Cap
The cap design with an inclined panel, valleys, and protrusions addresses slow recovery and pulsation issues by efficiently guiding residual liquid into the container, ensuring controlled pouring.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024081759
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing caps for liquid containers suffer from slow liquid recovery into the container and pulsation during dispensing, leading to splashing and difficulty in controlling the liquid flow.
A cap design featuring an inclined panel surface with valleys and downward protrusions along the opening, combined with convex ridges, to efficiently guide residual liquid into the container and prevent pulsation.
The design ensures rapid liquid recovery and prevents pulsation by guiding residual liquid into the container, maintaining control over the pouring process.
Smart Images
Figure 2025175583000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a cap having a pouring opening on the top plate of the cap body and a pouring nozzle surrounding the pouring opening, and more specifically to a cap that can suppress pulsation when the contents are poured and effectively prevents the contents from remaining in the pouring nozzle. [Background technology]
[0002] Caps that are widely used and attached to containers for storing liquids such as seasonings generally have a top lid hinged to the cap body, and when starting to use the contents, the top lid is first removed from the cap body, then a pull ring formed on the cap body is lifted, and the weakened portion that defines the intended opening is broken and removed to form a pouring opening. Since the dispensing opening is formed in a part of the panel portion inside the dispensing nozzle, there is a risk that the liquid contents may remain inside the dispensing nozzle after the liquid contents have been dispensed. Therefore, the panel portion inside the dispensing nozzle is formed with an inclined surface in which the inner diameter of the panel portion decreases as it goes downward in the axial direction of the cap, and multiple valleys are formed on the inclined surface to guide the liquid contents remaining in the dispensing nozzle to the dispensing opening, making it easier for them to return to the container (Patent Document 1).
[0003] However, with the cap described in Patent Document 1, it takes a certain amount of time to guide all of the liquid adhering to the panel portion to the dispensing opening and collect it into the container, so there is a need to improve the liquid collection speed.
[0004] In order to improve the liquid recovery speed, a cap has been proposed in which multiple small columnar protrusions extending downward are arranged at close intervals on the underside of the top plate along the outside of the opening or intended opening (Patent Document 2).
[0005] However, with the cap described in Patent Document 2, the area of the intended opening is small, and when a large amount of liquid is poured out, the liquid tends to pulsate as it is with the cap described in Patent Document 1, causing problems such as splashing of the liquid and making it difficult to control the amount of liquid poured out. Furthermore, it still takes a long time to recover all of the liquid adhering to the panel into the container, and there was a need to further improve the liquid recovery speed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-158513 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5232569 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cap that can efficiently recover residual liquid in a dispensing nozzle into a container and that effectively prevents pulsation from occurring during dispensing. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a cap comprising: a cap body comprising a top plate portion and a side wall depending from the periphery of the top plate portion, the top plate portion having a dispensing nozzle formed therein, the panel portion defined by the dispensing nozzle having an opening or a planned opening portion defined by a weakened portion; and an upper lid comprising a top surface and a skirt portion depending from the periphery of the top surface and covering the top plate portion of the cap body, wherein the panel portion forms an inclined surface whose inner diameter decreases as it goes downward in the axial direction of the cap, and a plurality of valley portions are formed on the inclined surface, and a pair of small protrusions protruding downward are formed on the underside of the top plate portion along the contour of the opening or planned opening portion, straddling the valley portions at a short interval.
[0009] In the cap of the present invention, (1) The pair of small protrusions is formed at the positions of all the valleys. (2) Between adjacent valleys, a convex peak is formed radially inward of the cap; (3) The pouring nozzle has a pouring guide portion, and a convex ridge portion is formed between adjacent valley portions on the pouring guide portion side, facing inward in the cap radial direction; (4) The small protrusions are not formed in any place other than the valley portions. (5) The top cover is connected to the cap body by a hinge. (6) The intended opening portion has the protruding portions at the hinge, at a position opposite to the hinge, and at a position 90 degrees from the hinge position with respect to the center of the panel portion. is preferred. [Effects of the Invention]
[0010] In the cap of the present invention, the panel portion inside the pouring nozzle forms an inclined surface whose inner diameter decreases as it goes axially downward on the cap, and multiple valley portions are formed on this inclined surface, so that residual liquid remaining on the inclined surface inside the pouring nozzle after pouring is collected in the valley portions, promoting flow to the pouring opening, and a pair of small protrusions protruding downward along the contour of the opening or intended opening portion are formed on the underside of the top plate portion, spanning the valley portions at a short interval, so that residual liquid collected in the valley portions can be quickly recovered into the container. Furthermore, convex ridges are formed on the panel portions between the valleys inward of the cap diameter, so that residual liquid can be efficiently collected in the valleys and returned to the container. Furthermore, since the panel portion is formed as an inclined surface that reduces its inner diameter, when the cap is tilted in the pouring direction during pouring, the distance between the liquid surface and the panel portion can be increased at a position opposite to the pouring direction, making it possible to efficiently introduce air into the container and allowing the contents to be poured without pulsation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a top view of an example of a hinged cap according to the present invention, with the top cover in an open state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the cap shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cap shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the cap shown in FIG. 1 when closed. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a pair of small protrusions shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 4 is an enlarged view of a pair of small protrusions formed on the lower surface of the top plate portion of the cap shown in FIG. 3. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The cap of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 5 show an example of a hinged cap according to the present invention. The cap shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 comprises a cap body 1 and a top cover 3 hingedly connected to the cap body 1 (the hinge portion is designated by 2). The cap body 1 generally comprises a top plate portion 11 and a cylindrical side wall 12 hanging down from the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 11. In the specific example shown in the figures, an outer cylinder 13 is formed radially outward of the cylindrical outer wall 12, and is connected to the lower end of the cylindrical outer wall 12. A weakened portion (not shown) is formed in the outer cylinder 13, which allows the cap to be easily removed from the opening of the container when the contents have been used up, and can be disposed of separately from the container.
[0013] In the illustrated example, as is clear from Figure 2, an inner ring 14 is formed on the inner surface of the top plate portion 11, extending downward at a distance from the cylindrical side wall 12. The container opening is fitted into the space between this inner ring 14 and the cylindrical side wall 12, so that the cap body 1 is attached to the container opening (not shown).
[0014] Furthermore, a pouring nozzle 15 is formed on the top plate portion 11. The pouring nozzle 15 is provided with a pouring guide portion 23 to facilitate pouring of the contents. The direction in which the pouring guide portion 23 is provided is the direction in which the container is tilted when pouring (the pouring direction). In the specific example shown in the figure, the height of the pouring nozzle 15 is lower on the side opposite the direction in which the pouring guide portion 23 of the pouring nozzle 15 is provided (the hinge side in the figure) to facilitate closing the top lid.
[0015] Furthermore, a panel portion 16 located inside this dispensing nozzle 15 is formed with a planned opening portion 18 partitioned by an endless weakened portion 17. A pull ring 19 for tearing the weakened portion 17 is formed in the planned opening portion 18, and by pulling up the pull ring 19 and tearing the weakened portion 17, the planned opening portion 18 is removed from the cap body 1, thereby forming a dispensing opening S. Furthermore, in the specific example shown in the figure, a gate portion G, which is formed at the time of molding, is formed in the center of the planned opening portion.
[0016] 2 and 4, in the cap of the present invention, the panel portion 16 is formed as an inclined surface that slopes from the inner lower end 15a of the dispensing nozzle 15 so that the lowest point L is on the horizontal centerline in FIG. 1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "centerline H") and slightly toward the hinge portion from the vertical centerline (line AA) of the cap body in FIG. 1. Because the panel portion is inclined, the liquid remaining in the dispensing nozzle 15 after the liquid content has been dispensed naturally flows toward the dispensing opening, and the remaining liquid can also accumulate in a valley portion, which will be described later. Furthermore, because this inclined surface is also formed on the hinge-side panel portions 16a and 16d, when the container is tilted, there is an appropriate distance between the lower surfaces of the panel portions 16a and 16d and the liquid surface, which enables effective air displacement during dispensing.
[0017] Furthermore, the panel portion 16 is formed with valleys 20 extending from the inner lower end 15a of the dispensing nozzle 15 toward the intended opening portion 18. In the specific example shown in the figure, four valleys 20 are formed in the direction of the center line H of the panel portion 16 and in a direction perpendicular to the center line H toward the lowest point L. That is, on the center line H in FIG. 1, a valley 20a is formed that connects to the gate portion G from the dispensing direction side, a valley 20b is formed that connects to the lowest point L from the hinge portion side, and valleys 20c and 20d are formed that are perpendicular to the center line H and connect to the lowest point L. These valleys 20 allow most of the residual liquid on the panel portion 16 to flow and accumulate in the valleys 20, enabling it to be efficiently guided to the dispensing opening. Moreover, the bottoms of these valleys are formed as curved surfaces or shapes having a certain width and are not formed as sharp grooves, effectively preventing the content liquid from remaining at the valley bottoms.
[0018] 2, 3, 5, and 6, a very important point is that a pair of small protrusions 24 projecting downward are formed on the underside of the top plate 11 along the contour of the intended opening 18, straddling the valleys 20 at a short interval. That is, the liquid that flows and accumulates in each valley 20 and flows toward the pouring opening flows downward along these small protrusions 24. At this time, the space between each pair of small protrusions 24 forms a liquid recovery path. As a result, no liquid remains on either the upper or lower surface of the periphery of the pouring opening, and the remaining liquid can be quickly recovered into the container after pouring is complete.
[0019] In the present invention, the number of pairs of small protrusions 24 is not particularly limited and may be an appropriate number depending on the size of the pouring opening formed by tearing the intended opening portion 18, but as in the specific example shown in the figure, by forming pairs of small protrusions 24 at the positions of all valleys, the residual liquid can be more effectively collected into the container. For example, in the specific example shown in the figure, pairs of small protrusions 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d are formed corresponding to valleys 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, respectively. It is also preferable that the small protrusions 24 are not formed anywhere other than the valleys. This is because the small protrusions 24 tend to adhere between the valleys 20, and the residual liquid therein flows down into the container, allowing most of the residual liquid to be collected within the container. Therefore, even if the small protrusions 24 are formed in locations other than the valleys, problems such as increased manufacturing costs may arise despite the small liquid collection effect. 6, if the distance d between a pair of small protrusions 24 is too wide or the width w of the small protrusions 24 is too large, the liquid guiding effect of the pair of small protrusions 24 will be reduced, so it is usually preferable that the distance d (distance between the bases) between the pair of small protrusions 24 be about 0.5 to 3.0 mm, and the width w (width of the base) of the small protrusions 24 be about 0.5 to 3.0 mm. The shape of the small protrusions 24 is not limited to a square pillar with rounded corners as shown in the figure, and other shapes may be used as long as the liquid guiding effect is not impaired.
[0020] Furthermore, the longer the length of the small protrusions 24, the greater the liquid guiding effect, but a length of 0.5 to 3.0 mm is preferable. If the length of the small protrusions 24 is longer than the above range, molding may become difficult, the stability of the cap may be impaired during transport, and the tips of the small protrusions 24 may protrude beyond the lower end of the cylindrical side wall 12 of the cap body 1. On the other hand, if the length of the small protrusions 24 is shorter than the above range, a sufficient liquid guiding effect may not be obtained.
[0021] Furthermore, it is preferable to form a notch in the portion between the pair of small protrusions 24. By forming such a notch, the effective length of the small protrusions 24 can be increased, the liquid guiding effect can be enhanced, and the content liquid can be more effectively prevented from remaining on the container.
[0022] In the specific example shown in the figures, as is clear from Figures 1 and 3, the intended opening portion 18 is formed so as to have a radially protruding portion at a position where the weakened portion 17 is adjacent to the valley portion 20, and the tip portion of this protruding portion has a shape that is close to the inner lower end 15a of the dispensing nozzle 15. Furthermore, since the protruding portion 17a on the pouring direction side and the protruding portion 17b on the hinge portion side are closer to the inner lower end of the pouring nozzle 15 than the weakened portions 17 in other portions, the weakened portions 17a and 17b of these protruding portions are located higher in the axial direction of the cap than the weakened portions in other portions. In this way, by having a portion that protrudes in the radial direction of the intended opening portion 18, the distance of the valley portion can be shortened, and residual liquid can be efficiently guided to the pouring opening and returned to the container.
[0023] Furthermore, the width of the intended opening portion 18 in the direction perpendicular to the pouring direction is greatest at the positions where the valleys 20c and 20d are formed, and the width decreases toward the pouring direction, making it easy to adjust the amount of content dispensed. In the specific example shown in the figure, the base of the pull ring 19 is formed on the hinge side of the intended opening portion, and the starting point of fracture of the weakened portion 17 when the pull ring 19 is pulled is near the hinge side, i.e., 17b. Therefore, the width of the intended opening portion 18 decreases toward the hinge, and the tip angle at the fracture starting point is approximately right, allowing the weakened portion 17 to smoothly begin to fracture. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the acute tip angle on the pouring direction side allows the intended opening portion 18 to be smoothly removed from the panel portion 16, effectively preventing the contents from splashing when the pouring opening is formed.
[0024] In the specific example shown in the figures, panel portion 16 is divided into four portions 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d by the four valley portions 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d described above, and as is clear from Figures 1, 2, and 3, ridge portions 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d are formed in the center portions of panel portions 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, respectively, which are convex radially inward in the cap. Since ridge portions 21 are also formed by curved surfaces without corners, the liquid content remaining in dispensing nozzle 15 is smoothly collected from ridge portions 21 to valley portions 20 and guided to dispensing opening 18. As described above, in the specific example shown in the figure, convex ridges 21 are formed between the four valleys 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, but it is sufficient that they are formed at least between the adjacent valleys 20 on the pouring guide section 23 side, facing inward in the cap radial direction. Because the direction in which the pouring guide section is provided is the pouring direction, residual liquid tends to adhere between the adjacent valleys 20 on the pouring guide section side, and this residual liquid flows down into the container, allowing most of the residual liquid to be collected in the container.
[0025] The cap of the present invention has the above-mentioned characteristics of the panel portion inside the dispensing nozzle of the cap body, so that the residual liquid in the dispensing nozzle can be efficiently returned to the container and the pulsation of the content liquid when dispensed can be effectively prevented, so the shape of the top lid is not particularly limited. In the specific example shown in the figure, the top lid 3 is connected to the upper end portion of the outer tube 13 of the cap body 1 by a hinge portion 2. The top lid 3 is formed of a top plate portion 31 and a skirt portion 32 extending from the periphery of the top plate portion 31. A circumferential sealing protrusion 33 is formed on the inner surface of the top plate portion 31. As a result, when the top lid 3 is rotated closed around the hinge portion 2, the circumferential sealing protrusion 33 comes into close contact with the inner surface at the tip of the dispensing nozzle 15, ensuring sealing after the dispensing opening is formed. In addition, a recess 34 is formed in the lower inner surface of the skirt portion 32 of the top lid 3, and the circumferential protrusion 22 formed on the top plate portion 11 of the cap body 1 engages with this recess 34, thereby stably holding the closed top lid 3 in place. Furthermore, a flange 35 for opening is provided on the outer surface of the upper end of the skirt portion of the top lid 3, on the side opposite the hinge connection portion 2, and the top lid 3 can be easily opened by hooking this flange 35 with a finger and lifting the top lid 3 upward.
[0026] In the cap of the present invention, the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the panel portion varies depending on the diameter of the container to which it is applied, the inner diameter and height of the dispensing nozzle, etc., and cannot be generally defined, but it is preferably in the range of 20 to 50 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction of the cap body. If the inclination angle is smaller than this range, it may be more difficult to effectively return the remaining liquid in the dispensing nozzle back into the container than when it is within the above range, while if the inclination angle is larger than the above range, it may be more difficult to adjust the amount of dispensing than when it is within the above range. The peaks formed on the inclined surface are preferably convex radially inward so that the angle of inclination of the peak is 10 to 50° larger than the angle of inclination of the inclined surface. The number of valleys can be determined appropriately according to the shape and size of the intended opening portion, and does not necessarily have to be the same as the protruding portion of the intended opening portion; although it is not limited to this, it is preferable to form them in the range of 2 to 6. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of preventing accumulated residual liquid from remaining and allowing it to flow smoothly to the pouring opening, it is preferable that the bottom of the valley portion is formed into a curved surface or a shape with a certain width, and is not formed as a sharp groove. Although not limited to this, it is preferable that the radius of curvature is in the range of 0.3 to 1.0 mm, and the width of the bottom is in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm.
[0027] As shown in the figure, the cap of the present invention can be modified in various ways, as long as the panel portion within the dispensing nozzle forms an inclined surface in which the inner diameter of the panel portion decreases as it goes downward in the axial direction of the cap, multiple valley portions are formed on this inclined surface, and a pair of small protrusions protruding downward are formed on the underside of the top plate portion along the contour of the opening or intended opening portion, spanning the valley portions at a short interval. For example, in terms of pouring ability and ease of breaking of the weakened portion, it is preferable that the intended opening portion has a protruding shape at the hinge portion, at a position opposite the hinge portion (in the pouring direction), and at a position 90 degrees from the hinge position with respect to the center of the panel portion, and although the cap shown in the figure has a roughly four-lobed shape that is a modified four-lobed shape, it may also be roughly teardrop-shaped, roughly spindle-shaped, roughly three-lobed, diamond-shaped, etc. Furthermore, it is preferable that the protruding portion be connected to the valley portion, so that residual liquid can be efficiently collected into the container. In the cap shown in the figure, the tip angle at the breakage initiation point of the intended opening portion is approximately a right angle, but the tip angle may also be an acute angle. Alternatively, an opening may be formed without providing the intended opening portion and weakened portion as shown in the figure. When an opening is formed, the neck of the container is sealed with a seal or the like, so the contents can be poured out by removing the cap from the neck, peeling off the seal, and then reattaching the cap. In this case, a pair of small protrusions projecting downward are formed on the underside of the top plate along the contour of the opening, straddling the valley portion at a small interval. In addition, although the cap shown in the figure is a hinged cap in which the top cover is hingedly connected to the cap body, the top cover may be detachable from the cap body. In such a cap, since the pouring direction is not limited, it is preferable that the shape of the intended opening be an evenly symmetrical shape such as a circle, a trilobe, or a four-lobe. In addition, in the specific example shown in the figure, an inclined surface and a valley portion are formed within the intended opening portion, but since the intended opening portion is removed from the cap body, an inclined surface and a valley portion do not need to be formed within the intended opening portion. Furthermore, in the present invention, the height of the dispensing nozzle on the hinge side is low in the hinge cap shown in the figure, but by making the height of the dispensing nozzle uniform around the entire circumference, dispensing becomes possible from any direction. In other words, in the present invention, the panel part inside the dispensing nozzle is inclined all over, so residual liquid can be efficiently collected from any direction.
[0028] The cap of the present invention can be molded by a conventionally known method. For example, in the case of a hinge cap, the top cover and the cap body are integrally formed by injection molding or the like in a state where the top cover is open as shown in FIG. The material for the top lid and the cap body can be molded from the same thermoplastic resin as that used for conventional resin caps, and olefin resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene are suitable for use as such thermoplastic resins. [Explanation of symbols]
[0029] 1 cap body, 2 hinge, 3 top cover, 11 top plate portion, 12 cylindrical side wall, 13 outer cylinder, 14 inner ring, 15 pouring nozzle, 16 panel portion, 17 weakened portion, 18 intended opening portion, 19 pull ring, 20 valley portion, 21 ridge portion, 22 circumferential convex portion, 23 pouring guide portion, 24 small protrusion, 31 top plate portion, 32 skirt portion, 33 circumferential protrusion, 34 recess, 35 flange portion
Claims
1. A cap comprising: a cap body having a top plate portion and a side wall hanging down from the periphery of the top plate portion, the top plate portion having a pouring nozzle formed therein, and a panel portion defined by the pouring nozzle having an opening or an intended opening portion defined by a weakened portion formed therein; and an upper lid having a top surface and a skirt portion hanging down from the periphery of the top surface, covering the top plate portion of the cap body, The panel portion forms an inclined surface in which the inner diameter of the panel portion decreases as the panel portion extends downward in the axial direction of the cap, and a plurality of valleys are formed on the inclined surface, A cap characterized in that a pair of small protrusions protruding downward are formed on the underside of the top plate portion along the contour of the opening or intended opening portion, straddling the valley portion at a small interval.
2. 2. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the opening or intended opening portion has a portion that protrudes radially at the position of the valley portion, and a tip of the protruding portion is adjacent to the pouring nozzle.
3. 3. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the pair of small projections are formed at all positions of the valleys.
4. 3. The cap according to claim 1, wherein a ridge portion is formed between adjacent valley portions, the ridge portion extending radially inwardly of the cap.
5. 3. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the pouring nozzle has a pouring guide portion, and a convex ridge portion is formed between adjacent valley portions on the pouring guide portion side, the ridge portion extending radially inward of the cap.
6. 3. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the small protrusions are formed only in the valley portions.
7. 3. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the top cover is connected to the cap body by a hinge.
8. 8. The cap according to claim 7, wherein the intended opening portion has the protruding portions at the hinge, at a position opposite to the hinge, and at a position 90 degrees from the hinge position with respect to the center of the panel portion.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Method of fixing lead wires to film capacitor
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