Dispensing cap and dispensing container including the same

Abstract

To provide a dispensing cap that prevents residue and spillage of contents when returned to an upright position, and that allows the contents to be widely dispensed without checking the position of the dispensing opening, and a dispensing container including the same.SOLUTION: The dispensing cap includes: a mounting part 2 mounted on a mouth tube part 23 of a container body 20; a side wall part 4 of a roughly conical shape erected on top of the mounting part 2; a plurality of dispensing holes 8 that penetrate the side surface of the side wall part 4 in the axial direction and are arranged evenly in the circumferential direction; and an inner cylinder part 6 extending downward from a cap head part 5 of the side wall part 4 into the inside of the side wall part 4. A guiding part 9 for aligning contents P is formed at a position below the dispensing holes 8, between an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder part 6 and an inner peripheral surface of the dispensing holes 8 that face each other. The lower end of the inner cylinder part 6 is provided at a position lower than the lower end of the dispensing holes 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing cap and a dispensing container provided with the same.

Background Art

[0002] For example, there is known a dispensing container that houses granular or powdery seasonings (contents) such as salt and pepper and can selectively dispense them from a dispensing port formed by a large hole provided in the top wall of the container or a dispensing port formed by a number of small holes (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, although the dispensing container described in Patent Document 1 can dispense the contents over a wide range during use, since the dispensing port is formed by an opening in the flat top wall, in the state after use when it is returned to the upright position, the contents remain on the top wall and are likely to spill.

[0005] Moreover, when the contents remain on the top wall, it becomes difficult to cap the lid, or there is a risk that the lid will be capped in an incomplete state.

[0006] Furthermore, since the dispensing port is formed at an offset position in a part of the top wall, in order to dispense the contents over a wide range, it is necessary to perform the dispensing operation while checking the position of the dispensing port so that the dispensing port comes to the lowest position when the container is tilted.

[0007] ​In order to solve the problems in the above-mentioned prior art, the present invention aims to create a pouring cap that eliminates the residue of the contents when returning to the upright position to prevent spillage, and enables the contents to be poured over a wide range without having to check the position of the pouring outlet, and a pouring container equipped with the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] Among the means for solving the above problems, the first means of the present invention is a mounting portion mounted on the mouth cylinder portion of the main body container in which the contents are accommodated, a substantially conical side wall portion formed in an inclined shape in cross-section and erected on the mounting portion, a plurality of pouring holes penetrating along the axial direction and arranged evenly in the circumferential direction on the side surface of the side wall portion, and an inner cylinder portion extending downward from the cap head portion of the side wall portion into the inside of the side wall portion, and is a pouring cap integrally formed, a guiding portion for guiding the contents is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the pouring hole facing the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder portion at a position below the pouring hole, characterized in that the lower end of the inner cylinder portion is provided at a position below the lower end of the pouring hole. In the first means of the present invention, the contents remaining in the pouring hole during the pouring operation can be returned to the main body container side through the guiding portion. At this time, since the lower end of the inner cylinder portion is provided at a position below the lower end of the pouring hole, when returning to the upright position, the contents can be reliably guided to the container body, and it is possible to prevent the contents from being discharged from the pouring hole.

[0009] Further, the second means of the present invention adds to the first means the means that an annular convex portion protruding upward from the pouring hole is provided around the side wall portion at a position on the lower side of the outer side in the radial direction of the pouring hole, and a diameter-expanded portion expanding outward in the radial direction is formed at the tip of the annular convex portion. With the above means, it is possible to achieve pouring the contents discharged from the pouring hole over a wide range.

[0010] The third means of the present invention is a dispensing container comprising a dispensing cap described in the above first or second means, a main body container containing contents, and an overcap that caps the dispensing cap attached to the mouth tube portion of the main body container. With the above means, granular or powdery contents such as salt and pepper can be shaken out, and after shaking, it is difficult for the contents to remain on the surface of the dispensing cap. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a dispensing container in which spillage is unlikely to occur.

[0011] The fourth means of the present invention is the above third means, further comprising a means in which a plug portion for sealing the dispensing holes formed in the dispensing cap is formed on the inner surface of the overcap. With the above means, the dispensing holes can be sealed by capping the dispensing cap with the overcap. Therefore, for example, spillage of the contents can be prevented when the dispensing container is overturned in the capped state.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] In the present invention, in the state after use when returned to the upright posture, it is possible to suppress the residue of the contents on the cap surface and prevent spillage. As a result, it becomes possible to easily perform the capping operation using the overcap. Furthermore, in the dispensing operation, it is possible to disperse the contents evenly over a wide range without having to check the position of the dispensing holes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a swing-out cap showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the swing-out cap shown from an obliquely upward direction, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the swing-out cap shown from an obliquely downward direction, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the swing-out cap, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the swing-out cap. First, the configuration of the swing-out cap will be described. In the following, the direction along the cap axis O of the swing-out cap 1 will be referred to as the axial direction, the vertical direction, or the height direction, the direction orthogonal to the cap axis O will be referred to as the radial direction, and the direction of orbiting around the cap axis O will be referred to as the circumferential direction for description.

[0015] The swing-out cap 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is a member for widely swinging out contents P such as seasonings such as salt and pepper in a granular form or powdered detergents, and is formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The swing-out cap 1 includes a mounting portion 2 configured to have an annular flange 2A for mounting on the mouth cylinder portion 23 of the main body container 20 described later and a flange side wall 2B provided to hang down from the outer peripheral end of this flange 2A, an inner cylinder portion 3 provided to hang down from the inner peripheral end of the flange 2A, a substantially conical side wall portion 4 formed in a slanted shape in cross-section and standing upright upward from the inner peripheral end of the flange 2A, a cap head portion 5 provided at the upper portion of this side wall portion 4, and an inner cylinder portion 6 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) extending downward from the cap head portion 5 inside the side wall portion 4, and is integrally formed.

[0016] An upward convex portion 2a is provided around the upper surface of the flange 2A, and an undercut locking portion 2b that protrudes radially inward is provided around the lower end of the flange side wall 2B. Further, a holding space 7 for holding the content P is formed inside the cap head 5 and the subsequent inner cylinder portion 6.

[0017] An annular convex portion 4a that protrudes in a convex cross-section is provided around the substantially conical side wall portion 4. As a result, the side wall portion 4 can be divided into an upper side wall portion 4A located above and a lower side wall portion 4B located below with the annular convex portion 4a interposed therebetween. A plurality (six in this embodiment) of dispensing holes (dispensing ports) 8 that penetrate along the axial direction and are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction are formed in an elliptical shape on the side surface of the upper side wall portion 4A. More specifically, the plurality of dispensing holes 8 are composed of vertical holes that extend straight down along the axial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder portion 6, and are respectively visually recognized as elliptical shapes (see FIG. 1) from the side of the dispensing cap 1, and are respectively visually recognized as circular shapes (see FIG. 5) from above (similarly from below).

[0018] Among the inner surfaces of the dispensing holes 8, the upper inner surface reaches the inner cylinder portion 6 and constitutes a part of the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder portion 6. Also, the lower inner surface of the dispensing hole 8 constitutes a lower inner surface 4b that is a part of the inner surface of the annular convex portion 4a. Among the inner surfaces of the annular convex portion 4a, the lower inner surface 4b has a short straight cylindrical shape, but an enlarged diameter portion 4c that gradually expands toward the tip is formed in the upper portion that protrudes upward from the lower side wall portion 4B. The lower end of the inner cylinder portion 6 extends to a position below the lower end of the dispensing hole 8. Between the position below the dispensing hole 8 and between the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder portion 6 and the lower inner surface (lower inner surface 4b) of the lower side of the dispensing hole 8 that faces it in the radial direction, guiding portions 9 for guiding the content P are respectively formed.

[0019] Next, a dispensing container provided with the above-described dispensing cap will be described. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the dispensing container, FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing container showing the state during the dispensing operation, and FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing container showing the state in the middle of the dispensing operation.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 6, the dispensing container 10 is composed of a dispensing cap 1 having the above-described configuration, a main body container 20 for containing the content P, and an overcap 30 for covering and capping the dispensing cap 1.

[0021] The main body container 20 is a container formed with a mouth cylinder portion 23 continuously provided via a shoulder portion 22 on a bottomed cylindrical body portion 21. The material of the material forming the main body container 20 is not particularly limited, and for example, it can be composed of synthetic resin, glass, metal, or pottery. When the main body container 20 is made of synthetic resin, it may be a squeezable deformable container. Further, the main body container 20 may be colored, or may be a transparent or translucent container. A male screw 23a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth cylinder portion 23, and an undercut-shaped engaged portion 23b that can be engaged with the locking portion 2b on the dispensing cap 1 side is provided around the outer peripheral surface of the upper opening end thereof.

[0022] The overcap 30 has an annular top surface portion 31, a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 32 suspended from the outer peripheral end of the top surface portion 31, and a substantially conical top wall 33 erected on the inner edge portion of the top surface portion 31, and is integrally formed using a synthetic resin material such as polypropylene or polyethylene. This overcap 30 is detachably attached to the upper portion of the main body container 20 provided with the dispensing cap 1.

[0023] On the inner surface of the top wall 33 having an inclined cross-sectional view, when the overcap 30 is placed on the dispensing cap 1 for capping, a first fitting cylinder portion 34a that can be fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the cap head 5 and a second fitting cylinder portion 34b that can be fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the annular convex portion 4a are provided with a height difference to form a plug portion 34. And in a state where the dispensing cap 1 is capped with the overcap 30, all of the plurality of dispensing holes 8 can be sealed by fitting the first fitting cylinder portion 34a constituting the plug portion 34 to the outer peripheral surface of the cap head 5 and fitting the second fitting cylinder portion 34b to the outer peripheral surface of the annular convex portion 4a. On the inner surface of the top surface portion 31, a downward convex portion 35 is provided so as to project all around, and on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 32, a female screw 32a that engages with the male screw 23a on the main body container 20 side is formed.

[0024] The dispensing container 10 has the mounting portion 2 mounted on the upper opening end of the mouth cylinder portion 23. At this time, this is done by engaging the locking portion 2b on the dispensing cap 1 side with the locked portion 23b of the mouth cylinder portion 23 of the main body container 20. Then, by performing a capping operation of rotating and screwing the overcap 30 while covering the overcap 30 over the dispensing cap 1, the dispensing container 10 can be set to a closed state. In this closed state, since the plug portion 34 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the top wall 33 seals all the dispensing holes 8, it is possible to effectively prevent the contents P from spilling out.

[0025] An operation method of the dispensing container having the above configuration will be described. (Dispensing operation) To perform the dispensing operation, unscrew and remove the overcap 30 from the mouth cylinder portion 23 to expose the dispensing cap 1 and open all the dispensing holes 8. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7, set the dispensing container 10 to an inclined posture above an object to be dispensed (not shown). Then, the granular or powdery contents P move from the main body container 20 into the dispensing cap 1 and are concentrated near the cap head portion 5 on the tip side through the inner surface of the substantially conical side wall portion 4. When the dispensing container 10 exceeds a predetermined inclination angle, a part of the contents P slides through the plurality of guiding portions 9 and is discharged to the outside from the plurality of subsequent dispensing holes 8. The other remaining contents P concentrated near the cap head portion 5 are temporarily retained in the holding space 7 in the inner cylinder portion 6.

[0026] In this way, since only the contents P passing through the plurality of guiding portions 9 are discharged from the plurality of dispensing holes 8, it is possible to prevent a large amount of the contents P from being dispensed at one time even if the inclination angle of the dispensing container 10 is increased. Also, only the content P rectified by passing through the guiding part 9 reaches the enlarged diameter part 4c of the annular convex part 4a provided at the upper end of the pouring hole 8. Therefore, it is possible to pour out the content P discharged from the pouring hole 8 evenly over a wide range. Furthermore, the plurality of pouring holes 8 are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction on the substantially conical upper side wall part 4A. Therefore, even without checking the position of the pouring port as in the prior art, it is possible to pour out the content P evenly in all directions only by tilting the pouring container 10.

[0027] (Operation at the end of pouring) When the pouring container 10 is returned to the upright position, since it moves from the pouring cap 1 to the main body container 20, the pouring operation can be terminated. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the content P retained in the holding space 7 moves as it is inside the substantially conical side wall part 4 and returns to the main body container 20. Also, the content P remaining in the pouring hole 8 is guided from the enlarged diameter part 4c of the annular convex part 4a to the guiding part 9 and returns to the main body container 20 when returned to the upright position, so that it is possible to prevent the content P from accumulating on the cap surface (the surface of the substantially conical side wall part 4). In particular, since the lower end of the inner cylinder part 6 constituting the guiding part 9 is positioned below the lower end of the pouring hole 8, it is possible to prevent the content P remaining in the vicinity of the enlarged diameter part 4c and the lower inner surface 4b from being discharged from the pouring hole 8. Thus, in the present invention, since the content P does not remain on the cap surface after the pouring operation, it is possible to significantly reduce the spillage of the content P. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly perform the capping operation of the overcap 30 on the pouring cap 1.

[0028] As described above, the configuration of the present invention and its operational effects have been described along with the embodiments, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the number of pouring holes 8 formed in the upper side wall part 4A is six has been shown and described, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be appropriately changed.

[0029] In the above-described embodiment, as a method of attaching the overcap 30 to the mouth tube portion 23 of the main body container 20, a configuration in which screws are screwed together has been described. However, for example, a configuration in which locking portions formed in an undercut shape engage with each other may also be used.

Industrial Applicability

[0030] The present invention can further expand the application development in the field of dispensing caps in a wider area.

Explanation of Signs

[0031] 1: Dispensing cap 2: Mounting portion 2A: Flange 2B: Flange side wall 2a: Upward convex portion 2b: Locking portion 3: Inner tube portion 4: Side wall portion 4A: Upper side wall portion 4B: Lower side wall portion 4a: Annular convex portion 4b: Lower inner surface 4c: Diameter-expanded portion 5: Cap head 6: Inner tube portion 7: Holding space 8: Dispensing hole 9: Guide portion 10: Dispensing container 20: Main body container 21: Body portion 22: Shoulder portion 23: Mouth tube portion 23a: Male screw 23b: Locked portion 30: Overcap 31: Top surface portion 32: Peripheral wall portion 32a: Female screw 33: Top wall 34: Plug portion 34a: First fitting tube portion 34b: Second fitting tube portion 35: Downward convex portion O: Cap shaft P: Contents

Claims

1. A dispensing cap integrally formed with a mounting portion (2) attached to the mouth tube portion (23) of a main body container (20) containing a content (P), a substantially conical side wall portion (4) of a cross-sectional view inclined shape erected on the mounting portion (2), a plurality of dispensing holes (8) penetrating along the axial direction on the side surface of the side wall portion (4) and arranged evenly in the circumferential direction, and an inner tube portion (6) extending downward from the cap head portion (5) of the side wall portion (4) into the side wall portion (4), wherein a guiding portion (9) for guiding the content (P) is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the dispensing hole (8) facing the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube portion (6) at a position below the dispensing hole (8), the dispensing cap is characterized in that the lower end of the inner tube portion (6) is provided at a position lower than the lower end of the dispensing hole (8).

2. The dispensing cap according to claim 1, wherein an annular convex portion (4a) protruding upward from the dispensing hole (8) is provided around the side wall portion (4) at a position on the lower side of the outer side in the radial direction of the dispensing hole (8), and a diameter-expanded portion (4c) expanding outward in the radial direction is formed at the tip of the annular convex portion (4a).

3. A dispensing container, comprising the dispensing cap (1) according to claim 1 or 2, a main body container (20) containing a content (P), and an over cap (30) for capping the dispensing cap (1) attached to the mouth tube portion (23) of the main body container (20).

4. The dispensing container according to claim 3, wherein a plug portion (34) for sealing the dispensing hole (8) formed in the dispensing cap (1) is formed on the inner surface of the over cap (30).

Images