Cap

Abstract

To provide a cap capable of maintaining the strength of a branched part in a connection part for connecting a separation member and a pull ring, and maintaining good releasability at the time of manufacture.SOLUTION: A detachment member 27 surrounded by a breakable weakened part 26 is provided on a cap body attached to a vessel, a pull ring 32 is connected to the detachment member 27 via a Y-shaped connection part 33, the connection part 33 has a support 3 5 erected on the detachment member 27 and a pair of branch parts 36a, 36b branched into two from the support 3 5 obliquely upward, the pull ring 32 is formed in an annular shape by being connected to one branch portion 36a and the other branch portion 36b, and the inclination angle α of the lower sides 38 of the branch portions 36a and 36b with respect to the axis 40 of the support column 35 is set to be larger than the inclination angle β of the upper sides 43 of the branch portions 36a and 36b with respect to the axis 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap in which, when opened for the first time, a spout is opened in the cap body by pulling a pull ring to detach a detachment member from the cap body. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, there is a cap in which a pull ring is connected to a release member (removal part) via a Y-shaped connecting part. The connecting part has a support post erected on the release member and a pair of branches bifurcating diagonally upward from the tip of the support post. The release member is surrounded by a breakable weakened part. With this, by pulling the pull ring, the weakened portion breaks and the detachment member detaches from the cap body, opening the spout in the cap body.

[0003] Such a cap is generally manufactured by injection molding, in which, when the mold is released from the solidified synthetic resin material inside the mold, both branches bend in the mold release direction, causing the mold to be released. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5269369 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional type described above, when the pull ring is pulled with excessive force, the branch portion at the connection section is not strong enough, and the branch portion breaks before the weakened portion breaks. One possible solution to this problem is to increase the strength of the branch portion, but in this case, when the mold is released from the solidified synthetic resin material during injection molding, the branch portion becomes less likely to bend in the mold release direction, which can increase the mold release resistance.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a cap that can maintain the strength of the branched portion at the connection portion that connects the release member and the pull ring, and can maintain good mold releasability during manufacturing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cap body that can be attached to a container, The cap body is provided with a release member surrounded by a breakable weakened portion; A pull ring is connected to the release member via a Y-shaped connection; By pulling the pull ring, the weakened portion breaks, the detachment member detaches from the cap body, and a spout is opened in the cap body. The connection portion has a support pillar provided upright on the release member and a pair of branch portions branching obliquely upward from the support pillar, The pull ring is connected to one branch portion and the other branch portion and formed in a ring shape, The inclination angle of the lower side of the branch portion relative to the axis of the support is larger than the inclination angle of the upper side of the branch portion relative to the axis of the support.

[0008] According to this, the inclination angle of the lower side of the branch part relative to the axis of the support is greater than the inclination angle of the upper side, so the width between the lower side and the upper side of the branch part increases as it approaches the pull ring from the base of the support, and therefore the cross-sectional area of ​​the branch part increases as it approaches the pull ring from the base of the support. This maintains the strength of the branch part and prevents it from breaking when the pull ring is pulled.

[0009] Furthermore, when manufacturing the cap by injection molding, a demolding process is performed to release the mold from the solidified synthetic resin material inside the mold. Because the cross-sectional area of ​​the branched portions is smallest at the bases where they connect to the support posts, during the demolding process, both branched portions are easily deflected in the demolding direction, starting from the bases where they connect to the support posts. This allows for smooth demolding, suppresses demolding resistance, and maintains good demoldability.

[0010] According to the cap of the present invention, the lower side and the upper side of the branched portion each have a linear portion, It is preferable that the angle of inclination of the straight portion of the lower side of the branch portion is larger than the angle of inclination of the straight portion of the upper side.

[0011] According to the cap of the present invention, it is preferable that a curved surface bent in an arc shape is formed at the corner portion between the upper end surface and the inner peripheral surface of the pull ring.

[0012] With this, when a finger is hooked on the pull ring and pulled, even if the finger comes into contact with the curved surface, the curved surface is curved in an arc shape, so that the finger can be prevented from getting hurt.

[0013] According to the cap of the present invention, it is preferable that a curved surface bent in an arc shape is formed at the corner portion between the upper end surface and the inner peripheral surface of the upper side of each of the branched portions.

[0014] With this, when a finger is hooked on the pull ring and the pull ring is pulled, even if the base of the fingernail comes into contact with the upper side of the branched portion, the curved surface is curved in an arc shape, so that the base of the fingernail can be prevented from being hurt.

[0015] According to the cap of the present invention, a pouring tube is provided in the cap body, The release member is provided at the bottom of the pouring cylinder, It is preferable that the connection part and the pull ring are housed within the pouring barrel.

[0016] By pulling the pull ring, the weakened portion breaks, the release member separates from the cap body, and a spout is opened at the bottom of the pouring tube. The fluid stored in the container is poured out from the spout through the pouring tube.

[0017] The cap of the present invention preferably has a lid for opening and closing the pouring tube. This allows the dispensing tube to be opened and closed by operating the lid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] As described above, according to the present invention, the cross-sectional area of ​​the branch portion at the connection portion connecting the release member and the pull ring increases from the base of the support post toward the pull ring, thereby maintaining the strength of the branch portion and preventing breakage of the branch portion.

[0019] Furthermore, since the cross-sectional area of ​​the branched portions is smallest at the base where they connect to the support posts, during the demolding process when the cap is injection molded, both branched portions are likely to bend in the demolding direction, starting from the base where they connect to the support posts. This allows for smooth demolding, suppresses demolding resistance, and maintains good demoldability. As a result, it is possible to provide a cap that combines strength of the branch portion with ease of releasability during manufacturing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the lid in an open state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view taken along the arrow XX in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a view taken along the arrow YY in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cap in the same manner, showing the state in which the lid is closed. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 6 is a view seen in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 5, showing the inclination angles of the lower and upper sides of the branching portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the pull ring of the cap according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cap in accordance with the first embodiment, showing the state when the release member is released from the cap body. [Figure 10] 6 is a view taken along the arrow X in FIG. 5, showing the behavior of the branching portion during demolding. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a cap made of synthetic resin having a cap body 11 that can be attached to the mouth 3 of a container 2 such as a PET bottle, a dispensing tube 12 provided on the cap body 11, and a lid 13 that opens and closes the dispensing tube 12. Although the cap body 11 is directly attached to the mouth 3 of the container 2, it may be indirectly attached to the mouth 3 via an inner plug or the like. The lid 13 is connected to the cap body 11 via a hinge 18 and is rotatable about the hinge 18 in opening and closing directions 29 and 30 .

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, the direction of the axis 14 passing through the center of the closed cap 1 is defined as the up-down direction 15, the direction perpendicular to the axis 14 is defined as the radial direction 16, and as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the circumferential direction centered on the axis 14 is defined as the circumferential direction 17.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of engaging recesses 5 recessed inward in the radial direction 16 are formed around the entire outer periphery of the mouth portion 3 of the container 2. The container 2 is filled with a liquid content (an example of a fluid), such as drinking water or a seasoning.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the cap body 11 has a disk-shaped top wall 19 covering the mouth portion 3, a cylindrical outer tube 20 extending downward from the outer peripheral edge of the top wall 19, a cylindrical inner tube 21 extending downward from the top wall 19 inside the outer tube 20, and a plurality of flaps 22 extending downward from the top wall 19. A plurality of engaging protrusions 23 are formed around the entire inner periphery of the outer cylinder 20, protruding inward in the radial direction 16.

[0026] Between the outer tube 20 and the inner tube 21, an attachment groove 24 is formed around the entire circumference, closed at the top by the top wall 19 and open at the bottom. As shown in Figure 4, the mouth portion 3 of the container 2 is fitted into the attachment groove 24 from below, whereby the outer tube 20 fits onto the outer periphery of the mouth portion 3 and the inner tube 21 fits onto the inner periphery of the mouth portion 3, thereby attaching the cap body 11 to the container 2. At this time, the engaging protrusion 23 of the outer tube 20 engages with the engaging recess 5 of the mouth portion 3. The dispensing tube 12 is a cylindrical member that is provided on the top wall 19 and stands upright.

[0027] The top wall 19 has a release member 27 surrounded by a breakable weakened portion 26. The weakened portion 26 has a thin-walled configuration with a reduced thickness. The release member 27 is a plate-like member provided at the bottom of the pouring tube 12, and as shown in Figure 3, has, in bottom view, a mountain-shaped portion 27a that is pointed toward the hinge 18 and a semicircular portion 27b that bulges from the mountain-shaped portion 27a toward the opposite side of the hinge 18.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the flaps 22 are located between the inner tube 21 and the weakened portion 26 in the radial direction 16, and as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of flaps 22 are arranged at predetermined angular intervals in the circumferential direction 17.

[0029] 1, 2, 5, and 6, a pull ring 32 is connected to the release member 27 via a Y-shaped connecting portion 33. The connecting portion 33 is disposed between the axis 14 of the cap 1 and the hinge 18 in the radial direction 16, and has a support post 35 standing upright on the release member 27 and a pair of branches 36a, 36b that branch obliquely upward from the tip of the support post 35.

[0030] The pull ring 32 is formed in a circular ring shape and is connected to one branch portion 36a and the other branch portion 36b. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pull ring 32 and the connecting portion 33 are housed inside the pouring tube 12.

[0031] 6, the bottom side 38 of each of the branch portions 36a, 36b has a bottom side straight portion 39 and an arc-shaped bottom side curved portion 40. One end of the bottom side straight portion 39 is connected to the support 35, and the other end of the bottom side straight portion 39 is connected to the bottom side 41 of the pull ring 32 via the bottom side curved portion 40.

[0032] Similarly, the upper side 43 of each branch portion 36a, 36b has an upper side straight portion 44 and an arc-shaped upper side curved portion 45. One end of the upper side straight portion 44 is connected to the support 35, and the other end of the upper side straight portion 44 is connected to the upper side 46 of the pull ring 32 via the upper side curved portion 45.

[0033] 7, the inclination angle α of the lower side straight portion 39 with respect to the axis 48 along the up-down direction 15 of the support 35 is set to be larger than the inclination angle β of the upper side straight portion 44 with respect to the axis 48. For example, the inclination angle α is set to 45° and the inclination angle β is set to 35°, but these angles are not limited to these.

[0034] 1, 2 and 5, the support column 35 is reinforced by a reinforcing member 49. The reinforcing member 49 is provided integrally with the inner surface of the support column 35 in the radial direction 16.

[0035] 8, a curved surface 50 curved in an arc is formed at the corner between the upper end surface 32a and the inner peripheral surface 32b of the pull ring 32. Furthermore, the curved surface 50 extends from the corner between the upper end surface 32a and the inner peripheral surface 32b of the pull ring 32 to the corner between the upper end surfaces and the inner peripheral surfaces of the upper sides 43 of both branch portions 36a, 36b. As shown in FIG. 5, the release member 27, the pull ring 32, the connection portion 33, and the reinforcing member 49 constitute a release body 51.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lid 13 has a circular lid plate 53, a cylindrical skirt 54 provided on the outer periphery of the lid plate 53, and an annular sealing member 55 provided on the inside of the skirt 54.

[0037] 4, when the cap 1 is closed, the sealing member 55 tightly contacts the entire inner circumferential surface of the tip of the dispensing cylinder 12. This seals the gap between the dispensing cylinder 12 and the lid 13. The operation of the above configuration will now be described.

[0038] When opening for the first time, the cap 13 is opened by rotating it in the opening direction 29, and then the fingertip is inserted into the pull ring 32 and pulled by the finger. As shown in Figure 9, the weakened portion 26 breaks, the detachment member 27 detaches from the cap body 11, and the spout 56 opens in the top wall 19 of the cap body 11.

[0039] Because the outlet 56 is connected to the inside of the dispensing tube 12, the liquid content in the container 2 is poured out from the outlet 56 through the inside of the dispensing tube 12. At this time, the flap 22 acts as a resistance to the flow of the liquid content, suppressing the momentum of the liquid content, thereby preventing the liquid content from splashing out of the dispensing tube 12 with force.

[0040] Furthermore, when a fingertip is hooked on pull ring 32 and pulled, even if the pad of the fingertip comes into contact with curved surface 50 of pull ring 32, as shown in FIG. 8, curved surface 50 is curved in an arc shape, so that the pad of the fingertip can be prevented from getting hurt. Furthermore, since curved surfaces 50 are also formed at the corners between the upper end surfaces and inner peripheral surfaces of upper edges 43 of both branched portions 36a, 36b, when a fingertip is hooked on pull ring 32 and pulled, even if the base of the nail of the fingertip comes into contact with upper edges 43 of branched portions 36a, 36b, the curved surfaces 50 are curved in an arc shape, so that the base of the nail of the fingertip can be prevented from becoming painful.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, the inclination angle α of the lower side straight portion 39 relative to the axis 48 of the support 35 is greater than the inclination angle β of the upper side straight portion 44 relative to the axis 48, so the width W between the lower side 38 and the upper side 43 of one branch portion 36a increases from the base portion 58a with the support 35 toward the pull ring 32 diagonally above, and therefore the cross-sectional area of ​​one branch portion 36a increases from the base portion 58a with the support 35 toward the pull ring 32 diagonally above. Similarly, the cross-sectional area of ​​the other branch 36b increases from the base 58b where it connects to the support 35 toward the pull ring 32 diagonally above. This maintains the strength of each branch 36a, 36b and prevents the branches 36a, 36b from breaking when the pull ring 32 is pulled.

[0042] 10, for example, the area of ​​cross section S1 of root portion 58a of one branch portion 36a where it joins with support 35 is set to A1, the area of ​​cross section S2 of a portion slightly away diagonally upward from root portion 58a towards pull ring 32 is set to A2, the area of ​​cross section S3 of the portion closest to pull ring 32 is set to A3, and the area of ​​cross section S4 of pull ring 32 is set to A4. According to this, for one branch portion 36a, a size relationship is set such that area A1 of cross section S1 < area A2 of cross section S2 < area A3 of cross section S3, and a size relationship is set such that area A3 of cross section S3 > area A4 of cross section S4. The cross sections S1 to S3 are cross sections perpendicular to the lower side 38 of one branch portion 36a, and the cross section S4 is a cross section perpendicular to the lower side 41 of the pull ring 32. The areas A1 to A4 of the cross sections S1 to S4 of the other branch portion 36b also have the same size relationship as the one branch portion 36a.

[0043] The cap 1 can be manufactured by injection molding. During the manufacture of the cap 1, a demolding process is carried out in which the mold is released from the synthetic resin material solidified within the mold. In the demolding process, the upper mold that forms the inner surface of the pouring tube 12, the upper surface of the release member 27, the pull ring 32, and the connecting portion 33 is moved upward (an example of a demolding direction) and released.

[0044] As shown by the solid line in Figure 10, the cross-sectional area of ​​one branch portion 36a is smallest at the base portion 58a where it joins the support 35, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the other branch portion 36b is smallest at the base portion 58b where it joins the support 35. Therefore, in the demolding process, as shown by the imaginary line in Figure 10, both branches 36a and 36b are likely to bend upward 60 from the base portions 58a and 58b where they join the support 35. This allows the upper mold to be smoothly demolded upward 60, suppresses demolding resistance, and maintains good demoldability. As a result, it is possible to provide a cap 1 that combines the strength of both branches 36a and 36b with demoldability during manufacturing.

[0045] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, a hinged cap 1 is shown in which the lid 13 is connected to the cap body 11 via a hinge 18, but it may also be a screw-type cap in which threads are formed on the cap body 11 and the lid 13, and the dispensing tube 12 can be opened and closed by turning the lid 13 to attach and detach it from the cap body 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 cap 2 containers 11 Cap body 12 Pour tube 13 Lid 26 Weakened part 27 Breakaway member 32 Pull Ring 32a Upper surface of pull ring 32b Inner surface of pull ring 33 Connection 35 Pillar 36a, 36b Branch 38 Lower edge of branch 39 Bottom straight section 43 Upper edge of branch 44 Upper straight section 48 Pillar axis 50 curved surfaces 56 spout α: Inclination angle of the bottom straight line β Inclination angle of the top straight line

Claims

1. a cap body that can be attached to a container; The cap body is provided with a release member surrounded by a breakable weakened portion; A pull ring is connected to the release member via a Y-shaped connection; By pulling the pull ring, the weakened portion breaks, the detachment member detaches from the cap body, and a spout is opened in the cap body. The connection portion has a support pillar provided upright on the release member and a pair of branch portions branching obliquely upward from the support pillar, The pull ring is connected to one branch portion and the other branch portion and formed in a ring shape, A cap characterized in that the angle of inclination of the lower side of the branch portion relative to the axis of the support is larger than the angle of inclination of the upper side of the branch portion relative to the axis of the support.

2. The lower and upper sides of the branched portion each have a straight line portion, 2. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the angle of inclination of the straight portion of the lower side of the branch is greater than the angle of inclination of the straight portion of the upper side.

3. 2. The cap according to claim 1, wherein a curved surface curved in an arc shape is formed at a corner portion between the upper end surface and the inner peripheral surface of the pull ring.

4. 2. The cap according to claim 1, wherein a curved surface is formed in a circular arc shape at a corner portion between an upper end surface and an inner peripheral surface of the upper side of each of the branch portions.

5. A pouring tube is provided on the cap body, The release member is provided at the bottom of the pouring cylinder, The cap according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion and the pull ring are housed within the pouring barrel.

6. The cap according to claim 5, further comprising a lid for opening and closing the dispensing tube.

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