CAP UNIT FOR A BEVERAGE CONTAINER

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-39242 filed on Mar. 1, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cap unit for a beverage container.

BACKGROUND

In the related art, there are cap units (stoppers) that are attached to a neck portion of a container main body, the upper portion of which is open, in a detachable manner A lid, which opens and closes a drinking spout or a pouring spout, is attached to an upper portion of the cap unit so as to be capable of freely rotating using a hinge portion.

In addition, the cap unit is provided with a lid locking mechanism that fixes the lid, which is biased toward a direction of opening the drinking spout or the pouring spout by a biasing member provided in the hinge portion, in a position that blocks the drinking spout or the pouring spout.

In a beverage container provided with such a cap unit, as a result of fixing of a lid by a lid locking mechanism being released, a drinking spout or a pouring spout is put into an opened state while the lid rotates by biasing of a biasing member. Thereby, it is possible to drink a beverage inside the container main body.

Other known lids include a stopper hinge structure that stabilizes a rotating operation of a lid by providing a sliding member which slides in a rotating shaft direction, and a coil spring which biases the sliding member toward the rotating shaft direction, on the inner side of a hinge portion, and causing a pressing contact of the sliding member toward one side of the hinge portion by the biasing of the coil spring. In addition, another known lid includes a stopper hinge structure that gives a bump at a position at which a lid opens a liquid flow spout and maintains an open state of the lid by engagement of a click projection provided on one side of a hinge portion and a click receiving portion provided on the other side.

Meanwhile, yet another known lid includes a stopper of a beverage container that stabilizes a rotating operation of a lid by providing a spring, which biases a lid member toward an opening direction, on the inner side of a hinge portion, and causing a projecting portion, which is provided in the hinge portion, to come into sliding contact with the lid or a shoulder member during rotation of the lid.

In the manner mentioned above, in cap units (or, stoppers) that are used in beverage containers, there is a demand for a compact hinge structure having excellent design properties by consolidating functions in a hinge portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a cap unit that has a compact hinge structure having efficient design properties by consolidating functions in a hinge portion, and, optionally, a beverage container provided with such a cap unit.

A first embodiment may include a cap unit which is configured to be attachable and detachable to a neck portion of a container main body, an upper portion of said container main body is open,

the cap unit including a cap main body that blocks an upper opening of the container main body and in which a liquid flow spout is provided in an upper portion, and

a lid that opens and closes the liquid flow spout in a state of being attached to the cap main body in a rotating manner using a hinge portion,

in which a first biasing member, which biases the lid toward a rotating direction, and a second biasing member, which biases the lid toward a rotating shaft direction, are provided in the hinge portion.

In a second embodiment of the cap unit, the hinge portion may include a first hinge bearing portion, which is provided on one of the cap main body and the lid, a second hinge bearing portion and a third hinge bearing portion, which are provided on the other of the cap main body and the lid, and a hinge shaft attached in a state of passing through the first, second, and third hinge bearing portions in the rotating shaft direction in a state in which the first hinge bearing portion is positioned between the second hinge bearing portion and the third hinge bearing portion,

the first biasing member is disposed on an inner side of the first hinge bearing portion that faces the second hinge bearing portion, and

the second biasing member is disposed on an inner side of the first hinge bearing portion that faces the third hinge bearing portion.

In a third embodiment of the cap unit according to the first or second embodiments described above, the first biasing member or second biasing member may be a torsion spring, coil spring, o-ring, or other biasing elements known in the art.

In a fourth embodiment, the cap unit according to the second or third embodiments], the hinge portion may include a click mechanism that gives a click feeling (to the user) at a position at which the lid opens the liquid flow spout and maintains an open state of the lid. Such click may be caused by the hinge rotating over the cam

In a fifth embodiment, the cap unit may have a click mechanism that includes a sliding member, which is disposed on the inner side of the first hinge bearing portion so as to be capable of freely sliding in a state of being biased by the second biasing member, an engagement concave portion, which is provided on a first surface among surfaces at which the sliding member and the third hinge bearing portion face one another, and an engagement convex portion, which is provided on a second surface among surfaces at which the sliding member and the third hinge bearing portion face one another, and gives a click feeling and maintains an open state of the lid by the engagement convex portion engaging with the engagement concave portion at a position at which the lid opens the liquid flow port.

In a sixth embodiment, the cap unit may have a first surface, specifically, a surface that comes into contact with the engagement convex portion in the rotating direction that is upwardly inclined toward the engagement concave portion.

In a seventh embodiment, the cap unit may have, among the engagement concave portion and the engagement convex portion, surfaces that are engaged with one another in the rotating direction are inclined at the same angle.

In an eight embodiment, cap unit may further include one facing surface member that configures a surface that faces the sliding member of the third hinge bearing portion.

In a ninth embodiment, the cap unit may have the one facing surface member composed of a material that is different from the third hinge bearing portion.

In a tenth embodiment, the cap unit may have the hinge portion that includes a plurality of projecting portions that are provided on a first surface among surfaces at which the first hinge bearing portion and the second hinge bearing portion face one another, and are brought into sliding contact with a second surface.

In another embodiment, the cap unit may further include another facing surface member that, among surfaces of the second hinge bearing portion, configures a surface that faces the first hinge bearing portion, and the plurality of projecting portions is provided on the other facing surface member.

In another embodiment of the cap unit the other facing surface member is composed of a material that is different from the second hinge bearing portion.

In another embodiment of the cap unit the second biasing member is a coil spring, torsion spring, o-ring, or other biasing elements known in the art.

The cap unit may further include a lid locking mechanism that fixes the lid to the cap main body by resisting biasing of the first biasing member at a position at which the lid blocks the liquid flow port.

The cap unit may be paired with a beverage container including the cap unit and a container main body to which the cap unit is attached.

In the above-mentioned manner, according to the present invention, and it is possible to provide a cap unit that has a compact hinge structure having efficient design properties by consolidating functions in a hinge portion, and, optionally, a beverage container provided with such a cap unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view that shows a configuration of a beverage container and cap unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view that shows an embodiment of a cap unit in a closed state.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view that shows an embodiment of a cap unit in a closed state.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view that shows an embodiment of a cap unit in an open state.

FIG. 5 is a top view that shows an embodiment of a cap unit in the open state.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view that shows an embodiment of a cap unit in the open state.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view that shows a configuration of an embodiment of the cap unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view that shows a configuration of a spout formation member.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a configuration of a locking member viewed from a front side thereof.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a configuration of a locking member viewed from a rear side thereof.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view that shows a configuration of a hinge portion of the cap unit.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view that shows a configuration of a first hinge bearing portion.

FIG. 12 is a plan view that shows a configuration of a second hinge bearing portion.

FIG. 13 is a plan view that shows a torsion spring that is disposed on the inner side of the first hinge bearing portion.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view that shows a configuration of a sliding member.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view that shows a configuration of a third hinge bearing portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this section, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited by the exact embodiments illustrated. Elements that have a similar or the same function (as known by a person having ordinary skill in the art) as those described are within the scope of this application.

For example, a beverage container 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described as an embodiment of the invention. Additionally, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view that shows a configuration of the beverage container 1. However, many beverage containers may be used with the illustrated cap unit.

As shown in FIG. 1, the beverage container 1 is provided with a container main body 2, and a cap unit 3 that is attached to the container main body 2 in a detachable manner In certain embodiments, beverage container 1 may be configured to hold a beverage and beverage container 1 can perform thermal insulation or cold insulation of a beverage (the contents) stored in the container main body 2 by the container main body 2, which has a vacuum thermal insulation structure.

More specifically, for example, the illustrated embodiment of a container main body 2 is configured by a double-walled container that includes a bottomed tube-shaped outer container 4 composed of stainless steel, or the like, and an inner container 5, and in which respective mouth portions are joined in a state in which the inner container 5 is stored on the inner side of the outer container 4. In addition, a vacuum thermal insulation layer 6 is provided between the outer container 4 and the inner container 5. For example, the vacuum thermal insulation layer 6 can be formed by blocking a deaeration hole provided in a bottom surface central portion of the outer container 4 inside of a chamber, which is depressurized (vacuumed) to high vacuum.

The illustrated container main body 2 includes a substantially circular bottom surface portion 2a, a body portion 2b that is erect in a substantially cylindrical form from the outer periphery of the bottom surface portion 2a, and a substantially cylindrical neck portion 2c that decreases in diameter on the upper portion side of the body portion 2b.

In addition, the illustrated upper end portion of the neck portion 2c is open in a circular manner as an upper opening 2d of the container main body 2. In addition, a ring form stepped portion 7 is provided on the inner side of the neck portion 2c projecting throughout the entirety thereof.

Additionally, the beverage container 1 of the present embodiment has a substantially cylindrical external shape overall, but the external shape of the beverage container 1 is not particularly limited, and it is possible to add alterations as appropriate to match the size, the design, and the like, thereof. In addition, coating, printing, and the like, may also be carried out on the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 2.

A configuration of the cap unit 3 will be described referring to FIGS. 1 to 15. Additionally, in the following description, a side on which a lid 9 is attached to a cap main body 8, which will be mentioned later, using a hinge portion 10 is set as a “rear side” of the beverage container 1, and a side that is opposite thereto is set as a “front side” of the beverage container 1.

Additionally, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view that shows an embodiment of the cap unit 3 with the lid. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view that shows an embodiment of a cap unit in a closed state. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view that shows an embodiment of a cap unit 3 in a closed state. FIG. 4 is a perspective view that shows an embodiment of a cap unit 3 in an open state. FIG. 5 is a top view that shows an embodiment of a cap unit 3 in the open state. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view that shows an embodiment of a cap unit 3 in the open state. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view that shows a configuration of an embodiment of the cap unit 3. FIG. 8 is a perspective view that shows a configuration of a spout formation member 13, which will be discussed in more detail below. FIG. 9(a) is a perspective view of a locking member 18 viewed from a front side thereof, and FIG. 9(b) is a perspective view of the locking member 18 viewed from a rear side thereof. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view that shows a configuration of a hinge portion 10 of the cap unit 3. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view that shows a configuration of a first hinge bearing portion 45, which will be discussed in more detail below. FIG. 12 is a plan view that shows a configuration of a second hinge bearing portion 46, which will be discussed in more detail below. FIG. 13 is a plan view that shows a torsion spring 27 that is disposed on the inner side of the first hinge bearing portion 45, which will be discussed in more detail below. FIG. 14 is a perspective view that shows a configuration of a sliding member 52, which will be discussed in more detail below. FIG. 15 is a perspective view that shows a configuration of a third hinge bearing portion 47, which will be discussed in more detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the cap unit 3 is a component that is configured as a stopper that blocks the upper opening 2d of the container main body 2. More specifically, the cap unit 3 may include the cap main body 8, and the lid 9, which is attached to the cap main body 8 in a rotating manner using the hinge portion 10.

For example, the cap main body 8 may be composed of a heat resistant resin such as polypropylene (PP). The illustrated cap main body 8 includes a peripheral wall portion 8a, which is formed in a substantially cylindrical form so as to be continuous with the body portion 2b of the container main body 2, and an upper wall portion 8c, in which an opening portion 8b that decreases in diameter more than the peripheral wall portion 8a is formed in the upper portion of the peripheral wall portion 8a.

The cap main body 8 is attached to the neck portion 2c of the container main body 2 in a detachable manner, for example, by screwing into complementary threads. Therefore, a female thread portion 11 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 8a. Meanwhile, a male thread portion 12, which is screwed with the female thread portion 11, is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 2c. However, other methods of attachment (e.g., friction fit, bayonet attachment, or other methods known in the art) are also contemplated within the scope of this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the spout formation member 13, in which a drinking spout or a pouring spout (a drinking spout in the present embodiment) is formed, is attached to the opening portion 8b of the cap main body 8 in a detachable manner For example, the spout formation member 13 may be composed of a heat resistant resin such as polypropylene (PP) or other suitable material.

The spout formation member 13 includes a bottom wall portion 13a in which a liquid flow spout 14 is formed, a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 13b that rises upward from the periphery of the bottom wall portion 13a, a lower side flange portion 13c that projects in a ring form from the lower end side of the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall portion 13a, a pair of upper side flange portions 13d that mutually project in the left-right direction from the upper end side of the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 13b up to a side that is opposite thereto, and a drinking spout portion 13e that projects in a diagonally cut form from the upper end of the front side of the peripheral wall portion 13b.

A spout detachment mechanism 15 for attaching the spout formation member 13 to the opening portion 8b of the cap main body 8 in a detachable manner is provided between the cap main body 8 and the spout formation member 13. As shown in FIGS. 8, 9(a) and 9(b), the spout detachment mechanism 15 includes a first claw portion 16 on the front side of the spout formation member 13, and a locking member 18, in which a second claw portion 17 is provided, on the rear side of the spout formation member 13.

The first claw portion 16 is provided projecting forward from the upper end side of the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 13b. The locking member 18 includes a pair of arm portions 18a, which are aligned in parallel with one another, and a connection portion 18b, which connects the upper end (the tip end) sides of the pair of arm portions 18a. In addition, a pair of support shafts 19 are provided on the lower end (the base end) sides of the pair of arm portions 18a. The illustrated pair of support shafts 19 are provided projecting from positions that mutually face the inner sides of the pair of arm portions 18a. An elastic piece 20 is provided projecting from the connection portion 18b between the pair of arm portions 18a in a state of being aligned in parallel with the pair of arm portions 18a. The second claw portion 17 is provided projecting rearward from the upper end (the tip end) side of the locking member 18.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the locking member 18 may be disposed along the outer peripheral surface of the rear side of the spout formation member 13. In addition, the lower end (base end) portion of the locking member 18 is supported so as to be capable of freely rotating by a hinge portion 21 provided on the spout formation member 13. In addition, a manipulation portion 18c (refer to FIG. 9(a)), which has a concave portion or a convex portion for facilitating rotating manipulation of the locking member 18 with a user's finger, is provided in the upper end (tip end) portion of the locking member 18.

As shown in FIG. 8, a shaft opening 22, into which the pair of support shafts 19 are fitted, and a target abutting portion 23, against which the elastic piece 20 abuts, are provided in the spout formation member 13. The shaft opening 22 is provided passing through a rib wall 13g that projects along the outer peripheral surface of the rear side of the spout formation member 13 from the upper surface of an intermediate flange portion 13f, which is positioned above the lower side flange portion 13c. The target abutting portion 23 is formed by the rib wall 13g, which is positioned above the shaft opening 22.

The hinge portion 21 supports the lower end (base end) of the locking member 18 so as to be capable of freely rotating in a state in which the rib wall 13g is held between the pair of arm portions 18a by the pair of support shafts 19 being fitted into the inner side of the shaft opening 22 from both ends of the shaft opening 22.

In addition, when the tip end side of the locking member 18 is rotated toward a forward (one way in a rotating direction) side, the locking member 18 is biased toward a rearward (the other way in the rotating direction) side while the elastic piece 20 becomes elastically deformed by the elastic piece 20 abutting against the target abutting portion 23. Additionally, in the spout detachment mechanism 15, it is possible to adjust the biasing force when the above-mentioned elastic piece 20 becomes elastically deformed by altering the length and thickness of the elastic piece 20.

In addition, a circumstance in which the locking member 18 becomes inclined is prevented by extended portions 18d (refer to FIG. 9(a)), which extend from the front sides of the pair of arm portions 18a of the locking member 18, coming into surface contact with the lower surface of a step portion 13h, which projects from the rear side of the peripheral wall portion 13b of the spout formation member 13.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the spout detachment mechanism 15 includes a first target locking portion 24 on the front side of the cap main body 8, and a second target locking portion 25 on the rear side of the cap main body 8. The first target locking portion 24 and the second target locking portion 25 are composed of stepped portions that are respectively provided in front and rear positions along the opening portion 8b of the upper wall portion 8c.

In the spout detachment mechanism 15, the spout formation member 13 is fitted from the lower side into the inner side of the opening portion 8b of the cap main body 8 in a state in which the first claw portion 16 is positioned with respect to the first target locking portion 24. At this time, a state in which the pair of upper side flange portions 13d abut against the lower surface of the upper wall portion 8c of the cap main body 8 is attained. In addition, the first claw portion 16 is locked with the first target locking portion 24. Furthermore, as the second claw portion 17 rides over the edge of the opening portion 8b while the second claw portion 17 is abutting against the edge of the opening portion 8b of the cap main body 8, after the tip end side of the locking member 18 rotates toward the front, the second claw portion 17 becomes locked with the second target locking portion 25 at the same time as the tip end side of the locking member 18 reverts to the original rearward position thereof.

By this, a state in which the spout formation member 13 is mounted on the opening portion 8b of the cap main body 8 is attained. In addition, a state in which the drinking spout portion 13e projects outward (upward) from the opening portion 8b of the cap main body 8 at the same time as the spout formation member 13 is mounted is attained.

Meanwhile, in the spout detachment mechanism 15, a locked state of the second claw portion 17 with respect to the second target locking portion 25 is released by manipulation that rotates the tip end side of the locking member 18 forward. By this, it is possible to disengage the spout formation member 13 from the lower side of the opening portion 8b of the cap main body 8 while the locked state of the first claw portion 16 with respect to the first target locking portion 24 is released.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cap main body 8 to which the spout formation member 13 is mounted blocks the upper opening 2d of the container main body 2 in a state in which the spout formation member 13 is fitted into the inner side of the upper opening 2d by being attached to the neck portion 2c of the container main body 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, water stop packing 26 may be attached to the lower side flange portion 13c of the spout formation member 13 in a detachable manner. The water stop packing 26 is ring form sealing member for sealing the space between the stepped portion 7 (the container main body 2) and the spout formation member 13 (the cap main body 8). For example, the water stop packing 26 is composed of an elastic member such as a rubber or an elastomer having a heat resistant property such as a silicone rubber.

The water stop packing 26 is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the lower side flange portion 13c.

When the water stop packing 26 is fitted into the inner side of the upper opening 2d of the container main body 2, a state in which the water stop packing 26 becomes adhered to the stepped portion 7 of the container main body 2 while being elastically deformed is attained. By this, it is possible to seal the space between the stepped portion 7 and the spout formation member 13.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the lid 9 opens and closes the drinking spout or the pouring spout (the liquid flow spout 14) that the spout formation member 13 forms, and for example, may be composed of a heat resistant resin such as polypropylene (PP). The illustrated lid 9 includes a peripheral wall portion 9a, which is formed in a substantially cylindrical form so as to be continuous with the peripheral wall portion 8a of the cap main body 8, a top wall portion 9b that covers a top surface of the peripheral wall portion 9a, and a substantially cylindrical inner wall portion 9c that falls away from the lower surface of the top wall portion 9b.

The lid 9 is biased toward a direction in which the liquid flow spout 14 of the spout formation member 13 is opened (hereinafter, referred to as an opening direction) by a first biasing member 27, such as a torsion spring or other biasing member) which is provided on the inner side of the hinge portion 10, which will be mentioned later.

Lid packing 28, which blocks the liquid flow spout 14 of the spout formation member 13, is provided on the inner side of the lid 9. The lid packing 28 is a stopper form sealing member for sealing the spout formation member 13 when the lid 9 is in a closed state.

The lid packing 28 is composed of an elastic member, and it is possible to use the same material as that of the above-mentioned water stop packing 26.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the lid packing 28 may be a bottomed cylindrical sealing member that is attached to the inner wall portion 9c of the lid 9 in a detachable manner More specifically, the lid packing 28 is attached to the lower end side of the inner wall portion 9c in a detachable manner in a state in which the inner wall portion 9c is fitted into a central hole 28a on the inner side of the lid packing 28. In addition, a bottom surface 28b of the lid packing 28 is formed in drum form. Also, a stepped portion 28c is provided in the outer peripheral portion of the upper portion side of the lid packing 28.

The lid packing 28 is attached to the lid 9 in a detachable manner by tightly fitting the inner wall portion 9c into the inner side of the central hole 28a. By this, in the cap unit 3, even if the inside of the container main body 2 has a negative pressure and a force in a direction of pulling the lid packing 28 is generated, it is possible to prevent a circumstance in which the lid packing 28 becomes separated from the inner wall portion 9c when the lid 9 is opened. Conversely, even if the inside of the container main body 2 has a positive pressure and a force in a direction of pushing the lid packing 28 is generated, it is possible to prevent a circumstance in which the inner wall portion 9c is penetrates further onto the inner side of the lid packing 28 by the stepped portion 28c of the lid packing 28 abutting against the base end portion of the inner wall portion 9c.

In the cap unit 3, when the lid 9 blocks the upper portion of the cap main body 8, a state of being adhered to the periphery of the liquid flow spout 14 while the lid packing 28 becomes elastically deformed is attained. By this, it is possible to block the liquid flow spout 14 of the spout formation member 13.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, a cover member 29, which covers the upper end side of the inner wall portion 9c, is attached to the upper surface side of the top wall portion 9b in a detachable manner. The cover member 29 is formed in a substantially disk-like form using the same material as that of the lid 9. Meanwhile, a concave portion 30, which corresponds to the cover member 29, is provided on the upper surface of the top wall portion 9b.

A cover detachment mechanism 31 for attaching the cover member 29 to the concave portion 30 in a detachable manner is provided between the top wall portion 9b and the cover member 29. The cover detachment mechanism 31 includes a third claw portion 32 on the front side of the cover member 29, and a stopper 34, in which a fourth claw portion 33 is provided, on the rear side of the cover member 29.

The third claw portion 32 is positioned in the lower end portion on the front side of the cover member 29, and is provided projecting further than the tip end of the cover member 29. The stopper 34 is provided projecting downward from the rear side of the cover member 29. The fourth claw portion 33 is provided on the tip end of the stopper 34 projecting forward.

The cover detachment mechanism 31 includes a third target locking portion 35 on the front side of the concave portion 30, and a fourth target locking portion 36 on the rear side of the concave portion 30. The third target locking portion 35 and the fourth target locking portion 36 are composed of hole portions that are respectively provided in front and rear positions of the bottom surface of the concave portion 30.

In the cover detachment mechanism 31, the cover member 29 is fitted into the inner side of the concave portion 30 in a state in which the third claw portion 32 is inserted into the third target locking portion (hole portion) 35. At this time, the fourth claw portion 33 is locked with the top wall portion 9b in a state in which the stopper 34 is inserted into the fourth target locking portion (hole portion) 36.

By this, a state in which the cover member 29 is mounted on the inner side of the concave portion 30 is attained. In addition, the cover member 29 covers the upper end side of the inner wall portion 9c at the same time as the cover member 29 is mounted.

Meanwhile, in the cover detachment mechanism 31, a locked state of the fourth claw portion 33 and the fourth target locking portion 36 is release by pushing the fourth claw portion 33, which is provided on the stopper 34, upward inside the lid 9, that is, by pushing the fourth claw portion 33 from the lower side to upper side in FIG. 2 or 3. By this, it is possible to disengage the cover member 29 from the concave portion 30 while the locked state of the third claw portion 32 with respect to the third target locking portion 35 is released. In addition, since the cover detachment mechanism 31 is positioned on the outer side of the inner wall portion 9c, it is possible to visually recognize the fact that the inner wall portion 9c passes through the up-down direction by disengaging the cover member 29.

In this manner, the cover member 29 has a structure that is separated by being pushed in a separation direction from the inner surface of the lid 9. Accordingly, in a state in which the lid 9 of the cap unit 3 is closed, it is not possible to disengage (or minimal likelihood to disengage) the cover member 29. In addition, since the stopper 34 is disposed on the outer side of the inner wall portion 9c, it is not necessary to disengage the lid packing 28 when the cover member 29 is disengaged.

Additionally, the cover member 29 is not limited to a component made of the same material as the lid 9, and a component having a different material or color, or the like, may also be used, or a component composed of a transparent material may also be used. In this case, it is possible to configure a cap unit 3 having excellent, efficient design. In addition, by a three-dimensional structure being disposed, engraved, or the like, on the upper portion of the cover member 29, it is possible to customize the cap unit 3 and beverage container 1 including the cap unit 3 to match the preferences of a user.

In addition, the cap unit 3 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration in which the cover member 29 is set to be detachable from the lid 9, and it is also possible to provide a grip such as a handle on the cover member 29 by setting a configuration in which a fitting amount of the cover member 29 is adjusted to be snug, or setting a configuration in which the cover member 29 is fixed to the lid 9 using an adhesive, or the like.

The cap unit 3 is provided with a lid locking mechanism 37 that fixes the lid 9 to the container main body 2 resisting the biasing of the torsion spring 27 in a position (hereinafter, referred to as a blocking position) at which the lid 9 blocks the liquid flow spout 14.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the lid locking mechanism 37 includes a locking member 39 that is attached to the cap main body 8 in a freely rotating manner using a hinge portion 38, and a ring stopper 40 that is attached to the cap main body 8 in a freely rotating manner using the hinge portion 38.

The locking member 39 is supported so as to be capable of freely rotating in the up-down direction by the hinge portion 38, which is provided on the front side of the cap main body 8 (the peripheral wall portion 8a). The locking member 39 includes a first arm portion 39a that extends upward from the hinge portion 38, and a second arm portion 39b that extends downward from the hinge portion 38.

A hook portion 41 is provided at the tip end of the first arm portion 39a (the upper end of the locking member 39) projecting rearward. An elastic member 42 is disposed between the second arm portion 39b and the peripheral wall portion 8a. Additionally, for example, a spring member such as a coil spring may be used in place of the elastic member 42.

The ring stopper 40 is composed of a ring form member in which a portion is open, and both ends thereof are supported so as to be capable of freely rotating on the outer side of the hinge portion 38. By this, the ring stopper 40 is capable of rotating in the up-down direction.

Meanwhile, the lid locking mechanism 37 includes a lock bearing portion 43 with which the hook portion 41 of the locking member 39 locks, and a stopper bearing portion 44 onto which the ring stopper 40 latches. The lock bearing portion 43 is composed of a claw portion that projects forward from the lower end portion of the front side of the lid 9 (the peripheral wall portion 9a). The stopper bearing portion 44 is composed of a wall portion that projects forward from a position that surrounds the periphery of the lock bearing portion (the claw portion) 43 in a shape that corresponds to the inner side of the ring stopper 40.

In the lid locking mechanism 37, when the lid 9 blocks the upper portion of the cap main body 8, the state in which the lid 9 blocks the upper portion of the cap main body 8 is maintained by the hook portion 41 of the locking member 39 locking with the lock bearing portion 43. From the state, the locked state of the hook portion 41 with respect to the lock bearing portion 43 is released by performing pressing manipulation of the second arm portion 39b side of the locking member 39 while elastically deforming the elastic member 42. By this, it is possible to rotate the lid 9 in the opening direction by the biasing of the torsion spring 27 inside the hinge portion 10.

Meanwhile, in the lid locking mechanism 37, when the lid 9 blocks the upper portion of the cap main body 8, rotation of the lid 9 in the opening direction is prevented by the ring stopper 40 latching onto the stopper bearing portion 44. By this, in the lid locking mechanism 37, it is possible to prevent or at least minimize a circumstance in which the lid 9 opens by unintentional manipulation of the locking member 39.

Incidentally, the cap unit 3 has a compact hinge structure having excellent, efficient design properties by consolidating functions in the hinge portion 10. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7, 10, 11 and 13, the hinge portion 10 includes the first hinge bearing portion 45, which is provided on the cap main body 8, the second hinge bearing portion 46 and the third hinge bearing portion 47, which are provided on the lid 9, and a hinge shaft 48 attached in a state of passing through the first, second, and third hinge bearing portions 45, 46 and 47 in a state in which the first hinge bearing portion 45 is positioned between the second hinge bearing portion 46 and the third hinge bearing portion 47.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, the first hinge bearing portion 45 is formed in a substantially cylindrical form including a shaft opening 45a that passes therethrough in a rotating shaft direction, and is provided projecting from a rear side central portion of the cap main body 8. In addition, a first storage concave portion 45b, in which a surface side that faces the second hinge bearing portion 46 is recessed in a substantially cylindrical form in the rotating shaft direction, is provided in the first hinge bearing portion 45. In addition, a first arm bearing portion 45c, in which a surface side that faces the second hinge bearing portion 46 is recessed to correspond to the shape of a first end side of the torsion spring 27, is provided in the first hinge bearing portion 45.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 12, the second hinge bearing portion 46 is provided projecting from one side of the rear side central portion of the lid 9 so as to have a shape that is continuous with the first hinge bearing portion 45 including a shaft opening 46a that passes therethrough in the rotating shaft direction. The second hinge bearing portion 46 includes a first facing surface member (the other facing surface member) 49 that configures a surface that faces the first hinge bearing portion 45.

The first facing surface member 49 is attached in a state of being fitted into the inner side of a first fitting concave portion (the other fitting concave portion) 46b, which is provided in the second hinge bearing portion 46. A component made of a material that differs from that of the second hinge bearing portion 46, for example, component (a POM in the present embodiment) made of a material having superior wear resistance to the second hinge bearing portion 46, such as a polyacetal (POM), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a metal, or any other suitable material known in the art, is used in the first facing surface member 49.

In the cap unit 3 of the present embodiment, by configuring the first facing surface member 49 having excellent wear resistance as a separate body to that of the second hinge bearing portion 46, it is possible to achieve an improvement in the durability of the hinge portion 10. Additionally, the second hinge bearing portion 46 is not necessarily limited to a component in which the first facing surface member 49 is configured as a separate body, and a configuration in which the first facing surface member 49 is set to be integral may also be used.

Among the surfaces of the first facing surface member 49, a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of projecting portions 50, which come into sliding contact with the first hinge bearing portion 45, are provided on a surface (a first surface) that faces the first hinge bearing portion 45. In addition, among surfaces of the first facing surface member 49, a second arm bearing portion 49a, which is recessed to correspond to the shape of the second end side of the torsion spring 27, is provided on a surface that faces the first hinge bearing portion 45.

The plurality of projecting portions 50 are provided projecting in a substantially hemispherical form in order to decrease friction resistance when coming into sliding contact with the first hinge bearing portion 45. In addition, the plurality of projecting portions 50 are provided aligned in a radial manner (possibly at equally spaced intervals) at the periphery of the shaft opening 45a, which is configured by the first facing surface member 49. Additionally, regarding the number of the projecting portions 50, certain embodiments include at least three protecting portions 50.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, among the surfaces of the first hinge bearing portion 45, a sliding contact surface 45d, which comes into sliding contact with the plurality of projecting portions 50, is provided on a surface (a second surface) that faces the first facing surface member 49. The sliding contact surface 45d is formed in a substantially toric form at the periphery of the first storage concave portion 45b and the first arm bearing portion 45c.

The torsion spring 27 is disposed on the inner side of the first hinge bearing portion 45. More specifically, the illustrated torsion spring 27 includes a wind around portion 27a that is wound in coil form, a first arm portion 27b that extends from a first end side of the wind around portion 27a, and a second arm portion 27c that extends from the second end side of the wind around portion 27a.

The torsion spring 27 is disposed in a state in which the wind around portion 27a is stored on the inner side of the first storage concave portion 45b, the first arm portion 27b is engaged with the first arm bearing portion 45c of the first hinge bearing portion 45 side, and the second arm portion 27c is engaged with the second arm bearing portion 49a of the second hinge bearing portion 46 side.

By this, in the hinge portion 10, when the lid 9 is rotated toward a side (hereinafter, referred to as a closing direction) that is opposite to the opening direction from a position (hereinafter, referred to as an opening position) at which the lid 9 opens the liquid flow spout 14, by being elastically deformed in a direction in which the opening angle of the first arm portion 27b and the second arm portion 27c of the torsion spring 27 is reduced, it is possible to bias the lid 9 toward the opening direction with respect to the cap main body 8 due to a counter force thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 10, 11, and 14, a second storage concave portion 45e, in which a surface side that faces the third hinge bearing portion 47 is recessed in a substantially cylindrical form in the rotating shaft direction, is provided in the first hinge bearing portion 45. A coil spring (or other embodiment of a second biasing member) 51, which biases the lid 9 toward the rotating shaft direction, is disposed on the inner side of the second storage concave portion 45e. In addition, the sliding member 52 is disposed on the inner side of the second storage concave portion 45e so as to be capable of freely sliding in the rotating shaft direction in a state of being biased by the coil spring 51.

The sliding member 52 is formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical form, and includes a shaft opening 52a that is formed in a central portion of a bottom wall, and a notched portion 52b in which a portion of a side wall is cut out in the rotating shaft direction. Meanwhile, a guiding convex portion 45f that is inserted into the inner side of the notched portion 52b is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the second storage concave portion 45e extending in the rotating shaft direction. By the guiding convex portion 45f being inserted on the inner side of the notched portion 52b, it is possible for the sliding member 52 to slide in the rotating shaft direction without rotating around the rotating shaft on the inner side of the second storage concave portion 45e.

The third hinge bearing portion 47 is provided projecting from the other side of the rear side central portion of the lid 9 so as to include a shaft opening 47a that passes therethrough in the rotating shaft direction, and thereby have a shape that is continuous with the first hinge bearing portion 45. The third hinge bearing portion 47 includes a second facing surface member (the one facing surface member) 53 that configures a surface that faces the first hinge bearing portion 45.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 15, the second facing surface member 53 is attached in a state of being fitted into the inner side of a second fitting concave portion (the one fitting concave portion) 47b, which is provided in the third hinge bearing portion 47. A component, possibly made of a material that differs from that of the third hinge bearing portion 47, for example, component (a POM in the present embodiment) made of a material having superior wear resistance to the third hinge bearing portion 47, such as a polyacetal (POM), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a metal, or other suitable material, is used in the second facing surface member 53.

In the cap unit 3 of the present embodiment, by configuring the second facing surface member 53 having excellent wear resistance as a separate body to that of the third hinge bearing portion 47, it is possible to achieve an improvement in the durability of the hinge portion 10. Additionally, the third hinge bearing portion 47 is not necessarily limited to a component in which the second facing surface member 53 is configured as a separate body, and a configuration in which the second facing surface member 53 is set to be integral may also be used.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 10, and 11, the hinge shaft 48 is attached in a state of passing through the first, second, and third hinge bearing portions 45, 46 and 47 in the rotating shaft direction by being inserted through the shaft openings 45a, 46a, and 47a of the first, second, and third hinge bearing portions 45, 46 and 47.

The hinge portion 10 includes a click mechanism 54 that gives a click feeling at the opening position and maintains an open state of the lid 9. More specifically, the click mechanism 54 includes an engagement concave portion 55 on a surface (a first surface), among surfaces of the sliding member 52, that faces the second facing surface member 53, and an engagement convex portion 56 on a surface (a second surface), among surfaces of the second facing surface member 53, that faces the sliding member 52.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 10, 11, 14, and 15, the engagement concave portion 55 is provided in a concave form to correspond to the position of the first surface at which the lid 9 opens the liquid flow spout 14. In addition, an inclined surface 57, which guides the engagement convex portion 56 to the engagement concave portion 55 in the rotating direction, is provided on the first surface. The inclined surface 57 is a surface that comes into contact with the engagement convex portion 56, and is upwardly inclined toward the engagement concave portion 55.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 15, the engagement convex portion 56 is provided projecting from the second surface. In addition, in the engagement concave portion 55 and the engagement convex portion 56, surfaces (hereinafter referred to as engagement surfaces) 55a and 56a, which engage with one another in the rotating direction, may be inclined at the same angle as one another.

The sliding member 52 is biased toward a direction of approaching the third hinge bearing portion 47 by the coil spring 51, which is compressed inside the second storage concave portion 45e. By this, a state in which the engagement convex portion 56 is pressed against the sliding member 52 is attained.

Conversely, the first hinge bearing portion 45 is biased toward a direction of approaching the second hinge bearing portion 46 by the coil spring 51, which is compressed inside the second storage concave portion 45e. By this, a state in which the plurality of projecting portions 50 are pressed against the sliding contact surface 45d is attained

In the hinge portion 10, when the lid 9 is rotated by a predetermined amount toward the opening direction from the blocking position, a state in which the engagement convex portion 56, which configures the click mechanism 54, engages with the engagement concave portion 55 is attained.

By this, it is possible to give a click feeling to the user at the opening position and maintains an open state of the lid 9 due to engagement of the engagement convex portion 56 and the engagement concave portion 55. In this case, when drinking a beverage inside the container main body 2, it is possible to incline the container main body 2 with the open state of the lid 9 being retained as before. In addition, in comparison with a case in which the open state of the lid 9 is retained by a biasing force of the torsion spring 27 in the manner of the related art, it is possible to stabilize and maintain the open state of the lid 9 without being dependent on the biasing force of the torsion spring 27.

In addition, in the hinge portion 10, when the lid 9 is rotated toward the opening position from the above-mentioned blocking position, the engagement convex portion 56 is guided to the engagement concave portion 55 while coming into contact (come into sliding contact) with the inclined surface 57, which is upwardly inclined. At this time, a pressurizing force (friction resistance) of the engagement convex portion 56 with respect to the inclined surface 57 increases. By this, it is possible to suppress the rotation rate of the lid 9, which is rotated in the opening direction by the biasing of the torsion spring 27. By this, it is possible to prevent a circumstance in which the lid 9 is rotated vigorously by release of the above-mentioned lid locking mechanism 37.

In addition, in the click mechanism 54, in a state in which the above-mentioned engagement convex portion 56 is engaged with the engagement concave portion 55, the surfaces 55a and 56a, which engage with one another, are inclined at the same angle. In this case, since an unnecessary force is not applied between the surfaces 55a and 56a, which engage with one another, it is possible to keep wear and damage to the engagement concave portion 55 and the engagement convex portion 56 low.

In this manner, in the cap unit 3 of the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain a compact hinge structure having excellent design properties by consolidating functions in the above-mentioned hinge portion 10.

That is, in the cap unit 3 of the present embodiment, by the torsion spring (the first biasing member) 27 and the coil spring (the second biasing member) 51, which have mutually different biasing directions, being disposed on the inner side of the hinge portion 10 aligned in the rotating shaft direction, it is possible to dispose the biasing members 27 and 51 inside the hinge portion 10 in a consolidated manner

In addition, in the cap unit 3 of the present embodiment, it is possible to dispose a mechanism for rotating the lid 9 in the opening direction due to the biasing of the torsion spring 27, a mechanism (the click mechanism 54) for giving the user a click feeling at the opening position and maintaining the open state of the lid 9, and a mechanism for pressing the engagement convex portion 56 against the sliding member 52 and pressing the plurality of projecting portions 50 against the sliding contact surface 45d due to the biasing of the coil spring 51, in the hinge portion 10 in a consolidated manner

In addition, in the cap unit 3 of the present embodiment, due to a configuration in which the plurality of projecting portions 50 on the second hinge bearing portion 46 side come into sliding contact with the sliding contact surface 45d of the first hinge bearing portion 45 side, it is possible to keep friction resistance, which is generated in the hinge portion 10 when the lid 9 is rotated with respect to the cap main body 8, which is generally lower than that of the related art. By this, it is possible to make the biasing forces of the torsion spring 27 and the coil spring 51 relatively weak. By this, it is possible to achieve a further improvement in the durability of the hinge portion 10 by keeping wear that is generated between the first hinge bearing portion 45, the second hinge bearing portion 46, and the third hinge bearing portion 47 low.

Additionally, the invention is not necessarily limited to the configurations of the above-mentioned embodiment, and various alterations can be added within a range that does not depart from the gist of the invention.

More specifically, in the hinge portion 10, the above-mentioned configuration in which the first hinge bearing portion 45 is provided on the cap main body 8 side, and the second hinge bearing portion 46 and the third hinge bearing portion 47 are provided on the lid 9 side is used, but the invention is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which the first hinge bearing portion 45 is provided on the lid 9 side, and the second hinge bearing portion 46 and third hinge bearing portion 47 are provided on the cap main body 8 side may also be used. In addition, in the hinge portion 10, it is also possible to mutually exchange and disposed the configuration of the second hinge bearing portion 46 side and the configuration of the third hinge bearing portion 47 side.

In addition, in the hinge portion 10, a configuration in which, among surfaces of the first facing surface member 49, the plurality of projecting portions 50 are provided on the surface side that faces the first hinge bearing portion 45 is used, but a configuration in which, among surfaces of the first hinge bearing portion 45, the plurality of projecting portions 50 are provided on the surface side that faces the first facing surface member 49 may also be used.

In addition, in the hinge portion 10, a configuration in which the engagement concave portion 55 is provided on a surface, among surfaces of the sliding member 52, that faces the second facing surface member 53 and in which the engagement convex portion 56 is provided on a surface, among surfaces of the second facing surface member 53, that faces the sliding member 52 is used, but a configuration in which the engagement convex portion 56 is provided on a surface, among surfaces of the sliding member 52, that faces the second facing surface member 53 and in which the engagement concave portion 55 is provided on a surface, among surfaces of the second facing surface member 53, that faces the sliding member 52 may also be used.

Additionally, the above-mentioned beverage container 1 is not limited to a beverage container having the above-mentioned external shape, and it is possible to add alterations as appropriate to match the size, the function, the design, and the like, thereof.

In addition, the invention can be suitably applied to the beverage container 1 provided with heat insulation and cold insulation functions by the container main body 2, which has the above-mentioned vacuum heat insulation structure, but is not necessarily limited to a beverage container that uses the container main body 2 having the above-mentioned vacuum heat insulation structure. That is, the invention can be applied broadly to beverage containers in which a cap unit is attached to a neck portion of a container main body in a detachable manner, and cooking pots having pot lids that are attached to a wide opening portion such as a pot in a detachable manner

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as being limited by the foregoing description, and is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

CAP UNIT FOR A BEVERAGE CONTAINER

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Priority Claims (1)