Measuring cap and measuring container

Abstract

To provide a measuring cap and measuring container allowed to change over between a constant amount of pouring and a free amount of pouring and perform the change-over by common, one action.SOLUTION: A measuring cap 1 comprises an internal plug 2, a pouring plug 23 and a discharge member 4. The internal plug 2 has a first partition wall 5, a stepped cylinder 6, an inner cylinder 7 and an outer cylinder 8. The cylinder 6 has a lower cylinder 6a formed with a first communication port A1. The cylinder 6 has a stepped wall 6c formed with a second communication port A2. The discharge member 4 has a discharge cylinder 15, a second partition wall 16, a valve cylinder 17 and a receiving cylinder 18. The discharge port A5 is opened in an outer peripheral surface of the discharge cylinder 15, and a third communication A3 is formed in the second partition wall 16. The valve cylinder 17, in a state the discharge member 4 is raised the highest, communicates the communication port A1, A2 with the spout A5. Meanwhile, by lowering of the discharge member 4 by a predetermined amount ΔL, a variable measuring chamber S1 is formed between the discharge member 4 and the internal plug 2. A light-weighted container 10 comprises a cap 1 and a container body 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring cap and a measuring container.

Background Art

[0002] Among conventional measuring caps, there is one in which a movable cylinder disposed between a hinge cap and an inner plug member is moved up and down to make variable a measuring chamber partitioned inside the measuring cap (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the measuring cap described in Cited Document 1, the liquid filled in the container body can be measured in a volume corresponding to the vertical movement of the movable cylinder and then poured out through the discharge port of the cap body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, while the above-described conventional measuring cap enables quantitative pouring in which only a liquid measured in a predetermined fixed amount is poured out, it cannot perform free-pouring in which the liquid can be continuously and freely poured out without being restricted in volume.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a measuring cap and a measuring container that can switch between quantitative pouring and free-pouring and can perform such switching with a common single operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The metering cap of the present invention includes an inner stopper attached to the mouth of the container body, a dispensing stopper attached to the inner stopper, and a discharge member that can move up and down between the inner stopper and the dispensing stopper. The inner stopper includes a first partition wall disposed at the upper end of the mouth of the container body, a stepped cylinder extending downward from the first partition wall, an inner cylinder extending upward from the first partition wall, and an outer cylinder extending upward from the first partition wall and surrounding the inner cylinder. A first flow port is formed at the lower end of the lower cylinder portion of the stepped cylinder, and a second flow port is formed in the step wall of the stepped cylinder. The discharge member includes a discharge cylinder having a discharge path formed therein, a second partition wall that is continuous with the outer peripheral surface of the discharge cylinder, partitions the inner cylinder of the inner stopper in the vertical direction, and is slidably held on the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder, a valve cylinder that extends downward from the second partition wall and seals the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion of the stepped cylinder of the inner stopper when the discharge member descends, and a receiving cylinder that extends upward from the second partition wall and is slidably held on the inner peripheral surface of the dispensing stopper. The upper portion of the discharge cylinder is disposed inside the receiving cylinder, and the discharge port of the discharge path opens on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the discharge cylinder. A third flow port is formed in the second partition wall between the valve cylinder and the receiving cylinder. The valve cylinder allows each of the first flow port and the second flow port to communicate with the discharge port of the dispensing stopper by opening the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion of the inner stopper in a state where the discharge member is raised, and forms a variable metering chamber partitioned by the first partition wall and the inner cylinder of the inner stopper and the second partition wall and the valve cylinder of the discharge member between the discharge member and the inner stopper when the discharge member descends by a predetermined amount.

[0007] (2) In the metering cap of (1) above, it is preferable that the lower portion of the discharge cylinder seals the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylinder portion of the inner stopper so that the first flow port directly communicates with the discharge path by lowering the discharge member by the predetermined amount.

[0008] (3) In the metering cap of the above (1) or (2), it is preferable that a communication port is formed in the receiving cylinder to communicate an annular recess formed between the receiving cylinder and the discharge cylinder and an annular recess formed between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder.

[0009] (4) In any one of the metering caps of the above (1) to (3), it is preferable that the discharge member has the second partition wall of the discharge member screwed to the inner cylinder of the middle plug, and the receiving cylinder of the discharge member is guided in the vertical direction so as not to rotate with respect to the pouring plug.

[0010] (5) The metering container according to the present invention includes any one of the metering caps of the above (1) to (4) and a container body to which the metering cap is attached.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a metering cap and a metering container that can switch between quantitative pouring and free pouring, and can perform the switching with a common single operation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the measuring cap 1 and the measuring container 10, which are one embodiment of the present invention, will be described.

[0014] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a measuring container which is one embodiment of the present invention. The measuring container 10 includes a measuring cap 1 which is one embodiment of the present invention, and a container body 50 to which the measuring cap 1 is attached. However, in the following description, for the sake of simplicity of the description, the meanings of the terms are defined as follows.

[0015] Here, the "lower side" refers to the side on which the container body 50 is disposed in the measuring container 10, and the "upper side" refers to the side on which the measuring cap 1 is disposed in the measuring container 10, that is, the side opposite to the "lower side". Further, the axis O is the central axis of the measuring container 10. The axis O is an axis extending in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the central axis of the measuring cap 1 and the central axis of the container body 50 are coaxial with the axis O.

[0016] In the following description, the "axial direction" refers to the direction in which the axis O extends. Next, the "axial perpendicular direction" (also referred to as the "radial direction") refers to the direction perpendicular to the axial direction (vertical direction). Further, the "inside in the axial perpendicular direction" (also referred to as the "inside in the radial direction") refers to the side close to the axis O, and the "outside in the axial perpendicular direction" (also referred to as the "outside in the radial direction") refers to the side far from the axis O.

[0017] The measuring cap 1 includes an inner stopper 2 attached to the mouth portion 51 of the container body 50, a hinge cap 3 attached to the inner stopper 2, and a discharge member 4 movable in the vertical direction between the inner stopper 2 and the hinge cap 3. In the present embodiment, the inner stopper 2, the hinge cap 3, and the discharge member 4 are each an integrally molded product formed of resin.

[0018] In this embodiment, the container body 50 is a so-called squeeze container. In this embodiment, the container body 50 is a resin bottle container that can be deformed and restored. In this embodiment, the container body 50 includes a neck portion 52 connected to the mouth portion 51, a shoulder portion 53 connected to the neck portion 52, and a body portion 54 connected to the shoulder portion 53. The lower end of the body portion 54 is closed by a bottom (not shown). Inside the container body 50, a storage space S50 for storing the liquid C is formed. The storage space S50 communicates with the outside through an opening formed at the upper end of the mouth portion 51.

[0019] In this embodiment, the body portion 54 of the container body 50 has flexibility. The body portion 54 of the container body 50 elastically deforms when squeezed (pressed). As a result, the body portion 54 of the container body 50 can be recessed inward in the radial direction. On the other hand, when the squeezing of the container body 50 is released, the body portion 54 can automatically restore to its original shape from the recessed state by the elastic force (restoring force) of the body portion 54. Since the container body 50 can be elastically deformed, the liquid C in the storage space S50 can be pumped to the outside through the opening of the mouth portion 51.

[0020] The middle plug 2 includes a first partition wall 5 disposed at the upper end of the mouth portion 51 of the container body 50, a stepped cylinder 6 extending downward from the first partition wall 5, an inner cylinder 7 extending upward from the first partition wall 5, and an outer cylinder 8 extending upward from the first partition wall 5 and surrounding the inner cylinder 7. A first communication port A1 is formed at the lower end portion 6d of the lower cylinder portion 6a of the stepped cylinder 6. Further, a second communication port A2 is formed in the stepped wall 6c of the stepped cylinder 6.

[0021] In this embodiment, the first partition wall 5 is an annular partition wall. The first partition wall 5 extends annularly over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O. In this embodiment, the middle plug 2 includes a fixing cylinder 9 that is fixed to the mouth portion 51. In this embodiment, the fixing cylinder 9 extends downward from the outer peripheral edge of the first partition wall 5. In this embodiment, a fitting groove 11 for fitting the mouth portion 51 is formed at the lower end of the fixing cylinder 9. The fitting groove 11 is an annular fitting groove. The fitting groove 11 extends annularly over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O. In this embodiment, the middle plug 2 is attached to the container body 50 by fitting the mouth portion 51 into the fitting groove 11. However, in this embodiment, the mouth portion 51 of the container body 50 is fitted into the fitting groove 11 of the middle plug 2 in a sealed state.

[0022] In this embodiment, the stepped cylinder 6 includes an upper cylinder portion 6b continuous with the inner peripheral edge of the first partition wall 5, a lower cylinder portion 6a disposed at a position lower than the upper cylinder portion 6b, and a step wall 6c connecting the lower cylinder portion 6a and the upper cylinder portion 6b.

[0023] In this embodiment, the first flow port A1 is a through hole that vertically penetrates the lower end portion 6d of the lower cylinder portion 6a.

[0024] Also, in this embodiment, the axial straight-direction cross-sectional area (the area of the cross-section orthogonal to the axis O) of the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion 6b is larger than the axial straight-direction cross-sectional area of the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylinder portion 6a. In this embodiment, the step wall 6c extends radially outward from the upper end of the lower cylinder portion 6a toward the lower end of the upper cylinder portion 6b. In this embodiment, the step wall 6c is an annular step wall. In this embodiment, the step wall 6c extends annularly over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O.

[0025] In the present embodiment, the second flow port A2 is a through hole that penetrates the stepped wall 6c in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, a plurality of second flow ports A2 are formed in the stepped wall 6c. The second flow ports A2 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis O. In the present embodiment, a plurality (for example, three, four in this example) of second flow ports A2 are arranged at the same interval in the stepped wall 6c. However, the second flow port A2 can be at least one.

[0026] In addition, in the present embodiment, the stepped cylinder 6 includes a mounting cylinder 6e to which the pipe P is attached. The mounting cylinder 6e extends downward from the lower end portion 6d of the lower cylinder portion 6a. In the present embodiment, the first flow port A1 is arranged inside the mounting cylinder 6e. In the present embodiment, a resin pipe P is attached inside the mounting cylinder 6e. In the present embodiment, the pipe P extends into the accommodation space S50 of the container body 50. An introduction path R0 communicating with the accommodation space S50 is formed inside the pipe P.

[0027] In the present embodiment, the outer cylinder 8 extends upward from the outer peripheral edge of the first partition wall 5. In the present embodiment, the outer cylinder 8 and the fixed cylinder 9 together form the outer cylinder of the middle plug 2. In the present embodiment, the upper end portion of the outer cylinder 8 is located above the upper end portion of the inner cylinder 7. In the present embodiment, a fitting protrusion 13 that fits with a fitting protrusion 12 provided on a hinge cap 3 described later is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the outer cylinder 8.

[0028] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a female screw groove 14 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 7. In the present embodiment, the female screw groove 14 extends spirally in the vertical direction around the axis O. In the present embodiment, a male screw protrusion 16a provided on the discharge member 4 is screwed into the female screw groove 14.

[0029] The discharge member 4 includes a discharge cylinder 15 in which a discharge path R1 is formed, a second partition wall 16 that is continuous with the outer peripheral surface of the discharge cylinder 15, partitions the inner cylinder 7 of the middle plug 2 in the vertical direction, and is slidably held on the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 7, a valve cylinder 17 that extends downward from the second partition wall 16 and seals the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion 6b of the stepped cylinder 6 of the middle plug 2 when the discharge member 4 descends, and a receiving cylinder 18 that extends upward from the second partition wall 16 and is slidably held on the inner peripheral surface of the hinge cap 3. The upper portion 15a of the discharge cylinder 15 is disposed inside the receiving cylinder 18. The discharge port A5 of the discharge path R1 opens to the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 15a of the discharge cylinder 15. A third communication port A3 is formed in the second partition wall 16 in the radial direction (perpendicular to the axis).

[0030] In the present embodiment, the second partition wall 16 is an annular partition wall. The second partition wall 16 extends annularly over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O. In the present embodiment, the discharge cylinder 15 extends from the inner peripheral edge of the second partition wall 16 in both the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, an inlet A4 of the discharge path R1 is formed at the lower end of the discharge cylinder 15. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the discharge port A5 of the discharge path R1 is formed by a through hole that penetrates the circumferential wall of the discharge cylinder 15 in the radial direction. In the present embodiment, the discharge path R1 is closed by the upper end portion 15e of the discharge cylinder 15. Thus, in the present embodiment, the liquid C introduced into the discharge path R1 from the inlet A4 of the discharge path R1 is discharged radially outward from the discharge port A5 of the discharge path R1.

[0031] In this embodiment, the second partition wall 16 is an annular partition wall surrounding the discharge cylinder 15. In this embodiment, the second partition wall 16 extends annularly over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O. In this embodiment, a plurality of third flow ports A3 are formed in the second partition wall 16. In this embodiment, the third flow port A3 is a through hole penetrating the second partition wall 16 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the plurality of third flow ports A3 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis O. As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the third flow ports A3 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis O. However, the third flow ports A3 can be arranged at different intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis O. In this embodiment, the third flow port A3 is a long hole extending in the circumferential direction around the axis O. In this embodiment, three third flow ports A3 are formed in the second partition wall 16. However, the third flow port A3 can be at least one.

[0032] In addition, referring to FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a plurality of male screw protrusions 16a are provided on the second partition wall 16. In this embodiment, the male screw protrusions 16a are screwed into the female screw grooves 14 formed in the inner cylinder 7 of the middle plug 2. In this embodiment, the plurality of male screw protrusions 16a are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the outer peripheral surface of the second partition wall 16 around the axis O. In this embodiment, the second partition wall 16 is provided with two male screw protrusions 16a. In this embodiment, the two male screw protrusions 16a are arranged at positions facing each other across the axis O in the radial direction. Each of the two male screw protrusions 16a is screwed into the female screw groove 14. Thereby, the discharge member 4 can be moved in the vertical direction with respect to the middle plug 2 by rotating around the axis O.

[0033] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the receiving cylinder 18 connected to the second partition wall 16 extends upward from the outer peripheral edge of the second partition wall 16. In the present embodiment, the receiving cylinder 18 surrounds the upper portion 15a of the discharge cylinder 15 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O on the upper surface of the second partition wall 16. As a result, an annular recess S0 having the second partition wall 16 as the bottom wall and partitioned by the inner peripheral surface of the receiving cylinder 18 and the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 15a of the discharge cylinder 15 is formed in the discharge member 4 in the radial direction.

[0034] However, in the present embodiment, a plurality of communication ports A6 are formed in the receiving cylinder 18. In the present embodiment, the communication port A6 is a through hole that penetrates the receiving cylinder 18 in the radial direction. The communication port A6 allows the recess S0 to communicate with the outside. In the present embodiment, the receiving cylinder 18 is provided with two communication ports A6. In the present embodiment, the two communication ports A6 are arranged at positions facing each other with the axis O interposed therebetween in the radial direction. However, the communication port A6 can be at least one.

[0035] In addition, in the present embodiment, a flange 19 is provided at the upper end of the receiving cylinder 18. In the present embodiment, the flange 19 extends radially outward from the upper end of the receiving cylinder 18. In the present embodiment, the flange 19 is an annular flange. The flange 19 extends annularly over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O.

[0036] In the present embodiment, a plurality of guide recesses 21 are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the flange 19. The guide recess 21 is a portion recessed radially inward from the outermost peripheral edge of the flange 19. A guide projection 22 provided on the hinge cap 3 is fitted into the guide recess 21. Thereby, when the discharge member 4 rotates in the circumferential direction around the axis O with respect to the hinge cap 3, the discharge member 4 can rotate in the circumferential direction around the axis O together with the hinge cap 3. On the other hand, the discharge member 4 can be slid in the vertical direction along the guide projection 22 of the hinge cap 3 by the guide recess 21 provided in the flange 19. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the discharge member 4 is guided vertically in a non-rotatable manner with respect to the hinge cap 3. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the hinge cap 3 is rotated in the circumferential direction around the axis O with respect to the middle plug 2, the discharge member 4 rotates together with the hinge cap 3 by the guide projection 22 provided on the hinge cap 3, and can move vertically with respect to the middle plug 2 along the female screw groove 14 formed in the inner cylinder 7 of the middle plug 2.

[0037] The valve cylinder 17 extends downward from the second partition wall 16 so as to surround the lower portion 15b of the discharge cylinder 15 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O. In FIG. 2, the discharge member 4 is shown in a state of being lowered with respect to the middle plug 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the valve cylinder 17 seals the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion 6b of the stepped cylinder 6 of the middle plug 2 by the lowering of the discharge member 4. In particular, in the present embodiment, the valve cylinder 17 is provided with a seal projection 17a. The seal projection 17a projects radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the valve cylinder 17. The seal projection 17a is an annular seal projection. In the present embodiment, the seal projection 17a extends annularly over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O. In the present embodiment, the seal projection 17a seals the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion 6b by annularly contacting the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion 6b of the stepped cylinder 6. Thereby, the valve cylinder 17 can seal and release the seal of the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion 6b with little resistance to the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion 6b. However, the valve cylinder 17 can also directly seal the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion 6b without providing the seal projection 17a.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the hinge cap 3 includes a spout plug 23 attached to the middle plug 2, a lid body 24 that opens and closes a spout port A9 formed in the spout plug 23, and a hinge 25 that connects the lid body 24 to the spout plug 23 so as to be swingable.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the spout plug 23 includes a fixed cylinder 26 fixed to the upper end portion of the middle plug 2, and a partition wall 27 that is continuous with the upper inner peripheral edge of the fixed cylinder 26 and is provided with a spout cylinder 28.

[0040] In this embodiment, a fitting groove 29 for fitting the upper end portion of the outer cylinder 8 of the middle plug 2 is formed at the lower end of the fixed cylinder 26. The fitting groove 29 is an annular fitting groove. The fitting groove 29 extends annularly over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O. In this embodiment, the pouring plug 23 is attached to the middle plug 2 by fitting the upper end portion of the outer cylinder 8 provided on the middle plug 2 into the fitting groove 29. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the pouring plug 23, and thus the hinge cap 3, can be rotated in the circumferential direction around the axis O with respect to the middle plug 2. However, in this embodiment, the upper end portion of the outer cylinder 8 provided on the middle plug 2 is fitted in a sealed state into the fitting groove 29 of the pouring plug 23. Further, in this embodiment, the fixed cylinder 26 is provided with a fitting protrusion 12 protruding radially inward inside the fitting groove 29. The fitting protrusion 12 fits with a fitting protrusion 13 provided on the upper end portion of the outer cylinder 8 provided on the middle plug 2. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the hinge cap 3 is prevented from coming off with respect to the middle plug 2.

[0041] In this embodiment, the partition wall 27 is an annular partition wall disposed above the middle plug 2. The partition wall 27 extends annularly over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the discharge member 4 is accommodated in the internal space formed between the middle plug 2 and the pouring plug 23. However, in this embodiment, a pouring cylinder 28 is continuous with the inner peripheral edge of the partition wall 27. A pouring port A9 is formed inside the pouring cylinder 28. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the internal space formed between the middle plug 2 and the pouring plug 23 communicates with the outside through the pouring port A9.

[0042] In addition, in this embodiment, a guide convex portion 22 protruding radially inward is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 26 provided on the pouring plug 23. The guide convex portion 22 extends in the vertical direction. As described above, the guide convex portion 22 slidably guides the guide concave portion 21 provided on the flange 19 of the discharge member 4 in the vertical direction.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, when the lid 24 is closed with respect to the pouring stopper 23, the lid 24 includes a seal outer cylinder 30 that is removably fitted inside the pouring cylinder 28. By fitting the seal outer cylinder 30 to the inner peripheral surface of the pouring cylinder 28, the pouring outlet A9 can be sealed. Further, in the present embodiment, the lid 24 includes a seal inner cylinder 31 inside the seal outer cylinder 30. In the present embodiment, when the lid 24 is closed with respect to the pouring stopper 23, the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the discharge cylinder 15 is removably fitted inside the seal inner cylinder 31. As a result, the discharge port A5 of the discharge cylinder 15 is housed in a sealed state inside the seal inner cylinder 31. Therefore, the seal inner cylinder 31 can seal the discharge port A5 by fitting the pouring cylinder 28 inside.

[0044] In the metering cap 1, the discharge member 4 has a second partition wall 16 provided on the discharge member 4 screwed into the inner cylinder 7 provided on the middle plug 2, and a receiving cylinder 18 provided on the discharge member 4 is guided vertically in a non-rotatable manner with respect to the pouring stopper 23. In the present embodiment, the discharge member 4 has a male screw projection 16a of the second partition wall 16 provided on the discharge member 4 screwed into the female screw groove 14 of the inner cylinder 7 provided on the middle plug 2, and a guide recess 21 of a flange 19 provided on the receiving cylinder 18 of the discharge member 4 is guided vertically in a non-rotatable manner with respect to a guide projection 22 provided on the pouring stopper 23. Therefore, in the present embodiment, if the pouring stopper 23, and thus the hinge cap 3, is rotated with respect to the middle plug 2, the discharge member 4 can move vertically in the internal space formed between the middle plug 2 and the hinge cap 3 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, the valve cylinder 17 allows the first flow port A1 and the second flow port A2 to communicate with the pouring outlet A9 of the pouring stopper 23 by opening the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion 6b provided on the middle plug 2 in a state where the discharge member 4 is raised to the maximum.

[0046] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, when the discharge member 4 is in the state of being lifted most with respect to the middle stopper 2, the valve cylinder 17 releases the sealed state with the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion 6b. As a result, an annular opening A7 is formed between the valve cylinder 17 and the upper cylinder portion 6b (i.e., the stepped cylinder 6). In this embodiment, the opening A7 extends over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O. As shown in FIG. 1, the opening A7 communicates the first flow port A1 and the second flow port A2 with the discharge port A9 through the recess S0 from the third flow port A3 formed in the second partition wall 16, respectively. That is, according to the metering cap 1, by lifting the discharge member 4 most, between the middle stopper 2 and the discharge stopper 23, a path leading to the discharge port A9 through the discharge path R1 and a path leading to the discharge port A9 from the opening A7 through the third flow port A3 can be formed, two paths.

[0047] However, in this embodiment, the upward movement of the discharge member 4 is restricted as shown in FIG. 1 by the contact of the flange 19 of the discharge member 4 with the partition wall 27 of the discharge stopper 23. That is, in this embodiment, the state where the discharge member 4 is lifted most with respect to the middle stopper 2 is realized by the contact of the flange 19 of the discharge member 4 with the partition wall 27 of the discharge stopper 23.

[0048] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, when the discharge member 4 descends by a predetermined amount ΔL, the valve cylinder 17 forms a variable metering chamber S1 partitioned by the first partition wall 5 and the inner cylinder 7 provided in the middle stopper 2 and the second partition wall 16 and the valve cylinder 17 provided in the discharge member 4 between the discharge member 4 and the middle stopper 2.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the valve cylinder 17 descends by a predetermined amount ΔL from the position where the discharge member 4 is arranged most upward, it seals the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion 6b of the stepped cylinder 6 provided in the middle stopper 2. As a result, the valve cylinder 17 forms a variable metering chamber S1 partitioned by the first partition wall 5 and the inner cylinder 7 provided in the middle stopper 2 and the second partition wall 16 and the valve cylinder 17 provided in the discharge member 4 between the discharge member 4 and the middle stopper 2.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the variable metering chamber S1 is an annular metering chamber. In the present embodiment, the variable metering chamber S1 is partitioned in the radial direction by the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 7 and the outer peripheral surface of the valve cylinder 17. In addition, in the present embodiment, the variable metering chamber S1 is partitioned in the vertical direction by the first partition wall 5 and the second partition wall 16. That is, in the present embodiment, the variable metering chamber S1 extends over the entire circumference around the axis O.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the variable metering chamber S1 is a space formed by closing the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion 6b with the valve cylinder 17. However, the variable metering chamber S1 communicates with a recess S0 disposed at a position above the variable metering chamber S1 through a third flow port A3 formed in the second partition wall 16.

[0052] In addition, in the present embodiment, the receiving cylinder 18 is formed with a communication port A6 that communicates an annular recess S0 formed between the receiving cylinder 18 and the upper portion 15a of the discharge cylinder 15 and an annular recess S2 formed between the inner cylinder 7 and the outer cylinder 8.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the inner cylinder 7 and the outer cylinder 8 each extend upward from the first partition wall 5. In the present embodiment, the outer cylinder 8 surrounds the inner cylinder 7 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O on the upper surface of the first partition wall 5. As a result, an annular recess S2 having the first partition wall 5 partitioned by the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 7 in the radial direction as a bottom wall is formed in the middle plug 2.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the recess S0 of the discharge member 4 communicates with the recess S2 of the middle plug 2 through the communication port A6. In the present embodiment, an annular gap A8 is formed between the inner cylinder 7 provided in the middle plug 2 and the fixed cylinder 26 provided in the pouring plug 23. In the present embodiment, the gap A8 extends annularly over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the recess S0 of the discharge member 4 communicates with the recess S2 of the middle plug 2 through the gap A8 from the communication port A6.

[0055] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the lower portion 15b of the discharge cylinder 15 seals the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylinder portion 6a of the middle plug 2 so that the first flow port A1 communicates directly with the discharge path R1 by lowering the discharge member 4 by a predetermined amount ΔL.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, the lower portion 15b of the discharge cylinder 15 seals the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylinder portion 6a of the stepped cylinder 6 of the middle plug 2 by the lowering of the discharge member 4. In particular, in the present embodiment, a seal projection 15c is provided on the lower portion 15b of the discharge cylinder 15. The seal projection 15c projects radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion 15b of the discharge cylinder 15. The seal projection 15c is an annular seal projection. In the present embodiment, the seal projection 15c extends annularly over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the axis O. In the present embodiment, the seal projection 15c seals the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylinder portion 6a by annularly contacting the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylinder portion 6a of the stepped cylinder 6. As a result, the lower portion 15b of the discharge cylinder 15 can seal and release the seal of the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylinder portion 6a with little resistance to the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylinder portion 6a. However, the lower portion 15b of the discharge cylinder 15 can also directly seal the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylinder portion 6a without providing the seal projection 15c.

[0057] Here, an example of a method of using the metering container 10 using the metering cap 1 will be described.

[0058] [When the metering container 10 is not in use or is unused] As shown in FIG. 1, when the metering container 10 is not in use or is unused, the lid body 24 is closed. In this case, the discharge port A9 of the discharge plug 23 is sealed by the seal outer cylinder 30 of the lid body 24, and the discharge port A5 of the discharge member 4 is sealed by the seal inner cylinder 31 of the lid body 24. Therefore, according to the metering container 10, by simply closing the lid body 24, the metering container 10 can be easily circulated, carried or stored.

[0059] [When quantitatively dispensing using the metering container 10] By rotating the hinge cap 3 relative to the inner stopper 2, the capacity of the metering space of the metering cap 1 is changed.

[0060] (1) When quantitatively dispensing the maximum amount As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge member 4 is lowered by a predetermined amount ΔL from the position where the discharge member 4 is disposed at the uppermost side. Specifically, the hinge cap 3 is rotated in one circumferential direction around the axis O with respect to the inner stopper 2. In this case, the discharge member 4 can be moved downward with respect to the inner stopper 2 along the female screw groove 14 provided in the inner stopper 2 while rotating together with the hinge cap 3 by the guide convex portion 22 and the guide concave portion 21 provided in the discharge plug 23. The predetermined amount ΔL can be visually observed, for example, by making the outer cylinder 8 of the inner stopper 2 a transparent or translucent outer cylinder with graduations.

[0061] Next, after the discharge member 4 is lowered by a predetermined amount ΔL, for example, the body portion 54 of the container body 50 is squeezed radially inward. As a result, the liquid C filled in the accommodation space S50 of the container body 50 is discharged from only the discharge port A5 of the discharge path R1 into the recess S0 of the discharge member 4 through the introduction path R0 of the pipe P and through the inside of the stepped cylinder 6 of the inner stopper 2. Next, the liquid C discharged into the recess S0 flows into the variable metering chamber S1 through the third communication port A3. The variable metering chamber S1 can be filled with the liquid C by repeatedly squeezing the container body 50. Even after the liquid C is filled in the variable metering chamber S1, if the container body 50 is repeatedly squeezed, the liquid C can be stored in the recess S0 of the discharge member 4. In the present embodiment, the liquid C accumulated in the recess S0 of the discharge member 4 can be further filled into the recess S2 of the inner stopper 2 through the communication port A6. The metering of the liquid C can be set, for example, until the liquid level of the liquid C reaches the lower surface of the flange 19 of the discharge member 4. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the liquid C fills all the spaces of the variable metering chamber S1, the recess S0 of the discharge member 4, and the recess S2 of the inner stopper 2. For example, when the metering container 10 is a container for seasonings, the metering capacity in FIG. 2 can be set to 1 cup (15 cc).

[0062] After the measurement is completed, if the measuring container 10 is tilted, the liquid C can be poured out from the pouring outlet A9 by the amount measured inside the measuring cap 1. Since the lid body 24 seals the pouring outlet A9, it is preferably opened in advance before measuring the liquid C.

[0063] (1) At the time of minimum metered pouring As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge member 4 is lowered to the lowest position. Specifically, the hinge cap 3 is further rotated in one circumferential direction around the axis O with respect to the middle plug 2. In this case, the discharge member 4 can be further moved downward with respect to the middle plug 2 along the female screw groove 14 provided in the middle plug 2 while rotating together with the hinge cap 3 by the guide convex portion 22 provided on the pouring plug 23. The lowering of the discharge member 4 can be visually observed, for example, by making the outer cylinder 8 provided on the middle plug 2 a transparent or translucent outer cylinder with graduations. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the contact between the upper end of the inner cylinder 7 provided on the middle plug 2 and the lower surface of the flange 19 provided on the discharge member 4, the contact between the stepped wall 6c of the stepped cylinder 6 provided on the middle plug 2 and the lower end of the valve cylinder 17 provided on the discharge member 4, and the contact between the lower end of the discharge cylinder 15 provided on the discharge member 4 and the lower end portion 6d of the lower cylinder portion 6a can be restricted by at least one of the contacts. Further, the lowering of the discharge member 4 can be controlled by the position of the end of the thread at the lower end of the female screw groove 14.

[0064] Next, after lowering the discharge member 4 to the lowest position, the container body 50 is squeezed in the same manner as during maximum fixed-volume discharge. As a result, the liquid C filled in the accommodation space S50 of the container body 50 is discharged from only the discharge port A5 of the discharge member 4 into the recess S0 of the discharge member 4 in the same manner as during maximum fixed-volume discharge. Next, the liquid C discharged into the recess S0 also flows into the variable metering chamber S1 through the third communication port A3 in the same manner as during maximum fixed-volume discharge. The variable metering chamber S1 can be filled with the liquid C by repeatedly squeezing the container body 50. However, in this case, the capacity of the variable metering chamber S1 is smaller than that during maximum fixed-volume discharge. Even after the liquid C is filled in the variable metering chamber S1, if the squeezing of the container body 50 is repeated, the liquid C can be stored in the recess S0 of the discharge member 4. However, in the present embodiment, the communication port A6 formed in the receiving cylinder 18 of the discharge member 4 is closed by the inner cylinder 7 of the middle plug 2. For this reason, the liquid C stored in the recess S0 of the discharge member 4 is not filled in the recess S2 of the middle plug 2. Therefore, when the discharge member 4 is lowered to the lowest position, the metering capacity of the liquid C is the smallest. The metering of the liquid C can be, for example, until the liquid level of the liquid C reaches the lower surface of the flange 19 of the discharge member 4, in the same manner as during maximum fixed-volume discharge. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the liquid C is filled in two spaces, namely, the variable metering chamber S1 and the recess S0 of the discharge member 4. For example, when the metering container 10 is a container for seasonings, the metering capacity in FIG. 3 can be 1 tablespoon (5 cc).

[0065] After the metering is completed, in the same manner as during maximum fixed-volume discharge, by tilting the metering container 10, the liquid C can be discharged from the discharge port A9 by the amount metered inside the metering cap 1. Note that it is preferable to open the lid body 24 in advance before metering the liquid C in the same manner as during maximum fixed-volume discharge.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the metering cap 1, the lowered discharge member 4 can be raised by rotating the hinge cap 3 in the circumferential direction on the other side opposite to one side in the circumferential direction around the axis O with respect to the inner stopper 2. Also, the volume measured by the metering cap 1 can be finely adjusted by rotating the hinge cap 3 in the circumferential direction on the other side around the axis O with respect to the inner stopper 2. Therefore, according to the metering cap 1, and thus the metering container 10, it is possible to perform a quantitative discharge in which only the liquid measured in a predetermined fixed amount is discharged.

[0067] [During free discharge using the metering container 10] As shown in FIG. 1, after opening the lid 24 with the discharge member 4 raised to the uppermost position, as shown in FIG. 5, the metering container 10 is tilted so that the discharge port A9 is positioned downward. As a result, the liquid C stored in the container body 50 flows into the inside of the upper cylinder portion 6b from, for example, the second flow port A2. The liquid C that has flowed into the inside of the upper cylinder portion 6b flows from the opening A7 through the third flow port A3 into the recess S0 of the discharge member 4. Then, the liquid C that has flowed into the recess S0 of the discharge member 4 flows out to the outside from the discharge port A9 of the discharge stopper 23. As a result, the metering container 10 can perform a continuous and free discharge without being limited by the volume of the liquid C, simply by tilting the metering container 10 after opening the lid 24 with the discharge member 4 raised to the uppermost position. Therefore, according to the metering cap 1, and thus the metering container 10 using the metering cap 1, it is possible to perform a free discharge in which the liquid C is continuously and freely discharged without being limited by the volume.

[0068] As described above, according to the metering cap 1, by a simple operation of moving the discharge member 4 disposed between the inner stopper 2 and the discharge stopper 23 in the vertical direction, it is possible to selectively switch between quantitative discharge and free discharge and use them. Therefore, according to the metering cap 1, and thus the metering container 10 using the metering cap 1, it is possible to switch between quantitative discharge and free discharge, and the switching can be performed by a common single operation.

[0069] In particular, according to the present embodiment, the lower portion 15b of the discharge cylinder 15 seals the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylinder portion 6a of the middle plug 2 so as to communicate the first flow port A1 with the discharge path R1 by lowering the discharge member 4 by a predetermined amount ΔL. In this case, the space between the first flow port A1 and the discharge port A5 is maintained in a direct connection state by the discharge path R1 of the discharge cylinder 15. Therefore, in this case, the liquid C accommodated in the container body 50 can be easily and efficiently discharged from the discharge port A9.

[0070] Further, according to the present embodiment, the receiving cylinder 18 is formed with a communication port A6 that communicates the recess S0 of the receiving cylinder 18 with the annular recess S2 formed between the inner cylinder 7 and the outer cylinder 8. In this case, in addition to the recess S0 formed in the discharge member 4, the recess S2 formed in the middle plug 2 can be used as a measuring chamber. Therefore, in this case, it is possible to measure a larger volume.

[0071] Further, according to the present embodiment, the discharge member 4 has a male screw projection 16a provided on the discharge member 4 screwed into a female screw groove 14 provided on the middle plug 2, and a guide recess 21 provided on the discharge member 4 is vertically guided in a non-rotatable manner with respect to a guide projection 22 provided on the discharge plug 23. In this case, a discharge member 4 that can move in the vertical direction can be disposed between the middle plug 2 and the discharge plug 23, and a variable measuring chamber S1 can be formed between the middle plug 2 and the discharge member 4. Therefore, in this case, while disposing the variable measuring chamber S1 inside the measuring cap 1, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the measuring cap 1 and, consequently, the measuring container 10.

[0072] By the way, various types of lid bodies can be adopted for the lid body 24 of the measuring cap 1. However, when the lid body 24 is connected to the discharge plug 23 by a hinge 25 as in the present embodiment, the hinge cap 3 can be adopted as the discharge plug 23. In this case, the lid body 24 can be operated integrally with the discharge plug 23 without being separated from the discharge plug 23. Therefore, when the lid body 24 is connected to the discharge plug 23 via the hinge 25 as in the present embodiment, the lid body 24 does not come off during the rotation operation of the discharge plug 23, and the operability is excellent.

[0073] The above description has explained exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, specific examples of liquid C include foods, pharmaceuticals, detergents, and the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0074] 1: Measuring cap, 2: Inner stopper, 3: Hinge cap, 4: Discharging member, 5: First partition wall, 6: Step cylinder, 6a: Lower cylinder portion, 6b: Upper cylinder portion, 6c: Step wall, 6d: Lower end portion of the lower cylinder portion, 6e: Mounting cylinder, 7: Inner cylinder, 8: Outer cylinder, 9: Fixed cylinder of the inner stopper, 10: Measuring container, 11: Fitting groove of the inner stopper, 12: Fitting projection, 13: Fitting projection, 14: Female screw groove, 15: Discharging cylinder, 15a: Upper portion of the discharging cylinder, 15b: Lower portion of the discharging cylinder, 15c: Sealing projection, 15e: Upper end portion 16: Second partition wall, 16a: Male screw projection, 17: Valve cylinder, 17a: Sealing projection, 18; Receiving cylinder, 19: Flange, 21: Guide recess, 22: Guide projection, 23: Pouring stopper, 24: Cover body, 25: Hinge, 26: Fixed cylinder of the pouring stopper, 27: Partition wall, 28: Pouring cylinder, 29: Fitting groove of the pouring stopper, 30: Sealing outer cylinder, 31: Sealing inner cylinder, 50: Container body, 51: Mouth portion, 52: Neck portion, 53: Shoulder portion, 54: Body portion, A1: First communication port, A2: Second communication port, A3: Third communication port, A4: Inlet port, A5: Discharge port, A6: Communication port, A7: Open port, A8: Gap, A9: Pouring port, S0: Recess of the discharging member, S1: Variable measuring chamber, S2: Recess of the inner stopper, S50: Accommodation space, P: Pipe, R0: Introduction path, R1: Discharge path

Claims

1. It includes a stopper attached to the mouth of the container body, a pouring stopper attached to the stopper, and a discharge member that can move up and down between the stopper and the pouring stopper. The stopper includes a first partition wall disposed at the upper end of the mouth of the container body, a stepped cylinder extending downward from the first partition wall, an inner cylinder extending upward from the first partition wall, and an outer cylinder extending upward from the first partition wall and surrounding the inner cylinder. A first flow port is formed at the lower end of the lower cylinder portion of the stepped cylinder, and a second flow port is formed in the stepped wall of the stepped cylinder. The discharge member includes a discharge cylinder in which a discharge path is formed, a second partition wall that is continuous with the outer peripheral surface of the discharge cylinder and partitions the inner cylinder of the stopper in the vertical direction and is slidably held on the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder, and a valve cylinder that extends downward from the second partition wall and seals the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion of the stepped cylinder of the stopper when the discharge member descends. It also includes a receiving cylinder that extends upward from the second partition wall and is slidably held on the inner peripheral surface of the pouring stopper. The upper portion of the discharge cylinder is disposed inside the receiving cylinder, and the discharge port of the discharge path opens on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the discharge cylinder. A third flow port is formed in the second partition wall between the valve cylinder and the receiving cylinder. The valve cylinder forms a variable metering chamber partitioned by the first partition wall and the inner cylinder of the stopper and the second partition wall and the valve cylinder of the discharge member between the discharge member and the stopper when the discharge member descends by a predetermined amount, while opening the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylinder portion of the stopper in a state where the discharge member has risen to communicate the first flow port and the second flow port with the pouring port of the pouring stopper. It is a metering cap.

2. The lower portion of the discharge cylinder seals the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylinder portion of the stopper so that the first flow port is directly communicated with the discharge path by lowering the discharge member by the predetermined amount. The metering cap according to Claim 1.

3. The receiving cylinder is formed with a communication port that communicates an annular recess formed between the receiving cylinder and the discharge cylinder and an annular recess formed between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. The metering cap according to Claim 1.

4. The discharging member is such that the second partition wall of the discharging member is screwed into the inner cylinder of the middle plug, and the receiving cylinder of the discharging member is guided vertically in a non-rotatable manner with respect to the pouring plug. The metering cap according to claim 1.

5. A metering cap according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A metering container comprising a container body to which the metering cap is attached.

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