JP4792064B2 - Chopstick cap - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a chopstick cap that prevents the tip portion of chopsticks sandwiching food from being soiled and can be kept hygienic.

  An increasing number of people are not only using their chopsticks as “my chopsticks” but also using their own chopsticks as a “my chopstick” when eating lunch. In that case, in many cases, it is often carried around in its own bag, but if it is carried with the chopsticks in the bag in a naked state, dust and garbage in the bag will adhere to the chopsticks, which is unsanitary. For this reason, it is usually carried in a chopstick box.

  Therefore, a chopstick cap having a form as shown in Patent Document 1 has been proposed, but this chopstick cap is an integrally molded product of a resin material, and its front half and back half are connected to each other by a hinge film part so as to be freely opened and closed. And a click stopper for maintaining the closed state.

  When the front half and the back half are closed, a storage chamber for storing the tip of the pair of chopsticks is formed inside, and the pair of chopsticks has a tip on the hinge film side of the storage chamber. The chopstick cap is restrained by being sandwiched between the side surface and the side surface on the click stopper side.

  Inserting the tip of a chopstick into this chopstick cap keeps the tip hygienic even in dust or dust-filled pots. The structure is simply clamped from the outside, and the elastic force of the chopstick cap cannot be expected to the left, and if one chopstick is displaced in the pulling direction even a little, the clamping force is lost and it is easy to pull out. When the chopsticks came out of the chopstick cap, the surrounding dust and dust adhered to the tip of the chopsticks, which was a problem in terms of hygiene.

Further, Patent Document 2 proposes a silenced chopstick box that prevents a chopstick from rattling in the chopstick box while being carried by inserting a sponge inside the chopstick box and holding the entire chopstick stored in the sponge. The provision of a sponge in a chopstick box, which sometimes stores used chopsticks, caused bacterial growth and was unsanitary.
JP 2004-49582 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 04-74080

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems. Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a hygienic chopstick cap that is easy to insert and remove but does not come out naturally during carrying.

The chopsticks cap (1) according to claim 1 is provided such that “one side (2c) is hinged so as to be openable and closable, and a locking part (3) is provided on the other side (2d), facing each other when closed. Consists of a pair of elongated chopstick cap halves (2a) (2b) with a recess (4) provided in at least one of the surfaces, and when the locking portion (3) is in a closed state, An elongated cylindrical chopstick cap body (2) which is open at one end and closed at the other end and has a space (6) formed therein for accommodating at least the chopstick tip (5a) of the chopstick (5) inserted from the opening side. )When,
Opposite side surfaces of a pair of chopsticks (5) protruding from the inner surface of at least one chopstick cap half (2a) [(2b)] and inserted into the space (6) And an elastic retaining protrusion (7) that holds and holds a pair of chopsticks (5) between the inner surface of the space (6) and being in contact with the space ".

  As described above, the chopstick cap (1) of the present invention is provided with the elastic retaining protrusion (7), so there is a gap between the elastic retaining protrusion (7) and the inner surface of the cavity, and this gap The tapered chopstick tip part (5a) is easily inserted individually, and when the chopstick tip part (5a) is further inserted, the elastic retaining protrusion (7) is pressed against the opposite side of the chopstick tip part (5a). The chopstick tip (5a) is pressed against the inner surface of the cavity by its elasticity. As a result, the chopstick tip part (5a) is held elastically by the elastic retaining protrusion (7) and the inner surface of the cavity, and the chopstick (5) remains in the chopstick cap even if it is carried in the bag. There is no natural escape from (1), it is always clean and hygienic.

  Since the chopstick tip part (5a) is held by elastic clamping between the elastic retaining protrusion (7) and the inner surface of the cavity in this way, the chopstick (5) dances in the chopstick cap (1). There is nothing, and even if you carry it, there will be no rattling noise.

  Furthermore, since the chopstick cap body (2) is composed of a pair of chopstick cap halves (2a) and (2b), the chopstick cap body (2) is opened and the inner surface of the space (6) is easily and reliably secured. Can be cleaned.

  Further, since the chopstick cap (1) covers only the tip of the chopstick (5), it can be used with any length of chopsticks (5).

  The chopstick cap (1) according to claim 2 is characterized by a specific shape of the elastic retaining protrusion (7), "the elastic retaining protrusion (7) becomes gradually thinner toward the tip direction". To do.

  In this way, the elastic retaining protrusion (7) is formed so as to taper from the inner surface of the chopstick cap half (2a) [(2b)] toward the distal end thereof, so that the tapered distal end (7a) And the gap between the inside of the cavity and the inside of the space become wider. This facilitates the individual insertion of the chopstick tip part (5a), and the chopstick tip part (5a) and the elastic retaining protrusion ( The contact position of 7) gradually moves to the base (7b) side (inner side of the chopstick cap half (2a) [(2b)]), so that the dent of the elastic retaining protrusion (7) gradually increases and comes into contact The elastic force of the elastic retaining protrusion (7) in the position gradually increases, and the holding force for the chopsticks (5) increases. This prevents the chopsticks (5) from coming out of the chopstick cap (1) even if they are carried in a basket.

  The chopstick cap (1) according to claim 3 is an additional modification of claims 1 and 2, and further includes "a lid cap (8) for closing the opening of the chopstick cap body (2)". The lid cap (8) prevents dust and dirt from entering the chopstick cap body (2) even if it is carried in a dust-filled bag. Can be even more sanitary.

  As described above, in the present invention, the presence of the elastic retaining protrusion (7) can surely prevent the chopstick (5) from coming off from the chopstick cap (1), so that a sanitary chopstick cap can be provided. Can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chopstick cap (1). The chopstick cap body (2) constituting the chopstick cap (1) is further composed of a pair of elongated chopstick cap halves (2a) and (2b). In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, hinges (9) are provided at two upper and lower positions on one side (2c) of the pair of elongated chopstick cap halves (2a) (2b), and the one side (2c ) Are hinged so that they can be opened and closed.

  Then, when the chopsticks cap halves (2a) and (2b) are closed, the recesses are formed on at least one of the opposing surfaces facing each other so that a cavity (6) having an opening at one end and a closed end at the other end is formed. 4) is recessed. In this embodiment, recesses (4a) and (4b) are formed on both sides.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, a locking part (3) is provided at two places above and below the other side (2d) (or in the center, not shown), and the locking part (3) is hooked. -The chopstick cap body (2) can be opened and closed by releasing it. In this embodiment, the hinges (9) are used to hinge the chopstick cap halves (2a) and (2b) so that they can be opened and closed. (2a) and (2b) may be connected.

  The details of the locking portion (3) are shown in FIG. 4 (c). According to this, in this embodiment, the locking portion (3) is latched with the latching protrusion piece (3a). It consists of a retaining recess (3b).

  The latching protrusion piece (3a) is projected outwardly from the concave inner surface of the other side (2da) of one chopstick cap half (2a), and is latched on the outer surface of the tip. The protrusion (3a1) is provided in a protruding manner. A latching recess hole (3b) that engages with the latching projection (3a1) when closed is recessed in the corresponding inner surface of the recess (4b) of the other chopstick cap half (2b). It is installed.

  In the vicinity of the locking portion (3), a pair of finger hooks (10) on the outer surface of two upper and lower sides (or the center, not shown) of the other side (2d) of the chopstick cap halves (2a) (2b) (10) is projected. Further, on the outer peripheral edge of the opening surface of the chopstick cap halves (2a) and (2b), there are formed a protruding step portion (11) and a recessed step portion (12) that fit together when both are closed. Then, on the outer edge of the chopstick cap half (2a) (2b) on the opening side, a protruding tongue (14) corresponding to the convex / concave step (11) (12), and this protruding tongue (14 Recessed step portions (13) each having a mouth open inwardly on the recess side into which the) is fitted are formed.

  In the center of the closed end of the recess (4b) of the chopstick cap half (2b), as shown in FIG. 4 (b), there is a through-hole (15) for mounting an elastic retaining projection (7). It is installed. A concentric stepped hole (12a) is formed on the outer surface side of the chopstick cap half (2b) of the through hole (15) in accordance with the base (7b) of the elastic retaining projection (7).

  In the elastic retaining protrusion (7) of the present embodiment, an outer peripheral groove (7c) into which the entire periphery of the hole edge of the through hole (15) is fitted is recessed over the entire outer periphery of the base portion (7b). For example, it is formed in a truncated cone shape whose diameter gradually decreases from the point exceeding (7c) toward the tip.

  Note that the elastic retaining protrusion (7) of the present embodiment is made of rubber or elastic resin, so that the tip portion thereof matches the size (width) of the space (6) of the chopstick cap (1). It can be excised. In terms of hygiene, in particular, the elastic retaining protrusion (7) preferably has no bubbles or fine pores on the surface.

  Further, the elastic retaining projection (7) of the present embodiment has a circular cross section, but of course, it is not limited to this and may have an elliptical cross section. Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the overall shape is preferably solid, hollow cone-shaped or frustum-shaped (however, in this case, the hollow portion does not appear on the outer surface), but is not limited thereto. It may be solid or hollow cylindrical (the hollow portion does not appear on the outer surface as described above).

  The elastic retaining protrusion (7) has its base (7b) inserted into the through hole (15), and the hole edge of the through hole (15) is fitted into the outer peripheral groove (7c) of the base (7b). The elastic retaining protrusion (7) is firmly fixed toward the inside of the void. If the chopstick cap half (2b) is made of a material rich in elasticity, the elastic retaining projection (7) can be integrally formed with the chopstick cap half (2b). Further, if the chopstick cap half (2b) is formed of a material having poor elasticity, the elastic retaining projection (7) is configured separately from a material that is more elastic than the chopstick cap half (2b).

  Therefore, when using the chopstick cap (1), the chopstick tip portion (5a) of the chopstick (5) is closed with the chopstick cap body (2a) (2b) closed (in this embodiment, the chopstick (5 ) Is the majority of the chopstick tip from the grip part (5b), but it is not limited to this. When the overall shape of the retaining projection (7) is a cone or a frustum, there is a gap between the tip (7a) of the resilient retaining projection (7) and the inner surface of the cavity, and this gap is tapered. The chopstick tip part (5a) is easily inserted individually, and when the chopstick tip part (5a) is further inserted in this state, the elastic retaining protrusion (7) is pressed against the chopstick tip part (5a) and dented, The elastic force pushes the chopstick tip (5a) against the inside of the cavity. As a result, the chopstick tip portion (5a) is firmly held by elastic clamping between the elastic retaining projection (7) and the inner surface of the cavity. Since the chopstick tip part (5a) is held elastically between the elastic retaining protrusion (7) and the inner surface of the cavity in this way, the chopstick (5) dances in the chopstick cap (1). There is nothing, and even if you carry it, there will be no rattling noise.

  When using the chopsticks (5), the grip part (5b) can be pulled out by hand. When cleaning the chopstick cap (1), twist the finger hooks (10) and (10) to release the latching protrusion (3a1) from the latching recess (3b) and open the chopstick cap body (2a) (2b). It is possible to clean the inside easily and reliably.

  As can be seen from FIG. 1, when the chopstick cap halves (2a) and (2b) are closed, the protruding tongues (14) on both sides are fitted into the concave steps (13), respectively, so that both ends of the opening side They are surely matched and the opening of the chopstick cap body (2) maintains a beautiful shape, which is preferable in appearance.

  Since the first embodiment of the present invention does not use the lid cap (8) shown below, it can be applied to any length of chopsticks (5). 1 to 4 are drawings showing the first embodiment. However, the engagement groove (16) is not necessary in the first embodiment because it is common to the second embodiment. 16) is also indicated by a broken line (FIG. 1).

  The second embodiment of the present invention is a case with a lid cap. As shown in FIG. 5, the lid cap (8) has one end opening and the other end closed for accommodating the grip portion (5b) of the chopsticks (5). The drainage hole (8a) is perforated at its closed end. The inner peripheral surface of the opening is thinly cut in a stepped manner, and the engaging protrusion (8b) is protruded from the thin opening (8c). In this case, on the outer side surface of the opening of the chopstick cap body (2), an engaging groove (16) for engaging and disengaging the engaging protrusion (8b) is recessed, and FIGS. ), The chopstick cap body (2) is fitted into the opening of the thin opening portion (8c) to store the grip portion (5b) of the chopstick (5).

  Since the engagement protrusion (8b) is provided in the thin opening portion (8c) as described above, the engagement protrusion (16) can be easily engaged with and disengaged from the thin deformation portion (8c). The lid cap (8) can be attached to and detached from the chopstick cap body (2) by inserting the opening of the chopstick cap body (2) into the opening of the lid cap (8) by a slight pushing force, the opening It can be performed by pulling with a slight pulling force from. The lid cap (8) can be easily cleaned by supplying cleaning liquid from the opening of the lid cap (8), pouring water, or inserting / removing a sponge. The cleaning liquid and water injection are discharged from the drain hole (8a) at the closed end.

  Incidentally, if, for example, a bellows portion that extends and contracts in the longitudinal direction is formed on the entire circumference of the side surface of the lid cap (8), it is possible to cope with changes in the length of the chopsticks (5).

The perspective view of 1st Example of this invention Fig. 1 (a) Top view, (b) (c) Both side views, and (d) Cross section Development view of FIG. (a) In FIG. 3, a development view with chopsticks inserted, (b) an end view taken along arrow XX, and (c) an end view taken along arrow Y-Y. Partial sectional view of the lid cap only ((a) front, (b) side)

Explanation of symbols

(1) Chopstick cap
(2) Chopstick cap body
(2a) Chopstick cap half
(2b) Chopstick cap half
(2c) One side
(2d) Other side
(3) Locking part
(4) Recess
(5) Chopsticks
(5a) Chopstick tip
(6) Empty space
(7) Elastic retaining protrusion
(8) Lid cap

Claims (3)

A pair of elongated chopstick cap halves that are hinged so that one side can be opened and closed, a locking portion is provided on the other side, and a recess is provided in at least one of the opposite surfaces when closed. An elongated cylinder that is configured and is open at one end and closed at the other end, and is formed with a space for accommodating at least the chopstick tip portion of the chopsticks inserted from the opening side. A chopstick cap body,
A pair of the chopsticks protruding from the inner surface of at least one of the chopstick cap halves and elastically contacting the opposite side surfaces of the chopstick tip portions of the pair of chopsticks inserted into the space, with the inner surface of the space. A chopstick cap characterized by comprising an elastic retaining protrusion that holds and holds the chopsticks.   The chopstick cap according to claim 1, wherein the elastic retaining protrusion gradually becomes thinner in a direction toward a tip thereof.   The chopstick cap according to claim 1, further comprising a lid cap that closes an opening of the chopstick cap body.

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