Hinge cap

Abstract

This technology provides a way to prevent external liquid from entering the hinge cap without increasing the opening force of the hinge cap. [Solution] The hinge cap 100 according to the present invention comprises a cap body 10 that is attached to a container and an upper lid 30 connected to the cap body 10 via a hinge connecting portion 20. When the container is closed, a labyrinth portion 50 is formed in the communication region 43 surrounded by the engagement portion 40 between the outer surface S1 of the cap body 10 and the inner surface S2 of the upper lid 40, and at least a part of the outer surface S1 and the inner surface S2, which guides liquid that has entered from the outside in the circumferential direction rather than the height direction of the communication region 43 and keeps it contained within the communication region 43.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge cap.

Background Art

[0002] A hinge cap has an upper lid and a cap body connected via a hinge connecting portion, and is widely used for containers that contain contents such as seasonings. By the way, when filling such a container with contents, first, the contents are filled into the container at a high temperature in order to perform sterilization. After the hinge cap is capped onto the container, the entire container is cooled with shower water. At that time, the inside of the container becomes a reduced-pressure state, and accordingly, the inside of the hinge cap also becomes a reduced-pressure state. Therefore, the phenomenon that shower water enters the upper lid may occur. However, from the viewpoint of the commercial value, it is required to suppress such a phenomenon.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a synthetic resin hinge cap provided with a main body having a side wall hanging down from the outer peripheral edge of the top wall, an annular protrusion provided on the lower side of the inner peripheral surface of the side wall that is press-fitted against the mouth of the container, and an engaging cylinder provided on the upper surface of the top wall. The synthetic resin hinge cap further includes an upper lid integrally connected thereto via a hinge, which engages with the engaging cylinder when the lid is closed and has a skirt that covers the side wall. The synthetic resin hinge cap is characterized in that sealing means for sealing between the inner peripheral surface of the skirt and the upper outer peripheral surface of the side wall is provided.

[0004] Also, Patent Document 2 describes a synthetic resin cap provided with a middle plug having a pouring cylinder continuous to the top wall via an outer cylinder, and an upper lid detachably provided on the middle plug and having an inner peripheral surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder. The middle plug is provided with a stopper ring that engages with the upper lid on the upper surface side of the top wall. A synthetic resin cap is characterized in that a fin-shaped valve that inclines downward when the lid is closed and presses the other surface in a state where the inside of the upper lid is in a negative pressure state is provided on either the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4186178 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4740475 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Even if a sealing means is provided between the top lid and the cap body of the hinge cap, as in the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it has not been possible to sufficiently prevent external liquid from entering the hinge cap. As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to add more sealing means, but there is a risk that pressure fluctuations inside the hinge cap may prevent it from achieving the sealing performance necessary to prevent external liquid from entering. In addition, adding more sealing means may increase the opening force of the hinge cap, which may prevent consumers from smoothly opening and closing the top lid.

[0007] In view of these circumstances, the object of the present invention is to provide a technology that suppresses the ingress of external liquid into the hinge cap without increasing the opening force of the hinge cap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, a hinge cap in one embodiment of the present invention comprises (1) a cap body that is attached to a container, and a top lid connected to the cap body via a hinge connecting portion, wherein the cap body includes a mounting portion that is attached to the mouth of the container, a top plate portion that extends inward from the mounting portion and covers at least a part of the mouth, and a dispensing portion that rises from the top plate portion, and the top lid includes a top surface portion and an annular wall that extends downward from the periphery of the top surface portion and covers the dispensing portion when the container is closed, wherein the outer surface of the mounting portion and the inner surface of the annular wall are configured to engage with each other when the container is closed, and when the container is closed, a labyrinth portion is formed in a communication region surrounded by the engagement point between the outer surface and the inner surface, at least a part of the outer surface, and the inner surface, which guides liquid that has entered from the outside in the circumferential direction with priority over the height direction of the communication region and keeps it within the communication region.

[0009] In the hinge cap described in (1) above, (2) the outer surface further includes an upper skirt portion above the boundary point that abuts against or is close to the inner surface when the lid is closed, and a lower skirt portion below the boundary point, and the communication region is preferably surrounded by the engagement point, the upper skirt portion and the inner surface.

[0010] In the hinge cap described in (1) above, (3) it is preferable that the labyrinth portion is formed in an area that is half or less the height of the communication area.

[0011] In the hinge cap described in (1) above, (4) it is preferable that the labyrinth portion has a cross section that is bent along the height direction of the communication region in a cross section passing through the central axis of the hinge cap.

[0012] In the hinge cap described in any of (1) to (4) above, (5) the labyrinth portion preferably includes an upper lid side rib extending along the circumferential direction of the inner surface and projecting from the inner surface toward the outer surface, and a body side rib extending along the circumferential direction of the outer surface and projecting from the outer surface toward the inner surface, wherein the upper lid side rib and the body side rib are formed at different levels from each other.

[0013] In the hinge cap described in (5) above, (6) the upper lid side ribs are formed intermittently along the circumferential direction of the inner surface, and the body side ribs are formed intermittently along the circumferential direction of the outer surface, and it is preferable that the arrangement of the upper lid side ribs and the body side ribs in the height direction of the hinge cap is swapped along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap.

[0014] In the hinge cap described in (6) above, (7) the arrangement includes a first arrangement and a second arrangement adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the hinge cap, and it is preferable that the distance along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap between the first rib group consisting of the upper lid side rib and the body side rib belonging to the first arrangement and the second rib group consisting of the upper lid side rib and the body side rib belonging to the second arrangement is greater than the rib distance in each of the first rib group and the second rib group.

[0015] In the hinge cap described in (6) above, (8) the arrangement includes a first arrangement and a second arrangement adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the hinge cap, and it is preferable that the upper lid side rib belonging to the first arrangement and the upper lid side rib belonging to the second arrangement, or the body side rib belonging to the first arrangement and the body side rib belonging to the second arrangement, partially overlap when viewed along the central axis of the hinge cap. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the ingress of liquid from the outside into the hinge cap without increasing the opening force of the hinge cap. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] The cross-sectional view of the hinge cap according to one embodiment of the present invention, cut along a plane passing through its central axis, is shown. [Figure 2] The partial enlarged view obtained by enlarging the region indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1 is shown. [Figure 3] It is a diagram for explaining an example of the arrangement of the upper lid side rib and the main body side rib. [Figure 4] The partial enlarged view obtained by enlarging the region indicated by the broken line in FIG. 3 is shown. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the arrangement of the upper lid side rib and the main body side rib shown in FIG. 4.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments for preferably implementing the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, the terms "upper" and "lower" respectively mean upper and lower in the state shown in FIG. 1 (that is, the state where the hinge cap 100 is upright), unless otherwise specified.

[0019] <1. Hinge Cap> Referring to FIG. 1, the hinge cap 100 according to the present embodiment includes a cap body 10 attached to a container (not shown), and an upper lid 30 connected to the cap body 10 via a hinge connecting portion 20.

[0020] The hinge connecting portion 20 is not particularly limited as long as the upper lid 30 can be hinge-connected to the cap body 10, and a known or arbitrary hinge connecting structure can be applied.

[0021] In addition, examples of the "container" in this specification include known or arbitrary containers such as resin or glass bottles that can store and preserve contents such as seasonings. Such containers are formed with known or arbitrary mouths for pouring out the contents.

[0022] The cap body 10 includes at least a mounting portion 11, a top plate portion 12, and a dispensing portion 13.

[0023] The mounting portion 11 is attached to the mouth of the container. Specifically, the mounting portion 11 is formed to extend downward from the peripheral edge of the outer periphery of the top plate portion 12, which is outside the dispensing portion 13. In the example shown in Figure 1, the mounting portion 11 includes an upper skirt portion 11a and a lower skirt portion 11b. When the lid is closed, the upper skirt portion 11a is located above the boundary point 44 between the mounting portion 11 and the top lid 30, and the lower skirt portion 11b is located below the boundary point 44. In the example shown in Figure 2, when the lid is closed, the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11 is in contact with the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32 at the boundary point 44. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a small gap may be formed between the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11 and the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32 at the boundary point 44. That is, when the lid is closed, the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11 is not in complete contact with the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32 at the boundary point 44, but may be in close proximity. The upper skirt portion 11a may include an inner circumferential surface S3 formed to conform to the outer circumferential surface of the container opening, and works in cooperation with the inner ring 12d, described later, to fit into the container opening. In the example shown in Figure 2, the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11 has a receiving surface 11c that receives the lower end surface of the top lid 30 when the lid is closed, and the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11 is separated into an upper skirt portion 11a and a lower skirt portion 11b by the receiving surface 11c. However, the receiving surface 11c is not an essential component for achieving the effects of the present invention and can be omitted, and the upper skirt portion 11a and the lower skirt portion 11b may be continuous without a step such as the receiving surface 11c.

[0024] The top plate portion 12 extends inward from the mounting portion 11 and covers at least a portion of the mouth of the container. In the example shown in Figure 1, the top plate portion 12 includes a known or optional weakening portion 12a, such as a score, formed on the inside of the dispensing portion 13, an initial sealing portion 12b formed on the inside of the weakening portion 12a, and a known or optional pull ring 12c connected to the initial sealing portion 12b. When the consumer first dispenses the contents filled in the container, they pull up the pull ring 12c, causing the initial sealing portion 12b to detach at the weakening portion 12a and the mouth of the container to be opened. However, the weakening portion 12a, the initial sealing portion 12b, and the pull ring 12c are not essential components for achieving the effects of the present invention and can be omitted. In addition, an inner ring 12d is formed on the back side of the top plate portion 12 that faces the mouth of the container, and is capable of tightly contacting the inner circumferential surface of the mouth of the container.

[0025] The dispensing section 13 is erected from the top plate 12. Specifically, the dispensing section 13 has a cylindrical shape that is erected from the top plate 12 and allows the contents filled in the container to be dispensed. The dispensing section 13 may be erected so as to widen upward and outward from the top plate 12. Also, as shown in Figure 1, the upper end of the dispensing section 13 may include a curved section 14 that is continuous with the inner surface of the dispensing section 13 and curves outward and downward.

[0026] The top lid 30 includes at least a top surface 31 and an annular wall 32. The top surface 31 has a disc-like shape. The annular wall 32 extends downward from the periphery of the top surface 31 and covers the dispensing section 13 when the container is closed. In the example shown in Figure 1, a flange 33 is further formed on the annular wall 32 opposite to the hinge connection 20, allowing the consumer to hook their finger when opening the top lid 30 using the hinge connection 20 as a pivot point.

[0027] The top lid 30 may further include an inner ring 34 that closes the dispensing portion 13 of the cap body 10 when the lid is closed. In the example shown in Figure 1, the inner ring 34 is erected from the back surface of the top portion 31 and contacts the inner surface of the dispensing portion 13 when the lid is closed.

[0028] The top lid 30 may further include a sealing ring 35 that has the function of sealing the cap body 10 and the top lid 30 when the lid is closed. In the example shown in Figure 1, the sealing ring 35 is erected from the back surface of the top surface portion 31 between the annular wall 32 and the inner ring 34, and abuts against the upper end of the mounting portion 11 of the cap body 10 when the lid is closed. Referring also to Figure 2, an annular tongue 36 may be further formed at the lower end of the sealing ring 35 so as to extend inward and downward of the top lid 30 when the lid is closed, and the cap body 10 and the top lid 30 are sealed by the annular tongue 36 being pressed against the upper inner surface of the upper end of the upper skirt portion 11a. However, in the present invention, since the ingress of liquid from the outside is suppressed by the labyrinth portion 50 described later, the sealing ring 35 is not an essential component and can be omitted.

[0029] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11 of the cap body 10 and the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32 of the top lid 30 are configured to engage with each other when the lid is closed. Specifically, the cap body 10 and the top lid 30 are configured to engage with each other at the engagement point 40 shown in Figure 2, by an engagement recess 41 formed on the upper end side of the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11 and an engagement projection 42 formed on the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32. However, the relationship between the recess and projection is not limited to this, as long as the cap body 10 and the top lid 30 can engage with each other, for example, an engagement recess may be formed on the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32 and an engagement projection may be formed on the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11.

[0030] In this embodiment, it is important to form the labyrinthine section 50, which will be described in detail below, in the hinge cap 100 in order to suppress the ingress of external liquid into the hinge cap 100 without increasing the opening force of the hinge cap 100.

[0031] Referring to Figure 2, when the lid is closed, the labyrinth section 50 guides liquid that has entered from the outside into the communication region 43, prioritizing the circumferential direction over the height direction of the communication region 43, in the communication region 43, which is surrounded by the engagement point 40 between the outer surface S1 of the mounting section 11 and the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32, at least a part of the outer surface S1 of the mounting section 11 (specifically, the outer surface S1 of the upper skirt section 11a), and the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32, and keeps the liquid contained within the communication region 43.

[0032] Here, we will explain the technical significance of providing the labyrinth section 50. As mentioned above, when the entire container is cooled with a liquid such as shower water, the inside of the container becomes depressurized, and consequently, the inside of the hinge cap 100 also becomes depressurized, which can cause liquid to seep in from the boundary 44 between the cap body 10 and the top lid 30. However, even if liquid seeps in from the outside due to this phenomenon, the labyrinth section 50 has the function of complicating and extending the flow path of the seeping liquid. As a result, the seeping liquid has difficulty reaching the engagement point 40 between the outer surface S1 of the mounting section 11 and the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32. Furthermore, since the labyrinth section 50 does not seal the outer surface S1 of the mounting section 11 and the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32, it does not increase the opening force of the hinge cap 100. Therefore, by providing the labyrinth section 50, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of liquid from the outside into the hinge cap 100 without increasing the opening force of the hinge cap 100.

[0033] From the viewpoint of preventing liquid that has entered from the outside from reaching the engagement point 40 between the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11 and the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32 by blocking it below the communication region 43, it is preferable that the labyrinth portion 50 be formed in an area of ​​half the height of the communication region 43 or less, and more preferably in an area of ​​one-third or less the height of the communication region 43.

[0034] The specific structure of the maze section 50 will be described below. The maze section 50 preferably includes a first upper lid side rib 51a and a second upper lid side rib 51b, which are formed at different levels from each other, and a first body side rib 52a and a second body side rib 52b, as shown in Figure 2. Hereinafter, the first upper lid side rib 51a and the second upper lid side rib 51b will be collectively referred to simply as "upper lid side rib 51" when there is no need to distinguish between them. Similarly, the first body side rib 52a and the second body side rib 52b will be collectively referred to simply as "body side rib 52" when there is no need to distinguish between them. Each of the upper lid side ribs 51 extends along the circumferential direction of the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32 and protrudes from the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32 toward the outer surface S1 of the mounting section 11. Furthermore, each of the main body side ribs 52 extends along the circumferential direction of the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11 and protrudes from the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11 toward the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32.

[0035] In the example shown in Figure 2, in a cross-section passing through the central axis of the hinge cap 100, the first upper lid side rib 51a, the first body side rib 52a, the second upper lid side rib 51b, and the second body side rib 52b are formed in a stepped manner in this order along the height direction from the boundary point 44 between the cap body 10 and the upper lid 30 toward the engagement point 40. As a result, liquid that seeps in from the boundary point 44 between the cap body 10 and the upper lid 30 will preferentially flow circumferentially through the area of ​​the communication region 43 below the first upper lid side rib 51a. Subsequently, even if the area of ​​the communication region 43 below the first upper lid side rib 51a is filled with liquid, any liquid that overflows above the first upper lid side rib 51a will preferentially flow circumferentially between the ribs of the first upper lid side rib 51a and the first body side rib 52a. Subsequently, even if the area below the first main body rib 52a is filled with liquid, any liquid that overflows above the first main body rib 52a will preferentially flow circumferentially between the first main body rib 52a and the second upper lid rib 51b. Subsequently, even if the area below the second upper lid rib 51b is filled with liquid, any liquid that overflows above the second upper lid rib 51b will preferentially flow circumferentially between the second upper lid rib 51b and the second main body rib 52b.

[0036] Thus, the first upper lid rib 51a, the first main body rib 52a, the second upper lid rib 51b, and the second main body rib 52b have the function of complicating and extending the flow path of liquid that has entered from the outside. As a result, it becomes difficult for liquid that has entered from the outside to reach the engagement point 40 between the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11 and the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32. For the reasons stated above, it is preferable that the first upper lid rib 51a, the second upper lid rib 51b, the first main body rib 52a, and the second main body rib 52b be formed in an area of ​​less than half the distance along the height direction from the height position of the boundary point 44 to the height position of the engagement point 40, and more preferably in an area of ​​less than one-third.

[0037] The cross-sectional shapes of the upper lid rib 51 and the main body rib 52 in a cross-section passing through the central axis of the hinge cap 100 are not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of preferentially directing liquid that has entered from the outside along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100, it is preferable that the lower ends of the upper lid rib 51 and the main body rib 52 are ring-shaped planes along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100. Furthermore, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shapes of the upper lid rib 51 and the main body rib 52 are such that the flow path for liquid that has entered from the outside bends along the height direction of the communication region 43. In other words, it is preferable that the labyrinth section 50 has a cross-section that bends along the height direction of the communication region 43 in a cross-section passing through the central axis of the hinge cap 100. Specifically, the cross-sectional shapes of the first upper lid rib 51a, the first main body rib 52a, the second upper lid rib 51b, and the second main body rib 52b may be such that the vertical flow path of the liquid that enters from the outside has a zigzag or wavy cross-sectional shape.

[0038] Furthermore, the number of upper lid ribs 51 and body ribs 52 in the present invention is not limited to the two shown in Figures 1 and 2, as long as they have the functions described above, and they do not need to be the same number. Also, the vertical positional relationship of the upper lid ribs 51 and body ribs 52 is not limited to the positional relationship shown in Figures 1 and 2, as long as they have the functions described above. For example, the first body rib 52a, the first upper lid rib 51a, the second body rib 52b, and the second upper lid rib 51b may be formed in a stepped manner in this order from the boundary point 44 toward the engagement point 40.

[0039] Referring to Figure 3, it is preferable that the first upper lid rib 51a and the second upper lid rib 51b, corresponding to the upper lid rib 51, are formed intermittently along the circumferential direction of the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32. It is also preferable that the first body rib 52a and the second body rib 52b, corresponding to the body rib 52, are formed intermittently along the circumferential direction of the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11. In Figure 3, the solid lines indicate the first upper lid rib 51a and the second upper lid rib 51b, and the dashed lines indicate the locations opposite the first body rib 52a and the second body rib 52b. In this case, it is preferable that the height-direction arrangement of the hinge cap 100 of the first upper lid rib 51a and the second upper lid rib 51b, corresponding to the upper lid rib 51, and the first body rib 52a and the second body rib 52b, corresponding to the body rib 52, is swapped along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100. As a result, liquid that enters from the outside can not only flow along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100, but can also flow in a more complex manner, as shown below. Referring to Figure 4, even if the liquid that enters from the outside moves upwards above the hinge cap 100, it can move downwards through a predetermined interval D shown in Figure 4 due to, for example, minute vibrations applied to the container from the outside, and then flow again along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100. Therefore, the path of the liquid that enters from the outside can be made even more complex.

[0040] In the example shown in Figure 4, the first and second arrangements adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100 are swapped by a predetermined interval D. Specifically, in the first arrangement, in a cross-section passing through the central axis of the hinge cap 100, the first upper cover rib 51a, the first body rib 52a, the second upper cover rib 51b, and the second body rib 52b are formed in a stepped manner in this order from the boundary point 44 toward the engagement point 40. In the second arrangement, the first body rib 52a, the first upper cover rib 51a, the second body rib 52b, and the second upper cover rib 51b are formed in a stepped manner in this order from the boundary point 44 toward the engagement point 40. In this case, it is preferable that the predetermined spacing D along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100 between the first rib group G1, consisting of upper lid ribs 51a, 51b and body ribs 52a, 52b belonging to the first arrangement, and the second rib group G2, consisting of upper lid ribs 51a, 51b and body ribs 52a, 52b belonging to the second arrangement, is greater than the rib spacing d in each of the first rib group G1 and the second rib group G2. The rib spacing d refers to the spacing between ribs that belong to the same rib group and are adjacent vertically. As a result, liquid that enters from the outside will flow more preferentially in the circumferential direction than in the vertical direction of the hinge cap 100 due to capillary action.

[0041] In the example shown in Figure 4, the height position of the central axis along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100 of the first upper lid rib 51a belonging to the first rib group G1 is the same as or substantially the same as the height position of the central axis along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100 of the first body rib 52a belonging to the second rib group G2. Similarly, the height position of the central axis along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100 of the first body rib 52a belonging to the first rib group G1 is the same as or substantially the same as the height position of the central axis along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100 of the first upper lid rib 51a belonging to the second rib group G2. Also similarly, the height position of the central axis along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100 of the second upper lid rib 51b belonging to the first rib group G1 is the same as or substantially the same as the height position of the central axis along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100 of the second body rib 52b belonging to the second rib group G2. Similarly, the height position of the central axis along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100 of the second body-side rib 52b belonging to the first rib group G1 is the same or substantially the same as the height position of the central axis along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100 of the second upper lid-side rib 51b belonging to the second rib group G2. This allows liquid that has entered from the outside to flow smoothly along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100, even if the upper lid-side rib 51 and the body-side rib 52 are formed intermittently. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the first upper lid-side rib 51a, the second upper lid-side rib 51b, the first body-side rib 52a, and the second body-side rib 52b may each be formed at an inclination with respect to the horizontal direction when the hinge cap 100 is upright.

[0042] <2. Manufacturing method for hinge caps> An example of a manufacturing method for the hinge cap 100 according to this embodiment will be briefly described. The hinge cap 100 can be manufactured by known or arbitrary injection or compression molding using a mold that has been molded to the outer shape of the hinge cap 100. Specifically, the hinge cap 100 can be obtained by injecting a heated and molten synthetic resin at a predetermined injection pressure into a mold that has been molded to include the cap body 10, hinge connecting part 20, top cover 30, and labyrinth part 50 that constitute the hinge cap 100, and then cooling it after molding. Examples of synthetic resins include polyethylene and polypropylene, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0043] <3. Summary> As described above, the hinge cap 100 according to this embodiment is characterized in that, when the lid is closed, a labyrinthine section 50 is formed in the communication region 43 surrounded by the engagement point 40 between the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11 of the cap body 10 and the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32 of the upper lid 30, and at least a part of the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11 and the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32, which guides liquid that has entered from the outside in the circumferential direction rather than the height direction of the communication region 43, and keeps it contained within the communication region 43.

[0044] With this configuration, any liquid that enters from the outside has its flow path complicated and extended by the labyrinthine section 50, making it difficult for it to reach the engagement point 40 between the cap body 10 and the top lid 30. Furthermore, since the labyrinthine section 50 does not seal the cap body 10 and the top lid 30, it does not increase the opening force of the hinge cap 100. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the ingress of liquid from the outside into the hinge cap 100 without increasing the opening force of the hinge cap 100.

[0045] The embodiments and modifications described above are examples, and any combination of these embodiments and modifications may be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments described above may include any components not shown in the figures. In addition, any components shown in the figures may be modified or omitted without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0046] As one modification, the upper lid ribs 51 belonging to the first arrangement and the upper lid ribs 51 belonging to the second arrangement may partially overlap when viewed along the central axis of the hinge cap 100. In the example shown in Figure 5, the first upper lid rib 51a of the first rib group G1 and the first upper lid rib 51a of the second rib group G2 partially overlap, the second upper lid rib 51b of the first rib group G1 and the first upper lid rib 51a of the second rib group G2 partially overlap, and the second upper lid rib 51b of the first rib group G1 and the second upper lid rib 51b belonging to the second rib group G2 partially overlap. Preferably, the length along the circumferential direction of the overlapping area between the upper lid ribs 51 belonging to the first arrangement and the upper lid ribs 51 belonging to the second arrangement is 1 / 3 or less of the length along the circumferential direction of the upper lid rib 51. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the main body ribs 52 belonging to the first arrangement and the main body ribs 52 belonging to the second arrangement may partially overlap when viewed along the central axis of the hinge cap 100. In this case, it is preferable that the length along the circumferential direction of the overlapping area between the main body ribs 52 belonging to the first arrangement and the main body ribs 52 belonging to the second arrangement is 1 / 3 or less of the length along the circumferential direction of the main body ribs 52.

[0047] As another variation, the labyrinth portion 50 in the present invention may be composed of a top cover side groove formed on the inner surface S2 of the annular wall 32 of the top cover 30 and a main body side groove formed on the outer surface S1 of the mounting portion 11. Multiple top cover side grooves and main body side grooves may be formed along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap 100 such that the bottoms of the top cover side grooves and the main body side grooves are at different levels from each other. The cross-sectional shape of the top cover side grooves and main body side grooves is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape is such that the flow path of liquid that has entered from the outside bends along the height direction of the communication region 43, and it is preferable that the overall cross-sectional shape is zigzag or wavy. The arrangement of the top cover side grooves and main body side grooves can be configured in the same way as the top cover side rib 51 and main body side rib 52 in the above embodiment, so the explanation will be used accordingly.

[0048] As another variation, the labyrinth section 50 may be constructed using only one of the upper lid side rib 51 (or upper lid side groove) and the main body side rib 52 (or main body side groove), as long as it complicates and extends the path of liquid that has entered from the outside. [Industrial applicability]

[0049] The present invention is suitably applicable to hinge caps that can suppress the ingress of external liquids into the hinge cap without increasing the opening force of the hinge cap. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 100: Hinge cap 10: Cap body 11: Mounting part 11a: Upper skirt section 11b: Lower skirt section 11c: Receiving surface S1: External surface 12:Top plate part 12a: Weakened part 12b: Initial sealing part 12c: Pull ring 12d: Inner ring 13: Pour part 14: Curved section 20: Hinge connection 30: Upper lid 31:Top section 32: Ring Wall S2: Inner Self 33: Tsuba (sword guard) 34: Inner Ring 35: Seal ring 36: Ring-shaped tongue 40: Engagement point 41: Engagement recess 42: Engagement convex part 43: Communication area 44: Boundary Point 50: Maze section 51, 51a, 51b: Ribs on the top cover side 52, 52a, 52b: Ribs on the main body side G1: First group of ribs G2: Second rib group

Claims

1. A hinged cap comprising a cap body that is attached to a container, and an upper lid connected to the cap body via a hinge connection, The cap body includes a mounting portion that is attached to the mouth of the container, a top plate portion that extends inward from the mounting portion and covers at least a part of the mouth, and a dispensing portion that rises from the top plate portion. The top lid includes a top surface and an annular wall extending downward from the periphery of the top surface and covering the dispensing portion when the container is closed. The outer surface of the mounting portion and the inner surface of the annular wall are configured to be able to engage with each other when the lid is closed. When the lid is closed, a labyrinthine section is formed in the communication region surrounded by the engagement point between the outer surface and the inner surface, at least a part of the outer surface, and the inner surface, which guides liquid that has entered from the outside in the circumferential direction rather than the height direction of the communication region, and keeps it contained within the communication region. Hinge cap.

2. The aforementioned outer surface is, It further includes an upper skirt portion above the boundary point that contacts or is close to the inner surface when the lid is closed, and a lower skirt portion below the boundary point, The communication region is surrounded by the engagement portion, the upper skirt portion, and the inner surface. The hinge cap according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned maze section is formed in an area less than half the height of the communication region. The hinge cap according to claim 1.

4. The labyrinthine section has a cross-section that bends along the height direction of the communication region in a cross-section passing through the central axis of the hinge cap. The hinge cap according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned maze section is, The upper lid side rib extends along the circumferential direction of the inner surface and protrudes from the inner surface toward the outer surface, A main body side rib extending along the circumferential direction of the outer surface and protruding from the outer surface toward the inner surface, Includes, The upper lid side rib and the main body side rib are formed at different levels from each other. A hinge cap according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The upper lid side ribs are formed intermittently along the circumferential direction of the inner surface, The main body side ribs are formed intermittently along the circumferential direction of the outer surface, The arrangement of the upper lid rib and the main body rib in the height direction of the hinge cap is reversed along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap. The hinge cap according to claim 5.

7. The arrangement includes a first arrangement and a second arrangement adjacent to the hinge cap in the circumferential direction, The spacing between the first group of ribs, consisting of the upper lid ribs and the body ribs belonging to the first arrangement, and the second group of ribs, consisting of the upper lid ribs and the body ribs belonging to the second arrangement, along the circumferential direction of the hinge cap is greater than the spacing between the ribs in the first group of ribs and the second group of ribs, respectively. The hinge cap according to claim 6.

8. The arrangement includes a first arrangement and a second arrangement adjacent to the hinge cap in the circumferential direction, The upper lid rib belonging to the first arrangement and the upper lid rib belonging to the second arrangement, or the main body rib belonging to the first arrangement and the main body rib belonging to the second arrangement, partially overlap when viewed along the central axis of the hinge cap. The hinge cap according to claim 6.

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