closable via a hinge to the tubular body, or have become screw cap screwed into the cylindrical body, the synthetic resin cap. 2. A part of the outer periphery of the outer cylinder of the main body is formed with a concave part which is opened radially outward, and the tab is arranged at the concave part. Engaging means for holding the cylindrical body immovably in the axial direction of the main body by engaging with each other, and disengaging when the cylindrical body is rotated so that the cylindrical body can be removed from the main body. The synthetic resin cap according to claim 1 provided.