Discharge cap

Abstract

The objective is to provide a dispensing cap equipped with a nozzle capable of dispensing liquid contents in a mist or the like, which can store the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir, reduces the number of times liquid contents need to be stored in the reservoir, and allows for quantitative dispensing of a fixed amount of liquid contents into the liquid reservoir. [Solution] The cap comprises a cap body that is attached to the mouth of a container, a cup having an opening that leads to the inside of the container and a liquid reservoir, and a nozzle having one end that communicates with the liquid reservoir of the cup and the other end that serves as a discharge part for the liquid contents, wherein the cap discharges the liquid contents accumulated in the liquid reservoir, and the outer surface of the nozzle is formed with ribs that are located on the virtual liquid level at the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir of the cup.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a discharge cap having a nozzle capable of discharging a liquid in a mist form or the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a discharge cap capable of reliably storing a volume of content liquid corresponding to the capacity of a liquid storage portion for storing the discharged content liquid.

Background Art

[0002] The discharge cap includes a nozzle having a structure in which a pipe for flowing a liquid and a piston mechanism or a trigger for supplying and discharging compressed air to the tip portion of the pipe are combined. By the way, recently, for liquids used in small amounts, such as various seasonings such as dressings, sauces, and soy sauce, there is also a demand for caps equipped with a mechanism capable of spraying in a foamy or misty form. However, for atomization, since air needs to be compressed, it is necessary to provide a piston mechanism, a trigger, or a valve, etc., and the number of component parts is large and complicated. In terms of cost, it becomes a problem when applying it to inexpensive seasonings and the like.

[0003] As a solution to such problems, in Patent Document 1 below, it is composed of a plastic pipe having a cylindrical shape with an internal liquid flow path, liquid is introduced into the liquid flow path from one end portion of the pipe, and the liquid is discharged from the liquid flow path at the other end portion. In addition, an air introduction hole communicating with the internal liquid flow path is provided in the cylindrical wall near the other end portion of the pipe, and an atomizing nozzle is described.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The spray nozzle described in Patent Document 1 above has a simple structure, can be manufactured inexpensively, and can be easily attached to a cap. In a cap equipped with such a spray nozzle, the contents of the cup are dispensed from the spray nozzle by pressing the container while the container-side end of the nozzle is immersed in the cup (liquid reservoir) containing the liquid. Since it is possible to dispense only the amount of liquid stored in the cup, it is desirable that the cap be able to hold the maximum capacity of the cup. However, with the nozzle and liquid reservoir described in Patent Document 1 above, liquid backflow occurs when returning to the upright position, making it difficult to fill the cup to its maximum capacity. Furthermore, while increasing the cup capacity can increase the amount of liquid that can be stored, depending on the filling equipment, the bulkiness of the cup may cause problems with the transportability of the cap, so there are limits to how much the cup capacity itself can be increased.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing cap that can store liquid up to the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir, reduces the number of operations required to fill the liquid reservoir, and allows for quantitative dispensing because a fixed amount of liquid can be stored in the liquid reservoir. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the present invention, a dispensing cap is provided, comprising a cap body attached to the mouth of a container, a cup having an opening that leads to the inside of the container and a liquid reservoir, and a nozzle having one end that communicates with the liquid reservoir of the cup and the other end that serves as a dispensing part for the liquid contents, wherein the cap dispenses the liquid contents accumulated in the liquid reservoir, and the outer surface of the nozzle is formed with ribs located on the virtual liquid level at the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir of the cup.

[0008] In the discharge cap of the present invention, (1) The rib is flat, (2) The cap body is fitted with an upper lid that is openable and closable so as to cover the cap body, the cap body includes a cylindrical side wall that engages and is fixed to the mouth of the container, and a top plate that is provided to close the upper end of the cylindrical side wall, the top plate includes a communication hole that leads to the inside of the container, and a bulge that rises up to cover the communication hole, a guide tube formed at the upper end of the bulge for defining the direction of the liquid contents discharged from the nozzle, and the nozzle is attached to the cap body by fitting and holding the other end from which the liquid contents are discharged into the guide tube, (3) The cap body is of the inner stopper type, consisting of a cylindrical side wall that fits and is fixed to the inner surface of the container opening, and a top plate that closes the upper end of the cylindrical side wall, and is attached to the cap body by fitting and holding the other end of the nozzle from which the liquid contents are discharged to the top plate. (4) The opening is formed at a position where the virtual liquid level at the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir of the cup is at its lower end. (5) The nozzle has an air inlet hole that communicates with the internal liquid flow path. This is preferable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In the cap of the present invention, ribs are formed on the outer surface of the nozzle that are located on the virtual liquid level at the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir of the cup, thereby allowing the contents to be stored up to the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir, and reducing the number of operations required to fill the reservoir with contents. Furthermore, since the liquid can be filled to the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir in a single operation, it is possible to always store a fixed amount of liquid in the reservoir and to dispense a fixed amount. Furthermore, the ribs formed on the outer surface of the nozzle do not obstruct the flow path of the liquid contents, making it possible to efficiently fill the nozzle to its maximum capacity. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an example of a nozzle used in the discharge cap of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side cross-sectional view of an example of the cap of the present invention using the nozzle shown in Figure 1, with the top lid open. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of the hinge cap with the top cover closed. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the process of applying the hinge cap shown in Figure 1 to a container and dispensing the liquid contents. [Figure 5] This is a side cross-sectional view of another example of the present invention with a cap applied to a container. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the nozzle used in the cap shown. [Figure 7] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the nozzle that can be used with the cap shown. [Figure 8] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the nozzle that can be used with the cap shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The discharge cap of the present invention generally consists of a cap body that is attached to the mouth of a container, a cup having an opening that leads to the inside of the container and a liquid reservoir, and a nozzle whose one end communicates with the liquid reservoir of the cup and whose other end serves as a discharge part for the contents. In particular, an important feature of the present invention is that ribs are formed on the outer surface of the nozzle, which are located on the virtual liquid level at the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir of the cup.

[0012] (nozzle) Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a nozzle used in the discharge cap of the present invention. The nozzle, represented as 1 overall, has a pipe shape with a hollow interior that serves as a flow path for the liquid contents, with the liquid contents being introduced from one end 2a and discharged from the other end 2b. Near the end 2b from which the liquid contents are discharged, an air inlet hole 4 is formed by cutting the pipe wall and leading to a liquid flow path 3 (see Figure 2). The nozzle 1 (pipe) is formed from a nozzle body 1a including an end 2a into which a liquid is introduced and a large-diameter portion 1b including an end 3b from which the liquid is discharged. The nozzle body 1a has a bent shape on the large-diameter portion 1b side. Further, the nozzle body 1a and the large-diameter portion 1b are integrally connected by a plurality of pillars 5 provided at an interval from the end 2b on the large-diameter portion 1b side of the nozzle body 1a and extending so as to straddle the air introduction hole 4.

[0013] The large-diameter portion 1b is formed to stably hold the nozzle 1 so that air does not leak into a cap described later, and is formed with a very short length at the upper end portion (end 2b) of the nozzle body 1a. Further, the pillars 5 connecting the nozzle body 1a and the large-diameter portion 1b are formed flush with the outer surface of the large-diameter portion 1b, whereby the nozzle 1 can be stably held in the cap described later without rattling.

[0014] Also, the gap between the plurality of pillars 5 functions as an air passage to the air introduction hole 4 when the nozzle 1 is attached to a guide cylinder 19 of the cap described later. A slightly recessed concave surface 6 is formed between the plurality of pillars 5, enabling the introduction of air into the air introduction hole 4 and the discharge of air from the discharge-side end 3b through the flow path 3 in a laminar flow state. The gap between the pillars 5 functions as an air passage connected to the air introduction hole 4, and for example, by squeezing the body of the container, the content liquid can be quickly discharged in a mist form.

[0015] In the nozzle shown in FIG. 1, the nozzle body 1a on the large-diameter portion 1b side is bent. By adjusting this angle, the pointing direction and position of the end 3b, which is the discharge-side tip of the liquid, can be adjusted, and the nozzle 1 can be easily attached according to the form of the cap described later. In the present invention, it is an important feature that a flat rib 7 is formed on the outer surface of the nozzle body 1a of the nozzle 1 described above. This rib 7 has a flat surface portion 7a that is parallel to the horizontal direction of the cap when the nozzle 1 is attached to the cap, and is formed such that the flat surface portion 7a is located on the virtual liquid surface at the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir portion of the cup provided in the cap described later. In addition to the basic structure described above, the nozzle 1 shown in FIG. 1 is formed from a pair of split nozzle pieces and has a hinge portion 8 and an engaging portion 9, similar to the configuration shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 of Japanese Patent No. 6454553 by the present applicant, from the viewpoint of moldability and the like. However, these are not essential structures in the nozzle used in the present invention.

[0016] (Discharge cap) FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing an example of the discharge cap of the present invention using the nozzle of FIG. 1. The discharge cap indicated by 10 as a whole includes a cap body 11 that is attached to the mouth portion of the container (not shown) and to which the nozzle 1 is attached, and an upper lid 13 that is hinge-connected by a hinge band 12. The cap body 11 is formed of a cylindrical side wall 14 and a top plate portion 15 formed so as to close the upper end of the cylindrical side wall 14. An undercut 16 is formed over the entire circumference at the lower end portion of the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall 14, and this undercut 16 is adapted to engage with a protrusion formed on the outer surface of the container mouth portion. In addition, an inner ring 17 is provided on the lower surface of the peripheral portion of the top plate portion 15. The upper portion of the container mouth portion is fitted into the space between the cylindrical side wall 14 and the inner ring 17, and engages with the undercut 16 and the protrusion formed on the outer surface of the container mouth portion to be firmly fitted to the container mouth portion, and is attached to the container mouth portion so as to prevent rattling and air leakage.

[0017] On the other hand, the upper surface of the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 14 is provided with an engaging projection 17 for stably holding the top lid 13 when the top lid 13, which will be described later, is closed. Furthermore, a bulging portion 18 that expands upward is formed in the central part of the top plate portion 15, and a guide tube 19 that communicates with the inside of the container to which the cap body 11 is attached is provided at an angle on the bulging portion 18. This guide tube 19 fits and holds the nozzle 1 and defines the direction of discharge of the liquid contents discharged from the nozzle 1 in a mist or the like. As shown in Figure 2, the large diameter portion 1b formed at the tip of the nozzle 1 is fitted inside the guide tube 19, and furthermore, a pillar 5 that extends from this large diameter portion 1b so as to be flush with the outer surface is tightly in contact with the inner surface of the guide tube 19, thereby securely and stably attaching the nozzle 1 to the cap body 11.

[0018] A flat seal cover 20, which has a larger surface area than the tip of the guide tube 19, is hinged to the outer surface of the tip of the guide tube 19 by a hinge band 21. The seal cover 20 is provided with a seal ring 22 that makes close contact with the inner surface of the guide tube 19 and an annular outer wall 23 that makes close contact with the outer surface of the guide tube 19 when it is rotated to close the tip of the guide tube 19, thereby ensuring liquid tightness.

[0019] A low retaining ring 24 is provided on the lower surface of the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 15, extending downward from the inward side of the aforementioned inner ring 17. A projection 24a is formed at the lower end of this retaining ring 24, and a cup 26 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "liquid reservoir portion 26"), which is a liquid reservoir portion equipped with a partition member 25 that separates the inner surface of the top plate portion 15 from the internal space of the container, is detachably held by being locked to the projection 24a. The cup 26, which is recessed downwards and serves as the liquid reservoir, has an open top and communicates with a communication hole 27 formed in the partition member 25. Through this communication hole 27, the internal space of the container and the internal space of the bulge 18 formed in the top plate portion 15 are in communication. Furthermore, the lower end 2a of the nozzle body 1a of the nozzle 1, which has a large diameter portion 1b held within the guide tube 19, is positioned within the cup 26, which is the liquid reservoir. The flat portion 7a of the rib 7 formed on the outer surface of the nozzle 1 is positioned on the same horizontal plane as the opening 26a of the cup 26, that is, on the virtual liquid level at the maximum capacity of the cup 26.

[0020] The top cover 13 is formed from a top plate portion 31 and a skirt portion 32 extending from the periphery of the top plate portion 31. The lower end of the skirt portion 32 and the upper end of the cylindrical side wall 14 are hinged together by a hinge band 12, so that the top cover 13 can be opened and closed by pivoting. When the top cover 13 is closed, the top plate portion 15 of the cap body 11 is completely covered by the top cover 13. A tab 33 is provided on the lower outer surface of the skirt portion 32 of the top cover 13, at a position opposite to the part to which the hinge band 12 is connected, allowing the top cover 13 to be easily rotated by holding the tab 33. Furthermore, a circumferential projection 34 is formed on the inner surface of the lower end of the skirt portion 32. When the top lid 13 is closed, the engaging projection 17 provided on the upper surface of the top plate portion of the cap body 11 engages with this circumferential projection 34, thereby firmly holding the top lid 13 in a closed position.

[0021] Furthermore, a restricting plate 35 is provided extending from the top plate 31 to the inner surface of the skirt portion 32 to restrict the aforementioned sealing lid 20. That is, as shown in Figure 3, which illustrates the state in which the cap 10 is applied to the container opening 40 with the top lid 13 closed, when the top lid 13 is closed, the restricting plate 35 presses against the sealing lid 20 as it rotates, closing the open sealing lid 20 and holding it in that closed position. This effectively prevents the inconvenience of the sealing lid 20 accidentally opening when the top lid 13 is closed, and ensures stable sealing performance.

[0022] The discharge cap of the present invention shown in Figures 2 and 3 is manufactured by integrally molding the cap body 11 and the upper lid 13, which is connected by a hinge band 12, with the upper lid 13 open, fitting and fixing a separately molded nozzle 1 into the guide tube 19 of the cap body 11, and further attaching a separately molded partition member 25. The cap 10 obtained in this way is attached to the mouth 40 of a container containing liquid by plugging it with the upper lid 13 closed.

[0023] The liquid contents are dispensed using the dispensing cap 10 attached to the container opening 40 in the following manner. First, as shown in Figure 4(A), the container is inverted with the top lid 13 closed, and then returned to an upright position. As shown in Figure 4(B), the contents 100 of the container are contained in the liquid reservoir 26 through the communication hole 27 of the partition member 25, and any excess contents not contained in the liquid reservoir 26 return to the container through the opening 26a of the cup 26 and the communication hole 27 of the partition member 25. At this time, the flat portion 7a of the rib 7 formed on the nozzle 1 is on the same horizontal plane as the opening 26a of the liquid reservoir 26, that is, on the virtual liquid level at the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir 26. Therefore, when returned to an upright position, it functions as a barrier for the contents that would otherwise return from the liquid reservoir 26 to the bulging portion 18, and the surface tension acting on the rib 7 raises the liquid level in the liquid reservoir 26, allowing the contents to be stored up to the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir 26.

[0024] In this state, after opening the top lid 13 and then the sealing lid 20, pressing and squeezing the body of the container causes it to dent. Since there is sufficient air inside the bulge 18, along with the headspace portion of the container, it is pressurized by the pressure resulting from the compression of the container body, and the liquid level of the contents 100 in the liquid reservoir 26 is pressurized. This pressurized contents 100 flows in from the lower end 3a of the liquid channel 3, rises within the liquid channel 3, and is guided to the discharge end 3b. At the same time, the compressed air inside the bulge 18 flows into the air inlet hole 4 of the nozzle 1 and is guided to the discharge end 3b of the liquid channel 3. Thus, since the liquid and air are discharged vigorously in a mixed state at the discharge end 3b, the contents 100 discharged from the tip of the large diameter section 1b are discharged in a mist form (Figure 4(C)).

[0025] After dispensing the liquid contents 100 in a mist-like manner as described above, when the pressure on the container body is released, the container body returns to its original shape, creating a reduced pressure inside the container body. External air then flows back into the air inlet 4, the liquid channel 3, the bulge 18, and the inside of the container, ensuring that a sufficient amount of air is again available for misting. Therefore, if the liquid contents 100 remain in the liquid reservoir 26 and the lower end of the nozzle 1 is immersed in the liquid contents 100, the liquid contents 100 can be sprayed out again by pressing the body of the container. Also, when the lower end of the spray nozzle 1 is no longer immersed in the liquid contents 100 in the liquid reservoir 26, the top lid 13 and the seal lid 20 can be closed again, the container can be returned to its inverted and upright positions, and then the liquid contents 100 can be sprayed out again by pressing the body of the container.

[0026] Thus, the discharge cap of the present invention equipped with nozzle 1 can dispense the contents in a mist state simply by pressing the body of the container, without the need to attach any special pump mechanism or trigger or other devices. Therefore, it is extremely inexpensive and particularly suitable for use in food applications where cost reduction is required, such as for spraying condiments like soy sauce, dressings, and sauces. Furthermore, the ribs formed on the nozzle allow the liquid to be stored up to the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir, thus reducing the number of times the nozzle needs to be returned from an inverted to an upright position. Also, since the maximum capacity (known amount) of the liquid reservoir can be stored by returning the nozzle from an inverted to an upright position, quantitative dispensing becomes possible.

[0027] In the discharge cap of the present invention described above, it is possible to perform a spraying operation by directly immersing the lower end of the nozzle 1 (the inlet end 3a of the liquid flow path 3) in the liquid contents of the container, without using a partition member 25 equipped with, for example, a liquid reservoir 26 and a communication hole 27. However, since the nozzle 1 becomes considerably long, it is desirable to form a liquid reservoir, transfer the liquid contents of the container into the liquid reservoir 26 first, and then perform the discharge operation of the liquid contents.

[0028] Furthermore, in the specific example described above, the cup 26 equipped with the partition member 25 was fixed to the top plate portion 15 by a retaining ring 24 formed on the top plate portion of the cap body, which allowed it to be detachably held around the entire circumference. However, by forming notches at intervals in the retaining ring, it is also possible to communicate with the inside of the container through these notches from the opening of the cup, even without forming a communication hole in the partition member. Furthermore, in the specific example shown in Figure 3, the cup 26 has a partition member with a communication hole, which is held in place by a retaining ring on the cap body. However, without integrating the cup and partition member as shown in Figure 3, the partition member 25 is part of the top plate portion that is integrally molded with the cap body, and the cup is fixed along the opening formed in the top plate portion with a retaining ring or the like, and the communication hole is directly provided in the top plate portion other than the opening.

[0029] (Other aspects) Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the discharge cap of the present invention, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of the nozzle used in the embodiment shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5, in a container to which this type of dispensing cap is applied, the container opening 40 is formed at an angle with respect to the container axis from the container body 42 via a bent portion 41. Furthermore, a threaded portion 43 is formed on the outer surface of the container opening 40, which engages with the top lid described later. In this embodiment of the discharge cap, the cap body 50 is formed as an inner stopper consisting of a cylindrical side wall 51 that fits and is fixed to the inner surface of the container opening 40, and a top plate portion 52 that closes the upper end of the cylindrical side wall 51. The cylindrical side wall 51 has a flange portion 53 that is in close contact with the tip of the container opening 40. A guide tube 54 for fitting and fixing the large diameter portion 1b of the nozzle 1 is formed in the center of the upper surface of the top plate portion 52. Furthermore, multiple fitting protrusions 55 are formed at intervals on the lower surface of the top plate portion 52, which fit onto the upper inner surface of the cup 70 that constitutes the liquid reservoir portion described later.

[0030] The top lid 60 is formed from a top plate portion 61 and a skirt portion 62 extending from the periphery of the top plate portion 61. The inner surface of the skirt portion 62 has a threaded portion 63 that engages with a threaded portion 43 formed at the mouth of the container. The lower surface of the top plate portion 61 has an annular projection 64 that presses against the flange portion 53 of the cap body 50 from above. In addition, an inner ring 65 that fits snugly against the inner surface of the tip of the guide tube 54 of the cap body 50 and an outer ring 66 that is in close contact with the outer surface are formed in the center, thereby ensuring reliable liquid-tightness when the top lid 60 is applied.

[0031] The nozzle 1, which is fitted and fixed to the guide tube 54 of the cap body 50, has a basic configuration that is almost the same as the nozzle shown in Figure 1, except that the end 2a side of the nozzle body 1a into which the liquid is introduced is bent, the position of the rib 7 is different, and a locking projection 2b' is formed on the discharge end 2b of the nozzle body 1a and the lower surface of the top plate of the cap body. After the nozzle 1 is attached to the guide tube 54 on the top plate portion 52 of the cap body 50, the cup 70 is fixed and attached from the inside by the fitting projection 55 on the top plate portion 52 of the cap body. The cup has an opening 71 formed by cutting out a part of the side of the cup, and this opening 71 is a communication hole that leads to the inside of the container. The part of the cup below the lower end of this opening 71 in the axial direction of the container becomes the liquid reservoir portion 73.

[0032] In other words, in this embodiment of the dispensing cap, as in the embodiment described above, the contents are introduced into the cup through the opening (communication hole) 71 by inverting or tilting the container and then returning it to an upright position. In the upright position with the contents introduced into the liquid reservoir 72, the horizontal plane including the lower end position of the communication hole 71 is the virtual liquid level L at the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir. Therefore, it is important that the rib 7 applied to the dispensing cap in this embodiment has a flat portion 7a located on this virtual liquid level L. This allows the surface tension acting on the rib 7 to raise the liquid level in the liquid reservoir (the portion below the dotted line L) inside the cup, making it possible to store the contents up to the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir 72. Furthermore, it is preferable that the rib 7 is formed on the opposite side from the location where the communication hole 71 of the cup 70 is formed. This prevents the rib 7 from obstructing the flow of the liquid contents into the cup from the communication hole 71 when the container is inverted, and when returning to an upright position, it can act as a barrier to prevent the liquid contents from returning to the container from the liquid reservoir 72.

[0033] In this embodiment, after inverting or tilting the container, the top lid is removed and the body of the container is pressed and dented (squeezed). As a result, sufficient air is present in the upper part of the cup 70 and inside the container, and the pressure resulting from the compression of the container body pressurizes the liquid level of the contents 100 inside the cup 70. This pressurized contents 100 flows in from the lower end 3a of the liquid channel 3, rises within the liquid channel 3, and is guided to the discharge end 3b. At the same time, the compressed air in the upper part of the cup 70 flows into the air inlet hole 4 of the nozzle 1 and is guided to the discharge end 3b of the liquid channel 3. Thus, as the liquid and air are forcefully discharged in a mixed state at the discharge end 3b, the contents 100 discharged from the tip of the large diameter section 1b are discharged in a mist form.

[0034] In the nozzle used in the discharge cap described above, the shape of the ribs is not limited to the configuration shown in the figures, and various modifications are possible, as long as they are located above the liquid surface at the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir and can raise the liquid surface of the liquid reservoir to store the contents up to the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir. For example, as shown in Figure 7, a notch 7b can be provided in the flat portion 7a of the rib shown in Figure 5, or as shown in Figure 8, the rib shown in Figure 5 can be divided into a large rib 7 and a small rib 7', thereby increasing the surface area of ​​the ribs and increasing the liquid storage capacity. Furthermore, the ribs are not limited to the rectangular shape shown in the figures, and various modifications such as a disc shape are possible. Furthermore, in the specific example described above, the liquid was dispensed as a mist, but by using effervescent materials, it is also possible to dispense it as foam. Furthermore, by not providing an air intake hole 4 in nozzle 1, the liquid contents can be discharged in a straight line (water column).

[0035] In the present invention, the materials of each component constituting the nozzle and the discharge cap, as well as the container to which the discharge cap is attached, may be various thermoplastic resins that can be molded by injection molding, compression molding, extrusion molding, blow molding, etc. However, generally, olefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, or polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, which are widely used in the packaging field, are preferred. These resins are also widely used, for example, in the molding of squeeze bottles, in which the body can be easily compressed and deformed by pressing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 Nozzle, 2a, 2b Nozzle end, 3 Liquid flow path, 4 Air inlet hole, 5 Pillar, 6 Concave surface, 7 Rib, 8 Hinge section, 9 Engagement section, 10 Discharge cap, 11 Cap body, 12 Hinge band, 13 Top lid, 14 Cylindrical side wall, 15 Top plate section, 16 Undercut, 17 Inner ring, 18 Bulge section, 19 Guide tube, 20 Seal lid, 21 Hinge band, 22 Seal ring, 23 Annular outer wall, 24 Retaining ring, 25 Partition plate, 26 Liquid reservoir section, 27 Communication hole, 31 Top plate section, 32 Skirt section, 33 Tab, 34 Circumferential projection, 35 Regulating plate, 40 Container mouth section, 41 Bent section, 42 Container body section, 43 Screw section, 50 Cap body, 51 Cylindrical side wall, 52 Top plate section, 53 flange section, 54 guide tube, 55 fitting projection, 60 top cover, 61 top plate section, 62 skirt section, 63 screw section, 64 annular projection, 65 inner ring, 66 outer ring, 70 cup, 71 communication hole, 72 liquid reservoir section.

Claims

1. A cap comprising a cap body that is attached to the mouth of a container, a cup having an opening that leads to the inside of the container and a liquid reservoir, and a nozzle having one end that communicates with the liquid reservoir of the cup and the other end that serves as a discharge part for the contents, wherein the cap discharges the contents accumulated in the liquid reservoir, The discharge cap is characterized in that the outer surface of the nozzle has ribs formed on it that are located on the virtual liquid level at the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir of the cup.

2. The discharge cap according to claim 1, wherein the rib is flat.

3. The discharge cap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cap body is fitted with an upper lid that is openable and closable so as to cover the cap body, the cap body includes a cylindrical side wall that engages and is fixed to the mouth of a container, and a top plate that is provided to close the upper end of the cylindrical side wall, the top plate includes a communication hole that leads to the inside of the container and a bulge that rises up to cover the communication hole, a guide tube is formed at the upper end of the bulge for defining the direction of the liquid contents discharged from the nozzle, and the nozzle is attached to the cap body by fitting and holding the other end from which the liquid contents are discharged to the guide tube.

4. The discharge cap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cap body is of the inner stopper type, comprising a cylindrical side wall that is fitted and fixed to the inner surface of the container opening, and a top plate portion that closes the upper end of the cylindrical side wall, and is attached to the cap body by fitting and holding the other end of the nozzle from which the liquid contents are discharged to the top plate portion.

5. The discharge cap according to claim 4, wherein the opening is formed at a position where the virtual liquid level at the maximum capacity of the liquid reservoir of the cup is at its lower end.

6. The discharge cap according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle has an air introduction hole that communicates with the internal liquid flow path.

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