Combined volume control cap and storage bottle

Abstract

This application relates to a combined volume control cap and storage bottle, which can prevent splashing and air bubbles from escaping from the outlet when the cap is opened. The combined volume control cap includes: a lower cap with a drain channel sealed by a pull tab, the pull tab being removable to open the drain channel; an upper cap that can be assembled to or detached from the lower cap; and a flow control plate that cooperates with the lower cap to shield the drain channel after the pull tab is removed. When the flow control plate is assembled to the lower cap, its inner surface faces the drain channel, and both the outlet hole and the vent hole are in communication with the drain channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of liquid packaging technology, and in particular to a combined volume control cap and storage bottle. Background Technology

[0002] In condiment products, the lid is typically designed with different pull ring sizes to control the amount used. However, it's often difficult to balance uniformity and flow rate when designing different pull ring shapes and sizes. If the pull ring area is too small, it can easily cause uneven dispensing; if the pull ring area is too large, while the dispensing is smooth, it's harder to control the amount used. Some designs use vents to ensure smooth dispensing from small outlets, but this can cause the following problems with some gas-producing or foaming products, leading to a poor user experience: 1. The elongated shape of the outlet during the initial opening can cause splashing, as the product inside the bottle sprays out due to positive pressure; 2. Air bubbles may emerge from the outlet during use. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a combined volume control cap that can prevent splashing when opening the cap and the emergence of air bubbles during use. A storage bottle is also proposed.

[0004] According to one aspect of this application, a combined volume control cover includes: a lower cover having a drain channel sealed by a pull tab, the pull tab being removable to open the drain channel; an upper cover being assembled with or detached from the lower cover; and a flow control plate for engaging with the lower cover to shield the drain channel after the pull tab is removed, wherein when the flow control plate is assembled with the lower cover, its inner surface faces the drain channel, and both the liquid outlet and the vent are in communication with the drain channel.

[0005] In some embodiments, the liquid outlet has a first inner port opening onto the inner surface of the flow control plate and a first outer port opening onto the outer surface of the flow control plate, wherein the area of ​​the first inner port is larger than the area of ​​the first outer port.

[0006] In some embodiments, the vent has a second inner port opening onto the inner surface of the flow control plate and a second outer port opening onto the outer surface of the flow control plate, wherein the area of ​​the second inner port is smaller than the area of ​​the second outer port.

[0007] In some embodiments, the axial direction of the liquid outlet is inclined relative to the inner surface of the flow control plate.

[0008] In some embodiments, the liquid outlet is a conical orifice.

[0009] In some embodiments, the inner surface of the flow control plate has a boss, and the air hole is located at the top of the boss.

[0010] In some embodiments, the upper cover is provided with a first sealing plug, which is used to block the liquid outlet hole.

[0011] In some embodiments, the upper cover is provided with a second sealing plug, which is used to block the air hole.

[0012] In some embodiments, the flow control plate and the lower cover are not fully assembled.

[0013] In some embodiments, the combined flow control cover further includes a mounting ring, which is fixed to the lower cover. The flow control plate is connected to the mounting ring via a flexible connector, and the flow control plate is assembled to the lower cover by being fixed to the mounting ring.

[0014] In some embodiments, the flow control plate is detachably fixed inside the upper cover.

[0015] According to one aspect of this application, a storage bottle includes: a bottle body; and the combined volume control cap, wherein the lower cap is fitted at the bottle mouth of the bottle body.

[0016] In this application, the combined volume control cap is equipped with an easy-pull tab. Therefore, during the initial opening process, the easy-pull tab is gradually torn off, and the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the bottle is gradually balanced, thereby preventing splashing. In addition, a flow control plate is added between the upper and lower caps. The liquid outlet on the flow control plate has a "larger inside and smaller outside" structure, which keeps air bubbles on the larger hole side, that is, inside the bottle. This achieves control over the liquid flow while preventing air bubbles from escaping from the liquid outlet. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of a combined volume control cover according to an embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the combined flow control cover after removing the flow control plate and mounting ring.

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the flow control plate and mounting ring in the combined flow control cover.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the combined volume control cover in use according to an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the combined volume control cover in use according to an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of a combined volume control cover according to another embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the combined volume control cover in use according to another embodiment of this application.

[0024] 100. Modular volume control cover; 10. Lower cover; 110. Easy-pull tab; 120. Drainage channel; 20. Upper cover; 210. First sealing plug; 220. Second sealing plug; 30. Flow control plate; 310. Inner surface; 311. Boss; 320. Liquid outlet; 321. First inner port; 322. First outer port; 330. Air hole; 331. Second inner port; 332. Second outer port; 340. Buckle; 40. Flexible structure; 50. Mounting ring; 510. Slot; 60. Flexible component. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described below.

[0026] Furthermore, where the terms "first" and "second" appear, these terms are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, where the term "multiple" appears, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0027] One embodiment of this application provides a modular dispensing cap for mounting on the mouth of a storage bottle. The storage bottle is used to store liquid. Depending on the type of liquid stored, the storage bottle may be, for example, an oil bottle, a condiment bottle, an engine oil bottle, a cosmetic bottle, a laundry detergent bottle, a chemical reagent bottle cap, a wine bottle, a medicine bottle, a cleaning solution bottle, a beverage bottle, an additive bottle, etc.

[0028] refer to Figures 1 to 5An embodiment of this application proposes a combined flow control cover 100, comprising a lower cover 10, an upper cover 20, and a flow control plate 30. The lower cover 10 is provided with a drainage channel 120 sealed by a pull tab 110, which can be removed to open the drainage channel 120. The upper cover 20 can be assembled to or detached from the lower cover 10. A flow control plate 30 is disposed between the lower cover 10 and the upper cover 20. The inner surface 310 of the flow control plate 30 is provided with a liquid outlet 320 and an air vent 330 that pass through the flow control plate 30. The liquid outlet 320 has a first inner port 321 that opens into the inner surface 310 of the flow control plate 30 and a first outer port that opens into the outer surface of the flow control plate 30. The area of ​​the first inner port 321 is larger than the area of ​​the first outer port. The flow control plate 30 is configured to be assembled with the lower cover 10 to cover the drain channel 120 after the easy-pull tab 110 is removed. When the flow control plate 30 is assembled with the lower cover 10, the inner surface 310 faces the drain channel 120, and both the liquid outlet 320 and the air vent 330 are connected to the drain channel 120.

[0029] The lower cover 10 is used to secure it to the neck of the storage bottle (not shown). The lower cover 10 and the bottle neck can be connected by threads, snap-fit, or other methods. The drain channel 120 of the lower cover 10 extends through the lower cover 10 along its axial direction. The cross-sectional shape of the drain channel 120 is circular, but not limited to a circle. After the lower cover 10 is assembled to the bottle neck, the drain channel 120 communicates with the inner cavity of the storage bottle.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, before the pull tab 110 is torn off, the pull tab 110 is connected to the lower cover 10 and closes the drainage channel 120. Figure 1 The flow control plate 30 is shown in the combined flow control cover 100. Figure 2 The combined volume control cover 100 conceals the flow control plate 30. The pull tab 110 can be configured as a pull ring structure, which can be hooked by a finger for easy operation. Alternatively, the pull tab 110 may not have a pull ring structure.

[0031] The upper cover 20 can be assembled to or detached from the lower cover 10. When the upper cover 20 is assembled to the lower cover 10, it means that the upper cover 20 is installed on the lower cover 10 and its top end is closed. The connection between the two can be a threaded connection or a snap-fit ​​connection. Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the upper cover 20 can detach from the lower cover 10, meaning that the upper cover 20 is removed from the lower cover 10 and no longer seals the top of the upper cover 20. After the upper cover 20 is removed from the lower cover 10, if the pull tab 110 is still attached to the lower cover 10, the pull tab 110 can be torn off; if the pull tab 110 has been torn off, the liquid in the storage bottle can be poured out. It should also be noted that, to prevent the upper cover 20 from being lost, the upper cover 20 and the lower cover 10 can also be connected by a flexible structure 40.

[0032] refer to Figures 3 to 5 The outlet hole 320 has two axial ports, a first inner port 321 and a first outer port 322. The first inner port 321 opens onto the inner surface 310 of the flow control plate 30, while the first outer port 322 opens onto the outer surface of the flow control plate 30. The inner surface 310 of the flow control plate 30 faces the drainage channel 120, while the outer surface faces away from the drainage channel 120. The area of ​​the first inner port 321 is larger than that of the first outer port 322. When the flow control plate 30 is assembled onto the lower cover 10 and the lower cover 10 is attached to the mouth of the storage bottle, the outlet hole 320 has a "larger inside, smaller outside" structure.

[0033] The usage process of the combined volume control cover 100 of this application is as follows:

[0034] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram illustrates the state of the combined volume control cap 100 before its first use (opening). Before first use, after the upper cap 20 is detached from the lower cap 10, the pull tab 110 remains attached to the lower cap 10 and closes the drainage channel 120. In other words, before the pull tab 110 is removed, regardless of whether the upper cap 20 is attached to the lower cap 10, the drainage channel 120 is completely blocked by the pull tab 110, ensuring that the drainage channel 120 communicates only with the inner cavity of the storage bottle, but not with the outside world.

[0035] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, when the combined flow control cap 100 is needed to control the liquid flow from the storage bottle, the upper cap 20 and the lower cap 10 are detached. Then, the pull tab 110 is removed, and the flow control plate 30 is attached to the lower cap 10, thus blocking the drain channel 120. At this time, the drain channel 120 is connected to the outside through the outlet hole 320 and the vent 330. Afterward, the bottle opening is facing downward, and the vent 330 is used to balance the pressure inside and outside the bottle, allowing the liquid to flow out from the outlet hole 320.

[0036] When the liquid in the storage bottle is poured out, the liquid flows in from the first inner port 321 of the outlet 320 and flows out from the outer port. The area of ​​the first inner port 321 is larger, so the outlet is "small inlet, large outlet". According to the Laplace pressure difference principle, when a bubble moves from a wide opening to a narrow opening, the pressure it needs to overcome increases. When this pressure barrier is large enough, it can effectively "lock" the bubble inside the channel, preventing it from overflowing from the outlet. Therefore, according to the above-mentioned bubble "pressure difference" principle, the "additional pressure difference" generated by the surface tension of the bubble guides the flow direction of the bubble, and the bubble will naturally flow from the "high pressure small orifice side" to the "low pressure large orifice side". Therefore, the bubble can be maintained on the large orifice side, that is, kept inside the bottle, avoiding the problem of bubbles escaping from the outlet 320.

[0037] The combined volume control cap 100 in this application is equipped with an easy-pull tab 110. Therefore, during the initial opening process, the easy-pull tab 110 is gradually torn off, and the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the bottle is relatively slowly balanced, thereby avoiding splashing. In addition, a flow control plate 30 is added between the upper cap 20 and the lower cap 10. The flow control plate 30 is provided with a liquid outlet hole 320, which enables liquid to be dispensed.

[0038] In addition, the liquid outlet 320 on the flow control plate 30 has a "large inside and small outside" structure, which can keep the bubbles on the large hole side, that is, keep them inside the bottle, thereby controlling the liquid outflow while preventing the bubbles from escaping from the liquid outlet.

[0039] refer to Figures 1 to 3 In this embodiment, the combined flow control cover 100 further includes a mounting ring 50, which is fixed to the lower cover 10. The flow control plate 30 is integrated with the mounting ring 50, and the flow control plate 30 is assembled to the lower cover 10 by being fixed to the mounting ring 50.

[0040] The mounting ring 50 is fixed to the lower cover 10 and surrounds the pull tab 110. When the pull tab 110 is removed, the mounting ring 50 is located at the top of the drain channel 120 and is sealed to the drain channel 120. The mounting ring 50 can be fixed to the lower cover 10 by threaded connection or snap-fit ​​connection.

[0041] The flow control plate 30 is connected to the mounting ring 50, for example, via a flexible member 60. This prevents the flow control plate 30 from being lost before it is installed on the lower cover 10, as it does not need to be pre-fixed to the upper cover 20. Furthermore, when the easy-open tab 110 is removed and the flow control plate 30 is installed on the lower cover 10, it is easy to remove the flow control plate 30. In this embodiment, the flow control plate 30 can be housed within the upper cover 20 before being installed on the mounting ring 50, but it does not need to be fixed within the upper cover 20.

[0042] The flexible component 60 can be made of the same material as the flow control plate 30 and the mounting ring 50. However, the flexible component 60 is thinner and lighter, or has hollow parts, thus possessing a certain degree of flexibility. In this way, when the flow control plate 30 is assembled to the mounting ring 50, the flexible component 60 can be bent and deformed to adapt to the movement of the flow control plate 30.

[0043] In the combined flow control cap 100 of this application, the flow control plate 30 and the lower cap 10 are in a partially assembled state. The partially assembled state refers to the state where the flow control plate 30 is not yet assembled to the lower cap 10, allowing liquid to flow out from the outlet hole 320. In the partially assembled state, the flow control plate 30 can be connected to the lower cap 10 via an intermediary element, or it can be completely separated. Because the flow control plate 30 and the lower cap 10 are in a partially assembled state, the bottle is sealed before use, and the flow control plate 30 does not affect the tearing off of the easy-open tab 110, thus avoiding splashing during the initial opening process. When the flow control plate 30 is assembled to the lower cap 10, the flow control plate 30 enables liquid dispensing; it also prevents air bubbles from escaping from the outlet hole 320.

[0044] For example, in one embodiment, the flow control plate 30 is fitted to the lower cover 10 by being fixed to the mounting ring 50. Optionally, the flow control plate 30 is snap-fitted to the mounting ring 50. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the edge of the flow control plate 30 is provided with a buckle 340, and the end edge of the mounting ring 50 is provided with a groove 510 that cooperates with the buckle 340.

[0045] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 In another embodiment, the lower cover 10 does not have a mounting ring 50, and the flow control plate 30 is detachably fixed inside the upper cover 20. When the easy-pull tab 110 is torn off and the flow control plate 30 is installed on the lower cover 10, the flow control plate 30 is removed from the upper cover 20 and then installed on the lower cover 10.

[0046] Specifically, in this embodiment, the flow control plate 30 is housed within the cavity of the upper cover 20 and is detachably connected to the upper cover 20. For example, the flow control plate 30 engages with the inner bottom surface of the upper cover 20 via a snap-fit ​​340. This design allows the flow control plate 30 to move along with the upper cover 20. During the initial opening process, after the upper cover 20 detaches from the lower cover 10, the flow control plate 30 can be snapped off from the upper cover 20 and then reinstalled onto the lower cover 10.

[0047] In some embodiments, reference is made to Figure 3 The axial direction of the liquid outlet 320 is inclined relative to the inner surface 310 of the flow control plate 30.

[0048] The liquid outlet 320 is set at an angle relative to the inner surface 310 of the flow control plate 30. In this way, within the limited thickness of the flow control plate 30, by extending the axial length of the liquid outlet 320, the area difference between the first inner port 321 and the outer port of the liquid outlet 320 can be maximized, thereby achieving a better effect of preventing bubbles from escaping from the liquid outlet 320.

[0049] The shape of the outlet hole 320 is not limited. Optionally, the outlet hole 320 can be a conical hole. It is easy to understand that the larger of the two ends of the conical hole is the first inner port 321 of the outlet hole 320.

[0050] In some embodiments, the inner surface 310 of the flow control plate 30 includes a boss 311, and the air hole 330 is disposed at the top of the boss 311.

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, the inner surface 310 of the flow control plate 30 includes a cylindrical boss 311. An air vent 330 is located at the top of the boss 311, such that the second inner port 331 of the air vent 330 is spaced apart from other areas of the inner surface 310 of the flow control plate 30. This increases the axial dimension of the air vent 330, making it less likely for liquid to overflow from the second outer port 332 of the air vent 330 even if it splashes into it. This design prevents liquid from overflowing from the air vent 330.

[0052] The top of the boss 311 refers to the end face of the boss 311 that is furthest from the outer surface of the flow control plate 30. In this embodiment, the shape of the boss 311 is not limited to a cylindrical shape; for example, it can also be set as a frustum shape, a prism shape, an irregular shape, etc.

[0053] In some embodiments, the area of ​​the second inner port 331 of the vent 330 is smaller than the area of ​​the second outer port 332 of the vent 330.

[0054] The two axial ports of the vent 330 are defined as the second inner port 331 and the second outer port 332, respectively. When the flow control plate 30 is installed on the lower cover 10, the second inner port 331 faces the drain channel 120.

[0055] The aforementioned liquid outlet 230 is "larger inside and smaller outside," which is the opposite of the arrangement of the liquid outlet 320. In this application, the vent 330 is set to be "smaller inside and larger outside." When pouring liquid, the "smaller inside and larger outside" design of the vent 330 results in a higher external air pressure and a lower internal air pressure. On the one hand, this accelerates and depressurizes the external airflow, promoting stable air entry and balancing the pressure inside the bottle. On the other hand, the internal and external pressures form an effective leak-proof barrier, preventing liquid from leaking out of the bottle through the vent 330. The vent 330 functions as a one-way valve, allowing air to enter but preventing liquid from flowing out. The shape of the vent 330 is also not limited. Optionally, the vent 330 is a conical orifice, with the smaller opening at one end of the conical orifice being the aforementioned second inner port 331.

[0056] In some embodiments, the upper cover 20 is provided with a first sealing plug 210, which is used to block the liquid outlet 320. The upper cover 20 is provided with a second sealing plug 220, which is used to block the air vent 330.

[0057] If the liquid in the storage bottle is not completely poured out at once, the upper cover 20 needs to be reassembled onto the lower cover 10. In order to prevent the liquid from flowing out and contaminating the upper cover 20 when the storage bottle is inverted, in this embodiment, a first sealing plug 210 and a second sealing plug 220 are also provided inside the cover to seal the liquid outlet 320 and the air hole 330, respectively.

[0058] Optionally, the first sealing plug 210 is inserted into the liquid outlet 320. The second sealing plug 220 is inserted into the vent 330. Optionally, the first sealing plug 210 abuts against the outer surface of the flow control surface and seals the first outer port 322 of the liquid outlet 320. The second sealing plug 220 abuts against the outer surface of the flow control surface and seals the second outer port 332 of the vent 330.

[0059] Another aspect of this application provides a storage bottle, including a bottle body; and the aforementioned combined volume control cap 100, wherein the lower cap 10 is fitted at the bottle mouth of the bottle body.

[0060] In this application, the storage bottle is equipped with the aforementioned combined volume control cap 100. During the initial opening process, the pull tab 110 is gradually torn off, and the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the bottle is gradually balanced, thereby preventing splashing. In addition, a flow control plate 30 is added between the upper cap 20 and the lower cap 10. The liquid outlet 320 on the flow control plate 30 has a "larger inside and smaller outside" structure, which allows air bubbles to be kept on the larger hole side, i.e., inside the bottle, thereby controlling the liquid flow while preventing air bubbles from escaping from the outlet.

[0061] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

Claims

1. A combined measuring cover, characterized in that, include: The lower cover has a drainage channel sealed by a pull tab, which can be removed to open the drainage channel; The upper cover can be assembled to or detached from the lower cover; and A flow control plate is disposed between the lower cover and the upper cover. The inner surface of the flow control plate is provided with a liquid outlet hole and a vent hole. The flow control plate is used to cooperate with the lower cover to cover the drain channel after the easy-pull tab is removed. When the flow control plate is assembled with the lower cover, the inner surface faces the drain channel, and the liquid outlet hole and the vent hole are both connected to the drain channel.

2. The combined volume control cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid outlet has a first inner port that opens onto the inner surface of the flow control plate and a first outer port that opens onto the outer surface of the flow control plate, wherein the area of ​​the first inner port is larger than the area of ​​the first outer port.

3. The combined volume control cover according to claim 2, characterized in that, The vent has a second inner port opening on the inner surface of the flow control plate and a second outer port opening on the outer surface of the flow control plate, wherein the area of ​​the second inner port is smaller than the area of ​​the second outer port.

4. The combined volume control cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, The axial direction of the liquid outlet is inclined relative to the inner surface of the flow control plate.

5. The combined volume control cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper cover is provided with a first sealing plug, which is used to block the liquid outlet hole.

6. The combined volume control cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper cover is provided with a second sealing plug, which is used to seal the air hole.

7. The combined volume control cover according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The flow control plate and the lower cover are not fully assembled.

8. The combined volume control cover according to claim 7, characterized in that, The combined flow control cover also includes a mounting ring, which is fixed to the lower cover. The flow control plate is connected to the mounting ring via a flexible connector, and the flow control plate is assembled to the lower cover by being fixed to the mounting ring.

9. The combined volume control cover according to claim 7, characterized in that, The flow control plate is detachably fixed inside the upper cover.

10. A storage bottle, characterized in that, include: Bottle body; and The combined volume control cap as described in any one of claims 1-9, wherein the lower cap is fitted at the bottle mouth of the bottle body.

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