Hinge cap

Abstract

To provide a hinged cap in which the internal space of the cap, partitioned by the top plate of the cap body and the top lid, does not create a pressure difference between the inside of the cap and the outside of the cap, thereby effectively preventing water from being drawn into the internal space of the cap. [Solution] The cap has a top plate, a skirt portion hanging down from the periphery of the top plate, a dispensing tube on the upper surface of the top plate, an opening or a planned opening inside the dispensing tube, an inner ring on the lower surface of the top plate, a top surface and a cylindrical side wall hanging down from the top surface, an annular projection on the inner surface of the top surface that is in close contact with the dispensing tube, and a top lid hinged to the upper end of the skirt portion of the cap body. A seal portion capable of maintaining a liquid-tight state is provided between the periphery of the top plate portion of the cap body and the lower part of the cylindrical side wall of the top lid. At least one hole is provided in the annular top plate portion outside the inner ring and inside the seal portion, passing through the annular top plate portion. When the cap is applied to a container, a flow path is formed between the inner surface of the skirt portion and the outer surface of the container mouth, connecting the hole and the lower end of the skirt portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge cap applied to contents that require a shower treatment with water after the contents are filled, and more particularly to a hinge cap in which water intrusion into the cap is suppressed even after the shower treatment.

Background Art

[0002] A hinge cap has a cap body fixed to a container and an upper lid connected by a hinge. Before initial opening, a liquid-tight state is maintained by the cap body, and after an opening is formed, a liquid-tight state can be maintained by the upper lid, and since it is easy to open and close, it is applied to containers that store liquid contents such as seasonings and fruit juices. In such contents, in order to enhance the preservability of the contents, it is subjected to a sterilization treatment such as hot filling, and after such a treatment, it is subjected to a shower treatment with cooling water and cooled. However, the cap inner space between the upper lid and the cap body may have an increased internal pressure in the space and air may escape to the outside when in a high-temperature state before cooling. In such a case, when the cap is cooled by the subsequent shower treatment, it may be in a decompressed state, and there is a risk of sucking cooling water from the fitting portion between the upper lid and the cap body. The cooling water sucked into the cap inner space is not hygienic even before opening by pulling the ring, and may give consumers an unpleasant feeling. In addition to cooling, there is also a risk that washing water for washing liquid dripping during filling may enter the cap inner space.

[0003] As a solution to such problems, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, an upward annular protrusion is formed between the pouring cylinder of the cap body and the periphery of the top plate portion, and on the inner surface side of the skirt portion of the upper lid, a locking portion in the radial inner direction that can be locked in a liquid-tight state with the annular protrusion is formed, and a water discharge mechanism is formed on the contact surface between the periphery of the top plate portion of the cap body and the lower end of the skirt portion of the upper lid. A hinge cap has been proposed.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 below proposes a hinge cap in which the top plate of the top lid has a sealing cylinder that hangs down from between the side wall and the inner ring and contacts the outer wall of the cap body to seal, and at least two grooves are provided on the side wall of the top lid, formed by cutting out the locking projection, at positions symmetrical with respect to a line connecting the center of the hinge and the flange portion of the top lid located opposite it. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4519250 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5004627 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The hinge cap described in Patent Document 1 above is equipped with a mechanism for draining infiltrated cooling water, but it is difficult to completely drain the water once it has entered. Furthermore, while the hinge cap described in Patent Document 2 above suppresses the intrusion of cooling water into the cap's internal space, the fit between the top lid and the cap varies depending on the dimensions of the container and the fit of the cap body to the container. Additionally, there are individual differences in the cap or the fit of the cap, such as when undercuts occur during the molding of the cap. Therefore, it is difficult to completely suppress the intrusion of cooling water into the cap's internal space when the pressure is reduced. Furthermore, if the fit between the top lid and the cap body is made strong enough to completely prevent water from entering, the force required to open the top lid becomes very large, which is inconvenient from the standpoint of ease of opening.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a hinge cap in which no pressure difference is created between the internal space of the cap and the outside of the cap, and in which cooling water or the like is effectively prevented from being drawn into the internal space of the cap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides a hinged cap comprising: a cap body comprising a top plate portion and a skirt portion hanging down from the periphery of the top plate portion, wherein a dispensing cylinder and an opening or planned opening portion are formed on the upper surface of the top plate portion, and an inner ring is formed on the lower surface of the top plate portion; and a top lid comprising a top surface and a cylindrical side wall hanging down from the top surface, wherein an annular projection that makes close contact with the dispensing cylinder is formed on the inner surface of the top surface, and the top lid is hinged to the upper end of the skirt portion of the cap body, wherein a seal portion capable of maintaining a liquid-tight state is formed between the periphery of the top plate portion of the cap body and the lower part of the cylindrical side wall of the top lid, and at least one hole is formed in the annular top plate portion outside the inner ring and inside the seal portion, and when the cap is applied to a container, a flow path is formed between the inner surface of the skirt portion and the outer surface of the container mouth portion, communicating the hole and the lower end of the skirt portion.

[0009] In the hinge cap of the present invention, (1) The flow path is formed by a groove formed on the inner surface of the skirt portion. (2) A circumferential recess is formed on the lower surface of the annular top plate portion, communicating with the hole and extending in the circumferential direction, and the groove of the skirt portion communicates with the circumferential recess, (3) The hole and the groove are formed in positions that do not coincide with the axial direction of the cap. (4) An overhang portion is formed that covers the hole from above at intervals, This is preferable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In the hinge cap of the present invention, an air hole is formed in the annular top plate portion that is outside the inner ring and inside the seal portion between the top plate portion of the cap body and the top lid, and this air hole communicates with a flow path formed between the outer surface of the container mouth portion and the inner surface of the skirt portion of the cap. As a result, outside air from outside the cap can enter and exit the cap's internal space through the air hole via the flow path, preventing a pressure difference from occurring between the cap's internal space and the outside of the cap. Therefore, even if the air in the cap's internal space expands due to high temperatures such as hot filling, it can be discharged to the outside of the cap. Similarly, even if the air in the cap's internal space contracts due to cooling such as a cooling shower, air can flow in from the outside of the cap. Since the cap's internal space is always under the same pressure as the outside of the cap, cooling water and the like do not enter through the fitting portion between the top lid and the cap body, as is the case with conventional caps.

[0011] Furthermore, since the present invention effectively prevents the occurrence of a pressure difference between the internal space of the cap and the outside of the cap, there is no intrusion of cooling water. Therefore, there is no need to increase the fitting strength of the top lid and the body of the cap in order to prevent such water intrusion, and the ease of opening the top lid is not impaired. Furthermore, because a circumferential recess extending in the circumferential direction is formed at the lower end of the air vent, even if cooling water enters the cap's internal space at the same time as outside air is introduced, the presence of the circumferential recess increases the distance from the lower end of the cap skirt to the air vent, effectively preventing cooling water from entering the cap's internal space. In addition, because a canopy is formed to cover the upper part of the air vent, even if splashing of the liquid contents occurs when using a container to which the hinge cap of the present invention is applied, and the liquid contents remain in the space inside the cap, it is effectively prevented from entering the air vent and blocking it, and the pressure difference between the space inside the cap and the outside of the cap can be reliably eliminated. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1]This figure shows an example of the hinge cap of the present invention, where (A) is a top view, (B) is a side cross-sectional view, and (C) is a bottom view. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the hinge cap applied to the container opening with the top lid closed. [Figure 3] This figure shows another example of the hinge cap of the present invention, where (A) is a top view, (B) is a side cross-sectional view, and (C) is a bottom view. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the hinge cap applied to the container opening with the top lid closed. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the hinge cap of the present invention having a canopy portion, where (A) is a top view, (B) is a side cross-sectional view, and (C) is a bottom view. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing the hinge cap applied to the container opening with the top lid closed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The hinge cap of the present invention will be described based on the attached drawings. The hinged cap 1 of the present invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2, is, in general terms, a cap body 2 and an upper lid 3 connected by a hinge 4 so that they can be opened and closed. The cap body 2 consists of a top plate portion 11 and a skirt portion 12 that hangs down from the periphery of the top plate portion 11 and fits and fixes to the mouth portion 5 of the container. The skirt portion 12 consists of an outer wall 12a and an inner wall 12b that are integrally connected at the lower end. A circumferential protrusion 13 that engages with the engaging portion 51 of the container mouth portion 5 is formed at the lower end of the inner wall 12b. Further, on the upper surface of the top plate portion 11, a planned opening portion 15 partitioned by a breakable weakened portion 14 and a pouring cylinder 16 surrounding the planned opening portion 15 are formed. Also, outside the pouring cylinder 16, a circumferential wall 17 having an engaging protrusion 17a on the outer peripheral surface for closing and fixing the upper lid 3 and fitting into the fitting recess 35 of the upper lid 3 described later to form a sealing portion is formed. A pull ring 18 for tearing and breaking the breakable weakened portion 14 is formed in the planned opening portion 15. Further, an inner ring 19 that is in pressure contact with the inner surface of the container mouth portion 5 and ensures liquid tightness is formed on the lower surface of the top plate portion 11.

[0014] The upper lid 3 consists of a top surface 31 and a cylindrical side wall 32 that hangs down from the periphery of the top surface 31. An inner peripheral side annular protrusion 33 that hangs down from the inner surface of the top surface 31 and abuts against the inner surface of the pouring cylinder 16 is formed, and an outer peripheral side annular protrusion 34 that is located outside the tip of the pouring cylinder 16 is formed. Also, a fitting recess 35 for fitting the engaging protrusion 17a of the circumferential wall 17 to form a sealing portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 32, and a flange portion 36 is formed at the outer lower end of the side wall 32 and on the opposite side of the hinge 4.

[0015] The basic structure of the hinge cap is as described above. In the present invention, in a cap having such a basic structure, an air hole 20 penetrating the annular top plate portion 11 is formed on the hinge 4 side of the annular top plate portion 11a that is located outside the inner ring 19 of the top plate portion 11 and inside the sealing portion formed by the engaging protrusion 17a of the circumferential wall 17 of the cap body and the fitting recess 35 of the upper lid 3. It is an important feature that a groove 21 extending to the lower end of the skirt portion is formed in the inner wall 12b of the skirt portion 12 so as to communicate with the air hole 20. Due to the formation of the air holes 20 and the grooves 21, a flow path is formed that communicates with the cap inner space S partitioned by the annular top plate portion 11a of the upper lid 3 and the pouring cylinder 16 from outside the cap. That is, in the sealed state where the cap body 2 is applied to the container mouth portion 5, when heat filling or the like is performed and the air in the cap inner space expands, or when the air in the cap inner space contracts due to a shower treatment with cooling water, in either case, since air can enter and exit the cap inner space S through the above flow path, in the cap of the present invention, no pressure difference occurs between the cap inner space S and the outside of the cap, and it is possible to effectively prevent cooling water from entering the cap inner space S.

[0016] In addition, even after the planned opening portion is formed, the liquid tightness of the cap is ensured by the pouring cylinder 16 and the inner peripheral side annular projection 33, so even if the cap inner space S communicates with the outside of the cap, problems such as liquid leakage do not occur.

[0017] Also, in the hinge cap of the present invention, as shown in the figure, it is preferable that a circumferential recess 22 extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the lower surface of the annular top plate portion 11a. Since this circumferential recess 22 is formed in the vicinity of the outer base of the inner ring 19, the movement of the inner ring 19 can be facilitated, and by communicating the air hole 20 with this circumferential recess 22, it becomes possible to form the air hole 20 and the groove 21 at positions that do not coincide in the axial direction of the cap (positions where the air hole and the groove are displaced in the circumferential direction of the cap). In other words, in the specific examples shown in Figures 1 and 2, the air holes 20 and grooves 21 are both located on the hinge 4 side in a position that coincides with the cap axis direction, so the air holes 20 and grooves 21 are in direct communication. However, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, even if the air holes 20, 20 are formed at two locations b1 and b2 perpendicular to the dispensing direction of the cap, and the groove 21 is formed at the same position a1 as shown in Figure 1, when the cap is applied to the container opening, a circumferential flow path is formed by the circumferential recess 22 and the tip of the container opening. As a result, air from outside the cap can pass through the groove 21 and the circumferential recess 22 to communicate with the air holes 20, allowing air to enter and exit the cap's internal space S. On the other hand, even if water from a shower treatment or the like enters the cap from the bottom end through the groove, the bypass effect effectively prevents it from reaching the air holes 20.

[0018] In the hinge cap of the present invention, in addition to the basic configuration described above, it is preferable that a canopy portion 23 covering the air hole 20 is formed, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. This canopy portion 23 is formed to cover the air hole 20 from above, from the center side of the cap body, and consists of a side wall 23a located closer to the center of the cap than the air hole 20 and a canopy 23b extending radially outward from the side wall 23a. This prevents the liquid contents remaining in the cap's internal space S from directly entering the air hole 20 from above and blocking the air hole 20, and also prevents obstruction of air entering and exiting the cap's internal space S, as the three sides without the side wall 23a become ventilation portions 24, allowing air to enter and exit. The shape of the canopy portion is not limited as long as it covers the air vent from above, and a ventilation section is formed with a gap between the canopy and the upper end surface of the air vent, and as long as it can communicate with the outside of the cap through the internal space S of the cap and the air vent. From the viewpoint of moldability, a cantilevered shape as described above is preferable, but the side walls may be L-shaped or U-shaped, and the position of the side walls is not limited as long as they are adjacent to the air vent.

[0019] In the hinge cap of the present invention, the size of the air holes can be appropriately changed depending on the number of holes to be formed, but it is preferable that the diameter be in the range of 1.0 to 5.0 mm. Also, the width of the groove (flow channel) is preferably in the range of 2.0 to 5.0 mm. In the specific examples shown in Figures 1 and 2, one air vent and one groove were formed on the hinge side, aligned with the cap axis direction. In the specific examples shown in Figures 3 and 4, two air vents were formed facing each other in a direction perpendicular to the dispensing direction, and one groove was formed on the hinge side. However, multiple air vents and grooves can be formed, and the design is not limited to these. Preferably, 1 to 4 air vents and 1 to 4 grooves are formed, and these numbers do not necessarily have to be the same. Furthermore, when forming circumferential recesses, as described above, it is preferable for the air holes and grooves not to be located in the direction of the cap axis in order to obtain the aforementioned bypass effect. Specifically, although not limited to this, at least grooves that serve as flow paths are formed at any of the positions a1 to a3 shown in Figure 1(C), and the air holes can be formed at positions a1 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or at positions b1 and b2 as shown in Figures 3 and 4, and various other modifications are possible. When forming a canopy to cover the air vent, the width, height, and size of the ventilation opening of the canopy can be appropriately changed depending on the size of the air vent. However, in order to effectively prevent contents remaining in the cap's internal space from entering the air vent, it is preferable to make the size of the ventilation opening as small as possible without affecting the airflow.

[0020] The hinge cap of the present invention is not limited to the specific example shown in the figure, and various modifications are possible. In the specific example shown in the figure, a groove was formed on the inner surface of the skirt portion to serve as a flow path from the lower end of the cap to the air vent. However, this is not limited to this, as long as a flow path can be formed, two axial ribs can also be formed on the inner surface of the skirt portion, and the space between the ribs can serve as a flow path. Furthermore, the basic structure of the hinge cap shown in the figure is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made as appropriate. For example, the skirt portion of the cap body was double-walled for separate disposal, but of course it could be a single skirt portion, and the cap body was fitted and fixed to the opening of the container, but it could also be fixed by screw engagement.

[0021] The hinge cap of the present invention can be integrally molded by injection molding of polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0022] 1. Hinge cap, 2. Cap body, 3. Top lid, 4. Hinge, 5. Container opening, 11. Top plate, 12. Skirt, 13. Circumferential projection, 14. Weakened section, 15. Intended opening section, 16. Dispensing cylinder, 17. Circumferential wall, 18. Tab, 19. Inner ring, 20. Air hole, 21. Groove, 22. Circumferential recess, 23. Canopy section, 24. Ventilation section, 31. Top surface, 32. Cylindrical side wall, 33. Inner circumferential annular projection, 34. Outer circumferential annular projection, 35. Fitting recess, 36. Flange section

Claims

1. The cap body consists of a top plate and a skirt portion hanging down from the periphery of the top plate, the top surface of the top plate has a dispensing cylinder and an opening or planned opening portion formed inside the dispensing cylinder, and the bottom surface of the top plate has an inner ring formed thereon. A hinged cap comprising a top surface and a cylindrical side wall hanging down from the top surface, an annular projection formed on the inner surface of the top surface to make close contact with the dispensing cylinder, and an upper lid hinged to the upper end of the skirt portion of the cap body, A sealing portion capable of maintaining a liquid-tight state is formed between the periphery of the top plate portion of the cap body and the lower part of the cylindrical side wall of the top lid. At least one hole is formed in the annular top plate portion that is outside the inner ring and inside the sealing portion, passing through the annular top plate portion. A hinged cap characterized in that, when the cap is applied to a container, a flow path is formed between the inner surface of the skirt portion and the outer surface of the container opening, connecting the hole and the lower end of the skirt portion.

2. The hinge cap according to claim 1, wherein the flow path is formed by a groove formed on the inner surface of the skirt portion.

3. The hinge cap according to claim 2, wherein a circumferential recess is formed on the lower surface of the annular top plate portion, communicating with the hole and extending in the circumferential direction, and the groove of the skirt portion communicates with the circumferential recess.

4. The hinge cap according to claim 3, wherein the hole and the groove are formed at positions that do not coincide with the axial direction of the cap.

5. The hinge cap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a canopy portion is formed to cover the aforementioned hole from above at intervals.

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