JP2004526631A - Child-safe sealing device - Google Patents
Child-safe sealing device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- JP2004526631A JP2004526631A JP2002532134A JP2002532134A JP2004526631A JP 2004526631 A JP2004526631 A JP 2004526631A JP 2002532134 A JP2002532134 A JP 2002532134A JP 2002532134 A JP2002532134 A JP 2002532134A JP 2004526631 A JP2004526631 A JP 2004526631A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- lid
- outer lid
- inner lid
- cylindrical side
- side wall
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 27
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000002861 polymer material Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920000431 shape-memory polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- VSKJLJHPAFKHBX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-methylbuta-1,3-diene;styrene Chemical compound CC(=C)C=C.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 VSKJLJHPAFKHBX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002943 EPDM rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000181 Ethylene propylene rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- RRHGJUQNOFWUDK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Isoprene Chemical compound CC(=C)C=C RRHGJUQNOFWUDK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Styrene Chemical compound C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Chemical compound C=CC=C.C=CC#N.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004676 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000122 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- FACXGONDLDSNOE-UHFFFAOYSA-N buta-1,3-diene;styrene Chemical compound C=CC=C.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 FACXGONDLDSNOE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920003229 poly(methyl methacrylate) Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002285 poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004926 polymethyl methacrylate Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000468 styrene butadiene styrene block copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 244000043261 Hevea brasiliensis Species 0.000 claims description 2
- VQTUBCCKSQIDNK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Isobutene Chemical group CC(C)=C VQTUBCCKSQIDNK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000005062 Polybutadiene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004793 Polystyrene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000005038 ethylene vinyl acetate Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004811 fluoropolymer Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002313 fluoropolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002857 polybutadiene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920003225 polyurethane elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920003051 synthetic elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000005061 synthetic rubber Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 210000000332 tooth crown Anatomy 0.000 claims 2
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- KAKZBPTYRLMSJV-UHFFFAOYSA-N vinyl-ethylene Natural products C=CC=C KAKZBPTYRLMSJV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 9
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920003048 styrene butadiene rubber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002725 thermoplastic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 244000000626 Daucus carota Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000002767 Daucus carota Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002174 Styrene-butadiene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003746 feather Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003020 moisturizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000005673 monoalkenes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 210000003205 muscle Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D50/00—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures
- B65D50/02—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions
- B65D50/04—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions requiring the combination of simultaneous actions, e.g. depressing and turning, lifting and turning, maintaining a part and turning another one
- B65D50/041—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions requiring the combination of simultaneous actions, e.g. depressing and turning, lifting and turning, maintaining a part and turning another one the closure comprising nested inner and outer caps or an inner cap and an outer coaxial annular member, which can be brought into engagement to enable removal by rotation
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
- Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
- Superstructure Of Vehicle (AREA)
- Discharge Heating (AREA)
- Glass Compositions (AREA)
- Control Of Combustion (AREA)
Abstract
【課題】外側ネジ付き開口部を有する容器のネジ式安全密封装置。
【解決手段】一方が他方の内部に収容された２つの同軸の蓋からなり、軸線方向圧力と回転運動によって外蓋によって中蓋を回すことができ、外蓋（１）はその壁の一方の内側表面にラチェット手段を有し、中蓋（４０）はその円筒側壁（２）の内側表面にネジ部を有しかつ上記ラチェット手段を有する外蓋の壁と対向した中蓋の壁の外側表面にラチェット手段を有し、中蓋と外蓋の側壁のラチェット手段を外す弾性手段が２つの蓋の上端壁（３）の間に配置され、この弾性手段は２つの蓋の組成とは異なる組成の材料で作られている。A screw-type safety sealing device for a container having an externally threaded opening.
The inner lid can be turned by the outer lid by axial pressure and rotational movement, one of which is comprised of two coaxial lids housed within the other, the outer lid being one of its walls. Ratchet means on the inner surface, the inner lid (40) having threads on the inner surface of its cylindrical side wall (2) and the outer surface of the inner lid wall facing the outer lid wall having said ratchet means And an elastic means for removing the ratchet means on the side walls of the inner lid and the outer lid is disposed between the upper end walls (3) of the two lids, the elastic means having a composition different from the composition of the two lids. Made of material.
Description
【０００１】
【発明の分野】
本発明は、外側ネジ山が付いた口金を有する容器の、子供がいたずらできないにしたネジ式安全密封装置に関するものである。
特に、本発明は容器に螺合される中蓋と、この中蓋と同軸でその全体を覆った外蓋とを有し、蓋を開ける時にラチェット手段を介して外蓋が中蓋に軸線方向圧力と回転力とを加えて外蓋を駆動するような容器（例えばボトル）のネジ式安全密封装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
ネジ山の付いた口を有する容器をネジ付き蓋で密封する容器を子供がいたずらしないようにするための安全装置は古くから知られている。そうした安全装置は入れ子式になった２つの蓋／上蓋で構成され、各蓋は円筒側壁とこの円筒側壁を閉じる上端壁とを有し、中蓋の円筒状側壁の内側表面にはネジ山が形成されていて容器をネジ込んで密封するようになっている。さらに、円筒状外側側壁および／または上端部に設けた手段を介して外蓋によって中蓋が回せるようになっている。
【０００３】
中蓋と同軸で中蓋全体を覆う外蓋の内壁には、外蓋に加わる軸線方向の圧力／回転力によって容器が密閉または開放される方向へ中蓋を回す手段が設けられており、上記圧力によって外蓋の駆動手段が中蓋の対応手段と機械的に係合し、それによって中蓋へ回転運動が伝達される。
２つの蓋のいずれか一方には外蓋および中蓋の駆動手段を機械的に外すための弾性手段が設けられている。この弾性手段は蓋と同じ材料で射出成形で作ることができる。子供に対して安全なこの種の密閉装置は多くの特許に開示されている。以下、そのうちのいくつかを例として挙げる。
【０００４】
下記文献に記載の第１の装置は、互いに入れ子になった２つの蓋で構成されるネジ山を有する容器の安全密封装置（子供に対して安全な装置）である：
【特許文献１】欧州特許第ＥＰ ０６３１９４３号公報
この装置の一方の蓋は容器を閉じるための中蓋であり、他方は中蓋を駆動する外蓋で、容器は圧力および／または回転の複合動作で開閉される。
【０００５】
この装置では、ネジ込み用中蓋はその円筒壁の外側表面に連続した羽根（リブ）状の溝を有し、この溝は中蓋の上端壁の外側表面上に放射方向溝の形で連続し、各羽根は回転した時に開口する方向を向いた長い側面と、容器の密封具の長手方向中心軸線を含む面内にある短い側面とを有している。さらに、この装置の外蓋は上端壁（意図的に凸状にしてある）の（円筒壁を閉じる）内側表面上に突起物を有し、この突起物は外蓋の上端壁に加わる軸線方向圧力によって上端壁が弾性変形したときに中蓋の溝と係合する。
【０００６】
従って、外蓋の凸状端壁の内面に軸線方向圧力を加えた後、外蓋に回転を与えることによって外蓋の突起物を介して回転トルクが中蓋の放射方向溝に伝達されて中蓋のネジが緩められ、中蓋が容器から外される。
既に述べたように、この装置は中蓋の円筒外壁に所定の向きを有する羽根状の溝をさらに有している。この溝の役目は外蓋の突起物が中蓋の放射方向溝の傾斜羽根と係合していないときにネジ込み用中蓋を外蓋内で容易に回転させることにある。
【０００７】
この装置はさらに、外蓋で中蓋をネジ込み方向に回すための第１の駆動システムから独立した第２のシステムを有していて、外蓋の凸状外端壁に軸線方向圧力を加える必要が全い状態で、密封操作中に外蓋を単に回すだけで中蓋を回せるようになっている。この駆動システムは外蓋の内側円筒壁に設けた手段（「前面」とよばれる）と中蓋の外側円筒壁に配置された手段（突起とよばれる）とから成る。子供に安全な密封装置とよばれるこの密封装置には使用中に明らかになる問題がある。
【０００８】
例えば、外蓋（中蓋も同様）は弾性特性を有する単一のポリマー材料で作られ、外蓋の上端壁の内面の突起物もそれと同じ材料で作られ、この蓋の内面の上部構造が射出成形で成形される。すなわち、外蓋の上端壁が凸状で、容器を開けるための軸線方向圧力／回転トルクを何度も受けるため、構成材料の弾性記憶が弱くなり、材料の疲労のため上端壁がほぼ永久的に変形して、突起物がほぼ永久的に係合し、中蓋をネジを締める方向か緩める方向かのいずれかにしか回すことができなくなる。
すなわち、材料の疲労作用が起こると外蓋の上端壁が中蓋の端壁の外側表面から十分に離れることができなくなる。そうなると、必要な軸線方向圧力−回転とは無関係に２つの蓋が相互係合するため、この装置はもはや絶対に安全であるとはいえなくなる。
【０００９】
下記文献にはネジ山を有する容器の子供に安全な密封装置の別の装置が開示されている：
【特許文献２】欧州特許第ＥＰ ０６０２９２５号公報
この装置も入れ子式２つの蓋で構成され、一方の蓋は容器を閉じるための中蓋で、他方の蓋は容器を開閉する際に圧力および／または回転動作で中蓋を駆動する外蓋である。
【００１０】
この装置では、外蓋がその上端壁の内面上に放射方向を向いた細長いのラチェット部材を有し、さらに、外蓋の上端壁を中蓋の上端壁から離れた所に維持するための弾性手段を外蓋の中心部分に有し、ネジ付き中蓋はその円筒壁の内側表面上にネジ山を有し、中蓋の上端壁には放射方向を向いた細長いラチェット部材を有する。各ラチェット部材は（中蓋のネジ込み方向に）傾斜した斜面を有し、中蓋を駆動するネジ込み方向に外蓋を回したときに外蓋のラチェット部材と当接するが、外蓋の上端壁に軸線方向の力を予め加えずに蓋をネジを緩める方向に回した時には外蓋の上端部の内面のラチェット部材が斜面上を滑って、中蓋は駆動されない。
【００１１】
すなわち、上端壁に軸線方向圧力を連続して加えることによって中蓋のネジが緩み、それによって上端壁が中蓋の上端壁に接近し、外蓋の上端壁のラチェット部材と中蓋の上端壁のラチェット部材とが相互に係合し、中蓋が外蓋によって回される。
外蓋の上端壁に加える圧力を解除すると、弾性手段によって外蓋のラチェット部材が中蓋のラチェット部材から外れ、弾性手段によって両方の蓋が切り離される。
しかし、２つの蓋を有する子供に安全な密封装置として知られるこの密封装置も、使用してはじめて明らかになる問題を有する。
【００１２】
例えば、外蓋のラチェット部材および外蓋の上端壁の内側表面に存在する弾性手段は固有の弾性を有する単一のポリマー材料を用いて（射出成形で）作られている。より正確には、弾性手段は外蓋の上端壁の内側表面の１つの端部面と一体の４つの垂直タブで形成されている。これらの４つのタブは外蓋と同軸な仮想円筒壁を形成する。外蓋の上端壁に圧力が加わると、これらの４つのタブは、上記の圧力が加えられている限り、その下端が末広がり状に分離して中蓋の上端壁と当接する傾向がある。
圧力が解除された時はタブが垂直位置へ戻らなければならないが、実際には、容器を開けるために外蓋に繰返して加えられる軸線方向の作用（軸線方向圧力−回転）のために外蓋を構成するポリマー材料が疲労し、弾性手段はほぼ永久変形し、場合によってはその全部または一部が破損する。
すなわち、２つの蓋の上端面が十分に離れた静止時の位置に維持されなくなり、両者の相対位置が接近して外蓋の駆動歯と中蓋の駆動歯とが誤って相互係合し易くなる。従って、子供にとって安全といわれるこの密封装置も絶対に安全とはいえない。
【００１３】
下記文献には子供にとって安全であると考えられるネジ山を有する容器のための密封装置の別の装置が開示されている：
【特許文献３】欧州特許第ＥＰ ０７２５０１２号公報
この装置は、円筒側壁と端壁とを有する被駆動側の中蓋と、間封時に駆動側となる外側円筒ケーシングとを有し、この外側円筒ケーシングの上側開口部は中蓋の円筒の直径よりわずかに大きい直径を有し、従って中蓋を外側円筒ケーシングの上方から出すことができるようになっている。
外側円筒ケーシング中に中蓋を挿入すると、中蓋は円筒ケーシングによって保持される。すなわち、下側部分では中蓋が当接するクラウンによって保持され、上側部分では中蓋の上側周縁表面が当接する外側クラウンによって保持される。外側円筒駆動ケーシングはその内側表面にラチェット手段を有し、このラチェット手段は中蓋の案内手段にもなる。
【００１４】
中蓋の外側側壁には外側円筒ケーシングを介して中蓋を駆動するラチェット手段のみが存在する。従って、この外側円筒ケーシングを介した中蓋の機械的駆動は、ケーシングを下げてケーシングに機械的トルク力を加えて係合させ、ケーシングを回転させて中蓋を駆動したときに円筒ケーシングのラチェット手段と、それと係合する中蓋の手段とによって達成される。
弾性離脱手段は中蓋の下部クラウンの羽根で形成され、これらの羽根は下部クラウンと同じ組成で作られ、羽根の一端部は下部クラウンと一体であり、外側円筒ケーシングに対して下側方向に圧力が加えられたときクラウンの内部に収容される。
従って、この装置の上記手段では外側円筒ケーシングに垂直な力を加える必要があるため、中蓋を駆動するのが難しい。すなわち、先ず第１に、外側円筒ケーシングの周縁部をかなり微妙な動きに合わせて完全に把持した後に、ケーシングの周縁部に垂直な力を加えて外側円筒ケーシングと蓋とを係合させ、最後に、外側円筒ケーシングを回転して中蓋を駆動させることが要求される。しかも、離脱用の弾性手段が中蓋の下部クラウン上に配置され、蓋と外側円筒ケーシングを構成する材料（組成が）同じである。この材料は繰返し応力を受けると疲労状態に達し、弾性能力の一部失われ、割れたり、弾性がなくなったり、あるいは破壊することもある。
【００１５】
下記文献には消火栓用の安全密封装置が記載されている：
【特許文献４】英国特許第ＧＢ ２，２０９，１５６号公報
この装置はエンジニアリングポリアミドで作られた中蓋とアルミニウム合金で作られた外蓋とを有する。中蓋はその内壁にネジ山を有し、このネジは水の出口の先端のネジ山と係合する。外蓋は中蓋と同軸の位置に案内手段を構成する周縁クラウンによって固定され、２つの蓋を同軸に保持する。周縁クラウンは２つの蓋を分離する弾性手段を構成している。互いに対向した上側面の間にはバネが配置され、このバネは同軸な円形溝の内部に支持されている。
圧力−回転を加えて外蓋で中蓋を駆動する手段は外蓋の上端の内側表面に配置された３つの歯で構成される。これらの歯は、圧力／回転運動が加わったときに中蓋の上端の外側表面に存在する３つの凹部と係合する。
この装置を使用するのが難しいことは下記の理由から明らかである：
すなわち、この装置はかなり正確な機械的操作が必要で、容器を開閉するためには、３つの歯をこの歯の直径よりわずかに大きい直径の凹部に正確かつ同時に入れるように軸線方向に圧力を加えて駆動することができるような十分な手先の器用さが必要であり、努力も要求される。
金属バネの離脱用弾性手段は長寿命用に設計されてはいるが、上記のような極めて特殊な圧力／回転運動を加える必要があり、操作にはかなりの力と手先の器用さが要求されるという理由で、ほとんど操作されず、従って、この安全な密封装置はボトルのような容器の密封には全く適していない。
【００１６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
本発明の目的は、上記の欠点をできるだけなくすことができ、公知の安全密封装置で用いられている各種の手段よりも優れ、改良された解決策を提供することにある。
本発明の第１の目的は、上端壁に軸線方向圧力−回転トルクを加えることによって外蓋のラチェット手段を介して中蓋を駆動する、互いに入れ子式の２つの熱可塑性ポリマーの蓋で作られた、子供が回して開けることができない安全なネジ式容器用安全密封装置を提供することにある。
本発明の別の目的は、上端壁に圧力が加わらないときに被駆動側の中蓋から駆動側の外蓋を分離する手段を備えた、子供が回して開けることができない安全なネジ式容器用安全密封装置を提供することにある。
本発明のさらに別の目的は、被駆動側の中蓋に対する駆動側の外蓋の係合および分離を可能にする手段の全部または一部が、上端壁に軸線方向−圧力／回転トルクが繰り返し加えられても疲労、永久変形または破損しないような、子供が回して開けることができない安全なネジ式容器用安全密封装置を提供することにある。
本発明のさらに別の目的は、被駆動側の中蓋に対する駆動側の外蓋の係合および分離を可能にする手段が外蓋と中蓋との間の「遊び」または「磨耗間隙」を補償し、外蓋と中蓋とが係合したときには両者を確実に結合し、分離したときには両者を完全に独立させることができる、子供が回して開けることができない安全なネジ式容器用安全密封装置を提供することにある。
【００１７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記全ての目的は本発明の密封装置によって達成できる。
本発明は、熱可塑性ポリマー材料で作られた同軸で互いに入れ子式の２つの蓋すなわち外蓋と中蓋とから成り、各々の蓋は円筒側壁とこの円筒側壁を閉じる上端壁とで形成され、外蓋はその内側表面に外蓋ラチェット手段を有し、外蓋は、軸線方向圧力／回転の機械的トルクを加えた時に外蓋ラチェット手段を介して中蓋を回すことができ、中蓋はその円筒側壁の内側表面にネジ部を有し、中蓋の外側表面に外蓋のラチェット手段に対応する中蓋ラチェット手段を有し、外蓋に軸線方向圧力／回転の機械的トルクを加えた時に中蓋ラチェット手段を介して外蓋によって中蓋を回すことが可能になり、さらに、軸線方向圧力／回転の機械的トルクが外蓋に加わらない時に中蓋および外蓋のラチェット手段の係合を外す弾性手段と、中蓋および外蓋を両者の同軸性を維持しながら案内する手段とを有する、外側ネジ山付きの開口部を有する容器のネジ式安全密封装置において、上記弾性離脱手段が中蓋と外蓋の上端壁の間に位置し且つ両方の蓋を構成する材料の組成とは異なる組成の熱可塑性形状記憶ポリマー材料で作られていることを特徴とする装置を提供する。
【００１８】
本発明の第１実施例では、熱可塑性ポリマー材料で作られた同軸で互いに入れ子式の２つの蓋すなわち外蓋と中蓋とから成り、各々の蓋は円筒側壁とこの円筒側壁を閉じる上端壁とで形成され、外蓋はその上端壁の内側表面に外蓋ラチェット手段を有し、外蓋は、軸線方向圧力／回転の機械的トルクを加えた時に外蓋ラチェット手段を介して中蓋を回すことができ、中蓋はその円筒側壁の内側表面にネジ部を有し、中蓋の上端壁の外側表面に外蓋のラチェット手段に対応する中蓋ラチェット手段を有し、外蓋に軸線方向圧力／回転の機械的トルクを加えた時に中蓋ラチェット手段を介して外蓋によって中蓋を回すことが可能になり、さらに、中蓋および外蓋を両者の同軸性を維持しながら案内する手段と、軸線方向圧力／回転の機械的トルクが外蓋に加わらない時に中蓋および外蓋のラチェット手段の係合を外す弾性手段とを有する、外側ネジ山付きの開口部を有する容器のネジ式安全密封装置において、上記弾性離脱手段が中蓋と外蓋の上端壁の間に配置され且つ両方の蓋を構成する材料の組成とは異なる組成の熱可塑性形状記憶ポリマー材料で作られていることを特徴とする装置が提供される。
【００１９】
本発明の第２実施例では、熱可塑性ポリマー材料で作られた同軸で互いに入れ子式の２つの蓋すなわち外蓋と中蓋とから成り、各々の蓋は円筒側壁とこの円筒側壁を閉じる上端壁とで形成され、外蓋はその円筒側壁の内側表面に外蓋ラチェット手段を有し、外蓋は、軸線方向圧力／回転の機械的トルクを加えた時に外蓋ラチェット手段を介して中蓋を回すことができ、中蓋はその円筒側壁の内側表面にネジ部を有し、中蓋の円筒側壁の外側表面に外蓋のラチェット手段に対応する中蓋ラチェット手段を有し、外蓋に軸線方向圧力／回転の機械的トルクを加えた時に中蓋ラチェット手段を介して外蓋によって中蓋を回すことが可能になり、さらに、中蓋および外蓋を両者の同軸性を維持しながら案内する手段と、軸線方向圧力／回転の機械的トルクが外蓋に加わらない時に中蓋および外蓋の円筒側壁のラチェット手段の係合を外す弾性手段とを有する、外側ネジ山付きの開口部を有する容器のネジ式安全密封装置において、
上記弾性離脱手段が中蓋と外蓋の上端壁の間に配置され且つ両方の蓋を構成する材料の組成とは異なる組成の熱可塑性形状記憶ポリマー材料で作られていることを特徴とする装置。
【００２０】
【実施の態様】
本発明の装置は一方が他方の内部に収容された２つの蓋から成り、外蓋に軸線方向圧力が加わり、次いで回転が加えられたときに外蓋が垂直方向に下方へ移動して中蓋と係合し、中蓋を要求に応じて開く方向または閉じる方向へ移動させる駆動手段が各蓋の上部構造に設けられている。
外蓋に対して軸線方向圧力が加わらなくなった時には安全を確実にするために外蓋を上方へ動かす逆の移動を行って外蓋と中蓋を分離しなければならない。そのために、外蓋が離脱位置に来たときには単なる回転動作だけではネジの緩む向へ外蓋が中蓋を駆動できなくなる。
本発明装置は、装置を開けるのに必要な軸線方向圧力と回転トルクを同時に生じさせるのに必要となる筋肉の共同作業がまだできない小さな子供に対して極めて安全である。
【００２１】
本発明装置の外蓋および中蓋は熱可塑性ポリマー材料、例えばポリエチレン、ポリプロピレン、エチレン−プロピレンコポリマーおよびこれらの混合物、ポリアミド、ポリスチレン（ＰＳ）、アクリロニトリル−ブタジエン−スチレンコポリマー（ＡＢＳ）、スチレン−アクリロニトリルコポリマー（ＳＡＮ）、ポリ塩化ビニル（ＰＶＣ）、ポリカーボネート（ＰＣ）、ポリメチルメタクリレート（ＰＭＭＡ）、ポリエチレンテレフタレート（ＰＥＴ）を用いてこれらのプラスチックに適した方法で作ることかだできる。
本発明は従来技術とは違って、軸線方向圧力−回転運動を外蓋に加えなくなったときに外蓋と中蓋とを分離させさる形状記憶弾性手段が外蓋および中蓋の材料とは組成が異なる形状記憶弾性熱可塑性ポリマー材料で作られる。
形状記憶弾性手段は天然または合成の少なくとも一種の熱可塑性エラストマーを用いて作ることができる。このエラストマーは天然ゴム、合成ゴム、特にモノオレフィンゴム、例えばイソブチレン／イソプレン、エチレン−酢酸ビニル（ＥＶＡ）、エチレン−プロピレンゴム（ＥＰＲ）、エチレン−プロピレン−ジエンモノマー（ＥＰＤＭ）、エチレン−アクリルエステル（ＥＭＡ−ＥＥＡ）、フルオロポリマー、ポリブタジエン、スチレン−ブタジエンコポリマー（ＳＢＲ）、ポリエステルおよびポリウレタンゴム、シリコン、スチレン−ブタジエン−スチレン（ＳＢＳ）およびスチレン−イソプレン−スチレン（ＳＩＳ）スチレンゴムからなるエラストマー群の中から選択される材料を単独で用いるか、または混合して用いるのが好ましい。
【００２２】
形状記憶弾性手段を熱可塑性ポリマー発泡体を用いて作ることもできる。
本発明の形状記憶弾性手段はほぼ円筒形、円錐台形、円筒−円錐台形、円筒−半球形または半球形の立体形状を有することができ、その直径は装置の直径に合せて選択され、その高さは外蓋および中蓋のラチェット手段が係合位置に来ないようにするのに必要な最小距離に少なくとも等しくする。
既に述べたように、本発明の形状記憶弾性手段は種々の形状にすることができ、この形状は中実形状でも、中空形状でもよく、中実形状の場合には円板、截頭台形、ドーム形にすることができ、中空形状の場合にはカプセル、截頭台形、キャロット形にすることができる。中空形状には、外蓋に軸線方向圧力が加えられ、解除された時（その後に回転作用が加えられる）の吸着カップ作用を無くすために孔を開けることができる。
【００２３】
本発明の弾性手段は２つの蓋の上端壁の間に配置される。すなわち、この弾性手段はこれらの２つの壁の間にケリーに挿入するか、外蓋の上端壁の内側表面または中蓋の上端壁の外側表面に接着させてるか、蓋にインサート成形（オーバーモールド）することができる。
本発明の形状記憶弾性手段は熱可塑性ポリマー材料を用いたプラスチック技術の１つによって製造することができる。
【００２４】
ラチェット手段は一般に公知のものであるが、その形状は、本発明のラチェット手段を分離するための弾性離脱手段が中蓋と外蓋の上端壁の間に存在しているので、それが取付けられる領域に合せる必要がある。
外蓋の円筒側壁の内側表面および中蓋の円筒側壁の外側表面にラチェット手段を取付ける場合のラチェット手段は一般に周知な形式に何も変更しないものにする。そうしたラチェット手段の例としては（１）側壁の高さ方向の少なくとも一部に精製した正方形、矩形または三角形の断面形状を有する羽根か、（２）上記表面の周縁部に形成したノッチ状クラウンがある。
【００２５】
ラチェット手段を円筒側壁の互いに対向した表面および中蓋および外蓋の上端表面表面に設ける場合には、ラチェット手段は一般に周知の形式、例えば羽根にすることができる。この羽根は上記の欧州特許第０６３１９４３号に記載されており、２つの蓋の上端壁の少なくとも１方の表面上に放射方向に延びた羽根の形をした連続したリブから成る放射状溝を形成し、各羽根の放射方向長さは本発明の弾性手段を取付けるのに必要な蓋と同軸な領域が確保できるような長さに制限しなければならない。この放射方向長さは本発明の弾性手段の幾何学的容積の低部表面の半径だけ小さくした外蓋および中蓋の上端壁の表面の半径以下である。
【００２６】
ラチェット手段を外蓋の上端壁の内側表面および中蓋の上端壁の外側表面に設ける場合には、ラチェット手段を例えばクラウン状に取付けた歯形で形成するか、放射方向位置で正方形、矩形または三角形の断面形状を有する羽根で形成し、その放射方向寸法を本発明の弾性手段を取付けるのに必要な蓋と同軸な領域が確保できるような寸法に制限しなければならない。この放射方向寸法は本発明の弾性手段の幾何学的容積の低部表面の半径だけ小さくした外蓋および中蓋の上端壁の表面の半径以下であるのが好ましい。
【００２７】
ラチェット手段を外蓋の上端壁の内側表面および中蓋の上端壁の外側表面に設ける場合には、ラチェット手段を例えばクラウン状に取付けた歯形に形成するか、放射方向位置で正方形、矩形または三角形の断面形状を有する羽根で形成し、その放射方向長さを本発明の弾性手段を取付けるのに必要な蓋と同軸な領域が確保できるような寸法に制限しなければならない。この放射方向寸法は本発明の弾性手段の幾何学的容積の低部表面の半径だけ小さくした外蓋および中蓋の上端壁の表面の半径以下であるのが好ましい。
【００２８】
本発明では、ラチェット手段をこれらが取付けられる互いに対向した表面に取付けることができる。このラチェット手段は（１）クラウン状に取付けた歯形にするか、両方の蓋の上端壁の各表面に形成した放射状の羽根にするか、両方の蓋の円筒側壁の互いに対向した表面上に牽制したノッチ付周縁クラウンのような同じ形態にするか、（２）外蓋の上端壁の内側表面に取付けたクラウン状の歯形と中蓋の上端壁の外側表面に形成した放射方向羽根のような互いに異なる形態にすることができる。
【００２９】
本発明の一実施例では、外蓋の上端壁の内側表面および中蓋の上端壁の外側表面に互いに対向して配置されたラチェット手段がこれらの各表面に形成された歯形クラウンで、この歯形クラウンの見掛け直径は２つの蓋の直径より小さく、好ましくはいずれか一方のクラウンと同じである。
このクラウンを形成する歯は、外蓋に軸線方向の圧力を加え、回転運動を開始したときに中蓋のクラウンの歯の間に外蓋のクラウンの歯が容易に噛み合うように、互いに間隔をあけて配置されている。
【００３０】
外蓋と中蓋とを係合するクラウンの歯形は（１）機械的係合端が水平面によって互いに分離された２つの対称な斜面である平行六面体形か、（２）機械的係合端が半球または円錐台形の平行六面体形または円筒形の形をしている。
【００３１】
歯の上記のような特定の形状は、外蓋が軸線方向圧力を受けずに回転運動のみを受けたときに中蓋を駆動せずに外蓋がいずれかの方向に回ることができるように設計されており、外蓋のクラウンの歯が中蓋のクラウンの歯に係合しないで接触した場合には、外蓋のクラウンの歯が中蓋のクラウンの歯の上方を滑ることができるようになっている。
各クラウンに存在する歯の数は基本的にクラウンの直径に依存し、１つのクラウンに対して少なくとも４本であり、クラウンの直径（ｍｍ）に対する歯の数の比は０．１５（４／２４）〜０．５（１２／２４）であるのが好ましい。
【００３２】
本発明では、優れた同軸性を確保するために、外蓋を中蓋に対して案内する手段を中蓋の外側表面および／または外蓋の内側表面上の各蓋の円筒側壁の一方および／または他方に形成することができる。
この案内手段は正方形、矩形または三角形の断面形状を有する羽根で構成することができ、この羽根は円筒側壁の高さ方向の全部または一部に形成されかつこの側壁の母線に沿って設けられている。
この案内手段が案内機能のみをする場合には、外蓋および中蓋の円筒側壁の一方および／または他方に設け、その高さは側壁の高さ方向の全部または一部にする。
【００３３】
本発明ではこの案内手段は２つの役目を同時に果たす。すなわち、第１の役目は案内する役目であり、第２の役目は中蓋を外蓋によってネジ込み方向にのみ駆動す役目である。
これらの２つの役目を同時に実施できるようにするために、羽根は案内およびネジ込み方向への駆動とを行うように構成されており、両方の蓋の円筒側壁の高さ全体にわたって存在するのが好ましい。この羽根は断面が三角形または矩形の波形外観を有し、羽根の起点は円筒側面の母線上にある。
羽根の端部は、羽根が外蓋の円筒側壁の内側表面にある場合には斜面に沿って求心方向（ｓｅｎｓ ａ ｔｅｎｄａｎｃｅ ｃｅｎｔｉｐｅｔｅ）に延び、羽根が中蓋の円筒側壁の外側表面にあるときは遠心方向（ｓｅｎｓ ａ ｔｅｎｄａｎｃｅ ｃｅｎｔｉｆｕｇｅ）に延びている。
【００３４】
すなわち、軸線方向圧力が全く加わっていない状態で外蓋にネジ込み方向の回転力が加わったときには外蓋の案内羽根の端部が中蓋の案内羽根の端部と当接して中蓋をネジ込み方向へ回す。
逆に、軸線方向圧力が全く加わっていない状態で外蓋にネジを緩める方向の回転力が加わったときには外蓋の案内羽根の斜面が中蓋の案内羽根の斜面の上方を滑り、中蓋がネジを緩める方向に回ることはない。
弾性手段は両方の蓋の材料とは異なる材料を用いて両蓋とは独立して作るか、一方の蓋にインサート成形（オーバーモールド）されるが、この点を除けば、外蓋、中蓋、ネジ山、ラチェット手段および案内手段はこれらの成形に一般に用いられるポリマー材料を射出成形して同時に製造することができる。
本発明は図面を参照した以下の本発明の実施例の説明からより良く理解できよう。しかし、以下の実施例は単なる例示であって、本発明をなんら限定するものではない。
【００３５】
【実施例】
［図１］〜［図４］に示す本発明の安全密封装置は外蓋（１）と、形状記憶弾性手段（２０）と、中蓋（４０）と、容器（図示せず）の内部の湿分を吸収する親水性物質の貯蔵器の密封手段（６０）とで構成されている。
外蓋（１）は円筒側壁（２）と、この円筒側壁（２）を閉じる上端壁（３）とで構成され、外蓋の上端壁（３）の内側表面には１２個の歯（５）を有するラチェット手段（図７）が形成されている。このラチェット手段は蓋の直径より小さい直径のクラウン（４）状に配置されている。円筒側壁（２）の内側表面には羽根（６）からなるセンタークラウン手段が形成されている（図５、図６、図７）。このセンタークラウン手段は下記の２つの機能を同時に有している：
（１） 外蓋（１）に軸線方向圧力が加えられ、次いで解除されたときの中蓋（４０）に対する外蓋（１）の同軸運動を案内する第１の機能、および
（２） 外蓋に軸線方向圧力が全く加わっていない時に本発明装置のネジ込み方向にだけ中蓋を回す手段に寄与する第２の機能。［図６］に示すように、羽根（６）は細長いほぼ矩形の断面を有し、その平面（７）の軌道に沿った傾きは求心方向（矢印方向）を向き、羽根（６）の起点で接線面（８）に対して角度「α」を成す。
【００３６】
中蓋（４０）も円筒側壁（４１）と、この円筒側壁（４１）を閉じる上端壁（４２）とで構成され、上端壁（４２）の外側表面にはクラウン（４３）状のラチェット手段（図３）が形成されている。このクラウン（４３）の直径は中蓋（４０）の直径より小さく、外蓋（１）の上端壁の内側表面に形成された上記クラウン（４）の直径と同じである。クラウン（４３）とクラウン（４）は同じ数の歯を有する。
円筒側壁（４１）の外側表面にはさらに羽根（４５）からなる案内手段が形成されている。この案内手段は以下の２つの機能を同時に有する（図示した実施例の場合）：
（１） 中蓋（４０）に対する外蓋（１）の同軸運動を案内する第１の機能、および
（２） 外蓋に軸線方向圧力が全く加わっていない時に本発明装置のネジ込み方向にだけ中蓋を回す手段に寄与する第２の機能。［図６］に示すように、羽根（４５）はほぼ三角形の断面を有し、その平面（４６）の軌道は求心方向（矢印方向）を向き、羽根（４５）の起点で接線面（４７）に対して角度「β」を成す。
【００３７】
２つのクラウン（４、４３）の歯（５、４４）は平行六面体（図９）の形をしており、水平面（９４）によって互いに分離された２つの切断面（斜面）（９２、９３）が互いに係合したときに機械的係合端となる側壁（９０、９１）を有する。
この歯の形状は、外蓋に軸線方向圧力が加わらずに回す運動が加えられたときに、クラウン（４）の歯（５）の斜面（９２、９３）とクラウン（４３）の歯（４４）がお互いの上を滑るような形状になっていて（誤って接近して接触する場合）、外蓋を回しても各クラウンの歯が係合できず、従って中蓋が回らないようになっている。
【００３８】
中蓋の上端壁と外蓋との間には本発明の形状記憶弾性手段（２０）が配置される（図２）。この弾性手段（２０）は中空な円筒−截頭円錐台形で、円形クラウン（２１）と、円筒−截頭円錐台の側壁（２２）と、十字ピン（２３）および開口部（２４）を有する有孔上端壁とで構成される。
この形状記憶弾性手段（２０）の直径は相互係合クラウン（４）および（４３）の内径より小さいので、形状記憶弾性手段（２０）は相互係合クラウン中に容易に挿入することができる。
形状記憶弾性手段（２０）は熱可塑性エラストマー混合物を射出成形して作られ、両方の蓋の２つの上端壁（３）、（４２）の間の作動位置に配置される。この形状記憶弾性手段（２０）の厚さは端壁（３）と（４２）との間の距離よりほんのわずかに大きいので、軸線方向圧力が全く加わってないときに中蓋（４０）を駆動せずに外蓋（１）を回す（開ける方向に）ことができる。
【００３９】
外蓋（１）に軸線方向圧力が加わると、形状記憶弾性手段（２０）がクラウン（４）、（４３）の境界内に収容され状態で圧縮、変形される。形状記憶弾性手段（２０）が圧縮、変形されると、上記領域内に存在する空気が追い出されて２つのクラウン（４）、（４３）が互いに係合する。
その結果、外蓋によって中蓋を回す（ネジを緩める方向）ことができるようになる。軸線方向圧力が加わらなくなると形状記憶弾性手段（２０）はその初期容積へ戻る（最初の空気体積を取り戻す）ため、両方の蓋が分離し、係合が外れる。その結果、外蓋で中蓋を駆動する（特にネジを緩める方向へ）ことはできない。
【００４０】
本発明装置には補助装置として、貯蔵器（４８）（中蓋（４０）の一部）を閉じるための上蓋（６０）を設けることができる。この貯蔵器（４８）中には所定特性（例えば本発明装置によって閉じられる容器（図示せず）の内部の湿分を吸着する特性等）を有する物質が導入される。
上記実施例では、本発明装置は外蓋（１）がネジ込み方向の回転運動を受けたときにだけ互いに当接する羽根（６）と（４５）を介して密封される。すなわち、外蓋の羽根（６）が矢印（４９）の方向に駆動されて中蓋（４０）の羽根（４５）と両者の切形面で接触し、中蓋を密封方向に駆動する。
【００４１】
逆に、外蓋（４）をネジを緩める方向（矢印（５０）方向）に回転運動させただけでは、羽根（６）がそれらの斜面（７）を介して羽根（４５）の斜面（４６）上を摺動するだけで、中蓋はネジを緩める方向へ駆動されない。
ネジを緩めて本発明装置を開けるためには、外蓋（１）に軸線方向圧力を加えた後に、ネジを緩める方向に外蓋（１）を回さなければならない。その場合には外蓋（１）が中蓋に接近して形状記憶弾性手段（２０）を圧縮する。
素の結果、外蓋（１）のクラウン（４）の歯が中蓋（４０）のクラウン（４３）の歯と係合し、外蓋（１）によって中蓋が回され、密封装置のネジが容易に緩められ、密封装置が容器（図示せず）から外される。
【００４２】
別の実施例（図示せず）では、安全密封装置は上記第１実施例で述べた全ての手段を含むが、外蓋（１）の羽根（６）または中蓋（４０）の羽根（４５）のみが存在し、この羽根は案内機能のためにだけ相互作用する。この場合には、本発明装置の密封および開口は、外蓋に軸線方向圧力を加えた後に適当な回転を与えてクラウン（４）と（４３）とを相互に係合させ、外蓋（１）に加えられた回転方向へ中蓋（４０）を駆動させて行う。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】外蓋の斜視図。
【図２】本発明の弾性手段の斜視図。
【図３】本発明の中蓋の斜視図。
【図４】着湿材料を入れた貯蔵器の密封手段の斜視図。
【図５】外蓋および中蓋で構成される本発明装置の垂直断面図。
【図６】図５のＢ−Ｂ線による水平断面図。
【図７】本発明装置の外蓋の軸線方向内面図。
【図８】本発明装置の外蓋の垂直断面図。
【図９】本発明のラチェット手段の歯の斜視図。
【参照符号】
１ 外蓋
２ 円筒側壁
３ 上端壁
４ クラウン
５ 歯
６ 羽根
２０ 形状記憶弾性手段
４０ 中蓋
６０ 貯蔵器の密封手段[0001]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a screw-type safety sealing device for a container having a cap with an external thread, which cannot be tampered with by a child.
In particular, the present invention has an inner lid screwed to the container, and an outer lid that covers the whole of the inner lid coaxially with the inner lid. When the lid is opened, the outer lid is axially attached to the inner lid via the ratchet means. The present invention relates to a screw-type safety sealing device for a container (for example, a bottle) that drives an outer lid by applying pressure and rotational force.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Safety devices have been known for a long time to keep children from tampering with containers that have a threaded mouth sealed with a threaded lid. Such a safety device consists of two telescoping lids / top lids, each lid having a cylindrical side wall and an upper end wall closing the cylindrical side wall, with a thread on the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall of the inner lid. It is formed so that the container is screwed and sealed. Furthermore, the inner lid can be turned by the outer lid via means provided on the cylindrical outer side wall and / or the upper end.
[0003]
On the inner wall of the outer lid, which covers the entire inner lid coaxially with the inner lid, means for rotating the inner lid in a direction in which the container is closed or opened by an axial pressure / rotational force applied to the outer lid is provided. The pressure mechanically engages the drive means of the outer lid with the corresponding means of the inner lid, whereby a rotational movement is transmitted to the inner lid.
Either one of the two lids is provided with an elastic means for mechanically removing the driving means of the outer lid and the inner lid. This elastic means can be made by injection molding of the same material as the lid. This type of closure, which is child-safe, has been disclosed in many patents. In the following, some of them are given as examples.
[0004]
The first device described in the following document is a threaded container safety sealing device (child-safe device) consisting of two nested lids:
[Patent Document 1] European Patent No. EP 0631933
One lid of this device is an inner lid for closing the container, the other is an outer lid that drives the inner lid, and the container is opened and closed by a combined operation of pressure and / or rotation.
[0005]
In this device, the screwing inner lid has a continuous wing-shaped groove on the outer surface of its cylindrical wall, which groove is continuous in the form of a radial groove on the outer surface of the upper wall of the inner lid. Each vane has a long side that faces in the direction that it opens when rotated, and a short side that lies in the plane containing the longitudinal center axis of the container closure. In addition, the outer lid of this device has a projection on the inner surface (closing the cylindrical wall) of the upper wall (intentionally convex), which projection is axially applied to the upper wall of the outer lid. When the upper end wall is elastically deformed by pressure, it engages with the groove of the inner lid.
[0006]
Therefore, after applying an axial pressure to the inner surface of the convex end wall of the outer lid, by applying rotation to the outer lid, the rotational torque is transmitted to the radial groove of the inner lid through the protrusion of the outer lid. The screw on the lid is loosened and the inner lid is removed from the container.
As already mentioned, this device further has a vane-shaped groove having a predetermined orientation on the cylindrical outer wall of the inner lid. The role of this groove is to facilitate rotation of the screwing inner lid within the outer lid when the projections of the outer lid are not engaged with the inclined blades of the radial groove of the inner lid.
[0007]
The device further has a second system independent of the first drive system for screwing the inner lid with the outer lid to apply axial pressure to the convex outer end wall of the outer lid. When it is necessary, the inner lid can be turned simply by turning the outer lid during the sealing operation. The drive system consists of means provided on the inner cylindrical wall of the outer lid (called "front") and means provided on the outer cylindrical wall of the inner lid (called projections). This closure, which is called a child-safe closure, has problems that become apparent during use.
[0008]
For example, the outer lid (as well as the inner lid) is made of a single polymer material with elastic properties, the protrusions on the inner surface of the upper wall of the outer lid are also made of the same material, and the upper structure of the inner surface of this lid is Molded by injection molding. That is, since the upper end wall of the outer lid is convex and receives the axial pressure / rotational torque for opening the container many times, the elastic memory of the constituent material is weakened, and the upper end wall is almost permanent due to the fatigue of the material. And the protrusions are almost permanently engaged, and the inner lid can only be turned in either the screw tightening or loosening direction.
That is, when the fatigue action of the material occurs, the upper end wall of the outer lid cannot be sufficiently separated from the outer surface of the end wall of the inner lid. The device is then no longer absolutely safe, since the two lids interengage independently of the required axial pressure-rotation.
[0009]
The following document discloses another device for a child-safe closure of a threaded container:
[Patent Document 2] European Patent No. EP 0602925
This device is also composed of two nested lids, one lid is an inner lid for closing the container, and the other lid is an outer lid that drives the inner lid by pressure and / or rotation when opening and closing the container. is there.
[0010]
In this device, the outer lid has a radially elongated ratchet member on the inner surface of its upper end wall, and furthermore has an elasticity for maintaining the upper end wall of the outer lid away from the upper end wall of the inner lid. Means are provided in the central portion of the outer lid, the threaded inner lid has threads on the inner surface of its cylindrical wall, and the upper end wall of the inner lid has a radially oriented elongated ratchet member. Each ratchet member has an inclined surface (in the screwing direction of the inner lid), and comes into contact with the ratchet member of the outer lid when the outer lid is turned in the screwing direction for driving the inner lid. When the lid is turned in the direction to loosen the screw without applying an axial force to the wall in advance, the ratchet member on the inner surface of the upper end of the outer lid slides on the slope, and the inner lid is not driven.
[0011]
That is, by continuously applying the axial pressure to the upper end wall, the screw of the inner lid is loosened, whereby the upper end wall approaches the upper end wall of the inner lid, and the ratchet member of the upper end wall of the outer lid and the upper end wall of the inner lid. Are engaged with each other, and the inner lid is rotated by the outer lid.
When the pressure applied to the upper end wall of the outer lid is released, the ratchet member of the outer lid is released from the ratchet member of the inner lid by elastic means, and both lids are separated by the elastic means.
However, this closure, also known as a child-safe closure with two lids, also has problems which become evident only when used.
[0012]
For example, the ratchet member of the outer lid and the elastic means present on the inner surface of the upper end wall of the outer lid are made (by injection molding) using a single polymer material having inherent elasticity. More precisely, the resilient means is formed of four vertical tabs integral with one end face of the inner surface of the top wall of the outer lid. These four tabs form a virtual cylindrical wall coaxial with the outer lid. When pressure is applied to the upper end wall of the outer lid, these four tabs tend to diverge at their lower ends and abut the upper end wall of the inner lid as long as the above pressure is applied.
When the pressure is released, the tab must return to the vertical position, but in practice, the outer lid is subject to the axial action (axial pressure-rotation) that is repeatedly applied to the outer lid to open the container. Is fatigued, the elastic means is almost permanently deformed, and in some cases, all or a part thereof is broken.
That is, the upper end surfaces of the two lids are not maintained at a sufficiently distant position at the time of rest, and the relative positions of the two lids are close to each other, so that the driving teeth of the outer lid and the driving teeth of the inner lid are likely to erroneously engage with each other. Become. Therefore, this sealing device, which is said to be safe for children, is not absolutely safe.
[0013]
The following document discloses another device for a sealing device for a threaded container which is considered safe for children:
[Patent Document 3] European Patent No. EP 0725012
This device has a driven side inner lid having a cylindrical side wall and an end wall, and an outer cylindrical casing which becomes a driving side at the time of sealing, and an upper opening of the outer cylindrical casing has a diameter of a cylinder of the inner lid. It has a slightly larger diameter so that the inner lid can be extended from above the outer cylindrical casing.
When the inner lid is inserted into the outer cylindrical casing, the inner lid is held by the cylindrical casing. That is, in the lower part, the inner lid is held by the abutting crown, and in the upper part, the upper peripheral surface of the inner lid is held by the outer crown abutting. The outer cylindrical drive casing has on its inner surface ratchet means, which also serve as guide means for the inner lid.
[0014]
Only the ratchet means for driving the inner lid via the outer cylindrical casing is present on the outer side wall of the inner lid. Therefore, the mechanical drive of the inner lid through the outer cylindrical casing is performed by lowering the casing, applying a mechanical torque force to the casing, engaging the casing, rotating the casing, and driving the inner lid to ratchet the cylindrical casing. This is achieved by means and means of the inner lid engaging therewith.
The elastic release means is formed by the lower crown blades of the inner lid, these blades are made of the same composition as the lower crown, one end of the blade is integral with the lower crown, and in the downward direction with respect to the outer cylindrical casing It is housed inside the crown when pressure is applied.
Therefore, it is difficult to drive the inner lid because the above means of this device requires the application of a normal force to the outer cylindrical casing. That is, first, after completely gripping the peripheral edge of the outer cylindrical casing in accordance with a very delicate movement, a vertical force is applied to the peripheral edge of the casing to engage the outer cylindrical casing with the lid, and finally, In addition, it is required to rotate the outer cylindrical casing to drive the inner lid. Moreover, the resilient means for disengagement is arranged on the lower crown of the inner lid, and the material (composition) of the lid and the outer cylindrical casing is the same. The material may reach fatigue conditions when subjected to repeated stress, and may lose some of its elasticity, crack, lose elasticity, or even break.
[0015]
The following document describes a safety sealing device for hydrants:
[Patent Document 4] British Patent No. GB 2,209,156
This device has an inner lid made of engineering polyamide and an outer lid made of aluminum alloy. The inner lid has a thread on its inner wall which engages a thread at the tip of the water outlet. The outer lid is fixed at a position coaxial with the inner lid by a peripheral crown constituting guide means, and holds the two lids coaxially. The peripheral crown constitutes an elastic means for separating the two lids. A spring is disposed between the opposing upper surfaces, and the spring is supported inside a coaxial circular groove.
The means for applying pressure-rotation to drive the inner lid with the outer lid consists of three teeth located on the inner surface of the upper end of the outer lid. These teeth engage three recesses on the outer surface of the upper end of the inner lid when pressure / rotational motion is applied.
The difficulty in using this device is apparent for the following reasons:
That is, the device requires fairly precise mechanical operation, and in order to open and close the container, axial pressure is applied to accurately and simultaneously insert three teeth into a recess slightly larger than the diameter of the teeth. In addition, sufficient manual dexterity to be able to drive is required and effort is required.
Although the release means of the metal spring is designed for long life, it requires the application of very special pressure / rotational movements as described above, which requires considerable force and manual dexterity for operation. Hardly operated because of this, and thus this secure sealing device is not at all suitable for sealing containers such as bottles.
[0016]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved solution that can eliminate the above disadvantages as much as possible, is superior to the various measures used in known safety sealing devices.
A first object of the present invention is made of two thermoplastic polymer lids nested within each other, which drive the inner lid through ratchet means on the outer lid by applying axial pressure-rotating torque to the upper end wall. Another object of the present invention is to provide a safe screw-type container for a screw-type container which cannot be rotated and opened by a child.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a secure screw-type container which cannot be rotated by a child and provided with means for separating the driven-side outer lid from the driven-side inner lid when no pressure is applied to the upper end wall. To provide a safety sealing device.
Yet another object of the invention is that all or part of the means enabling the engagement and disengagement of the drive side outer lid with the driven side inner lid has an axial-pressure / rotational torque on the upper end wall. It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe screw-on container for a screw-type container which cannot be opened by turning, so that it will not be fatigued, permanently deformed or damaged when added.
It is yet another object of the present invention that the means for enabling the engagement and disengagement of the drive side outer lid with the driven side inner lid creates a "play" or "wear gap" between the outer lid and the inner lid. Compensate, secure the connection between the outer lid and the inner lid when the two lids are engaged, and allow them to be completely independent when separated, safety seal for screw-type containers that cannot be rotated and opened by children It is to provide a device.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
All of the above objectives can be achieved by the sealing device of the present invention.
The present invention comprises two coaxial and nested lids made of a thermoplastic polymer material, an outer lid and an inner lid, each lid being formed by a cylindrical side wall and an upper end wall closing the cylindrical side wall, The outer lid has outer lid ratchet means on its inner surface, and the outer lid can rotate the inner lid through the outer lid ratchet means when applying an axial pressure / rotational mechanical torque, wherein the inner lid is A screw portion is provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall, and an inner cover ratchet means corresponding to the ratchet means of the outer cover is provided on the outer surface of the inner cover, and an axial pressure / rotational mechanical torque is applied to the outer cover. Sometimes the inner lid can be turned by the outer lid via the inner lid ratchet means, and the engagement of the inner lid and the outer ratchet means when no axial pressure / rotational mechanical torque is applied to the outer lid Elastic means to remove the inner lid and the outer Means for guiding while maintaining the coaxiality of the two, the screw-type safety sealing device for a container having an opening with an external thread, the elastic detaching means between the upper end wall of the inner lid and the outer lid. An apparatus is provided, characterized in that it is made of a thermoplastic shape memory polymer material having a composition different from that of the material constituting the two lids.
[0018]
In a first embodiment of the invention, two coaxial, nested lids, an outer lid and an inner lid, made of a thermoplastic polymer material, each lid having a cylindrical side wall and an upper end wall closing the cylindrical side wall. The outer lid has an outer lid ratchet means on the inner surface of the upper end wall thereof, and the outer lid is provided with the inner lid through the outer lid ratchet means when a mechanical torque of an axial pressure / rotation is applied. The inner lid has a threaded portion on the inner surface of its cylindrical side wall, and has an inner lid ratchet means corresponding to the outer lid ratchet means on the outer surface of the upper end wall of the inner lid. When the directional pressure / rotational mechanical torque is applied, the inner lid can be turned by the outer lid via the inner lid ratchet means, and further, the inner lid and the outer lid are guided while maintaining the coaxiality of both. Means and mechanical torque of axial pressure / rotation Resilient means for disengaging the inner lid and the ratchet means of the outer lid when not engaged with the outer lid, wherein the resilient disengaging means comprises an inner lid. Provided between the top lid and the top lid of the outer lid and made of a thermoplastic shape memory polymer material having a composition different from the composition of the material constituting both lids.
[0019]
In a second embodiment of the present invention, there are two coaxial, nested lids made of a thermoplastic polymer material, an outer lid and an inner lid, each lid having a cylindrical side wall and an upper end wall closing the cylindrical side wall. The outer lid has outer lid ratchet means on the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall thereof, and the outer lid is provided with the inner lid through the outer lid ratchet means when an axial pressure / rotation mechanical torque is applied. The inner lid has a threaded portion on the inner surface of its cylindrical side wall, and has an inner lid ratchet means corresponding to the outer lid ratchet means on the outer surface of the cylindrical side wall of the inner lid. When the directional pressure / rotational mechanical torque is applied, the inner lid can be turned by the outer lid via the inner lid ratchet means, and further, the inner lid and the outer lid are guided while maintaining the coaxiality of both. Means and mechanical torsion of axial pressure / rotation In screw-type safety sealing device of the container and a resilient means for disengaging the ratchet means of the cylindrical side wall of the inner lid and outer lid has an opening with outer threads when click is not applied to the outer lid,
An apparatus wherein the elastic release means is disposed between the upper end walls of the inner lid and the outer lid and is made of a thermoplastic shape memory polymer material having a composition different from the composition of the material constituting both the lids. .
[0020]
Embodiment
The device of the present invention consists of two lids, one housed inside the other, with axial pressure applied to the outer lid, and then when the rotation is applied, the outer lid moves vertically downwards to move the inner lid down. A drive means is provided on the upper structure of each of the lids for engaging with the inner lid and moving the inner lid in an opening direction or a closing direction as required.
When axial pressure is no longer applied to the outer lid, the outer lid and the inner lid must be separated by performing a reverse movement to move the outer lid upward to ensure safety. For this reason, when the outer lid comes to the detached position, the outer lid cannot drive the inner lid in the direction in which the screw is loosened only by a simple rotation operation.
The device of the present invention is extremely safe for small children who cannot yet cooperate with the muscles required to simultaneously generate the axial pressure and rotational torque required to open the device.
[0021]
The outer and inner lids of the device of the present invention are made of thermoplastic polymer materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymers and mixtures thereof, polyamide, polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The present invention is different from the prior art in that the shape memory elastic means for separating the outer lid and the inner lid when the axial pressure-rotational motion is no longer applied to the outer lid is composed of a material for the outer lid and the inner lid. Are made of different shape memory elastic thermoplastic polymer materials.
The shape memory elastic means can be made using at least one natural or synthetic thermoplastic elastomer. This elastomer can be a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, especially a monoolefin rubber such as isobutylene / isoprene, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR), ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM), ethylene-acrylic ester ( EMA-EEA), fluoropolymer, polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBR), polyester and polyurethane rubber, silicone, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) styrene rubber It is preferable to use a material selected from the above alone or as a mixture.
[0022]
Shape memory elastic means can also be made using thermoplastic polymer foam.
The shape memory resilient means of the present invention can have a substantially cylindrical, frusto-conical, cylindrical-frusto-conical, cylindrical-hemispherical or hemispherical three-dimensional shape, the diameter of which is selected according to the diameter of the device and its height. The length is at least equal to the minimum distance required to keep the outer and inner lid ratchet means from coming into engagement.
As already mentioned, the shape memory elastic means of the present invention can be made into various shapes, and this shape may be a solid shape or a hollow shape, and in the case of a solid shape, a disk, a truncated trapezoid, It can be a dome shape, and in the case of a hollow shape, it can be a capsule, a truncated trapezoid, or a carrot. The hollow shape can be perforated to eliminate the suction cup effect when axial pressure is applied to the outer lid and released (and subsequently a rotating effect is applied).
[0023]
The elastic means of the present invention is located between the upper end walls of the two lids. That is, the elastic means may be inserted into the kelly between these two walls, adhered to the inner surface of the upper end wall of the outer lid or the outer surface of the upper end wall of the inner lid, or may be insert molded (overmolded) into the lid. )can do.
The shape memory elastic means of the present invention can be manufactured by one of the plastic techniques using a thermoplastic polymer material.
[0024]
Although the ratchet means is generally known, its shape is such that the elastic release means for separating the ratchet means of the present invention is located between the upper end wall of the inner lid and the outer lid, so that it is attached. Need to fit the area.
When attaching the ratchet means to the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall of the outer lid and the outer surface of the cylindrical side wall of the inner lid, the ratchet means does not change anything in a generally known manner. Examples of such ratchet means include (1) a vane having a purified square, rectangular or triangular cross-section at least in part in the height direction of the side wall, or (2) a notch-shaped crown formed on the peripheral edge of the surface. is there.
[0025]
If the ratchet means is provided on the opposing surfaces of the cylindrical side wall and on the top surface of the inner and outer lids, the ratchet means may be of a generally known type, for example, blades. This vane is described in the above-mentioned EP 0 631 943 and forms a radial groove consisting of a continuous rib in the form of a vane extending radially on at least one surface of the top walls of the two lids. The radial length of each blade must be limited to such a length that a region coaxial with the lid necessary for mounting the elastic means of the present invention can be secured. This radial length is less than or equal to the radius of the surface of the top wall of the outer and inner lids reduced by the radius of the lower surface of the geometric volume of the elastic means of the present invention.
[0026]
If the ratchet means is provided on the inner surface of the upper end wall of the outer lid and on the outer surface of the upper end wall of the inner lid, the ratchet means may be formed, for example, with a crown-mounted tooth profile, or may be square, rectangular or triangular in radial position. Must be formed in such a manner that the radial dimension thereof is limited to a size that can secure a coaxial area necessary for mounting the elastic means of the present invention. This radial dimension is preferably less than or equal to the radius of the surface of the upper end wall of the outer and inner lids reduced by the radius of the lower surface of the geometric volume of the elastic means of the present invention.
[0027]
When the ratchet means is provided on the inner surface of the upper end wall of the outer lid and the outer surface of the upper end wall of the inner lid, the ratchet means may be formed, for example, in a crown-shaped tooth shape, or may be square, rectangular or triangular in radial position. And the radial length must be limited to such a dimension as to ensure the area coaxial with the lid necessary for mounting the elastic means of the present invention. This radial dimension is preferably less than or equal to the radius of the surface of the upper end wall of the outer and inner lids reduced by the radius of the lower surface of the geometric volume of the elastic means of the present invention.
[0028]
In the present invention, the ratchet means can be mounted on opposing surfaces to which they are mounted. The ratchet means may be (1) a crown mounted tooth profile, radial vanes formed on each surface of the upper end walls of both lids, or a check on the opposing surfaces of the cylindrical side walls of both lids. Or (2) a crown-like tooth profile attached to the inner surface of the upper end wall of the outer lid and a radial blade formed on the outer surface of the upper end wall of the inner lid. The shapes can be different from each other.
[0029]
In one embodiment of the present invention, ratchet means disposed opposite each other on the inner surface of the upper end wall of the outer lid and the outer surface of the upper end wall of the inner lid are tooth-shaped crowns formed on each of these surfaces. The apparent diameter of the crown is smaller than the diameter of the two lids, and is preferably the same as either one of the crowns.
The teeth forming this crown are spaced apart from each other by applying axial pressure to the outer lid so that the teeth of the outer lid can easily mesh between the teeth of the crown of the inner lid when the rotational movement is initiated. It is arranged open.
[0030]
The tooth profile of the crown that engages the outer lid and the inner lid is (1) a parallelepiped shape in which the mechanical engagement ends are two symmetrical inclined surfaces separated from each other by a horizontal plane, or (2) the mechanical engagement ends are It has the shape of a parallelepiped or cylinder of hemisphere or frustoconical shape.
[0031]
The specific shape of the teeth as described above is such that the outer lid can rotate in either direction without driving the inner lid when the outer lid is subjected to only rotational movement without axial pressure. Designed so that the crown crown teeth can slide over the crown crown teeth if the crown crown teeth do not engage the crown crown teeth without engaging It has become.
The number of teeth present in each crown is basically dependent on the diameter of the crown and is at least four for one crown, and the ratio of the number of teeth to the crown diameter (mm) is 0.15 (4 / 24) to 0.5 (12/24).
[0032]
In the present invention, in order to ensure excellent coaxiality, means for guiding the outer lid relative to the inner lid are provided with one and / or one of the cylindrical side walls of each lid on the outer surface of the inner lid and / or the inner surface of the outer lid. Or it can be formed on the other.
The guide means can be constituted by vanes having a square, rectangular or triangular cross-sectional shape, which are formed all or part of the height of the cylindrical side wall and provided along the generatrix of the side wall. I have.
When the guiding means only has a guiding function, it is provided on one and / or the other of the cylindrical side walls of the outer lid and the inner lid, and the height thereof is made all or part of the height direction of the side walls.
[0033]
In the present invention, this guiding means serves two functions simultaneously. That is, the first role is a guiding role, and the second role is a role of driving the inner lid by the outer lid only in the screwing direction.
In order to be able to carry out these two tasks simultaneously, the blades are arranged for guiding and driving in the screw-in direction, and are present over the entire height of the cylindrical side walls of both lids. preferable. The blade has a triangular or rectangular waveform in cross section, and the starting point of the blade is on the generatrix on the side surface of the cylinder.
The ends of the blades extend sens a tendently along the slope when the blades are on the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall of the outer lid, and when the blades are on the outer surface of the cylindrical side wall of the inner lid. It extends in the sense direction.
[0034]
That is, when a rotational force in the screwing direction is applied to the outer cover in a state where no axial pressure is applied, the end of the guide blade of the outer cover comes into contact with the end of the guide blade of the inner cover and the inner cover is screwed. Turn in the insertion direction.
Conversely, when no rotational pressure is applied to the outer lid in the state where no axial pressure is applied, the slope of the outer lid guide vanes slides over the slope of the inner lid guide vanes, and the inner lid is Do not turn in the direction to loosen the screw.
The elastic means is made of a material different from the material of both lids independently of both lids or is insert-molded (overmolded) on one lid, except for this point, except for the outer lid, the inner lid , Threads, ratchet means and guide means can be produced simultaneously by injection molding the polymeric materials commonly used in these moldings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention can be better understood from the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which: FIG. However, the following examples are merely illustrative and do not limit the present invention in any way.
[0035]
【Example】
The safety sealing device of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 includes an outer lid (1), a shape memory elastic means (20), an inner lid (40), and the inside of a container (not shown). Means for sealing a reservoir of a hydrophilic substance that absorbs moisture.
The outer lid (1) is composed of a cylindrical side wall (2) and an upper end wall (3) closing the cylindrical side wall (2), and the inner surface of the upper end wall (3) of the outer lid has 12 teeth (5). ) Is formed (see FIG. 7). The ratchet means is arranged in a crown (4) shape with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the lid. A center crown means composed of a blade (6) is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall (2) (FIGS. 5, 6, and 7). This center crown means has the following two functions simultaneously:
(1) a first function of guiding the coaxial movement of the outer lid (1) relative to the inner lid (40) when axial pressure is applied to the outer lid (1) and then released;
(2) A second function that contributes to the means for turning the inner lid only in the screwing direction of the device of the present invention when no axial pressure is applied to the outer lid. As shown in FIG. 6, the blade (6) has an elongated and substantially rectangular cross section, and the inclination of the plane (7) along the trajectory points in the centripetal direction (the direction of the arrow), and the starting point of the blade (6) Form an angle “α” with the tangential plane (8).
[0036]
The inner lid (40) is also constituted by a cylindrical side wall (41) and an upper end wall (42) closing the cylindrical side wall (41), and a crown (43) -shaped ratchet means ( FIG. 3) is formed. The diameter of the crown (43) is smaller than the diameter of the inner lid (40) and is the same as the diameter of the crown (4) formed on the inner surface of the upper end wall of the outer lid (1). Crown (43) and crown (4) have the same number of teeth.
Guide means comprising vanes (45) are further formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical side wall (41). This guidance means has the following two functions simultaneously (in the case of the embodiment shown):
(1) a first function for guiding the coaxial movement of the outer lid (1) with respect to the inner lid (40), and
(2) A second function that contributes to the means for turning the inner lid only in the screwing direction of the device of the present invention when no axial pressure is applied to the outer lid. As shown in FIG. 6, the blade (45) has a substantially triangular cross section, and the trajectory of the plane (46) faces the centripetal direction (the direction of the arrow), and the tangential plane (47) ) At an angle “β”.
[0037]
The teeth (5, 44) of the two crowns (4, 43) are in the form of parallelepipeds (FIG. 9), and two cutting planes (slopes) (92, 93) separated from each other by a horizontal plane (94). Have a side wall (90, 91) that becomes a mechanical engagement end when engaged with each other.
The shape of the teeth is such that the bevels (92, 93) of the teeth (5) of the crown (4) and the teeth (44) of the crown (43) when a rotating motion is applied to the outer lid without applying axial pressure. ) Are shaped to slide on top of each other (in case of accidental close contact), and turning the outer lid will not allow the teeth of each crown to engage, thus preventing the inner lid from rotating. ing.
[0038]
The shape memory elastic means (20) of the present invention is arranged between the upper end wall of the inner lid and the outer lid (FIG. 2). This resilient means (20) is hollow cylindrical-frustoconical, having a circular crown (21), cylindrical-frustoconical side walls (22), a cross pin (23) and an opening (24). It consists of a perforated upper end wall.
Since the diameter of the shape memory elastic means (20) is smaller than the inner diameter of the interengaging crowns (4) and (43), the shape memory elastic means (20) can be easily inserted into the interengaging crown.
The shape memory resilient means (20) is made by injection molding of a thermoplastic elastomer mixture and is located in the working position between the two upper walls (3), (42) of both lids. The thickness of this shape memory elastic means (20) is only slightly greater than the distance between the end walls (3) and (42), so that the inner lid (40) is driven when no axial pressure is applied. The outer lid (1) can be turned (in the opening direction) without doing so.
[0039]
When an axial pressure is applied to the outer lid (1), the shape memory elastic means (20) is compressed and deformed while being accommodated in the boundary between the crowns (4) and (43). When the shape memory elastic means (20) is compressed and deformed, the air existing in the area is expelled and the two crowns (4) and (43) engage with each other.
As a result, the inner lid can be turned (the direction of loosening the screw) by the outer lid. When the axial pressure is no longer applied, the shape memory resilient means (20) returns to its initial volume (recovers the initial air volume), so that both lids are separated and disengaged. As a result, the outer lid cannot drive the inner lid (especially in the direction of loosening the screw).
[0040]
The device according to the invention may be provided with an upper lid (60) for closing the reservoir (48) (part of the inner lid (40)) as an auxiliary device. A substance having a predetermined property (for example, a property of adsorbing moisture inside a container (not shown) closed by the apparatus of the present invention) is introduced into the reservoir (48).
In the above embodiment, the device according to the invention is sealed via the blades (6) and (45) which abut each other only when the outer lid (1) is subjected to a rotational movement in the screwing direction. That is, the blades (6) of the outer lid are driven in the direction of the arrow (49) to come into contact with the blades (45) of the inner lid (40) at the cut surfaces of both, thereby driving the inner lid in the sealing direction.
[0041]
Conversely, simply rotating the outer lid (4) in the direction in which the screw is loosened (the direction of the arrow (50)) causes the blades (6) to pass through their slopes (7) to the slopes (46) of the blades (45). ) The inner lid is not driven in the direction of loosening the screw only by sliding on the upper side.
In order to loosen the screw and open the device of the present invention, after applying axial pressure to the outer lid (1), the outer lid (1) must be turned in the direction of loosening the screw. In that case, the outer lid (1) approaches the inner lid and compresses the shape memory elastic means (20).
As a result, the teeth of the crown (4) of the outer lid (1) engage the teeth of the crown (43) of the inner lid (40), the inner lid is turned by the outer lid (1), and the screw of the sealing device is screwed. Is easily loosened and the sealing device is removed from the container (not shown).
[0042]
In another embodiment (not shown), the safety seal comprises all the means described in the first embodiment above, but with the blades (6) of the outer lid (1) or the blades (45) of the inner lid (40). ) Are present, and the vanes interact only for the guiding function. In this case, the seal and opening of the device of the present invention may be such that after applying axial pressure to the outer lid, a suitable rotation is applied to cause the crowns (4) and (43) to engage with each other and the outer lid (1). ) Is performed by driving the inner lid (40) in the rotation direction added to the above.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outer lid.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the elastic means of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inner lid of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sealing means of a reservoir containing a moisturizing material.
FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the device of the present invention composed of an outer lid and an inner lid.
FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an axially inner view of the outer lid of the device of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of an outer lid of the device of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the teeth of the ratchet means of the present invention.
[Reference code]
1 outer lid
2 Cylindrical side wall
3 Top wall
4 Crown
5 teeth
6 feathers
20 Shape memory elastic means
40 inner lid
60 Reservoir sealing means
Claims (27)
上記弾性離脱手段が中蓋と外蓋の上端壁の間に位置し且つ両方の蓋を構成する材料の組成とは異なる組成の熱可塑性形状記憶ポリマー材料で作られていることを特徴とする装置。It consists of two coaxial, telescoping lids made of a thermoplastic polymer material, namely an outer lid and an inner lid, each lid being formed by a cylindrical side wall and an upper end wall closing the cylindrical side wall, the outer lid being the upper side wall. The inner surface has an outer lid ratchet means, the outer lid being able to rotate the inner lid through the outer lid ratchet means when applying an axial pressure / rotational mechanical torque, wherein the inner lid has a cylindrical side wall. An inner lid having a threaded portion on an inner surface thereof, and an inner lid ratchet means corresponding to a ratchet means of the outer lid on an outer surface of the inner lid, wherein an inner lid ratchet is applied when a mechanical torque of axial pressure / rotation is applied to the outer lid. Resilient means for enabling rotation of the inner lid by means of the outer lid via the means, and further disengaging the ratchet means of the inner lid and the outer lid when no axial pressure / rotational mechanical torque is applied to the outer lid And the inner lid and outer lid And means for guiding while maintaining axial, in screw-type safety sealing device of the container having an opening with outer thread,
An apparatus wherein the elastic release means is located between the upper end walls of the inner lid and the outer lid and is made of a thermoplastic shape memory polymer material having a composition different from the composition of the materials constituting both lids. .
上記弾性離脱手段が中蓋と外蓋の上端壁の間に配置され且つ両方の蓋を構成する材料の組成とは異なる組成の熱可塑性形状記憶ポリマー材料で作られていることを特徴とする装置。It consists of two coaxial and telescopic lids made of a thermoplastic polymer material, an outer lid and an inner lid, each lid being formed by a cylindrical side wall and an upper end wall closing the cylindrical side wall, the outer lid being the An outer lid ratchet means is provided on the inner surface of the upper end wall, and the outer lid can rotate the inner lid through the outer lid ratchet means when a mechanical torque of axial pressure / rotation is applied, and the inner lid is A screw part is provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall, and an inner lid ratchet means corresponding to the ratchet means of the outer lid is provided on the outer surface of the upper end wall of the inner lid. The outer lid is provided with an axial pressure / rotational mechanical torque. The inner lid can be turned by the outer lid through the inner lid ratchet means when added, and furthermore, means for guiding the inner lid and the outer lid while maintaining coaxiality between them, and axial pressure / rotation. Medium when no mechanical torque is applied to the outer lid And a resilient means for disengaging the ratchet means of the outer lid, the screw-type safety sealing device of the container having an opening with outer thread,
An apparatus wherein the elastic release means is disposed between the upper end walls of the inner lid and the outer lid and is made of a thermoplastic shape memory polymer material having a composition different from the composition of the material constituting both the lids. .
上記弾性離脱手段が中蓋と外蓋の上端壁の間に配置され且つ両方の蓋を構成する材料の組成とは異なる組成の熱可塑性形状記憶ポリマー材料で作られていることを特徴とする装置。It consists of two coaxial and telescopic lids made of a thermoplastic polymer material, an outer lid and an inner lid, each lid being formed by a cylindrical side wall and an upper end wall closing the cylindrical side wall, the outer lid being the An outer lid ratchet means is provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall, and the outer lid can be turned through the outer lid ratchet means when an axial pressure / rotational mechanical torque is applied, and the inner lid is A screw portion is provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall, and an inner lid ratchet means corresponding to the ratchet means of the outer lid is provided on the outer surface of the cylindrical side wall of the inner lid. The outer lid is provided with an axial pressure / rotational mechanical torque. The inner lid can be turned by the outer lid through the inner lid ratchet means when added, and furthermore, means for guiding the inner lid and the outer lid while maintaining coaxiality between them, and axial pressure / rotation. When no mechanical torque is applied to the outer lid And a resilient means for disengaging the ratchet means of the cylindrical side wall of the inner lid and outer lid, the screw-type safety sealing device of the container having an opening with outer thread,
An apparatus wherein the elastic release means is disposed between the upper end walls of the inner lid and the outer lid and is made of a thermoplastic shape memory polymer material having a composition different from the composition of the material constituting both the lids. .
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR0012667A FR2814724B1 (en) | 2000-10-04 | 2000-10-04 | SAFETY CLOSING DEVICE FOR CHILD-PROOF BY SCREWING A CONTAINER WITH A SCREW MOUTHPIECE |
| PCT/FR2001/003063 WO2002028737A1 (en) | 2000-10-04 | 2001-10-04 | Child-resistant safety closure |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JP2004526631A true JP2004526631A (en) | 2004-09-02 |
Family
ID=8854985
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2002532134A Pending JP2004526631A (en) | 2000-10-04 | 2001-10-04 | Child-safe sealing device |
Country Status (11)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20040045923A1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1335864B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2004526631A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1258468C (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE297350T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2001295660A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2424324C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE60111416T2 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2243562T3 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2814724B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2002028737A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2007015754A (en) * | 2005-07-11 | 2007-01-25 | Intertech Ltd | Cap for pet bottle |
Families Citing this family (17)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2918041B1 (en) * | 2007-06-28 | 2009-09-25 | Airsec Soc Par Actions Simplif | CHILD SAFETY CLOSURE DEVICE WITH A SCREW AND A FIRST-OPEN WINDOW RING |
| US20090014404A1 (en) * | 2007-07-10 | 2009-01-15 | Berry Plastics Corporation | Convertible container closure |
| EP2179942B1 (en) * | 2008-10-24 | 2014-12-10 | Clariant Production (France) S.A.S. | Screw cap, container body and container |
| US8857638B2 (en) | 2010-12-03 | 2014-10-14 | Bprex Healthcare Packaging Inc. | Push-and-turn child-resistant closure, shells, and package |
| US9463909B2 (en) * | 2013-10-30 | 2016-10-11 | Colt's Plastics Co., Inc. | Cap assembly with integrated liner and outer shell |
| US9975673B2 (en) | 2014-12-23 | 2018-05-22 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Squeeze and turn child resistant closure attachment |
| AU2016246120B2 (en) | 2015-04-10 | 2019-02-21 | Bormioli Pharma S.p.A. | Safety capsule for a container |
| ITUB20159474A1 (en) * | 2015-12-23 | 2017-06-23 | Bormioli Rocco Spa | Closing capsule of a container. |
| WO2018144721A1 (en) * | 2017-02-01 | 2018-08-09 | Drug Plastics & Glass Company, Inc. | Child resistant cap |
| US11059637B2 (en) * | 2018-05-03 | 2021-07-13 | Leigh Roto | Child resistant container system |
| US10414561B1 (en) | 2018-07-03 | 2019-09-17 | Pascal Holdings, LLC | Safety cap |
| US20200148436A1 (en) * | 2018-11-14 | 2020-05-14 | Packed Design, LLC | Childproof Tube Container |
| USD1014251S1 (en) | 2019-06-03 | 2024-02-13 | Berlin Packaging, Llc | Tamper evident closure assembly |
| USD1023755S1 (en) | 2019-06-03 | 2024-04-23 | Berlin Packaging, Llc | Tamper evident closure assembly |
| CN112623492A (en) * | 2020-12-14 | 2021-04-09 | 蒯圣广 | Edible sugar container capable of preventing children from being opened by mistake |
| USD1021563S1 (en) | 2021-07-09 | 2024-04-09 | Target Brands, Inc. | Combined sippy cup and handle base |
| US11937716B2 (en) | 2021-07-09 | 2024-03-26 | Target Brands, Inc. | Sippy cup having a spoutless training lid assembly |
Family Cites Families (35)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2061214A (en) * | 1935-11-11 | 1936-11-17 | Oscar G Reiman | Bottle cap |
| US2847139A (en) * | 1954-08-19 | 1958-08-12 | Christiansson Bror Gunnar | Screw cap |
| US3240384A (en) * | 1963-12-02 | 1966-03-15 | Lermer Packaging Corp | Detachable cap having integral supporting means |
| FR1502647A (en) * | 1965-12-17 | 1968-02-07 | ||
| US3341044A (en) * | 1966-08-18 | 1967-09-12 | Wel Kids Inc | Safety bottle caps |
| US3394829A (en) * | 1967-04-10 | 1968-07-30 | Harris M. Peterson | Safety cap |
| US3705661A (en) * | 1970-02-20 | 1972-12-12 | Peter J Davis | Multiple compartment thermally insulated container |
| US3722727A (en) * | 1971-04-16 | 1973-03-27 | Sunbeam Plastics Corp | Safety closure for a medicine bottle |
| JPS5153949Y2 (en) * | 1971-12-25 | 1976-12-23 | ||
| GB1361195A (en) * | 1972-04-12 | 1974-07-24 | Dart G T | Safety cap |
| FR2286761A1 (en) * | 1974-10-02 | 1976-04-30 | Herrmann Ernst | SAFETY CAP |
| US4220247A (en) * | 1979-04-04 | 1980-09-02 | Kramer Steven G | Closure members |
| DE2927339A1 (en) * | 1979-07-06 | 1981-01-29 | Sanner Kg Friedr | CHILD-SAFE CONTAINER LOCK |
| US4319690A (en) * | 1979-12-13 | 1982-03-16 | International Tools (1973) Limited | Child-resistant closure and container assembly including improved outer cap |
| US4284201A (en) * | 1980-07-10 | 1981-08-18 | Anchor Cap & Closure Corporation Of Canada Ltd. | Child proof cap |
| US4385705A (en) * | 1981-10-09 | 1983-05-31 | Owens-Illinois, Inc. | Safety closure |
| US4394916A (en) * | 1982-03-29 | 1983-07-26 | Owens-Illinois, Inc. | Child-resistant closure assembly |
| US4519515A (en) * | 1982-12-21 | 1985-05-28 | Milton Schonberger | Disc for indicator for tamper-evident lid |
| ES296675Y (en) * | 1984-11-12 | 1988-06-01 | Spencer King Precision Engineers Ltd. | A CLOSING DEVICE FOR A CONTAINER WITH A CYLINDRICAL OPENING |
| IT1181798B (en) * | 1984-12-13 | 1987-09-30 | Taplast Di Evans Santagiuliana | BOTTLE CAP WITH SEAL AND SAFETY OPENING PREFERABLY MADE IN PLASTIC MATERIAL |
| DE3715938A1 (en) * | 1987-05-13 | 1988-11-24 | Boehringer Mannheim Gmbh | CONTAINER FOR TEST STRIP |
| GB2209156B (en) * | 1987-08-29 | 1991-05-15 | Charles Mccoll Craig Hart | A tamper-proof closure for a fire hydrant |
| US4832218A (en) * | 1988-07-08 | 1989-05-23 | Merck & Co., Inc. | Child-resistant closure device |
| US4957810A (en) * | 1989-04-24 | 1990-09-18 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Synthetic sponge-type articles having excellent water retention |
| US4988740A (en) * | 1989-06-15 | 1991-01-29 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Low density foamed thermoplastic elastomers |
| GB9106420D0 (en) * | 1991-03-26 | 1991-05-15 | Cussons Int Ltd | Container |
| US5588545A (en) * | 1991-09-23 | 1996-12-31 | Beeson And Sons Limited | Child-resistant and elderly friendly closure for containers |
| US5188251A (en) * | 1992-05-05 | 1993-02-23 | Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. | Child resistant reminder closure |
| US5280842A (en) * | 1992-12-15 | 1994-01-25 | Kerr Group, Inc. | Low reverse torque closure assembly |
| US5431293A (en) * | 1994-03-14 | 1995-07-11 | Piron; Ludwig A. | Child-proof container closure and locking system |
| US5678921A (en) * | 1994-12-06 | 1997-10-21 | Bright Star Industries, Inc. | Flashlight |
| JPH08268452A (en) * | 1995-02-02 | 1996-10-15 | Canyon Corp | Bottle cap with child-proof mechanism |
| GB2298194A (en) * | 1995-02-24 | 1996-08-28 | Beeson & Sons Ltd | Child resistant closures for containers |
| US20030111496A1 (en) * | 2001-04-05 | 2003-06-19 | Amy Abbott | Bottle carrier device |
| US6715898B1 (en) * | 2002-10-31 | 2004-04-06 | Sky Wave Industrial Co. Ltd. | Carabiner |
-
2000
- 2000-10-04 FR FR0012667A patent/FR2814724B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2001
- 2001-10-04 CA CA002424324A patent/CA2424324C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-10-04 ES ES01976362T patent/ES2243562T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-10-04 US US10/381,735 patent/US20040045923A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-10-04 AT AT01976362T patent/ATE297350T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-10-04 DE DE60111416T patent/DE60111416T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-10-04 AU AU2001295660A patent/AU2001295660A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-10-04 JP JP2002532134A patent/JP2004526631A/en active Pending
- 2001-10-04 WO PCT/FR2001/003063 patent/WO2002028737A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2001-10-04 CN CNB018199992A patent/CN1258468C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-10-04 EP EP01976362A patent/EP1335864B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2007015754A (en) * | 2005-07-11 | 2007-01-25 | Intertech Ltd | Cap for pet bottle |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ES2243562T3 (en) | 2005-12-01 |
| AU2001295660A1 (en) | 2002-04-15 |
| WO2002028737A1 (en) | 2002-04-11 |
| CN1258468C (en) | 2006-06-07 |
| FR2814724B1 (en) | 2003-04-04 |
| DE60111416T2 (en) | 2006-03-16 |
| EP1335864B1 (en) | 2005-06-08 |
| CA2424324C (en) | 2009-07-07 |
| FR2814724A1 (en) | 2002-04-05 |
| CA2424324A1 (en) | 2002-04-11 |
| DE60111416D1 (en) | 2005-07-14 |
| CN1478040A (en) | 2004-02-25 |
| US20040045923A1 (en) | 2004-03-11 |
| EP1335864A1 (en) | 2003-08-20 |
| ATE297350T1 (en) | 2005-06-15 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| JP2004526631A (en) | Child-safe sealing device | |
| EP3214008B1 (en) | Drinking containers and related methods | |
| CN111032526B (en) | Outer cap for a child-resistant closure, container with such a closure and use thereof | |
| US9586738B2 (en) | Child safety closing device with first opening indicator screw and ring | |
| CA2185563A1 (en) | Membrane piercing closure and spout assembly | |
| EP0164154A2 (en) | Safety closure | |
| EP0792818A1 (en) | Child resistant container and closure assembly | |
| US5636740A (en) | Multi-element decorative dispensing closure | |
| KR20080035708A (en) | Bottle cap | |
| JPS63232156A (en) | Safety packaging vessel consisting of sealing body and vessel | |
| US8365932B2 (en) | Device for the leak-tight sealing of packaging containers for sensitive products | |
| EP1413524B1 (en) | Safety cap | |
| US4830206A (en) | Tamper resistant containers | |
| US4789057A (en) | Tamper resistant containers | |
| US5054633A (en) | Tamper evident safety closure | |
| CA2909818C (en) | Container | |
| US20110056948A1 (en) | Pharmaceutical Container Having Non-Child-Resistant Closure | |
| JP4780822B2 (en) | Container mouth and cap | |
| KR20190040563A (en) | gourd bottle | |
| JP2002225899A (en) | Container with separate caps | |
| WO2010012576A1 (en) | Capping process for capping a plastic material discharge spout and discharge spout obtainable by means of said process | |
| JP2012116487A (en) | Shake-out container | |
| KR20080100019A (en) | Closure of vessel | |
| KR20240099818A (en) | Rotating Retractable Cosmetic Container with Cap | |
| RU2483010C2 (en) | Closure controlled by rotation and punching laying |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A621 | Written request for application examination |
Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A621 Effective date: 20040810 |
|
| A977 | Report on retrieval |
Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A971007 Effective date: 20061110 |
|
| A131 | Notification of reasons for refusal |
Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A131 Effective date: 20070116 |
|
| A521 | Request for written amendment filed |
Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A523 Effective date: 20070412 |
|
| A02 | Decision of refusal |
Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A02 Effective date: 20080624 |