Container

Abstract

To provide a container capable of repeatedly and stably suppressing co-rotation while suppressing an increase in cost.SOLUTION: The container includes a container body, a first cap and a second cap. The mouth portion has a first screw portion. The container body has a first ratchet portion. The second cap has an engagement wall. The engagement wall has a first protrusion portion protruding radially inward. The first cap includes: a second screw portion that engages with the first screw portion; a second ratchet portion that protrudes radially inward and engages with the first ratchet portion from one side in the circumferential direction; a first groove portion that is recessed radially inward and extends downward as it moves from the other side in the circumferential direction to one side, and into which the first protrusion portion fits; and a second groove portion that extends from the lower end of the first groove portion to one side in the circumferential direction and into which the first protrusion portion fits. The engaging force when the first screw portion and the second screw portion engage in the plugging region where the first cap is plugged to the mouth portion is greater than the engaging force before the first cap reaches the plugging region with respect to the mouth portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in containers for storing liquid substances such as liquid detergents, liquid bleaches, liquid fabric softeners, solvents, etc., and powder and granular substances such as granular detergents, granular bleaches, granular seasonings, etc., there are those having a nozzle, a nozzle cap attached to the mouth of a bottle container as a container body by a screw portion, and a measuring cylinder portion for measuring the content poured out from the nozzle, and a measuring cap detachably attached to the container body via the nozzle cap.

[0003] When the measuring cap is detachably attached to the nozzle cap by a screw portion, a co-rotation occurs in which the nozzle cap opens and closes in conjunction with the opening and closing of the measuring cap. Therefore, conventionally, a ratchet structure has been provided on both the nozzle cap and the container body, and the ratchet of the nozzle cap is locked to the ratchet of the container body when opening the cap, thereby preventing the above-mentioned co-rotation. In the above ratchet structure, the ratchet of the nozzle cap cannot be locked to the ratchet of the container body to open the cap, and since the nozzle cap and the container body often use different materials, it is not suitable for recycling.

[0004] In addition, since the container body of toiletry products is a container that is refilled and used many times, it is required that there is no co-rotation even when the nozzle cap is reinstalled. The diameter of the nozzle cap tends to decrease for the purpose of reducing the resin amount. Along with this, since the liquid receiving port during refilling is reduced, the psychological burden of the refilling action increases, so it is required to widen the mouth of the container body as a liquid receiving port by removing the nozzle cap.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a capped container in which an elastic member made of a soft material is provided at the mouth of a cylindrical member, and a flexible tab having a protrusion is integrally provided with the cylindrical member on the front surface of the elastic member. In the container of Patent Document 1, as a convex portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cap overrides the protrusion, it elastically deforms together with the elastic member, and when the overriding of the convex portion is completed, the tab returns to its initial form together with the elastic member, enabling the cap to be repeatedly opened and closed with respect to the cylindrical member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In the container of Patent Document 1, since the cylindrical member is formed of at least two materials, the manufacturing process becomes complicated and the cost increases. Further, in the container of Patent Document 1, since two materials are used, it becomes less suitable for recycling.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a container that can repeatedly and stably suppress co-rotation while suppressing an increase in cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The present invention has the following aspects. [1] It has an upper mouth portion extending in a direction along the central axis, a container body for accommodating the contents, a first cap having an outer wall portion detachably attached to the mouth portion, and a second cap having an outer cylinder portion detachably attached to the first cap. The mouth portion has a first thread portion formed in the circumferential direction around the central axis on the outer circumference. The container body has a first ratchet portion located below the mouth portion and protruding radially outward around the central axis. The second cap has an engaging wall protruding locally downward in the circumferential direction from the outer cylinder portion. The engaging wall has a first protrusion protruding radially inward. The first cap has a second thread portion provided inside the outer wall portion and meshing with the first thread portion, a second ratchet portion protruding radially inward at a position below the second thread portion in the outer wall portion and engaging with the first ratchet portion from one side in the circumferential direction which is the closing side, a first groove portion recessed radially inward at a position above the outer wall portion and extending downward in a direction toward the lower side as it goes from the other side in the circumferential direction which is the opening side toward one side, into which the first protrusion fits from the outer side in the radial direction, and a second groove portion extending from the lower end of the first groove portion to one side in the circumferential direction, into which the first protrusion fits from the outer side in the radial direction. The meshing force when the first thread portion and the second thread portion mesh in the closed region where the first cap is closed with respect to the mouth portion is greater than the meshing force when the first thread portion and the second thread portion mesh before the first cap reaches the closed region with respect to the mouth portion. Container. [2] The first cap has a second protrusion located on the other side in the circumferential direction than the first protrusion when the second cap is closed with respect to the first cap, protruding radially outward from the bottom of the second groove portion, and overlapping with the first protrusion in the circumferential direction. The container according to [1]. [3] A plurality of engaging walls are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. The second cap has a third protruding portion that protrudes from the outer cylindrical portion inward in the radial direction at a position away from the engaging wall in the circumferential direction. The first cap has a fourth protruding portion that protrudes outward in the radial direction at a position in the circumferential direction where the third protruding portion is disposed when the second cap is closed and at a position above the third protruding portion, and the third protruding portion can be engaged from below. The container according to [1] or [2]. [4] The first cap has an inclined surface that forms the lower side surface of the first groove portion and inclines upward as it goes toward the other side in the circumferential direction. The engaging wall is located on the other side in the circumferential direction and has a sliding portion that inclines upward as it goes toward the other side in the circumferential direction and slides on the inclined surface when opening the cap. The container according to any one of [1] to [3]. [5] The first cap is a nozzle cap that protrudes upward and has a trough-shaped nozzle for guiding the pouring of the content from the container body. The second cap is a measuring cap that has a cylindrical measuring cylinder portion with a lid portion. The container according to any one of [1] to [4].

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] In the present invention, by having a nozzle cap that can be repeatedly attached and detached to the container body, the mouth portion of the container body can be widened as a liquid receiving port during the refilling operation of the content, so that the psychological burden of the refilling operation can be reduced. Also, even if the container body and the nozzle cap are made of different materials, they can be easily separated for disposal and are more suitable for recycling. Further, in the attaching and detaching operation when gripping the nozzle cap, the nozzle cap can be attached and detached without removing the measuring cap. Therefore, not only is the attaching and detaching operation simple, but when storing the removed nozzle cap, the top surface of the measuring cap can be used as an installation surface on the floor or the like, and the nozzle cap can be stably stored. Also, it is possible to provide a container that can repeatedly and stably suppress co-rotation while suppressing cost increase.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the container of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. Note that the following embodiments show one aspect of the present invention, do not limit this invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Also, in the following drawings, in order to make each configuration easy to understand, the actual structure and the scale, number, etc. in each structure are made different.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a front view of the top in the upright container 1. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view in FIG. 1.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 1 includes a container body 2, a nozzle cap (first cap) 4, and a measuring cap (second cap) 6. The nozzle cap 4 is detachably attached to the container body 2. The measuring cap 6 is detachably attached to the nozzle cap 4.

[0015] The container body 2 is in the shape of a bottle for containing the contents. The container body 2 has a storage space 2a for storing the contents. Examples of the contents include detergents for clothes (liquid or powder), bleaching agents, fabric softeners, detergents for dishwashers, liquid mouthwashes, etc., and liquid detergents for clothes and fabric softeners are preferred.

[0016] The container body 2 has a mouth portion 3 extending in the direction along the central axis C and a first ratchet portion 9. The mouth portion 3 is in a cylindrical shape along the vertical direction and opens the storage space 2a of the container body 2 upward in the upright state. The mouth portion 3 has a first screw portion 5 on the outer periphery. The first screw portion 5 is a male screw portion. The first screw portion 5 is a right-handed screw formed in the circumferential direction centered on the central axis C.

[0017] A nozzle cap 4 having a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape is attached to the mouth portion 3 from above, and a measuring cap 6 having a substantially lid-like cylindrical shape is attached to the nozzle cap 4 from above. The mouth portion 3, the nozzle cap 4, and the first screw portion 5 share the central axis C along the vertical direction in the upright state.

[0018] In the following description, the axial direction along the central axis C is appropriately referred to as the vertical direction, the direction orthogonal to the central axis C is referred to as the radial direction, and the circumferential direction around the central axis C is referred to as the circumferential direction. Also, on one side in the vertical direction which is the axial direction, the side of the container body 2 where the nozzle cap 4 is provided is referred to as the upper side (above the bottle), and on the other side in the vertical direction which is the axial direction, the side where the container body 2 is provided is referred to as the lower side (below the bottle) for appropriate description. Further, in the circumferential direction, the clockwise direction side centered on the central axis C is referred to as one side, and the counterclockwise direction side is referred to as the other side. One side in the circumferential direction is the closing side. The other side in the circumferential direction is the opening side.

[0019] The drawings appropriately show the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The direction along the Z-axis is the vertical direction. The direction along the Y-axis is the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and orthogonal to the plane of the paper in FIGS. 1 and 2. The direction along the X-axis is the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and parallel to the plane of the paper in FIGS. 1 and 2. Among the Z-axis directions, the side to which the arrow of the Z-axis points is the upper side, and the side opposite to the side to which the arrow of the Z-axis points is the lower side. Among the Y-axis directions, the side to which the arrow of the Y-axis points is the front side, and the side opposite to the side to which the arrow of the Y-axis points is the back side. Among the X-axis directions, the side to which the arrow of the X-axis points is the left side, and the side opposite to the side to which the arrow of the X-axis points is the right side.

[0020] Note that the vertical direction, the upper side, and the lower side are merely names for explaining the arrangement relationship of each part, etc., and the actual arrangement relationship, etc. may be an arrangement relationship, etc. other than the arrangement relationship, etc. indicated by these names.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a front view of the top of the container body 2 in an upright state. As shown in FIG. 3, in the plugging region 5A including the lower end of the first screw portion 5, the pitch diameter of the thread is different from that above the plugging region 5A. Specifically, the width of the thread forming the valley diameter in the plugging region 5A is the same as that above the plugging region 5A, but the width of the thread forming the outer diameter is locally thicker than that above the plugging region 5A.

[0022] Therefore, the meshing force when the second screw portion 7 (described later) in the nozzle cap 4 meshes with the first screw portion 5 in the plugging region 5A where the first screw portion 5 meshes is greater than the meshing force between the first screw portion 5 and the second screw portion 7 above the plugging region 5A. That is, the meshing force when the first screw portion 5 and the second screw portion 7 in the plugging region 5A where the nozzle cap 4 is plugged against the mouth portion 3 mesh is greater than the meshing force when the first screw portion 5 and the second screw portion 7 mesh before the nozzle cap 4 reaches the plugging region 5A against the mouth portion 3.

[0023] Note that when the first thread portion 5 and the second thread portion 7 mesh with each other in the closing region 5A where the nozzle cap 4 is closed with respect to the mouth portion 3, the meshing force is not limited to a configuration where the width of the thread crest forming the outer diameter in the first thread portion 5 in the closing region 5A is thicker than the upper side of the closing region 5A.

[0024] For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a region including the uppermost position where the first thread portion 5 and the second thread portion 7 mesh is defined as the closing region, and the width of the thread groove forming the valley diameter in the second thread portion 7 of the closing region is made thicker than the lower side of the closing region to locally narrow the width of the thread groove. Even in the case of adopting this configuration, the meshing force when the first thread portion 5 and the second thread portion 7 mesh with each other in the closing region 5A where the nozzle cap 4 is closed with respect to the mouth portion 3 can be made larger than the meshing force when the first thread portion 5 and the second thread portion 7 mesh with each other before the nozzle cap 4 reaches the closing region 5A with respect to the mouth portion 3.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line J-J in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view seen from above. As shown in FIG. 4, the first ratchet portion 9 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the base portion 3A in the mouth portion 3. The base portion 3A is the lower end in the mouth portion 3. The first ratchet portion 9 projects radially outward about the central axis C. The first ratchet portion 9 has a locking portion 9A and a groove forming portion 9B.

[0026] The locking portions 9A are provided in four numbers at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral side of the base portion 3A. The locking portions 9A are provided on the front side, the back side, the left side, and the right side on the outer peripheral side of the base portion 3A, respectively. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the first ratchet portion 9 on the back side. As shown in FIG. 5, the locking portion 9A has a locking surface 9C facing the other side in the circumferential direction. The groove forming portion 9B is provided at an interval from the locking portions 9A located on the front side and the back side in the other side in the circumferential direction. The groove forming portion 9B forms a fitting groove 9D that opens radially outward between the locking portion 9A. The protruding length of the groove forming portion 9B radially outward is smaller than the protruding length of the locking portion 9A radially outward.

[0027] The container body 2 is formed of resin. Examples of the resin constituting the container body 2 include polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate, and high-density polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate is preferable. The production method of the container body 2 is formed by blow molding, stretch blow molding, or injection blow molding. That is, the container body 2 is a blow molded body.

[0028] The nozzle cap 4 has an outer wall portion 11, a flange portion 12, an inner cylinder portion 13, a bottom wall portion 14, a nozzle 15, an outer mouth portion 16, a second ratchet portion 50, a groove portion 60, and a second protrusion portion 63 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the outer wall portion 11 is cylindrical with the central axis C as the center. The outer wall portion 11 is disposed at a distance radially outward from the inner cylinder portion 13. The outer wall portion 11 is detachably attached to the mouth portion 3. The outer wall portion 11 has a second screw portion 7 on the inner peripheral surface 11a on the inner side. The second screw portion 7 is a female screw portion. The second screw portion 7 is formed to be recessed radially outward from the inner peripheral surface 11a. The second screw portion 7 meshes with the first screw portion 5 at the mouth portion 3. By the second screw portion 7 meshing with the first screw portion 5, the nozzle cap 4 is detachably attached to the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2.

[0030] The flange portion 12 extends radially inward from the upper end of the outer wall portion 11. The inner cylinder portion 13 extends downward from the radially inner end of the flange portion 12. The inner cylinder portion 13 is inserted into the inside of the mouth portion 3 when the outer wall portion 11 is attached to the mouth portion 3.

[0031] The bottom wall portion 14 is provided below the inner cylinder portion 13. The bottom wall portion 14 has an inclined surface 14a formed in an upwardly open V shape. The nozzle 15 extends upward from one inclined surface 14a of the bottom wall portion 14 and guides the pouring of the content. The nozzle 15 is formed in a gutter shape having a U-shaped cross-sectional shape. The inside of the nozzle 15 having a U-shaped cross-section communicates with the storage space 2a of the container body 2 through a communication portion 14b formed in the bottom wall portion 14.

[0032] The second ratchet portion 50 projects radially inward at a position below the second screw portion 7 in the outer wall portion 11. The radially inner tip of the second ratchet portion 50 has a semi-circular cross-section. As shown in FIG. 4, four second ratchet portions 50 are provided at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction. The second ratchet portion 50 engages with the locking surface 9C of the locking portion 9A in the first ratchet portion 9 from the other side in the circumferential direction in the circumferential direction when the second screw portion 7 engages with the first screw portion 5 for closing. Further, the second ratchet portions 50 located on the front side and the back side at the time of closing fit into the fitting groove 9D from the outside in the radial direction and engage with the first ratchet portion 9 in the circumferential direction.

[0033] Since the protruding length of the groove forming portion 9B outward in the radial direction is small and the protruding length of the locking portion 9A outward in the radial direction is large, at the time of closing, the second ratchet portion 50 rides over the groove forming portion 9B by the elastic deformation of the outer wall portion 11 outward in the radial direction and engages with the locking surface 9C. Thereby, the closing position of the nozzle cap 4 with respect to the mouth portion 3 is defined.

[0034] On the other hand, since the radially inner tip of the second ratchet portion 50 has a semi-circular shape and the protruding length of the groove forming portion 9B radially outward is small, by rotating the nozzle cap 4 in the other circumferential direction with a force greater than the meshing force between the first screw portion 5 and the second screw portion 7 in the nozzle cap 4 that meshes with the first screw portion 5 in the closing region 5A, the second ratchet portion 50 can overcome the groove forming portion 9B and open the nozzle cap 4.

[0035] The outer mouth portion 16 is cylindrical and extends upward from the radially inner end of the flange portion 12. FIG. 6 is a front view of the nozzle cap 4. As shown in FIG. 6, the outer mouth portion 16 has a rib portion 17 that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface. The radially outer position of the rib portion 17 is radially inner than the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 12 (see FIG. 7). The rib portions 17 are arranged point-symmetrically on the front outer peripheral surface and the back outer peripheral surface of the outer mouth portion 16 (in FIG. 6, only the rib portion 17 on the front side is shown).

[0036] The rib portion 17 has a first rib portion 17A and a second rib portion 17B. The first rib portion 17A is inclined downward in a direction toward one circumferential side starting from the upper end of the outer mouth portion 16. The position of the lower end of the first rib portion 17A is the position of the upper end of the flange portion 12. The second rib portion 17B extends from the lower end of the first rib portion 17A toward one circumferential side. The second rib portion 17B is connected to the flange portion 12 on one circumferential side.

[0037] The groove portion 60 is formed to include a shape in which a part of the upper side of the flange portion 12 is missing downward. The groove portion 60 is formed between the flange portion 12 that is recessed radially inward from the outer peripheral surface at a position above the outer wall portion 11 and the rib portion 17. The upper side surface of the groove portion 60 is formed by the rib portion 17. The lower side surface of the groove portion 60 is formed by the upper surface of the flange portion 12 that is recessed radially inward.

[0038] The flange portion 12 recessed inward in the radial direction has an inclined surface 12A facing upward and a curved surface 12B. The inclined surface 12A and the curved surface 12B form the lower side surface in the groove portion 60. The inclined surface 12A is inclined in an upward direction as it goes toward the other side in the circumferential direction. The inclination angle of the inclined surface 12A with respect to the horizontal direction is smaller than the inclination angle of the first rib portion 17A with respect to the horizontal direction. Therefore, the distance between the inclined surface 12A and the first rib portion 17A increases as it goes toward the other side in the circumferential direction. The curved surface 12B curves in an upward direction as it goes from the lower end of the inclined surface 12A toward one side in the circumferential direction.

[0039] The bottom surface of the groove portion 60 is flush with the outer peripheral surface of the outer mouth portion 16. The groove portion 60 has a first groove portion 61 and a second groove portion 62. The first groove portion 61 extends in a downward direction as it goes from the other side (the side on the opening side in the circumferential direction) toward one side in the circumferential direction. The upper side surface in the first groove portion 61 is formed by the first rib portion 17A in the rib portion 17. The lower side surface in the first groove portion 61 is formed by the inclined surface 12A. The width of the first groove portion 61 becomes narrower as it goes toward one side in the circumferential direction. The first groove portion 61 opens on the other side in the circumferential direction. Since the distance between the inclined surface 12A and the first rib portion 17A increases as it goes toward the other side in the circumferential direction, the first groove portion 61 is formed with a wide width at the opening on the other side in the circumferential direction, and the width gradually becomes smaller as it goes toward one side in the circumferential direction.

[0040] The second groove portion 62 extends from the lower tip of the first groove portion 61 toward one side in the circumferential direction. The upper side surface in the second groove portion 62 is formed by the second rib portion 17B in the rib portion 17. The lower side surface in the second groove portion 62 is formed by the curved surface 12B. The width of the second groove portion 62 is constant in the circumferential direction.

[0041] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line K-K in Figure 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the second protrusion 63 protrudes radially outward from the bottom of the second groove 62. As shown in FIG. 6, the second protrusion 63 is disposed on the other side in the circumferential direction in the second groove 62. The second protrusion 63 is formed in a rib shape extending in the vertical direction. The second protrusion 63 is connected to the rib portion 17 and the inclined surface 12A, respectively.

[0042] The nozzle cap 4 is formed of a resin such as polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, etc., and polypropylene is preferable. Further, the nozzle cap 4 is integrally formed by injection molding. That is, the nozzle cap 4 is an injection molded body.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line H-H in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 8, the metering cap 6 has a metering cylinder portion 41, an outer cylinder portion 42, a flange portion 43, a cap-side seal portion 25, an engaging wall 44, and a third protrusion 46.

[0044] The metering cylinder portion 41 is a covered cylindrical shape having a lid portion that enters the inner cylinder portion 13 and the outer opening portion 16 of the nozzle cap 4 so as to accommodate the nozzle 15 from above. The flange portion 43 protrudes radially outward from the middle in the vertical direction of the metering cylinder portion 41. The cap-side seal portion 25 is a cylindrical shape extending downward from the inner side in the radial direction of the flange portion 43.

[0045] The outer cylinder portion 42 is a cylindrical shape extending downward from the outer edge portion in the radial direction of the flange portion 43. The metering cap 6 is detachably attached to the nozzle cap 4 at the outer cylinder portion 42. The outer cylinder portion 42 is located radially outside the outer opening portion 16 when the metering cap 6 is attached to the nozzle cap 4. The lower end of the outer cylinder portion 42 is located above the flange portion 12 of the nozzle cap 4 when the metering cap 6 is closed with respect to the nozzle cap 4.

[0046] The engaging wall 44 projects locally downward in the circumferential direction from the outer cylindrical portion 42. A plurality of engaging walls 44 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 7, two engaging walls 44 are arranged point-symmetrically at 180° intervals in the circumferential direction about the central axis C. The engaging wall 44 is inserted into the groove portion 60 from above when the measuring cap 6 is closed with respect to the nozzle cap 4.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1, the engaging wall 44 has a sliding portion 44A, a contact portion 44B, and a first protrusion 45. The sliding portion 44A is a side surface facing the other side in the circumferential direction of the engaging wall 44. The sliding portion 44A is inclined upward in a direction toward the other side in the circumferential direction. The inclination angle of the sliding portion 44A is substantially the same as the inclination angle of the inclined surface 12A in the nozzle cap 4 shown in FIG. 6. The sliding portion 44A is located on one side in the circumferential direction with respect to the inclined surface 12A when the measuring cap 6 is closed with respect to the nozzle cap 4. The sliding portion 44A is located on one side in the circumferential direction with respect to the inclined surface 12A when the measuring cap 6 is closed with respect to the nozzle cap 4. The sliding portion 44A slides on the inclined surface 12A when the measuring cap 6 is opened with respect to the nozzle cap 4.

[0048] The contact portion 44B is a side surface facing one side in the circumferential direction of the engaging wall 44. The contact portion 44B is curved upward in a direction toward one side in the circumferential direction. The contact portion 44B contacts the curved surface 12B when the measuring cap 6 is closed with respect to the nozzle cap 4. Thereby, the closing position of the measuring cap 6 with respect to the nozzle cap 4 is defined.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first protrusion 45 projects radially inward from the engaging wall 44. The vertical dimension of the first protrusion 45 is smaller than the width of the second groove portion 62. The first protrusion 45 is inserted from the other side in the circumferential direction through the opening of the first groove portion 61 and is movable in the second groove portion 62 when the measuring cap 6 is closed with respect to the nozzle cap 4. Since the opening of the first groove portion 61 is widely formed at the opening on the other side in the circumferential direction, it is easy to insert the first protrusion 45 from the other side in the circumferential direction.

[0050] The radially inner end of the first protrusion 45 is located radially inward of the radially outer end of the rib portion 17. That is, the first protrusion 45 inserted into the groove portion 60 overlaps the rib portion 17 in the vertical direction. Thereby, the first protrusion 45 inserted into the groove portion 60 can be engaged with the rib portion 17 from below, and it is possible to prevent the metering cap 6 from coming off upward with respect to the nozzle cap 4.

[0051] The radially inner end of the first protrusion 45 is located radially inward of the radially outer end of the second protrusion 63. That is, the second protrusion 63 overlaps the first protrusion 45 in the circumferential direction. The protruding length of the second protrusion 63 is smaller than the protruding length of the first protrusion 45. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the metering cap 6 is closed with respect to the nozzle cap 4, the second protrusion 63 is located on the other side in the circumferential direction than the first protrusion 45.

[0052] When closing the metering cap 6 with respect to the nozzle cap 4, the first protrusion 45 is once disengaged from the second protrusion 63 after the engagement wall 44 elastically deforms radially outward and gets over the second protrusion 63. Thereby, the user can obtain a clicking feeling when closing the metering cap 6 with respect to the nozzle cap 4, and can easily recognize that it is closed.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, the third protrusion 46 protrudes radially inward from the outer cylinder portion 42. The third protrusion 46 is formed in a rib shape extending in the circumferential direction. Two third protrusions 46 are provided at positions separated from the engagement wall 44 in the circumferential direction. The two third protrusions 46 are located on the left side and the right side when the metering cap 6 is closed with respect to the nozzle cap 4.

[0054] The outer mouth portion 16 in the nozzle cap 4 has a fourth protrusion 18. The fourth protrusion 18 protrudes radially outward from the outer mouth portion 16. Two fourth protrusions 18 are arranged at the circumferential position where the third protrusion 46 is arranged and at a position above the third protrusion 46 when the metering cap 6 is closed with respect to the nozzle cap 4. The fourth protrusion 18 is engageable with the third protrusion 46 from below when the metering cap 6 is closed with respect to the nozzle cap 4.

[0055] The metering cap 6 is formed, for example, by injection molding using an olefin-based thermoplastic synthetic resin such as polypropylene. That is, the metering cap 6 is an injection molded body. When using polypropylene resin, it is excellent in moldability and suitability for the contents, and since it can be molded using a transparent resin, a metering cap with excellent metering performance can be manufactured.

[0056] In the container 1 having the above-described configuration, when attaching the metering cap 6 to the nozzle cap 4 attached to the container body 2 in a closed state, first, the metering cap 6 is rotated in one circumferential direction to insert the first protrusion 45 from the other circumferential side into the first groove portion 61 and move it to the second groove portion 62. Since the first groove portion 61 opens in a state of spreading to the other circumferential side, the first protrusion 45 can be easily inserted into the first groove portion 61. The first protrusion 45 inserted into the first groove portion 61 moves downward in the first groove portion 61 while contacting the lower surface of the first rib portion 17A as the metering cap 6 rotates, and then is inserted into the second groove portion 62 and moves to one circumferential side.

[0057] After the first protrusion 45 moving in the second groove portion 62 gets over the second protrusion 63, the contact portion 44B of the engagement wall 44 contacts the curved surface 12B, so that the metering cap 6 is closed with respect to the nozzle cap 4. The first protrusion 45 in the closed state engages with the rib portion 17 from below, so that it is possible to prevent the metering cap 6 from coming off upward with respect to the nozzle cap 4.

[0058] In addition, when the metering cap 6 is closed by the nozzle cap 4, on the front side and the back side, in addition to the first protrusion 45 engaging with the rib portion 17 from below, as shown in FIG. 2, on the left side and the right side, the third protrusion 46 of the metering cap 6 engages with the fourth protrusion 18 of the nozzle cap 4 from below, thereby suppressing the metering cap 6 from tilting in the left - right direction with respect to the nozzle cap 4.

[0059] In the container 1 having the above - described configuration, when opening the metering cap 6 attached to the nozzle cap 4 in a closed state, the metering cap 6 is rotated in the other side in the circumferential direction. As the metering cap 6 rotates, the first protrusion 45 moves to the other side in the circumferential direction in the second groove portion 62, and after getting over the second protrusion 63, it is inserted into the first groove portion 61. At this time, the sliding portion 44A of the engaging wall 44 slides in contact with the inclined surface 12A. When the sliding portion 44A slides on the inclined surface 12A, a part of the rotational force of the metering cap 6 in the other side in the circumferential direction is converted into a force directed upward. Thereby, the component of the rotational force in the direction of rotating to the other side in the circumferential direction applied from the metering cap 6 to the nozzle cap 4 becomes smaller. Then, when the first protrusion 45 disengages from the first groove portion 61, the engagement of the first protrusion 45 with the rib portion 17 is released, and the metering cap 6 can be detached from the nozzle cap 4.

[0060] When the metering cap 6 is opened, the contact resistance of the first protrusion 45 with respect to the groove portion 60 and the rotational force of the metering cap 6 in the other side in the circumferential direction applied to the inclined surface 12A when the sliding portion 44A slides on the inclined surface 12A are transmitted as the rotational force (torque) of the nozzle cap 4 in the opening direction with respect to the mouth portion 3. On the other hand, as described above, the large meshing force between the first screw portion 5 and the second screw portion 7 in the closing region 5A and the resistance force when the second ratchet portion 50 disengages from the fitting groove 9D serve as the holding force (torque required for opening) of the nozzle cap 4 in the closed state with respect to the mouth portion 3.

[0061] In this embodiment, in addition to the contact resistance between the first protrusion 45 and the groove 60 being smaller than the meshing force when the nozzle cap 4 and the metering cap 6 are screwed together, a part of the rotational force of the metering cap 6 in the circumferential direction towards the other side is converted into an upward force, and the component in the direction of rotation towards the other side in the circumferential direction applied to the nozzle cap 4 is reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the metering cap 6 is opened with respect to the nozzle cap 4, it is possible to suppress the nozzle cap 4 from co-rotating and opening with respect to the mouth portion 3.

[0062] On the other hand, when opening the nozzle cap 4 with respect to the container body 2 for refilling or the like, for example, the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall portion 11 is gripped or pinched and rotated in the circumferential direction towards the other side. At this time, the nozzle cap 4 is rotated with a torque larger than the torque applied to the nozzle cap 4 when the metering cap 6 is opened.

[0063] Specifically, the nozzle cap 4 is rotated with a torque larger than the total of the large meshing force between the first screw portion 5 and the second screw portion 7 in the closing region 5A and the resistance force when the second ratchet portion 50 comes out of the fitting groove 9D. As a result, the second ratchet portion 50 comes out of the fitting groove 9D, the second screw portion 7 comes out of the first screw portion 5 in the closing region 5A, and the nozzle cap 4 can be removed from the container body 2. As a result, the large-diameter mouth portion 3 is opened, and the refilling work can be easily carried out through the mouth portion 3.

[0064] When closing the nozzle cap 4 with respect to the container body 2, the outer wall portion 11 is rotated in one circumferential direction. As a result, the second screw portion 7 meshes with the first screw portion 5 in the closing region 5A, and the second ratchet portion 50 fits into the fitting groove 9D, so that the nozzle cap 4 can be closed with respect to the container body 2.

[0065] As described above, in the container 1 of the present embodiment, the nozzle cap 4 has a second threaded portion 7 that meshes with the first threaded portion 5, a first groove portion 61 that extends downward in a direction toward one side in the circumferential direction, and a second groove portion 62 that extends from the lower end of the first groove portion 61 toward one side in the circumferential direction. The metering cap 6 has a first protrusion portion 45 that protrudes radially inward and fits into the first groove portion 61 and the second groove portion 62. Since the meshing force between the first threaded portion 5 and the second threaded portion 7 when the nozzle cap 4 is closed with respect to the mouth portion 3 is greater than the meshing force between the first threaded portion 5 and the second threaded portion 7 at the position before the nozzle cap 4 is closed with respect to the mouth portion 3, it is not necessary to form the nozzle cap 4 from a plurality of materials, and it is possible to stably suppress co-rotation while suppressing an increase in cost.

[0066] Further, in the container 1 of the present embodiment, since it is not necessary to form the nozzle cap 4 from a plurality of materials, it is possible to easily cope with recycling. Furthermore, in the container 1 of the present embodiment, even if the container body 2 and the nozzle cap 4 are made of different materials, they can be easily separated and discarded, and it becomes easier to conform to recycling.

[0067] In addition, in the container 1 of the present embodiment, by having the nozzle cap 4 that is repeatedly attached to and detached from the container body 2, the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2 can be widened as a liquid receiving port during the refilling operation of the contents, so that the psychological burden of the refilling operation can be reduced. Also, in the attachment and detachment operation when gripping the nozzle cap, the nozzle cap 4 can be attached and detached without removing the metering cap 6. Therefore, not only is the attachment and detachment operation simple, but when storing the removed nozzle cap 4, the top surface of the metering cap 6 can be used as an installation surface on the floor or the like, and the nozzle cap 4 can be stored stably.

[0068] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to such examples. The various shapes, combinations, etc. of the constituent members shown in the above examples are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Description of Symbols

[0069] 1... Container, 2... Container body, 3... Mouth part, 4... Nozzle cap (first cap), 5... First screw part, 5A... Plugging region, 6... Measuring cap (second cap), 7... Second screw part, 9... First ratchet part, 11... Outer wall part, 12A... Inclined surface, 15... Nozzle, 18... Fourth protrusion part, 41... Measuring cylinder part, 42... Outer cylinder part, 44... Engaging wall, 44A... Sliding part, 45... First protrusion part, 46... Third protrusion part, 50... Second ratchet part, 61... First groove part, 62... Second groove part, 63... Second protrusion part, C... Central axis

Claims

1. a container body having an upper mouth portion extending in a direction along the central axis and containing the contents; a first cap having an outer wall portion detachably attached to the mouth portion; a second cap having an outer cylinder portion detachably attached to the first cap; comprising the mouth portion has a first threaded portion formed in the circumferential direction around the central axis on the outer circumference; the container body has a first ratchet portion located below the mouth portion and protruding radially outward around the central axis; the second cap has an engaging wall locally protruding downward in the circumferential direction from the outer cylinder portion; the engaging wall has a first protrusion protruding radially inward; the first cap has a second threaded portion provided inside the outer wall portion and meshing with the first threaded portion; a second ratchet portion protruding radially inward at a position below the second threaded portion in the outer wall portion and engaging with the first ratchet portion from one side in the circumferential direction that is the closing side; a first groove portion recessed radially inward at a position above the outer wall portion and extending downward in a direction toward the lower side as it goes from the other side in the circumferential direction, which is the opening side, to one side, and into which the first protrusion fits from the outside in the radial direction; a second groove portion extending from the lower end of the first groove portion to one side in the circumferential direction and into which the first protrusion fits from the outside in the radial direction; having a container, wherein the meshing force when the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion mesh when the first cap is closed with respect to the mouth portion is greater than the meshing force when the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion mesh before the first cap reaches the closing region with respect to the mouth portion.

2. When the second cap is closed with respect to the first cap, the first cap is located on the other side in the circumferential direction than the first protrusion, protrudes radially outward from the bottom of the second groove portion, and has a second protrusion overlapping the first protrusion in the circumferential direction, The container according to claim 1.

3. a plurality of the engaging walls are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction; the second cap has a third protrusion protruding radially inward from the outer cylinder portion at a position away from the engaging wall in the circumferential direction; The first cap has a fourth protrusion that protrudes outward in the radial direction at a position in the circumferential direction where the third protrusion is disposed when the second cap is closed and at a position above the third protrusion, and the third protrusion can be engaged from below. The container according to claim 1 or 2. **Claim 4** The first cap has an inclined surface that forms a lower side surface in the first groove portion and inclines upward as it goes toward the other side in the circumferential direction. The engaging wall is located on the other side in the circumferential direction, inclines upward as it goes toward the other side in the circumferential direction, and has a sliding portion that slides on the inclined surface when the container is opened. The container according to claim 1 or 2. **Claim 5** The first cap is a nozzle cap that protrudes upward and includes a gutter-shaped nozzle that guides the pouring out of the content from the container body. The second cap is a measuring cap that includes a cylindrical measuring cylinder portion having a lid portion. The container according to claim 1 or 2.

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