Container with cap

Abstract

To provide a container with a cap that can suppress the height of the cap, and never spoils the appearance while maintaining a sealing function.SOLUTION: A container 10 with a cap comprises a container body 1 and a cap 2. The cap 2 comprises: an outer cap 3 which has a peripheral wall 3b connecting with a top wall 3a and forming an outer shell of the cap 2; a packing 4 which is arranged movably inside the outer cap 3, and has a top wall 4a covering a mouth part 1c; an inner cap 5 which has a cap-side mount part 5b mounted on a main body-side mount part 1e provided at the mouth part 1c, is held by the peripheral wall 3b to neither rotate nor fall, and supports the packing 4 from below; and an elastic body 6 which is located between the top wall 3a and top wall 4a, and imparts elastic force to the top wall 4a approaching the top wall 3a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container with a cap. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a capped container in which a cap is attached to the mouth of a container body to close the mouth.

[0003] Such a capped container has a sealing function that seals the inside of the container body when the cap is attached. One way to achieve this sealing function is to provide an elastic sheet on the inside of the cap. That is, when the cap is attached to the container body, this sheet elastically deforms and presses tightly against the opening, thereby sealing the inside of the container body.

[0004] Another known example of a capped container that achieves this sealing function with a different configuration is the cap disclosed in Patent Document 1. This capped container includes a cap composed of an outer cap (exterior body), an inner cap (lid body), a packing, and an elastic body (O-ring). The cap is attached to the container body by threading the female threads of the cap onto the male threads of the container body. As shown in Figure 2 of the same document, this capped container has a shape with linear cutouts on both sides of a circle in a plan view. Therefore, when the cap is attached to the container body, it is necessary to align the positions of the two for aesthetic reasons. For this reason, this capped container is configured so that when the cap is attached to the container body, the cap is prevented from rotating at a predetermined position just before the male and female threads are completely tightened.

[0005] However, the above-mentioned sheet may not fully recover from its crushed state if, for example, a strong force is applied for a long period of time. Therefore, if this type of sheet is used for a container in which the cap is prevented from rotating at a predetermined position relative to the container body, the sheet may not be sufficiently sandwiched between the container body and the cap at the prevented position, and the intended sealing function may not be achieved. On the other hand, if the cap is composed of an outer cap, an inner cap, a gasket, and an elastic body, the sealing function can be maintained even when the cap is prevented from rotating at a predetermined position relative to the container body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5295897 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] On the other hand, the cap of Patent Document 1 tends to be tall (vertical length). That is, as shown in Figure 1 of the document, this cap is composed of four layers in the height direction: an outer cap (exterior body), an inner cap (lid body), an elastic body (O-ring), and a packing, which results in a correspondingly large height for the cap. Here, if the number of layers is reduced by providing ribs or the like inside the outer cap to hold the packing or the like, in order to reduce the height of the cap, the provision of the ribs or the like may cause sink marks or the like in the outer cap, which may affect the appearance.

[0008] In view of these points, the present invention aims to propose a capped container that can reduce the height of the cap, maintains its sealing function, and does not impair its appearance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The capped container of the present invention comprises a container body having a mouth with an open top, and a cap attached to the mouth, the cap having a top wall and a peripheral wall connected to the top wall, an outer cap forming the outer shell of the cap, a gasket arranged movably inside the outer cap and having a ceiling wall covering the mouth, an inner cap having a cap side attachment part attached to a body side attachment part provided on the mouth, the inner cap being held non-rotatably and non-detachably by the peripheral wall and supporting the gasket from below, and an elastic body positioned between the top wall and the ceiling wall and applying an elastic force to the ceiling wall as it approaches the top wall. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the capped container of the present invention, the cap has three layers in the height direction: the outer cap, the elastic body, and the packing, so it is possible to reduce the height compared to conventional containers. In addition, the sealing function can be maintained without compromising the appearance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a half cross-sectional side view showing one embodiment of a capped container according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the capped container shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the capped container shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a capped container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the up-down direction refers to the direction when the capped container is in an upright position (the direction along the central axis O shown in the figure). The radial direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the central axis O in a plane perpendicular to the central axis O, and the circumferential direction refers to a direction around the central axis O in this plane.

[0013] 1 to 3 are diagrams showing a capped container 10, which is one embodiment of a capped container according to the present invention. The capped container 10 is generally referred to as a jar container, has a wide mouth, and allows the contents contained therein to be removed by wiping with a spatula, a finger, or the like. The capped container 10 of this embodiment is composed of a container body 1 and a cap 2. As described below, the capped container 10 is equipped with a rotation-preventing mechanism (a mechanism for preventing the cap 2 from rotating relative to the container body 1) for ensuring that the positions of the cap and the container body 1 are always the same when the cap 2 is attached to the container body 1. FIGS. 1 to 3 show a state in which the rotation-preventing mechanism prevents the cap 2 from rotating at a predetermined position relative to the container body 1. Because the capped container 10 of this embodiment is equipped with such a rotation-preventing mechanism, it is suitable for use in containers having a shape other than a circle in plan view, as in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, or in containers in which the patterns on the surfaces of the container body 1 and the cap 2 match at the joints between the container body 1 and the cap 2. The capped container 10 may be used for containers that do not require alignment when the cap 2 is attached to the container body 1 (for containers that are circular in plan view, and for which it is not necessary to match patterns at the joint between the container body 1 and the cap 2). Each of the components that make up the capped container 10 is basically made of a hard synthetic resin, except for those whose materials are mentioned below.

[0014] The container body 1 includes a bottom wall 1a and a body-side peripheral wall 1b extending upward from the outer edge of the bottom wall 1a. The upper end of the body-side peripheral wall 1b is provided with a cylindrical mouth portion 1c, which is open at its top and has the same inner diameter as the body-side peripheral wall 1b but a smaller outer diameter than the body-side peripheral wall 1b. As shown in FIG. 2, a mouth-side protrusion 1d protruding upward is provided on the radially outer side of the upper end surface of the mouth portion 1c. The outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 1c is provided with a male-threaded body-side attachment portion 1e. Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 1c is provided with a first engagement protrusion 1f and a second engagement protrusion 1g, spaced circumferentially from the first engagement protrusion 1f, as shown in FIG. 3, which constitute a rotation prevention mechanism for preventing rotation of the cap 2 relative to the container body 1.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the cap 2 includes an outer cap 3, a packing 4, an inner cap 5, and an elastic body 6.

[0016] The outer cap 3 has a top wall 3a that has the same shape as the container body 1 in a plan view. A cap-side peripheral wall 3b extending downward is provided at the outer edge of the top wall 3a. The cap-side peripheral wall 3b corresponds to the "peripheral wall" in this specification. As shown in FIG. 2, an annular protrusion 3c is provided on the underside of the top wall 3a, protruding downward from a position directly above the elastic body 6 and extending in a direction orbiting the central axis O. A rib 3d protruding radially inward is provided on the upper part of the inner peripheral surface of the cap-side peripheral wall 3b. A plurality of ribs 3d are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. An engagement recess 3e is provided on the lower part of the inner peripheral surface of the cap-side peripheral wall 3b, recessing the inner peripheral surface radially outward.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the packing 4 is disposed inside the outer cap 3 and is movable up and down relative to the outer cap 3 as described below. The packing 4 has a plate-shaped top wall 4a that covers the opening 1c. A flange 4b ​​is provided on the outer edge of the top wall 4a. The lower surface of the flange 4b ​​is located higher than the lower surface of the top wall 4a, and the thickness of the flange 4b ​​is thinner than the thickness of the top wall 4a.

[0018] 2, the bottom surface of the top wall 4a is provided with an annular sealing protrusion 4c that protrudes downward from a position directly above the mouth-side protrusion 1d and extends in a direction orbiting the central axis O. The top surface of the top wall 4a is provided with an annular protrusion (movement restricting portion 4d) that protrudes upward. Furthermore, the top surface of the top wall 4a is provided with a recess 4e having an arc-shaped cross section radially outward from the movement restricting portion 4d.

[0019] The inner cap 5 is cylindrical and is provided radially outward from the mouth portion 1c and radially inward from the cap-side peripheral wall 3b, as shown in FIG. 2. The outer peripheral surface of the inner cap 5 is provided with an engaging protrusion 5a that engages with the engaging recess 3e. When the engaging protrusion 5a is engaged with the engaging recess 3e, the upper surface of the inner cap 5 contacts the lower surface of the rib 3d, so that the inner cap 5 is held immovable in the vertical direction relative to the cap-side peripheral wall 3b. The inner cap 5 is held immovable relative to the outer cap 3. Examples of configurations for holding them immovable include making the circumferential width of the engaging recess 3e and the circumferential width of the engaging protrusion 5a approximately the same, or providing a recess on the inner peripheral surface of the cap-side peripheral wall 3b separate from the engaging recess 3e, and providing a protrusion on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cap 5 that fits into the recess to restrict circumferential movement. In a state in which the inner cap 5 is held unrotatably and undetachably relative to the cap-side peripheral wall 3b, the flange portion 4b of the packing 4 is located above the inner cap 5. In other words, the packing 4 is supported from below by the inner cap 5.

[0020] The inner circumferential surface of the inner cap 5 is provided with a female-threaded cap-side mounting portion 5b that screws into the body-side mounting portion 1e. Furthermore, the inner circumferential surface of the inner cap 5 is provided with a third engagement protrusion 5c (see FIG. 3) that constitutes a rotation-preventing mechanism for preventing rotation of the cap 2 relative to the container body 1. The third engagement protrusion 5c is provided along the spirally extending cap-side mounting portion 5b. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, just before the completion of tightening when the body-side mounting portion 1e and the cap-side mounting portion 5b are screwed together, the third engagement protrusion 5c overcomes the first engagement protrusion 1f and contacts the end of the second engagement protrusion 1g. This prevents rotation of the cap 2 equipped with the inner cap 5 at a predetermined position relative to the container body 1. In this state, the third engagement protrusion 5c is positioned between the first engagement protrusion 1f and the second engagement protrusion 1g.

[0021] In this embodiment, the elastic body 6 is an O-ring made of an elastic material and having an annular shape as a whole with a circular cross section. As shown in FIG. 2, the elastic body 6 is disposed between the top wall 3a and the ceiling wall 4a so as to fit into the recessed portion 4e provided radially outward of the movement restricting portion 4d. Before the cap 2 is attached to the container body 1, the elastic body 6 in this embodiment has a lower portion in contact with the recessed portion 4e and an upper portion in contact with the protrusion 3c of the outer cap 3.

[0022] To assemble the cap 2 configured with these components, for example, the elastic body 6, packing 4, and inner cap 5 may be inserted into the outer cap 3 in this order, and the engaging protrusion 5a may be engaged with the engaging recess 3e. The cap of Patent Document 1 requires the elastic body to be placed between the packing and the inner cap, and then inserted into the outer cap and secured with adhesive or the like. However, the cap 2 of this embodiment can be assembled in fewer steps than the cap of Patent Document 1. Furthermore, the cap 2 of this embodiment uses a cylindrical inner cap 5, and the elastic body 6 is positioned between the top wall 3a of the outer cap 3 and the ceiling wall 4a of the packing 4. Therefore, the cap 2 has three vertical layers: the outer cap 3, the elastic body 6, and the packing 4. In other words, the height of the cap 2 can be reduced compared to the cap of Patent Document 1, which has four vertical layers: the outer cap, the inner cap, the elastic body, and the packing. Before the cap 2 is attached to the container body 1, the upper surface of the movement restricting portion 4d is in a state where there is a gap between the upper surface of the movement restricting portion 4d and the lower surface of the top wall 3a, as shown in FIG.

[0023] The cap 2 of this embodiment is configured so that the elastic body 6 fits into the recessed portion 4e, and therefore the elastic body 6 can be more stably held without misalignment relative to the packing 4. Note that even if the recessed portion 4e is omitted, the basic function of the elastic body 6 (the function of biasing the packing 4 downward by the elastic body 6), which will be described later, can be obtained.

[0024] Furthermore, because the elastic body 6 is in contact with the protrusion 3c of the outer cap 3 before the cap 2 is attached to the container body 1, it can hold the packing 4, which moves up and down, without rattle. The effect of holding the packing 4 without rattle can be achieved even if the protrusion 3c is omitted and the elastic body 6 is in contact with the underside of the top wall 3a. However, if the protrusion 3c is provided, the area of ​​contact between the outer cap 3 and the elastic body 6 is reduced. Therefore, even if, for example, the shapes of the components constituting the cap 2 vary due to individual differences and the top wall 3a approaches the elastic body 6, the elastic body 6 will not be excessively elastically deformed. Note that, before the cap 2 is attached to the container body 1, it is not essential for a portion of the outer cap 3 to contact the elastic body 6 in order to obtain the basic function of the elastic body 6 described above; the elastic body 6 may be separated from the protrusion 3c.

[0025] The cap 2 of this embodiment is equipped with a movement restriction portion 4d, so that even if the gasket 4 is unintentionally pushed toward the top wall 3a before attaching the cap 2 to the container body 1, the elastic body 6 will not be excessively elastically deformed.

[0026] The assembled cap 2 is attached to the container body 1 by screwing the cap-side attachment portion 5b onto the body-side attachment portion 1e. As described above, just before the completion of tightening when the body-side attachment portion 1e and the cap-side attachment portion 5b are screwed together, the third engagement protrusion 5c of the inner cap 5 passes over the first engagement protrusion 1f and contacts the end of the second engagement protrusion 1g, thereby preventing the cap 2 from rotating at a predetermined position relative to the container body 1. Furthermore, the resistance when rotating the cap 2 relative to the container body 1 increases as the third engagement protrusion 5c passes over the first engagement protrusion 1f and then decreases. This difference in resistance can inform the user holding the cap 2 that tightening of the cap 2 is complete. Furthermore, in this state, the third engagement protrusion 5c is located between the first engagement protrusion 1f and the second engagement protrusion 1g, preventing the cap 2 from accidentally coming off the container body 1.

[0027] When the cap 2 is attached to the container body 1 by screwing the body-side attachment portion 1e and the cap-side attachment portion 5b together, the sealing protrusion 4c comes into contact with the upper surface of the mouth-side protrusion 1d. At this time, the elastic body 6 is sandwiched between the protrusion 3c on the top wall 3a and the recess 4e on the ceiling wall 4a and elastically deforms, applying a downward elastic force to the packing 4. This elastic force therefore causes the sealing protrusion 4c to adhere closely to the mouth-side protrusion 1d, thereby sealing the inside of the mouth 1c. Note that with repeated use of the capped container 10, for example, the amount of protrusion of the sealing protrusion 4c may gradually decrease due to friction with the mouth-side protrusion 1d. However, even in this case, the downward elastic force from the elastic body 6 acts on the packing 4, allowing the sealing protrusion 4c to adhere closely to the mouth-side protrusion 1d.

[0028] In the above-described embodiment, the elastic body 6, an O-ring, is used to apply a downward elastic force to the packing 4. However, this function can be achieved with other configurations. For example, a capped container 10A (see FIG. 4), which is a variation of the capped container 10 described above, does not include the elastic body 6 and instead includes a packing 4A having a ring-shaped elastic body 4f with a rectangular cross section attached to the upper surface of the top wall 4a. This packing 4A is formed by insert-molding the elastic body 4f, which is made of an elastic material (e.g., elastomer), to the top wall 4a. Before the cap 2A is attached to the container body 1, the elastic body 4f contacts the protrusion 3c of the outer cap 3, thereby holding the packing 4 securely. When the cap 2A is attached to the container body 1 by threading the cap-side attachment portion 5b onto the body-side attachment portion 1e, the elastic force from the elastic body 4f tightly seals the seal protrusion 4c against the mouth-side protrusion 1d.

[0029] While one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4, this embodiment can be modified as appropriate. For example, although the movement restricting portion 4d has been described as having an annular shape in this embodiment, it may be provided intermittently in the circumferential direction.

[0030] (Addendum) In one aspect, the present specification discloses the following technology.

[0031] (Technology 1) A capped container comprising a container body having an opening at the top and a cap attached to the opening, The cap is an outer cap having a top wall and a peripheral wall connected to the top wall and forming an outer shell of the cap; a packing movably disposed inside the outer cap and having a top wall covering the opening; an inner cap having a cap-side attachment portion attached to a main body-side attachment portion provided in the opening portion, the inner cap being held by the peripheral wall so as not to rotate or fall off and supporting the packing from below; a capped container comprising: an elastic body positioned between the top wall and the ceiling wall, the elastic body applying an elastic force to the ceiling wall as it approaches the top wall.

[0032] This technology allows the cap to be made up of three layers in the height direction: the outer cap, the elastomer, and the packing, making it possible to reduce the height of the cap while maintaining its sealing function and without compromising its appearance.

[0033] (Technology 2) The capped container according to Technology 1, wherein the top wall has a movement restricting portion that protrudes toward the top wall and comes into contact with the top wall when the top wall approaches the top wall.

[0034] With this technology, even if the packing is unintentionally pushed toward the top wall, the elastic body will not be subjected to excessive elastic deformation.

[0035] (Technology 3) The capped container according to Technology 1, wherein the top wall has a protrusion that protrudes toward the elastic body and contacts the elastic body before the cap is attached to the container body.

[0036] This technology makes it possible to hold the packing, which moves up and down, without rattle, without excessive elastic deformation of the elastic body.

[0037] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this specific embodiment, and unless otherwise limited in the above description, various modifications and variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. For example, the configurations of the above-described embodiment may be added or deleted as appropriate, and the configurations of one embodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments. Furthermore, the effects of the above-described embodiment are merely examples of the effects that can be obtained from the present invention. In other words, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, and additional effects may be obtained in addition to the above-described effects. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1: Container body 1c: Mouth 1e: Main unit side attachment part 2, 2A: Cap 3: Outer cap 3a:Top wall 3b: Cap side peripheral wall (peripheral wall) 3c:Protrusion 4, 4A: Packing 4a: Ceiling wall 4d: Movement control section 4f: Elastic body 5: Inner cap 5b: Cap side attachment part 6: Elastic body 10, 10A: Container with cap

Claims

1. A capped container comprising a container body having an opening at the top and a cap attached to the opening, The cap is an outer cap having a top wall and a peripheral wall connected to the top wall and forming an outer shell of the cap; a packing movably disposed inside the outer cap and having a top wall covering the opening; an inner cap having a cap-side attachment portion attached to a main body-side attachment portion provided in the opening portion, the inner cap being held by the peripheral wall so as not to rotate or fall off and supporting the packing from below; a capped container comprising: an elastic body positioned between the top wall and the ceiling wall, the elastic body applying an elastic force to the ceiling wall as it approaches the top wall.

2. 2. The capped container according to claim 1, wherein the top wall has a movement restricting portion that protrudes toward the top wall and comes into contact with the top wall when the top wall approaches the top wall.

3. 2. The capped container according to claim 1, wherein the top wall has a protrusion that protrudes toward the elastic body and contacts the elastic body before the cap is attached to the container body.

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