Plug body of beverage container and drinking port

Abstract

To provide a plug body of a beverage container by which a beverage can easily be drunk, and a drinking port.SOLUTION: A plug body 3 of a beverage container comprises: a cap body 10 having a liquid passing port 12a which a beverage passes through; and a lid body 20 for opening / closing the liquid passing port 12a. The cap body 10 has a drinking port 13 which comes in contact with a lower lip of a user when drinking the beverage in the beverage container and is erected at an outer peripheral side of the liquid passing port 12a to be formed in a curved plate shape along the lower lip. The drinking port 13 includes: two protruding parts 13a, 13b which are positioned separately in an outer peripheral direction of the liquid passing port 12a and are formed so that their upper end surfaces swell upward; and a recessed part 13c which is positioned between the two protruding parts 13a, 13b in the outer peripheral direction and is curved so that its upper end surface is recessed downward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stopper and a drinking spout of a beverage container. [Background technology]

[0002] In the beverage container described in Patent Document 1, a spout-forming member is detachably attached to the opening of the cap body, and this spout-forming member has a bottom wall portion with a liquid passage hole formed therein and a drinking spout that rises upward around the periphery of the bottom wall. The drinking spout is convex, increasing in height toward the front (the opposite side of the hinge portion for opening and closing the lid and across the central axis of the beverage container). Furthermore, in the beverage container described in Patent Document 2, the upper edge of the drinking spout is formed so as to be horizontal in the circumferential direction of the container body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-1741 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-195165 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configurations described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when a user places their lower lip over the spout to drink, the spout tends to be pushed toward the back of the mouth relative to the lower lip, which can cause the beverage to forcefully flow from the spout into the back of the mouth, making it difficult to drink.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a stopper and a drinking spout for a beverage container that make it easier to drink a beverage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the stopper of a beverage container according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a cap body having a liquid passage through which the beverage passes, and a lid body that opens and closes the liquid passage, wherein the cap body has a drinking spout portion that comes into contact with the user's lower lip when drinking the beverage from the beverage container, and that is formed in the shape of a curved plate that stands on the outer periphery of the liquid passage and conforms to the lower lip, and the drinking spout portion comprises two convex portions that are positioned apart in the outer periphery of the liquid passage and are formed so that their upper end surfaces bulge upward, and a concave portion that is positioned between the two convex portions in the outer periphery and is curved so that its upper end surface is concave downward.

[0007] In addition, the stopper body of the beverage container may be formed so that the apex of the recess is at the lowest position on the upper end surface of the drinking spout, and the distance of the beverage flow path connecting the front end and the apex of the recess is the shortest among the flow paths for the beverage that reach the upper end surface of the drinking spout from the front end of the liquid passage on the drinking spout side.

[0008] The stopper of the beverage container may be formed so that the curvature of the recess is smaller than the curvature of the two protrusions.

[0009] In addition, the stopper of the beverage container may be provided with a lid locking mechanism that can lock the lid in a closed state relative to the cap body, and the lid locking mechanism may be positioned in an area excluding the lower front surface of the drinking spout when the lid is open relative to the cap body.

[0010] The stopper of the beverage container may further include a lid locking mechanism that can lock the lid in a closed state relative to the cap body, the lid locking mechanism transitioning between a locked state and an unlocked state by user operation, and a locking member provided on the outer surface of the cap body below the drinking spout, the locked state being a state in which the locking member engages with the lid when the lid is closed relative to the cap body, thereby preventing the lid from opening, and the unlocked state being a state in which the locking member is not engaged with the lid, allowing the lid to open, the drinking spout being erected from the outer peripheral upper surface of the cap body on the outer peripheral side of the drinking spout, and the upper end of the locking member being positioned below the outer peripheral upper surface of the cap body or at approximately the same height as the outer peripheral upper surface of the cap body.

[0011] In addition, the cap body may be located in an area surrounded by the drinking spout portion and have a bottom plate portion in which the liquid passage hole is formed as a through hole, and the center position of the liquid passage hole may be located closer to the drinking spout portion than the central axis of the cylindrical beverage container.

[0012] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the drinking spout of the second aspect of the present invention is a drinking spout that is formed in the shape of a curved plate that fits along the lower lip on at least a part of the outer periphery of the liquid passage, against which the user's lower lip comes into contact when drinking a beverage dispensed from the liquid passage of a beverage container, and that is equipped with two convex portions that are positioned apart in the outer periphery of the liquid passage and are formed so that their upper end surfaces bulge upward, and a concave portion that is positioned between the two convex portions in the outer periphery and is curved so that its upper end surface is concave downward. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, the stopper and the drinking spout of the beverage container can make it easier to drink the beverage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view of a beverage container with a lid closed according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container according to a first embodiment of the present invention with its lid open. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a beverage container with a lid closed according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a plug according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a plan view of a drinking spout member according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a front view of a plug with a lid in an open state according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view of a plug in a state where the lid is open according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a beverage container with a lid closed according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a beverage container according to a second embodiment of the present invention with the lid body open. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a beverage container according to a second embodiment of the present invention with the lid body open. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a plug according to a second embodiment of the present invention with the lid open. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a plug according to a second embodiment of the present invention with the lid open. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] (First embodiment) A stopper and a drinking spout of a beverage container according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the beverage container 1 includes a container body 2 formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and a plug 3 that closes the opening of the container body 2.

[0016] In the following description, the direction in which the central axis C1 of the beverage container 1 extends is referred to as the up-down direction. Within this up-down direction, the direction from the bottom of the container body 2 toward the opening is referred to as the upper side, and conversely, the direction from the opening toward the bottom is referred to as the lower side. The direction perpendicular to the central axis C1 is called the radial direction. Within the radial direction, the direction approaching the central axis C1 is called the radially inner direction or simply the inner direction, and the direction away from the central axis C1 is called the radially outer direction or simply the outer direction. Furthermore, the direction going around the central axis C1 is called the circumferential direction, and the linear direction tangent to the arc centered on the central axis C1 is called the tangential direction. Additionally, within the radial direction, the direction passing through the hinge 30, the central axis C1, and the drinking spout 13 is referred to as the front-to-rear direction. Within the front-to-rear direction, the direction from the central axis C1 toward the drinking spout 13 is referred to as the front side, and the direction from the central axis C1 toward the hinge 30 is referred to as the rear side. Furthermore, with regard to the lid body 20, the up / down direction and the front / back direction are reversed between the closed state (see Figure 1) and the open state (see Figure 2) of the lid body 20, but in the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, the up / down direction and the front / back direction with respect to the lid body 20 are defined based on the closed state.

[0017] (Container body 2) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the container body 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom that opens upward, and is configured so that a beverage can be contained therein. The container body 2 is made of a metal such as stainless steel. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the container body 2 is configured as a double-structure container having an outer container 6 and an inner container 5, each of which is cylindrical with a bottom, with the inner container 5 housed inside the outer container 6 and the mouths of the two containers joined together. The space between the outer container 6 and the inner container 5 is a reduced-pressure vacuum insulation space, and a male screw portion 2c (see Fig. 3) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper side of the container body 2.

[0018] (Plug body 3) The plug 3 is detachably attached by threading a female thread portion 15i (described later) into a male thread portion 2c of the container body 2, and is configured to be able to open and close the opening of the container body 2. The plug 3 includes a cap body 10, a lid body 20, a hinge 30, a lid gasket 70, and a lid locking mechanism 40. The cap body 10 is attached by being screwed onto the male threaded portion 2c of the container body 2, and is a member that closes the opening of the container body 2. The specific configuration of the cap body 10 will be described later.

[0019] (lid 20) The lid body 20 is connected to the cap body 10 by a hinge 30 and is rotatable around a rotation axis J1 between a closed position that covers the upper side of the cap body 10 and an open position that exposes the upper side of the cap body 10. The hinge 30 is disposed on the rear side of the plug 3 and connects the lid 20 and the cap body 10 so that they can rotate freely relative to each other around a rotation axis J1 that extends tangentially to the rear side. The hinge 30 has a metal hinge pin (not shown) that extends on the rotation axis J1. The periphery of the hinge 30 has a biasing means (not shown) that biases the lid 20 in a direction from the closed position toward the open position.

[0020] The lid body 20 includes a ceiling portion 21, an outer peripheral wall portion 22, and a packing mounting portion 23. The ceiling portion 21 is generally disk-shaped. The rear portion of the ceiling portion 21 is slanted downward toward the hinge 30. The outer peripheral wall portion 22 is formed to stand downward from the outer periphery side of the ceiling portion 21. The height of the outer peripheral wall portion 22 relative to the ceiling portion 21 is formed to gradually decrease toward the hinge 30 at the rear of the ceiling portion 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the packing mounting portion 23 is surrounded by the outer peripheral wall portion 22, is located approximately in the center of the lower surface of the ceiling portion 21, and is formed so as to be convex downward. Some of the components of the lid locking mechanism 40, which will be described in detail later, are arranged inside the packing mounting portion 23.

[0021] (Lid gasket 70) The lid gasket 70 is detachably attached so as to cover the lower end surface of the gasket mounting portion 23. The lid gasket 70 is a sealing member made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber or elastomer, and is elastically deformable. The lid gasket 70 is formed so as to close the liquid vent hole 12a and the air vent hole 12b (described later) while elastically deforming when the lid 20 is in the closed position.

[0022] (lid lock mechanism 40) 3, the lid locking mechanism 40 is configured to be switchable between a locked state in which the lid body 20 is restricted from opening relative to the cap body 10, and an unlocked state in which the lid body 20 can be opened relative to the cap body 10. The lid locking mechanism 40 is incorporated into the lid body 20.

[0023] The lid lock mechanism 40 includes an operating portion 43 , a slide biasing member 44 , a locking member 45 , a lock biasing member 46 , and a push biasing member 47 . The lock biasing member 46 and the push biasing member 47 are each a coil spring that compresses in the vertical direction, and the slide biasing member 44 is a coil spring that compresses in the front-rear direction. Each of the biasing members 44, 46, 47 is housed within the packing mounting portion 23. The locking member 45 is located on the front side of the outer peripheral wall portion 22 of the lid body 20. The locking member 45 is formed in a substantially L-shape and is configured to be rotatable by a hinge centered on a rotation axis J2 (see FIG. 3) extending tangentially to the front side. The lower end of the locking member 45 has a claw portion 45a that is engaged with a later-described engaged portion 15f of the cap body 10. The end side of the locking member 45 closer to the central axis C1 is urged upward by a lock urging member 46, which is a coil spring. In the locked state shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the claw portion 45a is maintained engaged with the engaged portion 15f by the urging force unless the operating portion 43 is pressed in.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the operating part 43 is located near the center of the ceiling part 21 of the cover body 20 and is exposed on the upper surface, and is configured to be slidable in the forward and backward directions and to be pushed downward. The operating part 43 is biased forward by the slide biasing member 44, and is therefore maintained in a non-pushable position where it interferes with a part of the ceiling 21 that restricts downward pushing. In this state, as shown in Fig. 3, the claw 45a is locked to the locked part 15f by the lock biasing member 46, and the lid 20 is in a locked state. When the operating unit 43 is slid rearward against the biasing force of the slide biasing member 44 as indicated by arrow A1, it assumes a position where it can be pushed. When the operating unit 43 is pushed in this position against the biasing force of the push biasing member 47 as indicated by arrow A2, it pushes down the end of the locking member 45 closer to the central axis C1, causing the locking member 45 to rotate about the rotation axis J2. As a result, the claw 45a separates from the locked portion 15f, releasing the locked state. The lid 20 transitions from the locked state to the unlocked state, and the lid 20 is biased by a biasing means (not shown) of the hinge 30, causing it to rotate and move to the open position. When the operation on the operating unit 43 is released, the operating unit 43 returns to its original position (the position before the sliding operation) due to the restoring forces of the biasing members 44, 46, and 47. Conversely, when the cover body 20 is in the open position, if the cover body 20 is pushed in the rotation direction to the closed position against the biasing force of the biasing means of the hinge 30, the claw portion 45a will return to the locked state in which it is again engaged with the engaged portion 15f.

[0025] (Cap body 10) As shown in FIG. 4, the cap body 10 includes a drinking spout member 11 and a mounting frame 15 to which the drinking spout member 11 is attached. The mounting frame 15 includes a peripheral wall 15a and an outer peripheral frame 15b. The peripheral wall 15a has a cylindrical shape that penetrates in the vertical direction. A female screw 15i that screws onto the male screw 2c of the container body 2 is formed on the lower side of the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 15a. The outer peripheral frame portion 15b is formed in a substantially circular frame shape on the inner peripheral side of the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 15a. The outer peripheral frame portion 15b includes a base portion 15c and a pedestal portion 15d. The base portion 15c extends radially inward from the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 15a and is formed at the same height as the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 15a. The base portion 15d is formed so that its radially outer portion slopes downward as it extends outward, and is connected to the radially inner portion of the base portion 15c. The radially inner portion of the base portion 15d extends inward parallel to the radial direction, and the upper surface of this portion forms an outer peripheral upper surface 15e located on the outer peripheral side of the drinking spout portion 13 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later. The outer peripheral side surface of the base portion 15d is formed with a locking portion 15f on which the claw portion 45a (see FIG. 2) is hooked. The locking portion 15f is located on the front side of the outer peripheral side surface of the base portion 15d. The base portion 15d is also formed with a fitted portion 15g into which a fitting member 14c (described later) of the drinking spout member 11 fits. The fitted portion 15g is formed by cutting out a groove-like notch in the rear side of the ring-shaped base portion 15d and lowering it by one step.

[0026] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the drinking spout member 11 includes a liquid passage 12a, an air passage 12b, a drinking spout portion 13, a bottom plate portion 14a, a peripheral wall portion 14b, a fitting member 14c, a gasket mounting portion 14d, and a waterproof gasket 14e.

[0027] The bottom plate portion 14a has a liquid passage hole 12a and a ventilation hole 12b formed therein. The bottom plate portion 14a has a substantially circular shape in a plan view.

[0028] The peripheral wall portion 14b is generally cylindrical and stands on the outer periphery of the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 14a. The peripheral wall portion 14b is inclined upward in a direction away from the central axis C1. The bottom plate portion 14a and the peripheral wall portion 14b form a recess, which is located below the outer periphery of the upper surface 15e of the base portion 15d.

[0029] The liquid passage port 12a is a hole through which the beverage passes, and is formed as a through-hole that penetrates the bottom plate portion 14a in the thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the center position C2 of the liquid passage port 12a is located forward of the center axis C1. The liquid passage port 12a has an elliptical shape that is elongated in the front-to-rear direction. The liquid passage port 12a has a vertex P4 that is located at the frontmost position on the side circumferential surface that forms the liquid passage port 12a.

[0030] The ventilation opening 12b is a hole for air to pass through, and is formed as a through-hole that penetrates the bottom plate portion 14a in the thickness direction. The ventilation opening 12b is located rearward of the liquid passage opening 12a and the central axis C1. The ventilation opening 12b is formed as a circular hole with a smaller area than the liquid passage opening 12a.

[0031] The fitting member 14c is configured to be rotatable by a hinge centered on a rotation axis J3 that extends in a tangential direction on the rear side. As shown in Fig. 3, the fitting member 14c is located at the rear of the peripheral wall portion 14b and is biased rearward by a biasing member 14g. The biasing member 14g is made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber. The lower rear surface of the fitting member 14c is engaged so that it rests on the fitted portion 15g of the mounting frame 15, thereby holding the spout member 11 in place in the mounting frame 15. From this state, the fitting member 14c can be pushed forward against the biasing force of the biasing member 14g to release the engagement between the fitting member 14c and the fitted portion 15g, allowing the spout member 11 to be removed from the mounting frame 15.

[0032] The gasket mounting portion 14d is formed in a circular ring shape at the bottom of the spout member 11. A circular watertight gasket 14e is fitted around the outer periphery of the gasket mounting portion 14d. The watertight gasket 14e is made of the same material as the lid gasket 70, and seals tightly against the inner circumferential surface of the open end of the container body 2, thereby sealing off the inside of the container body 2 from water.

[0033] The spout 13 is the area that the user's lower lip comes into contact with when drinking from the beverage container 1. The spout 13 is formed on the front portion of the entire periphery of the upper end of the peripheral wall 14b, so that it continues upward from the peripheral wall 14b. The spout 13 is shaped like a curved plate that curves in the circumferential direction. The outer peripheral surface of the spout 13 is the surface that the user's lower lip comes into contact with, and the inner peripheral surface of the spout 13 is the surface along which the beverage flowing out of the liquid passage 12a flows. When the spout member 11 is attached to the mounting frame 15, the spout 13 protrudes upward from the outer peripheral upper surface 15e of the base 15d.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the drinking spout 13 has two protruding portions 13a and 13b, one recessed portion 13c, and two inclined portions 13d and 13e.

[0035] The two protrusions 13a, 13b are positioned circumferentially apart and at the same height. The upper end surfaces of the protrusions 13a, 13b are curved so that they bulge upward. The protrusions 13a, 13b each have a maximum height P1, P2. The height of the spout 13 described here refers to the vertical position relative to the outer peripheral upper surface 15e of the base 15d, and the same applies below. The vertices P1, P2 are the maximum points located at the uppermost positions on the upper end surface of the spout 13.

[0036] The recess 13c is located between the two front protrusions 13a and 13b in the circumferential direction. The upper end surface of the recess 13c is curved downward. Each recess 13c has a vertex P3, where it is lowest. The vertex P3 is the lowest point on the upper end surface of the spout 13.

[0037] The recess 13c is formed so that it will come into contact with the center of the lower lip, and the two protrusions 13a and 13b are formed so that they will come into contact with both sides of the center of the lower lip. The shape passing through the three vertices P1, P3, and P2 at the upper end of the spout 13 is formed into one cycle of a cosine wave.

[0038] As shown in Figure 7, the two inclined portions 13d, 13e are located on the opposite side of the two convex portions 13a, 13b from the concave portion 13c in the circumferential direction. The inclined portion 13d is formed to be continuous with the convex portion 13a and is formed so that its height gradually decreases with increasing distance from the convex portion 13a in the circumferential direction. The inclined portion 13e is formed to be continuous with the convex portion 13b and is formed so that its height gradually decreases with increasing distance from the convex portion 13b in the circumferential direction. The height of the inclined portions 13d, 13e at the rear of the drinking spout 13 is the same as the outer peripheral upper surface 15e of the base portion 15d.

[0039] As shown in Figure 6, the curvature of the upper end of spout 13 is not constant in the circumferential direction. The curvature of the concave portion (downward convex shape) near recess 13c is smaller than the curvature of the upward convex shape near convex portions 13a and 13b. 3 and 4, the spout 13 has a bulge 13f located at its upper end, which bulges outward in the radial direction beyond the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 14b. The bulge 13f is formed to bulge forward between the two vertices P1 and P2.

[0040] 4, the inclination angle α1 between the upper end surface of the recess 13c and the upper end surfaces of the protrusions 13a and 13b is smaller than the inclination angle α2 between the two inclined portions 13d and 13e. The inclination angles α1 and α2 are inclination angles based on the circumferential direction. The inclination angle α1 is preferably set to 15° to 25°, for example, approximately 20°. The inclination angle α2 is preferably set to 20° to 30°, for example, approximately 25°.

[0041] 6, the height difference H1 between the vertices P1, P2 of the protrusions 13a, 13b and the vertex P3 of the recess 13c is preferably set to 1 mm to 5 mm, for example, approximately 3.5 mm. The height difference H1 is smaller than the height H3 of the vertex P3 relative to the outer peripheral upper surface 15e of the base 15d. Furthermore, the height H2 of vertices P1 and P2, measured from the outer peripheral upper surface 15e of base portion 15d, is preferably set to 1.2 to 2 times, for example, about 1.4 times, the height H3 of vertex P3. For example, height H2 is preferably set to 9.5 mm to 12 mm, for example, about 11.5 mm. Height H3 is preferably set to 7.5 mm to 8.5 mm, for example, about 8 mm.

[0042] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the shortest distance R1 on the inner surface of the drinking spout member 11 between the front vertex P4 of the liquid passage 12a and the vertices P1 and P2 of each protrusion 13a and 13b is preferably set to 27 mm to 33 mm, for example, approximately 30 mm. Similarly, the shortest distance R2 on the inner peripheral surface of the spout member 11 between the apex P4 and the apex P3 is smaller than the shortest distance R1, and is preferably set to 20 mm to 26 mm, for example, approximately 23 mm. 5, in a plan view of the spout member 11, the angle α3 formed by the line segment connecting the vertex P1 to the central axis C1 and the line segment connecting the vertex P2 to the central axis C1 is preferably set to 30° to 90°, for example, approximately 45°. The line segment connecting the vertex P3 to the central axis C1 extends in a direction that bisects the angle α3. The above numerical values ​​are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting.

[0043] When a user drinks a beverage from the beverage container 1, the user grasps the container body 2 with the lid 20 open and tilts the container body 2 while placing their lower lip against the outer periphery of the spout 13. This causes the beverage to be dispensed from the liquid passage 12a into the depression formed by the bottom plate 14a and the peripheral wall 14b, and then passes through the recess 13c between the two protrusions 13a and 13b into the user's mouth. At this time, the shape of the spout 13 prevents the spout 13 from penetrating the back of the mouth relative to the lower lip, making it easier for the beverage to enter the user's mouth via the lower lip, preventing the beverage from slamming into the back of the mouth, for example, against the throat, causing choking.

[0044] (effect) According to the first embodiment described above, the following effects are achieved. (1) The stopper 3 of the beverage container 1 comprises a cap body 10 having a liquid passage 12a through which the beverage passes, and a lid 20 that opens and closes the liquid passage 12a. The cap body 10 has a drinking spout 13 that comes into contact with the user's lower lip when drinking the beverage from the beverage container 1, and that is formed in the shape of a curved plate that stands on the outer periphery of the liquid passage 12a and conforms to the lower lip. The drinking spout 13 comprises two convex portions 13a, 13b that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the liquid passage 12a and that are formed so that their upper end surfaces bulge upward, and a concave portion 13c that is located between the two convex portions 13a, 13b in the circumferential direction and that has a curved upper end surface that is concave downward. According to this configuration, the drinking spout 13 of the beverage container 1 is shaped to curve in accordance with the user's lower lip. As a result, the beverage flowing out of the liquid passage 12a flows into the mouth from the recess 13c along the lower lip. This allows the beverage to flow into the mouth after touching the outer side of the lower lip, making it easier to control the force of the beverage flowing in from the drinking spout 13 and preventing it from flowing too forcefully into the back of the mouth, making it easier to drink. Furthermore, because the beverage flowing out of the liquid passage 12a passes through the recess 13c and flows into the mouth, the flow path is limited and the beverage can be guided to the front center of the drinking spout 13. As a result, the beverage can be prevented from leaking out of the mouth from the left and right sides when drinking. Furthermore, by forming recess 13c in spout 13, the height of the upper end of spout 13 can be lowered. This reduces the height of stopper 3, and the overall height of beverage container 1 can be reduced, making it possible to achieve a compact shape.

[0045] (2) The apex P3 of the recess 13c is located at the lowest position on the upper end surface of the spout 13. Of the beverage flow paths that extend from the apex P4, which is the front end of the liquid passage 12a on the spout 13 side, to the upper end surface of the spout 13, the path connecting the apex P4 of the spout 13 and the apex P3 of the recess 13c is located at the shortest distance R2. With this configuration, recess 13c is formed at the front of spout 13 at a position lower than both sides in the circumferential direction, so that the beverage flows into the mouth after touching the outer side of the lower lip. This prevents the beverage from flowing forcefully from spout 13 into the back of the mouth, making it easier to drink. Furthermore, because the beverage flowing out of the liquid passage 12a passes through the recess 13c and flows into the mouth, the flow path can be guided to the shortest distance R2, which is the front center of the drinking spout 13. As a result, the beverage can be prevented from leaking out of the mouth from the left and right sides when drinking. Furthermore, the height of the upper end surface of the spout 13 can be lowered, which reduces the height of the stopper 3 and makes it possible to reduce the overall height of the beverage container 1 and achieve a compact shape.

[0046] (3) The curvature of the recess 13c is smaller than the curvature of the two protrusions 13a and 13b. According to this configuration, the curvature of the recess 13c on the upper end surface of the spout 13 is smaller than that of the protrusions 13a and 13b, so even if the recess 13c, which serves as a beverage flow path, becomes dirty after use, it is easy to clean because the recess 13c is wide and shallow. Furthermore, since the recess 13c is wide and shallow, the amount of beverage that flows into the mouth is not extremely restricted, and the flow rate is ensured by tilting the container body 2 as usual, allowing the beverage to be drunk.

[0047] (4) The stopper 3 of the beverage container 1 is equipped with a lid locking mechanism 40 that can lock the lid 20 in a closed state relative to the cap body 10. The lid locking mechanism 40 is located in an area excluding the lower front surface of the drinking spout 13 when the lid 20 is open relative to the cap body 10. Specifically, the operating part 43 of the lid locking mechanism 40 is located on the upper surface of the lid 20 in an area excluding the lower front surface of the drinking spout 13, and the locking member 45 of the lid locking mechanism 40 is located in front of the outer peripheral wall 22 of the lid 20 in an area excluding the lower front surface of the drinking spout 13. When the lid body 20 is in the open position, the outer diameter of the lower front surface of the drinking spout portion 13, particularly the front side of the peripheral wall portion 15a of the mounting frame portion 15, is the same diameter as the outer diameter of the container body 2, extended directly upward, and does not have a configuration that protrudes outward, particularly toward the front, relative to the outer diameter of the container body 2. With this configuration, when the user places their lower lip on the drinking spout 13 to drink a beverage, the user's lower lip or chin is prevented from coming into contact with part of the lid locking mechanism 40, making it easier to drink without any discomfort. In particular, the formation of recess 13c in drinking spout 13 reduces the height of drinking spout 13, and the formation of recess 13c is expected to cause drinking spout 13 to be held deeply in the mouth, making it easier for the user's lower lip or chin to come into contact with other components on the lower front surface of drinking spout 13. For this reason, it is beneficial for this shape of drinking spout 13 that lid locking mechanism 40 be located in an area excluding the lower front surface of drinking spout 13.

[0048] (5) The cap body 10 is located in an area surrounded by the spout 13 and includes a bottom plate 14a through which the liquid passage 12a is formed as a through-hole. The center position C2 of the liquid passage 12a is located closer to the spout 13 than the central axis C1 of the cylindrical beverage container 1. With this configuration, since the liquid passage 12a is located close to the spout 13, when the container body 2 is tilted, the beverage gradually flows out from the liquid passage 12a when the tilt angle is small, preventing the flow rate of the beverage flowing out from the liquid passage 12a from increasing and allowing the beverage to flow out smoothly. This prevents the beverage from flowing forcefully from the spout 13 into the back of the mouth, making it easier to drink.

[0049] (6) The lid locking mechanism 40 includes a locking member 45 that prevents the lid 20 from opening by engaging with the lid 20 when the lid 20 is closed relative to the cap body 10, and an operating unit 43 that is operated to release the state in which the locking member 45 is engaged with the lid 20. The locking member 45 and the operating unit 43 are provided on the lid 20. With this configuration, when the user places their lower lip on the drinking spout 13 to drink a beverage, the user's lower lip or chin is prevented from coming into contact with the locking member 45 or part of the operating part 43, making it easier to drink.

[0050] (Second embodiment) A stopper and a drinking spout of a beverage container according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 12. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the position and configuration of the lid locking mechanism. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0051] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the lid locking mechanism 80 of the stopper 3a of the beverage container 1a according to this embodiment is provided on the front side of the outer peripheral surface 15h of the peripheral wall 15a of the mounting frame 15. The lid locking mechanism 80 is located in the lower front area of ​​the drinking spout 13. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the drinking spout 13, like the first embodiment, has two convex portions 13a and 13b, one concave portion 13c, and two inclined portions 13d and 13e. The curvature of the area near the concave portion 13c in this embodiment is greater than the curvature of the concave portion (downward convex shape) near the concave portion 13c in the first embodiment.

[0052] The lid locking mechanism 80 includes a locking member 85, a ring stopper 86, a shaft support portion 87, and a biasing member 88 (see FIG. 10). The shaft support portion 87 is formed to protrude forward from the outer circumferential surface 15h in the front tangential direction so as to sandwich the lock member 85 therebetween.

[0053] The locking member 85 is rotatably supported by a hinge about a rotation axis J4 extending in the front tangential direction by a shaft support portion 87. The locking member 85 has a shape that extends in the vertical direction with the position of the rotation axis J4 as its center. The locking member 85 includes a latching portion 85a located at the upper end of the locking member 85 and an operating portion 85b located at the lower end side of the locking member 85.

[0054] The locking portion 85a is formed as a claw that protrudes rearward from the top of the locking member 85 and locks onto the locked portion 22a of the lid 20. The locked portion 22a is located on the front side of the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 22 of the lid 20. In a locked state where the locking portion 85a is locked onto the locked portion 22a, the locked portion 22a is recessed below the locking portion 85a. As in the first embodiment, the periphery of the hinge 30 has a biasing means (not shown) that biases the lid 20 in a direction from the closed position toward the open position, and the locking portion 85a and the locked portion 22a are engaged with each other, thereby holding the lid 20 in the closed position, which is a locked state.

[0055] The biasing member 88 is an elastic member such as a coil spring, and biases the locking member 85 in a direction in which the engaging portion 85a approaches the central axis C1. As a result, when no external force such as an operating force is applied to the locking member 85, the locking member 85 is held in an upright position along the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. When the user presses the operating portion 85b, the operating portion 85b rotates the locking member 85 in a direction in which the engaging portion 85a moves away from the central axis C1 against the biasing force of the biasing member 88. This releases the state in which the engaging portion 85a is engaged with the locked portion 22a, resulting in an unlocked state, in which the lid 20 can be opened.

[0056] The ring stopper 86 is generally C- or U-shaped and is positioned so as to tangentially sandwich the shaft support portion 87 at both ends on the opening side. The ring stopper 86 is configured to be rotatable by a hinge centered on a rotation axis J4. As shown in FIG. 8, the ring stopper 86 is positioned so as to cover the upper surface of a roof portion 89 of the lid body 20 when the lid body 20 is in the closed position, which is the locked state. The roof portion 89 is erected on the front outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 22 of the lid body 20 and has a generally C- or U-shape that covers the upper surface of the locking portion 85a when the lid body 20 is in the closed position.

[0057] When the ring stopper 86 is in a restricted position covering the top surface of the roof 89, it restricts the opening of the lid 20 regardless of the pushing operation of the operating part 85b. Furthermore, when the ring stopper 86 is rotated downward from this restricted position around the rotation axis J4 to a position where it does not cover the top surface of the roof 89, it enters a state where the lid 20 can be opened by the pushing operation of the operating part 85b.

[0058] 10, the upper end position B1 of the locking member 85 in the non-operated state is located vertically below the position B2 on the outer peripheral upper surface 15e of the base portion 15d. This prevents the engaging portion 85a from hitting the lower lip or chin when the lower lip is placed against the outer peripheral surface of the spout portion 13. However, without being limited to this example, the upper end position B1 of the locking member 85 may be at substantially the same height as the position B2 of the outer peripheral upper surface 15e of the base portion 15d in the vertical direction. This "substantially the same" concept includes a difference in height of ±2 mm.

[0059] (effect) According to the second embodiment described above, the following effects are achieved. The stopper 3a of the beverage container 1a is equipped with a lid locking mechanism 80 that can lock the lid 20 in a closed position relative to the cap body 10. The lid locking mechanism 80 transitions between a locked and unlocked position by user operation and includes a locking member 85 that is provided on the outer peripheral surface 15h of the cap body 10 and on the lower front surface of the drinking spout 13. In the locked position, the locking member 85 engages with the lid 20 when closed relative to the cap body 10, preventing the lid 20 from opening. In the unlocked position, the locking member 85 does not engage with the lid 20, allowing the lid 20 to open. The drinking spout 13 extends from the outer peripheral upper surface 15e of the cap body 10, on the outer peripheral side of the drinking spout 13. The upper end of the locking member 85 (upper end position B1) is located below or at approximately the same height as position B2 on the outer peripheral upper surface 15e. With this configuration, when the user places their lower lip on the drinking spout 13 to drink a beverage, the locking member 85 is prevented from getting in the way, making it easier to drink.

[0060] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and drawings. Modifications (including deletion of components) may be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure. An example of such a modification is described below.

[0061] (Variation) In each of the above embodiments, the curvature of the drinking spout 13 in the circumferential direction may be constant. In each of the above embodiments, the curvature of a portion of the drinking spout 13 in the circumferential direction may be zero, that is, the drinking spout 13 may be formed in a straight line. In each of the above embodiments, the curvature of the concave portion (downward convex shape) near the concave portion 13c may be greater than the curvature of the upward convex shape near the convex portions 13a and 13b, or these curvatures may be equal. In each of the above-described embodiments, the drinking spout 13 may be formed in a cylindrical shape, and the convex portions 13a, 13b and the concave portion 13c may be formed in part of the circumferential direction of the cylinder. In each of the above-described embodiments, the recess 13c formed between the two protrusions 13a and 13b may be formed in a plurality of places. In the second embodiment, the locking member 85 may be configured to be unable to rotate in the front-rear direction. In this case, the locking member 85 may be configured to be switchable between a locked state and an unlocked state by being slid in the up-down direction. In each of the above embodiments, the hole center position C2 of the liquid passage 12a was located closer to the drinking spout portion 13 than the central axis C1, but this is not limited to this and it may be located at the same position as the central axis C1 or behind the central axis C1. In each of the above-described embodiments, the drinking spout member 11 and the mounting frame 15 of the cap body 10 may be integrally formed so as not to be detachable. In each of the above-described embodiments, the lid body 20 may be configured to be detachable from the cap body 10 by screwing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1, 1a... beverage container, 2... container body, 2c... male thread portion, 3, 3a... stopper body, 5... inner container, 6... outer container, 10... cap body, 11... drinking spout member, 12a... liquid passage hole, 12b... ventilation hole, 13... drinking spout portion, 13a, 13b... convex portion, 13c... concave portion, 13d, 13e... inclined portion, 13f... bulge portion, 14a... bottom plate portion, 14 b...peripheral wall portion, 14c...fitting member, 14d...packing mounting portion, 14e...watertight packing, 14g...urging member, 15...mounting frame portion, 15a...peripheral wall portion, 15b...peripheral frame portion, 15c...base portion, 15d...pedestal portion, 15e...peripheral upper surface, 15f...engaged portion, 15h...peripheral surface, 15i...female thread portion, 15g...engaged portion, 20...lid body, 21...ceiling portion, 22...outer peripheral wall portion, 22a...engaged portion, 23...packing mounting portion, 30...hinge, 40...lid locking mechanism, 43...operation portion, 44...slide biasing member, 45...locking member, 45a...claw portion, 46...lock biasing member, 47...push biasing member, 70...lid packing, 80...lid locking mechanism, 85...locking member, 85a...engaging portion, 85b...operation portion, 86...ring stopper, 87...shaft support portion, 88...biasing member, 89...roof portion, α1, α2, α3...angle, B1...upper end position, B2...position, C1...center axis, C2...hole center position, H1...height difference, J1, J2, J3...rotation axis, P1, P2, P3, P4...vertex, R1, R2...shortest distance

Claims

1. A closure for a beverage container, a cap body having a liquid passage through which a beverage passes; a lid that opens and closes the liquid passage port, The cap body is a drinking spout portion that is in contact with the lower lip of a user when drinking a beverage from the beverage container, and that is formed in a curved plate shape that stands on the outer periphery of the liquid passage opening and conforms to the lower lip; The drinking spout portion is two protrusions positioned apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the liquid passage port and having upper end surfaces that bulge upward; a recessed portion located between the two protruding portions in the outer circumferential direction and having an upper end surface curved downwardly, A closure for a beverage container.

2. The apex of the recess is formed at the lowest position on the upper end surface of the drinking spout, Among the flow paths for the beverage that reach the upper end surface of the drinking spout portion from the front end of the liquid passage port on the drinking spout portion side, the flow path connecting the front end and the apex of the recess is formed so that the distance is the shortest. A beverage container closure according to claim 1.

3. The curvature of the recessed portion is smaller than the curvature of the two protruding portions. A beverage container closure according to claim 1.

4. a lid locking mechanism that can lock the lid body in a closed state relative to the cap body; The lid locking mechanism is disposed in an area excluding the lower front surface of the drinking spout when the lid body is open relative to the cap body. A beverage container closure according to claim 1.

5. a lid locking mechanism that can lock the lid body in a closed state relative to the cap body; The lid locking mechanism is a locking member that transitions between a locked state and an unlocked state by user operation and is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the cap body and below the drinking spout; the locked state is a state in which the lid body is closed relative to the cap body and the locking member engages with the lid body, thereby restricting the lid body from opening, The unlocked state is a state in which the locking member is not engaged with the lid body and the lid body can be opened, The drinking spout portion is erected from an outer peripheral upper surface of the cap body on an outer peripheral side of the drinking spout portion, an upper end of the locking member is located below the outer peripheral upper surface of the cap body or at substantially the same height as the outer peripheral upper surface of the cap body; A beverage container closure according to claim 1.

6. The cap body is a bottom plate portion located in an area surrounded by the drinking spout portion, the bottom plate portion having the liquid passage hole formed as a through hole; The center position of the liquid passage hole is located closer to the spout portion than the central axis of the cylindrical beverage container. A beverage container closure according to claim 1.

7. A drinking spout portion is formed in a curved plate shape along the lower lip of a user when the user drinks a beverage discharged from the liquid passage port of the beverage container, and the drinking spout portion is formed on at least a part of the outer periphery of the liquid passage port so as to fit the lower lip, two protrusions positioned apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the liquid passage port and having upper end surfaces that bulge upward; a recessed portion located between the two protruding portions in the outer circumferential direction and having an upper end surface curved downwardly, Drinking mouth.

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