JP2007106422A - Screw cap opener - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a screw cap opener which is convenient for carrying without becoming bulky, and can immediately be taken out when required, and in addition, to enable even a cap which is firmly clamped, or a cap of which the surface is wet to be easily opened regardless of the size or the shape. <P>SOLUTION: This screw cap opener is constituted of: a cap opener member of a board shape made of an elastic material or a belt shape being formed into a loop; and a connecting member for connecting the cap opener member with a daily carried article. As the elastic material, a foamed flexible material is preferable, and the foamed flexible material may be, for example, a foamed resin containing at least an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer as a resin component. Characters and/or a decorative design may be applied on the surface of the cap opener member. The screw cap opener can be used while being connected with a cellular phone as well. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a screw cap opener that can easily open lids (screw caps) such as PET bottles, bottle cans, and bottles containing drinks.

  In recent years, screw caps are often used on the lids of containers such as plastic bottles, metal bottle cans (aluminum cans, etc.) and drink-containing bottles so that they can be opened with bare hands. However, when PET bottles and bottle cans are cooled by vending machines, refrigerators, etc., water drops on the surface of the cap, and even if you try to open the cap with bare hands, it is difficult to slip, especially those with weak grip strength In some cases, the cap cannot be easily opened. Also, occasionally the cap is tightened more than necessary. As a tool for opening a cap in such a case, a cap opener provided with a hole that engages with the cap or a recess that fits into the cap is known (Patent Documents 1 to 4). However, these cap openers have a fixed cap size and cannot be used for caps of different sizes. Also, it is not necessarily suitable for carrying.

  Utility Model Registration No. 3050185 includes a large number of soft synthetic resins that are uniformly distributed in a sol or molten state and solidified on each surface of a base fabric having piles formed entirely on one or both sides. The cap opener is characterized in that the granular small protrusions independent of each other are formed. However, this cap opener has a complicated structure and is not suitable for carrying. In Utility Model Registration No. 3093816, one end of the belt is fixed to the inside of the tip of the inclined pipe with a screw at one end, and the other end of the belt is inserted from the end of the pipe. A cap opener having an annular belt is disclosed. However, this cap opener is difficult to use to open a small cap and is not convenient to carry because it has a long pipe.

JP 2001-58696 A JP 2001-171702 A JP 2002-87496 A JP 2004-203478 A Utility model registration No. 3050185 Utility model registration No. 3093816

The object of the present invention is not bulky, convenient to carry, can be taken out immediately when needed, and can easily open a cap whose surface is wet or a cap that is tightly tightened regardless of its size or shape. It is to provide a screw cap opener that can be used.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a screw cap opener that is extremely light and easy to use.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a screw cap opener that is also useful as a giveaway or corporate promotional article.

  As a result of intensive studies to achieve the above object, the present inventors have obtained a cap opener member made of a specific material and a specific shape, and a connecting member for connecting the cap opener member to an everyday portable article. When configured, it is convenient to carry without being bulky, and not only can it be taken out and used immediately when necessary, but it can also be easily opened regardless of its size or shape, even if its surface is wet or tightly tightened. The present invention has been completed.

  That is, the present invention provides a screw cap opener comprising a board-shaped or looped belt-shaped cap opener member made of an elastic material, and a connecting member for connecting the cap opener member to an everyday portable article. To do.

  The elastic material is preferably a soft foam material, and the soft foam material may be, for example, a foamed resin containing at least an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer as a resin component. Characters and / or decorative designs may be provided on the surface of the cap opener member. The screw cap opener can be used in connection with a mobile phone.

According to the present invention, the cap opener member is made of an elastic material, and the shape is a board shape or a belt-like belt shape, so the adhesion to the cap surface is very high, compact, regardless of size or shape. Fits very well to various caps. Therefore, it is excellent in handleability, and when turning the cap by hand through the cap opener member, it does not slip even if the cap is wet or tightened more tightly than necessary, and even a person with weak grip can easily open the cap . Moreover, it is highly versatile and can be used to open caps of various containers. Furthermore, since it has a connecting member for connecting with daily portable articles, and the cap opener member can be connected to an everyday portable article such as a mobile phone through the connecting member, it is convenient for carrying without being bulky, when necessary It can be taken out immediately and used.
In the case where the elastic material is a soft foam material, it is not only extremely lightweight, but also improves the adhesion to the cap surface, which is even more useful.
Cap openers that have letters and / or decorative designs on the surface of cap opener members can be used as gifts, novelty goods, promotional items, souvenirs, etc. It is also useful for advertising.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as necessary. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a cap opener of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a development view of a cap opener member in the cap opener of FIG. This cap opener I includes a looped belt-shaped cap opener member 1 made of an elastic material, and a ring-shaped metal fitting 5 and a string member 6 which are connecting members for connecting the cap opener member 1 to everyday portable articles. It is configured. Characters and / or decorative designs 2 are applied to the surface of the cap opener member 1.

  In the state before the loop of the belt-shaped cap opener member 1 (see FIG. 2), one is near the tip of one end, one is slightly closer to the center, and one is near the tip of the other end. In total, three holes 3 are provided. The loop-shaped cap opener member 1 before looping is formed so that the one end is on the back side (outside) of the other end and the hole 3a near the tip of the one end and the other end The hole 3c in the vicinity of the tip of the end portion is overlapped so as to overlap with each other to form a loop, and the one end portion is folded so that an intermediate portion between the two holes 3a and 3b comes to the end. A locking member (such as a collar) 4 made of an appropriate material such as plastic or metal is formed so that the hole 3b formed slightly from the center part near the tip 3a overlaps the two superimposed holes 3a and 3c. Is inserted and locked so as to pass through the three holes, thereby forming a belt-shaped cap opener member 1 formed into a loop. This looped belt-like cap opener member 1 is substantially elliptical when viewed from the front, and becomes flatter as it approaches the portion locked by the locking member 4. And the intermediate part (bending part) of the two holes 3a and 3b in one end part of the belt-like cap opener member before looping constitutes the end part of the looped cap opener member 1. The cap opener I is attached to the gap between the end portion and the locking member 4 penetrating the three holes 3a, 3c and 3b through the ring-shaped metal fitting 5 and the string member 6 is tied to the ring-shaped metal fitting 5. can get.

  The cap opener member 1 is made of an elastic material. Since the cap opener member 1 is made of an elastic material having excellent adhesion to the cap surface, even if the cap surface is wet with water droplets or the cap is tightened more than necessary, the cap bite is good and the gripping force is good. Even a low person can easily open and close the cap. The elastic material is not particularly limited as long as it is a material exhibiting elasticity, and examples thereof include foamed resin, rubber or elastomer, or foams thereof. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Note that the entire cap opener member 1 may be made of an elastic material, but at least only the portion in contact with the cap needs to be made of an elastic material.

  Examples of the resin constituting the foamed resin include ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, vinyl chloride resin, styrene resin such as polystyrene, and impact-resistant thermoplastic resin such as ABS resin. And thermoplastic resins such as polyamide. Among these, a thermoplastic resin is preferable in terms of flexibility and the like, and particularly in terms of cost, mechanical strength, and the like, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and polyolefin such as polyethylene. A resin containing at least an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer such as a mixture (particularly a resin mainly composed of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) is preferred.

  Examples of the rubber or elastomer include natural rubber (NR), isoprene rubber (IR), butadiene rubber (BR), chloroprene rubber (CR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), nitrile rubber (NBR), and butyl rubber (IIR). , Ethylene-propylene rubber (EPM), ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), acrylic rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, silicone rubber, urethane rubber (AU), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and the like. Examples of the thermoplastic elastomer include styrene thermoplastic elastomers (styrene block copolymers such as SBS and SIS), polyurethane thermoplastic elastomers, polyolefin thermoplastic elastomers, vinyl chloride thermoplastic elastomers, polyester thermoplastic elastomers, Examples include polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomers. Examples of the foamed rubber or elastomer include those obtained by foaming these rubbers or elastomers. Typical examples of the foamed rubber or elastomer include foamed SBR, foamed NBR, and foamed urethane rubber.

  The foaming method for producing the foamed resin, foamed rubber or elastomer is not particularly limited, and any method such as a chemical foaming method or a physical foaming method can be employed. The bubbles may be either closed cells or open cells. Although the expansion ratio varies depending on the type of material, for example, in the case of a foamed resin such as an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, it is generally 5 to 30 times, preferably 5 to 15 times, and more preferably 6 to 10 times. It is about twice. When the expansion ratio is less than 5 times, the flexibility is lowered and becomes hard and difficult to use. When the expansion ratio exceeds 30 times, the strength is reduced and the force is difficult to enter (reliable).

  In the present invention, the elastic material is more preferably a soft foam material (soft foam resin, soft foam rubber or elastomer) in terms of lightness, elasticity, flexibility, adhesion to the cap, and the like. In addition, soft foamed resin is more preferable because it has less odor, and among them, it is difficult to slip, rich in elasticity and flexibility, low cost, excellent mechanical strength, weather resistance, chemical resistance, etc. A foamed resin containing at least an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin as a resin component (particularly, a foamed resin mainly composed of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin) is particularly preferable.

As the physical properties of the elastic material, for example, in the case of a foamed resin mainly composed of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, the apparent density (JIS K 6767) is, for example, 0.06 to 0.2 g / cm ³ , preferably 0. .About 0.1 to 0.16 g / cm ³ . Tensile strength (JIS K 6767) is, for example, 130N / cm ² or more (130~220N / cm ² or so), preferably 150~200N / cm ² or so, elongation (JIS K 6767) is, for example 320-430%, Preferably about 350 to 400%, tear strength (JIS K 6767) is, for example, 55 N / cm or more (about 55 to 150 N / cm), preferably about 70 to 120 N / cm, and 25% compression set is For example, it is about 2.3 to 3.0%, and the 25% compression hardness is, for example, 5.7 N / cm ² or more (about 5.7 to 15 N / cm ² ), preferably about 8 to 13 N / cm ² . is there. The restoration rate (KDK S 0607) is, for example, 70% or more (70 to 100%), preferably 80% or more (80 to 100%), and the water absorption rate (JIS K 6767 B method) is, for example, 0. 0005g / cm ³ or more (0.0005~0.1g / cm ³ or so), preferably 0.002~0.02g / cm ³ order.

  The belt-shaped cap opener member 1 (see FIG. 2) before looping is formed, for example, by forming a composition made of an elastic material and an additive added as necessary into a sheet shape, and cutting and slicing to an appropriate size. It can be manufactured by punching into a desired shape after processing such as. Examples of additives include foaming agents, crosslinking agents, colorants (pigments, etc.), stabilizers, plasticizers, softeners, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, antistatic agents, reinforcing materials, fillers, and vulcanizing agents. And vulcanization aids. As a molding method, it can select suitably according to the kind etc. of a raw material, For example, injection molding, extrusion molding, compression molding, casting, casting, foam molding etc. can be used.

  Examples of the character and / or decorative design 2 include a company name, a telephone number, a pattern, a catchphrase, a name of a product (beverage etc.) to be advertised (product name, trademark), and the like. The character and decorative design 2 can be applied by conventional means such as printing and engraving. As described above, since the advertising function can be given by adding letters and decorative designs, the cap opener of the present invention is used as a free gift, novelty goods, promotional items, souvenirs, etc. It can also be useful. The holes 3 (3a, 3b, 3c) can be formed by a conventional processing method such as punching.

  On the surface of the cap opener member 1 (especially when the elastic material is non-foamed rubber or elastomer), embossing (wave-like processing, formation of protrusions, etc.) is performed so as not to slip when the cap is opened. Appropriate processing may be performed. Further, the cap opener member 1 may have a multilayer structure composed of two or more layers having different materials and colors.

  In the belt-shaped cap opener member 1 (see FIG. 2) before looping, the length is such that a cap that is a lid of a container such as a bottle can can be inserted into the loop when the loop is formed. For example, it is 140-250 mm, Preferably it is 160-220 mm, More preferably, it is the range of 180-210 mm. The width of the cap opener member 1 (particularly, the width of the portion that comes into contact with the cap) can be appropriately set in consideration of workability when opening the cap, portability (compactness), etc., but usually 5 to 40 mm, preferably It is 10-30 mm, More preferably, it is about 13-22 mm. The thickness of the cap opener member 1 (especially the thickness of the portion that comes into contact with the cap) can also be set as appropriate in consideration of the workability and portability (compactability) when opening the cap, but usually 1 to 10 mm, preferably It is 2-8 mm, More preferably, it is about 3-7 mm. The size of the hole 3 only needs to be such that a hook or the like can be inserted and locked, and is, for example, in the range of about 1 to 5 mmφ. The three holes are preferably formed at positions where a gap (gap) through which the ring-shaped metal fitting 5 can pass is formed when the cap opener member 1 is looped. For example, in the state before looping (see FIG. 2), the position of the hole 3a near the tip of the one end is, for example, about 3 to 20 mm, preferably about 5 to 15 mm from the tip (terminal). The distance (center-to-center distance) between the hole 3a near the tip and the hole 3b slightly in the center is, for example, about 20 to 45 mm, preferably about 25 to 38 mm. The position of the hole 3c near the tip of the other end is, for example, about 3 to 15 mm, preferably about 4 to 10 mm from the tip (terminal).

  In the above example, one end of the belt-shaped cap opener member 1 before looping is overlapped so as to come to the back side (outside) of the other end, and both ends are hooked (locking member) However, the method of looping is not limited to this, and for example, one end and the other end of the belt-shaped cap opener member 1 before looping are joined. It may be made into a loop by letting both ends be locked with a locking member such as a hook. In this case, the ring-shaped metal fitting 5 can be mounted in the gap between the two locking portions by providing another locking portion outside the locking portion by the locking member.

  The cap opener member 1 may be in the form of a belt, and the width thereof does not need to be constant, and the width can be increased or decreased depending on the site in consideration of handleability. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cap is inserted into the loop of the cap opener I, and the width of the portion where the finger hits is slightly increased in order to improve the workability and handling when opening the cap by hand. is there. Moreover, it is also possible to make the outline of the cap opener member 1 rich in design by making a complicated change. The color of the cap opener member 1 is not particularly limited, and may be any of white, gray, black, silver, gold, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and various colors are rich in design. It may be given in such a way.

  In this example, since the cap opener member 1 has a looped belt-like shape, the cap opener member 1 can be easily fitted into the cap, and can be easily firmly attached to the cap by squeezing the loop with a finger. In addition, since the degree of squeezing the loop can be adjusted with a finger, it can be applied to various caps having different sizes and shapes. Furthermore, since it is compact and not bulky and has an excellent appearance, it can also be used as an accessory.

  In this invention, it has the connection member for connecting the cap opener member 1 with an everyday portable article. Since it has such a connection member, a cap opener member can be connected to daily portable articles, such as a mobile phone, via a connection member. For this reason, by carrying the everyday portable article to which the cap opener of the present invention is attached when going out, it can be taken out immediately and used for use. The connecting member may be composed of the string member 6 and the ring-shaped metal fitting 5 as in the above example, but is not limited to this, and one or more of the string member, the ring-shaped metal fitting, the chain material, etc. Combinations can be used as appropriate. Moreover, you may use a stringing member, a convergence metal fitting, etc. suitably. A well-known method can be adopted as the connection method. The everyday portable article is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a mobile phone, a key ring, a bag, a glove compartment, a belt, clothes, a hat, and the like. In particular, this cap opener is suitable as a strap for a mobile phone.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another example of the cap opener of the present invention. The cap opener II includes a board-shaped cap opener member 11 made of an elastic material, and a ring-shaped metal fitting 5, a string member 6, and a converging member 7, which are connecting members for connecting the cap opener member 11 to everyday portable articles. It is configured. Characters and / or decorative designs 2 are provided on the surface of the cap opener member 11, and a hole 3 d for passing the ring-shaped metal fitting 5 is formed at one end in the longitudinal direction.

  The board-like cap opener member 11 has a substantially elliptical shape when viewed from above, but one end portion in the longitudinal direction (major axis direction) forms a string, and has a surfboard-like shape as a whole. The hole 3d is formed in the other end portion in the longitudinal direction (major diameter direction), and serves as an attachment site for the connecting member. The shape of the cap opener member 11 is not limited to this, and any shape that does not impair the handleability and workability when the cap is opened may be used, for example, a rectangular shape, a gourd shape, or a shape similar to these. Good. Further, it is possible to make the design of the cap opener member 11 rich in design by making a complicated change in the periphery. The color of the cap opener member 11 is not particularly limited, and may be any of white, gray, black, silver, gold, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and various colors are rich in design. It may be given in such a way.

  The board-shaped cap opener member 11 is made of an elastic material. The elastic material is the same as described above. The board-shaped cap opener member 11 is formed, for example, by forming a composition made of an elastic material and an additive added as necessary into a sheet shape, cutting into an appropriate size, processing such as slicing, and the like. Can be manufactured by punching into the shape of As the additive, the same ones as described above can be used. The molding method is the same as described above.

  The character and / or decorative design 2 is the same as described above. The holes 3d can be formed by a conventional processing method such as punching. On the surface of the cap opener member 11 (particularly when the elastic material is non-foamed rubber or elastomer), embossing (wave-like processing, formation of protrusions, etc.) is performed so as not to slip when the cap is opened. Appropriate processing may be performed. Further, the cap opener member 11 may have a multilayer structure composed of two or more layers having different materials and colors.

  The length of the board-shaped cap opener member 11 (the length in the longitudinal direction) is approximately 2 at the center while being folded in half and applied to the cap which is a lid of a container such as a bottle can. The size may be such that it can be pinched and rotated, for example, 50 to 140 mm, preferably 60 to 130 mm, and more preferably 80 to 120 mm. The width of the cap opener member 11 (especially the width of the part in contact with the cap) can be appropriately set in consideration of workability when opening the cap, portability (compactness), etc., but usually 5 to 40 mm, preferably It is about 10-30 mm, More preferably, it is about 13-22 mm. The thickness of the cap opener member 11 (especially the thickness of the portion that comes into contact with the cap) can also be appropriately set in consideration of workability and portability (compactability) when opening the cap, but is usually 1 to 10 mm, preferably It is 2-8 mm, More preferably, it is about 3-7 mm. The size of the hole 3d only needs to be such that a hook or the like can be inserted and locked, and is in a range of about 1 to 5 mmφ, for example. The position of the hole 3d (the center of the hole) is, for example, about 3 to 15 mm, preferably about 4 to 10 mm from the end in the longitudinal direction.

  In this example, since the cap opener member 11 has a board-like shape, it can be easily put on the cap simply by folding it in half, and the cap can be easily held by pressing the cap from above the cap opener member 11 with a finger. Can be made to adhere strongly to. In addition, since the covering of the cap can be controlled with a finger, it can be applied to various caps of different sizes and shapes. Furthermore, since it is compact and not bulky and has an excellent appearance, it can also be used as an accessory.

  Also in this example, similarly to the above, the cap opener member 11 has a connecting member for connecting the everyday portable article. Since it has such a connection member, a cap opener member can be connected to daily portable articles, such as a mobile phone, via a connection member. For this reason, by carrying the everyday portable article to which the cap opener of the present invention is attached when going out, it can be taken out immediately and used for use. The connecting member may be composed of the string member 6 and the ring-shaped metal fitting 5 as in the above example, but is not limited to this, and one or more of the string member, the ring-shaped metal fitting, the chain material, etc. Combinations can be used as appropriate. Moreover, you may use a stringing member, a convergence metal fitting, etc. suitably. A well-known method can be adopted as the connection method. The everyday portable article is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a mobile phone, a key ring, a bag, a glove compartment, a belt, clothes, a hat, and the like. In particular, this cap opener is suitable as a strap for a mobile phone.

  An example of how to use the cap opener of the present invention is shown in FIG. In this example, a method of opening a cap mounted on a container using the cap opener I shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown. A screw cap 21 used as a lid of a container 20 such as a plastic bottle, a metal bottle can (aluminum can, etc.), a drink-containing bottle, etc. is inserted into the loop of the cap opener I. The screw cap 21 can be opened by pressing the cap opener I with an index finger and rotating it with force.

  Another example of how to use the cap opener of the present invention is shown in FIG. This example shows a method of opening a cap attached to a container using the cap opener II shown in FIG. A cap cap 21 used as a lid of a container 20 such as a plastic bottle, a metal bottle can (aluminum can, etc.), a drink-containing bottle, etc. is covered with a cap opener II from above, and the side surfaces of the screw cap 21 face each other. The screw cap 21 can be opened by pressing the two locations with the thumb and forefinger (or forefinger and middle finger) sandwiched from above the cap opener II, and applying force to rotate. The cap opener II is covered from the side of the screw cap 21, and the two opposite sides of the screw cap 21 are pressed so as to be sandwiched from above the cap opener II with the thumb and forefinger (or thumb, forefinger and middle finger), The screw cap 21 can also be opened by rotating by applying force.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the cap opener of this invention. It is an expanded view of the belt-shaped cap opener member in the cap opener shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the cap opener of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the usage method of the cap opener of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the usage method of the cap opener of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

I Cap opener
II Cap opener 1 Belt-shaped cap opener member 2 Character and / or decorative design 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d Hole 4 Locking member 5 Ring-shaped bracket 6 String member 7 Converging member 11 Board-shaped cap opener member 20 Container 21 Screw cap 30 fingers

Claims (5)

  A screw cap opener comprising a board-shaped or looped belt-shaped cap opener member made of an elastic material, and a connecting member for connecting the cap opener member to an everyday portable article.   The screw cap opener according to claim 1, wherein the elastic material is a soft foam material.   The screw cap opener according to claim 2, wherein the foamed soft material is a foamed resin containing at least an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer as a resin component.   The screw cap opener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a character and / or a decorative design is provided on a surface of the cap opener member. The screw cap opener according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is used in connection with a mobile phone.

Images