Cap unit and cap system

Abstract

To realize a function for preventing a cap from being opened accidentally at low cost with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A cap unit includes: an inner cap; an outer cap with the same axis of the inner cap; a magnetic member that rotates with a rotation of the outer cap; a tightening mechanism that integrates the inner cap and the outer cap via the magnetic member when the outer cap is tightened and rotated and rotates the inner cap in a tightening direction; and a loosening control mechanism that allows the magnetic member to move axially between a first axial direction position and a second axial direction position relative to the inner cap and the outer cap depending on the presence or absence of a magnetic force from an axial outside of the outer cap, and rotates the inner cap in a loosening direction when the magnetic member is in the first axial position and restricts the rotation of the inner cap in the loosening direction when the magnetic member is in the second axial position during loosening rotation of the outer cap.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap unit and a cap system capable of closing an opening of a container such as a tank or a bottle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique for preventing a cap that can be moved between a closed position that closes a container opening and an open position that opens the container opening from moving from the closed position to the open position by mistake (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The cap described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a locking means that can slide between a locked position that locks the cap in the closed position and an unlocked position that unlocks the cap, and an operating knob that can slide the locking means from the locked position to the unlocked position. When an ID code unique to the vehicle transmitted from a portable device carried by a legitimate driver is received, the locking means can be slid from the locked position to the unlocked position by operating the operating knob.

[0003] In addition, the cap described in Patent Document 2 is provided with a ratchet mechanism that allows the inner cap and the outer cap to rotate in one direction and restricts rotation in the other direction. When the outer cap is pressed against the inner cap against the elasticity of the restraining claw of the ratchet mechanism, the outer cap and the inner cap are integrated by a key connection. In this case, when the outer cap rotates in the loosening direction, which is the removal direction, the inner cap rotates in the same loosening direction along with the rotation of the outer cap, and the container opening is opened. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-125863 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-152155 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the cap described in Patent Document 1 requires the inclusion of a locking means and an ID code transmitter / receiver to prevent accidental opening, which may increase costs and complicate the structure. Also, with the cap described in Patent Document 2, it is sufficient to simply press the outer cap against the inner cap to open the container opening, so even if a person does not know how to open a cap, there is a high possibility that the outer cap and the inner cap will accidentally become one body due to an unexpected press, and the cap will be opened by mistake.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a cap unit and a cap system that can achieve the function of preventing the cap from being opened accidentally at low cost and with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention includes a cylindrical or columnar inner cap, an outer cap that is arranged coaxially with the inner cap and covers the inner cap, a magnetic member that rotates around the axis of the inner cap in association with the rotation of either the outer cap or the inner cap, a tightening mechanism that integrates the inner cap and the outer cap via the magnetic member when the outer cap rotates in a tightening direction around the axis and rotates the inner cap in the tightening direction, and a tightening mechanism that adjusts the magnetic member between the inner cap and the outer cap depending on the presence or absence of a magnetic force acting on the magnetic member from the axial outside of the outer cap. This cap unit is equipped with a loosening control mechanism that allows the outer cap to move axially between a first axial position and a second axial position, and at the first axial position, when the outer cap rotates in a loosening direction around its axis, integrates the inner cap and the outer cap via the magnetic member to enter a rotation-permitting state in which the inner cap is rotated in the loosening direction, and at the second axial position, when the outer cap rotates in the loosening direction, releases the integration of the inner cap and the outer cap via the magnetic member to enter a rotation-restricting state in which rotation of the inner cap in the loosening direction is restricted.

[0008] According to this configuration, the function of preventing the cap from being opened accidentally can be achieved at low cost with a simple structure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cap unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the cap back surface side of an outer cap provided in the cap unit of the present embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a perspective view of an inner cap provided in the cap unit of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between an outer cap and a magnetic member in the cap unit of the embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between an inner cup and a magnetic member in the cap unit of the present embodiment (specifically, when a magnetic force is generated). FIG. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining a mechanism for applying a magnetic force from a magnet to a magnetic member in the cap unit of the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between an inner cup, an outer cap, and a magnetic member in a cap unit of the present embodiment (with an axial end face that is a part of the outer cap removed). FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a top view of the positional relationship shown in FIG. 7 as viewed from the axial direction. [Figure 9] 5A and 5B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, showing the positional relationship between an inner cup and a magnetic member that occurs when the cap is fastened in the cap unit of the present embodiment. [Figure 10] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the inner cup and the magnetic member that may occur during the cap loosening operation when no magnetic force is generated in the cap unit of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Specific embodiments of a cap unit and a cap system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0011] The cap unit 10 according to one embodiment is a lid for opening and closing a container opening. The container opening opened and closed by the cap unit 10 is an opening provided in a container such as a tank or a bottle mounted on a vehicle. The container such as the tank or the bottle may be one into which a special cooling medium developed for the purpose of increasing the cooling efficiency of a battery may be poured. The cap unit 10 may also be applied to a safety cap other than a cap mounted on a vehicle.

[0012] The cap unit 10 has a function of preventing the inner cap from opening accidentally as described later in detail, and can prevent, for example, an incorrect liquid from being poured into a container. As shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 8, the cap unit 10 includes an inner cap 20, an outer cap 30, a magnetic member 40, a tightening mechanism 50, and a loosening control mechanism 60. The cap unit 10 is assembled by assembling the inner cap 20, the outer cap 30, and the magnetic member 40 together after they are formed separately.

[0013] The inner cap 20 is a housing forming the cap body. The inner cap 20 is formed in a cylindrical or columnar shape. The inner cap 20 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The inner cap 20 has a fastening portion formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion for fastening to a container. The inner cap 20 may have a structure 80 for ensuring the airtightness of the container as shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] The outer cap 30 is a member provided on the axially outer side Ao of the inner cap 20 and covers the inner cap 20 from the axially outer side Ao. The outer cap 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The outer cap 30 may be formed so that the inner surface of the cylinder is circular, and the outer surface of the cylinder is polygonal other than circular. Furthermore, the outer cap 30 may be formed in a frame shape other than a cylindrical shape. The outer cap 30 can be rotated by an operator by directly touching it in order to rotate the inner cap 20. The cylindrical outer surface of the outer cap 30 may be provided with slits or protrusions to prevent slipping during rotation by the operator.

[0015] The outer cap 30 is disposed coaxially with the inner cap 20. That is, the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30 are positioned so as to be coaxial with each other. The outer cap 30 is capable of rotating relative to the inner cap 20. Note that the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30 may be restricted from moving relative to each other in the axial direction after being positioned.

[0016] The magnetic member 40 is a member that rotates around the axis of the inner cap 20 in association with the rotation of either the outer cap 30 or the inner cap 20. The magnetic member 40 is made of a magnetic material (particularly, a ferromagnetic material). This magnetic material is, for example, a metal such as iron, cobalt, or nickel, or a polymer magnetic material. It is preferable that the magnetic member 40 is made of a metal having high rigidity and high strength.

[0017] In this embodiment, the magnetic member 40 rotates in association with the rotation of the outer cap 30. The magnetic member 40 is configured such that its relative rotation around the axis with respect to the outer cap 30 is restricted, and its relative movement in the axial direction with respect to the outer cap 30 is permitted. In other words, the magnetic member 40 rotates integrally with the rotation of the outer cap 30, and is capable of moving in the axial direction with respect to the outer cap 30.

[0018] The magnetic member 40 is interposed between the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30. The magnetic member 40 is formed in a rod shape. The magnetic member 40 may be formed in a round rod shape so as to be easily rotated around the axis of the outer cap 30, or may be formed in a square rod shape so as to easily ensure a contact area with a stopper portion 52 of a rib 51 and a stopper portion 63 of a rib 62, which will be described later.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, the inner cap 20 has a circular bottom wall 21 facing in the axial direction, and a cylindrical wall 22 extending in the axial direction from the radial outer end of the bottom wall 21. The bottom wall 21 is formed in a planar shape so that the magnetic member 40 can contact it. For example, the bottom wall 21 is formed in an annular shape so that at least both ends of the rod of the magnetic member 40 can contact it. The inner surface of the cylindrical wall 22 is formed so that the diameter is larger than the entire length of the magnetic member 40. The radial inner side of the cylindrical wall 22 and the front side of the bottom wall 21 of the inner cap 20 (i.e., the axial outer side Ao) form a space in which the magnetic member 40 can move in the circumferential direction and the axial direction.

[0020] The tightening mechanism 50 is a mechanism that rotates the inner cap 20 in the tightening direction around the axis (e.g., clockwise direction) by integrating and positioning the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30 via the magnetic member 40.

[0021] 3 and 5, the tightening mechanism 50 has a rib 51. The rib 51 is a protrusion on which the magnetic member 40 (e.g., its rod tip) is caught when the outer cap 30 rotates in the tightening direction about the axis. The rib 51 is provided on the inner cap 20. The rib 51 protrudes axially from the surface of the bottom wall 21 of the inner cap 20 and extends circumferentially.

[0022] The rib 51 has a stopper portion 52 and an inclined portion 53. The stopper portion 52 is provided at one of the two circumferential ends of the rib 51 in the direction of loosening around the axis. The stopper portion 52 is a vertical wall surface facing the direction of loosening around the axis. The stopper portion 52 is a portion where the magnetic member 40 gets caught when the outer cap 30 rotates in the tightening direction. In a state where the magnetic member 40 gets caught by the stopper portion 52, when the outer cap 30 rotates in the tightening direction, the outer cap 30 and the inner cap 20 rotate together.

[0023] The inclined portion 53 is a portion of the two circumferential ends of the rib 51 that is inclined from the end in the tightening direction about the axis toward the loosening direction. Specifically, the inclined portion 53 is a portion whose protrusion in the axial direction from the surface of the bottom wall 21 gradually increases from zero from the end in the tightening direction toward the loosening direction. The inclined portion 53 is a portion for preventing the rib 51 having the stopper portion 52 from having a standing wall facing the tightening direction about the axis, and for preventing the magnetic member 40 from getting caught on the rib 51 when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the loosening direction.

[0024] The angle range in which the inclined portion 53 of the rib 51 extends in the circumferential direction is preferably 5° or more and less than 150°. In particular, when two ribs 62 (described later) are provided at equal intervals, the angle range of 5° or more and less than 150° is preferable. Furthermore, when four ribs 62 (described later) are provided at equal intervals, the angle range of 5° or more and less than 60° is more preferable. This is to prevent the magnetic member 40 from bouncing significantly in the axial direction due to the presence of the rib 51 when the outer cap 30 rotates in the loosening direction in a situation where there is no magnetic force acting on the magnetic member 40 from the axial outside Ao of the outer cap 30, and to prevent the magnetic member 40 from being erroneously caught by the rib 62 (described later), and to prevent the inner cap 20 from erroneously rotating in the loosening direction.

[0025] In order to improve the reliability and durability of the cap unit 10, it is preferable that the ribs 51 are provided at multiple locations (for example, two locations) around the axis of the inner cap 20. Furthermore, it is preferable that the multiple ribs 51 are arranged at equal intervals around the axis of the inner cap 20, and it is preferable that they are arranged at least at positions that are point-symmetric around the axis.

[0026] The loosening control mechanism 60 is a mechanism that controls the rotation of the inner cap 20 in the loosening direction when the outer cap 30 rotates in the loosening direction around the axis, by switching between a state in which the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30 are integrated via the magnetic member 40 and a state in which the integration of the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30 via the magnetic member 40 is released, depending on the axial position of the magnetic member 40.

[0027] Specifically, the loosening control mechanism 60 has a structure that allows the magnetic member 40 to move axially between a first axial position and a second axial position relative to the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30 depending on the presence or absence of a magnetic force acting on the magnetic member 40 from the axial outside Ao of the outer cap 30. The first axial position of the magnetic member 40 is a position at which the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30 can be integrated together, and is away from the surface of the bottom wall 21 of the inner cap 20. The second axial position of the magnetic member 40 is a position at which the integration of the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30 can be released, and is axially inward Ai from the first axial position and close to the surface of the bottom wall 21 of the inner cap 20. The magnetic member 40 is in the second axial position when the magnetic force does not act, and is in the first axial position when the magnetic force acts.

[0028] Furthermore, at the first axial position of the magnetic member 40, the loosening control mechanism 60 becomes a rotation allowing state in which, when the outer cap 30 rotates in the loosening direction about its axis, the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30 are integrated via the magnetic member 40, causing the inner cap 20 to rotate in the loosening direction. Furthermore, at the second axial position of the magnetic member 40, the loosening control mechanism 60 becomes a rotation restricting state in which, when the outer cap 30 rotates in the loosening direction, the integration of the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30 via the magnetic member 40 is released, causing the outer cap 30 to rotate relative to the inner cap 20, causing the rotation of the inner cap 20 in the loosening direction to be restricted.

[0029] The loosening control mechanism 60 has a slit 61 (see, for example, FIGS. 2 and 4) and a rib 62 (see, for example, FIGS. 3 and 5). The slit 61 is a cutout that restricts circumferential movement of the magnetic member 40 relative to the outer cap 30 while allowing axial movement between a first axial position and a second axial position. The slit 61 is provided in the outer cap 30. Specifically, the slit 61 is provided in a circumferential wall 31 that is formed on the back surface side of the outer cap 30 and extends in the circumferential direction.

[0030] The slit 61 is formed so that a part of the magnetic member 40 in the longitudinal direction can be inserted therein, and the magnetic member 40 can slidably move therethrough. The slit 61 is formed to extend from an end of the circumferential wall 31 on the axial inner side Ai to the axial outer side Ao with a constant circumferential width. The slit width of the slit 61 is equal to or greater than the width of the magnetic member 40. The slit length of the slit 61 (specifically, the slit length in the axial direction of the outer cap 30) is equal to or greater than the distance between the first axial position and the second axial position to which the magnetic member 40 can move in the axial direction.

[0031] The rib 62 is a protrusion on which the magnetic member 40 (for example, the rod tip portion) can be caught when the outer cap 30 rotates in the loosening direction about the axis. The rib 62 is provided on the inner cap 20. The rib 62 protrudes radially inward from the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 22 of the inner cap 20. The rib 62 is formed at an axial position on the cylindrical wall 22 where the rib 62 can be caught by the magnetic member 40 only when the magnetic member 40 is in a first axial position, and is formed so as not to be caught by the magnetic member 40 when the magnetic member 40 is in a second axial position.

[0032] The rib 62 has a stopper portion 63. The stopper portion 63 is provided at one of the two circumferential ends of the rib 62 in the tightening direction around the axis. The stopper portion 63 forms a wall surface facing the tightening direction around the axis. The stopper portion 63 is a portion where the magnetic member 40 gets caught when the outer cap 30 rotates in the tightening direction. In a state where the magnetic member 40 gets caught on the stopper portion 63, when the outer cap 30 rotates in the loosening direction, the outer cap 30 and the inner cap 20 rotate integrally.

[0033] In order to improve the reliability and durability of the cap unit 10, it is preferable that the ribs 62 are provided at multiple locations (e.g., two locations) around the axis of the inner cap 20. Furthermore, it is preferable that the multiple ribs 62 are arranged at equal intervals around the axis of the inner cap 20, and it is preferable that they are arranged at least at positions that are point symmetrical around the axis. Hereinafter, the rib 62 will be referred to as the first rib 62, and the rib 51 will be referred to as the second rib 51.

[0034] In the inner cap 20, the axial position where the first rib 62 is provided is different from the axial position where the portion of the second rib 51 that protrudes the most from the bottom wall 21 is provided. The axial position where the first rib 62 is provided is preferably farther from the bottom wall 21 in the axial direction than the axial position where the portion of the second rib 51 that protrudes the most from the bottom wall 21 is provided. This is to prevent the magnetic member 40 from being accidentally caught by the first rib 62 when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the loosening direction in a situation where there is no magnetic force acting on the magnetic member 40 from the axial outside Ao of the outer cap 30, and to prevent the inner cap 20 from accidentally rotating in the loosening direction.

[0035] In addition, in the inner cap 20, the circumferential position at which the first rib 62 is provided is different from the circumferential position at which the stopper portion 52 of the second rib 51 is provided. Note that the circumferential position at which the first rib 62 is provided is preferably separated from the circumferential position at which the stopper portion 52 of the second rib 51 is provided by an angle of 30° or more in the loosening direction around the axis.

[0036] It is preferable that the above angle is as large as possible, but when two or more first ribs 62 or two or more second ribs 51 are provided, it is preferable that the ribs 51, 62 are arranged at equal intervals around the entire circumference of the axis. For example, when two first ribs 62 and two second ribs 51 are provided, it is preferable that the ribs 51, 62 are arranged at 90° intervals. This is to prevent the magnetic member 40 from being caught by the first rib 62 and the inner cap 20 from rotating in the loosening direction in a particularly high speed in a situation where there is no magnetic force acting on the magnetic member 40 from the axial outside Ao of the outer cap 30.

[0037] The magnetic force acting on the magnetic member 40 is generated by a magnet 90. The magnet 90 is a magnetic body that generates a magnetic force that attracts the magnetic member 40 located on the axial inner side Ai of the outer cap 30 and moves it to the first axial position. As shown in FIG. 6, the magnet 90 is detachably arranged on the axial outer side Ao of the outer cap 30. The magnet 90 is not arranged on the axial outer side Ao of the outer cap 30 in a normal state, including when the cap unit 10 is attached to a container. The magnet 90 is arranged on the axial outer side Ao of the outer cap 30 when the cap unit 10 is removed from the container to which it is attached. The cap unit 10 and the magnet 90 constitute a cap system 1 (see FIG. 6) that opens and closes the cap unit 10 with respect to the container.

[0038] The magnet 90 may be portable by a person and pressed against the outer cap 30 by a person when the cap unit 10 is removed from the container. Alternatively, the magnet 90 may be provided by a mechanical device and automatically set on the axial outside Ao of the outer cap 30 when the cap unit 10 is removed from the container. When the magnet 90 is carried by a person, the magnet 90 may be a dedicated product prepared exclusively for the cap unit 10, or may be an existing product other than a dedicated product.

[0039] Next, the assembly and operation of the cap unit 10 will be described. First, the cap unit 10 is assembled such that the outer cap 30 is inserted in the axial direction so as to cover the inner cap 20 and the magnetic member 40 is interposed between the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30. When this assembly is performed, a portion of the magnetic member 40 in the longitudinal direction is inserted into the slit 61 of the outer cap 30. When the magnetic member 40 is inserted into the slit 61 upon completion of the assembly of the cap unit 10, thereafter, the magnetic member 40 becomes capable of moving in the axial direction along the slit 61 between a first axial position and a second axial position.

[0040] When the magnet 90 is not disposed on the axially outer side Ao of the outer cap 30 and no magnetic force is applied by the magnet 90, the magnetic member 40 is supported in contact with the surface of the bottom wall 21 of the inner cap 20 by its own weight or the like and is in the second axial position. When the magnet 90 is disposed on the axially outer side Ao of the outer cap 30 from this state and the magnetic force of the magnet 90 acts on the magnetic member 40, the magnetic member 40 moves away from the surface of the bottom wall 21 to the axially outer side Ao by magnetic attraction and reaches the first axial position. Then, when the magnet 90 is removed from the axially outer side Ao of the outer cap 30, the magnetic force acting on the magnetic member 40 disappears and the magnetic member 40 moves axially from the first axial position on the axially outer side Ao to the second axial position on the axially inner side Ai by its own weight.

[0041] When the cap unit 10 is removed from a container and a request is made to attach the cap unit 10 to the container, the cap unit 10 is positioned on the container, and then the outer cap 30 is rotated in the tightening direction about the axis. This operation of rotating the outer cap 30 in the tightening direction may be performed by a person holding the entire cap unit 10 in his / her hand, or may be performed by a mechanical device holding the entire cap unit 10.

[0042] When the outer cap 30 rotates in the fastening direction, the magnetic member 40 rotates integrally in the fastening direction in association with the rotation of the outer cap 30. When the magnet 90 is not disposed on the axial outside Ao of the outer cap 30, the magnetic member 40 is in the second axial position. In this state, from when the outer cap 30 starts to rotate in the fastening direction until the magnetic member 40 gets caught on the stopper portion 52 of the second rib 51 of the inner cap 20, the outer cap 30 and the magnetic member 40 rotate in the fastening direction relative to the inner cap 20.

[0043] When the magnetic member 40 is in the second axial position, the magnetic member 40 can be caught by the stopper portion 52 of the second rib 51 if it rotates in the fastening direction. After the outer cap 30 starts to rotate in the fastening direction, when the magnetic member 40 is caught by the stopper portion 52 of the second rib 51, the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30 are integrated via the magnetic member 40, and the inner cap 20 is pushed in the fastening direction around the axis by the outer cap 30 via the magnetic member 40 and rotates in the fastening direction (the state shown in FIG. 9). When the inner cap 20 rotates in the fastening direction together with the outer cap 30, the entire cap unit 10 is attached to the container to close the container opening.

[0044] Furthermore, when the cap unit 10 is attached to a container and there is a demand to remove the cap unit 10 from the container, the outer cap 30 is rotated in the loosening direction about the axis. This operation of rotating the outer cap 30 in the loosening direction may be performed by a person holding the entire cap unit 10 in his / her hand, or may be performed by a mechanical device holding the entire cap unit 10.

[0045] When the outer cap 30 rotates in the loosening direction, the magnetic member 40 rotates integrally with the outer cap 30 in the loosening direction in response to the rotation of the outer cap 30. When the magnet 90 is not disposed on the axially outer side Ao of the outer cap 30, the magnetic member 40 is in the second axial position. In this state, even if the outer cap 30 is rotated in the loosening direction, the magnetic member 40 does not get caught on the first rib 62, but simply enters from the end in the fastening direction where the protrusion amount of the inclined portion 53 is extremely small relative to the second rib 51, and overcomes the second rib 51, according to the procedure shown in FIG. 10. In this case, the outer cap 30 and the magnetic member 40 are not integrated with the inner cap 20, and rotate (freely rotate) in the loosening direction relative to the inner cap 20.

[0046] On the other hand, when removal of the cap unit 10 from the container is required, in order to avoid the above-mentioned free rotation, the magnet 90 is disposed on the axial outer side Ao of the outer cap 30. When the magnet 90 is disposed on the axial outer side Ao of the outer cap 30, a magnetic force generated by the magnet 90 acts on the magnetic member 40, and the magnetic member 40 moves from the second axial position to the first axial position.

[0047] When the magnetic member 40 is in the first axial position, the magnetic member 40 can be caught by the stopper portion 63 of the first rib 62 if it rotates in the loosening direction. After the outer cap 30 starts to rotate in the loosening direction, when the magnetic member 40 is caught by the stopper portion 63 of the first rib 62, the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30 are integrated via the magnetic member 40, and the inner cap 20 is pushed in the loosening direction about the axis by the outer cap 30 via the magnetic member 40 and rotates in the loosening direction (the state shown in FIG. 5). When the inner cap 20 rotates in the loosening direction together with the outer cap 30, the entire cap unit 10 is removed from the container to open the container opening.

[0048] In this way, in the cap unit 10, when the cap unit 10 is removed from the container and the outer cap 30 is positioned on the container and rotated in the tightening direction around the axis, the magnetic member 40 gets caught on the stopper portion 52 of the second rib 51 of the inner cap 20 during the rotation of the outer cap 30, and thereafter, the inner cap 20 rotates in the tightening direction together with the outer cap 30 and the magnetic member 40.

[0049] Therefore, according to the cap unit 10 (particularly, the tightening mechanism 50), when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the tightening direction, the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30 can be integrated via the magnetic member 40, and the inner cap 20 can be rotated in the tightening direction.

[0050] In addition, in the cap unit 10, when the magnet 90 is first disposed on the axial outside Ao of the outer cap 30 from a state in which the cap unit 10 is attached to a container, the magnetic member 40 moves from the second axial position to the first axial position due to the magnetic force of the magnet 90. When the outer cap 30 is rotated in the loosening direction about the axis in this state, the magnetic member 40 gets caught on the stopper portion 63 of the first rib 62 of the inner cap 20 while the outer cap 30 is rotating, and thereafter, the inner cap 20 rotates together with the outer cap 30 and the magnetic member 40 in the loosening direction.

[0051] On the other hand, when the magnet 90 is not disposed on the axially outer side Ao of the outer cap 30, the magnetic member 40 is in the second axial position. In this state, even if the outer cap 30 is rotated in the loosening direction about its axis, the magnetic member 40 does not get caught on the first rib 62, but merely climbs over the second rib 51, and the outer cap 30 and the magnetic member 40 do not become integrated with the inner cap 20 and rotate freely relative to the inner cap 20 in the loosening direction.

[0052] Therefore, according to the cap unit 10 (particularly, the loosening control mechanism 60), the magnetic member 40 can be moved axially between a first axial position and a second axial position relative to the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30 depending on the presence or absence of a magnetic force acting on the magnetic member 40 from the axial outside Ao of the outer cap 30, i.e., the presence or absence of the magnet 90 on the axial outside Ao of the outer cap 30. Also, depending on whether the magnetic member 40 is in the first axial position or the second axial position, when the outer cap 30 rotates in the loosening direction, it is possible to switch between a rotation permitting state that permits rotation of the inner cap 20 in the loosening direction and a rotation restricting state that restricts the rotation.

[0053] Specifically, when the magnet 90 is not disposed on the axial outside Ao of the outer cap 30, the magnetic member 40 is in the second axial position, so even if the outer cap 30 rotates in the loosening direction, the outer cap 30 can be made to rotate freely relative to the inner cap 20, and the rotation of the inner cap 20 in the loosening direction can be restricted. On the other hand, when the magnet 90 is disposed on the axial outside Ao of the outer cap 30, the magnetic member 40 is in the first axial position, so that when the outer cap 30 rotates in the loosening direction, the inner cap 20 and the outer cap 30 are integrated via the magnetic member 40, and the inner cap 20 can be rotated in the loosening direction.

[0054] As described above, according to the configuration in which a state in which rotation of the inner cap 20 in the loosening direction is permitted and a state in which the rotation is restricted are switched when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the loosening direction depending on the presence or absence of the magnet 90, rotation of the inner cap 20 in the loosening direction is restricted unless the magnet 90 is disposed, so that it is possible to prevent the inner cap 20 from accidentally rotating in the loosening direction when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the loosening direction. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, unlike a configuration in which the inner cap 20 is always rotated in the loosening direction in synchronization with the rotation of the outer cap 30 when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the loosening direction, it is possible to prevent the cap (specifically, the inner cap 20) from accidentally opening in the loosening direction.

[0055] According to this configuration, in order to prevent the cap from being opened accidentally, it is possible to avoid increasing costs and complicating the cap structure by installing a transceiver, etc. Therefore, according to the cap system 1 and the cap unit 10, the function of preventing the cap from being opened accidentally can be realized at low cost with a simple structure.

[0056] In the cap unit 10, the second rib 51 is provided with a stopper portion 52 on which the magnetic member 40 is caught when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the tightening direction, and an inclined portion 53 for preventing the magnetic member 40 from being caught when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the loosening direction. Therefore, the second rib 51 can catch the magnetic member 40 when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the tightening direction, thereby rotating the inner cap 20 in the tightening direction in association with the rotation of the outer cap 30, and can prevent the magnetic member 40 from being caught due to the presence of the second rib 51 when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the loosening direction, thereby preventing the inner cap 20 from rotating in the tightening direction in association with the rotation of the outer cap 30.

[0057] In the cap unit 10, the first rib 62 and the second rib 51 are arranged in different axial positions and different circumferential positions. For example, the axial position at which the first rib 62 is provided is farther away from the bottom wall 21 in the axial direction than the axial position at which the second rib 51 has a portion that protrudes the most from the bottom wall 21. In addition, for example, the circumferential position at which the first rib 62 is provided is away from the circumferential position at which the stopper portion 52 of the second rib 51 is provided by an angle of 30° or more in the loosening direction around the axis.

[0058] Therefore, the function of the first rib 62 to rotate the inner cap 20 in the loosening direction when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the loosening direction, and the function of the second rib 51 to rotate the inner cap 20 in the fastening direction when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the fastening direction can be ensured without impairing each other's function. For example, it is possible to prevent the magnetic member 40 from getting caught on the first rib 62 when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the fastening direction, and it is also possible to prevent the magnetic member 40 from getting caught on the second rib 51 when the outer cap 30 is rotated in the loosening direction, and the magnetic member 40 from getting erroneously caught on the first rib 62 even though the magnet 90 is not disposed on the axial outside Ao of the outer cap 30.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the magnetic member 40 is formed in a rod shape such as a round bar or a square bar. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a structure in which the magnetic member 40 is formed in a plate shape or a disk shape.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the magnetic member 40 rotates integrally with the outer cap 30 as the outer cap 30 rotates. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a structure in which the magnetic member 40 rotates integrally with the inner cap 20 as the inner cap 20 rotates. In this modified structure, the ribs 51, 62 on which the magnetic member 40 is caught during rotation may be provided on the outer cap 30 instead of on the inner cap 20.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, this specification discloses not only the technical ideas shown by the citation relationships described in each claim at the time of filing, but also the technical ideas obtained by appropriately combining the matters described in each claim. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1: cap system, 10: cap unit, 20: inner cap, 21: bottom wall, 22: cylindrical wall, 30: outer cap, 31: circumferential wall, 40: magnetic member, 50: tightening mechanism, 51: rib (second rib), 52: stopper portion, 53: inclined portion, 60: loosening control mechanism, 61: slit, 62: rib (first rib), 63: stopper portion, 90: magnet.

Claims

1. A cylindrical or columnar inner cap; an outer cap arranged coaxially with the inner cap and covering the inner cap; a magnetic member that rotates around an axis of the inner cap in association with rotation of either the outer cap or the inner cap; a tightening mechanism that integrates the inner cap and the outer cap via the magnetic member when the outer cap rotates in a tightening direction about an axis and rotates the inner cap in the tightening direction; a loosening control mechanism which allows the magnetic member to move axially between a first axial position and a second axial position relative to the inner cap and the outer cap depending on the presence or absence of a magnetic force acting on the magnetic member from the axial outside of the outer cap, and which, when the outer cap rotates in a loosening direction about its axis at the first axial position, integrates the inner cap and the outer cap via the magnetic member to enter a rotation-permitting state in which the inner cap is rotated in the loosening direction, and when the outer cap rotates in the loosening direction at the second axial position, releases the integration of the inner cap and the outer cap via the magnetic member to enter a rotation-restricting state in which the rotation of the inner cap in the loosening direction is restricted; A cap unit comprising:

2. The loosening control mechanism includes: a slit provided in a circumferential wall formed in the outer cap and extending in the circumferential direction, the slit restricting circumferential movement of the magnetic member relative to the outer cap and allowing axial movement of the magnetic member; a first rib provided on the inner cap, the first rib being adapted to catch the magnetic member at the first axial position and not to catch the magnetic member at the second axial position; The cap unit according to claim 1 , comprising:

3. The cap unit according to claim 2 , wherein the fastening mechanism includes a second rib provided on the inner cap and on which the magnetic member is caught when the outer cap is rotated in the fastening direction.

4. The second rib is a bottom wall of the inner cap, the bottom wall protruding in an axial direction and extending in a circumferential direction; a stopper portion provided at one of the two circumferential ends in the loosening direction; an inclined portion whose protruding amount in the axial direction gradually increases from the end in the tightening direction to the loosening direction, the inclined portion being one of the two circumferential ends; The cap unit according to claim 3 , comprising:

5. A cap unit as described in claim 4, wherein in the inner cap, the axial position at which the first rib is provided is axially farther from the bottom wall than the axial position at which the portion of the second rib at which the protrusion amount is maximum is provided.

6. The cap unit according to claim 4 , wherein in the inner cap, a circumferential position at which the first rib is provided is separated from a circumferential position at which the stopper portion is provided by an angle of 30° or more in the loosening direction.

7. The cap unit according to claim 4 , wherein the angle range over which the inclined portion extends in the circumferential direction is equal to or greater than 5° and less than 150°.

8. The cap unit according to claim 2 , wherein the first rib is provided at two or more locations in the circumferential direction of the inner cap.

9. A cap unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a magnet that is detachably disposed axially outside the outer cap and generates the magnetic force that moves the magnetic member to the first axial position; A cap system comprising:

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