Plug for a refill container and refill container having it

Abstract

The refill container plug of the present invention includes a plug body (10) and a plug cover (20) which is detachably attached to the plug body (10) from the inside of the flow direction to block the flow opening formed in the top surface disc (12) of the plug body. The plug body (10) has a flow cylinder (11), a cylindrical outer wall (13), and an attachment cylinder (15), and has a through hole (16) formed in the top surface disc (12) in the space between the flow cylinder (11) and the cylindrical outer wall (13). The plug cover (20) has an attachment wall surface portion (27), a blocking plate portion (23), and a press-in protrusion (26) provided upright from the peripheral portion of the blocking plate portion (23). The plug cover (20) is attached to the plug body (10) in a state in which the press-in protrusion (26) protrudes from the top surface disc (12) to the outside of the flow direction (V) via the through hole (16) in the space between the flow cylinder (11) and the cylindrical outer wall (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug for a refill container and a refill container having the same. Background Technology

[0002] Liquid detergents or shampoos are typically packaged and distributed in containers. From the perspective of reducing environmental impact, refillable containers can be used to refill the contents of liquid detergents into refillable containers. By using refillable containers, the refilled containers can be used for a long period of time without being discarded.

[0003] The refilling operation using a refill container is performed by connecting the neck of the refill container, which has the outlet of the contents, to the neck of the container being refilled. From the viewpoint of facilitating this refilling operation, the applicant has previously proposed a refill container plug that covers the refill outlet of the refill container (e.g., Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a refill container plug body comprising: a plug body having an outlet tube and an installation tube; and a plug cap having an installation wall portion that is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the installation tube, a sealing plate portion, and a press-in protrusion, wherein the plug cap is installed on the plug body with the press-in protrusion protruding outward in the outflow direction through a through-hole formed by cutting from the periphery of the outlet opening to the radially outer side of the outlet tube, and a portion of the front end face of the press-in protrusion being positioned radially outward than the outer circumferential surface of the outlet tube.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses a refill container plug body comprising: a plug body having an outlet tube, a cylindrical outer wall, and an installation tube; and a plug cap having an installation wall portion that fits tightly against the inner circumferential surface of the installation tube, a sealing plate portion, and a press-in protrusion. By having the press-in protrusion protrude outward from the top panel of the plug body in the outflow direction, and by positioning a portion of the front end face of the press-in protrusion at a position radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the outlet tube, the plug cap can be installed on the plug body, and air replacement can be performed during refilling via the insertion port and the external air communication port after the press-in protrusion is pushed out.

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6183846

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 6183847 Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present invention provides a plug for a refill container, which is used to refill the contents into a refilled container having a neck, and is installed to cover the refill outlet of the refill container.

[0011] In one preferred embodiment, the refill container plug includes: a plug body that is engaged and fixed to the periphery of the opening of the refill outlet; and a plug cap that is detachably mounted to the plug body by sealing (blocking) the outlet opening formed by the top surface of the plug body from the inside in the outflow direction.

[0012] In one preferred embodiment, the plug body comprises: an outlet tube surrounding the outlet opening and protruding outward from the top plate in the outflow direction; a cylindrical outer wall concentrically disposed with the outlet tube and surrounding the outlet tube, protruding outward from the top plate in the outflow direction, and having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the neck of the refilled container; and an mounting tube concentrically disposed with the outlet tube and surrounding the outlet tube, protruding inward from the top plate in the outflow direction.

[0013] In one preferred embodiment, the plug body has an insertion port formed by an opening on the top plate at the interval between the outlet tube and the cylindrical outer wall.

[0014] In one preferred embodiment, the plug cap has: a mounting wall portion whose outer peripheral surface is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder; a sealing plate portion having a planar shape with the same hollow cross-sectional shape as the mounting cylinder; and a press-in protrusion that is erected from the peripheral portion of the sealing plate portion.

[0015] In one preferred embodiment, the cap is mounted on the plug body in such a state that the press-in protrusion protrudes from the top plate outward in the outflow direction through the insertion port at the interval between the outflow tube and the cylindrical outer wall.

[0016] In addition, the present invention provides a refill container for refilling contents into a refilled container having a neck.

[0017] In one preferred embodiment, the refill container has a refill container plug body installed to cover the refill outlet, the refill container plug body comprising: a plug body that is engaged and fixed to the periphery of the opening of the refill outlet; and a plug cap that is detachably installed on the plug body to seal the outlet opening formed by the top plate of the plug body from the inside in the outflow direction.

[0018] In one preferred embodiment, the plug body comprises: an outlet tube surrounding the outlet opening and protruding outward from the top plate in the outflow direction; a cylindrical outer wall concentrically disposed with the outlet tube and surrounding the outlet tube, protruding outward from the top plate in the outflow direction, and having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the neck of the refilled container; and an mounting tube concentrically disposed with the outlet tube and surrounding the outlet tube, protruding inward from the top plate in the outflow direction.

[0019] In one preferred embodiment, the plug body has an insertion port formed by an opening on the top plate at the interval between the outlet tube and the cylindrical outer wall.

[0020] In one preferred embodiment, the plug cap has: a mounting wall portion whose outer peripheral surface is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder; a sealing plate portion having a planar shape with the same hollow cross-sectional shape as the mounting cylinder; and a press-in protrusion that is erected from the peripheral portion of the sealing plate portion.

[0021] In one preferred embodiment, the cap is mounted on the plug body in such a state that the press-in protrusion protrudes from the top plate outward in the outflow direction through the insertion port at the interval between the outflow tube and the cylindrical outer wall. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a front view showing one embodiment of the refill container of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the refill container with a plug body installed along the outflow direction, showing the neck of the refill container and the outlet covering the neck.

[0024] Figure 3 Observed from the outside of the outflow direction Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of the refill container using a plug.

[0025] Figure 4 Observed from the outside of the outflow direction Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the plug cap of the refill container.

[0026] Figure 5 Observed from the outside of the outflow direction Figure 3 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the plug body of the refill container.

[0027] Figure 6 Observed from the inside of the outflow direction Figure 3 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the plug body of the refill container.

[0028] Figure 7 Observed from the inside of the outflow direction Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the plug body of the refill container.

[0029] Figure 8 It is used to explain its use. Figure 1 A 3D diagram of a refilling operation where the contents of a refill container are refilled into the refilled container.

[0030] Figure 9 This represents another embodiment of the bolt cap of the present invention, equivalent to Figure 4 The image.

[0031] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the plug for a refillable container according to the present invention. Figure 10 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the neck of the refill container having the plug for the refill container. Figure 10 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the neck during the refill operation. Detailed Implementation

[0032] In the refilling operation, the neck of the refill container is oriented downwards, making the refill container in an inverted state. When refilling in this inverted state, aligning the necks of the refill container and the container being refilled is generally time-consuming and laborious, and both containers need to be supported, thus making efficient refilling difficult. Furthermore, when the inverted refill container is positioned above the container being refilled, one or both of them are prone to tipping over, leading to difficulties in stable filling. The techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 offer potential for improvement in efficiency and stability during the refilling operation.

[0033] This invention relates to a refill container plug for efficient and stable refilling operations, and a refill container having the plug that prevents leakage of the contents.

[0034] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, based on preferred embodiments thereof. Figure 1 The image shows an embodiment of the refill container of the present invention. The refill container 5 of this embodiment is a refill container that contains contents such as lotion or emulsion and is used to refill the contents into a refilled container.

[0035] The refill container 5 of this embodiment is a thin-walled bottle-shaped container, including: a main body 2 having a bottom; a neck 4 having a refill outlet for discharging contents; and a shoulder 3 located between the neck 4 and the main body 2. Figure 1 The refill container 5 shown is in an upright position with the bottom of the main body 2 touching the horizontal plane. In this position, the neck 4 is positioned vertically above and opposite the bottom of the main body 2. The neck 4 is a cylindrical portion with an internal flow path for the contents to flow out, and has openings at both ends in the central axis direction. One opening in the central axis direction of the neck 4 is a refill outlet for the contents to flow out. The interior of the neck 4 communicates with the interior of the shoulder 3 through the other opening of the neck 4. Figure 1 As shown, in the upright position where the refill container 5 stands upright, the central opening on the upper side of the shoulder 3 in the vertical direction has a frustum-shaped form that extends horizontally downward from the periphery of the opening. Furthermore, in this upright position, the main body 2 has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion that hangs downward from the entire area of ​​the lower periphery of the shoulder 3, and a bottom located at the lower end of this peripheral wall portion. The refill container 5 has an internal space defined by the shoulder 3 and the main body 2, in which contents such as lotion or emulsion can be stored.

[0036] In this embodiment, the central axis direction of the refill container 5 is aligned with the outflow direction V of the contents when they flow out of the container 5 to the outside. Figure 1 In the vertical position shown, the vertical direction Z is consistent with the outflow direction V of the contents in the refill container 5. Hereinafter, the outflow direction V of the contents in this specification will also be referred to as "outflow direction V". The outer side of this outflow direction V will be referred to as the "front end side", and the inner side of the outflow direction V will be referred to as the "end side".

[0037] The refill container 5 of this embodiment has a refill container plug 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "plug 1") installed to cover the refill outlet in the neck 4. The plug 1 of this embodiment is fixed to the neck 4 while sealing the refill outlet, and has the function of connecting the refill outlet to the refill neck 7 by combining the neck 4 (hereinafter also referred to as "refill neck 4") of the refill container 5 with the neck 7 (hereinafter also referred to as "refilled neck 7") of the container 6 to be refilled during a refilling operation. Details of this refilling operation are described below.

[0038] like Figure 2As shown, the plug body 1 includes a plug body 10 and a plug cap 20. The plug body 10 is engaged and fixed to the peripheral portion 4a of the refill outlet in the refill neck 4, and the plug cap 20 is detachably installed on the plug body 10. The plug body 1 is installed on the refill neck 4 with the plug cap 20 installed on the plug body 10. Hereinafter, the "peripheral portion of the refill outlet of the refill neck 4" will also be referred to as the "outlet peripheral portion 4a".

[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, the plug cap 20 includes: a sealing plate portion 23; a cylindrical mounting wall portion 27 that protrudes outward from the periphery of the sealing plate portion 23 in the outflow direction V; and a press-in protrusion 26 that is erected outward from the periphery of the sealing plate portion 23 in the outflow direction V. In the plug cap 20 of this embodiment, a mounting wall portion 27 with the same outer diameter as the sealing plate portion 23 is formed on the periphery of the sealing plate portion 23, excluding the portion where the press-in protrusion 26 is provided. In this embodiment, the press-in protrusion 26 protrudes outward from the mounting wall portion 27 in the outflow direction V (see reference). Figure 4 It is formed into a columnar part that is erected on the sealing plate 23.

[0040] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the plug body 10 has a top plate 12 and an outlet opening 11a formed on the top plate 12. The plug body 10 has: an outlet tube 11 that surrounds the outlet opening 11a and protrudes outward from the top plate 12 in the outflow direction V; and a cylindrical outer wall 13 that is concentrically arranged with the outlet tube 11 and surrounds the outlet tube 11 and protrudes outward from the top plate 12 in the outflow direction V. In other words, the outlet tube 11 is formed in such a way as to surround the periphery of the outlet opening 11a, and the cylindrical outer wall 13 surrounds the outlet tube 11.

[0041] Furthermore, the inner end of the outflow direction V of the outflow cylinder 11 and the cylindrical outer wall 13 is connected to the top plate 12, which is located between the outflow cylinder 11 and the cylindrical outer wall 13.

[0042] The cylindrical outer wall 13 has an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the neck 7 to be refilled (see below). Figure 8 In this embodiment, a female threaded protrusion 13a for screwing into the refill neck 7 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical outer wall 13. In this embodiment, the refill neck 4 and the refill neck 7 are detachably connected via the plug body 1 through the screwing of the cylindrical outer wall 13 into the refill neck 7.

[0043] like Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown, the plug body 10 has an insertion port 16 at the interval between the outlet cylinder 11 and the cylindrical outer wall 13, with an opening formed in the top plate 12. The insertion port 16 is the portion into which the press-in protrusion 26 of the plug cap 20 is inserted (see reference). Figure 3 ), is the through opening that connects to the top plate 12.

[0044] like Figures 5-7 As shown, the plug body 10 of this embodiment has an insertion partition wall 18 protruding from the top plate 12 in the outflow direction V inward. The insertion partition wall 18 is a columnar portion protruding inward in the outflow direction V from a part of the periphery of the insertion port 16. That is, the inner peripheral surface of the insertion port 16 extends inward in the outflow direction V from the outflow opening 11a of the plug body 10 via the insertion partition wall 18. With the insertion partition wall 18, air replacement through the insertion port 16 is easier than the flow of contents through the insertion port 16, and the refilling of the contents can be performed more effectively. In this embodiment, the insertion partition wall 18 abuts against the sealing plate portion 23 of the plug cover 20 when the plug cover 20 is installed on the plug body 10, but the insertion partition wall 18 may not abut against the sealing plate portion 23 in the installed state.

[0045] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the plug body 10 has a mounting cylinder 15, which is concentrically arranged with the outflow cylinder 11 and surrounds the outflow cylinder 11, protruding from the top plate 12 in the outflow direction V inward.

[0046] In this embodiment, the plug body 10 has an abutting step 17 formed on the inner side of the top plate 12 in the outflow direction V, along the inner periphery of the mounting cylinder 15. This abutting step 17 is a stepped portion that protrudes inward from the top plate 12 in the outflow direction V, and is continuously formed along the inner periphery of the mounting cylinder 15, except for the insertion port 16. The height of the abutting step 17 is lower than the insertion partition wall 18. That is, the insertion partition wall 18 protrudes further inward in the outflow direction V than the abutting step 17.

[0047] With the cap 20 installed on the cap body 10, and the partition wall 18 abutting against the sealing plate portion 23, the abutting step portion 17 may or may not be in close contact with the top surface of the mounting wall portion 27. From the viewpoint of further suppressing leakage of contents from the refill container 5, the abutting step portion 17 is preferably in close contact with the top surface of the mounting wall portion 27 of the cap 20 when the cap 20 is installed on the cap body 10.

[0048] In the plug body 10 of this embodiment, it protrudes inward in the outflow direction V in the order of mounting cylinder 15, insertion partition wall 18 and abutting step portion 17.

[0049] When viewing the plug body 10 of this embodiment from the inside of the outflow direction V, the insertion port 16 is surrounded by the insertion partition wall 18, the abutment step portion 17, and the mounting cylinder 15 (see reference). Figure 7 In other words, the outline of the insertion port 16 is formed by the insertion partition wall 18, the abutment step portion 17, and the mounting cylinder 15.

[0050] The plug body 10 of this embodiment has an outer mounting cylinder 14 that surrounds the mounting cylinder 15 and protrudes inward from the periphery of the top plate 12 in the outflow direction V. The top plate 12 is located between the mounting cylinder 15 and the outer mounting cylinder 14 surrounding the mounting cylinder 15. The plug body 10 has a space in the outflow direction V divided by the mounting cylinder 15, the outer mounting cylinder 14, and the top plate 12. In this embodiment, with the outlet periphery portion 4a of the refill neck 4 inserted between the mounting cylinder 15 and the outer mounting cylinder 14 of the plug body 10, the plug body 10 is driven into the outlet periphery portion 4a, causing the plug body 10 to fit into the outlet periphery portion 4a, thereby fixing the plug body 10 to the refill neck 4. In this embodiment, a rib protruding radially outward is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outlet periphery portion 4a. By bringing this rib tightly against the outer mounting cylinder 14, the plug body 10 is fixed to the refill neck 4 (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0051] The installation and fixation of the plug body 1 towards the neck 4 of the refill port can also be done by screwing instead of fitting.

[0052] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in the plug body 1, with the press-in protrusion 26 protruding outward from the top plate 12 in the outflow direction V through the insertion port 16 at the interval between the outflow cylinder 11 and the cylindrical outer wall 13, the plug cap 20 is installed on the plug body 10. In this embodiment, the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the press-in protrusion 26 is approximately the same as the top view shape of the insertion port 16. That is, the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the press-in protrusion 26 and the top view shape of the insertion port 16 are approximately similar, so in the installed state, there is a small gap between the press-in protrusion 26 and the insertion port 16.

[0053] Hereinafter, the state in which the pressed-in protrusion 26 is inserted into the insertion port 16 will be referred to as the "installation state".

[0054] In the installed state of this embodiment, the mounting wall portion 27 of the bolt cap 20 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder 15, and the top portion of the mounting wall portion 27 is in close contact with the abutting step portion 17. Alternatively, circumferential ribs may be formed on either or both of the outer peripheral surface of the mounting wall portion 27 and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder 15. In this case, the ribs of the mounting wall portion 27 are in close contact with the mounting cylinder 15, or the mounting wall portion 27 is in close contact with the ribs of the mounting cylinder 15.

[0055] Furthermore, the sealing plate portion 23 has a planar shape that is the same as the hollow cross-sectional shape of the mounting cylinder 15. In the installed state of the plug cap 20 having these structures, the interior of the mounting cylinder 15, including the outflow opening 11a of the top plate 12, is closed by the sealing plate portion 23, and is liquid-tightly sealed by the tight contact between the mounting wall portion 27 and the mounting cylinder 15.

[0056] Thus, the cap 20 seals the outlet opening 11a and the insertion port 16 formed on the top surface plate 12 of the cap body 10 from the inside of the outlet direction V. Furthermore, the interior of the mounting cylinder 15, including the outlet opening 11a, is liquid-tightly sealed by the sealing plate portion 23 and the mounting wall portion 27. Therefore, even if the refill neck 4 faces downward in the vertical direction and the refill container 5 is in an inverted state, leakage of the contents from the refill container 5 can be prevented.

[0057] Reference Figure 8 The refilling operation of the refill container 5 using this embodiment will be described. The refill container 6 for filling contents has a refill neck 7, which has an opening communicating with the content storage space. This neck 7 is also a cylindrical portion with a flow path for filling contents inside. In this embodiment, the refill container 6, like the refill container 5, is a bottle-shaped container, having a refill neck 7 and a shoulder and a main body portion that form the content storage space. A male threaded ridge (not shown) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the refill neck 7.

[0058] In the refill operation, such as Figure 8As shown, the refill neck 4 is oriented downwards in the vertical direction Z, and the refill container 5 is in an inverted state. Meanwhile, the refill container 6 is in an upright state with the refill neck 7 oriented upwards in the vertical direction Z. Next, the plug body 1 is screwed onto the refill neck 7, detachably connecting the refill neck 4 and the refill neck 7. Specifically, the female threaded protrusion 13a formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical outer wall 13 is screwed onto the male threaded protrusion formed on the outer circumferential surface of the refill neck 7, connecting the refill neck 4 and the refill neck 7. During this screwing operation, the refill neck 7 is inserted into the space between the outlet tube 11 and the cylindrical outer wall 13 of the plug body 10, and while rotating the refill container 5 around its central axis, the refill neck 7 is pushed upwards in the vertical direction Z (inside the outlet direction V). Therefore, the protrusion 26 is pushed upwards in the vertical direction Z (inside the outflow direction V) using the top surface of the neck 7 of the refilled container. Simultaneously, the sealing plate 23 is also pushed upwards in the vertical direction Z (inside the outflow direction V), thus releasing the blockage caused by the sealing plate 23, and the interior of the mounting cylinder 15, including the outflow opening 11a, communicates with the storage space of the contents in the refilled container 5. As a result, the contents stored in the refilled container 5 flow out through the outflow cylinder 11 into the refilled container 6, thereby enabling the contents to be filled into the refilled container 6. Figure 8 In the diagram, the outflow of contents from the refill container 5 is schematically shown by a black arrow. Then, the refill neck 7 is pushed upwards in the vertical direction Z (inside the outflow direction V). When the top surface of the refill neck 7 reaches the top plate 12, the push-in protrusion 26 is completely pushed out from the insertion port 16, the cap 20 disengages from the cap body 10, and the closure of the insertion port 16 caused by the push-in protrusion 26 is released (see reference). Figure 8 ).

[0059] The refilling operation using the refill container 5 of this embodiment can be performed through a simple operation in which the refill neck 4 and the neck 7 to be refilled are detachably connected via the plug 1. In this operation, the neck 7 to be refilled is pressed inward along the inner circumference of the cylindrical outer wall 13 towards the outflow direction V, as described above. At this time, the cylindrical outer wall 13 has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the neck 7 to be refilled, so the neck 7 to be refilled can be tightly attached to the cylindrical outer wall 13, and the refill neck 4 and the neck 7 to be refilled can be connected. Thus, even if the blockage of the outflow opening 11a caused by the plug 20 is released, leakage of contents to the outside can be effectively suppressed by the tight attachment of the cylindrical outer wall 13 and the neck 7 to be refilled. The "inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the neck 7 to be refilled" of the cylindrical outer wall 13 means that the inner diameter of the cylindrical outer wall 13 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the neck 7 to be refilled.

[0060] In the refill container 5 of this embodiment, the press-in protrusion 26 protrudes outward from the top plate 12 in the outflow direction V via the insertion port 16. Therefore, during the refilling operation, before the press-in protrusion 26 is pushed out of the insertion port 16, the blockage caused by the sealing plate portion 23 is released, allowing the contents to flow out through the outflow opening 11a. Furthermore, the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the press-in protrusion 26 is approximately similar to the top view shape of the insertion port 16. Therefore, before the press-in protrusion 26 is pushed out of the insertion port 16 during the refilling operation, it is not easy to generate a large gap between the press-in protrusion 26 and the insertion port 16, thus almost no outflow of contents through the insertion port 16 occurs. When the press-in protrusion 26 is completely pushed out of the insertion port 16, the refill container 5 and the refilled container 6 are also connected at the insertion port 16. However, air displacement occurs between the refill container 5 and the refilled container 6 in the insertion port 16, and the outflow opening 11a functions as the main outlet. This air displacement facilitates the outflow of contents through the outflow opening 11a, enabling efficient refilling (filling) of contents.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the refill container 5 does not undergo air exchange with the outside, but air exchange occurs between it and the refilled container 6 via the insertion port 16 of the plug body 1. Therefore, leakage of contents to the outside can be effectively suppressed. In addition to the air exchange between containers 5 and 6, the plug body 10 and the refilled container 6 are also liquid-tightly connected. Therefore, even if the refill container 5 in its inverted state and the refilled container 6 in its upright state fall over after being connected, as long as the connection between the refill neck 4 and the refill neck 7 via the plug body 1 is maintained, leakage of contents to the outside can be suppressed, thus enabling stable filling of contents.

[0062] From the viewpoint that it is easier to perform air replacement between the containers 5 and 6, the opening end of the insertion port 16 on the inside of the outflow direction V is preferably located on the inside of the outflow direction V than the opening end of the outflow opening 11a on the inside of the outflow direction V.

[0063] The number of press-in protrusions 26 on the cap 20 is not particularly limited and can be either odd or plural. From the viewpoint of facilitating the smooth release of the outlet opening 11a caused by the sealing plate portion 23 during refilling operations by evenly pushing out the cap 20 from the refilled neck 7, it is preferable that in the cap body 10, the insertion port 16 is formed at two or more locations in the space between the outlet tube 11 of the top plate 12 and the cylindrical outer wall 13, and correspondingly, in the cap 20, the press-in protrusions 26 are erected at two or more locations in the peripheral portion of the sealing plate portion 23. For example, in the cap body 10, the insertion port 16 may be formed at three locations in the spacer portion, and in the cap 20, the press-in protrusions 26 may be formed at three locations in the peripheral portion of the sealing plate portion 23. Alternatively, in the cap body 10, the insertion port 16 may be formed at four locations in the spacer portion. In this case, in the plug cap 20, the press-in protrusion 26 can form 4 points on the periphery of the sealing plate portion 23 (see reference). Figure 9 ).

[0064] From the viewpoint of further improving the aforementioned balance, it is preferable that, assuming a circle defined by the interval between the outlet tube 11 and the cylindrical outer wall 13, the insertion port 16 is formed at a location where the circumference of this circle is equally divided into multiple parts. In this case, in the installed state, the press-in protrusions 26 are formed at locations corresponding to the insertion ports 16 in the peripheral portion of the sealing plate portion 23. For example, in the plug body 10, the insertion port 16 may also be formed at a location where the circumference of the circle defined by the interval is three-equally divided, and the press-in protrusions 26 may be formed at locations corresponding to the insertion ports 16 in the peripheral portion of the sealing plate portion 23.

[0065] In the bolt body 10 of this embodiment, in the spacer portion, insertion ports 16 are formed at two radially opposite locations, and press-in protrusions 26 are erected at the two radially opposite locations in the peripheral portion of the sealing plate portion 23 (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0066] Regarding the connection between the refill neck 4 and the refilled neck 7 via the plug 1, although the cylindrical outer wall 13 can be fitted with the refilled neck 7, from the viewpoints of preventing the refilled neck 7 from collapsing during this connection and further suppressing leakage of contents, and from the viewpoint of performing the connection operation more stably, it is preferable that the cylindrical outer wall 13 and the refilled neck 7 can be screwed together. That is, it is preferable that a female threaded rib 13a is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical outer wall 13, which screws together with the male threaded rib formed on the outer circumferential surface of the refilled neck 7. This structure makes it preferable that the connection between the refill neck 4 and the refilled neck 7 can be easily released when air displacement occurs between the refill container 5 and the refilled container 6 after the refilling operation.

[0067] In this embodiment, to make the screwing more reliable, the inner diameter of the cylindrical outer wall 13 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the neck 7 to be refilled.

[0068] From the viewpoint of further suppressing leakage of contents during refilling operations, it is preferable that when the refill neck 4 is combined with the refilled neck 7 at the interval between the outlet tube 11 and the cylindrical outer wall 13 in the plug body 10, the top plate 12 abuts against the front end portion of the neck 7 (see reference). Figure 8 In other words, preferably, when the refill neck 4 is combined with the refill neck 7 by inserting the refill neck 7 into the spacer portion, the top surface of the refill neck 7 reaches the top plate 12. By adopting this structure, the refill neck 7 fits more tightly with the plug body 10, which can further suppress leakage of contents from the gap between the neck 7 and the plug body 10.

[0069] The base portion of the mounting cylinder 15 preferably on the side of the top plate 12 has an outer diameter that can fit tightly against the inner circumferential surface of the outlet peripheral portion 4a (see reference). Figure 2 In this embodiment, the mounting cylinder 15 has a portion whose outer diameter gradually decreases from the outer side to the inner side in the outflow direction V at its protruding front end side, and the outer diameter of the base end portion on the top plate 12 side is larger than this portion. The outer diameter of this base end portion corresponds to the inner diameter of the outlet peripheral portion 4a. That is, the outer diameter of the base end portion of the mounting cylinder 15 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the outlet peripheral portion 4a. By adopting this structure, when the plug body 10 is installed on the refill neck 4, the base end portion of the mounting cylinder 15 is in close contact with the outlet peripheral portion 4a.

[0070] The mounting cylinder 15 may have an outer diameter that can fit tightly against the inner circumferential surface of the outlet peripheral portion 4a in the entire outflow direction V, or it may have an outer diameter that can fit tightly against the inner circumferential surface of the outlet peripheral portion 4a only in the base portion on the side of the top plate 12.

[0071] The plug body 1 in this embodiment is a molded article made of synthetic resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, or bioplastics such as polylactic acid, and is preferably formed by injection molding. The plug body 1 in this embodiment is formed as a component comprising a plug body 10 and a plug cap 20.

[0072] Furthermore, the cap 20 is preferably made of a material with a lower specific gravity than the contents (liquid). By adopting this structure, after the cap 20 is detached from the cap body 10, the cap 20 floats in the contents due to buoyancy, thus effectively preventing the flow of contents through the outflow opening 11a from being obstructed.

[0073] The plug body 1 of the present invention is not limited to Figures 1 to 8The embodiment shown is described below. Hereinafter, another embodiment of the plug 1 of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, it will be compared with... Figures 1 to 8 The different components shown in the embodiments are used to describe one embodiment, while the same components are labeled with the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. Components not specifically described are applicable to other embodiments. Figures 1 to 8 Description of the embodiments shown.

[0074] exist Figures 1 to 8 In the illustrated embodiment, when the top surface of the neck 7 being refilled reaches the top plate 12 during the refilling operation, the push-in protrusion 26 is fully pushed out from the insertion port 16, and the cap 20 disengages from the cap body 10. However, the cap 20 may also remain attached to the cap body 10. For example, as... Figure 10 As shown in (a) and (b), in the plug cap 20, the protruding length of the press-in protrusion 26 projecting from the mounting wall portion 27 can also be longer than the thickness of the insertion port 16. The thickness of the insertion port 16 is its length in the outflow direction V, which is equal to the thickness of the top plate 12. The protruding length of the press-in protrusion 26 is the length between the top portion (front end) of the mounting wall portion 27 in the outflow direction V and the top portion (front end) of the press-in protrusion 26.

[0075] In the cap 20 of this embodiment, even if the top part of the neck 7 is refilled and reaches the top plate 12, the pressing protrusion 26 will not disengage from the insertion port 16, thus maintaining the closure of the insertion port 16 (installation state) [see reference]. Figure 10 (b)]. In this case, since the blockage caused by the sealing plate portion 23 is released, the interior of the mounting cylinder 15, which includes the outflow opening 11a, can ensure the flow path of the contents from the refill container 5. Furthermore, in the installed state of this embodiment, even if there is a small gap between the press-in protrusion 26 and the insertion port 16, air replacement of the containers 5 and 6 through this gap can be performed.

[0076] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be appropriately modified. Furthermore, the embodiments described above can also be combined.

[0077] For example, the contents that can be refilled into the refilled container 6 using the plug 1 or the refill container 5 having it can be liquid contents such as lotion or emulsion, or other contents with fluidity such as powder.

[0078] The plug 1 in the above embodiment is a component installed on the neck 4 of the bottle-shaped refill container 5, or it can be a component installed to cover the refill outlet of various refill containers made of plastic molded containers or membrane containers.

[0079] The bolt body 10 may also not have a through partition wall 18.

[0080] The plug body 10 may not have an outer mounting sleeve 14, or it may be integrally mounted on the refill container 5 by covering the refill outlet of the refill neck 4 through a sealing joint or the like.

[0081] In addition, the outflow tube 11 and the mounting tube 15 may also be cylindrical parts with hollow cross-sectional shapes other than circular or elliptical, and the outflow opening 11a of the plug body 10 and the sealing plate portion 23 of the plug cover 20 may not have circular planar shapes.

[0082] The mounting wall portion 27 of the plug cap 20 may not have a hollow cylindrical shape. For example, a thick-walled sealing plate portion 23 may be formed, with its outer peripheral surface in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder 15, thereby enabling the sealing plate portion 23 to function as the mounting wall portion 27.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the press-in protrusion 26, which is erected from the periphery of the sealing plate portion 23, is a columnar portion of a four-corner post (see reference). Figure 4 However, the press-in protrusion 26 can also be a columnar or cylindrical portion of other shapes. The press-in protrusion 26 can also have a tapered shape that tapers at the front end as it protrudes in the direction of protrusion. Furthermore, the front end of the press-in protrusion 26 can be flat or stepped. Moreover, the press-in protrusion 26 can be erected vertically relative to the sealing plate portion 23, or it can be erected in an inclined state relative to the sealing plate portion 23.

[0084] The shape of the top plate 12 is not particularly limited; it can be circular as described in the above embodiment, or it can be any shape such as rectangular.

[0085] When the cap 20 has multiple press-in protrusions 26, the protrusion lengths of each press-in protrusion 26 can be the same or different. For example, some of the press-in protrusions 26 may have a protrusion length shorter than the thickness of the insertion port 16, while the remaining press-in protrusions 26 may have a protrusion length longer than the thickness of the insertion port 16. In this case, during the refilling operation, even if the press-in protrusions 26 with shorter protrusion lengths are completely pushed out of the insertion port 16, the press-in protrusions 26 with longer protrusion lengths remain inserted into the insertion port 16, thus facilitating air replacement via the insertion port 16 corresponding to the press-in protrusions 26 with shorter protrusion lengths.

[0086] Regarding the embodiments of the present invention described above, the following refill container plug and refill container are further disclosed.

[0087] <1>

[0088] A plug for a refill container, used to refill contents into a refilled container having a neck, and capable of covering the refill outlet of the refill container when installed.

[0089] The refill container plug includes: a plug body capable of engaging and fixing to the periphery of the opening of the refill outlet; and a plug cap that is detachably mounted to the plug body, sealing the outlet opening formed by the top surface plate of the plug body from the inside in the outflow direction.

[0090] The plug body comprises: a discharge tube surrounding the discharge opening and protruding outward from the top plate in the discharge direction; a cylindrical outer wall concentrically disposed with the discharge tube, surrounding the discharge tube and protruding outward from the top plate in the discharge direction, and having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the neck of the refilled container; and a mounting tube concentrically disposed with the discharge tube, surrounding the discharge tube and protruding inward from the top plate in the discharge direction.

[0091] The plug body has an insertion port formed by an opening on the top plate at the interval between the outflow cylinder and the cylindrical outer wall.

[0092] The plug cap has: a mounting wall portion whose outer peripheral surface is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder; a sealing plate portion having a planar shape with the same hollow cross-sectional shape as the mounting cylinder; and a press-in protrusion that is erected from the peripheral edge of the sealing plate portion.

[0093] With the press-in protrusion protruding from the top plate outward in the outflow direction through the insertion port at the interval between the outflow tube and the cylindrical outer wall, the plug cap is installed on the plug body.

[0094] <2>

[0095] As described in <1>, the refill container plug, wherein,

[0096] The insertion port is formed at two or more locations on the space between the outlet cylinder and the cylindrical outer wall of the top plate, and the pressing protrusion is erected at two or more locations on the periphery of the sealing plate.

[0097] <3>

[0098] As described in <2>, the refill container plug, wherein,

[0099] Assuming a circle is defined by the space between the outlet tube and the cylindrical outer wall, the insertion port is formed at multiple locations that equally divide the circumference of the circle.

[0100] <4>

[0101] The refill container plug as described in any of <1> to <3>, wherein,

[0102] When the neck of the refilled container is inserted into the space between the outlet tube and the cylindrical outer wall in the plug body, and the neck of the refilled container is combined with the neck of the refilled container, the top plate abuts against the front end portion of the neck.

[0103] <5>

[0104] The refill container plug as described in any of <1> to <4>, wherein,

[0105] On the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical outer wall, a female threaded rib is formed that engages with the male threaded rib formed on the outer circumferential surface of the neck of the refilled container.

[0106] <6>

[0107] The refill container plug as described in any of <1> to <5>, wherein,

[0108] In the mounting cylinder, the base end portion on the top plate side has an outer diameter that can closely fit the inner circumferential surface of the opening periphery portion of the refill outlet.

[0109] <7>

[0110] The refill container plug as described in any of <1> to <6>, wherein,

[0111] The insertion port extends via the insertion partition wall to a position more inward in the outflow direction than the outflow opening.

[0112] <8>

[0113] The refill container plug as described in <7>, wherein...

[0114] In the insertion partition wall, a portion of the periphery of the insertion port protrudes inward in the outflow direction.

[0115] <9>

[0116] The refill container plug as described in any of <1> to <8>, wherein,

[0117] The cap is made of a material with a specific gravity lower than that of the contents.

[0118] <10>

[0119] A refill container for refilling contents into a refillable container having a neck.

[0120] The refill container has a refill container plug installed to cover the refill outlet.

[0121] The refill container plug includes: a plug body that is engaged and fixed to the periphery of the opening of the refill outlet; and a plug cap that is detachably mounted to the plug body, sealing the outlet opening formed by the top surface plate of the plug body from the inside in the outflow direction.

[0122] The plug body comprises: a discharge tube surrounding the discharge opening and protruding outward from the top plate in the discharge direction; a cylindrical outer wall concentrically disposed with the discharge tube, surrounding the discharge tube and protruding outward from the top plate in the discharge direction, and having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the neck of the refilled container; and a mounting tube concentrically disposed with the discharge tube, surrounding the discharge tube and protruding inward from the top plate in the discharge direction.

[0123] The plug body has an insertion port formed by an opening on the top plate at the interval between the outflow cylinder and the cylindrical outer wall.

[0124] The plug cap has: a mounting wall portion whose outer peripheral surface is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder; a sealing plate portion having a planar shape with the same hollow cross-sectional shape as the mounting cylinder; and a press-in protrusion that is erected from the peripheral edge of the sealing plate portion.

[0125] With the press-in protrusion protruding from the top plate outward in the outflow direction through the insertion port at the interval between the outflow tube and the cylindrical outer wall, the plug cap is installed on the plug body.

[0126] <11>

[0127] The refill container described in <10>, wherein,

[0128] The insertion port is formed at two or more locations on the space between the outlet cylinder and the cylindrical outer wall of the top plate, and the pressing protrusion is erected at two or more locations on the periphery of the sealing plate.

[0129] <12>

[0130] The refill container described in <11>, wherein,

[0131] Assuming a circle is defined by the space between the outlet tube and the cylindrical outer wall, the insertion port is formed at multiple locations that equally divide the circumference of the circle.

[0132] <13>

[0133] The refill container as described in any of <10> to <12>, wherein,

[0134] When the neck of the refilled container is inserted into the space between the outlet tube and the cylindrical outer wall in the plug body, and the neck of the refilled container is combined with the neck of the refilled container, the top plate abuts against the front end portion of the neck.

[0135] <14>

[0136] The refill container as described in any of <10> to <13>, wherein,

[0137] On the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical outer wall, a female threaded rib is formed that engages with the male threaded rib formed on the outer circumferential surface of the neck of the refilled container.

[0138] <15>

[0139] The refill container described in any of <10> to <14>, wherein,

[0140] In the mounting cylinder, the base end portion on the top plate side has an outer diameter that can closely fit the inner circumferential surface of the opening periphery portion of the refill outlet.

[0141] <16>

[0142] The refill container as described in any of <10> to <15>, wherein,

[0143] The insertion port extends via the insertion partition wall to a position more inward in the outflow direction than the outflow opening.

[0144] <17>

[0145] The refill container described in <16>, wherein,

[0146] In the insertion partition wall, a portion of the periphery of the insertion port protrudes inward in the outflow direction.

[0147] <18>

[0148] The refill container as described in any of <10> to <17>, wherein,

[0149] The cap is made of a material with a specific gravity lower than that of the contents.

[0150] Industrial availability

[0151] The refill container plug and the refill container having the present invention can efficiently and stably fill the contents during the refilling operation and can prevent leakage of the contents.

Claims

1. A plug for a refill container, used to refill contents into a refilled container having a neck, and capable of covering the refill outlet of the refill container when installed. The refill container plug is characterized in that: include: A plug body that can be engaged and fixed to the periphery of the opening of the refill outlet; The cap, which is detachably installed on the plug body, seals the outlet opening formed by the top plate of the plug body from the inside in the outflow direction. The plug body has: an outflow tube that surrounds the outflow opening and protrudes outward from the top plate in the outflow direction; and a cylindrical outer wall that is concentrically arranged with the outflow tube, surrounds the outflow tube and protrudes outward from the top plate in the outflow direction, and has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the neck of the refilled container. And a mounting cylinder, which is concentrically arranged with the outlet cylinder and surrounds the outlet cylinder, protruding inward from the top plate in the outflow direction. The plug body has an insertion port formed by an opening on the top plate at the interval between the outflow cylinder and the cylindrical outer wall. The plug cap has: a mounting wall portion whose outer peripheral surface is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder; a sealing plate portion having a planar shape with the same hollow cross-sectional shape as the mounting cylinder; and a press-in protrusion that is erected from the peripheral edge of the sealing plate portion. With the press-in protrusion extending outward from the top plate in the outflow direction via the insertion port at the interval between the outflow cylinder and the cylindrical outer wall, the plug cap is installed on the plug body. On the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical outer wall, a female threaded ridge is formed that engages with a male threaded ridge formed on the outer circumferential surface of the neck of the refilled container. Using the aforementioned refill container plug, the refill container does not undergo air replacement with the outside air. The inner opening end of the insertion port in the outflow direction is located inside the outflow direction compared to the inner opening end of the outflow opening. When the neck of the refilled container is inserted into the space between the outlet tube and the cylindrical outer wall in the plug body, and the neck of the refilled container is combined with the neck of the refilled container, the top plate abuts against the front end portion of the neck of the refilled container.

2. The plug for refilling containers as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The insertion port is formed at two or more locations on the space between the outlet cylinder and the cylindrical outer wall of the top plate, and the pressing protrusion is erected at two or more locations on the periphery of the sealing plate.

3. The plug for refilling containers as described in claim 2, characterized in that: Assuming a circle is defined by the space between the outlet tube and the cylindrical outer wall, the insertion port is formed at multiple locations that equally divide the circumference of the circle.

4. The plug for a refill container as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: In the mounting cylinder, the base end portion on the top plate side has an outer diameter that can closely fit the inner circumferential surface of the opening periphery portion of the refill outlet.

5. The plug for a refill container as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The insertion port extends via the insertion partition wall to a position more inward in the outflow direction than the outflow opening.

6. The plug for refilling containers as described in claim 5, characterized in that: In the insertion partition wall, a portion of the periphery of the insertion port protrudes inward in the outflow direction.

7. The plug for a refill container as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The cap is made of a material with a specific gravity lower than that of the contents.

8. A refill container for refilling contents into a refilled container having a neck, the refill container being characterized in that: The refill container has a refill container plug installed to cover the refill outlet. The plug for refilling the container includes: The plug body is engaged and fixed to the periphery of the opening of the refill outlet; The cap, which is detachably installed on the plug body, seals the outlet opening formed by the top plate of the plug body from the inside in the outflow direction. The plug body has: an outflow tube that surrounds the outflow opening and protrudes outward from the top plate in the outflow direction; and a cylindrical outer wall that is concentrically arranged with the outflow tube, surrounds the outflow tube and protrudes outward from the top plate in the outflow direction, and has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the neck of the refilled container. And a mounting cylinder, which is concentrically arranged with the outlet cylinder and surrounds the outlet cylinder, protruding inward from the top plate in the outflow direction. The plug body has an insertion port formed by an opening on the top plate at the interval between the outflow cylinder and the cylindrical outer wall. The plug cap has: a mounting wall portion whose outer peripheral surface is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder; a sealing plate portion having a planar shape with the same hollow cross-sectional shape as the mounting cylinder; and a press-in protrusion that is erected from the peripheral edge of the sealing plate portion. With the press-in protrusion extending outward from the top plate in the outflow direction via the insertion port at the interval between the outflow cylinder and the cylindrical outer wall, the plug cap is installed on the plug body. On the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical outer wall, a female threaded ridge is formed that engages with a male threaded ridge formed on the outer circumferential surface of the neck of the refilled container. Using the aforementioned refill container plug, the refill container does not undergo air replacement with the outside air. The inner opening end of the insertion port in the outflow direction is located inside the outflow direction compared to the inner opening end of the outflow opening. When the neck of the refilled container is inserted into the space between the outlet tube and the cylindrical outer wall in the plug body, and the neck of the refilled container is combined with the neck of the refilled container, the top plate abuts against the front end portion of the neck of the refilled container.

9. The refill container as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The insertion port is formed at two or more locations on the space between the outlet cylinder and the cylindrical outer wall of the top plate, and the pressing protrusion is erected at two or more locations on the periphery of the sealing plate.

10. The refill container as described in claim 9, characterized in that: Assuming a circle is defined by the space between the outlet tube and the cylindrical outer wall, the insertion port is formed at multiple locations that equally divide the circumference of the circle.

11. The refill container as described in any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: In the mounting cylinder, the base end portion on the top plate side has an outer diameter that can closely fit the inner circumferential surface of the opening periphery portion of the refill outlet.

12. The refill container as described in any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: The insertion port extends via the insertion partition wall to a position more inward in the outflow direction than the outflow opening.

13. The refill container as described in claim 12, characterized in that: In the insertion partition wall, a portion of the periphery of the insertion port protrudes inward in the outflow direction.

14. The refill container as described in any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: The cap is made of a material with a specific gravity lower than that of the contents.

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