Patent Grant
8235232
The present invention relates to a cap that is disposed on the mouth part of a bottle-shaped container, and a covered container comprising the cap.
As a cap on a bottle-shaped container, a combination of an inside plug for sealing and an overcap, which is an upper closure, is generally known (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H8-58816). With the kind of cap, opening or unsealing is carried out by pulling a pull-ring attached to the inside plug diagonally in the opening direction after opening the overcap.
Further, a bottle cap, which has a material storage part for storing a powder or other such material, and which releases the material inside the bottle by causing the bottom lid of the raw material storage part to drop out due to the opening operation, is known (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2005-88997).
However with regard to the former cap, the manner in which the pull-ring is pulled can differ greatly by user, the consumer, and there is a likelihood of the pull-ring being torn off at a weld or other such easy-to-tear part at the time of opening or unsealing, making opening impossible.
Further, for example, when the score part is made thick to prevent pinholes in the score part, the force needed for opening increases, making opening difficult for children, the elderly and other users. Further, when the size of the pull-ring is made large enough for various users' fingers to fit thereinto, the pull-ring becomes unsuitable for a small diameter inside plug, thereby restricting the overall design of the cap. Furthermore, the pull-ring that remains after opening is normally an unsightly unwanted object that has to be cleaned off the table.
Further, as for the latter bottle cap, when the material need not or no longer needs to be released inside the bottle upon opening, the material storage part makes the bottle cap longer that necessary. Also, since the bottom lid always drops down inside the bottle, users are often put off by the fact that the bottom lid remains in the bottle. Further, the entire bottom lid has to be sterilized beforehand for the sake of hygiene.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a cap and a covered container that makes use thereof, which make it possible to easily and reliably carry out opening or unsealing due to the rotation operation of the upper closure or overcap, and which reduce design restrictions even when the inside plug has a small diameter. Also, another object of the present invention is to provide a cap, which does not generate rubbish subsequent to unsealing, and which is not larger than necessary.
In order to solve for the above-mentioned problems, a first cap related to the present invention includes (a) an inside plug, which, together with a main body of the container, forms an airtight space for enclosing the contents, and which has a separating part for forming an aperture part in the airtight space; and (b) an upper closure having a screwing part that enables attachment and detachment to and from the container main body by a rotation operation, and holding means, which makes enables to form the aperture part by separating the separating part from the above-mentioned inside plug by the rotation operation of the screwing part, and to engage with the separating part when the separating part is separated.
In the above-mentioned cap, since the inside plug and upper closure are attachable/detachable to/from another one in accordance with the rotation operation of the screwing part, and it is possible to form an aperture part by separating the separating part from the inside plug in accordance with this rotation operation, an unsealing operation can be carried out relatively easily and reliably. Further, since a pull-ring is not used at the time of unsealing, a situation in which the pull-ring tears and unsealing becomes impossible does not occur. Further, since there is no need to ensure a finger-inserting size as when a pull-ring is used, design is not restricted even when the inside plug has a small diameter. Furthermore, since the separating part, which is separated at the time of unsealing, is held by the upper closure, the separating part does not drop into the inside of the container main body subsequent to unsealing, and moreover, there is no need to dispose of the separating part.
Further, as another aspect of the present invention, the separating part engages with holding means at the time of the unsealing operation for forming the aperture part. In this case, since there is a mechanical relationship between the separating part and holding means at the time of the unsealing operation for forming the aperture part, for example, there is no need to weld the separating part and holding means beforehand in order to form the aperture part, making it possible to simplify the cap manufacturing process.
Further, as another aspect of the present invention, holding means forms the aperture part by separating the separating part from the inside plug due to the rotation operation of the screwing part, and also engages with the separating part at the time the separating part is separated. In this case, the separating part is separated from the inside plug due to the rotation operation of the screwing part, and the aperture part is formed, and, in addition, the upper closure holding means can hold the separating part.
Further, as another aspect of the present invention, the inside plug has in a center thereof an upper opening, which is blocked by the separating part, and has a main body part, which is contiguously connected to the separating part at this upper opening, and also engages with the container main body at the peripheral border, the main body part has a main body part cylinder that forms the upper opening, and the separating part has a separating part cylinder that is offset to either one of the inside diameter or the outside diameter relative to the main body part cylinder. In this case, after separating the separating part from the main body part at the initial opening, the separating part cylinder and the main body part cylinder overlappingly fit together when the upper closure is once again screwed into the main body part, thereby achieving liquid-tightness between the separating part and the main body part. That is, it is possible to prevent fluid leaks when re-closing the upper closure subsequent to opening.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the separating part has a flange in the upper part, and holding means has a protruding part, which extends downwardly from the bottom surface of the upper end wall of the upper closure, and a claw, which is formed on this protruding part, and which is capable of engaging with the flange. In this case, the separating part is easily and reliably held by the upper closure.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the upper closure has a mounting part that engages with the inside plug, and an opening-and-closing lid, which is connected to the mounting part via a hinging part, and, in addition, which is able to maintain a closed state, in which the aperture part is covered subsequent to unsealing, and an open state, in which the aperture part is open. In this case, subsequent to unsealing the inside plug, a one-touch opening-and-closing operation that opens and closes the cap can be carried out simply using the opening-and-closing lid.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the opening-and-closing lid has locking means for suppressing a lid-opening operation. In this case, since a lid-opening operation resulting from a malfunction or vandalism is not possible prior to unsealing, the reliability of the cap's seal can be enhanced.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the present invention also has push-in means for forming the aperture part by carrying out positioning in accordance with a rotation operation of the screwing part, making upper closure push-in possible in accordance with the positioning, and carrying out this push-in. In this case, it is possible to relatively easily and reliably form the aperture part in accordance with the rotation operation and push-in operation, while preventing the inadvertent unsealing of the inside plug.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the separating part is an intended aperture part, which is integrally formed with the main body part, and the holding means includes a second threaded member, which relatively displaces the separating part relative to the external portion of this separating part by screwing together with a first threaded member, which is disposed in the separating part. In this case, the separating part is severed off by the second threaded member, which is the upper closure holding means, being screwed together with the first threaded member, which is disposed in the separating part.
A second cap related to the present invention includes (a) an inside plug, which, together with the container main body, forms an airtight space for enclosing the contents, and which has a separating part for forming an aperture part in the airtight space; and (b) an upper closure having a screwing part that enables attachment and detachment to and from the container main body by a rotation operation, and opening means that forms an aperture part by separating the separating part from the inside plug due to the rotation operation of the screwing part.
In the above-mentioned cap, since the inside plug and the upper closure can be attached/detached to/from another one in accordance with the rotation operation of the screwing part, and the aperture part is formed, for example, by severing so as to separate the separating part from the inside plug due to this rotation operation, it is possible to carry out opening (that is, the unsealing of the inside plug) relatively easily and reliably. Further, since a pull-ring is not used at the time of unsealing, a situation in which the pull-ring tears and unsealing becomes impossible does not occur. Further, since there is no need to ensure a finger-inserting size as when a pull-ring is used, design is not restricted even when the inside plug has a small diameter.
Further, as a specific aspect of the present invention, the separating part is an intended aperture part, which is to be severed from the inside plug. In this case, the separating part is severed from the inside plug as an intended aperture part that is integrally formed with the main body part.
Further, as a specific aspect of the present invention, opening means includes a second threaded member, which relatively displaces the intended aperture part relative to the external portion of this intended aperture part by screwing together with a first threaded member disposed in the intended aperture part. In this case, since the intended aperture part is separated by the second threaded member, which is the upper closure holding means, being screwed together with the first threaded member, which is disposed in the intended aperture part, a member such as a bottom lid is not dropped into and left behind inside the container main body, and, in addition, no rubbish is produced subsequent to unsealing.
Further, as another aspect of the present invention, the second threaded member is the male thread while the screwing part is the female thread, and, in addition, is in an opposite direction relationship with the screwing part, and the rotation operation for operating opening means is rotation in the direction that opens the upper closure. In this case, while rotation in the direction that opens the upper closure rotates in the direction which loosens the screwing part, the first and second threaded members screw together in the tightening direction by being screwed together with one another. Consequently, the intended aperture part is pulled upwardly, the aperture part is formed, and the inside plug, as an inside plug, is either unsealed or opened.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the second threaded member is the male thread while the screwing part is the female thread, and, in addition, is in a forward direction relationship with the screwing part, and the rotation operation for operating opening means is rotation in the direction that closes the upper closure. In this case, the screwing part and the first and second threaded members are all screwed in the tightening direction by being respectively screwed together with one another. Consequently, the intended aperture part is either pulled upwardly or pushed downwardly, and the inside plug, as an inside plug, is either unsealed or opened.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the inside plug is formed of a resin material, and a thin-walled score is formed between the intended aperture part and the external portion. In this case, the intended aperture part is easily separated along the thin-walled score when forming the aperture part for unsealing the inside plug.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, opening means includes a cutting member, which moves together with the screwing part, and which causes the external portion to relatively separate from the intended aperture part. In this case, using the cutting member makes it possible to either support the separation of the external portion and the intended aperture part, or to carry out this separation independently. Furthermore, it is possible to dispose a protruding seal that sticks fast to the interior surface of the inside plug main body subsequent to unsealing the upper closure.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the cutting member has a blade-edged portion, which annularly protrudes downwardly from the bottom surface of the apex of the upper closure, and which has a cross-section that is acutely angled at a lower end thereof. In this case, it is possible to match the blade edged portion of the cutting member to the shape of the aperture part, making it possible to more reliably separate the intended aperture part and carry out unsealing.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the upper closure includes a stopper that prevents the upper closure from being screwed onto the container main body by a rotation operation. In this case, it is possible to prevent the inside plug from being unsealed by mistake when the present invention is not being used.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the separating part is an internal sealing plug that can block the aperture part subsequent to unsealing. In this case, the separating part functions as an internal sealing plug subsequent to unsealing, thereby configuring an airtight space, which makes it hard for liquid to leak out subsequent to unsealing, and which maintains a hygienic state.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the upper closure has holding means, which engages with the separating part when this separating part is separated due to the rotation operation of the screwing part. In this case, since the separating part, which was separated at the time of unsealing, is held by the upper closure, the separating part does not drop down inside the container main body subsequent to unsealing the inside plug, and, moreover, there is no need to dispose of the separating part.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the separating part engages with holding means at the time of the unsealing operation for forming the aperture part. In this case, since there is a mechanical relationship between the separating part and holding means at the unsealing of the inside plug, that is, at the time of the unsealing operation for forming the aperture part, for example, there is no need to weld the separating part and holding means beforehand in order to form the aperture part.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the upper closure has a mounting part that engages with either the periphery of the inside plug or the container main body, and an opening-and-closing lid, which is connected to the mounting part via a hinging part, and, in addition, which is able to maintain a closed state, in which the aperture part is covered subsequent to opening, and an open state, in which the aperture part is open. In this case, subsequent to unsealing the inside plug, a one-touch opening-and-closing operation that opens and closes the cap can be carried out simply using the opening-and-closing lid.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the inside plug has in a center thereof an upper opening, which is blocked by the separating part, and has a main body part, which is contiguously connected to the separating part at this upper opening, and which also engages with the container main body at the peripheral border, the main body part has a main body part cylinder that forms the upper opening, and the separating part has a separating part cylinder that is offsets to either one of the inside diameter or the outside diameter relative to the main body part cylinder. In this case, after separating the separating part from the main body part at the initial opening, the separating part cylinder and the main body part cylinder overlappingly fit together when the upper closure is once again screwed onto the container main body, thereby achieving liquid-tightness between the separating part and the main body part even subsequent to unsealing. That is, it is possible to prevent fluid leakage when re-closing the upper closure subsequent to opening.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the inside plug forms an airtight space by integrally molding the separating part, which is to be severed, and the main body part. In this case, since the unsealing of the inside plug is carried out by severing the separating part from the integrally molded separating part and main body part, it is possible to maintain a hygienic state inside the airtight space until immediately prior to unsealing.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the separating part has a flange in the upper part, and holding means has a protruding part, which extends downwardly from the bottom surface of the upper end wall of the upper closure, and a claw, which is formed on this protruding part, and which is capable of engaging with the flange. In this case, the separating part is easily and reliably held by the upper closure.
A third cap related to the present invention includes (a) an inside plug, which, together with the container main body, forms an airtight space for enclosing the contents, and which has a separating part for forming an aperture part in the airtight space; and an upper closure having (b1) a screwing part that enables attachment and detachment to and from the container main body by a rotation operation; (b2) holding means, which forms an aperture part by separating the separating part from the inside plug by the rotation operation of the screwing part, and which engages with the separating part at the time the separating part is separated; (b3) a mounting part, which is severed from the inside plug due to the rotation operation of the screwing part, and, in addition, which is able to engage with the container main body via the screwing part; and (b4) an opening-and-closing lid, which is connected to the mounting part by way of a hinging part, and, in addition, which is able to maintain a closed state, in which the aperture part is covered subsequent to unsealing, and an open state, in which the aperture part is open.
In the cap described hereinabove, since the inside plug and the upper closure form an aperture part in accordance with the rotation operation of the screwing part by making it possible to separate the intended aperture part from the inside plug due to the rotation operation, an opening operation can be carried out relatively easily and reliably. Further, since a pull-ring is not used at the time of unsealing, a situation in which the pull-ring tears and unsealing becomes impossible does not occur. Further, since there is no need to ensure a finger-inserting size as when a pull-ring is used, design is not restricted even when the inside plug has a small diameter. Furthermore, since the separating part, which is separated at the time of unsealing, is held by the upper closure, the separating part does not drop into the inside of the container main body subsequent to unsealing, and moreover, there is no need to dispose of the separating part. In addition to the above, in the cap described hereinabove, since an opening-and-closing lid is connected to a mounting part by way of a hinging part, and the mounting part can be severed from the inside plug due to the rotation operation of the screwing part, and, in addition, can engage with the container main body via the screwing part, it is possible for the elements that make up the cap to be configured integrally. Further, subsequent to unsealing the inside plug, a one-touch opening-and-closing operation that opens and closes the cap can be carried out simply using the opening-and-closing lid.
Further, as another aspect of the present invention, the separating part engages with holding means at the time of the unsealing operation for forming the aperture part. In this case, since there is a mechanical relationship between the separating part and holding means at the time of the opening operation for forming the aperture part, for example, there is no need to weld the separating part and holding means beforehand in order to form the aperture part.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the inside plug and the upper closure are integrally molded as one article. In this case, it is possible to make the respective components integral, and to integrally mold the entire cap as a single article.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the opening-and-closing lid has locking means for suppressing a lid-opening operation. In this case, since a lid-opening operation cannot be carried out as the result of a malfunction or vandalism prior to unsealing, the reliability of the cap's seal can be enhanced.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the screwing part has rotation suppressing mechanism, which allows a rotation operation in only one direction, and suppresses rotation in the other direction. In this case, since the rotation suppressing mechanism is able to make the direction of rotation in a rotation operation one direction only, malfunctions can be prevented.
Further, as yet another aspect of the present invention, the screwing part makes the direction of the rotation operation for forming the aperture part the counterclockwise direction. In this case, the initial direction of rotation for unsealing can be made the counterclockwise direction, making it possible to prevent malfunctions.
Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a covered container related to the present invention includes (a) a bottle, which constitutes the container main body, and which stores a liquid that is the contents; and (b) any of the above-described caps, which is disposed on the mouth part of the bottle.
In the covered container described hereinabove, since any of the above-described caps is used, the unsealing of the aperture, that is, the inside plug, can be done easily and reliably due to a rotation operation of the overcap, and, further, design is not restricted even when the inside plug has a small diameter, and, furthermore, there is no rubbish left on the table subsequent to unsealing.
a and 3b are diagrams showing the aperture shape of an inside plug related to the first embodiment;
a through 15c are cross-sectional views for illustrating a cap related to a fourth embodiment;
a through 16d are cross-sectional views for illustrating a cap related to a fifth embodiment;
a and 18b are cross-sectional views for illustrating the operation of the cap related to the sixth embodiment;
a and 19b are cross-sectional views showing a cap related to a variation of the sixth embodiment;
a through 20h are diagrams illustrating a cap related to a seventh embodiment;
a through 21e are diagrams illustrating a covered container related to the seventh embodiment; and
a through 22c are diagrams illustrating a cap related to a variation of the seventh embodiment.
[First Embodiment]
A cap 1 related to this embodiment is molded using resin, is attached to the mouth part 50a of a container main body 50, which is a bottle, and comprises an inside plug 2, which is the closure main body, and an overcap 3, which is the upper closure. The cap 1 and the container main body 50 constitute a covered container 100 for storing and preserving a liquid. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, only the right half of the cap 1 is shown in the figure, but a left half, which sandwiches the center axis AX, has the same structure as the right side.
The inside plug 2 is an integrally molded component made of resin, and comprises a predetermined aperture part or an intended aperture part 4; a fitting part 5; and a pour-out cylinder part 6. The fitting part 5 and pour-out cylinder part 6 here configure the main body part of the inside plug 2. The inside plug 2, by virtue of the tap, forms an airtight space together with the container main body 50 for either air-tightly or liquid-tightly enclosing the contents. Within the inside plug 2, the intended aperture part 4 is also a separating part that has a cylindrical exterior having a bottom surface, and at the time the inside plug 2 is unsealed, that is, at the time of initial opening, the inside plug 2 is torn along a score 7, and the aperture part is formed by the intended aperture part 4 being severed from a horizontal wall 8 formed on the inner circumference of the fitting part 5, leaving the horizontal wall 8 behind. Further, a female thread 10a for screwing together with the overcap 3 is formed on the inner surface of the side part 4b of the intended aperture part 4 (will be explained in detail hereinbelow). The fitting part 5 is a fitting member for carrying out tapping by fitting the inside plug 2 to the mouth part 50a of the container main body 50. The fitting part 5 is configured having an external cylinder part 5a, which is adhered and fastened to the peripheral wall of the mouth part 50a of the container main body 50; and an internal cylinder part 5b, which is adhered and fastened to the inside wall of the mouth part 50a. The pour-out cylinder part 6 is cylindrical as a whole, but has a lip 6a at the upper end part the diameter of which increases upwardly, improving drainability when pouring out a liquid from inside the container main body 50.
The overcap 3 is an integrally molded component made from resin, and comprises a sidewall 3a; an upper end wall 3b; a connecting part 3c; and a sealing part 3d. The sidewall 3a and upper end wall 3b form a dome-shaped exterior, and protect the inside plug 2 from the outside environment, such as dust and moisture. The connecting part 3c serves as holding means for holding the intended aperture part 4, which is separated from the inside plug 2 subsequent to unsealing the inside plug 2, inside the dome configured by the sidewall 3a and upper end wall 3b. The inner wall of the sealing part 3d adheres to the lip 6a of the upper end part of the pour-out cylinder part 6. Consequently, the upper end part of the pour-out cylinder part 6 can be maintained liquid-tight, and can prevent the contents inside the container main body 50 from leaking to the outside in a state in which the overcap 3 is attached, making possible opening-and-closing operations subsequent to the inner seal 2 being unsealed.
The female thread 11a and male thread 10b are respectively formed in the overcap 3 on the inner side of the sidewall 3a and on the outer side of the connecting part 3c. The female thread 11a formed in the sidewall 3a is a screwing part that constitutes a pair with the male thread 11b comprised on the side of the mouth part 50a of the container main body 50. The overcap 3 is attachably/detachably fastened to the mouth part 50a of the container main body 50 by screwing together the female thread 11a and the male thread 11b. That is, the overcap 3 can be attached/detached to/from the container main body 50 by a forward or reverse rotation operation. Meanwhile, the male thread 10b formed on the connecting part 3c is a second threaded member that constitutes a pair with the female thread 10a, which is a first threaded member disposed on the intended aperture part 4. The male thread 10b screws together with the female thread 10a due to a rotation operation in the opening direction, that is, in the counterclockwise direction of the overcap 3, and is opening means which tears the intended aperture part 4 from the inside plug 2 by pulling the intended aperture part 4 so as to pull it off, thereby opening or unsealing the cap 1. This opening will be explained in greater detail hereinbelow.
In this embodiment, in particular, a pair of threads 10a, 10b, which is the one screwing part, and the pair of threads 11a, 11b, which is the other screwing part, constitute a reverse-direction relationship (i.e. opposite direction relationship) with one another. That is, for example, when male thread 11b is a right-handed thread, male thread 10b by contrast is a left-handed thread. Consequently, when the overcap 3 is rotated in the opening direction (counterclockwise), the pair of threads 11a, 11b, which are right-handed threads, rotate in the loosening direction, but the pair of threads 10a, 10b, which are left-handed threads, by contrast rotate in the tightening direction. In accordance with this relationship, the female thread 10a, that is, the intended aperture part 4 moves toward the top relative to the sheet of paper on which
In this case, using a rotation operation of a large-diameter overcap 3 produces a large moment even with a relatively small force, making it possible to achieve sufficient force to pull and tear off the intended aperture part 4 by using the pair of threads 10a, 10b.
a is a planar view of the inside plug 2 as seen from above. The outline OL is formed here by a score 7, which is the thin-walled part of
As described above, in this embodiment, since the intended aperture part 40 is torn away from the inside plug 2 by the pair of threads 10a, 10b, which serve as opening means, being screwed in the tightening direction due to a rotation operation of the overcap 3 in the opening direction, the unsealing of the cap 1, that is, the unsealing of the inside plug 2 due to a rotation operation of the overcap 3, which is the upper closure, can be done with a relatively simple structure, and the separated intended aperture part 4 is held by the upper closure 3 by virtue of the pair of threads 10a, 10b being screwed together.
Further, in this case, a situation that can occur when a pull-ring is used for unsealing, that is, a situation in which the pull-ring tears at the weld portion making opening impossible, does not occur. Further, since the unsealing of the inside plug 2 is carried out by a rotation operation of the overcap 3, unsealing can be carried out easily and reliably using relatively little force. In addition, since a threaded structure (specifically, threads 10a, 10b) can be formed in the area occupied by the aperture part OP, for example, there is no need to ensure a size big enough for a finger to be inserted into, making it possible to use a small diameter inside plug, and, further, making it possible to avoid restrictions on the design of the cap 1. Furthermore, since the intended aperture part 4 becomes integrated with the overcap 3 subsequent to the unsealing of the inside plug 2, no rubbish is produced subsequent to unsealing, and, for example, there is no need to remove such rubbish from the table.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inside plug 2 is a tap composite cap, and is constituted by using a fitting part 5 together with the container main body 50 to enclose contents either air-tightly or liquid-tightly by virtue of a tap, but the present invention is not limited to a tap, and, for example, the storing of a liquid, which is the contents of the container main body 50, is also possible using a screw-type cap or weld sealing.
In this variation, an overcap 103 has a sleeve 9, which is a cutting member that also serves as opening means. The sleeve 9, as shown in
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it is also possible to screw together the thread 10a disposed in the sidewall 4b of the intended aperture part 4 and the thread 10b disposed on the connecting part 3c of the overcap 3 beforehand prior to unsealing the inside plug 2, and it is also possible to commence screwing together the two threads 10a, 10b in accordance with the rotation of the overcap 3 at the time the inside plug 2 is unsealed.
[Second Embodiment]
The cap of a second embodiment is the type that unseals by screwing in. That is, in the first embodiment, as shown in
In this embodiment, a pair of threads 210a, 210b, which is used as either opening means or separating means, and another pair of threads 211a, 211b have a mutual forward-direction relationship. That is, for example, when the male thread 211b is a right-handed thread, the male thread 210b is also a right-handed thread. Therefore, the pair of threads 210a, 210b and the pair of threads 211a, 211b are rotated, that is, screwed in the tightening direction in accordance with the screwing together of either pair as the result of a rotation operation in the closing direction of the overcap 203 (a clockwise rotation operation).
When pair of threads 210a, 210b and pair of threads 211a, 211b are in the relationship of this embodiment, the male thread 210a, that is, the intended aperture part 204 moves either upwardly or downwardly in accordance with the movement of the overcap 203. That is, the intended aperture part 204 is either pulled upwardly or pushed downwardly by a rotation operation in the closing direction of the overcap 203. At this time, the sleeve 9 also acts to cut the thin-walled part by pushing downwardly in line with the movement of the overcap 203. Consequently, the intended aperture part 204 is torn away from the inside plug 202 (see
Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described hereinabove, the action of the sleeve 9 unseals the inside plug 2, but the unsealing of the inside plug 2 can also be carried out by the either upward or downward movement of the pair of threads 210a, 210b alone. Further, for example, if the entire intended aperture part 204 can be disinfected and sterilized, and there are no problems from the standpoint of hygiene, the pair of threads 210a, 210b is not provided, and the unsealing of the inside plug 202 is carried out by the intended aperture part 204 being pushed and cut by the sleeve 9 alone, and the intended aperture part 204 dropping inside the container main body 50.
In this variation, as shown in
In this variation, as shown in the figure, a seal SL, which is an annular low protrusion, is disposed on the periphery of the lower end part 9a of the sleeve 9 of the overcap 303. In the case of this variation, when screwing the overcap 303 onto the container main body 50 once again subsequent to the overcap 303 first being unsealed in accordance with removing the stopper SP, the seal SL can enhance sealability by adhering firmly to the severed edge of the horizontal wall 8, making it easier to get a sense for when recapping is complete. Furthermore, a seal SL such as that shown in
In this variation, as shown in the figure, a seal SL, which is an annular, relatively high protrusion, is disposed on the periphery of the lower end part 9a of the sleeve 9 of the overcap 303. In the case of this variation, when screwing the overcap 303 onto the container main body 50 once again subsequent to the overcap 303 first being unsealed in accordance with removing the stopper SP, the seal SL extends beyond the horizontal wall 8, reaching the underside of the horizontal wall 8, that is, the interior space side of the container main body 50. In other words, at this time, the outer circumference in the radial direction of the seal SL makes close contact with the surface of the inner wall of the pour-out cylinder part 6 at recapping. Consequently, it is possible to ensure a reliable liquid-tight state between the sleeve 9 and the pour-out cylinder part 6. That is, liquid leaks can be reliably prevented during repeated reuse subsequent to the initial unsealing. Furthermore, a seal SL such as that shown in
[Third Embodiment]
Meanwhile, the overcap 403, which serves as the upper closure, comprises an annular protruding part 409 that extends downwardly from the bottom surface of an upper part wall 403b, and a claw 409a, which engages with the flange 404d, is formed at the lower end of this protruding part 409. Further, this overcap 403 has as a screwing part a female thread 11a, which is formed in the sidewall 403a, and a male thread 11b, which is formed on the side of the mouth part 450a of the container main body 450. Furthermore, the overcap 403 comprises a safety seal or a virgin ring BR at the lower end of the side wall 403a. The virgin ring BR is an annular band, and a notch is formed in an arbitrary location. Then, the overcap 403, as shown in
In a cap 401 configured like this, as will be explained in detail further below, the separating part 404 can be severed from the main body part cylinder 406 in accordance with the upper end wall 403b of the overcap 403, which can force down the separating part 402 of the inside plug 405. Further, the separating part 404 can be held by the overcap 403 in accordance with the protruding part 409, which has been formed in the overcap 403, and the flange 404d formed in the separating part 402, and an aperture part can be formed by separating the separating part 404 from the inside plug 405 in line with unsealing, which is carried out while rotating the overcap 403. That is, the protruding part 409, flange 404d, upper end wall 403b and so forth function as holding means, which engages with the separating part 404. In particular, the upper end wall 403b also functions as separating means for separating the separating part 404 from the main body part 420.
In severing the separating part 404 of the inside plug 402 from the main body part 420, first of all, the overcap 403 is rotated in the tightening direction, that is, clockwise. By so doing, as shown in
Furthermore, when the overcap 403 is tightened, the separating part 404 of the inside plug 402 is pushed downwardly by the upper end wall 403b of the overcap 403. By so doing, the score 407 is severed, and, as shown in
When the overcap 403 is rotating in the loosening direction in this state, as shown in
Furthermore, the third embodiment hereinabove describes an inside plug 402 in a case in which the separating part cylinder 404b is offset to the inner side more than the main body part cylinder 406 by the thickness of the main body part cylinder 406, but the separating part cylinder 404b can also be offset to the outer side more than the main body part cylinder 406 by the thickness of the main body part cylinder 406.
Further, the inside plug 402 of the above-described third embodiment achieves water-tightness between the main body part cylinder 406 and the separating part cylinder 404b by contiguously connecting the two cylindrical parts via a score 407, but the score 407 is not necessarily required if the needed water-tight state is obtained by fitting the separating part cylinder 40 to the main body part cylinder 406.
Further, in the above-described third embodiment, the flange 404d of the inside plug 402 is formed facing outward in the radial direction, but as in the variation shown in
Further, in the above-described third embodiment, a seal, which is an annular low protrusion, can be disposed in at least one of the outer circumference of the separating part cylinder 404b, or the inner circumference of the main body part cylinder 406. Providing a seal of this kind makes it possible to ensure a reliable liquid-tight state between the separating part cylinder 404b and the main body part cylinder 406. That is, it is possible to reliably prevent liquid leaks during repeated reuse subsequent to initial unsealing.
[Fourth Embodiment]
a through 15c are cross-sectional views showing the structure and operation of a cap of a fourth embodiment. The overcap of the cap related to this embodiment constitutes a so-called hinged-cap type closure. In the resin-molded cap 501 of this embodiment shown in
Meanwhile, the overcap 503 related to this embodiment is an integrally molded component made of resin, and has a mounting part 507, which engages with the mouth part 550a of the container main body 550 and the inside plug 502; and an opening-and-closing lid 508, which is contiguously connected to the mounting part 507. The opening-and-closing lid 508 here is connected to the mounting part 507 via a hinging part HG. Consequently, the opening-and-closing lid 508 makes it possible to maintain a closed state, which covers the aperture part, and an open state, which opens the aperture part when using the cap 501 subsequent to carrying out an unsealing operation for the inside plug 502, which will be described hereinbelow.
The mounting part 507 has a female thread 11a on the inner side of a side wall 507a. Further, the opening-and-closing lid 508 has an upper end wall 503b, a connecting part 503c, and a sealing part 503d, and has a male thread 10b on the outer side of the connecting part 503c. The former female thread 11a is a screwing part, which constitutes a pair with a male thread 11b provided on the side of the mouth part 550a of the container main body 550. Conversely, the latter male thread 10b constitutes a pair with a female thread 10a disposed in the separating part 504, and is opening means, which tears off the separating part 504 from the inside plug 502 by screwing together with the female thread 10a, thereby carrying out either the opening or unsealing of the cap 501. The female thread 10a and the female thread 10a here can also be such that they fit together in a rotatable state without being screwed together. Further, the male thread 10b also functions as holding means that engages with the separating part 504. Further, the opening-and-closing lid 508 forms a dome-shaped exterior, and protects the inside plug 502 from the outside environment, such as dust and moisture.
The operation for unsealing the inside plug 502 in this embodiment will be explained below.
[Fifth Embodiment]
a through 16d are cross-sectional views showing the structure and operation of a cap of a fifth embodiment. As shown in
Conversely, the overcap 603 related to this embodiment is a hinged cap type the same as the case of the fourth embodiment, and the same as the overcap 503 of the fourth embodiment, has a mounting part 607, which engages with the mouth part 650a of the container main body 650 and the inside plug 602; and an opening-and-closing lid 608, which is connected to the mounting part 607 via a hinging part HG. Further, the same as the overcap 403 of the third embodiment, the opening-and-closing lid 608, which is one part of the overcap 603, comprises a protruding part 609, and a claw 609a, which engages with the flange 604d of a separating part 604, is formed at the lower end of this protruding part 609. The mounting part 607, which is also one part of the overcap 603, has the same configuration as that of the overcap 403 of the third embodiment, but in this embodiment, the mounting part 607 also has a protuberance part TP in at least one location of a diameter expansion part of the inner wall of the lower end part. By contrast to this, the container main body 650 has bump parts BP intermittently located on the circumference of a circle downwardly of the female thread 11a of the mouth part 650a. Constituting a state in which the protuberance part TP rides on top of the bump part BP, the female thread 11a of the mouth part 650a and the male thread 11b of the mounting part 607 are prohibited from being screwed together deeply.
The operation for unsealing the inside plug 602 of this embodiment will be explained hereinbelow.
c is a diagram showing a state in which the overcap 603 has been pushed in. The separating part 604 of the inside plug 602 is severed from the main body part 620 by this push-in operation. More specifically, in accordance with a push-in operation, the protruding part 609 fits together with the flange 604d of the inside plug 602, the claw 609a engages with the bottom surface of the edge of the flange 604, and the protruding part 609 is pushed downwardly by the upper end wall 603b of the overcap 603. Thus, the separating part 604 of the inside plug 602 is severed from the main body part 620. Further, the mounting part 607 constitutes a state in which the mounting part 607 engages with the container main body 650.
As described hereinabove, subsequent to an inside plug 602 unsealing operation being performed, the opening-and-closing lid 608 makes opening-and-closing possible by adopting a closed state, which covers the aperture part OP of the cap 601 as shown in
[Sixth Embodiment]
The inside plug 702 comprises a separating part 704; a main body part 720; and a main body part cylinder 706. Further, the main body part 720 has a fitting part 705; and the main body part cylinder 706. The inside plug 702, together with the container main body 750, forms an airtight space that encloses the contents either air-tightly or liquid-tightly.
The main body part cylinder 706 is an overall cylindrical shape, and has a shape in which the outside diameter increases in the upper end part, improving drainability when pouring out a liquid from inside the container main body 750.
Further, the separating part 704 comprises a separating part cylinder 704b, which is offset to the internal diameter side relative to the main body part cylinder 706 by the thickness of this main body part cylinder 706, and a ceiling wall 704c, which blocks an upper part opening thereof, is stretch-installed on this separating part cylinder 704b. Furthermore, a flange 704d, which extends outwardly in the radial direction, is formed on the upper end of the separating part cylinder 704b. Then, the upper end of the main body part cylinder 706 and the lower end of the separating part cylinder 704b are contiguously connected by a thin-walled score SC1. This separating part 704 is severed along the score SC1 when the inside plug 702 is unsealed, and an aperture part is formed by the main body part 720 remaining in the mouth part 750a side.
Further, the fitting part 705 is a fitting member for fitting and fastening the inside plug 702 to the mouth part 750a of the container main body 750. More specifically, the structure of the fit according to the fitting part 705 is such that this main body part 720 is fit so as to sandwich the mouth part 750a of the container main body 750 with the fitting part 705 inner cylinder part, which extends downwardly of the main body part cylinder 706, and an outer cylinder part, which extends to the outer side of this inner cylinder part.
Next, the overcap 703, which is the upper closure of the inside plug 702, is a hinged cap type, and has a mounting part 707 engaging with the inside plug 702, and an opening-and-closing lid 708 connected to the mounting part 707 via a hinging part HG.
The opening-and-closing lid 708 here, by being connected to the mounting part 707 via the hinging part HG, is able to maintain a closed state, in which an aperture part is covered, and an open state, in which the aperture part is open when using the cap 701 subsequent to the inside plug 702 unsealing operation, which will be explained hereinbelow, having been carried out, that is, when opening and closing the cap 701 during re-use after initial unsealing.
The mounting part 707 has a female thread 11a on the inner side of a side wall 703a. The female thread 11a is a screwing part, which constitutes a pair with a male thread 11b provided on the side of the mouth part 750a of the container main body 750. Furthermore, the opening-and-closing lid 708 forms a dome-shaped exterior, thereby protecting the inside plug 502 from the outside environment, such as dust and moisture.
Further, the opening-and-closing lid 708, which is one part of the overcap 703, comprises a protruding part 709, and a claw 709a, which engages with a flange 704d of a separating part 704, is formed at the lower end of this protruding part 709. Further, the mounting part 707, which is also one part of the overcap 703, comprises a virgin ring BR at the lower end of the side wall 703a. The virgin ring BR is an annular band, and a notch is formed in an arbitrary location. Then, the overcap 703, as shown in
Furthermore, in this embodiment, a protruding part 707a, which extends sideways from the inner circumference surface of the mounting part 707 of the overcap 703, and the outer circumference of the upper end part of the fitting part 705 of the inside plug 702 are contiguously connected via a thin-walled score SC2. Consequently, the inside plug 702 and the overcap 703 are integrally molded as a single article. Furthermore, as will be explained hereinbelow, the mounting part 707 is severed from the inside plug 702 at the thin-walled score SC2 due to a rotation operation relative to the male thread 11b of the female thread 11a.
In a cap 701 configured like this, as will be explained in detail hereinbelow, the separating part 704 can be severed from the main body part cylinder 706 by the upper end wall 703b of the overcap 703, which can push down on the separating part 704 of the inside plug 702. Further, the separating part 704 can be held to the side of the overcap 703 by the protruding part 709 formed in the overcap 703 and the flange 704d formed in the separating part 702, and the separating part 704 can be separated from the inside plug 702 in line with the unsealing of the inside plug 702, which is carried out while rotating the overcap 703, thereby forming an aperture part. That is, the protruding part 709, flange 704d, upper end wall 703b and so forth function as holding means that engages with the separating part 704. In particular, the upper end wall 703b also functions as separating means for separating the separating part 704 from the main body part 720.
a and 18b are diagrams showing the unsealing operation of the inside plug 702. The inside plug 702 unsealing operation will be explained hereinbelow using
In severing the separating part 704 of the inside plug 702 from the main body part 720, first of all, the overcap 703 is rotated in the tightening direction, that is, clockwise. In so doing, as shown in
Furthermore, when tightening the overcap 703, the separating part 704 of the inside plug 702 is pushed downwardly by the upper end wall 703b of the overcap 703. In so doing, the score SC1 is separated, and the separating part 704 is inserted into the cylindrical part 706 of the main body part 720. That is, the separating part 704 is severed from the main body part 720.
Further, the score SC2 is cut due to the rotating of the overcap 703 in the tightening direction, and the mounting part 707 of the overcap 703 is severed from the inside plug 702. At this time, the mounting part 707 engages with the container main body 750 in accordance with the female thread 11a and the male thread 11b being screwed together.
As described hereinabove, subsequent to an inside plug 702 unsealing operation being carried out, the opening-and-closing lid 708 makes opening-and-closing possible by adopting a closed state, which covers the aperture part OP of the cap 701 as shown in
Furthermore, in the above-described sixth embodiment, there is described an inside plug 702 of a case in which the separating part cylinder 404b is offset to the inside more than the main body part cylinder 406 by the thickness of the main body part cylinder 706, but the separating part cylinder 704b can also be offset to the outside more than the main body part cylinder 706 by the thickness of the main body part cylinder 706.
Further, the inside plug 702 of the above-described sixth embodiment strives for water-tightness, that is, liquid-tightness between the main body part cylinder 706 and the separating part cylinder 704b by contiguously connecting the two cylindrical parts via the score SC1, but the score 707 is not necessarily required if the needed water-tight state, that is, liquid-tight state is obtained by fitting the separating part cylinder 704b to the main body part cylinder 706.
Further, in the above-described third embodiment, a seal, which is an annular low protrusion, can be disposed in at least one of the outer circumference of the separating part cylinder 704b, or the inner circumference of the main body part cylinder 706. Providing a seal of this kind makes it possible to ensure a reliable liquid-tight state between the separating part cylinder 704b and the main body part cylinder 706. That is, it is possible to reliably prevent liquid leaks during repeated reuse subsequent to initial unsealing.
Furthermore, for the respective hinged-type caps described hereinabove, in order to prevent an inside plug unsealing operation, a belt-shaped cover member CP can be used as locking means for suppressing the lid-opening operation of the opening-and-closing lid 708 as shown, for example, in
[Seventh Embodiment]
a through 20h are diagrams showing the structure and operation of a cap of a seventh embodiment.
Here, as shown in
The operation for unsealing the cap 801 of this embodiment will be explained hereinbelow using
As described above, tightening the overcap 803 as shown in
Furthermore, when the overcap 803 is tightened, the virgin ring BR completely traverses the bulge part 851, and is cut into a strip and detached from the overcap 803 as shown in
Thus, when the virgin ring BR detaches from the overcap 803, the direction of rotation of the overcap 803 is no longer restricted by the ratchets RT, making it possible to rotate in the opposite direction from that at the time of unsealing. This time, the user rotates the overcap 803 in the direction of the SD arrow shown in FIG. 20c in accordance with the not-shown explanation the same as above, and the separating part 804 of the inside plug 802 is detached from the main body part 820 in association with the overcap 803 as shown in
As described hereinabove, the ratchets RT of the container main body 850 and the claws NL of the overcap 803 can restrict to a single direction the rotation direction of the initial rotation operation for unsealing, making rotation in the opposite direction impossible, thereby preventing malfunctions at the time of unsealing. Furthermore, displaying the rotation directions on the top surface of the overcap 803 makes it possible to alleviate confusion on the part of the user. Furthermore, the above-described ratchet structure can be used similarly for the hinge-type cap described in the fifth embodiment.
a through 21e are diagrams showing examples of covered containers that utilize the cap 801 related to the above-described embodiment.
a through 22c are diagrams for illustrating a variation of this embodiment. In the case of this variation, a screwing part, which is configured by a female thread 911a and a male thread 911b as shown in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-126161 | Apr 2006 | JP | national |
| 2006-327006 | Dec 2006 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2007/059192 | 4/27/2007 | WO | 00 | 3/16/2009 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007/126062 | 11/8/2007 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2005-082203 | Mar 2005 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20090308834 A1 | Dec 2009 | US |
