Squeeze container

Abstract

To provide a squeeze container having a valve structure that can secure a wide flow path for a valve body that is mounted on a mouth / neck part of the container and promptly attain restoration of the valve body having discharged contents into a close state.SOLUTION: In a squeeze container, which pours out contents through a pour-out port 2a of a pour-out valve 2 attached to a mouth / neck part 1 of the container, a valve body 3 whose pour-out port 2a is opened only when the container is squeezed is arranged in a path 2d leading to the pour-out port 2a of the pour-out valve 2. The valve body 3 comprises a circular body 3a provided on a wall surface in the path 2d, and a valve body 3d in a plane shape arranged inside the circular body 3a and supported in a cantilever shape on the circular body 3a through a connection piece 3b whose center in a width direction is positioned on a center line of the circular body 3a. The valve body 3d is provided with at least one incision 3e leading to a width direction or in a longitudinal direction to the connection piece 3b and forming restoring-force enhancement areas 3c1 and 3c2 of the valve body 3d.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a squeeze container, the contents of which are dispensed by squeezing the body of the container. [Background technology]

[0002] Squeeze containers are widely used as containers for containing viscous contents. Squeeze containers are configured so that the contents can be discharged from the outlet of a dispensing tap by squeezing (pressing) the body of the container, and in order to prevent the contents from being accidentally dispensed, the dispensing tap is provided with a valve that opens only when squeezed. Patent Document 1 is known as a prior art in this regard. In addition, many valves have been proposed in the past that are configured to suppress dripping of the contents after the body of the container is squeezed to dispense the contents, and to improve the drainage of the contents. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-050007 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Many of the dispensing plugs used for squeeze containers are equipped with slit valves or three-point valves, and the flow path of the valve is usually narrow in order to speed up the valve's restoration after dispensing the contents (to prevent leakage of the contents). Therefore, when the contents are highly viscous or contain solids such as ingredients, it takes time to dispense the contents or the squeeze force required by the fingers is large, making it difficult to dispense the contents, and in some cases, there are problems such as the ingredients becoming caught in the flow path and making it impossible to dispense the contents.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a squeeze container having a valve structure that can ensure a wide flow path for the valve body attached to the mouth and neck of the container, and can quickly restore the valve body to a closed state after the contents are discharged.

[0006] The squeeze container of the present invention, which has been developed to achieve the above object, is A squeeze container is provided with a pouring plug attached to the mouth and neck of a container, and the contents are poured out through the pouring outlet of the pouring plug by squeezing a body part of the container, a valve body is provided in a path connected to the spout of the spout plug, the valve body opening the spout only when the body of the container is squeezed; The valve element includes an annular body provided on a wall surface within the passage, and a flat valve main body that is disposed inside the annular body and cantilevered by the annular body via a connecting piece whose center in a width direction is located on the center line of the annular body, The valve body is characterized in that at least one cut is provided in the width direction or length direction of the connecting piece, forming a restoring force enhancing region of the valve body.

[0007] In addition, in the squeeze container of the present invention, it is preferable that the cut is a single cut having a center passing through the center of the width direction of the connecting piece, located inside the annular body, and extending along the inner edge shape of the annular body.

[0008] In addition, in the squeeze container of the present invention, it is preferable that the cuts sandwich the connecting piece from both sides in the width direction, and each cut comprises a pair of cuts having one end connected to the outer edge end of the valve body and the other end extending in parallel toward the center of the valve body, and a single cut having a center passing through the center of the connecting piece in the width direction and surrounding the pair of cuts from the vicinity of one end side to the other end.

[0009] In the squeeze container of the present invention, it is preferable that the connecting piece has a vertical rib on at least one of its upper and lower surfaces, the back surface of which is connected to the inner wall surface of the annular body.

[0010] Furthermore, in the squeeze container of the present invention, it is preferable that a breakable thin-walled weakened portion is provided between the annular body and the valve body and at the cut, respectively. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the squeeze container of the present invention, the valve body provided in a pathway connected to the spout of a spout plug attached to the mouth and neck of the container is composed of an annular body located along the wall surface of the pathway, and a valve body disposed inside the annular body and cantilevered by the annular body via a connecting piece. By providing at least one notch in the valve body, a restoring force enhancing region of the valve body that is elastically deformable by squeezing the container can be formed between the notch and the annular body so as to be connected to the connecting piece.

[0012] Therefore, when the body of the container is squeezed, the valve body swings around the connecting piece as a fulcrum while the restoring force enhanced region deforms (twisting deformation, bending deformation), and opens widely. Therefore, with the above squeeze container, a wide flow path for the contents can be secured, so that even highly viscous contents or contents containing solids such as ingredients can be smoothly and efficiently poured. Moreover, the valve body can quickly return to its original position due to the restoring force of the deformed restoring force enhanced region, so that dripping of the contents can be effectively suppressed.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the center of the cut passes through the center of the width of the connecting piece, so that the restoring force enhancing area can be provided symmetrically (in terms of position and shape) with respect to the center of the width of the connecting piece. Therefore, when the container is squeezed, the restoring force enhancing areas having symmetric shapes and positions via the connecting piece are deformed in the same manner, preventing irregular tilting of the valve body (tilting in a direction perpendicular to the opening direction) and stabilizing the opening of the valve body.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the deformation area (resilience enhancement area) during oscillation is increased compared to conventional single-point valves, thereby reducing the amount of deformation (stress) per unit length and suppressing plastic deformation of the connecting piece and the resilience enhancement area, making it possible to maintain a high resilience for a long period of time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a schematic view of a main part of a squeeze container according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a plan view and (b) is a sectional view taken along the line AA in (a). [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing only the valve body removed from the spout tap, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken at position BB in (a). [Diagram 3] 10A and 10B are views showing another example of the valve body, in which (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken at position CC in (a).

[0016] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the essential parts of an embodiment of a squeeze container according to the present invention, (a) being a plan view and (b) being a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (a). Fig. 2 is a diagram showing only the valve body removed from the spout tap, (a) being a plan view and (b) being a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in (a).

[0017] In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes the neck of a squeeze container that allows the contents inside the container to be poured out by squeezing the body. Reference numeral 2 denotes a pouring plug for pouring out the contents, and the pouring plug 2 is screwed onto the neck of the container body 10 by a screw portion.

[0018] The spout plug 2 has a ring-shaped peripheral wall 2b and a top wall 2c connected to the upper edge of the peripheral wall 2b, and a passage 2d for the contents is provided in the center of the top wall 2c, which leads to the spout 2a located at the top end. The spout plug 2 has a cover cap 4 connected to the top wall 2c via a hinge 5. The cover cap 4 covers the top wall 2c, and fits a ring portion 4b suspended from the top wall 4a of the cover cap 4 along the outer circumferential wall of the spout 2a, and fits a protruding portion 4c protruding from the center of the lower surface of the top wall 4a into the spout 2c, thereby sealing the spout 2a.

[0019] The squeeze container according to the present invention, including the spout 2, can be manufactured using a material such as synthetic resin, but the material is not particularly limited.

[0020] Reference numeral 3 denotes a valve body that is disposed in a path 2d that connects to the spout 2a located at the upper end of the spout tap 2, and opens the spout 2a (path 2d) only when the body of the container is squeezed. The location of the valve body 3 is not particularly limited as long as it is within the path 2d.

[0021] The valve body 3 is composed of an annular body 3a that is fitted and held on the wall surface inside the passage 2d of the spout tap 2, and a flat valve body 3d that is arranged inside the annular body 3a and cantilevered so as to be swingable while maintaining a horizontal position via a connecting piece 3b whose center in the width direction is located on the center line L of the annular body 3a. The valve body 3d has a contour shape that is defined by, for example, a circular arc-shaped portion 3d1 along the inner wall surface of the annular body 3a. In the drawing, the direction perpendicular to the center line L of the annular body 3a is referred to as the "width direction" of the connecting piece 3b, and the direction along the center line L is referred to as the longitudinal direction of the connecting piece 3b.

[0022] In this embodiment, the case where the annular rib 3a1 provided on the annular body 3a is fitted and held by the annular rib 2g provided in the circumferential direction within the path 2d of the spout tap 2 is shown as an example, but the valve body 3 may be configured integrally with the spout tap 2. Also, the valve body 3 may be fitted and held without providing the rib 2g within the path 2d of the spout tap 2, and the method of fitting the valve body 3 to the spout tap 2 is not limited. Furthermore, the valve body 3 may be made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer.

[0023] The valve body 3d is provided with a single notch 3e located inside the arc-shaped portion 3d1 of the valve body 3d in the vicinity of the connecting piece 3b and extending along the inner edge shape of the arc-shaped portion 3d1. The notch 3e is provided so as to be connected to the width direction or length direction of the connecting piece 3b, and the center of the extension direction is provided so as to pass through the center of the width direction of the connecting piece 3b.

[0024] Furthermore, it is preferable that the center of the notch 3e in its extension direction passes through the center of the width direction of the connecting piece 3b and has a shape symmetrical with respect to the center line of the width direction of the connecting piece 3b, and in addition to the arc shape shown in the figure, it can be C-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, etc.

[0025] In the valve body 3d, restoring force enhanced areas 3c1, 3c2 are formed at positions between the cut 3e and the annular body 3a, sandwiching the connecting piece 3b. When the body part of the container body 10 is squeezed, the restoring force enhanced areas 3c1, 3c2 twist and deform, swinging the valve body 3d upward with the connecting piece 3b as a fulcrum, widely opening the path 2d of the spout tap 2, while the restoring force of the restoring force enhanced areas 3c1, 3c2 allows the valve body 3d to quickly return to its initial position and close the path 2d when the squeezing is stopped.

[0026] As a result, even if the valve body 3 is disposed in the path 2d, the path 2d opens widely, so that highly viscous contents or contents containing solid matter can be efficiently poured out from the spout 2a. In addition, when the squeeze is stopped, the valve body 3d can be quickly returned to its initial position, so that dripping of the contents can be suppressed.

[0027] As described above, the valve body 3 can swing the valve body 3d upward by the torsional deformation of the restoring force enhanced regions 3c1 and 3c2 due to squeezing the container body 10. Therefore, the deformation range is increased compared to the conventional one-point valve (which swings around a hinge as a fulcrum), the deformation amount (stress) per unit length is reduced, and plastic deformation of the connecting piece 3b and the restoring force enhanced regions 3c1 and 3c2 can be suppressed, and a high restoring force can be maintained for a long period of time.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the restoring force enhancing regions 3c1 and 3c2 are provided in shapes and positions symmetrical with respect to the widthwise center line of the connecting piece 3b. Therefore, when the container body 10 is squeezed, the restoring force enhancing regions 3c1 and 3c2 are similarly twisted and deformed, preventing irregular tilting of the valve body 3d (tilting in a direction perpendicular to the opening direction) and stabilizing the opening of the valve body 3d.

[0029] The connecting piece 3b has a vertical rib 3h on at least one of its upper and lower surfaces (the upper surface in FIG. 2) that connects the back surface of the connecting piece 3b to the annular body 3a. The vertical rib 3h reinforces the connecting piece 3b and can suppress plastic deformation of the connecting piece 3b.

[0030] It is also possible to provide breakable thin-walled weakened parts between the annular body 3a and the valve body 3d and in the cut 3e, and by breaking the thin-walled weakened parts at the start of use, oxidation of the contents before opening the squeeze container can be prevented, high quality can be maintained, and leakage can be prevented. The thin-walled weakened parts may be broken before use (after molding, etc.).

[0031] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing another example of the valve body, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the CC position in (a). The valve body 3d has a contour shape defined by, for example, a circular arc portion 3d1 along the inner wall surface of the annular body 3a.

[0032] The valve body 3d is provided with a pair of notches 3f, one end of which is connected to the end of the arc-shaped portion 3d1 and the other end of which extends in parallel toward the center of the valve body 3d, and a single notch 3g, which has a center passing through the center of the width of the connecting piece 3b and surrounds the pair of notches 3f from the vicinity of one end to the other end. Note that the notch 3g is preferably symmetrical with respect to the center line of the width of the connecting piece 3b, and may be an inverted U-shape as shown in the figure, or an arc-shape, C-shape, V-shape, or the like.

[0033] In the valve body 3d, the cuts 3f and 3g form a linear restoring force enhanced area 3c1 between the pair of cuts 3f, and an inverted U-shaped restoring force enhanced area 3c2 between the cuts 3f and 3g. When the body portion of the container body 10 is squeezed, the restoring force enhanced areas 3c1 and 3c2 deform while curving upward with the connecting piece 3b as a fulcrum, swinging the valve body 3d and widely opening the path 2d of the spout tap 2, while when the squeezing is stopped, the restoring force of the restoring force enhanced areas 3c1 and 3c2 allows the valve body 3d to quickly return to its initial position and close the path 2d. [Industrial Applicability]

[0034] The squeeze container of the present invention can be used as a container for filling liquid, creamy, viscous, and other foods and beverages, medicines, chemicals, cosmetics, and other contents, and is particularly suitable for filling highly viscous contents or contents containing solids. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1. Mouth and neck 2. Dispensing valve 2a spout 2b Surrounding wall 2c ceiling wall 2d Route 3 Valve body 3a Cyclic body 3b Connecting piece 3c1, 3c2 Restoration Strengthening Area 3d valve body 3d1 Circular arc 3e, 3f, 3g cuts 3h vertical rib 4 Cover cap 4a Ceiling wall 4b Ring section 4c Convex part 5 Hinge 10 Container body

Claims

1. A squeeze container is provided with a pouring plug attached to the mouth and neck of a container, and the contents are poured out through the pouring outlet of the pouring plug by squeezing a body part of the container, a valve body is provided in a path connected to the spout of the spout plug, the valve body opening the spout only when the body of the container is squeezed; The valve element includes an annular body provided on a wall surface within the passage, and a flat valve main body that is disposed inside the annular body and cantilevered by the annular body via a connecting piece whose center in a width direction is located on the center line of the annular body, A squeeze container, characterized in that said valve body is provided with at least one cut extending in the width direction or length direction of said connecting piece and forming a restoring force enhancing region of said valve body.

2. 2. The squeeze container according to claim 1, wherein the cut is a single cut having a center passing through a center of the width direction of the connecting piece, located inside the annular body, and extending along an inner edge shape of the annular body.

3. The squeeze container according to claim 1, characterized in that the cuts sandwich the connecting piece from both sides in the width direction, and each cut comprises a pair of cuts having one end connected to the outer edge end of the valve body and the other end extending in parallel toward the center of the valve body, and a single cut having a center passing through the center of the connecting piece in the width direction and surrounding the pair of cuts from the vicinity of the one end side to the other end.

4. 3. The squeeze container according to claim 1, wherein the connecting piece has a vertical rib on at least one of its upper and lower surfaces, the rear portion of which is connected to the inner wall surface of the annular body.

5. 2. The squeeze container according to claim 1, wherein a breakable thin-walled weakened portion is provided between said annular body and said valve body and at said cutout.

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