JP7382631B2 - cap - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cap.

The cap is attached to the mouth of a container containing a liquid such as fish sauce. Such a cap is configured to open the mouth of the container when removing liquid from the container, and close the mouth of the container at other times.

In recent years, as environmental awareness has increased, it is preferable to remove the cap from the container after the liquid stored in the container is used up, so that the container and the cap can be separated and disposed of. For this reason, a cap that can be easily removed from a container has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-085976

However, current caps, including the cap described in Patent Document 1, are intended to be attached to containers with high dimensional accuracy. For this reason, if the current cap is attached to the mouth of a container with low dimensional accuracy, a gap will be created between the container and the cap, and liquid may leak from the container through this gap. Furthermore, even if the cap is attached to a container with a mouth (inner diameter) different from the one originally planned, a gap will be created between the container and the cap, and liquid will leak from the container through this gap. There is a risk. On the other hand, it is not practical in terms of manufacturing costs to manufacture a cap that matches the shape of the mouth of a container with low dimensional accuracy so as to avoid the gap, and furthermore, it is difficult to remove the cap from the container. becomes difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cap that can be easily removed while maintaining high sealing performance even for containers with low dimensional accuracy and/or containers with different mouths (inner diameters).

In order to solve the above problem, a cap according to a first invention includes a lid main body attached to the mouth of a container;
The lid main body includes a removable upper lid,
The lid body is
an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder that sandwich the mouth of the container from inside and outside;
a connection part connecting the upper end of the inner cylinder and the upper end of the outer cylinder;
and a spout cylinder capable of pouring out the liquid from the inside of the container,
The inner cylinder has a folded portion folded back toward the outer circumference so that an elastic force is generated in the outer circumferential direction;
The folded portion has a plurality of annular peaks protruding toward the outer circumferential side,
The folded width of the folded portion is half or more of the height of the portion of the inner cylinder other than the folded portion,
The outer cylinder is
a longitudinal main thin wall portion formed in a direction transverse to the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder ;
It has an annular protrusion that protrudes toward the inner circumference ,
The annular projection is located at the height of the folded portion .

In addition, in the cap according to the second invention, the outer cylinder of the cap according to the first invention is
a lateral thin wall portion formed in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder;
It has a vertical sub-thin part that is continuous from the horizontal thin part and is formed toward a side along the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder.

Further, the cap according to the third invention is one in which the upper lid of the cap according to the first or second invention is connected to the lid main body via a hinge,
The main longitudinal thin wall portion is adjacent to the hinge.

According to the cap, high sealing performance can be maintained even for containers with low dimensional accuracy and/or containers with different mouths (inner diameters) because the folded portion follows the inner surface of the mouth of the container. can. Moreover, since the outer tube is torn in a direction transverse to the circumferential direction by breaking the main thin wall portion in the longitudinal direction, the cap can be easily removed from the container.

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cap and a container to which the cap is attached according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the cap in FIG. 1 when the dimensional accuracy of the container is high. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the cap in FIG. 1 when the dimensional accuracy of the container is low. It is a perspective view looking up at the cap and the container to which the cap is attached. It is a perspective view showing the inside of the same cap. It is a top view of the state where the upper lid of the same cap is removed from the lid main body. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a semi-finished product of the same cap. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the state where the same cap is not attached to a container.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the cap based on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated based on drawing.

As shown in FIG. 1, this cap 1 includes a lid body 2 that is attached to a mouth M of a container B, and an upper lid 4 that is detachably attached to the lid body 2.

The lid main body 2 includes an inner cylinder 10 and an outer cylinder 20 that sandwich the mouth M of the container B from the inside and outside, and a spout cylinder 31 that can pour out liquid from the inside of the container B. That is, the inner cylinder 10 is located inside the mouth M of the container B, and the outer cylinder 20 is located outside the mouth M of the container B. The inside of the pouring cylinder 31 may be open or may be in an openable state. This is because the liquid is poured out from the inside of the container B by opening the inside of the pouring tube 31. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the inside of the spouting tube 31 can be opened, that is, a configuration in which the inside of the spouting tube 31 is opened by pulling up the pull ring 32. Even if the inside of the spouting cylinder 31 is opened, the top lid 4 is attached to the lid main body 2, so that the spouting cylinder 31 is sealed. The lid main body 2 has a connecting portion 33 that connects the upper end of the inner cylinder 10 and the upper end of the outer cylinder 20 on the outside of the pouring cylinder 31. The state in which the lid main body 2 is attached to the mouth M of the container B means that the mouth M of the container B is inserted into the fitting space 35 formed by the inner cylinder 10, the connecting part 33, and the outer cylinder 20. It is in a state of being

The inner cylinder 10 has a folded portion 11 that is folded back toward the outer circumference so that elastic force is generated in the outer circumferential direction. That is, when this folded portion 11 is pressed in the inner circumferential direction, it is elastically deformed and a restoring force (elastic force) is generated in the outer circumferential direction. In order to generate an appropriate elastic force, an elastic force of the folded part 11 is provided between the folded part 11 and a portion of the inner cylinder 10 other than the folded part 11 (located on the inner circumference of the folded part 11). It is preferable that a deformation allowance 14 (space) is formed. As shown in FIG. 2, which is an enlarged view of the left half of the cap 1 in FIG. 1, the folded portion 11 presses the inner surface I of the mouth portion M by its elastic force. This pressing maintains high sealing performance. Although FIG. 2 shows a container B in which the inner surface I of the mouth M is flat, that is, a container B with high dimensional accuracy, FIG. Container B with low precision is shown. As shown in FIG. 3, even if the inner surface I of the mouth M is uneven, the folded portion 11 follows the inner surface I due to its elastic force, so that high sealing performance is maintained. In particular, it is preferable that the folded portion 11 has a plurality of (three shown as an example) annular peak portions 12 that protrude toward the outer circumference. This is because the plurality of annular peaks 12 makes it easier to follow the irregularities on the inner surface I of the mouth M, and maintains even higher sealing performance. In order to maintain even higher sealing performance, it is preferable that the number of the annular peaks 12 is three. Furthermore, in order to maintain even higher sealing performance, it is preferable that the ridgeline 13 of each annular crest 12 be horizontal before the cap 1 is attached to the mouth M of the container B. Furthermore, in order to maintain even higher sealing performance, the folded width h of the folded portion 11 is set to be at least half (h≧0. 5H) is preferred. Although FIG. 3 shows a container B with low dimensional accuracy, even if the container B has a mouth M that has a different inner diameter from the mouth M shown in FIG. gender is maintained.

It is preferable that the outer cylinder 20 has an annular projection 21 projecting toward the inner circumference. Since the outer surface O of the mouth M comes into contact with the annular projection 21, the outer surface O of the mouth M is pressed with high pressure from the lid body 2 (specifically, the annular projection 21), and as a result, high sealing performance is maintained. This is because it will be done. This annular projection 21 is preferably located at the height of the folded portion 11. This allows the mouth M of the container B to be pressed from the folded portion 11 and the annular projection 21 with the inner surface I and outer surface O thereof at the same height, thereby maintaining even higher sealing performance. be.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view looking up at the cap 1 attached to the mouth M of the container B, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the inside of the cap 1 with the container B omitted. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the outer tube 20 has a longitudinal main thin wall portion 24 formed in a direction transverse to the circumferential direction of the outer tube 20. As shown in FIGS. That is, the longitudinal main thin portion 24 is formed from the upper side 22 (side along the circumferential direction) of the outer cylinder 20 toward the lower side 23 (side along the circumferential direction). The longitudinal main thin section 24 is thinner than the adjacent sections, including the lateral thin section 26 and the longitudinal sub-thin section 27, which will be described later, so it is a section that is easily broken by external force, and is also called a weakened line. be done. If the longitudinal main thin wall portion 24 is broken, the outer cylinder 20 is torn from the upper side 22 to the lower side 23, so that the cap 1 can be easily removed from the container B. It is preferable for the longitudinal main thin wall portion 24 to extend from the upper side 22 to the lower side 23 of the outer cylinder 20 in order to tear the outer cylinder 20 from the upper side 22 to the lower side 23 with less external force. However, if the longitudinal main thin wall portion 24 is formed from the upper side 22 to the lower side 23, the outer cylinder 20 will be torn from the upper side 22 to the lower side 23, so that it will not reach from the upper side 22 to the lower side 23. It's okay. Furthermore, although the longitudinal main thin wall portion 24 may be formed on the outside of the outer tube 20, it is preferably formed on the inner side of the outer tube 20 for aesthetic reasons. Further, although the longitudinal main thin wall portion 24 is illustrated in a direction perpendicularly crossing the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder 20 (that is, a vertical direction in FIG. 4), it may be inclined from this direction.

The outer cylinder 20 includes a lateral thin wall portion 26 formed in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder 20, and a side (the upper side 22 or It is preferable to have a vertical sub-thin part 27 formed toward the lower side 23). This is because the outer cylinder 20 can be torn to pieces with less external force. The horizontal thin portion 26 and the vertical sub-thin portion 27 may be formed on the outside of the outer tube 20, but are preferably formed on the inner side of the outer tube 20 for aesthetic reasons. Note that when the outer tube 20 is torn into pieces along the longitudinal main thin wall section 24, the lateral thin wall section 26, and the vertical sub thin wall section 27, a part of the outer tube 20 will peel off from the container B. Therefore, this peeled portion is hereinafter referred to as a peeled portion 28.

As shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the side of the vertical sub-thin part 27 facing from the horizontal thin part 26 is the upper side 22. This is because the direction in which the outer cylinder 20 is torn into pieces along the longitudinal sub-thin part 27 is downward, making it easier to tear the outer cylinder 20 into pieces along the longitudinal sub-thin part 27. Although it is preferable for the longitudinal sub-thin portion 27 to reach the upper side 22 (or lower side 23) in order to tear the outer cylinder 20 into pieces with less external force, good. Furthermore, although the longitudinal sub-thin portion 27 is illustrated in a direction perpendicularly crossing the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder 20 (that is, a vertical direction in FIG. 4), it may be inclined from this direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lateral thin wall portion 26 is more than half of the entire circumference of the outer cylinder 20 ( center angle θ is 180 degrees or more), and does not reach the longitudinal main thin wall portion 24. preferable. Since the lateral thin wall portion 26 is more than half of the entire circumference of the outer cylinder 20, when the lateral thin wall portion 26 breaks, more than half of the entire circumference of the outer cylinder 20 becomes a peeled portion 28, and this As a result, it becomes easier to remove the cap 1 from the container B. Further, since the lateral thin wall portion 26 does not reach the longitudinal main thin wall portion 24, even if the lateral thin wall portion 26 is ruptured, the peeling portion 28 will not be separated from the other portions of the outer cylinder 20. Therefore, after peeling off the peeling part 28 from the container B, the cap 1 can be easily removed from the container B by pulling up the outer tube 20 together with the peeling part 28 with respect to the container B. In order to prevent the outer tube 20 from being torn apart from the lateral thin section 26 to the longitudinal main thin section 24, there is a Preferably, a thick portion 29 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper lid 4 is connected to the lid main body 2 via a hinge 5, and the longitudinal main thin portion 24 is preferably adjacent to the hinge 5. This is because when the upper lid 4 is pulled down after being removed from the lid body 2, the main thin longitudinal portion 24 breaks and is torn to pieces, making it easier to remove the cap 1 from the container B. Further, it is preferable that the longitudinal sub-thinned portion 27 also be adjacent to the hinge 5. This is because when the upper lid 4 is pulled down in an open state, the vertical sub-thin portion 27 is also broken and torn to pieces, making it easier to remove the cap 1 from the container B. It is preferable that the longitudinal main thin part 24 and the longitudinal sub thin part 27 be located at both left and right ends of the hinge 5. If two grooves 25 are formed below the hinge 5 as shown in FIG. 5 inside the outer cylinder 20 corresponding to the left and right ends of the hinge 5, the longitudinal main thin wall portion 24 and a longitudinal sub-thinned portion 27 are preferably formed.

1 to 5 show a state in which the top lid 4 is attached to the lid main body 2, whereas FIG. 6 shows a state in which the top lid 4 is removed from the lid main body 2. Hereinafter, the detailed structure of the upper part of the lid main body 2 and the upper lid 4 will be explained based on FIG. 6, but the structure is arbitrary and is not limited to this structure. As shown in FIG. 6, the lid main body 2 has an opening portion 36 connected to a pull ring 32 inside the spout tube 31. As shown in FIG. This planned opening portion 36 is surrounded by a thin wall portion 37 . As a result, when the pull ring 32 is pulled up, the thin wall portion 37 is broken, and the planned opening portion 36 is separated from the other portion of the lid body 2 along with the pull ring 32, and the inside of the thin wall portion 37 is opened. Further, the lid main body 2 has a main body side engaging portion 34 that can be engaged with the upper lid 4 on the outside of the connecting portion 33. On the other hand, the upper lid 4 has a middle leg 42 that closes the spout tube 31 when attached to the lid main body 2, and an upper lid side engaging part 43 that can be engaged with the main body side engaging part 34. The upper lid 4 is attached to the lid main body 2 by engaging the upper lid side engaging portion 43 with the main body side engaging portion 34 . The upper lid 4 has a flange 45, also called a finger rest, which serves as a knob for attaching to and removing from the lid main body 2, at a position symmetrical to the hinge 5 in plan view.

Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the cap 1 and a method for removing it from the container B will be described.

When the cap 1 is made of synthetic resin, for example, it is first molded by injection molding. Immediately after molding, the upper lid 4 is removed from the lid main body 2, but FIG. 7 shows a state in which the upper lid 4 is attached to the lid main body 2. The cap 100 shown in FIG. 7 is in a state before the tip end 111 of the inner tube 10 is folded back toward the outer circumferential side, so the folded part 11 is not formed and the cap 100 is a semi-finished product 100. In this semi-finished product 100, as shown in FIG. 7, the tip 111 of the inner tube 10 preferably has a shape that increases in diameter toward the bottom. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, when the distal end portion 111 of the inner cylinder 10 is folded back toward the outer circumferential side to form the folded portion 11, the elastic deformation allowance 14 (space) is formed. be. The cap 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is manufactured by forming the folded portion 11 by folding the tip portion 111 toward the outer circumference.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cap body 2 of the cap 1 is attached to the mouth M of the container B. As shown in FIG. 3, even if the inner surface I of the mouth M has unevenness, that is, the dimensional accuracy of the container B is low, and/or the container B has a different mouth M (inner diameter). However, since the folded portion 11 follows the inner surface I due to its elastic force, high sealing performance is maintained.

To pour out the liquid stored in the container B, if an opening is not formed inside the spout tube 31, pull up the pull ring 32 and open the inside of the spout tube 31 (enclosed by the thin wall 37) The planned opening portion 36) is opened. Then, by tilting the container B, the liquid is poured out from the pouring cylinder 31 through the opening.

When it becomes necessary to dispose of the container B and the cap 1, such as after the liquid stored in the container B is used up, the cap 1 is removed from the container B in order to separate the container B and the cap 1. Specifically, by removing the upper lid 4 from the lid main body 2 in the state shown in FIG. Cut the outer cylinder 20 into pieces. Then, by pulling the upper lid 4 counterclockwise in the circumferential direction in a plan view, the outer cylinder 20 is torn into pieces in the circumferential direction along the lateral thin-walled portions 26. Thereafter, the cap 1 is removed from the container B by pulling the outer tube 20 together with the peeling portion 28 relative to the container B.

In this manner, according to the cap 1, the folded portion 11 follows the inner surface I of the mouth M of the container B even for containers B with low dimensional accuracy and/or containers B with different mouths (inner diameters). This makes it possible to maintain high sealing performance. Moreover, since the outer tube 20 is torn in a direction transverse to the circumferential direction by the rupture of the longitudinal main thin wall portion 24, the cap 1 can be easily removed from the container B.

Further, since the folded portion 11 has a plurality of annular peaks 12, the folded portion 11 can more easily follow the inner surface I of the mouth M, and can maintain higher sealing performance.

Furthermore, since the outer cylinder 20 has the annular projection 21 that protrudes inward, the outer surface O of the mouth M comes into contact with the annular projection 21, so that the outer surface O of the mouth M is applied to the lid body under high pressure. As a result, even higher sealing performance can be maintained.

In addition, since the outer cylinder 20 has the horizontal thin wall part 26 and the vertical sub-thin wall part 27, the outer cylinder 20 can be torn to pieces with less external force, so that the cap 1 can be easily removed from the container B. .

Further, the upper lid 4 is connected to the lid main body 2 via the hinge 5, and the vertical main thin wall portion 24 is adjacent to the hinge 5, so that the upper lid 4 can be separated from the lid main body 2. If the cap 1 is pulled down in the detached state, the main thin wall portion 24 in the longitudinal direction is broken and torn to pieces, making it easier to remove the cap 1 from the container B.

By the way, the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and it is intended that all changes within the meaning and range equivalent to the claims are included. Among the configurations described in the embodiments, the configurations other than those described as the first invention in "Means for Solving the Problems" are arbitrary configurations, and can be deleted or changed as appropriate.

B Container M Mouth 1 Cap 2 Lid body 4 Upper lid 5 Hinge 10 Inner cylinder 11 Folded part 12 Annular peak 14 Elastic deformation allowance 20 Outer cylinder 21 Annular protrusion 22 Upper side 23 Lower side 24 Main thin wall in vertical direction 26 Thin wall in lateral direction 27 Vertical sub-thin wall portion 31 Pour tube

Claims (3)

a lid body that is attached to the mouth of the container;
The lid main body includes a removable upper lid,
The lid body is
an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder that sandwich the mouth of the container from inside and outside;
a connection part connecting the upper end of the inner cylinder and the upper end of the outer cylinder;
and a spout cylinder capable of pouring out the liquid from the inside of the container,
The inner cylinder has a folded portion folded back toward the outer circumference so that an elastic force is generated in the outer circumferential direction;
The folded portion has a plurality of annular peaks protruding toward the outer circumferential side,
The folded width of the folded portion is half or more of the height of the portion of the inner cylinder other than the folded portion,
The outer cylinder is
a longitudinal main thin wall portion formed in a direction transverse to the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder ;
It has an annular protrusion that protrudes toward the inner circumference ,
A cap characterized in that the annular projection is located at the height of the folded portion . The outer cylinder is
a lateral thin wall portion formed in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder;
The cap according to claim 1 , further comprising a vertical sub-thin part that is continuous from the horizontal thin part and is formed toward a side along the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder. The upper lid is connected to the lid main body via a hinge,
3. The cap of claim 2 , wherein the main longitudinal thin wall is adjacent the hinge.

Images