Locking component

Abstract

To provide a locking member that can prevent excessively easy release of the locking state between the first locking part and the second locking part while maintaining the ease of removing the locking member. [Solution] The first and second bulging portions 26 and 46 are defined as an insertion opening 52A into which a key member 60 can be inserted, and an insertion path 56 that is connected to the insertion opening 52A and leads to the locking portion between the first locking portion 25 and the second locking portion 55. The insertion path 56 has a curved portion formed in which the direction of extension changes from the insertion opening 52A to the locking portion. When the key member 60 is inserted into the insertion opening 52A, the key member 60 enters the insertion path 56 along the insertion path 56, elastically deforming the first locking portion 25 and releasing the lock between the first locking portion 25 and the second locking portion 55.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking member.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a locking member has been proposed for preventing the cap of a container body from being removed by being attached to the container body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a locking member includes first and second half cylinders rotatably connected to each other around a hinge axis, and the locking member is externally mounted on the cap by locking first and second locking portions respectively formed on the first and second half cylinders to each other. A bulging portion covering the locking portions of the first and second locking portions is formed on the first half cylinder, and by inserting a key member into an insertion port formed in the bulging portion, the first locking portion is elastically deformed to release the locked state of the first and second locking portions, and the locking member is removed from the cap.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in such a locking member, since the locking portion between the first locking portion and the second locking portion can be visually recognized from the insertion port into which the key member is inserted, it is possible to operate the cap of the container body by inserting an appropriate member into the insertion port to release the locked state between the first locking portion and the second locking portion and removing the locking member.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a locking member capable of preventing the locked state between the first locking portion and the second locking portion from being excessively easily released while maintaining the attachability and detachability operability of the locking member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention employs the following means to solve the above problems. That is, the locking member of the present invention comprises first and second split cylindrical bodies that are externally mounted on a cap attached to the mouth of a container body and surround the cap from the outside, one circumferential end of the first split cylindrical body and the other circumferential end of the second split cylindrical body are rotatably connected around a hinge axis that extends in the vertical direction, a first locking portion is provided at the other circumferential end of the first split cylindrical body, and a second locking portion that locks with the first locking portion is provided at one circumferential end of the second split cylindrical body, and at least one of the first split cylindrical body and the second split cylindrical body is The first locking portion is covered radially from the outside by a bulging portion, the bulging portion is defined by an insertion opening into which a key member can be inserted and an insertion path connected to the insertion opening and leading to the locking portion between the first locking portion and the second locking portion, the insertion path is formed by a curved portion whose direction of extension changes from the insertion opening to the locking portion, and when the key member is inserted into the insertion opening, the key member enters along the insertion path and elastically deforms at least one of the first locking portion and the second locking portion, thereby releasing the lock between the first locking portion and the second locking portion.

[0007] In this invention, a curved section is formed in the insertion path from the insertion opening to the locking portions of the first and second locking parts, making it difficult to see the locking portions of the first and second locking parts from the insertion opening. This prevents inserting an appropriate member into the insertion opening to reach the locking portions of the first and second locking parts and release the locking state of the first and second locking parts. Furthermore, it is necessary to use a member that has a shape corresponding to at least the curved section, and because the shape of the insertion path is difficult to recognize, it becomes difficult to release the locking state of the first and second locking parts by using an appropriate member. On the other hand, by inserting a key member that has a shape that follows the insertion path with the curved section (for example, a shape that can be deformed along the insertion path) into the insertion opening, the key member reaches the locking portions of the first and second locking parts and elastically deforms at least one of the first and second locking parts to release the locking state, thus maintaining the operability of detaching the locking member using the key member.

[0008] Furthermore, in the present invention, the insertion opening may be circumferentially open, the extension direction of the insertion path may change from the circumferential direction to the radial direction, and when the key member is inserted into the insertion opening, the key member may elastically deform the first locking portion in the circumferential direction. In this invention, the extension direction of the insertion path connected to the insertion opening which is open in the circumferential direction changes from the circumferential direction to the radial direction, making it difficult to see the locking portions of the first and second locking parts from the insertion opening.

[0009] Furthermore, in the present invention, the bulging portion may have a guide wall portion that guides the key member along the insertion path. In this invention, the key member inserted into the socket is guided by the guide wall to the locking portion of the first and second locking parts, thereby improving the operability of releasing the locking state of the first and second locking parts using the key member.

[0010] Furthermore, in the present invention, the second locking portion may function as the guide wall portion. In this invention, the key member, which is guided through the insertion path by the guide wall, is more reliably guided to the locking portions of the first and second locking parts. As a result, the operability of releasing the locking state of the first and second locking parts using the key member is further improved.

[0011] Furthermore, in the present invention, the insertion opening is open in the circumferential direction, the first locking portion and the second locking portion engage with each other in the circumferential direction, and multiple sets are provided spaced apart in the vertical direction, and the key member may have insertion protrusions formed thereon for releasing the locking of multiple sets of the first and second locking portions. In this invention, since it is necessary to simultaneously release the locking state of the locking portions of multiple first and second locking parts, it is possible to more reliably prevent the locking member from being unintentionally removed from the cap.

[0012] Furthermore, in the present invention, a partition wall may be provided within the bulging portion to separate two vertically adjacent pairs of the first locking portion and the second locking portion. In this invention, by providing a partition wall, it is possible to more reliably prevent unintentional simultaneous operation of the locking portions of two sets of first and second locking parts that are adjacent in the vertical direction. For example, in the case of a plate material that extends vertically as a single unit across multiple first and second locking parts when inserted into an insertion opening, the plate material interferes with the partition wall and does not reach the locking portions of the first and second locking parts. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The locking member according to this invention makes it difficult to see the locking portions of the first and second locking parts from the insertion opening, prevents the locking state of the first and second locking parts from being unintentionally released by inserting a suitable member into the insertion opening, and when a key member is inserted into the insertion opening, the key member reaches the locking portions of the first and second locking parts and elastically deforms at least one of the first and second locking parts to release the locking state, thus maintaining the operability of releasing the locking member using the key member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Front view showing a lock member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Side view showing the lock member of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] Top view showing the lock member of FIG. 1 in the deployed state. [Figure 4] Front view showing the lock member of FIG. 1 in the deployed state. [Figure 5] Bottom view showing the lock member of FIG. 1 in the deployed state. [Figure 6] Top view showing a key member used together with the lock member. [Figure 7] Side view showing the key member of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view taken along the line B - B of the key member of FIG. 6. [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view taken along the line A - A of FIG. 1 showing the usage state of the lock member of FIG. 2. [Figure 10] Similarly, it is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A - A of FIG. 1 showing the usage state of the lock member of FIG. 2. [Figure 11] Enlarged cross-sectional view showing the usage state using another key member to which the present invention is applicable. [Figure 12] Similarly, it is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the usage state using another key member to which the present invention is applicable.

Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the lock member according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the lock member 1 according to the present embodiment is detachably attached to the cap 3 of the bottle 2. First, the configuration of the bottle 2 will be briefly described. The bottle 2 includes a container body 4, a cap 3 attached to the mouth of the container body 4, and a pump 5 attached to the container body 4 by the cap 3. The pump 5 is configured such that the contents in the cylinder are discharged from the discharge hole 5A by pushing the piston into the cylinder.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the locking member 1 comprises a pair of split cylindrical bodies, namely the first and second split cylindrical bodies 11 and 12, which are fitted onto the cap 3. The first and second split cylindrical bodies 11 and 12 are cylindrical in shape and are arranged coaxially with the cap 3 when fitted onto the cap 3, and their central axis O extends in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, when viewed from above or below, the direction intersecting the central axis O will be referred to as the radial direction, and the direction revolving around the central axis O will be referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0017] The first circumferential base end 21, which is the circumferential end of the first split cylinder 11 (in the direction of arrow R1 shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5), and the second circumferential base end 41, which is the circumferential end of the second split cylinder 12 (in the direction of arrow R2 shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5), are rotatably connected around a hinge axis O' that extends in the vertical direction. The first split cylinder 11 and the second split cylinder 12 are separate bodies, and the first circumferential tip 22, which is the circumferential end of the first split cylinder 11, and the second circumferential tip 42, which is the circumferential end of the second split cylinder 12, are engaged with each other. As a result, the first and second split cylinders 11 and 12 cover the entire circumferential wall of the cap 3.

[0018] A first upper flange portion 23 is formed on the upper edge of the first split cylindrical body 11, projecting radially inward and extending continuously along its entire circumferential length. Similarly, a second upper flange portion 43 is formed on the upper edge of the second split cylindrical body 12, projecting radially inward and extending continuously along its entire circumferential length. An upper flange projection 23A is formed on the other circumferential end of the first upper flange portion 23, projecting to the other circumferential side, and an upper flange recess 43A is formed on the upper surface of one circumferential end of the second upper flange portion 43, recessing downward and accommodating the upper flange projection 23A. In this way, the first upper flange portion 23 and the second upper flange portion 43 combine to form an annular flange portion that covers the upper opening edge of the cap 3 from above, restricting the upward movement of the cap 3.

[0019] Furthermore, a first lower flange portion 24 is formed on the lower end edge of the first split cylindrical body 11, projecting radially inward and extending continuously along its entire circumferential length. Similarly, a second lower flange portion 44 is formed on the lower end edge of the second split cylindrical body 12, projecting radially inward and extending continuously along its entire circumferential length. In this way, the first lower flange portion 24 and the second lower flange portion 44 combine to form an annular flange portion that covers the lower end opening edge of the cap 3 from below, restricting the downward movement of the cap 3. The first lower flange portion 24 and the second lower flange portion 44, together with the first upper flange portion 23 and the second upper flange portion 43, restrict the vertical movement of the cap 3.

[0020] Multiple (three in this embodiment) first locking portions 25 are formed at vertical intervals on the first circumferential tip portion 22 of the first split cylindrical body 11. The first locking portions 25 protrude toward the other side in the circumferential direction, and a first locking projection 25A protruding radially outward is formed on the radial outer surface of the end of the first locking portion 25 toward the other side in the circumferential direction (see also Figure 9). The radial outer surface of the first locking projection 25A is inclined radially outward as it is directed from the other side in the circumferential direction toward one side in the circumferential direction, and the end face of the first locking projection 25A toward one side in the circumferential direction extends radially.

[0021] Furthermore, a first bulge 26 projecting radially outward is formed at the first circumferential tip 22 of the first half-cylindrical body 11. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the first bulge 26 includes a first upper wall portion 31 and a first lower wall portion 32 that extend radially outward separately from both upper and lower edges of the first circumferential tip 22 of the first half-cylindrical body 11, a first circumferential wall portion 33 that extends vertically from one circumferential edge of the first upper wall portion 31 and the first lower wall portion 32, and a pair of first upper outer wall portions 34 and first lower outer wall portions 35 that extend vertically separately from the radial outer edges of the first upper wall portion 31 and the first lower wall portion 32 and connect to the other circumferential edge of the first circumferential edge of the first circumferential wall portion 33.

[0022] The first upper wall portion 31 is located below the upper end edge of the first half-cylindrical body 11. The first lower wall portion 32 is flush with the lower end edge of the first half-cylindrical body 11. The first lower wall portion 32 protrudes to the other side in the circumferential direction from the first upper wall portion 31. The first circumferential wall portion 33 extends along its entire vertical length between the first upper wall portion 31 and the first lower wall portion 32. Two partition wall portions 33A are formed on the first circumferential wall portion 33, spaced apart in the vertical direction. The partition wall portions 33A extend radially from the radial outer edge of the first circumferential wall portion 33, and are located between the three first locking portions 25 in the vertical direction. When the first half-cylindrical body 11 and the second half-cylindrical body 12 are combined, the partition wall portions 33A are located between two vertically adjacent second locking portions 55 of the three second locking portions 55 described later.

[0023] The first upper outer wall portion 34 extends downward from the first upper wall portion 31. The lower end edge of the first upper outer wall portion 34 is located above (or at the same level as) the upper end edge of the uppermost first locking portion 25 among the first locking portions 25. The first lower outer wall portion 35 extends upward from the first lower wall portion 32. The upper edge of the first lower outer wall portion 35 is located below (or at the same level as) the lower edge of the lowest first locking portion 25 among the first locking portions 25. The first lower outer wall portion 35 has a protruding wall portion 35A that projects to one side in the circumferential direction.

[0024] A second bulge 46 is formed at the second circumferential tip 42 of the second half-cylindrical body 12, projecting radially outward. The second bulge 46 includes a second upper wall portion 51 extending radially outward from the upper end edge of the second circumferential tip 42 of the second half-cylindrical body 12, a second circumferential wall portion 52 extending downward from the other circumferential end edge of the second upper wall portion 51, and a second upper outer wall portion 53 and a second lower outer wall portion 54 extending vertically separately from the radial outer edges of both the upper and lower ends of the second circumferential wall portion 52.

[0025] The second upper wall portion 51 is located below the upper edge of the second half-cylindrical body 12. Furthermore, the second upper wall portion 51 has an upper wall recess 51A formed therein, which is recessed downwards and accommodates the first upper wall portion 31. The upper wall recess 51A is connected to the second upper flange portion 43. The second circumferential wall portion 52 extends along the entire vertical length of the second bulge portion 46. The second circumferential wall portion 52 has an insertion opening 52A that extends in the vertical direction. In addition, a guide projection 52B that protrudes toward one side in the circumferential direction is formed along the entire vertical length of the radial inner edge portion of the second circumferential wall portion 52 that defines the insertion opening 52A. The end of the guide projection 52B on one side in the circumferential direction abuts against or is close to the radial outer surface of the first locking projection 25A. Furthermore, the radial outer surface of the end of the guide projection 52B on one side in the circumferential direction is curved radially inward as it moves from the other side in the circumferential direction toward the one side. Furthermore, multiple (three in this embodiment) second locking portions 55 are formed at vertical intervals on the radial outer edge of the second peripheral wall portion 52 that defines the insertion opening 52A.

[0026] The second locking portion 55 is formed at the same position as the first locking portion 25 in the vertical direction. The second locking portion 55 is curved radially inward as it extends from the other edge in the circumferential direction toward the one edge in the circumferential direction (see also Figure 9). Furthermore, the one edge in the circumferential direction of the second locking portion 55 locks with the one end face in the circumferential direction of the first locking projection 25A from one side in the circumferential direction. In addition, the radial inner surface of the one edge in the circumferential direction of the second locking portion 55 abuts against or is close to the radial outer surface of the portion of the first locking portion 25 that is on one side in the circumferential direction of the first locking portion 25A.

[0027] The radial inner surface of the second locking portion 55 and the radial outer surface of the guide projection 52B define an insertion passage 56 that guides the key member 60, which will be described later. In other words, the second locking portion 55 also functions as a guide wall that guides the key member 60. When viewed from above, the insertion passage 56 is curved radially inward as it moves from one side to the other in the circumferential direction. As a result, the locking portion between the first locking portion 25 and the second locking portion 55 through the insertion opening 52A cannot be seen. Furthermore, a pair of reinforcing wall portions 57 are separately formed on both the upper and lower edges of the second locking portion 55, each protruding to one side in the circumferential direction. By forming a pair of reinforcing wall portions 57 on both the upper and lower edges of the second locking portion 55, the second locking portion 55 is less likely to undergo elastic deformation when the key member 60 is inserted.

[0028] The second upper outer wall portion 53 extends circumferentially from the upper end of the second circumferential wall portion 52. The lower end edge of the second upper outer wall portion 53 is located above the upper end edge of the uppermost of the three second locking portions 55. The second lower outer wall portion 54 extends circumferentially from the lower end of the second circumferential wall portion 52. Furthermore, a recessed area 54A is formed on the radial outer surface of the other circumferential end of the second lower outer wall portion 54, which is recessed radially inward to receive the protruding wall portion 35A. The upper edge of the second lower outer wall portion 54 is located above the lower edge of the second locking portion 55, which is the lowest of the three second locking portions 55. The first and second bulges 26 and 46 are combined to form a single bulge. Furthermore, unlike the first bulge 26, the second bulge 46 does not have a lower wall, and the first lower wall 32 of the first bulge 26 covers the second bulge 46 from below.

[0029] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the key member 60 is a plate-shaped member that has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. On the top surface, which is one surface of the key member 60, a plurality of key rib portions 60A are formed at intervals in the short direction, extending in the longitudinal direction of the key member 60 (left-right direction in Figures 6 and 7). At one end of the key member 60 in the longitudinal direction (left end in Figures 6 and 7), a pair of key lateral grooves 60B extending in the longitudinal direction are formed on both sides in the short direction, and a pair of key central grooves 60C extending in the longitudinal direction are formed closer to the center in the short direction than the pair of key lateral grooves 60B. The pair of key lateral grooves 60B extend to the other end in the longitudinal direction (right end in Figures 6 and 7) beyond the pair of key central grooves 60C.

[0030] The key member 60 has a pair of key side grooves 60B that define a pair of key side projections 61, and the pair of key side grooves 60B and the pair of key central grooves 60C define three insertion protrusions 62. The tip of the key's lateral projection 61 has a retaining locking portion 61A formed thereon, which prevents the key member 60 from unintentionally coming out of the insertion opening 52A when the key member 60 is inserted into the insertion opening 52A. The key's lateral projection 61 can be inserted into the gap between the upper end opening edge of the insertion opening 52A and the upper end edge of the second locking portion 55, which is the uppermost of the three second locking portions 55.

[0031] On the other side of the insertion projection 62, the lower surface, a plurality of slit portions 62A extending in the short direction are formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction. This gives the insertion projection 62 elasticity that allows it to bend downward. As shown in Figure 8, the key member 60 is formed using a mold such that the slit portions 62A are formed with the portion corresponding to the insertion projection 62 curving upward, and is deformed to become straight after molding. This allows the slit portions 62A to be formed simultaneously with molding. The width of the insertion projection 62 is equal to the vertical length of the second locking portion 55. In addition, the thickness of the insertion projection 62 and the key lateral projection 61 is equal to the opening width of the insertion opening 52A, and is sufficient to be inserted into the insertion opening 52A. Furthermore, a key stop projection 60D is formed on the lower surface of the key member 60, on the other end in the longitudinal direction from the insertion projection 62, projecting downward. The key stop projection 60D has a triangular shape that projects downward when viewed in the short direction.

[0032] This key member 60, in combination with the locking member 1, constitutes a locking system. The locking system may be a combination of multiple locking members 1 and a key member 60 common to these multiple locking members 1, or it may be a combination of one locking member 1 and multiple key members 60 corresponding to this locking member 1.

[0033] Next, we will explain how to use the locking member 1 with the above configuration. First, one end of the key member 60 in the longitudinal direction, that is, the pair of key lateral projections 61 and the three insertion protrusions 62, is inserted into the insertion opening 52A of the locking member 1. When inserting the key member 60 into the insertion opening 52A, the key member 60 is inserted into the insertion opening 52A in such an orientation that the side of the key member 60 on which the slit portion 62A is formed faces radially inward of the locking member 1. Since the pair of key lateral projections 61 are provided on both sides of the three insertion protrusions 62, the three insertion protrusions 62 are each stably inserted into the area partitioned by the partition wall portion 33A within the insertion passage 56.

[0034] When the key member 60 is further inserted into the insertion opening 52A in this state, since a slit portion 62A is formed in the insertion projection 62 of the key member 60, the insertion projection 62 is guided along the guide surface 55A that defines the insertion path 56, and curves radially inward as it approaches its tip. The tip of the insertion projection 62 then pushes the radially outer surface of the first locking projection 25A of the first locking portion 25 radially inward. When the first locking portion 25 is pushed radially inward by the insertion projection 62, it elastically deforms radially inward, as shown in Figure 10. As a result, the circumferential locking state between the first locking portion 25 and the second locking portion 55 is released. Furthermore, a key-stopping projection 60D is formed on the base end side of the insertion projection 62, and this key-stopping projection 60D comes into contact with the opening edge of the insertion port 52A, thereby restricting further insertion of the key member 60 into the insertion port 52A.

[0035] When the locking of the first locking part 25 and the second locking part 55 is released, the first split cylinder 11 becomes rotatable around the hinge axis O' relative to the second split cylinder 12, and the locking member 1 can be removed from the cap 3. This allows the user to remove the cap 3 from the container body 4 and refill the contents, etc.

[0036] When the first half-cylindrical body 11 and the second half-cylindrical body 12 are fitted onto the cap 3, the first and second half-cylindrical bodies 11 and 12 are rotated relative to each other around the hinge axis O' so that they are close together. As the radial outer surface of the first locking projection 25A that forms the first locking portion 25, which contacts the second locking portion 55, is inclined radially outward as it moves from the other side in the circumferential direction to one side in the circumferential direction, as the first locking projection 25A is moved to the other side in the circumferential direction relative to the second locking portion 55, the first locking portion 25 elastically deforms radially inward and overcomes the second locking portion 55. Once the first locking projection 25A overcomes the second locking portion 55, the first locking portion 25 deforms back to its original shape, and the first locking portion 25 and the second locking portion 55 are locked together. Furthermore, the first lower wall portion 32 of the first bulge portion 26 covers the lower end opening of the second bulge portion 46.

[0037] As a result, the locking member 1 is externally mounted to the cap 3. When the locking member 1 is externally mounted to the cap 3 in this way, the vertical movement of the cap 3 is restricted by the locking member 1, and the user is prevented from directly manipulating the cap 3. Furthermore, since the locking member 1 is rotatable around the central axis O relative to the cap 3, rotating the locking member 1 around the central axis O will not cause the cap 3 to rotate around the central axis O. Therefore, whether the cap 3 is attached to the container body 4 by snap engagement or by screw fastening, as long as the locking member 1 is externally mounted to the cap 3, the cap 3 cannot be removed from the container body 4. The locking member 1 is used in the manner described above.

[0038] As described above, with the locking member 1 according to this embodiment, the extension direction of the insertion path 56 connected to the insertion opening 52A, which is open in the circumferential direction, changes from the circumferential direction to the radial direction, making it difficult to see the locking portions of the first and second locking parts 25 and 55 from the insertion opening 52A. This prevents the locking state of the first and second locking parts 25 and 55 from being unintentionally released by inserting an appropriate member into the insertion opening 52A. Furthermore, when the key member 60 is inserted into the insertion opening 52A, the key member 60 reaches the locking portions of the first and second locking parts 25 and 55, causing the first locking part 25 to elastically deform and release the locking state, thus maintaining the operability of releasing the locking member 1 using the key member 60.

[0039] Furthermore, since the key member 60 inserted into the socket 52A is guided through the insertion path 56 to the locking portions of the first and second locking portions 25 and 55 by the second locking portion 55 which constitutes the guide wall, the operability of releasing the locking state of the first and second locking portions 25 and 55 using the key member 60 is improved. Furthermore, since the locking state of multiple first and second locking parts 25 and 55 must be released simultaneously, it is possible to more reliably prevent the locking member 1 from being unintentionally removed from the cap 3. Here, since a partition wall 33A is provided, it is possible to more reliably prevent the simultaneous operation of two sets of vertically adjacent first and second locking parts 25 and 55.

[0040] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the key member is not limited to the key member 60 with the configuration described in the above embodiment. For example, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the slit portion 71A formed in the insertion projection 71 of the key member 70 differs from the slit portion 62A in the above embodiment in that it is formed by machining after the key member 70 has been formed. Even with a key member 70 with such a configuration, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the insertion projection 71 of the key member 70 undergoes elastic deformation, guiding the insertion projection 71 along the insertion path 56 to the locking portions of the first and second locking portions 25 and 55, thereby releasing the locking state of the first and second locking portions 25 and 55. Thus, even a key member 70 with the configuration shown in Figures 11 and 12 can achieve the same effects as the invention according to the above-described embodiment.

[0041] In the first and second locking portions, the locking state of the first locking portion is released from each other by the elastic deformation of the first locking portion radially inward by the key member. However, other configurations may be applied, such as a configuration in which the locking states of the first and second locking portions are released from each other by the elastic deformation of the first and second locking portions radially in opposite directions. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first locking portion is located radially outward relative to the second locking portion, but the first locking portion may be located radially inward relative to the second locking portion. In addition, although the first and second locking portions are locked in the circumferential direction, they may be locked in other directions, such as radially or vertically.

[0042] Furthermore, although the insertion opening is circumferential, it may also be open in other directions, such as radially. The insertion opening is formed in common for the three sets of first and second locking parts, but it may also be formed separately for each of the three sets of first and second locking parts. Moreover, although the extension direction of the insertion path curves from the circumferential direction to the radial direction, it may take various extension directions, such as curving from the radial direction to the circumferential direction. Here, the points where the extension direction of the insertion path is changed are not limited to one, but may be provided in multiple locations.

[0043] The bulge is formed by combining a first bulge provided on the first half-cylindrical body and a second bulge provided on the second half-cylindrical body, but it may also be formed by the first bulge provided on the first half-cylindrical body alone, or by the second bulge provided on the second half-cylindrical body alone.

[0044] The second locking portion also functions as a guide wall, but a separate guide wall may be provided in addition to the second locking portion. Alternatively, a guide wall may not be provided at all. Furthermore, the guide wall may be configured to guide only a portion of the insertion path of the key member's insertion projection. Furthermore, the number of first and second locking parts to be formed is not limited to three; at least one is sufficient. Also, when forming multiple sets of first and second locking parts, it is not necessary to provide partition walls between every pair of vertically adjacent pairs of first and second locking parts. For example, partition walls may be provided between vertically adjacent first and second pairs of first and second locking parts, while partition walls may not be provided between vertically adjacent second and third pairs of first and second locking parts. Furthermore, partition walls may not be provided between two vertically adjacent pairs of first and second locking parts.

[0045] The key member has three insertion protrusions corresponding to the three sets of first and second locking parts, but one insertion protrusion may be configured to simultaneously operate at least two sets of first and second locking parts out of the multiple sets of first and second locking parts. Even with such a configuration, since it is necessary to operate multiple sets of first and second locking parts simultaneously, it is possible to prevent unintended release of the locked state of the first and second locking parts using any member other than the key member. Furthermore, while the key member provides elasticity to the insertion projection by forming a slit, if the insertion projection has sufficient elasticity, it is not necessary to form a slit in the insertion projection. Moreover, the insertion projection of the key member does not need to have elasticity if it has a shape (for example, a curved shape) that guides it along the insertion path to the locking portions of the first and second locking parts.

[0046] The first and second split cylinders are formed as separate parts, but they may also be formed integrally, for example, by making the portion connecting the first and second split cylinders thin-walled, allowing them to rotate around a hinge axis. Furthermore, although the first split cylinder is formed as a single component, it may also be a combination of multiple components. The same applies to the second split cylinder.

[0047] The container body may be equipped with a discharge device that is not limited to a pump-type discharge device that pushes down a push head, but may also be equipped with other types of discharge devices, such as a trigger-type dispenser. Alternatively, the container body may have a configuration in which a top-cylindrical cap is attached to the mouth of the container body without a pump. The locking member is cylindrical overall, but it may be of other shapes as appropriate. [Industrial applicability]

[0048] According to this invention, a locking member that can prevent excessively easy release of the locking state between the first locking part and the second locking part while maintaining the operability of removing the locking member has industrial applicability. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 1 Locking member, 3 Cap, 4 Container body, 11 First half-cylindrical body, 12 Second half-cylindrical body, 25 First locking part, 26 First bulge part, 33A Partition wall part, 46 Second bulge part, 52A Insertion port, 55 Second locking part (guide wall part), 56 Insertion path, 60, 70 Key members, 62, 71 Insertion protrusions

Claims

1. The container body is fitted with a cap, and the cap is fitted over it, and the first and second split cylindrical bodies surround the cap from the outside. The circumferential end of the first half-cylindrical body and the circumferential end of the second half-cylindrical body are rotatably connected around a hinge axis that extends in the vertical direction. A first locking portion is provided at the other end of the first split cylindrical body in the circumferential direction. A second locking portion is provided at one end of the second split cylindrical body in the circumferential direction, which engages with the first locking portion. At least one of the first split cylindrical body and the second split cylindrical body has a bulge that covers the first locking portion from the radially outer side. The bulging portion is defined as having an insertion opening into which a key member can be inserted, and an insertion path connected to the insertion opening that leads to the locking portion between the first locking portion and the second locking portion. The insertion passage has a curved section formed therein, in which the direction of extension changes from the insertion opening to the locking portion. A locking member characterized in that when the key member is inserted into the insertion port, the key member moves along the insertion path and elastically deforms at least one of the first locking portion and the second locking portion, thereby releasing the lock between the first locking portion and the second locking portion.

2. The aforementioned insertion opening is open in the circumferential direction, The extension direction of the aforementioned insertion path changes from the circumferential direction to the radial direction. The locking member according to claim 1, characterized in that when the key member is inserted into the insertion port, the key member causes the first locking portion to elastically deform in the circumferential direction.

3. The locking member according to claim 2, characterized in that the bulging portion has a guide wall portion that guides the key member along the insertion path.

4. The locking member according to claim 3, characterized in that the second locking portion functions as the guide wall portion.

5. The aforementioned insertion opening is open in the circumferential direction, Multiple sets of the first locking portion and the second locking portion are provided, engaging with each other in the circumferential direction and spaced apart in the vertical direction. The locking member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the key member has an insertion projection formed thereon for releasing the locking of multiple sets of the first and second locking parts.

6. The locking member according to claim 5, characterized in that a partition wall is provided within the bulging portion to separate two vertically adjacent pairs of the first locking portion and the second locking portion.

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