JP7181844B2 - Drain cap for double container and double container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is a pouring cap for a double container that is attached to a container body that has an inner layer body for containing a content liquid and an outer layer body for housing the inner layer body inside, and that allows the content liquid to be poured out as the outer layer body is pressed. , and a double container in which the pouring cap is attached to the container body.

In recent years, in a container in which a pouring cap is attached to a container body for containing a content liquid, a double container (delami container, also called delamination container) is used. This type of outer layer body has flexibility and is constructed so that air can be taken into the internal space formed between the inner layer body and the inner layer body through through-holes (air vents) penetrating through the front and back. . The spout cap is provided with an air valve that prevents air from leaking from the internal space to the outside while permitting the introduction of air from the outside into the internal space when the internal space is decompressed.

According to the double container having such a structure, the internal space is pressurized by pressing the outer layer body, thereby increasing the pressure in the filling space and allowing the content liquid to be poured out. When the pressure on the outer layer body is released, the inner space is decompressed as the outer layer body is restored, and air is introduced into the inner space through the air vents, so that only the inner layer body can be reduced and deformed. That is, there is an advantage that the container can maintain its self-sustainability even when the content liquid is reduced. In addition, since the content liquid can be poured out without being replaced with outside air, there is also the advantage that quality deterioration of the accommodated content liquid is less likely to occur. For this reason, this type of container is being widely used as suitable for containing seasonings such as soy sauce, sauce, mirin, and cooking sake, and cosmetics such as shampoo, rinse, liquid soap, and lotion.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-31932

The pouring cap described above has an air valve inside the cap body attached to the outer layer body, as shown in Patent Document 1. The cap body is provided with an outside air inlet that communicates with the vent of the outer layer, and the air valve normally abuts against the back surface of the cap body to allow air to flow between the vent and the outside air inlet. When the internal space is decompressed, the cap body is elastically deformed away from the back surface of the cap body, allowing air to flow between the vent and the outside air inlet.

By the way, depending on the amount and flow velocity of the air introduced into the internal space, the air valve separated from the back surface of the cap body may vibrate and generate noise.

An object of the present invention is to solve such problems. intended to provide

The present invention is attached to a container body comprising an inner layer body having a filling space for containing a content liquid, and an outer layer body having a vent port leading to the inner space and defining an inner space between the inner layer body. , a pouring cap for a double container that allows the liquid contained in the filling space to be poured out from the pouring port by pressing the outer layer body,
a cap body that is attached to the outer layer body so as to cover the vent, has the outlet, and has an outside air introduction port that introduces outside air toward the vent;
The cap body is capable of contacting and separating from the rear surface of the cap body, and blocks air flow from the air inlet toward the outside air inlet, while allowing air from the air inlet to the air outlet. an air valve that
a partition wall provided opposite to the back surface of the cap body with the air valve interposed therebetween and having a content liquid communication port for communicating the filling space and the pouring port; an annular wall rising from the partition wall; an inner plug having an air communication port that penetrates at least one of the annular walls and communicates with the outside air introduction port and the ventilation port;
the inner plug has a plate-like portion that is connected to the annular wall and extends along the outer edge of the air valve while being separated from the lower surface of the air valve;
an outer edge of the air valve extends along an inner peripheral surface of the annular wall;
The plate-like portion extends radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the annular wall and then extends in an arc along the inner peripheral surface of the annular wall. It is a pouring cap for a double container having an abutting portion which is provided at the tip of the portion that contacts and abuts against the lower surface of the air valve.

The plate-like portion is preferably thinner than the contact portion.

The air communication port penetrates at least the annular wall,
It is preferable that the lower surface of the plate-shaped portion is aligned with the lower surface of the annular wall defining the air communication port.

It is preferable that both the contact portions of the air valve and the contact portion are flat surfaces.

The present invention also provides a double container composed of the container main body and any of the double container pouring caps described above.

In the double-container pouring cap of the present invention, the inner plug is provided with a plate-shaped portion that is connected to the annular wall and extends along the outer edge of the air valve while being separated from the lower surface of the air valve. is provided with a contact portion that contacts the lower surface of the air valve. That is, since vibration of the air valve is suppressed by the plate-like portion and the contact portion, noise can be effectively suppressed. In this specification and the like, abutment includes not only a state in which two members are in contact with each other, but also a state in which they are slightly separated from each other.

1 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional side view showing an embodiment of a double container according to the present invention; FIG. It is the figure which expanded and showed the plate-shaped part periphery in FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inner plug shown in FIG. 1; 1. It is the figure which showed the metal mold|die for forming the inner plug shown in FIG.

An embodiment of the double container according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. In this specification and the like, the "upward" direction and the "downward" direction refer to a state in which the outer layer body (reference numeral 3) is positioned downward and the lid member (reference numeral 9) is positioned upward, as shown in FIG. It means the direction in

The double container of this embodiment is composed of a container body 1 (consisting of an inner layer 2 and an outer layer 3), a pouring cap 4 (an inner plug 5, a check valve 6, a moving valve 7, and a cap body 8). ), and a lid 9 .

The inner layer body 2 has a filling space S capable of containing the content liquid therein. The inner layer body 2 of this embodiment is made of a thin synthetic resin and is capable of volume reduction and deformation.

The outer layer body 3 has a tubular opening 3a extending along the central axis O. As shown in FIG. The opening 3a of this embodiment has a lower portion 3c with a larger diameter than an upper portion 3b whose upper end is open. A male screw portion 3d is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 3b. Further, the upper portion 3b is provided with a vent hole 3e that extends radially and penetrates the upper portion 3b. A dividing notch 3f is provided. Although not shown, a cylindrical body and a bottom closing the lower end of the body are provided below the mouth 3a, and the outer layer body 3 has a bottle-like shape. Further, the outer layer body 3 of the present embodiment is made of synthetic resin, and the body has flexibility.

An internal space N is formed between the inner layer body 2 and the outer layer body 3 to communicate with the air vent 3e.

The inner layer body 2 and the outer layer body 3 in the present embodiment are made by detachably laminating synthetic resins having low compatibility with each other. Synthetic resins forming the inner layer 2 include, for example, nylon resin (PA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin (EVOH), modified polyolefin resin (such as "ADMER" (registered trademark) manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.), and polyethylene terephthalate. In addition to resin (PET), polyethylene resin (PE) and polypropylene resin (PP) can be used. The synthetic resins forming the outer layer 3 include polyethylene resins (PE) such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene resin (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET). ) can be adopted. The inner layer body 2 and the outer layer body 3 may be formed of a single synthetic resin so that each has a single layer structure, or a plurality of synthetic resins are superimposed so that each has a laminated structure. It may be something that is done. Such inner layer body 2 and outer layer body 3 can be obtained by blow molding a parison in which a synthetic resin material forming the inner layer body 2 and a synthetic resin material forming the outer layer body 3 are laminated. Alternatively, a test tube-shaped preform is prepared by laminating the synthetic resin material of the inner layer body 2 and the synthetic resin material of the outer layer body 3, and this preform is biaxially stretched and blow-molded. It is also possible to form the body and the outer layer separately and then arrange the inner layer inside the outer layer. Although not shown, one or a plurality of adhesive strips extending longitudinally between the inner layer 2 and the outer layer 3 to partially join the inner layer 2 and the outer layer 3 are provided. may be provided.

The inner plug 5 is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene (PP). The inner plug 5 of this embodiment includes a partition wall 5a positioned above the mouth portion 3a and closing the filling space S. As shown in FIG. The partition wall 5a is provided with an opening (content fluid communication port 5b) penetrating through the partition wall 5a, and a cylindrical wall 5c having a cylindrical shape as a whole and having a smaller diameter at the lower portion than at the upper portion.

An annular recess 5e with an open top is provided on the radially outer side of the content liquid communication port 5b and the cylindrical wall 5c. 2 is provided with an annular sealing wall 5d in liquid-tight contact therewith. Furthermore, an annular wall 5f that rises upward is provided on the outer edge of the partition wall 5a. At a portion where the partition wall 5a and the annular wall 5f are connected, the radially outer portion of the partition wall 5a and the lower portion of the annular wall 5f are integrally cut out to form both the partition wall 5a and the annular wall 5f. An air communication port 5g penetrating is provided.

Further, the inner plug 5 is integrally connected to the inner peripheral surface of the annular wall 5f and has a relatively thin plate-like portion 5h. The plate-like portion 5h is provided so as to be positioned directly above the air communication port 5g, as shown in FIG. The lower surface of the plate-like portion 5h is positioned at a height that is aligned with the lower surface of the annular wall 5f that is formed as if it were notched and partitions the air communication port 5g. In a plan view, the plate-like portion 5h of the present embodiment extends radially inward with a relatively wide width from the inner peripheral surface of the annular wall 5f as shown in FIG. In this way, it forms a shape extending in an arc with a relatively narrow width. Since the thickness of the plate-like portion 5h is relatively thin and it extends long in plan view, it can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction like a cantilever beam. In this embodiment, a total of six plate-like portions 5h having such a shape are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the annular wall 5f. The number of plate-like portions 5h can be arbitrarily changed according to the shape of the inner plug 5, the desired function, and the like. At the tip of each plate-like portion 5h, there is provided a contact portion 5j that protrudes upward and contacts the lower surface of the air valve (reference numeral 6a) as will be described later. The upper surface of the contact portion 5j is a flat surface extending substantially horizontally as shown in FIG.

The inner plug 5 of this embodiment is molded into the above-described shape by curing a molten synthetic resin material in a mold. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, an upper die D1 for forming the shape of the upper surface of the inner plug 5 and a lower die D2 for forming the shape of the lower surface of the inner plug 5 are brought into contact with each other. The mold is closed, and the inner plug 5 is formed by curing the synthetic resin material in the cavity formed inside them. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the vicinity of the connecting portion between the partition wall 5a and the annular wall 5f in the upper die D1 and the lower die D2. FIG. A cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 3) is shown at a site where the air communication port 5g and the plate-like portion 5h are provided. 4 shows (a cross-sectional view along BB shown in FIG. 3). FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the upper surface of the partition wall 5a and the inner, upper, and outer peripheral surfaces of the annular wall 5f are formed by the upper die D1, and the lower surface of the partition wall 5a and the seal wall 5d are formed by the lower die D2. is formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the lower die D2 is provided with a protrusion D2a that partially protrudes upward at the portion where the air communication port 5g and the plate-like portion 5h are provided. is provided with a recess D1a having a shape corresponding to the protrusion D2a. The radially inner side surface of the recess D1a and the radially outer side surface of the protrusion D2a are directly abutted against each other so that the air communication port 5g is opened.

By the way, the lower surface of the annular wall 5f and the lower surface of the plate-like portion 5h are formed by the upper surface of the protrusion D2a. Here, if the lower surface of the annular wall 5f and the lower surface of the plate-like portion 5h are not aligned (if the lower surface of the plate-like portion 5h is positioned above or below the lower surface of the annular wall 5f), the projecting portion D2a. The shape of the upper surface becomes complicated, which increases the cost and makes molding difficult. On the other hand, by aligning the lower surface of the annular wall 5f with the lower surface of the plate-like portion 5h as in the present embodiment, the mold cost can be suppressed and molding can be stably performed.

The check valve 6, as shown in FIG. 1, has an air valve 6a for regulating the flow of air and a discharge valve 6b for regulating the flow of the content liquid. The check valve 6 of this embodiment is made of a soft material such as rubber, elastomer, or soft polyethylene (low-density polyethylene).

The air valve 6a has a cylindrical base 6c centered on the central axis O and having a lower end supported by an annular recess 5e. Further, on the radially outer side of the base portion 6c, a thin doughnut-shaped plate centered on the central axis O is formed, and as shown in FIG. An air valve body portion 6d is provided so as to curve downward (extend in an arc) radially outward from there. Further, on the outer edge side of the air valve main body portion 6d, an air valve outer edge portion 6e is provided which is thicker than the air valve main body portion 6d.

As shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface of the air valve outer edge portion 6e of the present embodiment is formed so as to be tapered upward and the top portion is formed to be an arcuate surface in cross-sectional view. . The lower surface of the air valve outer edge portion 6e is a flat surface extending substantially horizontally. Immediately below the air valve outer edge portion 6e, a plate-like portion 5h separated from the lower surface of the air valve outer edge portion 6e extends along the air valve outer edge portion 6e. extended to). A contact portion 5j provided at the tip of the plate-like portion 5h has its upper surface in contact with the lower surface of the air valve outer edge portion 6e.

The outlet valve 6b is positioned above the content fluid communication port 5b and the cylindrical wall 5c, as shown in FIG. is provided with a plate-like pouring valve main body 6f that is left open, and a connecting piece 6g that elastically connects the pouring valve main body 6f and the base 6c. The pouring valve 6b is not limited to, for example, a 3-point valve or a 4-point valve that connects the pouring valve body 6f and the base 6c with a plurality of connecting pieces 6g. The piece 6g may connect the extraction valve body 6f and the base 6c.

In this embodiment, the movable valve 7 has a spherical shape and is arranged inside the cylindrical wall 5c. move along. As shown in FIG. 1, when the container main body 1 is in the upright position, the movable valve 7 is seated on the lower portion of the cylindrical wall 5c having a reduced diameter, thereby disconnecting the cylindrical wall 5c and the filling space S from each other. state.

The cap body 8 is made of synthetic resin in this embodiment, and includes a top wall 8a located above the check valve 6 and an outer peripheral wall 8b that is integrally connected to the outer edge of the top wall 8a and surrounds the mouth portion 3a. and A female threaded portion 8c that fits the male threaded portion 3d is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 8b.

At the center of the top wall 8a, a pouring tube 8e is provided that extends upward from the edge of a hole penetrating the top wall 8a and has an upper opening as a pouring port 8d for the liquid content. The lower surface of the ceiling wall 8a is provided with an annular recess 8f that opens downward and supports the upper portion of the base 6c. An external air introduction port 8g is provided radially outside the annular recess 8f so as to penetrate the ceiling wall 8a in the vertical direction. An annular stepped portion 8h having a flat lower surface is provided radially outwardly of the outside air inlet 8g, protruding downward from the ceiling wall 8a. The stepped portion 8h of the present embodiment is a portion with which the air valve outer edge portion 6e of the air valve 6a abuts. More specifically, when the upper surface of the contact portion 5j is in contact with the lower surface of the air valve outer edge portion 6e as shown in FIG. I have to. As shown in FIG. 1, claws 8j for holding the lid 9 are provided on the outer edge of the top wall 8a.

As will be described later, when the internal space N is decompressed, the air valve body 6d of the air valve 6a bends downward, and air is trapped between the air valve outer edge 6e and the stepped portion 8h. A passable gap is formed. In this state, a passage (communication passage) through which air communicates from the outside air introduction port 8g to the ventilation port 3e is formed inside the cap body 8. As shown in FIG. The communication path of this embodiment passes through the outside air inlet 8g, passes through the gap between the separated air valve outer edge portion 6e and the stepped portion 8h, passes through the air communication port 5g, and further extends to the male screw portion 3d and the female screw portion. 8c (or a gap formed by the notch 3f) to reach the ventilation port 3e. Note that the air valve main body portion 6d of the present embodiment is thinner than the air valve outer edge portion 6e and is more flexible. You can definitely get away with it. In addition, since the plate-like portion 5h is elastically deformable in the vertical direction as described above, it does not significantly hinder the separation of the air valve outer edge portion 6e from the stepped portion 8h.

The lid 9 is made of synthetic resin in this embodiment, and includes a top wall 9a positioned above the top wall 8a and a lid outer peripheral wall 9b integrally connected to the top wall 9a. A seal cylinder 9c is provided on the lower surface of the top wall 9a to be inserted into the pouring tube 8e and to be in airtight contact with the inner surface of the pouring tube 8e. An engaging convex portion 9d that engages with the claw portion 8j is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 9b of the lid body. A hinge portion 9e integrally connected to the outer peripheral wall 8b of the cap body 8 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 9b of the lid body. Although the lid body 9 of this embodiment is integrally connected to the cap body 8, it may be provided separately from the cap body 8 and detachably attached to the cap body 8 by screws or undercuts. good.

In the double container having such a structure, the internal space N is pressurized by pressing the body of the outer layer body 3, and the pressure in the filling space S is thereby increased. , while elevating the pouring valve main body 6f, the liquid flows from the content communication port 5b through the gap around the connecting piece 6g into the inside of the base portion 6c, passes through the inside of the pouring cylinder 8e, and pours from the pouring port 8d. served. Here, the communication passage connecting the vent port 3e and the outside air introduction port 8g is in a state of non-communication because the air valve outer edge portion 6e of the air valve 6a abuts against the stepped portion 8h over the entire circumference. Therefore, the air in the internal space N does not leak out to the outside. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the air valve outer edge portion 6e is supported from below by the contact portion 5j provided at the tip of the plate-like portion 5h, so that the contact between the air valve outer edge portion 6e and the stepped portion 8h is further enhanced. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the problem that the air in the internal space N leaks out to the outside. The upper surface of the contact portion 5j and the lower surface of the air valve outer edge portion 6e may be curved surfaces. It is possible to more reliably prevent the problem that the air in the internal space N leaks out to the outside. The movable valve 7 in the cylindrical wall 5c is moved by its own weight and the liquid flowing in from the opening on the lower side of the cylindrical wall 5c when the container body 1 is displaced to a tilted posture so as to pour out the content liquid. It has moved to the pouring valve main body 6f side (the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 1).

After that, when the pressure on the outer layer body 3 is released and the body portion starts to restore, the volume of the internal space N increases, so the internal space N becomes decompressed. As a result, the air valve main body portion 6d bends downward while elastically deforming the plate-like portion 5h, so that a gap is generated between the air valve outer edge portion 6e and the stepped portion 8h, and air is introduced from the outside air introduction port 8g. The discharged air is introduced into the internal space N through the communication path described above. As a result, the outer layer body 3 can be restored while the inner layer body 2 is deformed to reduce its volume. Further, in this state, the upper surface of the contact portion 5j is in contact with the lower surface of the air valve outer edge portion 6e, so that the vibration of the air valve 6a is suppressed and noise can be suppressed. In particular, in this embodiment, the upper surface of the contact portion 5j and the lower surface of the air valve outer edge portion 6e are both flat surfaces and are in stable contact with each other. Therefore, the effect of suppressing the noise becomes more reliable.

When the pressure on the outer layer body 3 is released, the pressure in the filling space S returns to its original state, and the pouring valve body 6f is seated on the upper surface of the partition wall 5a. Outside air can be prevented from flowing into S. Here, when the container main body 1 is displaced to the original upright posture after finishing pouring out the content liquid, the movable valve 7 moves downward due to its own weight and pressure drop in the filling space S. As a result, a space corresponding to the amount of movement of the movable valve 7 is formed above and inside the cylindrical wall 5c, so that the content corresponding to this space is poured out of the pipe 8e into the cylindrical wall 5c. It can be pulled back inward (suck back function), and can effectively prevent dripping from the pouring tube 8e. Since the movable valve 7 that has moved downward is seated on the lower portion of the cylindrical wall 5c whose diameter has been reduced, it is possible to prevent outside air from flowing into the filling space S from the cylindrical wall 5c.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment. Various modifications and changes are possible within the range of. Moreover, the effects of the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the effects produced by the present invention, and do not mean that the effects of the present invention are limited to the above effects.

1: Container body 2: Inner layer 3: Outer layer 3a: Mouth 3b: Upper part 3c: Lower part 3d: Male threaded part 3e: Vent 3f: Notch 4: Drain cap 5: Inner plug 5a: Partition wall 5b: Content liquid communication port 5c: Cylindrical wall 5d: Seal wall 5e: Annular concave portion 5f: Annular wall 5g: Air communication port 5h: Plate-shaped portion 5j: Contact portion 6: Check valve 6a: Air valve 6b: Note Outlet valve 6c: Base 6d: Air valve main body 6e: Air valve outer edge 6f: Outlet valve main body 6g: Connecting piece 7: Moving valve 8: Cap main body 8a: Top wall 8b: Outer peripheral wall 8c: Female screw part 8d: Spout 8e: Spout tube 8f: Annular recess 8g: Outside air inlet 8h: Step 8j: Claw 9: Lid 9a: Top wall 9b: Lid outer peripheral wall 9c: Seal cylinder 9d: Engagement protrusion 9e: Hinge Part D1: Upper mold D1a: Concave part D2: Lower mold D2a: Protruding part N: Internal space O: Central axis S: Filling space

Claims (5)

It is attached to a container body comprising an inner layer body having a filling space for containing a content liquid, and an outer layer body having a vent opening communicating with the inner space and defining an inner space between the inner layer body, and the outer layer body A pouring cap for a double container that pours out the content liquid of the filling space from the pouring port by pressing the
a cap body that is attached to the outer layer body so as to cover the vent, has the outlet, and has an outside air introduction port that introduces outside air toward the vent;
The cap body is capable of contacting and separating from the rear surface of the cap body, and blocks air flow from the air inlet toward the outside air inlet, while allowing air from the air inlet to the air outlet. an air valve that
a partition wall provided opposite to the back surface of the cap body with the air valve interposed therebetween and having a content liquid communication port for communicating the filling space and the pouring port; an annular wall rising from the partition wall; an inner plug having an air communication port that penetrates at least one of the annular walls and communicates with the outside air introduction port and the ventilation port;
the inner plug has a plate-like portion that is connected to the annular wall and extends along the outer edge of the air valve while being separated from the lower surface of the air valve;
an outer edge of the air valve extends along an inner peripheral surface of the annular wall;
The plate-like portion extends radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the annular wall and then extends in an arc along the inner peripheral surface of the annular wall. A pouring cap for a double container having an abutting portion which is provided at the tip of the portion that contacts and abuts against the lower surface of the air valve. 2. The dispensing cap for a double container according to claim 1, wherein said plate-like portion is thinner than said contact portion. The air communication port penetrates at least the annular wall,
3. The pouring cap for a double container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower surface of the plate-like portion is aligned with the lower surface of the annular wall defining the air communication port. 4. The dispensing cap for a double container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the portions where the air valve and the contact portion abut are both flat surfaces. A double container comprising the container main body and the pouring cap for a double container according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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