Medical cap, medical container, and medical cap manufacturing method

Abstract

A medical cap is provided with: a plug disposed on the inside of a tubular mouth part that forms an opening; and a housing including a cylindrical inner wall disposed between the plug and the mouth, a cylindrical outer wall surrounding the inner wall across a cylindrical space accommodating the mouth, and an upper wall disposed above the mouth, the mouth being disposed in the cylindrical space. The plug includes: an inner portion surrounded by an inner wall; and a lower side portion disposed between the opening portion and the upper wall, the opening portion being disposed in the cylindrical space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical cap for closing an opening, a medical container having such a medical cap, and a method for manufacturing the medical cap. Background Art

[0002] The openings of medical containers such as infusion containers, blood collection tubes, and medicine bottles are sometimes closed by caps having rubber stoppers. When a hollow needle pierces the rubber stopper, a liquid such as an infusion is drawn out from the medical container through the needle, or is injected into the medical container.

[0003] For example, when the medical container is an infusion container such as an infusion bag or an infusion bottle, the infusion in the infusion container is drawn out from the infusion container through a hollow needle penetrating the rubber stopper. When the medical container is a blood collection tube, blood is injected into the blood collection tube through a hollow needle penetrating the rubber stopper. When the medical container is a medicine bottle, a liquid medicine is drawn out from the medicine bottle through a hollow needle penetrating the rubber stopper, or a liquid such as a dissolution solution is injected into the medicine bottle.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a medical cap for an infusion container, a blood collection tube, a medicine bottle, etc. The medical cap includes a support body, an elastic plug body, and an inner plug. The support body has an inner wall that surrounds and houses the elastic plug body and an outer wall that surrounds the inner wall. The annular wall of the inner plug is disposed between the outer wall and the inner wall. The inner wall and the outer wall extend from the mounting portion of the support body in the axial direction of the support body (the direction parallel to the center line of the support body). The elastic plug body is disposed inside the space formed by the inner wall, the outer wall, and the mounting portion.

[0005] Prior Art Documents

[0006] Patent Documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5924767 Gazette Summary of the Invention

[0008] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] In the medical cap of Patent Document 1, when the annular wall of the inner plug is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall, the upper surface of the annular wall faces the mounting portion in the axial direction of the support body and does not contact the elastic plug body. Therefore, a liquid such as an infusion may pass between the annular wall and the mounting portion.

[0010] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a medical cap capable of preventing a decrease in airtightness. Other objects of the present invention are to provide a medical container having such a medical cap and a method for manufacturing the medical cap.

[0011] Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] One embodiment of the present invention provides a medical cap that blocks an opening through which a liquid passes. The medical cap includes: a plug disposed inside a tubular mouth portion that forms the opening; a housing including a tubular inner wall, a tubular outer wall, and an upper wall, the inner wall being disposed between the plug and the mouth portion, the outer wall surrounding the inner wall across a tubular space that houses the mouth portion, the upper wall being disposed above the mouth portion, the mouth portion being disposed in the tubular space, the plug including: an inner portion surrounded by the inner wall; and a lower portion disposed between the mouth portion and the upper wall, the mouth portion being disposed in the tubular space.

[0013] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a medical container including: a container body including a tubular mouth portion that forms an opening through which a liquid passes and a housing portion that houses the liquid; and the medical cap.

[0014] Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a medical cap that blocks an opening through which a liquid passes. The medical cap includes: a plug disposed inside a tubular mouth portion that forms the opening; and a housing including a tubular inner wall, a tubular outer wall, and an upper wall, the inner wall being disposed between the plug and the mouth portion, the outer wall surrounding the inner wall across a tubular space that houses the mouth portion, the upper wall being disposed above the mouth portion, the mouth portion being disposed in the tubular space. The plug includes: an inner portion surrounded by the inner wall; and a lower portion disposed between the mouth portion and the upper wall, the mouth portion being disposed in the tubular space. The method includes the following steps: disposing the housing in a mold; and injecting a molten material of the plug into a cavity formed by the housing and the mold and cooling the material in the cavity to form the plug.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medical cap that can prevent a decrease in airtightness. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1A is a front view showing an example of a medical container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 1B is a front view showing another example of a medical container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 is a front view of a medical cap and a mouth portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a vertical section of a medical cap and a mouth portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view showing the vertical cross-section of the medical cap before combination with the mouthpiece.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a plan view of the medical cap before combination with the mouthpiece.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a bottom view of the medical cap before combination with the mouthpiece.

[0024] Figure 7 It is Figure 6 An enlarged view of a part of

[0025] Figure 8 It is Figure 4 An enlarged view of a part of

[0026] Figure 9 It is a cross-sectional view showing the vertical cross-section of the medical cap cut by a cutting plane different from that of Figure 8

[0027] Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional view showing the vertical cross-section of the medical cap and the mouthpiece before combination.

[0028] Figure 11 It is a cross-sectional view showing the vertical cross-section of the medical cap and the mouthpiece after combination.

[0029] Figure 12 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mold for manufacturing the medical cap.

[0030] Figure 13 It is a cross-sectional view showing the inner wall before being fastened by the mouthpiece and deformed.

[0031] Figure 14 It is a cross-sectional view showing the inner wall after being fastened by the mouthpiece and deformed.

[0032] Figure 15A , Figure 15B It is a cross-sectional view showing the change before and after the inner contact part of the mouthpiece contacts the outer contact part of the outer wall.

[0033] Figure 16 It is a cross-sectional view showing the vertical cross-section of the medical cap and the mouthpiece according to other embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 17 It is a cross-sectional view showing the vertical cross-section of the medical cap and the mouthpiece according to still other embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. ​

[0036] Hereinafter, the medical cap 2 and the medical container 1 in the reference posture will be described. The reference posture is a posture in which the center line Cc of the housing 11 is vertical and the surface 23u of the stopper 23 that is punctured by the needle faces upward. The axial direction of the housing 11 is the direction along the center line Cc of the housing 11, corresponding to the vertical direction. The radial direction Dr of the housing 11 is the direction orthogonal to the center line Cc of the housing 11. The radial direction, circumferential direction, and axial direction of the mouth portion 5 coincide with the radial direction Dr, circumferential direction Dc, and axial direction of the housing 11, respectively. Therefore, hereinafter, instead of using expressions such as the radial direction of the mouth portion 5, expressions such as the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 will be used.

[0037] In the following description, the upper end refers to the uppermost part of a certain component or part. In other words, the upper end corresponds to the topmost end. The upper end can be one or more points or surfaces, and can also include one or more points and one or more surfaces. Regarding terms other than the upper end, the definition of "end" is the same. For example, the lower end refers to the lowermost part of a certain component or part. In the following description, the inner side refers to the side of the center line Cc of the housing 11 or the center line Cm of the mouth portion 5 with respect to the reference, and the outer side refers to the side opposite to the center line Cc of the housing 11 or the center line Cm of the mouth portion 5 with respect to the reference.

[0038] First, an overview of the medical cap 2 and the medical container 1 will be described.

[0039] Figure 1A is a front view showing an example of the medical container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1B is a front view showing another example of the medical container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a front view of the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a vertical section of the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] As Figure 1A and Figure 1B shown, the medical container 1 includes a container body 3 for containing a substance and a medical cap 2 for closing the opening 4 of the container body 3 (see Figure 3 ). The container body 3 includes a containing portion 6 for containing a substance and a tubular mouth portion 5 for forming the opening 4.

[0041] The substance passing through the opening 4 of the container body 3 can be any one of a liquid, a solid, and a semi-solid, or a substance other than them. For example, a liquid that should be administered to a person parenterally or extracted from a human body parenterally can pass through the opening 4. The liquid passing through the opening 4 can be a liquid flowing out of the container body 3 (infusion solution, injection solution, etc.), or a liquid entering the container body 3 (blood, dissolution solution, etc.). For example, when the container body 3 contains a solid or semi-solid substance (solid injection, etc.), a liquid such as a dissolution solution can be supplied to the container body 3 through the opening 4. In this case, the substance in the container body 3 dissolves in the liquid, and a liquid such as an injection solution that should be administered to a person is generated in the container body 3.

[0042] The accommodating portion 6 of the container body 3 includes a cylindrical main body portion 7 and a bottom portion 8 closing the bottom of the main body portion 7. The mouth portion 5 extends upward from the main body portion 7. The accommodating portion 6 can be a rigid container that does not deform or hardly deforms even when pressed by a user's hand, or a soft container (such as a bag) that easily deforms when pressed by a user's hand. Figure 1A and Figure 1B An example of the former is shown. Figure 1A and Figure 1B The thicknesses (areas of horizontal cross-sections) of the accommodating portions 6 shown are different from each other.

[0043] The container body 3 is made of resin or glass. The container body 3 can be a single integrally formed component, or a component formed by combining two or more parts. Figure 1A and Figure 1B An example in which the mouth portion 5 and the accommodating portion 6 are different parts and are combined with each other is shown. In this case, the mouth portion 5 can be made of the same material as the accommodating portion 6, or can be made of a material different from that of the accommodating portion 6. Hereinafter, an example in which the mouth portion 5 is made of a thermoplastic resin will be described.

[0044] When the mouth portion 5 and the accommodating portion 6 are different parts, the medical cap 2 can be combined with the mouth portion 5 before the mouth portion 5 and the accommodating portion 6 are combined, or can be combined with the mouth portion 5 after the mouth portion 5 and the accommodating portion 6 are combined. Figure 2 The medical cap 2 combined with the mouth portion 5 before being combined with the accommodating portion 6 is shown. Figure 2 The medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 shown are a medical cap module that is one of the parts of the medical container 1. By combining or connecting the medical cap module with other parts of the medical container 1 such as the accommodating portion 6, the container body 3 and the medical container 1 are manufactured.

[0045] The medical cap 2 is not a screw-type cap, but a press-fit cap that is installed on the mouth part 5 by pressing it against the mouth part 5 without rotation. By combining the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5, the opening 4 of the mouth part 5 is blocked by the medical cap 2. After that, a sterilization process of heating the medical cap module (the combined medical cap 2 and mouth part 5) or the combined medical cap 2 and the container body 3 is performed. Thereby, bacteria and other microorganisms present in the medical cap 2 and the like are killed or removed.

[0046] As Figure 3 shown, the medical cap 2 includes: a cylindrical plug 23 disposed inside the mouth part 5 and a cylindrical housing 11 that houses and holds the plug 23. The plug 23 and the housing 11 are installed on the mouth part 5 together. When the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 are combined, the plug 23 and the housing 11 are elastically deformed. Figure 3 Shows the plug 23 and the housing 11 after elastic deformation.

[0047] The plug 23 is preferably a plug made of rubber or an elastomer, but it can also be made of materials other than these. Rubber is a substance that deforms when a force is applied and immediately returns to its original shape when the force is removed. The rubber can be natural rubber or a thermosetting elastomer, or it can be a material other than these. The elastomer can be synthetic rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer, or it can be a material other than these.

[0048] The plug 23 can be made of any one of styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene (SEBS), styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEPS), isoprene, and butadiene, or it can be made of materials other than these. The housing 11 can be made of any one of polyolefin resins (such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE)) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or it can be made of materials other than these. That is, the housing 11 can be made of a thermoplastic resin, or it can be made of materials other than these.

[0049] Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the medical cap 2 before being combined with the mouth part 5 will be described. First, the housing 11 will be described, and then the plug 23 will be described. Then, the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 will be described. Regarding the housing 11, first, the outline of the housing 11 will be described, and then the thin-walled part 18 and the thick-walled part 19 of the housing 11 will be described.

[0050] Figure 4 Is a cross-sectional view showing the vertical cross-section of the medical cap 2 before being combined with the mouth part 5. Figure 5 Is a plan view of the medical cap 2 before being combined with the mouth part 5. Figure 4 Indicates along Figure 5Cross-section of the line IV-IV shown

[0051] As Figure 4 shown, the housing 11 includes: a cylindrical inner wall 15 that surrounds the plug 23, a cylindrical outer wall 13 that surrounds the inner wall 15 across the cylindrical space S1 where the opening portion 5 is disposed, and an annular upper wall 14 that extends from the inner wall 15 to the outer wall 13 above the cylindrical space S1. The inner wall 15 and the outer wall 13 are cylindrical and extend vertically. The upper wall 14 is a continuous circular ring that extends throughout the entire circumference of the housing 11. The inner wall 15, the outer wall 13, and the upper wall 14 are concentric. The center lines of the inner wall 15, the outer wall 13, and the upper wall 14 are disposed on the center line Cc of the housing 11.

[0052] The inner wall 15 extends downward from the upper wall 14. The upper end of the inner wall 15 corresponds to the base of the inner wall 15. The lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 corresponds to the front end of the inner wall 15. The upper end of the inner wall 15 constitutes the upper surface of the upper wall 14. The inner peripheral surface 15i of the inner wall 15 extends downward from the inner circumference of the upper surface of the upper wall 14. The outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 extends downward from the inner circumference of the lower surface of the upper wall 14. The lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 is disposed below the lower surface of the upper wall 14.

[0053] The outer wall 13 extends upward and downward from the upper wall 14. The upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13 corresponds to the upper end of the outer wall 13. The lower surface 13L of the outer wall 13 corresponds to the lower end of the outer wall 13. The upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13 is disposed above the upper end of the inner wall 15 and the upper surface of the upper wall 14. The lower surface 13L of the outer wall 13 is disposed below the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 and the lower surface of the upper wall 14. The inner peripheral surface 13i of the outer wall 13 extends downward from the upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13 to the outer circumference of the upper surface of the upper wall 14, and extends downward from the outer circumference of the lower surface of the upper wall 14 to the lower surface 13L of the outer wall 13.

[0054] The upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13 is located at the uppermost position in the housing 11. The upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13 corresponds to the upper surface of the housing 11 and the medical cap 2. The upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13 also corresponds to the upper end of the housing 11 and the medical cap 2. The lower surface 13L of the outer wall 13 is located at the lowermost position in the housing 11. The lower surface 13L of the outer wall 13 corresponds to the lower surface of the housing 11 and the medical cap 2. The lower surface 13L of the outer wall 13 also corresponds to the lower end of the housing 11 and the medical cap 2.

[0055] The upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13 is disposed above any part of the plug 23. The plug 23 and the housing 11 form a disk-shaped recess 21 that is recessed downward from the upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13. The upper surface 23u of the plug 23, that is, the upper surface of the inner portion 24 and the upper side portion 27 described later, corresponds to the bottom surface of the disk-shaped recess 21. As Figure 5As shown, the upper surface 23u of the plug 23 is not covered by the housing 11 when the medical cap 2 is observed from above, and can be visually confirmed.

[0056] As Figure 4 shown, the housing 11 includes an annular upper flange 12 formed by the upper surface 13u and the outer peripheral surface 13o of the outer wall 13. The vertical cross-section of the upper flange 12 at each position in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11 can be rectangular, square, triangular, or semi-circular, or a combination of two or more of these. Figure 4 An example in which the vertical cross-section of the upper flange 12 is triangular is shown. In this example, the upper flange 12 includes a horizontal upper surface corresponding to a part of the upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13 and an inclined lower surface 12L corresponding to a part of the outer peripheral surface 13o of the outer wall 13. The lower surface 12L of the upper flange 12 extends obliquely upward toward the outer end of the upper flange 12.

[0057] The outer peripheral surface 13o of the outer wall 13 includes, in addition to the lower surface 12L of the upper flange 12, a cylindrical straight portion 13s having a linear vertical cross-section. The straight portion 13s extends downward from the upper flange 12. The upper flange 12 projects outward from the straight portion 13s. The straight portion 13s is longer than the upper flange 12 in the vertical direction. The amount of protrusion of the upper flange 12, that is, the distance in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 from the straight portion 13s to the outer end of the upper flange 12 is shorter than the length of the upper flange 12 in the vertical direction, that is, the distance in the vertical direction from the upper end of the straight portion 13s to the upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13. The length of the straight portion 13s in the vertical direction may also be equal to or less than the length of the upper flange 12 in the vertical direction. The amount of protrusion of the upper flange 12 may also be equal to or greater than the length of the upper flange 12 in the vertical direction.

[0058] The outer peripheral surface 13o of the outer wall 13 corresponds to the outer peripheral surface of the housing 11 and the medical cap 2. The outer peripheral surface 13o of the outer wall 13 is pinched by the fingers of a person operating the medical cap 2 or the medical container 1. The outer diameter of the housing 11 is the largest at the upper flange 12. The upper flange 12 is hooked on the fingers of a person, restricting the movement of the medical cap 2 relative to the fingers of a person. Thereby, the stability of the medical cap 2 relative to the fingers of a person operating the medical cap 2 or the medical container 1 can be improved.

[0059] The inner wall 15, the outer wall 13, and the upper wall 14 form a cylindrical space S1 that houses the mouth portion 5. The cylindrical space S1 is a cylindrical space between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 13. The cylindrical space S1 is concentric with the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 13. The upper wall 14 is disposed above the space between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 13 and closes off this space. The upper wall 14 forms the upper end of the cylindrical space S1. The cylindrical space S1 is separated from the spaces inside, outside, and above the cylindrical space S1 by the inner wall 15, the outer wall 13, and the upper wall 14. On the other hand, the cylindrical space S1 is open downward and is vertically connected to the space below the cylindrical space S1.

[0060] Next, the thin-walled portion 18 and the thick-walled portion 19 of the housing 11 will be described.

[0061] Figure 6 It is a bottom view of the medical cap 2 before being combined with the mouth portion 5. Figure 7 It is Figure 6 an enlarged view of a part of Figure 8 It is Figure 4 an enlarged view of a part of Figure 9 It is a cross-sectional view showing a vertical section of the medical cap 2 cut along a cutting plane different from Figure 8 that. Figure 9 It is a cross-section showing the section along the Figure 5 IX-IX line shown in

[0062] As Figure 6 shown, the inner wall 15 includes a thin-walled portion 18 and a thick-walled portion 19 that have different thicknesses in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11. Figure 6 An example in which a plurality of thin-walled portions 18 and a plurality of thick-walled portions 19 are provided is shown. In this example, eight thin-walled portions 18 and eight thick-walled portions 19 are arranged in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. The number of the thin-walled portion 18 and the thick-walled portion 19 provided on the inner wall 15 may each be one.

[0063] As Figure 6 shown, when the medical cap 2 is viewed from below, both the thin-walled portion 18 and the thick-walled portion 19 are arc-shaped. The thin-walled portion 18 and the thick-walled portion 19 extend along a circle centered on the center line Cc of the housing 11. The thin-walled portion 18 and the thick-walled portion 19 are continuous in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. The thick-walled portion 19 is longer than the thin-walled portion 18 in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. The thick-walled portion 19 is thicker than the thin-walled portion 18 in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11. The width of the thick-walled portion 19 corresponding to the length of the thick-walled portion 19 in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11 may also be equal to or less than the width of the thin-walled portion 18 corresponding to the length of the thin-walled portion 18 in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. The width of the thick-walled portion 19 may be constant or variable from the upper end to the lower end of the thick-walled portion 19. The same applies to the width of the thin-walled portion 18.

[0064] The thin-walled portion 18 and the thick-walled portion 19, which have different thicknesses in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11, are arranged in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. Therefore, at least one of the inner peripheral surface 15i and the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 is a cylindrical concavo-convex surface in which the distance from the center line Cc of the housing 11 alternately increases and decreases repeatedly according to the position in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. Figure 6 An example is shown in which the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 is a cylindrical concavo-convex surface and the inner peripheral surface 15i of the inner wall 15 is a cylindrical surface. It is also possible that both the inner peripheral surface 15i and the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 are cylindrical concavo-convex surfaces, or it is also possible that only the inner peripheral surface 15i of the inner wall 15 is a cylindrical concavo-convex surface. Figure 6 In the case of the example shown, the horizontal cross-section of the inner peripheral surface 15i of the inner wall 15 is circular.

[0065] As Figure 7 shown, the thin-walled portion 18 forms an outer concave portion 16 that is recessed inward on the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15. The thick-walled portion 19 forms an outer convex portion 17 that protrudes outward on the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15. The thin-walled portion 18 includes an arcuate inner surface 18i and an outer surface 18o. Similarly, the thick-walled portion 19 includes an arcuate inner surface 19i and an outer surface 19o. The thick-walled portion 19 also includes two side surfaces 19s that extend from the inner surface 19i of the thick-walled portion 19 to the inner surface 18i of the thin-walled portion 18, or from the outer surface 19o of the thick-walled portion 19 to the outer surface 18o of the thin-walled portion 18. In Figure 7 the example shown, the side surface 19s of the thick-walled portion 19 extends from the outer surface 19o of the thick-walled portion 19 to the outer surface 18o of the thin-walled portion 18.

[0066] The length of the thick-walled portion 19 in the vertical direction is equal to the length of the thin-walled portion 18 in the vertical direction. The upper end of the thick-walled portion 19 is disposed at the same height as the upper end of the thin-walled portion 18. The lower end of the thick-walled portion 19 is disposed at the same height as the lower end of the thin-walled portion 18. The upper end of the inner wall 15 is formed by the upper ends of all the thick-walled portions 19 and all the thin-walled portions 18. Similarly, the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 is formed by the lower ends of all the thick-walled portions 19 and all the thin-walled portions 18. The lower end of the thick-walled portion 19 may also be disposed above or below the lower end of the thin-walled portion 18.

[0067] ,If the positions in the vertical direction are the same, the thickness of the thin-walled portion 18 is constant or substantially constant regardless of the position in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. Similarly, if the positions in the vertical direction are the same, the thickness of the thick-walled portion 19 is constant or substantially constant regardless of the position in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing A The thickness of the thin-walled portion 18 may also be constant from the upper end to the lower end of the thin-walled portion 18, or may change stepwise or continuously according to the position in the vertical direction. Figure 9An example of the former is shown. Similarly, the thickness of the thick wall portion 19 may be constant from the upper end to the lower end of the thick wall portion 19, or may change stepwise or continuously according to the position in the vertical direction. Figure 8 An example of the latter is shown.

[0068] In Figure 8 the example shown, the thickness of the thick wall portion 19 decreases near the upper end of the thick wall portion 19 and decreases near the lower end of the thick wall portion 19. In this example, the thick wall portion 19 includes: a base portion 19p (see Figure 11 ) whose thickness continuously decreases as it approaches the upper end of the thick wall portion 19; an intermediate portion 19m (see Figure 11 ) having a constant or substantially constant thickness; and a front end portion 19d (see Figure 11 ) whose thickness continuously decreases as it approaches the lower end of the thick wall portion 19.

[0069] The intermediate portion 19m extends downward from the lower end of the base portion 19p to the upper end of the front end portion 19d. The intermediate portion 19m is longer than the base portion 19p in the vertical direction and longer than the front end portion 19d in the vertical direction. The front end portion 19d is longer than the base portion 19p in the vertical direction. The length of the intermediate portion 19m in the vertical direction may also be equal to or less than the length of the base portion 19p in the vertical direction, or may be equal to or less than the length of the front end portion 19d in the vertical direction. The length of the front end portion 19d in the vertical direction may also be equal to or less than the length of the base portion 19p in the vertical direction.

[0070] As Figure 8 shown, the inner surface and the outer surface of the intermediate portion 19m are vertical or substantially vertical. The inner surfaces of the base portion 19p and the front end portion 19d are also vertical or substantially vertical. The vertical cross-sections of the inner surface of the base portion 19p, the inner surface of the intermediate portion 19m, and the inner surface of the front end portion 19d are arranged on a straight line. The outer surface of the base portion 19p extends obliquely upward from the outer surface of the intermediate portion 19m toward the center line Cc of the housing 11. The outer surface of the front end portion 19d extends obliquely upward from the outer surface of the intermediate portion 19m toward the center line Cc of the housing 11.

[0071] The outer surface of the base portion 19p and the lower surface of the upper wall 14 form a base side concave portion 20 that is recessed inward. Figure 8 An example in which the base side concave portion 20 is recessed obliquely upward toward the center line Cc of the housing 11 is shown. In this example, the base side concave portion 20 is filled with a part of the plug 23 (a part of the lower side portion 28 described later). The base side concave portion 20 is formed in each thick wall portion 19. Therefore, the plurality of thick wall portions 19 and the upper wall 14 form a plurality of base side concave portions 20 that are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11.

[0072] As described above, the thickness of the thin wall portion 18 is constant from the upper end to the lower end of the thin wall portion 18. The thickness of the thin wall portion 18 serves as both the maximum value and the minimum value of the thickness of the thin wall portion 18. The thickness of the thick wall portion 19 is maximum at the intermediate portion 19m and minimum at the root portion 19p. The thickness of the thick wall portion 19 may also be minimum at the front end portion 19d. The maximum value of the thickness of the thick wall portion 19 is greater than the maximum value of the thickness of the thin wall portion 18. The minimum value of the thickness of the thick wall portion 19 is greater than the maximum value of the thickness of the thin wall portion 18. The maximum value of the thickness of the thin wall portion 18 may also be equal to or greater than the minimum value of the thickness of the thick wall portion 19.

[0073] Next, the plug 23 will be described.

[0074] As Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, the plug 23 includes: an inner portion 24 surrounded by the inner wall 15; an upper side portion 27 disposed above the upper wall 14; a lower side portion 28 disposed below the upper wall 14; and one or more connecting portions 29 that connect the lower side portion 28 and the inner portion 24.

[0075] The plug 23 is a single integrally formed component. The inner portion 24 is integral with each of the upper side portion 27, the lower side portion 28, and the connecting portion 29. The inner portion 24 is cylindrical and extends vertically. The upper side portion 27 and the lower side portion 28 are continuous circular rings that extend around the entire circumference of the plug 23. The inner portion 24, the upper side portion 27, and the lower side portion 28 are concentric. The centerlines of the inner portion 24, the upper side portion 27, and the lower side portion 28 are disposed on the centerline Cc of the housing 11.

[0076] The upper surface of the inner portion 24 is the surface that is pierced by the hollow needle. The lower surface of the inner portion 24 is the surface from which the needle that has pierced the upper surface of the inner portion 24 protrudes. Figure 8 and Figure 9 show an example in which the upper surface of the inner portion 24 is a concave-convex surface provided with one or more depressions 22 for piercing by the hollow needle. In this example, one depression 22 is disposed at the central portion of the upper surface of the inner portion 24, and the remaining three depressions 22 are disposed at equal intervals around the central depression 22 (also refer to Figure 5 ). The upper surface of the inner portion 24 may also be a smooth flat or curved surface without depressions 22. The lower surface of the inner portion 24 may also be a smooth flat or curved surface without depressions 22, or may be a concave-convex surface with undulations in the vertical direction.

[0077] The inner portion 24 is longer than the inner wall 15 in the vertical direction. The upper end of the inner portion 24 is disposed above the upper end of the inner wall 15. The lower end of the inner portion 24 is disposed below the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15. The lower end of the inner portion 24 corresponds to the lower end of the plug 23. Figure 8 and Figure 9An example is shown in which the lower surface of the inner portion 24 is a spherical crown shape that protrudes downward. In this example, the lower end of the lower surface of the inner portion 24 corresponds to the lower end of the inner portion 24. Any part of the lower surface of the inner portion 24 is disposed below the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15.

[0078] The outer diameter of the inner portion 24 may also be constant or substantially constant from the upper end to the lower end of the inner portion 24, or may change continuously or stepwise as it approaches the lower end of the inner portion 24. Figure 8 and Figure 9 An example is shown in which the outer diameter of the inner portion 24 decreases stepwise as it approaches the lower end of the inner portion 24. In this example, the inner portion 24 includes a large-diameter portion 25 surrounded by the inner wall 15 and a small-diameter portion 26 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter portion 25.

[0079] The small-diameter portion 26 is concentric with the large-diameter portion 25. The small-diameter portion 26 extends downward from the large-diameter portion 25. The small-diameter portion 26 is shorter than the large-diameter portion 25 in the vertical direction. The vertical length of the small-diameter portion 26 may also be equal to or greater than the vertical length of the large-diameter portion 25. The outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 26 is constant or substantially constant from the upper end to the lower end 26L of the small-diameter portion 26. Similarly, the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 25 is constant or substantially constant from the upper end to the lower end 25L of the large-diameter portion 25. The outer diameter of the inner portion 24 is the smallest at the small-diameter portion 26.

[0080] The upper end of the large-diameter portion 25 corresponds to the upper end of the inner portion 24. The lower end 26L of the small-diameter portion 26 corresponds to the lower end of the inner portion 24. The lower end 26L of the small-diameter portion 26 also corresponds to the lower end of the plug 23. The small-diameter portion 26 protrudes downward from the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15. The small-diameter portion 26 constitutes the lower end portion of the plug 23. The small-diameter portion 26 is the portion that contacts the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth portion 5 throughout the entire circumference of the mouth portion 5 when the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 are combined (see Figure 3 ).

[0081] The outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 25 contacts the inner peripheral surface 15i of the inner wall 15. The outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 26 is separated from the inner peripheral surface 15i of the inner wall 15 throughout the entire circumference of the inner wall 15. The outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 26 is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner wall 15. The lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 is disposed below the lower end 25L of the large-diameter portion 25 corresponding to the lower surface of the large-diameter portion 25. The lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 is disposed above the lower end 26L of the small-diameter portion 26. The lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 surrounds the entire circumference of the small-diameter portion 26 at an interval in the radial direction Dr. The inner peripheral surface 15i of the inner wall 15 and the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 26 form an annular downward groove 26g that is recessed upward from the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 toward the lower surface of the large-diameter portion 25.

[0082] The width of the downward groove 26g is the distance in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 from the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 26 to the inner peripheral surface 15i of the inner wall 15. The depth of the downward groove 26g is the distance in the vertical direction from the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 to the lower surface of the large-diameter portion 25. The width of the downward groove 26g is shorter than the depth of the downward groove 26g. The depth of the downward groove 26g is shorter than the distance in the vertical direction from the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 to the lower end 26L of the small-diameter portion 26. The width of the downward groove 26g may also be equal to or greater than the depth of the downward groove 26g. The depth of the downward groove 26g may also be equal to or greater than the distance in the vertical direction from the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 to the lower end 26L of the small-diameter portion 26.

[0083] The upper side portion 27 extends from the inner side portion 24 to a position above the upper wall 14. Figure 8 and Figure 9 An example is shown in which the upper side portion 27 extends obliquely upward and outward from the upper surface of the inner side portion 24 and then extends horizontally to the inner peripheral surface 13i of the outer wall 13. The upper side portion 27 may also extend horizontally from the inner side portion 24 to the inner peripheral surface 13i of the outer wall 13, or may have a portion that extends upward in a manner separated from the inner side portion 24. The upper side portion 27 may also extend upward or outward from the outer peripheral surface of the inner side portion 24 instead of from the upper surface of the inner side portion 24. The upper end of the upper side portion 27 may be disposed at the same height as the upper end of the inner side portion 24, or may be disposed above or below the upper end of the inner side portion 24.

[0084] The upper surface and the lower surface of the upper side portion 27 are circular rings that are continuous throughout the entire circumference of the plug 23. At least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the upper side portion 27 may be a flat surface or a curved surface with undulations in the vertical direction. Figure 8 and Figure 9 An example is shown in which the upper surface and the lower surface of the upper side portion 27 are horizontal flat surfaces. The upper surface of the upper side portion 27 is disposed below the upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13. The lower surface of the upper side portion 27 is in contact with the upper surface of the upper wall 14. The outer peripheral surface of the upper side portion 27 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 13i of the outer wall 13.

[0085] The thickness of the upper side portion 27 is the distance in the vertical direction from the lower surface of the upper side portion 27 to the upper surface of the upper side portion 27. The thickness of the upper wall 14 is the distance in the vertical direction from the lower surface of the upper wall 14 to the upper surface of the upper wall 14. The width of the upper side portion 27 is the distance in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 from the inner circumference of the upper surface of the upper wall 14 to the outer peripheral surface of the upper side portion 27. The width of the upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13 is the distance in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 from the inner circumference of the upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13 to the outer periphery of the upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13. The thickness of the upper side portion 27 is shorter than the thickness of the upper wall 14. The width of the upper side portion 27 is longer than the thickness of the upper side portion 27 and shorter than the width of the upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13. The thickness of the upper side portion 27 may also be equal to or greater than the thickness of the upper wall 14. The width of the upper side portion 27 may also be equal to or less than the thickness of the upper side portion 27 or may be equal to or greater than the width of the upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13.

[0086] The lower side portion 28 is disposed between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 13. The upper surface of the lower side portion 28 is in contact with the upper wall 14. The inner peripheral surface of the lower side portion 28 is in contact with the inner wall 15. The outer peripheral surface of the lower side portion 28 is in contact with the outer wall 13. The lower surface of the lower side portion 28 is disposed above the mouth portion 5, and the mouth portion 5 is disposed in the cylindrical space S1. The upper surface and the lower surface of the lower side portion 28 are circular rings that are continuous over the entire circumference of the plug 23. At least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the lower side portion 28 may be a flat surface or a curved surface with undulations in the vertical direction. Figure 8 and Figure 9 An example is shown in which the upper surface and the lower surface of the lower side portion 28 are horizontal flat surfaces.

[0087] The inner diameter of the lower side portion 28 is smaller than the outer diameter of the upper side portion 27. The outer diameter of the lower side portion 28 is larger than the outer diameter of the upper side portion 27. Therefore, the lower side portion 28 is disposed below the upper wall 14 such that a part of the lower side portion 28 is directly below the upper side portion 27. The inner diameter of the lower side portion 28 may also be equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the upper side portion 27. The outer diameter of the lower side portion 28 may also be equal to or less than the outer diameter of the upper side portion 27. The entire lower side portion 28 may also be disposed directly below the upper side portion 27, or may be disposed inside or outside the upper side portion 27.

[0088] The thickness of the lower side portion 28 is the distance in the vertical direction from the lower surface of the lower side portion 28 to the upper surface of the lower side portion 28. The width of the lower side portion 28 is the distance in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 from the inner peripheral surface of the lower side portion 28 to the outer peripheral surface of the lower side portion 28. The thickness of the lower side portion 28 is longer than the thickness of the upper side portion 27 and longer than the thickness of the upper wall 14. The thickness of the lower side portion 28 is shorter than the width of the lower side portion 28. The width of the lower side portion 28 is shorter than the width of the upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13. The thickness of the lower side portion 28 may also be equal to or greater than the width of the lower side portion 28, or may be equal to or less than the thickness of the upper wall 14. The thickness of the lower side portion 28 may also be equal to or less than the thickness of the upper side portion 27. The width of the lower side portion 28 may also be equal to or greater than the width of the upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13.

[0089] As described above, the plug 23 includes one or more connecting portions 29 that connect the lower side portion 28 and the inner side portion 24. Figure 7 and Figure 9 An example is shown in which a plurality of connecting portions 29 are each filled in a plurality of through holes 30 that penetrate the upper wall 14 in the vertical direction. The number of connecting portions 29 provided on the plug 23 may also be one. The through holes 30 may also penetrate a part of the housing 11 other than the upper wall 14, such as the inner wall 15.

[0090] Figure 6 An example is shown in which a plurality of connecting portions 29 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. In this example, the interval in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11 between the two connecting portions 29 that are closest in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11 (hereinafter, also referred to as "the interval between the two connecting portions 29") is longer than the length of the connecting portion 29 in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. The plurality of connecting portions 29 may also be arranged at unequal intervals in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. The interval between the two connecting portions 29 may also be equal to or less than the length of the connecting portion 29 in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11.

[0091] As Figure 9 shown, the connecting portion 29 is arranged between the upper side portion 27 and the lower side portion 28. When the medical cap 2 is viewed from above, the entire connecting portion 29 overlaps with the upper side portion 27 and is hidden by the upper side portion 27. The connecting portion 29 extends downward from the lower surface of the upper side portion 27 to the upper surface of the lower side portion 28. The connecting portion 29 connects the lower side portion 28 and the upper side portion 27. Therefore, the lower side portion 28 is connected to the inner side portion 24 via the connecting portion 29 and the upper side portion 27.

[0092] The connecting portion 29 fills the whole or substantially the whole of the through hole 30. The outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 29 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 30. The shape of the horizontal cross-section of the connecting portion 29 is the same as or substantially the same as the shape of the horizontal cross-section of the through hole 30. The horizontal cross-section of the connecting portion 29 may be a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon, or may be a shape other than these. The area of the horizontal cross-section of the connecting portion 29 may also decrease as it approaches the lower portion 28, or may be constant from the upper portion 27 to the lower portion 28. Figure 9 An example of the former is shown.

[0093] The length of the connecting portion 29 in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11 is longer than the length of the connecting portion 29 in the vertical direction. The length of the connecting portion 29 in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11 is longer than the length of the connecting portion 29 in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11. The length of the connecting portion 29 in the vertical direction is longer than the length of the connecting portion 29 in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11. The length of the connecting portion 29 in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11 may also be less than or equal to the length of the connecting portion 29 in the vertical direction, or may be less than or equal to the length of the connecting portion 29 in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11. The length of the connecting portion 29 in the vertical direction may also be less than or equal to the length of the connecting portion 29 in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11.

[0094] As Figure 7 As shown, the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 forms an outer convex portion 17 that protrudes in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 at the position of the thick wall portion 19 and an outer concave portion 16 that depresses in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 at the position of the thin wall portion 18. The through hole 30 and the connecting portion 29 are arranged outside the thin wall portion 18. The length of the through hole 30 and the connecting portion 29 in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11 is shorter than the length of the thin wall portion 18 in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. A part of the through hole 30 and the connecting portion 29 is arranged between the two thick wall portions 19 that are closest in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. Therefore, when the medical cap 2 is observed from below, a part of the through hole 30 and the connecting portion 29 is arranged inside the outer concave portion 16.

[0095] Next, the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 will be described.

[0096] Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 before combination will be described.

[0097] Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional view showing the vertical cross-section of the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 before combination. Figure 11 It is a cross-sectional view showing the vertical cross-section of the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 after combination.

[0098] As Figure 10As shown, the mouth part 5 includes: a ring-shaped front end face 31 forming an opening 4; a cylindrical inner peripheral face 32 extending downward from the inner periphery of the front end face 31; and a cylindrical outer peripheral face 35 extending downward from the outer periphery of the front end face 31. The opening 4 is formed by the inner periphery of the front end face 31. The inner peripheral face 32 forms a flow path for guiding the liquid that has passed or is passing through the opening 4.

[0099] The inner peripheral face 32 of the mouth part 5 includes a cylindrical tapered portion 33 extending downward from the opening 4 of the mouth part 5; and a cylindrical straight portion 34 extending downward from the tapered portion 33. The tapered portion 33 tapers as it extends downward away from the opening 4. The taper angle of the tapered portion 33 (the angle with respect to the vertical line) can be constant from the opening 4 to the straight portion 34, or can change stepwise or continuously. Figure 10 An example is shown in which the taper angle of the tapered portion 33 increases stepwise by 1 degree as it extends downward away from the opening 4.

[0100] In Figure 10 In the example shown, the tapered portion 33 includes: a cylindrical upper tapered portion 33u that tapers as it extends downward away from the opening 4; and a cylindrical lower tapered portion 33L that tapers as it extends downward away from the upper tapered portion 33u. The upper tapered portion 33u extends downward from the opening 4. The lower tapered portion 33L extends downward from the upper tapered portion 33u. The straight portion 34 extends downward from the lower tapered portion 33L. The taper angle of the upper tapered portion 33u can also be smaller than the taper angle of the lower tapered portion 33L. The taper angle of the upper tapered portion 33u can also be larger than the taper angle of the lower tapered portion 33L.

[0101] The inner diameter of the tapered portion 33 is the largest at the upper end of the mouth part 5 corresponding to the upper end of the tapered portion 33, and the smallest at the lower end of the lower tapered portion 33L corresponding to the lower end of the tapered portion 33. The outer diameter of the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 is smaller than the maximum value of the inner diameter of the tapered portion 33 and larger than the minimum value of the inner diameter of the tapered portion 33. Similarly, the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 26 corresponding to the lower end portion of the plug 23 is smaller than the maximum value of the inner diameter of the tapered portion 33 and larger than the minimum value of the inner diameter of the tapered portion 33. Therefore, when combining the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5, the inner wall 15 is pressed into the mouth part 5, or the mouth part 5 is pressed into the inner wall 15. Thereby, the inner wall 15 and the plug 23 are fastened through the mouth part 5 and undergo elastic deformation.

[0102] When the hollow needle is punctured into the plug 23 that is fastened inwardly and has undergone elastic deformation, the plug 23 is restored, maintaining the state where the plug 23 closely adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the needle. Thereby, the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the needle and the plug 23 punctured by the needle can be more reliably sealed. Moreover, the needle that has punctured the plug 23 can be fastened by the plug 23, and the position and posture of the needle relative to the plug 23 can be further stabilized. Also, the hole of the plug 23 formed when the needle punctures the plug 23 naturally closes when the needle is withdrawn due to the restoration of the plug 23. Therefore, leakage of liquid or the like or entry of foreign matter through this hole can be prevented.

[0103] When the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 are combined, the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 contacts the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth part 5. The inner part 24 of the plug 23 contacts the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth part 5 below the inner wall 15 over the entire circumference of the mouth part 5, and the lower part 28 of the plug 23 contacts the front end surface 31 of the mouth part 5 over the entire circumference of the mouth part 5. As will be described later, the lower convex portion 41 of the outer wall 13 is fitted into the lower concave portion 45 of the mouth part 5, and the upper convex portion 46 of the mouth part 5 is fitted into the upper concave portion 42 of the outer wall 13. Further, when a sterilization treatment of heating the combined medical cap 2 and mouth part 5 is performed, the inner contact portion 48 of the mouth part 5 contacts the outer contact portion 43 of the outer wall 13. Figure 11 The medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 after the sterilization treatment are shown.

[0104] As Figure 10 and Figure 11 shown, the outer wall 13 includes: an upper concave portion 42 that accommodates the upper convex portion 46 of the mouth part 5 when the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 are combined; and a lower convex portion 41 that is accommodated in the lower concave portion 45 of the mouth part 5 when the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 are combined. The mouth part 5 further includes a ring-shaped neck flange 44 that is disposed below the outer wall 13 when the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 are assembled, in addition to the upper convex portion 46 and the lower concave portion 45.

[0105] The lower convex portion 41 of the outer wall 13 and the upper concave portion 42 of the outer wall 13 are connected vertically. The upper concave portion 42 is recessed from the inner peripheral surface 13i of the outer wall 13. The upper concave portion 42 is formed by a bottom surface 42b located outside the inner peripheral surface 13i of the outer wall 13 and two side surfaces 42s extending from the upper and lower ends of the bottom surface 42b to the inner peripheral surface 13i of the outer wall 13. The lower side surface 42s of the upper concave portion 42 is a part of the outer surface of the lower convex portion 41 of the outer wall 13. The outer surface of the lower convex portion 41 extends inward from the bottom surface 42b of the upper concave portion 42 and also extends inward from the lower surface 13L of the outer wall 13.

[0106] The upper concave portion 42 and the lower convex portion 41 of the outer wall 13 are continuous throughout the entire circumference of the housing 11. The upper convex portion 46 and the lower concave portion 45 of the mouth portion 5 are continuous throughout the entire circumference of the mouth portion 5. At least one of the lower convex portion 41 and the upper convex portion 46 may be discontinuous in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. Similarly, at least one of the upper concave portion 42 and the lower concave portion 45 may be discontinuous in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11.

[0107] The upper concave portion 42 and the lower convex portion 41 are disposed below the upper wall 14. The upper end of the upper concave portion 42 is disposed above the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15. The lower end of the upper concave portion 42 is disposed below the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15. The lower convex portion 41 is disposed below the upper concave portion 42. Therefore, the lower convex portion 41 is disposed below the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15.

[0108] The height of the lower convex portion 41 is the distance in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 from the bottom surface 42b of the upper concave portion 42 to the inner end of the lower convex portion 41 corresponding to the front end of the lower convex portion 41. The depth of the upper concave portion 42 is the distance in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 from the bottom surface 42b of the upper concave portion 42 to the inner circumferential surface 13i of the outer wall 13. The depth of the upper concave portion 42 may be equal to the height of the lower convex portion 41, or may be larger or smaller than the height of the lower convex portion 41. The depth of the upper concave portion 42 may be equal to the distance in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 from the bottom surface 42b of the upper concave portion 42 to the outer circumferential surface 13o of the outer wall 13, or may be larger or smaller than this distance.

[0109] When the upper convex portion 46 of the mouth portion 5 is fitted into the upper concave portion 42 of the outer wall  13, the upper surface of the upper convex portion 46 and the upper side surface 42s of the upper concave portion 42 face each other. At this time, the vertical distance from the upper surface of the upper convex portion 46 to the upper side surface 42s of the upper concave portion 42 may be shorter than the depth of the upper concave portion 42. When the lower convex portion 41 of the outer wall 13 is fitted into the lower concave portion 45 of the mouth portion 5, the upper surface of the lower convex portion 41 corresponding to the lower side surface 42s of the upper concave portion 42 and the lower surface of the lower concave portion 45 face each other. At this time, the vertical distance from the upper surface of the lower convex portion 41 to the lower surface of the lower concave portion 45 may be shorter than the depth of the lower concave portion 45.

[0110] When the upper convex portion 46 of the mouth portion 5 is fitted into the upper concave portion 42 of the outer wall 13 and the lower convex portion 41 of the outer wall 13 is fitted into the lower concave portion 45 of the mouth portion 5, the lower surface 13L of the outer wall 13 and the upper surface of the neck flange 44 face each other. At this time, the lower surface 13L of the outer wall 13 may be in contact with the upper surface of the neck flange 44, or may be separated from the upper surface of the neck flange 44. Figure 11An example is shown in which a gap smaller than the thickness of the neck flange 44 in the vertical direction is formed between the lower surface 13L of the outer wall 13 and the upper surface of the neck flange 44.

[0111] As Figure 11 shown, when the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 are combined, the lower convex part 41 of the outer wall 13 is disposed between the upper convex part 46 of the mouth part 5 and the neck flange 44. In other words, the lower surface of the upper convex part 46 and the upper surface of the neck flange 44 form a lower concave part 45. The lower concave part 45 is recessed inward from the outer end of the upper convex part 46 corresponding to the front end of the upper convex part 46. The distance in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 from the bottom of the lower concave part 45 to the outer end of the upper convex part 46 is shorter than the distance in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 from the bottom of the lower concave part 45 to the outer end of the neck flange 44.

[0112] The neck flange 44 is a circular ring that is continuous throughout the entire circumference of the mouth part 5. The outer diameter of the mouth part 5 is the largest at the neck flange 44. The outer diameter of the outer wall 13 is the largest at the upper flange 12 and the smallest at positions other than the upper flange 12. The outer diameter of the upper flange 12 is larger than the outer diameter of the neck flange 44. The outer diameter of the lower end of the outer wall 13 is equal to or approximately equal to the outer diameter of the neck flange 44. Figure 11 An example is shown in which the outer diameter of the lower end of the outer wall 13 is equal to or approximately equal to the outer diameter of the neck flange 44. The outer diameter of the lower end of the outer wall 13 may also be larger than the outer diameter of the neck flange 44. When the medical cap 2 combined with the mouth part 5 is viewed from below, the entire or substantially the entire lower end of the outer wall 13 is hidden by the neck flange 44.

[0113] Figure 11 The medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 after sterilization treatment are shown. The inner peripheral surface 13i of the outer wall 13 includes an outer contact part 43 that does not contact the inner contact part 48 before sterilization treatment and contacts the inner contact part 48 after sterilization treatment. The outer peripheral surface 35 of the mouth part 5 includes an inner contact part 48 that does not contact the inner peripheral surface 13i of the outer wall 13 before sterilization treatment and contacts the inner peripheral surface 13i of the outer wall 13 after sterilization treatment. The process before the inner contact part 48 contacts the outer contact part 43 will be described later.

[0114] The outer contact part 43 of the outer wall 13 is disposed above the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15. When the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 are combined, the inner contact part 48 of the mouth part 5 is disposed above the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15. The inner contact part 48 and the outer contact part 43 are disposed above the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 even after sterilization treatment. The outer contact part 43 is the part of the inner peripheral surface 13i of the outer wall 13 that contacts the inner contact part 48 after sterilization treatment and does not include the part of the inner peripheral surface 13i of the outer wall 13 that does not contact the inner contact part 48 after sterilization treatment.

[0115] Figure 11 Shows an example in which the inner contact portion 48 is a continuous cylindrical shape extending over the entire circumference of the mouth portion 5, and the outer contact portion 43 is a continuous cylindrical shape extending over the entire circumference of the housing 11. The inner contact portion 48 may be continuous over the entire circumference of the mouth portion 5, or may be discontinuous in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. In the latter case, the inner contact portion 48 may also include a plurality of divided bodies arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. When the inner contact portion 48 is continuous over the entire circumference of the mouth portion 5, the outer contact portion 43 is continuous over the entire circumference of the housing 11. When the inner contact portion 48 is discontinuous in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11, the outer contact portion 43 is discontinuous in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11.

[0116] Figure 11 Shows an example in which an annular groove 47 continuous over the entire circumference of the mouth portion 5 is formed between the inner contact portion 48 of the mouth portion 5 and the upper convex portion 46 of the mouth portion 5. In this example, the inner contact portion 48 includes: a straight portion 48s having a cylindrical shape with a linear vertical cross-section; and an annular convex portion 48c having a vertical cross-section protruding outward. The straight portion 48s and the convex portion 48c are arranged above the annular groove 47.

[0117] The vertical cross-section of the inner contact portion 48 may be composed of one or more straight lines or one or more curves, or may be composed of one or more straight lines and one or more curves. Part or all of the vertical cross-section of the inner contact portion 48 may be linear extending in the up and down direction, or may be inclined with respect to the vertical straight line. In the latter case, part or all of the vertical cross-section of the inner contact portion 48 may protrude outward or may be recessed inward.

[0118] The straight portion 48s of the mouth portion 5 is arranged above the convex portion 48c of the mouth portion 5. The straight portion 48s and the convex portion 48c are connected up and down. The straight portion 48s is longer than the convex portion 48c in the up and down direction. The straight portion 48s is longer than the annular groove 47 in the up and down direction. The annular groove 47 is longer than the convex portion 48c in the up and down direction. The straight portion 48s may also be arranged below the convex portion 48c. The length of the straight portion 48s in the up and down direction may also be equal to or less than the length of the convex portion 48c in the up and down direction. The length of the straight portion 48s in the up and down direction may also be equal to or less than the length of the annular groove 47 in the up and down direction. The length of the annular groove 47 in the up and down direction may also be equal to or less than the length of the convex portion 48c in the up and down direction.

[0119] The convex portion 48c of the mouth portion 5 protrudes outward from the straight portion 48s of the mouth portion 5. The annular groove 47 is recessed inward from the convex portion 48c and the upper convex portion 46. From the center line Cm of the mouth portion 5 (refer to Figure 3) The distance in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 to the outer end of the convex portion 48c may also be equal to the distance in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 from the center line Cm of the mouth portion 5 to the outer end of the upper convex portion 46, or may be longer or shorter than this distance. Figure 11 An example is shown in which the outer end of the convex portion 48c is disposed closer to the inside than the outer end of the upper convex portion 46.

[0120] In Figure 11 In the case of the example shown, the outer contact portion 43 of the outer wall 13 includes: a cylindrical straight portion 43s having a linear vertical cross-section; and an annular concave portion 43c having a vertically concave cross-section that is recessed outward. When performing the sterilization treatment, the straight portion 48s of the outer wall 13 contacts the straight portion 43s, and the convex portion 48c of the outer wall 13 contacts the concave portion 43c. By fitting the convex portion 48c into the concave portion 43c, the movement of the mouth portion 5 in the vertical direction relative to the outer wall 13 is restricted. The concave portion 43c is a shallower recess than the upper concave portion 42 of the outer wall 13. The depth of the concave portion 43c may also be equal to or greater than the depth of the upper concave portion 42.

[0121] Next, a manufacturing method for the medical cap 2, the medical cap module, and the medical container 1 will be described.

[0122] Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a mold for manufacturing the medical cap 2. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the inner wall 15 before being fastened and deformed by the mouth portion 5. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the inner wall 15 after being fastened and deformed by the mouth portion "5". Figure 15A , Figure 15B is a cross-sectional view showing the change before and after the inner contact portion 48 of the mouth portion 5 contacts the outer contact portion 43 of the outer wall 13. Figure 15A Shows the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 before combining the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 and before performing the sterilization treatment. Figure 15B Shows the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 after performing the sterilization treatment. Figure 13 And Figure 14 Shows along Figure 5 The cross-section of the XIII-XIII line shown.

[0123] When manufacturing the medical cap 2, the plug 23 integrated with the housing 11 is formed by insert molding, which is one of the injection molding methods. Specifically, as Figure 12 shown, the housing 11 is disposed at a predetermined position of the movable mold 51. Then, the movable mold 51 and the housing 11 are moved together toward the fixed mold 52 so that the movable mold 51 and the fixed mold 52 coincide. Thereby, a cavity 53 having the same shape as the plug 23 is formed by the housing 11, the movable mold 51, and the fixed mold 52.

[0124] In Figure 12FIG shows an example in which the movable mold 51 and the fixed mold 52 are each an integral part, and the movable mold 51 is arranged below the fixed mold 52. The postures of the movable mold 51 and the fixed mold 52 may also be such that Figure 12 The movable mold 51 and the fixed mold 52 are shown rotated 90 degrees to the right or left. The movable mold 51 may be composed of multiple parts connected to each other. The same applies to the fixed mold 52.

[0125] After the cavity 53 is formed, a molten material such as a thermoplastic elastomer is injected into the cavity 53 through the passage 54 formed in the fixed mold 52. The liquid material injected into the cavity 53 fills the space where the inner portion 24 and the upper portion 27 of the plug 23 are to be formed. The liquid material supplied to the space where the upper portion 27 is to be formed enters the plurality of through holes 30 of the upper wall 14 from the space (see Figure 9 ), and flows to the space that should form the lower side 28 of the plug 23. In this way, the entirety or substantially the entirety of the cavity 53 is filled with the molten material.

[0126] After cavity 53 is filled with the liquid material, the liquid material within cavity 53 is cooled while maintaining the liquid material. This causes the liquid material within cavity 53 to solidify, transforming into plug 23. Plug 23 is the result of the solidification of the liquid material within cavity 53. The liquid material in contact with housing 11 transforms into a solid while bonding with housing 11. Thus, plug 23 is formed, integrated with housing 11.

[0127] After the liquid material in the cavity 53 is transformed into the plug 23, the movable mold 51 is separated from the fixed mold 52. The plug 23 and the housing 11 are then removed from the movable mold 51. Before or after removal of the plug 23 and the housing 11, at least one of the plug 23 and the housing 11 may be processed as needed. For example, burrs may be removed from the plug 23, and the material solidified within the passage 54 of the fixed mold 52. In this manner, the medical cap 2 including the plug 23 and the housing 11 is manufactured.

[0128] After the medical cap 2 is manufactured, the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 are assembled so that the position of the medical cap 2 relative to the mouth portion 5 is aligned with a predetermined position. Figure 14 The figure shows a state where the position of the medical cap 2 relative to the mouth 5 matches the predetermined position. The predetermined position is where the opening 4 of the mouth 5 is blocked by the medical cap 2. The predetermined position is where the mouth 5 is located in the cylindrical space S1 between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 13, and the lower protrusion 41 of the outer wall 13 fits into the lower recess 45 of the mouth 5, while the upper protrusion 46 of the mouth 5 fits into the upper recess 42 of the outer wall 13.

[0129] In the case where the mouth part 5 and the accommodating part 6 of the container body 3 are different parts, the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 can be combined before combining the mouth part 5 and the accommodating part 6, or the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 can be combined after combining the mouth part 5 and the accommodating part 6. In the latter case, before combining the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5, substances in liquid, solid or semi-solid state (such as medical liquid) can also be put into the container body 3 as needed.

[0130] When combining the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5, either one of the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 can be pressed against the other, or the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 can be pressed against each other. The medical cap 2 can be pressed against the mouth part 5 from above the mouth part 5, or the mouth part 5 can be pressed against the medical cap 2 from above the medical cap 2 in a state where the medical cap 2 is turned upside down. Hereinafter, an example in which the medical cap 2 is moved to a predetermined position by pressing the medical cap 2 against the mouth part 5 from above the mouth part 5 will be described.

[0131] When combining the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5, the medical cap 2 is put over the mouth part 5 so that the mouth part 5 is inserted into the cylindrical space S1 between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 13. In this state, the medical cap 2 is pressed against the mouth part 5. As described above, the inner diameter of the mouth part 5 is larger than the outer diameter of the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 at the upper end of the mouth part 5, and continuously decreases to a value smaller than this outer diameter as it moves downward away from the upper end of the mouth part 5. Therefore, when the mouth part 5 is inserted between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 13, the inner wall 15 enters the mouth part 5 and is squeezed inward by the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth part 5.

[0132] Specifically, when the mouth part 5 is inserted into the cylindrical space S1, the inner wall 15 is squeezed inward by the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth part 5 and elastically deformed inward. At this time, a part of the inner wall 15 may also be plastically deformed. The inner wall 15 moves downward relative to the mouth part 5 along the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth part 5 while elastically deforming inward. Thus, the inner wall 15 is fastened by the mouth part 5, and the inner diameter and outer diameter of the inner wall 15 are reduced. The plug 23 is fastened by the inner wall 15 and elastically deformed.

[0133] The medical cap 2 moves to a predetermined position while the inner wall 15 is fastened by the mouth part 5. The contact area between the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth part 5 and the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 increases as the inner wall 15 moves downward relative to the mouth part 5. The deformation amount of the inner wall 15 continuously increases as it separates downward from the upper end of the mouth part 5. Therefore, as Figure 13 and Figure 14 shown, the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 changes from a cylindrical shape with a constant or substantially constant diameter to an inverted frustum shape imitating the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth part 5 (specifically, the upper conical part 33u).

[0134] When the medical cap 2 reaches the predetermined position, the lower convex portion 41 of the outer wall 13 is fitted into the lower concave portion 45 of the inlet portion 5, and the upper convex portion 46 of the mouth portion 5 is fitted into the upper concave portion 42 of the outer wall 13. Further, the inner portion 24 of the plug 23 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth portion 5, and the lower portion 28 of the plug 23 is pressed against the front end surface 31 of the mouth portion 5. The inner portion 24 and the lower portion 28 are in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 32 and the front end surface 31 of the mouth portion 5 over the entire circumference of the mouth portion 5. Thereby, the gap between the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 is sealed.

[0135] As Figure 13 and Figure 14 shown, the inner wall 15 includes a thin wall portion 18 and a thick wall portion 19 arranged in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. The thickness of the housing 11 of the inner wall 15 in the radial direction Dr before combining the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 alternately increases and decreases repeatedly according to the position of the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. When the inner wall 15 is fastened by the mouth portion 5, the inner wall 15 is deformed, and the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the inner wall 15 are reduced. At this time, the thin wall portion 18 is deformed in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11 with a deformation amount larger than that of the thick wall portion 19.

[0136] Figure 13 An example is shown in which the width of the thin wall portion 18 of the housing 11 in the circumferential direction Dc before combining the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 is constant or substantially constant. Figure 14 An example is shown in which the thin wall portion 18 is deformed in such a manner that the width of the thin wall portion 18 continuously decreases as it approaches the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 when the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 are combined. The width of the thin wall portion 18 at the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 may be zero or substantially zero, or may be a value exceeding zero. In other words, the two thick wall portions 19 closest to each other in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11 may be joined at the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15, or may be separated in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11 at the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15.

[0137] After combining the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 and making the position of the medical cap 2 relative to the mouth portion 5 coincide with the predetermined position, a sterilization process of heating the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 is performed. Figure 15A An example of the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 after combining the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 and before performing the sterilization process is shown. As Figure 15A shown, before performing the sterilization process, the inner contact portion 48 provided on the outer peripheral surface 35 of the mouth portion 5 does not contact the outer contact portion 43 provided on the inner peripheral surface 13i of the outer wall 13, but faces the outer contact portion 43 with a gap therebetween.

[0138] In the sterilization process, the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 are heated. As a result, the temperatures of the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 rise, and the rigidity of the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 decreases. The inner wall 15 and the plug 23 are fastened by the mouth part 5, and the mouth part 5 is pressed outward to expand the mouth part 5. The lower side part 28 of the plug 23 has been in contact with the mouth part 5 since before the start of the sterilization process, restricting the outward deformation of the mouth part 5. When the rigidity of the mouth part 5 decreases, when the force that the inner wall 15 and the plug 23 press the mouth part 5 outward exceeds the force that restricts the deformation of the mouth part 5 (the force applied to the mouth part 5 from the lower side part 28, the resistance of the mouth part 5 itself), the mouth part 5 deforms, and the inner diameter and outer diameter of the mouth part 5 increase.

[0139] Figure 15B The medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 after the sterilization process are shown. When the sterilization process is performed, the mouth part 5 deforms, for example, in such a way that the amounts of increase in the inner diameter and outer diameter of the mouth part 5 continuously increase as it approaches the upper end of the mouth part 5. In this case, the mouth part 5 deforms in such a way that the vertical cross-section of the mouth part 5 tilts outward at any position in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11. Even after the sterilization process ends and the temperatures of the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 decrease, the shape of the mouth part 5 does not return to its original state or hardly returns to its original state.

[0140] As Figure 15B shown, after the sterilization process, the inner contact part 48 of the mouth part 5 contacts the outer contact part 43 of the outer wall 13. Figure 15B The state where the straight part 48s of the mouth part 5 is blocked by the straight part 43s of the outer wall 13 and the convex part 48c of the mouth part 5 is received in the concave part 43c of the outer wall 13 is shown. By making the inner contact part 48 of the mouth part 5 contact the outer contact part 43 of the outer wall 13, the reduction in the force with which the mouth part 5 fastens the inner wall 15 and the plug 23 can be made smaller, and the state after the elastic deformation of the plug 23 can be maintained. Moreover, by receiving the convex part 48c of the mouth part 5 in the concave part 43c of the outer wall 13, deformation of the mouth part 5 such as the inner contact part 48 of the mouth part 5 moving downward relative to the outer wall 13 can be prevented or minimized.

[0141] In this way, a medical cap module including the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 is manufactured. When manufacturing the medical container 1 using the medical cap module, the mouth part 5 and the accommodating part 6 are combined. In the case of combining the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 after combining the mouth part 5 and the accommodating part 6, the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 are combined in the same order as described above. Thus, the medical container 1 is manufactured without going through the state of the medical cap module.

[0142] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0143] In the present embodiment, a cylindrical mouth portion 5 having an opening 4 through which a liquid or the like passes is disposed in a cylindrical space S1 between an inner wall 15 and an outer wall 13 of a housing 11. A plug 23 is disposed inside the inner wall 15. The inner wall 15 is disposed between the plug 23 and the mouth portion 5 in a state of being in contact with the plug 23 and the mouth portion 5. The inner wall 15 includes a thin wall portion 18 and a thick wall portion 19 having different thicknesses in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11. The thin wall portion 18 and the thick wall portion 19 are arranged in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11.

[0144] When the mouth portion 5 is disposed in the cylindrical space S1 between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 13, the inner wall 15 is fastened by the mouth portion 5, and the thin wall portion 18 thinner than the thick wall portion 19 is deformed. As a result, the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the inner wall 15 are reduced, and the plug 23 is fastened by the inner wall 15. Further, since the thick wall portion 19 is provided instead of thinning the entire circumference of the inner wall 15, the rigidity of the inner wall 15 can be ensured. Moreover, since the thin wall portion 18 is provided instead of a notch, the gap between the surface of the plug 23 and the inner circumferential surface 32 of the mouth portion 5 can be reduced or the generation of the gap can be prevented as compared with the case where a notch is provided. Thereby, the airtightness of the medical cap 2 can be prevented from being reduced as compared with the case where a notch is provided.

[0145] In the present embodiment, the thick wall portion 19 forms an outer convex portion 17 protruding in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 on the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15, and the thin wall portion 18 forms an outer concave portion 16 recessed in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 on the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15. When the mouth portion 5 is disposed in the cylindrical space S1 between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 13, the inner circumferential surface 32 of the mouth portion 5 and the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 rub against each other. When the outer concave portion 16 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15, the range in which the inner circumferential surface 32 of the mouth portion 5 and the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 rub against each other becomes narrower as compared with the case where the outer concave portion 16 is not provided. Thereby, the frictional resistance applied to the mouth portion 5 and the inner wall 15 when the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 are combined can be reduced.

[0146] In the present embodiment, instead of making both the inner peripheral surface 15i and the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 into a cylindrical uneven surface, only the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 is made into a cylindrical uneven surface having undulations in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11. Before the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 are combined, the inner peripheral surface 15i of the inner wall 15 is cylindrical. When the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 are combined, the plug 23 is fastened by the inner peripheral surface 15i of the inner wall 15. Therefore, as compared with the case where the inner peripheral surface 15i of the inner wall 15 is a cylindrical uneven surface, the plug 23 can be fastened with a uniform force. In other words, the difference in the force for pressing the plug 23 inward at each position in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11 can be reduced.

[0147] In the present embodiment, when the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 are combined, not only the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 but also the lower end portion of the plug 23 contacts the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth part 5. That is, the gap between the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 is blocked by the contact between the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 and the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth part 5, and the gap between the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 is blocked by the contact between the lower end portion of the plug 23 and the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth part 5. Thereby, the airtightness of the medical cap 2 can be further improved.

[0148] In the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth part 5 is joined to the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15, and the outer peripheral surface 35 of the mouth part 5 is joined to the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall 13. More specifically, the inner contact portion 48 provided on the inner side of the outer peripheral surface 35 of the mouth part 5 is joined to the outer contact portion 43 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall 13. The inner contact portion 48 and the outer contact portion 43 are arranged above the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15. Even if the inner wall 15 and the plug 23 squeeze the mouth part 5 outward to expand the mouth part 5, the outward expansion of the mouth part 5 can be prevented by the contact between the inner contact portion 48 and the outer contact portion 43. If the mouth part 5 expands outward, the inner wall 15 also expands outward, and the force with which the inner wall 15 fastens the plug 23 decreases. Therefore, a decrease in the force with which the inner wall 15 fastens the plug 23 can be prevented.

[0149] In the present embodiment, the convex portion 48c of the inner contact portion 48 provided on the mouth part 5 is received in the concave portion 43c of the outer contact portion 43 provided on the outer wall 13. The relative movement in the vertical direction between the inner contact portion 48 and the outer contact portion 43 is restricted by the contact between the convex portion 48c and the concave portion 43c. If the inner contact portion 48 of the mouth part 5 moves relative to the outer contact portion 43 of the outer wall 13 in the vertical direction, the force with which the mouth part 5 fastens the inner wall 15 may decrease. Moreover, since the concave portion 43c and the convex portion 48c are provided on the mouth part 5, a decrease in the rigidity of the mouth part 5 can be prevented, and the mouth part 5 can be made difficult to expand outward.

[0150] In the present embodiment, when the medical cap 2 and the mouth part 5 are combined, the upper convex portion 46 of the mouth part 5 is received in the upper concave portion 42 of the outer wall 13, and the lower convex portion 41 of the outer wall 13 is received in the lower concave portion 45 of the mouth part 5. The relative movement in the vertical direction between the mouth part 5 and the outer wall 13 is restricted by the contact between the upper convex portion 46 and the upper concave portion 42 and the contact between the lower convex portion 41 and the lower concave portion 45. Moreover, when the upper convex portion 46 and the lower convex portion 41 are fitted into the upper concave portion 42 and the lower concave portion 45, the feeling is transmitted to the finger of a person who contacts the medical cap 2 or the mouth part 5. Thereby, it is possible to transmit to the finger of a person that the medical cap 2 or the mouth part 5 has reached an appropriate position.

[0151] In the present embodiment, the annular neck flange 44 provided on the outer peripheral surface 35 of the mouth portion 5 is disposed below the outer wall 13. The outer diameter of the lower end of the outer wall 13 is equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the neck flange 44. Even if a person's finger moves from the side opposite to the outer wall 13 towards the outer wall 13 with respect to the neck flange 44, or if the neck flange 44 and the outer wall 13 move towards the person's finger, it is difficult for the finger to touch the lower end of the outer wall 13 or its vicinity. Therefore, the frequency of a person's finger accidentally touching the outer wall 13 can be reduced.

[0152] In the present embodiment, as described above, while ensuring the rigidity of the inner wall 15 of the housing 11, the gap between the surface of the plug 23 and the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth portion 5 can be reduced or the generation of the gap can be prevented as compared with the case where a cutout is provided. If such a medical cap 2 and mouth portion 5 are used, leakage of the liquid in the container body 3 through the mouth portion 5 or entry of foreign matter into the container body 3 through the mouth portion 5 can be prevented.

[0153] In the present embodiment, the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 are combined. Then, the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 are heated. The mouth portion 5 is made of a thermoplastic resin. If the temperature of the mouth portion 5 rises, the rigidity of the mouth portion 5 decreases. The inner contact portion 48 provided on the inner side of the outer peripheral surface 35 of the mouth portion 5 separates from the outer contact portion 43 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall 13. Moreover, the mouth portion 5 is pressed outward by the inner wall 15 and the plug 23. Therefore, if the temperature of the mouth portion 5 rises, the mouth portion 5 expands outward due to the deformation of the mouth portion 5.

[0154] If the mouth portion 5 expands, the inner contact portion 48 of the mouth portion 5 approaches and contacts the outer contact portion 43 of the outer wall 13. Thereby, further deformation of the mouth portion 5 can be prevented, and a decrease in the force with which the mouth portion 5 fastens the inner wall 15 and the plug 23 can be reduced. Moreover, even if the temperature of the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 decreases, the shape of the mouth portion 5 does not return to its original state, or hardly returns to its original state. Thereby, the force with which the mouth portion 5 fastens the inner wall 15 and the plug 23 can be maintained.

[0155] In the present embodiment, the cylindrical mouth portion 5 forming the opening 4 through which a liquid or the like passes is disposed in the cylindrical space S1 between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 13 of the housing 11. The plug 23 is disposed inside the inner wall 15. The inner wall 15 is disposed between the plug 23 and the mouth portion 5. The upper wall 14 of the housing 11 is disposed above the mouth portion 5 disposed between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 13. The inner wall 15, the outer wall 13, and the upper wall 14 form the cylindrical space S1 that houses the mouth portion 5.

[0156] The plug 23 includes not only an inner portion 24 disposed inside the inner wall 15 but also a lower portion 28 disposed below the upper wall 14. When the mouth portion 5 is disposed in the cylindrical space S1 between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 13, the lower portion 28 is disposed between the mouth portion 5 and the upper wall 14. Thereby, the gap between the front end surface 31 of the mouth portion 5 and the lower surface of the upper wall 14 can be reduced, or the gap can be filled with the lower portion 28, and the airtightness of the medical cap 2 can be improved.

[0157] Moreover, the lower portion 28 is not a component independent of the inner portion 24, but is connected to the inner portion 24 through a connecting portion 29 of the plug 23. Therefore, the relative movement between the inner portion 24 and the lower portion 28 can be reduced. Further, since the connecting portion 29 of the plug 23 passes through the through hole 30 of the housing 11, the movement of the plug 23 relative to the housing 11 is restricted by the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 30. Thereby, the relative movement between the plug 23 and the housing 11 can be reduced.

[0158] In the case of injection molding the plug 23, the molten material of the plug 23 is poured into the through hole 30 of the housing 11, whereby the lower portion 28 and the connecting portion 29 integral with the inner portion 24 can be formed. Further, when the molten material of the plug 23 cools, it changes into a solid while bonding to the housing 11. Thereby, the bonding force between the plug 23 and the housing 11 can be improved, and the relative movement between the plug 23 and the housing 11 can be prevented or minimized.

[0159] In the present embodiment, when the mouth portion 5 is disposed in the cylindrical space S1 between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 13, the lower portion 28 is disposed between the mouth portion 5 and the upper wall 14 in a state of being in contact with both the front end surface 31 of the mouth portion 5 and the lower surface of the upper wall 14. Thereby, the gap between the front end surface 31 of the mouth portion 5 and the lower surface of the upper wall 14 can be filled with the lower portion 28, and the airtightness of the medical cap 2 can be improved.

[0160] In the present embodiment, when the mouth portion 5 is disposed in the cylindrical space S1 between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 13, the lower portion 28 of the plug 23 contacts the front end surface 31 of the mouth portion 5, and the lower end portion of the plug 23 contacts the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth portion 5. That is, the gap between the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 is blocked at multiple positions. Thereby, the airtightness of the medical cap 2 can be further improved.

[0161] In the present embodiment, in addition to the inner portion 24, the lower portion 28, and the connecting portion 29, an upper portion 27 is also provided on the plug 23. The upper portion 27 extends from the inner portion 24 to a position above the upper wall 14. The connecting portion 29 extends from the upper portion 27 to the lower portion 28 through a through-hole 30 that penetrates the upper wall 14 vertically. Thus, the upper wall 14 is disposed between the upper portion 27 and the lower portion 28. The vertical movement of the plug 23 relative to the housing 11 is restricted by the contact between the upper portion 27 and the upper wall 14 or the contact between the lower portion 28 and the upper wall 14. Thereby, the relative vertical movement between the plug 23 and the housing 11 can be prevented or minimized. In addition, the radial movement of the plug 23 relative to the housing 11 is restricted by the contact between the connecting portion 29 and the through-hole 30. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the plug 23 is difficult to peel off from the housing 11, and the sealing performance of the medical cap 2 can be improved.

[0162] In the present embodiment, an outer concave portion 16 that is recessed along the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15. The width of the upper wall 14 corresponding to the length of the housing 11 in the radial direction Dr increases at the outer concave portion 16. The through-hole 30 that penetrates the upper wall 14 vertically is provided in a portion where the width of the upper wall 14 is wider. Moreover, when the medical cap 2 is viewed from below, at least a part of the through-hole 30 is disposed within the outer concave portion 16. Therefore, compared with the case where the through-hole 30 is disposed at a position away from the outer concave portion 16 in the circumferential direction Dc of the housing 11, the areas of the through-hole 30 and the connecting portion 29 can be easily increased.

[0163] In the present embodiment, a root-side concave portion 20 that is recessed from the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 is formed by the inner wall 15 and the upper wall 14. A part of the lower portion 28 is accommodated in the root-side concave portion 20. The vertical movement of the plug 23 relative to the housing 11 is restricted by the contact between the surface of the lower portion 28 and the inner surface of the root-side concave portion 20. Moreover, the thickness of the inner wall 15 in the radial direction Dr of the housing 11 decreases at the root-side concave portion 20. Therefore, compared with the case where there is no root-side concave portion 20, the inner wall 15 can be easily deformed inward, and the plug 23 can be fastened by the inner wall 15.

[0164] In the present embodiment, a large-diameter portion 25 and a small-diameter portion 26 having different outer diameters are provided on the inner portion 24 of the plug 23. The small-diameter portion 26 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter portion 25 extends downward from the lower end of the large-diameter portion 25 surrounded by the inner wall 15. The lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 is disposed at a position lower than the lower end of the large-diameter portion 25 and higher than the lower end of the small-diameter portion 26. Therefore, an annular groove 26g that is recessed upward from the lower surface of the small-diameter portion 26 is formed between the inner peripheral surface 15i of the inner wall 15 and the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 26.

[0165] Consider forming the plug 23 (insert molding, which is a type of injection molding) by injecting the molten material of the plug 23 into the cavity 53 formed by the housing 11, the movable mold 51, and the fixed mold 52. In this case, it is necessary to support the housing 11 by at least one of the movable mold 51 and the fixed mold 52. That is, an example of the manufacturing method of the present invention includes the following steps: disposing the housing 11 in the mold; and injecting the molten material of the plug 23 into the cavity 53 formed by the housing 11 and the mold, and cooling the material in the cavity 53 to form the plug 23. As described above, the inner peripheral surface 15i of the inner wall 15 and the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 26 form an annular groove 26g that is recessed upward from the lower surface of the large-diameter portion 25. The groove 26g is formed by supporting the inner and outer portions of the inner wall 15 by a part of the movable mold 51 or the fixed mold 52. That is, in the step of disposing the housing 11 in the mold, the mold includes the movable mold 51 and the fixed mold 52, and the movable mold 51 or the fixed mold 52 supports the inner and outer portions of the inner wall 15. Thereby, the stability of the housing 11 with respect to the movable mold 51 and the fixed mold 52 can be improved, and the dimensional accuracy of the plug 23 and the housing 11 can be improved. In addition, in the step of disposing the housing 11 in the mold, the movable mold 51 or the fixed mold 52 supports the inner peripheral surface of the disc-shaped recess 21. Thereby, the stability of the housing 11 with respect to the movable mold 51 and the fixed mold 52 can be improved.

[0166] Next, other embodiments will be described.

[0167] Instead of forming the plug 23 integrated with the housing 11 by insert molding after forming the housing 11, the housing 11 integrated with the plug 23 may be formed by insert molding after forming the plug 23. Alternatively, after separately forming the housing 11 and the plug 23, the two may be combined. Or, the housing 11 and the plug 23 may also be formed by two-color molding, which alternately forms different resin materials in one molding cycle.

[0168] Not only the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 may be simply combined, but the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 may also be joined by ultrasonic welding. Figure 16 The following example is shown: ultrasonic vibration is applied to the outer wall 13 and the neck flange 44 in a state where the outer wall 13 and the neck flange 44 are pressed against each other, whereby the outer wall 13 and the neck flange 44 are melted and joined at the contact position between the two.

[0169] The vertical cross-section of the upper flange 12 of the medical cap 2 may also be a rectangle or a square with both sides horizontal. Figure 16An example is shown in which the lower surface 12L of the upper flange 12 is a horizontal plane from the straight portion 13s of the outer wall 13 to the outer end of the upper flange 12. The outer end of the upper flange 12 is a cylindrical surface extending vertically. The upper surface of the upper flange 12 is an annular horizontal plane that is part of the upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13.

[0170] Instead of making the inner peripheral surface 15i of the inner wall 15 cylindrical and the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 uneven, the inner peripheral surface 15i of the inner wall 15 can be made uneven and the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 can be made cylindrical. Alternatively, both the inner peripheral surface 15i and the outer peripheral surface 15o of the inner wall 15 can be made uneven.

[0171] In addition, as Figure 17 shown, the medical cap 2 can also be in a shape without the upper flange 12. In this case, the outer edge 13e of the upper surface 13u of the outer wall 13 corresponds to a part of the outer peripheral surface 13o of the outer wall 13. The outer peripheral surface 13o extends downward from the outer edge 13e of the upper surface 13u. According to Figure 17 the modified example shown, compared with the case of having the upper flange 12, there is no part to hook a finger, so it is difficult to remove the medical cap 2 from the mouth part 5, and it is difficult to perform improper opening for the purpose of foreign matter mixing, etc. In addition, the outer diameter of the medical cap 2 becomes smaller, so there is an advantage that the number of molds that can be obtained can be increased, that is, the number of medical caps 2 that can be manufactured simultaneously by this mold can be increased, and the amount of resin used is reduced.

[0172] The small-diameter portion 26 corresponding to the lower end portion of the plug 23 may not contact the inner peripheral surface 32 of the mouth part 5. In this case, the lower end of the plug 23 may be disposed above the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15.

[0173] The inner contact portion 48 inside the mouth part 5 can also be made shorter in the vertical direction. For example, the inner contact portion 48 may not be a cylindrical shape that is longer than the annular groove 47 formed on the outer peripheral surface 35 of the mouth part 5 in the vertical direction, but an annular shape that is shorter than the annular groove 47 in the vertical direction.

[0174] The convex portion 48c of the mouth part 5 and the concave portion 43c of the outer wall 13 can also be omitted. That is, only a straight portion 48s can be provided on the inner contact portion 48 of the mouth part 5, and only a straight portion 43s can be provided on the outer contact portion 43 of the outer wall 13. Alternatively, only the convex portion 48c can be provided on the inner contact portion 48 of the mouth part 5, and only the concave portion 43c can be provided on the outer contact portion 43 of the outer wall 13.

[0175] As Figure 16As shown, the portion of the inner peripheral surface 13i of the outer wall 13 that is above the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 may also not separate from the outer peripheral surface 35 of the mouth portion 5 after sterilization treatment. That is, the inner contact portion 48 of the mouth portion 5 and the outer contact portion 43 of the outer wall 13 may also be omitted. Alternatively, the portion of the inner peripheral surface 13i of the outer wall 13 that is above the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 may also be in contact with the outer peripheral surface 35 of the mouth portion 5 before sterilization treatment.

[0176] The annular groove 47 formed between the inner contact portion 48 of the mouth portion 5 and the upper convex portion 46 of the mouth portion 5 may also be omitted.

[0177] At least one pair of the convex and concave portions (one pair being the upper convex portion 46 of the mouth portion 5 and the upper concave portion 42 of the outer wall 13, and the other pair being the lower convex portion 41 of the outer wall 13 and the lower concave portion 45 of the mouth portion 5) may also be omitted.

[0178] The neck flange 44 may also be omitted.

[0179] When the medical cap 2 and the mouth portion 5 are combined, the lower portion 28 of the plug 23 may also be separated from at least one of the mouth portion 5 and the upper wall 14.

[0180] The upper portion 27 of the plug 23 may also be omitted. In this case, the through hole 30 of the housing 11 may be formed in the inner wall 15 or in the corner portion formed by the upper wall 14 and the inner wall 15. The connecting portion 29 of the plug 23 may also be omitted. In this case, the thin wall portion 18 may also be omitted, and instead, a gap may be provided between the two thick wall portions 19 that are closest in the circumferential direction. At this time, the plurality of thick wall portions 19 may also be arranged at equal intervals with gaps in the circumferential direction. The lower portion 28 may also be connected to the inner portion 24 through the gap between the two thick wall portions 19 that are closest.

[0181] When the through hole 30 of the housing 11 is provided in the upper wall 14, it may be that when observing the medical cap 2 from below, the entire through hole 30 is arranged outside the outer concave portion 16. In this case, the entire through hole 30 may be arranged outside the thin wall portion 18 or the thick wall portion 19, or may be arranged outside both the thin wall portion 18 and the thick wall portion 19. That is, a part of the through hole 30 may be arranged outside the thin wall portion 18, and the remaining part of the through hole 30 may be arranged outside the thick wall portion 19.

[0182] The lower portion 28 of the plug 23 may also not be received in the base side concave portion 20 formed by the inner wall 15 and the upper wall 14. In this case, the base side concave portion 20 may be omitted.

[0183] The lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 may also be disposed above the lower end 25L of the large-diameter portion 25. Alternatively, the lower end 15L of the inner wall 15 may also be disposed below the lower end 26L of the small-diameter portion 26 corresponding to the lower end of the plug 23.

[0184] The lower side portion 28 of the plug 23 and the mouth portion 5 may also be in line contact over the entire circumferential line of the mouth portion 5 instead of surface contact. For example, the front end face 31 of the mouth portion 5 may also form an upwardly protruding annular rib. Alternatively, the lower surface of the lower side portion 28 may also form a downwardly protruding annular rib.

[0185] Even when an upwardly or downwardly protruding annular rib is provided on either the mouth portion 5 or the lower side portion 28, since the lower side portion 28 and the mouth portion 5 are in line contact, the pressure for pressing the lower side portion 28 and the mouth portion 5 can be increased compared to the case of surface contact, and the gap between the two can be reliably sealed. Moreover, when the rib is provided on the mouth portion 5, since the rib cuts into the lower side portion 28, the force for restricting the deformation of the mouth portion 5 by the lower side portion 28 can be increased.

[0186] Two or more of the above-described entire structures may also be combined. Two or more of the above-described entire processes may also be combined.

[0187] Next, features derived from this specification and the drawings are exemplified below.

[0188] [Item 1-0]

[0189] A medical cap that closes an opening and includes: a plug disposed inside a cylindrical mouth portion that forms the opening; and a housing including a cylindrical inner wall and a cylindrical outer wall, the inner wall being disposed between the plug and the mouth portion, and the outer wall surrounding the inner wall across a cylindrical space that houses the mouth portion.

[0190] [Item 1-1]

[0191] The medical cap according to Item 1-0, wherein the inner wall is disposed between the plug and the mouth portion in a state of being in contact with the plug and the mouth portion, and the inner wall includes a thin wall portion and a thick wall portion having different thicknesses in the radial direction of the housing, and the thin wall portion and the thick wall portion are arranged in the circumferential direction of the housing.

[0192] [Item 1-2]

[0193] The medical cap according to Item 1-1, wherein an outer circumferential surface of the inner wall forms an outer concave portion that is recessed in the radial direction of the housing at the position of the thin wall portion and an outer convex portion that protrudes in the radial direction of the housing at the position of the thick wall portion.

[0194] [Item 1-3]

[0195] The medical cap according to any one of Items 1-1 to 2, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the inner wall is cylindrical.

[0196] [Item 1-4]

[0197] The medical cap according to any one of Items 1-1 to 3, wherein the plug includes a lower end portion protruding downward from the lower end of the inner wall, and the lower end portion contacts the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion.

[0198] [Item 1-5]

[0199] The medical cap according to any one of Items 1-1 to 4, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall includes an outer contact portion disposed above the lower end of the inner wall, and the outer contact portion contacts an inner contact portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion.

[0200] [Item 1-6]

[0201] The medical cap according to any one of Items 1-1 to 5, wherein the outer contact portion of the outer wall includes a concave portion that accommodates a convex portion provided on the inner contact portion of the mouth portion.

[0202] [Item 1-7]

[0203] The medical cap according to any one of Items 1-1 to 6, wherein the outer wall includes an upper concave portion that accommodates an upper convex portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion, and a lower convex portion that is accommodated in a lower concave portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion.

[0204] [Item 1-8]

[0205] The medical cap according to any one of Items 1-1 to 7, wherein the lower end of the outer wall is disposed above a ring-shaped neck flange provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion, and the outer diameter of the lower end of the outer wall is equal to or less than the outer diameter of the neck flange.

[0206] [Item 2-1]

[0207] The medical cap according to any one of Items 1-0 to 7, wherein the housing includes an upper wall disposed above the mouth portion, the mouth portion is disposed in the cylindrical space, and the plug includes an inner portion surrounded by the inner wall and a lower portion disposed between the mouth portion and the upper wall, and the mouth portion is disposed in the cylindrical space.

[0208] [Item 2-2]

[0209] The medical cap according to any one of Items 1-0 to 7 and Item 2-1, wherein the lower side portion is disposed between the mouth portion and the upper wall in a state of being in contact with both the mouth portion and the upper wall disposed in the cylindrical space.

[0210] [Item 2-3]

[0211] The medical cap according to any one of Items 1-0 to 7 and Items 2-1 to 2, wherein the plug includes a lower end portion protruding downward from the lower end of the inner wall, and the lower end portion contacts the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion.

[0212] [Item 2-4]

[0213] The medical cap according to any one of Items 1-0 to 7 and Items 2-1 to 3, wherein the plug further includes a connecting portion that connects the lower side portion to the inner side portion through a through hole penetrating the housing.

[0214] [Item 2-5]

[0215] The medical cap according to any one of Items 1-0 to 7 and Items 2-1 to 4, wherein the plug further includes an upper side portion extending from the inner side portion to a position above the upper wall, and the connecting portion extends from the upper side portion to the lower side portion through the through hole penetrating the upper wall vertically.

[0216] [Item 2-6]

[0217] The medical cap according to Item 2-5, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the inner wall forms an outer concave portion recessed in a radial direction of the housing, and at least a part of the through hole penetrating the upper wall vertically is disposed in the outer concave portion when the medical cap is viewed from below.

[0218] [Item 2-7]

[0219] The medical cap according to any one of Items 1-0 to 7 and Items 2-1 to 6, wherein the inner wall and the upper wall form a base side concave portion recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the inner wall, and a part of the lower side portion is received in the base side concave portion.

[0220] [Item 2-8]

[0221] The medical cap according to any one of Items 1-0 to 7 and Items 2-1 to 7, wherein the inner side portion of the plug includes: a large diameter portion surrounded by the inner wall; and a small diameter portion having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion, the small diameter portion extending downward from the lower end of the large diameter portion, and the lower end of the inner wall is disposed at a position lower than the lower end of the large diameter portion and higher than the lower end of the small diameter portion.

[0222] [Item 3]

[0223] A medical container, comprising: a container body including a tubular mouth portion forming an opening and a housing portion for housing the above-mentioned liquid; and a medical cap according to any one of Items 1-0 to 7 and Items 2-1 to 8.

[0224] [Item 4-1]

[0225] A method for manufacturing a medical container, which manufactures a medical container having a tubular mouth portion forming an opening and a medical cap for closing the opening, wherein the mouth portion is made of a thermoplastic resin, and the medical cap includes: a plug disposed inside the mouth portion forming the opening; and a housing including a tubular inner wall and a tubular outer wall, the inner wall being disposed between the plug and the mouth portion in a state of being in contact with the plug and the mouth portion, the outer wall surrounding the inner wall across a tubular space for housing the mouth portion, the inner wall including a thin-walled portion and a thick-walled portion having different thicknesses in the radial direction of the housing, the thin-walled portion and the thick-walled portion being arranged in the circumferential direction of the housing, and the method for manufacturing the medical container includes the following steps: by combining the medical cap and the mouth portion, disposing the mouth portion in the tubular space; and by heating the combined medical cap and mouth portion, changing the state in which the inner contact portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer periphery of the mouth portion and the outer contact portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall are separated into a state in which the inner contact portion and the outer contact portion are in contact with each other.

[0226] [Item 4-2]

[0227] A method for manufacturing a medical cap, which manufactures a medical cap for closing an opening through which a liquid passes, wherein the medical cap includes: a plug disposed inside a tubular mouth portion forming the opening; and a housing including a tubular inner wall, a tubular outer wall, and an upper wall, the inner wall being disposed between the plug and the mouth portion, the outer wall surrounding the inner wall across a tubular space for housing the mouth portion, the upper wall being disposed above the mouth portion, the mouth portion being disposed in the tubular space, the plug including: an inner portion surrounded by the inner wall; and a lower portion disposed between the mouth portion and the upper wall, the mouth portion being disposed in the tubular space, and the method for manufacturing the medical cap includes the following steps: disposing the housing in a mold; and injecting a molten material of the plug into a cavity formed by the housing and the mold, and cooling the material in the cavity to thereby form the plug.

[0228] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, but these are only specific examples for clarifying the technical content of the present invention. The present invention should not be construed as being limited to these specific examples. The spirit and scope of the present invention are defined only by the appended claims.

[0229] Symbol Explanation

[0230] 1 - Medical container, 2 - Medical cap, 4 - Opening, 5 - Mouth portion, 11 - Housing, 13 - Outer wall, 14 - Upper wall, 15 - Inner wall, 15L - Lower end of the inner wall, 15i - Inner peripheral surface of the inner wall, 15o - Outer peripheral surface of the inner wall, 16 - Outer concave portion, 17 - Outer convex portion, 18 - Thin wall portion, 19 - Thick wall portion, 20 - Root side concave portion, 23 - Plug, 24 - Inner portion, 25 - Large diameter portion, 25L - Lower end of the large diameter portion, 26

[0231] - Small diameter portion (lower end portion of the plug), 26L - Lower end of the small diameter portion, 27 - Upper side portion, 28 - Lower side portion, 29 - Connecting portion, 30 - Through hole, 41 - Lower convex portion, 42 - Upper concave portion, 43 - Outer contact portion, 43c - Concave portion, 44 - Neck flange, 45 - Lower concave portion, 46 - Upper convex portion, 48 - Inner contact portion, 48c - Convex portion, 51 - Movable mold, 52 - Fixed mold, 53 - Cavity, Dc - Circumferential direction of the housing, Dr - Radial direction of the housing, S1 - Cylindrical space.

Claims

1. A medical cap that blocks an opening through which a liquid passes, the medical cap being characterized by comprising: a plug disposed inside a cylindrical mouth portion that forms the opening; a housing including a cylindrical inner wall, a cylindrical outer wall, and an upper wall, the inner wall being disposed between the plug and the mouth portion, the outer wall surrounding the inner wall across a cylindrical space that houses the mouth portion, the upper wall being disposed above the mouth portion, and the mouth portion being disposed in the cylindrical space; The above plug includes: an inner portion surrounded by the inner wall; and a lower portion disposed between the mouth portion and the upper wall, the mouth portion being disposed in the cylindrical space.

2. The medical cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower portion is disposed between the mouth portion and the upper wall in a state of being in contact with both the mouth portion and the upper wall disposed in the cylindrical space.

3. The medical cap according to claim 2, characterized in that the plug includes a lower end portion that protrudes downward from the lower end of the inner wall, and the lower end portion is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion.

4. The medical cap according to claim 3, characterized in that the plug further includes a connecting portion that connects the lower portion to the inner portion through a through-hole that penetrates the housing.

5. The medical cap according to claim 4, characterized in that the plug further includes an upper portion that extends from the inner portion to a position above the upper wall, and the connecting portion extends from the upper portion to the lower portion through the through-hole that penetrates the upper wall vertically.

6. The medical cap according to claim 5, characterized in that an outer concave portion that is recessed in the radial direction of the housing is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner wall, and at least a part of the through-hole that penetrates the upper wall vertically is disposed in the outer concave portion when the medical cap is viewed from below.

7. The medical cap according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a base-side concave portion that is recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the inner wall is formed by the inner wall and the upper wall, and a part of the lower portion is housed in the base-side concave portion.

8. The medical cap according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the inner portion of the plug includes: a large-diameter portion surrounded by the inner wall; and a small-diameter portion having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion, the small-diameter portion extends downward from the lower end of the large-diameter portion, and the lower end of the inner wall is disposed at a position below the lower end of the large-diameter portion and above the lower end of the small-diameter portion.

9. A medical container, characterized in that, Comprising: a container main body including a cylindrical mouth portion that forms an opening through which a liquid passes and a housing portion that houses the liquid; and the medical cap according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. A manufacturing method of a medical cap, which is a method for manufacturing a medical cap that blocks an opening through which a liquid passes, the manufacturing method of the medical cap being characterized in that the medical cap comprises: a plug disposed inside a cylindrical mouth portion that forms the opening; and A housing, which includes a cylindrical inner wall, a cylindrical outer wall, and an upper wall. The inner wall is disposed between the plug and the mouth portion. The outer wall surrounds the inner wall across a cylindrical space accommodating the mouth portion. The upper wall is disposed above the mouth portion, and the mouth portion is disposed in the cylindrical space. The above plug includes: An inner portion, which is surrounded by the inner wall; A lower portion, which is disposed between the mouth portion and the upper wall, and the mouth portion is disposed in the cylindrical space; and a connecting portion, which connects the lower portion to the inner portion through a through hole penetrating the housing. The method includes the following steps: Disposing the housing in a mold; and Injecting the molten material of the plug into a cavity formed by the housing and the mold, and cooling the material in the cavity to form the plug.

11. The method for manufacturing a medical cap according to claim 10, wherein The mold includes a movable mold and a fixed mold. In the step of disposing the housing in the mold, The movable mold or the fixed mold supports an inner portion and an outer portion of the inner wall.

12. The method for manufacturing a medical cap according to claim 10 or 11, wherein The mold includes a movable mold and a fixed mold. The outer wall has a disc-shaped recess that is recessed downward from the upper surface of the outer wall. In the step of disposing the housing in the mold, The movable mold or the fixed mold supports the inner circumferential surface of the disc-shaped recess.

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