JP2009544543A - Packaged goods - Google Patents

Abstract

  The container includes a container body (1) having an opening (4), a cap (5) for closing the opening (4), and a collar (6). The collar (6) is a container body. It is configured to fit between (1) and the cap (5), fixing the cap (5) to the container body (1), and the collar (6) is movable between the contracted structure and the expanded structure And the circumferential portion of the collar (6) is movable radially between the inner and outer positions in the contracted and expanded structure, and the collar (6) and cap (5) have a cap (5) Interengageable portions (7, 5D, 5E, 5F) are provided that inhibit rotation relative to the collar (6), the rotation causing movement of the collar (6) between the contraction and expansion structures and / Or suppress.

Description

  The present invention relates to containers, and more particularly to containers for supplying beverages to consumers. The present invention not only has particular utility for storage and supply of carbonated and other sparkling beverages, but is also suitable for use with other types of beverages or other materials as well. The present invention also relates to a container body, a cap and a combination of a cap and a collar for providing such a container.

  Containers having a separate ring or collar having a threaded part for fastening a cap to the container are known, for example in US Pat. The applicant has also proposed a container having a cap-on-collar closure as described in, for example, Patent Document 5, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

US Pat. No. 3,603,472 US Pat. No. 4,576,296 International Publication No. 84/01763 Pamphlet European Patent No. 0517676 International Publication No. 2006/000774 Pamphlet

  The present invention seeks to provide improvements over containers such as those described in US Pat.

  1st form of this invention WHEREIN: It is a container provided with the container main body which has an opening part, the cap which closes an opening part, and a collar part, Comprising: A collar part fits between a container main body and a cap. Configured to secure the cap to the container body, the collar is movable between the contracted structure and the expanded structure, and the circumferential portion of the collar is radially between the inner and outer positions in the contracted and expanded structure The collar and the cap are provided with mutually engageable portions that inhibit rotation of the cap relative to the collar, the rotation providing collar movement between the contraction and expansion structures and A container for suppression is provided.

  In a preferred form, the collar comprises a ring that is a ring and has a break in the ring to allow the collar to be moved between expanded and contracted structures.

  In another form, the collar is a ring portion, at least a portion of the ring portion being elastically expandable circumferentially, and the collar portion is moved between the expanded and contracted structures.

  In a further aspect of the invention, a cap and collar are provided for use in forming the container described above. The collar may be preassembled in the cap. The cap and collar are manufactured as a single piece and are divided in two, either before or after the collar is assembled into the cap. The cap and collar are joined by an interconnect piece configured to be broken and the cap is rotated relative to the collar.

  Further optimal and preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings.

  Also, the present invention is not limited to the above inventions over other novel combinations of features described herein.

  An advantage of the present invention is that by providing a collar on the container body, the cap is secured to close the container, the collar is preferably removed from the container body, and the container body secures the cap to the container body. Made with no external thread or other fixing means. Providing a beverage container that is substantially free of external threads or other securing means allows for the provision of a completely practical beverage container that is a beverage container that consumers can drink directly from the beverage container. This is because the presence of a thread adjacent to the opening is the main reason for bottles and known wide-mouthed containers that are not at all practical as beverage containers acceptable to consumers.

  For the avoidance of doubt, the term “collar” as used herein does not include known cap-like parts that extend across the opening of the container.

Other advantages that the present invention provides (in at least some forms) include:
-Separating the method of fixing the cap to the container body (e.g. via a collar) from any method of sealing the container (e.g. via a sealing part provided between the cap and the container body). This is in contrast to known containers, for example in that the inner cap-like part forms a seal against the container body and contributes to the fixing of the outer cap to the container body. Such separation often results in both better sealing and better fixation.
-Arranging means to secure the cap to the container body (ie the collar or a predetermined part of the collar) while undergoing contraction (between the cap part and the container body part) rather than undergoing stretching. This is compared with known containers in that the inner cap-like part contributes to the fixing of the outer cap to the container body via a predetermined part of the inner cap-like part arranged in the stretched state. Placing the fixed portion while undergoing compression rather than undergoing stretching often results in a stronger fixation.

  Preferably, the container body of the present invention has one or more holding parts, and the collar part is held by the container body until the removal of the cap allows the collar part to be removed or removed from the container body. Advantageously, the holding part may be a peripheral edge or a lip of the container body, preferably a lip projecting radially outward. Preferably, the collar is maintained on the container body by being captured below the lip or other holding part of the container body.

  Preferably, the collar includes a plurality of radially movable mechanisms spaced apart from each other along the outer periphery of the collar, the cap and the collar being cooperating securing means by which the cap can be secured to the collar Have

  Preferably, the radially movable mechanisms of the collar are indirectly connected to each other using a ring portion of the collar where the mechanism is directly connected to the collar. The radially movable mechanism of the collar is preferably a radially inwardly projecting shoulder, preferably a shoulder that engages the lip or other retaining part of the container body holding the collar there Have

  The cap can be releasably secured to the container body via the collar, preferably using threaded engagement with the collar. Accordingly, the (or each) securing means in the collar and / or cap is a threaded portion. Screw engagement includes threading. However, preferably the screw engagement is a bayonet type engagement. As used herein, the term “thread” includes, for example, (at least in the broadest form of the invention) continuous and discontinuous threads (eg, continuous and discontinuous threads), bio A net-type screw portion. Since the screw portion used in the present invention is an effect of a pattern of a screw portion in which the effect is substantially continuous, for example, it may be a plurality of segments (each screw segment includes the fixing means) When the portion is discontinuous (for example, it may be a discontinuous screw portion or a bayonet screw portion, or the screw portion may be substantially continuous.

  The use of a screw mechanism with multiple circumferentially spaced members reduces the torque required to open the cap. This is particularly important for wide-mouthed containers, otherwise it will be difficult for the user to apply the torque necessary to unscrew the closure by hand.

  The opening of the container body is preferably a wide opening. A “wide mouth opening” means (at least in its broadest sense) an opening of a size appropriate for a person drinking from a container as well as drinking from a glass or similar beverage container. That is, in the broadest sense, the wide-mouth opening of the container (as opposed to the form of the invention having a wide-mouth opening) is a beverage container in which a beverage container from which beverage is supplied (generally comfortable) In general, containers are suitable for convenient drinking (compared to conventional narrow neck bottles and ring-pull cans, which are not considered to be safe drink containers). In practice, this need means that the diameter of the wide mouth opening of the container is at least 40 mm, preferably at least 45 mm, more preferably at least 50 mm. Furthermore, overly wide openings are generally difficult for consumers to drink from, and thus wide mouth openings preferably have a diameter of 150 mm or less, more preferably 100 mm or less, especially 80 mm or less. . A particularly preferred diameter range for the wide mouth opening is 50 to 80 mm, and examples of particularly preferred diameters include 53 mm and 63 mm.

  Alternatively, the opening of the container body may be a narrow opening such as a bottle-type opening. Such an opening has a diameter of 40 mm or less, for example. Conventional standard bottle mouth sizes include diameters of 28 mm and 38 mm, and the container body openings in some forms of the invention have such diameters.

  The container body preferably does not have a threaded portion or thread segment on its outer surface. Thus, the container body is preferably comfortable for consumers to drink directly from the container body.

  A wide variety of threaded shapes for fixing the cap to the container body via the collar is possible. As indicated at the beginning of this specification, at least some forms of the present invention may include, for example, beer, cider, sparkling wine (including champagne), other sparkling alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic sparkling beverages. And the storage and supply of carbonated and other sparkling beverages, such as sparkling beverages including sparkling water and carbonated soft drinks. For such beverages, gas is evacuated as soon as the cap is partially removed from the container body for engagement between the cap and collar, thereby opening the container by the gas pressure of the contents of the container. It is preferred to include measures to prevent so-called “missing” of the cap, as the cap is pushed out of the container body as it is done.

  Thus, advantageously, the collar and the cap have means, preferably an engagement element, when the cap is subjected to axial pressure in the direction of rising from the container body, the intermediate position (the fully fixed position and Hinders or restricts the cap from being removed from the collar beyond the fully open position.

  Preferably, the cap, collar and container body are for evacuating gas from the container body at least when the cap is in an intermediate position (between the fully fixed position and the fully opened position). Constructed and arranged to provide ventilation.

  Preferably, the action of removing the cap from the container body causes the collar to be removed together with the cap from the container body. That is, the collar can be removed together with the cap from the container body.

  In some forms of the invention, the cap and / or collar has tamper-evident prevention means (eg, a tamper-proof band). Preferably, the tamper proof means is broken or removed from the cap or collar (respectively) by the action of removing the cap from the container body. Advantageously, the tamper-proof means and / or the collar is unscrewed from the collar accidentally by the cap under the influence of the pressure in the container (eg due to a pressurized beverage held in the container) There may be provided means for preventing this.

  The form of the present invention preferably has a sealing means for sealing the container. Such sealing means comprise, for example, a cap and / or a container body and / or a collar and / or part of another member. Preferred sealing means include a sealing flange and / or other sealing members such as gaskets and the like. Another possible sealing means is, for example, a metal foil seal (for example formed from aluminum foil), depending on the situation, provided with one or more polymer layers on one or both major surfaces. A metal foil seal. The foil seal may be provided with an excellent gas barrier, for example. Advantageously, the use of a metal foil seal may allow deformation of the seal by induction heating, for example by adhering one or more polymer layers to the container body and / or cap. A foil seal or other thin film seal may be provided on the cap and / or container body and / or collar and / or another member.

  The container and its components may be made from any suitable material including metallic and / or glass and / or polymeric materials. Polymer materials, particularly polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene, are generally preferred for the cap and collar. The container body is preferably made of glass or a polymer material, in particular a polyolefin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Further, the closing portion may be formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The polymer member is preferably formed by molding, in particular by injection molding and / or blow molding.

  The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are merely examples.

It is a side view which shows the container in the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is the side view by which the cap was fixed to the container main body. FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the container of FIG. 1, and an exploded view showing a cap, a collar, and a container body. It is a figure which shows sectional drawing of the cap of FIG. 1, a collar part, and a side view of a part of container main body. It is a sectional perspective view showing a cap and a collar part, and is a figure showing a sectional perspective view with a collar part fitted to a cap (before being fitted to the container body) and a perspective view showing a part of the container body. is there. It is a cross-sectional perspective view which shows a cap and a collar part when being fixed to a container main body. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view similar to the cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 5 except that only the cap is a cross-sectional view and the collar is shown in the open position. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view similar to the cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 6 with the collar portion in a curved position. FIG. 3 is a side view of the collar as used in the first embodiment, shown in the open position. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a collar as used in the first embodiment and shown in a curved position. It is a side view which shows the container in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is the side view by which the cap was fixed to the container main body. FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the container shown in FIG. 10, showing an exploded view of the cap, the collar, and the container body. It is a figure which shows sectional drawing which shows the cap and collar part of FIG. 10, and a side view which shows a part of container main body. It is a sectional perspective view showing a cap and a collar part, and is a figure showing a sectional perspective view with a collar part fitted to a cap (before being fitted to the container body) and a perspective view showing a part of the container body. is there. It is a cross-sectional perspective view which shows the cap and collar which a collar part is in an open position when fixed to a container main body. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional perspective view similar to the cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 14 with the collar portion shown in the closed position. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a collar as used in the second embodiment and shown in an open position. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a collar as used in the second embodiment and shown in a closed position. It is a perspective view which shows the collar part used in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other form of the container main body which can be used in the said embodiment. It is a side view which shows the container shown by FIG.

  The figure shows a wide-mouthed container and a closure located to hold and transport the sparkling beverage, and once opened, the container provides a container that the user can comfortably drink. The closure is also reattached to the container so that the user wishes to re-seal the container for subsequent use after drinking a portion of the beverage.

  FIGS. 1-9 has shown 1st Embodiment of the container in this invention. The container body 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 includes a wall portion 2 having a peripheral edge portion 3 that surrounds the upper end portion that defines the wide opening 4, and the container body 1 is filled through the opening 4. And the beverage is dispensed or drunk through the opening 4. The peripheral edge 3 includes a lip that protrudes radially outward from the container wall 2.

  The closing portion includes a cap 5 having an upper circular portion 5A for closing the opening 4 of the container body 1 and a skirt portion 5B depending from the periphery of the circular portion 5A. Further, the closing portion is a ring that is a radially movable portion 7 that is spaced apart in a plurality of circumferential directions, and has a radially movable portion 7 that is provided on the ring and has a collar portion 6 in the shape of a ring. Is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the mouth portion of the container body 1 has a particularly simple and smooth shape as compared with a container such as the container described in Patent Document 5. The lip 3 has a smooth and curved outer surface 3A and a substantially flat and horizontal lower surface 3B. Moreover, the outer wall part of the container main body 1 is uniformly smooth, and there is no mechanism separated from one or more small recesses or recesses 2A at positions spaced from the lips 3 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). . Mainly, the recess 2A has a width of 2-5 mm (in the circumferential direction of the container), a height of 2-5 mm (in a direction parallel to the axis of the container), and 1-2 mm (in the radial direction). Less than depth. Preferably, a single recess 2A or a small number of recesses 2A are spaced around the circumference of the container, for example two spaced 180 degrees and three spaced 120 degrees or 4 One is located 90 degrees apart and spaced. The recess 2A is spaced from the lip 3 by a slightly smaller distance corresponding to the length of the skirt portion 5B of the cap 5 (in a direction parallel to the cap axis). Primarily for this type of container, the recess 2A is 4-7 mm below the lower surface of the lip 3. For this reason, the container body 1 has a mouth portion that is comfortable to drink from there like a conventional glass or drinking container. However, since the recess 2A is too small, the recess 2A slightly affects the comfort of drinking from the container, and the recess 2A is positioned directly below the lips 3 in other embodiments.

  FIGS. 1-7 has shown the external shape of the cap 5 used in order to close the container main body 1. FIG. The top surface of the circular portion 5A of the cap is smooth, and in use, brand information may be provided on the top surface (either directly on the cap or using a label affixed to the top surface). A rib 5C or other structure is provided on the outer surface of the skirt portion 5B to provide further grip to the user's hand. These can be formed by grooves in the skirt portion 5B and / or by ribs protruding therefrom.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of structures are provided on the inner surface of the cap 5. The cap 5 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced deep recesses or pockets 5D, and second, a series of circumferentially extending shallower recesses 5E that include the recesses 5D and 5D. And a recess 5E having a slope 5F between each set of 5E. The cap 5 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses or notches 5H that are directed toward the tip of the skirt portion 5B to reduce the weight of the cap 5. It is preferable that the slope 5F and the narrower recess 5E protrude radially inward with respect to the deep recess 5D, and in that sense, protrude from the inner surface of the cap. These structures actually form the cam surface. The function of these various structures will be further described below.

  2 to 9 show the outer shape of the collar 6 used to enable the cap 5 to be fastened to the container body 1. The collar 6 has a plurality of radially movable portions 7 spaced apart in a plurality of circumferential directions. Each of these portions has an outward projecting surface 7A and an inner surface 7B. Each portion 7 is provided between a pair of circumferential slots 7C, 7D, which extend around the collar 6 at about 40-45 degrees and at their ends. For example, it is connected to the ring by flexible connecting portions 7E and 7F which are integral hinges.

  2 to 6 and FIG. 8, the portion 7 has an open (radially outward) position, and the flexible connection portions 7E and 7F as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. It is arrange | positioned so that it can move to a radial direction between the position bent in the direction (radially inner direction). The portion 7 is preferably elastically biased toward the radially outward position until the portion 7 is applied with a radially inward force to hold the portion 7 in the radially inward position. Return naturally to this position. In another arrangement, the portion 7 may be arranged to snap between a radially outward and a radially inward position when receiving a radially outward and radially inward force, respectively.

  As shown most clearly in FIG. 8, when the portion 7 is in the radially outward position, the portion 7 projects radially outward from the outer surface of the collar ring while the portion 7 of the collar ring The inner surface is substantially smooth and substantially circular. In contrast, in the radially inward position (shown most clearly in FIG. 9), the portions project radially inward from the inner surface of the collar ring (also these are the collar rings Projecting outwardly, but to a lesser extent than when in a radially outward position). When in the radially outward position, the portion 7 is located at a diameter that is similar to or slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the lip 3 of the container, and the collar is fitted over the lip. However, when in the radially inward position, the inner part of the part 7 is located with a diameter smaller than the maximum diameter of the lips and the collar 6 is captured below the lips 3 of the container.

  Further, the collar portion 6 has an inwardly protruding portion 9 for engaging the recess 2A with the outer surface of the container body. Preferably, the number of protrusions 9 corresponds to the number of recesses 2A, but this need is not true. In a preferred embodiment, each protrusion 9 comprises a radial arm 9 that extends inward, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 4, 5, 8 and 9. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the radial arm portion 9 has a triangular shape when viewed from above, and is a vertical surface on one side and engages with the side surface of the recess 2 </ b> A to engage the collar portion with respect to the container. And an inclined surface that is an inclined surface on the other surface and guides the arm portion 9 out of the recess 2A when the collar portion is rotated in the relaxation direction.

  The end face 7G of the portion 7 provides a series of stops on the collar 6, which stops the collar 6 from engaging the end of the deep recess 5D of the cap 5 (see FIG. 3) with the end face 5H. The range is limited by being rotated relative to the cap 5 in the relaxation direction. The smaller end surface 7H of the portion 7 provides a stop, which prevents excessive tightening of the cap at the collar by engaging the end surface 5I with a narrower recess 5E.

  The lower surface of the portion 7 in the collar portion 6 is configured to engage with the lower surface of the slope portion 5E of the cap 5, and when the cap 5 is rotated with respect to the collar portion 6 in the fastening direction, the cap 5 When moved axially with respect to the part 6, the cap is incorporated into sealing contact with the lip 3 (directly or via a sealing member), and the engagement surface rotates between them, for example 20-40 degrees For example, it is shaped or tilted to provide an axial movement of eg 0.75 to 2.0 mm.

  In order to assemble the container body and the closure, the collar 6 is preferably first fitted into the cap 5, as shown in FIG. Once fitted there, the collar 6 is placed in the cap 5 (unlike the arrangement described in US Pat. No. 6,057,049) and does not protrude beyond the end of the skirt portion 5B. This improves the appearance of the closure and the user does not have to handle the collar 6 when releasing the closure. The sealing member may be assembled to the cap 5 either before or after the collar 6 is assembled to the cap 5 (if used).

  The collar portion 6 is first assembled to the cap 5 in a state where the collar portion 6 is located in the radially movable portion 7 recess 5D. The collar 6 is easily mounted in the cap 5 at this position by inserting the collar 6 axially into the cap 5 with the portion 7 aligned with the recess 5D. A groove is dug in the upper surface of the portion 7, and assists the portion 7 to bend inward in the radial direction until the portion 7 is fitted in a predetermined place of the recess 5 </ b> D. The position of the radially outer portion of the movable portion 7 in the cap recess 5D serves to hold the collar 6 in the cap 5.

  In this initial position, the parts 7 are located in their radially outward positions, and the cap 5 with the collar 6 assembled there is assembled in the axial direction of the container 1 over the lips 3. Then, the cap 5 and the collar portion 6 are rotated in the fastening direction on the container body until the protruding portions 9 of the collar portion 6 engage with the respective recesses 2A of the container as shown in FIG. Engagement of the protrusion 9 with the recess 2A effectively prevents further rotation of the collar 6 with respect to the container body 1 (each of the protrusion 9 and the recess 2A has a substantially flat vertical surface. The vertical surfaces engage each other to prevent such rotation). FIG. 6 shows the collar 6 in its open position in the container before the cap 5 is fastened.

  When the cap 5 is rotated in the fastening direction (clockwise as viewed from above), the cap 5 rotates with respect to the collar portion 6 and the container body 1. The rotation of the cap 5 with respect to the collar portion 6 moves the portion 7 above the slope portion 5F from the recess 5D to the recess 5E, and the portion 7 is in a radially inward position where it is engaged with the lower surface 3B of the lip 3. The part 7 is biased toward. The portion 7 of the collar portion 6 slides over the inclined lower surface of the recess 5E, and the cap 5 is fastened axially downward on the lip portion 3 of the container body to seal the opening 4 of the container body. . In this way, the collar 6 and the cap 5 are fixedly held on the container body 1. This position is shown in FIG.

  In order to remove the closing part, the cap 5 is rotated in a relaxed direction (counterclockwise when viewed from above) with respect to the collar part 6 and the container body 1. During this relaxation movement, the part 7 slides back along the lower surface of the recess 5E, the cap 5 is no longer urged downward into close engagement with the lip 3 and the part 7 has a deep recess. Retreating down slope 5F to 5D, these can return to the radially outward position. Once they reach a radial position where the parts 7 no longer engage below the lips 3, the cap 5 and the collar 6 are free to lift away from the container body 1 in the axial direction. The cap 5 vents the container so that it slides in the recess 5E, so that it can be lifted slightly due to, for example, the high pressure in the container. This preferably takes place before the part 7 is completely disengaged from the lip 3 and is configured to avoid the risk of the cap 5 popping out of the container body 1. Alternatively, other ventilation means (not shown) may be provided to reduce this risk. In addition, venting the internal pressure facilitates reducing the torque required to relax the cap 5.

  The upper surface of the recess 2A is preferably perpendicular to the wall of the container, and the protrusions 9 are not easily disengaged therefrom in the vertical direction and form an additional protection against the ejection of the cap. However, the slide surface of the protrusion 9 and / or the slide surface of the recess 2A is inclined or chamfered to assist the movement of the protrusion 9 exiting from the recess 2A so that the collar is rotated in the relaxed direction. To do.

  If necessary, the closure part presses the closure part on the lip 3 in the axial direction, rotates to engage the protrusion 9 with the positioning recess 2A and rotates the cap 5 to bring the closure part into the lip part. By sealing on 3, the container body 1 is fitted again.

  10 to 17 show a container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The container includes a container main body 11 and a closing part which is a closing part and thus includes a cap 15 and a collar part 16. Prepare.

  The container body 11 is the same as the container body in the first embodiment. However, as shown in FIG. 10, the container body 11 has a continuous taper shape, and the mouth of the container body 11 is It is the widest part in the container main body 11 (rather than the bulging part in the wall part of the container main body separated from the mouth part shown in FIG. The container main body 11 has a lip portion 13 that protrudes radially outward from the container main body at the mouth as in the previous case.

  The cap 15 is the same as the cap in the first embodiment. Like the skirt portion in the first embodiment, the cap 15 has a deep recess 15D, a shallow recess 15E, and a slope portion 15F on the inner surface of the skirt portion 15B. And end faces 15G and 15I.

  However, the collar portion 16 in the second embodiment is different from the collar portion in the first embodiment. The collar portion 16 includes a ring portion 16A which is a ring portion 16A and has a fracture portion 16B in the ring portion. The collar inevitably takes an open position (as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16) with only a small angle of overlap between the ends 16C and 16D of the ring 16A (see FIGS. 15 and 17). As shown, the ends 16C, 16D of the ring portion 16A can be bent into a closed position that overlaps to a greater extent. It is preferred that the collar 16 has a smaller diameter than the open position (FIG. 16) in the closed position (FIG. 17).

  The collar portion 16 has a portion 17 formed on the collar portion 16 that is a portion 17 that is radially movable with a plurality of intervals. These correspond to the portion 7 in the first embodiment as best shown by FIG. 16 compared to FIG. These portions 17 contact the mechanism on the inner surface of the skirt portion 15B of the cap 15 in the same manner as described above for the corresponding mechanism in the first embodiment. The essential difference between the first and second embodiments is that in the second embodiment, the ring portion 16A as described above, rather than the individual portions of the collar being bent as in the first embodiment. As a result of the movement between the closed and open positions, the part 17 moves radially inward and outward. Similarly, in the closed position, rather than the local portion bent inward as in the first embodiment, the entire ring portion 16A engages below the lip 13 and the closure portion is engaged with the container body. To fix. FIG. 15 shows the collar 16 in the closed position engaged below the lip 13 to secure the closure to the container body 11.

  When the closure is opened, the cap 15 relaxes (as in the first embodiment) with respect to the collar 16 as soon as the collar 16 expands into its open position (due to its own elastic effect). And the upper end of the collar 16 is disengaged from the lower surface of the lip 13. FIG. 16 shows the collar 16 in this open position. Then, the closing portion is lifted away from the container body 11.

  It is preferable that the circumferential distance of the portions 17, particularly the portion 17 closest to the fracture portion 16 </ b> B, is reduced so that the end portions 16 </ b> C and 16 </ b> D of the collar portion 16 overlap. Thus, the portion 17 is positioned on the ring portion 16A, and when the collar portion 16 is in its contracted state, the portion 17 is substantially equally spaced around the circumference of the collar portion 16 (as shown in FIG. 17). It is vacated. This means that when the collar is in the expanded state, the portion 17 (as shown in FIG. 16), in particular the portion 17 closest to the breaking portion 16B, cannot be spaced around the ring portion 16A at equal intervals. Similarly, for this reason, the circumferential length of the recesses 15D, 15E in the cap 15 is preferably varied to match this, for example by gradually increasing the length of the deep recess 15D around the cap. On the other hand, securing the narrow recess 15E is sufficient to securely engage the collar portion 17 in the contracted structure.

  Further, the collar portion 16 is an elastic radial arm portion 19 that extends inward and engages with a recess 12A on the outer surface of the container body 11 so that the collar portion 16 rotates relative to the container body 11. The radial direction arm part 19 for suppressing this is provided. When the arm portion 19 is engaged with the recess 12A and the collar portion 16 is in the closed position, the arm portion 19 is compressed against the inner surface of the ring portion 16A as shown in FIG. It remains engaged to the side and prevents rotation of the collar 16 in the container body. Preferably, the arm 19 is held in this compressed position until the collar 16 is expanded, and the arm 19 does not inhibit removal of the collar from the container. The end of the arm is preferably formed to assist the arm 19 through the recess 12A so that the collar is popped out of the container. As shown, in this embodiment, the recess 12A may be provided directly below the lip 13 of the container body.

  FIG. 18 shows a collar 26 used in a further embodiment. In this case, the collar portion 26 has an inner position where the collar portion 26 or its portion engages below the lip portion of the container, and an outer side where the collar portion 26 disengages from the lip portion and the collar portion 26 jumps out of the container. It is elastically expandable between the extended positions. In the illustrated example, the collar portion 26 is a plurality of circumferentially spaced portions 26A, each of which is a screw portion 27 on the surface facing outward, for engaging with a mechanism on the inner surface of the cap. A portion 26A having a screw portion 27 and a projecting portion 28 on an inwardly facing surface to be engaged below the lip portion of the container. The collar portion 26A is elastically expanded so as to form a circumference, and thus is connected by an elastic connection portion 26B in which the diameter of the collar portion 26 expands and contracts. It is preferred that the part is moved radially outward and inward as in the previous embodiment so that the outer periphery of the collar 26 increases and decreases.

  Although FIG. 18 shows an elastic connection 26B that is narrower than the portion 26A, they may be of similar dimensions, and the collar (as in the first and second embodiments). A) a ring with upper and lower ends which are substantially parallel. Preferably, the upper and lower ends are substantially smooth. The elasticity of the connecting portion 26B is schematically shown by the serpentine line in FIG.

  The elastic connection portion 26B takes various forms. In one possibility, the elastic connection 26B comprises one or more zigzag connections that expand and contract in a foldable manner.

  19 and 20 show a further form of the container body 32 that can be used instead of those described in the above-described embodiments. In this case, the stop mechanism that suppresses the rotation of the collar relative to the container body 32 in cooperation with the radial arm (or other inwardly projecting part) in the collar (in the recess in the wall of the container body). Instead, it is formed by a protrusion 34 provided directly below the lip of the container body 32. Two such protrusions 34 are provided 180 degrees apart around the lip of the container (only one protrusion is shown in the drawing).

  Each projection has a surface 34A at one end thereof that extends substantially radially outward from the wall of the container body and the radial arm of the collar so that the collar is rotated in the fastening direction. To limit the rotation of the collar in this direction so that the closure is fastened to the container body. The other end 34B preferably has a tapered or inclined shape so that the closure and hence the collar is rotated in a relaxed direction, and the arm 19 at the collar rides over the protrusion 34 and The part 19 is moved radially outward to assist in the removal of the collar from the container body 32. However, in some cases, a tapered or inclined shape may not be necessary to assist in the removal of the collar from the container body.

  Other forms of the stop mechanism may be provided in the container, such as a part of the mouth of the container shown in Patent Document 5 referred to above.

  Each of the above embodiments may employ an element positioned in the circumferential direction of the collar and may be provided with a mechanism that is moved radially inward and outward. This is in contrast to an arrangement having a mechanism that extends axially from the flap or ring portion to provide this function.

  Each of the illustrated embodiments has eight circumferentially spaced features at the collar, but it is preferred that fewer or greater numbers of such features be used. The number of such mechanisms used may depend on the outer periphery of the container mouth. Preferably there are at least four such mechanisms to ensure a tight fixation of the closure in the container body and a good seal between them, preferably less than 12 such mechanisms are used. Otherwise they are too small and / or difficult to manufacture.

  The collar is preferably a snap fit to the cap, the snap fit is attached to the collar before the cap is fitted to the container body, and the collar is removed from the container body. And retained in the cap. Preferably, once installed in the cap, any portion of the collar does not protrude outwardly of the cap beyond the cap skirt. This improves the aesthetic appearance of the closure.

  As indicated above, each described embodiment has one (or few) recesses in the container body to engage a portion of the collar and restrain rotation of the collar relative to the container body. Alternatively, it is necessary to have only the protrusion on the outer surface or its lip (or below the lip). The outer surface of the container body and its lips otherwise have a smooth and unobstructed shape. This, as before, improves the aesthetics of the product and makes the container body drink more comfortably from the container body.

  It is preferred that various interengaging mechanisms are provided on the outer surface of the collar and the inner surface of the cap skirt to provide the above functions.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the elasticity of the collar or part thereof depends on returning the collar to its open or expanded shape (or vice versa). However, the cap and collar may be configured such that the cap is rotated in a fastening direction relative to the collar, which drives the collar to its contracted shape and the cap is in a relaxed direction relative to the collar. When it is rotated, it drives the collar to its open or enlarged shape.

  As for the shape of the container wall part 12, the lip part 13, and the recess 12A, Preferably, a container main body is manufactured by an injection molding process. This creates greater flexibility due to the design and shape of the container body, and therefore greater flexibility in that it is manufactured. However, the container described in the present specification may be manufactured by a two-stage process including injection molding and blow molding as necessary.

  A further advantage of the containers described herein is that they are shaped so that they can be nested with other similar container bodies. This results in sufficient space savings when empty containers are stored or transported.

  As described above, the illustrated container has many advantages over the container described in US Pat. In particular, the simpler shape of the container allows the container to be easily manufactured and requires less material, reducing manufacturing costs.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container body, container, 2,12 wall part, container wall part (outer wall), 3,13 lip part, peripheral part, 3B lower surface, 4 opening part, 5,15 cap, 5D, 15D pocket part, deep recess, 5E, 15E Shallow recess, slope part, 5F, 15F slope part, 6, 16, 26 collar part, 7 radially movable part, movable part, part, 9, 19, 28 projecting part, radial arm part, Arm, 11, 32 Container body, 16A Ring

Claims (18)

A container comprising a container body having an opening, a cap for closing the opening, and a collar,
The collar is configured to fit between the container body and the cap, fixing the cap to the container body,
The collar is movable between a contracted structure and an expanded structure, and a circumferential portion of the collar is movable radially between inner and outer positions in the contracted and expanded structure;
The collar part and the cap are provided with mutually engageable parts that suppress rotation of the cap with respect to the collar part,
The container wherein the rotation causes and / or inhibits movement of the collar between the contraction and the expansion structure.   The container according to claim 1, wherein the collar has a ring that is reduced or increased in diameter and moved between the contracted or expanded structures.   The container according to claim 2, wherein the outer circumference of the ring part is reduced or increased to reduce or increase the diameter of the ring part.   The container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container body has a lip portion projecting outward around the opening of the container body.   The container according to claim 4, wherein the collar portion or at least a part of the collar portion engages below the lip portion in the contraction structure.   The container according to claim 2 or 5, wherein an upper end portion of the lip portion is engaged with a lower surface of the lip portion.   The container according to claim 6, wherein substantially the entire ring portion is engaged below the lip portion.   The collar includes a ring that is a ring and has a break in the ring to allow the collar to be moved between the expansion and contraction structures. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   The collar portion is a ring portion, and at least a portion of the ring portion is elastically expandable in a circumferential direction, and the collar portion is moved between the expansion and the contraction structure. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   The collar portion includes a plurality of radially movable portions extending in a circumferential direction, and having a radially movable portion that engages below a lip portion in the contraction structure. The container according to any one of 5.   The container according to claim 10, wherein the radially movable portions of 4 to 12 are spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the ring portion.   12. In use, after being moved to the contraction structure, the elasticity of the collar or part of the collar returns the collar to the expanded structure. The container according to item.   The collar has one or more inwardly projecting portions for engagement with one or more stop mechanisms in the container body, and the collar rotates relative to the container body at least in a fastening direction. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is suppressed.   14. A container according to claim 13, wherein the stop mechanism comprises one or more shallow recesses in the outer wall of the container body.   The container according to claim 13, wherein the stop mechanism includes one or more protrusions located directly below the lip of the container body.   A cap and a collar for use in forming the container according to any one of claims 1 to 15.   17. A cap and collar according to claim 16, wherein the cap and collar are manufactured as a single piece and are divided in two, either before or after the collar is assembled to the cap.   18. The cap according to claim 17, wherein the cap is rotated relative to the collar after being joined by an interconnecting part configured to be broken and the collar is assembled into the cap. Cap and collar as described.

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