Cap unit and capped container

Abstract

The present invention provides a cap unit capable of sealing a liquid passage port provided on the tip side of a spout part from a state in which a spout cap is slightly screwed with respect to the spout part. A gap through which the spout cap (9) can move in the axial direction with respect to the spout part (7) is provided between the male thread part (19) on the spout part (7) side and the female thread part (18) on the spout cap (9) side that are screwed together, and when the outer cap (12) is attached to the cap body (8) in a state in which the spout cap (9) is screwed slightly with respect to the spout part (7). An outer cap (12) that comes into contact with the spout cap (9) presses down the spout cap (9), whereby the plug gasket (20) is pressed against the liquid passage opening (7a).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to capping units and capped containers. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, there were capped containers with a cap unit installed on the container body with an opening at the top (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

[0003] Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a thermos flask, characterized by comprising: a bottle body having a heat-insulating structure; an outer plug, detachably mounted to the opening of the bottle body from above, having an outlet for allowing liquid to flow from the bottle body into and out from the inlet, and a valve body for blocking the inlet of the outlet, thereby blocking the opening; an inner plug, detachably mounted to the outer plug; an operating part for opening the inner plug in an assembled state of being fitted to the outer plug, and the valve body; and a cup-shaped cap for opening from above. The valve body and cap are mounted on the outside of the bottle body and cover the inner plug, outer plug and the aforementioned equipment components. The valve body and cap have a closing characteristic and are opened by the operating part and held in the open position. When the inner plug floats from the assembly position of the outer plug, it is pressed into the assembly position of the outer plug by the cap assembly. When the valve body is in the open position, it is returned to the closed position by the cap assembly. In both cases, the inner plug is pressed into the outer plug and the valve body returns from the open position to the closed position by the cap assembly in one step.

[0004] On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a portable beverage bottle comprising: a bottle body; a cap part, which is mounted on the bottle body in a cap-like manner and has a dispensing tube that allows direct drinking in an upward protruding manner; and a cap, which is pivotally connected to the cap part in a manner that allows free swinging about a horizontal axis and has a gasket for sealing the upper end of the dispensing tube. In the portable beverage bottle, a cup is provided, which is detachably mounted on the cap part by surrounding the dispensing tube and the cap in the closed state. If an attempt is made to directly mount (screw) the cup to the cap part with the cap not fully locked, a small protrusion-like cap pressing part provided from the inner surface of the cup's deep (bottom) wall towards the opening (lower) side presses the cap downward and swings it, thereby making the cap closed (locked).

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-100343

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-022686

[0007] However, the inventions described in the aforementioned patent documents 1 and 2 are configured such that by assembling an outer cover such as a cap or cup from a liquid passage that is incompletely open or closed and communicates with the inside of the container body, the liquid passage can be guided to a closed state.

[0008] On the other hand, the cap unit sometimes includes: a cap body that closes the upper opening of the container body and has a drinking spout that communicates with the inside of the container body; a drinking spout cap that opens and closes the front end of the drinking spout; and an outer cap that is detachably installed on the cap body while covering the drinking spout cap installed on the drinking spout.

[0009] In this configuration where the spout cap is screwed onto the spout, the configuration described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 makes it difficult to seal the liquid inlet located at the front end of the spout by means of the outer cover when the spout cap is not sufficiently tightened relative to the spout.

[0010] Furthermore, if the spout cap is not tightened sufficiently relative to the spout when the cap body is attached to the outer cap, there is a concern that the beverage (liquid) contained in the container body may leak from the inlet to the inside of the outer cap. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The present invention was made in view of the existing situation, and its object is to provide a cap unit and a capped container that can seal the liquid inlet provided on the front end of the drinking spout from a state in which the cap is slightly tightened relative to the drinking spout, and that allows the user to notice that the liquid inlet cannot be sealed before the cap is completely screwed on based on the engagement.

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions.

[0013] [1] A cap unit, installed on a container body with an upper opening, characterized in that,

[0014] The aforementioned cap unit includes:

[0015] The cap body closes the upper opening of the container body and is provided with a drinking spout that communicates with the inside of the container body.

[0016] The drinking spout cap is screwed on and detachably installed on the drinking spout, thereby opening and closing the liquid inlet located at the front end of the drinking spout.

[0017] A gasket is attached to the inside of the drinking spout cap, which can be easily installed and removed, and seals the liquid inlet; and

[0018] The outer cover is detachably installed on the cap body while covering the drinking spout cap installed on the drinking spout.

[0019] A gap is provided between the external threaded portion on the drinking spout side and the internal threaded portion on the drinking spout cap side, allowing the drinking spout cap to move axially relative to the drinking spout.

[0020] When the outer cover is installed on the cap body while the cap is being slightly tightened relative to the mouthpiece, the outer cover, which abuts against the mouthpiece cap, presses down the mouthpiece cap, thereby pressing the plug gasket against the liquid inlet.

[0021] [2] According to the cap unit described in [1] above, the outer cover is characterized in that when the outer cover is installed on the cap body while the spout cap is fully tightened relative to the spout by screwing, the outer cover is in a state where it does not contact the spout cap.

[0022] [3] According to the cap unit described in [1] above, the outer cover abuts against the cap before the cap is screwed onto the mouthpiece portion, thereby making it impossible to install the outer cover onto the cap body.

[0023] [4] According to the cap unit described in [1] above, the outer cover is installed on the cap body by making the external threaded portion on the cap body side and the internal threaded portion on the outer cover side screw into each other in the horizontal direction.

[0024] [5] A container with a cap, characterized in that,

[0025] The above-mentioned capped container has the following features:

[0026] The main body of the container has an opening at the top; and

[0027] The cap unit is easily installed and detachable onto the container body.

[0028] The aforementioned cap unit includes:

[0029] The cap body closes the upper opening of the container body and is provided with a drinking spout that communicates with the inside of the container body.

[0030] The drinking spout cap is screwed on and detachably installed on the drinking spout, thereby opening and closing the liquid inlet located at the front end of the drinking spout.

[0031] A gasket, which can be easily installed and removed from the inside of the aforementioned drinking spout cap, is used to seal the aforementioned liquid inlet; and

[0032] The outer cover is detachably installed on the container body while covering the drinking spout cap installed on the drinking spout.

[0033] A gap is provided between the external threaded portion on the drinking spout side and the internal threaded portion on the drinking spout cap side, allowing the drinking spout cap to move axially relative to the drinking spout.

[0034] When the outer cover is installed on the container body while the spout cap is being slightly tightened relative to the spout, the outer cover, which abuts against the spout cap, presses down the spout cap, thereby pressing the plug gasket against the liquid inlet.

[0035] [6] According to the capped container described in [5] above, the outer cover is characterized in that when the outer cover is installed on the container body while the spout cap is fully tightened relative to the spout by screwing, the outer cover is in a state where it does not contact the spout cap.

[0036] [7] According to the capped container described in [5] above, the outer cover abuts against the cap before the cap is fully screwed onto the spout, thereby making it impossible to install the outer cover onto the container body.

[0037] [8] The capped container described in [5] above is characterized in that the outer cap is freely installed on the container body by screwing on and off.

[0038] As described above, according to the present invention, a cap unit and a capped container are provided that can seal the liquid inlet provided on the front end side of the drinking spout from a state in which the cap is slightly tightened relative to the drinking spout, and can make the user aware that the liquid inlet cannot be sealed in a state before the cap is completely screwed on based on the engagement. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a capped container having the capping unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 2 It indicates that the drinking spout cap is relative to... Figure 1 The diagram shows a perspective view of the drinking spout of the cap unit in a closed position.

[0041] Figure 3 It indicates that the drinking spout cap is relative to... Figure 1The diagram shows a perspective view of the drinking spout of the cap unit in the open position.

[0042] Figure 4 This indicates the state when the outer cover is removed. Figure 2 The side view shows the same state of the cap unit.

[0043] Figure 5 It means Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the outer cover of the cap unit shown.

[0044] Figure 6 This indicates that the drinking spout cap is screwed on relative to... Figure 1 The image shows the cap unit with the spout fully tightened and the outer cap installed on the cap body. Figure 6 (A) is a cross-sectional view along its front-back direction. Figure 6 (B) is a cross-sectional view along its left and right directions.

[0045] Figure 7 This indicates that the drinking spout cap is screwed on relative to... Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the cap unit after the outer cap has been installed on the cap body, with the spout not fully tightened.

[0046] Figure 8 This indicates that the drinking spout cap is relative to... Figure 1 The illustrated cap unit is in a state where the spout is not fully installed, preventing the outer cap from being installed on the cap body. Figure 8 (A) is a cross-sectional view along its left-right direction. Figure 8 (B) is a hypothetical sectional view showing the interference between the internal thread on the inner surface of the outer cover and the external thread on the outer surface of the cap body.

[0047] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a capped container having the capping unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0049] 1A, 1B...Cap unit; 2...Container body; 7...Spoofing part; 7a...Liquid inlet; 8...Cap body; 9...Spoofing cap; 11...Rotating part; 12...Outer cover; 18...Second internal thread part; 19...Second external thread part; 20...Plug gasket; 21, 21A...Third external thread part; 22, 22A...Third internal thread part; 100A, 100B...Container with cap. Detailed Implementation

[0050] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] (First Implementation)

[0052] First, as a first embodiment of the present invention, for example, a device having Figures 1-8 The capped container 100A of the capped unit 1A shown will be described.

[0053] in addition, Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a capped container 100A with capped unit 1A. Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the state in which the drinking spout cap 9 is in a closed position relative to the drinking spout portion 7 of the cap unit 1A. Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the state in which the drinking spout cap 9 is in the open position relative to the drinking spout portion 7 of the cap unit 1A. Figure 4 This indicates that the outer cover 12 is removed in the same state as... Figure 2 The side view of the cap unit 1A shown is in the same state. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the outer cover 12 of the cap unit 1A. Figure 6 This indicates that the outer cover 12 is installed on the cap body 8 when the spout cap 9 is fully tightened relative to the spout portion 7 of the cap unit 1A. Figure 6 (A) is a cross-sectional view along its front-back direction. Figure 6 (B) is a cross-sectional view along its left and right directions. Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the outer cover 12 is installed on the cap body 8, with the spout cap 9 not fully tightened relative to the spout portion 7 of the cap unit 1A. Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the outer cover 12 cannot be installed on the cap body 8 because the spout cap 9 is not fully installed relative to the spout portion 7 of the cap unit 1A.

[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, the capped container 100A of this embodiment includes a capping unit 1A of this embodiment and a container body 2 for the capping unit 1A to be freely installed and removed.

[0055] The capped container 100A is a beverage container that can keep beverages (liquids) contained in the container body 2 cold (or warm) by means of a container body 2 having a vacuum insulation structure.

[0056] Specifically, the container body 2 is composed of a double-layered container, which has a bottomed cylindrical outer container 3 made of, for example, stainless steel, and an inner container 4. The openings of the two containers are joined together with the inner container 4 inside the outer container 3.

[0057] Furthermore, a vacuum insulation layer 5 is provided between the outer container 3 and the inner container 4. The vacuum insulation layer 5 can be formed, for example, by blocking the vent hole provided on the bottom surface of the outer container 3 in a chamber that has been depressurized (evacuated) to a high vacuum.

[0058] The container body 2 has a generally circular bottom 2a, a cylindrical body portion 2b that rises from the outer periphery of the bottom 2a in a generally cylindrical shape, and a generally cylindrical neck portion 2c that is narrowed on the upper side of the cylindrical body portion 2b.

[0059] The upper end of the neck portion 2c opens in a circular shape as the upper opening 2d of the container body 2. Furthermore, the inner circumferential surface of the neck portion 2c (the upper side of the cylindrical portion 2b) of the container body 2 is narrower than the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 2b. Additionally, an annular protrusion 6 is provided protruding inwards along the entire circumference of the container body 2 on the inner circumferential surface of the neck portion 2c.

[0060] Furthermore, while the capped container 100A of this embodiment has a generally cylindrical shape, the shape of the capped container 100A is not particularly limited and can be appropriately modified according to size, appearance design, etc. Additionally, coating, printing, etc., can be applied to the outer peripheral surface of the container body 2.

[0061] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the cap unit 1A of this embodiment includes: a cap body 8, which closes the upper opening 2d of the container body 2 and is provided with a drinking spout 7 that communicates with the inside of the container body 2; a drinking spout cap 9, which is detachably mounted to the drinking spout 7 by screwing on, thereby opening and closing the liquid inlet 7a provided at the front end of the drinking spout 7; a rotating member 11, which is rotatably mounted to the cap body 8 by means of a hinge portion 10, and the drinking spout cap 9 is rotatably mounted on the inside of the washer portion 11a provided at its front end about the axis of the washer portion 11a; and an outer cover 12, which is detachably mounted to the cap body 8 by screwing on, in a state that covers the drinking spout cap 9 and the rotating member 11 mounted to the drinking spout 7.

[0062] Furthermore, in the following description, the side where the hinge portion 10 is located in the radial (horizontal) direction orthogonal to the "vertical direction" of the upright cap unit 1A (cap container 100A) will be referred to as the "rear side" of the cap unit 1A (cap container 100A), and conversely, the side where the drinking spout 7 is located relative to the hinge portion 10 will be referred to as the "front side" of the cap unit 1A (cap container 100A). The direction connecting them will be referred to as the "front-back direction" of the cap unit 1A (cap container 100A), and the direction orthogonal to this front-back direction will be referred to as the "left-right direction" of the cap unit 1A (cap container 100A).

[0063] The cap body 8 is made of, for example, heat-resistant resin and has: a peripheral wall portion 8a, which is formed in a generally cylindrical shape in a manner continuous with the cylindrical portion 2b of the container body 2 and covers the entire circumference of the outer periphery; an upper wall portion 8b, which covers the upper part of the peripheral wall portion 8a; and an inner wall portion 8c, which protrudes in a generally cylindrical shape from the lower surface of the upper wall portion 8b in a manner that is embedded in the inner side of the container body 2 from the upper opening portion 2d.

[0064] The cap body 8 is detachably mounted to the neck portion 2c of the container body 2 by screwing it on. Therefore, a first external thread portion 13 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 2c (the upper side of the cylindrical portion 2b). On the other hand, a first internal thread portion 14 that screws on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 8a of the cap body 8 is provided, which engages with the first external thread portion 13.

[0065] The spout 7 is located in front of the hinge 10 on the upper wall 8b, and protrudes upward in a generally cylindrical shape while penetrating the upper wall 8b in the vertical direction. In addition, a liquid inlet 7a is provided with a circular opening on the front end (upper end) side of the spout 7, which serves as a drinking or pouring port.

[0066] That is, the cap body 8, when installed on the neck 2c of the container body 2, closes the upper opening 2d of the container body 2, and connects the inside and outside of the container body 2 through the drinking spout 7 (liquid inlet 7a).

[0067] A waterproof gasket 15 is detachably installed on the lower inner surface of the cap body 8. The waterproof gasket 15 is a sealing component used to seal (waterproof) the container body 2 and the cap body 8, and is made of elastic components such as heat-resistant rubber or elastomers.

[0068] The waterproof gasket 15 has a stepped shape along the lower surface of the upper wall portion 8b, the outer peripheral surface of the inner wall portion 8c, and the lower end surface, and is formed in a cylindrical annular shape overall. The waterproof gasket 15 is embedded in the lower surface of the inner side of the cap body 8 in a state of contact with the lower surface of the upper wall portion 8b and the outer peripheral surface of the inner wall portion 8c, and slightly separated from and covering the lower end surface of the inner wall portion 8c from below.

[0069] On the other hand, the waterproof liner 15 can be removed from the lower inner surface of the cap body 8 by elastically deforming (stretching). This allows the waterproof liner 15 and the cap body 8 to be cleaned separately, maintaining hygiene between them.

[0070] Furthermore, an elastic flange portion 15a is provided at the upper end of the waterproof gasket 15, protruding in the circumferential expansion direction. When the cap body 8 is installed on the container body 2, the elastic flange portion 15a elastically deforms, forming a state where its upper and lower surfaces are in close contact with the lower surface of the upper wall portion 8b and the upper opening portion 2d, respectively, covering the entire circumference. This allows for a liquid-tight seal (waterproofing) between the cap body 8 and the container body 2.

[0071] The drinking spout cap 9 is made of, for example, heat-resistant resin and has: a peripheral wall portion 9a, which is formed in a generally cylindrical shape; a top wall portion 9b, which covers the upper part of the peripheral wall portion 9a; a flange portion 9f, which extends outward from the outer peripheral surface of the middle part of the peripheral wall portion 9a throughout the entire circumference; and a plurality of protrusions 9g, which protrude outward intermittently from the lower end side outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 9a throughout the entire circumference.

[0072] The rotating component 11 is made of heat-resistant resin, for example, and its base end is rotatably mounted to the cap body 8 by means of the hinge portion 10, and its front end has a washer portion 11a with an opening in a generally circular shape.

[0073] The drinking cap 9 is installed such that it can rotate freely about the axis of the washer portion 11a while being embedded inside the rotating member 11. Specifically, an engaging protrusion 16, serving as an engaging portion, is provided on the inner periphery of the washer portion 11a. On the other hand, an engaging portion, namely an engaging recess 17, is provided on the outer periphery of the drinking cap 9 that engages with the engaging protrusion 16.

[0074] The engaging protrusion 16 is configured to protrude inward from the inner circumference of the upper end of the washer portion 11a. On the other hand, the engaging recess 17 is formed between the flange portion 9f of the drinking spout cap 9 and the plurality of protrusions 9g, and is recessed inward from the inner circumference of the entire spout cap 9.

[0075] Furthermore, a vertical clearance (playback) Sh is provided between the engaging protrusion 16 and engaging recess 17, allowing the drinking spout cap 9 to tilt relative to the central axis of the washer portion 11a and move along its central axis. That is, in this embodiment, the vertical width of the engaging recess 17 is greater than the vertical width of the engaging protrusion 16.

[0076] Therefore, in the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, the drinking spout cap 9 is installed such that it can rotate freely about the axis of the washer portion 11a when the engaging protrusion 16 engages with the engaging recess 17, and the drinking spout cap 9 is installed such that it can tilt relative to the central axis of the washer portion 11a by an amount corresponding to the upper and lower gaps Sh (Sh1, Sh2), and can move in the direction of its central axis.

[0077] Furthermore, in the cap unit 1A described above, a locking protrusion 16 serving as a locking portion is provided on the inner periphery of the washer portion 11a, and a locking recess 17 serving as a locked portion that engages with the locking protrusion 16 is provided on the outer periphery of the drinking spout cap 9. However, it may also be configured in the opposite way, that is, a locking recess is provided on the inner periphery of the washer portion 11a, and a locking protrusion that engages with the locking recess is provided on the outer periphery of the drinking spout cap 9.

[0078] In the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, the mouthpiece cap 9 is rotated vertically together with the rotating member 11 between the position where the liquid inlet 7a of the mouthpiece 7 is closed and the position where the liquid inlet 7a of the mouthpiece 7 is open. Furthermore, in the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, by rotating the mouthpiece cap 9 about an axis from a state where it covers the mouthpiece 7, the mouthpiece cap 9 can be screwed onto the mouthpiece 7.

[0079] Therefore, a second internal thread portion 18 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 9a (sippy cap 9). On the other hand, a second external thread portion 19 that engages with the second internal thread portion 18 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the spout portion 7.

[0080] Furthermore, a gap Sh3 is provided between the second external thread portion 19 and the second internal thread portion 18 that are screwed together, in the vertical direction. As a result, when the second internal thread portion 18 is screwed with the second external thread portion 19, the drinking spout cap 9 can move axially (vertically) relative to the drinking spout portion 7 by an amount corresponding to the gap Sh3.

[0081] Furthermore, in the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, by rotating the cap 9 around the axis (clockwise when viewed from above) from the state where the cap 9 covers the mouthpiece 7, the second external thread portion 19 and the second internal thread portion 18 are screwed together.

[0082] In the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, when the drinking spout cap 9 moves from the open position toward the closed position, the rotating member 11 rotates relative to the hinge portion 10 while moving toward the closed position. Therefore, the central axis of the drinking spout 7 and the central axis of the washer portion 11a approach each other at an angle (a state where their central axes are not aligned). Furthermore, even when the second external thread portion 19 and the second internal thread portion 18 move to the position where they begin to engage, this angle is not eliminated (their central axes are not aligned).

[0083] At this time, in the front-back direction orthogonal to the central axis direction (left-right direction) of the hinge portion 10, the central axis AX1 of the washer portion 11a is inclined relative to the central axis AX3 of the spout portion 7, but the spout cap 9 is installed so that it can swing freely around the entire circumference relative to the central axis AX1 of the washer portion 11a. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly screw the second external thread portion 19 and the second internal thread portion 18 while aligning the central axis AX3 of the spout portion 7 with the central axis AX2 of the spout cap 9.

[0084] Furthermore, the drinking spout cap 9 can be fixed relative to the drinking spout 7 at the position where the second external thread portion 19 and the second internal thread portion 18 are engaged.

[0085] On the other hand, in the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, by rotating the drinking spout cap 9 from this state to the other side of the axis (in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from above), the engagement between the second external thread portion 19 and the second internal thread portion 18 can be released, and the drinking spout cap 9 can be removed relative to the drinking spout portion 7.

[0086] A plug gasket 20 is detachably installed on the lower surface of the top wall 9b of the drinking spout cap 9. The plug gasket 20 is a sealing component used to seal the liquid inlet 7a, and is made of elastic components such as heat-resistant rubber or elastomers.

[0087] The plug gasket 20 has a generally cylindrical insert portion 20a, a plug portion 20b that protrudes throughout the circumference from the lower end of the insert portion 20a in the expansion direction, and a protrusion portion 20c that protrudes downward from the center of the plug portion 20b. In addition, an expansion portion 20d that expands throughout the circumference is provided on the upper front end side of the insert portion 20a.

[0088] On the other hand, the drinking spout cap 9 has a hole 9c that extends through the center of the top wall portion 9b in the vertical direction. Furthermore, a circular protrusion 9d protruding downwards from the top wall portion 9b and covering the entire circumference of the hole 9c is provided at the lower end side. On the other hand, a narrowed-diameter portion 9e is provided midway along the upper side of the hole 9c.

[0089] The plug gasket 20 is installed on the lower surface of the top wall portion 9b by engaging the enlarged portion 20d of the insert portion 20a with the reduced portion 9e of the hole portion 9c when the insert portion 20a is inserted from below into the hole portion 9c.

[0090] In the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, by pinching the protrusion 20c of the plug pad 20 and pressing it upward from the inside of the drinking cap 9, the plug pad 20 can be easily installed on the lower surface of the inside of the drinking cap 9 (the lower surface of the top wall 9b).

[0091] On the other hand, in the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, by pinching the protrusion 20c of the plug pad 20 and pulling it downward, the plug pad 20 can be easily removed from the lower surface (lower surface of the top wall portion 9b) inside the drinking spout cap 9.

[0092] Furthermore, the plug gasket 20 removed from the drinking spout cap 9 can be washed separately from the drinking spout cap 9, thus maintaining hygiene between the plug gasket 20 and the drinking spout cap 9.

[0093] Furthermore, in order for the insert 20a to be inserted into the hole 9c, the insert 20a needs to have a certain degree of rigidity. Therefore, it is preferable that the bolt gasket 20 is a solid component without any voids inside the insert 20a. On the other hand, by making the interior of the insert 20a hollow, the bolt gasket 20 can also reduce material usage and achieve lightweight design. In this case, it is necessary to select a material with appropriate hardness to ensure rigidity.

[0094] Furthermore, by installing the plug gasket 20 onto the lower inner surface of the drinking spout cap 9 with the insert portion 20a inserted into the hole portion 9c, the insert portion 20a (expanded diameter portion 20d) is exposed outwards even when the drinking spout cap 9 closes the liquid inlet 7a of the drinking spout 7. Therefore, it is possible to visually confirm whether the plug gasket 20 is installed. Thus, it is easy to confirm that the plug gasket 20 has not been forgotten to be installed.

[0095] The protrusion 20c can enter the inside of the drinking spout 7 from the liquid inlet 7a and protrudes downward to a degree that can be pinched by fingers. In addition, in order to be easy to pinch by fingers, the protrusion 20c is formed into a flat plate shape, for example.

[0096] Furthermore, at the front end (lower end) of the protrusion 20c, the long side of the flat plate protrudes in the direction of widening as a flange 20e. The flange 20e functions as an anti-slip part and a finger hook when the protrusion 20c is pinched with fingers.

[0097] Furthermore, the lower end of the protrusion 20c is located above the lower end of the spout cap 9 and below the central axis of the hinge portion 10. If the protrusion 20c is too long, it will be difficult to enter the inside of the spout 7 from the liquid inlet 7a when the spout cap 9 covers the spout 7; conversely, if it is too short, it will be difficult to pinch.

[0098] In the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, when the drinking cap 9 closes the liquid inlet 7a of the drinking mouth part 7, the plug part 20b is in a state of close contact with the liquid inlet 7a located at the front end side of the drinking mouth part 7 all around the circumference.

[0099] Here, the plug portion 20b has a downwardly protruding hemispherical shape, and on its upper side there is an upper rib 20f that protrudes upward in a concentric circle with the insert portion 20a. When the plug liner 20 is installed on the lower surface of the inner side of the drinking spout cap 9, the circular protrusion 9d is inserted into the valley between the insert portion 20a and the upper rib 20f.

[0100] Therefore, when the plug portion 20b is in close contact with the front end side of the drinking spout portion 7, the plug portion 20b is pressed from above by the circular protrusion 9d, and the upper end of the upper rib 20f abuts against the lower surface side of the top wall portion 9b.

[0101] Therefore, the central side (protrusion 20c side) of the plug 20b is difficult to elastically deform upwards, and only the outer peripheral side of the plug 20b that abuts against the front end side of the drinking spout 7 can elastically deform and flex.

[0102] Furthermore, the plug portion 20b has a relatively short deflection length and is pressed from above by the circular protrusion 9d and from below by the front end of the mouthpiece portion 7, thus forming a stronger seal with the periphery of the front end of the mouthpiece portion 7. As a result, the liquid inlet 7a can be reliably sealed via the plug gasket 20.

[0103] The outer cover 12 is made of, for example, a heat-resistant resin and has a generally circular bottom wall portion 12a, and an outer cover extending upward from the periphery of the bottom wall portion 12a (in... Figure 1 The cylindrical peripheral wall 12b (located at the bottom) is formed as a bottomed cylinder. The outer cover 12 functions as a cup for protecting the upper part of the capped container 100A and for pouring and drinking beverages poured from the liquid inlet 7a.

[0104] The outer cover 12 is screwed onto the cap body 8 with the bottom wall portion 12a facing upwards. Therefore, a third external thread portion 21 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 8a of the cap body 8. On the other hand, a third internal thread portion 22 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 12b of the outer cover 12, which engages with the third external thread portion 21.

[0105] Furthermore, the third external thread portion 21 and the third internal thread portion 22 do not extend in a spiral shape, but rather are configured to engage (lock) with each other in a horizontal direction. Specifically, as... Figure 4 As shown, the third external thread portion 21 is formed by two threads that form complementary shapes without inclination to each other, and is constituted by thread grooves formed by horizontal cuts made from opposing positions on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 8a. Furthermore, a locking protrusion 23 is provided protruding from the inside of the thread groove near the end of the third external thread portion 21. Additionally, a stepped portion 8d is provided on the outer periphery of the cap body 8, inclined downwards and outwards throughout the entire circumference, abutting against the opening 12c of the outer cover 12.

[0106] On the other hand, such as Figure 5 As shown, the third internal thread portion 22 is formed by two threads that form complementary shapes without inclination to each other, and is composed of thread teeth that extend and protrude from opposing positions on the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 12b in a horizontal direction without inclination. In addition, a locking recess 24 that cuts a portion of the thread teeth is provided near the end of the third internal thread portion 22.

[0107] In the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, from the state where the outer cover 12 covers the cap body 8, at the position where the opening 12c of the outer cover 12 abuts against the step 8d, the outer cover 12 is rotated to one side (to the right) around the axis, thereby the third external thread 21 and the third internal thread 22 are screwed together.

[0108] Furthermore, at the position where the third external thread portion 21 and the third internal thread portion 22 are fully engaged, the locking protrusion 23 engages with the locking recess 24, thereby preventing the outer cover 12 from accidentally falling off or loosening, and providing a locking feel while passing over it, thus securing the outer cover 12 to the cap body 8. More specifically, the front end side of the third internal thread portion 22 ( Figure 5 The portion separated from the right side of the locking recess 24 passes over the locking protrusion 23, causing the locking protrusion 23 to lock into the locking recess 24, thereby providing a locking sensation.

[0109] On the other hand, in the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, the outer cover 12 is rotated from this state to the other side of the axis (counterclockwise when viewed from above), thereby releasing the locking state of the locking recess 24 and the locking protrusion 23, and then releasing the screwing (locking) of the third external thread 21 and the third internal thread 22, so that the outer cover 12 can be removed from the cap body 8.

[0110] In the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, which has the above-described configuration, as follows: Figure 6 As shown in (A) and (B), when the spout cap 9 is fully tightened relative to the spout 7 by screwing, after the outer cover 12 is installed on the cap body 8, the outer cover 12 and the spout cap 9 are not in contact.

[0111] On the other hand, in the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, the case in which the outer cover 12 is installed on the cap body 8 is described when the cap 9 is not fully tightened during the slight tightening of the engagement between the cap and the mouthpiece 7.

[0112] First, by slightly rotating the spout cap 9 to one side around the axis (clockwise when viewed from above), the second external thread 19 and a portion of the second internal thread 18 begin to engage. During this engagement, the engagement of the second external thread 19 and the second internal thread 18 is not complete, and the seal between the plug portion 20b of the plug gasket 20 and the periphery of the front end of the spout 7 is weak. Therefore, the liquid inlet 7a is not reliably sealed by the plug gasket 20, and for example, if the capped container 100A is inverted or subjected to strong vibration, the beverage (liquid) contained in the container body 2 may leak from the liquid inlet 7a into the inside of the outer cap 12.

[0113] On the other hand, from this state, the outer cover 12 is installed onto the cap body 8, thereby, as Figure 7 As shown, the outer cover 12 is positioned to abut against the drinking spout cap 9 from above, and the outer cover 12 pressing the drinking spout cap 9 downwards. Specifically, the inner surface of the bottom wall portion 12a of the outer cover 12 abuts against the upper surface of the top wall portion 9b of the drinking spout cap 9, while directly pressing the outer cover 12 downwards... Figure 7 As shown, the lower side is pressed in while rotating to one side of the shaft (clockwise when viewed from above), thereby engaging (locking) the third external thread 21 and the third internal thread 22.

[0114] At this time, the spout cap 9 is pressed downward relative to the spout portion 7 by an amount corresponding to the vertical clearance (free play) between the second external thread portion 19 and the second internal thread portion 18. As a result, the plug portion 20b of the plug gasket 20 flexes due to elastic deformation, and the plug gasket 20 is pressed against the liquid inlet 7a.

[0115] Therefore, in the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, the liquid inlet 7a provided on the front end side of the mouthpiece 7 can be sealed by the plug gasket 20 even when the tightening of the mouthpiece cap 9 relative to the mouthpiece 7 is insufficient.

[0116] On the other hand, in the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, such as Figure 8 As shown, the case in which the outer cover 12 is installed on the cap body 8 before the cap 9 is completely screwed onto the mouthpiece 7 is fully engaged (installed).

[0117] First, the container is positioned such that the spout cap 9 covers the front end of the spout 7. This is achieved when the second internal thread 18 is mounted on the upper end of the second external thread 19, and the second external thread 19 and the second internal thread 18 are not fully engaged. In this unengaged state, the plug portion 20b of the plug gasket 20 is not in close contact with the front end of the spout 7, or if it is, the contact is very weak. Therefore, the plug gasket 20 cannot seal the liquid inlet 7a. For example, if the capped container 100A is inverted or subjected to strong vibration, the beverage (liquid) contained in the container body 2 may leak from the liquid inlet 7a into the inside of the outer cap 12.

[0118] When attempting to install the outer cover 12 onto the cap body 8 from this state, the lower surface of the second internal thread portion 18 abuts against the upper surface of the second external thread portion 19, thereby, as Figure 8 As shown, the third external thread 21 and the third internal thread 22 interfere with each other, resulting in a state where the outer cover 12 cannot be screwed onto the cap body 8 (locked).

[0119] Therefore, in the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, before the spout cap 9 is fully screwed onto the spout portion 7, the outer cover 12 cannot be installed on the cap body 8. In this case, it is possible to recognize that the spout cap 9 is not fully installed onto the spout portion 7, and the user can be alerted to the need to retighten the spout cap 9 onto the spout portion 7, or to refrain from carrying the capped container 100A.

[0120] Here, the third external thread portion 21 and the third internal thread portion 22 are not formed in a spiral shape as in ordinary threads, but are configured to engage (lock) with each other in a horizontal direction. Therefore, it is possible to clearly define the position in the vertical direction of the outer cover 12 being installed on the cap body 8.

[0121] Assuming that the third external thread 21 and the third internal thread 22 are helically engaged, if the threads slightly hook and are screwed on, as the outer cover 12 rotates relative to the cap body 8, the outer cover 12 faces... Figure 7 The downward movement is shown. Therefore, assuming that the outer cover 12 is installed in a state where the screw-on of the spout cap 9 is slightly insufficient during the tightening process relative to the spout portion 7, the outer cover 12 rotates and descends while abutting against the spout cap, thereby excessively pressing the spout cap 9 against the spout portion 7. In this case, the ending position of the screw-on changes depending on the degree of tightening by the user, making it difficult to specify the final installation position.

[0122] On the other hand, the third external thread portion 21 and the third internal thread portion 22 are configured to engage (lock) with each other in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the position at which the outer cover 12 begins to engage (rotate) relative to the cap body 8 is at the same height as the position at which it is engaged. Thus, under the same conditions, the force applied to the drinking spout cap 9 relative to the drinking spout portion 7 is constant and will not change even if engagement (locking) is performed.

[0123] In addition, such as Figure 7 As shown, when the outer cover 12 is installed on the cap body 8 in a state where the screwing of the spout cap 9 relative to the spout portion 7 is slightly pushed forward and not fully tightened, the spout cap 9 pushes the outer cover 12 upward by means of the elastic force of the plug gasket 20 relative to the spout portion 7, with the third external thread portion 21 and the third internal thread portion 22 screwed (locked) together in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the fastening force of the third external thread portion 21 and the third internal thread portion 22 is strengthened, preventing the outer cover 12 from loosening.

[0124] Furthermore, at the position where the third external thread portion 21 and the third internal thread portion 22 are fully engaged, the locking protrusion 23 engages with the locking recess 24, thereby allowing the user to identify, through the locking sensation, that the outer cover 12 has been secured relative to the cap body 8. Additionally, as... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the locking positions of the locking recess 24 and the locking protrusion 23 clearly define the end position of the thread. Therefore, the completed installation position is fixed and will not be changed by the user.

[0125] As described above, in the cap unit 1A of this embodiment, when the outer cover 12 is installed on the cap body 8 in a state where the tightening of the drinking cap 9 relative to the drinking mouth part 7 is slightly insufficient, the outer cover 12, which abuts against the drinking cap 9, presses the drinking cap 9 downward, thereby pressing the plug gasket 20 against the liquid inlet 7a.

[0126] Therefore, by sealing the liquid inlet 7a with the plug gasket 20, it is possible to prevent the beverage (liquid) contained in the container body 2 from leaking from the liquid inlet 7a to the inside of the outer cover 12.

[0127] Therefore, in the capped container 100A of this embodiment, by providing the capped unit 1A of this embodiment as described above, the ease of use can be further improved.

[0128] (Second Implementation)

[0129] Next, as a second embodiment of the present invention, for example, having Figure 9 The capped container 100B of the capped unit 1B shown will be described.

[0130] in addition, Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a capped container 100B equipped with cap unit 1B. Furthermore, in the following description, parts equivalent to those in the capped container 100A equipped with the aforementioned cap unit 1A are omitted from the description, and the same reference numerals are used in the accompanying drawings.

[0131] like Figure 9 As shown, the capped container 100B equipped with the cap unit 1B of this embodiment has a configuration in which the outer cap 12A is detachably mounted on the container body 2. Apart from this, it has a configuration that is basically the same as the capped container 100A equipped with the cap unit 1A described above.

[0132] Specifically, the outer cover 12A is installed on the container body 2 by screwing on, while covering the drinking spout cap 9, rotating component 11, and cap body 8 installed on the drinking spout 7.

[0133] Therefore, a third external thread 21A is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 2c of the container body 2, which is lower than the first external thread 13. On the other hand, a third internal thread 22A that engages with the third external thread 21A is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 12b of the outer cover 12A. In addition, the third external thread 21A and the engaged third internal thread 22A in this embodiment are the same as the third external thread 21 and the third internal thread 22 in the first embodiment, and are respectively configured to engage (lock) with each other in a horizontal direction instead of extending in a spiral shape.

[0134] In the capped container 100B of this embodiment, which has the capped unit 1B with the above-described configuration, similar to the capped unit 1A described above, when the outer cover 12A is installed on the container body 2 while the spout cap 9 is fully tightened relative to the spout portion 7 by screwing, the outer cover 12A is in a state where it does not contact the spout cap 9.

[0135] On the other hand, in the case where the outer cap 12A is installed on the container body 2 in a state where the screwing of the spout cap 9 relative to the spout part 7 is slightly insufficient, although the outer cap 12A is installed on the container body 2 instead of the cap body 8, the basic effect is the same as that of the cap unit 1A described above.

[0136] That is, with a portion of the second external thread 19 and the second internal thread 18 engaged, the outer cap 12A is installed on the container body 2, thereby pressing down the drinking spout cap 9 by the outer cap 12A abutting against it. Specifically, the inner surface of the bottom wall portion 12a of the outer cap 12A abuts against the upper surface of the top wall portion 9b of the drinking spout cap 9, directly pressing the outer cap 12A towards... Figure 9As shown, the lower side is pressed in, while the outer cover 12A is rotated to one side around the axis (clockwise when viewed from above), thereby making the third external thread 21A and the third internal thread 22A screwed together (locked).

[0137] At this time, the spout cap 9 is pressed down relative to the spout portion 7 by an amount corresponding to the vertical clearance (freeway) between the second external thread portion 19 and the second internal thread portion 18. As a result, the plug portion 20b of the plug gasket 20 flexes through elastic deformation, and the plug gasket 20 is pressed against the liquid inlet 7a.

[0138] Therefore, in the capped container 100B equipped with the capping unit 1B of this embodiment, the liquid inlet 7a provided at the front end of the drinking spout 7 can be sealed by the plug gasket 20 even when the tightening of the spout cap 9 relative to the drinking spout 7 is insufficient.

[0139] On the other hand, in the capped container 100B equipped with the capping unit 1B of this embodiment, the case in which the outer cap 12A is installed on the container body 2 before the capping (installation) of the spout cap 9 relative to the spout portion 7 is completely not performed.

[0140] First, the container is positioned such that the spout cap 9 covers the front end of the spout portion 7, and the second internal thread portion 18 is mounted on the upper end of the second external thread portion 19, with the second external thread portion 19 and the second internal thread portion 18 not engaged at all. When attempting to install the outer cap 12A onto the container body 2 from this position, the lower surface of the second internal thread portion 18 abuts against the upper surface of the second external thread portion 19, causing interference between the third external thread portion 21A and the third internal thread portion 22A, thus preventing the outer cap 12A from being engaged with the container body 2.

[0141] Therefore, in the capped container 100B equipped with the cap unit 1B of this embodiment, the outer cover 12A cannot be installed relative to the container body 2 before the spout cap 9 is fully screwed onto the spout portion 7. In this situation, it is possible to identify that the spout cap 9 is not fully installed relative to the spout portion 7, and the user can be alerted to the need to retighten the spout cap 9 relative to the spout portion 7, or to refrain from carrying the capped container 100B.

[0142] As described above, in a capped container 100B equipped with the capping unit 1B of this embodiment, when the outer cover 12A is installed on the container body 2 while the above-mentioned drinking spout cap 9 is not fully tightened relative to the drinking spout 7 by screwing, the outer cover 12, which abuts against the drinking spout cap 9, presses down the drinking spout cap 9, thereby pressing the plug gasket 20 against the liquid inlet 7a.

[0143] Therefore, by sealing the liquid inlet 7a with the plug gasket 20, it is possible to prevent the beverage (liquid) contained in the container body 2 from leaking from the liquid inlet 7a to the inside of the outer cover 12A.

[0144] Therefore, in the capped container 100B equipped with the capping unit 1B of this embodiment, the ease of use can be further improved. Furthermore, other benefits are the same as those of the capping unit 1A described above.

[0145] Furthermore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0146] For example, in the cap units 1A and 1B described above, the drinking spout cap 9 is configured to be installed so that it can rotate freely about an axis relative to the washer portion 11a of the rotating member 11. However, it can also be configured such that the rotating member 11 is omitted, and the drinking spout cap 9, which can be removed from the cap body 8, is installed on the drinking spout portion 7 by screwing.

[0147] Furthermore, the aforementioned outer covers 12 and 12A are configured to be freely installed on the cap body 8 or the container body 2 by screwing, but are not limited to such screwing. For example, they may also be configured to be freely installed on the cap body 8 or the container body 2 by fitting or the like.

[0148] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the present invention was exemplified as being applied to a beverage container having heat preservation and cold preservation functions by means of a container body 2 having the above-described vacuum insulation structure. However, the present invention can be widely applied to capped containers having a container body and a cap unit that is detachably installed on the container body.

Claims

1. A cap unit, installed on a container body with an upper opening, characterized in that, The cap unit includes: The cap body closes the upper opening of the container body and is provided with a drinking spout that communicates with the inside of the container body; The drinking spout cap is screwed on and detachably installed on the drinking spout, thereby opening and closing the liquid inlet located at the front end of the drinking spout. A plug gasket is detachably installed on the inside of the drinking spout cap and seals the liquid inlet; and The outer cover is detachably mounted on the cap body while covering the drinking spout cap installed on the drinking spout. A gap is provided between the external threaded portion on the drinking spout side and the internal threaded portion on the drinking spout cap side, allowing the drinking spout cap to move axially relative to the drinking spout. When the outer cover is installed on the cap body while the cap is slightly tightened relative to the mouthpiece, the outer cover, which abuts against the mouthpiece cap, presses down the mouthpiece cap, thereby pressing the plug gasket against the liquid inlet.

2. The cap unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the outer cover is installed on the cap body while the spout cap is fully tightened relative to the spout, the outer cover is in a state where it does not contact the spout cap.

3. The cap unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before the spout cap is fully screwed onto the spout, the outer cover abuts against the spout cap, thus preventing the outer cover from being installed on the cap body.

4. The cap unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer cover is detachably installed on the cap body by screwing the external threaded portion on the cap body side and the internal threaded portion on the outer cover side together in a horizontal direction.

5. A container with a cap, characterized in that, The capped container has: The main body of the container has an opening at the top; and The cap unit is easily attached and detached from the container body. The cap unit includes: The cap body closes the upper opening of the container body and is provided with a drinking spout that communicates with the inside of the container body; The drinking spout cap is screwed on and detachably installed on the drinking spout, thereby opening and closing the liquid inlet located at the front end of the drinking spout. A plug gasket, which can be easily installed and removed from the inside of the drinking spout cap, to seal the liquid inlet; and The outer cover is removably installed on the container body while covering the drinking spout cap installed on the drinking spout. A gap is provided between the external threaded portion on the drinking spout side and the internal threaded portion on the drinking spout cap side, allowing the drinking spout cap to move axially relative to the drinking spout. When the outer cover is installed on the container body while the spout cap is slightly tightened relative to the spout, the outer cover, which abuts against the spout cap, presses down the spout cap, thereby pressing the plug gasket against the liquid inlet.

6. The capped container according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the outer cover is installed on the container body while the spout cap is fully tightened relative to the spout, the outer cover is in a state where it does not contact the spout cap.

7. The capped container according to claim 5, characterized in that, Before the spout cap is fully screwed onto the spout, the outer cover abuts against the spout cap, thus preventing the outer cover from being installed on the container body.

8. The capped container according to claim 5, characterized in that, The outer cover is easily attached to the container body by screwing it on and off.

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