Cap

Abstract

To provide a cap allowed to change over the form of pouring a content by a simple structure.SOLUTION: A cap comprises a cap body (11) and an upper cap (12). The cap body (11) has a mount portion (15), a top wall portion (16), and first and second spouts (31), (32) provided in the top wall portion (16). The upper cap (12) has a cylindrical portion (40) allowed to rotate circumferentially of the cap body (11) in a state of being attached to the cap body (11) and a cover portion (41) arranged inside the cylindrical portion (40) and covering part of the top wall portion (16) from above. The upper cap (12) is allowed, by rotation of the cylindrical portion (40), to rotate between a first rotation position where the cover portion (41) closes the second spout (32) and exposes the first spout (31) and a second rotation position where the cover portion (41) exposes the second spout (32).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, among caps attached to the mouth of a container body, those capable of switching the form of pouring out the contents of the container body between a form of local pouring and a form of shower-like pouring are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The cap of Patent Document 1 includes a pouring hole provided on the upper surface of the cap body, an elastomer valve body covering the upper surface of the cap body, and a plurality of diffusing pouring holes provided in this valve body. In the structure of Patent Document 1, when the container body is weakly squeezed, the contents are locally poured out through the pouring hole, and when the container body is strongly squeezed, the valve body is separated from the upper surface of the cap body by the pressure, and the contents are poured out in a shower form from the diffusing pouring holes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the structure of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide an elastomer valve body on the upper surface of the cap body, which complicates the structure of the cap. Further, in the structure of Patent Document 1, in order to switch the pouring form, it is necessary to adjust the squeezing force of the container body, and it may be difficult to accurately switch the pouring form.

[0005] In view of such points, an object of the present invention is to provide a cap having a simple structure and capable of switching the pouring form of the contents.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The cap includes a cap body that is attached to the mouth of a container body for storing contents, and an upper cap that is attached to the cap body and covers the cap body from above. The cap body includes a mounting portion that is attached to the mouth, a top wall portion that closes the upper surface of the mouth, and a first spout and a second spout provided on the top wall portion. The first spout is an aggregate of a plurality of holes provided in the top wall portion, and the plurality of holes are arranged in a wider range than the second spout. The upper cap includes a cylindrical portion that is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the cap body when attached to the cap body, and a cover portion that is disposed inside the cylindrical portion, covers a part of the top wall portion from above, and rotates integrally with the cylindrical portion. The upper cap is rotatable between a first rotation position where the cover portion closes the second spout and exposes the first spout, and a second rotation position where the cover portion exposes the second spout when the cylindrical portion rotates.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cap with a simple structure that can switch the pouring form of the contents.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 6C

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the cap according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pouring container 1 to which a cap 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cap 10 seen from above.

[0010] The pouring container 1 includes a container body 2 that stores the contents, and a cap 10 that is attached to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2. The container body 2 includes a container bottom wall (not shown), a cylindrical body portion 2b that extends upward from the periphery of the container bottom wall, and a mouth portion 2a. In FIG. 1, a portion of the upper end of the body portion 2b that extends radially inward from a position below the mouth portion 2a toward the mouth portion 2a is shown. The mouth portion 2a is cylindrical and extends upward from the upper end of the body portion 2b. An outer engagement portion 2c with which the cap 10 engages is provided on the outer periphery of the mouth portion 2a. The outer engagement portion 2c is a male screw portion formed on the outer periphery of the mouth portion 2a.

[0011] In FIG. 1, the pouring container 1 is shown in an upright posture in which the pouring container 1 is placed upright such that the axis 2d of the mouth portion 2a is directed in the vertical direction. The axis 2d is the center line of the mouth portion 2a and is arranged coaxially with the axis of the body portion 2b. The content of the pouring container 1 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include herbicides, liquid fertilizers, and the like.

[0012] The cap 10 includes a cap body 11 attached to the mouth portion 2a, an upper cap 12 attached to the cap body 11 and covering the cap body 11 from above, and a hinge cap 13 attached to the upper cap 12. Further, a pipe 14 extending vertically in the container body 2 is connected to the cap body 11.

[0013] FIG. 3A is a plan view of the cap body 11 as viewed from above. FIG. 3B is a side view of the cap body 11. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the cap body 11 includes a mounting portion 15 mounted on the outer periphery of the mouth portion 2a and a top wall portion 16 closing the opening on the upper surface of the mouth portion 2a. The mounting portion 15 includes a cylindrical mounting cylinder portion 17 engaged with the outer periphery of the mouth portion 2a, an annular flange portion 18 extending radially inward from the upper end of the mounting cylinder portion 17, an annular annular wall 19 extending upward from the inner peripheral portion of the flange portion 18, and an annular downward extending portion 20 (FIG. 1) extending downward from the flange portion 18 on the radially outer side with respect to the annular wall 19. Further, the mounting portion 15 includes an anti-tampering band 21 integrally connected to the lower edge of the mounting cylinder portion 17 via a weakened portion.

[0014] An inner engaging portion 17a that engages with the outer engaging portion 2c of the mouth portion 2a is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder portion 17. The inner engaging portion 17a is a female screw portion. The cap body 11 is attached to the mouth portion 2a by screwing the inner engaging portion 17a with the outer engaging portion 2c. In a state where the cap body 11 is attached to the mouth portion 2a, the lower surface of the flange portion 18 abuts against the upper end of the mouth portion 2a, and the downward extending portion 20 fits into the inner periphery of the mouth portion 2a. An annular fitting portion 17b (FIG. 3B) that protrudes radially outward is provided on the outer periphery of the lower part of the mounting cylinder portion 17.

[0015] The anti-tampering band 21 is an annular band that surrounds the mouth portion 2a below the mounting cylinder portion 17. The anti-tampering band 21 is engaged with the outer periphery of the mouth portion 2a and is non-rotatable. When the cap body 11 is rotated to release the engagement of the inner engagement portion 17a with respect to the mouth portion 2a, the anti-tampering band 21 is separated from the mounting cylinder portion 17 and remains on the mouth portion 2a side. When the anti-tampering band 21 is separated from the mounting cylinder portion 17, it can be determined that the cap body 11 has already been removed.

[0016] The annular wall 19 is cylindrical. The center of the annular wall 19 coincides with the axis 2d. The annular wall 19, the mounting cylinder portion 17, and the mouth portion 2a are arranged in a coaxial positional relationship. The annular wall 19 is annularly formed by a first wall portion 19a and a second wall portion 19b having a lower height than the first wall portion 19a. The second wall portion 19b is provided so as to notch downward a substantially semi-circular portion of the annular wall 19 with respect to the first wall portion 19a. One end surface in the circumferential direction of the first wall portion 19a is a first stepped portion 19c (stepped portion) that connects the upper surface of the first wall portion 19a and the upper surface of the second wall portion 19b. The other end surface in the circumferential direction of the first wall portion 19a is a second stepped portion 19d (stepped portion) that connects the upper surface of the first wall portion 19a and the upper surface of the second wall portion 19b.

[0017] The top wall portion 16 is a circular plate-like portion provided so as to close the inside of the cylindrical annular wall 19. The top wall portion 16 is provided at the lower part inside the annular wall 19. The top wall portion 16 is horizontal. The annular wall 19 is provided so as to protrude upward with respect to the top wall portion 16 and surrounds the top wall portion 16 from the periphery.

[0018] A vent hole 25 that penetrates the top wall portion 16 vertically is provided at the center portion of the top wall portion 16. Further, the top wall portion 16 includes a cylindrical fitting portion 26 that extends downward from the peripheral edge portion of the vent hole 25. The upper end of the pipe 14 is fixed to the top wall portion 16 by fitting into the cylindrical fitting portion 26. The lower end of the pipe 14 opens at the lower part inside the container body 2. The upper end of the pipe 14 communicates with the space above the top wall portion 16 through the vent hole 25.

[0019] The top wall portion 16 is provided with a first discharge port 31 and a second discharge port 32 that penetrate the top wall portion 16 vertically. The first discharge port 31 is an aggregate of a plurality of holes 31a, 31b provided in the top wall portion 16. The plurality of holes 31a, 31b are dispersed and arranged over a wider range than the second discharge port 32 in a plan view within the top wall portion 16. In the present embodiment, the holes 31a, 31b are provided at a total of 14 locations. The second discharge port 32 is a single hole and is larger than one hole 31a. The second discharge port 32 is provided at the front end portion of the top wall portion 16 and at the center in the left - right direction. In the following description, in the plan view of FIG. 2, the side where the second discharge port 32 is located is defined as the front side of the discharging container 1, the opposite side of the second discharge port 32 is defined as the rear side, and the direction orthogonal to the front - rear direction in the plan view is defined as the left - right direction for explanation. In the figure, the forward direction is indicated by the arrow F.

[0020] The second discharge port 32 is an elongated hole that is longer in the left - right direction than in the front - rear direction. The front edge of the second discharge port 32 is formed in an arc shape along the outer periphery of the top wall portion 16. The second discharge port 32 is located on the front side with respect to the axis 2d located at the center of the top wall portion 16. The plurality of holes 31a, 31b are arranged behind the second discharge port 32. Specifically, the holes 31a and 31b are holes of the same shape. The hole 31b is the hole arranged most rearward in the arrangement of the holes 31a, 31b and is provided at two locations in the present embodiment. The hole 31a is a hole arranged in front of the hole 31b and is provided at 12 locations in the present embodiment. The aggregate of the plurality of holes 31a, 31b is located in front of and behind the axis 2d. Also, the aggregate of the plurality of holes 31a, 31b is provided up to positions outside the second discharge port 32 on both sides in the left - right direction.

[0021] FIG. 4A is a side view of the upper cap 12, showing a part in cross section. FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the upper cap 12 as viewed from the lower side. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the upper cap 12 includes a cylindrical portion 40 attached to the outer periphery of the cap body 11, a partition portion L disposed inside the cylindrical portion 40 and covering the top wall portion 16 from above, and a separable lid 43 separable from the partition portion L.

[0022] The cylindrical portion 40 includes a lower cylindrical portion 45 fitted to the outer periphery of the mounting cylindrical portion 17 of the cap body 11, an intermediate flange portion 46 extending radially inward from the upper end of the lower cylindrical portion 45, an upper cylindrical portion 47 extending upward from the inner peripheral portion of the intermediate flange portion 46, an upper end portion 48 extending radially inward from the upper end of the upper cylindrical portion 47, an inner cylindrical portion 49 extending downward from the inner peripheral portion of the upper end portion 48, and an annular seal wall portion 50 protruding upward from the upper end portion 48.

[0023] The lower cylindrical portion 45 extends vertically along the outer periphery of the mounting cylindrical portion 17 and surrounds the mounting cylindrical portion 17 from the periphery. The intermediate flange portion 46 extends along the flange portion 18 of the cap body 11 and covers the flange portion 18 from above. The upper cylindrical portion 47 extends upward along the outer periphery of the annular wall 19 of the cap body 11 and surrounds the annular wall 19 from the periphery. The upper end portion 48 is an annular portion that covers the annular wall 19 from above. The inner cylindrical portion 49 extends downward along the inner periphery of the annular wall 19 and covers the annular wall 19 from the inner peripheral side. The lower end of the inner cylindrical portion 49 is located above the intermediate flange portion 46.

[0024] Also, an annular groove portion 51 recessed upward is provided at the upper part of the cylindrical portion 40. The groove portion 51 is formed inside the cylindrical wall formed by the upper cylindrical portion 47, the upper end portion 48, and the inner cylindrical portion 49, and is partitioned by the upper cylindrical portion 47, the upper end portion 48, and the inner cylindrical portion 49. The groove portion 51 is annular and encircles the inside of the cylindrical portion 40. However, at one location within the groove portion 51, a wall portion 51a that divides the groove portion 51 in the circumferential direction is provided. The wall portion 51a is provided at the upper part within the groove portion 51. Although FIG. 4A is not a cross-section where the wall portion 51a appears, the height position of the wall portion 51a is illustrated in FIG. 4A by a virtual line.

[0025] The cylindrical portion 40 is arranged coaxially with the cap body 11 and is relatively rotatable with respect to the cap body 11 about the axis 2d in a state of being attached to the cap body 11.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state where the separation lid 43 is removed from the state of FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the partition portion L is provided at the bottom within the inner cylindrical portion 49 and is disk-shaped to close the inside of the inner cylindrical portion 49. The partition portion L is provided with an annular cut portion 43d in a plan view. The cut portion 43d is an annular groove formed on the lower surface of the partition portion L. Note that the cut portion 43d may be provided on the upper surface of the partition portion L.

[0027] The separation lid 43 includes a lid plate portion 43a formed by a part of the partition portion L, a ring portion 43b disposed above the lid plate portion 43a, and a pillar portion 43c that vertically connects the ring portion 43b and the lid plate portion 43a. Specifically, the lid plate portion 43a is a portion surrounded by the cut portion 43d in the partition portion L.

[0028] When the lid plate portion 43a is pulled upward via the ring portion 43b, the separation lid 43 breaks at the cut portion 43d and is separated from the partition portion L. As shown in FIG. 5, the portion remaining in the inner cylindrical portion 49 after the lid plate portion 43a is separated from the partition portion L becomes a cover portion 41 that covers a part of the top wall portion 16 from above. As shown in FIG. 5, when the lid plate portion 43a is separated from the partition portion L, an opening portion 42 along the cut portion 43d is formed in the inner cylindrical portion 49. The opening portion 42 penetrates the upper cap 12 in the vertical direction. That is, when the separation lid 43 is removed from the state shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 5, the cover portion 41 and the opening 42 are formed in the inner cylindrical portion 49.

[0029] The cover portion 41 and the opening 42 are provided at the bottom inside the inner cylindrical portion 49. The cover portion 41 is a plate-like portion along the top wall portion 16. The cover portion 41 covers and closes the second spout 32 from above. The cover portion 41 is formed in a size capable of closing the entire second spout 32. In the states of FIGS. 2 and 5, the cover portion 41 is located at the front end portion inside the inner cylindrical portion 49 and extends in the left-right direction along the second spout 32.

[0030] The opening 42 is located behind the cover portion 41 in the state of FIG. 5 and is provided from the front part to the rear part inside the inner cylindrical portion 49. The opening 42 has a size that overlaps all of the plurality of holes 31a, 31b constituting the first spout 31 from above in the state of FIG. 5. In a plan view, the area of the opening 42 is larger than the area of the cover portion 41.

[0031] FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by reference numeral D1 in FIG. 1, which is the peripheral portion of the annular wall 19. FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by reference numeral D2 in FIG. 1, which is the portion where the lower cylindrical portion 45 is fitted. FIG. 6C is an enlarged view showing the contact portion between the intermediate flange portion 46 and the cap body 11, which is the portion indicated by reference numeral D3 in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6A, the upper cap 12 is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the cap body 11 in a state where the groove portion 51 is fitted onto the annular wall 19 of the cap body 11 from above and the lower cylindrical portion 45 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the mounting cylindrical portion 17 of the cap body 11.

[0032] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, in the groove portion 51, the outer peripheral portion of the lower part of the inner cylindrical portion 49 is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral portion 19e of the lower part of the annular wall 19. Above the inner peripheral portion 19e, a radial gap is provided between the inner cylindrical portion 49 and the inner circumference of the annular wall 19. The annular wall 19 has its lower inner peripheral portion 19e in sliding contact with the inner cylindrical portion 49, and the upper portion of the annular wall 19 does not contact the inner cylindrical portion 49. Therefore, the resistance when the upper cap 12 rotates can be reduced. Also, due to the sliding contact between the inner peripheral portion 19e and the inner cylindrical portion 49, the sealing performance between the upper cap 12 and the cap body 11 can be improved. Also, in the groove portion 51, a gap is provided in the radial direction between the upper cylindrical portion 47 and the annular wall 19.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6A, on the lower surface of the upper end portion 48 of the upper cap 12 and on the upper surface within the groove portion 51, an annular protrusion portion 51b protruding downward is provided. The upper cap 12 is in sliding contact with the upper surface of the annular wall 19 via the protrusion portion 51b. Therefore, the contact area between the upper cap 12 and the upper surface of the annular wall 19 can be reduced, and the resistance when the upper cap 12 rotates can be reduced. Also, due to the sliding contact between the protrusion portion 51b and the annular wall 19, the sealing performance between the upper cap 12 and the cap body 11 can be improved.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6B, on the inner circumference of the lower cylindrical portion 45 of the upper cap 12, a recessed portion 45a recessed radially outward is provided in a circle. The lower cylindrical portion 45 of the upper cap 12 is attached to the cap body 11 by the recessed portion 45a being fitted into the fitting portion 17b of the mounting cylindrical portion 17 of the cap body 11. The fitting portion 17b is in sliding contact with the recessed portion 45a and prevents the upper cap 12 from coming off in the vertical direction.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6C, on the lower surface of the intermediate flange portion 46 of the upper cap 12, an annular convex portion 46a protruding downward is provided so as to surround the intermediate flange portion 46. The upper cap 12 is in sliding contact with the upper surface of the flange portion 18 of the cap body 11 via the annular convex portion 46a. Therefore, the contact area between the upper cap 12 and the upper surface of the flange portion 18 can be reduced, and the resistance when the upper cap 12 rotates can be reduced.

[0036] FIG. 7A is a plan view of the hinge cap 13 as viewed from above. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 7A. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, the hinge cap 13 includes a rotating portion 55 attached to the outer periphery of the upper cylindrical portion 47 of the upper cap 12, a lid portion 56 that covers the top wall portion 16 from above, and a hinge portion 57 that rotatably connects the lid portion 56 to the rotating portion 55.

[0037] The rotating portion 55 is cylindrical and fits onto the outer periphery of the upper cylindrical portion 47 of the upper cap 12. On the upper part of the inner peripheral surface of the rotating portion 55, a plurality (four in this embodiment) of inner peripheral side rotation restricting protrusions 55a protruding radially inward are provided at equal intervals in the radial direction.

[0038] The lid portion 56 includes an upper wall portion 60 that covers the upper cap 12 from above when the lid portion 56 is closed, a lid peripheral wall portion 61 that extends downward from the periphery of the upper wall portion 60, and an annular lid side seal wall 62 that extends downward from the lower surface of the upper wall portion 60 inside the lid peripheral wall portion 61. The hinge portion 57 connects the rear end portion of the rotating portion 55 and the rear end portion of the lid portion 56 in the state of FIG. 2. The lid portion 56 is opened and closed by rotating about the hinge portion 57. As shown in FIG. 7B, when the lid portion 56 is closed from the state where the lid portion 56 is open, the lid side seal wall 62 fits into the inner periphery of the seal wall portion 50 of the upper cap 12, and the space inside the seal wall portion 50 is sealed. The lid portion 56 covers the cover portion 41 and the opening 42 from above. Also, in the state where the lid portion 56 is closed, the inner peripheral portion of the lid peripheral wall portion 61 fits onto the outer peripheral portion of the upper part of the rotating portion 55.

[0039] The rotating portion 55 is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the cap body 11 while being attached to the outer periphery of the upper cylindrical portion 47 of the upper cap 12. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, an annular fitting portion 47a protruding radially outward and an outer peripheral rotation restricting portion 47b provided above the annular fitting portion 47a are provided on the outer periphery of the lower portion of the upper cylindrical portion 47. The outer peripheral rotation restricting portion 47b is formed by providing a plurality of small protrusions protruding radially outward from the outer periphery of the upper cylindrical portion 47 at minute intervals and at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The protruding height of the outer peripheral rotation restricting portion 47b is smaller than the protruding height of the annular fitting portion 47a.

[0040] On the inner periphery of the rotating portion 55, a fitting recess 55b recessed radially outward and the inner peripheral rotation restricting protrusion 55a are provided. The rotating portion 55 is prevented from coming off in the vertical direction by fitting the fitting recess 55b to the annular fitting portion 47a of the upper cap 12. Further, when the rotating portion 55 rotates, the fitting recess 55b is in sliding contact with the annular fitting portion 47a.

[0041] The inner peripheral rotation restricting protrusion 55a of the rotating portion 55 is engaged with the outer peripheral rotation restricting portion 47b of the upper cap 12. The inner peripheral rotation restricting protrusion 55a and the outer peripheral rotation restricting portion 47b constitute a rotation stopping portion 63 for stopping the rotating portion 55 at an arbitrary rotation position. When a rotational force of a predetermined magnitude is applied to the rotating portion 55, the inner peripheral rotation restricting protrusion 55a rides over the outer peripheral rotation restricting portion 47b and rotates. The rotating portion 55 is stopped from rotating with the inner peripheral rotation restricting protrusion 55a engaged with the outer peripheral rotation restricting portion 47b when the rotational force is not applied.

[0042] The upper cap 12 is rotatable in the circumferential direction with respect to the cap body 11 to a first rotation position where the cover portion 41 closes the second outlet 32 and exposes the first outlet 31, and a second rotation position where the cover portion 41 exposes the second outlet 32. In FIG. 5, the state of the first rotation position is shown. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the first rotation position. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the contents are being poured out in the state of the first rotation position.

[0043] When the user first uses the pouring container 1, after opening the hinge cap 13, for example, if the user puts a finger into the ring portion 43b and lifts it as it is, the separation lid 43 breaks at the cut portion 43d, and the opening 42 appears. When the user positions the upper cap 12 at the first rotation position, for example, the user grips the lower cylindrical portion 45 of the upper cap 12 and rotates the upper cap 12 counterclockwise in FIG. 5 until the wall portion 51a of the groove portion 51 abuts against the first step portion 19c (see FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 5) of the first wall portion 19a of the annular wall 19. At this time, the wall portion 51a moves along the second wall portion 19b above the second wall portion 19b. When the wall portion 51a abuts against the first step portion 19c, the upper cap 12 is positioned at the first rotation position. The first step portion 19c is a stopper portion that positions the upper cap 12 at the first rotation position.

[0044] The cover portion 41 and the opening 42 rotate integrally with the upper cap 12. Referring to FIGS. 5, 8, and 9, at the first rotation position, the second pouring port 32 is blocked by the cover portion 41, and all of the plurality of holes 31a, 31b constituting the first pouring port 31 are exposed from the opening 42. Also, at the first rotation position, the vent hole 25 is also exposed from the opening 42.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 9, the user can pour the contents downward in a shower shape from all of the plurality of holes 31a, 31b by tilting the pouring container 1 so that the holes 31a, 31b face downward. The contents are not poured out from the second pouring port 32 blocked by the cover portion 41. In this way, when the upper cap 12 is positioned at the first rotation position, the pouring form of the contents can be changed to a shower-like pouring form.

[0046] Also, when the hinge cap 13 rotates the upper cap 12 to the first rotational position, the hinge cap 13 rotates integrally with the upper cap 12. The user can freely change the position of the hinge cap 13 by rotating the hinge cap 13 relative to the upper cap 12 via the rotating portion 55 so that the lid portion 56 of the hinge cap 13 is positioned above the plurality of holes 31a, 31b as shown in FIG. 9. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the hinge cap 13 from interfering with the pouring. As the contents are poured out from the plurality of holes 31a, 31b, outside air is introduced into the container body 2 through the ventilation holes 25 and the pipe 14. Thereby, the reduced pressure state inside the container body 2 accompanying the pouring of the contents is alleviated, and the contents can be ejected smoothly.

[0047] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the state at the second rotational position. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the state at the second rotational position. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the contents are being poured out at the second rotational position.

[0048] When the user sets the upper cap 12 to the second rotational position, for example, the user grips the lower cylindrical portion 45 of the upper cap 12 and rotates the upper cap 12 clockwise in FIG. 5 until the wall portion 51a of the groove portion 51 abuts against the second step portion 19d (see FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 10) of the first wall portion 19a of the annular wall 19. The rotation amount of the upper cap 12 from the first rotational position to the second rotational position is approximately 180°. When the wall portion 51a abuts against the second step portion 19d, the upper cap 12 is positioned at the second rotational position. The second step portion 19d is a stopper portion that positions the upper cap 12 at the second rotational position.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, at the second rotational position, the second spout 32 and the hole 31a, which is a part of the plurality of holes 31a, 31b, are exposed from the opening 42, and the remaining holes 31b of the plurality of holes 31a, 31b are blocked by the cover portion 41. Specifically, the hole 31b located at the rear end portion of the arrangement of the plurality of holes 31a, 31b is blocked by the cover portion 41, and the hole 31a located in front of the hole 31b is exposed from the opening 42. Also, at the second rotational position, the ventilation holes 25 are also exposed from the opening 42.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the user holds the pouring container 1 so that the second spout 32 is in the rotational position where it is located most forward, and gradually tilts the pouring container 1 so that the second spout 32 faces downward, and pours out the contents from the second spout 32. In this way, when the upper cap 12 is positioned at the second rotational position, the pouring form of the contents can be changed to a form of local pouring. The form of local pouring is used, for example, when directly applying the contents to an object or transferring the contents.

[0051] Also, when the upper cap 12 is rotated to the second rotational position, the hinge cap 13 rotates integrally with the upper cap 12. The user can freely change the position of the hinge cap 13 via the rotating portion 55 so that the lid portion 56 of the hinge cap 13 is positioned above the second spout 32 as shown in FIG. 12. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the hinge cap 13 from interfering with the pouring. Specifically, when the upper cap 12 is rotated 180° from the first rotational position shown in FIG. 5 to the second rotational position shown in FIG. 10, the hinge cap 13 rotates 180° integrally with the upper cap 12 and is positioned in front of the second spout 32 in FIG. 10. From this state, the user can rotate the hinge cap 13 180° with respect to the upper cap 12 to obtain the state shown in FIG. 10. Thereby, when pouring the contents as shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to prevent the hinge cap 13 from interfering with the pouring.

[0052] As described above, according to the embodiment to which the present invention is applied, the cap 10 includes a cap body 11 attached to the mouth portion 2a of the container body 2 for storing the content, and an upper cap 12 attached to the cap body 11 and covering the cap body 11 from above. The cap body 11 includes a mounting portion 15 attached to the mouth portion 2a, a top wall portion 16 closing the upper surface of the mouth portion 2a, and a first spout 31 and a second spout 32 provided in the top wall portion 16. The first spout 31 is an aggregate of a plurality of holes 31a, 31b provided in the top wall portion 16, and the plurality of holes 31a, 31b are arranged in a wider range than the second spout 32. The upper cap 12 includes a cylindrical portion 40 rotatable in the circumferential direction of the cap body in a state of being attached to the cap body 11, and a cover portion 41 disposed inside the cylindrical portion 40, covering a part of the top wall portion 16 from above, and rotating integrally with the cylindrical portion 40. The upper cap 12 is rotatable between a first rotational position where the cover portion 41 closes the second spout 32 and exposes the first spout 31 when the cylindrical portion 40 rotates, and a second rotational position where the cover portion 41 exposes the second spout 32. According to this configuration, when the upper cap 12 is rotated in the circumferential direction to the first rotational position, the cover portion 41 closes the second spout 32 and exposes the first spout 31, so that the content can be poured out from the plurality of holes 31a, 31b constituting the first spout 31. Further, when the upper cap 12 is rotated in the circumferential direction to the second rotational position, the cover portion 41 exposes the second spout 32, so that the content can be poured out from the second spout 32. Therefore, with a simple structure of rotating the upper cap 12 in the circumferential direction, the pouring form of the content can be switched.

[0053] In addition, a hinge cap 13 that can be opened and closed by a hinge portion 57 and covers the top wall portion 16 from above is attached to the upper cap 12. The hinge cap 13 includes a rotating portion 55 rotatable in the circumferential direction in a state of being attached to the upper cap 12, a lid portion 56 covering the top wall portion 16 from above in a closed state, and a hinge portion 57 connecting the rotating portion 55 and the lid portion 56. According to this configuration, the hinge cap 13 can be rotated relative to the upper cap 12 via the rotating portion 55. As a result, the rotational position of the hinge cap 13 can be changed corresponding to the rotational position of the upper cap 12 changed to switch the pouring mode, so that it is possible to prevent the hinge cap 13 from getting in the way when pouring the contents.

[0054] Further, the cap 10 includes a rotation stop portion 63 that stops the rotating portion 55 at an arbitrary rotational position. According to this configuration, the rotation stop portion 63 can stop the hinge cap 13 at a rotational position where the hinge cap 13 does not interfere with pouring, so that it is easy to pour the contents.

[0055] Furthermore, the cap body 11 includes a first step portion 19c and a second step portion 19d as stopper portions that position the upper cap 12 at the first rotational position and the second rotational position. According to this configuration, the first step portion 19c and the second step portion 19d can accurately position the upper cap 12 at the first rotational position and the second rotational position. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately switch the pouring mode of the contents by rotating the upper cap 12.

[0056] Furthermore, the cap body 11 includes an annular wall 19 that protrudes upward and surrounds the top wall portion 16 from the periphery, and the stopper portion is the first step portion 19c and the second step portion 19d formed on the annular wall 19. The upper cap 12 includes an annular groove portion 51 that fits into the annular wall 19 from above, rotates along the annular wall 19 via the groove portion 51, and a wall portion 51a that abuts against the first step portion 19c and the second step portion 19d at the first rotational position and the second rotational position is provided in the groove portion 51. According to this configuration, since the upper cap 12 rotates along the annular wall 19 of the cap body 11 via the annular groove portion 51, while making the upper cap 12 rotatable with respect to the cap body 11, the sealing performance between the upper cap 12 and the cap body 11 can be enhanced. Further, since the upper cap 12 can be positioned by bringing the wall portion 51a provided in the groove portion 51 into contact with the first step portion 19c and the second step portion 19d of the annular wall 19, the upper cap 12 can be positioned at the first rotation position and the second rotation position with a simple structure.

[0057] Further, inside the cylindrical portion 40 of the upper cap 12, there are provided a partition wall portion L that closes the inside of the cylindrical portion 40, and a cover plate portion 43a that forms a part of the partition wall portion L and is separated from the partition wall portion L when an annular cutout portion 43d provided in the partition wall portion L is broken. The remaining portion after the cover plate portion 43a is separated from the partition wall portion L becomes the cover portion 41, and an opening 42 is formed along the cutout portion 43d when the cover plate portion 43a is separated from the partition wall portion L. The opening 42 exposes the first spout 31 at the first rotation position and exposes the second spout 32 at the second rotation position. According to this configuration, in the state before using the pouring container 1, the opening 42 can be separated and sealed with the cover 43 to enhance the sealing performance of the pouring container 1. Further, when the pouring container 1 is used for the first time, the cover plate 43 is separated to easily expose the opening 42, and the contents can be poured out from the opening 42.

[0058] Further, inside the cylindrical portion 40 of the upper cap 12, there are provided a cover portion 41 and an opening 42 that penetrates the upper cap 12 in the vertical direction. At the second rotation position, the holes 31a and the second spout 32, which are a part of the plurality of holes 31a, 31b, are exposed from the opening 42, and the remaining holes 31b of the plurality of holes 31a, 31b are blocked by the cover portion 41. At the first rotation position, the second spout 32 is blocked by the cover portion 41, and all of the plurality of holes 31a, 31b are exposed from the opening 42. According to this configuration, in the second rotational position, the content portion can be poured out from the second spout 32 exposed from the opening 42. The opening 42 has a size that exposes, in the second rotational position, a hole 31a that is part of a plurality of holes 31a, 31b constituting the first spout 31, in addition to the second spout 32. Then, in the first rotational position, the cover portion 41 that had blocked the hole 31b, which is the remainder of the plurality of holes 31a, 31b in the second rotational position, moves to block the second spout 32, and all of the plurality of holes 31a, 31b are exposed from the opening 42. Therefore, even in a structure that can be switched between the first rotational position and the second rotational position, in the first rotational position, a wide range of the plurality of holes 31a, 31b provided can be exposed from the opening 42, and the content can be poured out over a wide range from the plurality of holes 31a.

[0059] As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims, unless otherwise particularly limited in the above description. For example, the configuration of the above-described embodiment can be appropriately added or deleted, and it is also possible to provide the configuration of one embodiment in another embodiment. Further, the effects in the above-described embodiment are merely examples of the effects resulting from the present invention, and it does not mean that the effects of the present invention are limited to the above effects.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0060] 2: Container body 2a: Mouth portion 10: Cap 11: Cap body 12: Upper cap 13: Hinge cap 15: Mounting portion 16: Top wall portion 19: Annular wall 19c: First step portion (stopper portion) 19d: Second step portion (stopper portion) 31: First spout 32: Second spout 31a: Hole (part of the hole) 31b: Hole (remaining part of the hole) 40: Cylindrical part 41: Cover part 42: Opening 43: Detachable lid 43a: Cover plate part 43d: Notch part 51: Groove part 51a: Wall part 55: Rotating part 56: Lid part 57: Hinge part 63: Rotation stop part L: Partition part

Claims

1. A cap comprising a cap body attached to the mouth of a container body for storing contents, and an upper cap attached to the cap body to cover the cap body from above, wherein the cap body includes a mounting portion attached to the mouth, a top wall portion closing the upper surface of the mouth, and a first spout and a second spout provided on the top wall portion, the first spout being an aggregate of a plurality of holes provided in the top wall portion, and the plurality of holes being arranged in a wider range than the second spout, the upper cap includes a cylindrical portion rotatable in the circumferential direction of the cap body when attached to the cap body, and a cover portion disposed inside the cylindrical portion to cover a part of the top wall portion from above and rotatable integrally with the cylindrical portion, the upper cap is rotatable between a first rotational position where the cover portion closes the second spout and exposes the first spout and a second rotational position where the cover portion exposes the second spout when the cylindrical portion rotates.

2. A hinge cap that can be opened and closed by a hinge portion and covers the top wall portion from above is attached to the upper cap, the hinge cap includes a rotating portion rotatable in the circumferential direction when attached to the upper cap, a lid portion covering the top wall portion from above in a closed state, and the hinge portion connecting the rotating portion and the lid portion. The cap according to claim 1.

3. The cap according to claim 2, further comprising a rotation stopping portion for stopping the rotating portion at an arbitrary rotational position.

4. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the cap body includes a stopper portion for positioning the upper cap at the first rotational position and the second rotational position.

5. The cap body includes an annular wall protruding upward to surround the top wall portion from the periphery, the stopper portion is a stepped portion formed on the annular wall, the upper cap includes an annular groove portion that fits over the annular wall from above, and rotates along the annular wall through the groove portion, and a wall portion that abuts against the stepped portion at the first rotational position and the second rotational position is provided in the groove portion. The cap according to claim 4.

6. Inside the cylindrical portion of the upper cap, there are provided a partition portion closing the inside of the cylindrical portion, and a cover plate portion that forms a part of the partition portion and is separated from the partition portion when an annular cut portion provided in the partition portion breaks. The portion remaining after the cover plate portion is separated from the partition wall portion becomes the cover portion, When the cover plate portion is separated from the partition wall portion, an opening is formed along the cut portion, The cap according to claim 1, wherein the opening exposes the first spout at the first rotational position and exposes the second spout at the second rotational position. **Claim 7** Inside the cylindrical portion of the upper cap, a cover portion and an opening penetrating the upper cap in the vertical direction are provided, At the second rotational position, a part of the plurality of holes and the second spout are exposed from the opening, and the rest of the plurality of holes are blocked by the cover portion, The cap according to claim 1, wherein at the first rotational position, the second spout is blocked by the cover portion and all of the plurality of holes are exposed from the opening.

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