Cap

Abstract

To provide a cap and a container with simple seal structure which can ensure better sealability.SOLUTION: Disclosed is a cap 5 fitted to a cylindrical opening part 4 of a container body 2 by screwing the cap therein. The cap comprises: a cylindrical part 6 screwed with the opening part 4; a top face part 7, in a state of being fitted to the opening part 4, which faces so as to cover the opening, and in which an inner face of an outer circumferential part faces an upper end face 4C of the opening part 4; an annular connection part 8 connecting an outer circumferential part of the top face part 7 with an upper end part of the cylindrical part 6; and an annular outer ring 9 extending from an inner face of the connection part 8 in a circumferential direction of an outer diameter face 4A of the opening part 4, and contactable with the outer diameter face 4A of the opening part 4 by the deformation of the connection part 8. In the connection part 8, at least its thickness at a connection position with the outer circumferential part of the top face part 7, and its thickness at a connection position with the upper end part of the opening part 4 are thinner than the top face part 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention is a technology suitable for synthetic resin caps used in containers that contain fluids such as liquids and gases, or viscous materials such as creams. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a container equipped with a cap made of synthetic resin. The container described in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which a cap is attached to the opening of the container body by screwing (threading).

[0003] The container described in Patent Document 1 has an inside plug with a pouring tube that forms a pouring outlet attached to the top of the opening, and a seal ring (inner ring) on ​​the inner surface of the top wall of the cap. Furthermore, the pouring tube has a first tube portion attached to the upper end of the opening and a second tube portion positioned more inward than the first tube portion, and the inner surface of the second tube portion and the outer surface of the seal ring of the cap are pressed against each other to form a seal. Patent Document 1 also describes that this structure can prevent deterioration of the sealing performance of the seal portion due to external impact. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-56623 A (Fig. 1, 2e and 3c) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the container described in Patent Document 1, the area of ​​the opening for discharging the contents is narrowed by the inner stopper, and the inclusion of a complex inner stopper makes the structure complicated. In addition, the top wall (top surface) is located above and away from the container body and the opening of the opening, which may make the upper part of the container larger than necessary.

[0006] Another problem is that the inner circumferential surface of the thin-walled second cylindrical portion and the outer circumferential surface of the thin-walled seal ring slide in a generally circumferential direction each time the cap is screwed on or removed, which can easily damage the sealing surface. Furthermore, each time the cap is removed and the contents are discharged, the contents may collide with the thin-walled second cylindrical portion, potentially deforming the second cylindrical portion. This limits the number of times the container can be used from the standpoint of sealing performance. This is particularly problematic when the contents contain gas or volatile components.

[0007] In contrast, some containers with screw-on caps have a simple sealing structure in which a packing is provided on the inner surface of the top surface of the cylindrical cap, facing the upper end surface of the opening of the container body. With this container, when the cap is tightened, the upper end surface of the opening of the container body comes into contact with the lower surface of the packing (sealing member), and the upper surface of the packing comes into contact with the inner surface of the top surface of the cap, thereby achieving a seal. Furthermore, by tightening the cap, the surface of the packing deforms, ensuring a predetermined seal.

[0008] In this case, sealing can be achieved with a simple structure without making the upper part of the container larger than necessary and without narrowing the cross section of the opening through which the contents of the opening are discharged.

[0009] However, with this container's sealing structure, when the cap is attached, the top surface of the opening makes strong contact with the packing in the thickness direction, and when the cap is tightened, the top surface of the opening slides circumferentially against the surface of the packing with high surface pressure. As a result, the more often the container is used, the more minute scratches will appear on the top surface of the opening (sealing surface). If scratches appear on the sealing surface, the scratches will lead to a deterioration in the sealing performance, such as leakage of the contents, especially gaseous and volatile components.

[0010] Furthermore, the upper end surface of the opening is easily soiled when the contents are discharged, and this soiling may also deteriorate the sealing performance.

[0011] The present invention has been made in light of the above points, and aims to provide a cap and a container that can ensure better sealing performance with a simple sealing structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to solve the problem, one aspect of the present invention is a cap that is attached to a container body having a cylindrical opening by screwing it onto a male thread on the outer diameter surface of the opening, the cap comprising: a tubular portion having a female thread formed on its inner diameter surface that screws onto the male thread; a top surface portion whose inner surface of its outer periphery faces the upper end surface of the opening when attached to the opening; an annular connecting portion that connects the outer periphery of the top surface portion to the upper end of the tubular portion; and an annular outer ring that extends from the inner surface of the connecting portion along the circumferential direction of the outer diameter surface of the opening and can come into contact with the outer diameter surface of the opening by deformation of the connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion is deformable by a load applied in the plate thickness direction to the top surface portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to this aspect of the present invention, by connecting the cylindrical tubular portion and the top surface with an annular connecting portion that is easily deformed due to a thin portion or the like, it is possible to prevent excessive pressure between the upper end surface of the opening and the inner surface of the top surface when tightening the cap. Note that if a packing is provided on the inner surface of the top surface, the upper surface of the opening and the inner surface of the top surface are configured to contact each other via the packing. This aspect of the present invention improves the durability of the seal between the upper surface of the opening and the inner surface of the top surface.

[0014] Furthermore, by making the connecting portion more easily deformable, the connecting portion deforms in the latter half of the cap tightening process. As a result, the tip side of the outer ring extending from the connecting portion comes into contact with the upper part of the outer diameter surface of the opening, forming a second seal. This further ensures sealing performance. This second seal is achieved by having the outer ring come into contact with the upper part of the outer diameter surface of the opening during the final tightening operation of the cap, which minimizes circumferential sliding contact when the cap is screwed in. In addition, the outer diameter surface of the opening is less likely to be contaminated by the contents when they are discharged than the upper end surface of the opening, making this a structure that is advantageous for sealing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a container according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are enlarged views illustrating the contact of the outer ring with the outer diameter surface of the opening due to the movement of the outer ring caused by deformation of the connecting portion, where (a) is a view showing a state during tightening before a load is applied from the opening to the top surface, and (b) is a view showing the transition of the outer ring to contact with the outer diameter surface of the opening due to final tightening. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of the connecting portion; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present invention is a technology suitable for wide-mouth sealed containers. However, the present invention is not limited to wide-mouth sealed containers, and can be applied to any container with a screw-on cap, for example. The present invention is also suitable for containers containing fluids such as gases and liquids, or viscous materials such as creams. It is particularly effective for volatile contents. If volatile components leak from the container, the efficacy of the contents may change.

[0017] (composition) As shown in FIG. 1, the container 1 of this embodiment includes a container body 2 and a cap 5.

[0018] <Container body 2> The container body 2 includes a storage section 3 in which the contents 11 are stored, and an opening 4. The material of the container body 2 is not particularly limited. It is preferable that the material be more rigid than the cap 5. The opening 4 is provided integrally with the storage section 3 and is a portion for discharging the contents 11 in the storage section 3 to the outside. The opening 4 has a cylindrical shape and has a male thread 4Aa formed on its outer diameter surface 4A. However, the male thread 4Aa is not formed on the upper part of the outer diameter surface 4A, and the outer diameter surface 4A is a cylindrical surface 4Ab. The inner diameter surface 4B of the opening 4 forms a cylindrical passage through which the contents 11 pass.

[0019] <Cap 5> The cap 5 of this embodiment has a cylindrical shape with a closed top and a closed bottom. Specifically, the cap 5 includes a cylindrical portion 6, a top surface portion 7, and a connecting portion 8. The cap 5 of this embodiment also includes a packing 10 on the inner surface side of the top surface portion 7. In this embodiment, the top surface portion 7 and the connecting portion 8 form the bottom of a cylindrical body with a bottom.

[0020] [Cylindrical part 6] The cylindrical portion 6 has an internal thread formed on its inner diameter surface that screws onto the external thread 4Aa of the opening 4. However, the upper part of the internal diameter surface of the cylindrical portion 6 faces the cylindrical surface 4Ab at the top of the opening 4. The internal diameter surface of the cylindrical portion 6 does not have an internal thread formed on the upper part.

[0021] [Top section 7] When the cap 5 is attached to the opening 4 of the container body 2, the top surface 7 covers the opening of the opening 4 and its outer periphery faces the upper end surface 4C of the opening 4. That is, the top surface 7 has a size such that the inner surface of its outer periphery faces the upper end surface 4C of the opening 4. The top surface 7 of this embodiment is disk-shaped when viewed from above. Note that the inner surface (lower surface) of the top surface 7 only needs to have a flat annular region facing the upper end surface 4C of the opening 4. The shapes of other regions do not need to be flat and may be decorated. In this example, the case where the entire lower surface of the top surface 7 is flat is illustrated.

[0022] [Connection part 8] The connecting portion 8 is an annular member that connects the outer periphery of the top surface portion 7 and the upper end portion of the tubular portion 6. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 8 is flexible, i.e., deformable, in the thickness direction of the top surface portion 7 due to a load applied to the top surface portion 7 in the thickness direction of the top surface portion 7. The connecting portion 8 is deformable, for example, because the thickness at least of the connecting position with the outer periphery of the top surface portion 7 and the thickness of the connecting position with the upper end of the opening 4 are thinner than the top surface portion 7.

[0023] In this embodiment, the thickness of the entire annular portion is made thinner than the top surface portion 7 to facilitate deformation, taking into consideration ease of molding. The thickness of the thin portion is not important as long as the thin portion can be deformed relative to the top surface portion 7 and the outer ring 9 can be tightly attached to the cylindrical surface 4Ab above the opening 4 by this deformation.

[0024] Considering ease of deformation, the thickness of the thin portion is preferably between 0.4 and 1.0 mm, and more preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm. The thickness of the thin portion is preferably 1 / 3 or less of the thickness of the top surface portion 7, and more preferably about 1 / 2 of the thickness. The width of the connecting portion 8 is, for example, in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, and preferably 0.7 mm. The width should be such that deformation of the connecting portion 8 allows the outer ring 9 to be displaced until it abuts against the outer diameter surface 4Ab on the upper end side of the opening 4A.

[0025] [Packing 10] A packing 10 is disposed on the inner surface of the top surface portion 7 so as to face the inner surface. The packing 10 does not need to be disk-shaped. It is sufficient that the packing 10 is present at least in the portion facing the upper end surface 4C of the opening 4. When the packing 10 is present only in the portion facing the upper end surface 4C of the opening 4, the packing 10 has a disk-like shape.

[0026] [Outer Ring 9] In this embodiment, an outer ring 9 is integrally provided on the lower surface (inner surface) of the connecting portion 8. The outer ring 9 is an annular member that extends downward from the lower surface (inner surface) of the connecting portion 8, thereby extending circumferentially around the outer diameter surface 4A of the opening 4, and whose tip side can come into contact with the outer diameter surface 4A of the opening 4 due to deformation of the connecting portion. The length of the outer ring 9 is not critical, but considering a normal container 1, it is preferable that the length be, for example, 5 mm to 10 mm.

[0027] One of the features of this embodiment is that the connecting portion 8 is made easily deformable and an outer ring 9 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the packing 10. That is, to provide the packing 10, a clearance must be secured, but in this embodiment, when the cap is attached, the lower end side of the outer ring 9 bites into the inside as described below, so that the outer ring 9 comes into contact with the outer diameter surface of the opening 4, thereby achieving a seal.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the outer ring 9 of this embodiment includes a base portion 9A on the connecting portion 8 side and a contact portion 9B on the tip side.

[0029] The root portion 9A is cylindrical in shape, and the diameter of its inner diameter surface is larger than the diameter of the outer diameter surface of the packing 10. That is, the inner diameter surface of the root portion 9A faces the circumferential end face of the packing 10 with a gap therebetween. The length of the root portion 9A in the extension direction is the thickness of the packing 10 or slightly longer than the thickness of the packing 10.

[0030] Here, when providing the packing 10, conventionally, there are two methods: one is to adhere the top surface of the packing 10 to the inner surface of the top surface 7, and the other is to provide a protrusion on the inner diameter surface of the cylindrical portion 6, fit the packing 10 into the top surface 7, and prevent it from falling off with the protrusion. The former adhesive method may result in poor lateral positioning accuracy of the packing 10 during bonding. Meanwhile, the latter fitting method allows for easy installation of the packing 10. However, with the conventional fitting method, it is necessary to increase the outer diameter of the packing 10 and bring the outer peripheral surface of the packing 10 close to the inner diameter surface of the cylindrical portion 6. However, this means that the gap between the packing 10 and the inner diameter surface of the cylindrical portion 6 is small, making it difficult to provide an outer ring on the outer peripheral side of the packing 10.

[0031] In contrast, in this embodiment, the contact portion 9B of the outer ring 9 is annular, and the diameter of its inner surface is smaller than the diameter of the outer surface of the packing 10. This prevents the packing 10, which is placed on the inner surface of the top surface 7, from falling downward by the contact portion 9B. In other words, the packing 10 can be attached to the top surface 7 side by a fitting method. Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if the packing 10 is attached by a fitting method, it is easy to provide the outer ring 9 on the outer periphery of the packing 10. The packing 10 may be provided by adhesive.

[0032] The diameter of the contact portion 9B is slightly larger than the diameter of the cylindrical surface 4Ab at the top of the outer diameter surface 4A of the opening 4. In other words, under no load, the inner diameter surface of the contact surface faces the cylindrical surface 4Ab at the top of the opening 4 with a gap therebetween. The gap is, for example, 0.5 mm or less.

[0033] Here, when the top surface 7 is displaced upward relative to the cylindrical portion 6 (FIG. 2(a) → (b)), the thin-walled portion of the connecting portion 8, which has lower rigidity than the top surface 7, deforms first. Specifically, when the top end surface 4C of the opening 4 abuts against the top surface 7 via the packing 10 and is then further tightened, a downward load F1 is applied to the cylindrical portion 6, and an upward load F2 is applied from the top end surface 4C of the opening 4 to the top surface 7. This causes the connecting portion 8 to deform so that the thin-walled portion connecting to the top surface 7 is displaced upward relative to the thin-walled portion connecting to the cylindrical portion 6. This deformation of the connecting portion 8 absorbs the upward displacement of the top surface 7, and the connecting portion 8 as a whole becomes tilted, with the inner peripheral side displaced upward more than the outer peripheral side. As a result, a moment F3 is generated, which displaces the tip end side of the outer ring 9, which is provided on the inner side of the connecting portion 8, inward relative to the thin-walled portion connecting to the top surface 7 as a fulcrum. As a result, the diameter of the inner diameter surface of the contact portion 9 B provided on the tip end side of the outer ring 9 becomes smaller and comes into contact with the outer diameter surface of the opening 4 .

[0034] In this embodiment, the amount of movement of the inner diameter surface of the contact portion 9B toward the center is determined in advance by computer-assisted molding analysis and experiments. Then, the diameter of the inner diameter surface of the contact portion 9B in an unloaded state is set to a value obtained by adding a value less than twice the determined amount of movement to the diameter of the cylindrical surface 4Ab at the top of the opening 4. In other words, the opposing distance between the inner diameter surface of the contact portion 9B and the cylindrical surface 4Ab at the top of the opening 4 in an unloaded state is set to be less than the above-described amount of movement.

[0035] As a result, by tightening the cap 5 onto the opening 4 of the container body 2, the contact portion 9B of the outer ring 9 can be brought into contact with the cylindrical surface 4Ab at the top of the opening 4 in the final tightening operation. Point contact is preferable in cross section, but surface contact is also acceptable. However, surface distortion is more likely to occur due to contact.

[0036] If the rigidity of the top surface portion 7 is reduced along with that of the connecting portion 8, the top surface portion 7 may also be deformed by the load F2 due to tightening, and the connecting portion 8 may not be able to deform sufficiently.

[0037] The outer diameter surface 4A of the opening 4 has a recess on the upper end surface 4C side of the position where the abutting portion 9B of the outer ring 9 makes contact. In this embodiment, the recess 4D is formed by forming a step on the outer diameter side of the upper end of the opening 4 and reducing the thickness on this outer diameter side. This recess 4D can form a gas reservoir.

[0038] (Variation) (1) In the above embodiment, the entire connecting portion 8 is made thinner than the top surface portion 7, so that the entire connecting portion 8 has lower rigidity than the top surface portion 7. However, even if the entire connecting portion 8 is made thinner in plan view, the rigidity of the portion where the outer ring 9 connects is not reduced by the outer ring 9 in plan view. In other words, even if the entire connecting portion 8 is made thinner, the only portions where the rigidity is actually reduced are the joint with the top surface portion 7 and the joint with the upper part of the opening 4.

[0039] Therefore, only the two joining portions 8A, 8B or the vicinity thereof may be thinned as shown in Fig. 3. In this case, for example, a slit may be formed in the target portion to thin the portion. The action and effect are the same as those of the above embodiment, but forming the entire connecting portion 8 with a thinner wall is easier.

[0040] (2) In the above embodiment, the cap structure is exemplified as having the packing 10 on the lower surface of the top surface portion 7. The packing 10 may not be necessary. When the packing 10 is provided, it becomes difficult to provide an inner ring that contacts the inner diameter surface of the opening 4 on the inner surface of the top surface 7 as in Patent Document 1.

[0041] (Operation etc.) In this embodiment, when screwing the cap 5 onto the opening 4 to attach it to the container body 2, the cylindrical portion 6 moves downward during the final tightening. However, the inner surface of the top surface 7 contacts the upper end surface 4C of the opening 4 via the packing 10, restricting its downward movement. Therefore, the thin-walled portion of the connecting portion 8 deforms to absorb this displacement. As a result, the connecting portion 8 as a whole deforms obliquely so that the upper end side of the opening 4 is displaced downward more than the top surface 7 side. This deformation generates a moment that moves the abutting portion 9B at the tip end of the outer ring 9 toward the center, causing the inner diameter surface of the abutting portion 9B to tightly contact the cylindrical surface 4Ab at the top of the opening 4. In other words, a second seal is formed, improving hermeticity.

[0042] That is, by forming the second seal in addition to the first seal formed on the upper end surface 4C of the opening 4, the sealing performance of the cap 5 can be further improved.

[0043] Here, the inventors have found through their investigations that if there are minute scratches on the upper end surface 4C of the opening 4, the sealing performance of the first seal by the packing 10 will be rapidly reduced. This is disadvantageous when the contents 11 are liquid or cream. In other words, the sealing performance will be reduced, such as volatilized gas leaking.

[0044] In contrast to this, in the present invention, even if the sealing performance of the first seal by the packing 10 weakens, the sealing performance can be ensured by the second seal by the outer ring 9. Furthermore, by forming the recess 4D, the volatile components leaking from the first seal are collected in the recess 4D, making it more difficult for the volatile components to leak from the second seal.

[0045] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by configuring the cylindrical tubular portion 6 and the top surface portion 7 to be connected by an annular connecting portion 8 having a thin portion, it is possible to prevent the pressure between the upper end surface 4C of the opening 4 and the inner surface of the top surface portion 7 from becoming excessive when the cap 5 is tightened. Note that if a packing 10 is provided on the inner surface of the top surface portion 7, the upper surface of the opening 4 and the inner surface of the top surface portion 7 will be in contact via the packing 10. This improves the durability of the seal between the upper surface of the opening 4 and the inner surface of the top surface portion 7.

[0046] Furthermore, with the simple configuration of providing a thin-walled portion in the connecting portion 8, the outer ring 9 extending from the connecting portion 8 comes into contact with the upper portion of the outer diameter surface 4A of the opening 4 during the latter half of the tightening of the cap 5, thereby ensuring a second seal. This makes it possible to ensure even better sealing. This second seal minimizes circumferential sliding contact caused by screwing the cap 5, since the outer ring 9 comes into contact with the upper portion of the outer diameter surface 4A of the opening 4 during the final tightening operation of the cap 5. In addition, the outer diameter surface 4A of the opening 4 is less likely to be soiled by the contents 11 when the contents 11 are discharged than the upper end surface 4C of the opening 4, making this a structure that is advantageous for sealing.

[0047] As a result, in this embodiment, the durability of the seal is improved, which allows for more frequent use, and it is possible to provide a lid material that has excellent sealing properties even if the opening of the container becomes dirty or damaged.

[0048] In the above description, the cap 5 of this embodiment is described as being attached to the opening by screwing. However, the present invention is not limited to attaching the cap 5 by screwing. The cap 5 may also be attached to the opening 4 of the container body 2 by fitting.

[0049] (others) The present disclosure may also have the following configuration. (1) Disclosure 1 is a cap attached to a cylindrical opening of a container body, a cylindrical portion facing an outer diameter surface of the opening; a top surface portion facing the upper end surface of the opening; an annular connecting portion that connects an outer periphery of the top surface portion and an upper end portion of the cylindrical portion; an annular outer ring extending from an inner surface of the connecting portion along a circumferential direction of an outer diameter surface of the opening, and capable of contacting the outer diameter surface of the opening due to deformation of the connecting portion; Equipped with The connecting portion is deformable by a load applied to the top surface portion in a thickness direction of the top surface. cap. (2) Disclosure 2 is a cap in which the cylindrical portion is attached to the outer diameter surface of the opening by screwing. (3) In Disclosure 3, the connecting portion is thinner than the top surface portion at least at the connecting position with the outer periphery of the top surface portion and at the connecting position with the upper end of the opening. (4) In Disclosure 4, the entire connecting portion is thinner than the top surface portion. (5) In Disclosure 5, the thickness of the thinned portion of the connecting portion is 1 / 3 or less of the plate thickness of the top surface portion. (6) In Disclosure 6, the contents contained in the container body are fluid or viscous. (7) Disclosure 7 has a packing disposed on the inner surface side of the top surface portion and interposed between the inner surface of the top surface portion and the upper end surface of the opening. (8) Disclosure 8 discloses that the outer ring has a root portion whose inner diameter surface faces the circumferential end face of the packing, and a contact portion that is located on the tip side of the root portion and can contact the outer diameter surface of the opening, The diameter of the inner surface of the contact portion is smaller than the diameter of the outer surface of the packing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 container 2 Container body 4 Openings 4A Outer diameter surface 4Aa male thread 4Ab Cylindrical surface 4C Top surface 4D recess 5 Caps 6 Cylindrical part 7 Top section 8 Connecting part 8A, 8B Thin wall part (joint part) 9 Outer Ring 9A Base 9B Contact part 10 Packing 11 Contents

Claims

1. A cap attached to a cylindrical opening of a container body, a cylindrical portion facing an outer diameter surface of the opening; a top surface portion facing the upper end surface of the opening; an annular connecting portion that connects an outer periphery of the top surface portion and an upper end portion of the cylindrical portion; an annular outer ring extending from an inner surface of the connecting portion along a circumferential direction of an outer diameter surface of the opening, and capable of contacting the outer diameter surface of the opening due to deformation of the connecting portion; Equipped with The connecting portion is deformable by a load applied to the top surface portion in a thickness direction of the top surface. cap.

2. The cylindrical portion is attached to the outer diameter surface of the opening by screwing. cap.

3. The connecting portion is thinner than the top surface portion at least at a connecting position with the outer periphery of the top surface portion and at a connecting position with the upper end of the opening. The cap according to claim 1.

4. The entire connecting portion is thinner than the top surface portion. The cap according to claim 3.

5. The thickness of the thinned portion of the connecting portion is 1 / 3 or less of the plate thickness of the top surface portion. The cap according to claim 3.

6. The contents contained in the container body are fluid or viscous. The cap according to claim 1.

7. a packing disposed on the inner surface side of the top surface portion and interposed between the inner surface of the top surface portion and an upper end surface of the opening; The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the outer ring has a root portion whose inner diameter surface faces the circumferential end face of the packing, and a contact portion located on a tip side of the root portion and capable of contacting the outer diameter surface of the opening, The diameter of the inner diameter surface of the abutting portion is smaller than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the packing. The cap according to claim 6.

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