JP7077133B2 - cap - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to caps.

Conventionally, some containers filled with liquid or the like are equipped with a cap. Vertical ribs (knurls) in the direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the cap are engraved on the outer peripheral surface of the cap at regular intervals to prevent the fingers from slipping when the cap is rotated to open and close. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-354247

However, in the conventional cap, there is a problem that it is difficult to achieve all of the ease of opening and closing the cap, the pain of fingers, and the ease of gripping.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such a point, and provides a cap that is easy to open, has less finger pain, and is easy to grip when opening and closing the cap.

The cap according to one embodiment is connected to the top portion, the top portion, a cylindrical portion having a cylindrical shape, a flange portion provided around the cylinder portion, and a circumference around the outer circumference of the cylinder portion. A plurality of knurls provided along the direction, the plurality of knurls include large protrusions and small protrusions alternately arranged in the circumferential direction, and the height of the large protrusions is the height of the small protrusions. The small protrusions are formed by a curved surface that is higher than the height of the above and connects the large protrusions that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.

In the cap according to one embodiment, a small knurl may be formed on the small protrusion on the flange portion side.

In the cap according to the embodiment, the length of the small knurl along the central axis direction of the cap may be shorter than the length of the knurl along the central axis direction of the cap.

In the cap according to the embodiment, the outer diameter of the flange portion is 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less, the outer diameter of the large protrusion is 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less and the outer diameter of the flange portion is equal to or less than that of the large protrusion. The height of the tubular portion from the outer peripheral surface is 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, and the height of the small protrusion from the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion is 0.4 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less. There may be.

In the cap according to one embodiment, the angle at which the large protrusion spreads with respect to the central axis of the cap may be smaller than the angle at which the small protrusion spreads with respect to the central axis of the cap.

In the cap according to one embodiment, the length of the line segment connecting the vertices of the large protrusions adjacent to each other and the vertices of the small protrusions is 2 mm or more, and between the large protrusions and the small protrusions adjacent to each other. The area of the region surrounded by the valley formed in and the line segment may be 0.5 mm ² or more and 1.5 mm ² or less.

In the cap according to one embodiment, the distance between the line segment connecting the vertices of the pair of large protrusions adjacent to each other and the vertices of the small protrusions located between the pair of large protrusions is 0 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less. There may be.

According to the present disclosure, when opening and closing the cap, the cap can be easily opened, the pain in the fingers is small, and the grip can be made easy.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cap according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a cap according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a cap according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a cap according to a comparative example. FIG. 5 shows data comparing finger discomfort (pain) when opening and closing the cap between Examples and Comparative Examples. FIG. 6 shows data comparing the ease of gripping the cap when opening and closing the cap between the example and the comparative example.

Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. 1 to 3 are diagrams showing caps 10 according to the present embodiment, respectively. In addition, in this specification, "upper" and "lower" mean the upper part and the lower part in the state (FIG. 1) in which the opening 15 side of the cap 10 is grounded on the horizontal plane, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cap 10 includes a top portion 11, a cylinder portion 12 connected to the top portion 11, a flange portion 13 provided around the cylinder portion 12, and an outer circumference of the cylinder portion 12. , A plurality of knurls 20 and 30 provided along the circumferential direction.

Of these, the top portion 11 has a circular shape in a plan view, and the center of the circular shape coincides with the central axis C of the cap 10. The central axis C of the cap 10 is a straight line that is the center of the rotation direction of the cap 10. The upper surface of the top portion 11 is flat, but the present invention is not limited to this, and uneven shapes such as characters and patterns may be formed.

The tubular portion 12 has a cylindrical shape extending parallel to the central axis C of the cap 10. The tubular portion 12 extends downward from the top portion 11 and has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 14. The outer peripheral surface 14 refers to a virtual surface formed on the surface of the tubular portion 12 on the assumption that the knurls 20 and 30 are not provided. The knurls 20 and 30 project in the circumferential direction from the outer peripheral surface 14. Further, an opening 15 for accommodating a container mouth portion (not shown) is formed at the lower end of the tubular portion 12 (the end on the opposite side of the top portion 11). A screw portion (not shown) for screwing to, for example, the container mouth portion may be formed on the inner surface side of the cylinder portion 12.

The flange portion 13 is formed below the tubular portion 12 (on the opening 15 side). The flange portion 13 has an annular shape in a plan view, and protrudes radially outward from the tubular portion 12 over the entire circumference.

The plurality of knurls 20 and 30 include large protrusions (large knurls) 20 and small protrusions 30 which are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction. The large protrusion 20 and the small protrusion 30 each project radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 14 of the tubular portion 12. Further, the large protrusion 20 and the small protrusion 30 extend in parallel with the central axis C of the cap 10, respectively. In this case, 12 large protrusions 20 and 12 small protrusions 30 are provided. Further, the shapes of the 12 (plural) large protrusions 20 are the same as each other, and the shapes of the 12 (plural) small protrusions 30 are the same as each other. Further, each of the large protrusions 20 has vertices 21, and these vertices 21 are located at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each of the small protrusions 30 has vertices 31, and these vertices 31 are located at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

The height h1 of the large protrusion 20 (FIG. 3) is higher than the height h2 of the small protrusion 30 (FIG. 3). The height h1 of the large protrusion 20 means the distance from the outer peripheral surface 14 of the tubular portion 12 to the apex 21 of the large protrusion 20. Similarly, the height h2 of the small protrusion 30 means the distance from the outer peripheral surface 14 of the tubular portion 12 to the apex 21 of the small protrusion 30.

In this way, the small protrusions 30 having a height lower than that of the large protrusions 20 are arranged between the large protrusions 20 adjacent to each other. As a result, when the cap 10 is lightly grasped during the opening / closing operation of the cap 10, the large protrusions 20 and 20 adjacent to each other and the small protrusions 30 located between them just touch the pad of the finger, which is gentle on the fingers. , The cap 10 can be opened with a light force. On the other hand, when the cap 10 is firmly gripped, the pad of the finger enters the recess between the large protrusion 20 and the small protrusion 30 adjacent to each other, so that a strong grip force is generated, and the cap 10 is opened and the cap 10 is opened with a strong force. Can be closed.

Further, the angle between the large protrusions 20 adjacent to each other is 30 °, and the angle between the small protrusions 30 adjacent to each other is 30 °. The angle between the large protrusions 20 (small protrusions 30) adjacent to each other is the pair of vertices 21 and 21 (pair of vertices 31) of the central axis C of the cap 10 and the large protrusions 20 (small protrusions 30) adjacent to each other. , 31) and the angle formed by.

As shown in FIG. 1, the large protrusion 20 is formed from the upper surface of the flange portion 13 to substantially the entire vertical direction of the tubular portion 12. The longitudinal direction of the large protrusion 20 is parallel to the central axis C of the cap 10. Further, the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the large protrusion 20 is a substantially arc shape or a substantially U shape. The upper end portion (end portion on the top 11 side) 22 of the large protrusion 20 is inclined toward the outer peripheral surface 14 side of the tubular portion 12. On the other hand, the region of the large protrusion 20 excluding the upper end portion 22 has a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape along the vertical direction. In the present specification, when the size of the large protrusion 20 is referred to, it means a region excluding the upper end portion 22 of the large protrusion 20.

The small protrusions 30 are formed of a curved surface that connects the large protrusions 20 that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. Further, the small protrusions 30 are formed from the upper surface of the flange portion 13 to substantially the entire vertical direction of the tubular portion 12. The longitudinal direction of the small protrusion 30 is parallel to the central axis C of the cap 10. Further, the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the small protrusion 30 is a substantially arc shape or a substantially U shape. The upper end portion (end portion on the top 11 side) 32 of the small protrusion 30 is inclined toward the outer peripheral surface 14 side of the tubular portion 12. On the other hand, the region of the small protrusion 30 excluding the upper end portion 32 has a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape along the vertical direction. In the present specification, when the size of the small protrusion 30 is referred to, it means a region excluding the upper end portion 32 of the small protrusion 30.

Further, on the lower side (flange portion 13 side) of the small protrusion 30, the small knurl 40 is arranged on the small protrusion 30. The small knurls 40 are formed on the outer surface of each small protrusion 30 so as to project in the radial direction. The horizontal cross-sectional shape of the small knurl 40 is substantially arcuate or substantially U-shaped. The number of small knurls 40 is the same as the number of small protrusions 30, in this case twelve.

The length A2 of the small knurl 40 along the central axis C direction of the cap 10 is shorter than the length A1 of the knurls 20 and 30 along the central axis C direction of the cap 10. Specifically, the length A2 of the small knurls 40 may be 10% or more and 50% or less of the lengths A1 of the knurls 20 and 30. The length A2 of the small knurl 40 is, for example, 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and the length A1 of the knurls 20 and 30 is, for example, 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less. The length A1 of the large protrusion 20 is the same as the length A1 of the small protrusion 30. Further, the height H1 (length parallel to the central axis C) of the cap 10 is, for example, 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

In this way, the small knurl 40 is formed on the small protrusion 30. Therefore, when opening and closing the cap 10, by gripping the small knurl 40 at the base of the cap 10, the grip force of the knurls 20 and 30 is increased, and the cap 10 can be opened and closed with a stronger force.

As such a cap 10, for example, an injection-molded article integrally molded with a synthetic resin such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) may be used.

Next, each dimension of the cap 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the cap 10, and the display of the small knurl 40 is omitted for convenience.

The outer diameter D1 of the flange portion 13 is 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less. The outer diameter D1 of the flange portion 13 means the length of the diameter of a circle whose radius is a line segment connecting the central axis C and the outer circumference of the flange portion 13. Further, the outer diameter D2 of the large protrusion 20 is 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less and the outer diameter D1 or less of the flange portion 13 (D2 ≦ D1). The outer diameter D2 of the large protrusion 20 means the length of the diameter of a circle whose radius is a line segment connecting the central axis C and the apex 21 of the large protrusion 20.

The height h1 of the large protrusion 20 from the outer peripheral surface 14 of the tubular portion 12 is 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. The height h1 of the large protrusion 20 from the outer peripheral surface 14 of the tubular portion 12 is the distance between the apex 21 of the large protrusion 20 and the outer peripheral surface 14, and is the radial direction of the circle centered on the central axis C. The distance measured in.

The height h2 of the small protrusion 30 from the outer peripheral surface 14 of the tubular portion 12 is 0.4 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less. The height h2 of the small protrusion 30 from the outer peripheral surface 14 of the tubular portion 12 is the distance between the apex 31 of the small protrusion 30 and the outer peripheral surface 14, and is the radial direction of the circle centered on the central axis C. The distance measured in. By setting the height h2 to 0.4 mm or more, when the cap 10 is opened and closed, the pad of the finger appropriately contacts the small protrusion 30, so that the grip property of the cap 10 can be maintained. Further, by setting the height h2 to 0.8 mm or less, when the cap 10 is opened and closed, the pad of the finger does not strongly hit the small protrusion 30, so that the pain of the finger can be reduced.

Further, the length L1 of the line segment La connecting the apex 21 of the large protrusion 20 adjacent to each other and the apex 31 of the small protrusion 30 is 2 mm or more. Further, the area of the region S surrounded by the valley formed between the large protrusion 20 and the small protrusion 30 adjacent to each other and the line segment La is 0.5 mm ² or more and 1.5 mm ² or less. By setting the length L1 of the line segment La to 2 mm or more, when the cap 10 is opened and closed, the pad of the finger enters the recess corresponding to the region S, so that the cap 10 can be strongly gripped. By setting the area of the region S to 0.5 mm ² or more, the pad of the finger enters the recess corresponding to the region S, so that a high grip force can be obtained. Further, by setting the area of the region S to 1.5 mm ² or less, it is possible to prevent the pad of the finger from biting too much into the recess corresponding to the region S.

The angle θ1 in which the large protrusion 20 spreads with respect to the central axis C of the cap 10 is smaller than the angle θ2 in which the small protrusion 30 spreads with respect to the central axis C of the cap 10. That is, the circumferential length of the small protrusions 30 located between the large protrusions 20 is wider than the circumferential length of the large protrusions 20. By making the angle θ1 smaller than the angle θ2, when the cap 10 is gripped, the finger enters the outer surface portion of the small protrusion 30, so that the pad of the finger does not bite into the cap 10 more than necessary. Therefore, it is possible to reduce finger pain when opening and closing the cap 10. The angle θ1 (θ2) at which the large protrusion 20 (small protrusion 30) spreads with respect to the central axis C of the cap 10 is the central axis C of the cap 10 and both ends in the circumferential direction of the large protrusion 20 (small protrusion 30). The angle that the eggplant makes. Specifically, the angle θ1 can be, for example, a range of 4 ° or more and 14 ° or less, and the angle θ2 can be, for example, a range of 16 ° or more and 26 ° or less. Further, the angle θ2 can be in the range of 1.1 times or more and 6.5 times or less the angle θ1.

The radius of curvature R1 of the small protrusion 30 is 1 mm or more. In this case, since the surface of the small protrusion 30 is smooth, the pad of the finger does not hit the sharp portion of the small protrusion 30 when opening and closing the cap 10, and the pain in the finger can be reduced.

The height h3 of the large protrusion 20 from the valley formed between the large protrusion 20 and the small protrusion 30 is 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. The height h3 of the large protrusion 20 from the valley formed between the large protrusion 20 and the small protrusion 30 is the distance between the apex 21 of the large protrusion 20 and the deepest part of the valley. The distance measured in the radial direction of the circle centered on the central axis C.

The distance L2 between the line segment Lb connecting the vertices 21 and 21 of the pair of large protrusions 20 and 20 adjacent to each other and the apex 31 of the small protrusion 30 located between these large protrusions 20 and 20 is 0 mm or more and 0. It is 0.3 mm or less. The distance L2 is a distance measured between the line segment Lb and the apex 31 of the small protrusion 30 in the radial direction of the circle centered on the central axis C. By setting the distance L2 to 0.3 mm or less, when opening and closing the cap 10, the pad of the finger comes into contact with the surface composed of the large protrusion 20 and the small protrusion 30 in a wide range, so that the force is applied to a specific location. It does not concentrate and the pain in the abdomen of the fingers is reduced. Further, by setting the distance L2 to 0 mm or more, the pad of the finger firmly touches the large protrusion 20, so that the cap 10 can be easily gripped.

The length L3 between the vertices 21 and 21 of the large protrusions 20 and 20 adjacent to each other is 3 mm or more and 13 mm or less. The length L3 between the large protrusions 20 and 20 refers to the length of the line segment Lb connecting the vertices 21 and 21 of the large protrusions 20 and 20 adjacent to each other.

Next, the action when opening and closing the cap 10 will be described. First, the user grips the outside of the cap 10. At this time, the user's finger comes into contact with the large protrusions 20 adjacent to each other and the small protrusions 30 having a height lower than that of the large protrusions 20. After that, the user grips the large protrusion 20 and the small protrusion 30 to rotate the cap 10 in a predetermined rotation direction, and opens or closes the cap 10.

According to the present embodiment, the small protrusions 30 having a height lower than that of the large protrusions 20 are arranged between the large protrusions 20. The small protrusions 30 are formed of a curved surface that connects the large protrusions 20 that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. Further, the outer diameter D1 of the flange portion 13 is 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and the outer diameter D2 of the large protrusion 20 is 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less and the outer diameter D1 of the flange portion 13 or less. Further, the height h1 of the large protrusion 20 from the outer peripheral surface 14 of the tubular portion 12 is 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, and the height h2 of the small protrusion 30 from the outer peripheral surface 14 of the tubular portion 12 is. , 0.4 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less. As a result, when the cap 10 is lightly grasped during the opening / closing operation of the cap 10, the large protrusions 20 and 20 adjacent to each other and the small protrusions 20 and 20 that are located between the large protrusions 20 and 20 and are formed by a curved surface connecting the large protrusions 20 and 20 are formed. 30 just touches the pad of the finger. Therefore, since the pad of the finger does not hit a specific place and the force is dispersed, the cap 10 can be opened with a light force, which is gentle on the finger. On the other hand, when the cap 10 is firmly gripped, the pad of the finger enters the recess between the large protrusion 20 and the small protrusion 30 adjacent to each other, so that a strong grip force is generated, and the cap 10 is opened and the cap 10 is opened with a strong force. Can be closed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when opening and closing the cap 10, it is possible to easily open the cap 10, reduce finger pain, and make it easier to grip the cap 10.

Next, specific examples of this embodiment will be described.

First, the following two types of caps (Example and Comparative Example) were prepared.

(Example)
Caps 10 (Examples) according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 were produced. In this cap 10 (Example), each dimension of the cap 10 was as follows.

Outer diameter D1: 24.7 mm of flange portion 13
Outer diameter D2 of large protrusion 20: 24.5 mm
Height of large protrusion 20 h1: 1.05 mm
Height of small protrusion 30 h2: 0.6 mm
Height h3 of the large protrusion 20 from the valley formed between the large protrusion 20 and the small protrusion 30: 0.95 mm
Length L3: 6.34 mm between the vertices 21 and 21 of the large protrusions 20 and 20 adjacent to each other.
Angle between large protrusions 20 adjacent to each other: 30 degrees Length of line segment La connecting the apex 21 of the large protrusion 20 adjacent to each other and the apex 31 of the small protrusion 30 L1: 3.17 mm
Distance L2: 0.05 mm between the line segment Lb connecting the vertices 21 and 21 of the pair of large protrusions 20 and 20 adjacent to each other and the vertices 31 of the small protrusion 30.
The area of the region S surrounded by the valley formed between the large protrusion 20 and the small protrusion 30 adjacent to each other and the line segment La: 0.9 mm ²
Angle at which the large protrusion 20 spreads θ1: 8 °
Angle at which the small protrusion 30 spreads θ2: 22 °
Radius of curvature R1: 3.4 mm of the small protrusion 30

(Comparative example)
The cap 50 (comparative example) shown in FIG. 4 was produced. The cap 50 includes a top portion 51, a cylindrical tubular portion 52 connected to the top portion 51, a flange portion 53 provided around the tubular portion 52, and a plurality of caps provided on the outer periphery of the tubular portion 52. It has a large protrusion 54 and. Further, a small knurl 55 is arranged between the pair of large protrusions 54 adjacent to each other. The cap 50 (comparative example) shown in FIG. 4 has the same configuration as the cap 10 according to the above embodiment except that the small protrusion 30 is not provided.

The above two types of caps 10 (Example) and cap 50 (Comparative Example) were mounted in the same liquid paper container. Subsequently, the pain and ease of grip when opening and closing each of the caps 10 and 50 were compared and verified.

Specifically, monitors of 10 men and women (5 men, 5 women, 20s to 40s) open and close the caps 10 and 50, respectively, regarding the discomfort (pain) and ease of gripping the fingers at that time. I answered.

(Finger discomfort (pain))
The monitor evaluated the finger discomfort (pain) when opening and closing the cap on a 5-point scale (1: painful, 2: slightly painful, 3: neither, 4: not slightly painful, 5: not painful). ..

The result is shown in FIG. As is clear from FIG. 5, the discomfort (pain) of the fingers when opening and closing the cap was significantly higher in the cap 10 (Example) than in the cap 50 (comparative example). That is, it was evaluated that the cap 10 (Example) had less pain when opening and closing than the cap 50 (Comparative Example).

(Easy to grip)
The monitor evaluated the ease of gripping the cap when opening and closing the cap on a five-point scale (1: difficult to grip, 2: slightly difficult to grip, 3: neither, 4: slightly easy to grip, 5: easy to grip).

The result is shown in FIG. As is clear from FIG. 6, the cap 10 (Example) was evaluated higher than the cap 50 (Comparative Example) in terms of ease of grip when opening and closing the cap. That is, it was evaluated that the cap 10 (Example) was easier to grip than the cap 50 (Comparative Example).

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modification as it is, and at the implementation stage, the components can be modified and embodied within a range that does not deviate from the gist thereof. In addition, various inventions can be formed by an appropriate combination of the plurality of components disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modifications. Some components may be removed from all the components shown in the embodiments and modifications.

10 Cap 11 Top 12 Cylinder 13 Flange 14 Outer circumference 15 Opening 20 Large protrusion 21 Top 22 Top 30 Small protrusion 31 Top 32 Top 40 Small knurl

Claims (6)

With the heavens
A cylindrical portion that is connected to the top portion and has a cylindrical shape,
A flange portion provided around the cylinder portion and a flange portion
A plurality of knurls provided along the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the tubular portion are provided.
The plurality of knurls include large knurls and small protrusions alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.
The height of the large knurl is higher than the height of the small protrusion,
The small protrusion is formed by a curved surface that connects the large knurls that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction .
The angle at which the large knurl spreads with respect to the central axis of the cap is smaller than the angle at which the small protrusion spreads with respect to the central axis of the cap.
The angle at which the small protrusion spreads with respect to the central axis of the cap is 16 ° or more and 26 ° or less.
A cap having a radius of curvature of the small protrusion of 1 mm or more . The cap according to claim 1, wherein a small knurl is formed on the small protrusion on the flange portion side. The cap according to claim 2, wherein the length of the small knurl along the central axis direction of the cap is shorter than the length of the knurl along the central axis direction of the cap. The outer diameter of the flange portion is 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less.
The outer diameter of the large knurl is 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less and the outer diameter of the flange portion or less.
The height of the large knurl from the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion is 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less.
The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the height of the small protrusion from the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion is 0.4 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less. The length of the line segment connecting the vertices of the large knurls adjacent to each other and the vertices of the small protrusions is 2 mm or more.
Claims 1 to 4 , wherein the area of the region surrounded by the valley formed between the large knurl and the small protrusion adjacent to each other and the line segment is 0.5 mm ² or more and 1.5 mm ² or less. The cap described in any one item. Claims 1 to 5 , wherein the distance between the line segment connecting the vertices of the pair of large knurls adjacent to each other and the vertices of the small protrusions located between the pair of large knurls is 0 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less. The cap described in any one item.

Images