Cap

Abstract

To provide a technique for making it easy for an anticipated user to open a container while suppressing an unanticipated user from opening the container.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a cap 1 that can be at least released by the use of a key member 10. The cap comprises an outer cylinder member 20, a first inner cylinder member 30, and a second inner cylinder member 40. The key member 10 is rotated with a projection mark 13 of the key member 10 fitted to a first recessed mark 33 of the first inner cylinder member 30 to release a locked state, and at least the first inner cylinder member 30 rotates and moves up relative to the second inner cylinder member 40, which can be removed from a mouth part 3 of the container 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Caps intended to prevent containers from being opened by unexpected users have been known in the past.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a safety lid device that consists of an inner lid that is removably screwed onto the opening of a container, and an outer lid that covers the outer surface of the inner lid and is rotatably connected to the inner lid, and is characterized in that an insertion hole for a pin or the like is formed in a position other than the center of the outer lid, and a recess for inserting a pin or the like is provided in a corresponding position on the rotation trajectory of the insertion hole in the inner lid.

[0004] Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 2 describes a keyed cap that consists of an inner cap that screws onto the mouth of a container, and an outer cap that is rotatably attached to the inner cap and has a bayonet key attached to its outer periphery, the bayonet key being a rectangular plate-like body with one side cut into an arc and both ends having engaging pieces, an insertion port for the bayonet key being provided in the center of the top wall of the outer cap, and an inner tube being vertically attached to the center of the upper wall of the inner cap and having a connected annular bottom wall with an engaging groove into which the engaging piece of the bayonet key engages, the outer cap and inner cap being configured to rotate together via the bayonet key, and the engaging piece of the bayonet key being integrally molded on the outside of the outer cap via a thin-walled connecting part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 62-33549 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4326725 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, a pin or the like is inserted into an insertion recess provided in the inner lid to open the container. According to the technology described in Patent Document 2, a key is inserted into an insertion port provided in the outer cap to open the container. These technologies can prevent, to some extent, unexpected users such as children from opening the container. However, even for expected users such as adults, it is difficult to identify the insertion point of the pin or the like when opening the container, which makes it difficult to open the container.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a technology that makes it easy for expected users to open a container while preventing unexpected users from opening the container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a cap according to one aspect of the present invention is (1) a cap that is attached to the mouth of a container and can be at least released using a key member, the cap comprising an outer tubular member, a first inner tubular member, and a second inner tubular member, the outer tubular member being disposed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the first inner tubular member and being rotatable concentrically with the first inner tubular member, the first inner tubular member being a member that can be threaded onto the second inner tubular member, the first inner tubular member having a through hole formed in a top surface of the first inner tubular member and having a common axis with a rotation axis of the first inner tubular member, and a first recessed portion formed outside the through hole. and a mark, the second inner tube member is a member that can engage with the mouth portion, and includes a cylindrical protrusion that protrudes upward along the axis of the second inner tube member and is positioned in the through hole in the locked state, the key member includes a convex mark formed on the underside of the key member and that can engage with the first concave mark, and when the convex mark is engaged with the first concave mark and the key member is rotated, the locked state is released and at least the first inner tube member rotates up relative to the second inner tube member, making the second inner tube member removable from the mouth portion.

[0009] In the cap described in (1) above, (2) it is preferable that the second inner tube member further includes a second mark formed on the top surface of the cylindrical protrusion, and that in the locked state, the first concave mark is arranged relative to the second mark so that the first combining mark composed of the first concave mark and the second mark is distinguishable, and in the released state in which the locked state is released, the first concave mark is arranged relative to the second mark so that the second combining mark composed of the first concave mark and the second mark is indistinguishable, and when the convex mark is engaged with the first concave mark through visual confirmation of the first combining mark and the key member is rotated, the locked state changes to the released state, and at least the first inner tube member rotates up relative to the second inner tube member, making the second inner tube member removable from the mouth portion.

[0010] In the cap described in (2) above, (3) it is preferable that the key member further includes a guide hole that makes the second mark visible when the convex mark is fitted into the first concave mark, and a guide mark that is formed on the top surface of the key member and has a projection shape that matches the projection shape of the convex mark when projected from the top surface side of the key member toward the bottom surface side onto an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the key member, and that when the key member is positioned so that the projection shape of a third combining mark of the guide mark and the second mark onto the imaginary plane matches the projection shape of the first combining mark onto the imaginary plane, the convex mark fits into the first concave mark.

[0011] In the cap described in any one of (1) to (3) above, (4) it is preferable that the first concave mark has a shape that exerts a resistance force against the rotation direction of the key member.

[0012] In the cap described in any one of (1) to (3) above, (5) when a predetermined force is applied to at least the raised first inner tube member, it is preferable that the outer tube member, the first inner tube member, and the second inner tube member are removed from the mouth portion while remaining integrated.

[0013] In the cap described in (5) above, (6) it is preferable that the second inner cylindrical member further includes an engaging portion that maintains an engaged state with the opening portion until the predetermined force is applied.

[0014] In the cap described in any one of (1) to (3) above, (7) it is preferable that the first inner tube member further includes at least one spiral groove formed on the inner surface of the first inner tube member, and the second inner tube member further includes a protrusion formed on the outer surface of the second inner tube member, the position of which in the spiral groove changes along the spiral groove as the key member rotates.

[0015] In the cap described in (7) above, (8) it is preferable that the protrusion is located at the upper end of the spiral groove in the locked state, and is located at the lower end of the spiral groove when the locked state is released.

[0016] In the cap described in any one of (1) to (3) above, (9) it is preferable that a loose fitting means is provided on the inner surface of the outer tube member and the outer surface of the first inner tube member to loosely fit the outer tube member relative to the first inner tube member so that the outer tube member can rotate freely. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent unexpected users from opening the container, while making it easy for expected users to open the container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a container equipped with a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention in a locked state. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of FIG. 1 taken along a plane passing through the central axis of the cap. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a container having a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention in an unlocked state. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the outer cylindrical member of FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the outer cylindrical member of FIG. 1 cut along a plane passing through the central axis. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the first inner cylindrical member of FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a view of the first inner cylindrical member of FIG. 1 as seen from above. [Figure 8] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the first inner cylindrical member of FIG. 1 cut along a plane passing through the central axis. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the second inner cylindrical member of FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a view of the second inner cylindrical member of FIG. 1 as seen from above. FIG. [Figure 11] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the second inner cylindrical member of FIG. 1 cut along a plane passing through the central axis. [Figure 12] 2 is a view of the key member of FIG. 1 as seen from below. [Figure 13] 2 is a diagram illustrating a guide mark of the key member of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a change from a locked state to an unlocked state. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a change from a locked state to an unlocked state. [Figure 16] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the inside plug of FIG. 2 cut along a plane passing through the central axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Hereinafter, the terms "upper" and "lower" refer to the upper and lower positions, respectively, in the state shown in FIG. 1 (i.e., the state in which the container 2 with the cap 1 attached is upright), unless otherwise specified.

[0020] <1-1. Overall composition of the cap> An overview of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Cap 1 is a cap that can at least be released using key member 10, and is attached to the mouth 3 of a container 2. Cap 1 includes an outer tubular member 20, a first inner tubular member 30, and a second inner tubular member 40. Note that the second inner tubular member 40, the first inner tubular member 30, and the outer tubular member 20 are fitted in this order from the inside to the outside of cap 1. Gaps may exist between the respective members due to manufacturing errors, etc., but these gaps are large enough to prevent the insertion of a pin or the like from the outside.

[0021] 2 and 3, when the convex mark 13 of the key member 10 is fitted into the first concave mark 33 of the first inner cylindrical member 30 and the key member 10 is rotated, the cap 1 is released from the locked state and enters the unlocked state. At the same time, at least the first inner cylindrical member 30 rotates upward relative to the second inner cylindrical member 40, making the second inner cylindrical member 40 removable from the opening 3 of the container 2. Details will be explained after describing each component.

[0022] (Outer cylinder member) 1 and 4, the outer tubular member 20 is disposed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the first inner tubular member 30, and is rotatable concentrically with the first inner tubular member 30. As a result, even if the outer tubular member 20 rotates, the rotation is not transmitted to the first inner tubular member 30, and therefore, the locked state is prevented from being released by force without using the key member 10.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 5 , in order to prevent the outer tube member 20 from being forcibly removed without using the key member 10 and thus releasing the locked state, it is preferable that annular grooves 21a and 21b corresponding to loose fitting means for loosely fitting the outer tube member 20 into the first inner tube member 30 so that the outer tube member 20 can rotate freely are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube member 20. In the example shown in FIG. 5 , one annular groove 21a and one annular groove 21b are formed on the upper end side and one on the lower end side of the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube member 20, but the number of annular grooves 21a and 21b and their positions on the inner circumferential surface are not limited to this and can be set arbitrarily. The annular grooves 21a and 21b are paired with annular protrusions 34a and 34b formed on the outer circumferential surface of the first inner tube member 30, which will be described later. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one or more annular protrusions may be formed instead of the annular grooves 21a and 21b.

[0024] The material of the outer tube member 20 is preferably a known synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene that can be injection molded, but the present invention is not limited to this and it may also be a metal such as aluminum, or glass.

[0025] (First inner cylindrical member) 6 and 7, the first inner cylinder member 30 is a member that can be threadedly engaged with the second inner cylinder member 40. The first inner cylinder member 30 includes a top surface portion 31 and a skirt portion 36, and also includes a through hole 32 formed in the top surface portion 31 of the first inner cylinder member 30 and having a common axis with the rotation axis of the first inner cylinder member 30, and a first concave mark 33 formed outside the through hole 32.

[0026] It is important that the first concave mark 33 is formed in a concave shape relative to the top surface 31 of the first inner cylinder member 30 in order to prevent the lock from being forcibly released without using the key member 10. The first concave mark 33 is preferably a letter, a figure, a symbol, a pattern, or a combination thereof. The first concave mark 33 also preferably has a shape that exerts resistance against the rotational direction of the key member 10. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the first concave mark 33 has a shape engraved to represent a part (outer region) of the character "sake" and has a shape that lacks the central region (part of the through-hole 32) of the character "sake." That is, the character "sake" is divided into an outer region (the area around the through hole 32) and a central region (the area around the through hole 32), and the first concave mark 33 and the second mark 43 are engraved on the top surface 31 of the first inner tube member 30 and the top surface 42 of the cylindrical protrusion portion 41 of the second inner tube member 40 shown in Figure 9, respectively, with the first concave mark 33 corresponding to the area around the through hole 32 and the second mark 43 corresponding to the area around the through hole 32.

[0027] Here, when the annular grooves 21a, 21b are formed as loose-fitting means on the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube member 20 as described above, it is preferable that the first inner tube member 30 has annular protrusions 34a, 34b formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof for loosely fitting the outer tube member 20 relative to the first inner tube member 30 so that the outer tube member 20 can rotate freely. In the example shown in FIG. 6 , the annular protrusions 34a, 34b are formed on the upper and lower ends of the outer peripheral surface of the first inner tube member 30, respectively, corresponding to the annular grooves 21a, 21b of the outer tube member 20. However, the number of the annular protrusions 34a, 34b and their positions on the outer peripheral surface are not limited thereto and can be set arbitrarily. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of facilitating fitting the outer tube member 20 into the first inner tube member 30 during manufacturing of the cap 1, it is preferable that the upper portions of the annular protrusions 34a, 34b are inclined more than the lower portions. In addition, when one or more annular protrusions are formed on the inner surface of the outer tube member 20, it is preferable that one or more annular grooves that pair with the one or more annular protrusions are formed on the outer surface of the first inner tube member 30.

[0028] 8, the first inner cylindrical member 30 preferably further includes at least one spiral groove 35a, 35b, 35c formed on the inner circumferential surface of the first inner cylindrical member 30. The spiral grooves 35a, 35b, 35c allow protrusions 44a, 44b, 44c formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second inner cylindrical member 40, which will be described later, to slide as the first inner cylindrical member 30 rotates upward. In the example shown in FIG. 8, three spiral grooves 35a, 35b, 35c are formed to achieve a balanced rotational increase of the first inner cylindrical member 30 relative to the second inner cylindrical member 40. The upper ends of the respective spiral grooves 35a, 35b, 35c are preferably offset from each other by a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction of the first inner cylindrical member 30, when viewed from directly above the first inner cylindrical member 30. Similarly, the lower ends of the spiral grooves 35a, 35b, and 35c are preferably offset from one another by a predetermined distance along the circumferential direction of the first inner cylindrical member 30 when viewed from directly above the first inner cylindrical member 30. The predetermined distances are preferably equal or substantially equal to one another around the circumference of the first inner cylindrical member 30, from the viewpoint of rotating and elevating the first inner cylindrical member 30 in a balanced manner relative to the second inner cylindrical member 40. Furthermore, the spiral grooves 35a, 35b, and 35c each extend downward from the upper end to the lower end of the second inner cylindrical member 40 and have a predetermined length, from the viewpoint of rotating and elevating the first inner cylindrical member 30 relative to the second inner cylindrical member 40. The predetermined length can be determined from the viewpoint of enabling the cap to be opened and closed with a single twist (e.g., a twist of approximately 180 to 270 degrees). In the example shown in FIG. 8, the predetermined length is preferably between ½ and ¾ of the circumferential length of the first inner cylindrical member 30. However, the predetermined length is not limited to this and can be determined appropriately depending on the shape of the container 2 or the number of spiral grooves. Furthermore, the difference in height between the upper and lower ends of each of the spiral grooves 35a, 35b, and 35c can be determined appropriately from the viewpoint of ensuring a stroke that allows the skirt portion 36 of the first inner cylindrical member 30 to release and release the constraint of the engaging portion 45 of the second inner cylindrical member 40 from the outside.Therefore, it is preferable that the difference in height between the upper and lower ends of each spiral groove 35a, 35b, 35c is determined so that when the locked state changes to the unlocked state, the lower end of the skirt portion 36 can move above the upper end (base) of the engagement portion 45 shown in Figure 9.

[0029] The material of the first inner cylinder member 30 is preferably a known synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene that can be injection molded.

[0030] (Second inner cylindrical member) 9, the second inner cylindrical member 40 includes a cylindrical protrusion 41 that protrudes upward along the axis of the second inner cylindrical member 40 and is disposed in the through-hole 32 of the first inner cylindrical member 30 in the locked state. The cylindrical protrusion 41 is preferably disposed so as not to interfere with rotation of the first inner cylindrical member 30 by the key member 10 when changing from the locked state to the unlocked state, and so as to fit into the through-hole 32 of the first inner cylindrical member 30 in the locked state. In addition, it is preferable that the top surface 42 of the cylindrical protrusion 41 is flush or substantially flush with the top surface 31 of the first inner cylindrical member 30 in the locked state, from the viewpoint of preventing the lock state from being forcibly released without using the key member 10.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 10, the second inner cylinder member 40 preferably further includes a second mark 43 formed on the top surface portion 42 of the cylindrical protrusion 41. The second mark 43 is preferably a character, a figure, a symbol, a pattern, or a combination thereof, similar to the first concave mark 33. In the present embodiment, the second mark 43 is formed in a concave shape with respect to the top surface portion 42 of the second inner cylinder member 40 from the viewpoint of suppressing the release of the locked state by force without using the key member 10, similar to the first concave mark 33. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the second mark 43 has a shape engraved such that the center of the character "wine" is located at the center of the cylindrical protrusion 41, and only the portion corresponding to the through-hole 32 of the first inner cylinder member 30 among the characters "wine" is engraved. However, unlike the first concave mark 33, the second mark 43 does not necessarily have to be formed in a concave shape as long as it can be identified as a part of a mark such as a character, a figure, a symbol, a pattern, or a combination thereof when viewed together with the first concave mark 33, and may have a convex shape or may be a printed character or the like.

[0032] The shape of the second mark 43 is determined to correspond to the first concave mark 33. Referring to FIG. 14 , the first concave mark 33 is positioned relative to the second mark 43 so that the first combining mark 51, which is composed of the first concave mark 33 and the second mark 43, can be identified in the locked state. That is, in the locked state, the character "sake" (wine) corresponding to the first combining mark 51 is completed, and an expected user can easily understand the meaning of the character. Therefore, an expected user can easily fit the key member 10 into the outer tube member 20, the first inner tube member 30, and the second inner tube member 40 using the completed character "sake" (wine) corresponding to the first combining mark 51 as a guide. Note that the expected user refers to a user who has reached a certain age, such as an adult, but the present invention is not limited thereto. 15, the first concave mark 33 is positioned relative to the second mark 43 so that the second combining mark 52, which is made up of the first concave mark 33 and the second mark 43, is indistinguishable in the unlocked state where the locked state is released. That is, the second combining mark 52 has characters that are broken up in the portion corresponding to the through hole 32 of the first inner cylinder member 30, so that even an expected user cannot easily understand the meaning of the characters. The transition from the locked state to the unlocked state will be described later.

[0033] 9 and 10, when the first inner cylindrical member 30 further includes at least one spiral groove 35a, 35b, 35c as described above, it is preferable that the second inner cylindrical member 40 further includes protrusions 44a, 44b, 44c formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second inner cylindrical member 40, the positions of which change along the spiral groove 35a, 35b, 35c as the key member 10 rotates. In the example shown in Figures 9 and 10, three protrusions 44a, 44b, 44c are formed corresponding to the spiral groove 35a, 35b, 35c. When the first inner tube member 30 begins to rotate upward relative to the second inner tube member 40 as the key member 10 rotates, each of the protrusions 44a, 44b, 44c slides within each of the spiral grooves 35a, 35b, 35c from the upper end to the lower end of each of the spiral grooves 35a, 35b, 35c.

[0034] In the locked state, the protrusions 44a, 44b, and 44c are preferably located at the upper ends of the spiral grooves 35a, 35b, and 35c. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, the top surfaces of the outer tube member 20, the first inner tube member 30, and the second inner tube member 40 are flush or substantially flush with each other. Meanwhile, in the unlocked state, the protrusions 44a, 44b, and 44c are preferably located at the lower ends of the spiral grooves 35a, 35b, and 35c. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the top surface 42 of the second inner tube member 40 is located below the outer tube member 20 and the first inner tube member 30. This prevents the outer tube member 20 and the first inner tube member 30 from being separated or disassembled from the second inner tube member 40, even when the locked state is changed to the unlocked state. That is, in both the locked and unlocked states, the outer tube member 20, the first inner tube member 30, and the second inner tube member 40 remain integrated, allowing the cap 1 to be reused repeatedly. Note that the relationship between the spiral grooves 35a, 35b, and 35c and the protrusions 44a, 44b, and 44c may be reversed. That is, protrusions configured similarly to the protrusions 44a, 44b, and 44c may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the first inner tube member 30, and spiral grooves configured similarly to the spiral grooves 35a, 35b, and 35c may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the second inner tube member 40.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 9 , the second inner cylinder member 40 is a member that can engage with the mouth 3 of the container 2. The second inner cylinder member 40 preferably further includes an engaging portion 45 that maintains an engaged state with the mouth 3 of the container 2 until a predetermined force is applied to at least the raised first inner cylinder member 30. In the locked state, the engaging portion 45 is pressed by the inner circumferential surface of the first inner cylinder member 30 from the outer side toward the inner side in the radial direction of the second inner cylinder member 40. On the other hand, when the first inner cylinder member 30 rotates upward relative to the second inner cylinder member 40 and the locked state changes to the unlocked state, the engagement by the engaging portion 45 is released. As a result, the cap 1 can be removed from the container 2 simply by applying a predetermined force to at least the raised first inner cylinder member 30. Therefore, after the locked state changes to the unlocked state, it is not necessary to further rotate the cap 1 by more than one twist to open it. Examples of the predetermined force include a force caused by a user uncorking the container or internal pressure caused by the contents, such as an acidic beverage, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0036] 9 and 11, the engaging portions 45 are a plurality of engaging pieces extending downward from the bottom of the second inner cylindrical member 40, and include annular protrusions formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof, which are engageable with the engaged portions 4 formed on the mouth 3 of the container 2 as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, before the first inner cylindrical member 30 is rotated upward relative to the second inner cylindrical member 40, each engaging piece is pressed from the outside by the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 36 of the first inner cylindrical member 30, thereby entering an engaged state. Then, when the first inner cylindrical member 30 is rotated upward relative to the second inner cylindrical member 40, each engaging piece is no longer pressed by the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 36 of the first inner cylindrical member 30, and is thus able to expand outward in diameter, thereby releasing the engaged state. The axial length of the engagement pieces can be determined appropriately from the viewpoint of ensuring a stroke that allows the skirt portion 36 of the first inner cylindrical member 30 to release and release the engagement portion 45 of the second inner cylindrical member 40 from the outside. Therefore, the axial length of the engagement pieces is preferably determined so that the lower end of the skirt portion 36 of the first inner cylindrical member 30 can move upward from its upper end (base) when the locked state changes to the unlocked state. The predetermined interval can be designed appropriately from the viewpoint of maintaining the engaged state and smoothly releasing the engaged state when a predetermined force is applied. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Each engagement piece may be crimped by the inner circumferential surface of the first inner cylindrical member 30 before the first inner cylindrical member 30 is rotated upward, and the engagement state may be released by spreading along the circumferential direction of the second inner cylindrical member 40 after the first inner cylindrical member 30 is rotated upward.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 11 , from the viewpoint of stably fixing the second inner cylinder member 40 in the locked state, an inner ring 47 that can be fitted with the inside stopper 5 (described later) is preferably formed on the underside 46 of the second inner cylinder member 40. The height of the inner ring 47 along the axial direction of the second inner cylinder member 40 can be appropriately designed taking into account the height of the spout 6 of the inside stopper 5. Furthermore, a contact ring 48 is preferably formed on the underside 46 of the second inner cylinder member 40, extending outward from the inner ring 47 to the vicinity of the upper surface of the inside stopper 5. This prevents the second inner cylinder member 40 from moving vertically and provides a stopper function that prevents the inner seal from failing to seal and the spout 6 from deforming when the cap 1 is impacted from above. The height of the contact ring 48 along the axial direction of the second inner cylinder member 40 can be appropriately designed taking into account the position of the engagement portion 45 of the second inner cylinder member 40, the height of the mouth 3 of the container 2, the height of the spout 6 of the inside stopper 5, and the like, from the viewpoint of providing the stopper function. However, the contact ring 48 is not limited to this, and may abut against the upper surface of the inside plug 5. The inner ring 47 and the contact ring 48 do not have to be formed continuously along the circumferential direction of the second inner cylindrical member 40, and may be formed intermittently.

[0038] The material of the second inner cylinder member 40 is preferably a known synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene that can be injection molded.

[0039] (Key parts) 1, 3, and 12, key member 10 has a shape that allows it to be positioned to cover outer tube member 20, first inner tube member 30, and second inner tube member 40 when unlocking. Key member 10 includes top surface 11 and grip portion 16, and its lower surface (bottom top surface) 12 preferably has a circular recess into which the upper ends of outer tube member 20, first inner tube member 30, and second inner tube member 40 can fit. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of facilitating gripping and rotation by the user, grip portion 16 preferably has a polygonal outer shape, such as a hexagonal or star shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and grip portion 16 may have an outer shape such as a circle or an ellipse.

[0040] The key member 10 includes a convex mark 13 formed on the underside 12 of the key member 10 and capable of fitting into the first concave mark 33. In the example shown in Fig. 12, the convex mark 13 has a shape that can fit into an engraved mark that is missing the portion of the through-hole 32 of the first inner cylinder member 30 in the character "sake" that corresponds to the first concave mark 33. When the convex mark 13 fits into the first concave mark 33 and the key member 10 is rotated, the locked state is released and the unlocked state is established.

[0041] Here, when the second inner cylindrical member 40 further includes the second mark 43 as described above, the key member 10 preferably further includes a guide hole 14 and a guide mark 15. The guide hole 14 makes the second mark 43 visible when the convex mark 13 is fitted into the first concave mark 33. That is, the guide hole 14 allows a potential user to look into the second mark 43 in the central region from above the key member 10 to unlock the locked state, and position the key member 10 relative to the outer cylindrical member 20, the first inner cylindrical member 30, and the second inner cylindrical member 40 so that the convex mark 13 is fitted into the first concave mark 33 in the outer region. Note that the inner diameter of the guide hole 14 is preferably the same as or substantially the same as the inner diameter of the through hole 32 of the first inner cylindrical member 30; however, the present invention is not limited thereto as long as the second mark 43 is visible.

[0042] 13 and 14 , the guide mark 15 is formed on the top surface of the top face 11 of the key member 10 and has a projected shape that matches the projected shape of the convex mark 13 when projected from the top face 11 to the bottom face 12 of the key member 10 onto an imaginary plane S perpendicular to the rotation axis of the key member 10. In other words, the guide mark 15 on the top face and the convex mark 13 on the bottom face 12 have the same shape. Therefore, when the key member 10 is positioned so that the projected shape of the third combining mark 53 of the guide mark 15 and the second mark 43 onto the imaginary plane S (the character "sake") matches the projected shape of the first combining mark 51 onto the imaginary plane S (the character "sake"), the convex mark 13 fits into the first concave mark 33. In other words, a potential user can fit the key member 10 more easily by using the completed character "sake" corresponding to the first combining mark 51 as a guide and further relying on the guide mark 15. Note that the virtual surface S is defined for the convenience of explanation, and the intended user does not necessarily need to check the projection shape onto the virtual surface S as long as they can align the first combining mark 51 and the third combining mark 53.

[0043] The key member 10 is preferably made of a known synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene that can be injection molded, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be made of a metal such as aluminum. Note that if the key member 10 is a transparent or translucent member, the guide hole 14 and guide mark 15 are not essential because the second mark 43 on the second inner cylindrical member 40 can be seen when releasing the locked state even without the guide hole 14 and guide mark 15.

[0044] <1-2. Cap locking and unlocking status> The locked and unlocked states of this embodiment will be described in detail below, along with their effects.

[0045] First, referring to FIG. 14, after being closed again immediately after manufacture or after the stopper is opened, the first concave mark 33 in the outer region is arranged with respect to the second mark 43 in the central region so that the first coupling mark 51 composed of the first concave mark 33 and the second mark 43 becomes distinguishable. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the first concave mark 33 is arranged (positioned) with respect to the second mark 43 so that the meaning of the completed character "wine", which corresponds to the first coupling mark 51, can be identified by the assumed user.

[0046] Next, the key member 10 is arranged so that the convex mark 13 of the key member 10 fits into the first concave mark 33 of the first inner cylinder member 30. At this time, an assumed user who can identify the meaning of the completed character "wine", which corresponds to the first coupling mark 51 composed of the first concave mark 33 and the second mark 43, can fit the convex mark 13 to the first concave mark 33 through visual recognition of the first coupling mark 51. For example, the assumed user looks through the guide hole 14 of the key member 10 at the second mark 43 in the central region of the second inner cylinder member 40 from above the key member 10, and arranges the key member 10 so as to cover the outer cylinder member 20, the first inner cylinder member 30, and the second inner cylinder member 40 with the guide mark 15 of the key member 10 as a landmark. As a result, the key member 10 fits onto the cap 1, and the locked state can be released. However, the locked state has not been released at this stage.

[0047] According to this embodiment, the lock can be released by engaging the first concave mark 33 with the convex mark 13. Therefore, the key member 10 has a larger fitting area than when a conventional pin or the like is used as the key member 10, making it easier for expected users to unlock the lock. Meanwhile, the first coupling mark 51, consisting of the first concave mark 33 and the second mark 43, is complex so that only expected users who can distinguish the meaning of the first coupling mark 51 can engage the key member 10. Therefore, unexpected users who cannot distinguish the meaning of the first coupling mark 51 have difficulty engaging the key member 10. Therefore, the cap 1 according to this embodiment can also be made child-resistant.

[0048] Next, the key member 10 is rotated, thereby releasing the locked state and entering the unlocked state. In conjunction with this, at least the first inner cylindrical member 30 rotates upward relative to the second inner cylindrical member 40, as shown in Fig. 3. When the first inner cylindrical member 30 reaches its full upward position relative to the second inner cylindrical member 40, only the first inner cylindrical member 30 rotates from the first coupling mark 51, whose meaning is recognizable, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15. Therefore, the first concave mark 33 is positioned relative to the second mark 43 so that the second coupling mark 52, which is composed of the first concave mark 33 and the second mark 43, is indistinguishable even to an intended user. At the same time, the engagement portion 45 of the second inner cylindrical member 40 is freed from the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 36 of the first inner cylindrical member 30, allowing it to expand outward, disengage from the engagement portion 45 of the second inner cylindrical member 40, and remove the second inner cylindrical member 40 from the mouth 3 of the container 2. However, at this stage, the capped state is still maintained. In this embodiment, the rotation direction of the key member 10 is counterclockwise when viewed from above, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be clockwise.

[0049] Next, when a predetermined force is applied to at least the raised first inner cylinder member 30, the outer cylinder member 20, the first inner cylinder member 30, and the second inner cylinder member 40 are removed from the mouth 3 of the container 2 while remaining integrated, and the container 2 is opened. In other words, even if the locked state is changed to the unlocked state by the key member 10, the closed state is maintained until a force of about one twist is applied. Then, when a force of about one twist is applied, similar to when opening a liquor bottle, the closed state changes to an open state. Therefore, with the cap 1 according to this embodiment, a user can experience the same sensation when opening the container 2 as when opening a liquor bottle.

[0050] The container 2 is closed by placing the cap 1, which is an integrated combination of the outer tube member 20, the first inner tube member 30, and the second inner tube member 40, so as to cover the mouth 3 of the container 2, and then rotating the key member 10 in the opposite direction to that used for opening.

[0051] <1-3. Cap manufacturing method> The method for manufacturing the cap 1 is not particularly limited as long as it allows the outer tube member 20, first inner tube member 30, and second inner tube member 40, which are manufactured by, for example, injection molding as described above, to be arranged in this order from the outside to the inside of the cap 1. For example, by utilizing plastic deformation of a synthetic resin or the like, the first inner tube member 30 is pressed from the outside into the second inner tube member 40, and then the outer tube member 20 is pressed from the outside into the first inner tube member 30, thereby manufacturing the cap 1 in which the outer tube member 20, the first inner tube member 30, and the second inner tube member 40 are integrated. At this time, the first recessed mark 33 and the second mark 43 are aligned to form a first combined mark 51 whose meaning, such as a letter, figure, symbol, pattern, or a combination thereof, is recognizable to an expected user.

[0052] <2. Inner stopper> 16, the inside plug 5 includes a spout 6 and is fixed to the mouth 3 of the container 2. Specifically, the inside plug 5 may include the spout 6 that rises at an angle upward and outward from the container 2, an inner ring 7 that continues from the spout 6 downward into the container 2, and an undercut 8 that is located outward of the inner ring 7 and can fit into the mouth 3 of the container 2.

[0053] The material of the inside stopper 5 is preferably a known synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene that can be injection molded, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be a metal such as aluminum. Note that the inside stopper 5 is preferably provided from the viewpoint of making it easier to pour the contents of the container 2, but is not an essential component. If the inside stopper 5 is not provided, the inner ring 47 of the second inner cylindrical member 40 will come into direct contact with the inner circumferential surface of the mouth portion 3 of the container 2.

[0054] <3. Container> Referring to FIG. 2 , the container 2 includes the cap 1 and inner plug 5 described above. The contents filled in the container 2 are preferably those permitted for consumption only by intended users, such as alcoholic beverages. The bottom of the mouth 3 of the container 2 is formed with an engaged portion 4 that can engage with the engaging portion 45 of the second inner tube member 40. As described above, when the engaging portion 45 and the engaged portion 4 are disengaged, the container 2 enters an open state. The engaged portion 4 may be an annular protrusion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bottom of the mouth 3. As described above, the cap 1 has a dual structure consisting of at least the first inner tube member 30 and the second inner tube member 40. Therefore, simply applying a twisting force changes the closed state to the open state. Therefore, there is no need to form a thread on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth 3 of the container 2 that can be threaded onto a cap, as in the past.

[0055] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0056] As described above, the present invention is suitable for preventing an unexpected user from opening a container, while facilitating an expected user from opening the container. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1: Cap 10: Key parts 11:Top part 12: Bottom surface 13: Convex mark 14: Guide hole 15: Guide mark 16: Grip part 20: Outer cylinder member 21a, 21b: Annular groove 22:Top section 30: First inner cylindrical member 31:Top section 32:Through hole 33: First concave mark 34a, 34b: Annular protrusion 35a, 35b, 35c: Spiral groove 36: Skirt Club 37: Top part 40: Second inner cylindrical member 41: Cylindrical protrusion 42:Top part 43: Second Mark 44a, 44b, 44c: Protrusion 45: Engagement part 46: Bottom surface 47: Inner ring 48: Contact ring 51: First Combined Mark 52: Second Combined Mark 53: Third Combined Mark 2: Container 3: Mouth 4: Engaged part 5: Inner stopper 6: Spout 7: Inner ring 8: Undercut

Claims

1. A cap that is attached to the mouth of a container and is at least releasable using a key member, an outer cylindrical member, a first inner cylindrical member, and a second inner cylindrical member; the outer cylindrical member is disposed so as to cover an outer peripheral surface of the first inner cylindrical member and is rotatable concentrically with the first inner cylindrical member; the first inner cylindrical member is a member that can be threadedly engaged with the second inner cylindrical member, and includes a through hole formed in a top surface portion of the first inner cylindrical member and having a common axis with a rotation axis of the first inner cylindrical member, and a first concave mark formed outside the through hole, the second inner cylindrical member includes a cylindrical protrusion that is engageable with the opening, protrudes upward along the axis of the second inner cylindrical member, and is disposed in the through hole in a locked state; the key member includes a convex mark formed on a lower surface of the key member and capable of fitting into the first concave mark; When the convex mark is fitted into the first concave mark and the key member is rotated, the locked state is released and at least the first inner cylindrical member rotates upward relative to the second inner cylindrical member, making the second inner cylindrical member removable from the opening. cap.

2. the second inner cylinder member further includes a second mark formed on a top surface of the cylindrical protrusion, the first concave mark is disposed relative to the second mark so that a first combined mark formed by the first concave mark and the second mark can be identified in the locked state; the first concave mark is disposed relative to the second mark such that a second combined mark formed by the first concave mark and the second mark is indistinguishable in an unlocked state in which the locked state is unlocked, When the convex mark is fitted into the first concave mark through visual confirmation of the first coupling mark and the key member is rotated, the locked state changes to the unlocked state, and at least the first inner cylindrical member rotates upward relative to the second inner cylindrical member, making the second inner cylindrical member removable from the opening. The cap of claim 1 .

3. The key member further includes a guide hole that allows the second mark to be seen when the convex mark is fitted into the first concave mark, and a guide mark that is formed on the top surface of the key member and has a projected shape that matches the projected shape of the convex mark when projected from the top surface side to the bottom surface side of the key member onto an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the key member, When the key member is arranged such that a projected shape of a third combining mark of the guide mark and the second mark on the virtual plane coincides with a projected shape of the first combining mark on the virtual plane, the convex mark fits into the first concave mark. The cap according to claim 2.

4. the first concave mark has a shape that exerts a resistance force against the rotation direction of the key member; The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. When a predetermined force is applied to at least the raised first inner cylindrical member, the outer cylindrical member, the first inner cylindrical member, and the second inner cylindrical member are removed from the mouth portion while remaining integrated. The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. the second inner cylindrical member further includes an engaging portion that maintains an engaged state with the mouth portion until the predetermined force is applied. The cap according to claim 5.

7. the first inner cylindrical member further includes at least one spiral groove formed on an inner circumferential surface of the first inner cylindrical member; The second inner cylindrical member further includes a protrusion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second inner cylindrical member, the protrusion having a position in the spiral groove that changes along the spiral groove as the key member rotates. The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The protrusion is located at the upper end of the spiral groove in the locked state, and is located at the lower end of the spiral groove when the locked state is released. The cap according to claim 7.

9. a loose fitting means for loosely fitting the outer cylindrical member to the first inner cylindrical member so as to be rotatable relative to the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member and the outer peripheral surface of the first inner cylindrical member; The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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