Cap unit and container with cap

Abstract

To provide a cap unit capable of further improving usability.SOLUTION: The cap unit 50 includes a cap body 2 that closes the 17a of the upper opening of the vessel body 17 and is provided with a liquid passage port 14 on one side across the central portion of the upper surface, and an outer lid 3 attached to the cap body 2 so as to be rotatable around the cap body 2 between an open position where the liquid passage port 14 is opened and a closed position where the liquid passage port 14 is closed in a state of facing the upper surface of the cap body 2. The cap body 2 has a shaft hole 6 vertically penetrating a central portion of an upper surface, and the outer lid 3 has a shaft portion 4 having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the shaft hole 6 and protruding downward from a lower surface, and an elastic ring 5 having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the shaft hole 6 and attached to an outer peripheral portion on a distal end side of the shaft portion 4. The elastic ring 5 is locked to the periphery of the lower end side of the shaft hole 6, so that the shaft portion 4 is prevented from coming off from the shaft hole 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap unit and a capped container. [Background technology]

[0002] As the variety of water bottles used as drinking containers increases, a segmented market for tabletop water bottles for offices and homes has emerged. These types of products are typically limited to tabletop use and do not require portability. For this reason, they often feature dust-proof and leak-proof lids.

[0003] In conventional technology, the lid and container body are connected by screwing or by using the friction of a sealing ring to prevent the lid from falling off when the container body is tilted, thereby achieving a leak-proof function. In addition, the lid is provided with a drinking spout, and an outer lid is placed above the drinking spout, and the drinking spout is opened and closed by sliding or rotating the outer lid.

[0004] Typically, a long plastic mating rib is provided at the bottom end of the outer lid, and a mating groove is provided at the top end of the lid body; the outer lid and the lid body are connected by mating the plastic mating rib and the mating groove (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3115142 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the hard resin fitting rib is easily affected by temperature. It also deforms due to repeated elastic fatigue, resulting in unstable or weak fitting strength between the outer cap and the lid body. Furthermore, it is difficult to stabilize the sliding resistance when the outer cap rotates or slides relative to the lid body.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention aims to provide a cap unit that enables further improvement in usability, and a capped container equipped with such a cap unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. [1] A cap unit that can be detachably attached to a container body having an open top, a cap body that closes the upper opening of the container body and has a liquid passage hole on one side of the central portion of the upper surface; an outer lid attached to the cap body so as to be rotatable about an axis of the cap body between an open position at which the liquid passage port is opened and a closed position at which the liquid passage port is closed, while facing the upper surface of the cap body; The cap body has an axial hole that penetrates a central portion of an upper surface in a vertical direction, The outer cover has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the shaft hole and a shaft portion protruding downward from a lower surface thereof; a ring-shaped elastic member having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the shaft hole and attached to an outer periphery of the tip side of the shaft portion, A cap unit characterized in that the shaft portion is supported while passing through the shaft hole, and the elastic member is engaged around the lower end side of the shaft hole, thereby preventing the shaft portion from coming out of the shaft hole. [2] One of the opposing surfaces of the cap body and the outer lid is provided with an abutment portion that abuts against the other surface, The cap unit described in [1] is characterized in that when the outer lid is rotated between the open position and the closed position, the abutment portion slides against the other surface. [3] The cap unit described in [1], characterized in that when the outer lid is rotated between the open position and the closed position, the elastic member elastically deforms and slides against the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole. [4] The cap unit described in [3], characterized in that when the outer lid is rotated between the open position and the closed position, the vertical distance between the upper surface of the cap body and the lower surface of the outer lid varies depending on the rotation angle of the outer lid. [5] A locking portion is provided on the one surface, a locked portion to which the locking portion is locked is provided on the other surface, The cap unit according to [2], characterized in that the locking portion is locked to the locked portion provided corresponding to the open position and the closed position. [6] The cap unit according to [5], wherein a clicking sensation is given when the locking portion is locked to the locked portion. [7] The locking portion is a protrusion provided on the underside of the outer lid, the engaging portion is a recess provided on the upper surface of the cap body, The cap unit described in [5] above, characterized in that when the outer lid is rotated between the open position and the closed position, the convex portion slides against the upper surface of the cap body. [8] An upper surface of the cap body is provided with an upward slope in the circumferential direction of the axial hole toward the recess, The outer cover moves in a lifting direction in accordance with the upward gradient, and the elastic member is compressed between the outer cover and the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole. The cap unit described in [7] is characterized in that when the convex portion overcomes the upward slope and engages with the concave portion, the outer lid moves downward due to the restoring force of the elastic member, giving a clicking sensation. [9] The locking portions are provided symmetrically on both sides of the rotation center of the one surface, The cap unit according to [5], wherein the engaging portions are provided symmetrically on both sides of the center of rotation of the other surface.

[10] The cap unit described in [5], characterized in that the locking portion constitutes at least a part of the abutment portion that slides against the other surface when the outer lid is rotated between the open position and the closed position.

[11] A first rib wall is provided on the lower surface of the outer lid, protruding in a radially expanding direction from a position along the axial direction of the shaft portion, a second rib wall protruding upward from the periphery of the upper end of the axial hole on the upper surface of the cap body; the second rib wall is provided over a predetermined angular range in the circumferential direction of the shaft hole, The rotation range of the outer lid is restricted between the open position where the first rib wall abuts against one end side of the second rib wall in the circumferential direction and the closed position where the first rib wall abuts against the other end side of the second rib wall in the circumferential direction, The cap unit described in [1] is characterized in that the first rib wall abuts against one end side of the second rib wall in the circumferential direction before the outer lid passes the open position to prevent it from rotating beyond the open position, and abuts against the other end side of the second rib wall in the circumferential direction before the outer lid passes the closed position to prevent it from rotating beyond the closed position.

[12] A pair of flange portions protruding in a radially expanding direction are provided on the outer periphery of the shaft portion, and are arranged side by side in the axial direction, The cap unit according to [1] above, wherein the elastic member is fitted between the pair of flange portions.

[13] An elastic rib is provided on the underside of the outer lid, The cap unit described in [1] is characterized in that, at least in the open position, the elastic rib abuts against the upper surface of the cap body so as to surround the liquid passage hole.

[14] The outer lid is provided with a notch, The cap unit according to [1], wherein in the open position, the notch and the liquid passage hole overlap in a plan view.

[15] The cap unit according to any one of [1] to

[14] above; A capped container comprising: a container body to which the cap unit is attached.

[16] The capped container according to

[15] , wherein the cap unit is attached to the container body via an inner plug provided integrally with the cap body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] As described above, the present invention provides a cap unit that allows for further improvement in usability, and a capped container equipped with such a cap unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a capped container equipped with a cap unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing the cap unit shown in FIG. 1 with the outer lid in an open position. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cap unit taken along line AA shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a boxed portion B shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view showing the cap unit shown in FIG. 1 with the outer lid in a closed position. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cap unit taken along line CC shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view showing the cap unit shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the outer lid is in a lifted position. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cap unit taken along line DD shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9]9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a boxed portion E shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a perspective view showing the cap unit shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the outer lid is in an intermediate position. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cap unit taken along line FF shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 2 is a perspective view of the cap body shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 13] 2 is a perspective view of the outer cover shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the bottom side. [Figure 14] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an elastic ring is attached to the shaft portion of the outer lid shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the outer lid shown in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a capped container equipped with a cap unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a cap unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention described below are only a part of the present invention and do not cover all embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments that can be obtained by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments based on the present invention without making any creative efforts are also included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0012] In the description of this embodiment, terms such as "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer" indicate orientations and positional relationships based on the drawings, and do not limit specific structures or operations. Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used simply for distinction and do not indicate importance.

[0013] [First embodiment] As a first embodiment of the present invention, a capped container 100 including a cap unit 50 shown in, for example, FIGS. 1 to 15 will be described.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a capped container 100 equipped with a cap unit 50. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cap unit 50 with the outer lid 3 in the open position. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cap unit 50 taken along line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the enclosed portion B in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the cap unit 50 with the outer lid 3 in the closed position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cap unit 50 taken along line CC in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the cap unit 50 with the outer lid 3 in the lifted position. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cap unit 50 taken along line DD in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the enclosed portion E in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the cap unit 50 with the outer lid 3 in the intermediate position. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cap unit 50 taken along line FF in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the cap body 2 as viewed from above. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the outer lid 3 as viewed from the bottom side. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an elastic ring 5 is attached to the shaft portion 4 of the outer lid 3. Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the outer lid 3.

[0015] In the following description, the side of the cap unit 50 (capped container 100) on which the liquid passage 14 described below is provided will be referred to as the "front side" of the cap unit 50 (capped container 100), and the side opposite the side on which the liquid passage 14 is provided will be referred to as the "rear side" of the cap unit 50 (capped container). The direction connecting these two sides will be referred to as the "front-rear direction" of the cap unit 50 (capped container 100), and the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction on a horizontal plane will be referred to as the "left-right direction" of the cap unit 50 (capped container 100). When the capped container 100 is upright, the cap unit 50 (capped container 100) side will be referred to as the "upper direction" of the "vertical direction," and the container body 17 side will be referred to as the "lower direction." The direction along the central axis of the cap unit 50 (capped container 100) may be referred to as the "axial direction."

[0016] (Container with cap) As shown in FIG. 1, a capped container 100 of this embodiment includes a cap unit 50 of this embodiment and a container body 17 to which the cap unit 50 is detachably attached.

[0017] The capped container 100 of this embodiment is a beverage container that can keep the beverage (contents) contained in the container body 17 hot or cold by using the container body 17 that has a vacuum insulation structure. On the other hand, the cap unit 50 is a lid for the beverage container that closes the upper opening 17a of the container body 17.

[0018] (Container body) Specifically, the container body 17 has a cylindrical outer container 71 and an inner container 72 with a bottom made of, for example, stainless steel, and is configured as a double-structure container in which the mouths of the outer container 71 and the inner container 72 are joined together with the inner container 72 housed inside the outer container 71. A vacuum insulation layer 73 is provided between the outer container 71 and the inner container 72. The vacuum insulation layer 73 can be formed, for example, by blocking a vent hole provided in the center of the bottom of the outer container 71 in a chamber that has been reduced to a high vacuum (evacuated).

[0019] Container body 17 has a substantially circular bottom 17b, a body 17c that rises from the outer periphery of bottom 17b in a substantially cylindrical shape and has a slightly larger diameter at the top, and a mouth / neck 17d that gradually reduces in diameter at the top of body 17c. The upper end of mouth / neck 17d opens in a circular shape as upper opening 17a of container body 17.

[0020] A female thread 17e is provided on the upper side of the inner circumferential surface of the body 17c (inner container 72). Furthermore, a ring-shaped protrusion 17f is provided below the female thread 17e so as to protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the inner container 72 around the entire periphery.

[0021] Although the capped container 100 of this embodiment has a generally cylindrical external shape overall, the external shape of the capped container 100 is not particularly limited and can be modified as appropriate to suit the size, design, etc. The outer peripheral surface of the container body 17 may be painted, printed, or the like.

[0022] (Cap unit) As shown in Figures 1 to 15, the cap unit 50 of this embodiment comprises a cap body 2 that closes the upper opening 17a of the container body 17 and has a liquid passage port 14 on the front side (one side) of the center of the upper surface, and an outer lid 3 that is attached to the upper surface of the cap body 2 and can rotate freely around the axis of the cap body 2 between an open position that opens the liquid passage port 14 and a closed position that closes the liquid passage port 14 while facing the upper surface of the cap body 2.

[0023] In this embodiment, opening the liquid passage port 14 refers to a state in which the liquid passage port 14 is completely open, and closing the liquid passage port 14 refers to a state in which the liquid passage port 14 is completely covered by the outer lid 3. Closing the liquid passage port 14 does not necessarily refer to a watertight or airtight state.

[0024] The cap body 2 is made of a heat-resistant resin and, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, has a peripheral wall 2a formed in a generally cylindrical shape so as to be continuous with the barrel 17c of the container body 17, and a top wall 2b that closes the upper part of the peripheral wall 2a. The top wall 2b is curved, for example, in a spherical concave shape when viewed from above. A storage recess 2c that stores the outer lid 3 is provided on the upper surface of the top wall 2b. The liquid passage port 14 is located on the front side of the bottom surface of the storage recess 2c and is provided as an opening with a predetermined width in the rotation direction of the outer lid 3, and has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from above.

[0025] The cap body 2 is provided integrally with the inside plug 1, which is fitted into the inside of the container body 17 through the upper opening 17a. Specifically, the inside plug 1 is made of heat-resistant resin, has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is attached integrally to the underside of the top wall portion 2b by welding or the like, with the central axis aligned with that of the cap body 2. As a result, the inside plug 1 is positioned around the entire periphery of the inside underside of the cap body 2.

[0026] The cap body 2 is detachably attached to the container body 17 by screwing it via the inside plug 1. Specifically, the outside surface of the inside plug 1 is provided with a male screw portion 1a that screws into the female screw portion 17e of the container body 17.

[0027] As a result, in the capped container 100 of this embodiment, the inside plug 1 (cap unit 50) is detachably attached to the container body 17 by screwing together the male thread portion 1a and the female thread portion 17e.

[0028] A waterproof gasket 16 is detachably attached to the lower end of the inside plug 1. The waterproof gasket 16 is a ring-shaped sealing member that seals the gap between the inside of the container body 17 and the inside plug 1, and is made of an elastic material such as heat-resistant rubber, elastomer, or the like, for example, silicone rubber.

[0029] Meanwhile, a flange portion 1b is provided on the lower end side of the inside plug 1 so as to protrude in the direction of increasing diameter. A waterproof gasket 16 is fitted over the entire periphery of this flange portion 1b.

[0030] Furthermore, two elastic flange portions 16a are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the watertight gasket 16, protruding in the radially expanding direction over the entire circumference. When the inside plug 1 is attached to the container body 17 by screwing, the elastic flange portions 16a of the watertight gasket 16 elastically deform and come into close contact with the protruding portion 17f of the container body 17 over the entire circumference. This makes it possible to seal (watertightly seal) the gap between the protruding portion 17f (container body 17) and the inside plug 1.

[0031] On the other hand, watertight gasket 16 can be removed from flange portion 1b by elastically deforming (pulling and stretching) itself. This allows inside plug 1 and watertight gasket 16 to be washed separately, and the space between watertight gasket 16 and flange portion 1b can be kept hygienic.

[0032] The watertight gasket 16 is not necessarily limited to the shape described above, and for example, the number of elastic flange portions 16a is not limited to the two described above, but can be one or more. The watertight gasket 16 is not necessarily limited to a configuration provided with the elastic flange portions 16a described above, and its shape, etc., can be modified as appropriate. The watertight gasket 16 may also be molded integrally with the inside plug 1.

[0033] The cap body 2 has an axial hole 6 that penetrates the center of the bottom surface of the accommodation recess 2c, i.e., the center of the top wall 2b, in the axial direction (vertical direction). The axial hole 6 opens in a circular shape in plan view.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, 13 and 14, the outer lid 3 is made of heat-resistant resin, is formed in an approximately circular disk shape overall, and has a shape that is curved downward in a spherical convex shape (the upper surface is spherical concave) to correspond to the accommodating recess 2c of the cap body 2.

[0035] A cutout 15 is provided on the front side of the outer lid 3. The cutout 15 corresponds to the shape of the liquid passage port 14 and is provided by cutting out a part of the front side of the outer lid 3 in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view with a predetermined width in the rotation direction of the outer lid 3.

[0036] Furthermore, a knob 13 is provided on the top surface of the outer lid 3 to facilitate rotation of the outer lid 3. The knob 13 extends a predetermined width from the center of the outer lid 3 to both left and right ends, and is provided so as to protrude like a wall from the top surface of the outer lid 3 to a position along the top surface of the outer lid 3. As a result, the top surface of the knob 13 forms a surface that is continuous with the outer periphery of the top surface of the outer lid 3. Furthermore, the top surface of the outer lid 3 is divided in the front-to-rear direction across the knob 13, and both sides of the knob 13 have a spherical concave shape that is recessed downward.

[0037] On the other hand, the underside of the outer lid 3 has a shape that is an inverted version of the upper side of the outer lid 3. That is, on the underside of the outer lid 3, a groove 13a, which is an inverted version of the knob 13, is provided, extending from the center to the left and right ends of the outer lid 3. The underside of the outer lid 3 is divided in the front-to-rear direction by the groove 13a, and has a shape in which both sides of the groove 13a bulge downward in a spherical convex shape.

[0038] The outer lid 3 has a shaft 4 that protrudes downward from the center of the groove 13a. The shaft 4 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the maximum outer diameter of the shaft 4 is smaller than the minimum inner diameter of the shaft hole 6. In addition, a pair of flanges 9 are provided on the tip side of the shaft 4, side by side in the axial direction.

[0039] The pair of flange portions 9 are provided so as to protrude in a radially expanding direction from the outer periphery of the shaft portion 4 around the entire circumference. Of the pair of flange portions 9 (9a, 9b), the lower flange portion 9a is located at the tip (lower end) of the shaft portion 4. On the other hand, the upper flange portion 9b is located above the lower flange portion 9a with a gap therebetween. Either one or both of the pair of flange portions 9 (9a, 9b) has the largest outer diameter on the shaft portion 4. In this embodiment, the upper flange portion 9b has the largest outer diameter on the shaft portion 4.

[0040] An elastic ring 5 is attached to the outer periphery of the tip side of the shaft portion 4. The elastic ring 5 is a circular ring-shaped elastic member, and like the waterproof packing 16, is made of an elastic member such as heat-resistant rubber or elastomer, for example, silicone rubber. The elastic ring 5 has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the shaft hole 6, and is fitted between the pair of flange portions 9 (9a, 9b) of the shaft portion 4.

[0041] An elastic flange portion 12 is provided on the outer periphery of the elastic ring 5. In this embodiment, the elastic flange portion 12 is provided so as to protrude in the radially expanding direction from the central portion of the outer periphery of the elastic ring 5 all around. As a result, the outer periphery of the elastic ring 5 protrudes in the radially expanding direction more than the outer peripheries of either of the pair of flange portions 9 (9a, 9b).

[0042] In the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 11, the shaft portion 4 is supported while passing through the shaft hole 6, and the elastic flange portion 12 of the elastic ring 5 is engaged around the lower end side of the shaft hole 6, thereby preventing the shaft portion 4 from coming out of the shaft hole 6.

[0043] As a result, the outer lid 3 is attached so as to be freely rotatable about the axis of the cap body 2 while being accommodated inside the accommodation recess 2c of the cap body 2. Furthermore, the outer lid 3 accommodated inside the accommodation recess 2c is always in contact with a part of the top wall 2b of the cap body 2. Furthermore, when the outer lid 3 is rotated between the open position and the closed position, the elastic ring 5 comes into sliding contact with the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole 6.

[0044] When the shank 4 is inserted into or removed from the shank hole 6, the elastic ring 5 is compressed in the direction of decreasing diameter within the shank hole 6, and elastically returns to its original state in the direction of increasing diameter after passing through the shank hole 6. This allows the outer lid 3 to be detachably attached to the cap body 2.

[0045] Of the opposing surfaces of the cap body 2 and the outer lid 3, one surface (in this embodiment, the lower surface of the outer lid 3) has a locking portion 7 as shown in Figure 13, and the other surface (in this embodiment, the upper surface of the cap body 2) has a locking portion 8 to which the locking portion 7 is locked as shown in Figure 12.

[0046] In this embodiment, the locking portion 7 is a pair of protrusions (hereinafter referred to as "protrusions 7") protruding downward from the underside of the outer lid 3, as shown in Figure 13. The pair of protrusions 7 are provided symmetrically on both sides in the front-to-rear direction across the rotation center (shaft 4 in this embodiment) on the underside of the outer lid 3. The pair of protrusions 7 are located on the bottommost surface of the outer lid 3 and extend in the front-to-rear direction from both sides across the groove portion 13a.

[0047] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 12, the locked portions 8 are a pair of recesses (hereinafter referred to as "recesses 8") formed by recessing a portion of the upper surface (accommodating recess 2c) of the cap body 2 downward, corresponding to the pair of protrusions 7. The pair of recesses 8 are provided symmetrically on both sides in the front-to-rear direction across the rotation center (axial hole 6 in this embodiment) of the upper surface of the cap body 2. The pair of recesses 8 are located on the bottom surface of the accommodating recess 2c, and extend in the front-to-rear direction from both sides across the axial hole 6.

[0048] Furthermore, the upper surface (accommodating recess 2c) of the cap body 2 is provided with a pair of abutment surfaces 2d that are positioned between the pair of recesses 8 in the circumferential direction and against which the pair of protrusions 7 abut (slide in contact with). The pair of abutment surfaces 2d have a shape in which the periphery of the axial hole 6 is recessed by a width corresponding to the pair of recesses 8, and are provided with an upward slope in the circumferential direction of the axial hole 6 toward the pair of recesses 8.

[0049] That is, the pair of contact surfaces 2d have a gradient shape with the lower ends on both left and right sides of the shaft hole 6, and upward gradients are provided in opposite directions from the left and right sides of the contact surfaces 2d toward the pair of recesses 8. Therefore, both ends in the circumferential direction of the pair of recesses 8 are gradient shapes positioned at the uppermost ends.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 13, a first rib wall 10 is provided on the lower surface (groove portion) of the outer lid 3, protruding in the radially expanding direction from a position along the axial direction of the shaft portion 4. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 12, a second rib wall 11 is provided on the upper surface (accommodation recess 2c) of the cap body 2, protruding upward from the periphery of the upper end side of the shaft hole 6.

[0051] As shown in Figure 13, the first rib wall 10 is located in front of the groove portion 13a sandwiching the shaft portion 4, and extends in the front-to-rear direction to connect the shaft portion 4 and the side surface of the groove portion 13a at a height from the base end side of the shaft portion 4 to the upper flange portion 9b.

[0052] As shown in Figure 12, the second rib wall 11 is located on one side of the left-right direction between the pair of recesses 8 in the circumferential direction, protrudes upward along the periphery of the axial hole 6, and is provided in an arc shape over a predetermined angular range (180° in this embodiment) in the circumferential direction of the axial hole 6.

[0053] In the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, when the outer lid 3 is rotated between the open position and the closed position, the rotation range of the outer lid 3 is restricted between the open position shown in Figures 2 and 3 and the closed position shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0054] That is, the first rib wall 10 abuts against one end side of the second rib wall 11 in the circumferential direction before the outer lid 3 passes the open position shown in Figures 2 and 3 to prevent the outer lid 3 from rotating beyond the open position. Similarly, the first rib wall 10 abuts against the other end side of the second rib wall 11 in the circumferential direction before the outer lid 3 passes the closed position shown in Figures 5 and 6 to prevent the outer lid 3 from rotating beyond the closed position. This restricts the rotation range of the outer lid 3.

[0055] In other words, in the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, the rotation range when the outer lid 3 is rotated between the open position and the closed position is limited to 180°, which corresponds to half a rotation around the axis of the cap body 2.

[0056] In the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, when the outer lid 3 is rotated between the open position and the closed position, a pair of protrusions (locking portions) 7 are locked with a pair of recesses (locked portions) 8 provided corresponding to the open position and the closed position, respectively. This makes it possible to hold the outer lid 3, which is rotated around the axis of the cap body 2, at the open position and the closed position.

[0057] Here, a case where the outer lid 3 is rotated from the open position to the closed position in the cap unit 50 of this embodiment will be described.

[0058] In the following description, to make it easier to understand the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic ring 5, the drawings depict the elastic ring 5 in its original shape, overlapping with the outer lid 3. This indicates that when the degree of overlap of the elastic ring 5 with the outer lid 3 is small, the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic ring 5 is small and the compressive force is weak, and when the degree of overlap of the elastic ring 5 with the outer lid 3 is large, the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic ring 5 is large and the compressive force is strong.

[0059] 2 and 3, in the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, when the outer lid 3 is in the open position, the pair of protrusions 7 are engaged with the pair of recesses 8. At this time, the outer lid 3 is in the lowest position. That is, the distance between the bottom surface of the outer lid 3 and the top wall portion 2b of the cap body 2 in the vertical direction (axial direction) is the shortest.

[0060] 4, the elastic ring 5 is weakly compressed between the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole 6 and the lower flange 9a provided on the shaft portion 4. The elastic ring 5 is also weakly compressed between the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole 6 and the lower flange 9a provided on the shaft portion 4, and is in a state of small elastic deformation.

[0061] Next, the outer lid 3 is rotated from this open position toward the closed position. As a result, the pair of protrusions 7 move from the pair of recesses 8 onto the upper end of the upward slope of the contact surface 2d (hereinafter, this position will be referred to as the "mounted position"), as shown in Figures 7 and 8. At this time, the pair of protrusions 7 are released from the state in which they were engaged with the pair of recesses 8, and a clicking sensation is simultaneously given.

[0062] At the lifted position, the pair of protrusions 7 contact the pair of contact surfaces 2d, and the outer lid 3 is lifted upward relative to the cap body 2. At this time, the outer lid 3 is at its highest position. That is, the distance between the outer lid 3 and the cap body 2 in the vertical direction (axial direction) is at its greatest.

[0063] 9, the elastic ring 5 is compressed more strongly between the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole 6 and the lower flange 9a provided on the shaft portion 4 than in the open position. The elastic ring 5 is also compressed strongly between the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole 6 and the lower flange 9a provided on the shaft portion 4, and is in a state of greatest elastic deformation.

[0064] Next, the outer lid 3 is rotated from this riding position toward the closed position. At this time, the pair of protrusions 7 of the outer lid 3 rotate from the upper end of the upward slope of the contact surface 2d toward the lower end of the upward slope in the left-right direction, while sliding against the contact surface 2d, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. As a result, the outer lid 3 rotates 90° (1 / 4 revolution) from the open position and the closed position while moving downward (hereinafter, this position will be referred to as the "intermediate position").

[0065] 11, the elastic ring 5 is compressed less than in the lifted position and more than in the released position between the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole 6 and the lower flange 9a provided on the shaft portion 4. The elastic ring 5 is also weakly compressed between the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole 6 and the lower flange 9a provided on the shaft portion 4, and is in a state of small elastic deformation.

[0066] Next, the outer lid 3 is rotated from this intermediate position toward the closed position. At this time, the outer lid 3 moves upward from the bottom end of the upward slope in the left-right direction shown in Figure 12 in accordance with the upward slope of the contact surface 2d, and reaches the same lifted position as in Figure 7.

[0067] As a result, at the riding position, the elastic ring 5 is compressed more strongly (the most elastically deformed state) than at the intermediate position between the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole 6 and the lower flange portion 9a provided on the shaft portion 4, similar to the riding position on the open position side.

[0068] Next, the outer lid 3 is rotated from this raised position toward the closed position. At this time, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the pair of protrusions 7 climb over the upper end of the upward slope of the contact surface 2d and are locked into the pair of recesses 8. At this time, a clicking sensation is given at the same time as the pair of protrusions 7 are locked into the pair of recesses 8.

[0069] In addition, in the closed position, the pair of protrusions 7 are locked into the pair of recesses 8, and at the same time, the outer lid 3 moves downward due to the restoring force of the elastic ring 5 and gravity. At this time, the outer lid 3 is in the lowest position. That is, similar to the open position, the distance between the bottom surface of the outer lid 3 and the top wall 2b of the cap body 2 in the vertical direction (axial direction) is the shortest.

[0070] 6, the elastic ring 5 is compressed less strongly between the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole 6 and the lower flange 9a provided on the shaft portion 4 than at the riding position and the intermediate position. The elastic ring 5 is also compressed less strongly between the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole 6 and the lower flange 9a provided on the shaft portion 4, and is in a state of small elastic deformation.

[0071] As described above, in the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, the vertical position of the outer lid 3 increases in the order of the above-mentioned riding position, intermediate position, and open / close position, and the sliding resistance increases accordingly when the outer lid 3 is rotated. Note that in the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, the vertical positions of the intermediate position and the open / close position may be reversed. In other words, the intermediate position may be the lowest.

[0072] In addition, when rotating the outer lid 3 from the closed position shown in Figures 5 and 6 to the open position shown in Figures 2 and 3, the operation is performed in the reverse order to the above-mentioned rotation operation.

[0073] In the cap unit 50 of this embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the outer lid 3 is in the open position, as shown in Figure 2, the cutout portion 15 and the liquid passage 14 overlap in a planar view, thereby opening the liquid passage 14.

[0074] As a result, in the capped container 100 of this embodiment, while tilting the container body 17 in this state, the beverage (contents) flowing out from the container body 17 through the liquid passage 14 can be drunk through the liquid passage 14.

[0075] On the other hand, after finishing drinking the beverage, as shown in Figure 5, by rotating the outer lid 3 from the open position to the closed position, the rear side of the outer lid 3 sandwiching the knob portion 13 and the liquid passage port 14 overlap in a plan view, thereby blocking the liquid passage port 14.

[0076] As described above, the cap unit 50 of this embodiment has a simple structure with a small number of parts as described above, and yet allows for easy attachment and detachment of the outer lid 3 to the cap body 2 and easy opening and closing of the liquid passage port 14. Therefore, by providing such a cap unit 50, the capped container 100 of this embodiment can further improve usability.

[0077] In the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, one of the opposing surfaces of the cap body 2 and the outer lid 3 is provided with an abutment portion 20 that abuts against the other surface. The abutment portion 20 comes into sliding contact with the other surface when the outer lid 3 is rotated between the closed position and the open position.

[0078] In the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, the pair of protrusions 7 described above constitute at least a part of the abutment portion 20. That is, when the outer lid 3 is rotated between the closed position and the open position, the pair of protrusions 7 come into contact with the pair of abutment surfaces 2d.

[0079] Furthermore, when the outer lid 3 is rotated between the open position and the closed position, the pair of protrusions 7 slide against the pair of contact surfaces 2d, and the inclined shape of the pair of contact surfaces 2d causes the elastic ring 5 to elastically deform, and the vertical distance between the upper surface of the cap body 2 and the lower surface of the outer lid 3 varies depending on the rotation angle of the outer lid 3. This makes it possible to obtain a sense of operation that corresponds to the rotation of the outer lid 3.

[0080] Here, the operational feeling when rotating the outer lid 3 between the open position and the closed position in the cap unit 50 of this embodiment will be described.

[0081] In the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, the contact surface 2d against which the above-mentioned protrusion 7 contacts is provided with a sloped shape, so that when the outer lid 3 is rotated between the open position and the closed position, the pair of protrusions 7 slide against the pair of contact surfaces 2d, and the elastic ring 5 is elastically deformed by the sloped shape provided on the pair of contact surfaces 2d.

[0082] In this configuration, the elastic ring 5 is strongly compressed (largely elastically deformed) at the above-mentioned riding position, resulting in a relatively strong sliding resistance. On the other hand, the elastic ring 5 is weakly compressed (smallly elastically deformed) at the intermediate position, open position, and closed position, resulting in a relatively weak sliding resistance.

[0083] As a result, when the outer lid 3 moves upward in accordance with the upward gradient of the abutment surface 2d, the elastic ring 5 is strongly compressed between it and the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole 6 of the cap body 2. Furthermore, after overcoming this upward gradient, the outer lid 3 moves downward due to the restoring force of the elastic ring 5, and the ridge (edge) at the boundary between the inclined surface of the recess 8 and the abutment surface 2d provides a clicking sensation, allowing the protrusion 7 to be locked into the recess 8.

[0084] On the other hand, when the outer lid 3 moves downward in accordance with the downward slope of the abutment surface 2d, the compression of the elastic ring 5 is weakened between the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole 6 of the cap body 2 and the pair of flange portions 9 (in this embodiment, the lower flange portion 9a).

[0085] As a result, in the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, when rotating the outer lid 3 between the open position and the closed position, it is possible to obtain a lighter operation feel than when rotating from the open position or the closed position to the riding position. In particular, when the elastic ring 5 is made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber, it can have a fitting force and sliding property due to moderate elasticity, which can improve the operation feel. It is also possible to prevent deterioration due to repeated use.

[0086] In addition, in the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, the maximum outer diameter of the shaft portion 4 is formed smaller than the minimum inner diameter of the shaft hole 6, and the elastic ring 5 has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the shaft hole 6 and is fitted between a pair of flange portions 9 (9a, 9b) of the shaft portion 4.

[0087] In this configuration, when the outer lid 3 is rotated between the open position and the closed position, the above-mentioned elastic ring 5 remains engaged around the lower end of the axial hole 6, and the axial portion 4 can be prevented from slipping out of the axial hole 6 without the elastic ring 5 shifting up or down or twisting.

[0088] In addition, by constantly compressing the elastic ring 5, it is possible to prevent rattling of the outer lid 3 and improve the sense of positioning when opening and closing the outer lid 3. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the outer lid 3 from unintentionally rotating relative to the cap body 2 and to stop the outer lid 3 at any position.

[0089] Therefore, in the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, the liquid passage port 14 can be opened and closed stably while the outer lid 3 is stored inside the storage recess 2c, thereby improving reliability.

[0090] On the other hand, in the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, when the shaft portion 4 is inserted into or removed from the above-mentioned shaft hole 6, the elastic ring 5 is fitted tightly between the pair of flange portions 9 (9a, 9b) of the shaft portion 4.

[0091] In this configuration, the elastic ring 5 is compressed in the radially decreasing direction within the axial hole 6, and can elastically return to its original radially expanding direction after passing through the axial hole 6. Furthermore, the elastic ring 5 does not shift up or down or twist, making it possible to easily attach and detach the outer lid 3 to and from the cap body 2. As a result, with the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, cleaning and maintenance of the cap body 2 and outer lid 3 can be easily performed.

[0092] The present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0093] For example, the cap unit 50 may be configured such that elastic ribs 21a and 21b as shown in Fig. 15 are provided on the underside of the outer lid 3. The elastic ribs 21a and 21b are made of an elastic material such as heat-resistant rubber or elastomer, for example, silicone rubber.

[0094] Of the elastic ribs 21a, 21b, one elastic rib 21a is provided so as to surround the periphery of the cutout portion 15. In contrast, the other elastic rib 21b is provided so as to surround the periphery of a position that overlaps with the liquid passage port 14 on the rear side of the outer lid 3 in a plan view. Furthermore, the elastic ribs 21a, 21b are provided so as to protrude downward from the underside of the outer lid 3 by the thickness of the elastic ribs.

[0095] When the outer lid 3 is in a position other than the open position or the closed position, the elastic ribs 21a, 21b are at a height that does not make contact with the cap body 2. In other words, the height of each of the elastic ribs 21a, 21b is smaller than the height of the pair of protrusions 7. As a result, while the pair of protrusions 7 are in sliding contact with the contact surface 2d, the elastic ribs 21a, 21b do not come into contact with the contact surface 2d, and therefore the rotation of the outer lid 3 relative to the cap body 2 is not hindered.

[0096] In this configuration, when the outer lid 3 is in the open position, one of the elastic ribs 21a is in contact with the upper surface of the cap body 2 so as to surround the liquid passage 14. This seals the area between the liquid passage 14 and the notch 15 via the one of the elastic ribs 21a, making it possible to prevent beverages from unintentionally entering between the cap body 2 and the outer lid 3.

[0097] Furthermore, when the outer lid 3 is in the closed position, the other elastic rib 21b is in contact with the upper surface of the cap body 2 so as to surround the periphery of the liquid passage hole 14. This allows the periphery of the liquid passage hole 14 to be sealed via the other elastic rib 21b, thereby preventing water leakage.

[0098] In the above-mentioned cap unit 50, of the opposing surfaces of the cap body 2 and the outer lid 3, a locking portion (convex portion) 7 is provided on the underside of the outer lid 3, and a lockable portion (concave portion) 8 is provided on the upper surface of the cap body 2. However, it is also possible to configure the lockable portion 8 to be provided on the underside of the outer lid 3, and the locking portion 7 to be provided on the upper surface of the cap body 2.

[0099] Furthermore, the locking portion 7 and the locked portion 8 are not limited to the configuration of a pair of convex portions 7 and a pair of concave portions 8 described above, but may be configured in any way so long as the locking portion 7 is locked to the locked portion 8 provided corresponding to the closed position and the open position. Therefore, it is also possible to configure the locking portion 7 so that one of the pair of convex portions 7 is omitted. Furthermore, the arrangement and number of the locking portion 7 and the locked portion 8 can be changed as appropriate.

[0100] In the cap unit 50, the above-mentioned protrusion 7 constitutes at least a part of the abutment portion 20, but it is sufficient that the abutment portion 20 is provided on either one of the opposing surfaces of the cap body 2 and the outer lid 3, so that it abuts against the other surface.

[0101] In addition, in the cap unit 50, the outer lid 3 is configured to be rotated within an angular range of 180° between the closed position and the open position, but the rotation range of the outer lid 3 can also be changed as appropriate. In some cases, the first rib wall 10 and the second rib wall 11 can be omitted, and the outer lid 3 can be configured to be rotated within an angular range of 360°.

[0102] It is also possible to appropriately change the shapes and sizes of the liquid passage hole 14 and the cutout portion 15. Furthermore, instead of the cutout portion 15, an opening having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view corresponding to the liquid passage hole 14 may be provided, or a part of the outer lid 3 may be cut out.

[0103] Furthermore, in the cap unit 50, the above-mentioned inner stopper 1 is configured to be integral with the cap body 2, but it is also possible to omit the inner stopper 1 and configure the cap body 2 so that it is directly attached to the container body 17 by screwing or the like so that it can be freely attached and detached.

[0104] Second Embodiment As a second embodiment of the present invention, a capped container 100A equipped with a cap unit 50A shown in FIG. 16 will be described.

[0105] 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a capped container 100A equipped with a cap unit 50A. In the following description, the same parts as those in the capped container 100 equipped with the cap unit 50 will not be described and will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 16, a capped container 100A equipped with a cap unit 50A of this embodiment has a configuration in which the inside plug 1 is omitted from the configuration of the cap unit 50.

[0107] In the case of the cap unit 50A, instead of the above-mentioned waterproof gasket 16, a waterproof gasket 18 is arranged on the peripheral wall of the cap body 2, and by tightly adhering this waterproof gasket 18 to the container body 17, airtightness is ensured between the cap body 2 and the container body 17.

[0108] Third Embodiment As a third embodiment of the present invention, a cap unit 50B shown in FIG. 17 will be described.

[0109] 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the cap unit 50B. In the following description, the same parts as those in the cap unit 50 will not be described and will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 17, the cap unit 50B of this embodiment has a configuration in which the shape of the elastic ring 5 is modified from the configuration of the cap unit 50.

[0111] Specifically, a pair of elastic flange portions 12 is provided on the outer periphery of the elastic ring 5. The pair of elastic flange portions 12 are provided so as to protrude in the radially expanding direction around the entire periphery from both upper and lower sides of the central portion of the outer periphery of the elastic ring 5.

[0112] In the cap unit 50 of this embodiment, the shaft portion 4 is supported while passing through the shaft hole 6, and the elastic ring 5 is engaged around the upper and lower ends of the shaft hole 6 by a pair of elastic flange portions 12, thereby preventing the shaft portion 4 from coming loose from the shaft hole 6.

[0113] The shape of the elastic flange portion 12 can be designed in a variety of ways, such as a tongue shape or an arc shape, in addition to the shapes described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1...Inner plug 2...Cap body 3...Outer lid 4...Axis portion 5...Elastic ring (elastic member) 6...Axis hole 7...Engaging portion 8...Engaged portion 9...Flange portion 10...First rib wall 11...Second rib wall 12...Elastic flange portion 13...Grip portion 14...Liquid passage hole 15...Notch portion 16...Watertight gasket 17...Container body 18...Watertight gasket 50, 50A, 50B...Cap unit 100, 100A...Container with cap

Claims

1. A cap unit that can be detachably attached to a container body having an open top, a cap body that closes the upper opening of the container body and has a liquid passage hole on one side of the central portion of the upper surface; an outer lid attached to the cap body so as to be rotatable about an axis of the cap body between an open position at which the liquid passage port is opened and a closed position at which the liquid passage port is closed, while facing the upper surface of the cap body; The cap body has an axial hole that penetrates a central portion of an upper surface in a vertical direction, The outer cover has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the shaft hole and a shaft portion protruding downward from a lower surface thereof; a ring-shaped elastic member having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the shaft hole and attached to an outer periphery of the tip side of the shaft portion, A cap unit characterized in that the shaft portion is supported while passing through the shaft hole, and the elastic member is engaged around the lower end side of the shaft hole, thereby preventing the shaft portion from coming out of the shaft hole.

2. One of the opposing surfaces of the cap body and the outer lid is provided with an abutment portion that abuts against the other surface, 2. The cap unit according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion slides against the other surface when the outer lid is rotated between the open position and the closed position.

3. The cap unit according to claim 1, characterized in that when the outer lid is rotated between the open position and the closed position, the elastic member elastically deforms and slides against the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole.

4. A cap unit as described in claim 3, characterized in that when the outer lid is rotated between the open position and the closed position, the vertical distance between the upper surface of the cap body and the lower surface of the outer lid varies depending on the rotation angle of the outer lid.

5. A locking portion is provided on the one surface, a locked portion to which the locking portion is locked is provided on the other surface, The cap unit according to claim 2, wherein the locking portion is locked to the locked portion provided corresponding to the open position and the closed position.

6. The cap unit according to claim 5 , wherein a clicking sensation is given when the locking portion is locked to the locked portion.

7. The locking portion is a protrusion provided on the lower surface of the outer lid, the engaging portion is a recess provided on the upper surface of the cap body, The cap unit according to claim 5, wherein the protrusion is brought into sliding contact with the upper surface of the cap body when the outer lid is rotated between the open position and the closed position.

8. The upper surface of the cap body is provided with an upward slope in the circumferential direction of the axial hole toward the recess, The outer cover moves in a lifting direction in accordance with the upward gradient, and the elastic member is compressed between the outer cover and the periphery of the lower end of the axial hole. The cap unit according to claim 7, characterized in that when the convex portion overcomes the upward slope and engages with the concave portion, the outer lid moves downward due to the restoring force of the elastic member, giving a clicking sensation.

9. the locking portions are provided symmetrically on both sides of the rotation center of the one surface, 6. The cap unit according to claim 5, wherein the engagement portions are provided symmetrically on both sides of the rotation center of the other surface.

10. The cap unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the engaging portion constitutes at least a part of the abutment portion that slides against the other surface when the outer lid is rotated between the open position and the closed position.

11. a first rib wall protruding in a radially expanding direction from a position along the axial direction of the shaft portion is provided on the lower surface of the outer lid; a second rib wall protruding upward from the periphery of the upper end of the axial hole on the upper surface of the cap body; the second rib wall is provided over a predetermined angular range in the circumferential direction of the shaft hole, The rotation range of the outer lid is restricted between the open position where the first rib wall abuts against one end side of the second rib wall in the circumferential direction and the closed position where the first rib wall abuts against the other end side of the second rib wall in the circumferential direction, A cap unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first rib wall abuts against one end side of the second rib wall in the circumferential direction before the outer lid passes the open position to prevent it from rotating beyond the open position, and abuts against the other end side of the second rib wall in the circumferential direction before the outer lid passes the closed position to prevent it from rotating beyond the closed position.

12. A pair of flanges protruding in a radially expanding direction are provided on the outer periphery of the shaft portion, and are aligned in the axial direction.

2. The cap unit according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is fitted between the pair of flange portions.

13. An elastic rib is provided on the underside of the outer lid, 2. The cap unit according to claim 1, wherein the elastic rib is in contact with the upper surface of the cap body so as to surround the periphery of the liquid passage hole at least in the open position.

14. The outer lid is provided with a notch, The cap unit according to claim 1 , wherein, in the open position, the notch and the liquid passage hole overlap each other in a plan view.

15. A cap unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14; A capped container comprising: a container body to which the cap unit is attached.

16. 16. The capped container according to claim 15, wherein the cap unit is attached to the container body via an inner plug provided integrally with the cap body.

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