Hinge Caps and Hinge Cap Kits

Abstract

A hinged cap formed by injection molding includes an inner cap that can be attached to a container body, a hinge, and an outer cap connected to the inner cap via the hinge to open and close the cap. The inner cap includes a claw portion. The outer cap includes a tubular outer wall portion and a plurality of protrusions and recesses serving as undercuts. A protrusion and an adjacent recess form a joint that can engage with the claw portion. An adjacent protrusion adjacent to the joint and a recess adjacent to the adjacent protrusion form a mold pressing portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinged cap comprising an inner cap attached to a container body, a hinge, and an outer cap connected to the inner cap to open and close the cap. The present invention also relates to a hinged cap kit comprising a hinged cap and a filler sheet supported within the hinged cap to enhance the airtightness of the inner cap in a closed state. Background Art

[0002] A conventional hinge cap includes a cap body attached to a container body, a hinge portion, and a sealing portion connected to the cap body to open and close the container body (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-246137A). The hinge cap is configured so that the closed state of the hinge cap is maintained by engaging with a locking portion formed on the cap body and a claw portion formed on the sealing portion.

[0003] The claws are formed from concave and convex portions on the inner surface of the tubular object. Furthermore, the claws are formed on opposite sides of the hinge portion along the circumferential direction of the tubular object. The convex portion of the claws acts as an undercut, which acts as a resistance to mold release when the claws are released from the mold during injection molding.

[0004] In the present disclosure, terms used in the conventional hinge cap, such as a cap body, a sealing portion, a locking portion, and a portion facing the claw portion, are respectively referred to as an inner cap, an outer cap, a claw portion, and an engaging portion. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to remove a molded part having an undercut portion from an injection molding mold, 1) forced removal from the mold and 2) a sliding core in the mold are known.

[0006] The mold using technique 2) is more complex and more expensive than the mold using technique 1).

[0007] In the case of technique 1), when forced removal is performed, the undercut portion may partially chip or be damaged, potentially deforming the designed shape into an undesirable form. Furthermore, if the joint is formed on the opposite side of the hinge, that is, on a portion of the tubular object in the circumferential direction, the resistance to demolding during demolding is concentrated on the undercut portion of the joint, and the undercut portion may be easily damaged. If the undercut portion is damaged, the closed state of the hinge cap becomes unstable.

[0008] The present invention has been created in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hinge cap that makes it less likely that a joint portion (bite edge portion) is damaged during demolding during injection molding and stabilizes the joint state. The joint portion is a portion of the inner surface of the tubular article that contributes to the stability of the closed state of the hinge cap. Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge cap kit that can improve airtightness using such a hinge cap.

[0009] The present invention assumes an injection-molded hinge cap comprising: an inner cap attached to a container body; a hinge; and an outer cap connected to the inner cap by the hinge to open and close the cap.

[0010] The inner cover includes: a tubular inner wall portion attached to the mouth of the container body; an inner closing plate portion protruding from the inner surface of the inner wall portion in a state of closing the inner side of the inner wall portion, and having a passage port for the contents formed therein; and a claw portion protruding outward in a radial direction from the surface of the inner closing plate portion.

[0011] The outer cover includes: an outer wall portion having a tubular structure; an outer closing plate portion protruding from the inner surface of the outer wall portion while closing the inner side of the outer wall portion; and a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions as biting edge portions configured side by side in the axial direction on the inner surface of the outer wall portion.

[0012] A convex portion and a concave portion adjacent to the convex portion on the inner side of the outer wall portion form an engaging portion that engages with the claw portion when the outer cover is in the closed state. A convex portion adjacent to the engaging portion in the axial direction of the outer wall portion (at least one of the inner side and the open end side) and a concave portion adjacent to the adjacent convex portion on the inner side of the outer wall portion form a mold pressing portion.

[0013] The engaging portion may include any of the plurality of protrusions. However, if another protrusion is positioned on the open end of the outer cover relative to the engaging portion, the claw portion may come into contact with the other protrusion during the outer cover opening / closing operation. This contact occurs when the claw portion lies on the trajectory of the other protrusion during the outer cover opening / closing operation. In this case, opening or closing the outer cover becomes difficult unless the claw portion passes over not only the protrusion of the engaging portion but also the other protrusion during the outer cover opening / closing operation. In order to enable the outer cover to be opened or closed by only causing the claw portion to pass over one protrusion, the following configuration is desirably employed.

[0014] That is, the engaging portion includes the convex portion located on the most open end side among the plurality of convex portions. If the engaging portion includes the convex portion on the most open end side, the mold pressing portion is adjacent to the engaging portion on the inner side of the outer wall portion.

[0015] In addition, the number and position of the rows formed by the concave and convex portions of the engaging portion and the mold pressing portion relative to the circumferential direction of the outer wall portion are not limited, but when considering the ease of opening and closing the outer cover, the ease of demolding, and the stability of the outer cover in the closed state, it is desirable to adopt the following structure.

[0016] That is, the number of rows formed by the concave and convex portions of the engaging portion and the mold pressing portion is one row with respect to the circumferential direction of the outer wall portion, and the row is formed on the opposite sides of the hinge.

[0017] The outer wall portion may or may not include through holes formed on both sides of the outer wall portion in the circumferential direction relative to the engaging portion, but in order to stabilize the engaging state between the claw portion and the engaging portion while facilitating the opening / closing operation, the following configuration is desirable.

[0018] That is, the outer wall portion has through holes formed on both sides of the outer wall portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the engaging portion.

[0019] The through-hole may have any shape, but in order to facilitate the opening / closing operation of the outer cover, it is desirable to adopt the following configuration.

[0020] That is, the through hole is a long hole extending in the axial direction of the outer wall portion.

[0021] In a hinged cap, the port for the contents can have any configuration. The hinged cap can be used alone or in combination with other components. However, a hinged cap kit incorporating the hinged cap and a packing sheet desirably has the following configuration to improve airtightness in the closed state.

[0022] Specifically, the hinge cap assembly includes a hinge cap and a packing sheet that enhances the airtightness of the hinge cap when closed. The inner closure plate portion includes: an inner closure plate body that protrudes radially inward from the inner surface of the inner wall portion over its entire circumference; and a nozzle that serves as a passage port for the contents, formed on the inner circumference of the inner closure plate body and protruding from the inner circumference toward the opposite side of the container body. The outer cap internally includes a packing sheet support. The packing sheet is resilient and recessed when in close contact with the distal end of the nozzle.

[0023] Note that the restoring force of the gasket acts on the outer cover, exerting an opening force. Therefore, for example, the outer cover may be opened by the restoring force of the gasket unless the engagement force between the claw and the engaging portion is stronger than that of a hinge cap without a gasket. To strengthen the engagement force and prevent the outer cover from opening due to the restoring force of the gasket, for example, it is necessary to make the radial dimension of the engaging portion larger than that of a hinge cap without a gasket. Even with this configuration, the shape of the engaging portion can be made closer to the designed shape by configuring multiple undercuts to distribute the resistance to demolding. This allows the hinge cap to stabilize the engagement between the claw and the engaging portion, while also improving airtightness due to the gasket.

[0024] A modification of the embodiment of the present invention has the following structure.

[0025] A hinged cap having a body formed by injection molding comprises: a body having an open end, a claw portion provided on the edge of the open end; a hinge provided on the edge at a position opposite the claw portion; and a cover connected to the body via the hinge to open and close the open end of the body. The cover comprises: a tubular outer wall portion; an outer closing plate portion for closing one side of the outer wall portion; and a plurality of protrusions and recesses as biting edges arranged alternately along the axial direction of the tubular outer wall portion on the inner surface of the outer wall portion, wherein a protrusion and a recess adjacent to the protrusion form an engaging portion capable of engaging with the claw portion when the outer cover is closed, and an adjacent protrusion adjacent to the engaging portion and a recess adjacent to the adjacent protrusion form a mold pressing portion.

[0026] In the hinge cap of the present invention, multiple protrusions serving as undercuts are arranged side by side in a straight line in the axial direction of the tubular outer wall. Therefore, when the outer wall is released from the portion of the injection mold that forms the inner surface of the outer wall, the resistance to demolding is dispersed across the multiple undercuts, and the shape of the joint can be made closer to the designed shape. Furthermore, compared to hinge caps in which a single protrusion serving as an undercut is arranged on the outer wall, the engagement between the joint and the claw is more stable.

[0027] In the hinge cap of the present invention, when the engaging portion includes the convex portion located on the most open end side among the plurality of convex portions, the claw portion does not have to go over another convex portion during the opening / closing operation of the outer cover, making the opening / closing operation easy.

[0028] In the hinge cap of the present invention, in a case where the row formed by the concave and convex portions of the engaging portion and the mold pressing portion relative to the circumferential direction of the outer wall portion is a single row and is formed on the opposite side of the hinge, the outer cover can be easily opened and closed compared to a case where there are a plurality of rows, the mold can be easily removed during injection molding, and the closed state of the outer cover is more stable than a case where a row is formed near the hinge.

[0029] In the hinge cap of the present invention, when through holes are formed on both sides of the outer wall portion in the circumferential direction relative to the engaging portion, the outer wall portion easily elastically deforms by the amount of the through holes. Therefore, the opening and closing operation of the outer cover becomes easy, and the shape of the outer cover does not change due to the presence or absence of the through holes unless external force is applied, thereby ensuring a stable engagement state between the claw portion and the engaging portion.

[0030] In the hinge cap of the present invention, when the through hole is a long hole extending in the axial direction of the outer wall portion, the opening / closing operation of the outer cover becomes easy.

[0031] In the hinge cap kit of the present invention, the shape of the joint portion can be made closer to the designed shape by configuring multiple biting edges to disperse the demolding resistance. Therefore, even if the filler sheet has a restoring force, the joining state between the claw portion and the mating portion can be maintained, and the air tightness is improved by the close contact between the filler sheet and the nozzle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1A is a top plan view of a hinge cap according to a first embodiment of the present invention formed by injection molding.

[0033] Figure 1B It is along Figure 1A A cross-sectional view taken along line AA is shown.

[0034] Figure 1C yes Figure 1B An enlarged view of portion 1C is shown.

[0035] Figure 2 Observed from the right side Figure 1B Side view of the hinge cap.

[0036] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a closed state of the hinge cap with a filler sheet attached.

[0037] Figure 4A It is a cross-sectional view showing an initial state when the outer wall portion is to be forcibly removed from the mold.

[0038] Figure 4B It is a cross-sectional view showing a state immediately after the outer wall portion is forcibly pulled out from the mold for separation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1A 、 1B The hinge cap kit of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG1C comprises: a hinge cap 1, which is attached to Figure 3 The container body 100 is shown by the dotted line; and the packing piece P, which enhances the airtightness when the hinge cap 1 is closed and is supported in the hinge cap 1.

[0040] The hinged cap 1 includes an inner cap 2 attached to the container body 100; two hinge wings 3; an outer cap 4 connected to the inner cap 2 via the two hinge wings 3 to open and close the cap; and an L-shaped elastic plate 5 that applies opening and closing forces between the inner cap 2 and the outer cap 4. The hinged cap 1 is made of resin and formed by injection molding, and the inner cap 2, hinge 3, outer cap 4, and elastic plate 5 are constructed as a single piece. When the container body 100 is assembled with the inner cap 2 and the outer cap 4 is closed by the inner cap 2, the axis of the container body 100, the axis of the inner cap 2, and the axis of the outer cap 4 are common.

[0041] The inner cap 2 includes a tubular inner wall portion 11 attached to the mouth of the container body, an inner closing plate portion 12 having a nozzle 22 protruding from its top surface, and claws 13 protruding outward in the radial direction from the top surface of the inner closing plate portion 12 .

[0042] Hereinafter, it is assumed that the hinge cap 1 is in a state immediately after injection molding. The state immediately after injection molding is a state in which the outer cover 4 is opened and the outer cover 4 is arranged on the right side of the inner cover 2, as shown in FIG. Figure 1A and 1B shown.

[0043] In addition to the above-mentioned left and right directions, directions are defined as follows.

[0044] "Container body side" Figure 1B The "opposite side of the container body" is the lower side of the object (such as the inner closure plate 12). Figure 1B Middle refers to the upper side.

[0045] The "axial direction" of the tubular object in the case of the inner wall portion 11 is Figure 1B The up and down directions in .

[0046] The “front-rear direction” refers to a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the left-right direction.

[0047] The "radial direction" refers to the direction of a straight line extending radially from the center of the tubular object in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0048] like Figure 1B As shown, the inner wall portion 11 extends from the inner closing plate portion 12 toward the container body side. In addition, the inner wall portion 11 includes a first, second and third inner wall portions 14, 15 and 16, which are spaced apart in the radial direction in the order described. The first, second and third inner wall portions 14, 15 and 16 are each tubular, more specifically cylindrical, and have a common center line. That is, the inner wall portions 14, 15 and 16 have a common axis. The common axis is also the same as the axis of the container body 100. The first, second and third inner wall portions 14, 15 and 16 have one side (lower side) in the axial direction as an open end and are connected to the inner closing plate portion 12 at the other end (upper side end). The first, second and third inner wall portions 14, 15 and 16 have a longer cylindrical length in the order described, and their lower ends terminate at a lower level in the order described.

[0049] The first inner wall portion 14 is disposed within the mouth of the container body 100. The third inner wall portion 16 radially covers the second inner wall portion 15 from the outside. An internal thread 15a is formed on the inner circumference of the second inner wall portion 15. The internal thread 15a engages with an external thread formed on the outer circumference of the mouth of the container body 100.

[0050] The inner closure plate portion 12 includes an inner closure plate body 21 covering the upper sides of the inner wall portions 14 , 15 and 16 , and a nozzle 22 located at the center of the inner closure plate body 21 as a passage port for the contents in the container body 100 .

[0051] The nozzle 22 has a tapered shape that protrudes from the inner circumference of the inner closure plate body 21 toward the opposite side (upper side) of the container body 100, and has a shape in which the inner and outer diameters decrease toward the upper side. More specifically, the nozzle 22 has a funnel shape and includes a tapered nozzle body portion 23 and a cylindrical discharge port portion 24 that protrudes upward from the distal end of the nozzle body portion 23.

[0052] When viewed from above, the inner closure plate body 21 is annular, more specifically, annular. Furthermore, the inner closure plate body 21 includes a raised portion 26, a portion of which is raised inside the outer periphery of the inner closure plate body 21. When viewed from the top, the outer periphery of the raised portion 26 conforms to the open end of the outer wall 31 of the outer cover 4, which will be described later. The raised portion 26 includes two semicircular portions 27 facing each other on opposite sides, one on the side with the hinge 3 and the other on the side away from the hinge 3. Two parallel straight lines 28 connect the ends of the two semicircular portions 27. Both semicircular portions 27 have a shape that follows the circle that defines the outer periphery of the inner closure plate body 21. When the open ends of the outer wall 31 mate with the raised portion 26, the outer wall 31 rests on the portion of the inner closure plate body 21 radially outside the raised portion 26, i.e., on the outer periphery of the inner closure plate body 21. Note that the claws 13 protrude upward from the surface of the raised portion 26. The claw portion 13 will be described in detail later.

[0053] In addition, an extension wall 29 extending from the inner wall portion 11 (third inner wall portion 16 ) to the other side in the axial direction is formed on the hinge 3 side of the inner closing plate body 21 .

[0054] The outer cover 4 includes: a tubular outer wall portion 31; an outer closing plate portion 32 covering the tubular outer wall portion 31 to close the inside thereof; a packing sheet support portion 33 located on the inner surface of the outer closing plate portion 32 so that the packing sheet support portion 33 supports the packing sheet P, which will be in close contact with the distal end of the nozzle 22; a plurality of protrusions 34 serving as ridges or protruding undercuts on the inner surface of the outer wall portion 31; and a plurality of recesses 35 serving as valleys or concave areas on the inner surface of the outer wall portion 31 between the plurality of protrusions 34. The protrusions 34 and the recesses 35 are alternately arranged in a direction parallel to the axial direction.

[0055] The outer closing plate portion 32 includes an outer closing plate body portion 37 that closes one side of the tubular outer wall portion 31 in the axial direction, and a base portion 38 that protrudes from the inner surface of the outer closing plate body portion 37 and is used to place the packing piece P.

[0056] like Figure 1A As shown, the base portion 38 is formed in a cross shape when viewed from the top.

[0057] Note that the packing piece P placed on the base portion 38 has a disc shape and is a circle having a diameter larger than the dimension of the cross of the base portion 38 in the cross direction. The packing piece P is made of a resin softer than the hinge cap 1 and has a sufficiently soft elasticity to be slightly concave when the distal end of the nozzle 22 is pressed, thereby ensuring close contact.

[0058] The packing sheet support portion 33 includes a pair of support arms 33 a that hold the packing sheet P therebetween from opposite sides in a direction intersecting (more specifically, orthogonal to) the packing sheet P in the up-down direction.

[0059] The pair of support arms 33 a protrudes from the inner surface of the outer closing plate portion 32 , and extends from the inner surface of the outer wall portion 31 to reach the periphery of the base portion 38 .

[0060] The support arm 33a includes an arm body 33b extending from the hinge 3 side toward the base portion 38 on the inner surface of the outer wall portion 31, and a curved support body 33c extending from the distal end of the arm body 33b on the base portion 38 side while partially covering the periphery of the base portion 38. When viewed from the top, the curved support body 33c is formed in an arc shape so as to follow the outer shape of the gasket P placed on the base portion 38. Furthermore, the diameter of the arc formed within the pair of support bodies 33c is formed to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the gasket P.

[0061] The outer wall portion 31 has a curved concave surface 31a on its outer surface on the side opposite to the hinge 3, which is concave in a circular arc shape when viewed from the side. The curved concave surface 31a is formed on the outer closing plate portion 32 side along the axial direction of the outer wall portion 31 so as to be easily touched by fingers during the operation of opening the outer cover 4. Figure 2 As shown, the curved concave surface 31 a includes a rounded upper edge 31 b , left and right side edges 31 c each extending linearly, and a lower edge 31 d extending between the side edges 31 c .

[0062] like Figure 1B As shown, the outer wall portion 31 includes a recessed portion 31v formed by an inclined surface that slopes from the open end (upper end) of the outer wall portion 31 toward the other end (lower end) at a position adjacent to the hinge 3. The shape of the recessed portion 31v corresponds to the shape of the extended wall 29 of the inner cover 2. In addition, the end portion on the outer closing plate portion 32 side (which is the closed end (lower end) of the outer wall portion 31) is formed in an inclined state so as to be located on one side (lower side) in the axial direction as it progresses from the hinge 3 side toward the opposite side of the hinge 3.

[0063] The outer closing plate body portion 37 has an inclined shape so as to point to one side in the axial direction of the outer wall portion 31 as it moves from the hinge 3 side to the opposite side of the hinge 3, according to the shape of the outer wall portion 31. In addition, for example, compared with the case where the outer wall portion 31 does not have the curved concave surface 31a, the outer closing plate body portion 37 has a shape that extends to the opposite side of the hinge 3. The upper surface of the outer closing plate body portion 37 is inclined to move away from the inner cover 2 as it separates from the hinge 3 relative to a plane that is orthogonal to the axis of the outer cover 4 (i.e., the axis that coincides with the common axis when the outer cover 4 is closed). The outer closing plate body portion 37 is provided with an eaves portion 31e on the side opposite to the side where the hinge 3 is provided. The eaves portion 31e protrudes further outward from the outer tubular surface of the outer wall portion 31. This facilitates the operation of opening and closing the outer cover 4 in combination with the curved concave surface 31a.

[0064] In consideration of the ease of removal of the convex portion of the injection molding die that forms the inner surface of the outer wall portion 31, the inner surface of the outer wall portion 31 is formed so as to become larger from the outer closing plate portion 32 side (lower side) (which is one side in the axial direction) toward the open end side (upper side) (which is the other side in the axial direction). In other words, the inner surface of the outer wall portion 31 becomes wider outward in the radial direction as it proceeds toward the open end (upward).

[0065] More specifically, the inner surface of the outer wall portion 31, except for a portion thereof, is a tapered slope, inclined at an angle θ relative to the vertical direction. This portion of the inner surface of the outer wall portion 31 corresponds to the curved concave surface 31a and includes a sloped portion 31g that slopes slightly wider toward the right (radially outward) as it progresses upward from the outer closure plate portion 32, and a curved convex surface 31f that curves toward the right as it progresses upward from the upper end of the sloped portion 31g. The angle of the sloped portion 31g is smaller than the angle θ of the inner surface of the outer wall portion 31. The angle θ is preferably 0.2 to 20 degrees.

[0066] like Figure 2 As shown, the outer wall portion 31 is formed with a pair of through-holes 31h, each of which is radially bored at regular intervals along the circumferential direction. These through-holes 31h are formed circumferentially in a portion corresponding to the entire circumference of the curved concave surface 31a, in other words, on opposite sides of the hinge 3. Specifically, these through-holes 31h are elongated holes formed in the outer wall portion 31 and extending parallel to the axis of the outer cover 4. They extend to both sides of the plurality of protrusions 34a and 34b, which will be described later, and are positioned to sandwich the plurality of protrusions 34a and 34b. Furthermore, the pair of through-holes 31h are formed within a range extending over a portion of the curved concave surface 31a.

[0067] like Figure 1A and 1BAs shown, the outer wall portion 31 includes a pair of grooves 31s, each of which extends from an open end (upper end) on the inner surface to a pair of through-holes 31h. Because the grooves 31s have a bottom and are not penetrated, the open end side of the outer wall portion 31 is an annular shape connected in the circumferential direction. In addition, the grooves 31s and the through-holes 31h are connected in the axial direction (upper and lower directions) of the outer wall portion 31. A plurality of protrusions 34 and a plurality of recesses 35 are arranged between the pair of grooves 31s and the pair of through-holes 31h along the circumferential direction of the outer wall portion 31.

[0068] like Figure 1C As shown, the plurality of convex portions 34 and the plurality of concave portions 35 are alternately arranged side by side in the axial direction of the outer wall portion 31. The number of rows in which the convex portions 34 and the concave portions 35 are arranged side by side is one in the circumferential direction of the outer wall portion 31. The concave portion 35 is positioned closest to the open end side among the plurality of convex portions 34 and the plurality of concave portions 35.

[0069] The recessed portion 35 is recessed relative to the inner surface of the outer wall portion 31. The recessed portion 35 is recessed in a stepped manner relative to the circumferential direction of the outer wall portion 31. In addition, the number of the recessed portions 35 is three in this embodiment. Figure 1C 1 and 3. The first recess 35a, the second recess 35b, and the third recess 35c from the open end side are shown in FIG. When referring to a specific recess, reference numerals with numbers and letters are used, and when referring to a general recess, reference numerals with only numbers are used.

[0070] The convex portion 34 protrudes from the inner surface of the outer wall portion 31 and forms a bite portion during injection molding. In addition, the number of the convex portions 34 is two in this embodiment. Figure 1C When referring to a specific convex portion, a reference numeral and a letter are used, and when referring to a general convex portion, a reference numeral only is used.

[0071] The recess 35a located most toward the open end among the plurality of recesses 35, i.e., the first recess 35a from the open end, is inclined while pointing radially outward toward the open end. Furthermore, the protrusion 34a located most toward the open end among the plurality of protrusions 34 (i.e., the first protrusion 34a from the open end) and the recess 35b adjacent to the first protrusion 34a on the inner side of the outer wall portion 31 (i.e., the second recess 35b from the open end) form an engagement portion 41 that engages with the distal end of the claw portion 13 of the inner cover 2 when the outer cover 4 is closed.

[0072] The claw portion 13 includes a claw neck portion 13a protruding upward from the surface of the raised portion 26 of the inner closing plate portion 12 on the opposite side from the hinge 3, and a claw distal portion 13b extending radially outward from the upper end of the claw neck portion 13a.

[0073] Furthermore, the protrusion 34b on the inner side of the outer wall portion 31, adjacent to the engaging portion 41, is the second protrusion 34b from the open end. The recess 35c on the inner side of the outer wall portion 31, adjacent to this protrusion 34b, is the third recess 35c from the open end. The second protrusion 34b and the third recess 35c each have a shape similar to that of the engaging portion 41 and form a mold pressing portion 43 that does not engage with the distal end of the claw 13 when the outer cover 4 is closed. Furthermore, the mold pressing portion 43 is adjacent to the engaging portion 41 on the inner side of the outer wall portion 31. Note that only the first recess 35a is present on the open end side of the outer wall portion 31 relative to the engaging portion 41. Therefore, in this embodiment, the mold pressing portion 43 is formed only on the inner side of the outer wall portion 31 relative to the engaging portion 41. The engaging portion 41 and the claw 13 constitute the engaging mechanism.

[0074] exist Figure 1C In this embodiment, the protrusion amount L3 of the convex portion 34b relative to the concave portion 35c of the mold pressing portion 43 is smaller than the protrusion amount L1 of the convex portion 34a relative to the concave portion 35b in the engaging portion 41. Figure 4A As shown, when the mold 50 is forcibly removed, the resistance received from the mold 50 is smaller in the protrusion 34a than in the protrusion 34b, and therefore, any damage caused by the resistance is smaller in the protrusion 34a than in the protrusion 34b. In addition, the height H3 of the protrusion 34b from the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall portion 31 is greater than the height H1 of the protrusion 34a. In addition, the wall thickness (H1-L1) of the outer wall portion 31 between the protrusion 34a and the protrusion 34b is thinner than the wall thickness (H3-L3) from the protrusion 34b on the lower side (the opposite side of the protrusion 34a). Therefore, the portion with the wall thickness (H1-L1) is easier to bend than the portion with the wall thickness (H3-L3), Figure 1C Therefore, if Figure 4A As shown, when the mold 50 is forcibly removed, the wall thickness (H1-L1) portion can bend to release the resistance received from the mold 50. In addition, due to the concave portion 31v, there is no concave portion 31v on the outer wall portion 31 facing the convex portion 34a. Therefore, during the forced removal of the mold 50, the mold 50 can be easily tilted toward the concave portion 31v relative to the outer wall portion 31.

[0075] The engaging bevel 41a and the pressing bevel 43a (each inclined relative to the axial direction of the outer wall portion 31) are formed on the inner side of the protrusion 34a of the engaging portion 41 and the protrusion 34b of the mold pressing portion 43, respectively. Both the engaging bevel 41a and the pressing bevel 43a are inclined inward in the radial direction from the inner side of the outer wall portion 31 toward the open end side. In addition, the angle θ3 (which is the acute angle formed by the pressing bevel 43a and the straight line in the axial direction) is smaller than the angle θ1 (which is the acute angle formed by the engaging bevel 41a and the straight line parallel to the axial direction) in this embodiment. Therefore, when the mold 50 is forcibly removed, the pressing bevel 43a is easier to slide relative to the mold 50 than the engaging bevel 41a.

[0076] Note that the engaging portions 41 and the mold pressing portions 43 are arranged on the front side of the outer wall portion 31 in the circumferential direction, which is the side opposite the hinge side where the hinge 3 is located. Furthermore, the portions 41 and 43 are arranged between the pair of groove portions 31s and also between the pair of through-holes 31h. Furthermore, the engaging portions 41 and the mold pressing portions 43 are arranged in a single row along the axial direction of the outer cover 4, and when viewed in the circumferential direction, there is only one row.

[0077] Will refer to Figure 4A and Figure 4B The reason why the mold pressing portion 43 is provided will be described. Figure 4A A state is shown in which the outer wall portion 31 and the mold 50 are tightly attached and the mold 50 is to be forcibly removed from the outer wall portion 31 by the external force F0 . Figure 4B 5 shows a state immediately after the forced removal starts and the outer wall portion 31 is released from the mold 50. Figure 4A As shown, the external force F0 is dispersed into the action force and reaction force F1 and F2 generated at the inclined surface 41a and the inclined surface 43a where the plurality of undercut portions are located. At the positions where the inclined surface 41a and the inclined surface 43a face the corresponding surfaces of the mold 50, a sliding force is generated on these inclined surfaces. With the dispersion into the forces F1 and F2, the demolding resistance is dispersed, and any damage to the engaging inclined surface 41a can be reduced / prevented. In addition, as Figure 4B As shown, when the outer wall portion 31 is separated from the mold 50, a recessed portion 31v is formed on the hinge side, which is the side opposite to the front side (the side where the engaging portion 41 and the mold pressing portion 43 are located) where the inclined surface 41a and the inclined surface 43a of the outer wall portion 31 are provided. Therefore, the mold 50 can be separated while tilting toward the hinge side. Only the pressing inclined surface 43a contacts the mold 50, and the engaging inclined surface 41a can be maintained in a state separated from the mold 50 without being damaged. Even if the engaging inclined surface 41a contacts the mold 50 immediately after the outer wall portion 31 is separated from the mold 50, the engaging inclined surface 41a can be prevented from being damaged by bending because the wall thickness of the outer wall portion 31 between the convex portion 34a and the convex portion 34b is relatively thin.

[0078] Next, the hinge 3 will be described. The hinge 3 is connected to the outer wall portion 31 of the outer cover 4 and the inner wall portion 11 (third inner wall portion 16) of the inner cover 2, and includes: a first wing 3a protruding outward in the radial direction from the outer wall portion 31; a second wing 3b protruding outward in the radial direction from the inner cover 2; and a portion connected to the first wing 3a and the second wing 3b and thinner than both the first wing 3a and the second wing 3b, that is, a hinge body 3c serving as a rotation axis portion. The hinge body 3c is the center (the axis for performing rotational movement) of the outer cover 4 when it is opened, and is therefore also referred to as the hinge rotation axis 3c. The elastic plate 5 is located between the pair of hinge wings 3. In the closed state of the outer cover 4, as shown Figure 3 As shown, the hinge rotation axis 3c is at a level above the upper surface of the inner closing plate portion 12. Therefore, compared with a case where the hinge rotation axis 3c is included at the same level as the upper surface of the inner closing plate portion 12, the upper surface of the inner closing plate portion 12 and the lower surface of the outer wall portion 31 can reliably and stably abut against each other.

[0079] The elastic plate 5 has a plate shape and serves as a so-called leaf spring. The elastic plate 5 has a cross-sectional shape bent into a V-shape, and has opposite ends respectively connected to the outer wall portion 31 of the outer cover 4 and the inner wall portion 11 of the inner cover 2. More specifically, the elastic plate 5 includes a freely bendable first pivotable portion (connected to the inner cover 2 side) 5a, a leaf spring portion 5c having a V-shaped structure, and a freely bendable second pivotable portion (connected to the outer cover 4 side) 5b. The first pivotable portion 5a and the second pivotable portion 5b are thinner than the leaf spring portion 5c. That is, the thickness of the elastic plate 5 has a tapered thickness, which is thickest in the center portion (leaf spring portion 5c) and becomes thinner toward the first and second pivotable portions 5a and 5b. The spring effect is stronger than a plate with uniform thickness. The first pivotable portion 5a and the second pivotable portion 5b are both positioned away from the hinge rotation axis 3c. In the case of Figure 1B The outer cover 4 is in the open state shown and Figure 3 In the closed state of the outer cover 4 shown, the V-shaped leaf spring portion 5 is in such a state that the two ends 5a and 5b are spaced apart but as close as possible, thereby the V-shaped leaf spring portion 5 is in a stable state. Figure 1B ) Rotate about 180 degrees to the closed position ( Figure 3 ) or vice versa, the second pivotable portion 5b is Figure 1B. The semicircular motion indicated by the dotted line in . When the outer cover 4 is rotated about 90 degrees, that is, halfway, the V-shaped leaf spring portion 5 opens to present a state in which the two ends 5a and 5b are spaced as far apart as possible, thereby generating a biasing force acting in the closing / opening direction. When the outer cover 4 passes through a position that has been rotated 90 degrees when operating in the closing direction, a biasing force in the closing direction is automatically applied to complete the closing operation. When the outer cover 4 passes through a position that has been rotated 90 degrees when operating in the opening direction, a biasing force in the opening direction is automatically applied to complete the opening operation. Therefore, the outer cover 4 can be maintained in an open state or a closed state. The V-shaped leaf spring portion 5 applies a snap-fitting action to the outer cover 4 in both the opening direction and the closing direction. Therefore, the outer cover 4 can be comfortably opened and closed. The above-mentioned engaging mechanism is provided to more securely maintain the outer cover 4 in the closed state.

[0080] In the hinge cap 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, two protrusions 34 serving as undercuts are arranged side by side in a straight line in the axial direction of the tubular outer wall portion 31. Therefore, when the outer wall portion 31 is released from the portion of the injection mold forming the inner surface of the outer wall portion 31, the resistance to demolding is dispersed across the multiple undercuts. For example, compared to a hinge cap having only one protrusion serving as an undercut on the outer wall portion 31, the shape of the joint 41 can be freely designed and can be nearly identical to the preferred shape. Furthermore, the engagement between the joint 41 and the claw 13 can be made very stable. Furthermore, the recess 35b of the joint 41 has a shape that is recessed relative to the inner surface of the outer wall portion 31. Therefore, when the outer cover 4 is closed, the claw 13 is positioned circumferentially relative to the recess 35b of the joint 41. Consequently, the engagement between the joint 41 and the claw 13 is stable.

[0081] In the hinge cap 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, the engaging portion 41 includes the convex portion 34a located on the most open end side among the plurality of convex portions 34, and therefore, during the opening / closing operation of the outer cover 4, the claw portion 13 does not have to go over another convex portion, thereby making the opening / closing operation smooth.

[0082] In the hinge cap 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, there is only one row of recesses 35 and protrusions 34 of the engagement portion 41 and the mold pressing portion 43 along the circumference of the outer wall portion 31. Therefore, compared to a case where there are multiple rows, the outer cap 4 can be opened and closed more easily, and the mold can be easily removed during injection molding. Furthermore, since this row is formed on the opposite side of the hinge 3, the closed state of the outer cap 4 is more stable than if the row is formed near the hinge 3.

[0083] In the hinge cap 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, through holes 31h are formed on both sides of the outer wall portion 31 along the circumferential direction relative to the joint 41. The portion between the through holes 31h in the outer wall portion 31 can be easily deformed. Therefore, the opening / closing operation of the outer cover 4 becomes easy. In addition, unless external force is applied, the shape of the outer cover 4 does not change regardless of the presence of the through holes 31h. Therefore, the engagement state between the claw portion 13 and the joint 41 is stable. That is, since the through holes 31h are formed on both sides of the row of the joint 41 and the mold pressing portion 43 arranged in the axial direction, the row of the joint 41 and the mold pressing portion 43 can be easily displaced outward in the radial direction. Therefore, the joint 41 can be easily pressed by the claw portion 13.

[0084] In the hinge cap 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, the through hole 31h is a long hole extending in the axial direction of the outer wall portion 31. Therefore, the length of the through hole 31h makes it easier to open and close the outer cover 4, and the resistance to demolding during injection molding is also reduced. In addition, since the through hole 31h is a long hole, it is not only provided in the engaging portion 41 but also on both sides of the mold pressing portion 43 in the circumferential direction. This makes it easier to open and close the outer cover 4, and the resistance to demolding is reduced.

[0085] The hinge cap 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention is provided with the groove portion 31s extending from the open end to the through hole 31h in the inner surface of the outer wall portion 31, but no cutout portion is provided along the circumferential direction on the open end side of the outer wall portion 31. Therefore, even when an external force is applied to the outer cover 4, the engagement state between the claw portion 13 and the engagement portion 41 is stable.

[0086] The hinge cap 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention is provided with the raised portion 26 raised from the surface of the inner closing plate portion 12 and engaged with the open end portion of the outer wall portion 31 , so the closed state of the outer cover 4 is stable.

[0087] In the hinge cap kit of the first embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the joint portion 41 can be made closer to the designed shape by constructing multiple biting edges (protrusions 34) that disperse the demolding resistance, so that even if the filler sheet P has a restoring force, the joining state between the claw portion 13 and the joint portion 41 can be maintained, and the air tightness is improved by the close contact between the filler sheet P and the nozzle 22.

[0088] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified appropriately without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the number of the mold pressing portion 43 is one, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be multiple.

[0089] In addition, the protrusion amount L3 of the convex portion 34 relative to the concave portion 35 of the mold pressing portion 43 is smaller than the protrusion amount L1 of the convex portion 34 relative to the concave portion 35 of the engaging portion 41 in the above embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be preferably equal to or greater than this amount, or more preferably greater. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the surface of the engaging portion 41 as much as possible during demolding, and the engagement state between the engaging portion 41 and the claw portion 13 can be stabilized.

[0090] In addition, although the angle θ3 (the acute angle formed by the pressing inclined surface 43a and the straight line parallel to the axial direction) is smaller than the angle θ1 (the acute angle formed by the engaging inclined surface 41a and the straight line parallel to the axial direction) in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be ideally the same, or more ideally larger. Therefore, damage to the surface of the engaging portion 41 can be minimized during demolding, and the engaging state between the engaging portion 41 and the claw portion 13 can be stabilized.

[0091] Since the mold pressing portion 43 is provided to disperse the demolding resistance as described above, the demolding resistance applied to the mold pressing portion 43 increases as the angle θ3 becomes larger, and damage to the surface of the engaging portion 41 can be reduced. As for the angle θ1 of the engaging portion 41, as the angle becomes larger, the engagement with the claw portion 13 becomes stronger, and for example, the click feeling is improved, but the surface of the engaging portion 41 is easily damaged because the resistance during demolding increases. In addition, the demolding resistance itself between the mold 50 and the molded product increases as the angles θ1 and θ3 become larger. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately adjust the corresponding angles according to the shape of the outer wall portion 31 as the molded product so as to smoothly release the mold 50 from the molded product. When viewed from the center axis of the mold, it is desired that the vertex 50b of the mold 50 (facing the recess 35c) is equal to or lower than the vertex 50a of the mold 50 (facing the recess 35b). Therefore, when the mold 50 is released, the contact of the mold 50 with the engaging slope 41a other than the pressing slope 43a is reduced (see Figure 4B ), and can prevent damage to the surface of the joint 41. The height of the apex 50b is preferably equal to or lower than the height of the apex 50a by 0.01 mm, and more preferably lower by 0.02 to 2 mm than the height of the apex 50a.

[0092] According to a variant, the hinged cap can be used in a syringe, such as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-61739, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the case of a syringe, the nozzle 22, the base portion 38, the filler sheet P, and the filler sheet support portion 33 are not provided, so they can be removed. In addition, the inner cover 2 is not provided, and the claw portion (13) is directly provided on the body 100 (which can be a syringe barrel).

Claims

1. A hinge cap formed by injection molding, comprising: an inner cover (2) attachable to the container body (100); Hinge (3); and An outer cover (4) is connected to the inner cover by the hinge to open and close the cap, wherein The inner cover (2) includes: a tubular inner wall portion (11) that can be attached to the mouth of the container body; an inner closing plate portion (12) that protrudes from the inner surface of the inner wall portion so as to close one side of the inner wall portion and is formed with a through port; and a claw portion (13) that protrudes outwardly in a radial direction from the surface of the inner closing plate portion. The outer cover (4) comprises: a tubular outer wall portion (31); an outer closing plate portion (32) for closing one side of the outer wall portion; and a plurality of convex portions (34, 34a, 34b) and a plurality of concave portions (35, 35a, 35b, 35c) as biting portions, which are alternately arranged along the axial direction of the tubular outer wall portion on the inner surface of the outer wall portion. A convex portion (34a) and a concave portion (35b) adjacent to the convex portion (34a) form an engaging portion (41) capable of engaging with the claw portion (13) when the outer cover is in a closed state, and The adjacent convex portion (34b) adjacent to the engaging portion (41) and the concave portion (35c) adjacent to the adjacent convex portion (34b) form a mold pressing portion (43). The outer wall portion (31) has through holes (31h) formed on both sides of the joint portion (41).

2. The hinge cap according to claim 1, wherein The engaging portion (41) includes the one convex portion (34a) located on the most open end side among the plurality of convex portions.

3. The hinge cap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The concave and convex portions forming the engaging portion (41) and the mold pressing portion (43) are arranged in a single row in the axial direction of the outer wall portion and are formed on opposite sides of the hinge (3).

4. The hinge cap according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein Each through hole (31h) is a long hole extending in the axial direction of the outer wall portion.

5. A hinge cap kit comprising: The hinge cap according to any one of claims 1 to 4; and A packing sheet (P) which enhances airtightness when the hinge cap is in a closed state, wherein The inner closing plate portion (12) includes: an inner closing plate body (21) connected to the inner wall portion; and a nozzle (22) protruding from the inner closure plate body, The outer cover (4) includes a filler sheet support portion (33), and The filler sheet (P) has elasticity to provide close contact with the distal end of the nozzle.

6. A hinge cap formed by injection molding, comprising: A body (100) having an open end with a claw portion (13) disposed on an edge of the open end; a hinge (3), the hinge being arranged on the edge at a position opposite to the claw; and a cover (4) connected to the body by the hinge to open and close the open end of the body, wherein The cover (4) includes: a tubular outer wall portion (31); an outer closing plate portion (32) for closing one side of the outer wall portion; and a plurality of convex portions (34, 34a, 34b) and a plurality of concave portions (35, 35a, 35b, 35c) as biting portions, which are alternately arranged along the axial direction of the tubular outer wall portion on the inner surface of the outer wall portion. A convex portion (34a) and a concave portion (35b) adjacent to the convex portion (34a) form an engaging portion (41) capable of engaging with the claw portion (13) when the cover is in a closed state, and The adjacent convex portion (34b) adjacent to the engaging portion (41) and the concave portion (35c) adjacent to the adjacent convex portion (34b) form a mold pressing portion (43). The outer wall portion (31) has through holes (31h) formed on both sides of the joint portion (41).

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