WO2008147104A1

WO2008147104A1 - Anti missing stopper container with anti-idle function

Info

Publication number: WO2008147104A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002985
Authority: WO
Inventors: Si Joong Kwon
Original assignee: Si Joong Kwon
Priority date: 2007-05-30
Filing date: 2008-05-28
Publication date: 2008-12-04
Also published as: AU2008257967A1; CN101720297A; CA2692228A1; RU2010100947A; JP2010527865A; EP2158134A1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a container with an anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap. The container has corresponding threaded parts on a spout of a container body and a cap body. The cap has a support ring to prevent removal of the cap from the container body. The container body has a ring holder so that the support ring is locked to the ring holder. A structure for detachably locking the support ring to the ring holder is a stepped locking structure, a threaded locking structure, or an inclined locking structure. The stepped locking structure includes a locking rim and a groove which are provided on the support ring and a locking step of the container body. The threaded locking structure has threads which are provided on the ring holder and the support ring. The inclined locking structure has inclined surfaces which are provided on the ring holder and the support ring.

Description

ANTI MISSING STOPPER CONTAINER WITH ANTI-IDLE

FUNCTION

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a container with an anti-loss and anti- idle-rotation cap and, more particularly, to a container with an anti-loss and anti- idle-rotation cap, in which a cap is not detached from a container body even when the cap is opened, thus preventing the loss of the cap, and in which the idle rotation of the cap is prevented even if the cap is not held in the hand, thus preventing the cap from contacting a user's face and preventing contents from flowing into the cap when the user drinks directly from the container or the contents are discharged out of the container body, therefore affording a considerably improved sensation of use, in addition to preventing the contamination of the cap. Background Art

[2] Generally, a container, which is used to hold liquid materials, including food and beverages, such as potable water or milk, oil, paints, and chemical products, is provided with a container body which has a spout, and a cap which opens or closes the spout of the container body. The cap is detachably coupled to the spout to open or close it through a screw-type coupling method or a pressure-type coupling method using an elastic hooking end.

[3] Further, when the size of the container is increased or it is desired to increase air- tightness, an inner cap, made of a resin material having elasticity, is provided in the container.

[4] In order to remove contents from the container body, the cap is separated from the container body to open the spout, and thereafter, is coupled to the container body again. This operation is repeatedly conducted. When the cap is separated from the container body, the cap is placed on the ground, such as the floor of a room, thus cluttering the surrounding environment. Further, the cap may be contaminated by impurities, and in addition, is frequently lost.

[5] Further, the loss of the container cap may cause the contamination of contents held in the container, and the escape of the contents from the container. Particularly in the case of a volatile chemical product, there is the danger of the occurrence of a fire.

[6] In order to solve the problems, as shown in FIG. 13, a conventional container 100 is constructed so that a support ring 135 is integrally coupled to a cap 130 via a coupler 133, and the support ring 135 is fitted over a spout 111 of a container body 110.

[7] This construction holds the cap 130 on the container body using the coupler 133 and the support ring 135 when the container is opened, thus preventing the cap from being lost, therefore being convenient to use.

[8] However, as shown in FIG. 14, the conventional container is constructed so that the coupler 133 and the support ring 135 are integrated with the cap 130, and the support ring 135 is coupled to the container body 110 in such a way as to idly rotate. Thus, when the contents are discharged out of the container, the support ring 135 is rotated along the outer circumference of the spout due to the weight of the opened cap, so that the cap moves to a lower position relative to the spout.

[9] Thus, when a user puts his or her mouth to the container body in order to drink contents, the cap contacts his or her mouth or jaw, thus giving the user an unpleasant feeling and being cumbersome. Further, when the contents are transferred to another container, the flowing contents pass by the cap, so that the cap becomes dirty and interferes with the discharge of the contents.

[10] Therefore, a user must hold the cap in one hand so that the cap is not soiled with the contents, thus making it complicated to use the conventional container. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[11] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a container with an anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap, in which a cap does not become detached from a container body even when the cap is opened, thus preventing the loss of the cap, and in which the idle rotation of the cap is prevented even if the cap is not held in the hand, thus preventing the cap from contacting a user's face and preventing the contents from flowing into the cap when the user drinks directly from the container or the contents are discharged out of the container body, therefore affording a considerably improved sensation of use, in addition to preventing the contamination of the cap. Technical Solution

[12] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a container with an anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap, having corresponding threaded parts on a spout of a container body and a cap body, the cap having a support ring which prevents removal of the cap from the container body and is integrated with the cap body via at least one coupler, wherein the container body is provided with a ring holder so that the support ring is detachably locked to the ring holder to selectively prevent the idle- rotation of the cap when the container is opened, a structure for detachably locking the support ring to the ring holder comprising a stepped locking structure which includes a locking rim which is provided on either of the support ring of the cap or a locking step provided on the container body, and a groove which is provided on a remaining one of the support ring and the locking step and corresponds to the locking rim, so that the locking rim is elastically detachably locked to the groove by external force, a threaded locking structure having threads which are provided on the ring holder of the container body and the support ring of the cap to correspond to each other, or an inclined locking structure having inclined surfaces which are provided on the ring holder of the container body and the support ring of the cap to correspond to each other.

[13] The threaded locking structure includes stoppers which protrude from an inner circumference of the support ring and an upper portion of the threaded part of the container body to correspond to each other and prevent the support ring from being removed from the container body, the stoppers having a form of a pawl of a ratchet so as not to hinder the cap from rotating in a closing direction.

[14] The threaded locking structure includes concave and convex locking parts, which are provided on the cap body and the support ring and correspond to each other.

[15] An anti-slip notched part or a stopping piece is provided on an outer circumference of the support ring.

[16] Further, a folding line is formed on the coupler.

Advantageous Effects

[17] As described above, the present invention provides a container with an anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap, which is advantageous in that a cap is not detached from a container body even when the cap is opened, thus preventing the loss of the cap, and the idle rotation of the cap is prevented even if the cap is not held in the hand, thus preventing the cap from contacting a user's face and preventing contents from flowing into the cap when the user drinks directly from the container or the contents are discharged from the container body, therefore affording a considerably improved sensation of use, in addition to preventing the contamination of the cap. Brief Description of the Drawings

[18] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a container, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[19] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled state of the container of FIG. l;

[20] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the container of FIG. 2, in which part of the container is omitted;

[21] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating the use of FIG. 3;

[22] FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a container according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which part of the container is omitted; [23] FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a container according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which part of the container is omitted;

[24] FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a container according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which part of the container is omitted;

[25] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the section and the operation of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[26] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 8;

[27] FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a container according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which part of the container is omitted;

[28] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the construction of a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[29] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating the construction of a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[30] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a conventional container; and

[31] FIG. 14 is a view illustrating the use of the conventional container.

[32] *Description of reference characters of important parts*

[33] 1: container with anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap according to the present invention

[34] 10: container body 11: threaded part 12: stopper

[35] 13: ring holder 131: locking step a: locking rim

[36] b: groove c: protrusion d: hole

[37] s: threads t: inclined surface 30: cap

[38] 31: cap body 316: locking part 33: coupler

[39] 35: support ring 352: stopper 356: locking part

Mode for the Invention

[40] Hereinafter, a container with an anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[41] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled state of the container of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the container of FIG. 2, in which part of the container is omitted, and FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating the use of FIG. 3.

[42] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a container 1 for preventing the loss and idle rotation of a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention has corresponding threaded parts 11 and 311 on a spout of a container body 10 and a cap body 31. The cap 30 has a support ring 35 which prevents the removal of the cap from the container body 10 and is integrated with the cap body 31 via at least one coupler 33. The container body 10 is provided with a ring holder 13 so that the support ring 35 is detachably locked to the ring holder in order to selectively prevent the idle-rotation of the cap when the container is opened. The structure of detachably locking the support ring 35 to the ring holder 13 is a locking structure IA using stepped parts, a locking structure IB using threaded parts, or a locking structure 1C using inclined surfaces. The stepped locking structure IA (see FIGS. 1 to 7) includes a locking rim, which is provided either on the support ring 35 of the cap or on a locking step 131 provided on the container body 10, and a groove b which is provided on a remaining one of the support ring and the locking step and corresponds to the locking rim, so that the locking rim is elastically detachably fitted into the groove by external force. The threaded locking structure IB (see FIGS. 8 and 9) includes threads s, which are provided on the ring holder 13 of the container body and the support ring 35 of the cap to correspond to each other. The inclined locking structure 1C (see FIG. 10) includes inclined surfaces t, which are provided on the ring holder 13 of the container body and the support ring 35 of the cap so as to correspond to each other.

[43] In the stepped locking structure IA, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the locking rim a and the groove b are detachably locked to each other through the sides of the locking rim and the groove. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the support ring 35 may be pushed in a direction from an upper position to a lower position so that the locking rim and the groove are detachably locked to each other. As shown in FIG. 6, the support ring 35 may be pushed in a direction from a lower position to an upper position so that the locking rim and the groove are detachably locked to each other. In addition to these locking configurations, various other locking configurations are possible.

[44] Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a protrusion c and a hole d, which correspond to each other, may be provided on the locking step 131 and the support ring 35.

[45] In such a stepped locking structure, when the support ring 35, made of a resin material, is press-fitted into the ring holder 13, the locking rim a is seated into the groove b or the protrusion c is seated into the hole d due to the elasticity of the resin material, so that the support ring 35 is held by the ring holder such that the rotation of the support ring is prevented.

[46] According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the threaded locking structure IB includes stoppers 352 and 12, which protrude from the inner circumference of the support ring 35 and the upper portion of the threaded part

11 of the container body to correspond to each other and prevent the support ring 35 from being removed from the container body 10. The stoppers 352 and 12 resemble a pawl of a ratchet so as not to hinder the cap from rotating in the closing direction.

[47] Further, the threaded locking structure IB includes concave and convex locking parts

316 and 356, which are provided on the cap body 31 and the support ring 35 and correspond to each other.

[48] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an anti-slip notched part 351 or a stopping piece 353 is provided on the outer circumference of the support ring 35.

[49] Further, a folding line 331 is formed on the coupler 33.

[50] Meanwhile, when the cap 30 is large, as shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of couplers 33 may be provided on the cap. As shown in FIG. 12, the coupler may be formed such that its upper portion is wide and its lower portion is narrow, that is, the width of the coupler may be gradually increased in the direction from the support ring 35 to the cap body.

[51] The coupler 33, which is wide at the upper portion and narrow at the lower portion, allows the cap to be stably locked to the container body.

[52] The use and operation of the container 1 with the anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap according to the present invention, which is constructed as described above, will be described below.

[53] When the structure for locking the support ring 35 of the cap to the ring holder 13 of the container body is the stepped locking structure IA or the inclined locking structure 1C, the cap 30 is locked to the threaded part 11 of the spout of the container body. In this state, the support ring 35 of the cap is positioned such that the removal of the support ring from the container body 10 is prevented because of the locking step 131 of the container body, but the support ring is separated from the ring holder 13 to be freely rotated (see portion A in FIG. 4).

[54] Thus, the rotation of the cap 30 for opening the container is not hindered.

[55] Further, immediately after the cap 30 is opened, the support ring 35 is freely rotated

(see portion B in FIG. 4). In this state, when the container is tilted, the cap is idly rotated due to its own weight, like a conventional container.

[56] At this stage, the present invention locks the support ring 35 to the ring holder 13 through a press-fitting method. Thereby, the support ring 35 is held so that the idle rotation of the support ring is prevented, (see portion C in FIG. 4).

[57] The support ring 35 is easily press-fitted by the elasticity of the support ring 35 and the ring holder 13, made of a resin material.

[58] Further, when a user wishes to lock the cap 30 again, the support ring 35 is pushed away from the ring holder 13, so that the support ring is released from the ring holder, and thus the rotation of the cap for closing the container is not hindered.

[59] Further, in the case of the threaded locking structure IB, the cap 30 is forcibly assembled with the container body 10 (see portions A and B in FIG. 8), and thereafter, the cap 30 is rotated and moved upwards to open the container. At this time, the cap body 31 is removed from the threaded part 11 of the container body, and the support ring 35, which is moved upwards together with the cap body 31 by the coupler 33, is fastened to the spout of the container body through a screw-type fastening method. Thus, as long as external force is not applied to the cap, the idle rotation of the cap is prevented.

[60] Thereafter, the concave and convex locking parts 316 and 356 are released from each other, and the cap body 31 is bent backwards. At this time, the folding line 331 of the coupler for coupling the cap body 31 with the support ring 35 is bent, so that the open state of the cap body is more stably maintained (see portion C in FIG. 8).

[61] At this time, the removal of the support ring 35 from the container body 10 and the idle rotation of the support ring are reliably prevented by the engagement of the stoppers 12 and 352 provided on the threaded part 11 of the container body and the support ring 35.

[62] According to the present invention, when the cap 30 is opened, the support ring 35 is held by the container body 10 so as not to rotate, so that the cap 30 is fixed to any one side of the container body 10. Thus, even when the cap 30 is opened and the contents are discharged out of the container, the cap is not idly rotated to a lower position due to its own weight.

[63] Further, the coupler 33 is folded along the folding line 331, and the cap 30 is bent, so that the position of the cap is maintained. Thus, even if the cap is not held in a user's hand when he or she directly puts his or her mouth on the container, such as a beverage bottle, and drinks contents, the cap does not contact his or her face. Further, even when the contents are transferred to another container, the cap is not soiled with the contents, thus affording a considerably improved sensation of use, and preventing the contamination of the cap.

[64] Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be applied to various shapes of caps, including a single- walled cap.

[65] Hereinbefore, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the terminologies or words used in the description and the claims of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited merely to common and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted based on the meanings and concepts of the invention in keeping with the scope of the invention. Therefore, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. Industrial Applicability

[66] As described above, the present invention provides a container with an anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap, which is advantageous in that a cap is not detached from a container body even when the cap is opened, thus preventing the loss of the cap, and the idle rotation of the cap is prevented even if the cap is not held in the hand, thus preventing the cap from contacting a user's face and preventing contents from flowing into the cap when he or she drinks directly from the container or the contents are discharged from the container body, therefore affording a considerably improved sensation of use and preventing the contamination of the cap.

Claims

[1] A container with an anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap, having corresponding threaded parts (11 and 311) on a spout of a container body (10) and a cap body (31), the cap (30) having a support ring (35) which prevents removal of the cap from the container body (10) and is integrated with the cap body (31) via at least one coupler (33), wherein the container body (10) is provided with a ring holder (13) so that the support ring (35) is detachably locked to the ring holder to selectively prevent the idle- rotation of the cap when the container is opened, a structure for detachably locking the support ring (35) to the ring holder (13) comprising: a stepped locking structure (IA) comprising a locking rim (a) which is provided on either of the support ring (35) of the cap or a locking step (131) provided on the container body (10), and a groove (b) which is provided on a remaining one of the support ring and the locking step and corresponds to the locking rim, so that the locking rim is elastically detachably locked to the groove by external force, a threaded locking structure (IB) having threads (s), which are provided on the ring holder (13) of the container body and the support ring (35) of the cap to correspond to each other, or an inclined locking structure (1C) having inclined surfaces (t), which are provided on the ring holder (13) of the container body and the support ring (35) of the cap to correspond to each other.

[2] The container with the anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap according to claim 1, wherein the threaded locking structure (IB) comprises stoppers (352 and 12) which protrude from an inner circumference of the support ring (35) and an upper portion of the threaded part (11) of the container body to correspond to each other and prevent the support ring (35) from being removed from the container body (10), the stoppers (352 and 12) having a form of a pawl of a ratchet so as not to hinder the cap from rotating in a closing direction.

[3] The container with the anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap according to claim 1 or

2, wherein the threaded locking structure (IB) comprises concave and convex locking parts (316 and 356), which are provided on the cap body (31) and the support ring (35) and correspond to each other.

[4] The container with the anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap according to claim 1, wherein an anti-slip notched part (351) or a stopping piece (353) is provided on an outer circumference of the support ring (35).

[5] The container with the anti-loss and anti-idle-rotation cap according to claim 1, wherein a folding line (331) is formed on the coupler (33).