Container caps and tube containers

Abstract

To improve the drop strength of the container when it is dropped cap-side down. [Solution] The container cap 10 comprises a top portion 100 and an engaging wall portion 200. The top portion 100 is configured to be able to abut against the mouth portion 7 of the container in the opening direction AD of the mouth portion 7. The engaging wall portion 200 extends from the top portion 100 along the contact direction CD, which is the direction in which the top portion 100 abuts against the mouth portion 7, and is configured to be able to engage with the outer peripheral surface 7a of the mouth portion 7. The top portion 100 includes a top surface portion 110 and a projection portion 120. The top surface portion 110 includes an outer surface 111 facing the opposite direction OD of the contact direction CD. The projection portion 120 protrudes from the top surface portion 110 in the opposite direction OD so as to be located in the opposite direction OD from the outer surface 111. When viewed from the contact direction CD, the projection portion 120 is located on the inner circumference side of the engaging wall portion 200.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cap for a container and a tube container.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 3688423) discloses a container for storing cosmetic liquid or the like. This container for storing cosmetic liquid or the like includes a container body made of synthetic resin and a cap made of synthetic resin. The container body has a neck portion with an external thread on the outer surface. The cap has a top wall and an inner peripheral wall with an internal thread that is vertically provided from the lower surface of the central portion of the top wall and screwed onto the outer surface of the neck portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional container, when the container falls from the cap side, the impact received by the cap when it hits the ground may be transmitted to the container body. As a result, the container body may be damaged.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a cap for a container that can improve the dropping strength of the container when it falls from the cap side.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A container cap according to a certain aspect of the present disclosure comprises a top portion and an engaging wall portion. The top portion is configured to abut against the mouth of the container in the opening direction of the mouth. The engaging wall portion extends from the top portion along the contact direction, which is the direction in which the top portion abuts against the mouth, and is configured to engage with the outer circumferential surface of the mouth. The top portion includes a top surface and a projection. The top surface includes an outer surface facing the opposite direction to the contact direction. The projection projects from the top surface in the opposite direction to the outer surface. When viewed from the contact direction, the projection is located on the inner circumferential side of the engaging wall portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a container cap that can improve the drop strength of a container when it is dropped from the cap side. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a tube container according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sheet that makes up the cylindrical body. [Figure 3] This is a partial front view showing a tube container according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a plan view showing a tube container according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tube container as seen in the direction of the VV arrow. [Figure 6] This is a partial perspective view showing a modified tube container. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tube container as seen in the direction of the arrow VII-VII. [Figure 8] This is a partial perspective view of a tube container according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 9] This is a plan view showing a tube container according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the tube container as seen in the direction of the arrow indicated by line XX. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, tube containers and container caps according to each embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following descriptions of each embodiment, the same or corresponding parts in the figures will be denoted by reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0010] Furthermore, in this specification, if a certain component is said to contain polyester resin as its main component, it may mean that the polyester resin content in that component is 85% by mass or more, 90% by mass or more, 95% by mass or more, or 99% by mass or more.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a tube container according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 1, the tube container 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure comprises a tube container body 2 and a container cap 10. The tube container body 2 includes a body portion 3 and a dispensing portion 6. The body portion 3 includes a cylindrical body 4 and a closing portion 5.

[0012] Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sheet constituting the cylindrical body. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cylindrical body 4 is formed from a sheet S. Specifically, the cylindrical body 4 is formed by welding the ends of one sheet S together and shaping it into a cylinder. The cylindrical body 4 includes a base portion 4b containing one sheet S and a welded portion 4c, which is the part where the ends of one sheet S are welded together. The welded portion 4c has a strip-like outer shape.

[0013] The closing portion 5 is connected to the cylindrical body 4 and closes the open end of the cylindrical body 4 on the side opposite to the dispensing portion 6. The configuration of the closing portion 5 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the closing portion 5 is formed by welding the inner surfaces of the sheets S that form the cylindrical body 4 together.

[0014] Here, the details of the configuration of the sheet S will be described. The sheet S contains a polyester-based resin as a main component. Therefore, the cylindrical body 4, the body portion 3, and the tube container 1 have high recyclability. Specifically, it is preferable that the content of the polyester-based resin in the sheet S is 85% by mass or more as a whole, and more preferably 90% by mass or more.

[0015] The sheet S includes a first base material layer SL1, a second base material layer SL2, and one or more reinforcing layers RL, which are laminated on each other in the thickness direction.

[0016] The first base material layer SL1 is located on the center side of the cylindrical body 4 in the radial direction of the cylindrical body 4. That is, the first base material layer SL1 is the innermost layer of the cylindrical body 4. The second base material layer SL2 is located on the outer side in the radial direction of the first base material layer SL1 in the cylindrical body 4. The second base material layer SL2 can have the same configuration as the first base material layer SL1. However, the second base material layer SL2 may have a configuration different from that of the first base material layer SL1. In the following, when the configuration of "each of the first base material layer SL1 and the second base material layer SL2" is described, at least one of the first base material layer SL1 and the second base material layer SL2 may have that configuration.

[0017] Each of the first base material layer SL1 and the second base material layer SL2 contains a polyester resin as a main component. Thereby, the recyclability of the cylindrical body 4, the body portion 3, and the tube container 1 is improved. It is also preferable that the content of the polyester resin in each of the first base material layer SL1 and the second base material layer SL2 is 95% by mass or more, or 99% by mass or more. The polyester resin contained in the first base material layer SL1 and the second base material layer SL2 is not particularly limited as long as it can be used as the cylindrical body 4. Examples of the polyester resin include polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG, polyethylene terephthalate in which a part of the glycol component is modified with cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) or neopentyl glycol, etc.), and polylactic acid. The first base material layer SL1 preferably contains only a polyester resin as a resin component.

[0018] From the viewpoint of the recyclability of the cylindrical body 4, the body portion 3, and the tube container 1, the polyester resin in each of the first base material layer SL1 and the second base material layer SL2 is preferably polyethylene terephthalate such as homopolyethylene terephthalate or copolyethylene terephthalate obtained by copolymerizing ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and a third component, or glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate, and more preferably homopolyethylene terephthalate.

[0019] The first base layer SL1 and the second base layer SL2 are welded to each other at the welded portion 4c. The polyester resin in the first base layer SL1 and the second base layer SL2 is preferably an amorphous polyester resin (such as amorphous polyethylene terephthalate and glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate) from the viewpoint of welding the sheets S together at the welded portion 4c with relatively low energy and efficiently transmitting ultrasonic vibrations. In particular, each of the first base layer SL1 and the second base layer SL2 is most preferably amorphous homopolyethylene terephthalate from the viewpoint of both the recyclability of the cylindrical body 4, the body portion 3, and the tube container 1, and the adhesion of the sheets S at the welded portion 4c and the closing portion 5.

[0020] From the viewpoint of reducing environmental impact, it is preferable that the polyester resin in the first base layer SL1 and the second base layer SL2 be made from recycled or biomass raw materials. However, from the viewpoint of containing contents in the tube container 1, it is also preferable that the polyester resin in the first base layer SL1 be made from virgin raw materials.

[0021] The first base layer SL1 may be a single-layer film or part of a laminated film. The films (single-layer film or laminated film) constituting each of the first base layer SL1 and the second base layer SL2 are preferably unoriented films or uniaxially oriented films. As a result, crystallization of the surfaces of each of the first base layer SL1 and the second base layer SL2 is suppressed, and when the welded portion 4c is formed by ultrasonic welding, the weldability between the first base layer SL1 and the second base layer SL2 is improved. Furthermore, the adhesion between the sheets S at the welded portion 4c and the closed portion 5 is improved.

[0022] From the viewpoint of improving adhesion as described above, it is particularly preferable that the films constituting the first substrate layer SL1 and the second substrate layer SL2 are unstretched films.

[0023] The one or more reinforcing layers RL may be two or more reinforcing layers RL, or three or more reinforcing layers RL. The one or more reinforcing layers RL are arranged between the first base material layer SL1 and the second base material layer SL2. By including one or more reinforcing layers RL in the sheet S, the drop strength of the body 3 and the tube container 1 can be improved.

[0024] The reinforcing layer RL also contains a polyester resin as its main component. The polyester resin in the reinforcing layer RL is preferably homopolyethylene terephthalate, or polyethylene terephthalate such as copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate obtained by copolymerizing ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and a third component, glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate, or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). It is also preferable that the reinforcing layer RL contains only a polyester resin or polybutylene terephthalate as its resin component.

[0025] From the viewpoint of recyclability, the polyester resin of the reinforcing layer RL is preferably homopolyethylene terephthalate, or polyethylene terephthalate such as copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate obtained by copolymerizing ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and a third component, or glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate, and more preferably homopolyethylene terephthalate.

[0026] From the viewpoint of reducing environmental impact, it is preferable that the polyester resin in the reinforcing layer RL be made from recycled or biomass raw materials. However, from the viewpoint of reducing the cost of forming the body 3, it is also preferable that the polyester resin in the reinforcing layer RL be made from virgin raw materials.

[0027] From the viewpoint of further suppressing the drop strength of the tube container 1, it is also preferable that the polyester resin of the reinforcing layer RL be polybutylene terephthalate. Polybutylene terephthalate has higher impact strength compared to polyethylene terephthalate. Therefore, by using polybutylene terephthalate as the polyester resin of the reinforcing layer RL, it is possible to further suppress damage when the cylindrical body 4, the body 3, and the tube container 1 are dropped, while improving their recyclability. Furthermore, films containing polybutylene terephthalate have higher rigidity (specifically, tensile modulus, etc.) compared to films containing polyamide. As a result, if the reinforcing layer RL contains polybutylene terephthalate instead of a polyamide resin, it becomes easier to form the closing part 5 when the closing part 5 is formed by hot air welding of sheets S.

[0028] The film constituting the reinforcing layer RL is preferably a biaxially oriented film. This allows the radial thickness to be reduced while maintaining the toughness of the tubular body 4. Furthermore, the fact that the reinforcing layer RL is a biaxially oriented film facilitates the formation of the closing portion 5. In addition, if the sheet S includes a barrier layer BL described later, the fact that the film constituting the reinforcing layer RL is a biaxially oriented film can suppress cracking of the barrier layer BL. At least one of the multiple reinforcing layers RL may be a biaxially oriented film. However, it is preferable that each of the reinforcing layers RL is a biaxially oriented film.

[0029] The reinforcing layer RL may be part of the laminated film. If the reinforcing layer RL is part of the laminated film, it may be configured as one layer of the laminated film together with the first base layer SL1 or the second base layer SL2, or it may be laminated directly onto the first base layer SL1 or the second base layer SL2 without an adhesive layer or the like in between.

[0030] In this embodiment, one or more reinforcing layers RL include a first reinforcing layer RL1, a second reinforcing layer RL2, and a third reinforcing layer RL3. The first reinforcing layer RL1 is located closest to the first base layer SL1 among the multiple reinforcing layers RL. The third reinforcing layer RL3 is located closest to the second base layer SL2 among the multiple reinforcing layers RL. The second reinforcing layer RL2 is located between the first reinforcing layer RL1 and the third reinforcing layer RL3.

[0031] From the viewpoint of improving recyclability and drop strength in a balanced manner, it is preferable that the polyester resins of the first reinforcing layer RL1 and the third reinforcing layer RL3 are homopolyethylene terephthalate, or polyethylene terephthalate such as copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate obtained by copolymerizing ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and the third component, or glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate, and that the polyester resin of the second reinforcing layer RL2 is polybutylene terephthalate. Most preferably, the polyester resins of the first reinforcing layer RL1 and the third reinforcing layer RL3 are homopolyethylene terephthalate, and the polyester resin of the second reinforcing layer RL2 is polybutylene terephthalate.

[0032] In this embodiment, the sheet S further includes a barrier layer BL. The barrier layer BL may be located on the side of the first substrate layer SL1 with respect to the reinforcing layer RL, or on the opposite side of the first substrate layer SL1 with respect to the reinforcing layer RL. Specifically, the barrier layer BL may be located between the second substrate layer SL2 and the reinforcing layer RL. The sheet S may not include the barrier layer BL.

[0033] The material constituting the barrier layer BL is not particularly limited. Examples of the barrier layer BL include a ceramic barrier layer such as a silica barrier layer or an alumina barrier layer, or a metal barrier layer such as an aluminum barrier layer. The ceramic barrier layer may be a transparent vapor-deposited layer. In this embodiment, the barrier layer BL is laminated on the reinforcing layer RL by vapor deposition. Specifically, the barrier layer BL is laminated on the first reinforcing layer RL1 by vapor deposition. The sheet S may contain multiple barrier layers BL. Each of the multiple barrier layers BL may be laminated on multiple reinforcing layers RL by vapor deposition. In this embodiment, the sheet S contains only one barrier layer BL.

[0034] The sheet S further includes multiple adhesive layers AL. The multiple adhesive layers AL are located, respectively, between the first base layer SL1 and the first reinforcing layer RL1, between the first reinforcing layer RL1 and the second reinforcing layer RL2, between the second reinforcing layer RL2 and the third reinforcing layer RL3, and between the barrier layer BL and the second base layer SL2. The adhesive constituting the adhesive layers AL is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use a dry laminating adhesive. Conventional known dry laminating adhesives can be used.

[0035] The sheet S may further include a printed layer for improving its design. The printed layer may be located between any of the layers, as long as it is located radially outward from the first base layer SL1, which is the innermost layer of the cylindrical body 4. For example, it may be located between the first base layer SL1 and the reinforcing layer RL, between the second base layer SL2 and the reinforcing layer RL, or between two reinforcing layers RL. Preferably, the printed layer is located on the opposite side from the reinforcing layer RL when viewed from the second base layer SL2.

[0036] It is also preferable that the sheet S does not include a printed layer in the welded portion 4c. This prevents the printed layer from melting during the formation of the welded portion 4c, thereby reducing the aesthetic appearance of the tube container 1. The printed layer consists of, for example, ink. Examples of inks include oil-based inks (including solvent-based inks using organic solvents), water-based inks (including water-dispersible emulsion inks), or UV-curable inks.

[0037] The sheet S may further include an anchor coat layer. The anchor coat layer is located between the printed layer and the other layers. The anchor coat layer enhances the adhesion between the printed layer and the other layers. The anchor coat layer can be formed using conventionally known anchor coat agents, etc. If the sheet S includes a printed layer, a transparent protective layer may be further laminated on the printed layer. The transparent protective layer may be a resin film such as a polypropylene film, or a layer made of transparent ink.

[0038] The sheet S may further include an insulating layer. The insulating layer may be placed between the first base layer SL1 and the second base layer SL2. This suppresses the transfer of heat applied to the first base layer SL1 when forming the closing portion 5 to the second base layer SL2. The insulating layer may also be placed between the first base layer SL1 and the reinforcing layer RL. This suppresses the transfer of the above heat to the reinforcing layer RL. It is preferable that the insulating layer has a lower thermal conductivity than the thermal conductivity of the first base layer SL1. This effectively suppresses the transfer of the above heat to the second base layer SL2, etc., even if the insulating layer is relatively thin. The insulating layer may be a metal layer such as aluminum, but from the viewpoint of effectively suppressing heat conduction as described above, it is preferable that the insulating layer be composed of a foamed material made of a resin component such as polyethylene terephthalate.

[0039] The total thickness of the sheet S is preferably, for example, 12 μm to 250 μm, from the viewpoint of forming the sheet S into a cylindrical shape and from the viewpoint of handling the tube container 1. This provides good squeezeability to the tube container 1. Squeezability refers to the property of being able to dispense the contents contained in the container by pushing them out from the outside of the container.

[0040] The total thickness of the sheet S is preferably 100 μm or more, and more preferably 120 μm or more, from the viewpoint of ensuring the desired drop strength and other factors.

[0041] The first base layer SL1 and the second base layer SL2 will be welded to each other when forming the welded portion 4c. For this reason, it is preferable that each of the first base layer SL1 and the second base layer SL2 is at least thicker than each of the reinforcing layers RL. This reduces the influence of the resin components contained in the reinforcing layer RL on the strength of the weld between the sheets S when forming the welded portion 4c. From the viewpoint of further reducing this influence, the thickness of each of the first base layer SL1 and the second base layer SL2 is preferably 1.2 times or more, more preferably 3 times or more, and even more preferably 5 times or more, the thickness of each of the reinforcing layer RL. At least one of the first base layer SL1 and the second base layer SL2, or both of them, may be the thickest layers in the sheet S. In this specification, the thickness of the sheet S and the layers constituting them refers to the thickness of the sheet S and the layers constituting them in the state before forming the cylindrical body 4.

[0042] The thickness of the first substrate layer SL1 and the second substrate layer SL2 is preferably, for example, 10 μm or more, more preferably 60 μm or more, preferably 250 μm or less, and more preferably 80 μm or less. The thickness of the first substrate layer SL1 and the second substrate layer SL2 may be, for example, 50 μm, 60 μm, 70 μm, 80 μm, 90 μm, or 100 μm.

[0043] The thicknesses of the first base layer SL1 and the second base layer SL2 may be the same. This makes it possible to construct the second base layer SL2 using the same film as the film that constitutes the first base layer SL1. However, the thickness of the second base layer SL2 may be different from the thickness of the first base layer SL1.

[0044] The thickness of each reinforcing layer RL is preferably, for example, 5 μm to 200 μm, and more preferably 5 μm to 100 μm. From the viewpoint of reducing the total thickness of the sheet S, the thickness of each reinforcing layer RL may be, for example, 5 μm to 25 μm. The thickness of each reinforcing layer RL may be, for example, 12 μm, 15 μm, or 25 μm. If a barrier layer BL is deposited on the reinforcing layer RL, the total thickness of the reinforcing layer RL and the barrier layer BL may be 5 μm to 25 μm. The total thickness of the reinforcing layer RL and the barrier layer BL may be, for example, 12 μm, 15 μm, or 25 μm.

[0045] Figure 3 is a partial front view showing the tube container according to Embodiment 1. Figure 4 is a plan view showing the tube container according to Embodiment 1. Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tube container in Figure 4, viewed in the direction of the VV arrow.

[0046] As shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 6, the dispensing section 6 is connected to the open end 4a of the cylindrical body 4 and is configured to dispense the contents contained in the tube container body 2. The open end 4a of the cylindrical body 4 is located on the opposite side from the open end to which the closing section 5 is connected. As shown in each figure, the dispensing section 6 is joined to the inner surface of the open end 4a, but the manner in which the dispensing section 6 and the open end 4a are joined is not particularly limited.

[0047] The dispensing section 6 is made of a resin molded product. From the viewpoint of the recyclability of the tube container 1, it is preferable that the dispensing section 6 is made of a resin composition mainly composed of polyester resin. Polyester resins are more prone to cracking due to impact and stress transmission compared to polyolefin resins such as polyethylene or polypropylene, which are commonly used as materials for tube containers. Therefore, when the dispensing section 6 is made of a resin composition mainly composed of polyester resin, it is even more important to reduce stress on unintended areas of the dispensing section 6 due to the impact of dropping the tube container 1.

[0048] The polyester resin used in the dispensing section 6 can be the same as the polyester resin used in the first base layer SL1. From the viewpoint of the recyclability of the tube container 1, the polyester resin in the dispensing section 6 is more preferably homopolyethylene terephthalate, or polyethylene terephthalate such as copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate obtained by copolymerizing ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and a third component, or glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate, and even more preferably homopolyethylene terephthalate. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of the moldability of the dispensing section 6, the polyester resin in the dispensing section 6 is preferably amorphous polyester resin (amorphous polyethylene terephthalate, glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate, etc.). However, the polyester resin in the dispensing section 6 may also be crystalline polyester resin (for example, crystalline polyethylene terephthalate).

[0049] From the viewpoint of the recyclability of the tube container 1, it is preferable that the resin composition constituting the dispensing section 6 contains only polyester resin as a resin component. The resin composition constituting the dispensing section 6 may further contain conventionally known additives. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of reducing environmental impact, it is preferable that the polyester resin in the resin composition is made from recycled materials or biomass-derived materials, but from the viewpoint of reducing the manufacturing cost of the dispensing section 6, it is also preferable that the polyester resin in the resin composition is made from virgin materials.

[0050] The dispensing section 6 includes a mouth portion 7, a shoulder portion 8, and a neck portion 9. The mouth portion 7 has a cylindrical outer shape and is configured to allow the contents contained in the tube container body 2 to flow through it.

[0051] The mouth portion 7 has an outer peripheral surface 7a and a mouth end surface 7b. The outer peripheral surface 7a is a surface that faces outward with respect to the central axis A of the mouth portion 7. The outer peripheral surface 7a is provided with a locking portion to which the container cap 10 can be locked.

[0052] The mouth end surface 7b extends substantially parallel to the central axis A. The mouth end surface 7b is the surface facing the opening direction OD of the mouth 7. The opening direction OD and the direction in which the central axis A extends may be substantially parallel. Viewed from the opening direction OD, the mouth end surface 7b extends in an annular shape. In this specification, when referring to the "inner circumference" and "outer circumference" of the structure of the tube container 1, this central axis A is the reference point.

[0053] The shoulder portion 8 is connected to the mouth portion 7. The shoulder portion 8 extends away from the central axis A from the side opposite to the mouth end face 7b of the mouth portion 7. In this embodiment, the shoulder portion 8 also extends away from the mouth portion 7 in the axial direction of the central axis A. On the side opposite to the mouth portion 7, the shoulder portion 8 is joined to the open end 4a.

[0054] The neck portion 9 is formed to protrude outwards from the shoulder portion 8 towards the outside of the tube container body 2 at the point where it connects to the mouth portion 7.

[0055] The following describes a container cap 10 according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. The container cap 10 is made of, for example, a resin composition. From the viewpoint of recyclability, the container cap 10 is preferably made of a resin composition mainly composed of a polyester resin. The polyester resin in the container cap 10 can be any polyester resin that can be used in the dispensing part 6. However, the material of the container cap 10 is not particularly limited.

[0056] In particular, as shown in Figure 5, the container cap 10 comprises a top portion 100, an engaging wall portion 200, an outer peripheral wall portion 300, and an inner peripheral wall portion 400.

[0057] The top portion 100 is configured to be in contact with the mouth portion 7 of the container in the opening direction AD. More typically, the top portion 100 is in liquid-tight contact with the mouth end surface 7b.

[0058] The ceiling portion 100 includes a top surface portion 110 and a protruding portion 120. The top surface portion 110 includes an outer surface 111 and an inclined surface 112. The outer surface 111 faces in the direction OD opposite to the contact direction CD. The contact direction CD is the direction in which the ceiling portion 100 contacts the opening portion 7. That is, the direction OD opposite to the contact direction CD is parallel to the opening direction AD.

[0059] The outer surface 111 is planar. In this embodiment, the outer surface 111 extends in a direction perpendicular to the contact direction CD. The outer surface 111 includes a first outer surface 111a and a second outer surface 111b. The second outer surface 111b is located on the outer circumference side of the first outer surface 111a. In this embodiment, the second outer surface 111b is located on the opposite side OD from the first outer surface 111a.

[0060] The projection 120 protrudes from the top surface 110 in the opposite direction OD to the outer surface 111. The projection height of the projection 120 in the opposite direction OD to the outer surface 111 (second outer surface 111b) is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 0.2 mm or less. The projection 120 extends in an annular shape when viewed from the opposite direction OD (see Figures 1 and 4).

[0061] The inclined surface 112 extends from the outer peripheral edge 111c of the outer surface 111 (second outer surface 111b) and inclins toward the contact direction CD as it moves away from the outer peripheral edge 111c. The maximum inclination angle of the inclined surface 112 with respect to the outer surface 111 near the outer peripheral edge 111c may be, for example, 20 degrees or more, 30 degrees or more, or 40 degrees or more, and may be 70 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less, or 50 degrees or less.

[0062] The engaging wall portion 200 extends from the ceiling portion 100 along the contact direction CD and is configured to engage with the locking portion on the outer peripheral surface 7a of the opening portion 7. Typically, the engaging wall portion 200 is in contact with the CD side of the locking portion on the outer peripheral surface 7a. In other words, the container cap 10 according to this embodiment is a so-called push-pump type cap.

[0063] The protruding portion 120 is located on the inner circumference side of the engaging wall portion 200 when viewed from the contact direction CD. When the engaging wall portion 200 is engaged with the outer circumferential surface 7a of the mouth portion 7 (hereinafter, this state may be simply referred to as the "engaged state"), the protruding portion 120 is aligned with the mouth portion 7 in the opening direction AD.

[0064] Preferably, when the engaging wall portion 200 is engaged, the distance from the neck portion 9 is 0 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less. This makes it easier for the engaging wall portion 200 to come into contact with the neck portion 9 when the container cap 10 deforms due to the impact of dropping the tube container 1. When the engaging wall portion 200 comes into contact with the neck portion 9, stress concentrates on the neck portion 9. Furthermore, since the neck portion 9 is raised from the shoulder portion 8, the neck portion 9 is relatively less prone to cracking at the dispensing portion 6. Thus, the drop resistance of the tube container 1 can be further improved.

[0065] The outer peripheral wall portion 300 extends from the ceiling portion 100 in the contact direction CD. The outer peripheral wall portion 300 is located on the outer peripheral side of the engaging wall portion 200.

[0066] In the engaged state, it is preferable that the distance between the outer peripheral wall portion 300 and the shoulder portion 8 is 0 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less. This reduces the impact on the shoulder portion 8 when the outer peripheral wall portion 300 comes into contact with the shoulder portion 8 when the container cap 10 deforms due to the impact of dropping the tube container 1. In the engaged state, it is most preferable that the outer peripheral wall portion 300 is in contact with the shoulder portion 8.

[0067] The average thickness of the outer periphery wall portion 300 is preferably thinner than the average thickness of the top surface portion 110. Because the average thickness of the outer periphery wall portion 300 is thinner than that of the top surface portion 110, the impact transmitted from the outer periphery wall portion 300 to the shoulder portion 8 when the tube container 1 is dropped from the container cap 10 side is relatively mitigated. From this viewpoint, the thickness of the outer periphery wall portion 300 is preferably, for example, 0.7 mm or less. Furthermore, except for the chamfered ends of the outer periphery wall portion 300, the thickness of the outer periphery wall portion 300 may be, for example, 0.4 mm or more.

[0068] The inner circumferential wall portion 400 extends from the ceiling portion 100 in the contact direction CD. The inner circumferential wall portion 400 is located on the inner circumferential side of the outer circumferential wall portion 300. In the engaged state, the inner circumferential wall portion 400 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the opening portion 7.

[0069] As described above, the container cap 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure comprises a ceiling portion 100 and an engaging wall portion 200. The ceiling portion 100 is configured to be able to abut against the mouth portion 7 of the container in the opening direction AD of the mouth portion 7. The engaging wall portion 200 extends from the ceiling portion 100 along the contact direction CD, which is the direction in which the ceiling portion 100 abuts against the mouth portion 7, and is configured to be able to engage with the outer peripheral surface 7a of the mouth portion 7. The ceiling portion 100 includes a top surface portion 110 and a projection portion 120. The top surface portion 110 includes an outer surface 111 facing the opposite direction OD of the contact direction CD. The projection portion 120 protrudes from the top surface portion 110 in the opposite direction OD, so as to be located in the opposite direction OD from the outer surface 111. When viewed from the contact direction CD, the projection portion 120 is located on the inner circumference side of the engaging wall portion 200.

[0070] As a result, when a container equipped with a container cap 10 falls cap-first, the stress caused by the impact on the container cap 10 upon contact with the ground tends to concentrate on the protrusion 120. Alternatively, the protrusion 120 tends to contact the outer surface 111 first. Furthermore, because the protrusion 120 is located on the inner circumference side of the engaging wall portion 200 as described above, the distance from the protrusion 120 to the mouth portion 7 is relatively short. This allows the stress concentrated on the protrusion 120 to be easily transmitted to the mouth portion 7, preventing the stress caused by the fall impact from concentrating on unintended parts of the container body (for example, the part of the shoulder portion 8 that contacts the outer peripheral wall portion 300). Therefore, the drop strength of the container when it falls cap-first can be improved.

[0071] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the protruding portion 120 extends in an annular shape when viewed from the opposite direction OD.

[0072] As a result, when the opening end of the mouth portion 7 extends in an annular shape, the stress concentrated on the protruding portion 120 is more easily transmitted to the mouth portion 7. Therefore, the concentration of stress due to impact from dropping on unintended parts of the container body is further suppressed, and the drop strength of the container when dropped from the container cap 10 side is further improved.

[0073] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the top surface portion 110 further includes an inclined surface 112. The inclined surface 112 extends from the outer peripheral edge 111c of the outer surface 111 and inclins toward the contact direction CD as it moves away from the outer peripheral edge 111c.

[0074] This prevents a strong localized impact from being applied to the edge of the top surface 110 when the container is dropped and the edge of the top surface 110 touches the ground. Therefore, the impact transmitted to the container body is also mitigated, further improving the drop strength of the container when it is dropped from the container cap 10 side.

[0075] Furthermore, the tube container 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure comprises a container cap 10 and a tube container body 2. The tube container body 2 includes a body portion 3 and a dispensing portion 6. The body portion 3 includes a cylindrical body 4 formed from a sheet S. The dispensing portion 6 is connected to the open end 4a of the cylindrical body 4 and is configured to dispense the contents contained in the tube container body 2. The dispensing portion 6 is made of a resin molded product. The dispensing portion 6 includes a cylindrical mouth portion 7. The mouth portion 7 is configured to allow the contents contained in the tube container body 2 to flow through. When the engaging wall portion 200 is engaged with the outer circumferential surface 7a of the mouth portion 7, the protruding portion 120 is aligned with the mouth portion 7 in the opening direction AD.

[0076] As a result, when the tube container 1 is dropped from the container cap 10 side, the stress concentrated on the protrusion 120 is more easily transmitted to the opening 7, further suppressing the concentration of stress due to the impact of the fall on unintended parts of the tube container 1. Therefore, the drop strength of the tube container 1 when dropped from the container cap 10 side is further improved.

[0077] In addition, the container cap 10 in Embodiment 1 was a so-called push-button type cap, but a screw-type cap may also be used.

[0078] Figure 6 is a partial perspective view showing a modified tube container. Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tube container of Figure 6, viewed in the direction of the line VII-VII. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, in the modified tube container 1A and container cap 10A, the outer circumferential surface 7aA of the mouth portion 7 may be formed into a male thread shape, and the inner surface of the engaging wall portion 200A may be formed into a female thread shape. That is, the engaging wall portion 200A may be screwed onto the outer circumferential surface 7aA of the mouth portion 7.

[0079] (Embodiment 2) Furthermore, a tube container and a container cap according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure will be described. The tube container and container cap according to Embodiment 2 differ from the container cap of Embodiment 1 in that the container cap is of the hinged cap type. For this reason, the same configuration and effects as in Embodiment 1 may not be repeated in the description.

[0080] Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the tube container according to Embodiment 2. Figure 9 is a plan view of the tube container according to Embodiment 2. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the tube container of Figure 9, viewed in the direction of the arrow XX.

[0081] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, in the container cap 10B according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, the top portion 100 further includes an inner surface portion 130B, a hinge portion 140B, and a rib 150B.

[0082] The inner surface portion 130B is located in the contact direction CD when viewed from the top surface portion 110 and is configured to be able to contact the opening portion 7. The hinge portion 140B connects the top surface portion 110 and the inner surface portion 130B. The rib 150B is located between the top surface portion 110 and the inner surface portion 130B and extends from either the top surface portion 110 or the inner surface portion 130B along the contact direction CD or the opposite direction OD. The rib 150B is aligned with the projection portion 120 in the contact direction CD.

[0083] As a result, even if the container cap 10B is a so-called hinged cap, the stress concentrated on the protruding portion 120 is easily transmitted to the opening portion 7 via the top portion 110, the rib 150B, and the inner surface portion 130B. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably suppress the concentration of stress due to impact from dropping on unintended parts of the container body.

[0084] The configurations of Embodiment 2 will be described further. The inner surface portion 130B has a through hole 131B that penetrates in the opening direction OD. The through hole 131B connects the inside of the mouth portion 7 with the space between the inner surface portion 130B and the top portion 110 in the opening direction OD. When the hinge portion 140B is closed, that is, when the inner surface portion 130B and the top portion 110 are in contact with each other, the through hole 131B is closed. When the hinge portion 140B is open, the inner surface portion 130B and the top portion 110 are separated from each other. As a result, the contents of the tube container 1B are dispensed through the mouth portion 7 and the through hole 131B.

[0085] The rib 150B (first rib) extends in a cylindrical shape along the contact direction CD. In this embodiment, the rib 150B also extends from the top surface portion 110 in the contact direction CD. The rib 150B is in contact with the inner surface portion 130B when the hinge portion 140B is closed.

[0086] The ceiling portion 100 further includes a second rib 160B. The second rib 160B extends cylindrically from the top surface portion 110 along the contact direction CD between the top surface portion 110 and the inner surface portion 130B. The second rib 160B is aligned with the engaging wall portion 200 in the contact direction CD. The second rib 160B is in contact with the inner surface portion 130B when the hinge portion 140B is closed.

[0087] In Embodiment 2, the outer peripheral wall portion 300B and the inner peripheral wall portion 400B extend from the inner surface portion 130B. The outer peripheral wall portion 300B includes a thick-walled portion 310B and a thin-walled portion 320B. The thick-walled portion 310B extends from the top portion 100. The thin-walled portion 320B extends further from the thick-walled portion 310B toward the shoulder portion 8. The thin-walled portion 320B includes the leading edge of the outer peripheral wall portion 300B. The thickness of the thin-walled portion 320B is thinner than the thickness of the thick-walled portion 310B. As a result, when the tube container 1 is dropped from the container cap 10B side, the impact transmitted from the thick-walled portion 310B through the thin-walled portion 320B to the shoulder portion 8 is relatively mitigated.

[0088] From the above viewpoint, it is preferable that the thickness of the thin-walled portion 320B be, for example, 0.7 mm or less. Furthermore, apart from the chamfered leading edge of the thin-walled portion 320B, the thickness of the thin-walled portion 320B may be, for example, 0.4 mm or more. In the engaged state, it is most preferable that the thin-walled portion 320B is in contact with the shoulder portion 8.

[0089] (Note) As described above, embodiments of this disclosure include the following disclosures.

[0090] <1> A cap for a container, The ceiling and, It comprises an engaging wall portion, The ceiling portion is configured to be able to contact the opening of the container in the direction of the opening of the opening, The engaging wall extends from the ceiling portion along the contact direction, which is the direction in which the ceiling portion contacts the opening portion, and is configured to be engageable with the outer circumferential surface of the opening portion. The aforementioned ceiling section is The top surface and, Including a protruding part, The top surface includes an outer surface facing in the opposite direction to the contact direction, The aforementioned protruding portion protrudes from the top surface portion in the opposite direction so as to be located in the opposite direction from the outer surface, The aforementioned protrusion is located on the inner circumference side of the engagement wall when viewed from the contact direction, in a container cap.

[0091] <2> The aforementioned protrusion extends in an annular shape when viewed from the opposite direction. <1> A cap for the container as described.

[0092] <3> The top surface portion further includes an inclined surface that extends from the outer peripheral edge of the outer surface and slopes toward the contact direction as it moves away from the outer peripheral edge. <1> or <2> A cap for the container as described.

[0093] <4> The aforementioned ceiling section is The inner surface and, The hinge part, It also includes ribs, The inner surface portion is positioned in the contact direction when viewed from the top surface portion and is configured to be able to contact the opening portion. The hinge portion connects the top surface portion and the inner surface portion. The rib extends between the top surface and the inner surface, from the top surface or the inner surface along the contact direction or the opposite direction. The rib is aligned with the protrusion in the contact direction. <1> from <3> A container cap as described in one of the following.

[0094] <5> <1> from <4> A container cap as described in one of the following, It comprises a tube container body, The tube container body is A body including a cylindrical body formed from a sheet, It includes a dispensing section made of a resin molded product, which is connected to the open end of the cylindrical body and configured to dispense the contents contained in the tube container body, The dispensing portion includes a cylindrical opening configured to allow the contents contained in the tube container body to flow through, A tube container in which, when the engaging wall is engaged with the outer circumferential surface of the opening, the protruding portion is aligned with the opening in the opening direction.

[0095] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0096] 1,1A,1B Tube container, 2 Tube container body, 3 Body, 4 Cylindrical body, 4a Opening end, 4b Base, 4c Welding part, 5 Closing part, 6 Spout part, 7 Mouth part, 7a,7aA Outer surface, 7b Mouth end surface, 8 Shoulder part, 9 Neck part, 10,10A,10B Container cap, 100 Ceiling, 110 Top surface, 111 External surface, 111a 1st external surface, 111b 2nd external surface, 111c Outer periphery, 112 Inclined surface, 120 Projection, 130B Inner surface, 131B Through hole, 140B Hinge, 150B Rib, 160B 2nd rib, 200,200A Engagement wall, 300,300B Outer wall, 310B Thick section, 320B; Thin section, 400, 400B; Inner peripheral wall section, A; Central axis, AL; Adhesive layer, BL; Barrier layer, RL; Reinforcement layer, RL1 First reinforcement layer, RL2 Second reinforcement layer, RL3 Third reinforcement layer, S; Sheet, SL1 First base layer, SL2 Second base layer.

Claims

1. A cap for a container, The ceiling and, It comprises an engaging wall portion, The ceiling portion is configured to be able to contact the opening of the container in the direction of the opening of the opening, The engaging wall extends from the ceiling portion along the contact direction, which is the direction in which the ceiling portion contacts the opening portion, and is configured to be engageable with the outer circumferential surface of the opening portion. The aforementioned ceiling section is The top surface and, Including a protruding part, The top surface includes an outer surface facing in the opposite direction to the contact direction, The aforementioned protruding portion protrudes from the top surface portion in the opposite direction so as to be located in the opposite direction from the outer surface, The aforementioned protrusion is located on the inner circumference side of the engagement wall when viewed from the contact direction, in a container cap.

2. The container cap according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion extends in an annular shape when viewed from the opposite direction.

3. The container cap according to claim 1, wherein the top surface further includes an inclined surface that extends from the outer peripheral edge of the outer surface and slopes toward the contact direction as it moves away from the outer peripheral edge.

4. A container cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It comprises a tube container body, The tube container body is A body including a cylindrical body formed from a sheet, It includes a dispensing section made of a resin molded product, which is connected to the open end of the cylindrical body and configured to dispense the contents contained in the tube container body, The dispensing portion includes a cylindrical opening configured to allow the contents contained in the tube container body to flow through, A tube container in which, when the engaging wall is engaged with the outer circumferential surface of the opening, the protruding portion is aligned with the opening in the opening direction.

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