Cap for beverage container

Abstract

When the cover for the beverage container is embedded into the beverage container, the feeling of click-like embedding can be transmitted to a person, adhesion caused when the cover is pressed into the beverage container by strong force in a mutual overlapping state can be prevented, and reduction of taking-down strength can be restrained. The cover for the beverage container is provided with a top plate part (11); an inner fitting part (14) which is provided further toward the outer peripheral side than the top plate part (11) and which extends upward; a top section (15) that is continuous with the inner fitting section (14), is provided along the outer periphery of the inner fitting section (14), and extends outward; and an outer fitting section (16) that is continuous with the top section (15), that is provided along the outer periphery of the top section (15), and that extends downward, the outer fitting section (16) having: a lower rib (31) that bends inward from the outermost end (15a) of the top section (15); a narrow section (32) that extends to the lower side of the lower rib (31) that returns to the outside while being bent, and that is positioned further toward the inside than the outermost end (15a) of the apex section (15); and a stacked rib (33) extending downward from the lower side of the narrow section (32) while expanding outward from the apex section (15).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a lid for a beverage container that fits into a beverage container. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, many beverage stores, such as fast food restaurants and convenience stores, used beverage container lids to cover the openings of plastic (synthetic resin) or paper cups and other beverage containers. This was done to prevent the juice, coffee, and other beverages inside the container from spilling out during transport.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a flat-top shaped paper lid. According to the paper lid disclosed in Patent Document 1, the container can be easily fitted by an annular recess formed by an inner fitting portion, a top, and an outer fitting portion provided on the outer periphery of the top plate.

[0004] However, according to the paper cap disclosed in Patent Document 1, the outer fitting portion is a straight shape without any bends. When the annular recess of the paper cap with such a shape is fitted into the opening of the beverage container, the click-fitting sensation is not transmitted to the user, thus creating a problem where it is impossible to know whether the paper cap and the beverage container have been properly fitted.

[0005] In addition, paper lids are usually transported and stored overlapping each other before use. If the paper lids are pressed together forcefully in an overlapping state, they will interlock and stick together, and there is also the problem of labor required to separate these interlocking paper lids.

[0006] Furthermore, when the paper lid shown in Patent Document 1 is fitted into a beverage container containing a hot beverage and closed, the rigidity of the paper lid decreases due to the steam generated by the hot beverage, and its size also expands outward. As a result, the strength of removing the paper lid from the opening of the beverage container is reduced, and the paper lid is prone to falling off for some reason, thus also causing the hot beverage to spill out of the opening.

[0007] Existing technical documents

[0008] Patent documents

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6978606 Summary of the Invention

[0010] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0011] Therefore, the present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a beverage container lid that, when fitted into the opening of the beverage container, can transmit a clicking feeling to a person, can prevent sticking when forcefully pressed in when they are overlapping, and can easily prevent falling off by suppressing the decrease in the strength of removal when fitted into a beverage container containing a hot beverage.

[0012] Methods for solving problems

[0013] The first invention is a lid for a beverage container, which fits into a beverage container, characterized in that the lid has: a top plate portion; an inner fitting portion disposed at a position on the outer periphery of the top plate portion and extending upward; a top portion continuous with the inner fitting portion, disposed along the outer periphery of the inner fitting portion and extending outward; and an outer fitting portion continuous with the top portion, disposed along the outer periphery of the top portion and extending downward, the outer fitting portion having: a lower rib that bends inward beyond the outermost end of the top portion; a narrow portion extending downward below the lower rib that bends outward and is located on the inner side of the outermost end of the top portion; and a stacking rib that extends downward from the lower side of the narrow portion while widening outward beyond the top portion.

[0014] The second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the stacked ribs have: an expanding diameter portion that expands outward; and an extending portion that expands downward while being more gradual than the expanding diameter angle of the expanding diameter portion.

[0015] The third invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the lid of the beverage container was made of paper.

[0016] Invention Effects

[0017] According to the present invention with the above-described structure, when fitted into a beverage container, a clicking sensation can be transmitted to the user, adhesion can be prevented when forcefully pressed in an overlapping state, and by suppressing the decrease in removal strength when fitted into a beverage container containing a hot beverage, detachment can be easily prevented. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a beverage container lid and a beverage container fitted thereto according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 (a) is a schematic top view illustrating an example of a paper cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 (b) is along Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the IB-IB line in (a).

[0020] Figure 3It is shown in magnification Figure 2 A schematic sectional view within the dashed box II in (a).

[0021] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the action of the front part of the beverage container where the lid fits into the beverage container.

[0022] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the action of fitting the lid of a beverage container into the beverage container.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a hot beverage being placed in a beverage container and the container being sealed with a lid.

[0024] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the form in which beverage containers are handled or stored with their lids overlapping before actual use.

[0025] Figure 8 The figure shows the results of evaluations of three items for the beverage container cap using the present invention: removal strength, click-locking feel, and anti-sticking properties.

[0026] Figure 9 It is shown in the evaluation Figure 8 The graph shows the results of measuring the changes in load (N) and displacement (mm) based on the feeling of a click when the parts fit together. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the beverage container lid to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a beverage container lid 1 and a beverage container 2 fitted thereto according to an embodiment of the present invention. The beverage container 2 is, for example, made of paper, and has an opening 3 with a rim 3a on its upper part. It is a bottomed cylindrical paper cup that is mostly used to store beverages 6 such as juice and coffee and sold therein.

[0029] Furthermore, the beverage container 2 is not limited to paper and can also be made of other materials such as plastic. Additionally, when the beverage container 2 is made of plastic, environmentally friendly biodegradable plastics can also be used.

[0030] Furthermore, the beverage container 2 is used for the purpose of selling the beverage 6 by sealing the opening 3 with the beverage container lid 1.

[0031] The beverage container lid 1 is made of paper, but it is not limited to this; it can also be made of other materials such as plastic. Furthermore, if the beverage container lid 1 is made of plastic, environmentally friendly biodegradable plastics can also be used.

[0032] Figure 2 (a) is a schematic top view illustrating an example of a paper cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 (b) is along Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the IB-IB line in (a). Figure 3 It is shown in magnification Figure 2 A schematic sectional view within the dashed box II in (b).

[0033] like Figure 2 of (a) Figure 2 (b) and Figure 3 As shown, the beverage container lid 1 is made of a blank 10 mainly composed of paper, and has a top plate portion 11, an inner fitting portion 14, a top portion 15, and an outer fitting portion 16. The shape of the beverage container lid 1 when viewed from above is, for example, circular. Hereinafter, in... Figure 2 , Figure 3 In this context, "outer side" (direction X1) refers to the outward direction centered on the beverage container 2, such as a paper cup, that should be fitted; "lower side" (direction X2) refers to the downward direction when the beverage container 2 is placed on its bottom surface; and "upper side" (direction X3) refers to the upward direction when the beverage container 2 is placed on its bottom surface. "Inner side" (direction X4) refers to the inward direction centered on the beverage container 2, such as a paper cup, that should be fitted. However, these "lower side" (direction X2) and "upper side" (direction X3) are not limited to perfectly vertical downward or vertically upward, but also include oblique downward deviations from vertical downward and oblique upward deviations from vertical upward.

[0034] In addition, the top plate 11, which serves as the lid for the beverage container 2, is responsible for preventing the contents of the beverage container 2 from scattering or leaking. The remaining peripheral parts OEP (inner fitting part 14, top 15, and outer fitting part 16) are responsible for fitting with the beverage container 2.

[0035] The top plate portion 11 extends outward (direction X1) from the center of the beverage container lid 1. The top plate portion 11 has a top surface 11a and a container surface 11b. The container surface 11b is located on the back side of the top surface 11a. When the beverage container lid 1 is fitted into the beverage container 2, the container surface 11b faces the container portion of the beverage container 2.

[0036] The inner fitting portion 14 is provided at the periphery OEP of the beverage container cap 1 along the outer periphery of the top plate portion 11 and extends upward (direction X3). The inner fitting portion 14 is continuously formed with the top plate portion 11. The inner fitting portion 14 may also have approximately the same diameter, that is, it stands upright in the approximately vertical direction to the top 15 when viewed in section, but it is not limited to this, and may gradually widen outward to the top 15.

[0037] The top 15 is provided along the outer periphery of the inner fitting portion 14 at the peripheral edge OEP of the beverage container cap 1, extending outward (direction X1) and folding back downward (direction X2). The end of the top 15 located at the outermost (direction X1) position is referred to as the outermost end 15a. The top 15 is continuously formed with the inner fitting portion 14. The top 15 includes a curved surface that bulges upward (direction X3) in its cross-section.

[0038] The outer fitting portion 16 is provided at the periphery OEP of the beverage container cap 1 along the outer periphery of the top 15 and extends downward (direction X2). This outer fitting portion 16 is continuously formed with the top 15. The outer fitting portion 16 is separate from the inner fitting portion 14. Below the top 15, an annular recess 20 is provided between the inner fitting portion 14 and the outer fitting portion 16, with the inner fitting portion 14 and the outer fitting portion 16 forming walls and the top 15 forming a base. The annular recess 20 fits into the beverage container 2. At this time, the inner fitting portion 14 fits into the inner peripheral surface 21 of the container portion of the beverage container 2, and the outer fitting portion 16 fits into the outer peripheral surface of the curled portion 28 of the beverage container 2.

[0039] The outer fitting portion 16 is formed by the lower rib 31, the narrow portion 32 and the stacked rib 33 continuously from the top.

[0040] The lower rib 31 bends inward (direction X4) from the outermost end 15a of the top 15. The lower rib 31 forms a bendable shape by bending the outer and inner surfaces of the top 15 outward about point P1, then folding the bent outer and inner surfaces back about point P2, and then bending the folded outer and inner surfaces again at point P3. This lower rib 31 is based on the premise that points P2 and P3, which constitute this bendable shape, are located on the top inward (direction X4) from point P1.

[0041] The narrow portion 32 extends downward from point P3 of the lower rib 31 and is located inside (direction X4) of the outermost end 15a of the top 15. The narrow portion 32 has approximately the same diameter and extends downward (direction X2). Therefore, in Figure 3 In the cross-sectional view shown, it is configured to hang down approximately vertically. However, the narrow portion 32 is not limited to being configured with approximately the same diameter; it also includes cases where the diameter is increased or decreased while extending downward (direction X2). This narrow portion 32 is assumed to be located in a position closer to the inside (direction X4) than the top 15.

[0042] The stacking rib 33 extends downward while widening outward from the lower side of the narrow portion 32. The stacking rib 33 may also widen outward more than the top 15 while extending downward. The stacking rib 33 may also have an widening portion 33a that widens outward and an extension portion 33b that widens downward at a gentler angle than the widening portion 33a. However, the structure of the extension portion 33b is not essential and can be omitted. By forming such a stacking rib 33, when the annular recess 20 is fitted into the beverage container 2, the beverage container 2 can be guided towards the annular recess 20 via the stacking rib 33.

[0043] That is, when viewed in section, the beverage container lid 1 bends upward (direction X3) from the top plate portion 11 at the inner fitting portion 14, bends outward (direction X1) at the top 15, and bends downward (direction X2) at the outer fitting portion 16. That is, the top plate portion 11, the inner fitting portion 14, the top 15, and the outer fitting portion 16 are each obtained from a single blank 10.

[0044] When fitting the lid 1 of the beverage container with the structure described above into the beverage container 2, as follows: Figure 4 As shown in (a), the beverage container 2 is first covered with the beverage container lid 1, thereby bringing the curled portion 28 into contact with the stacking ribs 33. By pressing the beverage container lid 1 in from above in this state, the curled portion 28 guides the beverage container 2 toward the annular recess 20 via the stacking ribs 33.

[0045] By pressing the beverage container further in from above with the lid 1, as... Figure 4 As shown in (b), the curled portion 28 slides upward from the stacked rib 33 onto the inner surface of the narrow portion 32 while approaching the lower rib 31. The narrow portion 32 has a smaller diameter than the stacked rib 33 and is configured to have approximately the same diameter and extend downward (direction X2). Therefore, as the curled portion 28 slides while pressing outward against the inner surface of the narrow portion 32, a force that causes the narrow portion 32 to return inward (direction X4) acts on the curled portion 28. As a result, a certain degree of pressing force is required as the curled portion 28 slides on the inner surface of the narrow portion 32.

[0046] Next, as Figure 5 As shown in (a), the curled portion 28 reaches the lower rib 31, which bends inward (direction X4). By pressing the beverage container with the lid 1 further from above in this state, the outer fitting portion 16 of the curled portion 28, including the lower rib 31, is pressed into the depth of the annular recess 20 while elastically flexing outward (direction X1). Then, as... Figure 5As shown in (b), after the curled portion 28 passes over the lower rib 31, the outer fitting portion 16, which includes the lower rib 31 that elastically flexes outward (direction X1), returns to the inward side. During the return of the lower rib 31, vibration is generated due to the contact between the curled portion 28 and the inner surface of the outer fitting portion 16, resulting in a clicking sensation that is transmitted to the user.

[0047] The lower rib 31 bends at a position further inward (direction X4) than the narrow portion 32. Therefore, a greater pressing force is required as the curled portion 28 passes over the lower rib 31 from the narrow portion 32. However, this greater pressing force allows the outer fitting portion 16 to bend further outward (direction X1), thus the restoring force also increases accordingly, further transmitting the feeling of a click-locking engagement.

[0048] in addition, Figure 6 The illustration shows a beverage container 2 filled with a hot beverage and sealed with a beverage container lid 1. Due to the high-temperature steam generated by the hot beverage, the rigidity of the paper beverage container lid 1 decreases, causing it to sometimes expand outward (direction X1). However, this outward expansion (direction X1) acts as a force that the lower rib 31 aims to suppress. Furthermore, the narrow portion 32 is positioned below the lower rib 31 (direction X2), so that, as indicated by the arrow in the figure, the outer fitting portion 16 acts together with the lower rib 31 in a holding direction without expanding outward. This prevents the beverage container lid 1 from easily detaching from the beverage container 2, thereby preventing the hot beverage from spilling out of the beverage container 2.

[0049] in addition, Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the configuration when beverage containers are transported or stored with the lids 1 overlapping before actual use. When multiple layers of beverage container lids 1 are overlapped, the top 15 of the lower layer is guided towards the annular recess 20 via the stacking ribs 33 of the upper layer. The top 15 of the lower layer is held in place by the narrow portion 32 in the annular recess 20 of the upper layer, thus preventing them from sticking together. As described above, the narrow portion 32, together with the lower rib 31, acts in a direction that prevents the outer fitting portion 16 from expanding outwards, thus more firmly preventing the overlapping beverage container lids 1 from sticking together.

[0050] Therefore, the beverage container lid 1 with the above structure can convey a clicking sensation when fitted into the beverage container 2, can prevent adhesion when forcefully pressed in while they are overlapping, and can easily prevent detachment by suppressing the reduction in the strength of removal when fitted into the beverage container 2 containing a hot beverage.

[0051] Example 1

[0052] The following describes an example of an experiment verifying the effectiveness of the beverage container cap 1 of the present invention.

[0053] In the experimental verification, the three items of removal strength when fitting with the beverage container 2 mentioned above, the feeling of a click when fitting, and the anti-sticking properties were evaluated. Figure 8 The evaluation results are shown. As experimental verification, in addition to the present invention example which implemented the shape of the beverage container cap 1 described above, Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were also evaluated in the same way. Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are the same as the present invention example in forming the lower rib 31, but they do not have a structure equivalent to the narrow portion 32; instead, they are constructed with a shape that expands outward from the lower side of the lower rib 31. Furthermore, the present invention example 1 is made of paper, Comparative Example 1 is made of paper, and Comparative Example 2 is made of resin. For the removal strength test, a push-pull force gauge was used; for the click-locking feel and anti-sticking properties, a compression testing machine was used for measurement.

[0054] First, regarding the removal strength when the cap is engaged with the beverage container 2, a room-temperature or hot beverage was filled into the beverage container 2, and it was temporarily sealed using the caps of the present invention example, comparative example 1, and 2, respectively. Next, the strength of removing the caps of the present invention example, comparative example 1, and 2, respectively, from the beverage container 2 at a 45-degree angle was measured.

[0055] Regarding the results of the strength test, such as Figure 8 As shown, in this example, the filling power is 9.5 N for beverages at room temperature and 5.9 N for hot beverages, with a reduction of 3.6 N for hot beverages as the difference. In Comparative Example 1, the filling power is 9.4 N for beverages at room temperature and 4.1 N for hot beverages, with a reduction of 5.3 N for hot beverages as the difference. In Comparative Example 2, the filling power is 9.8 N for beverages at room temperature and 6.7 N for hot beverages, with a reduction of 3.1 N for hot beverages as the difference.

[0056] In Comparative Example 2, the material is also resin, resulting in a smaller reduction in weight. However, comparing the same paper-made example of the present invention with Comparative Example 1, the results clearly show that the reduction in weight of the present invention is further reduced, and the removal strength during hot beverage filling is increased. By providing the narrow portion 32 together with the lower rib 31, the outer fitting portion 16 does not expand outward but acts in the holding direction, and the results, as experimental verification, confirm that the removal strength is increased.

[0057] Furthermore, regarding the anti-sticking property, for both the present invention example and Comparative Example 1, the caps were pressed together in an overlapping manner, and the strength until they were interlocked was measured. The higher the strength, the less likely the caps are to interlock, indicating superior anti-sticking property. Comparative Example 2 was excluded from this verification due to its different material.

[0058] The experimental results show that the present invention has a resistance of 28.5 N, while Comparative Example 1 has a resistance of 17.7 N. Therefore, the present invention is superior to Comparative Example 1 in terms of anti-adhesion performance. Regarding anti-adhesion performance, it can also be confirmed that the above-mentioned effect is achieved by providing a narrow portion 32 in addition to the lower rib 31.

[0059] The feeling of the lid snapping into place was verified by measuring the load changes when each lid was embedded into the beverage container 2 in the present invention example and comparative examples 1 and 2.

[0060] Figure 9 The results of measuring the changes in load (N) and displacement (mm) for each lid are shown. The displacement when the lid is placed on beverage container 2 without load is set to 0 mm. In this state, the changes in displacement and load are continuously measured while gradually applying load to the lid. The load is measured using a force sensor, and the displacement is measured using a displacement gauge of a compression testing machine.

[0061] For reference, the measurement results of an existing product in which no lower rib 31 is formed on the outer fitting 16 are also shown, but only the action of the load gradually increasing according to displacement is shown.

[0062] Comparative Examples 1 and 2 demonstrate the behavior of the load increasing abruptly and then decreasing as the displacement increases. This is the force required to elastically flex the outer fitting 16 outward as the curled portion 28 of the beverage container 2 passes the lower rib 31. After the curled portion 28 passes the lower rib 31, the load is released sharply, but this is a phase in which the outwardly flexed outer fitting 16 returns inward. Moreover, during this load release process, it is envisioned that the difference between the maximum and minimum load corresponds to the aforementioned click-fitting sensation. The difference value in Comparative Example 1 is 32.6 N, and the difference value in Comparative Example 2 is 34.0 N, both of which are good results.

[0063] In this example of the invention, when the curled portion 28 of the beverage container 2 initially passes the narrow portion 32, the force required to elastically flex the outer fitting portion 16 outwards is applied, resulting in an initial load peak around a displacement of 2 mm. Subsequently, if the displacement is further increased, the result of applying the force required to elastically flex the outer fitting portion 16 outwards when the curled portion 28 of the beverage container 2 passes the lower rib 31 is a second load peak around a displacement of 5 mm. In this example of the invention, after the second load peak occurs at a displacement of 5 mm past the lower rib 31, during the load release process, it is envisioned that the difference between the maximum and minimum load corresponds to the aforementioned click-locking sensation. The difference value in this example of the invention is 30.5 N, which is a good result.

[0064] In particular, it can be seen that in the example of the present invention, compared with Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the decrease in load when releasing the maximum load is more abrupt, and the slope of the peak load also decreases more sharply. Therefore, it is also shown that a clicking engagement sensation can be further transmitted. In addition, according to the example of the present invention, after preparatory flexing using the narrow portion 32, the load passes over the lower rib at a displacement of about 5 mm. Therefore, compared with Comparative Examples 1 and 2, even without applying a large force, a sensation of passing over the lower rib can be given, and the same clicking engagement sensation can be provided.

[0065] In addition, in Figure 9 In this embodiment, the movement from the side of greater displacement to the side of lesser displacement represents the load change when the lid is removed from the beverage container 2. In this embodiment, the lid first needs to pass the lower rib 31 at a displacement of 5 mm, and then needs to pass the narrow section 32 at a displacement of 2 mm. Therefore, it is necessary to overcome the peak values ​​of both stages until the lid falls off. Thus, it can be seen that this embodiment can easily prevent the lid from falling off the beverage container 2.

[0066] Label Explanation

[0067] 1: Lid for a beverage container; 2: Beverage container; 3: Opening; 3a: Edge; 10: Blank; 11: Top plate; 11a: Top surface; 11b: Container surface; 14: Inner fitting; 15: Top; 16: Outer fitting; 20: Annular recess; 21: Inner circumferential surface of the container; 28: Curved portion; 31: Lower rib; 32: Narrow portion; 33: Stacking rib; 33a: Expanded diameter portion; 33b: Extended portion.

Claims

1. A lid for a beverage container, which fits into a beverage container, characterized in that, The beverage container lid has: Top section; The inner fitting portion is located on the outer periphery side of the top plate portion and extends upward; The top, which is continuous with the inner fitting portion, is disposed along the outer periphery of the inner fitting portion and extends outward; and The outer fitting portion, which is continuous with the top, is provided along the outer periphery of the top and extends downward. The external fitting portion has: The lower rib bends inward from the outermost end of the top; The narrow portion extends below the lower rib, which curves outward, and is located inside the outermost end of the top; and Stacked ribs extend downward from the lower side of the narrow section, widening outward from the top.

2. The beverage container lid according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stacked ribs have: The expanded diameter section expands outwards; and The extended portion extends downwards while expanding its diameter at a more gradual angle than the expanded diameter portion.

3. The lid for a beverage container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The beverage container has a paper lid.

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